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.

July 14, 2022 |  By Austin Beck-Doss

The reusable Picnic+ cutlery set from Opinel is designed to replace disposable utensils on the trail or at the park. The brand’s flagship No. 08 Folding Knife comes with the set, along with interchangeable spoon and fork inserts. For easy waste-free cleanup, a microfiber napkin is included, too. If you already own the No. 08 Knife, the inserts and napkins can be purchased as a mini set for $18.

Way back in 1932, Danner set out to provide the timber industry’s lumberjacks with work-ready footwear. For summer 2022, the brand drops the Panorama ($160), a hiking-focused boot “inspired by classic Danner DNA.” From the suede upper to the PU-coated leather rand, the Panorama is built from tried-and-true materials. Men’s and women’s sizes are available.

From fly fishing to bird watching, all summertime pursuits have two goals in common: stay cool and avoid sunburn. KUIU’s Mesa Vented Shirt ($109) is built for hot weather. Mesh-lined vents on the center back and rear shoulders add breathability in key areas. The stretchy polyester fabric is odor resistant and boasts a UPF rating of 50+. A short-sleeve version ($99) is also available.

When it comes time to haul bottles of wine to a distant campsite, YETI’s Roadie Wheeled Cooler ($450) may be the best tool on the market. According to YETI, this “virtually indestructible” cooler has durable treaded wheels and a heavily armored exterior. Using a 2:1 ice-to-can ratio, the Roadie has a capacity for 42 beer cans. If that somehow isn’t enough for you, keep an eye out for a larger version slated for release on August 23.

This unique piece of hybrid gear is part backpack, part cooler, and part hydration reservoir. CamelBak is no stranger to the hydration game, but the new 30L ChillBak ($300) certainly represents an evolution for the brand. The ChillBak can store 6 L of water and offers up to 20 L of insulated capacity. According to CamelBak, the wearable soft-sided fridge can retain ice for 48 hours.

Helinox loves a good collaboration. The brand’s latest offering is a team effort with California-based brand RVCA, and the results are eye-catching. This compact camp table ($180) sports a colorful illustration by scientist-turned-artist Kelsey Brookes. Just like the rest of Helinox camp furniture, the table’s frame is made from “high-tech aluminum alloy” which goes through “over 70” production processes before it achieves its final form.

These sporty shorts ($98) are just one part of lululemon’s first-ever hiking line, a much-anticipated 33-piece collection. As expected, the collection blends fashion and outdoor utility, and the women’s hiking shorts are a prime example. High-waisted? Check. Elastic waistband with a drawstring? Yep. Oversized pockets and cute colors? Of course. For convenient keychain storage, a nifty loop hangs just below the waistline.

Melin’s sleek new Pace Adventure Hydro Hat ($79) is inspired by the pine forest palette of America’s public lands. Despite the clean and streamlined look, this hat is designed for active use in the outdoors. The exterior is water-resistant, and the “sweat redirect system” works to keep perspiration from reaching the eyes. Each Hydro hat is “fully packable” and comes with a travel pouch.

This week, Tailwind Nutrition launches its Active Hydration drink mix. The powdered mixture contains electrolytes, collagen, and vitamin C. It mixes clear with water and comes in four fruity flavors including a tropical variety and Cherry Açai. Each packet has 35 calories when combined with 12 ounces of water. According to Tailwind’s founder, the product underwent multiple years of on-trail testing. A 12-pack of 9g packets costs $21.

These Crocs — released as part of Palace and Rapha’s Off-Bike Collection — might be the flashiest foam footwear on the market. Crocs are well-loved as camp shoes and recovery footwear. On this pair, quirky Jibbitz and a splash of tie-dye vibrancy provide a one-of-a-kind aesthetic. The collaborative Off-Bike Collection also includes a variety of T-shirts and hoodies.

SITKA Gear’s Ambient Collection is the brand’s “most advanced line of insulation layers” to date. Every item in the line is constructed with post-consumer recycled PrimaLoft Evolv insulation, which “mimics properties in animal fur with fibers of differing lengths.” The Ambient Hoody ($279) is designed to double as a midlayer and outer layer for hunters in variable weather conditions.

The Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket ($230) weighs just 7 ounces in a size small — it doesn’t get much lighter for a fully waterproof outer layer. Instead of relying on a Durable Water Repellant coating for water resistance, the Tushar utilizes 2.5 layer waterproof breathable lamination technology. In other words, the jacket’s membrane is hydrophobic in “key areas,” which allegedly keeps water out even after extended use. We recently acquired the Tushar, and it has performed wonderfully in our initial tests.

The reusable Picnic+ cutlery set from Opinel is designed to replace disposable utensils on the trail or at the park. The brand’s flagship No. 08 Folding Knife comes with the set, along with interchangeable spoon and fork inserts. For easy waste-free cleanup, a microfiber napkin is included, too. If you already own the No. 08 Knife, the inserts and napkins can be purchased as a mini set for $18.

Way back in 1932, Danner set out to provide the timber industry’s lumberjacks with work-ready footwear. For summer 2022, the brand drops the Panorama ($160), a hiking-focused boot “inspired by classic Danner DNA.” From the suede upper to the PU-coated leather rand, the Panorama is built from tried-and-true materials. Men’s and women’s sizes are available.

From fly fishing to bird watching, all summertime pursuits have two goals in common: stay cool and avoid sunburn. KUIU’s Mesa Vented Shirt ($109) is built for hot weather. Mesh-lined vents on the center back and rear shoulders add breathability in key areas. The stretchy polyester fabric is odor resistant and boasts a UPF rating of 50+. A short-sleeve version ($99) is also available.

When it comes time to haul bottles of wine to a distant campsite, YETI’s Roadie Wheeled Cooler ($450) may be the best tool on the market. According to YETI, this “virtually indestructible” cooler has durable treaded wheels and a heavily armored exterior. Using a 2:1 ice-to-can ratio, the Roadie has a capacity for 42 beer cans. If that somehow isn’t enough for you, keep an eye out for a larger version slated for release on August 23.

This unique piece of hybrid gear is part backpack, part cooler, and part hydration reservoir. CamelBak is no stranger to the hydration game, but the new 30L ChillBak ($300) certainly represents an evolution for the brand. The ChillBak can store 6 L of water and offers up to 20 L of insulated capacity. According to CamelBak, the wearable soft-sided fridge can retain ice for 48 hours.

Helinox loves a good collaboration. The brand’s latest offering is a team effort with California-based brand RVCA, and the results are eye-catching. This compact camp table ($180) sports a colorful illustration by scientist-turned-artist Kelsey Brookes. Just like the rest of Helinox camp furniture, the table’s frame is made from “high-tech aluminum alloy” which goes through “over 70” production processes before it achieves its final form.

These sporty shorts ($98) are just one part of lululemon’s first-ever hiking line, a much-anticipated 33-piece collection. As expected, the collection blends fashion and outdoor utility, and the women’s hiking shorts are a prime example. High-waisted? Check. Elastic waistband with a drawstring? Yep. Oversized pockets and cute colors? Of course. For convenient keychain storage, a nifty loop hangs just below the waistline.

Melin’s sleek new Pace Adventure Hydro Hat ($79) is inspired by the pine forest palette of America’s public lands. Despite the clean and streamlined look, this hat is designed for active use in the outdoors. The exterior is water-resistant, and the “sweat redirect system” works to keep perspiration from reaching the eyes. Each Hydro hat is “fully packable” and comes with a travel pouch.

This week, Tailwind Nutrition launches its Active Hydration drink mix. The powdered mixture contains electrolytes, collagen, and vitamin C. It mixes clear with water and comes in four fruity flavors including a tropical variety and Cherry Açai. Each packet has 35 calories when combined with 12 ounces of water. According to Tailwind’s founder, the product underwent multiple years of on-trail testing. A 12-pack of 9g packets costs $21.

These Crocs — released as part of Palace and Rapha’s Off-Bike Collection — might be the flashiest foam footwear on the market. Crocs are well-loved as camp shoes and recovery footwear. On this pair, quirky Jibbitz and a splash of tie-dye vibrancy provide a one-of-a-kind aesthetic. The collaborative Off-Bike Collection also includes a variety of T-shirts and hoodies.

SITKA Gear’s Ambient Collection is the brand’s “most advanced line of insulation layers” to date. Every item in the line is constructed with post-consumer recycled PrimaLoft Evolv insulation, which “mimics properties in animal fur with fibers of differing lengths.” The Ambient Hoody ($279) is designed to double as a midlayer and outer layer for hunters in variable weather conditions.

The Outdoor Vitals Tushar Rain Jacket ($230) weighs just 7 ounces in a size small — it doesn’t get much lighter for a fully waterproof outer layer. Instead of relying on a Durable Water Repellant coating for water resistance, the Tushar utilizes 2.5 layer waterproof breathable lamination technology. In other words, the jacket’s membrane is hydrophobic in “key areas,” which allegedly keeps water out even after extended use. We recently acquired the Tushar, and it has performed wonderfully in our initial tests.

Austin Beck-Doss is a Staff Writer at GearJunkie.

Austin has been writing about climbing, hiking, and snow sports for 5 years.

Prior to that, Austin worked as a rock climbing guide for an adaptive recreation organization.

Based in Wyoming, Austin enjoys hiking in quiet areas, recording observations as drawings, and looking for new (old) rocks to climb.

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