Form and function come together in the pretty new products on offer this week. There’s lots to love about the gear in today’s roundup, from battery packs shaped like fuel bottles to pink-and-black hemp shorts to ’80s-style Polaroid cameras.
Even our featured pick — highly functional overalls for women answering the call of nature — come in three colors. Whether you’re running, hiking, fishing, or just window shopping, Emerging Gear will scratch your itch for the latest in outdoorsy innovation.
LIVSN EcoTrek Overalls
When GearJunkie reviewed the Gnara Go There outdoor pants in 2022, we noted how the brand’s game-changing GoFly Zipper allows women to “easily and efficiently let women go to the bathroom outside.”
Thanks to LIVSN Designs, the same zipper can now be found on a pair of outdoor overalls. Gnara collaborated with the brand to help create the Ecotrek Overalls, which launched in Kickstarter this week.
Available for both men and women, both versions offer adjustable shoulder straps, ample zipper storage, functional pockets, and a mesh-lined interior. But only the women’s version has that extra zipper in the rear.
GearJunkie Editor-in-Chief Adam Ruggiero tested the brand’s initial foray into overalls — with the Flex Canvas construction — and lauded them as a “bomber outerwear system” (second only to Ironman’s suit).
These overalls are made from recycled ocean buoys, resulting in stretchy, water-resistant fabric. It’s also lightweight and flexible, ideal for dynamic movement and water-related activities.
“I’ve always envisioned a world where one day, women and girls don’t have to think twice before answering nature’s call — at work and at play,” said Georgia Grace Edwards, CEO and founder of Gnara Apparel.
NESTOUT Power Banks
To whoever thought to make a charger that looks like an old-school fuel bottle — much respect.
The new battery packs from NESTOUT don’t just charge your phone and other gadgets. They’re also dustproof, waterproof, and shock-resistant, winning an IF Design Gold Award for their inventive design. Even cooler, you can pair them with a small solar energy panel for recharging in the backcountry.
Equipped with USB-A and USB-C ports, they work seamlessly with smartphones, tablets, and USB devices. With 20W of power for fast and adaptable charging, they can be fully recharged in about 2 hours and 45 minutes, the brand said. The 10,000mAh version weighs 8.5 ounces and costs $50, while the 15,000mAh version weighs 12.9 ounces and costs $60.
Astral Performance Hemp Collection
Hemp apparel doesn’t just offer many of the same advantages as cotton — it also needs half the water to produce double the output and grows without pesticides or fertilizers.
That makes Astral’s Performance Hemp Collection sustainably made as well as technical, the brand said. The hoodie and shorts just dropped by Astral are supposedly cool and breathable, with natural odor resistance and a soft texture.
These tough threads also offer 30 UPF sun protection, temperature regulation, and antimicrobial properties. The collection includes the Sunset Hemp Hoodie, priced at $100. and the Kinisi Hemp Shorts at $80.
Cotopaxi Del Dia Cloud Collection
Cotopaxi decided to take a break from its normally bright color schemes for the muted tones of the Del Dia Cloud collection.
This new line uses combinations of deadstock fabrics in monochromatic designs inspired by clouds and sandy beaches. The collection includes the Batac 16L backpack and the Kapai 1.5L hip-pack, priced at $65 and $35, respectively. These items will be available both in-store and online.
The launch coincides with World Refugee Day on June 20, which recognizes displaced individuals worldwide. To mark this occasion, Cotopaxi will donate $50,000 to the International Rescue Committee.
NEMO Dagger Osmo Bluesign Backpacking Tent
The newest tent from NEMO isn’t just another lightweight, durable tent from this reliable outfitter: It’s also Bluesign-certified. In short, that means it was vetted to ensure sustainable production.
The Dagger OSMO, a versatile, lightweight tent, now includes an expanded interior and maximized vestibule space, without any extra weight. It’s constructed with NEMO’s proprietary OSMO poly-nylon fabric, which the brand says is water-repellant and less stretchy when wet. The composite fabric is also free of fire retardants and made from 100% recycled yarns.
Still curious about Bluesign? Check out the GearJunkie guide to answering this persistent question.
adidas Terrex Agravic 3
Sure, the Agravic Speed Ultra might be a winning race shoe that offers a “staggering” boost to your enjoyment, as we wrote in our review this spring. But a single pair also costs $220.
Well, now you can try a cheaper version of the shoe that supposedly retains some of its ability to reach high speeds.
Adidas TERREX unveiled the Agravic 3, the latest addition to its Agravic family. Designed for speed and stability on everyday trail runs, it’s also priced at a more manageable $130.
It includes an extra-soft midsole and a rubber outsole with 4mm and 5mm lugs. Also, a TPU Stability Plate offers midfoot support, torsional flexibility, and underfoot protection, adidas said, making the Agravic 3 a solid choice for trail runners.
Retrospekt InstantArt Polaroid Camera
For a company that went bankrupt 23 years ago, Polaroid has certainly kept its hold on our collective imagination.
That’s no small feat for a camera that represents the ultimate analog counterpoint to modern photography. The nostalgia is part of why Retrospekt’s InstantArt camera is so appealing. This limited-edition series of Polaroid 600 instant film cameras was inspired by the pixelated aesthetics of 1980s and ’90s computer graphics.
Launched this week, the collection has three distinct designs with geometric patterns and bold color blocking. Each InstantArt camera is built using authentic Polaroid 600 components from the ’80s and ’90s. The cameras also come with a sticker sheet of digital squiggles and low-res icons for customization, and are packaged to resemble vintage software boxes from the ’90s.
Most units will be released in Asia through an exclusive retail partnership, with a limited number available on Retrospekt’s website.
Danner Sandals
Wait, are those Danner sandals? Sure looks like it!
The brand known for high-quality boots now offers two sandal models: the Wallowa Nylon Sandal for women and the Joseph Leather Sandal for men. Inspired by the Wallowa mountain range and the town of Joseph in Oregon, these rugged sandals aim for multiday performance on the trail.
The Wallowa has quick-drying textile straps, making it water-friendly for stream crossings. In contrast, the Joseph boasts high-quality leather straps with a magnetic buckle, perfect for day hiking with or without socks.
Both models are equipped with the Vibram Traction Cascade outsole, with texturized micro lugs. A one-piece polyurethane footbed and midsole provide cushioning that doesn’t compress over time, the brand said.
The Wallowa Nylon Sandal is currently available at a discounted price of $98, while the Joseph Leather Sandal sells for $105.
Velocio Blurred Ultralight Trail Jersey
Velocio has unveiled its new Ultralight Trail Jersey, just in time for summer.
The Blurred Ultralight Trail Jersey combines Italian-milled mesh with a singletrack-ready design, Velocio said. Constructed from 88% recycled polyester, the ultralight fabric reduces weight and enhances breathability for freer movement even when sweaty.
It’s got an extended hem, articulated shoulders, and a lay-flat collar tailored for the demands of off-road riding. This jersey is built to keep you cool on the hottest days (and don’t we have a lot of them now).
As an added bonus, Velocio offers a bundle option: pair the new Ultralight TRAIL Jersey with any full-priced MTB Short for a 20% discount on both items.
The Velocio Blurred Ultralight Trail Jersey is priced at $80. It’s also available for women.
Wiley X WX Sierra
Wiley X just dropped the ultra-lightweight WX Sierra. Priced between $140 and $206, the WX Sierra aims for all-day wear and rigorous activities.
The frame includes rubber temple tips and molded nose pads as well as built-in lens ventilation to prevent fogging. It’s also got shatterproof Selenite 6-Base lenses with 100% UVA/UVB protection with distortion-free clarity. They’re available with Wiley X’s CAPTIVATE light-filtering lens tech, and they’re prescription-ready.
