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Dec 21, 2023

Electric Trike, Puffy Glasses, Inflatable Ice Plunge, and More Emerging Gear

From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design. Designed in Colorado and made in Utah,

From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.

Designed in Colorado and made in Utah, Revel Bikes’ new RW30 Rim and Wheelset (29” 28h rim only: $799; 29” 28h complete wheelset: $2,199) is designed to meet the needs of enduro and trail riders in the Rocky Mountains and beyond. Revel’s engineers aim to build the strongest rims in existence.

The brand’s “Fusion-Fiber” technology is a “toughened high-performance polymer made without harmful or brittle epoxy.” It’s crafted in an aerospace facility, and it reportedly yields the best MTB wheel on the market.

The RW30 wheels have 28 spokes and a “snappy and precise feel.” By increasing the width of the wheel’s bead wall, Revel managed to achieve a “23% increase in impact resistance.” That might prove to be the difference between a good time and a taco’d rim.

If cold plunges work for Tom Brady and Justin Bieber, maybe they can offer some benefit to the rest of us. Mainstream culture has certainly entered its cold plunge phase, but the popularity of icy baths has outpaced research into the subject. Still, many people swear by the practice, and semi-portable cold tubs are flying off the shelves.

This week, Edge Theory Labs — makers of ice baths that promise “a healthy body and stronger mind” — drops an extra-large inflatable tub. Dubbed the Edge Tub Elite XL ($5,490), this unit reportedly takes just 15 minutes to set up and comes with its own filtration and “self-cleaning” systems. With this roomy tub, folks over 6’3″ can pretend to be polar bears once per day.

According to Vook, this electric trike can travel up to 110 miles on a single charge — that’s just 40 fewer miles than a base model Nissan Leaf. Styled like a three-wheel Harley with miniature rear wheels, the Vook E-trike is available for preorder now. With a reported top speed of 40 mph, the Vook is faster (and weirder) than most e-bikes.

Vook makes a lot of eye-catching claims about its new machine. Per the Indiegogo campaign, the trike can “drift like a pro.” Also, the motor boasts up to 6,000W of output and 145nM of torque — that’s on par with many street-legal electric motorcycles. Because this trike sits so low to the ground, visibility may be an issue in traffic. We can’t confirm the street legality of this intriguing contraption, but it sure looks fun. The most powerful version can be preordered for $2,500.

Wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, Rowdee is a freshly launched brand geared toward amateur adventure. After 16 months of research and prototyping, the fledgling company drops its flagship product — a vibrant snap-button mountain biking shirt ($89). Its taco-covered print is quirky and fun, but behind the flashy pattern, it appears packable, stretchy, and protective.

Like all good mountain biking tops, this one sports a secure chest pocket and extra-long rear hem. It’s rated to 50+ UPF sun protection, and the snap buttons are easy to open up while riding when you need a little AC.

You’ve heard of puffy jackets — meet puffy sunglasses. According to Tokyo-based brand JINS, the fashion world is currently living through an infatuation with puff. From puffy pants to puffy shoes, airy and inflatable fatigues are apparently en vogue.

JINS’ new Airframe Bold glasses ($140) aren’t actually puffy at all. The frames are extra thick and oversized, but they’re made from hard acetate like most of their peers. Still, the Airframes look like they were crafted by the guy making balloon animals in the corner of the party. In any case, if they’re cool enough for Chuck Close, they’re cool enough for the rest of us.

The Airframes come in three styles, including the pictured 245s. They’re available with a variety of lens options, including prescription, blue light, and tinted.

As a rule, traditional beer isn’t exactly a wellness beverage. With no alcohol and added electrolytes, Best Day Brewing touts its latest lager as a hydrating beer made for outdoor activities.

The company works to create nonalcoholic beers “with the same taste profiles as their full-strength counterparts.” The beer never rises above the fermentation temperature, Best Day notes, so the finished product remains alcohol-free.

The Electro-Lime Cerca de Cerveza ($14 per six-pack) is the latest brew in the company’s line. We cracked open a few cans and can attest to the quality taste. With a hint of sea salt and lime purée, the Mexican-style lager did not disappoint.

A company goal at Article One is to make “heirloom eyewear.” That means boutique, handmade frames that stand out from mass-produced options.

The brand’s latest, the Active x Optical collection, was designed for sporty types. They come in five styles, including the Dunn model (pictured). Made in Italy, the frames are built from a polymer called GKM, which is touted as “lighter, more flexible, and more scratch resistant” than common plastic frame materials.

Grip on the bows and nose piece help keep the glasses secure when you sweat. In our test, the glasses fit nicely and provided crisp vision with a stylish look that is uncommon in the “performance” optics category.

The Active x Optical collection is available this month at partner shops and not for sale online. Frames cost $285. See a list of participating shops here.