This week’s batch of gear has a focus on innovation, modern aesthetics, and (for some reason) the color yellow. Maybe that’s because we’re looking down the barrel of spring, as warmer weather arrives earlier than usual.
Your stoke for that abrupt change may vary (sorry, skiers). But the beauty of outdoor sports means that temperature changes open some doors even as they close others. This week’s gear reminds us of the plethora of ways to enjoy being outside, whether it’s pedaling up a mountain, running across a desert, or climbing at your local crag.
Find something to get you excited for spring with this week’s batch of Emerging Gear.
SUPER73 Electric Motorbikes
Every week, our technology looks more like Star Trek — and the futuristic aesthetic of SUPER73’s new electric motorbikes is a perfect example.
The California-based adventure brand just released its A-Series lineup, the latest in its ongoing efforts to reimagine the electric motorbikes. It’s the first collection to incorporate secondary, modular battery technology. The bikes also aim for more generous storage capacity. There are two sizing platforms (30″ and 33″ seat height), along with “special edition” versions of each one. There’s also the SUPER73-MZFT, or 27” size.
And while these bikes aren’t cheap, it’s easy to find e-bikes with much larger price tags. Prices range from about $2,000 for the smallest 27″ model to roughly $3,000 for the special edition of the 33″ model.
Nothing Headphones
If you thought that over-ear headphones have become outdated with the rise of earbuds, you need to check this out. Emerging London brand Nothing just released the Headphone (a). The fashion-forward aesthetic (and marketing) might be off-putting to some of the outdoorsy crowd, but these chic headphones have some serious specs.
They boast an incredible 135 hours of battery life. That’s more than 5 days. Nothing (pun intended) in our Best Earbuds and Headphones guide comes even close. And though they’re certainly heavier than earbuds, they still weigh 310 g, which is lighter than expected for a pair of burly, over-ear headphones.
I just started testing a pair of these, and I’m a big fan. The audio quality rules, delivering 24-bit sound without cords. But they also still have an optional cord for wired listening, so I can also use them for recording or other purposes.
They also have the expected features, like Active Noise Cancellation, and include microphones for use during phone calls. They’re not cheap ($300), but that’s a pretty common price for high-quality headphones, especially given their long-lasting battery.
An Improved Ultralight Tent
Ultralight tents usually come with a few caveats. They’re often cramped, difficult to set up, and use single-wall construction, which increases condensation.
Outdoor Vitals’ Cirq Trekking Pole Tent aims to stay light while avoiding those issues. For starters, it offers a generous 91.3″ floor length and a max height of 53″. There’s also a ventilation system that supposedly reduces condensation to keep gear dry, along with longer guy lines and catenary-cut panels for easier setup.
For all that, it still weighs just 1 pound, 13 ounces. Moreover, if you buy one this week, you’ll get a free set of eight Easton aluminum tent stakes, which many backpackers end up buying separately.
Icelandic e-MTB
If you want an electrified mountain bike tested on some of the world’s most rugged terrain, this Icelandic brand would like a word.
Lauf Cycles, a bike brand based in Iceland, just released its first-ever e-bike: the eElja. This super-light, e-performance bike was developed in Reykjavik and inspired by Iceland’s famously gorgeous (and rocky) terrain. The eElja builds on the brand’s “pioneering leaf-spring suspension and award-winning gravel and mountain bikes” for what it calls a minimalist ride that prioritizes control.
At 36.6 pounds, it’s decently lightweight for the e-MTB category, and uses a TQ HPR60 drive system, which Lauf calls “the industry’s smallest, lightest, and quietest electric-assist motor and battery.” The battery allows for up to 4,600 feet of climbing on a single charge, based on a 176-pound rider using 100% assist. You can also buy an extra battery (called a “range extender”) to reach 6,600 feet of climbing on a single charge. The bike’s price tag starts at $6,990.
National Park Threads
The Landmark Project makes some of the coolest national park apparel available. And since it dedicates a significant portion of profits to sustaining parks and national forests, it’s a brand you can feel good about supporting.
The brand just launched its spring and summer collections, and you’ll find all the colorful park gear we’ve come to expect. There’s plenty here for fans of Smokey Bear, including hats, patches, and shirts. I’d say the standouts from the collection are the wildlife-themed bandanas. Moreover, it’s all quality gear at reasonable prices.
Speedland x Ortlieb
For many runners of The Speed Project — a brutal dash through the desert from L.A. to Las Vegas — the best bag is an Ortlieb Duffle. The event’s organizers have evidently long used the German brand’s bags for events and demos, and now they’ve made the relationship official.
The event has collaborated with Ortlieb on a limited-edition 40L Duffle. Made in Germany, the duffle is IP67 waterproof and has welded construction, waterproof zippers, and padded straps, so it can double as a backpack. It even ropes in a third collaborator by using a color to match Speedland’s latest shoe, the RX:LDVL.
The duffle costs $240. That’s admittedly a bit pricey, but I can say from experience it’s a bag that will last. My own Ortlieb 45L Atrack is one of the best packs I’ve ever owned.
An Assist for Firewood Cutting
Firewood cutting can be fun if it’s once in a blue moon. But when you do it regularly, it becomes a bit more of a chore. That’s why homemade devices for assisting the human-powered chop have been around for a while.
You can skip the DIY versions, however, by opting for the new Breeo QwikSplit. This heavy-duty, portable kindling splitter is made from steel and uses a stationary, upright blade. This allows you to place a log on top and strike it with the included Breeo mallet.
Yes, the QwikSplit costs $200, but Breeo has proven itself a reliable brand for making products that stand the test of time. That’s especially true of its classic fire pits, which have earned GearJunkie’s approval.
Trail-to-Town Shades
Wiley X makes some of the toughest sunglasses around — but they’re not always in a style you’d want to wear to the bar after you’re done storming the ski slopes or biking local trails.
That’s why the brand just released two new models that retain the durability while upping the casual style: the WX Bravo and WX Zulu. These “trail to town” shades, as Wiley X calls them, still offer ANSI Z87.1+ rated protection, a high level of impact resistance for “lifestyle sunglasses.”
If you’re looking for a single pair of shades that can “move seamlessly from outdoor pursuits into daily life,” these are a good bet.
A backpack can always be tinkered with, and that’s just what the folks at Gregory are up to. The brand recently released a revamped version of its flagship daypack, the Arrio 24 ($150).
It added a new, flexible, breathable CloudControl hipbelt for increased comfort. Gregory also redesigned the suspension system and back panel for “uninhibited airflow and mapped support.” The Arrio should also be able to handle any conditions thanks to ripstop nylon fabric with PFAS-free water-repellent coating.
Moderate Climbing Shoe
Intermediate climbers or those who don’t want a super-intense shoe gravitate toward moderate shoes that balance comfort and performance. Leading climbing shoe brand La Sportiva recognized this as a market gap and decided to fill it.
It retooled its popular aggressive shoe, the Skwama, into the new Skwama Lite ($160), which it says it designed to fit all kinds of foot shapes. The single strap allows for easy-on, easy-off and quick adjustments, and the unlined microfiber upper should help with breathability in warm temps.
Read the full article here