The Best New Gear Dropping in Spring 2027

New Orleans is known for great music and amazing food. In mid-June, it was also hosting the Switchback Gear Show, where brands from around the world gathered to show off all the new gear launching in the coming year. For two days, we scoured the floor of the NOLA Convention Center to find the most innovative, most exciting new gear releases. Here are eight innovative outdoor gear products you should check out.

Rumple doesn’t mess around when it comes to comfortable car camping gear. They are known for their luxurious original fluffy blanket, Which has become a staple for our family not only at the campground but also on the couch at home. Most people may not know that Rumple also makes sleeping bags for car camping. They launched the Wrap Sack last year (and we named it “best overall” among car camping sleeping bags). This spring they’re bringing out an even better version. The updated bag comes with several functional upgrades: a less-insulated, 40-degree-rated version for summer camping, a larger hood pocket that fits a standard-sized pillow, a two-way zipper foot box for ventilation on warmer nights, and a cape clip on the side of the bag that allows you to attach a Rumple OG blanket on top for cool, shoulder-season camping. As the name suggests, this bag wraps around you like a burrito of pure comfort to create a more cozy, blanket-type feel. If you’re looking for the comfort of home while sleeping under the stars, the Wrap Sack is made for you. -Erica Zazo, Outside Contributor

pyrologs origin

My mom still teases me about the sigh I felt when I wasn’t able to light a campfire during a family trip. No more tinkering thanks to PyreLogs, which almost guarantees a hell of a time. Constructed from 12-gauge steel, the set of two triangle-shaped pyrologs keep your firewood elevated so there’s always airflow underneath, and you never have to worry about soggy ground. Cut-out vents in the steel ensure continuous air flow when there is a bed of coal between the pyrologs. The company says the steel won’t corrode — even if you put out a raging fire with water — and the triangles fold flat when not in use. there is mini steel version It’s great for small fires that you can cook over, but be warned: There’s no backpacking version yet. -Jacob Schiller, Outside Contributor

Sea to Peak Horizon Ramen Bowl

When my family and I backpack, we never want to go to a camp table in the woods, so we just grab our food bowls when we eat. This is true for most backpackers, the thoughtful engineers at Sea to Summit created the Horizon Bowl. The smartest feature is a thumb tab on the outer rim that lets you comfortably and securely hold the Horizon with just one hand, leaving your other hand free to use the spoon or grab a drink. The vertical plastic channels on the outside of the bowl help keep your hand away from the plastic that actually contains the soup, so you don’t burn your skin. Another clever design element is that the circumference of the bowl is narrow enough and the depth is shallow enough to prevent Sea to Peak Backpacking Cutlery From slipping down and falling completely into the soup. -js

ultra mont blanc speed 2 shoes

I used to brag about my “comfortable” feet that fit into almost any shoe. Then I had plantar fasciitis for six months, and now I have to be more careful. The Ultras have been a lifesaver thanks to the wide toe box and low drop. I’m excited about the Mont Blanc Speed ​​2s as they could possibly be the perfect mix of trainer and race-day rocket for me. I’m not very fast, so I don’t really need carbon-plated shoes; The Mont Blanc 2S comes with a Pebax plate which gives me stability and plenty of feedback underfoot without needing to run on my toes. At just 10 ounces, the shoes are feathery enough for a fast 10km while still supportive enough for a slower 50km. I have no doubt that the five millimeter lugs on the Vibram MegaGrip sole will keep me planted while going up and down local trails in New Mexico that are covered in kitty litter: rocks like ball bearings that threaten to destabilize with every step. The price is high, but well below what I would pay for top-tier trail racing shoes, which would likely be excessive and inappropriate for a mid-pack runner like me. -js

The North Face A5 Collection

To be honest, I’m not much of a climber. But one look at The North Face’s new A5 collection suddenly makes me want to reach for it. The A5 Collection is an embodiment of the brand’s growing DNA, particularly the late 90s acquisition of A5 Adventures, a big-wall gear company. The archival-inspired line extends to apparel and pieces created for both performance and style, from jackets to tops to shoes. My personal favorites are the vintage-colored ultralight and breathable A5 Futurefleece Longsleeve, the Griffin Relaxed Crew with the original A5 emblem embroidered on the back, and a throwback-designed A5 short-sleeve Cordura shirt that looks like it belongs in a bowling alley (except it’s engineered from a highly durable, abrasion-resistant fabric that can survive multi-pitch is). The look of this collection is retro, but the functionality is extremely cutting edge. —EZ

Domestic Mag Collar

Dometic, which has long made great overland fridges, recently launched a line of coolers and drinkware. Entering a market filled with brands like Yeti, Igloo, and RTIC seems risky, but Dometic has found a way to stand out with competitive prices and clever products. One accessory that caught my attention is the Mag Collar, which clips onto the top of a household coffee mug or water bottle and magnetically holds your phone. Now I have a tripod on my bottle for group selfies on top of my next 14er, and a phone stand in my tent for when my wife and I want to relax and stream a TV show after a long day outside (don’t judge me). -js

flylow jack snap sun shirt

Next spring, FlyLo is launching the Jack Snap Sun Shirt, an idea that emerged from a recent rafting trip by co-founder Dan Abrams. One of the guides was wearing a snap shirt over his sun hoodie to add more shine, which inspired Abrams to design a snap shirt with a removable sun shirt hoodie. Made from a stretchy polyester and spandex blend, the Jack Snap has a 50+ UPF rating, reportedly breathes just as well as any sun hoodie on the market, and will dry quickly if you get splashed or end up in a drink. And, if you want to use the Jack Snap for everyday use, simply take off the hood and wear it to work or out to dinner. -js

Flabocce

Camp games are having a moment. We saw them everywhere on Switchback’s trade show floor, from ENO’s new badminton set to the freestanding hammock stand (launching spring 2027) to the many new games in between GSI Outdoors. But one stopped us cold in our tracks: Flabocce. Michigan-based founder Jack Rutkowski re-invents a cult classic with this flat version of Bokeh that uses rubber, hexagonal discs called “flabs.” The game is small in size and can be played virtually anywhere, it does not require a level field. Jack said people tell him they’ve played the game everywhere from the red rocks of Zion National Park to their local beach and summer campground spots. Playing is simple: toss the flops toward the “jack” or central target. Cover it completely for an instant win, or land on the nearest one and overlap it to score. It’s portable, extremely easy to learn and highly addictive. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! —EZ