Fire-Resistant Jeans, Weatherproof Telephoto Lens, Flip-Fighting Whitewater Raft, and More Emerging Gear

This is not the week to miss Emerging Gear, ladies and gentlemen!. We’ve got some seriously cool gear to show you, drawing from a huge range of outdoor activities. Photographers will likely salivate over an impressive new lens offering, tradespeople will take note of safer, comfier shoes and workwear, overlanders will salivate at a slide-out camp kitchen, and gadget lovers will want to check out some cheap new smartwatches and a not-at-all-cheap exoskeleton upgrade.

Fire-, water-, and weatherproof seem to be a general theme this week, with durable storage solutions from RTIC and RUX. We’re also anxious to try a burly new whitewater raft, and maybe grab some colorful accessories for cycling and running. There’s something for everyone this week, so don’t miss out on the virtual window-shopping.

M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS PRO

For longtime photographers, a truly weatherproof telephoto lens sounds like a dream come true. But that’s what Japanese brand OM System promises with its impressive new lens.

OM System calls the M.Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm F2.8 IS PRO “the world’s only fully weather-sealed, all-purpose super-telephoto zoom lens.”

It sports a 100-400mm equivalent focal length with a constant F2.8 aperture. Weighing 1,075 g (2.37 pounds), it’s designed for versatile shooting. When paired with OM’s five-axis sync IS, the lens allows for agile handheld photography in all conditions, the brand said. The lens can extend to 800mm with enough IS to still give photographers reliable handheld shooting.

At $3,700, this one doesn’t come cheap. But for photogs working in the toughest outdoor conditions, this one may be worth it — and will certainly be the envy of any shutterbug who sees it. The lens is currently available for preorder with an expected delivery in October.

HyperShell X Ultra

This week, the breakout brand making “exoskeletons” to boost your hiking legs has released a new “flagship model”: the Hypershell X Ultra. After a breakout crowdfunding campaign in 2023, this Chinese brand has continued to draw attention.

The winner of a 2025 IFA Innovation Award, the Hypershell X Ultra can be worn for many purposes, the brand says, “whether that’s hiking, running, cycling or even walking the dog.” The device’s M-One Ultra Motors provide a 25% increase in power, which supposedly translates to a 39% reduction in physical exertion when cycling and 20% less physical exertion when walking, according to the brand.

Hypershell X Ultra also provides strong improvements to battery life, offering a 37-mile walking range — a big leap from the previous generation’s 10.8-mile range. Priced at $2,000, the Hypershell X Ultra officially drops on September 15, but the brand is letting customers pay $10 up front to ensure they don’t miss out on launch day.

Rivtek Alpha Raft

They may be pricey, but the new rafts planned by an emerging brand from Meridian, Idaho, could also be worth the extra dollars. RIVTEK is currently in the final testing stages of its flagship whitewater raft: the 14-foot Alpha.

This prototype is 95% finalized, according to brand founder Ben Tester. From what we can see, they certainly look worth testing. Made for everything from fishing trips to Class V whitewater, the Alpha has several cool features. Those include a drop-stitch design to improve stability and safety for passengers, cantilevered sides to prevent flipping, and flat thwarts to stay comfy over long paddling days.

It’s also accessory-compatible for anglers or other specialized frames. The $7,100 rafts are available to preorder now, with delivery planned for early 2026.

CMF Watch 3 Pro

The expansion of the marketplace for wearables seems to have no end in sight, with major growth projected in the coming years. While flagship smartwatches from Apple and Garmin have long dominated the category, a new wave of cheaper, simpler versions of smartwatches has begun hitting the market.

To that end, London-based CMF just released the Watch 3 Pro, its “most advanced smartwatch to date.” It offers dual-band GPS, a four-channel heart rate sensor, AI-powered coaching, and over 130 sports modes.

There’s also a 10% increase in screen-to-body ratio compared to previous models, and up to 13 days of battery life. Other features include ChatGPT integration, auto-transcribed voice notes, and personalized health insights.

Yet the price tag is still just $100 — a major advantage compared to the high prices of much of the competition. The watch comes in dark grey, light grey, or orange, with global availability.

Snow Peak Does Denim

We’re no strangers to Snow Peak — its blend of chic and high-tech outdoor gear and apparel puts the Japanese brand in a category all its own. But the latest product drop for the autumn and winter seasons gave us a double (denim) take.

Both part of the Takibi Collection, which focuses on campfire-friendly gear, the nondescriptly named Denim Vest and Denim Pants put a new spin on the classic blues. The Denim Vest ($310) looks unlike anything we’ve worn at the campsite, but aside from the fashion statement, the vest carries a flame-resistant cotton and Kanecaron blend and packs in tons of handy extras: two chest pockets, two hidden interior pockets, a rear passthrough tool pocket with mesh bottle holder, and a bunch of gear loops!

And if that’s not enough, you can order a matching pair of firefighting denim trousers ($220)! Check out the entire new line of Snow Peak gear online now.

Snow, sea, trail, and now worksite — Helly Hansen steps into the trades with its first line of work boots and shoes. The Oslo Hiker mid, Barcode low, and Bifrost tall each cater to jobs in hazardous, harsh, and tiring trades.

The high boot Bifrost ($250-325) comes in a lace-up composite toe, and a BOA closure with a standard toe. Both are waterproof and rated to -40º Fahrenheit with 400 g of PrimaLoft Gold insulation. The mid-height Oslo Hiker ($165-175) comes with or without an aluminum toe and supercritical foam for added comfort when standing for long periods. It carries a slip-resistant sole and waterproof leather upper.

Finally, the Barcode Low ($120-130) — soft or aluminum toe — focuses on breathability and comfort, while still offering electrical hazard protection.

ARB Slide-Out Camp Kitchen

Whether it’s hardshell rooftop tents or off-road travel trailers, Australian brand ARB makes accessories for vehicular adventurers of all kinds. Its latest mission is to make cooking a breeze, even with burly 4×4 vehicles.

The brand just dropped a pair of Slide-Out Camp Kitchens designed to easily slide out the back of a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The kitchens come in two sizes, but both offer a two-burner propane-powered stove, sink, storage drawer, and ample bench space. They can be installed as a standalone unit or fully integrated into ARB’s modular drawer systems.

Dickies ‘Tradebuilt’ Outdoor Workwear

Just in time for the great seasonal cool-down, Dickies unveils its “Tradebuilt” line — two styles of duck canvas pants, a rugged work shirt, and a stout shirt jacket. GearJunkie received recent samples of the line and has them all in testing. So far, the gear has proven noticeably more comfortable than traditional workwear.

The Duck Canvas Cargo Pants ($60) and Duck Canvas Double Knee Pants ($60) headline the launch. They both offer durable duck canvas construction, but a surprising amount of stretch. The Double Knee has an extra layer of rugged, stiff material. While the cargo pants offer a selection of drop, zipper, and snap pockets

What’s more, the Shirt Jacket ($90-93) has more muscle and warmth than its name might imply. It’s stretchy with comfy lined hand pockets. But it still carries an abrasion-resistant, DWR-finished duck canvas outer. Best of all the entire Tradebuilt line retails for under $100.

Mosquito-Proof Apparel

Royal Robbins’ tight-weave fabric, dubbed Mosquito Protection Technology (MPT), is a chemical-free solution to block bug bites. It prevents a proboscis from penetrating through the fabric to your skin.

Conventional “repellent clothing” relies on chemical coatings that lose effectiveness after washing. The MPT material gives permanent protection that cannot wash away. We tested two of the shirts this summer. They are lightweight and breathable, and they do indeed block the bugs.

The debut collection launched with nine products, including collared shirts and technical pants. Next year, Royal Robbins expands the MPT collection with hooded sun shirts made to protect from insects and UV all at once.

RTIC Ultra-Dry Collection

Most of us likely know RTIC Outdoors for its coolers and drinkware. So perhaps it’s no surprise that a brand known for insulation would next tackle weatherproof bags. RTIC just dropped its Ultra-Dry Collection, a pair of durable-looking packs for all-weather use.

The Ultra-Dry Backpack and Ultra-Dry Duffle aim to keep your essentials dry in rain or shine. RTIC said they are fully waterproof, durable, and portable — though they’re not intended for full submersion in water. The duffle sells for $150 and offers removable, stowable straps for flexible use, while the backpack costs $120 and is compact enough to fit under a plane seat.

RUX 40L Gear Box

Planning some long-distance trips this fall? Then you might want to consider some extra protection for the pricey gear you’re bringing with you. That’s what the RUX 40L Gear Box was made for. This $250 storage solution is compact, waterproof, and meant to be durable enough for adventure, travel, and everyday use, the brand said.

By making the box with a shorter, “carry-on–friendly” shape, it can fit where other boxes can’t, RUX said. It can supposedly fit under truck seats or into overhead bins, as well as boat decks, van builds, or ATV racks. RUX said it’ll work great as a camp kitchen kit, overland recovery box, marine gear hauler, or modular travel case. It comes with a Press Seal Lid, straps, and flush lash points.

Handlestash Camo Stem Bags

If you’ve never used an insulated stem bag to keep beers cold on social bike rides — I’m here to say you’re missing out, friends. You can find these specialized beverage holders in gorgeous new designs from Denver-based HandleStash.

The brand just dropped its Cheshire Cat Limited Edition Insulated Stem Bags ($65), giving its durable bags a head-turning new look. With nine different camo color options, there are plenty of options to have a drink while riding and stand out from the crowd.

According to the brand, these bags can keep ice frozen in direct sunlight for 6 hours, or keep a warm beverage from getting tepid. Not a drinker? Then it works great as a snack holder, too.

Town Shirt Nero Day Fanny

If you read our GJ review of Town Shirt’s Hawaiian spin on hiking apparel, then you know the brand makes top-notch outdoor gear that also stands out from the comparatively boring options from name brands.

Now the scrappy, mom-and-pop brand has released Ultralight Fanny Packs with several of its most popular shirt prints. That includes the always sexy Red Eth Salamander, as well as manzanitas, lilies, and a design inspired by the Continental Divide Trail. Each fanny pack costs $30 and would make a stellar gift.