I imagine it’s pretty cool to become so famous as an athlete that you get your own limited-edition gear. Rock climber Alex Megos and ultrarunner Suguru Osaka have some cool gear to share this week, and both are likely to sell out fast, based on previous collaborations like this.
We’re also continuing to highlight the wealth of new ski gear releases this month, including some significant offerings from POC and Raide Research. We’ve also got some hyper odor-resistant socks, a funky offering from Zippo, and a few other surprising additions.
Find all that and more right here in Emerging Gear.
Vallon x Alex Megos
The 1960s-inspired shades from Vallon just got even cooler. The brand dropped a limited-edition version of its Daytrippers in a partnership with sport climber Alex Megos. The Daytrippers Megos Edition brings together “classic eyewear design, high-performance optics, and a healthy dose of Megos’ unmistakable personality,” the brand said.
The Daytrippers are a trapezoidal pair of sunglasses inspired by ’60s fashion. The Megos version offers frames in an amber acetate, upping the vintage aesthetic while including a pastel yellow sports headstrap to make sure they don’t fall off your head while pulling the crux on your project. They’re already selling out fast.
21-Day Socks
We first wrote about HercLeon back in August, when the small brand raked in over $300,000 on Kickstarter for its “no-stink” shirts. Now it’s back with another Kickstarter project that’s already well past its funding goal.
The HercSocks V5.0 are socks “built to stay smell-free for up to 21 days,” the brand said. It’s an expansion of some of the technology used in the shirts, adding in numerous minerals with specific properties. “Copper and silver slow odor-causing bacteria, zinc handles heavy-sweat smells, and coffee and charcoal absorb odor and moisture,” HercLeon said. Pricing starts at $29.
The latest campaign has already received more than $58,000, as of Friday morning, with several weeks left to go.
POC Snow Helmet
Sure, there’s tons of expensive ski gear out there — but there’s arguably nothing more important than the gear protecting your noggin. Swedish brand POC makes some of the best helmets around, and just launched a new offering for skiers and snowboarders this winter.
The Arcus ($300) combines a “race-inspired look with freeride versatility,” the brand said. It sports a magnetic, three-step ventilation adjustment with a hybrid ABS lower shell and sculpted PC in-mold top. The Arcus is also the first ski helmet to use the new FS2 BOA fit system, according to the brand. That means micro-adjustable, multi-directional adjustment.
There are also “deeper air channels that allow air to flow above the head and evaporate moisture more efficiently,” POC said, as well as “goggle chimneys” that supposedly minimize goggle fogging.
Zippo Screwdriver
Looking for an affordable and unique gift for the fixer-upper in your life? Check out this neat addition to Zippo’s vast selection of lighter cases: the Bit Safe Screwdriver Insert.
It allows you to remove the lighter from any Zippo case and replace it with a compact, 4-in-1 tool. It transforms a classic Zippo case into a pocket-sized screwdriver, the brand said. Made in the USA, the insert includes interchangeable Phillips, flathead, and Torx bits. It also has magnetic bit storage and zinc construction. Personally, I’d use a screwdriver more than a lighter, and who doesn’t love playing with the magnetic flip caps on these things? Best of all, it costs just $20.
$100 Smart Bird Feeder
If you haven’t tried an AI-powered bird feeder, I highly recommend it. While many of us have good reason to dread the AI revolution, it’s hard not to love a bird feeder that uses AI to automatically snap shots of your backyard friends and identify the species for you.
They’re typically not cheap, either. But the Birdbuddy Nook just dropped for the highly reasonable price tag of $100. But it still offers the live-streaming, photos, videos, and auto-identify features that have made this emerging market so popular. You can get a solar-powered option for just $60 more. Regardless, even with the $100 version, you’ll have to $8.25/month to use the AI features.
Waxed Canvas Garment Bags
I’m a big fan of waxed canvas. It’s classy, water-resistant, and more durable than most synthetic alternatives. So it’s cool to see Steele Canvas release this Waxed Canvas Garment Bag ($200). I’ve destroyed several plastic garment bags over the years. They’re super helpful to keep formal wear crisp while traveling, but I never invested in a quality bag, which sort of defeats the whole point of a garment bag in the first place.
The bags from Steele Canvas, which makes its products right here in the USA, include a waxed-canvas exterior and an interior lined with water-resistant nylon pack cloth. The top opening accommodates hangers and snaps at both ends to secure the bag when folded. And if that’s not enough for you, the brand also dropped a Waxed Canvas Shoe Bag ($70) that’s equally classy.
Raide Ski Collection
New ski gear is coming fast and furious this month! That includes a massive drop from Colorado’s Raide Research, which just dropped a huge collection of ski touring apparel and packs.
The collection includes what Raide calls “the lightest back-panel-access ski packs on the market,” as well as a down jacket made with 1000-fill ExpeDry down, which Raide claims has the highest warmth-to-weight ratio available. There are also lightweight, packable down mittens, and an interesting take on a hard shell kit.
It’s all now available for preorder, with products are expected to begin shipping in early November.
Limited-Edition Coros
I’m generally a big fan of Coros, especially the Pace 4, which I reviewed last year and praised for its gorgeous AMOLED display. However, Coros’ models don’t launch with too many watch band options, which is why the brand’s limited-edition drops of alternative colors may strike a chord with those looking for a bit more aesthetic variety on their runs.
After previous special editions watches with runners Jakob Ingbrigtsen and Kilian Jornet, Japanese runner Suguru Osaka is the latest to score his own Coros model. Osaka is a marathoner and track runner who holds the current Japanese marathon record (2:04:55) and finished 6th in the 2020 Olympic Games. You can snag his grey/green version of the Pace 4 for $290.
Chill Winter Boots
For those living in states with actual winter and snow, it’s quite helpful to have a pair of boots for dealing with the snow. But you don’t need hyper-technical footwear for walking the dog — just something that keeps you cozy.
That’s the mission of the third winter style boot from Loon’r, based in Colorado. The Sidekick, an above-the-ankle slip-on boot, is the lightest and cheapest of the brand’s winter boot offerings, coming in at just 10 ounces per boot. It’s made for the “everyday side of winter: walking the dog, running errands, or the drive to the hill,” the brand said. It has a waterproof EVA lower that’s topped with a lightweight, water-resistant upper.
It’s rated for moderate cold (+15°F to 55°F), while the Hi Flyer and Lo Rider are slightly pricier and more insulated for truly frigid days.
Cashmere Beanies
More brands are opting for natural fibers these days, as more people (like me) search for gear that’s both comfortable and hypoallergenic. So if you’re looking for a beanie for winter weather, the Cashmere Cloud Beanies from AU Baby are worth a look. The brand started in 2019 with plant-dyed merino baby blankets, and has now expanded into adult wear.
The beanies are knitted from a blend of organic merino wool and cashmere, which offers natural temperature regulation and breathability. They are also HSA/FSA-eligible for sensitive skin conditions and Oeko-Tex-certified. They do cost $60, but natural fibers typically last longer and feel better on the skin.
