A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.
Cargo eBike
Load up the kids, groceries, sound system, or a whole bunch garage sale finds in this modern Danish cargo trike. Sanitov Studios rethought the classic front-loading cargo bicycle by moving the load to the rear, adding a third wheel, concealing an electric motor in the frame, and integrating a GPS device. The movE cargo bike goes live on Indiegogo this week and will retail for $3,395.
Posrche Shoe
If Porsche designed a running shoe, what would it look like? Here’s your answer. The $425 Bounce S4 Lux is a collaboration between Porsche-Design and Adidas. The shoe has a decoupled heel that attaches to the front with a carbon plate and a single-piece 3D upper.
World’s Lightest Diving Gear
Enjoy the ease of snorkeling with the freedom of SCUBA diving. The $2,000 AirBuddy is a floating air pump that delivers fresh air through a hose while you dive (and breathe). Unlike Snuba or Scuba systems, it requires no tanks and can be carried on a plane ready-to-use. The device, which launches on Kickstarter this month, claims 45 minutes of air with a 40-foot range.
Folding Fat eBike
Crush any terrain with a bike crammed with virtually every feature conceivable. The MOAR is a foldable, full-suspension fat bike that has integrated head- and taillights, turn and brake signals, and a rechargeable motor. Live on Indiegogo, the MOAR runs from $1,200 up to $4,000, depending on motor and battery options.
Stylish Base Layer
Stay dry, smell good, look sharp — Search and State wants cyclists to do all three. The cycling apparel brand launched a line of sleeveless merino-mesh base layers designed to work as a stylish undershirt. The $75 Merino Base Layer is available in black, gray, and white.
Waterproof Music Anywhere
Bring tunes anywhere you bring a GoPro. The $199 WAVE is a fully submersible (up to one meter), waterproof speaker that attaches to bikes, boards, boats, and more with any GoPro mount. The WAVE uses bluetooth and accepts SD cards, so load your playlists beforehand.
Smart Swim Trainer
Receive subtle coaching cues through your goggles for better swimming. Ovao introduces a swimming training device that pairs with an app on your phone. The Ovao slips onto your goggles and uses color-coded lights to direct your intensity and time. Audio tones can be set for tempo training as well. Sign up for updates on its release.
Hoka One One For Women
Treat your feet and boost your time with this road runner designed for women only. The Clayton 2 draws from the expertise of running-shoe manufacturer Hoka One One and the women’s apparel brand Oiselle. The $160 runners weigh 7 oz. per shoe, have a 4mm drop, and come in women’s size 7-10.
Carryall And Summit Pack
Bring everything you need and maybe even some things you don’t. Deuter designed its 70L Aircontact Pro to carry 60 pounds or more of hiking gear, camping essentials, and mountaineering necessities, and keep you comfortable in the process. It has a sliding back pad for various body types, pole and ice-axe attachments, hydration pack compatibility, a detachable summit pack, and more. The $349 pack weighs a hefty 7 lbs. 4 oz.
Energy Bars For A Cause
Recover from a hard training session and benefit farm animals in the process. It may sound strange, but for the month of May, specially marked GoMacro bars will go to a good cause. GoMacro will donate 10 percent from sales of Peanut Butter MacroBars to the Farm Sanctuary, which helps prevent abuse of farm animals.
US-Made Bikes Backing Women
Enjoy a hand-built frame designed for hard-to-fit riders. Von Hof Cycles uses Columbus steel and makes its frames in New York. The 2017 DIA women’s road cycle caters to riders 5’5″ and under with a customizable, race-minded frame. And it donates a portion of each bike sold to introductory bike racing courses for female riders. Frames start at $1,950. Call for complete build options.
Extreme Sports Travel
Feel like hang gliding in the Alps, mountain biking in New Zealand, or skydiving in Norway? Upstart RadSeason offers an online booking platform specifically for extreme sports junkies. And a just-announced partnership with travel giant Priceline means customers can find adventure sports events around the world, and book lodging, travel, and tickets in one spot.
Mountaineering Vest
Minimize bulk and keep your core warm, that’s the idea behind the Alpha Vest by Brooks-Range Mountaineering. The $160 vest combines Polartec’s Alpha Insulation and Dry Wool for a blend of warmth and breathability. The vest works as a base or mid layer and weighs 8.5 oz.
‘Hook’ EDC
Open doors, and beers! The James Brand introduces a basic everyday carry with the barest of essentials: Key ring, ruler, and bottle-opener. The Hook, $28, is just over 3″ and made of 304 stainless steel.
Anorak For Expeditions
Beat the wind and rain with a Classic Inuit design that uses modern fabric tech. Minnesota-based Fisher + Baker uses a dense-weave, waterproof cotton shell and Polartec Power Wool insulation for the $498 Anorak. Fisher + Baker also partners with Big City Mountaineers to help get more underserved youth into the outdoors.
Clif Bar For Your Phone
No, your phone won’t feed you. But with Clif’s new digital running assistant, it will help you train and find more routes. The Scout bot works through the Facebook Messenger app to notify you of upcoming running events, help you find local running routes, and provide encouragement. Check it out now.
Xtratuf Riptide Deck Shoe
Xtratuf is known for its waterproof neoprene boots that rule the waterways of Alaska. This year it launches its first shoe that lets water in. The Riptide Deck Shoe has a non-marking, slip-resistant outsole. A three-layer mesh upper allows water to move in and out of the shoe freely and block sand and debris from entering. It is available for men and women.
