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.
Vasque Clarion '88 GTX Hiking Boot
The limited-edition release of the Vasque Clarion ’88 GTX ($160) boot series for men and women is a callback to an original hiker for the brand in 1988. With modern updates, the retro feel of the Clarion ’88 leaves behind the heft of old and brings in the performance of the new. GORE-TEX keeps feet dry, and a Vibram outsole keeps you grounded. These are available now in a limited run.
Garmin Instinct Tactical Edition Watch
The new-to-market Garmin Instinct Tactical Edition is rated to U.S. military standard 810G for badass shock, thermal, and water-resistant durability. Even the display is chemically strengthened and compatible with night-vision technology. At $350, it’s on the more affordable side of smartwatch options. And a variety of color schemes and options means you can accessorize for living your best, burliest life.
Travel Shoes by BauBax
The Travel Shoes by BauBax ($79) look pretty sweet. And the brand’s marketing team had this woman put the shoe to her face to prove how soft the shoes are. It made my day. Anyway, these shoes come in a variety of options for both men and women, from dressy to casual. They’re made of coconut, latex, bamboo, and merino. So we’re talking odor-resistant, comfy, water-resistant, breathable kicks. Jump on the majorly funded Kickstarter to order. Delivery is scheduled for December.
Shane Dorian ICON Watch
Y’all know about Shane Dorian? He’s a pro surfer, a bowhunter, and, most recently, a watchmaker. He teamed up with Szanto to create the ICON ($250). It’s a slick timepiece, with oversized numbers and, of course, water resistance to 200 m. If the smartwatch ain’t your thing, this is your chance to get Dorian-level rad.
Wise CBD Superfood Bar
CBD is all the rage these days. And although science has yet to say much about it, people are feeling results from using the stuff. So, why not throw it into a bar? That’s what Wise Bar did, and I’m into the food combos. Mexican Chocolate, Tropical Blastoff, Apple Pie — get into my belly! They’re available now, and if you’re a CBD believer, you now have more tasty options for digging into the benefits of cannabinoids.
Oru Inlet Kayak
This whole portable boat movement is, for lack of a better word, dope. And Oru Kayak has been at the forefront of the packable movement. The recently announced Oru Inlet Origami Kayak ($750 on Kickstarter, $900 MSRP) takes this whole thing to a family-friendly level — and knocking off a few hundred bucks in the process. The brand is crushing the Kickstarter game, so paddle over there and check it out before the price goes up.
Groove Vest
The Groove Vest ($150 on Kickstarter, $299 MSRP) is a competition-level watersports vest for water skiers, wakeboarders, kite skiers, and jetskiers. It’s a sound system built into your torso protection from a group of people who know how to ride. It’s light, loud, and — you guessed it — waterproof. Kickstarter packages are running low, and delivery is estimated for December.
OvenPlus All-in-One Kitchen
A travel-worthy oven, grill, and stove in one: That’s the idea behind the OvenPlus All-in-One Kitchen ($189 on IndieGoGo, $299 MSRP). It’s really a smokeless gas grill/pizza oven combo with two cooking surfaces. And it’s a top-down grill solution, meaning your food gets cooked from above. It weighs just under 30 pounds, so it’s not exceptionally light, but it’s transportable enough. Check it out on IndieGoGo.
Tréso Travel Backpack
The Tréso travel backpack system ($140 on IndieGoGo, $298 MSRP) is a smart pack solution for travelers. It has a built-in solar panel for on-the-go charging, anti-theft technology, and a GPS tracker. The campaign also features six other travel options, including a wash bag, gym bag, and more.
Filson Mesquite Lockback Collection
Filson just released two new options for stylish everyday-carry knives, starting at $85. The two Mesquite Lockback knives take on an iconic look with mesquite and nickel. The steel is 440M, which, while not remarkable, has good corrosion resistance. There’s also a new fixed-blade option called the Skinner ($125). Each knife comes with either a leather sheath or a clip option.
Polar Ignite Fitness Watch
Polar’s latest Ignite Fitness Watch helps you keep track of literally. Everything. About. You. From monitoring your sleep habits, to tracking your steps, to offering you a breathing exercise option to help calm down, the Ignite is an all-in-one solution for keeping track of your bodily stats. Check out all this smartwatch/tracker does here. Pretty techy stuff.
Fidlock Lookout Hip Pack
High Above’s Fidlock Lookout hip pack ($130) aims to be your trail buddy, with enough space for just the essentials, a water bottle, and options for extra “rocket” add-ons for carrying bear spray, extra water, etc. This limited-edition piece is only releasing in a 50-item run, and it’s currently available for preorder to ship in September.
tentree Mobius 35L Backpack
The tentree Mobius 35L Backpack is one cool deal. It uses foam made from algae (!) and REPREVE fabric made of recycled polyester. Plus, the brand plants 10 trees per product sold and provides an eco-log of the impact one pack has on the environment. Aside from all this sustainable good stuff, it’s also a solid pack. You can convert this pack from 16 L for light days to 35 L for bigger days. And it’s got a nice, slick look to it, with a swath of color options available now.
