If you’re a cyclist or skier, listen up: This week’s Emerging Gear is for you! Moots Cycles dropped an ultra-tough new bike, and Rogue Panda released bike bags that support a cycling charity.
And on the winter side of things, Deuter revealed an ultralight backcountry pack, while Peak Performance has shells and pants specifically tailored to fit women.
If you like a dose of style with your kit, check out the collab from AC Milan and Rossignol, which is sure to give you some rizz on the slopes.
Swanky Protection
Colorado-based brand Topo Designs loves a collab, and this time it partners up with a name synonymous with protection: OtterBox. The collection includes a smartphone case ($90), AirPods case ($35), and mini shoulder bag ($45).
The Defender Pro Series XT case has raised edges to protect the phone’s camera and screen, and is tested to military drop standard. The shoulder bag can be used as a crossbody bag or a fanny pack, and has multiple pockets. The whole line comes in a distinctive teal and yellow color pattern.
All-Sport Snow Pack
Deuter is a big name in the backpacking space, but the brand also makes ski packs. Its new Freerider Pro 32 + 10 Pack ($195) is chock-full of features meant to make a day spent in the snow a breeze. It has attachments for skis, snowboards, and snowshoes, and has an easy-to-access pocket in the front for avalanche equipment.
The brand designed the bag to be nimble and light, with a weight of just 2.4 pounds. According to Deuter, “The fit offers a close, ergonomic carry, while the expandable capacity adapts to longer tours and big days.”
Ultra-Bright Bike Light
After a helmet, a bike light is one of the most essential pieces of safety equipment for cyclists. Even if you don’t give a lot of thought to this piece of gear, Exposure Lights certainly does. Its new Sirius 11 light ($132) can deliver up to 1,300 lumens of white light, so you’re sure to be seen on the road. And it delivers all that light in a compact package that weighs just over 3 ounces.
The device charges via USB-C and can flash for up to 130 hours. It’s also waterproof and is compatible with a wide variety of mounts.
Go-Anywhere Moots
Moots Cycles prides itself on its thoughtful craftsmanship, and that ethos guides its newest launch. The Scrambler ($5,399) is designed for intense, backcountry routes, with 2.4-inch tires and 100mm of front suspension via RockShox SID SL.
Moots says that its signature wishbone seat stay shape delivers rear compliance and stability.
“We included provisions for mechanical rear shifting and stealth dropper routing — thinking through every possibility you might encounter,” the brand said. “With all-new adventure geometry and generous frame and fork mounts for bottles, racks, and cargo cages, it’s ready for everything from weekend overnighters to weeks off-grid.”
Sustainable Snowboard Kits
Each year, thirtytwo collaborates with its pro riders to design outerwear for its Signature Series collection ($150-340). This year, it worked with Pat and Joey Fava, Austin Vizz, Phil Hansen, and Toni Kerkelä to create unique styles and designs that perform when it counts.
And they’re also eco-friendly: All of the items are made with 100% recycled 2L four-way stretch fabric.
The jackets and pants are also waterproof, and have mesh-lined zippered vents and two-way venting to help with breathability. Designs include a sleek all–off-white, bold red, and ’90s-era camo.
Skiing Meets Soccer
If you’re both a skier and a diehard soccer fan, Rossignol has a collab that’s right up your alley. The French sportswear brand is partnering with AC Milan for a capsule collection ($20-550) that it says reflects “the creative energy and forward-looking vision of the city of Milan.”
The line includes jackets, skis, socks, wool sweaters, pants, and goggles in both adult and child sizes.
The Velika Ski Jacket ($420) is made with PrimaLoft Black Eco insulation, with built-in stretch for maximum mobility. All of the pieces have a bold black and red color scheme that pays tribute to this iconic football club.
Bike Bags That Give Back
Arizona-based bike bag brand Rogue Panda sets itself apart with unique designs it creates in-house. One of its newest bags doesn’t just help store your gear — it also gives back.
A portion of the proceeds from the Alamo Top Tube Bag ($90) will go to benefit Bikepacking Roots, a nonprofit focused on encouraging diversity in bikepacking and protecting access to public lands.
The bag attaches to your bike with specially shaped TPU spacers and an integrated stiffener plate, which Rogue Panda says is extra sturdy and compatible with any bike. It uses molded-tooth zippers for ultimate durability, and there’s even a cable port to charge electronics.
Comfy Cooler
Not all backpack coolers are comfortable to carry for long distances, so Hydro Flask teamed up with Osprey to design a bag that you can carry for miles. The 22L Backpack Cooler ($200) comes with Osprey’s signature AirScape back panel for breathability and has an adjustable, close-to-body fit. The brands claim that it can keep items cold for up to 24 hours with ice packs. It has a leakproof liner and a large, zippered opening for easy loading and unloading.
Female-Forward Outerwear
Often, outdoor brands’ approach to women’s garments is “shrink it and pink it,” but Peak Performance is taking a different approach. It designed its new Trailblazer collection specifically with women’s silhouettes and needs in mind.
With its Trailblazer Shell Pants ($500), the brand added wider legs for maximum mobility, and an adjustable hem so every woman can get the ideal fit.
For the Trailblazer Jacket ($600), Peak Performance went with a fit for narrower shoulders and chest that it says is “optimized for women for a secure, performance-driven feel.”
High-End Hoodie
Spending $800 on a fleece hoodie might seem ludicrous, but if you ask Vollebak, it’s worth every penny. The brand says it used Special Forces technology to design its Deep Sea Diver Hoodie.
According to Vollebak, “At 539 grams per square meter, this is the densest fleece we’ve ever used. And that means the Deep Sea Diver Hoodie traps more heat than any other hoodie we’ve made.”
It also added four-way elasticity for stretch and range of motion, and has a double-lined snorkel hood that it says traps heat and blocks out the cold.
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