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.
Leatt Bulletproof Velocity 6.5 Goggles
Tested to military ballistic impact standards, Leatt introduces Bulletproof Lenses with its new Velocity 6.5 Goggle. Available in three models, the mountain biking goggles use a scratch-resistant coating and anti-fog, 2.7mm lenses. Even with the burly lens, the brand claims the Velocity 6.5 still maintains high optical clarity. The Velocity 6.5 is available now for $80-90.
Arc Clipfold Wallet
Push up to easily access your cards and don’t fear your cash falling out in the Arc Clipfold wallet. A novel take on wallets, the Arc Clipfold is designed with cash in mind. The brand sought to craft the most cash-accessible, minimal wallet on the market, and this is the result. When folded, the clip keeps your money secure, but open it up and you can still easily take out cash. There’s also a pull tab that extends credit cards, and in one design, the Arc Pinnacle, you get a coin pouch. The Arc Clipfold is on Kickstarter for $40.
Vasque Breeze LT GTX
The Breeze LT GTX from Vasque is one of the first hiking boots on the market to use Vibram’s new Litebase outsole. According to Vasque, because of Litebase technology, the brand manages to cut 25 percent of weight off the shoes. The result is a waterproof hiking shoe that weighs 1 pound 11 ounces. Litebase reduces the thickness of the rubber sole yet maintains high wear resistance and traction. Additionally, the Breeze LT GTX carries the comfort of a trail runner, moisture-wicking lining, and high-rebound footbed. Available in high and low versions, the Breeze LT GTX starts at $150.
Regenerative Tee 2.0
Seadon introduces a shirt that functions as a base layer, exercise tee, and casual standalone. The Regenerative Tee 2.0 is a multifeatured T-shirt that is lightweight and quick to dry. In all, the Regenerative Tee is breathable, stretchy, moisture-wicking, sustainable, and non-chafing. It uses Polygiene to keep odors down as well as Bluesign-approved Air-Knit Fabric. Seadon is on Kickstarter now, with Regenerative Tees going for $29.
Kokatat Odyssey
Kokatat introduces a top-of-the-line dry suit for paddlers, dubbed the Odyssey. Made of Gore-Tex with 330 Cordura Gore-Tex-reinforced pants, seat, and knees, the Odyssey is a super-dialed and durable dry suit. It has a nylon waterproof front entry and relief zippers, two sleeve pockets, a thigh pocket, removable hood and suspenders, and reflective accents on the arms and hood. It’s a nice feature set, to be sure, but this beefy dry suit doesn’t come cheap. The Odyssey is available now for $1,290.
Benchmade Bailout
Benchmade goes bare minimum with its new Bailout knife. Designed to cut weight, the Bailout weighs 2.05 ounces yet still contains a 3.38-inch Tanto blade made with CPM-3V steel. While not stainless, CPM-3V is among the toughest steels out there. And this knife uses an aluminum pommel and black Grivory handles. The Bailout is available on April 26 and costs $170.
Coalatree Evolution Hoodie
Enjoy a nice cup of coffee … on your chest? The Evolution Hoodie, from Coalatree, is made with recycled coffee grounds. It uses a blend of recycled plastic bottles and coffee grounds melted together to produce a fiber. Coalatree claims it’s quick to dry, lightweight, odor-controlling, packable, soft, and supple. It comes in four colors and is available now for $62 on Kickstarter.
Deuter Trail Pro
Deuter releases a dialed trail pack with its Trail Pro Series. Designed to keep the pack snug and comfortable on your back while hiking or climbing, the Trail Pro has integrated compression straps to keep the exterior uncluttered. It also uses a spring steel frame and narrowly set hip-belt anchor points to create a secure fit. According to Deuter, “The easiest way to carry heavy loads is when backpack and wearer become one,” and it appears that’s what the Trail Pro is all about. The pack series is available in 30- to 36-liter sizes from $155 to $175.
Cubepacks
One moment, Cubepacks are in your suitcase, nice and organized; the next, Cubepacks transform into a backpack. The packing cube evolved, Cubepacks are a travel item with versatility in mind. Packing cubes help you save room in luggage, but the utility doesn’t just end on the airplane. Once at your destination, the Cubepacks have hidewaway sleeves that hold backpack straps. The expandable Cubepacks are available on Kickstarter in sets of three for $89.
Soma Ceramic Mug
Soma introduces an old-tech drinking vessel with its Ceramic Mug. It uses double-walled ceramic for insulation, so you know it will echo of your favorite at-home mug when sipping your morning joe. Soma places a leakproof bamboo lid on top, and it holds 12 fluid ounces of liquid. The Ceramic Mug is available now for $30 in three colors.
Headsweats Bigfoot Collection
New for 2019, headwear brand Headsweats adds four trucker hat designs to its Bigfoot Collection: Hood (pictured), Terrain, Rainy Day, and Find Me. Each one sports a silhouette of Bigfoot himself roaming around outdoors. One of our editors has been practically living in these lately, and she loves them. The built-in sweatband keeps sweat off her face and out of her eyes, and the mesh backing keeps her head cool. Hats are usually too small for her — but not Headsweats. When the brand says “one size fits most,” it actually means it: These adjustable hats fit even those of us with borderline gigantism in the cranial region. Get yours now for $26.
Casio G-Shock GA-2000
Casio unveiled a line of bright new G-Shock watches called the GA-2000 at Baselworld last week. The line of four watches has a carbon core guard structure that “provides unparalleled toughness in a lightweight case,” the brand says. Given the abuse G-Shock watches have survived in our tests, these should be tough as nails. The line ranges from $130 to $160 and has many functions consumers expect in G-Shock watches, like 200-meter water resistance, a 1/100th-second stopwatch, and, of course, shock resistance.
