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.
Missed our Outdoor Retailer coverage? Check out which gear won our Best in Show awards.
Mustang Survival Women’s Taku
The Mustang Survival Taku Jacket ($380), cut specifically for women, is a three- and four-layer marine shell. The body is a three-layer Marinespec SP, while the forearms and wrists have a four-layer Marinespec BP (Bomb Proof) abrasion-resistant fabric. The whole thing has YKK zippers and reflective logos, zippered chest pockets and fleece-lined hand pockets, as well as adjustable cuffs with neoprene wrist cuff liners. We got to try one on at Outdoor Retailer, and hope to take one out on the water soon. Look for it in October 2021.
Trango Kestrel Ice Tool
Trango’s newish Kestrel ice tool caught the eye of a couple of our editors at Outdoor Retailer. The Kestrel ($495) could be the “ultimate tool for light and fast ice performance,” with its 100% carbon/Kevlar shaft to minimize weight, similar geometry to Trango’s Raptor, an ergonomic handle, dual pommel grips, and removable head weights. Trango is calling it “the cutting edge” of high-performance ice tools (pun intended). Base weight: 440 g.
Pre-launched in 2019; available now.
GSI Outdoors Two-Can Stack
GSI Outdoors’ upcoming 2-Can Stack is a vacuum-insulated stainless steel tube that holds two cans and will keep them cold for at least 8 hours. Don’t like warm beer or drinks? Grab one of these — you can even bundle a few stacks if you’re bringing a 6-pack along. We think it could be great for backpacking, raft trips, and a variety of other excursions in which a cooler is too much. Look for it in spring 2022.
GCI Outdoor ComPack Rocker Chair
No need to sacrifice comfort for trunk space with GCI Outdoors’ ComPack Rocker ($130). Featuring the latest in camp-chair-rocker technology, the ComPack Rocker is designed with patent-pending Tortion Rocking for smooth rocking, and shock cord retention for easy setup and breakdown. The chair has a mesh backrest, padded seat, and even a headrest. Look for it in spring 2022.
Kokopelli Dual-Chamber SPD and Recon Packrafts
There are lots of instances and lots of bodies of water that may require dual-chamber boats. Kokopelli heard that feedback loud and clear and has made its first dual-chamber rafts in its XPD and Recon Packraft ($1,000-1,200 MSRP) models. The new construction and design will add about $100-200 to current raft price tags. Look for it in spring 2022.
UCO Gear Plasma Lighter and Flashlight
UCO Gear makes a variety of über-functional gear, cookware, and now EDC tools. Its Arc Plasma Lighter and Flashlight ($20) has a two-ended function: on one, a windproof plasma lighter, on the other, a 100-lumen dimmable flashlight with strobe mode — all operated via one button. The button placement and modes are nicely done. (We didn’t test in the field, but briefly on the floor at OR.) Look for it in September 2021.
Sierra Designs Pika Youth Sleeping Bag
This Pika Youth sleeping bag ($40) is the first kid-size bag from Sierra Designs. It’s rated down to 30 degrees and has synthetic insulation, a dual sliding zipper, rectangular footbox, baffled hood, and a length of 4-5 feet (depending on whether you count the hood length or not). Look for it in spring 2022.
Ledlenser KIDLED Kids Headlamp
Ledlenser’s first headlamp specifically built for kids is out now. The KIDLED unit (from $20) has two buttons for a super-easy UX. Plus, red and white light modes, each run by a different button. Also, there are multiple patterns for youngsters to choose from. The battery-operated KIDLED2 is $20 and the rechargeable KIDLED4 is $30. Look for it in fall 2021.
