Sterling x The Global Climbing Initiative Kenya Climbing Rope
Sterling’s latest rope marks a collaboration between several partners — all in an effort to build awareness and visibility around rock climbing in Kenya. Net proceeds from the new VR96 rope will benefit the Global Climbing Initiative, a nonprofit supporting developing climbing communities around the globe.
Recently, Sterling and GCI coordinated an in-country training alongside Climbing Life Kenya, a female-led organization investing in the present and future of Kenya’s climbing scene.
The VR96 is a slightly skinnier version of Sterling’s popular VR9 9.8mm workhorse. It’s a solid choice for various climbing disciplines, including gym sessions and multipitch adventures. The black, red, and green sheath evokes the Kenyan flag.
Helinox x Pendleton Chair One HBD
From RVCA to Danner, it seems every outdoor brand in existence has collaborated with Helinox on a limited-edition camp chair. This week, Pendleton gets in on the action. Available in two “southwest-inspired” styles, the Pendleton x Helinox HDB chair is perfect for folks seeking to curate a snazzy campground setup. At $160, it should appeal to exterior designers.
The “Moonlight Mesa” color draws its palette from the desert night sky, while “Desert Dawn” sports shades of blue, gold, and terra cotta.
Costa King Tide Sunglasses
According to Costa, the new King Tide Sunglasses ($349) are the result of everything the brand has learned in 40 years of existence. Two sizes are available — a medium wrap for smaller faces, and a full wrap for “elite anglers who demand performance on and off the water.”
Modeled after shark’s gills, the King Tide’s arm vents aim to prevent lens fogging. Sweat management channels are thoughtfully oriented to divert perspiration before it drips into the wearer’s eyes. Removable side shields help reduce the intensity of the afternoon sun reflecting off the water’s surface. Altogether, this may be the techiest fishing frame on the market.
Portland Design Works Rattlesnake Kej Bottle Cage
As the legend goes, an old cowboy was once asked to describe Wyoming. He took a long pull on his cigarette and offered a summary: “It’s wind and rattlesnakes.”
Bicycle bottle cages aren’t typically a vehicle for personal flair, but Portland Design Works’ new Rattlesnake Kej ($25) is an exception. Made from a single sheet of lightweight aluminum alloy, the Kej is available with its bottle opening on either the left or right side. It’s far more robust than the average bottle cage, and it’s still lightweight at 52 g. Grab yours now in either black or metallic gold.
Maven B.7 Binocular
Back in 2013, the B.1 binocular dropped as Maven Outdoor Equipment Company’s debut product. Over the intervening decade, the brand has grown into one of the best-regarded makers of spotting and rifle scopes. Its latest binocular is the B.7 ($600) — a dual-hinge, pocket-sized unit that weighs just 10 ounces.
Hunting is the B.7’s bread and butter, but it’s perfectly capable for bird watching and live sports, too. According to the brand, the B.7 offers “tack-edge clarity, generous depth of field, and a silky focus mechanism.”
AeroPress XL Portable Coffee Maker
The AeroPress is the go-to widget for trail-faring caffeine junkies. Unlike most on-the-go coffee options, the AeroPress can actually make a tasty cup of joe. Still, it has one major flaw: it can only brew 8 ounces at a time — until now.
Enter the AeroPress XL ($80), the brand’s long-awaited response to innumerable backpacker feedback messages. With twice the capacity of the Original AeroPress, the XL can brew two cups of coffee in a single press, or up to six shots of espresso.
For those unfamiliar, the AeroPress uses a plunger to force pressurized water through coffee grounds, like a French press-espresso machine hybrid. Every XL comes with a “shatterproof” multiserve carafe.
LOGE Camps: Wolf Creek
If you’re gonna book a vacation, why not book a hotel loaded with YETI coolers, camp hammocks, headlamps, Rumpl blankets, and more? LOGE Camps stakes its brand on being a “launchpad for the outdoors,” and renovates old motel sites in adventure towns as swanky hotels for fun-seeking travelers. This week, LOGE opened the doors on its Wolf Creek location in South Fork, Colorado, in the foothills of the San Juan Mountains. With a focus on fly fishing, hiking, and snowshoeing, the Wolf Creek location offers gear to use during guests’ stay. It has 50 rooms, an outdoor firepit, hot tubs, and soon to feature EV charging and hookups for road warriors. Check out availability and book your stay now.
