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.
VSSL The Catch & Cook Kit
VSSL’s carefully curated outdoor gear kits fit neatly into packable cylinders. One of the brand’s latest offerings is the Catch and Cook ($80), a minimalist set of angling essentials and fire-building necessities. This simple kit contains 15 pieces of fishing equipment including hooks, rubber bait, and 50 feet of 20-pound line. The included wire saw and fire starters come in handy when it’s time to prepare your catch. The Catch and Cook kit could serve as part of a large emergency survival setup, or it can simply offer a fun challenge on a family camping trip.
Canyon Strive CFR Enduro MTB
In 2019, Florian Nicolai rode a Canyon Strive CFR to a second overall finish in the Enduro World Series. Now, Canyon has fully redesigned its flagship enduro mountain bike — and the update includes an all-carbon chassis. CFR stands for Canyon Factory Racing, and only the top-end bikes in Canyon’s lineup earn the CFR title. With 160 mm of rear travel and updated, aggressive frame geometry, the 2022 Strive CFR ($7,299) is all about high-speed performance.
Jack Wolfskin Terraventure Texapore
German outdoor wear producer Jack Wolfskin aims to eliminate all PFCs from its footwear by 2025. Aligned with this effort, the brand announces the new Terraventure Texapore Hiking Boots ($200). The brand claims that these boots are manufactured with sustainably sourced uppers, membranes, midsoles, and liners. Additionally, Jack Wolfskin says the Terraventure Texapores are waterproof without the use of chemical treatments. Even the lace eyelets are made from 76% recycled zinc. The boots are available in a mid and low-cut version.
7mesh Desperado Merino Hoody
Try as we might, humans simply can’t create a material with the sweat-wicking breathability of merino wool. The newly designed Desperado Hoody ($90) from 7Mesh features a merino and polyester blend that has been specifically formulated for cool-weather mountain biking. Sporting a relaxed fit and a low-profile hood, the Desperado hoody is designed to protect against wind, sun, and mud without limiting the body’s natural range of motion.
Astral PFD Sandals
Attention river guides: Whitewater gear company Astral drops a water sandal to rival Chacos. The new PFD sandals ($125) are the first-ever sandal from Astral. Inspired by the needs of Class V river runners, the PFDs are outfitted with the brand’s proprietary rubber compound outsole and 100% recycled uppers. To fight foot funk and odor, the PFDs have closed-cell EVA foam midsoles, which are designed to limit bacterial growth.
Wing Inflatables Wing Raft Blue
Wing Inflatables was one of the first companies to build rafts from thermo-welded polyurethane. Today, this material has become the industry standard. Now, the brand is offering a special re-release of its iconic color scheme, “Wing Raft Blue.” This very same color made Wing Rafts distinctive on American rivers in the early ’90s. Wing Inflatables CEO Andrew Branagh says, “We stay true to our roots and our historical commitment to the rafter.” Wing rafts in Wing Raft Blue can be made to order.
KUIU Gila Airmesh Boonie
The nose, forehead, and ears are among the most common locations of sun damage and skin cancer. While enjoying the outdoors, a reliable sun hat such as the KUIU Gila Airmesh Boonie ($49) is a self-care essential. The Boonie is made from highly breathable fabric, which is ideal for hot conditions. It’s also treated with DWR, meaning that it can do double duty as a wearable umbrella in light rain and snow. Though KUIU is a hunting brand, the Airmesh Boonie is well-suited to all sorts of outdoor pursuits.
TOMS x Ludi Leiva Artist Series
Odds are, you’ve owned at least one pair of TOMS. The brand’s simple canvas shoe design and charitable model are ubiquitous in the 21st-century America. Now, TOMS is spicing up its aesthetic with a limited-edition artist series collaboration with artist Ludi Leiva ($60). Leiva is an LA-based illustrator known for her use of vibrant colors and whimsical human figures.
Kitsbow Lighterweight Haskell Pant
These MTB pants are available in a whopping 59 different sizes. Kitsbow designed the Haskell Lighterweight Pants ($229) for mountain biking, but they’re also quite well-equipped for travel and hiking. For on-bike comfort, Kitsbow has included a wide inseam gusset and a tailored profile that “moves with the body.” Other noteworthy features include an out-of-the-way side phone pocket and subtle reflective seams for nighttime visibility. The Lighterweight Pants are sewn in North Carolina.
Orca Camper Mug
A coffee cup is a holy chalice, a vessel that contains the cure for all that ails. Orca’s new Camper 16oz ($33) is a high-tech take on the ever-sacred camp mug. According to Orca, the Camper’s copper-clad interior lining and doubled-walled design can keep beverages piping hot for 8 hours. The slim and modern handle is made to look great and feel even better. Plus, the powder-coated finish comes in nine different colors.
State Bicycles Klunker 420 Collection
Today may be April 22, but the State Cycles Klunker ($420) keeps the 420 spirit alive all year ’round. This hand-painted custom is perfect for cruising to and from the dispensary. Plus, 420-themed accents can be found all over the Klunker, and it even comes with a bolted-on bottle opener. The hefty steel frame should fit riders between 5’5″ and 6’3″. Only 100 Klunkers will be made.
