A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.
Limited-Edition Signal
Leatherman’s survival-inspired multi-tool, the Signal, gets a facelift in green. On the inside, the tools get a black paint job and the 420HC steel knife has a topography design. The Signal includes serrated and straight blades, ferro rod, diamond blade sharpener, and a total of 19 tools. The green signal is $5 more expensive than the original, at $115.
Full-Face Carbon Helmet
Protect your face in carbon while bombing downhill with POC’s latest full-face helmet. The Coron Air Carbon SPIN weighs 1.07 kilograms, has 20 vents, and incporporates POC’s proprietary SPIN tech, which reduces the effects of rotational forces. As its name implies, the helmet uses a carbon shell, making it incredibly light. The Coron Air Carbon is available now for $450.
Poler & Yakima SkyRise Rooftop Tent
Sleep above your car in camo print with the Poler and Yakima brand collaboration SkyRise tent. The SkyRise lays flat on the roof of your vehicle, measuring 56″ x 48″ x 12″ when packed. It unfolds in 15 minutes and includes a 2.5-inch wall-to-wall foam mattress on the inside. The Skyrise Poler Tent is available now and costs $1,600.
Simple Folding Knife
Trail to office is the intended use for the Chase, a simplistic build from Bryce Alexander. This sleek folding knife touts a 3-inch N690 cobalt stainless steel blade, G10 fiberglass epoxy resin handle, and an unobtrusive clip. This EDC pocket knife is on Kickstarter now, with early bird pricing at $69.
Take Anywhere Hotspot
Stuck in the backcountry without the ability to make calls? Turn on the Somewear Global Hotspot, a two-way communication device that accesses LEO satellite networks for dependable off-grid communication. The small 3-ounce device is waterproof and delivers two-way SMS messages, email, and location sharing. Regarding battery, the Somewear can send 1,000 text messages on a single charge. The Somewear Hotspot is on Kickstarter now, with discounts on the MSRP of $450.
Nuun Immunity
Hydrate and fight against impending sickness with Nuun Immunity. Launched this week, Nuun Immunity combines the brand’s electrolyte tablets with anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. Turmeric and ginger account for the anti-inflammatories, and elderberry and echinacea for the antioxidants. One tube of 10 tablets sells for $7 and is available in orange and blueberry-tangerine flavors.
Perfect Pant?
Bike to work, make that 10 a.m. meeting, and then hit the trails in the Western Rise Evolution Pant. The brand claims it’s one pant for all activities, using water-resistant, stain-proof, and stretchy cotton-nylon fabric. The pair weighs less than 1 pound and packs up small for travel. A gusseted crotch makes cycling more comfortable, and six pockets are sure to hold your belongings. The Evolution Pant is on Kickstarter now, with an MSRP of $149.
Trail Running Dog Leash
Run with your pup and have access to water with Ruff Wear’s Trail Runner System. This package combines a trail running hip belt and dog leash in one. Included is a bounce-free, load-dispersing belt that fits a water bottle and a Ridgeline Leash. On the belt is a quick-disconnect pull tab in case you need to release the hounds! The Trail Runner System is for sale now and costs $70.
Backcountry Lifestyle
Specialty online retailer Backcountry.com launched a line of outdoor-lifestyle apparel on April 3. The release is the first of a year-long rollout of Backcountry branded gear that includes MTB and ski touring gear, slated to release later this year. The spring lifestyle collection includes crew necks, button downs, and rain coats (pictured).
Bottle Koozie
Keep your beer colder in the BottleKeeper 2.0. The BottleKeeper is a two-piece neoprene-insulated stainless steel beer koozie. It seals shut at the top and has a powder-coated finish. The 2.0 is for sale now for $37.
Mystery Ranch Tote
Backpack maker Mystery Ranch enters the tote market with the Ramble Tote. This 12-liter bag uses burly Cordura nylon fabric, has an exterior weatherproof zippered compartment, and snap closures on the central opening. The Ramble Tote is available this fall for $69.
Versatile Rooftop Tent
Mount a rooftop tent onto any size pickup truck with the Snap! Treehouse. Included is a rooftop tent and hard-sided cap that fits on the flatbed of a pickup. The system eliminates the hassle of finding a rooftop tent that fits your vehicle. The Snap! Treehouse lets you access and use the entire flatbed and set up camp in record time. It’s for sale now for a staggering $7,000.
Dirt-Cheap Smartwatch
Tell time, track fitness, monitor sleep, monitor heartrate, take pictures, and more with the Bozgo Smartwatch. But this watch doesn’t break the bank. It costs an astounding $40 per watch (early bird pricing). While we haven’t used the watch and cannot attest to its function, the low price leaves us curious. The Bozgo also lasts five days per charge, has a “find phone” function, and can remotely activate a camera’s shutter. The watch is on Kickstarter now.
$200 GoPro
Capture life’s adventures with the Hero GoPro, the brand’s most affordable model. It doesn’t boast technical specs as impressive as the top-of-the-line models. But it can record in 1080p60, has a touchscreen interface, is waterproof to 33 feet, and has voice-activated controls. The best part is its price, at only $200, available now.
Bikepacking Seat Pack
Fit up to 8 liters of gear in a pack that fits onto any seatpost and saddle with the Terrapin System 8L Seat Pack. From Revelate Designs, this pack is a solid choice for bikepackers with low saddle-to-rail clearance – think full-suspension, plus, or small framed bikes. With waterproof construction, aluminum components for strength, and an included drybag, the Terrapin System, $135, appears to be a solid addition to any bikepacking rig.
Bike-Ready Briefcase
Bike to the office, and ease the burden on your back, with the Convertible Bike Briefcase from Two Wheel Gear. This briefcase fits in among office settings and easily attaches to a rear rack with two robust hooks. Inside is a padded laptop sleeve and storage compartments for valuables. The Convertible Bike Briefcase is on Kickstarter now, with mere hours left in its campaign.
Next-Generation Water Shoe
Hike, kayak, and hit the bar in one shoe with the Astral Brewess 2.0. The shoe uses a sticky rubber outsole, hydrophobic canvas uppers, and vents on the sides to dispel water. Astral claims this shoe works great for watersports, traveling, and rock scrambling. The Brewess 2.0 is for sale now for $110.
