Outdoor gear has increasingly threaded the needle between practical upgrades and aesthetic appeal, and today’s Emerging Gear has loads of both.
A beautiful blanket made from one of the earth’s strongest materials? Check. Super-durable gear for outdoor adventures with man’s best friend? Check. A cooler that costs more than a PlayStation 5? … Yeah, that’s here, too.
Find all that and more in this week’s Emerging Gear.
Gear for Adventurous Dogs
Ruffwear already makes some of the best gear for dogs that GearJunkie has tested. The brand’s Front Range Dog Harness has already proven highly durable over five years, according to a 2024 review by AllGear Editorial Director Sean McCoy.
But now the Oregon-based brand claims to have upped the ante with its Ridgeline Collection. The new gear supposedly reaches the “peak of dog apparel performance.”
It includes the new Ridgeline Harness, which has an X-Pac laminate shell for weather, dirt, and abrasion resistance. Moreover, it has four Fidlock magnetic self-aligning buckles, which are also used in other outdoor gear, such as helmets, backpacks, and gloves. The clips are “easily secured and released, even with gloves,” the brand said.
There’s also the Ridgeline Leash, Ridgeline Collar, and, yes, even the Ridgeline Shoes for extra-sturdy paw protection.
Nomadix Graphene Puffer Blanket
Graphene is a famously sturdy material, and now you can find it in a sturdy new blanket from Nomadix. The Graphene Puffer Blanket ($100) is a 2-in-1 blanket and sleeping bag “engineered for versatility across campsites, festivals and backyard evenings,” the brand said.
It uses Nomadix’s proprietary GrapheneLoft, a high-loft insulation infused with graphene, which supposedly “captures and redistributes body heat for advanced thermal retention without added weight.”
Bigger JetBoil Stoves
We’re pretty big fans of JetBoil. Last year, the Jetboil Flash 1.0L Fast Boil Review received a whopping 9-star rating from our reviewer, while the Jetboil Stash Review got an 8 — and now they’ve gotten even bigger.
JetBoil’s popular camping stoves have expanded with the Jetboil Flash 1.8L (for general boiling purposes) and the Flash Java 1.8L (for coffee junkies). Designed to boil water as quickly as possible, the newest additions provide a larger capacity without sacrificing speed, according to the brand. They’re now available online. The Flash 1.8L costs $165, and the Flash Java 1.8L costs $180.
Altra Experience 3
Altra just dropped the Experience3, its latest running shoe collection.
The new releases are divided into the collection’s road-running models (Flow) and trail-running models (Wild). Road models include the Experience Flow 3 ($145), a lightweight road shoe built for everyday miles, and the Experience Flow ST ($150), which has GuideRail technology for “gentle medial guidance.”
Trail running models include the Experience Wild 3 ($150), designed for varied terrain, and the Experience Wild 3+ ($165), a “more rugged option” with a Vibram Megagrip outsole, traction lugs, and an integrated toe bumper.
Special-Edition Rope Supports Colombian Climbers
A sexy rope that also helps Colombian climbers get on real rock — what’s not to love? Sterling, one of the most trusted names in climbing ropes, has released a special-edition rope that supports Colombia’s climbing community through the Global Climbing Initiative’s Climbing Leadership Fund.
This edition of the ECO Sterling Climbing Rope also has colors from the Colombian flag, making it extra special. It’s also made with yarn derived from recycled tires. That results in 62% lower carbon emissions than yarns made from 100% fossil-based resources, according to Sterling.
Sterling even made a cool documentary about the efforts, filmed in Colombia’s famous climbing crag in Suesca.
‘Iceless’ Cooler Gets Upgrade
When Norwegian brand Oyster released its Tempo cooler in 2023, we gave it a (mostly) positive review. Its claim of needing no ice to work was a slight overstatement, Camping Editor Will Brendza wrote, given that it does need some thermal ice packs to keep your food and beverages frosty.
Well, say hello to the latest upgrade of this pricey cooler: the Tempo Pro. The new version includes an “integrated temperature monitoring system that provides real-time visibility into the cooler’s internal temperature,” the brand said. It also costs $50 more than the previous model, bringing the price to an eye-opening $550. But if you’re looking for a premium cooler with a sports-car aesthetic, this might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Aventon Ramblas ADV
When Aventon released the original Ramblas, an electric bike aimed at MTB riders, GearJunkie reviewer Mark Wilson praised its high-quality components and reasonable price tag.
Now the brand has released the Aventon Ramblas ADV e-bike, an upgraded model with an A100 motor, reduced motor noise, and tubeless-ready wheels and tires. It also sports four pedal-assist modes, as well as a “Walk & Hold mode” to help with steep ascents or for the needed breaks. At $2,900, it’s only $200 more than the original model.
Author Dives Deep into ‘Hometown River’
Looking for a new book on outdoor adventure? Check out Yampa Yearnings, the latest book from award-winning author Eugene Buchanan. The author of six books and a frequent contributor to The New York Times and National Geographic, Buchanan now focuses on his decades-long relationship with Colorado’s Yampa River, the last remaining free-flowing tributary to the Colorado River Basin.
He aims to raise readers’ awareness of their own backyard waterways through his 30-year relationship with his beloved hometown river. You can snag this brand-new paperback for $21.50 online.
Fisherman Sweater
I couldn’t see this sexy new sweater without thinking of that Chris Evans outfit in the first Knives Out (if you know, you know).
But this Nautilus Fisherman Sweater from Vermont-based Ibex has a few extra surprises up its sleeves. It combines a classic 8-gauge, 2×2 rib knit aesthetic with “bespoke 3D knitting.” Moreover, it’s made with Nuyarn, a durable mix of merino wool and nylon. Nuyarn is one of the reasons Ibex takes GearJunkie’s top spot in the Best Baselayers for Men category.
So, this sweater will not only make you look fresher than Captain America — it’ll likely stand up to the elements, too.
Carry On/Duffel Backpack
Adventurist Backpack Co., a family-owned brand in Denver, Colorado, has released a pack aimed at the international adventure crowd.
The Carry On Duffel/Backpack 45L is a versatile travel bag sized for an overhead bin on an airplane. It also has two padded laptop compartments, multiple organizational pockets, and water‑resistant 1000D polyester. Stowable straps make it suitable for the trail as well as the plane, according to the designers. It’s also made from vegan leather with YKK zippers. Dimensions are 21.5 x 14 x 9.5 in.
