A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.
Quick Flow Gravity Filter
Fill up your bottles and hydrate quickly with the Gravity BeFree 3 L. Just released from Katadyn, this latest gravity filter has a flow rate of 2 L per minute and quick connections for drinking straight from the bladder. Plus, the Gravity BeFree 3 L cleans with a simple swish of the EZ-Clean Membrane in the water. When not in use, the filter packs up small. The Katadyn Gravity BeFree 3 L is for sale at REI on June 1 and at other retailers in Sept.
Bone-Conducting Sunglasses
Listen to your favorite tunes from a pair of sunglasses, dubbed the Viper. Zungle gives us a pair of shades that integrates bone-conducting music technology. The sides of the frames transmit music to your cheekbones, letting you listen without in-ear headphones. The Viper is for sale for $110.
Smart Lantern
Walk up to the Cairn XL, and it will illuminate your path. With proximity sensors, Lander designed the Cairn XL to light up upon detecting movement and provide up to 350 lumens of warm light. It doubles as a power bank, charges via USB, has a sleep timer for morning and night, is water resistant, and runs for up to 250 hours a charge. The Cairn XL is available at REI now for $100.
Gum Shoe
Meet the Gumshoe, a shoe made from used gum. The brand says more than 1.5 million pounds of gum are cleaned off streets in the Netherlands each year. Gross. But now these shoes made by Explicit Wear use about 2 pounds of this gum for every four pairs made. You can pre-order a pair now for $59.
CRKT Tomahawk
The CRKT Black Woods Chogan T-Hawk modernizes an ancient design with a magnesium phosphate coating over a 1055 carbon steel blade. Coupled with a “firewood-burned handle” and leather sheath, it’s a badass-looking tool. But at 1 pound 15.9 ounces overall, the hammer head and cutting blade should make for a utilitarian chopper in the field.
Most Portable Grill
Nomad claims its new grill is the “world’s most portable.” That’s a pretty big claim, but the design is cool. The grill weighs in at 10 pounds and folds up flat, sliding into a 20-by-24-inch travel bag. Unfold, drop in charcoal, and get grilling anywhere. Get one on Kickstarter for about $100 now.
Fashionable Trail Runners
Hit the trail with the WM Terrex Two Boa shoes. Or don’t, because you won’t want to scuff these up. Adidas and White Mountaineering teamed up to create a “good looking trail running shoe.” The WM Terrex Two Boa shoe uses Boa closures, lugged soles for grip on trail, and a wide forefoot for your toes to splay out. The kicks launch May 18 for $150.
Breath Tracker
Clip the Respa on your shirt and keep track of your breath. Dubbed the “FitBit” for measuring breathing patterns, the Respa is at home during exercise. You can set alerts to stay in optimal breathing zones and be notified when to push harder or tone it down. The Respa measures via sound and lets you see how you breathed throughout the course of a workout. Check out the Respa on Indiegogo, with the Respa Fitness 2.0, going for the super early bird price of $149.
Worksharp Pocket Knife Sharpener
Create a sharp edge anytime, anywhere with the Worksharp Pocket Knife Sharpener. This sharpener has a diamond sharpening plate and ceramic honing rod with built-in 20- and 25-degree angle guides. The Pocket Knife Sharpener costs $15 and fits in your pocket.
Unbreakable Sunglasses
Beat up a pair of SunGod sunglasses without worry thanks to the brand’s lifetime guarantee against breakage. The brand uses the memory polymer TR90 in its frames to protect against damage. Most recently, SunGod launched its PaceBreakers frame, which offers cyclists a customizable and durable option. The PaceBreakers are available now for $90–125 depending on the lens.
Tiny Folding Bike Lock
You will barely notice this bike lock in your pack. The Abus Bordo Lite weighs just shy of 1 pound and folds up smaller than a water bottle. But it doesn’t compromise security, with 5-mm-thick links. The Abus Bordo Lite is available now for $60.
Cooler Locks
Stop cooler thieves with the burly Deny Lock. Deny attaches a metal foundation to your car or boat and, with a removable bar, secures the sides of compatible coolers. Only with the turn of a key will you be able to move the cooler. Deny Locks are made with stainless steel and cost $150.
Stowaway Travel Pack
Unfurl the Setout Packable Daypack to a nearly 20-liter daypack. Features like mesh shoulder straps and water bottle pockets set this backpack apart. Tortuga designed the pack for travel and stows in its own pocket when not in use. We tested the pack and appreciated the solid construction with 30-denier ripstop nylon material and YKK zippers. The Setout Packable Daypack is new this spring for $39.
Yoga Block Water Bottle
Downward dog one moment, hydrate the next with the Ujjaya Balance Bottle. The Ujjaya is a yoga block and water bottle in one. A foam exterior lines a stainless steel water bottle inside, helping to reduce clutter at the yoga studio. The yoga block water bottle is on Indiegogo now, with two Balance Bottles priced at $60.
