Summer heat has already arrived for many of us — and that means making sure you’re prepared to take advantage of it. No matter the time of year, there’s gear to help you make the most of time outside.
For this week’s slate of new products, we have a couple pairs of shoes for hikers and alpinists, new cooking options for delicious outdoor meals, two packs promising lightweight, minimalist designs for either outdoor hijinks or far-flung travels, and more!
Welcome to the latest and greatest of Emerging Gear.
NRS Fishing Boats
NRS just launched two new personal fishing rafts: the Boundary 100 and the Oxbow 85. These cutting-edge inflatables aim to meet the diverse needs of solo anglers. In fact, Fly Fisherman dubbed the Boundary 100 the Best New Watercraft of 2025.
The Boundary 100 has an open-floor design, blending the maneuverability of a raft with the versatility of a kickboat, NRS said. The 10-foot raft is engineered for anglers seeking to explore both flatwater and light whitewater terrains.
More lightweight and compact, the Oxbow 85 is better for anglers who frequently hop in and out of their boats or prefer to fish unobstructed, according to NRS. The fully open bow design is purpose-built for fishing lakes, ponds and flatwater, and its lightweight portability makes it easy to access harder-to-reach waters.
Made In Grill
It seems that every week, grillers have more options for cooking outdoors. The new Made In Grill is the latest addition to the brand’s growing collection of grilling hardware. And it’s manufactured in Texas.
The Made In Grill has an adjustable fire bed, which allows users to change the height of the fuel source — charcoal or wood — to provide more direct or indirect heat and temp control. And the steel grate surface can fold away to make way for the brand’s Carbon Steel Griddle
The Made In Grill costs $500 and offers a versatile option for outdoor cooking this summer, be it the beach, backyard, or campground. Or you can bundle it with the Griddle and Press for $680 and get 10% off.
Sky View Backpacker
This Colorado brand claims to offer “the best backpacking stargazing tent.” Sky View, based in Buena Vista, Colo., just released the Sky View Backpacker, a purpose-built tent for hikers seeking “unmatched views of the night sky.”
The tent’s fully transparent mesh roof offers better viewing than traditional tents while still keeping out bugs, Sky View said. It weighs 4.5 pounds (3.25 pounds in trekking pole mode) and includes an internal rainfly system you can deploy without leaving the tent.
The tent, fully stitched in Colorado, costs $350.
Arc’teryx Alpha SL Pack
The Alpha SL Pack is supposedly Arc’teryx’s lightest and most technical alpine pack to date. Inspired by the brand’s Alpha FL pack, the new Alpha SL ($400) delivers aims for improved durability while trimming weight and increasing recyclability.
In fact, the pack offers an impressive 50% reduction in weight, according to the brand. It’s made from ALUULA Graflyte, which layers ultralight, ultrastrong polymer films in a patented fusion process to create a single material, delivering unrivaled tear strength. At about 316 g without the waistbelt or compression straps, it’s around the weight of an iPhone, Arc’teryx said.
Other features include a rigid, thermoformed back panel, lightly padded thermoformed shoulder straps, and six integrated lash points for customized gear carry. It’s got two dog-bone attachments to secure ice tools, a top-entry main compartment with drawcord, and an external WaterTight zippered pocket.
The pack launches today (May 8).
The North Face Offtrail Hike
The North Face has some fancy new hiking shoes. Designed for technical terrain, the latest kicks in TNF’s Offtrail Hike collection come in two models: the Offtrail Hike GORE-TEX Shoe and Offtrail Hike LT Mid GORE-TEX Boot.
Both styles have a CORDURA over-lasted forefoot and an integrated SKYCORE rock guard. They aim for reliable traction with a SURFACE CTRL rubber outsole, and breathable, waterproof performance with a PFAS-free GORE-TEX 3L membrane.
Prices range from $185 to $200.
Swatch Scubaqua Collection
If your watch tastes lean toward colorful rather than classy, Swatch’s new Scubaqua Collection looks like an obvious winner.
The Swiss brand’s latest watch line includes five water-resistant, divers’ style watches inspired by different species of jellyfish. The designs fuse two materials: bioceramic and bio-sourced materials derived from castor oil, which bring vibrant color to the transparent parts of the watch case. They’ve also got glow-in-the-dark accents to ensure perfect readability in any setting, the brand said.
Le Creuset Alpine Outdoor Collection
According to Le Creuset, its Alpine Outdoor Collection is “once again bringing sophistication and quality to the great outdoors.” Of course, a 100-year-old French brand can get away with grandiosity like that, and the new offerings certainly look top-notch.
The collection includes three products made from enameled cast iron and specifically designed for cooking over an open flame: the Rectangular Griddle, Grill Pan, and Round Dutch Oven. They’re advertised as durable, easy-to-clean, and ready to use with no seasoning required, according to Le Creuset.
They’re not cheap, but that’s hardly surprising for cast-iron tools from a legacy brand like this one.
Salewa Wildfire NXT Mid GTX
With the Wildfire NXT Mid GTX, Salewa offers a versatile approach shoe for modern mountain athletes, the brand said.
Engineered for fast movement across diverse alpine terrain, the model offers all-weather protection in a lightweight, mid-cut silhouette. At 380 g per shoe (UK size 8), the shoe has a 10mm drop. The upper is a Matryx high-tenacity nylon reinforced with ripstop, while Salewa’s 3F System is meant to stabilize the heel and lateral zones. A nylon elastic gaiter keeps debris out.
Inside, the shoe has GORE-TEX Phoenix lining with a PFAS-free ePE membrane. A Vibram All-Terrain Megagrip outsole ensures traction in wet or dry conditions, while the C.F.F. PRO footbed should stay comfy even on rapid, rocky descents.
Gossamer Gear Ultralight Travel Collection
Ultralight gear lovers know that Gossamer Gear makes some of the best packs on the market. Now the Austin, Texas-based brand has launched the modular Travel Collection for smarter, lighter, more adaptable travel.
The entire collection packs inside the Aero Jet, a carry-on backpack that’s one of the lightest 35L packs on the market. The modular Travel Collection is engineered for streamlined travel with smart storage solutions. The entire collection is ultra-lightweight, with each component designed to minimize bulk and ounces without sacrificing durability or functionality, the brand said.
Hublot MP-10 Tourbillon
In the category of weird and absurdly expensive, we have Hublot upgrading an already fancy timepiece with additional case options in sapphire and black ceramic.
The watch in question is the MP-10 Tourbillon, which has no dial, no hands, nor even an oscillating weight. According to Hublot, this watch doesn’t possess a single right angle — who knew?
Instead, the piece has a roller display, a circular power reserve, and regulation via a tourbillon (a mechanism for increasing accuracy). It’s pretty wild-looking, and the new sapphire and black versions will certainly turn heads.
With a price tag over $400,000, this would probably be ideal for walking the red carpet at the next Met Gala. See you there, rock star.
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