A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.
Destination Swiss Army
Hold the pyramids of Giza in your hand with the limited-edition series from Victorinox. Dubbed Places of the World, Victorinox released its classic multitool in 10 prints. New York, the Matterhorn, Hawaii, New Zealand, and more are all on display for the price of $19 per multitool.
Bear Bag Assistant
Hang your food with ease thanks to the Rock Sok. Included with the Rock Sok is a large pocket with holes for stringing and cord. Place weights, rocks, or sand in the opening, tie the cord, and throw it over a tree branch. The simple design intends to help beginners hang items from trees, and it comes with a knot-tying guide. Rock Sok launches on Kickstarter this spring.
Stylish Modular Pack
Wear a photography pack one moment and a gym bag the next with The One Backpack. Inside the pack are eight clip-on points that let you customize the interior to your needs. You can place different packs within and organize how you want. The One Backpack is on Kickstarter now, deals starting at $210.
Folding e-Bike
Travel up to 18 mph in the funky-looking Swagtron Swagcycle Pro. While the brand calls this a bike, there are no pedals here. Riders simply torque the throttle and cruise ahead thanks to its 37-volt lithium-ion battery. The frame supports up to 264 pounds, and the design is foldable. The Swagcycle Pro is on sale now and costs $500.
Sunlight Tracker
Soak up the sun, and do so responsibly, while wearing the QSun. This wearable sensor keeps track of sun exposure and vitamin D intake. There are also timer functions that alert the wearer to reapply sunscreen. The QSun is on Indiegogo now for $100 retail.
Outdoor Chef's Knife
If you’re looking for a chef’s knife that’s more at home outdoors than in the kitchen, this might be your golden ticket. KA-BAR designed the Becker Tuko in partnership with Ethan Becker of Becker Knife & Tool as a nod to the KA-BAR kitchen knives of the past. The blade is high-quality S35VN stainless steel, and the handle scales are bone linen Micarta. The 5.125-inch flat ground blade should be great for chopping veggies around camp. And it holds an edge for more robust chores. Get one quick, as only 120 of them will be sold.
Helmet Locking Bag
Keep your helmet safe in an Angry Lane X Pacsafe Helmet Bag when you’re not around. With Pacsafe’s 360 eXomesh locking system, the inside of the fabric resembles a stainless steel mesh cage. It would take one determined thief to steal a helmet from this bag. The helmet bag is available now and costs $100.
Artsy Road Shoes
Artful Kicks designed the Aria 101, from Fizik. The Aria 101 celebrates the current edition of the Giro d’Italia and builds off the Aria R3 road shoe. But it’s not all looks. With a carbon fiber outsole, Boa closures, and a weight of 243 grams, these shoes mean business. Get a pair for $320 now.
Do-All Featherweight Jacket
“Stop the wind, fight the rain” is the slogan for the Pumice Jacket, from Sendero Provisions. A do-all jacket, the Pumice is windproof, water resistant, durable, and lightweight. A tight-weave ripstop nylon makes the jacket resistant to tearing, and it weighs a scant 4.1 ounces. The Sendero is on Kickstarter now with a retail price of $110.
Affordable Commuter Bike
From State Bicycle Co. comes the 4130 Core-Line with updated, lighter wheel sets and paint for the summer. A 4130-grade Chromoly steel makes up the frame, and Lo-Pro wheels get you moving. The 4130 line comes in four paint jobs, the boldest being “Pardi B,” pictured. The best part is the price, at $449.
Sleek Waist Pack
Carry your phone, keys, and food in the Axis Modular Waist Pack. From Mission Workshop comes a waist pack that stays close when on the move. It’s constructed with durable materials and a YKK zipper, and it’s weatherproof. The Axis Modular Waist Pack is handmade in the USA and costs $120.
Workout Sweet Treat
Crunch into Honey Stinger’s latest product, the Organic Cracker N’ Nut Butter Snack Bar, and taste chocolate, honey, sea salt, and multigrain crackers. Each bar has 9–12 grams of sugar and no artificial ingredients. We found them lighter on the stomach than most energy products. And the taste is sweet but not overbearingly so, with a crunchy inner texture and a hint of the brand’s namesake honey. A box of 12 costs $26.
Very Waterproof Pack
Slip off your SUP without worry thanks to the Riviera, a waterproof daypack. With roll-top construction and fabric that can withstand a 100,000-mm water column, you won’t find any leaks here. You can inflate the bag and use it as a flotation device in a pinch, and the bottom is padded to keep your valuables intact. The Riviera is on Kickstarter for a super early bird price of $94.
Mini inReach
Launched this week, the Garmin inReach Mini has all the features of the inReach at half the size. Use it for two-way messaging, location tracking, location sharing, emergency SOS calls, and more. We’ve covered the inReach Mini – read our full coverage here. The inReach Mini is $350.
