It’s hot out there! We can’t seem to do much about our overheating planet, so if you want to keep enjoying the outdoors in these infernal summer months, you’ll have to come prepared with ways to stay cool and hydrate.
That’s the general theme of this week’s batch of gear, which mostly focuses on various ways to combat the sun for runners, cyclists, hikers, or just the people at risk of heat exhaustion while walking their dog for 10 minutes (looking at you, Arizona).
Find apparel and gear to stay cool — and look cool — in the latest and greatest of Emerging Gear.
Wool Trail Running Gear
If you haven’t heard of Nuyarn, the performance wool maker from New Zealand, you need to get hip. This comfy, high-performing fabric is used by many outdoor brands, including the ones that top GearJunkie’s guides to the Best Base Layers for Men and Best Base Layers for Hunting.
Nuyarn just announced a new partnership with nascent brand Unknown Runner, based out of Flagstaff, Arizona — a state that knows a thing or two about hot weather. Unknown Runner tapped Nuyarn for its debut clothing line: the Courser Collection.
This capsule of ultra-lightweight performance merino wool is specially made for runners and trail runners facing hot, variable conditions. The 115-gsm merino-blend fabric combines an open-knit structure with 63% merino wool, 29% polyester, and 8% nylon.
“The result is an ultralight fabric that breathes exceptionally well, dries quickly, and maintains performance through repeated use in demanding conditions,” Nuyarn said in a news release.
GoMist Yourself
We first wrote about the GoMist water bottle back in 2023, when it caught our notice at the ICAST Awards. Judging by the bottle’s shrinking availability on the Extreme Mist website, it clearly remains a popular item as summer temperatures reach the triple digits in many parts of the country.
But the brand has also expanded its lineup. Perhaps most notably, you can now opt for a GoMist Misting Cap for $50. It’s compatible with many models from Hydro Flask, CamelBak, Nalgene, ThermoFlask, and some other threaded bottles. You can even get a Misting Hydration Vest for $189. I haven’t tried these products yet, but I can imagine them making me quite popular with friends on my social bike rides.
HydraPak FuelKit
Though it looks like a fancy lunchbox, the latest offering from HydraPak will likely find fans among serious runners. The FuelKit ($80) is designed to “make storing, carrying, and mixing nutrition a little less messy and a lot more organized,” the brand said in a release.
It comes with some fun accessories that hydration-obsessed runners may love, like an adjustable scoop and a collapsible funnel that hooks onto a drink-mix bag for easier filling. You can pair the bag with HydraPak’s 250mL Nutrition Flasks (sold separately as a two-pack for $32), which have interchangeable caps designed to handle runners’ fuel viscosities and fueling preferences.
“As more destination races grow, inspiring runners to travel, a dedicated fueling storage container that is mindful of space is a great addition as runners prepare their fueling setup,” the brand said.
Summer Sleeping Pad
When it comes to camping sleep systems, many of us aim for something in the middle of the R-value range (the measurement of insulation used for sleeping pads and sleeping bags, among other things). That’s mainly because most of us want to buy only a single pad that will work decently in multiple seasons. But just as frigid winters require high R-values, camping in high heat is a lot more comfortable with a low R-value sleeping pad.
Thankfully, you can snag one of the new Static V sleeping pads from Klymit for just $50. They have a super-low R-value of just 1.5, which is perfect for summer. According to the brand, these pads inflate in just 10–15 breaths, pack down to the size of a Nalgene bottle, and weigh 18.7 ounces. They also come in four different colors.
Cherry Limeade Hydration Powder
You’ve probably noticed that it’s hot enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk lately. If you’re still crazy enough to work out in these conditions (like me), then staying hydrated is critical for a quick recovery.
A (good-tasting) sports drink is key, and the limited-edition Cherry Limeade from Gnarly Nutrition sounds pretty delicious right about now. It may evoke immediate nostalgia for Sonic slushes, though with far less sugar. Moreover, Gnarly teamed up with mountain biker and artist Brooklyn Bell, who designed the packaging, and a portion of every sale supports the women-focused No Man’s Land Film Festival.
Cotton/Hemp for Runners
Despite polyester’s long dominance in performance apparel, natural fibers are increasingly en vogue among outdoor athletes.
A growing player in that space is Montreal-based Ciele Athletics. The brand’s newest capsule is Paradis, a five-piece collection that takes some of the brand’s outdoor wear and adds some aesthetic flair inspired by Paradise, a town in northern Canada.
I’d say the standout here is the NSPTShirt (for men and women), mainly because it uses Ciele’s cotton-and-hemp blend rather than synthetic fibers. The lineup includes new colors for breathable, packable headgear, as well as the ATShort 4”, a swimmable run short that’s also chlorine- and saltwater-resistant.
Summer Cycling Apparel
New England brand Velocio has attracted a loyal following for its pricey but high-quality cycling gear, especially its apparel.
That trend continues with its summer releases, which include the LUXE Ultralight collection of bibs and jerseys. Velocio said these threads are perfect for “mid-summer epics,” with compressive fabrics, mesh leg bands, and stretch woven fabric for weight reduction, and lightweight, breathable fabric made from a mix of polyamide (nylon) and elastane.
There’s also a new Hydration Pack ($200), which comes with a 1.5L Hydrapak reservoir, expandable cargo pockets, and fast access to essentials. Velocio also donates 1% of profits to environmental causes.
Hybrid Running Shoe
Teva made a decent splash last year with the release of its R2T Sandal, a running sandal that has won some converts here at GearJunkie. Now the brand is releasing a shoe version of that model for those who still find the idea of running in sandals a little too weird.
The Aventrail R2T Shoe is the “full coverage” version of that sandal, but retains the same hybrid mentality of tackling both roads and trails, Teva said. It sports a mesh upper, HYPER-COMF midsole with supportive EVA foam, and Teva’s Spider Rubber Endure outsole.
There are also tiered traction lugs (3.5mm) and Teva’s patented W Strapping System, which replaces traditional laces. They have a drop of 6mm and stack heights of 37mm/31mm (women’s) and 39.5mm/33.5mm (men’s). They’re available for men and women for $150.
Portable Bike Tire Inflator
Every cyclist should have a portable inflator handy for those frustrating flat tires — and they’re more likely than ever during the hot summer months.
It’s especially true for road cyclists using Presta valves, which is exactly what the new AirForge Mini Pump / CO2 Inflator is meant to handle. This update of Portland Design Works’ Ninja Pump has an even sleeker appearance. More importantly, it now sports a press-fit nozzle that supposedly “eliminates” the risk of accidental valve core unthreading (a common problem for many similar inflators).
The AirForge also has a “simplified” CO2 delivery system with no need for a control knob — you can release the CO2 by twisting the cartridge itself. It also comes with a water bottle boss mount.
Beautiful Toe Socks
If you’re on board with the five-toe Performance Toesock from Injinji (ultra-running legend Courtney Dauwalter sure is), you can get some seriously gorgeous new designs right now.
The brand’s Artist Designed Series: Pacific Northwest offers a limited-edition collection in collaboration with Oregon-based artist Kelley Wills. Good for runners, hikers, or anyone who likes socks that work like gloves for the feet, these colorful socks come in Crew, Min-Crew, and No Show styles.
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