New Outdoor Gear Coming in 2016
For all those gearheads out there, make sure to be in the know for new outdoor gear coming out in 2016. Gear companies, like always, are making hiking, backpacking, climbing, and camping gear lighter and more efficient. Get your hopes up for new fabrics, lighter styles, and interesting ideas for gear this 2016!
Lightweight Two-person Tent (1 lb 13 oz!)
MSR decided to reinvent its popular three season, two-person tent, the MSR Carbon Reflex 2. It is lighter than the original Carbon Relfex 2, weighing in at 1 lb 13 oz. Amazing! MSR cut weight for this freestanding tent by using carbon poles and a zipper-less rainfly but still kept some great features like two doors and two vestibules.
Model: Carbon Reflex 2
Brand: MSR
MSRP: $499 USD
3.5 Oz Rain Jacket
The Berghaus Hyper Jacket is perfect for all my minimalist/ultralight friends. This rain jacket weighs in at only 3.5 oz! Berghaus made such a great smock last year that I guess they decided to create a jacket to come in 2016. You can actually buy the award-winning smock (its a pullover jacket) now; it weighs less than the jacket at 2.6 oz for a medium. Both the jacket and the smock are 100% waterproof and breathable, as the garment’s specs claim.
Model: Hyper Jacket
Brand: Berghaus
MSRP: $155 USD
Lightest Solar Charger
The creators of Solar Paper (a small start-up for now!) boast that this is the world’s thinnest and lightest solar charger ever. If you were an early backer of this solar charger, you might actually have this piece of gear already. However, if you are interested in this solar charger now, pre-ordering has already started. December’s orders should arrive sometime in January 2016. Check out the company’s Kickstarter to get more information on ordering and specs.
Name: Solar Paper
Brand: YOLK
MSRP: $50-$300 USD depending on preferred wattage
Solar Panel Pack from Gregory and Goal Zero
Gregory has paired up with Goal Zero to improve its already popular Baltoro 75 pack by including totally awesome solar panels to the pack so you can travel and hike while your gear charges. It will be named the Baltoro 75 GZ and will be available in Spring 2016. Besides the addition of Goal Zero’s Nomad 7 Plus Solar Panels, the pack does differ a bit from the original Baltoro by adding a different top compartment (to accommodate charger and chargeable gear) and will also be available in different colors.
Model: Baltoro 75 GZ
Brand: Gregory Packs and Goal Zero
MSRP: $380 USD
Shop Gregory Backpacks Shop Goal Zero
Sleek Double-Layer Mountaineering Boots
Although this is Arc’teryx’s first attempt at an alpine mountaineering/ice-climbing boot design, it is sure to compete with popular mountaineering boots currently on the market. This boot features an outer GoreTex waterproof gaiter that unzips to reveal a totally other boot, hence the double-boot feature. Inside the boot, there is a removable GoreTex liner. The soles are Vibram and do stand well with snowshoes and crampons. It is a lighter weight boot compared to other brands while still maintaining a great deal of insulation and waterproof-ness. These boots are expected to be available in February 2016. Learn more about Arc’teryx’s shoe design in our review of Arc’teryx’s footwear
Model: Acrux AR Alpine Boot
Brand: Arc’teryx
Price: $750 USD
Quick Inflation Sleeping Pad
As a backpacker, I wouldn’t want to go anywhere without my blow-up sleeping pad. Inflatable pads are a lot more comfortable than foam but do require some work (the blowing up process). Luckily, Therm-a-Rest knows that blowing up a pad can be tedious and a bit exhausting at the end of a long day, so they created the NeoAir Camper SV. This NeoAir model features a larger blow-up valve so the pad inflates 10 times faster than it would with a conventional valve system.
Model: NeoAir Camper SV
Brand: Therma-a-Rest
MSRP: $140 USD for Large, $160 USD for XLarge
Compact Two-Burner Camp Stove
Many camp stoves with two burners can be quite bulky and heavy. Jetboil ditches a heavy case and creates a foldable design where the stove folds and then fits right inside the pot. The company has created a lighter and more compact design for the camp stove that lets you burn off one propane tank. This stove should be available on or before January 31, 2016, according to Jetboil’s website. If you are in the market for a camp stove, check out our review of Biolite’s camp stove, the MSR Whisperlite review and Jet Boil stove review.
Model: Genesis Base Camp Stove
Brand: Jetboil
MSRP: $350 USD
New Rain Gear Design
Columbia’s new design for rain gear flips the usual design on its head. The OutDry Extreme features a waterproof membrane on the outside, instead of a DWR-treated fabric on the outside. This might sound confusing but Columbia explains it quite well on their website. This new design has never been used before and it is sure to be a hot garment in 2016. This jacket should be in stores early spring 2016.
Not sure about a hike in the rain? Read our article to learn all about staying safe and having fun while in hiking in the rain.
Clothing Line: OutDry Extreme (will be available in 19 different styles including jackets and pants)
Brand: Columbia
MSRP: $150-$400 USD depending on style
Pop-Up, Connectable Camp Tent
This camp tent makes for an easy set up so that camping can be accessible to newbs and low-key campers or festival-goers. Also, you can fly solo in your tent OR you can connect multiple Sierra Shack’s together to make a palace for you and your friends. This tent should hit stores in spring of 2016.
Model: Sierra Shack
Brand: Alite
MSRP: $120 USD
Sleeping Bag with Serious Features
Sea to Summit is releasing their new Basecamp sleeping bag in spring 2016. The bag has straps to secure a sleeping pad and a pillow and also can be completely unzipped to use as a quilt during warmer months. Also, Sea to Summit will make this bag in two different models: one with down insulation and another with synthetic insulation.
Model: Basecamp Series
Brand: Sea to Summit
MSRP: Starting at $269 USD
Shop Sea to Summit Sleeping Bags
Tent with Lighting System and Solar Power
Big Agnes collaborated with Goal Zero to create a tent with a solar panel. This tent is more catered to campers and festival-goers rather than backpackers. The tent has an interior lighting system and a solar powered fan, battery, and lantern. Read up on our gear review for Big Anges’ 2015 tent, the mtnGLO Copper Spur 2 (P.S. it has a LED lighting system too)
Model: Krumholtz UL2
Brand: Big Agnes
MSRP: $650 USD
Boot Made to Withstand Heavy Pack Weight and Long Distances
To all my fellow or potential boot-loving, thru-hikers, this boot might just be for you! Ahnu has created a boot with padded heels and a durable sole to withstand long distances and heavier pack weights. This boot is created in two models, the North Peak (waterproofed) and the Montara (non-waterproof). These boots will hit stores in spring 2016.
Models: North Peak and Montara
Brand: Ahnu
MSRP: $200 USD
Tent Made for Stargazing
Sierra Designs created a backpacking tent that has an easily retractable fly, making stargazing so much easier. You can roll the rain fly back into three different positions to allow sun in or to gaze at the stars without taking the entire fly off.
Model: Nightwatch 2
Brand: Sierra Designs
MSRP: $239.95
What new outdoor gear are you most looking forward to in 2016?
Is there something that you used for years and would not want to replace?
Sources:
http://blog.weighmyrack.com/2016-climbing-gear-overview/
http://footwearnews.com/2015/focus/athletic-outdoor/spring-2016-sneakers-trail-shoes-hikers-outdoor-retailer-49572/
http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/gear/hunting-gear/2013/08/first-look-cool-gear-outdoor-retailer
http://www.5280.com/travelandoutdoors/digital/2015/08/11-picks-summer-outdoor-retailer-show
http://www.toplinemagazine.com/2015/08/13/editors-choice-best-of-outdoor-retailer-summer-2015/
http://gearjunkie.com/outdoor-retailer-summer-market-2015/
http://gearjunkie.com/outdoor-retailer-best-in-show-2015-summer-part-two/
http://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/events/outdoor-retailer/from-long-hikes-to-speed-ascents-2016-shoe-preview/
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