Every year, Outside’s gear team heads to Outdoor Market Alliance in Lakewood, Colorado, to get a glimpse at the new gear headed to the North American market. Much of what we get our hands on is headed for shelves in a few months for the fall season. Some of it, though, is a glimpse at next summer’s offerings, giving is a peek into the crystal ball of outdoor gear. Our favorite finds this year? Batteries that work like alkalines but perform like lithium, serious mountain biking packs for little shredders, and the much-delayed release of Thule’s anti-rooftop tent.
Coulee Coffee
For those who aren’t quite convinced of high-end instant coffee (but honestly, it’s not bad!), Coulee Coffee recently launched its single-serving, fully-biodegradable pour-over filters. Similar to the Kuju filters we’ve seen on the market, but with a less flimsy design, each bundle comes pre-filled with 14 ounces of grounds; So far, the company offers four different roast options. The filters have a sturdy platform that fits on the rim of most standard mugs without fear of tipping or collapsing when pouring in water to brew. You can also buy $20 packs of empty filters to fill with your favorite grounds. —Adam Trenkamp, gear lab editor
Coast Zithion-X Batteries
There are plenty of rechargeable lithium batteries on the market, but these are special. Coast’s new batteries have something called ZX Optimized Voltage technology that supposedly delivers the same steady output as alkaline (traditional AA and AAA), making them compatible with “low drain” devices—think headlamps and two-way radios. Apart from keeping alkalines out of the landfill, this gives you the performance benefits of lithium—longer run time and increased performance in extreme temperatures—in a truly alkaline-compatible package. We asked if the Zithion-X batteries are safe for use with avalanche beacons, which could be big for winter backcountry travel, but haven’t received confirmation. —Adam Trenkamp, gear lab editor
Osprey Raptor Jr Hydration Pack
Finding specialized outdoor gear that truly fits kids can be a challenge—most technical equipment is designed with adults in mind. Osprey has taken the lead in changing that narrative by focusing on redesigning some of its adult-size packs for kid-specific fits, like the Raptor Jr, a fully-featured hydration pack for young mountain bikers. It doesn’t lack on any of the technical bells-and-whistles that the full-sized pack includes, like a stretchy front sleeve pocket, an internal tool organization, stabilizing upper compression straps and dual mesh hip belts, and a LidLock helmet attachment clip on the front of the pack. It also comes with a 1.5-liter reservoir that fits snug inside. —Erica Zazo, Backpacker contributor
Nestout FAN-1 Portable Fan
I’m not afraid to deck out my campsite for the sake of comfort, but I’ve never found a worthwhile portable fan to pack on my car camping adventures. They’re either too noisy, too bulky, too weak, or unable to hold a charge overnight. Nestout’s FAN-1 solves almost all of these problems. You can choose between four different fan speeds and adjust it to swing at 40°, 70°, and 100° for customized airflow. Built-in tripod legs let you find placement on uneven surfaces, or you can remove the legs and hang the FAN-1 on a tree branch using mounting hooks. I found it particularly useful to blow away pesky mosquitos on windless nights. —Erica Zazo, Backpacker contributor
Thule Outset Hitch-Mounted Tent
[Launching August 26]
We first saw Thule teasing its Hitch-Mounted tent a few years back. After quite a few delays (pesky North American compliance), the roof rack brand’s rooftop tent alternative is finally hitting the market. The new Outset mounts to a standard 2-inch hitch, giving campers a home on wheels that can easily be attached and detached, simpler to set up, and doesn’t tie up roof space. The best part: You can leave the tent freestanding when parked, which makes quick trips to town or the trailhead a lot easier than with roof-mounted models.
Inside, the Outset offers a raised platform, a built-in mattress, and big windows for ventilation—features that should appeal to anyone who wants a more comfortable camp setup without sleeping on the ground. In general, the design seems geared toward weekend campers who want convenience without a ton of fuss. No doubt, the Outset is something that will only appeal to a small group of campers, especially with a $4,700 price tag. —Jenny Wiegand, associate gear director
La Sportiva Sender Ski Boot
[Available Fall 2025]
La Sportiva built its backcountry rep on lightweight, uphill-focused touring boots, but the new Sender marks a clear push into freeride territory—and brings a first for the brand: GripWalk soles. That means seamless compatibility with both tech and alpine hybrid bindings, something La Sportiva hasn’t offered until now.
At just under 1,500 grams and a 130 flex, the Sender targets skiers who want real downhill power on big skis but aren’t willing to sacrifice uphill efficiency. A carbon-loaded Grilamid cuff, Pebax shell, and a Force Wrap liner lock in support, while a 63-degree range of motion in walk mode that should keep skinning practical for big days out.
The Sender is exciting because it’s La Sportiva’s most freeride-focused touring boot yet, and the brand’s first shot at a true crossover model built for skiers chasing big descents without ditching the climb. —Jenny Wiegand, associate gear director
Marmot Wraptor Sleeping Bag
[Available Spring 2026]
We’ve seen a few “wrap” style sleeping bags in recent years, most notably the Wrap Sack from Rumpl. Marmot’s take uses a more traditional mummy style, and foregoes zips for magnetic closures. Available in synthetic and 650-fill down and in 15-to-20-degree ratings, the Wraptor lets you regulate your warmth by choosing between one or two layers of sleeping bag, and utilizes an “envelope-style” footbox, which lets you stick a foot or two out when you get hot. The magnetic closure at the collar only opens when it’s pulled down, which Marmot says should keep it from popping open in the middle of the night. Bonus: it’s made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled materials. —Adam Trenkamp, gear lab editor
Fjallraven Kajka X-Lätt 45
[Available Spring/Summer 2026]
The trendy Swedish brand, best known for its durable, sturdy hiking gear, is making a concerted effort to lighten the load of its packs and apparel across the board. Its new 45-liter Kajka X-Lätt pack, built for short backpacking trips, weighs only 2.4 pounds, which is quite light for Fjallraven, but just about average for most other pack-makers. But the X-Lätt stay true to its robust design roots with the brand’s Vinylon F (a burly synthetic fabric with the feel of canvas) and sturdy birch stays. We’ll be curious to see how the pack actually carries after a season of testing. —Benjamin Tepler, senior gear editor
