32-Inch Hardtail, Skateboard Pack, Tote Towel, and More Emerging Gear

This week’s Emerging Gear is all about two fundamentals when it comes to outdoor gear: the need to stay warm and the need to carry your stuff.

In the unpredictable spring season, a good jacket is a must-have, and there are a number of new ones to check out. Outdoor Vitals dropped its lightest-ever puffer, and Marmot launched a big line of breathable, lightweight fleeces. Mammut teamed up with a chic Scandinavian company to make sleek, minimalist rain jackets.

If you’re a skateboarder, take note: There’s a new messenger bag with a designated compartment for your board. Cyclists will want to check out a burly 32-inch hardtail from BTCHN’ Bikes.

32-Inch MTB

Has the age of 32-inch bike wheels finally arrived? Thanks to a notable win at a recent cross-country biking competition, these burly wheel sizes may soon replace the 29ers that have long been standard for cyclists tackling tough trails.

So perhaps it’s no surprise that BTCHN’ Bikes, a brand based in Chico, Calif., just launched the Alpina, a “groundbreaking” 32” hardtail mountain bike. The Alpina is more than just a scaled-up 29er. Its platform was intentionally designed to maximize the attributes of this larger wheel size, the brand said.

There are three stock sizes for the Alpina, in a batch of bikes built in partnership with Falconer Bikes. The Alpina incorporates all the benefits of the emerging 32″ platform, including a stable platform that offers increased rollover efficiency and a robust contact patch for maximum traction and cornering grip, according to a press release. The resulting ride feel is “noticeably calmer, requiring fewer corrections and allowing riders to maintain speed with less effort,” the brand said.

Breathable Fleece

Patagonia’s R1 Air Fleeces have dominated the market for a while, but there’s a new rival in town. Marmot just dropped its line of lightweight AirFleece Jackets ($135-155).

The brand said that the fleeces’ checkerboard pattern produces airflow that both makes the fleece better at trapping heat and increases breathability. They’re available in quarter-zip, full-zip jacket, and hooded versions, and are made with 100% recycled polyester. Ultralighters take note: The hooded version only weighs 12 ounces.

Skateboard Pack

Skateboarding is both fun and a great mode of transportation, but it does present one problem: How to carry your board on the subway or bus and keep your hands free.

That’s where the new collab from Chrome Industries and No Comply comes in. The brands partnered on a messenger bag ($180) that has a dedicated carrying slot for your board. The classic crossbody design is highly adjustable, and the 24L bag has plenty of pockets for your other stuff (laptop, chargers, water bottle, etc.).

Tech Towel Tote

With winter already in retreat for most of the country, it’s time to start gearing up for fun in the sun. Whether you’re planning to surf, kayak, or just go for a swim in the ocean, you’ll need a towel to dry off. So why not get one that doubles as a bag?

Rumpl recently launched the Tech Towel Tote, a quick-dry towel that converts into a carryall bag. So it can haul your wetsuit, water bottle, flip-flops, or “well-sealed snacks,” the brand said. An integrated stash pocket also fits keys, wallets, and other small items. It costs $70.

Lightweight Quilt

Zenbivy was behind one of the major revolutions in backpacking in the last decade: the switch from sleeping bags to quilts. And now the brand is back with another innovation. Its new Ultralight Dirtbed Quilt ($240-320) is all about simplicity and keeping you warm at the lightest weight possible.

It’s available in 25- and 10-degree versions, which are both filled with 750-fill power ultrasonic Muscovy duck down. They weigh 12.1 ounces and 21.7 ounces, respectively, an impressive stat given that most ultralight sleeping bags weigh at least 2 pounds.

Seamless Bra

BRANWYN focuses on making the one thing every outdoor activity requires: underwear and bras. Its merino wool garments have taken over social media in recent years. The brand’s newest drop aims to be your go-to, everyday bra.

The Essential Seamless Bra ($78) is made with ethically sourced merino wool that’s anti-stink. The seamless, underwire-free design should prevent any digging, rolling, or pinching, so your bra does what it should: stay put. The convertible straps mean you can wear it like a classic bra or as a racerback.

Hiking Capsule

For its newest hiking apparel, Mammut teamed up with cult-favorite Scandinavian brand Hiking Patrol. The resulting capsule collection has a minimalist, modern aesthetic that gives a nod to Y2K style without feeling overly trendy.

Products include lightweight, technical pants ($160), a windproof jacket ($160), and a 22L hiking pack ($140). The rain jacket is made with a PFC-free wate- repellent coating, as well as recycled materials. All the pieces are designed to pair together, with a cohesive color scheme using gray, white, and black.

Revamped Tent

MSR’s Hubba Hubba tent has been popular among backpackers for years, and now it’s getting an upgrade. The brand says it designed the new HD versions for “heavy-duty weather protection and livability.”

The unified pole-and-hub system should mean faster set-up. Unlike many modern ultralight tents, which are mainly mesh, this one uses more nylon for extra durability and protection. The two-person version ($600) clocks in at 3 pounds, 15 ounces, and has a floor area of 32 square feet.

Ultralight Jacket

A puffy is an essential item in any backpacker’s gear kit, but not all are created equal. Outdoor Vitals (OV) is betting its newest, lightest jacket is going to be a gear staple for years to come. Unlike traditional puffers that have baffled stitching, the Zulu Down Jacket ($240) has no baffles in order to increase wind resistance.

The jacket weighs just 11 ounces, but has 102 g of 900-fill power Muscovy duck down that OV says “offers an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio that rivals jackets twice the cost and bulk.” It extends slightly past the waist to the hip for even more protection.

Scarpa just released the next generation of its Ribelle shoe line. The Ribelle Cross 2 ($160-220) comes in two heights: a classic, mid-ankle hiking boot and a lower-rise hiking shoe. It says that the boot “is built for hikers who want trail-running agility with added ankle support and waterproof confidence.”

All the models have dual-density EVA cushioning for comfort, SuperGum traction for grip on uneven terrain, and a Dynamic Stabilizer Torsion frame for better rear-foot stability.