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Our gear editors scoured the floor of Summer Outdoor Retailer 2018 for the most interesting products under $50. Here’s what they found.
Alchemy Goods made a name for itself with packs and belts made from old bicycle tires. The Bellevue (pictured above) is made from recycled billboards. Each is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece and features six slots for credit cards and a large bill pocket. It’s a familiar design with just a bit more flair.
—Ben Fox, affiliate reviews director
With a stretchy, moisture-wicking band and slim, lightweight housing, BioLite’s new 320-lumen HeadLamp—the brand’s first wearable product—is all-day comfortable. Not only is the fabric soft next to your skin, but the lamp’s feathery profile means it won’t slip down over your eyes.
—Ariella Gintzler, assistant editor
Portable power is a necessity. Hell, I’m lucky if my phone battery lasts a full day, especially at OR. So I was happy to see the new Sherpa 15 from Goal Zero. Its svelte 4.6-ounce frame fits in your pocket but still provides enough juice to charge a phone twice, a GoPro camera up to three times, and a headlamp up to four times. Consider it a smart outdoor insurance policy.
—Will Egensteiner, senior editor
A climber’s dream, this kit comes with two rolls of tape, fingernail clippers, a sanding block for calluses, and a balm to soothe cracked skin. Plus, Black Diamond packaged it in an ultralight waterproof stuff sack, so you don’t have to worry about getting it wet.
—Emily Reed, assistant reviews editor
When Lil Wayne said “I'm on a 24-hour champagne diet,” we felt that. Apparently so did Corkcicle, which introduced this portable, durable way to enjoy your favorite bubbly beverage at picnics and on fancy backpacking trips. Champagne sold separately.
—Abbey Gingras, social media editorial assistant