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Emerging Gear: Glowing Solar Jacket, Bluetooth Mask, and More

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.

vollebak solar charger puffer jacket
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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.

Vollebak Solar Charged Puffer

vollebak solar puffer

This jacket is just downright cool. It stores sunlight, glows in the dark, and “looks like a Stormtrooper,” according to Vollebak. The brand’s Solar Charged Puffer (a crazy $1,295) is made of all-white, three-layer fabric woven with a phosphorescent compound that helps the jacket store then re-emit light later on (yes, it glows on cue). The jacket also has technical features like a waterproof two-way zipper, CORDURA fabric accents, and a storm flap. And it’s built to keep you warm down to -40 degrees (Celsius and Fahrenheit).

Black Diamond Stonehauler

Black Diamond Stone Hauler Duffel Bags

Black Diamond has a new line of StoneHauler duffels that range in size from 30L to 120L ($160-$220). One GearJunkie staff member has been testing a 45L for crag days, road trips, and hauling gear. It’s different than some other adventure duffels in that it has 5mm closed-cell foam in the sides of the pack to pad your gear. That foam paired with the durable fabric prevents cams and trekking poles from wearing holes on the inside. As expected, the duffel has removable backpack straps and large grab handles. To round out the awesomeness, it’s made from 100% post-consumer recycled material.

WESN 'The Henry' Knife

WESN Henry blade

WESN is back again with yet another new blade. The Henry (from $115) is inspired by northwestern Sweden’s traditional slip-joint design — it has a 2.35-inch spear-point blade and 3-inch handle. The blade is a grade 5 titanium with the option of full titanium scales, G10 scales, or titanium with cherrywood inlays. The blade with cherrywood inlays has an MSRP of $115, and the all-titanium option is $135.

Filson Rugged Twill Tote Bag w/ Zipper

Filson tote bag rugged twill

Filson has revamped its Rugged Twill Bags for the holiday season. Filson’s Rugged Twill Tote ($225) is made with a 100% cotton fabric made from two- and three-ply yarns woven in a 2×2 twill pattern (this gives the fabric extra-high tear strength). The new colors include Chessie Tan, Hemlock, and Flag Blue.

 

Danner x Roark Boots

danner roark ridge boots

Danner makes adventure-ready shoes, and Roark makes adventure-ready luggage. The Danner and Roark Ridge Boots ($380) are the perfect meld of style and functionality. The boots have a suede upper with full-grain leather panels, a Vibram outsole, GORE-TEX liners, Roark’s signature stitching, and two lace options. And you can feel good knowing they’re made in the USA.

YETI x BUFF Multifunctional Headwear

Two popular outdoor brands, YETI and BUFF, have partnered in a BUFF collab ($24) to provide protection from the elements. The headwear is made with REPREVE (a polyester fabric made from recycled water bottles) and elastane for stretch. Like all BUFFs, it’s got 50-plus UPF protection and four-way stretch. The collab gaiter comes in more than nine color options.

Osprey Talon and Tempest Packs

Osprey Tempest20 pack

Osprey’s women’s Tempest 20 and men’s Talon 22 packs ($130) are the brand’s latest technical packs designed for dynamic body movement. The Talon 22 and Tempest 20 have a unique external hydration reservoir sleeve and sustainable fabric construction. Osprey tried out a new back panel injection-molding process that reduces plastic waste to almost zero. The pack also has a PFC-free DWR coating and is made with Bluesign-approved high-tenacity recycled nylon.

Wolf Tooth 8-Bit Pack Pliers

wolf tooth pliers

Wolf Tooth’s 8-Bit Pack Pliers ($70) is a lightweight multitool with 17 functions. Using magnets, eight attachments nest inside the handles of master link pliers. These attachments then fit into an 8mm ball detent swivel head so you can interchange them for the task at hand. The bits include a spoke wrench, valve-core wrench, T10 and T25 bits, flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, and 2-6mm hex bits. Plus, the tool comes in several colors.

OxyStrap HR Monitor Headband

Oxystrap

Move aside, uncomfortable chest straps — this new HR monitor is designed to be just as functional but more comfortable. The OxyStrap ($150 on Kickstarter) is a head-based fitness tracker (and the only tracker so far) that provides real-time audio announcements of your vital signs while working out. The OxyStrap measures oxygen saturation, heart rate, and body temperature. It also measures steps and altitude.

Reigning Champ x Polartec Activewear

RC x Polartec power wool long sleeve

Reigning Champ partnered with Polartec to inject a whole lotta tech into its new activewear line. The Reigning Champ x Polartec Wool Long Sleeve ($130), for example, uses Polartec’s Power Wool in a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. This hybrid layer has a soft merino wool base and a durable synthetic exterior. The Power Wool Long Sleeve is made with a bi-component knit-style fabric and is odor-resistant and breathable.

MConnect Bluetooth Phone Mask

mconnect mask

We’ve all been wearing masks over our faces for the past 8 months, so it should be no surprise that one company has found a solution for muffled conversations. The Mconnect Bluetooth Mask (now $59 on Kickstarter) is a patent-pending face mask with Bluetooth and microphone capabilities. It can connect to any Bluetooth-equipped device (either your phone or computer), and can fuel up to 12 hours of talking time.

Afterschool Projects EDC Hip Pack

ASP hip pack

The Afterschool Projects Simple Hip Pack ($65) is a lightweight EDC option for those on the go. The hip pack has a weatherproof Dimension Polyant VX nylon fabric, a weather-protected YKK zipper, and a 2.5L internal volume. It’s also got an internal zippered pocket. The hip pack will run you $65 but should last a while. Afterschool Projects’ bags and packs are all made in the USA.

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