When it comes to outdoor gear, function comes first. But it’s also natural for us to want our gear to look really cool. From a purely aesthetic perspective, this week’s Emerging Gear is a feast for the eyes.
Arc’teryx dropped new winter trail runners that look like something out of the world of high fashion, while Tifosi Optics collaborated with a content creator to release a striking blue-and-pink pair of sunglasses. Even tech got in on the action, with Olight debuting a line of sleek, ultra-modern compact flashlights.
Additional apparel releases include new athleisure from BRANWYN and a full collection from cycling brand Velocio. Find it all below.
Akaso Sight-300
Exploring the outdoors at night just got a whole lot easier — and lighter — with Akaso’s new Sight-300 ($160). This digital monocular provides users with high-quality night vision in an ultralight package that weighs just 9 ounces.
The quad-core AI-ISP engine is the key element of the Sight-300. According to a press release, “This powerful image processor cleans every frame in real-time, dramatically cutting visual noise, eliminating motion blur, and restoring up to 99% color accuracy.”
The device has two settings: Observation Mode for high clarity during stationary use, and Action Mode for blur-free images while on the go. With an 8x zoom capacity, the Sight-300 aims to capture every detail of your surroundings.
Tifosi Optics x Tyler Pearce
If you’re a chronically online cyclist, you’ve no doubt heard of Tyler Pearce, a popular content creator and competitive cyclist. He’s teaming up with Tifosi Optics to offer one of the brand’s most popular frames, the Moab, in a color option named after Pearce’s YouTube channel.
The VC Adventure ($90) blends pink and sky blue together in the frame with limited-edition cobalt bloom lenses for a look that stands out.
The Moab weighs just over an ounce and includes anti-fog ventilation, impact-resistant lenses, and moisture-resistant adjustable pads.
Olight ArkPro Series
A flashlight is an essential part of everyday preparedness, and if you don’t give much thought to the flashlight you carry, high-tech flashlight manufacturer Olight certainly does. Its new ArkPro line of flashlights, which includes the Lite ($80), Pro ($100), and Ultra ($130), is designed to be sleek, portable, and powerful.
These tools weigh as little as 4 ounces, but deliver brightness up to 1,700 lumens. Olight’s ArkPro series offers seven modes of use, including spotlight for bright, targeted use and pure flood for a broad, wide field of view. These gadgets are also built to last, with an aluminum alloy construction and waterproof design.
Specialized S-Works Levo 4 LTD
Specialized recently dropped a souped-up model of an already tricked-out mountain e-bike. The S-Works Turbo Levo 4 LTD ($20,000) adds a custom blue-and-gold paint job to the FOX Podium inverted fork, a design meant to deliver a faster and smoother ride.
This bike is ready for the mountains, with Trickstuff MAXIMA brakes for ultra-responsive handling, and titanium Cane Creek Electric Wings cranks — some of the lightest weight cranks on the market. The 840Wh battery can run for nearly 5 hours on one charge, giving you plenty of time to hit the trails.
Thule Outset Hitch Tent
Not a roof tent, not a teardrop trailer, and not a ground tent, Thule’s Outset hitch-mounted tent launches in the U.S. market today! This three-person sleeper isn’t as cumbersome as a tow-behind, and unlike a roof-mounted tent, you can leave this one set up at camp and drive away.
The Outset has a 2.7-inch built-in mattress and stands off the ground. The brand advertises a set-up/take-down time of mere minutes, and the fold-up rain cover can give way to panoramic views.
Mind the investment, though — the Outset retails for $4,700. Check it out at Thule.
Roark Layover Pro Traveler Pant
Travel apparel brand Roark is constantly rethinking and retooling its signature products, and it recently debuted an updated version of one of its most popular pants, the Layover Pro Traveler ($100). Made with Embarq Dura-Stretch organic cotton blend fabric, these pants are meant to deliver the breathability and mobility that on-the-go adventurers need.
This time around, the Layover Pro Traveler has a looser fit and a no-show elastic waist. With multiple zippered pockets and a designated cellphone pocket, you’ll be able to keep all your essentials handy.
Arc’teryx Norvan Nivalis
Arc’teryx’s newest shoe, the Norvan Nivalis is designed for harsh, wet winter conditions. There’s a built-in over-the-ankle gaiter to keep out water and debris. The shoe’s GORE-TEX’s Invisible Fit provides complete weather protection in a lightweight, natural-feeling design, the brand said.
For grip and traction, Arc’teryx added a Vibram Megagrip outsole with Litebase Technology. According to Vibram, Litebase “reduces 30% of the overall sole weight through a reduction of the sole thickness by 50%, while maintaining Vibram quality in grip, traction, and durability.”
The Nivalis also includes a custom lug pattern that’s constructed for maximum traction in mud and snow. The shoes should become available on Arc’teryx’s website on Thursday, Sept. 4, but wasn’t yet available as of Thursday morning.
Velocio Fall Collection
Cycling apparel brand Velocio just released its fall line, and in addition to updated classics, it’s debuting several new items. The Alpha Air Jacket ($260) relies on body-mapped Polartec Alpha insulation to provide targeted warmth, all in a lightweight package with a DWR finish.
Velocio also released the Trail Alpha Hoodie ($310) and Vest ($230), two versatile layers designed for temps ranging from 30 to 50 degrees. The pieces are inspired by workwear, and are reinforced in high-use areas for extra durability. The brand also reworked one its base layers, the Trail merino long sleeve ($120), to have a boxier, roomier fit with the addition of a merino mesh back panel for breathability.
BioLite Range Headlamps
Rechargeable headlamps help reduce the weight from batteries, but there’s nothing worse than waiting in the middle of the woods for your headlamp to recharge.
BioLite aims to fix this bug by making one of the fastest-charging headlamps on the market. The brand claims that these headlamps can run for 1 hour after just 8 minutes of USB-C charging. One of our editors tested out the Range and called it the “best headlamp from the brand yet.”
The line includes three models based on brightness: the 300 ($40), 400 ($60), and 500 ($70). All three have an IP67 waterproof rating, and the 400 and 500 have white and red-light modes.
BRANWYN Athleisure Capsule Collection
Bra and underwear brand BRANWYN is everywhere on Instagram, and now it’s growing its lineup with the Limited Edition SWAG (Sustainable Wool Athleisure Gear) Collection ($95-225). This line includes tees, tanks, joggers, pants, and hoodies all made with sustainably sourced merino wool. BRANWYN employs a super-fine, tight knit to make these pieces lightweight, soft, and breathable. Items are available in sizes XS to XXL.
“With this year’s SWAG Capsule Collection, we’ve created pieces that feel incredible from the first wear while giving women the ability to make healthier, more sustainable choices that are free from the harmful materials often found in traditional synthetic activewear,” BRANWYN CEO Deanne Buck said in a press release.
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