A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.
Pendleton Wool TNF Jackets
Keep toasty with a mix of Pendleton wool and The North Face technology. The two brands team up, adding Pendleton’s U.S.-woven wool into TNF’s line of slippers, hats, vests, Crevasse Packs, and Nuptse and Mountain Jackets (pictured).
Hanging Mesh Tent
The hanging tent market gets a little more crowded with the launch of Tentnest—a mesh-surround, suspended tri-tent. We’ve tested similar options in the past and love the concept. The design looks very similar to Tentsile’s offerings, and Tentnest touts 43 in. of headroom, 53 sq. ft. of floor space, and room enough for two adults with their gear. If you haven’t tried these and want to back a new offering, check out the Kickstarter.
Extreme Mudder
Conquer abysmal terrain with Can Am‘s latest mud-specific Maverick X3 X mr Turbo. Built primarily with fun in mind, Can Am’s side-by-side lineup continues to grow, from rocky terrain to desert sand and now muck. The Maverick X3 X mr Turbo and Turbo R offer 14–15-in. ground clearance, three-point safety belts, 4,500-lb. winch, and up to 172 horsepower. The new off-roader starts at $22,699 and launches spring 2018.
Vacuum-Compressible Carry One
Take more gear with less space using the GoBag 2. A removable TPU sleeve can be compressed by hand—or with a vacuum cleaner—to squeeze your stuff down as small as possible. Plus, with waterproof fabric, magnetic buckles, and six different access options, this pack offers a lot of utility for frequent travelers.
Vx Touring Expandable 2-in-1 Carry-On Duffel
Where portability and practicality combine, meet the Vx Touring Expandable 2-in-1 Carry-On Duffel. The next-generation duffel-backpack hybrid is set to streamline packing for all your future short-haul travel. Inside you’ll find an exceptional utilization of space, featuring a magnetized pole for effortless compartmentalization and a zippered mesh storage pocket to safely stow watches, jewelry, travel documents, or local currency.
No-Stain Cotton Shirt
Get dirty without worry thanks to Threadsmiths’ line of stain-resistant apparel. The Australian brand claims it alters the “nano structure of the cotton fabric so that water molecules can’t adhere” to it. And this video shows a white shirt shrugging off some nasty spills. The Cavalier t-shirt (pictured) costs $49.
Wrist Camera
Leave the camera at home and don’t worry about dropping your phone when a Kodak moment hits. The Cleep offers a 13-megapixel camera that wraps around your wrist. Plus, it’s waterproof, has bluetooth connectivity, and 150-degree wide-angle lens. Live now on Kickstarter.
Breathable Baselayer
Whether skinning up, shredding down, or hiking along the mountain, Stio claims its new Power Wool baselayers have the warmth and breathability to keep you comfortable. The $109 men’s zip neck uses Polartec’s hybrid merino to pull moisture off the body and dry quickly.
Do-All Adventure Blanket
Wear it as a poncho, snap it around you like a sleeping bag, or just toss it on the ground—the Puffy Kachula does it all. Built by Coalatree, the brand calls it the “Swiss Army knife of blankets.” It’s waterproof, has a stowaway hood for poncho mode, snaps to other Puffy Kachulas to make a sleeping bag, and has hidden stash pockets.
Smart Ear Buds
Leave the phone at home for your next run—all you need are ear buds. The Vinci 2.0 wireless earbuds have 16 GB of storage for music, take and send calls and messages, and track heart rate, cadence, and GPS location. Plus, Vinci 2.0 integrates with Amazon’s Alexis AI. These noise-cancelling smart ear buds start at $80 on Kickstarter.
Puppy PFD
Keep Fido safe during water pursuits with Astral’s BirdDog personal flotation device. The $50–$80 (depending on size) PFDs range from XS–XL and can support dogs upward of 75 pounds.
Waterproof MTB Jacket
If “fair weather” doesn’t factor into your off-road rides, 7mesh makes a jacket for you. The $400 Guardian MTB jacket uses Gore-Tex Active for full waterproof protection. Reflective accents, over-the-helmet hood, and watertight zippered pockets make it ready for wet-weather rides.
Modular Waterproof Pack
Organize everything, inside and out, and keep gear dry with Black Ember’s modular Citadel backpack. Fully waterproof, the Citadel sports internal features like magnetic key holder, electronics divider with padded sleeve, and compression straps. And on the outside, magnetic load panels and lash points let you add on extra storage. Live on Kickstarter.
Cuban Surf Chronicles
Take a tour of Cuban culture and the beauty of its beaches in The Cuba Unknown. Chronicling a two-year adventure by Makewild, a team of Cuban and American documentarians, The Cuba Unknown reveals not only the island’s underground surf culture, but also a look at a society somewhat untouched by time. Available for $45.
Men's Shoulder Bag
Call it a satchel, call it a carryall, just don’t call it a purse. Bolstr wants to take down the stigma of the “man-purse” with the canvas Bolst 2.0, an everyday carry bag designed to keep pockets clear. It’s big enough to carry a tablet, phone, wallet, multitool, sunglasses, and more, but small enough to organize only the essentials.
Compressible Duffel
Cinch down your gear, sling it on your back, or grab it by the handle, and take it through rugged environs. The 40-liter Lil Hombre by Red Oxx does double duty as a backpack or duffel, and its 1,000-weight Cordura construction resists abrasion and punctures. Plus, it offers three storage compartments to add some organization to a basic duffel design.
