Outdoor gear isn’t just expensive to buy—it’s expensive to design, test, and produce. For that reason, many small brands have turned to Kickstarter to raise the money they need to manufacture new products. Here are four launches we’re excited about right now.
Kammok Mantis
Kammok is known for its comfortable, lightweight hammocks. Now the Texas-based company is adding two backpacking models to its line: the . Both featurezippered bug netting and a rain fly, so you can customize your level of protection based on the weather. But the Mantis Ultralight (pictured)is the one we’re most excited about. The body is made froma proprietary 20-denier ripstop nylon that Kammok claims has the best weight-to-strength ratio of any hammock fabric out there. The whole Ultralight kit, including straps and carabiners, weighs just under two pounds,making it among the lightest on the market. As of publication, the Mantis had raised about $157,175, much morethan Kammok’soriginal $70,000 goal.
Veer 18 Packable Camera Bag
Packable travel bags—the kind of lightweight, flimsy packs that scrunch down small for travel, then unfurl once you get to your destination—are a dime a dozen. But there’s no good similar optionfor hauling photogear. Typical camera bags are bulky, with large foam pads and compartments to hold lenses and keep your equipment locked in place. This iswhy we’re intrigued by the new ($100 MSRP), a compressible daypack with an inflatable back panel and camera cube. The cube packs down flat when not in use; when inflated, it slides into an internal mesh pouch, so it stays securely at the bottom of the bag against your back. A side zipper gives you quick access to your camera when you sling the bag off one shoulder. With 41 days left in the campaign, Veer has raised $186,666, far above its$25,000 funding goal.
Morrison Outdoors Baby Sleeping Bag
Many outdoor parents look forward to their baby’s first overnight camping experience. The only problem: no company makes sleeping bags for babies, leaving folks with littlechoice but to bundle up their little one in bulky clothing. A startupcalled Morrison Outdoors wants to change that. ItsnewBaby sleeping bag ($200 MSRP for down and $110 for synthetic)is rated to 20 degrees and sized for kids up to 24 months old, with arms that snap together to act as a swaddle, and a double zipper for easy diaper changes. According to the company, the bag meets all of the American Academy of Pediatrics’guidelines for safe sleep, including no hood or drawstrings that couldrestrict airways. With eight days left in the campaign, the Baby sleeping bag has raised $11,300, toppingits $10,000 goal.
DesignNest Folding Fire Pit
Collapsible and weighing in at just 6.6 pounds, this(MSRP TBD) offers an easy way to reduce the environmental impact of your next campfire. Thebasic X-shaped steel frame supports a swath of flexible, heat-resistant steel-fiber material, which holds your logs and coals. The kit also comes with a metal grate that fits over the topfor grilling. We’re a little skeptical of how air will flow through the tight steel mesh, but the concept of a lightweight off-the-ground campfire solution has piqued our interest. With 16 days left in its campaign, DesignNest has already raised $16,612, which is far beyond its initial$5,000goal.
And One Fully Funded Item You Should Preorder
Pika Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are a great way to organize your gear. The basic concept—a zippered nylon pouch in various sizes—hasn’t changed much over the years. ButPika Gear, a Colorado-based startup, is offering something new. Itspacking cubeshave roll tops and cancinch down to fit your loadso your things won’t jostle around inside. Internal pockets keeptrack of small items like headlamps or charging cords. Andour favorite part: the larger sizes comewith removable webbedbackpack straps, so your packing cube can double as a lightweight daypack for short missions or walks around town. The cubes come in small, medium, and large ($25, $35, and $45 MSRP), and between the three sizesthey’llaccommodate everything from kitchen sundries tosocks to enough clothes for a multi-day trip.The project is fully funded and the , but we can’t wait until Pika cubes become available for everyone.