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.
New Buck Pursuit Hunting Knives
Buck this week launched a new line of hunting knives aptly named Pursuit. The knives are all made in the USA and carry Buck’s well-respected but affordable 420HC steel. While widely used, the Buck version is well-hardened and holds an edge better than many. We really like the look of the Pursuit Small, which for $55 gives hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts a 3.75-inch clip-point blade and grippy nylon handle. Check out the whole line here.
SENA Smart Road Cycling Helmet
Put the SENA smart helmet on, configure the app on your smartphone, and get seriously smart while on the road. It’s got noise-reducing capabilities, a four-way intercom system for training rides that reaches 980 yards, FM radio, and music sharing. And the pricing isn’t that far off of a regular helmet at $229.
The Ethical Kojniken Sweater
The Kojniken Sweater by Karukinka is made in Patagonia, and each detail is carefully planned and executed. The slow-fashion garment is made from high-end merino, llama, and alpaca. And these garments are made in partnership with the Ona Foundation — an org that ensures working conditions for garment workers are taken care of at both the work and community levels. Good stuff all around.
DopeKicks Waterproof Hemp Sneakers
The DopeKicks scream “tech bro.” And thus, they’re admittedly techy, appropriately cool, and available for under $100. Made of cannabis hemp fibers, recycled rubber, and tree cork, these kicks give a strong nod to sustainability. If these shoes could talk, the first thing they’d tell you is that they’re vegan. And the second thing they’d tell you is that, although they’re made from cannabis, they don’t contain CBD or THC. Bummer. But you can wear them in the rain and feel good about what’s on your feet. Already more than 100 percent funded, these shoes will ship in September; but the $99 deal is going quickly.
The GO2 Breathing Device
The GO2 is a breathing device that purports to drop your PRs down to new personal FKTs for just $50. Want 10 minutes off your marathon time? Run with this in your mouth. Want to beat your friend up the mountain? Pop this in, stop chatting, and get moving. I can’t promise you won’t get made fun of while you’re wearing it. But when you beat ’em all, you’ll get the last laugh. Just pull this out of your mouth first.
Juiced CrossCurrent S Electric Bike
It’s less than 48 hours to market. And, at $1,800, it’s on the affordable side of the e-bike market. Juiced’s CrossCurrent S is chic, with a matte-black profile and a minimal aesthetic. But this minimalism also gets you up to 28 mph with 52 volts and a 50- to 75-mile range on one charge. Pretty, efficient, powerful.
Klymit Maxfield Tent Series
Releasing this month, the Klymit Maxfield tents maximize interior space while minimizing weight in both a 4-pound two-person version ($400) and 6-pound four-person option ($500). This three-season tent looks slick, and the pricing competes well in the lightweight market. The roll-style stuff sack is a cool innovation for easy packing, and ample vestibule space allows for easy access to gear.
Smith Caravan MAG Sunglasses
The new Smith Caravan MAG uses a clever magnetic lever system to make interchangeable sunglass lenses simple and secure. Just flip the little lever (where the Smith logo is located) to overcome the magnet and pull down on the frame. Remove the lens and pop in a different one. We’ve used them a little and really like these $250 sunglasses that give excellent clarity and contrast thanks to ChromaPop technology.
NEMO Airpin Stakes
Sold out on NEMO’s site but now available at REI, NEMO’s Airpin Stakes are ultralight, innovative, and small. At under 10 g apiece, these stakes are made of 7075 aluminum for durability and have a three-point locking system eliminates the need for knots.
Mystery Ranch Scepter Series
Mystery Ranch’s new Scepter series is aimed at the climbing community. With 35L ($199) and 50L ($225) options, the pack is designed for both getting to the mountain and then getting up it. Waist belts, compression straps, tool carries, and bungees are all removable. And a compression-molded back panel and stretch-woven yoke both repel snow and water, making it both ice- and rock-friendly.
Old Town Topwater 120 PDL
Old Town’s Topwater 120 PDL ($2,150) is the latest addition to its popular Topwater line. And it’s pedal-powered, leaving your hands free to fish more. Onboard rod and tackle storage are thoughtfully placed, and foam deck pads allow for comfort for standing and fishing on the purportedly stable DoubleU 12-foot hull design.
HOKA ONE ONE Hupana Flow
HOKA ONE ONE’s Hupana Flow series puts the brand into the casual crossover space for both men and women. It’s low-profile, available in neutral and city-worthy colors, and technical enough for a midday lunch run. All retail at $120, with my faves being the Forest Night/Rifle Green combo for men and the Rose Brown/Evening Sand option for women.
