Do I detect a hint of fall in the air? Our weekly Emerging Gear feature is a roundup of the latest and greatest from the brands you know and love.
This week, you can practically taste the pumpkin spice (unless you hate that sort of thing) as brands launch new products with autumn and winter in mind.
Vitus Kids’ Mythique
Vitus designed its Mythique mountain bike line as a full-suspension, forgiving, affordable, all-around trail bike with playful, responsive chops. And its recently launched kids’ version carries that same DNA (and moderately high-end components) into a similarly affordable kids’ package. That’s great news, because if you take your 10-year-old mountain biking, chances are she’s already shredding harder than you.
The Kids’ Mythique comes in 26-inch and 24-inch wheel sizes. The 24-inch model sports 120mm of suspension in front and back, while the 26er rocks 130mm up front with 120mm of float in the rear — with dropper post routing, universal derailleur hanger, boost rear hub spacing, and full-size thru-axles. Both sport an MSRP of $1,499, which ain’t bad for a fully featured ride.
The James Brand Gatecliff EDC Notebook
Lost in the EDC scrum of pocket knives and earbuds is the underappreciated category of pocket journals. EDC wizards The James Brand (TJB) to the rescue with the Gatecliff — a rugged, portable journal case with storage for essentials.
The Gatecliff comprises no-nonsense, hardwearing black CORDURA, a water-resistant PU-coated zipper, and a welded (no-seam) construction. I wouldn’t dunk it in a pond, but this thing should brush off light rain on your adventures with no problem.
And the inside is just as well-thought-out, with a microfiber interior, a pen holder, and slots for cash, cards, and a passport. The Gatecliff comes with a TJB-branded notebook, but is sized to fit many popular pocket journals (looking at you, Field Notes!).
A $119 for a journal carrier might put a hitch in your giddyup, but there’s a price to pay for understated elegance. And if you like the way TJB does things, check out the rest of its recently launched Communications line.
SNO-GO Shift
OK, ski and board snobs, calm down. You know this SNO-GO Shift looks fun! Particularly, I’d assume, if you’re a mountain biker looking to carry your vibe into the winter season.
SNO-GO’s been around for a bit, and the Shift is its flagship “snow bike.” But revamped details like a better chairlift guard, new frame material, and improved suspension have it back on my radar. With a range of color choices and two types of skis to choose from, the Shift will look and feel steezy in all kinds of conditions. And if you’ve already got experience with one of these bad boys, check out SNO-GO’s more performance-oriented products (also recently revamped).
If a snowboarder mocks you for spending $2,400 on a snow bike? Let it roll off. Remember, there was a time those guys weren’t even allowed on the mountain.
High Camp Parkside Flask
Bring your favorite vintage to the great outdoors! Because not everyone has a taste for the fiery spirits typically carried in a flask, High Camp designed the 750mL Parkside Flask for adventure vino-lovers. Complete with book-ended stainless steel cups, the Parkside Flask accommodates a typical bottle of wine — perfect when you don’t want to settle for boxed varietals and can’t risk bringing glass. So, splurge on a nice vintage, decant, and set off toward a distant fire ring! Available now for $125.
Filson Tin Cloth Collection
Filson’s not just for wildland firefighters and backcountry blacksmiths (if such a thing exists) — now the Seattle-based purveyor of handcrafted, long-lasting outdoor gear wants to elevate the everyday carry space with its line of Tin Cloth packs.
Targeted squarely at the daily grinders “commuting in the big city, going back to school, traveling across the world, or going on a hunting trip,” the Tin Cloth Collection includes a Medium Duffle Bag (pictured), Small Duffle Bag, Compact Briefcase, Tote Bag with Zipper, and Travel Kit. Each item carries Filson’s trademark waterproof waxed canvas, brass zippers and hardware, and thick, 2-inch detachable webbing. Check out the full line at Filson now.
Free Fly Apparel Gridback Fleece Jacket
Oh, fleece. You’re so soft and breathable, but wind and rain blast right through you. It’s an eternal problem that Free Fly Apparel thinks it’s solved. The brand’s Gridback Fleece products sport a high-pile, gridded fleece interior welded to a smooth stretch weave exterior. The upshot? All the breathability of fleece with way more weather and wind protection than typical. At least, that’s what Free Fly claims.
Other details include stretch cuffs and zippered hand pockets. Test out the Gridback Fleece Jacket for yourself in gusty fall weather for $168.
Oru Inlet BCA Pink Edition Foldable Kayak
The Inlet is Oru’s most popular kayak — a 20-pound, 9’8″ flatwater boat that folds into a svelte little storage bag. When stored, you can fit this boat in the trunk of a car with room to spare. In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Oru spangled the Inlet with pink detailing and will donate 5% of every purchase to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
GearJunkie’s review called the Inlet a perfect “let’s take it to the lake and goof around” boat. It’s got a spacious, open cockpit with plenty of room for dogs, kids, or a cooler full of frosty beverages. And at $949, it’s a decent value to boot.
New West KnifeWorks Snake River Petty Knife
You don’t have to be a top-notch chef or a knife nut to appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship on display with this lovely limited-edition petty knife. Engraved with a section of the Snake River watershed and boasting a blue-green resin and maple burl, the Snake River Petty Knife says, “I may be a dirtbag, but I can cook the hell out of a brunch, should you be inclined to join me for one.”
New West KnifeWorks only made 200 of these guys, and is selling them for $375 each. With a 6-inch blade fashioned from high-carbon stainless powder metal steel, the Snake River Petty should be up to any basic kitchen task you can throw at it.
Zodiac x Worn & Wound Super Sea Wolf Laser Tag
The nostalgia craze currently saturating our pop-culture landscape shows no signs of abating. Might as well lean into it, as Zodiac and Worn & Wound did with this collaboration watch, the brands’ first since 2021.
Strap on the Super Sea Wolf Laser Tag, and you’ll (hopefully) be transported back in time by 3 decades or so. The location? Your local combo putt-putt/bowling alley/arcade/laser tag joint. Your stomach? Full of hot dogs. Your mood? Ready to bring swift laser justice to all challengers.
Zodiac and Worn & Wound rendered the Super Sea Wolf Laser Tag in a dark gray stainless steel case emblazoned with luminous etchings, engravings, and channels. In a bright room, they show up as white. But get into the dark, and the watch comes alive with purple or blue highlights, depending on which model you buy. And I bet it looks tubular under a black light. Dude.
This is a limited-edition watch, with only 282 in each color. Got $1,595 to drop on a timepiece? Grab one before they’re gone.
Arcade Jessup Suspenders
When he was alive, my grandfather did all the same adventuring I do, but he did it in suspenders, wool pants, a bucket hat, and a gigantic external frame canvas backpack. Some of that gear is outdated, but he wouldn’t be surprised to learn that suspenders still get the job done — and they have the added advantage of keeping your base layers firmly in place to boot. Let’s see a belt do that, yo!
Arcade’s Jessup Suspenders are the latest offering from the stretchy belt brand, and I can’t wait to get my hands on some. They come in two colors, and the clasps are solid metal. They’ve got the same stretch as Arcade’s other products and only cost $50. You can grab a pair at Arcade’s website.
Paka 3/4 Performance Sock
If there’s a sexier outdoor fabric right now than alpaca, I don’t know it. And for good reason — the stuff is warm for its weight, soft, and dries quickly (in my experience). But durable it ain’t, nor does it have the same fabric “memory” as merino. That’s why the 33% alpaca, 7% TENCEL, 57% nylon, 3% spandex blend Paka came up with for its new 3/4 Performance Sock is so intriguing.
Some design features worth pointing out — ribknit construction (Paka claims it prevents shifting), compression arch support, heel and instep padding, and a mesh-style upper. Basically, this looks like a thoughtfully designed sock, which is not something I can say nearly enough. Grab a pair at Paka’s website for $24.
MountainFLOW Ski Pole – ecoTOUR
MountainFLOW calls the ecoTOUR “the world’s most sustainable touring pole.” That’s a bold claim I can’t confirm, but I can confidently say that the turquoise and gray styling on these aluminum touring poles is on point. The material selection is also groovy, as MountainFlow opted for 7075 aluminum, a stronger material than the more common 6061 aluminum found in budget poles. And in keeping with the sustainable theme of the product, that aluminum is 95% recycled.
At 550 g per pair, these could very well be your touring go-to’s this season. At $130, what’s stopping you?
