A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.
Eco Kayak
Invest in personal recreation and the planet! Oru’s limited-edition tree-print kayak launched on Kickstarter this week, and 1% of its funding will go to the environmental organization, One Percent For The Planet. Buy-ins for the specially designed 12′ Bay ST foldable kayak start at $1,500.
Smallest Folding Drone
Two square inches and less than one ounce, that’s the size of the world’s smallest folding video drone. Aerix releases the Varius, a 0.8-ounce quadcopter that can fly up to 30 mph for 5-7 minutes, record video, and transmit real-time to a VR headset. The pocket copter costs $65.
Secret Survival Knife
Slice, cut, chop, fish, start fire, and purify water, using your knife. The 10-inch 4Ever is a 5.5-inch blade that protrudes from a magnetic removable scale. Inside is a mini-Wazoo survival kit that contains fishing line and hooks, first aid-tinder packs, ceramic firesteel, magnetized needle, and water-purification tablet. Available on Kickstarter with 440c or Damascus steel blade.
Dynamic Water Vessel
Fill it, treat it, filter it — the Vecto collapsible water bottle, launched today on Kickstarter, can be a bottle, gravity filter, or sterilization pack. That’s because its narrow cap is compatible with Sawyer and other water filters, and the wide sealable top makes filling quick and accommodates chemical treatment or UV purifiers. It also works for holding water, soda, tea, or any other ready-to-drink liquid.
Women’s Summer Raincoat
Hike into the wettest conditions with Showers Pass latest summer rain jacket for women. The Refuge jacket uses eVent’s waterproof-breathable three-layer membrane, has reinforced fabric on the shoulders to prevent wear from backpack straps, and sports a removable hood. Available now for $279.
Pocket Lantern
Calling a portable light “the best outdoor lantern ever” is a bold statement. But Flextail believes it has just that in the 220-lumen HELIO, which at 45g weighs less than an egg (chicken). The waterproof HELIO measures about 1.5 inches on each side, has a 10-hour battery life, and can clip to backpacks, bikes, or inside a tent. Live on Kickstarter with discounts on its $34 retail price.
Emergency Wearable
Blast a panic siren, light the path ahead, record what’s happening in all directions, and receive emergency support in an accident. The Occly Blinc was designed with adventurists and bikers in mind, with its myriad safety functions and automatic emergency-response contact feature that activates when it senses sudden impact. Available with rebate for $199.
Party Robot
Start the party at home or around the campfire in the most unusual way possible: With a robot-shaped, bluetooth speaker and smoke machine. The K-Sound Hero stands two-and-a-half-feet tall, blasts tunes with a 30-watt subwoofer and treble speaker, churns out smoke, and has 16 million LED color variations. Get weird on Indiegogo with discounts on its $440 retail price.
Eco Kayak
Invest in personal recreation and the planet! Oru’s limited-edition tree-print kayak launched on Kickstarter this week, and 1% of its funding will go to the environmental organization, One Percent For The Planet. Buy-ins for the specially designed 12′ Bay ST foldable kayak start at $1,500.
Smallest Folding Drone
Two square inches and less than one ounce, that’s the size of the world’s smallest folding video drone. Aerix releases the Varius, a 0.8-ounce quadcopter that can fly up to 30 mph for 5-7 minutes, record video, and transmit real-time to a VR headset. The pocket copter costs $65.
Secret Survival Knife
Slice, cut, chop, fish, start fire, and purify water, using your knife. The 10-inch 4Ever is a 5.5-inch blade that protrudes from a magnetic removable scale. Inside is a mini-Wazoo survival kit that contains fishing line and hooks, first aid-tinder packs, ceramic firesteel, magnetized needle, and water-purification tablet. Available on Kickstarter with 440c or Damascus steel blade.
Dynamic Water Vessel
Fill it, treat it, filter it — the Vecto collapsible water bottle, launched today on Kickstarter, can be a bottle, gravity filter, or sterilization pack. That’s because its narrow cap is compatible with Sawyer and other water filters, and the wide sealable top makes filling quick and accommodates chemical treatment or UV purifiers. It also works for holding water, soda, tea, or any other ready-to-drink liquid.
Women’s Summer Raincoat
Hike into the wettest conditions with Showers Pass latest summer rain jacket for women. The Refuge jacket uses eVent’s waterproof-breathable three-layer membrane, has reinforced fabric on the shoulders to prevent wear from backpack straps, and sports a removable hood. Available now for $279.
Pocket Lantern
Calling a portable light “the best outdoor lantern ever” is a bold statement. But Flextail believes it has just that in the 220-lumen HELIO, which at 45g weighs less than an egg (chicken). The waterproof HELIO measures about 1.5 inches on each side, has a 10-hour battery life, and can clip to backpacks, bikes, or inside a tent. Live on Kickstarter with discounts on its $34 retail price.
Emergency Wearable
Blast a panic siren, light the path ahead, record what’s happening in all directions, and receive emergency support in an accident. The Occly Blinc was designed with adventurists and bikers in mind, with its myriad safety functions and automatic emergency-response contact feature that activates when it senses sudden impact. Available with rebate for $199.
Party Robot
Start the party at home or around the campfire in the most unusual way possible: With a robot-shaped, bluetooth speaker and smoke machine. The K-Sound Hero stands two-and-a-half-feet tall, blasts tunes with a 30-watt subwoofer and treble speaker, churns out smoke, and has 16 million LED color variations. Get weird on Indiegogo with discounts on its $440 retail price.
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