Backpacks, Outdoor Gear and EDC | The Best Products to Buy from July 2024

A fully recyclable daypack, innovative footwear offerings, and classy luggage for your summer getaways were just some of the great new pieces emerging in July. Delve in and discover the month’s best new gear right here.

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EDC

DPx HEST/F 4.0 Series

DPx Gear has welcomed a fourth-generation model of their flagship folding blade with the DPx HEST/F 4.0. Short for “Hostile Environment Survival Tool/Folding”, the knife features a CPM MagnaCut blade steel, along with a new flipper and bearing pivot setup. Two models are available including one with black G10 scales and a stonewashed blade and one with olive drab green canvas Micarta scales and a stonewashed blade. However, while these models are new, they still retain some classic original features such as a reversible pocket clip and a blade notch that functions as a quick open feature, pot holder, and cap lifter. Additionally, jimping does double duty as wire strippers and there’s also a 1/4″ hex driver/lanyard hole at the knife butt.  

Carryology Essentials GEAR AID x Carryology Heroclip

We recently welcomed the newly updated GEAR AID x Carryology Heroclip to our Carryology Essentials collection, now offering this handy hook/clip hybrid in two sizes and two colorways. Available in small and medium sizes, the GEAR AID x Carryology Heroclip also comes in orange and black options, both sporting our custom Auxikko pattern. Versatile for everyday and travel use, these are useful additions to any EDC setup, whether you’re roaming the city or venturing outdoors.

Connect Pro: World’s First 100W Magnetic Cable with LED Screen

Magnetic cables, or more clearly, cables with swappable plugs that attach magnetically to a charging cable, are nothing new. We’ve used and tested them quite a bit, but there are some limitations, notably the limitations of power delivery and the difficulty of knowing how much power is being drawn or provided. And let’s not get started on the lack of tip variety or consistency across revisions.

Chargeasap, a tech startup founded in Sydney, is aiming to make the world’s best magnetic charging cable with their Connect Pro, and it looks like they might have a shot at the current time. It supports 100W USB-PD and 27W Apple Fast Charge. The interchangeable tips let you swap between USB-C, Apple Lightning, and Micro USB, making it compatible with most devices. Plus, it also has a built-in power meter displayed on a sleep LED screen so you can confirm that your devices are charging at maximum speed. As mentioned, this cable is supposed to be the first to support both Apple 14 and 15 max charging speeds of 27W via Apple Fast charging for Lightning devices.

Additional features to make your life easier include a small green light indicator to confirm a successful charging connection so you don’t wake up with a dead phone. Speaking of connection, it uses N52 grade neodymium magnets for a strong physical connection, but it can also tear away in case of a trip or snag, protecting your device. Each cable is made of 3000D braided nylon for durability and is secured with a complimentary cord wrap. If you want to reduce your cable clutter and move to a single do-it-all solution, check out the Connect Pro campaign.

Nitecore MT1C Pro 

The new MT1C Pro is the latest EDC flashlight from Nitrecore. Instead of taking a proprietary or even one type of cell, the MT1C is designed with replaceable batteries in mind, supporting 18350, CR123, and RCR123 batteries. This opens up a lot of versatility since many users likely have some combination of these batteries in their collection. The MT1C outputs 1000 lumens and has a beam distance of 380 meters. It is quite compact, measuring 3.45 inches long and just a tad over 1 inch wide. It is IP68-rated and is the first Nitecore light with a UHi 20 LED from the new LED manufacturer NiteLab.

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Urban

Proof Nomad Performance Chino

Proof’s Nomad Performance Chino gets a welcome update, making it even more functional and versatile as a savvy wardrobe staple. Wrinkle-resistant, spill-proof, and with inbuilt stretch, it offers the performance of a technical pant but paired with a cotton-like aesthetic that easily transitions between work and the weekend. An assortment of pockets makes it easy to stash essentials close at hand, while the gusseted crotch enables easy movement. And with a range of fits and colorways to choose from, there’s an option that’s ideal for your personal style.

MRBAILEY® x côte&ciel ORNE PLUS Capsule

MRBAILEY® and côte&ciel have teamed up on the ORNE PLUS Capsule, inspired by MRBAILEY’s signature black beanie and offering an innovative twist on côte&ciel’s ORNE bag. The ORNE PLUS Twist Bag and ORNE PLUS Twist Beanie are created through folding and twisting a single fabric piece to create volume and form, a signature côte&ciel construction technique. Nodding to an upside-down version of MRBAILEY’s beanie hat, the bag can morph into numerous forms to adapt to different needs and preferences.

Mismo Ocean Jacquard Collection

Mismo brings the energy of the sea to your everyday carry with their Ocean Jacquard collection. Celebrating the ocean’s waves and vigor, the base weaving of the jacquard uses two shades of blue with wave motifs in off-white cotton, complementing the cool tones of the black leather and metal hardware. The collection spans a variety of pieces suitable for day-to-day and travel use, ranging from weekender-style bags to totes, pouches, and more.

Heimplanet Mono Series Minimal Pack

Heimplanet enters the circular economy with their Mono Series Minimal Pack. Made with the brand’s proprietary Dyecoshell Mono, the Mono Series Minimal Pack is fully recyclable. The 16L pack includes a 16″ laptop sleeve and a pocket in the main compartment, along with front and side exterior pockets. Focusing on simplicity, practicality, and eco-conscious construction, the pack is a versatile carry companion for the campus, work commutes, or exploring on your travels.

On Track Pack 40L Elite

While On may primarily be known for their footwear, they’ve taken a solid step forward with carry offerings such as the Track Pack 40L Elite. This multifunctional bag tackles work commutes, gym trips, and travel needs alike, with a large main compartment, a padded laptop sleeve, and a handy expandable front pocket that can store gear such as shoes or dirty laundry. The bag features Swiss Seil handles crafted from recycled marine plastic, as well as a ballistic nylon base to withstand daily scuffs and scrapes.

On Speed Pack 24L Elite

If backpacks are more your style, On has you covered with the Speed Pack 24L Elite. The main compartment is easily accessible through a U-shaped zipper and features a laptop compartment that also accommodates a water bladder. An expandable exterior pocket provides quick access and storage for bulkier or dirty items, while a stowable rain cover protects your gear against inclement weather.

EVERGOODS X-Pac Collection

EVERGOODS brings the awesome technical performance of X-Pac to four popular pieces with their X-Pac collection. The summer 2024 capsule collection includes the CTB26, CAP1, CAP2, and CAP0.5, each crafted with an X-Pac VX42 shell and a new covert coyote brown lining. Additionally, the CTB26, CAP2, and CAP0.5 feature PU-coated YKK zippers, offering added protection from the elements.

On LightSpray Technology

Swiss brand On are well known for their innovative approach to running shoes. But they got the opportunity to push the boundaries even further with LightSpray. Taking a ground-breaking approach to shoe construction, On teamed up with a university student and his hot glue gun to see just how far they could take this technique. The result is a technology that allows them to create an upper in a single process, honing the design through thousands of prototypes and automated robotic construction to create a shoe ready for optimal athletic performance. Delve behind the scenes of the design process here.

Skullcandy Active Collection

Skullcandy is expanding its Active Collection of wireless earbuds to add in the all-new Push Play Active, Push ANC Active and Sesh ANC Active. All three are true wireless earbuds ranging from $59.99 to $99.99. The highest-end Push ANC Active and its slightly less expensive sibling, the Sesh ANC, are very similar in features and performance, with the Push boasting more battery life and it has features more geared towards very active activities such as surfing, where the ear hooks provide extra stability. The Push Play Active still comes in with a whopping 34 hours of battery life, the ability to quickly charge within 10 minutes, giving you 2 hours of playtime, IP5 Sweat and Water resistance, and the ability to pair to multiple devices. These features and more are shared with the two models mentioned earlier. All in all, Skullcandy has managed to pack the Active line with quality-of-life features while delineating the model separation to make it easy to choose which is best for your needs.

Buck Mason Toughknit Tee

No longer treated as a disposable or cheap commodity, consumers are clamoring for high-quality, well-built, well-sourced tees, and companies are listening. Already having produced some killer tees that have landed on many Top 5 lists, Buck Mason has just introduced the Knitting Mills Toughknit Tee. It’s the brand’s first tee to be entirely woven, cut, and sewn in the company’s own Pennsylvania factory. The factory itself deserves a whole separate article because of what an accomplishment it is for American clothing manufacturing, but let’s focus on the new Toughknit Tee. Made from midweight 200 GSM USA-grown ring-spun cotton, the tee features a bound collar and itch-free screen printed label. Each shirt is double-washed, resulting in a precise fit and lived-in feel.

Buck Mason Avalon Knit S/S Shirt

It can be challenging during these summer days to look presentable at a gathering or meal while staying cool. Buck Mason thinks they have the answer with their Avalon Knit short-sleeved shirt. An homage to sportswear from the 1950s, the Avalon fabric is knitted from yarn-dyed cotton and gives a subtly slubby texture with a crisp hand, making it versatile enough to dress up or down. It features a polo collar, full front button closure, patch chest pocket, and rib finishing at the cuffs and hem. It’s currently offered in two colorways across a wide range of sizes.

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Outdoors

YETI Limited-Edition Fall Colors – Key Lime, Wild Vine Red, and Wetlands Collections

YETI celebrates diverse outdoor inspiration with the release of new limited-edition fall colors. The Key Lime collection is inspired by the Florida Flats, nodding to the bright, shallow waters off the Florida Keys and the flats fishing community. The Wild Vine Red collection takes inspiration from the vineyards of New Zealand’s Marlborough wine region, as well as coastal water offerings such as sea urchin, crayfish, abalone, and snapper. And inspired by waterfowling, the Wetlands Collection nods to muddy marshes and hardwood bottoms that make up the wetlands habitat sought by migratory waterfowl. The colorways are available across a variety of products, ranging from tumblers to coolers and more.

Moncler Grenoble Backpack

Inspired by the mountains and adaptable to the city, the Moncler Grenoble Backpack offers a luxurious carry option for exploring the outdoors. Constructed from 3L toile technique, the backpack has a water-repellent nylon lining and calf leather detailing. Quick-access drawstring side pockets store frequently used items, while the main compartment has a zipped interior pocket for valuables. A drawstring closure and magnetic buckles secure the main compartment, while the fashion-forward styling steps easily onto city streets too.

Austere Cam Strap Tactical Collection

When it’s time to venture into the remote outdoors, you need to be able to depend on your gear. Luckily, Austere Manufacturing prides itself on making gear you can truly trust to perform in demanding environments. Gear such as their 1-inch Austere Cam Strap Tactical Collection, offering their incredibly strong and lightweight buckles and webbing in a range of earth tones. Additionally, high-vis orange buckle options are also available to accommodate feedback from individuals working in high-intensity environments such as air medics. The buckles are milled in the USA from billet aluminum and feature a titanium pin and stainless steel spring, making for a tough, outdoor-ready buckle that’s lighter than many plastic alternatives.

HOKA Speedgoat 6

HOKA offers a refined update to their trail running line with the Speedgoat 6. The shoe now features a breathable woven textile upper and a more responsive and lighter midsole. Additional refinements also include an internal chassis that hugs the foot, a more plush dual gusset tongue, as well as a redesigned lug orientation that takes inspiration from a goat hoof.

Arc’teryx x Walk Gently Collection

The Arc’teryx x Walk Gently Collection is a design platform centering around Indigenous artists and designers. Stemming from a collaboration with artist and designer Cole Sparrow-Crawford, from Musqueam in the Coast Salish region, the first collection takes inspiration from spring and summer traditions on the Coast Salish territory. The collection features seven pieces including gender-neutral apparel, footwear, and packs. The designs fuse Arc’teryx’s technical design expertise with colors, patterns, and stories from the Coast Salish community including the traditions of fishing, canoeing, and harvesting. Highlighting the community’s enduring connection to the land and sea, the collection is available in select retail locations across the world and online in Canada.

New Lighting from Snow Peak

For Summer 2024, Snow Peak, the Japanese camping brand with decades of heritage, has introduced two new lighting options and an existing fan-favorite update. First up, introducing Celes – a low-profile, multifunctional LED light. The lower portion illuminates your gathering space while the upper shines towards the ceiling. Most lighting is directional, but the Celes is meant to be a total light source. It features four brightness levels and an adjustable hanger. It can be ceiling mounted or attached to a tripod or Table Architect (TTA) components.

The next new product is the Nyx, an isobutane gas-powered tabletop lantern that creates a flickering flame, similar to a real candle or fireplace. It’s approximately 50% larger than the comparable Mini Flame and ideal for larger gathering spaces.

Lastly, the team at Snow Peak has updated the Mini Hozuki lantern, making it rechargeable! The light remains a compact, bright LED camping light with intuitive controls, a warm emitter temperature, and a powerful magnetic fastener.

Benchmade 940 Osborne in Burnt Copper Aluminum

The first Benchmade 940 Osborne debuted at Blade Show almost 25 years ago and since then it has remained a best-seller and fan favorite. It was a knife of many firsts. First to use a super steel, one of the first to utilize the Axis lock, and one of the first with a reverse tanto lock. It was also bold with its green scales in a sea of black handles, which is what the world was used to back then.

Continuing the innovation, Benchmade has just released a variation in Burnt Copper. As mentioned, the 6061-T6 Aluminum handle scales are anodized in a burnt copper tint. The reverse tanto blade now comes in MagnaCut with a DLC Battlewash finish. The rest of the features remain faithful to the Osborne we all know and love, including a 3.4” blade length, 4.47” closed length, and a weight of 2.9 oz.

CAMP National Parks Eyewear Collection

CAMP’s new National Park Collection is a capsule consisting of new colorways that celebrate nine of America’s most iconic National Parks. They include Crater Lake, Glacier, Arches, Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Great Smokey Mountains, Grand Canyon and Yosemite. CAMP teamed up with designer Emma Boys to create a unique bundle for each park that comes with custom packaging, a sleeping bag pouch, an illustrated cleaning cloth, and paracord eyewear retainer. It’s impressive how unique and distinctive the colorways for each park are and how they perfectly fit the hues and tones and “vibe” you think of when considering each respective park. Additionally, 5% of every purchase will be donated to local non-profits working to support each of the nine parks.

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Travel

RIMOWA Never Still Flap Backpack Large

RIMOWA have made a name for themselves with their premium wheeled luggage but the Never Still Flap Backpack Large offers a luxurious on-body option for travel carry. Made in Italy with nylon and rubberized leather, it features a drawstring main compartment with a flap closure secured by a custom magnetic lock. Two exterior zippered pockets offer quick storage for smaller items, while the padded interior sleeve accommodates up to 16″ tech devices. The pack also has a luggage pass-through strap and comes in three colorway options.

Carl Friedrik Core Collection

The Core collection introduces Carl Friedrik’s first range of hardshell zippered suitcases. Designed to embrace adventure while bringing a luxurious twist to your travels, the initial offerings include a 41L cabin suitcase and a 91L large checked suitcase in Black, Sand, and Navy. The cases are made with Makrolon polycarbonate shells featuring a subtly rounded design for enhanced impact resistance and a dual-zip construction with TSA-approved combination locks. Two inner zipped compartments and two zipped pockets provide organization, while Italian leather detailing adds a sophisticated touch to your trip.

KILLSPENCER Defender Duffle

Need a bag that will endure the demands of travel in all weather conditions? KILLSPENCER’s Defender Duffle takes up the challenge with its waterproof tarpaulin exterior and burly handcrafted construction. Made in Los Angeles, the Defender Duffle features Olive Green webbing carry handles and a removable shoulder strap. An interior zippered pocket stores smaller items, while reverse tape YKK zippers and bullhide and pebbled leather detailing round out the features.

Timbuk2 Flight Collection

When it’s time for take-off, Timbuk2 swoops in with their Flight Collection. Four pieces are available to suit smaller and larger loads, including a sling bag, small crossbody satchel, hybrid tote/backpack, and a backpack. The collection uses durable, water-resistant, and 100% recycled Eco Ripstop fabric, with each piece offering convenient quick-access pockets for travel essentials. The Flight Convertible Tote Pack offers padded storage for 15″ tech, while the Flight Backpack fits 13″ tech. The Flight Crossbody Sling Bag features a padded tablet sleeve, while the Flight Crossbody Satchel is the smallest offering and provides compact storage for EDC and travel essentials you want to keep organized and easily accessible on the go.

Away Softside Collection

Away built a solid reputation in the travel sphere with their hard-sided luggage but their new Softside Collection offers an alternative option for getting your travel gear wherever it needs to go. Made with lightweight but durable nylon, the collection offers a variety of travel-friendly features across carry-on and check-in options. Exterior pockets keep quick-access items at the ready, while a front lid opening makes it easy to pack and access gear. An internal compression pad and interior pockets keep gear organized and secure on the go, with additional features including a drawstring laundry bag, 360-degree spinner wheels, inbuilt expansion, and a stabilizer to avoid bag tipping.

Oroton x July Collection

Luxury meets travel-savvy design with a limited-edition collaboration between Oroton and July. The Australian luxury brand and Australian luggage brand have teamed up on a collection that celebrates the adventure of travel, featuring a Matte Carry On Trunk in Crema and an Ellis Canvas Tote. The trunk features a compression system, concealed laundry bag, and top and side grab handles, while the tote features a zippered closure, luggage pass-through, and a removable crossbody strap.

Eagle Creek Explore Collection

Eagle Creek salutes their outdoor heritage while delivering practical travel functionality with the Explore Collection. Made with a water-resistant waxed, 100% recycled ripstop polyester fabric, the collection includes a 26L backpack, 11L sling pack, and 2L hip pack. Each piece is designed with easy access, useful organization, and comfortable carry in mind, resulting in versatile designs that handle various travel needs and do double duty as everyday options too.

Super Pacific HuckPack Collection

The Super Pacific HuckPack Collection consists of three pieces meant to work seamlessly together for the modern adventure traveler. It offers extreme versatility and functionality, from vehicle organization to transitioning to other modes of transport and accommodations.

The duffel offers a customizable platform that integrates with the HuckPack organization cubes. Its rugged exterior protects it from the elements and wear and tear from transporting it by car, plane, or train.

The Seat Back Organizer maximizes your car’s storage space by using the underutilized area behind the front seats. It provides multiple pockets and adjustable straps, ensuring all essentials are within easy reach for extended travel, overnight camping, or overlanding.

Finally, the HuckPack Cube is the base of the collection. These modular packs are available in small and medium sizes, are made with water-resistant materials, have a convenient handle, and are designed for easy packing and transport.

Vollebak Planet Earth Hat Version 2

Vollebak have revamped their highly versatile Planet Earth Hat with an even more functional and adaptable update designed to tackle jungles, mountains, deserts, and everywhere in between. Version 2 is made with a Swiss material woven with carbon fiber ripstop, offering fireproof, water repellent, wind resistant, and quick drying functionality. The hat has a removable sunshield for protection from insects and burns, 36 layered air vents for staying cool in hot and humid conditions, and loops to secure small items such as sunglasses.

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Photography

Oberwerth ReLon Series

Oberwerth offers a stylish and sustainable option for camera carry with their ReLon series, handcrafted using a finely woven nylon based on recycled ECONYL® yarn. The series features four bags ranging in size from XS to L, as well as a smaller accessory pouch that can be attached to the bags for easily accessing personal items or small photography accessories. Padded main compartments and adjustable dividers in the bags protect and organize camera gear on the go, with the two smaller sizes doubling as belt bags for flexible portability.

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