Outdoor gear isn鈥檛 just expensive to buy鈥攊t鈥檚听expensive to听design, test, and produce. For that reason, many听small brands听have turned to Kickstarter to raise the money they need to manufacture new products. Here are five launches we鈥檙e excited about right now.
Grayl Geopress Purifier
Filtering viruses, microplastics, and heavy metals from 24 ounces of water in eight seconds, Grayl鈥檚 new 听(MSRP: $90)听is one of听the fastest portable water purifiers around. There are two main pieces: an outer cylinder to collect dirty water, and a plastic drinking bottle with a microfiber and carbon filter on the bottom. Scoop up water in the cylinder and push the filter into it, similar to a听French press. The pressure pushes the water up through the filter and into the drinking bottle. The filter is听replaceable and听is good for听350 uses (about 65 gallons). The project has raised more than $125,000, well over its $30,000 goal, with 20 days left.
Banale Backpack
This (MSRP: $152) expands on the fly, delivering exactly the capacity you need when you need it. An external flap loosens听via two horizontal compression straps,听accommodating everything from a bag of groceries to items as unwieldy as听a bike helmet or a gym duffel, and a hidden mesh panel听below听keeps stuff from falling out. When you don鈥檛 have anything bulky to carry, tighten the straps to cinch down the flap, leaving you with a compact commuter bag. The project has raised more than $62,000, well over its $11,309 goal, with 20 days left.
Woolly Clothing Longhaul Pants
Merino is the undisputed king of natural performance fabrics, used in everything from base layers to jacket insulation. Now听 is putting it in slacks. Made with a blend of 71 percent Australian merino wool, 22 percent cotton, and 7 percent spandex, the lightweight听 (MSRP: $95) blend听office-appropriate design (belt loops, slim pockets, and a tailored fit) with trail- and travel-friendly听moisture-wicking properties and odor resistance. The project has raised more than $151,000, well over听its $20,000 goal, with 15 days left.
Unagi Electric Scooter
Sleek design, internal wiring, and one-touch folding come together to make 听(MSRP: $890 and up) one of the best-looking, most portable electric scooters we鈥檝e seen. The frame is made from aerospace-grade听carbon fiber, for major weight savings,听that was hand-laid听for added strength in certain areas. The听250- or 450-watt engine means you鈥檒l be able to tackle hills without sputtering. The project has raised more than $242,000, well over its $50,000 goal, with seven days to go.
Ronin Energetics Praetor Pocketblade
Neodymium magnets lock this (price TBD) into a carbon-fiber sheath for stronger, more secure storage than the plastic sleeves that come with most everyday-carry knives. A simple twist frees the blade from the magnets, which reengage if you don鈥檛 remove the knife from its sheath. The blade is fixed in the handle with compression, not screws, which makes for easy swapping when it鈥檚 time to replace. Simply pull听the blade to remove it from the handle. (The blade won鈥檛 come out when pulled in any other direction.)听The project has raised more than $17,000, well over听its $3,736 goal, with 42 days left to go.