Emerging Gear: Outdoor Products This Week

A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.

Simpsons Bike

Ride like you belong in Springfield. State Bicycle Co. launches a line of Simpsons-themed bikes and apparel. This $500 single-speed city bike comes with bullhorn bars and a Simpsons-colored block paint job. Can you see the family in the frame?

Clothes-Washing Duffle

Sterilize soiled garments with UV light, inside a duffle bag. Push a button and the $279 Paqsule fires internal UV light and activated oxygen (ozone) to deodorize and kill bacteria. The rechargeable bag also has a USB charging port for mobile devices.

Ultra Packable Chair

Pitch a seat with trekking poles and pack it small when it’s time to go. Mountainsmith’s $25 Slingback Chair weighs less than 5 oz. and, according to the brand, “packs down to the size of a fist.” Set it up with two crossed trekking poles in back.

Hike and scramble with a boot that won’t burden feet. The 720-gram Garmont Rambler GTX aims to blend durability and support with a lightweight package. Available in men’s and women’s, the $279 Rambler GTX has a heel lock to prevent blisters, a Vibram outsole, and a Gore-Tex lining to help keep feet dry.

Fly Line Organizer

Keep track of fly lines with Tenkara Rod Co.’s wooden line holders. The spools come in five distinct-looking woods: walnut, zebrawood, redwood, ebony, and maple. The $10 line holders come notched to secure flies.

Hot-Weather Pants

Keep your legs covered and cool, even in summer. Dish & DUER’s Live Lite collection boasts antimicrobial fabric, moisture-wicking pocket bags to keep thighs dry, and hidden vents along the pant legs. Men’s and Women’s Live Lite pants run $109-$128.

Memory Foam Camping Pad

Bad back? Go camping with an extra plush sleeping pad. The LaidBack Pad sports water-resistant 1600-denier nylon on three sides and a polar fleece top. Inside is a 2 3/8-inch thick memory foam pad. The $180 pad is not for ultralight trips, though; it weighs 8.5 lbs. Available on Amazon.

Better Growler

Lift, pour, lock: Miir’s updated Growler aims to make enjoying tap brews at the campsite simpler and more secure. A lid lock holds the top open when pouring and a securing buckle helps prevent spills. The $59 Growler is vacuum-insulated to keep beverages hot or cold.

Stone Brewery Releases 'Toilet To Tap' Sewer Water Beer

Ultralight Running Cap

Keep sweat and sun out of your eyes without adding (almost) any weight. The 1-oz., $32 Buff Pack Run Cap packs small to fit into a running vest or pocket, and has a built-in sweatband, moisture-wicking side panels, and UPF-50 protection.

Soft Protective Bike Bag

Stow high-end bikes safely and without the bulk of a hard case. The Tour by DB Equipment is a soft-sided, compressible bike case that has hard panels and inner EVA foam panels to prevent damage. The $999 travel case has handles and wheels for easier transport, and can be connected with other cases to pull multiple bikes.

No More ‘Swamp Chafe’

Minimize sweat and keep sand from going where it doesn’t belong. The affectionately named SwamButt brand of boxers are made with lycra and spandex to fit snugly and wick away moisture. The brand claims its $19 form-fitting undies prevent “Swamp Chafe,” the miserable sand-in-your-drawers beach phenomenon.

Custom-Molded Earphones

Boil your headphones and shape them to your ear. Decibullz‘s $119 Custom Fit Bluetooth Headphones work like a mouthguard. Just place them in hot water for five minutes, let cool for 30 seconds, then careful shape them to fit snugly in your ears.