Best New Gear | June 2023

An ultra-clean waxed canvas briefcase for your work day, a highly portable water filter for clean water wherever you go, and packable travel bags for flexible carry on your jaunts. Just some of the noteworthy and new pieces that stood out in June. Discover these and more as we delve into the month’s best new gear…

EDC

Nomad x Peak Design Rugged Case

If you need dependable protection for your phone with the benefits of fast mounting technology, Nomad and Peak Design have a nifty solution at the ready. The polycarbonate Nomad x Peak Design Rugged Case integrates extended TPU bumpers around the phone’s corners and camera lenses, providing 15-foot drop protection. Additionally, it also integrates Peak Design’s SlimLink™️ mounting architecture that works with all Peak Design Mobile mounts, chargers, and accessories, as well as Apple MagSafe chargers and accessories. The case is available in the US for a limited time for the iPhone 14  Pro / Pro Max only.

Urban

GOOPiMADE®︎ × master-piece

Japanese carry brand master-piece and Taiwanese clothing brand GOOPiMADE have teamed up on a collaboration that celebrates creative adaptability and multifunctionality. The collaboration includes a backpack and sling-style shoulder bag, each offering distinct eye-catching aesthetics and clever features for adapting on the go. Quick-access pockets with playful openings and a variety of external attachment points keep gear close at hand, while easy access to the main compartment lets you easily pack and retrieve larger items too.

FREITAG Mono[PA6]

FREITAG have a well-established reputation for their sustainable approach to bag construction, using upcycled truck tarps to create practical and durable bags. But now they’re taking their sustainable construction to the next level with circular product development, having just gone into production with the first backpack that can be recycled entirely as a whole. From the fabric to the straps and buckles, it’s made of a single material called polyamide 6, hence the product name FREITAG Mono[PA6]. The triple-layered laminated material has a lining, waterproof membrane, and exterior fabric all made of PA6. The use of a single material makes the recycling process as easy as possible, allowing the backpack to be recycled without requiring complex dismantling. The first backpacks will be available from spring 2024, along with a repair process to extend the product’s life and a take-back process for mechanical recycling when the product has reached the end of its life.

Bellroy Arcade Gray Collection

Looking for a touch of gaming nostalgia in practical urban pieces? Bellroy’s Arcade Gray Collection brings a pop of fun to your setup with a vintage-inspired colorway featuring subtle nods of purple and orange. The collection is an appealing alternative if you want to step away from standard muted colorways while still remaining understated to suit a variety of environments. The colorway features across a range of popular Bellroy styles including the Bellroy Tech Kit, Cooler Caddy, Lite Sling, Lite Sling Mini, Lite Sacoche, Cooler Tote, Lite Duffel, and Lite Pouch Duo.

Arc’teryx Veilance Summer ’23 Light Shift

The Arc’teryx Veilance Summer ’23 Light Shift collection features a variety of men’s and women’s clothing styles that embrace warmer weather and lightweight comfort while you’re on the move. Designed to be airy and flexible, the light layers provide protection from wind and freedom of movement while remaining breathable and packable if you want to stash them in a day bag or luggage. The collection features a range of shirts, shorts, pants, jackets, and more, offering flexible pieces for work or play.

DSPTCH Ruckpack DYNEEMA and ECOPAK

The Ruckpack was launched in 2013 as DSPTCH’s first backpack design. And while it has undergone a few tweaks over the years, it remains a durable, functional, and versatile piece that can straddle everyday and weekend use. Now DSPTCH welcomes two new fabric options for the Ruckpack, including DYNEEMA and ECOPAK ripstop. Both fabrics are sustainably made with minimal carbon footprints and the bag is manufactured in California.

Trakke Portobello Laptop Briefcase

With their latest release, Trakke steps into the world of briefcases with the Portobello Laptop Briefcase. Handmade in Scotland, the briefcase features durable dry-finish waxed canvas and water-resistant zippers. You’ll find a variety of pockets for organizing your gear including a padded 16″ laptop sleeve and six zippered compartments. The 12L briefcase has a removable Trakke patch, comes in four colorways, and also includes a luggage passthrough for easy portability with wheeled luggage.

DSPTCH Craft Collection

For their Craft Collection, DSPTCH steps away from their usual aesthetic with a series designed to celebrate the USA’s rich bag-making heritage. The collection includes a tote, weekender, and shoulder bag, each made in the USA using 18oz waxed canvas and metal hardware. The bags come in three colorways including Black, Olive, and Tobacco and are backed by a lifetime warranty.  

Outdoors

Ten Thousand Set Short

Ten Thousand’s popular swim/workout hybrid Set Short is now available in a variety of summer colors. The shorts were designed for swim workouts but also to seamlessly transition from land to water. The Set Short was developed in collaboration with a team of watersport athletes including former SEALs, freedivers, and triathletes. It’s made of an ultra water-repellant, chlorine and salt-resistant shell, quick-dry, anti-chafe, and anti-odor liner, and a pocket system to keep your valuables secure. 

Beyond Clothing Geo-T Hooded L.S. Shirt

Designed as an all-season layer to keep you protected from the sun, bugs, and weather, the GeoT Long Sleeve from Beyond Clothing hosts an impressive build of materials. Made of Polyester PK Knit Honeycomb, the performance shirt is breathable, quick-drying, and moisture wicking. A UPF50 rating fends off those UV rays while the Ionic+ Odor Control keeps things smelling fresh even after days on the trail. It comes in both men’s and women’s options and is a versatile addition to your outdoor wardrobe.

LifeStraw Peak Solo

How’s the old adage go? The best tool is the one you have with you? Taking weight off the table for excuses for not packing a filter for clean water, LifeStraw have recently introduced the Peak Solo – the lightest and most packable water filter. It comes in at 5.1 inches and tips the scales at a mere 1.7 oz. It uses standard 28mm threading which means it securely attaches to most common water bottles and thanks to its fast flow rate, it can fill a 1-liter bottle in just 20 seconds. It’s designed to filter out bacteria, parasites, and microplastics almost entirely and the standard membrane filter lasts up to 2,000 liters.

Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX Boots

For more than 90 years, Danner has been producing some of the toughest and longest-lasting boots. To continue that trend of sustainability, the Portland brand has just introduced the 600 Leaf GTX, the first modern, recraftable hiking boot. It’s packed with the same performance features as the original but boasts the addition of recycled components. Available in a full size run for both men and women, the Mountain 600 Leaf GTX features a full-grain upper, GORE-TEX protection using 45% recycled content, and a Vibram midsole and outsole offering rebound, comfort, and superior grip. And of course, they are recraftable with the ability to resole and repair through Danner’s Recrafting Program.

OtterBox Soft Coolers

Just in time for summer, OtterBox launched a line of soft coolers. Available in a range of silhouettes, they are perfect for days at the beach, lazy days at the park, or on epic road trips. 

Starting with the largest size, the Tote Cooler can hold 24 cans, with plenty of room inside to pack food and drinks. Made for mobility, it features a convenient shoulder strap and carrying handles and even has external pockets for fast access. For something a little more compact, the Cube Cooler can also hold 24 cans but has a more squared-off shape. Its advanced insulation can keep ice cold for up to two days. Built-in pockets are perfect for utensils and the sturdy handle or optional shoulder strap make it easy to move around. Finally, the Lunch Cooler bag has space for up to six cans and rocks a built-in handle plus a removable shoulder strap. To keep your food dry, the bag closes with a water-resistant zipper. It even comes with an ice pack too!

Travel

Matador ReFraction Series

The latest collection from Matador includes a duffel, sling, and backpack designed to go anywhere and everywhere with you. Optimized for both style and functionality, these sleek weatherproof bags pack down for travel and are offered in three colorways (Black, Slate Blue, and Arctic White).

The duffel holds 25 liters while weighing just 7.0 oz. It features adjustable shoulder straps and rubberized handles for versatility and comfort. The sling holds 2 liters, enough for your daily essentials like phones, wallets, and keys. The YKK water-resistant zippers and security loops keep things secure while a zipper front pocket allows for quick access. Adjustable compression straps provide a customized fit and the option to wear it around the waist for hands-free convenience. Finally, the ReFraction Packable Backpack has an ideal EDC capacity of 16L, water-resistant zippers, cushioned shoulder straps, and stretch pockets for water bottles. A sternum strap and pass-through round out the convenient features.

Our Best New Gear guides are written by David Vo and Catherine Baecker-Khoury.