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.
Igloo Reactor Series Cooler Bag
Igloo’s new Reactor Series includes cooler totes, backpacks, and, of course, cooler bags. The new 30-Can Cooler Bag ($100) is water-resistant with a welded exterior and leakproof interior. It keeps contents cold for up to 2 days and weighs just over 3 pounds. The Cooler Bag can hold up to 30 cans and has a nonslip bottom and carrying strap. The series comes in two color schemes.
Merrell Alpine Tie Dye Suede Sneaker
Merrell’s Alpine Tie Dye Sneaker ($110) are here, and they are bold. This limited-edition shoe has a suede leather upper, mesh lining, EVA foam insole, EVA midsole, and rubber outsole with angled traction. See the men’s sizes here and the women’s here. The Tie Dye Alpines are available only while supplies last.
Vollebak Plant and Pomegranate Hoodie
Made from pulped eucalyptus and beech from sustainably managed forests, the Vollebak Plant and Pomegranate Hoodie ($295, preorder now) is fully biodegradable and compostable. But that’s not all: It’s also dyed in a giant vat of pomegranate (as opposed to using harmful chemicals or synthetic dyes).
Crua Outdoors Expandable XTENT
Crua’s newest tent is an extendable design that adds 19 inches to the original height of the tent with a pop-up canopy. The XTENT ($249 on preorder) can go from a 60-inch-tall tent to a 79-inch-tall tent with the simple push of a button. The tent has two main poles, a waterproof fly, a mesh body, and guy lines and comes in two- and three-person models. Oh, and the porch fly is expandable too.
BOA Li2 Dial for Footwear
BOA Technology’s Li2 is its newest L-series dial platform. The BOA Li2 is designed to be low-profile and more durable while maintaining precise adjustability. It’s the first dial from the brand made with a composite material overmold and a strong but soft TX4 lace. The Li2 will launch on road, gravel, and mountain bike footwear from brands like Fizik, Scott, Lake, and DMT in fall 2020.
Mountainsmith Cooler Tube
Looking for a packable, inventive way to take beverages outside that doesn’t involve lugging around a hard-sided cooler? Mountainsmith’s Cooler Tube ($20) might be exactly what you need. The tube holds six drink cans of choice in a slender tube with an adjustable shoulder strap. The upgrades for 2020 include rope handles, new colors, and a new exterior fabric that’s more durable. And at only $20, it’s a great price.
Rapha x MR PORTER Health in Mind Jersey
The Rapha x MR PORTER Health In Mind Jersey ($165) is a bit of a unique collab. All the profits from these jersey sales will be donated to the MR PORTER Health In Mind Fund, a charitable fund supporting men’s health causes around the world. The jersey is made with a polyester-elastane blend, an elastic hem, three back pockets, and reflective piping. It comes in two solid colors and one pattern.
Ripton and Co. Dark Wash Jorts
These alternative apparel “sport jorts” are becoming a more popular option for some for bike trips, running, and more. Ripton and Co. just launched a new style last week: the Indigo Darn Wash Jorts ($89). The dark wash or version two jorts are made with four-way-stretch denim, a gusseted crotch, and textured wash. The brand also made improvements on the jorts fabric and fit. Find the women’s dark wash jorts here.
ReadyWise Backpacking Meals
Adventure food brand ReadyWise just launched an entire collection of dehydrated vegan backpacking meals. The meals (starting at $6) include six new flavors like Sweet Potato Curry, Switchback Spicy Noodles, and Basecamp Bean and Veggie Soup. Each pouch contains 2.5 servings, so these meals are perfect for people who travel the backcountry in pairs.
Rock Bar Storage
The Rock Bar (from $20) is a slim, low-profile, semi-rigid storage case that can attach to multiple locations on your bike. The Rock Bar was designed to either store extra gear — such as a spare tube, tools, mini pump, tire patches — or to hold 7 pounds of steel weight inside for training without affecting the handling of the bike. Rock Bars can attach to MTB bars, down tubes, top tubes, and even onto disc brake forks.
