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.
Hydro_Bot Ski Jacket
Sweat to your heart’s content this winter and don’t fret cold winds freezing you to the bone. That’s thanks to the bold claims of Kjus and its 7Sphere Hydro_Bot jacket. After you’ve worked up a sweat, Hydro_Bot actively pumps it out with “electro-osmotic” technology. This leaves your body at the perfect temperature during down periods in outdoor activities. Bluetooth controls manage the tech actively pumping out water with an electrical pulse. The Hydro_Bot Jacket became reservable for purchase on November 22 and is available on December 10.
Pelican Go G40 Case
With the skyrocketing price of phones today, you might as well get a durable case to match it. Pelican launched perhaps the most apocalypse-proof electronics case with its Go G40 Case. You can’t use your phone once it’s inside, but the Go G40 is crushproof, dustproof, and watertight. The only thing it might not be is bulletproof. The Go G40 is available now for $40.
Ember Pocket Stove
Cook your next backcountry meal from a stove that fits into your pocket. The Ember is an efficient, high-temperature stove that uses “vortex” technology for a lot of firepower. It burns with twigs and other woodsy detritus and doesn’t produce as much smoke thanks to its vortex flame. The Ember is on Kickstarter now for $65 Early Bird.
Specialized Crash-Detecting Helmet
Huck that cliff with confidence, knowing when you crash, an ambulance is on its way thanks to Specialized’s new crash-detection technology in its helmets, ANGi. While we don’t encourage crashing, Specialized’s new helmets provide an extra layer of bike safety with a tracking device, crash detector, and safety beacon. If you crash, the helmet registers the impact. And if you’re unable to respond after the crash, your helmet will send a notification to your listed contacts with a GPS location. Specialized helmets in 2019 will be equipped with ANGi.
Smartwool Merino Wool Onesie
Now, Smartwool has you covered from your head to your toes, with no gap around the waist! The brand this week launched its first onesie, the Merino 250 Base Layer One Piece. It’s made of 100 percent merino wool with flatlock seams for comfort. And it has convenient drop tails and flies for easy pitstops. The 250 Base Layer One Piece for men and women is available now for $225.
Rumpl Chillmono
Adventure blanket brand Rumpl expands beyond its single-layer items with a parka. The Chillmono uses Rumpl’s same tech found in its blankets but in jacket form. It has a kangaroo-style pocket, DWR finish, and drawstring hood. The Chillmono is available now for $199.
Vollebak Pants
Vollebak introduces yet another crazy overbuilt apparel item built to withstand the “rest of this century” with its 100 Year Pant. The $645 trousers have innovative tech, like a middle-layer fabric that acts like an airbag in a fire. Make contact with fire, and the middle expands to 1,000 times its size to protect you from the flames. The pants are also water-resistant, stretchy, and crampon-proof. Read the complete list of specs here and gaze at what $645 pants are made of.
Costa Metal Frames
Costa expands past its plastic roots with sunglasses made from metal in its Turret, Helo, Skimmer, and Pilothouse models. With titanium frames, the sunglasses are lightweight and durable. Additionally, they use grippy nose pads and adjustable temple tips. The lightweight glasses all weigh less than 11 grams and are available now on Costa’s site.
Norrøna Røldal Ace Pant
Norwegian brand Norrøna brings back the jean snow-pant trend with its røldal ACE Pants. Norrøna’s ACE line is where its most innovative products debut — and the røldal ACE Pants are no exception. The brand used organic cotton denim that ages over time and made it waterproof, breathable, and flexible. It also added reinforcement on the lower leg with Vectran fibers, which Norrøna claims are “five times stronger than steel.” The røldal ACE Pants are available now for $999.
Limited Edition Glerups
Cozy up this winter in black Glerups, made in honor of Glerups’ founder, Nanny. For those unfamiliar with Glerups, the brand crafts footwear out of 100 percent wool and a double-wool insole. For those familiar with Glerups, these look fresh! Only 525 pairs of these will be sold for $195.
Mission Workshop Watchman Coat
Mission Workshop launches the Watchman, dubbed the “most advanced insulated coat.” The brand is the first to combine PrimaLoft Gold with Cross Core. The result is an insulation that combines aerogel particles (known as the best insulator) and PrimaLoft fibers for a very light and seriously warm jacket. The Watchman is available now for $755.
Compression Wool
Perform and recover with compression wool from Kitsbow’s latest compression garments, the Power Wool Performance Knicker, Tight, Arm Warmer, and Knee Warmer. The series uses Polartec Power Wool that places merino next to skin for its moisture management and odor resistance but still allows the items to regulate blood flow and proper range of motion. Kitsbow’s line is available here.
Carhartt Full Swing Steel Cargo Pant
Swing a hammer, or your legs, as much as you’d like in the Full Swing Steel Cargo Pant. From Carhartt comes a cargo pant made with Cordura fabric and designed for uninhibited movement and durability. By integrating spandex, a flexible waistband, flexible back pockets, and a gusseted crotch, these pants are made to move. The Full Swing Steel Cargo Pant is available now for $100.
Patagonia Recycled Cashmere
Patagonia innovates in yet another recyclable fabric with the introduction of recycled cashmere sweaters and hats. The brand took the high-demand resource and produced a cozy and durable sweater with a much lower ecological impact than virgin cashmere. The brand launched a quarter-zip, hoody, sweater, beanie, and scarf for between $69 and $299.
