You know what makes modern outdoor gear so much fun? It’s usually not tethered down by pointless arguments over style versus substance. Sure, plenty of old fogeys will get their undies in a bunch over the presumed necessity of a gym climbing pack, a Vincent Van Gogh-themed bicycle, or a video screen for rowers.
But style and substance don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Lots of outdoor gear now allows us to have the best of both worlds, and there’s nothing wrong with looking good while you’re crushing the trail. So come find your new favorite thing every week in Emerging Gear.
Solé Bicycles Almond Blossom
It never ceases to amaze me that Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh died an unrecognized pauper — yet still became the most famous painter of all time.
Case in point: The icon’s pointillist style now adorns a boutique bike from Venice Beach’s Solé Bicycles. The brand just released The Almond Blossom in a collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum. This exclusive single-speed bicycle features the artist’s Almond Blossom painting, which Van Gogh gifted to his brother’s family.
For $500, it’s not too pricey for a beautiful, limited-run bike, either. And if you ever get a chance to visit the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, I highly recommend it. As a proud museum nerd, I guarantee it’s one of the best art museums you’ll ever experience.
HyperLite Mountain Gear Contour 35
HyperLite Mountain Gear has trimmed the fat once again, offering its lightest frameless pack to date.
The Contour 35 is a thru-hiking pack designed for long-distance hikers. Weighing just 16.2 ounces (459 g), it’s ideal for fastpacking, peak-bagging, and low-volume thru-hiking, the brand said. HyperLite says this pack is extra durable, with a frameless design that relies on careful packing for hikers to experience the same comfort as a framed backpack.
Features include a 1-inch removable webbing hip belt (with an optional padded hip belt), contoured back seams, and 100D Dyneema Gridstop shoulder straps with integrated stretch mesh pockets. The Contour 35 also sports large external pockets, and a stretch bottom pocket for easy gear access and storage. It will set you back $330.
Tahr Cap Strap for Nalgene Bottles
Just a few weeks ago, I made a classic hiking mistake: I used a carabiner to attach my Nalgene to my backpack. It didn’t take long for the plastic loop to stretch and slip off, dropping it to the ground and forcing me to stop, take off my pack, and reorganize.
“Someone should really improve this design,” I thought before entirely forgetting about it.
Well, someone has finally solved the problem. Tahr Equipment just released The Cap Strap, an aluminum ring designed to screw into the threads of a Nalgene bottle. According to Tahr, it’s a durable and reliable method for attaching the bottle to various objects. Available for $19, the Cap Strap weighs between 8.5g and 9.5g, depending on the size.
I can tell you one thing: Many of us GearJunkies are stoked about this one.
Megabeta Climber Sling Bag
If you’re a climber who thinks that bikepackers get all the cool bags, then this fresh little pack is for you.
The Megabeta Climber Sling Bag is designed to keep climbing gear organized and shoes fresh. With 6.8L of storage and additional space in two front pockets, this cross-body bag aims squarely at gym climbers. It has webbing loops on both sides and the bottom, padded arms, a snap buckle for easy carrying, and durable YKK zippers.
There’s also an activated carbon cloth lining that supposedly reduces shoe odor. Even with shoes, there’s still enough room to stash a chalk bag and a harness. Made from recycled materials, this bag (currently $92 on Kickstarter) also rocks a key clip, ring clip, outside gear loops, and a secret pocket for quick access. The Kickstarter campaign will last for another 20 days.
Ombraz Cammina
Ombraz goes Italian with new shades model Cammina. Fully made in Italy, the name stems from the Italian verb for “to walk” and aims for a classic Mediterranean style.
Priced at $160, the Ombraz Cammina features aerospace-grade nylon frames available in Charcoal and Tortoise, with lens options in Gray, Brown, and Yellow. Designed for both narrow and regular sizing, these unisex sunglasses blend vintage elements with a modern geometric frame. Other highlights include scratch-resistant optics and a Japanese-woven, 100% recycled, marine-grade cord for secure wear.
myrow
Want to level up your rowing skills without leaving home? A new tablet and software offering will provide classes, workouts, and training plans for rowers using a Concept2 machine.
With myrow, you get a 22-inch full-color Smart HD touchscreen that transforms your Concept 2 rower into a tech hub for video classes, tutorials, training plans, and access to a community of rowers. The myrow tablet, priced at $500 with a $30 monthly subscription (annual commitment) or $36 monthly (no commitment).
It allows rowers to learn from industry professionals, including a 2024 Paris Olympic rower, Shane Farmer of Dark Horse Rowing, U.S. Paralympic swimmer Tom Miazga, and former University of Pennsylvania coach John Breen. It even includes adaptive workouts for various needs and non-rowing workouts like Pilates.
Shipping begins in June. Note that a Concept2 rower, costing around $1,000, is required to use myrow.
Teva x FP Movement Collection
Summer has arrived, folks! So if you don’t have a good pair of sandals or hiking shoes, now is a good time to fix that.
Teva just dropped a limited-edition summer adventure kit in collaboration with FP Movement, Free People’s activewear brand. The collection offers new designs of Teva’s iconic styles: the FP Movement Grandview GTX hiking boot and the FP Movement Terra Fi 5 sandal. Both styles come in White Smoke, Sequoia, and Mauve Moon earth tones, with FP Movement’s logo on the heel, a co-branded insole, and custom product box.
The FP Movement Grandview GTX hiking boot, priced at $180, works for day hikes, backpacking, and moderate-technical trails. For the FP Movement Terra Fi 5 sandal, priced at $115, you’ll want to use it for chilling or casual hikes, the brand said.
Branwyn Essential Racerback Bra
Branwyn Performance Innerwear, based in Bend, Ore., introduces the Essential Racerback Bra for active women.
This seamless merino bra is made with a knit blend of 76% extra-fine merino wool, 14% nylon, and 10% spandex. It’s sustainably made and is free from BPA, PFAS, and toxins, according to Branwyn.
Priced at $75, the bra offers medium support with a pullover style and racerback design. It sports underwire-free, seamless construction, body-mapped contours, and sleeves for removable bra pads (pads not included). It’s ideal for the trail, mountain laps, and gym sessions, Branwyn said.
Work Sharp Ken Onion Elite Knife & Tool Sharpener MK.2
Got dull blades? Up your maintenance game with the Ken Onion Edition ELITE Knife & Tool Sharpener Mk.2.
Developed with knife-making legend Ken Onion, this benchtop sharpener allows for precision sharpening and freehand versatility, Work Sharp said. It has a blade grinding attachment with angle options from 10 to 35 degrees and three convex edge profiles. There’s also a sharpening cassette for precise sharpenings from 15 to 30 degrees.
Designed for quick touch-ups and custom grinds on pocket knives, outdoor blades, or kitchen knives, it’s priced at $300. That includes the tool itself, as well as a limited Onion patch, sharpening mat, a seven-speed motor control with LED display, and adjustable sharpening guide.
66° North Snaefell Jacket
If you’re going to choose a jacket based on its history and company of origin, 66° North is a major contender.
Founded in Iceland in 1926, the brand’s designers probably know a thing or two about harsh weather, and they’ve brought that knowledge to bear with the new Snæfell Jacket. Free from PFAS and made with fabric partner Polartec, the jacket aims for top-notch waterproofing, windproofing, and comfort. Named after Iceland’s largest freestanding mountain, the Snæfell Jacket is designed for almost anything, from hiking and kayaking to commuting and festivals, the company said.
The jacket features a comfortable cut, soft and flexible fabric, and an adjustable swivel hood with a visor that’s helmet-friendly. It’s also got a backpack-compatible fit with adjustable cuffs and hem. Available in men’s, women’s, and a cropped version, the Snæfell Jacket comes in four colors and costs a hefty $550.
