Outdoor gear isn鈥檛 just expensive to buy; it鈥檚 also expensive to听design, test, and produce. For that reason, many small brands听have turned to Kickstarter to raise the money to manufacture their newest products. Here are five听innovative launches we鈥檙e excited about right now.
Cycl WingLight 360 Bike Light听
Designed to mimic the lights on a car, these 听($80) are white in front, like headlights, and red in back, like taillights. The bulbs screw onto the end of each handlebar听so drivers can see how far into the road a cyclist is and leave a wide berth when passing.听With a single tap, each light turns to blinking orange, acting as a turn signal. The lights are waterproof and removable, so you can easily switch them between different bikes.听
Full Windsor Splitter Titanium Multi Utensil听
In 2017, Full Windsor launched the Muncher听($35), a hefty titanium听spork-cum-knife-cum-bottle-opener that became an instant hit and made its way into our 2018 Summer Buyer鈥檚 Guide. Now听the company is launching a new multifunctional camp-kitchen utensil, 听($60). A听long-handled titanium spork听(for reaching into freeze-dried meal pouches) and spatula听clip together to make tongs. The spatula also has a serrated edge for cutting. Together, the kit weighs in at 1.8 ounces.听
PurTrek听Water Filter
听($180) doubles as a water filter. Water enters the system through holes about an inch above the pole tip (a simple twist closes the holes to keep听dust out while hiking). Stick the carbide tip into your water source, flip open the top of the pole and insert the included plastic tube, and then slide the hand grip up and down to pump clean water through the听hollow-fiber mechanism hidden inside the shaft.听
Rumble Go Portable Cold-Brew Coffee Maker听
Dump coffee grounds into 听(price TBD), slide the tube into your favorite water bottle, pour in water, and let it sit overnight. In the morning, your cold-brew coffee is ready to drink the moment you get out of bed or your sleeping bag, so you don鈥檛 have to听fumble around to听boil听water. An extendable听silicone base allows you to adjust the Rumble Go鈥檚 height so it sits securely in your favorite听CamelBak, Hydro Flask, Nalgene, or other bottle听from any of several popular brands.
Arkadia Designs Alta 21 Packable Daypack
Ultralight yet feature-rich, 听($100) is made of 30-denier Cordura, with a 100 percent waterproof main compartment and water-resistant outer pockets. What鈥檚 more, the inflatable back support can be removed and used as a seat cushion or pillow, and the lid zips off and doubles as a fanny pack or sling bag. The whole thing weighs ten ounces and stuffs down to the size of an apple.