A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.
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Recycled Kite-Surf Jacket
Italian brand Exkite makes jackets from used kite-surfing canopies. The result is a neat look and protection from the elements and wind.
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Alpha ‘Multi-Shovel’
Build, pack, and rake snow twice as fast: That’s the claim DMOS makes about its Alpha Shovel. The $129 Alpha collapses down for transport, has a telescoping handle, and is designed to take on dirt or snow.
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Fast And Fat ‘Suzi Q’ Bike
Rocky Mountain touts its new model “challenges the narrative of slow, plodding fat bikes.” The Suzi Q is a lightweight, carbon-frame bike with a narrow q-factor for efficiency and comfort on the snow.
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Limited USA-Made Packs
Golden, Colo., based Mountainsmith will make small runs of its new Tyrol Pack in an effort to bring some manufacturing back to its home state. The $180 rucksack is made from upcycled materials and available online now.
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Portable Campfire Grate
Make fire-starting easier with the Firewaall-003, a collapsible grate for your firewood. The four-piece stainless steel grate holds kindling on bottom, a stack of firewood on top, and it keeps everything off the ground for improved airflow. Pre-order the Firewaall-003 here.
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Shots On Skis
Do a line of shots with your buddies, all at the same time, from a recycled ski. The $149 Looptworks Shot Ski holds four stainless-steel glasses, and is foldable for transport. Bottoms up!
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Boots For The Outback
Few places in the U.S. are as harsh a testing ground for winter boots as northern Minnesota. That’s where Vasque developed the $180 wool-lined Lost 40 hiking boot. The boot is available in men’s and women’s fit and style.
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‘Smart’ Shoes
Smartwatch, smartphone, and now… smart-shoes. Under Armour will release a line of Record-equipped training shoes. The kicks will sync with MapMyRun to provide wearers vital stats and metrics, including information on their muscle fatigue. The SpeedForm line — Gemini 3, Velociti (pictured), and Europa — come out January 5th.
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‘Wireless’ Rechargeable Insoles
Better than socks? Slide the +Winter heated insoles into your boots, sync them with your smartphone, and dial in the temperature you need. This is no cheap set of foot warmers, though; the charger and two insoles retail for about $136.
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Ultimate Grip: Yaktrax Summit
Hike and explore with confidence over any winter terrain. The Yaktrax Summit ($90) is a slip-on traction system with carbon-steel teeth. To cinch onto boots the Summit uses a twist-to-tighten BOA closure for a solid, fast fit.
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Submersible Backpack
Sail, swim, SCUBA dive, or just go out in the rain with confidence. The HELIXOT XO 6.2 ($136) touts 100-percent submersiblity. No waterproof zippers here; the pack uses a welded-seam, and screw-cap to open and close.
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Bike Frame Protector
Stick a five-inch rubber pad to your top tube to prevent nicks, dings, and dents when you lock to a pole. The PoleProtectr is a $15 stick-on with a rounded pad that rests against street signs, parking meters, or any other pole.
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Ambidextrous Blade
Flick open this streamlined blade with one hand — either hand. The ambidextrous Folsom ($99) from The James Brand is also the brand’s first with a liner lock.
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‘Sustainable New York’ Line
Sport a flannel made with repurposed materials from New York’s garment district. Search And State released a line of shirts that cost $165 but are based on “dead-stock” fabric, guaranteeing an exclusive look.
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