A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.
Squeezable Metal Bottle
Squeeze titanium and drink up. The KEEGO is the world’s first squeezable metal bottle. According to the brand, it attempts to solve plastic bottle problems like bad taste, throwaway mentality, and contaminants from plasticizers and softeners. The KEEGO was designed by layering durable, flexible, lightweight titanium. It weighs 3.45 ounces, holds 24 fluid ounces, and is available on Kickstarter for the early bird price of $56.
Black Carbon Morakniv
Morakniv’s full-tang model gets an all-black makeover with the Garberg Black Carbon. The brand dubbed it the “ultimate knife for any bushcrafter,” and now it’s available in carbon steel. The 4.3-inch blade is scratch and corrosion resistant and easy to sharpen. It comes to market in April for $110.
Batwing Awning
Unfold 270 degrees of shade from the roof of your car with the Rhino-Rack Batwing Awning. Ropes, poles, and pegs are all included in the bag that fits inconspicuously on the side of your rack. Simply unfold the poles, attach the shade, extend the legs, and you’re shaded. The Batwing is compatible with a number of awnings and doesn’t require drilling into the roof rack. It costs $699 and is for sale now.
Twist-to-Adjust Hydration Vest
Literally dial in your fit, grab a gel, and mount your trekking poles with the Raidlight Responsiv 10L. The Responsiv 10L won awards in Europe and was previously unavailable in the U.S. This ultralight hydration vest costs $170, has eight pockets, weighs 7.4 ounces, and has lacing on the side to dial in fit. It will be available to U.S. buyers, along with a 3L, 18L, and 25L, at the end of the month.
Flexible Outdoor Jeans
Climb, hike, even do yoga in the Meridian Line Denim Jeans. Crafted with organic cotton, polyester, and some spandex, the jeans don’t impede movement. Plus, on the inside of the jeans are artistic touches crafted by artist Jeremy Collins. Meridian Line Denim Jeans just launched on Kickstarter, with early bird pricing starting at $69.
Otterbox With Wheels
Throw in a couple six-packs, ice, and maybe some charcuterie, and your cooler is set! (And very, very heavy.) OtterBox announces All-Terrain Wheels for its Venture coolers. A handled frame and two burly, all-terrain, 3-inch-wide, 10-inch-tall wheels help you get a full cooler to your campsite. The wheels cost $250 and carry the 45L and 65L Venture coolers.
Everyday Cashmere
This isn’t your grandma’s fuzzy, ultra-lux cashmere sweater. The Everyday Cashmere Short Sleeve Crew from Fisher + Baker is intended for daily use, hiking, and casual wear. But it doesn’t have cashmere’s trademark fluff. The shirt looks super soft, is machine washable, and comes with a lifetime warranty. The only caveat? It costs $88.
Foldable Bike Stand
Work on your bike without the bulk of a shop stand using the Hex Stand from Granite Design. The foldable Hex Stand is compatible with hollow axle cranksets and Shimano road cranksets with adapters. The stand weighs 1.6 pounds, folds to 16″ x 4.3″ x 3.3″, and can load up to 44 pounds. The Hex Stand is for sale now at $80.
Artistic Trucker Hats
Add some flavor to your accessories with the Artist Series from Chums. The brand teamed up with artist Kelly Halpin for the first installment, with fresh prints on trucker hats, wallets, and the classic Chums eyewear retainers. Stay tuned for more artist collaborations later this year.
All-Day Mountain Bike Short
Pedal from sunrise to sunset with unrestricted movement in the Stio OPR Short, $129. Designed for mountain bikers, the technical OPR Shorts’ stretchy twill fabric lends itself to all-day riding. The Sito OPRs have zippered pockets, perforated panel vents, and gusseted construction for comfort.
Lightest Pants Ever
Do you yearn to wear pants without feeling like you’re wearing pants? Try the Outlier Ultra Ultra Track Pants, $198, the brand’s lightest pants. Outlier worked with Schoeller to develop a fabric that is as light as possible while still retaining strength. “It’s about as light a fabric we’d ever want to use for pants,” said the brand. The Ultra Ultra Track Pants also have a concealed stash belt, water-resistant fabric, and zippered front pockets.
