The holidays are on our very doorstep. But this is no gift guide (allow me to direct you here if that’s what you’re after.) No, this is Emerging Gear, where I’m your tour guide through all the coolest gear drops the outdoor world has to offer. So, you officially have my permission to use the holidays as an excuse to treat yourself to something great (and new!) off this list.
You use reusable bags at the grocery store, right? Recycle? Drink sparkling water instead of soda? See, you’re a good person. Go nuts.
Chris Stapleton Signature Mackinaw Wool Cruiser
Alt-country singer/songwriter Chris Stapleton’s relationship with Filson goes way, way back — Stapleton’s dad used to wear the brand on family hunting trips. The singer already partnered with Filson for a five-piece luggage set, and evidently had so much fun pursuing Filson’s library of fabric samples that he returned for round two.
The Chris Stapleton Signature Mackinaw Wool Cruiser should be vaguely familiar to anyone who spent a considerable amount of time outside in the last five decades. The basic blueprint has been around for 109 years, after all. Stapleton selected tightly woven Mackinaw Wool for the fabric, which Filson claims is ideal for shedding wind and light precipitation.
MEATER 2 Plus Meat Thermometer
With the holidays right around the corner, now’s the perfect time to level up your meat-cooking game. The MEATER 2 Plus can withstand temperatures of close to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, is accurate to 0.5 degrees F, charges in 15 minutes, is dishwasher safe, and (of course) has an integrated app.
That’s a lot of utility in a $120 package. Go ahead and snag one and kiss dry turkey goodbye.
Lectric XPeak E-Bike
E-bikes keep getting cheaper and cheaper, and that’s great news for all of us. The latest to drop is the Lectric Xpeak. Lectric calls it an “off-road” bike, and points to an 80mm-travel suspension fork, 26 x 4-inch tires, and 750w rear-hub motor as evidence of the ride’s all-terrain chops. But it’s the low cost that really attracts me: less than $2,000 regular price, and down to $1,299 as of this writing.
Even better, a bunch of XPeak accessories, including handy cargo racks, are free with an Xpeak purchase right now. The Lectric Xpeak is available for preorder, with rigs shipping out in early 2024.
Jones Ultra Re-Up Recycled Jacket
Most down products sold in America are byproducts of the overseas meat industry, so when you think about it, down is kind of already recycled. Yanking it out of products that are past their lifespan and using it again is doubling down — and that’s exactly what Jones did with the Ultra Re-Up Recycled Jacket. The puffy garment utilizes 100% recycled face fabric and 100% recycled 750-fill-power down.
On top of its Captain Planet-approved sourcing, the Re-Up sports an articulated fit, zippered hand-warmer pockets, and internal drop pockets. It can even be stuffed into its own chest pocket. Handy!
Altra VIA Olympus 2
Don’t let Altra’s recent foray into drop shoes freak you out — the brand is still committed to making zero-drop kicks until the cows come home. Its latest release is the VIA Olympus 2, a shoe for people who like the stack height of a HOKA but want the wide toebox and zero-drop construction that made Altra’s name.
The big update here is the use of a softer midsole foam than in previous generations, so if you like the squish, seek these out post haste.
Alfa Forni I colori d’Italia Limited-Edition Pizza Ovens
GearJunkie doesn’t generally rank gear on pure appearance, but if we did, I’d be giving this pizza oven top honors. Alfa Forni’s I colori d’Italia limited-edition pizza ovens are each inspired by a different iconic Italian city. Firenze, Milano, Rome, Venezia, Torino, Naples, and Palermo are all represented, each with an eye-popping matte finish and unique skyline etching.
Alfa Forni only made 77 of each model, a number that hearkens back to the company’s founding in 1977. How much will one cost? You have to email the brand to find out. Chances are it’s a lot, but you’ll have the best-looking pizza oven on the block, if not your entire town.
Manitobah Artist Series
You can’t go wrong with mucklucks for warmth and snow protection. Particularly if the boots honor the heritage and culture from whence they originally sprang. That’s the idea behind Manitobah’s latest Artist Series. It’s a collaboration with three Indigenous artists rolling out over the next few weeks. First up is this striking Tamarack designed by artist Tiffany Vanderhoop.
The boot includes designs inspired by Vanderhoops’ family tradition of weaving, combined with motifs drawn from the Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest.
CLOMP Real-Time Oxygen Saturation Measurement Device
The age of specialized training tools is upon us. Like the WHOOP and similar tools, the CLOMP distinguishes itself from a sports watch by picking one metric and going all in. In this case, it’s muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), a metric that many endurance athletes love to keep an eye on.
The CLOMP (currently in the crowdfunding phase) delivers real-time oxygen saturation data during workouts. It also gives you workout recommendations and other functionality through its app. Gimmick or grail? Like all things fitness, it probably depends on how you use it.
Uni x Mafia Bags Upcycled Sail Dopp Kit
If you’ve got a sailing nut in your life, you could do worse for a holiday gift than this dopp kit constructed of upcycled sails. It’s a collab between body care brand Uni and bag-makers Mafia. The Upcycled Sail Dopp Kit comes with four Uni products and the comforting knowledge that your bag saved a little space in a landfill somewhere. And at only $55, it’s priced for gift-giving.
Merrell Moab 3 Mid x Jeep
Merrell and Jeep working together? OK, I’ll bite. This limited-edition Moab 3 Mid comes in striking blue with orange/red highlights. Jeep branding and logos abound — particularly on the toe and insole. Jeep drivers often give each other a little finger wave as they pass each other on the road. If you’re wearing these, maybe you can do the same next time you see a flash of blue coming down the trail toward you.
Goldwin 2023-2024 SKI Collection
Longstanding Japanese brand Goldwin tows the line between ultra-high-end outdoor apparel and deceptively understated high fashion. You won’t find any wild prints or DayGlo retro coloring in Goldwin’s 2023/2024 ski line — just sleek, attractive fabrics in modern cuts.
As with many things in life, the price goes up as the ostentation goes down. So expect to pay out the nose for the jackets, pants, gloves, and other apparel featured within. You won’t be the flashiest sight on the mountain, but you may get a quiet nod of respect from those in the know. And honestly, isn’t that better?
