Take a peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design. Explore the grid or click through for a slideshow.
Zeal 'See Grass' Sunglasses
Zeal Optics’ new See Grass Collection comes in two styles: the Divide and Aspen Sunglasses ($169). But the cool aspect of the collection is that the sunglasses are actually made of grassy byproducts like straw and hay (along with recycled plastic). The grasses are blended into pellets and then injection-molded into the frames. The styles come in four colors, although due to the composition, each pair will look a little different.
VSSL JAVA Coffee Press
Gear brand VSSL just launched a new product — a coffee grinder for the outdoors. While not a new concept, the VSSL JAVA (now $99) has cool features that set it apart from other coffee grinders, like aluminum construction and a “clip and flip” handle design for caffeine on the go. The grinder itself has stainless steel burr blades with a variety of grind settings. You can preorder it on Kickstarter now.
LifeStraw Go Stainless Steel Bottle With Filter
Improving the taste of your water and cutting down on single-use plastic waste, LifeStraw just released its first steel bottle, the Go Stainless Steel ($60). The double-walled bottle maintains a cool temperature for up to 24 hours and includes LifeStraw‘s two-stage filter that protects against 99.9% of bacteria, parasites, microplastics, chlorine, and organic chemical matter.
This selection is sponsored by LifeStraw.
Wolf and Grizzly Cook System
Wolf and Grizzly’s new Cook System ($269 preorder) incorporates its original fire safe (a fire cooking system that protects the ground from burn) with a grill, hibachi cooktop, pan, griddle, and more. The system comes with rails so you can interchange each component. Wolf and Grizzly’s first-edition folding fire grill quickly became popular in the world of gear, so it’s no surprise the brand’s latest product has already surpassed its $40,000 Kickstarter goal.
The North Face Renewed Upcycled Chalk Bags
This series of one-of-a-kind upcycled chalk bags comprises scrap materials from shells, fleeces, and more. The North Face Renewed Chalk Bags ($50) are each hand-constructed from scrap materials with a goal of keeping fabrics in circulation longer. We like that material isn’t being wasted, and you can find a color or pattern unique to you!
Hydro Flask Ultralight Trail Series Bottle
Hydro Flask recently released its lightest bottles yet as part of its Lightweight Trail Series, and now, they’ve got one more — an ultralight version. The Ultralight Trail Series Bottle ($45) is made with titanium and is 35% lighter than the brand’s other 21-ounce bottles. It has a screw cap with a flexible carry strap. Check out our full review here.
Canyon Bikes Grail Gravel Bike Build Kit
Canyon just updated the 2021 build kits for its Grail gravel bike series. The Grail 6, Grail 7, and Grail CF models will all get updates. The new Grail 7 ($1,999) has Shimano’s new 1x GRX drivetrain, a carbon or aluminum frame, and DT Swiss wheels. There’s also a new SRAM groupset option. Check out the full lineup of Canyon Grail series build kits here.
Giro Regime Road Shoe
The new Regime road shoe ($225) from Giro has an all one-piece upper made with Giro’s ultralight monofilament mesh, dual L6 BOA dials, and a reflective heel and accents. New tech in the shoe includes a carbon-composite outsole plate with dual-injected TPU walking pads. The Regime Road shoe has 5mm fore/aft cleat positioning.
First Lite Zip Off Base Layer
First Lite’s newest base layer offers a clever solution for taking off layers without taking off boots. The Fuse Zip Off base layer ($95) is made with a jacquard and Velcro waistband, flatlock seams, and a lightweight wool-blend fabric for comfort, warmth, and breathability in cold wilderness conditions. The long-john bottoms weight just 8 ounces.
Igloo Recycled REPREVE Collection
Igloo’s new Cooler Lily Lunch Bag ($20) is made with REPREVE, a sustainable fabric made from recycled plastic bottles. The soft-sided bag has an insulating liner, exterior stash pocket, and a wide zipper opening to keep contents chilled yet easily accessible. Click here to see Igloo’s full line of REPREVE cooler products.
Goldwin Paper Fiber Socks
Socks made from paper probably don’t sound the most durable, but that didn’t stop this startup brand. The Goldwin Paper Fiber Socks ($18) is designed as a performance sock, using paper fibers for better moisture absorbency and breathable properties. The socks also have arch support and nylon fibers for comfort at the opening of the sock. We haven’t tested them yet, but we’re curious about the texture.
Snow Peak TDS Niobium Concept 1 Shoes
Snow Peak’s latest collection isn’t built for intense, serious adventure — rather, it’s for the casual camp fisher. The Snow Peak x New Balance Tokyo TDS Niobium Concept 1 Shoes ($300) are built on a New Balance MT801 base, with venting in the upper, a sandal lining, and versatility to work in and out of the water, with gaiters, and more. The shoes will launch this Saturday at retail locations and globally on September 4.
