For many of us, the weather has finally started leaning toward fall. In my neck of the woods in the Southeastern U.S., I’ve never heard so many people in my orbit express yearning for an end to summer. There’s a palpable excitement about getting outside again, and that’s evident in the avalanche of new gear that came our way this week.
From hunting and car camping to cycling and hiking, there’s a plethora of gear, both large and small, being released this month. Perhaps outdoor brands know that so many of us have been waiting patiently for the cooler weather to finally arrive. Regardless, you’ll likely find something this week to amplify your stoke. Check out the latest and greatest of Emerging Gear.
First Lite Wool Hunting Apparel
Few outdoor pursuits benefit more from the advantages of merino wool than hunting. Its thermoregulation, odor resistance, and breathability make merino wool increasingly sought after by those venturing out on long backcountry hunts.
First Lite Baselayers use a majority of merino wool, with some synthetic fibers blended in for added stretchiness and durability. The brand also just dropped the Men’s ThermaGrid Merino Wool Henley, a midweight grid fleece built to keep you warm, dry, and comfy. Built with a three-button collar and stretch ribbed cuffs, the Henley is made from 56% merino wool, 40% polyester, and 4% spandex. It costs $120.
Segway E-Bike
It’s getting harder to find decently priced e-bikes these days — especially cargo e-bikes made to haul more weight. So it’s cool to see Segway releasing a Class 3-capable e-bike for $2,000. The MUXI Pro is a short-tail cargo electric bike that offers some upgrades over the base MUXI model.
The MUXI Pro adds nine-speed electronic auto-shifting, a front suspension fork with 70 mm of travel, as well as front and rear fenders. Available in two new colorways — Anthracite and Reef Blue — MUXI Pro offers a top pedal–assisted speed of 28 mph in a compact design.
Crazy Creek Boat Chair
Can a lifesaving device also be comfortable for your butt? If you’re the outdoor brand Crazy Creek, the answer is evidently yes. The brand just debuted what it calls the “world’s first Type IV throwable personal flotation device (PFD) you can actually sit in.”
The Boat Chair is a 2-in-1 product: It functions as a U.S. Coast Guard–approved PFD — and a “comfortable chair.” In addition to a “supportive, stable back,” the Boat Chair also has a foldable design, quick-dry fabric, high-tenacity nylon hinges, and reflective trim. Available online now for $120, it will ship in November 2026.
Waxed Canvas Apparel
I wasn’t familiar with the hunting and outdoor brand Chêne Gear, which is based in Memphis, Tenn. But I recently tried one of the waxed-canvas jackets from its latest collection, and it’s easily the most elegant canvas apparel I’ve ever seen.
The Chêne Founders’ Reserve includes four pieces of apparel that bring together “hunting heritage and cutting-edge technical apparel.” The collection’s four waxed-canvas apparel layers are made with materials from the manufacturer British Millerain. It includes the Founders’ Reserve Waxed Wading Jacket, Waxed Down Vest, Waxed Bib, and Waxed Jac-Shirt. These aren’t cheap, but they’re clearly well-made — and as sexy as canvas can get.
Super-Bright Smartwatch
After just a few days testing out the new Pace 4 Pro from Coros, I’m starting to wonder if I can go back to a MIP screen. When it comes to smartwatches, the downside of AMOLED displays (the brighter, more vivid screens found on most smartphones) has been shorter battery life, a significant drawback. But as battery life has improved, AMOLED displays increasingly offer sufficient battery life.
MIP screens — less vibrant but using less battery — are used on Coros models like the Apex 4, which aims to satiate athletes who demand extra-long battery life. AMOLED, on the other hand, is used for running-specific watches like the Pace 4.
With the new Pace 4 Pro, Coros has improved the AMOLED screen for its brightest-ever display while simultaneously improving battery life. The Pro version now offers 60 hours of GPS tracking, compared to the “normal” Pace model’s 41 hours. At $450, it’s cheaper than many competitors while offering plenty of features.
Eclipse Shoe
Oboz Footwear, based out of Bozeman, Mont., has shown a talent for designing limited-edition kicks that make a big splash in the outdoor world. Its latest is the ST Orbit Eclipse, a black shoe with reflective accents that’s inspired by — you guessed it — a solar eclipse. It’s essentially a “blacked-out” version of the Sawtooth II.
It goes on sale this morning at 11 a.m. MDT. Judging by past sales of Oboz limited-edition shoes, these won’t last long.
Cabin-Style Tent
Can you get a roomy tent for just $300? Apparently so. The newest release from Chinese brand KingCamp is the MOUNTAIN IN C5 Cabin Tent, a spacious, “cabin-style tent” that’s designed for year-round car camping and extended outdoor stays.
Designed like a comfortable outdoor basecamp, the tent’s near-vertical walls and 6.9-foot peak height create lots of space. The 11.2 x 7.9 foot interior means there’s enough room for up to five campers and their gear. A ridge-frame structure keeps the tent’s center open without a center pole.
Moreover, it comes with a built-in stove jack for use with a wood-burning stove during cold-weather camping. It’s made from polycotton and ripstop polyester.
Multiuse Light
This tiny light might actually be as useful as it claims to be. The QB2R — the newest product from COAST, a Portland-based brand specializing in LED lighting — is just 3 inches tall. But this compact rechargeable light allows for voice commands that control brightness, switch beam shapes, and change colors.
“Whether hands are dirty, occupied, or gloved, a simple voice command adjusts brightness, switches beam modes, or changes color output,” the brand said. “It’s ideal for mechanics, contractors, campers, photographers, and anyone who needs to stay focused on the task at hand.”
The QB2R has up to 2,000 lumens across five lighting modes: Low, Medium, High, Moon Glow, and Turbo. COAST’s Color Shift technology lets users switch between warm white, cool white, and red or flashing red beams.
There’s also a 360° pivoting head, built-in magnets to allow for hands-free attachment, and a threaded mount on the base that accepts standard tripods. An included carabiner keeps it clipped and accessible on packs, belts, or gear. For $50, you’ll get a 6.6-ounce light with 75 hours of runtime on a single charge.
Car Cooler
Colorado brand Hele Outdoors specializes in gear made for life on the road. Its latest product — the Ice Box — just launched on Kickstarter and is already well past its funding goal. This low-profile cooler is designed specifically for car camping, road trips, and overlanding
“We designed the Ice Box because traditional coolers are usually built as standalone gear, rather than around the limited space and unique needs of camping out of a vehicle,” a spokesperson said.
I’ll be honest: This looks really cool to me. I find most coolers so bulky that I often fall back on the simple styrofoam ones available at most gas stations. I don’t want a giant YETI taking up lots of space. The sleekness of this cooler is very appealing, and clearly, I’m not the only one. You can buy in now at the early-bird price of $179.
MKC Pocket Knife
The Montana was the first pocket knife that Montana Knife Company’s founder and bladesmith, Josh Smith, built at production scale. The knife returned this week, and likely won’t last long, given the popularity of MKC knives.
At $390, The Montana “brings custom knife-making expertise into a pocket-friendly production knife,” the brand said. Weighing just 2.84 ounces, it has a MagnaCut blade and fully custom-machined components throughout.
