If this week’s Emerging Gear has a theme, it’s probably something about enjoying the outdoors — in style. That ranges from the Tron-like running gear of Swiss brand X-BIONIC to a sexy, stowable bike lock from OTTOLOCK that’s perfect for a range of e-bikes.
But we’ve also got this week’s headliners: a classy collaboration between Birkenstock loafers and Filson boots, an elegant hat for charging your phone on the go, and paddleboards so beautiful they could convert a kayaker to the SUP dark side.
Find all that and more right here in Emerging Gear.
Beau Lake Luxury Paddleboards
This is definitely for the person who wants the Rolls Royce of paddleboards. Beau Lake specializes in creating high-quality boards, ranging from lightweight inflatable stand-up paddleboards (iSUPs) to handcrafted rigid boards made from maple, holly, and rosewood.
On the low end of the price range, there’s The Newport, a still-gorgeous nautical-themed board that costs $1,150 — a competitive price for brands like ISLE and Oru Kayak. Prices for these luxury paddleboards rise quickly, however, going all the way up to The Rapid, a carbon-fiber, touring-style paddleboard. It’s undeniably sexy — and also costs $5,100.
EcoFlow Power Hat
We love all things weird and (potentially) innovative here on the Emerging Gear team, and this solar-powered hat definitely qualifies.
EcoFlow just launched the PowerHat, a solar-powered hat designed to charge devices while on the go. With dual USB-A and USB-C ports located underneath, the hat can charge two devices simultaneously, such as phones, neck fans, or Bluetooth headphones. Phones can be fully charged in 3-4 hours, the brand said.
Built for outdoor fun, the PowerHat weighs 13 ounces, and is supposedly resistant to sand, dust, water splashes, and cracks. It comes in two sizes: medium-large size: 56-58 cm and large-XL size: 59-61 cm, and currently sells at a discount for $90.
Filson x Birkenstock
Brand collaborations can often be super fun — but I still wasn’t expecting this one.
Iconic loafers brand Birkenstock teamed up with high-end outfitter Filson for an exclusive collaboration launched this week. The collection offers three new footwear styles, with designs that blend Filson’s “Original Alaska Outfitter” heritage with Birkenstock’s reputation for cozy kicks.
The London Methow is a low-top shoe made with unlined leather and an adjustable buckled strap, priced at $375. The Lahti, a cozy hunting boot with a collapsible upper made from Filson’s Mackinaw wool, offers anti-slip support and is available for $455.
The Skykomish, priced at $625, is a rustic boot crafted with Filson’s tin cloth upper and a rubber mudguard. Both the Lahti and Skykomish feature Birkenstock’s Deep Blue footbed, which provides anatomical support and even weight distribution.
Mammut Barryvox S2
With the Barryvox S2, Mammut’s latest avalanche transceiver, the brand aims to enhance mountain safety through improved technology and a user-friendly interface.
Weighing less and with a slimmer profile, the Barryvox S2 maintains a 70m range and long battery life, offering quick and precise rescues even in complex situations, Mammut said. It’s got a few innovations, including the Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) screen for improved visibility in all conditions and the Barryvox Training Park app for enhanced avalanche search skills.
Other highlights include “Intelligent Fine Search Guidance” for accurate probing and “Interference Guard” to protect against electromagnetic interference. In emergencies, the device automatically switches to Rescue SEND if rescuers remain still for 4 minutes. Priced at $600, the Barryvox S2 is designed for both professionals and beginners, Mammut said.
Ozlo Sleepbuds
Kudos to whoever imagined the above photograph, which tells a beautiful story of a man who found the Ozlo Sleepbuds so soporific — he fell asleep on the pool table.
These cushy Bluetooth earbuds are specifically designed to enhance sleep. Founded by three former Bose engineers, the brand makes earbuds for all-night wear — even for side sleepers. They feature noise-masking, audio streaming, and biometric sensing to help users block out environmental noise and promote restful sleep.
As someone who frequently uses earbuds to help me sleep in loud or uncomfortable situations, I’ve often woken up with sore ears from side-sleeping with my Apple earbuds in. So, I’m predisposed to consider these puppies a brilliant idea.
They also include “anchor-in-place” wings and multiple sizes of silicone ear tips for a secure fit. With a 10-hour battery life and a charging case for additional power, they are perfect for travel or everyday use. Priced from $300, the Sleepbuds are available now.
Sidekick Folding Lock
With the Sidekick Folding Lock, OTTOLOCK adds a more versatile bike lock design to its lineup. This heavy-duty lock uses 5mm-thick hardened steel links that open into a flexible circle. The variety of shape options make it more accommodating to the many different frame designs of e-bikes, the brand said.
Weighing 2.2 pounds, the SIDEKICK comes with three keys and a bike mount. When folded, it measures 7.5” x 2” x 2.25” and unfolds to a maximum length of 11 inches.
Rugged Road 25 Cooler
Rugged Road has launched its latest product, the Rugged Road 25 Cooler.
Weighing only 5 pounds, this ultralight cooler is equipped with a Rigorite coating, originally developed for military use, making it capable of withstanding severe impacts and supporting heavy loads, the brand said. Despite its lightweight design, the cooler offers up to 7 days of ice retention.
Highlights of the design include storage for 25 cans or 20 pounds of ice, a multifunctional lid with cupholders and a cutting board, and a nonslip surface for ease of use in wet conditions. The cooler also floats upright, so it’s great for good times in the water. It costs $225.
Daysaver Incredible Pump
Daysaver has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the Incredible Pump, a bike pump designed for mountain and gravel bikers.
Available in two sizes — Regular (40 cc) and Large (80 cc) — the pump combines compact design with performance, delivering up to 80 psi. It’s got an integrated, patented handle for ease of use and a detachable pump hose that ensures a secure connection without damaging the valve core.
The Daysaver Incredible Pump also includes storage space for one or two tools, depending on the size, allowing riders to carry essential multitools. The pump is weatherproof, with a seal to protect it from dirt and water.
A frame mount is available, compatible with standard bottle cage mounts. Now available on Kickstarter, the Regular size starts at $70 and the Large at $100, with up to 20% off during the campaign. Full availability begins in April 2025 on the Daysaver website and at select retailers.
X-BIONIC
Do you love the idea of living every day like you’re stuck in a Tron movie? Then you’ll love this.
Swiss apparel brand X-BIONIC has officially entered the North American market, bringing its high-performance gear across the pond. Led by Kris Kuster, former Nitro Snowboards and Mammut Sports Group executive, the brand supposedly takes a science-based approach to apparel design.
The North American headquarters is now located in — where else? — Denver. X-BIONIC’s fall collection includes snowsports and winter running gear, with a focus on moisture-wicking fabrics, ergonomic designs, and thermoregulation technology. They also look like nothing else out there.
Bertucci A-2SEL Military Ultra-Duty
Bertucci makes durable watches, and that definitely seems to apply to the new A-2SEL Military Ultra-Duty Field Watch.
The watch band is made in the U.S. from a polymer layer fused with a strong webbing core, which supposedly reduces wear and tear. The band includes 34 laser-cut venting holes for comfort and is available in a foliage green color with a black powder-coated buckle.
The watch also includes a removable case protector, offering resistance to impact, shock, and abrasion, while its dual illumination system offers high visibility in low light. A light illuminates the entire dial for 3 seconds at the push of a button, complemented by Swiss Super Luminous hands and markers that glow without a battery. Priced at $205, the A-2SEL has a stainless-steel case, 100m water resistance, and a 4-year battery life.
