TreeLineBackpacker

A new season brings new adventure, but also new equipment to play with and keep us inspired. From mobile power, to audio, to carside convenience, I have put together a list of my favorite accessories that launched for this season, all personally tested. Let’s take a look.

Tozo OpenEgo Open Air Headphones

The oddly named OpenEgo from Tozo presents their take on the flourishing open air headphone category. The audio is clean, clear, and relaxed, providing an enjoyable tonality that has slight roll offs in the highs, and a moderate roll off in the lows. The end result is a fun to listen to, yet non-fatiguing sound profile that is great on and off the trial. They’re extremely comfortable, have a long battery life, and the case displays the exact percentage of charge remaining, which I found extremely useful. Their only flaw is they don’t lock onto the ears as well as others I’m testing (I have actually dropped one while drinking from a water bottle for example). They retail for $70 and are available now.

Ombraz Armless Sunglasses

Ombraz is back at it again with new styles of armless sunglasses. The benefits over traditional sunglasses are numerous, but include a more comfortable fit, lighter weight, a streamlined aesthetic, and they will not fall off under practically any circumstances thanks to the corded design. They’re durable, adjustable, and come in multiple styles and colors. They go for about $160 and can be found here.

Born Mud Mat

Simple, functional, and machine washable, the Mud Mat from Born is a straightforward way to keep things clean and tidy. Usable in the car, home or outside a tent, the recycled ripstop nylon material is waterproof, mud proof, and cleans up much easier than carpet or floor mats. At 33 x 27in (85 x 70 cm) it’s a great size that covers most trunks and hatchbacks, but is also ultra packable and lightweight at just .25 lbs. (113 grams). Available now for $25.

Grayl Geopress Titanium

Imagine if you will, one utensil that combines a cook pot, water filter, and water bottle all into one titanium package. That’s what the Grayl is trying to do. It’s a titanium bottle that filters water much like a french press, but can also be used to boil water and even cook food. It’s lightweight, compact, and can save a lot of pack space. The only downside is it takes quite a bit of effort to pull the filter apart and press the water through the filter and can even be a bit rough on the hands. Thankfully, the process is at least rather quick to perform, making quick top ups at stream side a possibility. The whole kit weighs 24 oz. and retails for $219.95.

Salewa Powertex Shoes

Integrating recycled/leftover hemp fabrics and materials, the Powertex by Salewa not only provides stellar traction and stability on and off the trail, it reduces the ecological impact of their own manufacturing. The midsole and the laces both feature reused hemp materials, which cuts down on the amount of EVA and nylon used accordingly. Other bonuses include an entirely waterproof yet breathable upper, tacky lugs designed for all terrain, and a lightweight, durable construction. They retail for $239,95, and are available now.

Outdoor Tech’s Magnetic Bluetooth Speaker

With a rugged design and IPX6 waterproofing built in, the Bolt is a magnetic outdoor Bluetooth speaker by Outdoor Tech. While the audio quality is just O.K., the real selling points here are usability and the ability to survive outside. It can stick to just about any metallic surface, has a silicone hanging lash, and doubles as a power bank, complete with USB C. It can even be paired with another identical speaker for stereo sound. At $80, it’s a bargain as well. Just make sure to use it with consideration for others. You can check it out here.

BeFree Adaptive Shorts

Just because you love to be outside, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re agile. BeFree has created the Adaptive Shorts so that they can cater to those who may struggle to shore up traditional garments. With two full length zippers, these can be put on while sitting, laying down, or of course standing up. They’re extremely lightweight, breathable, and cost just $40. You can check them out here.

Helinox Chair One XL

Bigger, stronger, and more comfortable. That’s the goal of the Chair One XL. It takes everything great about the original chair one, and steps it up a notch, without sacrificing pack weight or packability. It’s 40% larger than the original, yet still weighs just 3 lbs. 8 oz, and fits inside a traditional day pack. Despite the similar design, it sits way more comfortably than the smaller, lighter Chair One, and is a bit more stable too. It retails for $160, holds 320 pounds, and comes in a variety of colors. You can check it out here.

Wrapping up

That’s it for now. I wanted to place a spotlight on the more interesting or unique items that I wouldn’t normally have time to cover due to time restraints. The duffle bag, as a bonus, is the Eddie Bauer Stowaway Duffel and is also worth checking out. What do you think of my list? Any of this peaking your interest? Something major I missed? Let me know in the comments.

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