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.
WHOOP Strap 3.0
Train to perfection with the WHOOP Strap 3.0 and analytics apps. For a $30 monthly subscription, you get the strap and access to analysis of your recovery, strain, sleep, balance strain, and recovery metrics. The WHOOP Strap is waterproof and collects 24/7 data on your heart-rate variability, normal resting heart rate, and sleep. Then, it prescribes optimal recovery plans by examining how much strain you exert. You can track how much of your day you spend restoring muscle, in the “optimal training” zone, or over-exercising.
Peak Design Travel Tripod
Peak Design introduces the most portable, packable, and easy-to-set-up tripod with its Travel Tripod. On Kickstarter now for $289 in aluminum and $479 in carbon fiber, Peak Design completely redesigned the tripod. The brand sought to decrease negative space when it’s packed up and created a tripod that takes up half the volume of a traditional travel tripod. With big cam levers, the Peak Design Travel Tripod sets up quickly and easily. And its ball head gives photographers a single adjustment ring to articulate the camera. The design looks super dialed, and it can fit into your backpack’s water bottle holders. View the complete list of specs on its Kickstarter page.
TentTube
Say goodbye to poles with TentTube, an inflatable tent. With an air pump, TentTube appears to inflate in seconds. What you get is a three-person tent that is water-resistant to 3,000 mm and windproof to 33 mph. While the stats make it appear ready for more casual objectives, it does seem very intuitive to use. The TentTube rolls up to fit into its own carry bag by simply deflating the poles. The TentTube is on Kickstarter now for $249.
Louis Vuitton Chalk Bag
Chalk up while you avoid the pump on your next 5.13+ proj with the $1,600 Louis Vuitton chalk bag. Designed by Virgil Abloh, Louis Vuitton’s fall-winter 2019 collection includes, yes, a climber’s chalk bag. The 2019 collection includes a number of bags intended to express utility, so why not include a chalk bag? Unfortunately, this bag might be hard to wrangle down, because undoubtedly these will fly off the shelves. You can find this bag at your nearest REI. Just kidding. The Louis Vuitton Chalk Nano Bag is available exclusively at the Louis Vuitton ION Orchard store in Singapore.
HOKA ONE ONE Bondi B
HOKA ONE ONE brings it back to 2011 with the re-release of its Bondi B. It claims the Bondi B was the first ultracushioned, lightweight model from HOKA, so you know where it all started. The Bondi B has an early-stage meta-rocker for a smooth ride, a CMEVA midsole for lightweight cushion, and a Sandwich Mesh upper for breathability. For a shoe from 2011, it doesn’t look all that crazy. See what all the hype is about on HOKA’s site now, where the Bondi B costs $160.
Drymile
From Drymile comes one of the wackier shoe designs we’ve seen. Dubbed waterproof, packable sock shoes, these kicks are flexible slip-ons made with a three-layer waterproof fabric. You can easily stow the Drymile shoes into your pack thanks to its patent-pending EZ-Bend technology, which lets the shoes fold in half. Drymile is on Kickstarter now for $89.
HeadSpin
See at night regardless of what you’re doing with the HeadSpin Convertible Light System. With a singular magnetic 330-lumen light, you can strap the HeadSpin onto a flashlight, headlamp, and bike mounts, or anything magnetic, like the side of your car. A robust design with weatherproof and drop-proof ratings ensures durability. The HeadSpin is available now for $200.
Helle Myra
Eighty-seven years ago, Helle brothers Steinar and Sigmund set out to make a knife that could withstand the elements of Norway’s rugged coast. On a small farm called Myra, the Helle brothers made their brand’s first knife. For 2019, Helle released the Myra in honor of its roots. The Myra is a new design that honors the past. The handle has stacked curly birchwood, darkened oak, and a red leather spacer. The blade is made from Helle’s triple-laminated steel. Helle includes a Nordic-style leather sheath made in house with red accents that match the blade’s handle. Only 1,000 Myras will be made, and they’re available now for $139 each.
Kammok Pongo Pad
Sleep in the trees with Kammok’s Pongo Pad, the brand’s first foray into sleeping pads. The Pongo Pad is designed for hammocks with 3-inch-thick baffles and a soft face fabric. It packs down to 4 x 8 inches and weighs 18 ounces. Kammok claims the Pongo Pad is wider, thicker, and longer than most on the market but is still lightweight. The Pongo Pad costs $139 and is available now.
Parks Project Tee
To celebrate Pride Month, Parks Project released a National Parks Are For Lovers Pride Tee. This limited-edition T-shirt supports the Stonewall National Monument, a significant landmark in the LGBTQ civil rights movement. For every Pride Tee purchased, Parks Projects donates 10 percent of proceeds to the Christopher Park Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to keeping the Stonewall National Monument clean and safe. National Parks Are For Lovers Pride Tees are available June 1 for $36.
Matador Pocket Blanket
Carry your picnic blanket in your pocket with the Matador Pocket Blanket 2.0. Launched this week, Matador released a limited-edition ocean print of its Pocket Blanket that gives back to ocean cleanups. For every blanket sold, Matador will remove one pound of trash from waterways. Corner weights, or concealed stakes, keep the blanket in place. But for really windy days, you can remove the weights and stake down the blanket. Matador includes an “easy pack” pattern that guides users through the correct folding sequence to fold it back into pocket size. The Matador Pocket Blanket is available for $35.
Suunto 5
Track your daily needs with the Suunto 5, a $329 GPS sports watch. Compared to other Suuntos, the 5 is considerably more affordable yet still offers a host of features. With the 5, you can track steps, calories, stress, and sleep. And if you’re in the field, the Suunto 5 tracks your location with GPS, letting you see altitude, outdoor maps by satellite, point of interest navigation, and your estimated time of arrival. The Suunto 5 launches on June 4.
