A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.
All-Terrain E-Board
Snow, dirt, sand, pavement—the Track 1 conquers them all. Two burly front wheels and one rear track—think miniature tank tread—propel the Track 1. It tops out at 20 mph with a range of 12 miles. The caveat? This e-board goes for a hefty $2,800.
Mammoth Bone Knife
Check out this knife before it’s extinct—again. The Wooly Mammoth Bone Knife is just that, a three-inch Damascus steel blade that folds into its handle made with real mammoth bone. The limited-run $145 knives are made in Santa Fe, N.M., and available exclusively on Huckberry.
Surf Snowboard
Hang 10—well, boots—with this surf-inspired all-mountain board from Jones Snowboards. Jeremy Jones collaborated with professional surf shaper Chris Christenson to create the $529 Mind Expander snowboard. Bamboo stringers in the core and a directional shape help the Mind Expander ride freestyle, freeride, and surf style.
Solar Lantern
Transform camping, vanlife, or even the backyard with LuminAID’s Bluetooth-enabled solar lanterns. Schedule on/off time, dim brightness, and control power using a paired app on your phone. The lamps are waterproof, stackable, and come in gem and star shapes. Live on Kickstarter now.
Dynamic Venting: The North Face ‘Ventrix’ Jacket
A first of its kind, laser-cut perforations in this jacket’s insulation expand and contract to help regulate body heat as you move. The Men’s Summit L3 Ventrix Hoodie is designed for climbing, backcountry skiing, and all stop-and-go activities in the cold. (See the GearJunkie breakdown on Ventrix here.) Available now from The North Face for $280.
Magnesium Folding E-Bike
Looking for entry-level e-bike with a premium build? Karbon Kinetics launches the GS, a more price-conscious version of its original foldable-electronic Gocycle. The $2,800 GS is “the only bicycle in the world to have an injection molded magnesium frame and wheels,” designed to be almost as light as carbon fiber. The 500-watt motor has a 40-mile range and can reach up to 20 mph.
Clog Sandals
Keep your legs and ankles strong by walking on wooden midsoles. That’s the claim behind the Pébiott (meaning “barefoot”) clogs. These wooden sandals have a leather upper and vulcanized rubber sole that complement its beechwood footbed. The clogs, designed to “help you rediscover the primitive walk of our ancestors,” start at $369 on Kickstarter.
Indestructible Mug
Toss this insulated mug in the microwave, dishwasher, or off a cliff. The makers of MyMug claim the “FDA-approved, food-grade composite” it uses can withstand virtually anything without breaking. Available in 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-ounce sizes, MyMug is made in the U.S., feels like ceramic, and is bottom-weighted to resist tipping. Live on Kickstarter.
Olympic Hoodie
Made for the U.S. Freeski Team (and to be worn at the Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang), the Outerwear Hoodie by The North Face has a stylish, everyday look. But the brand touts it’s the “most innovative hoodie on the slopes,” as it’s waterproof and made to be used as a technical performance piece on snow.
Earmuff Headphones
Keep your tunes rockin’ and your ears warm with the acrylic knit Sound Huggle headphones. These wireless over-the-ear headphones do double-duty as earmuffs and carry a 9-hour charge. Live on Indiegogo.
'Barefoot' Hiking Boot
A new take on outdoors footwear, the DayLite Hiker by Xero has a wide toe-box area to let your piggies relax and spread. Flexible and light weight (at about 10 ounces per boot), the company added a Huarache-inspired heel strap to hold your foot securely in place.
Stormproof Firestarter
Strike this fire-starting tinder, even when it’s wet, for up to seven minutes of flame. The Stormproof Sweetfire from UCO is made from renewable sugarcane waste products, so it’s eco-friendly. It comes with a strike surface and its tip has a waterproof/windproof coating to help you in the worst elements.
Collapsible Foam Roller
Scrunch, expand, and roll out with the Neofit Roller. This $89 foam roller is designed with the traveler in mind as it collapses to 4 inches and expands 12 inches with a 5.5-inch diameter. Made of high-density EVA foam, it’s on Kickstarter now with early-bird discounts.
American-Made Duffel
Carry it like a duffel, a shoulder bag, or backpack, The Duffel by American Giant is a debut pack by the brand. Made in California, the $99 Duffel uses duck canvas to be durable and long-lasting.
Insulated Poncho
Polartec Alpha insulation inside, weather-resistant stretch fabric outside make the Alphacharge Poncho by Outlier warm and equipped for outdoor pursuits. Made in New York with Swiss materials, the Alphacharge has a lined full-face zip, hood, and front hand pocket.
Extreme Winter Mitts
Susan Schurke runs Wintergreen Northern Wear, which started in 1986 after she sewed custom clothing for her husband’s dogsledding expedition to the North Pole. Today, she and her team still produce made-for-winter products in Ely, Minn., including the new Waxed Cotton Shell Overmitts. They are made to layer over wool or fleece mitts in extreme cold.
