Hest x Wild Rye Camp Pillow
Hest makes unbeatable car camping sleep systems — for humans and dogs alike. Now, in collaboration with women’s active apparel brand Wild Rye, Hest launches a portable camp pillow ($109) filled with shredded memory foam.
Many camp pillows prioritize packability over function, but this one actually looks and feels like it belongs on a bed. When zipped into its most compact form, it’s 9 inches tall and 14 inches wide — small enough to fit into a small day pack or travel duffel. Fully expanded, it’s almost the size of a standard household pillow.
With its woven nylon sleep surface, contoured shape, and blended memory foam and polyester fill, this pillow is a significant upgrade from a balled-up sweater or an airport giftshop neck pillow.
Poler Ignite 3 Titanium Fitness Watch
Poler’s Ignite 3 Fitness Watch ($330) has been out since last November. The new Titanium version ($370) adds an assortment of features for “individualized wellness monitoring.” These include skin-temperature tracking as well as a “work-rest guide” that analyzes heart rate during phases of activity and rest. According to the brand, it’s one of the most precise fitness accessories on the market.
Many athletes don’t feel the need to track the temperature of their skin and the exact duration of their sleep. Still, if you’re a data-driven person seeking to improve your physical well-being and athletic performance, the Ignite 3 Titanium might help you get there. As the name suggests, the watch comes with a titanium border casing.
Paka Alpaca Wool Underwear
Men’s underwear has undergone a revolution in recent years. From infinite variations of pouch technology to soft materials and breathable weaves, the days of scrunchy tighty whities are long gone.
Paka’s new Essentials line comes in men’s and women’s styles. According to the brand, both are decadently soft and also free of harmful chemicals.
There are plenty of merino undies on the market, but these are made from alpaca wool — which is warmer, less prickly, and less allergenic than sheep’s wool. If that isn’t exotic enough, these nifty knickers also incorporate eucalyptus pulp and organic pima cotton for “excellent breathability and durability.”
Injinji x Pointe Studio Toeless Socks
Naturally, the concept of toeless socks evokes raised-brow skepticism. To most folks, socks without toes seem about as useful as bottomless buckets and diet water.
Suspicion aside, these socks have specific utility for studio workouts such as dance cardio and barre. Pointe Studio specializes in this niche, and Injinji contributes 20-plus years of sock manufacturing know-how. The resulting product keeps your feet firmly on the ground during dynamic movements on slick surfaces.
An integrated supportive band aims to add arch support, and silicone lugs boost friction and grip.
Vollebak 100 Year Jeans
Amarid, also known as Kevlar, is a strong, synthetic fiber most often used in aerospace and military applications. Thanks to Vollebak, you can now get jeans with this ballistic-rated body armor fabric in them.
Sure, the 100 Year Jeans cost $645. But if they last as long as they claim to, you’ll never need another pair. Nor will your kids, provided they wear your size.
During testing, the brand put a pair of these jeans on a dummy and completed a “75 kmph fall and drag test.” Allegedly, the seat of the pants survived without a single hole. There’s currently no update on the condition of the dummy.
Zeal Optics x Pat Milbery Open Hearts Crowley Sunglasses
Pro snowboarder, visual artist, and mental health advocate Pat Milbery drops a limited-edition collaboration with Zeal Optics. Dubbed the Open Hearts Collection, these shades ($179) are a vibrant take on the Windsor and Crowley, two of Zeal’s most popular frames.
Miberry’s mural work is characterized by geometric landscapes and lively palettes, all of which carry over to his joint effort with Zeal. The pictured Crowley frames have a bold two-tone color scheme and a small slice of Milbery’s art emblazoned on the inside of both arms.
For every pair sold, Zeal will donate $5 to SOS Outreach. The national nonprofit offers programming for youth to develop leadership and life skills as well as foster mental health through the power of outdoor adventures.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid 1-Person Tent
According to the Pacific Crest Trail Survey, the average base weight of a modern thru-hiker’s pack is 18.43 pounds. That figure continues to drop every season, partly thanks to innovations from brands like Hyperlite.
At just over one pound, the Mid 1 ($599) is a barebones shelter built specifically for long-distance backpacking. True to Hyperlite’s ethos, the Mid 1 is extremely streamlined. The cone-shaped piece of waterproof Dyneema is propped up by a single trekking pole. Despite its rudimentary design, the Mid 1 covers all the thru-hiking bases. It has bug netting with a zippered door, a roomy vestibule for gear storage, a waterproof bathtub-style floor, and more.
For folks who hike fast and prefer a solitary trek, the Mid 1 is the optimal on-trail abode.
Helinox HDB Cafe Table
When you need to convince your tentative dirt-phobic friend to join you on a camping trip, a set of Helinox camping furniture might help your case. With refined styling and home-like luxury, the brand makes elegant appointments that ease the transition between home and the campground. The new HDB Cafe Table is a prime example. Its wood-grain surface and attractive design discredit any claims of “roughing it.”
Like all Helinox foldables, the Cafe Table has a sturdy aluminum-alloy frame and high-strength nylon joining hubs. At $325, it’s expensive for a table that isn’t much larger than an extra-large pizza box. But the 5-year warranty helps justify the price.
