Analog Smartwatch, Souped-Up Tote Bag, Velcro Hiking Shoes, and More Emerging Gear

Innovation can come when people rethink the most basic elements of design, and that’s certainly the case with this week’s gear drops. BOTE just dropped some seriously lightweight inflatable kayaks, and Garmin added an AMOLED screen to its analog Instinct Crossover series. And, Japanese brand TENŌRE bucked conventional wisdom on wetsuits, moving the zipper from the back to the neckline for a better fit and seal.

If you’re prepping for winter, there’s new Arctic-ready footwear from Manitobah Boots, a monster puffy from Peak Performance, and cozy fleeces from Sherpa Adventure Gear. Check it all out below.

Ultralight Inflatable Kayaks

Alpine lakes and remote rivers just got easier to explore. BOTE’s Vali Aero kayak ($1,500) is one of the lightest weight on the market, clocking in at just 16.5 pounds, meaning you can go farther, faster.

The difference maker is the AeroULTRAX construction: a heat-welded material that sheds pounds without sacrificing durability.

Going ultralight doesn’t mean forgoing comfort, though. The Vali Aero comes with padded seating and adjustable footrests for an ergonomic position. With 11-foot solo, 13-foot solo, and 15-foot tandem options, there’s a model out there for every adventure.

Deepwater Watch

Timex’s new Deepwater Meridian 200 ($260) is ready to dive in with you as you explore the ocean’s depths. With a screw-down crown and 44mm shock-resistant case made from stainless steel, this timepiece is water resistant up to 200 m (660 feet). The brand calls the anti-glare sapphire crystal lens “nearly impossible” to scratch.

And the Deepwater isn’t just functional: It exudes a sophisticated, classic style that works as well with a suit and tie as it does a swimsuit. It’s available in a neutral navy band and dial and a brighter aqua blue option.

Velcro Hiking Shoe

Most people associate the footwear brand Teva with sandals, but it’s got a growing line of hiking boots and other adventure-ready footwear. Its most recent drop, the Trailwinder Mid GORE-TEX ($160, women’s and men’s), is a happy medium between a full-on hiking boot and a more nimble trail runner.

The over-the-ankle design keeps out dirt and debris, while the quick-dry mesh upper lets your feet breathe.

The Spider Rubber outsole with tiered lugs is meant to give hikers stability and traction on uneven terrain, and the LITE-COMF foam midsole cushions feet. The adjustable Velcro straps mean that stopping to deal with loose shoe laces is a thing of the past.

Souped-Up Tote Bag

If you’re still using your farmers market tote bag for the gym, Aer thinks you can do better. It recently launched the second generation of its signature Gym Tote ($130), upping the capacity to 22 L and adding more internal pockets and organization. This do-it-all bag fits laptops up to 16 inches, and is made with a durable nylon ripstop lining.

The designated shoe pocket will keep the rest of your gear away from stinky shoes, and it also works as a storage pocket for dirty clothes while traveling.

Backcountry Grill

Hiking miles into the backcountry doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice good food, or your culinary prowess. The GrilTi ($57) is an ultralight, foldable grill made out of titanium, which is rustproof, stain-resistant, and easy to clean. It’s got three cooking zones (a solid hotplate, classic grill, and slots for searing) so you can sauté veggies at the same time that you cook a steak.

The GrilTi is available in two sizes, with the small version clocking in at 13 ounces and the large at 1 pound, 7 ounces. It’s available on Kickstarter for preorder now.

Apparel With a Mission

Sherpa Adventure Gear’s new collection of apparel not only helps you stay cozy and stylish, but also to pay it forward. A portion of the proceeds from the Tarcho Collection helps support Room to Read, an educational nonprofit benefiting school children in Nepal.

Items include full-zip fleeces, pullovers, vests, beanies, and fanny packs. The designs, which are inspired by Nepali prayer flags, range from all-black with pops of color to striking patterns made with bold primary colors.

“Education is the foundation of opportunity,” Tsedo Sherpa-Ednalino, the designer, said in a press release. “Our mission is to empower the next generation of Nepali children by ensuring they have access to schooling. Every product in this collection is not just gear for adventure, it’s a step toward building brighter futures.”

Analog Smartwatch

Garmin’s new Instinct Crossover AMOLED Watch ($650) has all the tech and data you expect from a wearable, but in the sleek package of an analog watch.

Stats like step count and heart rate are displayed around the watch hands, which automatically move out of the way when looking at its digital features. Garmin released its first analog crossover in this series just a few years ago. The addition of an AMOLED screen isn’t groundbreaking, but it does make the series feel more techy while retaining the classic look of an analog watch.

Like any Garmin, it’s also built to last, with a dual-layered metal bezel and sapphire lens. It’s got a 10 ATM water rating and is scratch-, shock-, and thermal-resistant.

Maximum Puffy Jacket

There are puffy winter coats, and then there’s Peak Performance’s new Helium Diamond Fuse Down Hood ($550). This 700-fill down jacket aims for serious warmth, with each element designed to maximize protection against the cold. According to the brand, the jacket’s straight quilt lines on the inside pair with curved quilt lines on the outside to deliver better heat retention, while the 3D baffling purportedly reduces cold spots.

The hoodie has several other unique design features, like diamond-shaped fibers that interlock for improved durability and under-arm panels for better range of motion. Peak Performance also changed the fit and sizing, making it wider for a roomier, more comfortable fit.

For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples in the Arctic wore mukluks, footwear made out of animal skin to protect against the region’s bitter cold, a tradition that Manitobah Boots continues today. The brand’s Two Rivers Collection is the first of its mukluks to add a left and right footbed for added comfort, stability, and traction.

The Bear Mukluk ($275) is made with cowhide, faux rabbit fur, and sheepskin to withstand temps as low as -25 degrees. It also has otter-inspired embroidery from Anishinaabe artist Shannon Gustafso.

“This special otter track design is rooted in our creation stories, and its curiosity helped guide me back to land and ceremony,” Gustafso said.

Cutting-Edge Wetsuit

Fit is one of the most important things about a wetsuit, and Japanese brand TENŌRE thinks it’s cracked the code with its limited-edition elite wetsuit ($798). It used 3D patterning, as well as data on how much the suit stretched while being tested, to create an optimal fit.

Unlike other wetsuits, where the zipper usually sits on the back or front, TENŌRE placed the zipper across the neckline. The brand claims that this design “reduces bulk and shoulder restriction, delivering effortless paddling, quick entry and exit, and a watertight barrier against flushing.” The no-sew seams are bonded with tape to further reduce the chance of leakage.