A peek at emerging products from the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.
Evaporative Cooler
Keep your perishable foods from spoiling in the Yuma 60L, a collapsible cooler. The Yuma works with breathable PhaseTek fabric around the sides, which you fill with water. PhaseTek lets water vapor permeate the side walls, cooling the interior through evaporation and keeping the temperature down. While it’s not designed for meat or ice-cold items, the Yuma is supposedly able to keep fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and snacks cool as long as the walls are filled with water. That’s quite the claim! Yuma is on Kickstarter for $120.
Quickest Tripod
Deploy the Lumapod in four seconds and be ready to capture stable images. Dubbed the world’s fastest tripod by the brand, the Lumapod uses Kevlar rope and telescoping design to give photographers quick and stable images. The Lumapod measures 17.5 inches when packed down and 47 inches when fully extended. It’s on Kickstarter now for $80.
Apple Watch Series 4
Apple promises another life-changing device with its Series 4 smartwatch. The Series 4 uses both an optical and electrical heart rate sensor, which lets you generate an ECG to share with your doctor. And the Series 4 integrates yoga and hiking into its already long list of compatible sports. Other outdoor modes include a swing tracker for tennis and wave counter for surfing. Learn more about the Apple Watch Series 4 here.
Heads-Up Helmet Display
Follow directions, view speed, and change songs from your helmet. The HUDWAY Sight is a heads-up display kit that clips onto motorcycle, bicycle, and skiing helmets. With universal attachment clip, lens, and projector, the HUDWAY displays pertinent information via a full-color image. HUDWAY launches on Kickstarter soon, but click here to view the brand’s website.
Damascus Steel Pocket Knife
While unassuming in size, the OMNI packs a super-sharp Damascus steel blade in a small package. Roughly the size of a BIC lighter, the OMNI unfolds for use at home or around the campsite. And thanks to its Damascus steel, this blade will reportedly stay sharper five times longer than stainless steel. OMNI is on Kickstarter now for $51.
Tool-Centric Multitool
Ratchet down a bolt, tighten that screw, and shave wood with the Toler UNION multitool. From Toler Tools, the UNION emphasizes the wrench feature and screwdriver with a design that lets users apply torque. The OMNILOCK wrench can grab ¼- to ¾-inch bolts, and the UNION’s bit extender lets users fold the multitool out and lay down power. The UNION also sports pliers, a locking blade, a wood saw, and a metal saw. Check it out this multitool on Kickstarter now for $94.
Perfect Hardtail?
Esker Cycles, the new bike brand that introduced the Elkat last month, launches the Hayduke, the brand’s first hardtail option. The Hayduke doesn’t break the bank, which is largely thanks to its steel frame. With custom-drawn 4130 Chromoly steel tubes, the bike should feel playful. It also accepts racks and lets riders switch drivetrains, hub widths, wheel sizes, and chainstay lengths. That’s right, the Hayduke should work for singletrack and bikepacking. The Esker Hayduke costs $675 for the frame and $2,000 for a base build.
Savory Seeds
Lentils, buckwheat, hemp, and other seeds give Patagonia Provisions’ latest product a crunch. Savory Seeds touts plant-based protein, fiber, and other nutrients. Use it as a trail-mixy snack or integrate it into your meals at home. Patagonia offers Savory Seeds in barbecue, chile lime, and curry on its website for $30 per dozen 1-ounce pouches.
Bucket List Family Pack
Cotopaxi released the limited-edition, all-black Allpa 28L Travel Pack in collaboration with the Bucket List Family. This pack sports the same features as the original Allpa, including a durable 1,000-denier polyester shell, weather-resistant construction, and a low-profile harness for comfortable carrying. This pack has a unique, three-stripe design as homage to the Bucket List Family. And 2 percent of revenue from pack sales goes to fund the Hogar Inés Chambers orphanage in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Check out the $170 Allpa here.
Bison Boot
Danner teamed up with United By Blue to craft a bison leather boot. The Light Bison Boot uses premium bison leather that is durable, waterproof, and needs little break-in time. Thanks to the collaboration, the boot is handmade in Portland, Oregon, like Danner’s other shoes. And United By Blue will remove 1 pound of trash from oceans and waterways for each product sold. The UBB x Danner Light Bison Boot is available for preorder now for $398.
Hemp Yoga Mat
Ma Wovens handweaves each Ritual Rug, a hemp and rubber yoga mat. The brand weaves rubber strips throughout the hemp mat to combine properties of both materials. The hemp in the mat acts as a durable fiber that’s anti-microbial, comfortable, and resistant to UV rays. And the rubber adds grip and prevents pools of sweat that could otherwise cause you to slip. The Ma Wovens Ritual Rug is on Kickstarter now for $199.
Shoulder Season Cycling Boot
45NRTH expands its lineup to account for shoulder season. Leading the charge is its Ragnarök boot, which replaces the Japanther. The Ragnarök uses a BOA closure and a ¾-height breathable membrane that resists wind even through the cleat pocket. It also uses a neoprene ankle band to keep out the snow and rain. The Ragnarök boot is available now in reflective silver for $235 and in black for $195.
Maven C Series
From Maven comes its latest C Series, the brand’s midrange binocular. The C Series uses a lightweight polymer frame, low-dispersion ED glass, and a multicoated lens for clarity, contrast, and color. Available in three styles, the C Series ranges in magnification from 7x to 12x. Check out the direct-to-consumer C Series binoculars here for $200-400.
Rubber Rain Jacket
Block rain and snow thanks to Mountain Khakis’ rubber Rainmaker jacket. Crafted with a polyurethane material and engineered to stretch, the Rainmaker can handle stains, rain, and mud. If it gets dirty, just hose it down and wear it like new. Learn more about the $140 Rainmaker Jacket here.
Shell Made for Kids
Finland-based Reima makes performance gear for kids with a philosophy that “champions an active childhood.” This year, the company pushes into the U.S. market with products like the Reimatec Jacket. It costs about $160 (€140) and offers a built-for-kids design, including a waterproof-breathable fabric with a dirt-repellent face. A removable inner fleece jacket and detachable hood make it malleable for rainy fall days and winter’s depths.
