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.

May 5, 2022 |  By Austin Beck-Doss

Touted as the first “digital outdoor first-aid kit,” GOES ($5.99/month) provides 24/7 access to text, call, or send images to wilderness-medicine experts in case of an emergency. GOES stands for “global outdoor emergency support,” and the app was developed by physicians to deliver health information specific to outdoor activities. No cell connection? When off-grid, the app has tools to assess medical situations and act until you can reach help.

Summer afternoons are the perfect time to hit the river or lake and vibe out on your own personal flotilla. The BOTE Hangout 240 ($1,549) is an inflatable semicircle with plenty of room for you and a couple of buddies. Complete with pontoon back cushions and magnetic cupholders, the Hangout 240 lives up to its name. If your group is larger than three or four, multiple Hangouts can be connected via built-in attachment points.

Much like a Nissan GT-R, these sunglasses are built for speed and made in Japan. Anon Optics is well-known as a leader in ski goggle innovation, and its new sunglass collection features the same well-regarded PERCEIVE lens technology. The Winderness ($260) is one of three styles in the new lineup, and it’s certainly the sportiest of the bunch. It comes with a bonus lens so you can wear them in sunny or low-light conditions.

Sorel, known for its classic winter boots, is stepping into new arenas through a limited-edition collaboration with prAna. The Wandering Soul Leggings ($99) — part of the collaborative collection — are made from 76% recycled nylon and 24% elastane. They feature many sought-after legging features, including leg vents, a hidden zippered waistband pocket, and UPF 50+ protection. The pictured Manzanita color scheme is one choice, but they also come in black.

Sure, #vanlife is cool, but you can’t bring the climbing gym on the road. Climbers seeking effective and portable training accessories have limited options, but the new Lattice Training Quad Block ($92) may be a game-changer. With four different pinch sizes plus a 30mm pick-up edge, the Quad Block offers numerous possibilities for improving grip and general finger strength. Most climbing training tools are made from wood, but Lattice has ventured outside the box and used anodized aluminum.

A good drysuit can keep your paddling season flowing year-round. NRS’ new Axiom GORE-TEX Pro Dry Suit ($1,295) is constructed with the highest grade of GORE-TEX waterproofing — GORE-TEX Pro. In big rapids and high-volume water, this suit limits seepage at the neck and wrists with redesigned latex gaskets and neoprene overcuffs. The Axiom comes in men’s and women’s sizing.

Many high-quality tumblers can preserve the temperature of a beverage, but only this one features an image of glacial sediment running through a frozen Icelandic landscape. Adventure photographer Chris Burkard has teamed up with stainless steel maker Miir to create this eye-catching tumbler ($30). For every unit sold, Miir plans to donate $5 to Outdoor Outreach, a nonprofit that connects youth to the transformative power of the outdoors.

In 2022, outdoor play must compete for kids’ attention against the ever-present enticement of screens. Still, there is no substitute for ripping around with friends on scooters and skateboards. KEEN’s new Speed Hound Shoes ($60) are purpose-built for this activity. Learning to bike, skate, or scoot takes a toll on footwear, but the Speed Hounds have high traction, wear-resistant outsoles designed to hold up in the long term.

Every year, professional cyclists use and throw away over 630,000 plastic bottles during races and events. Now, Cannondale looks to cut down the industry’s impact with its new Compostable Bottle. The bottle itself can be tossed out with green waste, and the brand says it will fully break down in as little as 3 months. Look out for it at World Tour events in 2023.

Way back in the 18th century, Joseph Priestley accidentally invented sparkling water while trying to make beer. Recently, the fixation with sparkling beverages has been seriously bubbling up, and Fizzique ($3.49/12oz can) is joining the fray with a peculiar offering. That’s right: this punny brand makes protein-infused sparkling water. Available in three flavors, each can of Fizzique includes 15 g of protein, 45 mg of caffeine, and 3,300 mg of BCAAs.

Touted as the first “digital outdoor first-aid kit,” GOES ($5.99/month) provides 24/7 access to text, call, or send images to wilderness-medicine experts in case of an emergency. GOES stands for “global outdoor emergency support,” and the app was developed by physicians to deliver health information specific to outdoor activities. No cell connection? When off-grid, the app has tools to assess medical situations and act until you can reach help.

Summer afternoons are the perfect time to hit the river or lake and vibe out on your own personal flotilla. The BOTE Hangout 240 ($1,549) is an inflatable semicircle with plenty of room for you and a couple of buddies. Complete with pontoon back cushions and magnetic cupholders, the Hangout 240 lives up to its name. If your group is larger than three or four, multiple Hangouts can be connected via built-in attachment points.

Much like a Nissan GT-R, these sunglasses are built for speed and made in Japan. Anon Optics is well-known as a leader in ski goggle innovation, and its new sunglass collection features the same well-regarded PERCEIVE lens technology. The Winderness ($260) is one of three styles in the new lineup, and it’s certainly the sportiest of the bunch. It comes with a bonus lens so you can wear them in sunny or low-light conditions.

Sorel, known for its classic winter boots, is stepping into new arenas through a limited-edition collaboration with prAna. The Wandering Soul Leggings ($99) — part of the collaborative collection — are made from 76% recycled nylon and 24% elastane. They feature many sought-after legging features, including leg vents, a hidden zippered waistband pocket, and UPF 50+ protection. The pictured Manzanita color scheme is one choice, but they also come in black.

Sure, #vanlife is cool, but you can’t bring the climbing gym on the road. Climbers seeking effective and portable training accessories have limited options, but the new Lattice Training Quad Block ($92) may be a game-changer. With four different pinch sizes plus a 30mm pick-up edge, the Quad Block offers numerous possibilities for improving grip and general finger strength. Most climbing training tools are made from wood, but Lattice has ventured outside the box and used anodized aluminum.

A good drysuit can keep your paddling season flowing year-round. NRS’ new Axiom GORE-TEX Pro Dry Suit ($1,295) is constructed with the highest grade of GORE-TEX waterproofing — GORE-TEX Pro. In big rapids and high-volume water, this suit limits seepage at the neck and wrists with redesigned latex gaskets and neoprene overcuffs. The Axiom comes in men’s and women’s sizing.

Many high-quality tumblers can preserve the temperature of a beverage, but only this one features an image of glacial sediment running through a frozen Icelandic landscape. Adventure photographer Chris Burkard has teamed up with stainless steel maker Miir to create this eye-catching tumbler ($30). For every unit sold, Miir plans to donate $5 to Outdoor Outreach, a nonprofit that connects youth to the transformative power of the outdoors.

In 2022, outdoor play must compete for kids’ attention against the ever-present enticement of screens. Still, there is no substitute for ripping around with friends on scooters and skateboards. KEEN’s new Speed Hound Shoes ($60) are purpose-built for this activity. Learning to bike, skate, or scoot takes a toll on footwear, but the Speed Hounds have high traction, wear-resistant outsoles designed to hold up in the long term.

Every year, professional cyclists use and throw away over 630,000 plastic bottles during races and events. Now, Cannondale looks to cut down the industry’s impact with its new Compostable Bottle. The bottle itself can be tossed out with green waste, and the brand says it will fully break down in as little as 3 months. Look out for it at World Tour events in 2023.

Way back in the 18th century, Joseph Priestley accidentally invented sparkling water while trying to make beer. Recently, the fixation with sparkling beverages has been seriously bubbling up, and Fizzique ($3.49/12oz can) is joining the fray with a peculiar offering. That’s right: this punny brand makes protein-infused sparkling water. Available in three flavors, each can of Fizzique includes 15 g of protein, 45 mg of caffeine, and 3,300 mg of BCAAs.

Austin Beck-Doss regularly relocates according to whichever climbing area is in season. In addition to covering gear and the outdoor industry for GearJunkie, he enjoys writing about music, culture, and personal observations from time spent in the natural world.

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