Every year, 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 gear team heads to Outdoor Market Alliance in Lakewood, Colorado, to get a glimpse at the new gear headed to the North American market. Much of what we get our hands on is headed for shelves in a few months for the fall season. Some of it, though, is a glimpse at next summer鈥檚 offerings, giving is a peek into the crystal ball of outdoor gear. Our favorite finds this year? Batteries that work like alkalines but perform like lithium, serious mountain biking packs for little shredders, and the much-delayed release of Thule鈥檚 anti-rooftop tent.
Coulee Coffee
For those who aren鈥檛 quite convinced of high-end instant coffee (but honestly, it鈥檚 not bad!), Coulee Coffee recently launched its single-serving, fully-biodegradable pour-over filters. Similar to the Kuju filters we鈥檝e seen on the market, but with a less flimsy design, each bundle comes pre-filled with 14 grams of grounds; So far, the company offers four different roast options. The filters have a sturdy platform that fits on the rim of most standard mugs without fear of tipping or collapsing when pouring in water to brew. You can also buy $20 packs of empty filters to fill with your favorite grounds. 鈥擜dam Trenkamp, gear lab editor
Coast Zithion-X Batteries
There are plenty of rechargeable lithium batteries on the market, but these are special. Coast鈥檚 new batteries have something called ZX Optimized Voltage technology that supposedly delivers the same steady output as alkaline (traditional AA and AAA), making them compatible with 鈥渓ow drain鈥 devices鈥攖hink headlamps and two-way radios. Apart from keeping alkalines out of the landfill, this gives you the performance benefits of lithium鈥攍onger run time and increased performance in extreme temperatures鈥攊n a truly alkaline-compatible package. We asked if the Zithion-X batteries are safe for use with avalanche beacons, which could be big for winter backcountry travel, but haven鈥檛 received confirmation. 鈥擜dam Trenkamp, gear lab editor
Osprey Raptor Jr Hydration Pack
Finding specialized outdoor gear that truly fits kids can be a challenge鈥攎ost technical equipment is designed with adults in mind. Osprey has taken the lead in changing that narrative by focusing on redesigning some of its adult-size packs for kid-specific fits, like the Raptor Jr, a fully-featured hydration pack for young mountain bikers. It doesn鈥檛 lack on any of the technical bells-and-whistles that the full-sized pack includes, like a stretchy front sleeve pocket, an internal tool organization, stabilizing upper compression straps and dual mesh hip belts, and a LidLock helmet attachment clip on the front of the pack. It also comes with a 1.5-liter reservoir that fits snug inside. 鈥擡rica Zazo, Backpacker contributor
Nestout FAN-1 Portable Fan
I鈥檓 not afraid to deck out my campsite for the sake of comfort, but I鈥檝e never found a worthwhile portable fan to pack on my car camping adventures. They鈥檙e either too noisy, too bulky, too weak, or unable to hold a charge overnight. Nestout鈥檚 FAN-1 solves almost all of these problems. You can choose between four different fan speeds and adjust it to swing at 40掳, 70掳, and 100掳 for customized airflow. Built-in tripod legs let you find placement on uneven surfaces, or you can remove the legs and hang the FAN-1 on a tree branch using mounting hooks. I found it particularly useful to blow away pesky mosquitos on windless nights. 鈥擡rica Zazo, Backpacker contributor
Thule Outset Hitch-Mounted Tent
[Launching August 26]
We first saw Thule teasing its a few years back. After quite a few delays (pesky North American compliance), the roof rack brand鈥檚 rooftop tent alternative is finally hitting the market. The new Outset mounts to a standard 2-inch hitch, giving campers a home on wheels that can easily be attached and detached, simpler to set up, and doesn鈥檛 tie up roof space. The best part: You can leave the tent freestanding when parked, which makes quick trips to town or the trailhead a lot easier than with roof-mounted models.
Inside, the Outset offers a raised platform, a built-in mattress, and big windows for ventilation鈥攆eatures that should appeal to anyone who wants a more comfortable camp setup without sleeping on the ground. In general, the design seems geared toward weekend campers who want convenience without a ton of fuss. No doubt, the Outset is something that will only appeal to a small group of campers, especially with a $4,700 price tag. 鈥擩enny Wiegand, associate gear director
La Sportiva Sender Ski Boot
[Available Fall 2025]
La Sportiva built its backcountry rep on lightweight, uphill-focused touring boots, but the new Sender marks a clear push into freeride territory鈥攁nd brings a first for the brand: GripWalk soles. That means seamless compatibility with both tech and alpine hybrid bindings, something La Sportiva hasn鈥檛 offered until now.
At just under 1,500 grams and a 130 flex, the Sender targets skiers who want real downhill power on big skis but aren鈥檛 willing to sacrifice uphill efficiency. A carbon-loaded Grilamid cuff, Pebax shell, and a Force Wrap liner lock in support, while a 63-degree range of motion in walk mode that should keep skinning practical for big days out.
The Sender is exciting because it鈥檚 La Sportiva鈥檚 most freeride-focused touring boot yet, and the brand鈥檚 first shot at a true crossover model built for skiers chasing big descents without ditching the climb. 鈥擩enny Wiegand, associate gear director
Marmot Wraptor Sleeping Bag
[Available Spring 2026]
We鈥檝e seen a few 鈥渨rap鈥 style sleeping bags in recent years, most notably the Wrap Sack from Rumpl. Marmot鈥檚 take uses a more traditional mummy style, and foregoes zips for magnetic closures. Available in synthetic and 650-fill down and in 15-to-20-degree ratings, the Wraptor lets you regulate your warmth by choosing between one or two layers of sleeping bag, and utilizes an聽 鈥渆nvelope-style鈥 footbox, which lets you stick a foot or two out when you get hot. The magnetic closure at the collar only opens when it鈥檚 pulled down, which Marmot says should keep it from popping open in the middle of the night. Bonus: it鈥檚 made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled materials. 鈥擜dam Trenkamp, gear lab editor
Fjallraven Kajka X-L盲tt 45
[Available Spring/Summer 2026]
The trendy Swedish brand, best known for its durable, sturdy hiking gear, is making a concerted effort to lighten the load of its packs and apparel across the board. Its new 45-liter Kajka X-L盲tt pack, built for short backpacking trips, weighs only 2.4 pounds, which is quite light for Fjallraven, but just about average for most other pack-makers. But the X-L盲tt stay true to its robust design roots with the brand鈥檚 Vinylon F (a burly synthetic fabric with the feel of canvas) and sturdy birch stays. We鈥檒l be curious to see how the pack actually carries after a season of testing. 鈥擝enjamin Tepler, senior gear editor