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May 18, 2023

Rivian Jacket, Titanium Apple Watch, and More Emerging Gear

From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design. Since the release of its original

From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.

Since the release of its original Stroopwaffel product, the Honey Stinger brand has expanded like a bag of chips on an airplane. These days, Honey Stinger makes a broad assortment of bars, energy chews, water bottles, and apparel. The latest addition is a freshly formulated hydration drink powder. Available in two fruity flavors, Honey Stinger’s Pre-Exercise powder ($10 for eight servings) is designed to be consumed prior to exercise.

According to the brand, the Strawberry Lemonade flavor is “tart, tangy, and crisp with just the right amount of sweetness.” True to Honey Stinger’s commitment to natural sweeteners, Pre-Exercise is made with tapioca syrup, honey, and stevia.

For the students and scholars among us, late July marks the end of carefree frolicking and the beginning of back-to-school anticipation. When the academic year returns in a few weeks, those crumpled papers and 64-pack Crayola sets aren’t going to carry themselves.

DAKINE has been crafting quality backpacks for decades. I personally owned one through middle school, and I was always fond of its reliable skateboard-carrying straps. The brand’s new Method series shares its surfy sensibility with every other DAKINE bag — it’s just refined to meet the needs of students in 2023. The pictured 32L Method ($80) has ample exterior pockets for keys, phones, and other everyday essentials.

Smartwatches have largely replaced traditional wristwatches, but they’ll never match the elegance of a handcrafted analog timepiece. Sandmarc’s new Ultra Titanium Apple Watch band offers timeless styling and durability with modern compatibility.

According to Sandmarc, grade 4 titanium is the strongest watch band material on the market. Comparative claims aside, titanium is exceptionally durable, corrosion-resistant, and lightweight. Sandmarc’s titanium band has ultrathin 6.5mm links, and it can be adjusted to a precise custom fit. Plus, the subtle butterfly clasp creates a seamless look.

The Ultra Band is available to preorder now for $330.

Four-season wall tents are a cozy middle ground between the luxuries of home and the simplicity of tent camping. They’re typically used as shelters for backcountry hunts, but their potential is unlimited.

Wall tents are traditionally made from canvas, but White Duck’s latest models apply modern materials to a time-tested design. Built from a Dynatek polycotton blend, White Duck’s tents are allegedly completely water-repellent and durable in high-intensity wind. The new fabric is also lighter than cotton canvas, which makes a difference in these large, heavy structures.

The pictured Altimus Bell model ($1,130) is 14 feet in diameter with a peak height of 9 feet, 2 inches. It comes with seven large windows lined with no-see-em mesh, and a roomy zippered double door.

EKOI’s 28 Carbon sunglasses are the preferred eyewear of this year’s Tour de France Stage 2 winner Victor Lafay. Designed for elite competitive cycling, these sunglasses aren’t just another pair of sporty sunnies. They’ve been meticulously engineered to hit the perfect ratios between rigidity, comfort, stability, and weight.

If these sunglasses work as intended, speedy riders will forget they’re wearing them. Each pair weighs less than a pencil, and the wraparound lens maintains an unobstructed field of view. As of July 26, certain lens colors are available for up to 60% off.

As sure as the sky is blue and the front range is crowded, Topo Designs’ distinctive gear can be spotted a mile away.

With the brand’s signature square color blocking, Topo Designs’ Sessions Backpack looks like it’s crafted from canvases painted by Mark Rothko. Just in time for back-to-school season, the Session Backpack ($89) is equipped with a laptop sleeve, external daisy-chain webbing, and dual water bottle holders. It’s a solid choice for day hiking and the classroom.

Along with chocolate and private banking opportunities, watches are Switzerland’s best-known export. Swiss watchmaker Zodiac has been crafting timepieces for 140-plus years, and its product has remained consistently high-end and traditional.

Zodiac’s new Skeleton watch ($1,895) is its most playful product to date. Splashed with all three primary colors, the Skeleton is a streamlined version of Zodiac’s Super Sea World Compression platform. With water resistance down to 200 m and a rugged steel case, durability is the name of the game here. The glass face and case back allow the intricate mechanics to be visible from both sides.

Back in 1984, Reef was founded as a surf-inspired beach sandal company. Nearly 40 years later, the brand hasn’t pivoted an inch. Sandals remain the brand’s primary focus, evidenced by the all-new Deckhand.

As the name suggests, the Deckhand sandal is designed to be worn in wet conditions out on the water. Siped rubber grooves on the outsole add traction and stability, and the quick-dry lining helps prevent soggy feet and blisters.

Despite production delays and long wait times, Rivian remains one of the most exciting electric utility vehicle companies in the world. Partially owned by Amazon, Rivian is primed for a big future.

While you probably can’t get an actual R1T or R1S without waiting, there is a Rivian product that you can own immediately. This week, Rivian launches a collection of activewear “designed for spontaneous adventures. At the core of the collection, the Adventure Jacket ($225) is a sporty rain layer with a breathable membrane, waterproof zippers, and taped seams.

It’s unclear what exactly an electric vehicle company knows about raingear. What’s next? E-bikes by GORE-TEX?