Take a peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design. Explore the grid or click through for a slideshow.
Roofnest Falcon 2
Just in time for the spring camping surge, Roofnest releases the redesigned Falcon 2 ($3,595). This two-person rooftop tent features a 2.5-inch-thick memory foam mattress and an 8-foot telescoping ladder for entry and exit. Aside from cozy sleeping quarters, the Falcon 2 also provides ample storage capacity. Overlanders will appreciate the Falcon’s accessory channels, which are ideal for mounting lights, shovels, and axes.
Alpine Parrot Ponderosa Pants
More than 68% of American women are size 14 or larger. While many retailers don’t carry pants larger than size 12, Alpine Parrot specializes in them. The brand’s new Ponderosa Pants ($139) are built for hiking — and they’re available in sizes 14-24. These stretchy and technical nylon pants are available in two fit styles — Mountain and River — and now come in the new color sage green.
lululemon Blissfeel
It’s the biggest athleisure announcement of 2022: lululemon makes shoes now. The brand’s footwear debut features a single model, the Blissfeel ($148). Primarily designed for running, the Blissfeel has 9.5 mm of heel drop and weighs in at 8.9 ounces per shoe (size 7). The brand claims to have analyzed over 1 million women to design the Blissfeel for the female foot. Several more lululemon women’s running shoes are expected later this year. We’ve already got a pair in testing, so look for a review soon!
inov-8 PARKCLAW G 280
These road-to-trail running shoes are built with material strong enough to stop a bullet. That’s right, science nerds: The inov-8 PARKCLAW G 280 shoes ($180) are made with graphene, aka the world’s strongest material. According to inov-8’s founder, these new shoes are equally capable on paved surfaces and rough trails. Graphene is built into the rubber outsole and the foam midsole, which allegedly adds unbeatable durability in the long run (pun intended).
Oru Lake Kayak
Until Oru came along, owning a kayak was reserved for those blessed with plentiful storage space. The brand’s latest collapsible watercraft is the Lake ($499 without paddle) — a 9-foot kayak that folds down to the size of a suitcase. The Lake launched via Kickstarter on Monday, and it has already been backed nearly 20 times its original funding goal. Oru claims that the Lake can be fully unfolded and ready to paddle in just 2 minutes.
On Cloudmonster
Yes, these running shoes look weird, but according to their manufacturer, On, they’re “weird for a reason.” On’s Cloudtec is a patented design featuring visually striking outsoles full of holes (or “clouds”) that are meant to compress upon impact and recoil with every stride. Of all the models in On’s lineup, the Cloudmonster ($170) holds the title for “most cushioning.”
Eureka! Tagalong Shelter
On warm spring days, open-air shelters are ideal for car camping and riverside hangs. The Eureka! Tagalong Shelter ($200) is a compact haven of portable shade. At just under 7 pounds, a single person can easily carry it thanks to the included backpack-style carry bag. When fully set up, the Tagalong shelter provides 50 square feet of sacred sun protection.
Arc'teryx Norvan LD 3
The Norvan LD 3 ($165) is the latest footwear launch from the trail running-inclined folks at Arc’teryx. Designed for extended runs on variable surfaces, the Norvan LD 3 has a Vibram Megagrip outsole with an aggressive 4mm lug pattern. This beefy-yet-light shoe weighs just 9.3 ounces in a men’s 9. Men’s and women’s sizes are available.
