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.
Solo Stove Heat Deflector
At some point, the folks over at Solo Stove got together and brainstormed, “How can we make fires better?” The Heat Deflector seems to be their solution. Constructed from high-grade stainless steel, it offers an improved 360-degree heat radius, angled to “yield the most warmth.” The Heat Deflector (from $110) is available for the Ranger, Bonfire, and Yukon stove models and will ship in the spring.
USWE Hajker Hydration Backpack
USWE is out with a winterized version of its do-it-all Hajker backpack. The 30L Hajker ($200) is meant to accommodate fast-and-light pursuits. It also offers a sturdy fit and winter-friendly hydration (that won’t freeze). The Hajker has a four-point harness system for a secure fit (great for sports like skiing and snowboarding), helmet carry, a detachable waist strap, and insulated shoulder straps to keep your liquids, well, liquid.
Quiksilver 2022 Winter Collection
For 2022, Quiksilver has dropped not one but two winter gear collections: High Altitude and Surf the Mountain. High Altitude consists of an insulated jacket and pant kit (though it’s going fast). And the Surf the Mountain collection — made with Sammy Carlson and Bryan Fox — includes a GORE-TEX jacket, bibs, shell pants, a puffy midlayer, thermals, and more.
Suunto 5 Peak GPS Watch
Suunto has hit today running with a pretty epic release: its lightest GPS watch yet. In fact, the 5 Peak is lighter than most fitness watches we’ve tested, including the fan-favorite Garmin Forerunner. The 5 Peak ($329) weighs just 39 g, which is 41% lighter than its predecessor. It also offers up to 100 hours of battery life and has 3D maps and routes, a wrist HR sensor, and a selection of easily changeable accessory straps.
Faction Skis Prodigy 1.0 LTD
Limited-edition skis? Yes, please. The new Faction Prodigy 1.0 ($479) is the same Prodigy 1.0 ski design, but with new a new topsheet. Hidden in the graphics of this ski is the saying “A Dragon Amongst People” — a phrase celebrating Faction’s leading freestyle athletes. The limited dragon graphic is available now in 164cm to 180cm lengths for men’s and women’s models. Only 200 pairs of skis are available.
Hikerkind Polartec Fleece Balaclava
Women’s hiking gear company Hikerkind just launched its latest capsule for winter 2022. Available now, the collection includes a Fleece Balaclava ($60) made with Bluesign-certified Polartec PowerAir grid fleece. On top of that, each balaclava is made to order. See the full winter collection here.
