Summers get hotter and more intense every year, so finding ways to mitigate the heat is no small task. That’s where newfangled devices like the NICE ROCC come in, offering athletes the ability to cool down without the need for ice or water.
And there’s an ever-increasing array of apparel tech with breathable materials, like the first-ever merino wool bib. And then there’s the classic approach of just bringing along a cooler, like the latest extra-portable option from RTIC.
You’ll find all that and more in this week’s Emerging Gear.
HOVERAir X1 Pro Max
There’s no doubt that drone technology has evolved quickly. The latest camera drone aimed at action sports, the HOVERAir X1 Pro Max, is an impressive iteration, offering 8K footage and even slow motion in 4K at 120fps. After a successful crowdfunding campaign last summer, this flying camera is now fully available.
The “self-flying” drone relies on vision-based sensors to accurately track and avoid collisions. (But no flying over water, the brand warns.) It’s also quite speedy, with the ability to burst up to 36 mph. At 192 g, it’s pocket-sized and lightweight, with no FAA registration required.
According to HOVERAIR, using the automatic mode allows you to “capture drone-like footage with a click of a button, that would normally require 100s of hours of training on a drone.”
Sounds pretty sweet, but it’s also not cheap. The basic model costs $700, while various bundle options, including batteries, cases, mounts, and more, can cost up to $1,300.
NICE ROCC
Cold therapies have grown in popularity in recent years, and now a company in Boulder, Colo., is offering an option that doesn’t involve ice or water.
Nice Recovery just released what it’s calling the world’s first precision handheld palm cooling device. Designed to “enhance athletic performance,” the NICE ROCC uses electronic cooling to help you manage body temperature. It’s based on the idea (somewhat supported by research) that cooling the blood through the hands may enhance endurance and delay fatigue.
The device can run for over 2 hours on a single charge. It’s portable, weighing 4.4 pounds. Made with machined aluminum, ABS plastic, and solid-state electronics, the NICE ROCC is “engineered to withstand intense sports environments.”
NICE Recovery’s products have been used by numerous professional sports teams and even several hospitals, the brand claimed. NICE ROCC is now available online for $975.
RTIC 16 QT Road Trip Cooler
Looking for a portable cooler this summer? RTIC introduces the 16 QT Road Trip Cooler, dropping this week.
This take on the grab-and-go cooler is comparably lightweight and comes in a slim, upright shape. Designed for road trips and beach days, the cooler has a convertible carrying strap and can also be personalized through RTIC’s Custom Shop.
The injection-molded cooler will hold up to two standard wine bottles (upright) or 20 cans, and supposedly keeps your goods cold for up to 2½ days. A freezable divider is available as an add-on.
Bitz Knife
I can’t help it: My first thought upon seeing the latest Kickstarter campaign claiming “the world’s smallest knife” is how many people John Wick could kill with it. To be fair, I don’t do enough handyman-type tasks to ascertain the usefulness of this 4.8cm tool, but I’m guessing it will mostly be used to open boxes from Amazon.
The Bitz is small enough to fit on a keychain, durable enough to withstand rain, fire, and pressure, and sharp enough to stab into a stump when thrown like a ninja (yes, that’s in the promo video). It’s also got a pretty cool magnetic case.
Early bird offers start at about $60 for this latest crowdfunded knife aimed at the EDC crowd.
Pinebury Nuyarn Merino Cycling Kit
We’re big fans of Nuyarn, a modern fabric tech that takes the soft touch of merino wool and spins it around a nylon core, greatly increasing its durability and stability. That’s why garments using the material have made our guide to the Best Merino Wool Shirts.
With its new cycling kit, Pinebury claims to offer the first cycling bib shorts ever made with Nuyarn. The bibs are “thoughtfully constructed for long hours in the saddle,” the brand said. Chamois pad and snug fit are foregone conclusions, but these bibs also have two side cargo pockets and a rear pocket for “secure storage.”
A 2-inch, elastic “Power Grip” is also integrated into the inside hem of the leg openings. This is meant to keep the shorts securely in place without restricting movement. Made in the USA in small batches, the bib costs $275.
Porsche Roadster Aluminum Luggage
In 1965, the Porsche 911 Targa defined a new vehicle category by introducing a roll bar made of brushed aluminum. Now, 60 years later, the brand is releasing its first-ever Roadster Aluminum luggage.
Made with aluminum in a chic design that evokes Porsche’s design ethos, this new hardcase luggage is available in a small carry-on, as well as medium and large checked sizes. The luggage has ergonomic, leather handles and mounted, ball-bearing double wheels inspired by the Porsche Carrera rims. And according to Porsche, when the luggage’s two snap clasps are opened, “the resulting sound resembles the distinctive closing of a Porsche 911’s car door.”
The collection is available in silver starting May 15, while a black color will become available in July. Prices range from $1,650 to nearly $2,000.
Arc’teryx Women’s Climbing Apparel
Arc’teryx just dropped several new pieces of women’s climbing apparel. They’re built from lightweight, breathable materials in a “laid-back mountain-town style,” the brand said. The duds have harness-compatible fits, sun protection, and “just the right amount of stretch.”
Highlights include the Aestas Pullover Hoody Women’s ($220), which looks like a basic sweatshirt, but works like a technical layer on big climbs and mountain hikes, according to Arc’teryx. There’s also the Kragg Cotton Pant ($180), which uses a four-way stretch cotton blend and an elastic waistband with an internal adjuster.
Based on the dwindling availability of sizes, these are a popular pair of women’s climbing pants.
1UP Moto Rack
If you’re attending Overland Expo West this week (May 16-19), then you’ll get a first glimpse of 1UP’s new Moto Rack. The brand is calling this “the first motorcycle hitch rack of its kind.” It’s designed to haul any motorcycle up to 500 pounds without breaking a sweat (or a weld), and with bicycles in tow.
The rack has a built-in 2-inch hitch receiver that allows you to add a bike rack onto the moto rack, so you can haul both at the same time. It also includes an integrated, dual-direction ramp, zero-tip front wheel chock, and 1UP’s new wedge-style, anti-wobble hitch system. The rack is also 100% USA-made, trailer-free, built-to-last, and simple to use, 1UP said in a release.
Inside Line Equipment Frame Bag
Inside Line Equipment (ILE) has expanded its bike bag collection with the launch of the Frame Bag ($120), made in Berkeley, Calif., from U.S.-milled materials.
The weatherproof Frame Bag has a main compartment with a protective zipper flap, secure elastic loops to hold a mini pump, and Dynaplug against the bag for a rattle-free ride. There are also multiple mesh pockets for organization, and a dual-sided entry that keeps tools and food separate.
The Frame bag is available in 12 color options that match the entire ILE bike bag collection, including VX21, VX25, Cordura, and waxed canvas.
PAKA Trail Socks
One of our favorite alpaca-based apparel brands, PAKA just dropped two new sock styles to keep your feet happy during summer fun.
The Trail Ankle Socks ($20) are an ankle-height version of the brand’s bestselling Trail Crew Socks, and include the same alpaca-synthetic blend of 34% baby alpaca, 7% Tencel, 55% recycled nylon, and 4% Spandex. You can also opt for a three-pack of the Essential No Show Socks ($48). They have a similar fabric blend with the same thermoregulating and quick-drying benefits in a no-show ankle design.
Read the full article here