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.
Salomon Cross PAW Trail Shoe
Finally, a technical trail shoe for your four-legged friend. Today, Salomon released the Cross PAW ($60), the first dog-specific trail running shoe on the market. Adapted from Salomon’s trail runner Cross, these shoes feature the PawSOC system, a built-in mesh sock and Velcro tab that cradles the paw for stability, a reinforced claw box, and a grippy Contagrip outsole. Plus, the shoe has a Smart Snack Pocket for treats.
Rumpl x Subpar Parks Blankets
Rumpl has launched a new collection of Original Puffy blankets ($129) in collaboration with Subpar Parks. If you aren’t familiar with Amber Share’s “subpar parks” illustrations, they feature illustrations of parks accompanied by funny (and real) one-star reviews of the park. Check out the full Rumpl x Subpar Parks collection, or the one pictured here.
Kelty Kilty
Kelty’s Kilty kicks restrictions out the front door and “redefines the definition of true freedom.” Built with the camping brand’s backcountry plaid Bestie Blanket material, the Kilty offers fashion, function, and baffles of warmth. You can even keep your essentials (pocket knife, camera, whiskey) in the attached stash pocket — think a puffy skirt with an attached fanny pack, but better.
NikWax HE3.Direct Spray
Nikwax’s revolutionary new HE3.Direct ($15) reduces the weight of outdoor gear by up to 30%! Just hear us out. The spray uses Nikwax-patented helium-infused polymers to coat each fiber (whether it’s on apparel or hardgoods), reducing the weight of outdoor gear. Like all Nikwax products, HE3.Direct is PFC-free, biodegradable, water-based, and aerosol-free.
Orvis Dog PRO Waders
It’s high time your dog can actually join you in the water while you fish (without all the smelly, wet, muddy mess afterward). That’s where Orvis’ Dog PRO Waders (549 bones) come in. Similar to the PRO Waders for humans, these waders are made with a four-layer CORDURA fabric upper and five-layer CORDURA fabric legs, with Michelin rubber sole wading booties. Plus, the waders have a PRO relief drop bib system for when your pet has to go and a fishing vest dog collar that doubles as a flotation device.
Gunner Kids' Snack Crate
Gunner Kennels decided to take its crate expertise and use it to solve a widespread problem: kids snacking. The Gunner Kids’ Snack Crate is completely kid-proof, made with durable, rotomolded plastic, and outfitted with a security latch and IPX7 waterproof and airtight seal. It can hold up to 40 L — enough room for snacks of all sizes. Simply stash the snacks away during mealtime, school time, and more. See Gunner’s focus group and product design here.
Skratch Labs Souperfuel
Not a fan of powder or tablet drink mixes? Skratch Labs has you covered with its latest “Soup-er fuel.” That’s right. Performance fuel in ramen form: 600 calories per canister, full of complex carbohydrates, sodium, potassium, and lots of other nutrients, with a delicious squeeze o’ lime flavor. Slurp these noodles and get energized for your next big effort. Get your Souperfuel here.
BCA Organic Climbing Skins
Check out the new Backcountry Access Organic Climbing Skins. Even better than the BCA Hybrid Skins, these are made with innovative all-organic materials and provide unparalleled traction for any type of uphill endeavor. Plus, they’re easy to strap on and do a fantastic job packing down the trail in deep snow. Mohairs ain’t got nothin’ on these long pine needle sheaths. Need another reason to switch? These skins are free.
MaxTrax XPAND
Ever struggling to find room for recovery tracks in or on your vehicle? Not anymore — Maxtrax has a solution. The MaxTrax XPAND is a mini version of the brand’s bestselling tracks, made with a bio-transforming polymer that allows these tracks to grow from pocket-size to pickup-size. They even have reinforced nylon teeth to help get you unstuck. Just add water and watch them grow! (Find the real mini MaxTrax here.)
OSMO Nutrition Flamin' Hot Active Drink Mix
OSMO Nutrition just dropped what could be the best (or worst) active drink flavor mix out there: “Flamin’ Hot” Drink Mix. It’s filled with electrolytes, amino acids, and carbohydrates and flavored with a punch of fiery, mouth-burnin’ red puff goodness. The more you drink, the more you sweat. Like the real Flamin’ Hots, OSMO’s Flamin’ Hot Nutrition mix is made with red 40 and yellow 6 to achieve that bold, artificial color.
J Skis VelcroTek Carbon XT Bindings
J Skis’ new invention will forever change the backcountry ski industry. Its new VelcroTek Bindings ($10), made in collaboration with NASA, are the first ski binding system in the world made from 100% Velcro. Impossible to break and super-sticky, it’s the perfect binding material. Even better, all of the plastic used to manufacture the Velcro is made of plastic. Also, when you’re done with the bindings, they can be recycled.
FluidMaster Emergency Wiping Rock
Leveraging technology from simpler times, FluidMaster’s Emergency Wiping Rock will ensure you’re covered if and when the next TP shortage strikes. The low-tech wiping rock is available in both “petite” and “grande” sizes, with your choice of smooth or coarse grit levels. No bigger than a paper weight, the Emergency Wiping Rock is an ideal addition to anyone’s bug-out bag. Maybe.
