Tag Archives: hiking

Beacon Bottle is a drinking and lighting solution for your long hikes

Posted on by

If you’re hiking up a mountain or going on long walks and trekking, you probably need to carry as little as possible. However, you also need to have a lot of necessities with you especially if it’s an overnight hike. Three things you definitely need are a water bottle, a lamp or light source, and a compass. Usually, these are three different things that you carry. But a designer has come up with a way to have all three in just one item.

Designer: Anantvijay

The Beacon Bottle for Hikers is a product concept for something that hikers can carry that has different functionalities. The way that it’s designed is that it looks like a lamp that serves as your light source but it also looks like a water bottle for your hydration needs. And yes, it is both. Plus, there’s even a compass on the cover so that you get another bonus with this item and it lessens the items that you need to bring with you.

The body of the bottle even has a textured surface so that it’s easy to grip while you’re drinking. The light-emitting component is at the bottom of the bottle and can be attached and detached easily with a threaded mechanism. If you detach it from the bottle, you can still use it as an independent light source. The charging part has a type-c port and you can still use it even when it’s charging.

The compass is integrated into the polypropylene bottle cap while the handle is designed for easy carrying or can also be attached to the backpack or hung on a tree branch. The body of the bottle is made from polyethylene terephthalate so it shouldn’t be that heavy. If all you need is to hydrate and have something to light your way (and give you direction), then this is a handy tool to have during your long hikes.

The post Beacon Bottle is a drinking and lighting solution for your long hikes first appeared on Yanko Design.

This pair of hiking pants with adjustable & motorized carbon fiber module lets you climb with less muscle fatigue

Posted on by

Would it be fair to set out in a pair of robotic pants to cover all 47 miles of the West Coast Trail in Vancouver, British Columbia, in record time without breaking a sweat? You’d say why not, but anyone who’s been there in excruciating pain and sweat will call out cheating. Of course, it wouldn’t be fair to make a record claim with MO/GO on but it may surely be worth bragging.

Exoskeletons and wearable mobility devices have been around for decades. Obviously, the main focus of such devices has been on assisting seniors or those with mobility issues in rehabilitation, to gain strength and independence. But if you have been following us closely, you’d know that there is a new trend on the way. Wearable robots, such as the WIM mobility assist wearable device created by WIRobotics, are being built to assist the healthy strengthen their lower limbs or walk with more confidence and freedom saving up to 20 percent energy.

Designer: Skip x Arc’teryx

Now, MO/GO is a wearable pair of robotic pants conjured up “to support and inspire adventure in a new kind of way.” Short for mountain goat, MO/GO is designed by Skip – a Google’s research and development wing, X, spinout – in collaboration with Arc’teryx, to help people tackle any elevation with less muscle fatigue and body exertion. It “makes you feel up to 30 pounds lighter as you move,” the developers suggest.

Skip is taking pre-orders for the $5,000 MO/GO, right now for a $500 discount. The $5K powered pant is the first of its kind clothing featuring an adjustable boomerang-like carbon fiber module that snaps onto the pants – at the knees and extends over the quadricep and hamstring muscles – to provide up to 40 percent boast to your legs on the way up. It gently supports the legs on the way down, and can snap off effortlessly to be stowed away when you don’t need it.

When you think of putting on something like the MO/GO on your legs, you would be concerned about the weight it would add on. Interestingly, the carbon fiber construction makes it exceptionally lightweight. It weighs only two pounds (with an onboard motor) and is powered by a battery for hours of usage. Charge it once on your way out be rest assured, you’ll make it safely back home no matter the strenuous trail you’re climbing up.

The post This pair of hiking pants with adjustable & motorized carbon fiber module lets you climb with less muscle fatigue first appeared on Yanko Design.

Next Gen Moc and Mule footwear brings comfort and aesthetics to your soles

Posted on by

For around half of my life, I’ve been wearing sneakers and boots and avoiding heels and sandals since I’m more comfortable with the former than the latter. Also, I’ve promised myself not to wear that certain brand that’s usually made fun of by shoe enthusiasts. Weird-looking footwear has never been my style although Merrell Hydro Moc is the closest I got to actually thinking of getting one.

Designer: Merrell

The Hydro Moc and Mule seem to be great options if you like hiking and doing all sorts of outdoor stuff but you don’t want to wear clunky boots and hiking shoes. The Next Gen versions of these unique-looking footwear are even more design-led but also sturdy enough with its EVA foam cage that can resist water and also keep your feet protected and resilient. They future-facing design doesn’t sacrifice aesthetics for quality protection and comfort as that’s what their market is most likely looking for.

The Hydro Next Gen Moc 1TRL has max cushion FloatMax midsoles and a better heel shape. You can still wear it hands-free and the EVA foam upper gives you a lightweight flexible fit. The BLOOM performance foam is actually made of algae biomass and it “magically” turns green water into clean water. The Hydro Next Gen Mule 1TRL meeanwhile is the open-back and more laidback version of the Moc. It still has the eVA foam and the BLOOM performance foam but also has the FloatPro Foam midsole to give you lightweight comfort.

Both the Moc and the Mule still has the trademark design that is inspired by the water flowing around and over rocks. I still wouldn’t wear a pair because of aesthetic (and financial) reasons but it does look good if you want to hike and walk around in style.

The post Next Gen Moc and Mule footwear brings comfort and aesthetics to your soles first appeared on Yanko Design.

Merrell Hydro Runner is a clog and sneaker in one for the rainy, windy outdoors

Posted on by

I am one of those people who prefer to stay indoors when it’s raining. The moment the rain starts to fall, you won’t get me to go outside (unless it’s really needed) and you’ll find me on the couch or in bed. But there are people out there who want to continue walking, running, or even trekking outside even if it’s wet and slippery outside. But of course they need gear that will protect them from accidents like slips and falls. It’s a bonus if said gear is fashionable and eco-friendly.

Designer: Merrell

Footwear brand Merrell is adding a new member to its 1TRL hiking line-up and this time it’s built to let users take on the wet and windy trails during the winter season. The Hydro Runner uses the brand’s trail running technology but adds lightweight fabrication as well as a water-resistant design so it can be used without fear of falling or slipping, whether you’re running, walking, or going on hikes while it’s wet outdoors. It’s basically a sneaker and clog in one with a breathable mesh sock added into the mix.

The breathable mesh keeps users’ toes from getting too hot but also provides additional protection against the elements. The shoes also have nylon pull tabs at the back so you can easily put it on or pull it off even with its enclosed fit. The soles also have good grips to protect you while you’re trekking with the outsoles having sticky, no-slip traction. In the middle you have a lightweight high rebound EVA foam so you still feel comfortable even in the rainy or windy outdoors.

The Hydro Runner is made with 100% recycled webbing and mesh while the EVA foam sole is made from 50% recycled materials. It comes in Black/White and White/Black colorways but there’s also a new tangerine option available for the men’s design. The latter is the one that looks more like a sneaker but the earlier colorways gives off more of a clog design with socks, although the material gives you more of a sneaker feel. I still won’t go out when it’s raining but this one is a good option if ever I find myself outdoors during the rainy season.

The post Merrell Hydro Runner is a clog and sneaker in one for the rainy, windy outdoors first appeared on Yanko Design.

This hiking shoe with adaptive protection guards ankle from twisting on meandering trails

Posted on by

There are very few ambitious hikers who have not twisted their ankle. Some may escape with slight pain, while others have career-defining injuries. But everyone on an outdoor adventure always runs the risk of twisting or spraining the ankle.

As adventurers out on meandering trails more often than on tar, we need a pair of durable boots with substantial outside traction and general responsiveness to avert injuries. Stepping on the gas with a patented adaptive ankle protection technology from Betterguards, the German start-up called Terrein has developed a high ankle Ascent boot that will provide advanced freedom to hikers while actively protecting their ankles against potential twisting injuries.

Designer: Terrein

The Terrein Ascent is made primarily with the idea to reduce the risk of ankle injuries in adventurers. The adaptive ankle support – touted to be three times more responsive than a human reflex – can reduce the risk of injuries and provide constant support to the ankle. Moreover, the Ascent is made to increase stability with its immaculate construction (we’ll talk about it a bit later).

The hydraulic ankle protection system is fastened to the outside of the ankle and wrapped around with a Velcro-enabled strap. This system integrates a piston – called adaptor – which safeguards against twisting. It triggers in (extends and retracts instantly) only when needed to protect the ankle from twisting, otherwise, the piston works naturally allowing stability to the foot like the ankle support in a premium basketball shoe.

Terrein Ascent is the first viable adaptation of the Betterguards’ system which is likely to find its way into the NBA soon. The adaptive ankle protection piston is likely to make its way into basketball sneakers through the NBA’s Launchpad tech incubator program. So, in addition to allowing hikers to regain their footing quickly, the tech is likely to support the ankles of basketball stars soon.

For its construction, which gives an air of mystery to the Ascent; the boot features a breathable laced upper on a responsive cushioned PU midsole. The outsole comprises high grip rubber and a deep lug design for maximum traction. This all-weather silhouette combines natural freedom of motion with adaptive ankle protection to provide outdoor enthusiasts the independence to explore the wilderness without thinking about physical or mental restrictions. This facility is for now limited to hikers in Europe only, as the shoe – now available for preorder – will be developed specifically for the European market initially.

The post This hiking shoe with adaptive protection guards ankle from twisting on meandering trails first appeared on Yanko Design.

Hiking accessories designed to elevate your exciting outdoor adventures

Posted on by

The bug for trekking and hiking is reaching an all-time peak. I wouldn’t really classify myself as a hiking lover, but I do know there are quite a few outdoor enthusiasts, who love embarking on a good old hike once in a while. Being physically and mentally prepared on a hike of any sort is extremely critical – whether it’s creating the right mindset or the perfectly equipped backpack. And, I do believe a great set of hiking accessories play a major role in a successful hike! From a foldable mini stove that fits into your hiking pants to a flexible 3D-printed single material hiking shoe – these handy and innovative product designs are the best companions you could have on your trekking/hiking adventures! These are must-have essentials for all adventure lovers and thrill-seekers!

1. Herman Miller hiking backpack

This Herman Miller hiking backpack is something outrightly unique thanks to its niche structure and the hues it comes in.

Why is it noteworthy?

The backpack has lightweight aesthetics, and the designer gives much of the focus on how the accessory can be a practical hiking backpack given the Herman Miller chair influence. This backpack is suited for city commuters who have to carry their laptop and other important stuff safely, as well as, hikers and campers who need a robust, waterproof rucksack to haul the load. The solid structure on the outside – just like the Cosm chair – provides protection from any accidental bumps when important breakable stuff is inside.

What we like

  • Lightweight product
  • Draws inspiration from Herman Miller’s design philosophy

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

2. The Grouper utility knife

Looking like a prop from a sci-fi movie, the Grouper utility knife comes with a stunning design featuring a titanium construction, a parallel-linkage opening mechanism with ball-bearing pivots, and should you choose, an absolutely breathtaking rainbow finish.

Why is it noteworthy?

The knife, which measures a mere 4.3 inches (110mm) when closed, comes with a carabiner clip on one end, and a tungsten carbide glass-breaker on the other end. Open it out, and the now 6.2-inch-long knife reveals its TAJIMA V-REX II blade on the inside, perfect for opening boxes, slicing envelopes, or doing more rogue cyberpunk-worthy stuff like slicing wires and cutting seatbelts.

What we like

  • The Grouper sports a titanium alloy body that’s more than impervious to rough use
  • A nifty locking clip on the top keeps the knife’s blade intact until you’re done and ready to close your Grouper

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

3. The Conic

Designed primarily for use in outdoor activities; the Conic is a helpful extension of a flashlight, which should come in handy to light up the entire camp or make those two-handed tasks easier to carry out. It will be a great help thus while cooking or maybe when playing board games at the camp.

Why is it noteworthy?

The gap between outdoor flashlights and lanterns is narrowing with transformation in design. This inventive approach has given birth to a new domain i.e., an outdoor lamp, which double duties and makes sure you’re never found wanting while camping or traveling. Conic is an embodiment of such a design, which is a nice transition from the traditional, boring light sources you’ve been accustomed to packing in your backpack.

What we like

  • A far cry from the traditional flashlights
  • Portable
  • Multipurpose design – can be used indoors and outdoors

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

4. Earth Moc

Designed as a passion project, Daniel Shirkey’s Earth Moc was created as a potential recovery shoe for hikers. Shirley’s prime objective was to figure out how one single material could fulfill every aspect of a shoe’s experience from its flexibility to comfort while giving your feet the support they need after a tough hike.

Why is it noteworthy?

Shirley’s design even comes with treads on its underside that additionally allow you to do some light hiking, giving the right amount of traction required on moderately uneven surfaces and dirt paths. The highlight of the Earth Moc is its design. The entire shoe is made from a single material, sort of like a Croc, except it features interwoven elements that provide the stretch and flexibility of a conventional sandal. While most single-material shoes are made by injection molding of an elastomer, Shirley’s concept goes down a different route.

What we like

  • 3D-printed design
  • Inspired by intertwining roots and vines

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

5. The Sasquatch Tool

Designed to be compact enough to carry with you in your pocket, on your keychain, or on a carabiner attached to your backpack or belt-loop, the Sasquatch Tool is the ultimate celebration of the outdoors! The handy multitool is the perfect EDC for carrying on hiking trips, cycling expeditions, or even out fishing/kayaking. Just don’t expect it to help you defend yourself against an actual Sasquatch!

Why is it noteworthy?

The handy little ape-shaped gizmo comes made from stainless steel, making it robust and corrosion-resistant. Its unique form factor comes perfectly outfitted with 12 different tools, from wrenches and screwdrivers to bottle and can openers, a cord cutter, and even a nifty 1-inch ruler. Measuring 3.6-inches in length and 2.5-inches wide, the Sasquatch Multitool is perfectly pocket-sized, and weighs just 1.2 ounces (34 grams)… and although Sasquatches have a reputation of being large and dangerous, this compact little guy is perfectly sized to be your everyday outdoor companion; and it’s TSA-friendly too!

What we like

  • Perfectly pocket-sized

What we dislike

  • Designs seems to focus more on aesthetics than actual functionality

6. The Cue

Smart wristwatches are found dime a dozen. But to everyone’s surprise, smart pocket watches are a thing and the smart version of these timepieces for the pocket has gained a foothold in the niche market. A charm for collectors, these intricate devices have always left me fascinated. No wonder, when I came across the Cue – a concept for a smart pocket watch – I couldn’t help but share the idea.

Why is it noteworthy?

Indian designer Rahul has conceived the idea of a feature-rich pocket watch every adventurer would want to have handy when venturing into the wild. Designed with features to allow travelers to navigate better, track their daily activities, and keep tabs on their health, the minimalistic yet powerful Cue can send out emergency SOS alerts and even remind the user of medication time when traveling.

What we like

  • Can be mounted to your bike or backpack or carried in your pocket for convenience
  • Can send out emergency SOS alerts and even remind the user of medication time when traveling

What we dislike

  • A seven-second long press opens the menu, while a long press of 15 seconds opens up the SOS slider

7. Katipo

Katipo is a foldable outdoor gas stove that can fit in the palm of your hand. Imagine the weight and space that can be saved when you go camping or backpacking with Katipo instead of usual outdoor stoves.

Why is it noteworthy?

Katipo got its name because its shape and form resembles that of a Katipo spider. It is an Australian redback spider that is small in size with long legs that bend at angles which inspired the stove’s own leg stand and tiny size. The Katipo is a stainless steel stove that folds into a portable size of 50 mm wide and 120 mm long, and when opened it is 180 mm in diameter. “Each leg has a cutting edge that stops its motion by a stopper pin and opens to the angle of 120° and thus produces an equal opening to them all perfectly” explains Elad Achi. Apart from the product proportions, even the colors of the stove were inspired by the spider’s red and black body. The stove’s red and black look comes from a ceramic-based color that is heat resistant.

What we like

  • Perfect size for when you want to go on a long hike
  • Its shape and form resembles that of a Katipo spider

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

8. Seongju Kim’s Lantern

When preparing for adventures in the outdoors, a flashlight is a must-have EDC camping accessory. But like every other thing you’re packing, you’d want a flashlight that does more than show you the way. This is where a sustainably crafted option you can hang like the lantern in the camp comes in. The eco-friendly camping lantern designed by Seongju Kim is an embodiment of this thought. The camping lantern, as it is referred to, is made completely from reusable materials, which is a good way to help the environment and keep the camping area clean. When camping, multifunctional accessories are a key to thriving in the wild. The flashlight that can be used as a lantern to light up the tent helps campers prepare for the night.

Why is it noteworthy?

Ideal for campers who value multipurpose accessories they can stuff in the backpack, a lantern-like this, ensures you leave no trace in the great outdoors and have a guiding light as and when needed. For the convenience of use, the lantern’s body is made from aluminum, while the insulated handle is made from wood. The most essential strap, which instantly facilitates the accessory to be used as a lantern from a flashlight, is made from pinatex material, which is extracted from pineapple leaves.

What we like

  • Sustainable
  • Innovative use of Pinatex
  • A clean multipurpose design

What we dislike

  • Not sturdy enough for the outdoors
  • We don’t know how the lantern would generate power

9. The Travel Box

Designing a bag that caters to different wear styles is definitely no easy feat. Especially when you’re trying to hit other targets like comfort, style, and even modularity. Those are the lofty goals that this Travel Box outdoor bag concept tries to address. As with any good product design, the idea went through various iterations and prototypes before arriving at a final, workable version.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Travel Box is notable in a few ways, and the most immediate is its minimalist design that almost has a tinge of futuristic appeal with its sharp angles, straight edges, and hard shell. This design brings both protection as well as room for all the items you’d want to bring with you on a trip outdoors. The colored straps provide a nice chromatic contrast to the bag’s all-black motif, creating visual points of interest that bring a bit of life to the product. The bag also makes use of reflective stickers that not only provide safety but also break the monotony of that black surface.

What we like

  • The top portion of the bag can actually be detached and be used as an independent diamond-shaped box you can carry around by hand

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

10. The Rider RX

Having to scramble for the right battery in an emergency just adds to the stress you’re already feeling. Thankfully, Acebeam’s Rider RX tries to cut down on that by delivering a flashlight that not only works with almost any type of battery, it also helps relieve stress by giving your fingers something to play with.

Why is it noteworthy?

Some flashlights work with typical alkaline batteries. Others use rechargeable NiMH batteries. Still, others use the same kind of lithium-ion type that smartphones use. The Rider RX embraces them all so you can grab whatever’s readily available, which is often an AA battery, without making compromises. While the included Li-ion battery does offer the brightest output, even an AA battery can deliver a decent brightness so you won’t trip in the dark. The optical lens makes sure that the 219F LED shines a soft and balanced beam instead of blinding your eyes or spreading the light too thin.

What we like

  • Helps relieve stress by giving your fingers something to play with
  • Its small size, which is just big enough to fit a single AA battery, makes it extremely portable and convenient to use

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

The post Hiking accessories designed to elevate your exciting outdoor adventures first appeared on Yanko Design.

Trekking Accessories designed to be the perfect outdoor companion for adventure lovers!

Posted on by

We’ve entered the fall season, and in midst of pumpkin spice lattes, and brown leaf litters, the bug for trekking and hiking is reaching an all-time peak. I wouldn’t really classify myself as a hiking lover, but I do know there are quite a few outdoor enthusiasts, who love embarking on a good old hike once in a while. Being physically and mentally prepared on a hike of any sort is extremely critical – whether it’s creating the right mindset or the perfectly equipped backpack. And, I do believe a great set of hiking accessories play a major role in a successful hike! From an inflatable camping light that goes from a lantern to a tube light, to a trekking pole’s clever design that lets you adjust it with a simple button-push – these handy and innovative product designs are the best companions you could have on your trekking/hiking adventures! These are must-have essentials for all adventure lovers and thrill-seekers!

Everglow Light Tube by Klymit stands out from the rest for a design that’s both functional and highly useful in a number of situations. Klymit being an outdoor gear company very obviously has tailored this inflatable light for camping and adventure enthusiasts, but I can think of dozen other uses as well! The inflatable function, you can literally expand the light like a balloon, solves two inherent purposes – diffusing the light so that it doesn’t hurt the eyes and spread easily, and the other is of course the portability aspect. A pocketable design that is ideal for any adventure, or even at home for emergency use. The flexibility of the form factor permits it to be used as a hanging LED light – stick it to your base camp ceiling to use as a lantern, or attach like a hanging light to the awning.

Unlike its predecessors, the ATP-01 sports a height-adjusting mechanism operated by a single push of a button. The button comes built right into the handle of the pole, allowing you to push to activate its adjusting system, letting you expand or collapse the pole’s height in mere seconds. Moreover, it can be done with gloves on, and its slightly recessed design means you’ll never press the button by accident. The button activates a series of pins that snap-in position at 5-centimeter increments, locking the height in place, and numbers on the side of the pole let you easily read its height to know the length at a glance. Along with its nifty height-adjusting feature, the ATP-01 also focuses on creating a pole that’s constructed to be qualitatively better. Quick-adjust straps along the handle let you easily secure the pole right to your wrist (so it doesn’t accidentally slip or get blown away), and easy-to-swap baskets on the base let you rapidly switch between terrain types.

St. Terre’s series of jackets are described as performance outdoor apparel that’s voguish enough to wear in the city too. The jackets are durable enough to weather a storm as you trek on rough terrain, or the pitter-patter of a gentle drizzle as you rush out to get some shopping done at the local 7/11. The jackets, designed by apparel industry experts at St. Terre, come in a variety of styles, from The Hurson (the brand’s flagship puffer which they absolutely swear by) to windbreakers, parkas, and even a sleeveless jacket for a bit of variety and also a perfect piece for layering. All the jackets are weatherproof, warm, and feature an abundance of features. They’re durable, are styled with either muted or vibrant colors (depending on your aesthetic needs), and come with embroidered details, brass fixtures, YKK zips, and St. Terre’s logo – a white stork known for embarking on rough journeys to migrate to more comfortable climates (sound similar?)

Katipo got its name because its shape and form resemble that of a Katipo spider. It is an Australian redback spider that is small in size with long legs that bend at angles which inspired the stove’s own leg stand and tiny size. The Katipo is a stainless steel stove that folds into a portable size of 50 mm wide and 120 mm long, and when opened it is 180 mm in diameter. “Each leg has a cutting edge that stops its motion by a stopper pin and opens to the angle of 120° and thus produces an equal opening to them all perfectly” explains Elad Achi. Apart from the product proportions, even the colors of the stove were inspired by the spider’s red and black body. The stove’s red and black look comes from a ceramic-based color that is heat resistant. It is the perfect size when you want to go on a long hike or camp in nature and have warm meals.

Working on just one axis to cut out your hand’s jitter, the CliqueFie Sway gives you shake-free footage that doesn’t need to be optically stabilized in post-production. The slim little gimbal runs without a battery and is perfect for small-time creators or even enthusiasts who like taking videos when they are out and about. A finalist at the iF Design Award, the Sway’s sleek design is perhaps its biggest highlight. The product relies on a foldable design, with plain cylindrical surfaces that have a minimalist style that makes the product look simple to use and lightweight enough to carry. The gimbal itself is smartly designed to work without a battery and a motor by utilizing the strength of gravity to help cancel out any hand-jitter, resulting in smoother videos.

The Samla by WESN falls well within the archetype of your pocket knife. It comes with a friction hinge and can be deployed by simply pushing on a lever with your thumb to open the blade. The blade itself comes crafted from a high-durability Sandvik 14C28N Stainless Steel with a sheepsfoot design, making it ideal for chopping, slicing, carving, whittling, all the activities you’d find yourself doing in the outdoors. It sits within a handle made from either titanium or rosewood (depending on the variant you pick) with beveled edges, making it comfortable to hold and maneuver around. Opening the Samla is ridiculously simple too. The blade’s tang sticks out of the front, acting as a lever that lets you open the blade when you want. A friction hinge gives the blade just the right amount of resistance as you open it, and the absence of a locking mechanism means you can open and close the blade with just one hand, highlighting Samla’s simple yet sophisticated user experience.

The All-Day Adventure Flask by Hibear helps you expand your options when it comes to drinking in the outdoors. To begin with, it comes with an insulated stainless steel body, functioning as a thermos that keeps your drinks hot or cold for hours. The flask itself works as intended, but its split-body design lets you quickly unscrew the top of the bottle and invert it, turning it into a wide-mouth pour-over kit for your coffee. Just line it with a filter, fill it up with your grounds and you’ve got yourself some fresh coffee… but wait, the same setup works well for decanting wine too, aerating it to bring out its flavors and notes. The bottle’s internal glass finish prevents your wine from tasting like your pour-over.

The West Slope Case is constructed from the same stuff NASA uses for insulation on spaceships. Aerogel is an extremely dense synthetic insulator derived from a gel that’s used for everything from making water-repellent blankets to insulating the Mars Sojourner. Cold Case Gear settled on aerogel for their West Slope Case for it to provide thermal protection against extreme temperatures and drop protection. While the extremely dense makeup of aerogel enhances its insulating qualities, it also provides a substantial cushion for when you drop your phone. The West Slope Case also seals your smartphone in its bag with an airtight magnetic closure mechanism. The airtight closure is a result of a form of high-frequency plastic welding called Radio-frequency welding, equipping the West Slope Case with waterproof protection and thermal insulation.

On purely an aesthetic front, the lab.inc backpack is every bit an urban classic. Its design is simple yet sophisticated and tries to blend in while standing out. The bag boasts of an all-black exterior that’s punctuated by a strap that vertically cuts through its volume. Designed to help the bag and the wearer stand out, the strap comes with a replaceable design that can be swapped out based on your mood or need. You can choose a bright vibrant-colored vegan leather strap to provide visual contrast against the black backpack or a reflective strap that’s perfect for biking or trekking in the dark. lab. inc also offers a third strap variant made from Bananatex® – a durable, waterproof, sustainable fabric made entirely from the banana plant.

Designed as a heavy-duty carabiner-leash, the GPCA X Clip PRO is, well, for heavy-duty dogs. It comes with a CNC-machined 360clip that easily clips onto any dog collar or harness, offering a better user experience than traditional clasps, which are fiddly and fragile at best. The 360clip is thicker and comes machined out of solid stainless steel. It clips onto any D-ring with absolute ease, and a diamond-knurled grip makes it easy to maneuver for humans, allowing you to slip it on or off with ease. The 360clip even supports a special no-pull leash looping formation, formulated via the GPCA team. By simply allowing you to loop the leash around the dog’s front legs before clipping it to the D-ring, the no-pull formation forces the dog to turn sideways every time they pull too hard against the leash.

BioLite’s HeadLamp 330 is listed at its lowest price yet, $40

Posted on by
It isn't just laptops and phones that are getting marked down for Black Friday. Some of our favorite outdoor gear will be discounted, too.

Ask Engadget: What are the best outdoor navigation apps?

Posted on by
The support shared among readers in the comments section is one of the things we love most about the Engadget community. Over the years, we've known you to offer sage advice on everything from Chromecasts and cameras to drones and smartphones. In fac...

How to give your hike a high-tech upgrade

Posted on by
At its heart, hiking is about getting away from technology. Stuffing everything you need to survive for a few days into a bag and disappearing into the woods is as much about breaking free of the daily Twitter grind as it is about pushing yourself ph...