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.
XTRATUF x Filson 6” Legacy Lace Boots
For commercial fishermen and Anchorage city slickers alike, XTRATUFs are a gateway to dry feet and a symbol of Alaska pride. Now, the brand has teamed up with Filson to create a fresh lace-up version of the classic Legacy boot ($190). This collaboration boot has the same triple-dipped rubber lowers and slip-resistant chevron outsole as most other XTRATUFs. Filson’s design contribution is the waterproof leather lace-up upper.
Mystery Ranch x Huckberry Urban Assault Pack 21L
Despite its slightly menacing name, the Mystery Ranch Urban Assault pack ($145) is geared toward front-country everyday carry. In collaboration with Huckberry, this updated version adds 1,000-denier CORDURA and an exclusive color scheme to an already popular product. A unique three-zip design allows for quick access to the interior, which includes a 15-inch laptop sleeve. The Urban Assault has a 21L capacity and a fixed harness frame system for long-term comfort.
Smartwool 3/4-Sleeve Mountain Biking Tee
Smartwool’s 2022 spring and summer apparel lineup is packed with all sorts of pieces made from — you guessed it — merino wool. Among these new offerings is the ¾ Sleeve Mountain Biking Tee ($70), a purpose-built trail riding shirt designed to maximize thermoregulation. Instead of pure merino, Smartwool built this tee with 47% TENCEL performance fabric to reduce odor and keep you cool in warm temps. The extended back hem is an added defense against the mud stripe blues.
Western Rise Evolution Collection
Over the past 3 years, Western Rise refined its Evolution pants, shorts, and chinos. The new line launched on Kickstarter this week and was fully funded in less than 20 minutes, raising $127,000 to date. Several GearJunkie staff love the original Evolution pants for travel, hiking, climbing, and day-to-day wear. We even voted them our favorite five-pocket men’s travel pant. The new Evolution line is crafted with air-texturized stretch nylon fabric. According to the brand, this gives the pants a better fit while adding durability and softness, plus increases the stain-proofing and water resistance. By backing the campaign, you score 20% off. The pants and chinos are $99, while the shorts are $78 if you order through Kickstarter.
Swiftwick Flite XT Trail Sock
Swiftwick takes a big swing with its latest trail sock, the Flite XT ($24-27), which it calls “the most technically advanced sock ever.” Built to combat the gamut of trail demands, including stability, grip, breathability, and moisture management, the Flite XT employs a host of materials and design tech. The heel and forefoot have micro-tread fibers to help prevent slippage within the shoe as well as elastic near the ankle to aid overall stability. A merino upper adds softness and breathability, while hydrophobic Olefin fiber on the footbed works to wick moisture. We’ve worn the Flite XT and can attest to its supportive build and comfortable feel in boots and light running shoes. It’s available in 2-inch and 5-inch cuff heights.
GU ROCTANE Salted Lime Gel
GU’s ROCTANE products are built to provide quickly digestible carbohydrates for a necessary energy boost. Even more, its ROCTANE varieties provide three times the electrolytes and amino acids of regular GU products. A pool of endurance runners helped to hone in on this new flavor, Salted Lime. The Salted Lime gel ($2-3 each) will be released in support of the Western States Endurance Run on June 25-26, 2022.
Weston x TINCUP Avi Dog Collection
Whether you know it or not, there are often volunteer avalanched dog teams standing by in case of an inbounds, or nearby backcountry, slide. To honor these avi teams, Weston and TINCUP launch a limited run of skis and snowboards with a specially designed topsheet from Colorado artist John Fellows. Net proceeds (up to $40,000) from the sale of these Summit skis, as well as Riva and Ridgeline snowboards, will facilitate education and accreditation to emergency care and safety service providers, including Colorado Rapid Avalanche Deployment (C-RAD).
Grounds & Hounds Coffee+Doug the Pug Travel Mug
Great coffee in a great vessel for a great cause — oh, and the world’s most famous pug — what’s not to love? Grounds & Hounds Coffee, one of GearJunkie’s favorite camp brews, partnered with the Doug the Pug Foundation to offer a limited release of coffee, squeaky toys, stickers, and an adorable MiiR coffee tumbler. Proceeds from the sale of the Glazed Donut Collection will help fund the training and placement of therapeutic dogs within pediatric cancer treatment centers. Shop the entire collection. The special-edition 16-ounce MiiR Flip Traveler sports double-wall vacuum insulation, a snap-tight, leak-free lid, and costs $40.
Maine Fly Company Tumbledown Rod
Maine Fly Company aims to honor the fly-fishing heritage of the American Northeast through quality craftsmanship. The brand’s new rods are the result of on-the-water testing by staff for over a year. They include the Roach River Rod ($429), a 9’6″ 4w, 5w, or 7w with a custom Fenwick grip, and the Tumbledown Rod ($400), a seven-piece 9’ 5w moderate- to fast-action rod with a 6.5-inch snubnose cork grip. Brookies beware!
SockGuy Designs
Log your miles with style. SockGuy’s made-in-USA socks are built for maximum breathability with a mesh upper and alternating panels of mesh and cushioning foam on the bottom. Now, the 26-year-old California brand unveils a suite of fresh prints and colors to add flare to just about any outdoor activity. These socks offer stretch fit and retail between $12 and $14.
Danner x 10 Barrel Brewers Cold IPA
Many beer enthusiasts have gazed into the waiting eyes of a bartender and faced a timeless dilemma: IPA or lager? According to 10 Barrel Brewers, we no longer have to choose. In collaboration with fellow Oregon brand Danner, 10 Barrel’s new Rock Hop Cold IPA was born from a desire to blend the bitter best of IPA with the crisp finish of a lager. Sales of Rock Hop benefit Trail Keepers of Oregon.
Caliber Games TowerBall
A newfangled twist on the classic bags (cornhole?) game, TowerBall challenges players with four levels of difficulty, each on a different face of the standup game board. Suitable for two to 16 players, TowerBall uses weatherproof materials and has a collapsible design with a shoulder-strap carrying case to make it a camp-friendly addition to weekend getaways. The game is available now for $190.
