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.
GiantMouse ACE Nibbler
GiantMouse is the brainchild of Danish knifemakers who aim to achieve the highest quality at an affordable price. The brand’s latest offering is the ACE Nibbler ($95-185), the smallest GiantMouse knife to date. The blade is just under 2 inches long, and the overall length is 4.7 inches. Five variations are available: three bright aluminum colors with N690 satin steel blades, a titanium version with a 20CV satin steel blade (pictured), and a Green Canvas Micarta with a 20CV stonewashed steel blade.
Mystery Ranch Gunfighter 24L
The 24L Gunfighter ($425) from Mystery Ranch targets a compact, do-it-all daypack. For a relatively small pack, the Gunfighter is impressively loaded with utility features. In a true “quiver-of-one” style, this versatile bag could easily double as a laptop-carrying school bag and a hunting rucksack. For maximum durability, the Gunfighter is made from 330D “Cougar” nylon with durable water repellent and polyurethane coatings.
Chaco Bodhi Sandal
Chaco detractors have long disparaged the classic sandal brand as overly bulky and heavy. Now, Chaco responds with the Bodhi ($100), a minimalist sandal that’s “50% lighter” than the iconic Z/1. Despite its bare-bones design, the Bodhi still looks like a Chaco. It has the same 1-inch nylon webbing and a high-arch “LUVSEAT” footbed. However, instead of the familiar zig-zagging webbing pattern, the Bodhi has a simple strap system that wraps around the ankle and the big toe. It’s available in men’s and women’s styles.
Opinel Limited-Edition Serpent Wood Folding Knife
Opinel’s No. 08 Folding Knife has been on the market since Grover Cleveland was in office — it’s possible that “Uncle Jumbo” even used one to open his presidential mail. Now, Opinel releases a limited-edition No. 08 Knife ($55) with a unique wooden hilt “sourced from the forests of Guyana.” This elegant handle combines light and dark tones with visible wood grain. Aside from the handle, this knife is unchanged from its classic French heritage form.
Gravel the Domestic Duffel
Duffel bags are the global legacy of Duffel, Belgium — a small town where a “course, thick cloth bag” was invented in the 17th century. Now, recent upstart brand Gravel drops the Domestic Duffel, a modular travel bag built “to just get away.” Currently, the Domestic Duffel can be preordered on Kickstarter, where numerous à la carte accessories are available. The basic duffel is $109, but backpack straps, packing cubes, cinch straps, a laptop case, and more can be tacked on for more.
Timex x Adsum Streets-Meets-Summit Watch
The original version of the Timex MK1 watch was produced exclusively for U.S. Marines. Now, the style returns as part of Timex and Adsum’s collaborative collection. It’s a utilitarian timepiece with an uncomplicated face and 30 m of water resistance. In the age of Bluetooth connectivity, sleep monitors, and infinite health metrics, this watch ($140) is a throwback and a strong case for uncluttered style.
Blackfire Rechargeable Portable Fan
As summer temperatures peak, we all need airflow more than ever. Blackfire’s “hang-anywhere” mini fan ($55) is portable, rechargeable, and fully adjustable. Use the included “high-strength” clamp to latch onto loose fabric inside your tent (or kayak) and you’ve got a tiny ceiling fan for your humble abode. The brand claims that the battery lasts up to 9 hours in low mode, and 5 hours on high.
BRUNT Torra Workpant
Tough jobs require tough pants, but high-quality workwear at an affordable price is hard to come by. The newly released Torra Workpants from BRUNT are just $60, and they’re specifically designed for people who work in the trades. According to the brand, the Torra pants prioritize durability and comfort above all else. Flexible materials and articulated knees aim to maximize freedom of movement. Common wear areas, such as the belt loops and tool clip, have been reinforced with extra-thick material.
Gregory Rhune 25L Pack
Designed in collaboration with Gregory’s Japanese branch, the new 25L Rhune combines “comfort, performance, and sustainability.” According to the brand, the carbon footprint of every Rhune made will be reduced by 51-57% by utilizing recycled fabrics. The pack is available in multiple sizes, but the 25L has an interior-accessed laptop sleeve and enough space for everyday use. The AirCushion mesh back panel has an “innovative 3D structure” and is composed of “90% air.”
Mongoose x Vans Throwback Shoes
Vans and Mongoose — two classic brands that ruled the latter part of the 20th century — announce a special-edition streetwear series. The collection includes long-sleeve tees ($50) and a crew fleece ($80), but collaborative kicks are the star of the show. All three shoe styles ($105 per pair) are bright, bold, and representative of the two brands’ rich histories. The complete collection will be available on the Vans and Mongoose websites on August 12.
Six Moon Designs Flex Pack
Packrafts open up all kinds of exciting multisport adventure possibilities. The Flex Pack ($280) from Six Moon Designs is built for backcountry river travel. It’s a 50L dry bag designed specifically for pack rafters. With heavy loads in mind, Six Moon outfitted the Flex with a robust removable suspension system. Once your boat is ready to go, the Flex Pack can be secured directly to the deck via four lash points. An 8-inch wide stash pocket is included for easy paddle storage.
Garmin Enduro 2 GPS Watch
Garmin — the longstanding leader in GPS devices — releases the Enduro 2 ($1,100), an “ultraperformance” multisport GPS watch. An updated version of the popular Enduro, this watch possesses “enhanced solar charging capabilities” and the battery lasts “up to 40% longer” than its predecessor. GPS-specific features include preloaded TopoActive maps with multi-continent coverage, NextFork map guide software, and an auto-select mode that “maximizes battery life without compromising positional accuracy.”
Tifosi Svago Sunglasses
In recent years, Tifosi has become well-known among anglers for its high-quality and affordable polarized sunglasses. The brand’s latest offering is the Svago, a lightweight and durable frame with rounded polycarbonate lenses. Tifosi claims that the Svago utilizes “injected polarized material” that won’t rub off or fade over time. For high-performance polarized glasses, $55 is a very competitive price.
Organic Climbing Dog Bed
Bouldering is an interspecies activity. Many pebble wrestlers commonly bring their dogs to the crag. The problem is, crash pads aren’t actually ideal for doggo naps. They’re not very soft and humans are constantly landing on them after falling out of the sky. To solve this problem, bouldering gear stalwarts Organic created the “Dog Bed” ($54) — an adorable and practical doggie crash pad. Organic’s Dog Bed is constructed from the same 1,000-denier nylon that the brand uses for its people pads. A hidden side zipper allows the internal shredded foam pillow to be removed so the outside can be washed.
