We always try to include a little something for everyone in our weekly roundups of new outdoor gear. This week, we’ve got cool gadgets like durable smartwatches and cinema-grade phone lenses, as well as some sweet new power stations. Old Town has a powerful new ocean kayak designed for overcoming tough weather.
On the analog side of things, we’ve got new releases from many of GearJunkie’s favorite brands. That includes “super shoes” for marathon runners, a titanium gravel bike, denim moccasins, and some seriously cool shades built for the desert. Welcome to the latest and greatest of Emerging Gear.
KOSPET Tank T3 Ultra Smartwatch
These decently priced smartwatches can take a beating — or at least that’s what KOSPET says about its new TANK line.
The two new models — TANK T3 Ultra 2 ($160) and TANK M3 Ultra ($150) — combine military-grade durability with capabilities including GPS, health tracking, and a long-lasting battery.
They’ve got dual-band GPS and six satellite positioning options, as well as water resistance for deep dives. There are over 170 different sports modes, and the battery can last for over 50 days on standby. It also offers 30-35 hours of continuous GPS tracking.
Craft Kype Pro
The Craft PRO Endur Distance is currently GearJunkie’s top pick in our best running shoes guide. So we’re pretty stoked to test out the brand’s new Kype Pro, which the Swedish company is billing as its “pinnacle model.”
Initially previewed at the 2024 NYC Marathon Craft pop-up, this latest “super shoe” is engineered for both marathon and half-marathon athletes chasing personal records. It’s got a carbon fiber plate, PEBA foam midsole, and an 8mm drop.
But with a $300 price tag, these bad boys don’t come cheap.
TUSK x ShiftCam Cinema Series
Outdoor content creators may want to take a peek through the viewfinder of this one.
As phone cameras become ever more powerful, a new Kickstarter campaign bills itself as the world’s “first commercial-grade mobile lens system.” It aims to capture “Hollywood-level cinematography” on smartphones without the cost or bulk of traditional gear.
The CINEMA Series, a collaboration between audiovisual company TUSK and photo gear brand ShiftCam, includes seven pro-grade lenses and eight cinematic filters. The full kit costs about $2,000 through the campaign, which has already racked up $100,000, with a month to go.
VALLON Heron Desert Sunglasses
GJ’s Editorial Director Sean McCoy enjoyed testing out the VALLON Ski Aviators in his review this week. “It’s a unique brand of quality sunglasses that don’t break the bank and can handle legitimate outdoor use,” McCoy wrote.
Now, VALLON’s latest model aims for a different environment altogether: the desert. Its Heron Desert shades, a reworked version of its flagship style Heron Glacier, aim to withstand the desert’s extreme heat, freezing nights, sudden sandstorms, and high-glare salt pans.
They’ve got polarized Category 3 lenses offering 100% UVA/B protection, “shatterproof” polycarbonate lenses, and an anti-fog inner coating. Leather side shields provide full peripheral protection, and a detachable nosepiece can provide extra ventilation. Also, a lightweight frame weighing 25 g (claimed) aims for both durability and comfort.
World traveler Christine Bergholdt tested out the shades on a 373-mile journey along the Jordan Trail from Umm Qais to the South Beach of Aqaba.
“My Heron Desert glasses endured everything from rocky mountain trails to relentless desert sandstorms and the salty waves of the Red Sea,” she said in a press release. “If the countless compliments were anything to go by, they also made me look like a heroine straight out of Mad Max.”
Old Town Malibu ePDL+ 120
This 12-foot ocean kayak is one of several new releases from Old Town Watercraft.
The Malibu ePDL+ 120 offers lots of flexibility for water sports lovers. It’s got the ePDL+ drive technology adopted from the award-winning Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132. In a 2022 GearJunkie review, contributor Adam Moore said, “If there’s anything predictable about fishing, it’s that weather can be unpredictable. With the Old Town BigWater PDL 132, you can hit the water even when conditions are less than ideal.”
That same feature is now available on this recreation-focused e-kayak, allowing users to switch between manual, power-assisted, or fully motorized cruise control options.
Manitobah Denim Moccasins
Winnipeg, Canada-based Manitobah has long offered some beautiful and functional moccasins, often with designs from First Nations artists.
Now, the brand wants you to check out a modern fusion with its Denim Collection. Crafted from “durable denim,” the collection includes new styles for the Modern Moc and Kayak models, as well as Micro Muk Luk and Tipi Denim Slipper for colder weather.
A denim version of the Modern Moc would work as a springtime shoe, with an outsole design from Métis artist Kaija Heitland. Available for men and women, it costs $120.
BlackHeart Bike Co. Gravel Ti
When reviewing BlackHeart Bike Co.’s Allroad Ti last year, GJ Cycling Editor Seiji Ishii said the bike offers all the perks of a titanium build without a hefty price tag.
Now, the Truckee, Calif.-based brand has unveiled the Gravel Ti. It takes its DNA from its Allroad Ti sibling for a titanium take on a gravel bike. It’s got 3/2.5 double-butted titanium tubing and curved seat stays. BlackHeart also added a custom Kammtail downtube, tapered ovalized top tube molds, and a “clean aesthetic” with fully integrated cables.
The design allows for 2x or 1x electronic groupsets as well as 1x mechanical groupsets. It’s also got a SRAM UDH rear derailleur hanger, a T47 bottom bracket, and a round 31.6mm seatpost. The Gravel Ti is available for preorder at the BlackHeart Bike Co. website or at selected dealers for summer 2025 delivery. It costs $3,300.
NOCS Provisions x Bird Collective Binoculars
Nocs Provisions has a sexy new pair of binoculars in collaboration with birding company Bird Collective.
The new range features two of Nocs Provisions most popular waterproof binoculars, now with color patterns reflecting the egg colors of the blue jay and the northern cardinal. A woven strap has geometric patterns that reflect the birds’ natural landscapes, the brands said.
The design is available with the Pro Issue model. As Nocs’ “top-of-the-line” binocs, they offer 8×42 with phase-coated BaK4 prisms and an IPX7 waterproof rating. However, the styles are also available with the Field Issue, a lightweight, durable, and waterproof pair of 8×32 binoculars.
The limited-edition Nocs x Bird Collective bundles are available exclusively at REI stores and REI.com.
Leatherman Micra New Colors
Leatherman loves adding new color options to its multitools, from the Skeletool to the Mini Micra. Now, the Portland, Oregon-based brand has introduced four sexy new color options to its Micra multitool.
The new colors include Parakeet, Cappuccino, Heathered Blush, and Mojito. But this isn’t only a makeover. The latest designs also include a Cerakote finish that adds enhanced resistance to abrasion, wear, corrosion, and chemicals, the brand said.
The tool itself includes 10 gizmos, including scissors, a nail file, a bottle opener, and a ruler.
Ampace Andes Portable Power Station
Ampace Andes just dropped a line of portable power stations that will empower both everyday adventures and critical disaster relief efforts.
The Ampace Andes 1500 ($1,000) can be fully charged in 55 minutes, which is supposedly 50% faster than competing models, according to Ampace. It has 13 outlet options, works with 99% of household appliances, and operates at temperatures from -4 degrees F to 113 degrees F.
The Ampace Andes 600 Pro ($590) is a portable station that weighs 16.8 pounds (claimed) and can charge 80% in 1 hour. It has a 10-year lifespan and operates at less than 30 decibels.
Read the full article here