There’s no wrong way to cope with rising temperatures. For many of us, a cold body of water is the way to go, whether it’s an adrenaline-fueled day of wakeboarding or a lazy paddle along a winding river.
But if it’s just too dang hot where you live (we’re looking at you, Phoenix), the best plan might be to get out of town, and find a more temperate climate away from the scorching sun.
Either way, you’ll likely find something to amplify your summer joy right here in Emerging Gear.
Brabus x Awake Shadow Jetboard
If you’re looking for the most luxurious electric surfboard on the market, the new collaboration from Brabus and Awake is a solid contender.
In 2018, we said that Awake’s Ravik Jetboard might be “the one rig to rule them all.” For its latest release, Awake will sell just 77 units of the Shadow Jetboard, which takes the company’s Ravik 3 model and adds customization from German automotive company Brabus.
The extra design work from Brabus resulted in a board with more acceleration and better handling. It can also speed up to 34 mph, and comes with special surf fins from Brabus. Though this specialty board costs a whopping $19,200, that’s actually $6,000 less than the price of the original Ravik model back in 2018. If you’ve got the cash, this thing does look undeniably fun.
“If you like to go fast, it’s incredible,” said Florian Garbaccio, an Awake team rider. “I’ve been riding every board in the world for the last eight years, but this thing, when you push it — it’s crazy.”
Hillsound PackStack Stuff
Hillsound introduces the PackStack Stuff, enhancing its award-winning modular packing system for outdoor lovers. This gear optimizes storage, protection, and organization. Available for 40L+ and 60L+ backpacks, the PackStack Stuff costs $45 and $48, respectively, with potential uses for backpacking, hiking, and camping.
These spiffy little packs have a corded sack with an internal drawstring for easy compression and organization of sleeping bags, clothing, and tents. The pack’s waterproof construction, with seam-sealed Cordura fabric and a waterproof YKK zipper, ensures protection in all conditions.
The crescent shape maximizes storage efficiency by eliminating dead space in backpacks, Hillsound said, while a top handle and zipper pull tab provide easy access. An external storage pocket is ideal for miscellaneous items and allows compact storage when not in use.
Tracksmith Diane Leather Collection
May 29, 2024, marks the 70th anniversary of Diane Leather’s historic achievement as the first woman to break the 5-minute mile.
To honor this milestone, Tracksmith has released the Diane Leather Collection, including limited-edition Fleet and Free singlets and shorts. A Fleet and Free Singlet will set you back $70, while the Fleet and Free Shorts cost $75.
Even if you’re not buying anything, Tracksmith’s short history of Leather’s accomplishment is worth a read.
prAna Baja Bound Collection
Get ready for swimming this summer with the launch of prAna’s latest active swim collection Baja Bound.
The collection includes several options. There’s the Baja Bound Swim Top ($75) and the high-waisted Baja Bound Swim Bottom ($70) for a chic bikini look. A Baja Bound Swim One-Piece ($110) comes with with a fully lined zip-up front, and there’s also a long sleeve rashguard to protect from the sun or chafing during active days.
The styles are color-blocked, quick-drying, and have UPF 50+ protection, according to prAna.
Altra Experience Wild
In his review of Altra’s Experience Form running shoe, GJ Editor-In-Chief Adam Ruggiero said he liked it so much he was tempted to buy an extra pair: “It is not the fastest running shoe I own, nor is it the most cushioned. But it’s quite possibly the most enjoyable,” he wrote.
I arrived at a similar opinion of the Experience Wild, the trail-running model in Altra’s new Experience Collection. It performs as well or better than any trail runner I’ve tried over the last few months of new releases. It’s an effective shoe for the muddy, rocky trails of central Georgia, and I felt elated while using them on some of my favorite Chattahoochee river trails.
And most importantly — it’s a sexy shoe. I went with the Orange/Grey combo above, and got plenty of compliments from friends and strangers alike.
Six Moon Designs ADC Travel Backpack
This summer, ultralight brand Six Moon Designs launches the ADC Travel Pack, an all-day-carry (ADC) pack for adventure trekking and travel.
The ADC Travel Pack includes Six Moon Designs’ backpack suspension system integrated into a suitcase-style travel pack. It’s 30% lighter than “most travel packs,” the brand said. The suspension system includes a removable hip belt and tuck-away shoulder straps.
Designed for durability over various terrains, the ADC Travel Pack looks to offer effective organization in a lightweight pack. It costs $335.
Wilde X Paul Zebra Splatter Ano Parts
Wilde has announced a new collaboration with Paul Components USA, featuring a limited-edition batch of bike stems and parts in a distinctive “Zebra Splatter” design.
This release includes not only stems, as in previous collaborations, but also a small number of seatposts, cantilever brakes, and levers. Notably, the brakesets are being sold as mismatched pairs: Neo-Retro fronts and Touring Canti rears. Prices for this exclusive collection are $170 for the boxcar stem and $350 for the touring cantilever brakeset.
Terry x Po Campo Kinga
Terry and Po Campo, two women-founded, mission-driven brands, dropped a first-time collab combining Terry’s expertise in prints with Po Campo’s product design.
The limited-edition Kinga Handlebar Bag is designed for versatility, the brands said, attaching easily to any handlebar setup and converting into a crossbody bag for off-bike use. It includes six pockets, water-protected zippers, and is made from eco-friendly, weather-resistant fabrics. It’s priced at $55.
COROS Pace 3 Retro Pack
It’s safe to say that GearJunkie reviewer Nick Belcaster really digs the COROS Pace 3. For $230, it’s a reasonably priced GPS sports watch that “punches well above its weight class,” he wrote.
How do you improve on a watch that’s already packed with features? By offering it in bright, 1980s-themed pastels, of course! The new Emerald, Violet, and Mist color options for the Pace 3 look to turn heads and inject nostalgia anywhere you take it.
AETHER Motion Collection
Those in need of new summer apparel can check out AETHER’s Motion Collection, an eight-piece line of fitness clothing.
Following AETHER’s philosophy of creating “quietly technical apparel,” the threads are water-repellent, dirt-repellent, and include antimicrobial stretch jersey fabrics, the brand said. That makes the clothing suitable for off-season workouts or outdoor hijinks, while still classy enough for a nice bar at the end of the day.
Looking for a chic and functional new summer outfit? Get a Trek Articulated Tee for $115 and the Perth Short for $225, and you’ll be sitting pretty.
