This week’s Emerging Gear column features several cross-brand collabs that deliver on style and substance. AllTrails and Topo Designs teamed up for a travel-ready capsule collection, while HOKA and Australian cycling brand MAAP dropped a sleek new shoe. Even Marvel got in on the action, teaming up with Citizen for a watch inspired by the new Fantastic Four film.
There’s plenty for tech-obsessed gearheads this week too, with augmented reality swimming goggles and a cutting-edge home power system. Dive into this week’s Emerging Gear to find the latest and greatest in outdoor gear.
HOKA x MAAP Tecton X 2
Two iconic brands from across the globe have collaborated to create do-it-all adventure footwear. Stalwart running brand HOKA worked with Australian cycling company MAAP to release a limited-edition version of the Tecton X 2 ($230); its sole provides propulsion and comfort on any terrain.
The reflective detailing and splatter paint details nod to MAAP’s unique, streetwear-inspired aesthetic. “Our teams have come together as genuinely like-minded groups who appreciate the combined art & science that fuels running & cycling in the modern marketplace,” Thomas Cykana, HOKA’s Senior Director of Global Collaborations, said in a press release.
Litheli FrozenPack Car Backpack Fridge
Ordinary coolers step aside: There’s a new technology-driven, portable fridge on the block. Litheli’s FrozenPack backpack ($290) combines the portability and convenience of a backpack-style cooler with the reliability and temperature control of a battery-powered fridge. Users can adjust the temp from -4 to 68 degrees, and it can lower the internal temp by 40 degrees in just 15 minutes.
The interior, with a size of 17 quarts, can hold everything you need for a picnic and more. The battery lasts up to 6 hours, and Litheli designed the fridge to operate at a whisper-quiet noise level.
EcoFlow OCEAN Pro
EcoFlow makes a whole host of generators and portable power solutions, and its newest product may be its most ambitious design yet. The OCEAN Pro is a fully integrated home energy system that can pull power from multiple sources, including solar panels, high-powered batteries, and generators, to ensure there’s plenty of backup power in an outage or emergency.
EcoFlow states that “the OCEAN Pro [has] double the backup power and 67% more peak power compared to industry standards,” according to a press release. In concert with the EcoFlow App, this system monitors real-time energy usage and weather to help users save money on electricity bills.
Topo Designs x AllTrails Collection
AllTrails, your backcountry navigator-in-chief, is teaming up with Colorado-based apparel and luggage brand Topo Designs for a limited-edition collection. With molded back panels, oversized water bottle pockets, and contoured straps, the Rover Trail Pack ($160) is a revamped, trail-ready take on Topo’s iconic Rover backpack.
The collection also includes a Mountain Hydro Sling ($40) for toting along your water bottle, and a Dopp Kit ($34), a versatile bag perfect for toiletries or a first-aid kit. All three pieces come in a signature color palette that includes light blue, white, beige, forest green, and a dusty pink for a look that feels nature-inspired without being too on the nose.
Ombraz Refugio Sunglasses
Ombraz, the company known for its distinct armless sunglasses, recently dropped its first wraparound model of sunglasses, the Refugio ($195).
GearJunkie editor Will Brendza put them to the test while biking, paddling, and hiking, and it’s safe to say they earned his stamp of approval: “They’re lightweight, have fewer pieces to bend/break, and stay on your head tenaciously. The lens clarity and fullness of the Refugio’s coverage are impressive,” Brendza wrote in his review.
The Zeiss optic lenses offer full UVA/UVB protection, and they’re smudge- and scratch-resistant. The wraparound design gives ample coverage, and the grippy nose piece means they stay put.
Marvel x Citizen Watch
Marvel and Citizen are collaborating to release a watch ($595) in honor of the new movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The nods to the film are subtle, with a dial in the film’s signature shade of blue, plus small symbols representing The Thing and The Human Torch, and the film’s logo etched on the case back. Alongside the watch, Citizen is including a collectible coin depicting the four heroes.
This watch isn’t just about fandom — it’s also made with functionality in mind. The SuperTitanium is extremely hard and durable, yet lightweight, and the watch is solar-powered, so you never need to worry about the battery.
HandleStash Stashquatch Bag
Much like the mythical Sasquatch, finding a versatile, durable bike bag is often a study in disappointment. Bike accessory brand HandleStash may not have found proof of Bigfoot, but it has released the Stashquatch ($125), a do-it-all, 5L bag that attaches to a bike’s handlebars.
It’s made for long rides, with quick-access pockets on the outside with magnetic closures. The Stashquatch can also double as a cooler, thanks to its foam insulation: add an ice pack and have ice-cold drinks on demand on the trail. The durable construction and tough polyester fabric mean it will last for many rides to come.
Form Smart Swim 2 Pro Goggles
Typical swim googles often encounter two problems — fogginess and scratched lenses — but upstart brand Form is on a mission to fix both. Its Smart Swim 2 Pro goggles ($330) are made with Gorilla Glass 3, an ultra-durable, chemically strengthened glass that will stand up to any conditions, the brand said. The goggles come with a user-applied anti-fog solution that Form says can provide a fog-free swim in just a 10-second application.
Use the augmented reality feature of the goggles to track stats and level up your training. Form is also releasing new software that helps users design and adjust workouts based on data that the goggles collect.
Merrell ProMorph
GearJunkie’s testers have reviewed almost every new drop from Merrell, and they’ll be excited to get their hands on the brand’s latest trail running shoe, the ProMorph ($160). Its FloatPro+ midsole foam is designed to cushion feet mile after mile, while the Vibram XS Trek Evo delivers superior traction.
The ProMorph is also big on sustainability. Its laces, footbed, and mesh lining are all made with fully or partially recycled materials.
Knog Oi Prima Bike Bell
Only high-tech bicycling accessories brand Knog could find a way to reengineer the deceptively simple bike bell. Its new Oi Prima bell ($30) is small and discreet. Its wraparound design means it barely takes up any room on your handlebars. With a volume of 80 decibels (which is about the noise level of people shouting), its ring is anything but subtle.
The WAVETEK hammer technology is designed to ensure that the bell rings loud and clear, even after thousands of uses, keeping you and those around you safe.
