Home > News

Emerging Gear: Outdoor Products This Week

From a sensor-equipped Suunto to an ‘exercise mace,’ our weekly peek at emerging products examines the cutting-edge of gear.

Support us! GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.

[roundup-item]

suunto-spartan-watch

Sensor-Equipped Suunto

A next-generation exercise and outdoors watch, Suunto’s Spartan Sport Wrist HR has requisite workout tools plus a 24/7 activity tracker. Its sensors (on the back of the watch face) measure heart rate, no chest strap required. We tested the Spartan this week and were impressed; watch for a full review soon. It’s available for pre-order starting today for $499.

[/roundup-item]

[roundup-item]

Hypar Kayak configurations

3-In-1 Folding Boat

Unpack a hull and fold it into a kayak, sailboat, or canoe. The Hypar Kayak takes foldable vessels to a next level by making the hull modular. Hypar goes live on Kickstarter April 11.

[/roundup-item]

[roundup-item]

inferno hammock cocoon

Hammock Cocoon

Envelop your camping hammock in a warm cocoon. The INFERNO is two-piece sleeping bag that wraps around you and your hammock. The down-insulted kit consists secures to a hammock’s suspension. The top and bottom pieces are available separately, or sold as full system for $452.

[/roundup-item]

[roundup-item]

Thousand_Profile_Gold helmet

Anti-Theft Helmet

A unique, retro design that hides an innovative anti-theft feature… that’s what Thousands Helmet offers with the Stay Gold. This $95 bicycle helmet has a removable cap that exposes a hole big enough for a U-lock.

[/roundup-item]

[roundup-item]

portaledge

Lightest Portaledge

Climbers can stop to rest (and sleep) in the D4, the “lightest and most compact full-size portaledge.” The whole system weighs 14 pounds and measures 46.5″ x 80″ when deployed. The brand claims its patented folding design is the most compact on the market, at 10.5″ x 32″. The $1,200 portaledge is available on Kickstarter with early-bird discounts.

[/roundup-item]

[roundup-item]

Device ‘Measures Motion’ For Cyclists

Years in the making, a startup company sees ‘wearable motion measurement tools’ as the next big thing for biking. The TYPE-R product from LEOMO assesses body movements to build and display data in realtime as you ride. (See our full coverage of the LEOMO Type-R product launch.)

[/roundup-item]

[roundup-item]

victorinox v2 duffle

Hybrid Victorinox Case

Roll or carry one the lightest travel cases in Victorinox’s lineup. The $320 Vx Touring 2-in-1 Carry-On weighs about 6 lbs. and has all the features of a standard carry-on: compression straps, zip-open expansion, and laptop sleeve.

[/roundup-item]

[roundup-item]

Pixi Diaper Butt Comparison

Women’s Multi-Sport Pant

Transition from the saddle to the yoga mat with these transformable pants. The $132 Pixi athletic pants are designed by women, for women. Available in 3/4 or full length, these stretchy synthetic leggings sport a removable chamois for added comfort while biking. Find it on Kickstarter now for discounts.

[/roundup-item]

[roundup-item]

exercise mace

Mace Trainer

The mace was originally used as a weapon by Hindu and Persian warriors. Today, fitness brand Set For Set has repurposed it for training. The Steel Mace ($49.95) holds almost the entirety of its weight in the ball head, making an uneven distribution the brand notes “engages smaller stabilizing muscles around joints.” It’s used for a variety of core exercises, detailed on Setforset.

[/roundup-item]

[roundup-item]

accupressure yoga mat product

Therapeutic Yoga Mat

Enjoy trigger-point massage while perfecting downward-dog and happy-baby. Grippz Mats have hundreds of knobs along the surface that provide dual benefits: extra grip and acupressure massage. The $119 mats are live on Indiegogo now.

[/roundup-item]

[roundup-item]

benny gold teva

Art-Inspired Tevas

Teva partnered with streetwear designer Benny Gold to produce its latest artist-series sandal. The $60 Benny Gold Teva sandal has the artist’s trademark paper airplane logo on the sandal straps. Ten percent of this sandals’ sales go to supporting the arts. Available exclusively on Huckberry.
[/roundup-item]

[roundup-item]

duluth pack

Everyday Duluth Pack

A canoe-country aesthetic comes through with the $145 City Portfolio. Duluth Pack designed the briefcase-like piece for travel and office use. It’s made in America with the company’s 15 oz. green canvas fabric.

[/roundup-item]

[roundup-item]

paul quick release

PAUL Quick-Release

A simple, effective piece, PAUL components’ quick-release bike collar uses the brand’s patented cam function that’s touted as “impossible to mis-align.” The $53 seat collar is available for pre-order now.

[/roundup-item]

[roundup-item]

XStradaRack fat bike

Ultra-Fat Bike

Crush rough trails or sandy switchbacks with the XStrada bike. It employs beastly 7.5″-wide tires, packed down into 23.5″ wheels. The “ultra fat bike” will be available March 20th in single- or 11-speed options, or as an e-bike upgrade.

[/roundup-item]

Subscribe Now

Get adventure news and gear reviews in your inbox!

Join Our GearJunkie Newsletter

Get adventure news and gear reviews in your inbox!