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.
Stio Colter Boot
With the warm liner of slippers and the sleek style of Chelsea boots, Stio’s new Colter marks the brand’s first foray into footwear. The Colter collection includes three styles: Low, Mid, and Boot. We’ve been testing a pair of Colter Boots ($169) since spring 2022, and compliments have been rolling in at a steady clip. We especially like the boot’s water-resistant leather upper, which beads moisture and keeps our feet dry in light rain. In our initial testing, the Colter’s outsole offers excellent grip on wet and icy surfaces.
VSSL Flask Speaker
Iconic duos: peanut butter and jelly, bread and butter … flasks and Bluetooth speakers? VSSL — a container company known for its premade camping and first-aid kits — announces one of the most peculiar outdoor products of the year. The Insulated Flask ($130) is a double-walled stainless steel vacuum chamber for beverages with a built-in speaker. VSSL partnered with Speaqua Sound Co. to craft the waterproof speaker, which screws directly into the bottom of the cylindrical flask. If your tunes are hot enough, they just might keep your beverage warm for longer than the advertised 5 hours. Preorders are available now on Kickstarter.
Solo Stove Backyard Fire Pits
The leaves are changing color, and so are Solo Stove backyard fire pits. Previously, the pictured Yukon ($440) was only available with a raw stainless steel finish. Now, the 41-pound unit is available in four fresh color options: Deep Olive (pictured), Water, Ash, and Mulberry. Solo Stove’s smaller pit — the Bonfire ($240) — is also available in the new colors. According to the brand, both pits utilize “360-degree Signature Airflow Technology” that creates a fully smokeless bonfire experience.
BioLite 800 Pro Headlamp
BioLite announces the 800 Pro Headlamp ($100) — an impressively effective unit with a max output of 800 lumens. We recently used the 800 Pro while rappelling off a multipitch rock climb after sunset, and it proved to be a reliable light source through a long, moonless night. The built-in battery pack is a touch bulky for active use, but it significantly improves usage time. On low, the 800 Pro lasts up to 150 hours.
Bajio Violet Mirror Low-Light Lens
We’re well into autumn, and sunlight is a rapidly dwindling resource. In cloudy, dusky conditions, it helps to don sunglasses that are designed for low-light conditions. Bajio’s new medium- and low-light lens options are ideal for fishing in the early morning and late evening. The pictured glasses are Bajio’s Palometa frames with Violet Mirror lenses ($199). According to the brand, these lenses allow for 20% light transmission and block 95% of blue light.
Vasque Breeze Hiking Boot
The Vasque Breeze ($160) has been one of our favorite hiking boots for years. Now, these notoriously durable boots have received a fresh design update. In many ways, the new Breeze is the same as the old — but a few ounces lighter and significantly more eco-conscious. Several components of the Breeze incorporate recycled materials, including the heel counter, upper mesh, and midsole. We’ve been testing this boot on various trail surfaces for several weeks. Though it takes a handful of hikes to break in, the Breeze offers plenty of support on rocky, uneven terrain — even while wearing a heavy pack.
Rapha Pro Team Training Tights
Discomfort in the saddle can inhibit your road cycling performance. To combat chafing of the undercarriage, Rapha drops the Pro Team Training Tights ($250), a full-length bib with built-in size-specific chamois. The Pro Team Tights are made from “lightweight, fast-wicking, mildly compressive fabric” — material specifically formulated for high-tempo riding.
woom Bikes Power Pink
Learning how to ride a bike is a fundamental childhood milestone. It’s exciting, liberating, and a little scary for everyone involved. Woom makes bikes that are specifically designed for progressing young riders ($200-600). Now, after steady demand, the brand releases a “power pink” paint color. The new color “underscores woom’s mission to install a love of cycling in kids and teens.” It’s an option on all six of woom’s models.
tentree InMotion Bike Shorts
The InMotion Bike Shorts ($48) from tentree are compressive but not enough to make you feel like a sausage. They hit just above the waist, but not high enough to feel suffocating. They also stay put during long rides and activities with lots of movement. Bonus: They’re made from 75% recycled polyester and 21% elastane. Tentree has shown its commitment to sustainability through its Certified B-Corp status and plants 10 trees for every purchase.
Step 22 REEF Visor Panel
We’ve all lost a pair of shades or chapstick to the black hole of an untidy center console. To prevent driving while rummaging, Step 22 designed the REEF Visor Panel ($50) — a nifty organizer that keeps your gear within arm’s reach. Though the REEF is specifically designed for the overlanding crowd, any regular road-tripper can appreciate its utility. Two Velcro mounting straps keep the panel in place, and a MOLLE pattern provides 24 individual attachment points.
Leatherman-Branded Hoodie
Leatherman’s new apparel collection aims to match the “value, quality, and practical design” of its beloved line of multitools. This full-zip hoodie ($80) sports a small Leatherman brand graphic on the left chest area and a larger version on the back. It’s made from French terry and comes with an adjustable hood, a kangaroo pocket, and flatlock stitching.
