A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design. Explore the grid below or click through for a slideshow.
Duluth Trading Co. Cooling Cargo Pants
Summer workwear? Duluth Trading Co. makes that statement a reality with its new Armachillo Cooling Cargo Pants. While these may not be as durable as Duluth Trading Co.’s other pants, the Armachillo Cooling Cargo Pants have all the features plus cooling technology. These pants have nine pockets, a cellphone stash on each thigh, and a crotch gusset. The secret to the Armachillo Cooling is Made-in-the-Jade fabric, which uses microscopic cooling jade that is cool to the touch. The Cargo Pants are available now for $80.
Wolf Tooth Fat Paw Cam Grip
Wolf Tooth introduces the first ergonomic foam grip for biking with the Fat Paw and Karv Cam Grips. The grips are part of a larger line of foam grips from Wolf Tooth, following its acquisition of the grip product line from RedMonkey Sports. The cam profiles on the Fat Paw and Karv allow the rider to rotate the grips to best support hand position and riding style. On the Fat Paw Cam is a 9.5mm-thick grip to reduce hand fatigue with a 36mm diameter — making it the thickest silicone foam grip on the market. The Wolf Tooth Fat Paw Cam is available now for $25.
DUER Weightless Denim Beachcomber Pant
Mark my words, these pants are my new summer jeans. DUER introduces the Weightless Denim Beachcomber Pant just in time for the heat of summer. Weighing just 6 ounces, the Beachcomber Pant is the lightest denim on the market, according to DUER. We’ve used the Weightless Denim Beachcomber Pant for the past few weeks and can’t believe how feathery light these pants are. Further, the pants use a traditional zipper fly, slight drop crotch, and rolled cuff. The Weightless Denim Beachcomber Pant is available now for $129.
InstaPrivy's Portable Bathroom
If there’s one thing we all know, it’s that nature calls anytime, anywhere. And InstaPrivy’s take on the portable toilet is only $75 at the moment, a 25-percent markdown from what its retail price will be. It comes in a backpack flush with toiletry items, including a privacy dome, two waste bags, a folding toilet chair, a trowel, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer.
LumeCube's Anti-Collision Drone Strobe Light
Drones are becoming ubiquitous in the world of adventure photography, and safety amidst the many flying objects is paramount. The Strobe from LumeCube offers drone operators the opportunity to put a $50 light on their aircraft that’s visible from up to 3 miles away. It’s small, light, and compatible with every drone on the market.
The WHOOP Experience
Wristbands have been monitoring our movements for years now, but WHOOP is inviting people to try membership-based wearable technology. A wristband comes free with a monthly membership, as do a pile of analytics and a community focused on optimizing your athleticism. Will a monthly membership attached to strap on your wrist help you stay focused on your goals? WHOOP seems to think so.
Tracker Packer
The Tracker Packer from Giant Loop offers a new holster option for those carrying small Garmin and SPOT devices. If you’ve ever shoved one of these guys in a pocket or jimmy-rigged a setup to keep your beacon close, you’ll know that something like this streamlines that process nicely. And it’s priced at $39-50, making it an affordable add-on to your preferred beacon.
Tropo Air Pump
For $19, the Tropo air pump takes the wind out of your lungs and into your pocket. It’s a pretty cool little setup, as it also works as a vacuum packer for those of us who are on the more organized side of things. It runs on AA batteries, weighs 3.5 ounces, and has a continuous runtime of either 20 or 40 minutes depending on battery choice.
Travel Decanter
I really enjoy pretty things, and looking at this travel decanter has me imagining a seriously perfect setup on a high-alpine lake with a billion stars above me and a glass of nice bourbon in hand. The decanter is made of handblown glass, and the travel case is two cups that thread together. The 1.7-pound weight isn’t ideal, but hey, that’s what backpacking partners are for. The Travel Decanter retails at $44 on Kickstarter. Not too shabby.
Benchmade Proper
Grandpa’s slipjoint just got modernized with carbon fiber scales. The Benchmade Proper is a slick little pocket knife reminiscent of old-school folding blades of yore. But with carbon fiber scales and CPM-S90V steel, it has cutting edge guts! The Benchmade Proper is available now for $140.
Outerknown Woolaroo Surf Short
Wool shorts for surfing? Launched by legendary surfer Kelly Slater? OK, we’re listening. Outerknown recently launched the first 100-percent-wool boardshort, called the Woolaroo. According to the brand, they’re made entirely from Australian merino wool. The innovative manufacturing process eliminates the need for any chemicals or synthetic finishing agents while not compromising wool’s natural properties. And while this may be the first boardshort for surfing, wool swimwear was used in the 1900s up until the 1950s, when synthetics were introduced. The Woolaroo is available now for $125.
Liki Trike
The packable folding Liki Trike by Doona is something that I wish came in a grown-up size. But alas, it’s for the little ones. It follows your little’s growing stages, as it transforms from a stroller to a pushable trike to a standalone pedal tricycle. And its ability to fold down for easy storage is as simple as pushing a button. This trike is fun for the little ones in your life and a nice amount of bang for your buck at $250.
