If you don’t mind the inconvenience of hiking to a dramatic campsite in a waterproof robe hanging all the way down to your ankles, you could leave your tent home and just head out on your adventure wearing the Nike ISPA Metamorph Poncho. Watch closely! The reversible and convertible poncho, created by Nike’s innovative division, is completely unique in style and function. Made from multiple layers of weather-resistant materials, the wearable converts into a functional tent to ensure you’re covered from the elements whenever the need arises.

ISPA (Improvise, Scavenge, Protect, Adapt) is a Nike sub-label that has been pushing the bounds of design across all categories, especially footwear, for years now, always innovating to the discrete demands of the city dwellers. This time around, the target is the fashion-conscious adventurers who may prefer this – inconvenience for me – convenience on their camping adventures.

Designer: Nike ISPA

The stylish ISPA Metamorph Poncho, whether you agree or not, is definitely the ultimate piece of all-season gear that stands out for its convertible design. Provided in a grayish colorway, this reversible wearable is made from – ISPA special–layered lightweight nylon. This option along with a two-way zip closure makes the poncho water-resistant and capable of handling the elements both as apparel and as a sunshade or tent.

Speaking of which, the Metamorph Poncho has a detachable hood and comes complete with collapsable tent poles, so you can just take it off your body, pitch it, and forget about the world outside. All this convenience with Nike ISPA branding throughout the poncho (visible on the outside of the tent when pitched) scales the price way past $600 ($620 to be precise), but that seems somehow acceptable for the fact that this poncho can fully transform into a one-man tent.

The Metamorph’s versatility is not limited to its transformation into a tent. When you’re not hiking to a remote campsite, but only loitering in the market, the Nike poncho can swiftly transition into an easy-to-carry bag to haul your groceries. ISPA has made the poncho tent available, but stock’s running out fast.

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It’s as if Danny Trejo met Donnie Yen…

Say hello to the Gerber DoubleDown, or as I like to call it, the EDC equivalent of your worst enemy. Designed to be perhaps the only folding machete I’ve ever seen, the DoubleDown is equal parts nimble and dangerous. Modeled on the format of a butterfly knife, the DoubleDown scales the knife up to the size of your standard machete, giving you an EDC that can cut, chop, and split wood while looking deviously cool. The knife features a two-part handle with a quad-locking system that gives you all the benefits of a full-size blade for outdoor use, with a compact form factor that shrinks down to half its size when the deed’s done.

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The DoubleDown boasts a lengthy 6.75-inch high-carbon steel blade, surpassing the typical butterfly knife in both length and width. When unfolded, the DoubleDown reaches a total length of 15 inches, rivaling Gerber’s own fixed-blade machete offerings. The magic lies in the folding mechanism. The DoubleDown’s dual-piece handle, reminiscent of a pliers multi-tool, folds securely around the blade for safe and convenient storage. A MOLLE-compatible sheath makes carrying the DoubleDown on your pack a breeze. When deployed, the handle sections rotate a full 180 degrees, locking into place at four points while providing a comfortable, ergonomic grip.

So, is it a folding machete or a supersized butterfly knife? Gerber cleverly calls it a “folding machete hybrid.” The design caters to three key tasks: cutting, chopping, and batoning. The innovative QuadLock system ensures the blade stays securely locked in three different positions, guaranteeing user safety during operation.

For taking on dense jungle or thick mangrove undergrowth, a traditional fixed-blade machete might still be the champion… But for lighter brush clearing and those seeking a more pack-friendly option, the DoubleDown shines. Weighing in at a manageable 18 ounces, this Gerber creation offers a compelling blend of power and portability.

The DoubleDown made its debut in 2020, quickly rising through the ranks as one of Gerber’s most exciting and reliable offerings, and currently comes in 3 colors – green/stainless, black/stainless, and an all-black variant that I assume Batman would use to chop firewood when Alfred’s off duty.

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Dubbed the OutIn Nano, this little flask-shaped beauty is your key to a golden cup of coffee literally anywhere. Use it indoors, outdoors, or even in the sky – the OutIn Nano Portable Espresso Maker lets you pull a shot of espresso anywhere, letting you relish your coffee whenever you want. Even equipped with its own water heater, the Nano will warm up your water as it brews the coffee, which means you really don’t need anything apart from an empty cup and a caffeine craving.

Designer: OutIn

The OutIn Nano is perhaps the only portable espresso maker that will heat your water for you. Sure, other portable espresso makers boast a compact design, but every single one of them needs you to add your own hot water. That really isn’t a concern for the OutIn Nano, which has its own heating coil that ensures you get a perfect espresso shot even if all you have is tap water or mineral water around. The vertical flask-shaped design lets you add water to the top, and either a Nespresso or Keurig pod at the bottom, or a small puck filled with your own coffee grounds. A single-button interface gets your coffee brewing, and a built-in pump extracts your espresso right into the OutIn Nano’s cap, which serves as a nifty cup.

A 7500mAh battery powers the OutIn Nano, heating up water in just 200 seconds. Alternatively, you could just add hot water the way you would with any other portable espresso maker and that should speed up the process. The battery life also significantly differs between cold and hot water, with the OutIn Nano brewing 5 cups of coffee if you add cold water and rely on the built-in water heater feature, or a stunning 200 cups of coffee on a full battery if you use pre-heated water.

The resulting coffee is deliciously authentic, with a rich crema created by heating/brewing at 92°C/198°F and passing the water through the coffee grounds at an impressive 20 bars of pressure. The entire cycle takes just 4 minutes from start to finish (if you use the water heater), giving you your espresso. The OutIn Nano holds as much as 80ml of water, which is more than enough for a double-shot, allowing you to either drink your coffee neat or turn it into an Americano or a latte by adding water or milk.

Weighing just 700 grams, the OutIn Nano was practically built for the outdoors. It comes in 5 colors, charges via USB (even working with your car charger), and ships in a soft-shell case that includes the entire coffee-making kit. Heck, the Nano even won both the Red Dot and iF Design Award last year for its impressively compact design.

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Born from discarded seafood shells, SEAD merges tradition with innovation, offering eco-friendly pods for heirloom seeds. It’s a journey of reimagined agriculture, where waste transforms into a resource and every seed sown signifies sustainability. SEAD’s design mirrors ecological harmony and agricultural resilience, promising a greener future. Join the movement where innovation blossoms and sustainability flourishes, one seed, one pod at a time.

Designer: Mara Zimmerman

SEAD represents more than just packaging; it embodies a sustainable ethos by repurposing waste material into a valuable resource. Its inception showcases the potential of replacing virgin materials with recycled alternatives, contributing to a circular economy and reducing environmental impact.

At the heart of SEAD lies the preservation of heirloom seeds, varieties passed down through generations, each carrying a rich history and cultural significance. Heirloom seeds, with their diverse traits and adaptability, play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring food security in the face of evolving environmental challenges.

The use of chitin (pronounced kai-tun) in SEAD packaging not only offers a sustainable alternative to traditional materials but also brings agricultural benefits. Chitin, and its derivatives, act as bio-stimulants, enhancing seed germination, and promoting crop growth. Its natural properties boost plant defenses against pests and diseases while improving water retention in adverse conditions.

Crafted through a meticulous three-step pressing process, SEAD packaging demonstrates the remarkable self-binding ability of chitin, eliminating the need for additional agents. Laser-engraved labeling ensures traceability without the use of inks or dyes, aligning with SEAD’s commitment to sustainability.

Inspired by nature’s design, SEAD packaging mimics the structure of fruits and vegetables, providing a functional and aesthetically pleasing solution. The innovative design features creases that allow for easy tearing, enabling users to plant seeds conveniently while keeping the rest of the packaging intact.

SEAD offers a holistic approach to sustainable agriculture, combining ecological principles with practical innovation. By seamlessly integrating packaging with planting, SEAD promotes zero-waste practices and fosters a deeper connection between consumers and the environment.

Just in four simple steps: Break pods along perforated lines, gently crush for better seed exposure, plant enriched seeds, and store remaining bars conveniently. These actions seamlessly integrate eco-friendly practices into gardening routines, fostering a deeper connection with the environment. Each step contributes to a greener future, promoting sustainability and preserving heirloom seeds. With SEAD, every seed sown signifies a commitment to ecological harmony and agricultural resilience, paving the way for a more sustainable tomorrow.

SEAD’s innovative seed packaging, crafted from discarded seafood shells, faces cultural barriers in regions like India and Mexico, where pure vegetarianism is prevalent. Mixing seafood with vegetables may encounter resistance due to dietary preferences. Convincing individuals adhering to strict vegetarian or vegan diets of SEAD’s ecological benefits requires careful communication. Despite these challenges, SEAD offers a sustainable option for open-minded consumers committed to environmental conservation. It’s crucial to acknowledge cultural sensitivities and cater to diverse preferences.

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One of the advantages of people who can work remotely (digital marketers, writers, virtual assistants, etc) is that they can work from literally anywhere. As long as there’s internet and a power source for when their devices run out of juice eventually, these digital nomads have the freedom to set up shop wherever they are and to live in things like mobile homes. We’re seeing a lot of products and concepts targeting this segment and I for one am very interested to see these come to life.

Designer: Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC)

The Mobile Catalyst, nicknamed MOCA, was developed by masteral students from IAAC. Not only is it a perfect space for those that want to work while staying anywhere with a view but it is also an experiment into sustainable and self-sufficient habitat with a digital twist. It is basically a 5.4 meter long, 2.4 meter wide, and 3.6 meter high minimalist space that gives you the basic necessities of living. Its interior is made from dowel-laminated timber produced at the IAAC itself but sustainably harvested of course.

The front part of this mobile home has the basic amenities you would need to live in it like a kitchen, toilet and shower, and electric and water systems. In the middle and the back part is the space that can be turned into an office, a meeting area, a library, a recreation room, or even a space for small events. If you need privacy or partitions and also protection from different weather conditions, there are glass doors and a water-resistant cotton fabric that slides or folds with a pulley. There are also two beds on its “mezzanine” floor and you can reach it through a movable ladder.

And of course since MOCA is designed to be sustainable, you have three light-flexible mono-crystalline solar panels on the roof and LED strips as an interior lining. The house can run on its own for around 24 hours before it needs recharging. Water is also self-sufficient as the system stores, filters, and returns the shower water into reusable water. The entire mobile home is built with digital nomads in mind so they can live, work, and play anywhere they want, as long as the trailer can move and fit in that area.

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It is the peak Spring season with birds chirping in the air, and trees looking greener and prettier than ever! Spring is currently in full swing, and it is the perfect time to spend your days in the outdoors, taking in some fresh air, and letting the lovely spring sun soak through our skin. There couldn’t be a better time to be in your backyard! I mean, you can do a lot in your backyard! We shouldn’t underestimate our backyards, as they can be major spaces of fun, recreation, and relaxation. And a lovely addition to your backyard could be the Hut Lounge Bed by Marco Lavit for Ethimo.

Designer: Marco Lavit for Ethimo

The Hut Lounge Bed is a wonderful furniture design for the outdoors by designer Marco Lavit for the Italian outdoor furniture company Ethimo. Designed to provide you with a cozy space to relax and unwind in, and to function as a peaceful place to lounge about in, the Hut Lounge Bed lets you soak in some sun, and connect with nature. It is equipped with a conical, and semi-enclosed shape with makes you feel protected, while also allowing you to truly relax.

“Hut is a unique nest on a human scale, a place to pause and regenerate,” said Lavit. “A habitat where the alternating rhythm of the slats creates gaps that filter perception of this space, in a natural dialogue between inside and out.” The Hut is built using Accoya wood construction and features little gaps between the slats, which allow sunlight to stream in, while a massive circular mattress invites you in, and looks like a wonderful space for a nap. Accoya wood is an excellent material of choice since it is a high-performance modified wood that features a non-toxic treatment and can handle years of exposure to the elements and weather.

The wood is complemented by a circular metal rail which lets you hang a curtain to offer some privacy, or to provide some protection against the sun. The Hut Lounge Wood is a perfect fit for your backyard during the spring season, when the weather is kind, and nature is in full bloom.

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Smartphones can provide all sorts of useful information and features, but there will always be occasions when you can’t just whip out the phone from your pocket to use it. Smartwatches are supposed to solve that problem by offering more condensed information on your wrists, but that can still be problematic for some class users, especially those who engage in outdoor activities. Although smartwatches are often marketed for athletes and people with active lifestyles because of their health-tracking features, actually using the wearable once the gloves come on can actually be difficult, if not impossible. Fortunately, your wrist isn’t the only body part you can use for a wearable, and this design concept tries to place a bigger display on the back of your hand instead.

Designer: Anuj Pate

Smartwatches are the most popular kind of wearable design simply because they are the most convenient and the most familiar. That doesn’t exactly mean they’re the best or only design possible, definitely not for all kinds of people. The rising interest in smart rings does indicate a sort of “smartwatch fatigue” that’s making people think outside the box on how to deliver some of those features through other means. A smartwatch’s display, for example, is only useful if can see it, which often means having to twist your wrist at the very least to have the screen at a proper angle.

Unfortunately, that’s not easy or even safe for some people whose hands have to be in a fixed position or can’t easily touch the smartwatch screen once they’ve started wearing gloves. That’s the case for cyclists, bikers, and mountain climbers who still need access to some critical information but can’t see their smartwatch for one reason or another. Rather than rely on complicated and distracting solutions like audio notifications or augmented reality goggles, zIng simply moves the display to a position where it can be easily seen even without twisting your wrist or squinting your eyes.

The wearable design concept practically puts a decently sized trapezoid-shaped display on the back of your hand. If you have your hand forward like when you’re holding bike handles or gripping a mountain wall, this immediately puts that screen within your vision. The display is also large enough to tap with a finger even when you’re wearing very thick gloves, which is often the case for biking and mountaineering gear.

zIng is just one of a new generation of wearable designs that are challenging the status quo of smartwatches. An ergonomic Apple Watch band moves the smartwatch away from the wrist and onto the back of the hand as well, this time a little below the thumb, though that doesn’t solve the cramped screen space. Admittedly, the zIng concept targets a very niche market, but it also clearly shows that there’s no one-size-fits-all wearable design that will be perfect for all use cases.

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Tiny off-road trailers have their own charm. They provide a quaint way to live a weekend amid the trees out in the wilderness, where your ATV or an off-roading vehicle can go. This adventurous freedom is cut short for some months of the year when the snow blankets the earth. But with the Genimax HR, the fun is never going to be limited, thanks to its ability to wear skis and ride on snow behind your snowmobile.

Given the core functionality, the Genimax HR – an affordable pop-up roof camper – is developed for around-the-year camping. The lightweight body, made from aluminum and rust-resistant, durable composite materials, renders this 375 lbs (170 kg) trailer camper to go places without a fuss. Measuring some 60 inches in width (48 inches on snow), the camper rides on a high-performance independent suspension, which provides handsome ground clearance to enhance its off-road ability and be the skill to ride smoothly on snow.

Designer: Genimax Trailers

Designed specifically as a “ready-to-camp solution to go on an adventure with his little family,” the HR is the brainchild of Genimax Trailers, which has been in business (developing trailer solutions) since 2017. Besides its lightweight construction, the HR is readied for all seasons of the year with high-resistance polyurethane adhesive sealing up the spaces in the roof and walls.

The versatility of this easy-to-configure wilderness camper becomes manifold when riding behind an ATV on the unbeaten paths and/or behind a snowmobile when the adventure takes you on snow. And when you halt, just 2 sliding, lockable drawers, with a capacity of 200 lbs each, make for your facility. For instance, one of the side drawers of the trailer functions as a kitchen. It features a removable stainless-steel countertop alongside a folding built-in sink provided with a 10L water tank and faucet.

To elevate a family’s stay out in the wild, the Genimax HR can comfortably sleep 2 adults, and a child in the option roof tent. The camper becomes even more versatile with optional accessories and features that allow the residents to make the most of their ride. For instance, you can opt for an 80W rooftop solar panel with adjustable tilt or a retractable awning for the side of the trailer. Without the optional accessories, the base model of the Genimax HR starts at CAD 8,495 (approximately $6,200).

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Compasses are designed to give you your bearing, but they don’t exactly tell you where you’re headed. With today’s digital maps and navigation apps, that’s pretty much easy peasy, removing any stress from trying to find your way to your destination. At the same time, however, these modern conveniences also remove some of the adventurous feelings and the joy of discovery when wandering about before you reach your actual stop. That kind of whimsical and often serendipitous experiences are almost all but lost, especially with smartphones serving all information on a silver platter or always calling our attention with its incessant notifications. This modern and unconventional compass design wants to remedy that and bring back the joy of an aimless exploration by removing all unnecessary distractions so that you can be more present in your surroundings.

Designer: Modem Works x Panter & Tourron

They say that if you don’t have a destination in mind, any road will take you there, and while that adage is often used as a warning, it neglects to mention the wondrous discoveries you might encounter off the beaten path. After all, not all who wander are lost, as the popular quote goes, but also losing your bearings and your way can be a frightening thought. You could use your phone, but you could also be tempted to just go directly to your destination or, worse, never get there because of all the pings from social media that are begging for your attention.

Terra is a device that modernizes the age-old compass without turning it into a complicated device like a smartphone. There is no screen, at least not an obvious one, just a hidden monochrome display that lights up with symbols and sigils that will mark your adventure. Yes, it will show you your direction, but it won’t mark your destination. Instead, it encourages you to actually get your destination off your mind and take a different path instead.

The idea is that you will input your location and how much time you have available and the device’s AI will guide you along a set of GPS coordinates to accompany you on your adventure. But instead of screens and beeps, it uses gentle haptic feedback and artistic iconography to nudge our attention to little discoveries along the way, be it a kind mushroom or a flower you might have never seen before. And yes, it actually functions as a compass so you won’t get lost by accident.

Terra’s cross-like form seems to be a reference to the four cardinal directions, but its rough, organic shape is more reminiscent of a stone or pebble you’re likely to pick up along your walks. The design, however, is open to various other shapes that will hopefully remind you of the treasury of wildlife waiting to be discovered along your more adventurous excursions.

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Spring is currently in full swing, and it is the perfect time to spend your days in the outdoors, taking in some fresh air, and letting the lovely spring sun soak through our skin. There couldn’t be a better time to be in your backyard! I mean, you can do a lot in your backyard! We shouldn’t underestimate our backyards, as they can be major spaces of fun, recreation, and relaxation. And a wonderful addition to your backyard could be the Cosmo Pavilion by studio AMDL Circle for the fellow Italian company Ethimo.

Designer: AMDL Circle

Studio AMDL Circile gave the classic garden pergola a contemporary and beautiful twist in the form of the Cosmo pavilion. This stunning and quaint pavilion is created to frame outdoor furniture settings while also providing protection from the elements. It brings a sense of comfort and coziness to the rough outdoors – although for rough can your backyard be? The structure is intended for the evenings, when the integrated LEDS shine upwards, away from the pavilion, scattering light across the fabric canopy, and in turn forming a warm and cozy ambiance.

The pavilion is created by joining FSC-certified teak columns, which is a typical material of choice for furniture, since it artfully weathers over time, with an aluminum upper structure, which beautifully spreads outwards to create a lovely sculptural roof. Ethimo describes the product as “a new dimension for outdoor living in harmony with nature” and makes it available in a number of sizes and configurations. “Cosmo meets a desire to create a private space, an ‘indoors out of doors’ that can be used in any season and at any time of day,” said Ethimo.

The Cosmo Pavilion makes for a wonderful addition to your mundane yard, it adds an almost fairytale-ish atmosphere to the space while functioning as a comfy and serene space to spend your evenings in. Quite obviously, it is quite a large structure, and can only be accommodated in yards with plenty of space, it isn’t a great fit, or rather will not be able to fit in small backyards.

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