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.
Black Crows x Polartec Ora Ski Kit
Meet Black Crows’ new Ora Body Map Jacket and Pant ($540-660). Designed in line with its Ora parka, Black Crows’ Ora Body Map Jacket and Pant are made with a 2-layer ripstop fabric, a breathable Polartec Alpha Direct insulated lining, and PrimaLoft Black eco insulation. In terms of features, they’ve got zipped ventilation, adjustable cuffs, and a RECCO reflector built in. A women’s jacket and women’s pant are available as well.
Benchmade Cutlery
Benchmade is taking its blade know-how to the kitchen. Its new American-made (in Oregon) Cutlery lineup includes an 8-inch chef’s knife, 6-inch utility knife, paring knife, table knife, station knife, and meat knife. All the blades come in a choice of CPM-154 or 440C steel, and can be customized. You can get Benchmade’s 3-piece Cutlery Set for $850, or other blades à la carte ($160 and up).
Osprey Glade Hydration Pack
What Osprey calls an all-mountain hydration pack, the new Osprey Glade 5L ($80) is made for keeping you hydrated on the lift-served slopes. The pack is made entirely with Bluesign-approved fabrics and a PFC-free DWR. It has a 2.5L reservoir with an insulated hose and bite valve cover and, of course, a goggles pocket. The Glade also comes in a 12L version ($110).
Rumpl Merino SoftWool Blankets
Rumpl is finally expanding from outdoor puffy blankets to cozy indoor ones. Its new Merino SoftWool Blankets ($199 and up) are made with a blend of sustainably sourced Australian wool and organic cotton, and come in throw, queen, and king sizes and four colors. The blankets have a reversible design. The throw blanket weighs 2.3 pounds.
Swiftwick Vision Winter Socks
Winter is coming, and Swiftwick is getting ready. Swiftwick’s new line of Vision Winter Socks ($20/pair) doesn’t just feature cosmetic updates (snowflakes, pine forests, and general wintry patterns), but a materials update as well. For use in winter and on snow, the Vision will now have an almost-50% merino wool blend, versus the regular Vision’s all-synthetic fabric.
10 Barrel Brewing POW Stout
Released at the beginning of this month was 10 Barrel Brewing’s Pray for POW Stout ($15/6-pack). This storm-inspired winter stout has notes of dark chocolate, coffee, citrus, and berry — the perfect big warmer after a day waist-deep in pow, 10 Barrel says. It has a 7% ABV. All proceeds from this release will be donated to Protect Our Winters (POW).
Snow Peak Recycled Nylon Down Vest
New for fall 2021 is Snow Peak’s Recycled Nylon Down Vest. This baby packs a punch of equal parts warmth to sustainability to style. The Down Vest ($350) is made with a 100% recycled nylon shell and recycled 700-fill green down. The vest features a stand collar, button-down closure, two front pockets, two side pockets, and a storage bag. It comes in two monochromatic, neutral colors.
Mother Karen's Powdershirts
Mother Karen’s original powder jacket became an icon on the Rocky Mountain ski scene over 50 years ago. Now, Mother Karen’s is back. The new Powdershirts ($188) have the same classic pullover construction, but with an updated 80% recycled polyester fabric, now more water-resistant, wind-resistant, and abrasion-resistant. Color blocking, raglan sleeves, and a kangaroo pocket top off the look.
SHRED Rarify+ Snow Goggles
SHRED just updated its goggle line for the 2021-22 season, namely the Rarify+ and Simplify+ ($200) goggles. The Rarify+ is a larger spherical-style lens, while the Simplify+ is a cylindrical lens. Both have contrast-boosting lens technology with a hydrophobic and anti-fog treatment and venting. And 84% of the straps in the new line are made from post-consumer recycled plastic.
Cold Case Gear Thermal Case
Small startup Cold Case Gear is back after a successful Kickstarter for its first product in 2019. This time, Cold Case Gear has created a USA-made, aerogel-insulated, ultimate phone protection pocket. The Cold Case Thermal Phone Case ($60) is airtight, waterproof, and drop-proof (military grade). Plus, it floats and protects against both heat and cold. It weighs 90 g. Available on preorder now.
AllCity Cycles Nature Cross Lemonade Edition
AllCity Cycles Nature Cross bike is already a looker, but this new paint job? We might be in love. The race-ready, single-speed, cyclocross-style Nature Cross ($1,499-2,299 MSRP) is adorned in a fade-to-neon Pink Lemonade edition on the bike’s air-hardened extruded steel. The bike runs 700c x 42mm tires. Framesets and complete builds are available.
Work Sharp Precision Adjust Elite
Just launched this week is Work Sharp’s Precision Adjust Elite Sharpener and Upgrade Kit. The Upgrade Kit ($80) includes seven abrasive grits, including replacements for the original Tri-Brasive stones; 220, 320, 400, 600, and 800 grit diamond stones; and a ceramic rod. The Precision Adjust Elite ($120) is the full package — the base model Precision Adjust, with the new sharpener accessories, all in a carry case.
