Come and get your fresh gear, y’all! We’ve got quite the lineup this week, with product releases tailored to outdoor fun, both adventurous and wholesome.
Obviously, the high-octane shoppers will want a look at the latest e-skateboard from Australia’s Radium, the sexy-as-hell Dark Star hardtail, or perhaps the race-day Shimano threads aiming to put you on the podium. Others may gravitate toward the new Ooni pizza ovens or the portable outdoor movie screen.
No matter what itch you’ve got, you’ll find something to scratch it right here in Emerging Gear.
Wiley X JAKL
There’s something undeniably sexy about the phrase “ballistic eye protection.” No? Just me? Well, that’s what Wiley X says of its new WX JAKL, a new addition to its Tactical Series of eyewear.
Designed and assembled in the USA, the JAKL has “shatterproof” Selenite polycarbonate lenses that apparently meet “high-velocity and high-mass impact standards” from the American National Standards Institute. Moreover, some of the non-polarized WX JAKL styles meet U.S. military standards for ballistic eye protection.
That makes these extra useful for military personnel or first responders. Prices start at $150.
Wilde Dark Star Hardtail
Sometimes a bike is objectively hot stuff — and Wilde’s new Dark Star hardtail definitely falls in that category.
The Minneapolis-based brand says the Dark Star is more of a trail bike than its flagship model, the Yo Jeffy! The Dark Star is slacker and rowdier, with sliding dropouts. It was also designed to use either a 120 or 130mm travel fork and is significantly less expensive.
At $1,200 for a frame, the bike is made in Taiwan in batches of 100.
Radium Mach One E-Skateboard
If the idea of going as fast as a car on an electric skateboard sounds like your cup of tea, then this one’s definitely for you.
The Mach One was designed “from the ground up” for powered skateboarding, according to Australian brand Radium. The company says the Mach One is the world’s first skateboard with swingarm suspension, torque vectoring, and an F1-style carbon fiber monocoque chassis.
It’s also got airless rubber wheels, a hollow carbon fiber deck, and advanced trucks that supposedly keep the board stable even at a maximum speed of 45 mph. The result is “a ride that feels more like a motorcycle on four wheels than a toy,” Radium said. It currently sells for $3,330.
XGIMI Portable Outdoor Movie Screen
Even as movie theaters may struggle to stay open, the experience of watching a movie on a projector retains its magic.
You can make that even easier to do at home or while camping with the XGIMI Portable Outdoor Screen. Lightweight, compact, and purportedly easy to set up, this 70-inch projection screen is designed for outdoor entertainment, the brand said.
It weighs 3.3 pounds and folds down to 18 inches. The aluminum alloy frame is waterproof, rust-resistant, and stable, while the wrinkle-free, washable fabric “maintains a smooth, high-quality viewing surface even after folding,” UGIMI says.
It works with MoGo 3 Pro, the brand’s own mobile projector (and likely with many other projectors as well, if you already have one). The screen costs $100 on Amazon, but there’s also a bundled option with the MoGo 3 for $550 on the UGIMI website.
RakAttach Accessory Panel System
1UP USA just launched a new gear-carrying system for its RakAttach swing-out hitch mount, giving cyclists and other adventurers another way to maximize space on any rig — with or without a bike rack.
It’s called the RakAttach Accessory Panel System (APS). This system transforms a hitch into a “mobile gear garage, camp kitchen and workbench,” according to the brand. It fits fully loaded between the vehicle and a loaded bike rack, or works as a standalone hitch unit when the bike rack isn’t needed.
The APS bolts directly to the RakAttach, transforming it into a gear carrier with 200 pounds of capacity on the MOLLE panels. A three-part system, the APS consists of two side-by-side MOLLE panels that can be used to securely attach off-road recovery gear, jerry cans, traction boards, and other accessories.
The optional fold-up table stows horizontally for a low profile in tow. Between hauls, the RakAttach swings out for easy trunk access, and the APS table lifts to create a convenient work surface or cooking station for camp.
Marathon OSAR-D Arctic Edition
Marathon Watch unveiled several new models in its OSAR-D watch series, expanding its Search and Rescue collection. There are new sizes (36mm and 46mm), but the real draw is the Arctic Edition. This white dial version is available in 36mm, 41mm, and 46mm and aims for legibility even in extreme conditions.
The OSAR-D builds on the legacy of the original Marathon 41mm SAR-D, which “set the standard for Search and Rescue timepieces in the early 2000s,” the brand said. The 41mm Arctic OSAR opens for preorders on April 3 (shipping mid-May) and costs $1,500.
Shimano Road & Gravel Apparel
Shimano has launched a new line of apparel in its flagship S-Phyre collection. Crafted from Italian materials in “sleek, anatomic designs,” Shimano’s lineup of road and gravel apparel aims for race-day performance to help riders achieve their best. There are quite a few items in the lineup.
Highlights include the S-Phyre Superlight Vest, which costs $150, while a pair of S-Phyre Leggera Bib Shorts will set you back $200.
Ooni Koda 2
On April 2, Ooni launched two additions to its award-winning gas-powered line of ovens: the Koda 2 and Koda 2 Pro. These ovens will be joining the Koda 2 Max in Ooni’s next-generation gas-powered lineup.
Designed and engineered to be “bigger, better, and smarter” than the brand’s previous models, these two ovens feature 14-inch and 18-inch cooking spaces and Ooni’s new G2 Gas Technology. That refers to a proprietary tapered-flame design that achieves more than four times the heat distribution of previous models, according to Ooni.
The Koda 2 costs $450, while the larger Koda 2 Pro releases on May 1 with a price tag of $750.
Salomon X Ultra 5
Salomon’s latest trail shoe looks as sexy as it is technical. The X Ultra 5 offers refinements throughout, according to the brand, including an “ultra-durable” Matryx upper, a grippy outsole and a redesigned collar for improved comfort. It should work equally great for both day hikes or alpine mountain trails, Salomon said.
Available in mid and low cuts with GORE-TEX waterproofing as well as a low-cut version without waterproofing, prices range from $150 to $185.
GRAYL Carry Project
These look very much in the vein of Indiana Jones/Filson. The hip packs, especially, look pretty sweet.
The Carry Project includes backpacks, hip packs, bottle carriers, and totes, all made from recycled fabric. They have waterproof zippers, hook-and-loop panels for carabiners or other attachments, MOLLE attachments for patches or GRAYL G-Mod pouches and pods, and more pockets and organizational features than you can shake your water purifier at.
Read more about the lineup in GearJunkie’s full rundown.
Read the full article here