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.
50,000BC Jacket
Inspired by prehistoric man, the 50,000BC Jacket from Vollebak is an all-conditions coat. Backed by bold marketing lines like “the prehistoric man was the greatest adventurer to ever live,” the Vollebak 50,000BC Jacket is waterproof, windproof, and built to be durable. Vollebak uses wool insulation for warmth and bonds four — yes, four — layers to make it “ice-age-proof.” The 50,000BC Jacket currently has a waiting list. And, knowing Vollebak, this jacket should demand a hefty price tag.
CRC System
Go off road to your favorite honey hole and don’t fret about rods breaking with the Convertible Rod Carry System from Trxstle. The CRC System is solar-powered and uses proprietary rod liners. A good bet for fly rod travel, the CRC System and its liners telescope, allowing you to bring two fully rigged fly rods or a standard double rod and reel. Trxstle goes into greater detail about its CRC System here, where it sells for $325.
ARES DIVER-1
SOG teams up with ARES for its most expensive offering yet, a $695 dive watch. Limited to 50 units, the ARES DIVER-1 is a “mission-ready” dive watch with a two-piece case and screwback construction. It has Ronda 715Li five-jewel, gold-plated quartz movement with a lithium-ion battery that lasts 10 years. Additionally, it’s anti-magnetic, shock-resistant, and submersible to 40 atm. Head to SOGknives.com or its headquarters for a chance to snag one of the 50 watches, available now.
Hoppy Trail Butter
Slurp hops for energy on your next trail run with Trail Butter’s newest flavor, made in collaboration with 10 Barrel Brewing. Dubbed NW IPA Nut Butter, the Trail Butter flavor incorporates hops from Glacier Hops Ranch and Jacobsen Salt Co. sea salt harvested from the coast of Oregon. Additionally, the NW IPA Nut Butter uses malt extract, crystal malt, lemon zest, hop oils, roasted California almonds, sunflower kernels, coconut oil, and honey. Talk about refreshing! We’re still waiting to hear about pricing and availability with this one, so hold tight.
Patagonia Capilene Cool Tech Tees
The T-shirt is anything but basic these days, with super-stretchy wool offerings from Black Diamond, and now Capilene Cool Tech Tees from Patagonia. Released this week, Patagonia places its multifunctional Capilene layer, found in its baselayers, into its Tech Tees. The line claims to both wick moisture and dry quickly — a recipe for comfort in hot environments. Capilene Cool Tech Tees come in three styles from $39 to $55.
GoSun Chill
From the makers of the world’s best solar-powered hot dog cooker comes a new invention, the GoSun Chill solar-powered cooler. With brushless compressor motors and lithium-ion batteries, the GoSun Chill claims to fit 40 percent more food because you don’t need to fill the cooler with ice. GoSun Chill runs off portable powerbanks, AC power, or portable solar panels. With shade from the extra attachment, the Solar Table, GoSun advertises the cooler will operate in direct sunlight down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. GoSun Chill is on Indiegogo now for $619.
Sunski Topeka
With SuperLight recycled plastic frames, Sunski launches a new style, the Topeka. Over 3 years, Sunski developed a way to turn waste from U.S. postindustrial landfills into sunglass frames. The SuperLight recycled plastic frames, in addition to new recyclable packaging, promote Sunski’s interest in reducing single-use plastic. The Topeka is a stylish, polarized pair of $68 sunglasses available in Tortoise Forest and Tortoise Indigo frames.
Silent Kingdom Book
Ferocious sharks and playful dolphins grace the pages of Christian Vizl’s stunning black-and-white book, “Silent Kingdom.” With the tagline “A World Beneath the Waves,” “Silent Kingdom” inspires readers to appreciate the ocean, what Vizl calls one of the last truly wild frontiers. With prior appearances in National Geographic, “Silent Kingdom” marks the Mexico City-based diver and conservationist’s first book. The 224-page, $31, hardback book offers jaw-dropping photos page after page.
Latitude Bars
Latitude Bars are granola bars made with jerky. You heard that right. The brand places turkey and beef jerky in Original, Maple Bacon, and Autumn Feast flavored bars. And while the taste and texture might be unique (we tested these bars), Latitude manages to pack a ton of calories into the bars. So those looking to travel fast and light, with minimal food but maximum calories, these bars are a safe bet. In one bar, there are two servings and 540 total calories! And for sufferfest days, the taste is certainly passable. Shop for Latitude Bars here, where a 12-pack goes for $54.
686 Anything Cargo Pant
While most travel pants are the same boring gray, brown, or black, 686 takes a different direction with its Anything Cargo Pant. The multifeatured pants not only come in classic travel colors, but the brand also makes them in tri-colorblock for a bold travel look. 686 makes the pants with a DWR coating, antimicrobial and antiwrinkle fabric, four-way stretch, stain- and water-resistant finish, breathability, 40-plus UPF rating, RFID-blocking pocket, and a slew of storage pockets. With that feature set and a $110 price tag, the pants might be in the running for a place in our Best Men’s Travel Pants article.
UAG Active Watch Strap
Secure your Apple Watch with confidence thanks to Urban Armor Gear’s Active Watch Straps. These high-strength nylon weave straps are designed to be some of the strongest Apple Watch bands on the market. With a Velcro fastener, the Active Watch Strap tightens down on the wrist. It’s worn by the likes of surf photographers and adventurers around the world, and it’s available now for $60.
Nordgreen Native and Pioneer Watches
Scandinavian brand Nordgreen releases two minimal, eco-inspired watches: the Native and the Pioneer. With red-tipped hands inspired by wind turbines, the Pioneer aspires to invite wearers toward a more sustainable future. The release is Nordgreen’s second Kickstarter project. We used the first watch, and one tester found it a “solid timepiece with affordable class.” And for $105 and $150 for the Native and Pioneer, respectively, these watches are wallet-friendly.
