Best New Gear | May 2022

Savvy staples for exploring the outdoors. Active-ready essentials. A burly easy-access EDC organizer. And so much more. May stepped up in style with hot new offerings and we’ve got the month’s best new gear right here…

EDC

Orbitkey Star Wars Collaboration

Launched earlier this month on Star Wars Day (May the 4th), the Australian accessory company teamed up with Disney to produce an impressive collection of four Key Organizers, all of which pay tribute to the Star Wars universe. Boba Fett kicks things off with a camo nylon band and maroon leather lining, paying tribute to his helmet and chest plate. The Mandalorian organizer features a charcoal crazy horse leather band with brown stitching, evoking images of the bounty hunter’s armor. Inspired by Grogu, we see a light tan suede with hints of green in the stitching and lining. Lastly, taking a step into the Dark Side, Emperor Palpatine’s organizer features a limited edition black saffiano band lined with purple leather and matching stitching. The collection is fully compatible with Orbitkey’s existing tools and accessories and is available now.

Distil Union Polarized Sunglasses

Since we last checked in with Nate and Co., they’ve launched an exciting expansion to their Ferris-compatible sunglasses. This time, they are bringing polarized lenses and new (Gnarlon) frames to the party. The frames are constructed of an interesting elastomer called Pebax Rnew which makes them lightweight with cold temperature durability and amazing energy return. On offer are six new sunglasses with the aviator-style Mavericks arriving mid-August. The one that really stands out is the Noisette, a unisex frame that has a Wayfarer aesthetic. The Ashley is a women’s-style frame with the iconic keyhole bridge, while the Capers have a wider wrap-style frame and are designed for sports fans and those on the move.

All the glasses include polarized lenses and of course are magnetic, which means they are ready to grab when you’re headed out the door. And a bonus protip: the glasses clip nicely to your shirt collar and don’t budge when you lean over!

James Brand x VMP The Abbey

Portland-based innovators The James Brand have a habit of creating pocket tools that fit your needs for any given situation. Such is the case here with their newest product, The Abbey. Created in conjunction with Vinyl Me Please, the Abbey is a small, fixed-blade knife made from a highly corrosion-resistant stainless steel, featuring a real vinyl LP inlay made from recycled VMP records and paired with a top-grain leather sheath. While designed for opening your favorite records, this will also become your new best friend for letters, boxes, and anything else that needs that satisfying slice. Sleek design and unique materials, what’s not to love?

YSMART TIPEN 3.0

Pens are incredibly handy items to have at the ready throughout the day. And with its compact, stylish design there’s no reason you can’t carry the YSMART TIPEN 3.0 pen every day. Available in titanium and brass in a choice of laser-engraved patterns, the pen measures just 6cm long. It features an exceptionally strong silicon carbide tip that allows the pen to open boxes, pry open lids, and more. Refillable and waterproof, this pint-sized pen is easy to carry on your person or in a bag, ready when you need it and out of the way when you don’t.

Makr H-Weld Two Wallet

Makr brings slim elegance to your pocket carry with their H-Weld Two Wallet. Made in the USA, the wallet comes in a choice of Wickett & Craig® English Bridle Leather and Horween® Leather, with a range of colorways to suit personal tastes. The dual-pocket wallet holds cards and folded cash and is meticulously hand-sewn and edge-painted for a premium look and feel.

Dango Carabiner and Shackle

Need to conquer carry chaos in your pockets? The Dango Carabiner and Shackle are a burly team ready to put your pocket contents to rights. A key feature is their ability to be used together or independently. The carabiner keeps a variety of EDC tools secure yet accessible on the move. Secure it easily to a belt loop or bag webbing depending on your preferences and you’re good to go. The shackle keeps keys neatly in order and attaches to the carabiner with a steel bolt, making it easy to secure together or use separately as desired.

Urban

Mack Weldon Polos

NYC-based menswear brand, Mack Weldon, have doubled the size of their polo offering by introducing two new models – the Pima T-Shirt Polo and Stealth Polo. The Pima T-Shirt feels like a tee but is still office-ready. It’s available in six colorways, has a relaxed fit, and looks great untucked. Pima cotton is the cousin to Egyptian cotton but is more luxurious and resists pilling and wrinkling – perfect for a polo. The Stealth Performance Polo blends a technical fabric with comfort. The seamless, ventilated polo features soft, recycled fibers that offer quick-dry and moisture-wicking capabilities. It also features an anti-odor finish and structured collar to keep you smelling and looking fresh.

Ten Thousand Seamless Shirt

NYC-based men’s activewear label, Ten Thousand, just introduced the Seamless Shirt – the company’s most technically advanced workout shirt to date. The team worked for over a year, producing dozens of prototypes to produce what they consider the perfect exercise shirt – and it shows. Built using a state-of-the-art seam-free knitting process, the Seamless Shirt avoids hot spots and chafing. Built-in mesh in key high-temperature zones keeps you cool and the construction is guaranteed to maintain its shape. The shirt is also moisture-wicking and quick-drying and even has a silver ion anti-odor treatment too.

Bellroy Venture Collection

The team at Bellroy HQ know how to get out there and after it, day after day. It’s no surprise that their newest line, the Venture Collection, is designed for whatever your day can throw at you. Whether you’re scrambling up a trail, or slipping on a shirt for the boardroom, this collection will assimilate effortlessly. All the bags in this collection are made from 100% recycled nylon and are leather-free. Choose between a sling, backpack, and duffel, or snag all three and have the perfect travel setup! The Venture series is made for exploring!

Outerknown x Joey Landreth

Outerknown are a thoughtful brand. They do everything with intention, all with the goal of leaving the world in a better state. This is apparent in all of their products, which are designed to last the test of time and get better with each wear. Some of their products have become cult classics, such as the Blanket Shirt, which does exactly what it says on the tin. In this small collection with soulful musician Joey Landreth, they’ve added some subtle touches to create a hardy trucker jacket, a unique hoodie, two blanket shirts, and a beautiful graphic T-shirt. Joey’s music runs parallel to OK’s ethos, and the two are a great pairing. This is a limited collection, so don’t miss out!

DUER Weightless Collection

Vancouver-based DUER are a favorite here at Carry HQ. Their pants, shorts, and sweats are some of the most comfortable around. However, that’s not all! Not only are their clothes comfortable, but they are also innovative with fabrics and always trying something new! That innovation can be seen in their newest launch, the weightless Poplin. Available in both shorts and pants, this 3oz weightless Poplin is a mix (72/25/3) of organic cotton, REPREVE®, and Lycra® Spandex. What this means in reality is you’ll be wearing pants that look like your favorite chino, stretch like your favorite sweatpants, and breathe like your favorite linen. In fact, you’d be forgiven for checking if you’re wearing pants at all. Perfect for summer, these are sure to be another home run from the team at DUER!

Outdoors

LIVSN Reflex Shorts

Just in time for summer. A glorious union of your favorite pair of yoga shorts and your favorite outdoor shorts; all in one comfy and versatile design. The Reflex fabric is a recycled polyester with mechanical stretch. The inside face of the fabric has a micro-diamond texture, while the outside face has a smooth, matte finish. The LIVSN Reflex Shorts are light, soft to the touch, and feel incredible on those hot summer days.

Tifosi Clarion Red Fototec Sunglasses

When you’re getting active outdoors, the chances are pretty high you’ll encounter changing light conditions throughout the day. Rather than swapping out eyewear to adapt to different conditions, Tifosi’s Clarion Red Fototec sunglasses adapt on the fly. The tinted lenses start out almost clear in low light but become darker in brighter light, adjusting quickly while you’re on the go. Available in a range of styles such as the Davos, Aethon, Crit, and Rail, you’ve got plenty of options for pounding the tarmac on foot, tackling mountain bike trails, and more.

marcher 3-way bag 

Your carry needs change as you move between different environments and load requirements. But rather than rotating through multiple bags, the marcher 3-way bag is designed to provide a versatile solution for multiple loads and settings. How does it do this? By offering three different carry options including sacoche, tote, and backpack modes. Plus an expandable volume that grows from 4L to 12L to accommodate changing setups. Useful features such as separate storage for wet items and bungee cords for external carry give you flexible storage. And this adaptable outdoor/urban design all comes in at just 188g in total.

Buck Mason Trail Collection

Buck Mason are pros when it comes to creating staples that you can rely on. From shorts to shirts they are a brand you can trust wear after wear, all whilst looking good. Their newest collection takes all of their hallmark features out onto the trail with a curated collection of hiking and outdoor options. Jackets and pants are made from 5.6oz cotton, mixed with ripstop nylon and a hint of stretch, while the roam tees and shorts have antimicrobial properties to keep you fresh on your next adventure. A great blend of fashion and function, you won’t be disappointed.

MiiR x Chris Burkard Halendid Collection

MiiR aren’t your usual water bottle brand. Since their inception, they have been committed to helping provide safer drinking water the world over through a mix of initiatives that include product donations along with charity partnerships. To date, they have donated $3.15M to 96 non-profits in 26 different countries. Those aren’t just impressive stats, they are making a tangible difference. Alongside this, the end user can register the code on any MiiR product to see how they are making an impact. As part of their AIR (Artist in Residence) series, MiiR have teamed up with adventure photographer Chris Burkard to create a one-off series of beautiful and unique drinkware: The Halendid Collection. Chris is famous for his powerful images, and some of his most famous captures come from his adopted home of Iceland.

The collection features an aerial photo taken from a small Cessna 5,000 feet above sea level that depicts glacial sediment running through the frozen Icelandic Highland. Designed to encourage people to consider their relationship with wilderness environments throughout their day-to-day routine, the collection includes a 12oz Camp Cup, 16oz Tumbler, and 32oz WM Bottle. Additionally, $5 from each product purchased will be donated to Outdoor Outreach, a non-profit helping youth connect with the outdoors.

Fjällräven x Specialized Collection

Love biking? Love hiking? The Fjällräven x Specialized Collection fulfills your passion for both. The collection offers a range of clothing with functionality for urban cycling, bikepacking adventures, and beyond. Functional materials such as G-1000 Lite fabric which is waxable for enhanced wind and water resistance, merino wool, and recycled polyester make these pieces comfortable and practical for active pursuits. With options including jackets, t-shirts, caps, shorts, and more, along with a variety of colorways to choose from, you can kit yourself out in style when that next adventure comes calling.

Travel

Proof 72-Hour Merino Ultralight Hoodie

The 72-Hour Tee is one of our favorite bits of clothing, and we’ve taken them all over the world. Now available in an ultralight hoodie, this is the perfect travel piece for those cool nights and chilly airplanes. And merino wool means you can rock this for your entire trip without worrying about any odor setting in before your return flight.

Our Best New Gear guides are brought to you by David Vo and Catherine Baecker-Khoury.