Small improvements to the gear you use day in and day out mean big improvements in functionality and protection, and this holiday week welcomed gear releases that did just that.
A new phone case aims to give your expensive smartphone the protection of an airbag. Wildly popular blade maker Montana Knife Company releases multiple new models. And some high-end, high-tech SUPs (with jet motors!) have us dreaming of summer — or maybe a trip south of the equator.
All that and a bunch more!
Ultra-Comfy Ski Boot
Scarpa’s main goal with its new 4-Quattro GT ski boot ($670) was simple but deceptively challenging: Create one that you’d want to wear all day long. It says that the model’s insulated multilayer footbed and Intuition Pro Flex GT liner deliver top-tier comfort, support, and warmth.
“The 101mm last provides generous volume for comfort while maintaining the precision and performance expected from a high-end hybrid ski boot,” Scarpa explained. It’s also got a 110-flex PU shell for strong downhill power and control.
High-Tech SUPs
SipaBoards calls its SUPs “purposefully over-engineered,” and one look at them confirms that’s the case. These tricked-out boards ($2,660-3,480) include an electric jet motor with 6 hours of battery life as well as GPS tracking and LED lights.
The company has also fixed one of the biggest headaches: inflating the dang thing. Its boards self-inflate; it says the board “is always automatically inflated to the optimal pressure, making the board stiff and agile for every ride.”
iPhone ‘Airbag’ Case
With the high cost of an iPhone, a case is a must-have, and if you ask RHINOSHIELD, it makes the best one on the market. Its new AirX case ($63) has an air isolation chamber (like a car airbag for your phone) that absorbs the impact of a drop and disperses it evenly.
The brand says that most phone cases lose shock resistance over time, but it claims its case lasts 30 times longer for maximum durability. The AirX is also made with 100% recycled materials, and is designed with dual-sided chambers to be comfortable to hold.
MKC Knife Drops
Companies usually just offer discounts during Black Friday, but Montana Knife Company is doing its own thing: releasing limited-edition knives every day, Wednesday through Saturday, of this week. It’s already dropped a set of steak ($675) and chef’s knives ($1,325).
It’s also debuted three models from its Ultra Series: the Blackfoot, Speedgoat, and Stoned Goat (all $375). The Blackfoot Ultra takes the functionality of the original model and shaves off a third of the weight. Keep an eye on its site to see what other hot new releases are coming this week.
A multitool is an essential component of any cyclist’s setup, but that doesn’t mean it has to be bulky, heavy, or expensive. Daysaver just launched an Essentials Value Package ($110) that’ll help you keep everything you need on hand.
The kit includes the Essential8 multitool and tubeless extension Coworking6TL, so anything involving your screws, wheel, or chain is covered. And with the Guard Case and Guard Mount, you can keep it in your pocket or attached securely to your bike.
Recycled Wool
While wool is a more sustainable fiber than synthetics, it can be harder to recycle due to the shorter lengths of the fibers. To make this possible, apparel brand Finisterre teamed up with Dr. John Parkinson, a recycled textiles expert, to breathe new life into previously used wool.
After years of collecting used sweaters through Reskinned, Finisterre has debuted a line of beanies ($58) and sweaters ($190). Each product is made with 80% pre-consumer and 20% post-consumer recycled wool. The brand says that the products are soft and warm without being bulky.
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