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.
Airstream Bambi & Caravel
Roadtrip like it’s 1969 in the Airstream Bambi and Caravel — two trailers originally released in the 1960s. Airstream updated the two models for 2019 yet included the classic aluminum exterior the brand is known for. The Bambi is an approachable model for RV newcomers with a low weight, nimble size, and durability. Meanwhile, the Caravel, a condensed version, still offers panoramic windows, stainless steel rock guards, and increased storage capacity. The Bambi starts at $48,900, and the Caravel starts at $60,900. Both are available to purchase now.
BTR Stool
Pull up a seat anywhere on the trail with the BTR Stool. Perhaps the most technologically advanced stool we’ve seen, the BTR Stool telescopes, locks in place, has a detachable seat for cleaning, and includes a strap to keep things secure when folded. It can hold up to 265 pounds from its 12 x 11 x 14.4-inch and 12.2-ounce frame. Packed up, the BTR Stool measures 3 x 3 x 11.4 inches. The BTR Stool is on Kickstarter now for $37.
Onitis 45 Cooler
Roto-molded coolers are so last year: Enter the Onitis 45 — a durable foam cooler. Rugged Road Outdoors claims its Onitis 45 is one-third the weight of roto-molded coolers and half the price, but it’s competitive with ice retention. It does this with a durable proprietary spray that was originally used to make the Pentagon blast-resistant. The Oinitis 45 is 8 pounds and held up to having a Jeep placed onto it! An update to the brand’s Venture cooler, the Onitis boasts an updated harness, shape, and design. Read more about the Onitis’s wacky tests on its Kickstarter, where it goes for $115 (Early Bird).
Black Diamond Shoes
Black Diamond released climbing shoes in 2017 — a new product category for the brand. Now, it’s taking that sticky rubber and placing it on a new line of footwear — approach and lifestyle shoes. Included in the release are four shoes: the Circuit and Session for lifestyle options, and Technician and Mission LT for more technical scrambles. The brand was designed specifically for speedy approaches and climbing and gym sessions. All feature new Black Diamond rubber, the BlackLabel-Street, and BlackLabel-Mountain. The shoes debut at this summer’s OR, and you can read more in our news story about the kicks.
RhinoWolf 2.0
Zip one, two, three, or more tents together with the RhinoWolf 2.0. An update to its head-turning first iteration, Rhinowolf 2.0 builds upon the success of its all-in-one tent. RhinoWolf places a sleeping bag, pad, and tent into one package. It conveniently sets up with one pole in one minute. The 2.0 model RhinoWolf adds air vents, vestibules, a base pole for more rigidity, and integrated pegs. The RhinoWolf 2.0 is on Kickstarter now for $199 (Super Early Bird).
Rapha Packs
Rapha enters a new product category with the launch of several bags: The Roll Top Backpack, Bar Bag, and Day Bag. The Roll Top Backpack is an essentials-focused bag with limited space in a minimal design. The Day Bag is designed for an entire kit: helmet, shoes, and apparel included. Lastly, the Bar Bag is waterproof and holds 2 L worth of gear like a multi-tool, spare tube, light, and more. The Day Bag costs $110, the Roll Top Backpack $135, and the Bar Bag $65.
Shock Resistant Clay Bottle
This one’s a head scratcher — meet the world’s first shock-resistant clay bottle. Alternatives to classic vacuum-insulated stainless steel bottles are emerging, with glass and clay becoming popular options. However, PoogDy takes the trend a step further by offering not only a clay bottle, but a durable one at that. The brand claims its clay bottle helps maintain the pH balance of water naturally and is reportedly antibacterial and antiviral. To prevent shattering, PoogDy wrapped the clay in both steel and a shock-absorbent layer. PoogDy is on Kickstarter now for $25.
Sunflare Flexible Solar Panels
Drive rugged roads confidently with Sunflare Flexible Solar Panels on your roof. The brand claims its super-thin stainless steel construction is more flexible than standard silicon-based solar panels. This makes them easier to install and eliminates potential micro-cracking that silicon panels can experience from flexing on rough roads. Sunflare Solar Panels are available in 105- to 180-watt models and cost $449 to $749.
Boundary Chase Pant
Look good in Combat Wool, the fabric of choice in backpack brand Boundary’s first pant. Dubbed the Chase Pants, Boundary created a versatile travel pant made with wool, nylon, and a lot of stretch. Cordura claims its Combat Wool is 10-times more abrasion-resistant than standard wool/nylon fabrics. But the Chase Pant is not just special because of the fabric. Boundary additionally places hidden security pockets, reflective details for bike commuting, concealed zipper pockets, a DWR, and even magnets on the Chase Pant! The Chase Pant is on Kickstarter now for $89 (Early Early Bird).
Ever & Ever Water
Say goodbye to plastic water bottles and hello to aluminum with Ever & Ever, Vita Coco’s latest endeavor. Ever & Ever seeks to disrupt the conventional water bottle category dominated by single-use plastic. By using aluminum, the brand states Ever & Ever bottles are infinitely recyclable when disposed of correctly. In fact, the brand notes 75 percent of all aluminum ever produced is still in use today, whereas 91 percent of plastic never gets recycled. The product, available in sparkling and still options, costs $2 per bottle and $24 for a 12 pack. What do you think; is this the water bottle killer?
Giro Imperial
Pedal to the podium in the ultra-light Giro Imperial cycling shoes. At 215 grams, these road shoes are its first model to use a combination of Synchwire monofilament upper and twin-Boa IP1 micro-adjustable closure. The Synchwire mesh upper feels like a second skin, according to the brand. Underfoot, an Easton EC90 SLX2 carbon fiber plate provides a high stiffness-to-weight ratio for effective power transfer. See the full rundown on Giro’s site, where the Imperial costs $425.
Carbi Headlamp
Illuminate your whole field of view with the Carbi headlamp. Claiming to eliminate the commonly found tunnel effect on headlamps, Carbi has adjustable modes to switch from spotlight to wide-angle. While this feature has existed on headlamps before, looking at the Carbi design, it does appear to offer a wider beam range than other adjustable headlamps. Further, the Carbi is waterproof and impact-proof, has 1,500 lumens, red and white light modes, and a run time of 100 minutes on high to 48 hours on low. Carbi is on Indiegogo now for $179
(Super Earlybird).
Roka Performance Prescription
Run, hike, and bike in the Austin Collection prescription glasses and they will “never fall off your face,” according to the brand. Roka gave extra grip on the nose pads, as well as bendable titanium core wires in the bows to lock down fit on the head. We tested the Austin Collection glasses — which come in five looks and start at $195 — for a month of daily wear and sweaty workouts, and indeed the stylish, lightweight glasses stayed put at all times.
