If you love to geek out on the latest and greatest in outdoor tech, then this week’s Emerging Gear is for you. HOVERAir officially launched a waterproof, buoyant drone that can capture stellar surfing footage. Coros dropped a versatile, adventure-ready smartwatch that already got the stamp of approval from one of our editors.
Other items include a retro-inspired video camera that almost looks too cool to use, and a portable, lightweight dryer. But we’ve also got some sexy threads this week, like the prettiest running vest we’ve ever seen, and a Wrangler x Coors collab drenched in denim and nostalgia. Find all these gadgets, plus new running shoes and apparel, below.
Camp Snap CS-8 Digital Video Camera
In a world all about content creation, it’s easy to forget that magic can happen with something other than your iPhone. Camp Snap’s new CS-8 digital video camera ($200) is an ode to a bygone era, with a retro, stripped-down design.
This point-and-shoot camera ditches a playback screen and instant previews for an analogue experience that will help you stay in the moment.
The CS-8 is easy to use, with a finger trigger to begin recording and dials to change aspect ratios. It comes with five vintage filters, so you can perfect your vibe, and uses simple buttons for zooming in and out.
Hedgehog JET
There’s nothing worse after a long day outdoors than coming back to a damp sleeping bag or sand-filled tent. Hedgehog’s portable handheld blower — the JET — aims to make those annoyances a thing of the past.
This ultra-compact dryer ($300) weighs just 1.5 pounds, but it packs a punch, delivering speeds of up to 162 mph. With four adjustable speed settings, it can easily dry off boots and kayaks and clean debris out of campsites. The JET is cordless and charges via USB-C, and can last up to 45 minutes on a single charge.
“Our family lives for the outdoors, and we wanted tools that help us get out the door faster and focus on the adventure, not worrying about the mess that follows,” Bjørn Holte, founder of Hedgehog Dryer, said in a press release.
Coros Nomad Watch
Coros’s new Nomad watch ($349) doesn’t just track metrics or provide GPS navigation: It tells a story. The smart watch allows users to record pins and details about their favorite fishing and camping sites with their voice. Audio clips stay pinned to specific locations on the route, so you can remember the moments that matter.
The Nomad is also built tough, with a dual-layer aluminum and polymer construction that can stand up to the elements. The battery can last up to 22 days of standard use, so you can go off the grid with confidence.
Our fishing and hunting editor put the Nomad to the test and found it delivered on every front.
HOVERAir AQUA
We covered the announcement of this exciting new drone release earlier this month, and now the HOVERAir AQUA is available to order on IndieGogo.
The HOVERAir bills itself as the world’s first fully waterproof, self-flying camera. The AQUA ($1,000) is built for surfers, kayakers, and paddle boarders with a hydrophobic lens and multiple specialized modes for activities like snorkeling. It comes with a wearable controller called a Lighthouse so users can easily operate the drone with the touch of a button.
The AQUA delivers high-quality video, with a 4K/100 fps slow-motion camera and a 1/1.28” CMOS sensor. Its battery lasts for 23 minutes of active flight, plenty of time to catch video of you riding a wave or crushing a rapid.
Wrangler x Coors Banquet Collection
Short of bagging 14ers, nothing says “Rocky Mountains” like denim and beer. And to celebrate that vibe, two titans of the American West team up for a limited-edition collection of Frontier-style apparel.
The Wrangler x Coors capsule collab includes a host of ranch-ready, bar-chic duds like denim jackets and vests with styled embroidery and logo patches. There’s also a beer-colored pull-over sweater ($90) with a Rocky Mountain motif, and some vintage-designed graphic tees in bold primary colors for women and men (including the iconic Coors buff-yellow).
Of course, no Wrangler collection would be complete without jeans in classic silhouettes like high-rise flare and straight-leg. This is a limited run, so check it out while it lasts.
The North Face Summit Series Trail Running Kit
We can always count on The North Face to make aesthetically gorgeous gear, and the brand’s new Flora Alpina trail running kit is one of its most stylish lines yet. The floral motif takes inspiration from alpine flowers that have evolved to survive harsh conditions — much like ultra runners adapt to extreme environments.
The collection includes everything to take on the trail. The Summit Vectiv Pro 3 ($250) is a cutting-edge shoe with two layers of ultralight, nitrogen-infused DREAM foam for cushion and propulsion, while the Summit Vest ($160) lets runners carry 10 L in a compact package designed to reduce bouncing.
And The North Face Superior Futurelight Jacket ($320) is designed to have elevated breathability to avoid your waterproof jacket turning into a sauna.
PAKA Women’s Hoodie
After PAKA first launched its unisex hoodie made with alpaca wool in 2022, the product’s soft, warm, and lightweight profile won over a legion of fans. Now PAKA is listening to customers and complying with their number one request: Make a women’s version.
The new PAKA Women’s Hoodie ($150) offers the same insulation and durability as the original in a different silhouette. “The Women’s Hoodie was designed by women, for women,” Megan Krajco, design director at PAKA, said in a press release. “We wanted to capture the feeling of our original hoodie — that sense of being wrapped in comfort and possibility — and reimagine it in a way that honors her body, her movement, and her adventures.”
The women’s version comes in six sizes, from XS to XXL, and is available in three colors: eucalyptus (green), light grey, and fig (maroon).
Topo Designs Cosmos Backpack
In a market crowded with specialized travel bags with boatloads of features, Topo Designs looks to buck the trend. Its new Cosmos Backpack ($100) looks like the antithesis of hyper-designed bags of the present and brings a simple, stripped-down pack.
Grab and stash gear with the large central compartment and a cinch-top closure.
The 22L Cosmos is made with 100% recycled nylon fabric that’s abrasion- and water-resistant. It’s available in two sleek colors that match the bag’s clean, minimalist aesthetic.
Altra x and wander Lone Peak 9+
Altra teamed up with Tokyo-based outdoor brand and wander to reimagine one of its most popular, well-reviewed shoes: the Lone Peak.
The special edition Lone Peak 9+ ($185) comes in two color choices: black and orange. With distinct color blocking and a camo-like pattern, the shoes are distinct but still understated, with a clean sensibility. And its Vibram Megagrip outsoles work to improve traction and stability on varied terrain.
Dovetail Workwear Graphene Pants
Dovetail Workwear, a brand led by women for women, is taking durability to the next level, with three ultra-tough pants: The Britt, Old School High Rise, and Maven (all retailing for $110). These pants are made with graphene, a material derived from carbon that’s three times as strong as typical fibers and provides better temperature regulation. The pants come in a wide range of sizes (0 to 24) and multiple inseam lengths.
“It’s not enough to have durability,” Sara DeLuca, co-founder and VP of product development, said in a press release. “Women need fabrics that move, breathe, and stay comfortable all day. Our mission is to deliver all of that in workwear worthy of our hardest-working customers.”
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