Memorial Day is behind us, but this year’s “Super El Niño” will likely make summer weather worse More extreme and unpredictable than ever before. On the plus side, it highlights the need for solid gear that can keep you confident outdoors – no matter what weather may greet you when you head out the door.
This week’s roundup includes plenty of gear to tackle any situation, especially for runners and cyclists: biodegradable shoes, a gorgeous running capsule, a sleek bikepacking tent, and a rippin’ BMX frame.
Find all that and more right here rising gear.
durable shoes
Keen’s latest running shoe, the Wander, isn’t just another model aimed at improving performance on the trail. Yes, it has a low stack height and a drop from heel to toe — but it’s also the first model to use a new production method that reportedly allows the shoes to biodegrade after they’re eventually used and taken to a landfill.
It doesn’t use plastic midsoles like PU or EVA foam, which are common components that eventually break down into microplastics. Instead, Keen’s EcoEnd technology enables microbes to naturally consume the midsole material through nature’s biological biodegradation process.
Check out Wonder, available for men And women.
bikepacking tent
Following a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter last year, designer Fabian Furer has brought his super-compact bikepacking tent to mass production via his online store.
Their Swiss brand Epper now sells top 1. This one-person, three-season, single-pole tent costs $700, but Furrer claims this modular system is the most packable on the market for bike-based camping trips. It has a very small 1L packed volume providing over 2 square meters of usable internal space. It’s made of double-sided, silicone-coated nylon, and is not dyed to reduce its carbon footprint.
It weighs around 480 grams for just the outer shell or 790 grams for a full double-wall setup. The water-resistant seams are stitched using “specially impregnated threads”, intended to keep the tent repairable over time with simple sewing tools. The bike itself is part of the tent structure, allowing fabric to be used more efficiently and reducing overall pack size and weight. For serious bikepackers, this seems like a good option.
Salomon x Courtney Dauwalter
Few ultrarunners deserve “legend” status more than Courtney Dauwalter. A new limited-edition collection celebrates her epic 2023 Triple Crown season, when she became the first runner (men or women) to win the Western States 100, Hardrock 100 and UTMB in the same season.
The Dawn to Dusk Collection is a complete kit “chosen and approved by Kourtney” for ultrasound, the brand said. It contains some great pieces of gear. S/Lab Ultra Glide 2 Limited Courtney Edition Shoes ($270) has a beautiful topographic design, as Shorty Limited Courtney Edition 10″ Shorts ($150). there is also S/LAB Sense 6 Limited Courtney Edition Running Vest ($180), a t-shirt, 4″ shorts, and a hoodie. View the entire collection at salomon website.
Nestout Portable Solar Charger V2
Wherever I go, my NestOut portable charger is charged and stays in my backpack. It still remains in GearJunkie’s best power banks guide for good reason.
The brand keeps coming out with new gear for use with its popular chargers, including the Solar Charger V2. This update of the brand’s compact, foldable solar panel is designed for camping, backpacking, overlanding, and off-grid travel. It’s available in two- and four-panel options, and this updated version has one USB-C port and one USB-A port.
“Combine the solar charger with any NESTOUT portable power bank to create a complete, modular off-grid power system,” the brand said.
fenix bike lights
When it comes to portable lighting solutions, Chinese brand Fenix continues to outdo itself. Its latest headlamp, the HM55R RENEGADE, received top marks from AllGear editorial director Sean McCoy in a review this year.
Fenix’s gear is often extremely bright – and its two new cycling lights are no exception. Fenix BC45R ($160) is the brand’s brightest bike light yet, and with 3,300 lumens and a 938-foot beam distance, it’s easy to believe. It’s designed for “hardcore mountain bikers and adventure racers living in rugged, remote terrain,” the brand said.
Its other new releases are BC28R ($130), a 2,500-lumen light that’s more suitable for hikers and road cyclists. Both lights are USB-C rechargeable.
luno car mattress
LUNO’s inflatable car mattresses are one of our favorite picks for car camping. The Luno Air Pro ($350) and its predecessor, the Luno Life Luno Air Mattress 2.0, both received positive reviews from our GearJunkies.
Now the brand is releasing a (slightly) cheaper mattress that’s also more lightweight and compact. “The team at Luno took their experience over the past 7 years, picked the most essential features, and packed their favorites into a new air base modelBrand said. It still costs $200, but it may still be worth it if the pad brings the same quality as its sister models.
airpods strap
There is no doubt that Bluetooth earbuds have changed the game for athletes. Getting rid of cables provides a significant benefit for freedom of movement while exercising. That being said, it’s very easy to lose bad things. So one ambitious young entrepreneur has created this aerostrapWhich is essentially an glasses-type strap that’s been slightly repurposed for earbuds or AirPods or whatever you want to call their many iterations.
Despite being new, they’re already selling for just $10. These are supposed to be easy to attach and detach even with gloves – according to the brand’s creator, this feature is for skiers and snowboarders. They are also available in a few different colors. Considering I’ve lost a few in-ear earbuds due to simple carelessness (not to mention sunglasses), this isn’t a bad idea for outdoor athletes who use their earbuds regularly.
customized insoles
If you’re a big fan of insoles (I know I am), you might be interested in this great new offering from Superfeet. The popular insole brand has recently upgraded its ME3D PlatformWhich lets you create personalized, 3D-printed insoles completely from smartphone scans.
You can complete the entire process – from phone scan to production to shipping to your door – within 2 weeks. “A visit to exclusively operated retail and specialist equipment is now required via iPhone scan on superfeet.com,” the brand said.
Users analyze their foot profile, preview 3D renderings, select from specialty foam options, and even add custom engravings, and then the data goes to Superfeet’s 3D-printing facility in Bellingham, Wash. Its price ranges between $110 and $140.
Sesquicentennial Duffel Bag
There are plenty of events coming up to celebrate the big centennial of American independence next month. Unfortunately, most of it is ugly and not even made here in the United States.
However, you can’t say any of these things icon collection Just released by Steel Canvas Baskets. This limited-edition lineup celebrates America’s anniversary in style. Instead of gaudy explosions of red, white and blue, the limited-edition collection maintains a restrained aesthetic of deep blue with red and white accents.
Perhaps most importantly, the gear is actually made in the USA: Steel Canvas Baskets has been based in Massachusetts for over 100 years. I would say the main attraction is this canvas duffel bag ($210), although the Weekender Bag ($190) is also very nice. There are a very limited supply of 50 units for each item, so act sooner rather than later if you’re interested. My guess is that these will sell out fast.
Huffy BMX Frame
Huffy isn’t just for childhood memories: The 130-year-old brand also wants you to take it seriously as a solid option for elite BMX riders.
That’s why it has just been launched primus bmx frame – Huffy’s second professional-level frame release since returning to the sport in 2024. The brand also managed to get some good PR after two-time Olympian Nick Long used it to win the USA BMX Grand National competition.
Unlike last year’s freestyle-focused Sledgehammer, the Primus is a “dedicated race frame built to handle the stiffness and power output required at the Olympic level,” Huffy said. It has a composite aluminum build with a patent-pending cable system. And at $700, you can spend a lot more on a pro-level BMX frame.
An extremely rare (and expensive) pocket knife
The James brand is quite popular among EDC enthusiasts. And while premium, most products are quite attainable.
not so much together barnesA pocket knife with super steel, real wool handle material, and an $800 price tag. The most incredible feature of the Barnes, besides its Bohler M390 steel blade, is the “Solidwool” handle. Made of 50% wool and 50% bioresin, this handle is a sustainable, if expensive, alternative to petrochemicals.
