Collaborations are a tried-and-true method for outdoor brands to build hype, and this week has plenty of tag teams for smart new products.
Topo Designs worked with VAER and Watch and Wound for a chic timepiece, while cycling brand Velocio teamed up with Rux for a do-it-all gear bag. Sorel and British luxury brand Barbour released boots that look fit for a walk around the Scottish Highlands.
If sustainability is top of mind when it comes to purchasing gear, check out Outerknown’s new recycled wool fleeces. They’re cozy and plush, and eco-friendly to boot. Find it all below.
Triple Team-Up
Topo Designs loves a good collab, and this time around, it’s partnered with not one but two brands that are experts in their fields. Together with VAER and Watch and Wound, it’s releasing the Solar Hiker watch ($350). This solar-powered timepiece has a 200m-rated dive case and a dual-index bezel.
The brands took inspiration from field watches, with a distinct black-and-forest-green color scheme. Customers will also receive a custom EDC case and two straps.
Spruce Sap Chewing Gum
Tree sap harvested in North American forests forms a base ingredient for a new kind of chewing gum. But the product, Underbrush Remineralizing Gum ($30 for a 2-pack), is touted as a centuries-old oral method to clean your teeth.
We tried a pack of the gum from Nathan & Sons this month. It has an earthy, herb-infused flavor and a wax-like texture that is pleasant to chew. The company markets it as naturally antibacterial that’s able to polish enamel and eliminate plaque. Flavors include Mastic Mint, Berry, Honey Bun, and Cinna-Mastic.
Boots With British Flair
U.S. footwear company Sorel is getting a touch of style from some friends across the pond, thanks to a new collab with British outdoor brand Barbour. The capsule collection includes the Callsign Horizon ($250), a low hiking shoe, the Daystorm Horizon ($300), a classic hiking boot, and the Caribou Horizon ($450), a rugged, above-the-ankle boot. All three have a waterproof GORE-TEX membrane and Vibram traction, all with Barbour’s signature minimalist aesthetic.
To take you from the town to the trail, there’s also the Down Wax Puffer Jacket ($900). “Together, we’ve created a collection that doesn’t compromise: It’s built for resilience, crafted for beauty, and designed for bold steps,” Cory Long, global general manager of Sorel, said in a press release.
Chunky Clogs
Imagine what would happen if HOKA running shoes and Birkenstock sandals had a baby. Or you don’t actually have to imagine: The result already exists, and it’s HOKA’s Ora Primo EXT Clog ($130).
The shoe has a suede upper, neoprene collar lining, and a dual-layer insole. The adjustable strap should help ensure users can get their ideal fit. According to HOKA, “The legendarily pillowy midsole babies the foot with maximal comfort, for however you enjoy your rest days.”
Sustainable Sweaters
You’ve likely heard of brands using recycled nylon and synthetic fibers in their products, but it’s also possible to recycle natural fibers as well. Outerknown recently released the Woolaroo collection ($280-350), a line of fleece vests and jackets made entirely from recycled wool. There are classic zip-up fleeces, along with trendier silhouettes like the button-up, bell-sleeved Cocoon Jacket.
While some wool can be itchy, Outerknown says that this material is soft, plush, and comfortable. All the pieces come in a neutral, muted color palette of navy, beige, and green.
MeatEater Inc. Launches Meat Snacks
MeatEater’s entry into the meat-snack space feels overdue. The company, known for founder Steven Rinella’s hunting-focused podcast and TV series, launched two types of packaged American Buffalo Jerky ($10) this month. It comes in Peppered and Hawaiian teriyaki flavors and is made of 100% American buffalo meat. The company advertises it as a “high in protein, low in sugar” option for keeping you fueled on the go.
Helinox Bags
For a long time, most people associated Helinox with just ultralight camp chairs, but the brand is on a mission to change that. It just introduced the TERG collection, a whole line of daypacks, bags, and pouches. The All Way Square Backpack ($85) is the company’s answer to the EDC pack, with abrasion-resistant materials, water-resistant coating, and waterproof zippers.
Fanny packs have been trending for years, and Helinox is getting in on the action with the Large Waist Bag ($65), which has magnetic buckles and an internal mesh pocket.
Custom Gravel Bike
In the oversaturated bike market, one way small brands like Chumba set themselves apart is by offering custom, hand-built products.
Its new Cenote Titanium bike ($3,700) is meant to do it all. “Many gravel events are combining gravel, road, jeep road chonk, and singletrack. The need for a fast and capable gravel bike that both inspires confidence and is a blast to race/ride was the inspiration for adding the Cenote to our lineup,” the brand said.
The Cenote is also extremely adaptable. “A quick change of the sliding dropout insert and you can run UDH, T-Type, singlespeed, or traditional mount derailleurs,” the brand said. Customers can add on the fork and finish of their choosing.
Heavy-Duty Hauler
Having gear you love is one half of the equation; having a convenient, easy way to carry it all is the other. Velocio teamed up with Rux to create a biker-friendly tote ($80) that can handle everything you need to bring for outdoor adventure.
The 25L bag is made with TPU-coated polyester for durability, and includes internal mesh pockets for organization. The hook and flap closure keeps things secure without having to deal with finicky zippers. Velocio said that “[it’s] big enough to carry a complete kit change from the gear garage to the trailhead — and back.”
Versatile Air Pump
If we’re going to bring something into the outdoors (and carry the weight), we often want it to be multifunctional. Nestout’s new PUMP-1 Air Pump ($60) fits the bill. Not only can the compact pump blow up a single air mattress in just 30 seconds, but it also has a fire bellow attachment to help get your campfire going.
The pump weighs just 2.96 ounces and includes eight different nozzles so it can work across most pads, mattresses, and tubes. It’s also designed to work with Nestout’s specialized outdoor batteries.
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