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.
Rumpl x NASA Artemis Puffy Poncho
Oxcart Assembly — the creative agency behind NASA’s uniforms and recent brand aesthetic — teams up with technical blanket maker Rumpl to drop this groovy poncho ($199). The Original Artemis Puffy Poncho has a distinctly intergalactic color scheme, and its cells are stuffed with “3D hollow fiber siliconized synthetic insulation.” Named for NASA’s Artemis 1 Moon rocket (slated to launch this month), the poncho comes with the mission’s official logo in patch form.
PAKA Pakafill Alpaca Wool Puffy Jacket
Alpacas’ grazing range includes elevations up to 16,000 feet, and their plush fleecy hair keeps them toasty all the while. Meanwhile, we humans need two sweaters and a parka just to walk the dog in December. With its new Pakafill Puffy Jacket ($329), PAKA Apparel delivers the insulating power of Alpaca in the form of a stylish jacket. According to the brand, the PAKAFILL insulation is warmer than any petroleum-based synthetic stuffing on the market. Plus, it’s “ethically sourced without harming any animals.” The jacket’s zipper puller is handwoven by Quechua women weavers in Peru. Men’s and women’s are available.
YETI Yonder Water Bottle
YETI — the biggest name on the rotomolded cooler market — expands its drinkware lineup with its first-ever plastic non-insulated water bottle. The Yonder ($25-28) is a lightweight go-everywhere bottle designed for everyday use. For mid-commute sipping, the Yonder’s narrow opening is designed to guard against splashes and spillage. The two-piece cap can be removed entirely for a wider opening and easy cleaning. Two sizes are available, 25 ounces and 1 L.
Snow Peak Blue Speckled Titanium Spork
This snazzy spork ($15) arrives as part of Snow Peak’s latest Festival Collection — a series of products designed for car camping at Bonnaroo, Coachella, and other multiday fests. The limited-edition blue-speckled color scheme certainly fits into the festive atmosphere. Like most Snow Peak hardware, it’s made from titanium, which is lightweight and guaranteed to hold up in the long term.
Wilde Supertramp Bikepacking Frameset
This frameset is a dream for DIY bikepacking rig builders. It’s relatively affordable ($1,200), and it’s fully modular with plentiful mounts for bags and accessories. Specifically, the down tube sports three pack mounts, and the frame’s front triangle is optimized for a large frame bag. On the fork, three more pack mounts add extra utility. Four frame sizes are available, and a complete ready-to-ride build is available for $3,000.
Runhood Power RALLYE 600 Modular Power Station
As more and more folks take to the road to work from campgrounds and coffee shops, wildfires and floods remind us of the importance of emergency preparedness. As a result of these trends, portable power solutions are in high demand. Runhood Power’s innovative RALLYE 600 Pro ($1,618) is a modular power station featuring swappable batteries (four batteries included). When one battery dies, users can simply pop in a fresh one without losing power to connected devices. For off-grid charging, a portable 100W solar panel comes with the 600 Pro.
HILU Graphene Blanket
Like graphite and diamonds, graphene is a form of carbon. Unlike graphite and diamonds, graphene is the thinnest two-dimensional material in the world — and it’s apparently ideal for regulating the body’s temperature during sleep. HILU claims that its new product is the “world’s first full graphene blanket that can heat and cool simultaneously.” It’s a bold claim, but it just might be worth testing out if you have trouble maintaining a comfortable temperature while snoozing. Bold claim number two: HILU is “the only blanket you’ll ever need.” Queen-size HILU blankets can be preordered via Kickstarter for $175.
Velo Cycling Coffee Canteen
The strongest among us don’t quit bike commuting when the winter hits. To ease the cold bite of cycling in the frigid air, Velo crafted this bike-friendly insulated canteen. This sleek stainless steel thermos ($45) fits in standard bottle cages, and it comes with two separate lids: one BPA-free flip straw lid and one stainless steel screw-on. With 13.5 ounces of liquid capacity, the Velo Canteen should be able to hold enough coffee to get you to the end of the day — or maybe just lunch. Four metallic colors are available.
Ministry of Supply Mercury Heated Jacket
When we find ourselves chilled to the bone, even the thickest layers of fleece and down can’t deliver warmth as quickly as we’d like. Ministry of Supply brings active warming to the world of apparel with its Mercury Heated Jacket ($498), a synthetic puffer with built-in electric heating panels. On a full charge, the 30W carbon fiber heating panels within the Mercury run for 3.5 hours on high. The included battery charges via USB-C and can also support other devices in a pinch. A stowable hood offers warmth for the head and neck, and the circular baffles give the jacket a unique look.
The North Face Cragstone Pro Approach Shoe
The North Face doesn’t make a whole lot of climbing-specific footwear, but the brand is turning many climber heads with the new Cragstone Pro ($175). While BOA Fit Systems are common in ski boots and trail running shoes, approach shoes typically utilize traditional laces. The Cragstone Pro is among the first approach shoes to employ a BOA Fit System, and it feels like an overdue innovation. At first glance, the Cragstone Pro looks more like a trail runner than a true approach shoe, as it lacks a dedicated sticky rubber climbing zone underfoot. Still, it’s an intriguing shoe.
Oakley Mod7 Snow Helmet With Visor
The Mod7 helmet ($490) is the first-ever helmet-visor-goggle combo from Oakley. For smooth optics integration, Oakley outfitted the Mod7 with magnetic connection points, which allow wearers to completely release the lenses from the helmet in seconds. This magnet system also allows users to stow the lenses above the brow and out of the way, just like traditional goggles. MIPS technology and a BOA custom-fit dial round out the features list, and a variety of helmet and lens colors are available.
CAT Footwear x Nigel Cabourn Omaha Boot
Caterpillar is known for its burly, industrial machinery. While boots aren’t the brand’s main claim to fame, these Omahas ($260) certainly share a few characteristics with heavy equipment. In collaboration with British men’s designer clothing brand Nigel Cabourn, the Omaha boots boast a hefty rubber outsole and a full toecap. The general silhouette — and the Omaha name — are inspired by vintage U.S. Navy uniforms. The canvas upper can be worn upright or rolled down for a more casual look and fit.
TRU-Kii Ski Equipment Transporter
Ski resort parking lots are a messy affair, and finding a good spot feels like winning the lottery. When you’re forced to park a country mile from the chairlift, lugging your gear through the ice-covered streets is a real pain. The TRU-Kii ($500) is designed for this exact scenario. An upright wagon of sorts, the TRU-Kii can carry up to four pairs of skis (or four snowboards) plus boot bags, poles, helmets, and extra gloves. When not in use, the entire unit folds up into the included duffel bag. We haven’t tried the TRU-Kii, but it seems like a potential game-changer for family ski trips.
Venturian Wildsider Field Watch
Venturian is a new adventure watch company based in Minnesota and founded by Jason Strong, a designer and adventure enthusiast. The Wildsider is the brand’s first product, and it is available for preorder now on Kickstarter. The watch has a titanium case and built-in compass to add utility in the backcountry. High-contrast hands and indices remain readable in any weather and varying light conditions. Black, white, and red dial color options are available now, starting at $300.
