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Aug 05, 2023

Inflatable Crash Pad, Camp Espresso Machine, Timberland Bibs, and More Emerging Gear

From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design. When a climber gets a wild hair and decides

From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.

When a climber gets a wild hair and decides to attempt a sketchy highball, the entire crew piles their crash pads until the landing resembles a mega foam pit. The trouble is, transporting pads is a real pain in the butt.

In Joe’s Valley and Bishop, it’s common to see a climber marching down the trail with three or four large pads strapped to their backs. Loading and unloading the car is another troublesome proposition. Most climbers have grown used to the unwieldy nature of crash pads, but still — there must be a better way.

Now fundraising on Kickstarter, Sick Sequence Climbing’s new inflatable crash pad promises to pack up to 20 times smaller than a standard foam pad. Weighing in at 3.5 pounds, a solo boulderer could easily haul three or four of these pads in a small daypack.

While this isn’t the first inflatable pad on the market, it may prove to be a game-changer — especially in far-flung boulder fields like Upper Chaos Canyon and the Wind River Range. Preorder yours now for $191.

Recently founded in Summit County, Colo., Buttnski is a women-owned appeal brand with a cozy flagship product. The Blue River Down Joggers are down-filled puffy pants built for active use.

Lots of outdoor enthusiasts resist the idea of insulated pants. This hesitation is based on the belief that the lower body doesn’t need heavy insulation when compared to the core. Still, it seems that every time a person does cave in and buy puffy pants, they never go back. If you don’t own a pair, you don’t know what you’re missing.

The Blue River Down Joggers are made from recycled nylon face fabric with 800-fill down and a stretchy fleece liner. They’re designed to fit athletic butts, thighs, and calves — and they’re guaranteed to improve the fun factor on the coldest days.

Rock a pair of puffy pants, and long belays at the base of a frozen waterfall become bearable. Preorder now for $299.

With a massive portfolio that includes UGG, Teva, Sanuk, and other brands, Deckers Brands dominates the footwear market. Part of the broader Deckers empire, the brand’s Lab collection sports contemporary design and innovative materials, the brand says.

According to the Deckers, the new BAJA ($69) is a sort of hybrid between HOKAs and Crocs. It’s a porous summer shoe constructed from sugarcane-based IM-EVA foam and a quick-dry padded tongue.

These aren’t performance water shoes, so don’t expect excellent traction on wet surfaces. Still, for summertime leisure activities, splashing in the river, and even short runs, the BAJA is a neat, affordably priced option.

Launching this week, Timberland drops its first-ever line of “performance-driven” workwear apparel for women. The standout product from the collection is the Gritman Bib ($120), a rugged pair of insulated canvas overalls made for manual labor and cold weather.

Quality workwear for women is hard to come by, but the Gritman Bib looks like the genuine article. The anatomically shaped back panel is designed to maintain a comfortable yet flexible fit. Technical features add utility for all sorts of chores, trades, and tasks. An assortment of large pockets and Timberland’s signature hammer loop are likely to come in handy when you’re painting the barn or framing a new shed.

The Free Hiker is adidas’ sock-like attempt at a modern hiking shoe. The boot version has been available for a few years now. It’s been fairly well-received, and the goliath footwear brand now follows up with a low-cut version ($180).

In many ways, the Free Hiker exemplifies the current direction of hiking footwear. Lightweight materials, mesh barely there uppers, vibrant color schemes — it’s all there on the Free Hiker.

According to adidas, the Free Hiker pairs the lightweight feel of a trail runner with the stability of a hiking boot. Backing its outdoor ethos, the low version arrives with a GORE-TEX membrane.

When Chris Bertish paddled unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean, the SUP immediately gained some adventure sports credibility.

Bertish’s big-wave surfing background undoubtedly gave him a solid platform for the staggering feat. Still, there’s no perfect way to prepare for 93 days of relentless bobbing and sun exposure.

Now, Bertish’s new book All In! The Atlantic Standup Paddleboard Crossing — 93 Days Alone at Sea ($22) offers a closer look at the South African’s journey from Morocco to Antigua. A sort of high-adventure tell-all, All In! includes “never-before-told” glimpses into Bertish’s solitary voyage.

The book is also available in a limited-edition “eco” version.

The VAULT 2.0 Modular EDC bag is made for folks who thrive on tidiness. With dozens of pockets, slots, and loops, it’s the antithesis of single-compartment backpacks loaded with loose junk.

Available in three sizes, the VAULT 2.0 “maximizes organizational potential and a clutter-free experience.” Based on photos of the product, the bag is ideal for activities that require numerous gadgets and gizmos. Anglers, photographers, and search-and-rescue personnel could get the most out of the VAULT.

According to the product’s Kickstarter campaign, these bags can endure “extreme outdoor and emergency conditions.” Preorders are available now starting at $50.

True coffee drinkers never take a day off. As WIRED suggests, caffeine defies the laws of thermodynamics, borrowing energy from your future self and delivering it in the present. That may be up for debate, but one thing is certain: The coffee drinking doesn’t stop when the camping trip starts.

From the everpresent AeroPress to single-serve packets of instant coffee, campground residents always find a way to get their fix. Now, Outin’s Nano portable unit ($140) offers freshly made espresso shots on the go. The Nano heats water, pressurizes ground coffee into a puck, and serves up a rich crema — just like an at-home machine.

A single charge heats and brews three servings of espresso — or up to 100 if you heat the water before putting it in the machine.

Wildlife cameras have numerous applications. For planning hunts, conducting wildlife surveys, and general property management, Moultrie’s Mobile Edge Pro Cellular Trail Camera is among the most advanced units on the market.

Many trail cameras are frequently activated by false triggers like falling rain and windblown foliage. To combat this, the Edge Pro uses “False Trigger Elimination Technology” to save battery life and reduce bothersome notifications. Moultrie claims a trigger speed of half a second, which should come in handy when tracking quick animals. Plus, the infrared flash is “undetectable,” enabling night-time captures that won’t spook the subject.

The camera is powered by AA batteries and comes with built-in memory — no SD card required.

From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design. Read more…