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.
KUIU Base Camp Snap Shirt
Looking for a new favorite lightweight jacket? Check out KUIU’s Base Camp Snap Shirt ($149). This insulated snap shirt is designed to be a single layer or a midlayer, in mild to cold weather. It’s got a sleek quilted pattern, Toray’s synthetic 3DeFX+ continuous active breathable insulation, four pockets, and more. The shirt comes in five colors.
Shwood CAMP Eyewear
Shwood’s CAMP Eyewear looks perfect for any and all outdoor pursuits. The CAMP collection includes the CAMP Ridge, Trail, Topo, and Cove models ($79). All of the styles in the collection are meant to be sustainable (made with bio-based frames with wood inlays) and durable, with polarized lenses that offer 100% UVA/UVB protection. The styles are also all labeled as either narrow, medium, or wide fit. Shop all styles at REI.
Peak Design Camera Straps
Peak Design’s new camera straps now come in five models, with four color options (two new colors this season). The Camera Straps ($30 and up), which include a leash, slide, and cuff versions, have Peak Design’s Anchor Link system for instant attachment and detachment, aluminum hardware adjusters, internally padded nylon straps, updated silicone grips, and upgraded webbing.
Subpar Parks National Parks Book
Remember Amber Share’s witty and hilarious “Subpar Parks” National Park artwork? Well, now you can get ALL of her funny prints at once in the “Subpar Parks” book (preorder for $20). Get gorgeous illustrations with comedic captions with content on over 75 U.S. national parks, monuments, and preserves with Share’s humorous, outdoorsy page-turner. It’s hitting the shelves on July 13.
ORTLIEB Handlebar Pack
The ORTLIEB Handlebar-Pack QR ($160) is “the perfect bag for overnights, the Divide, monster gravel days,” and more. ORTLIEB’s new handlebar pack has an 11L capacity, quick-release (QR) bag design, and IP64 rating. Looking for more? You can also grab the matching QR inner accessory pocket for 15 bucks if you want a bit more organization. Made in Germany.
Hyperlite Camera Pod
A fitting ultralight accessory to Hyperlite Gear’s current lineup is its new Camera Pod. The Camera Pod ($109) is made entirely out of Dyneema Composite Fabrics (specifically DCH150 + DCF8), weighs just 2.7 ounces, and has multiple attachment points for securing to your person, pack, or straps. It comes in two sizes: regular and large (3.7 ounces in weight).
Tenere Astral Legging
A new brand launched in spring 2021, Tenere is making activewear out of primarily recycled materials. Its Astral Legging ($118) has a jacquard-texture fabric that the brand says naturally enhances moisture management, and makes for an elevated look. The legging is made out of 100% GRS-certified recycled yarns including recycled nylon and recycled elastane, and it has a high waist with an inner waistband pocket.
WNDR Alpine Reason Ski
WNDR Alpine is launching its new, most powder-capable ski for preorder today. The Reason 120 ($699) is what the brand is calling “a tool for the powder days we all wish for,” with a girthy waistline and spry turning radius. The Reason has a unique Algal Core and Algal Wall construction (with a 67.89% total bio-based content), heavily rockered profile, and comes in 170, 177, 184, and 191 lengths. And if you think July is too early to be thinking about your winter setup, you’d be wrong.
Woodpecker Labs Tuk Book
Made entirely out of Tyvek (you know, that high-density, waterproof fabric used in tent-making), this notebook — and its pages — is waterproof, bendable, indestructible, and more. The Tuk Book (from $13) is made by some clever product designers at Woodpecker Labs, and it even has a patented binding system so you can bend it right down the middle.
DMO Beaver Bushcraft Knife
Law enforcement-owned and -operated brand DMO Knives, based in the Missouri Ozarks, just released its newest and first bushcraft-style blade. DMO’s Beaver Bushcraft Knife ($375) has a 5.25-inch stonewashed blade made with 0.25-inch 1095 steel and G10 handles. And it comes with a Kydex sheath. The DMO team also added some jimping for traction along the spine.
Ultima 22 Backpack
The Ultima 22 (starting at $60) is designed to be a multipurpose backpack and hip pack. Launched this month on Kickstarter, the pack is made with CORDURA fabric on the exterior, has a 100% waterproof interior, two side mesh pockets, and YKK zippers. In terms of design, it offers a detachable hip pack (secured with zippers), a rolltop closure for the main pack, a removable and inflatable back insert, and removable waist straps.
Kuli Kuli Superfood Chocolate
This isn’t gear, but it is a great snack to complement those of us hauling gear around on our active and busy days. California-based Kuli Kuli’s Superbark Chocolate ($19/3-pack) offers that chocolatey, energetic pick-me-up you need — without any sugar. The barks (we liked the peanut butter and raspberry varieties) contain superfoods like moringa, chia, baobab, and breadfruit and, of course, a thick base of dark chocolate. Also available on Amazon.
Stone Glacier SQ2 Alpine Gaiters
A new offering from Stone Glacier, the SQ2 Alpine Gaiters ($129) are designed with tough, backcountry scrambling in mind. The standout on this piece is the Dyneema Contrail foot strap, streamlining the oft-bulkiest and most annoying part of a gaiter considerably. Three-layer Ripstop Hydrashield ups the fabric ante and keeps rocks, snow, and debris from lodging in those vulnerable spaces between boot and leg.
