Lately, it seems like everyone I know keeps telling me they’re ready for fall weather to arrive. That’s perhaps not surprising, given the searing heat that has come to define our summers. Outdoor brands clearly have fingers on the pulse of these desires, as many of them released fall collections over the last week or so, with earth tones aplenty from Topo Designs, The Landmark Project, and Roark.
But there are also quite a few techy releases this week, including a Garmin upgrade, a screenless health tracker, and Specialized’s (slightly) cheaper models of its Tour de France–winning race bike.
Find all that and more in this week’s Emerging Gear.
Garmin fēnix 9
In the world of GPS smartwatches, Garmin mostly retains its position as the gold standard, according to GearJunkie’s Best Fitness Watches guide. The flagship fēnix 8 — which earned a 9.3/10 in our review and takes the top spot in our guide — has now been updated with the fēnix 9.
Both the fēnix 9 and fēnix 9 Pro series introduce a couple of significant upgrades, including a brighter AMOLED display (twice as bright as its predecessor) and a 1.5-inch display option on the 51mm Pro model (15% larger than the previous generation). The Pro version is also the first fēnix smartwatch with a titanium watch case.
They also sport the free Garmin Epic feature, which allows users to capture and combine multiday adventures or training blocks into one cohesive story in the Garmin Connect app. Other additions include improved memory (64 GB allows for twice as many maps compared to the fēnix 8, and stores up to 7,000 songs).
The built-in mapping has also been upgraded with 50% more RAM, resulting in 30% faster panning. We’re looking forward to testing this one out. Pricing reflects the lineup’s top-shelf status, with prices ranging from $1,000 for a 43mm fēnix 9 to $1,100 for a 52mm fēnix 9 Pro.
Lems Running Shoes
Lems, a Boulder, Colorado–based shoe brand, has shown a talent for making quality kicks that visually stand out in this oversaturated marketplace. After making numerous models for cycling and trail running, Lems is now branching out into road running for the first time.
It just released the ZenSpeed+ and ZenSpeed Lite, a debut collection built around a foot-shaped, “natural running” platform: “While most of the running category keeps piling on stack height, Lems is launching a collection that goes the other way,” the brand said.
The ZenSpeed+ ($175) is built for longer runs and walks. It has a low drop, smooth rocker, and efficient midfoot strike, the brand said. There’s also the ZenSpeed Lite ($165), a minimal counterpart with a lighter, lower-profile ride. It sports a 2mm drop and reduced stack height for a “connected, ground feel.”
Specialized’s ‘Second-Fastest’ Bike
Specialized has seemingly spent a lot of money promoting the S-Works Tarmac SL9, a Tour de France-winning ride that the brand calls its “fastest road bike ever.” Now the brand is expanding with some additional SL9 models that don’t cost quite as much as the $13,500 flagship.
You can now buy what Specialized calls its “second-fastest bike” with the Tarmac SL9 S-Works 10R lineup, “bringing its race-winning SL9 technology to more riders,” the brand said. “The expansion comes fresh off a victorious summer for the platform, including Demi Vollering’s Tour de France Femmes victory and Remco Evenepoel’s second-place Tour de France finish.”
The Tarmac SL9 S-Level model ($10,000) carries many of the same components, including the FACT 12r carbon fork. At 822 g, the frame is almost as light as the flagship model. There are also the Tarmac SL9 Expert ($6,500) and Tarmac SL9 Comp ($4,200), which make a few more sacrifices from the original model for even lower price tags.
Ruffwear Built-In Harness Vests
If you think your doggo may face a cold winter, you might want to take a closer look at these. One of our favorite brands for humans’ best friend, Ruffwear, just launched two brand-new vests: the Timberline Fuse Fleece Vest and Overcoat Fuse Insulated Vest.
In a first for the brand, Ruffwear has integrated its harness system directly into the vest silhouette. The built-in harness “removes the need for stacking warming layers over a harness in colder conditions and provides two leash attachment points to eliminate the hassle of threading a leash through a portal,” the brand said.
The Overcoat Fuse Vest is a rugged, workwear-style layer built for rough terrain and dense underbrush, with an abrasion-resistant outer shell and insulated fleece inner layer. As for the Timberline Fuse Vest, it combines a breathable outer fleece with structural panels on the back and front to keep the vest secure. Both vests cost $90.
No-Screen Health Tracking
Screenless wearables are quickly growing in popularity these days. I think it’s partly a result of more people trying to reduce screen time, and partly to sate the demand for more fashionable ways to wear technology 24/7.
The latest example is the Luffu Link, an emerging brand created by the co-founders of Fitbit. Luffu started as an AI-based app for tracking medication, logging meals, and other benefits for elderly caregiving. Now it has expanded with a wearable similar to the Fitbit Air. Though its rectangular metal shape is reminiscent of a fancy vape, the Link comes in several metallic shades evidently meant to suggest a sense of luxury.
The Luffu Link sports a button, sensors, an LED, a microphone, speakers, and a silicone band. However, the Link is also voice-activated, allowing users to verbally log their meals or medication, which is recorded in the app along with standard health metrics such as heart rate, sleep, and activity tracking. It’s currently selling at a discount for $250, though it also requires a monthly membership of $20.
Smokey Bear Merch
The Landmark Project, based in South Carolina, has long excelled at making apparel and accessories that hit the sweet spot of earth-toned nostalgia. That’s especially true with its popular Smokey Bear collaborations. The brand just dropped its fall collection, and immediately sold out of this instantly lovable Smokey Bear sweater.
But there’s plenty of other gear to snatch up, like this Women’s Full Snap Sherpa Fleece Jacket, or a Smokey Bear Sweatshirt and Smokey Bear 5-Panel Cap, or a National Parks Pixels Enamel Mug that looks like something out of the Oregon Trail video game.
Moreover, the brand has given more than $1.7 million to public lands organizations, including the U.S. Forest Service, Leave No Trace, and the National Parks Conservation Association.
Ultralight Fixed Blade
San Diego–based Toor Knives just released the Barrow, an ultralight fixed blade for full-size control with low weight and bulk. Designed by Toor Knives founder Connor Toor, the Barrow was developed around a simple observation gathered through years of hunting and field use.
“I wanted to build the knife around the part of the blade I actually use,” said Toor. “When you’re processing an animal or doing detailed work in the field, you’re spending most of your time at the tip and belly. We kept the handle full size, took out as much unnecessary weight as possible, and focused everything else on cutting performance. The result is a knife that carries incredibly light but doesn’t feel like a small knife when it’s in your hand.”
Weighing 2.29 ounces, the Barrow has a skeletonized full-tang frame and CPM MagnaCut steel. It’s made with both G10 and walnut handle options. It costs $295 and officially drops Saturday, Aug. 29.
Topo Designs Fall Lineup
This popular and colorful Colorado brand has some sweet designs for its fall lineup. It offers several fun new pieces for the coming season, using vintage silhouettes on flannels, moleskin shirts, field pants, and even some women’s overalls.
Highlights include the Mountain Shirt Jacket – Men’s ($160), the Utility Shirt Moleskin – Men’s ($110, looks especially good in the “camel” color), and the Utility Overalls – Women’s ($190).
Luminox x Force Blue
This popular Swiss watch brand teamed up with Force Blue, a nonprofit that deploys former Special Operations veterans on marine conservation missions. The special-edition timepiece has a 316L stainless steel case, lightweight CARBONOX unidirectional bezel, screw-in crown, and case back for increased water resistance up to 200 m.
The Force Blue Pacific Diver also has an expandable rubber strap with integrated wetsuit extension, and is specifically engineered for “demanding underwater operations.” Blue and yellow Luminox Light Technology ensures constant visibility in any light condition for up to 25 years, the brand said, while the dial showcases Force Blue’s signature rope motif rendered in Super-LumiNova alongside gold accents inspired by the organization’s emblem. Once charged by light, the striking rope motif glows in the dark. It costs about $800.
Roark Fall Collection
An Atlanta-based outdoor brand, Roark has several earthy releases in its fall collection for anyone gearing up for cooler weather. The collection’s lineup (for men and women) includes an upgrade of its Layover Pro Pant, which earned plenty of praise from a GearJunkie reviewer who took it on a trip to Uganda and South Africa. It’s since been upgraded with performance fabric, belt loops, a hybrid waistband, and alpha sizing, the brand said.
Other fall additions include the Open Roads Waxed Canvas Jacket ($179) and Made To Fade Long Sleeve Sweater ($119).
