A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.
Quilted Hammock
Hang and sway long after summer’s gone in the 800-fill Superior Hammock. With a 6.5-foot underquilt built into the two-layer ripstop hammock, the brand claims it has the simplest solution to “Cold Butt Syndrome.” Superior Hammock will retail for a hefty $449, but discounts are available on Kickstarter now.
Weatherproof Duffel Backpack
Keep the elements out and your back happy with the convertible Vacanza travel bag. The Vacanza has tuck-away shoulder straps and a roll-top closure for wearing as a backpack. And it has a main front pocket and handles to carry as a duffle. Plus, the Vacanza PU leather construction makes it weatherproof and scratch-resistant. Live on Kickstarter.
Smart Heating Jacket
Dial in extra heat where you need it using Kinesix’s Smart Heating Jacket. Twelve removable heating elements not only provide warmth but can be individually controlled using the connected app. Kinesix is live on Kickstarter now.
Drink-Friendly Speaker
Open, hold, or spill your drink—the ECOXGEAR EcoBoulder+ can handle it all. The $250 Bluetooth speaker blasts 100 watts of sound through an 8-inch speaker, 3-inch tweeter, and 8-inch passive subwoofer. Plus, the EcoBoulder+ has two cupholders and a bottle opener.
Ultimate Winter Cycling Boot
When two Minnesota brands come together, you know winter is near. Red Wing Boots and 45 NRTH team up to launch the Wolvhammer Red Wing Edition cycling boot ($345). Clipless mountain cleats on the sole, full leather upper, and an Aerogel footbed make this one of the coolest warmest pieces of winter cycling gear we’ve seen.
Fatter Winter Rack
Haul more of the newest gear to the slopes on Yakima’s FatCat Evo 4 and Evo 6 roof racks. Touted as “the most aerodynamic” snow sports mount by Yakima, the FatCat Evo 4 ($229) and 6 ($279) add more than 4 inches of extra space to accommodate wider all-terrain skis and snowboards. The racks hold four skis/two snowboards and six skis/four snowboards respectively.
K9 Fitness Collar
Make sure your dog is happy, healthy, and sleeping well with the Waggit wearable. The collar monitors your pet’s resting vitals, body positions, sleep quality, activity, and nutrition. Live on Kickstarter, the Waggit establishes your dog’s baseline, then alerts you when sleep, movement, and more raise health concerns.
Campsite Snake Fence
Sleep with peace of mind knowing you won’t wake up to snakes. The Atrox Snake Barrier lets campers, hunters, and anyone worried about snake intrusion to set up a protective mesh perimeter. The barrier sits 10 inches off the ground and, according to the brand, keeps snakes from getting in while allowing snakes inside to get out. Live on Kickstarter.
Tiny Knife
Bring basic utility almost anywhere with the key-size WESN folding knife. Measuring less than 4 inches total, the WESN sports a 1.5-inch AUS8 steel blade, titanium body, frame lock, keychain hole, and a lifetime warranty. Live on Kickstarter beginning at $35.
Performance Moccasins
It took awhile, but The North Face finally launched its all-weather slip-ons in America. All the rage in Japan, TNF’s $100 NSE Traction Lite Moc II is water-resistant, PrimaLoft-insulated, and has an outdoor-ready rubber sole.
On-the-Go Tubeless Repair
Fix flats on your tubeless setup quickly with the milKit Tubeless Booster. Fill the bottle with air before you go with the presta adapter, then refill a flat with a single squeeze. Plus, if you need extra hydration, the milKit doubles as a water bottle.
Universal Filtration
Add filtration to your favorite water bottle with LifeStraw’s two-stage adapter kit. Two different lid sizes accommodate wide- and narrow-mouth openings. The LifeStraw Universal removes bacteria and protozoa for up to 1,000 liters, and an activated carbon filter improves taste, and removes chlorine and organic matter. Available for pre-order for $35.
Plush Leather
Minnetonka Moccasin and Duluth Pack team up to bring the best of each to a limited run of products. The collection includes two moccasin styles and two packs, each separately incorporating Duluth Pack’s leather and buckles, and Minnetonka Moccasins’ suede and sheepskin.
Double-Duty Hydration
Keep yourself and your best friend cool and hydrated with the “world’s first hygienic multi-beverage bottle.” A straw, bite valve, and release button lets you drink. Meanwhile, a flip-out dish, squeeze button, and leak-proof valve lets Fido drink, too. The Drink & Buddy will retail for $35, but discounts are available on its Kickstarter.
$99 Puffy
Warm, ethical, and under 100 bucks, Sierra Designs Tuolumne guns for the “lowest priced, tech-based synthetic down jacket on the market.” The jacket boasts the equivalent of 600-fill down and uses a 40D poly shell. Available in men’s and women’s (pictured) styles.
Level Up Climbing Stickers
Show off your greatest achievement and eye up your next climb with Mountain Markers. Available as stickers or buttons, colorful faces sport climbing and bouldering grades that you can wear and use to motivate your own development. Live on Kickstarter.
Camp Pizza Oven
Fresh-baked pizza may not be feasible for backcountry adventure just yet, but Uuni at least makes it available for the backyard or car campsite. The $299 Uuni3 weighs under 30 pounds, has a pack-away chimney, and burns wood pellets. The oven can reach 930 degrees F and has three legs for extra stability on uneven ground.
Camp Blanket System
Stay warm, stay dry, and stay soft with Kammok’s three-part All Adventure Camp Blankets. Each blanket has a different application on its own and snaps together for extra protection. The water-resistant Mountain Blanket (pictured) can be worn as a poncho, or used as a top quilt or ground cover. There’s also the lighter-weight Field Blanket and minimalist Mesa Mat.
Stretch Collar Shirt
Look fancy without feeling fancy. DUER launches its first collection of performance dress shirts. The 9 to 9 Button Down incorporates cotton, Coolmax, and spandex to wick moisture and offer lots of flexibility.
Skipping Stone Fetch
Clear your mind and help Fido get some exercise at the same time. Kurgo introduces the floating Skipping Stone dog toys. The $13 non-toxic, washable (and chewy) stones are brightly colored easy to spot, and purported to skip like flat rocks.
