A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design. Explore the grid below or click through for a slideshow.
Wigwam SynchroKnit Surpass Socks
The SynchroKnit Surpass Crew Socks are the latest (and, according to initial reviews, the greatest) socks on the market right now. Launched last week, the Wigwam SynchroKnit removes unneeded fabric to create contours in the knit that provide a specific fit. The SynchroKnit Surpass socks ($19) are made with a blend of polyester, nylon, Tencel, and spandex and work for hiking, biking, and running.
Gregory Citro & Juno Daypacks
Looking for a better daypack? Gregory’s Citro and Juno H20 (men’s and women’s) utilize Gregory’s new suspension system and have a 3L Hydro reservoir and SpeedClip mounting system to maximize time on the trail. The packs also have components like breathable mesh and a shades stash pocket. Find them on January 1, available from Gregory in these sizes: 24L ($140), 30L ($150), and 36L ($160).
TriggerPoint IMPACT Massage Gun
The newest product from TriggerPoint is the IMPACT Massage gun ($200). The device offers percussion massage for muscle recovery pre- or post-workout. The new IMPACT advertises a quiet, brushless motor to maximize battery life and reduce noise. And it has four different massage settings you can tailor to your needs. It’s available starting on January 1.
OneDevice Smartphone
A tech engineer from France hopes to change the smartphone market with OneDevice, a less bulky, smaller, more practical phone. The OneDevice bezel-less smartphone measures only 5 inches in height and will have a full LCD display, plus 256 GB of storage and 4 GB of memory. However, the founders still need backers for the project to make this small smartphone a reality.
Kona Brewing Company Kona Surfboard
What could be cooler than a surfboard? A brewery and boardmaker collaboration. The Kona Surfboard ($600), made by Kona Brewing Co. in Hawaii and Sector 9 in San Diego, is a double-fin carbon and epoxy surfboard with 6-inch fins. This board is purely meant for fun: riding waves while embracing Kona Brewing’s island lifestyle, no matter where you live.
Spyderco Tenacious Lightweight Knife
Golden, Colorado-based Spyderco is back with a super-neat, lightweight knife design. The Tenacious Lightweight knife ($65) is made with injection-molded, fiberglass-reinforced nylon handle scales that reduce the knife’s overall weight by almost 10 percent. The Tenacious Lightweight also has a full flat-ground 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade, a four-position pocket clip, and your choice of multiple blade edge configurations.
Hydro Flask Insulated Food Jar
From morning oats to campsite snacks, Hydro Flask’s Insulated Food Jars are designed to keep food hot or cold for hours. The leakproof design makes the jars spill-free and great for travel. The stainless steel food jars ($35-45) will come in three sizes up to 28 ounces and have easy-grip lids, wide-mouth openings, and powder-coated colors. Hydro Flask’s much-anticipated food jars will launch in August 2020.
XQUAD GPS Tracker
GoTele has created a GPS device that can track you and your friends off the grid and on the go. XQUAD uses a four-satellite GPS system to track and locate up to 30 people. Device users can also send messages off the cellular grid. The XQUAD will retail for $149, and you can get one for $99 now.
Vento Powerstrap R2 Aerowave
This cycling shoe from Fizik took home a Eurobike award for its lightweight performance design. The Vento Powerstrap R2 ($400) features the brand’s Aeroweave material (nylon fibers woven with thermoplastic polymer), which cradles the foot, as well as Powerstrap Velcro closures. It’s a breathable, lightweight, and supportive high-performance racing shoe … that costs $400.
Corc Yoga Kits
Corc Yoga wants to streamline your foray into yoga with its latest bundles. The Yoga Essentials Kit ($235) includes all the gear a yogi needs: a yoga mat, two blocks, yoga mat cleaner spray, and a carrying sling. Corc Yoga’s mats and blocks are all made of natural cork, so the kits are 100 percent sustainable too.