It seems everyone I know is asking the same question these days: Is fall here yet? The answer is maybe, depending on where you live, but outdoor brands are already releasing plenty of gear for outdoor adventures for the fall — and even the winter. That’s why this week’s gear roundup includes several releases for snow and cold-weather camping.
Runners, cyclists, hikers, and tech lovers also have several cool launches to check out, from super-bright flashlights and smartwatches to affordable mountain bikes and beetle-inspired packs from Ukraine. Find all that and more right here in Emerging Gear.
Running Smartwatch
If you don’t have a smartwatch, does your run even count? For better or worse, that’s increasingly how many of us outdoorsy folks feel about fitness wearables. And hey, when it means having GPS mapping right on your wrist, it’s hard to argue that they’ve become indispensable for serious runners.
You’ll get that and more in the newest release from Finnish watch brand Suunto. Its Run2 offers several upgrades from previous models, including a brighter AMOLED screen, extended battery life, and Suunto’s latest GNSS GPS technology.
There’s also better heart rate tracking, and trail runners and hikers will appreciate the offline mapping. The Run 2 comes in a couple of storage options, including 4GB ($350) and 64GB ($400). The storage is mostly used for maps and music.
Winter Sleeping Pad
Once you’re camping in serious cold, the biggest sleeping complaint won’t be back pain — it’ll be getting too cold and shivering through the night.
You need a sleeping pad with a high R-value for winter camping, and the latest release from Canadian brand MEC has one of the most impressive R-value-to-weight ratios that we’ve seen. The MEC VectAir SL Xtreme 9 is the result of the brand’s extensive testing and innovative design and materials, resulting in an impressive 8.7 R-value while still providing nearly 4 inches of cushion. Moreover, it weighs just 1.87 pounds, which is surprisingly light for an R value this high.
That’s thanks to the “reflective heat technology” used in the pad. Also, a “floating insulation chamber” supposedly reduces crinkle noise for quieter nights. At $300, it’s pricey — but so are most pads built for extreme cold. We’re looking forward to testing this one, so stay tuned for a full review.
Samsung Fitness Watches
Don’t count Samsung out of the fitness watch competition, either. Although Samsung’s Galaxy watches have long been considered as more geared toward health tracking than outdoor sports, as we note in our best fitness watches guide, that’s changing with its latest watch updates.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 ($600) is “built for extreme outdoor adventures and high-performance seekers” by upping its GPS and mapping capabilities, the brand said. It has specific tracking features aimed at trail runners, divers, and other outdoor sports, along with improved battery capacity (which addresses many of GearJunkie’s previous issues with Samsung watches).
There’s also the Samsung Galaxy Watch9, which sells for $320-350, depending on size. It contains the Galaxy Watch lineup’s largest battery and brightest display yet, as well as the Snapdragon Wear Elite Platform.
It’s aimed more at casual athletes looking for health monitoring, though it could still serve as a decent watch for runners who don’t need all the bells and whistles of the Ultra2. Notably, the Galaxy Watch9 has a feature for tracking sleep apnea, which is only found elsewhere on Apple Watches.
Salomon Ski Boots
With the winter ski season just a few months away, Salomon is releasing its latest upgrades for those already gearing up. That includes the S Pro Alpha C Boa ($850). Built on the fit of the original Alpha, the S/Pro Alpha C BOA introduces Salomon’s ExoDrive construction and Powerlink lower pivot.
The 98mm last has a snug fit, while the cuff-mounted BOA Fit System offers micro-adjustable comfort. The boots come in Men’s 130, 120, and 110, and Women’s 115, 105, 95, and 85 flex patterns.
For free riders, there’s also the S/Lab Shift Alpha BOA. The Freespine “ensures direct energy transfer between cuff and shell,” the brand said, while the Exobelt and BOA Fit System offer micro-adjustable foothold. They have a 98 mm last and a 140 flex pattern.
Pit Viper Ski Goggles, Helmet
Few brands embrace the wild and quirky quite like Pit Viper. The sunglasses brand known for bright colors is now offering new ski gear as well.
At the forefront of its winter launch are the Pro Callout goggles ($170), which have a Toric lens “designed to deliver enhanced optical clarity, reduced distortion, and a wider field of view,” the brand said. There’s also a brand-new helmet, the Mega Peak Ultrastorm ($170), which sports a MIPS Protection System, headphone-compatible ear pads, and anti-sweat ventilation holes.
Beetle-Inspired Backpacks
RiotDivision, a Ukrainian techwear brand, claims that beetles were the inspiration for its new collection of packs and apparel. The collection is called (of course) the Coleoptera System, and it focuses on “concealed retractable pockets” inspired by the way beetles can neatly tuck away their wings beneath a protective shell.
Developed over nearly a year and seven prototypes, the collection includes a 20L EDC backpack, lightweight tote and sacoche bags, and cargo pants. The backpack includes a padded 15-inch laptop compartment, a ventilated back panel, and modular attachment points. The short version is this: If you really like pockets, then this collection is for you.
Discounted Earbuds
These aren’t just brand new earbuds — they’re also discounted for those who buy them early. The Tribit Flybuds C3 have lots of modern features expected from earbuds, including Bluetooth 6.0, 10mm drivers, active noise canceling, and up to 35 hours of total playback when including the case’s battery recharge.
They also have IP55 water and dust resistance, and come with three ear tip sizes. Perhaps best of all, they’re reasonably priced and on sale for the first week (September 7–13). That means you can snag a pair for just $35 during the early-bird pricing campaign. After that, they go up to $40, which is still pretty reasonable.
Fishy Bottle Holder
Sometimes all you really need is a water bottle holder shaped like an animal, am I right? That’s what you get from the latest release from Portland Design Works (PDW).
The Lunker Cage ($29-39) is an anodized alloy fish that keeps your water bottle on the bike — in style. Available in Gray, Turquoise, Pink, and Galaxy colors, the Lunker Cage joins PDW’s collection of animal-themed cages, which includes the Owl, Sparrow, Otter, and Rattlesnek cages. Weighing 2.4 ounces, the cage includes the bolts for installation and comes with a lifetime warranty.
You can even make your bike extra fish with the Nomad X PDW Lunker Bottle 26oz ($16).
Affordable Mountain Bikes
These days, it seems there are a hundred high-end bike brands to choose from — less so if you’re looking for a budget option.
So it’s cool to see Huffy launching some insanely affordable bikes in 2026. For adults and tweens, there’s the Granite Mountain Bike, 24-Inch ($180). Designed for those 5’0″ and taller, the bike is “great for adults focused on dirt path cruising and quick camp store runs,” the brand said. It has a 15-speed twist-shifting system.
Huffy also released several new bikes for kids. Those include the Kids’ Granite Girls’ Mountain Bike, 24-Inch and Granite Mountain Bike (both $180). These are for kids aged 8 to 11 or between 4’8″ and 5’2″. They have front suspension, five-speed twist shifting, and simple hand brakes.
For even younger cyclists, there’s the Kids’ Granite Boys’ Mountain Bike, 20-Inch ($170), which fits riders ages 5 to 9 (3’8″–4’8″). It has a low-standover frame for easy mounting, durable knobby tires, and a single-speed drivetrain for first-time dirt riding.
Subscription-Free Smart Ring
Tracking your health with a ring (instead of a smartwatch) is all the rage these days. But with the new smart ring from QALO, you don’t have to pay the monthly subscription that’s mandatory with many similar options.
QALO first made its name in 2013 with simple silicone wedding rings (my brother and his wife opted for them instead of the more expensive variety). It has since started venturing into more techy rings.
This week, it debuted the second generation of its health tracking device: the SR-2 Smart Ring. This sleek, subscription-free smart ring is designed to track your sleep, activity, stress, and recovery, but “without the premium price tag,” the brand said. Available in gold or silver colors, it’s 25% thinner than the previous generation, has an improved sensor, and costs $200.
10,000-Lumen Flashlight
I’m far from an experienced hunter, but I do know that it often involves long hours in the dark away from reliable power sources. A bright flashlight is still a necessary tool for hunters and other outdoorsmen, and this one has plenty of lumens for lighting up the darkness.
The Infinity X1 10,000 Lumen Dual Power Rechargeable Flashlight offers a huge amount of light at a discount price. Available at Costco for $48, it delivers up to 10,000 lumens with an adjustable spot-to-flood beam, multiple lighting modes, USB-C charging, and even what the brand calls “heat-sensing auto-dimming.”
Moreover, it runs either on its rechargeable battery pack or nine AA batteries, so you still have a backup if you run out of juice. It’s not a small or lightweight flashlight, but it looks to serve up plenty of brightness without breaking the bank.
