Few outdoor garments are as instantly recognisable as Patagonia's Synchilla Snap-T. With its retro styling, contrasting chest pocket, and distinctive snap-button collar, the fleece has become an outdoor clothing icon that looks as good today as it did decades ago.

Shop Patagonia's Past Season Gear sale

Better still, Patagonia has reduced the price of its Men's Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover from £120 to £84, saving you £36 in selected colours as part of its Past Season Gear sale.

The fleece has also earned an impressive 4.7-star customer rating from more than 460 reviews, with one particularly enthusiastic buyer calling it the "best piece of clothing” they own.

The Lightweight Synchilla takes everything that made the original Snap-T popular and packages it into a lighter, more versatile layer that's equally suitable for hiking, camping and everyday wear.

It's made from soft, double-sided fleece made from 95–100% recycled polyester, which retains warmth while wicking moisture and drying quickly.

At 374g, it's also relatively easy to layer beneath a waterproof shell when the weather turns.

The four-snap front lets you regulate ventilation without removing the pullover, while the stand-up collar adds extra protection around the neck.

Elasticated cuffs and hem help keep warmth in, and the contrasting chest pocket adds a welcome touch of retro charm.

One five-star reviewer who owned the fleece two decades ago says it's "better than ever", while another praises its warmth, comfort, and apparent durability.

The Men's Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover is available for £84, down from £120, directly from Patagonia in selected past-season colourways, including the eye-catching Painted Lines: Shore Blue option.

Other colours may remain at full price, so check the discount before buying.

Does anyone remember fidget spinners? Probably yes, albeit not fondly.

While those brightly coloured contraptions have largely disappeared from everyday conversation, since then, an entire industry of premium EDC accessories has emerged in their place.

One brand leading the charge is LAUTIE, which specialises in intricately machined metal fidget toys that look more like miniature pieces of mechanical engineering.

Its latest creation, the Shuffle Pro, is a pocket-sized gadget that combines titanium or zirconium construction with a built-in tuning fork that produces different sounds and vibrations as you manipulate it.

It's an elaborate solution to a problem nobody particularly needed solving, but I can absolutely see the appeal.

A satisfying click

The Shuffle Pro builds on LAUTIE's existing Shuffle series, which takes inspiration from playing cards.

It has two metal plates that slide against one another that create a tactile sensation through a combination of magnetic resistance and precisely engineered moving parts.

What makes the Shuffle Pro different is the tuning fork mechanism, which produces metallic tones and vibrations whenever the plates move together.

The titanium version creates bright, crisp sounds with relatively light vibrations; the heavier zirconium and stainless steel models produce deeper tones with slightly longer-lasting feedback.

The latter also includes a miniature clicker for an even more tactile experience.

LAUTIE has also redesigned the internal sliding tracks with PEEK inserts, a high-performance engineering polymer that reduces metal-on-metal friction and improves smoothness.

A removable magnetic backplate lets you change the decorative inlay, potentially opening the door to further customisation.

Everyday carry gets extravagant

Measuring about 40 x 31 x 9mm, the Shuffle Pro is pocketable and has enough weight to not feel disposable: the titanium model weighs around 40.5g, while the zirconium version tips the scales at 58.6g.

Of course, whether anyone needs a premium metal fidget slider is another question entirely. Unlike a multitool, pocket knife, or compact hand torch, the Shuffle Pro offers little practical utility beyond something satisfying to interact with.

That said, premium EDC has increasingly become as much about enjoying beautifully designed objects as it is about carrying useful equipment, so there is definitely room for the Shuffle Pro on the market

You can order the Shuffle Pro at LAUTIE, with prices starting at $189.90 for the titanium version and $219.90 for the zirconium and stainless steel model. LAUTIE currently estimates dispatch within 15 days of ordering.

If outdoor brands have got particularly good at one thing recently, it's digging through their archives and bringing forgotten designs back to life.

Peak Performance is the latest to join the trend, but its new 40th anniversary collection offers far more than a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Founded in the Swedish ski resort of Åre in 1986, Peak Performance has spent four decades combining technical mountain apparel with distinctive Scandinavian design.

Its latest limited-edition collection revisits some of the brand's most recognisable pieces, complete with oversized silhouettes, bold colour blocking and the kind of elaborate branding you rarely see on modern ski jackets.

The '90s called, and they want their ski jackets back

The 40Y R&D GORE-TEX Jacket and Pants are the collection's hero pieces, a modern take on the brand's groundbreaking R&D system from 1993.

The original introduced a modular 3-in-1 approach to alpine clothing, combining protective outer layers with removable insulation.

It also challenged the 90s' relatively fitted skiwear conventions with a more relaxed, parka-inspired silhouette.

The anniversary edition preserves that adaptable design while replacing the original materials with some of the most advanced fabrics currently available.

Its outer shell uses a custom-developed three-layer GORE-TEX C-KNIT Stretch construction that offers waterproof, windproof protection with improved flexibility and a softer, quieter feel.

Peak Performance added Polartec Alpha active insulation, replacing the original fleece liner and releasing excess heat and moisture during movement.

Perhaps the most interesting addition is Solarcore, an aerogel-based insulation technology with roots in NASA research.

It retains insulation under compression, which is especially useful in areas like the knees and seat, where conventional insulation can lose effectiveness.

Additional features include ventilation zips, articulated construction, YKK AquaGuard zippers, and integrated RECCO reflectors to help rescue teams locate wearers.

More than a retro ski suit

The anniversary collection extends well beyond the R&D system, with several other Peak Performance classics receiving similar treatments.

It includes a striking red-and-blue Alpine Jacket and Pants combination, updated versions of the women's Anima and men's Maroon ski sets, and a reversible Frost Jacket.

The iconic Helium Down Jacket also returns in white and black, while hoodies, T-shirts, accessories and a Vertical Ski Backpack round out the range.

Visually, the collection is particularly appealing because Peak Performance hasn't tried to disguise its heritage.

Oversized cursive logos, contrasting colours, and unapologetically bold designs give these pieces a personality often missing from contemporary technical outerwear.

The limited-edition 40th anniversary collection is available now at Peak Performance.

European retailer listings put the flagship 40Y R&D GORE-TEX Jacket at €1,400 / £1,200 and matching trousers at €900 / $800. US and AU pricing has yet to be confirmed.

I've always had a soft spot for everyday carry gear that looks as good as it performs.

After all, there's no reason something as functional as a pocket knife, multitool, or keychain accessory shouldn't also be beautifully designed.

Few brands understand that better than The James Brand, the Portland-based EDC specialist known for its minimalist approach to everyday essentials.

Its latest release, the Lumen Collection, takes five familiar products and gives them a warm, autumn-inspired makeover that makes me want the entire set.

The collection includes the Helton multitool, Redstone folding knife, Elko keychain knife, Madison carabiner and Palmer utility knife.

The James Brand has used complementary shades of yellow, cream and gold, with contrasting black and raspberry accents, to create a coordinated family of pocket tools.

A little colour goes a long way

The company says the Lumen Collection draws inspiration from autumn's changing light, including the longer shadows and golden tones that accompany shorter days.

It's a fairly poetic explanation for a collection of pocket tools, but the results suggest the brand captured the intended mood well.

Perhaps the most interesting product is the Helton, The James Brand's relatively new take on the traditional Swiss Army-style multitool.

A result of three years of development, it packs nine functions into a compact aluminium body, including a partially serrated VG-10 blade, scissors, screwdrivers, a bottle opener, and a file.

The Lumen version pairs a creamy buttermilk handle with black hardware, giving the otherwise utilitarian tool an unusually sophisticated appearance.

The Redstone folding knife features a lightweight chassis, a textured grip inspired by climbing holds and a Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade.

Its contrasting yellow-and-cream handle makes it one of the most distinctive-looking pieces in the collection.

Five tools, one very good-looking collection

The Madison is a compact aluminium carabiner featuring a dual-compartment design that separates your keys from the attachment point, while the Elko combines a small folding blade with a pry bar, screwdriver and bottle opener.

Both receive a golden finish that gives them a more premium appearance without changing their underlying functionality.

The last item in the collection is the Palmer, a compact utility knife with a replaceable blade and a patented tool-free blade-changing mechanism.

Its golden aluminium housing is complemented by a contrasting raspberry-coloured accent, making something as ordinary as a box cutter look like a carefully considered design accessory.

The Lumen Collection is available now at The James Brand. US prices range from $49 for the Madison to $179 for the Helton, with the Palmer priced at $59, Elko at $65 and Redstone at $119. UK, EU and AU pricing and availability have yet to be confirmed.

[via ShopEatSurf]

I've been familiar with Helinox for years, mainly thanks to its excellent lightweight camping chairs and cleverly engineered outdoor furniture.

The South Korean brand has built a strong reputation among outdoor enthusiasts, but apparently I've missed a significant development in its product range.

As it turns out, Helinox now makes clothing, and I'm not talking about the occasional branded T-shirt or novelty hoodie.

The company has an entire apparel collection featuring technical outerwear, fleece jackets, trousers and accessories, including some of the best-looking down jackets I've seen this year.

Helinox Wear launched in late 2025, but it somehow escaped my attention until the brand announced its new flagship store in Seoul.

Outdoor clothing with a difference

Helinox Wear takes the company's established design philosophy and applies it to clothing, creating a collection that looks far more adventurous than your average outdoor apparel range.

The down jackets are particularly impressive, featuring oversized silhouettes, unusual quilting patterns and sculptural shapes that give them an almost architectural appearance.

The brand clearly emphasises visual design, though its background in lightweight outdoor equipment suggests functionality remains a key consideration.

For example, the Eclipse Pack Down Jacket replaces the familiar horizontal baffles conventional puffers use with an intricate geometric construction.

It looks almost futuristic, particularly in the bright orange colourway showcased at the new Seoul flagship.

The design has already received international recognition, too, with the Eclipse Pack Down Jacket winning a prestigious Red Dot: Best of the Best award in the apparel category at the 2026 Red Dot Design Awards.

The collection also includes more understated pieces, such as olive-green down jackets, textured fleece layers and lightweight shells, all sharing the same distinctive aesthetic.

From camping equipment to a six-floor flagship

The latest development in Helinox's apparel development is the opening of a dedicated Helinox Wear flagship store in Seoul, which welcomed its first visitors on 11 September 2026.

Overlooking Dosan Park in Gangnam, the six-floor building introduces visitors to different aspects of the brand, from urban environments and outdoor exploration to its design heritage and community.

Even the architecture references Helinox's camping roots, with an exterior made from ETFE air cushions inspired by a tent flysheet.

The translucent facade changes appearance throughout the day as natural light passes through it, while the illuminated interior becomes visible from outside after dark.

You can explore the collection at Helinox Wear, with international pricing and availability yet to be confirmed.

Arc’teryx has decided it’s time to put its money where its mouth is on sustainability. The first product created using its System 0 approach is the Sperro SV, a waterproof jacket designed for mountain adventures. It’s an amazing shell with plenty of innovation, but its high asking price might deter some people. Nevertheless, it’s a good start, and let’s hope Arc’teryx (and other companies) produce more outerwear like this in the near future.

Arc’teryx Sperro SV review

Price and availability

The Sperro SV - 0 was announced in August 2026 and is available now at Arc’teryx UK, Arc’teryx US and Arc’teryx EU for £1,100 / $1,200 / €1,200. AU price and availability TBC. The Sperro SV is expensive, even by Arc’teryx standards, which says a lot. As the company puts it, the Sperro SV is an “alpine-ready shell with pro-inspired feature set.” Think of it as workwear for people who spend a lot of time above the treeline.

Specs and build quality

The Sperro SV is built around a rugged 70-denier, three-layer GORE-TEX PRO ePE fabric, developed with recycled ECONYL nylon. The material is waterproof, windproof and breathable, with a PFAS-free membrane and FC0 durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment.

Despite its heavy-duty construction, my men’s medium jacket weighs a relatively modest 514g. It features a helmet-compatible StormHood, WaterTight pit zips, harness-compatible hand pockets, a baffled chest pocket and an internal zipped compartment. There's also a RECCO reflector for emergency search and rescue.

Arc’teryx says it redesigned common failure points for easier repairs, including a replaceable zip slider. The jacket is eligible for over 80 types of repair through Arc'teryx's ReBIRD programme, with complimentary repairs for the first three years.

It's also designed for disassembly and material recovery at the end of its life. Arc’teryx says the jacket can be chemically broken down and rebuilt. Like melting ice cream and refreezing it, only the end result here is perfectly edible ice cream.

Performance

I first tried the jacket in Chamonix, taking the cable car up to Aiguille du Midi and then going on a glacier walk with a glaciologist. We spent a few hours traversing the glacier, looking down into crevasses and listening to the scientist tell the group that by the end of the century, the Aiguille du Midi might have no snow left in summer.

Even though the dreary forecast put me in a bad mood, the jacket performed excellently. There is always a slight fear when trying circular gear that it might not perform as well as its non-eco-conscious counterpart, but the Sperro SV is one of those examples where you can have your cake and eat it too.

The fit is excellent for a mountain shell, allowing you to add multiple layers underneath. It has adjustable hems and cuffs, while the pit zips let you dump heat when needed. (Sadly, I had to use this function on the Aiguille du Midi in July because it was sweltering at the top.)

The Stormhood is as good as ever. I think it’s one of the best hood designs, and it works well with the helmet both on and off. I found the hand, chest, and arm pockets well placed and the right size.

I have used the Sperro SV since my mountain experience, in more urban settings. Admittedly, it’s not where the jacket is designed, but as expected from an Arc’teryx shell, it works well there, too. It kept me dry on a walk in Germany when I visited the GORE-TEX factory in Putzbrunn (near Munich).

Verdict

The Sperro SV is an impressive outdoor garment that showcases Arc’teryx’s innovative approach and proves it’s possible to make sustainable outdoor products that work as intended in demanding environments.

I would recommend the jacket for those planning to use it in the mountains, though I appreciate the Sperro SV might also catch the eye of fashion-focused individuals with cash to burn. And, to be fair, you can use it on the streets; it’s just overkill.

Regarding the company’s System 0 approach, I would like to see it expand into more areas before I get too excited about a fully circular approach. The Sprerro SV is certainly an impressive product – let’s hope Arc’teryx leads the way by launching more circular products soon.

Also consider

The Arc'teryx Beta SV offers much of the Sperro's mountain-ready performance without the circular design premium. It uses rugged 100-denier GORE-TEX PRO ePE, weighs 480g and features a helmet-compatible StormHood, pit zips and harness-friendly pockets. It's still expensive, but considerably more accessible than the Sperro SV.

At £180, Patagonia's Torrentshell 3L proves environmentally conscious waterproof jackets needn't cost a fortune. It features a three-layer H2No waterproof construction, 100% recycled nylon face fabric and a PFAS-free membrane and DWR treatment. It's not an alpine shell like the Sperro SV, but for everyday adventures, it's a brilliant, affordable alternative.

Nike ACG has teamed up with ultralight camping specialist Helinox for a limited-edition collection that blends two very different approaches to outdoor equipment.

On one side is Helinox, the South Korean brand best known for making some of the lightest, most packable camping furniture around.

On the other, Nike's All Conditions Gear (ACG) division, which has never been particularly shy about making a visual statement.

Combine the two, and you get a three-piece collection featuring the Chair Zero LT, Table Zero LT and a 17-litre Camp Sack, all dressed in Nike ACG's signature orange, translucent materials and co-branded detailing.

Light enough to forget you're carrying it

The star of the show certainly is the ACG x Helinox Chair Zero LT, which can support users up to 120kg but weighs a mere 534g.

Its DAC TH72M aluminium alloy frame uses shock-corded poles and nylon resin hubs to deliver strength without added weight.

The chair also features Helinox's Ghostgrid material, a translucent monofilament mesh reinforced with a ripstop grid to improve durability and abrasion resistance.

An X-Strap underneath increases contact with the ground, helping the chair remain stable on softer or uneven surfaces.

The matching Table Zero LT takes the weight-saving philosophy even further with its packed weight of 254g and support for up to 10kg of load.

It uses the same translucent Ghostgrid material as the chair, supported by a minimalist orange frame that folds down for easy transport.

A little extra room for the essentials

Completing the collection is the ACG x Helinox Camp Sack, a 17-litre carry bag made from bluesign-certified 50D nylon ripstop and 300D ripstop materials.

Weighing just 134g, it features a spacious main compartment and two exterior stash pockets, with a construction that allows it to pack flat when not in use.

Unlike the furniture, which uses translucent grey mesh and orange aluminium frames, the Camp Sack features a predominantly grey and white design with orange branding.

It's an interesting meeting of technical outdoor equipment and lifestyle design, and one that feels more natural than many collaborations between performance and fashion brands.

The Nike ACG x Helinox collection launches on 2 November 2026, exclusively through SportShoes.com in the UK.

European pricing is €179.95 for the Chair Zero LT, €169.95 for the Table Zero LT and €44.95 for the Camp Sack. UK, US and AU pricing has yet to be confirmed.

Visit Helinox for more information.

Arc'teryx has been responsible for some of the most recognisable technical outerwear designs of the past few decades, but few are quite as distinctive as the Sidewinder.

First introduced in 2001, the jacket helped establish the Canadian brand's reputation in freeride skiing and snowboarding, largely thanks to an unusual curved front zip that looked unlike anything else on the mountain.

Now, 25 years later, the Sidewinder is making a comeback, complete with updated GORE-TEX construction, a more relaxed silhouette and, thankfully, that unmistakable asymmetric zip.

Even better, Arc'teryx is also releasing a separate archival edition that recreates the original 2001 design, right down to its retro colourways.

A zip that changed everything

When Arc'teryx introduced the jacket in 2001, its curved WaterTight zip represented a significant departure from conventional outerwear construction.

The zip curves around the wearer's neck, moving the closure away from the chin to prevent uncomfortable rubbing.

These days, chin guards are pretty standard on most mountaineering shells, but that doesn't make the Sidewinder's design redundant.

Even though the curved zipper is back, practically everything surrounding it has been updated.

The jacket now features a shorter, more relaxed fit designed to provide greater freedom of movement, alongside a three-layer GORE-TEX ePE construction.

Arc'teryx has used durable 100-denier fabrics throughout, with ripstop reinforcement across the shoulders and sleeves to improve durability in high-wear areas.

Other features include a helmet-compatible StormHood (my favourite), adjustable cuffs, a cinchable waist, multiple pockets and an integrated RECCO reflector to assist search and rescue operations.

At 681g, it's a substantial technical shell designed for demanding mountain conditions rather than lightweight hiking.

The original is making a comeback, too

Perhaps the more exciting announcement for longtime Arc'teryx enthusiasts is the Sidewinder Archive, which arrives in November.

Unlike the contemporary version, which introduces updated proportions and construction, the Archive closely follows the original jacket's fit and design from 2001.

The archival edition uses modern three-layer GORE-TEX PRO ePE, alongside recycled face fabrics, bringing the original design up to contemporary performance standards.

It will also be available in the original Citrus and Chili colourways, which should appeal to collectors and anyone who appreciates the increasingly popular retro outdoor aesthetic.

The decision to release both versions feels particularly timely, given the growing interest in archival technical clothing and the renewed popularity of early-2000s outdoor designs.

The contemporary Sidewinder is part of the brand's Autumn/Winter 2026 collection and is available now at Arc'teryx UK and Arc'teryx US for £750 / $850.

The Sidewinder Archive launches globally in November through Arc'teryx stores, selected retailers and the brand's website. Price TBC.

Winter jackets can be surprisingly expensive, especially when you want proper insulation and reliable waterproofing. However, you don't necessarily need to spend hundreds of pounds to stay warm and dry when temperatures drop.

Shop all waterproof jackets at Decathlon

Take Decathlon's Quechua NH500 waterproof hiking jacket, for example. At just £39.99, it costs far less than many technical winter coats, yet promises protection against rain, wind and snow, with enough insulation to keep you comfortable in temperatures as low as -10°C.

Even more impressively, the jacket has earned an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from more than 12,700 reviews, with thousands of shoppers giving it full marks.

One five-star reviewer describes it as a "Great winter coat, super snug and waterproof", adding that it "got me through the whole winter."

Another customer is equally enthusiastic about its performance in poor weather, writing: "I've used this all through winter without getting cold or wet. No complaints at all."

The NH500 uses synthetic insulation, with 200g/m² of wadding around the body and 150g/m² in the sleeves.

That's a substantial amount of insulation for an affordable jacket, though the -10°C comfort rating will, of course, depend on your activity level and what you're wearing underneath.

Waterproofing comes courtesy of a polyurethane-coated outer fabric rated to withstand a 5,000mm hydrostatic head, with fully taped seams to prevent water from entering through the stitching.

That's not the kind of waterproof rating you'd expect from a premium mountaineering shell, but it should offer enough protection against typical British winter conditions.

Other practical features include an adjustable hood, Velcro cuffs, a drawcord hem and a protective flap behind the main zip to help keep cold air out.

Made with 49% recycled polyester, the jacket also has fleece-lined handwarmer pockets and a secure chest pocket for smaller essentials.

One compromise worth mentioning is the lack of a dedicated ventilation system, which could make it less suitable for strenuous hiking.

The Decathlon Quechua NH500 waterproof hiking jacket is available in five colour options, with prices starting at £39.99. The smoked black / terracotta brown model costs £5 more, still only £44.99.

Victorinox has been on something of a limited-edition roll lately, and its latest release might also be one of its cutest designs this year.

The Synergy Winter Magic Limited Edition 2026 transforms the Swiss manufacturer's practical nine-function pocket knife into a miniature winter wonderland, complete with a starry night sky, snow-covered house and a tiny silver key.

Limited to just 15,000 pieces worldwide, the seasonal release is clearly positioned as a collector's item, though it still offers plenty of everyday functionality beneath its festive exterior to entice EDC fans, too.

A winter wonderland in your pocket

The most striking feature is undoubtedly the knife's blue Alox aluminium scales, which feature an intricate illustration inspired by the stillness of a winter night.

Look closely, and you'll spot a little house surrounded by snow, a trail of footprints leading towards its front door and a wisp of smoke rising from the chimney into the star-filled sky.

It's a charming departure from Victorinox's typically understated designs, and the attention to detail extends to the detachable key-shaped charm hanging from the knife's key ring.

The hypoallergenic charm represents the key to the house depicted on the handle and can even be worn separately as a piece of jewellery.

Victorinox has also created a matching presentation box featuring the same wintry artwork, making the whole package feel more like a collectable than an ordinary everyday carry accessory.

Nine tools, one magical package

The Winter Magic is based on Victorinox's relatively new Synergy platform.

It features nine functions, including a large blade, box opener, bottle opener, 3mm and 7mm screwdrivers, wire stripper, nail file, nail cleaner and key ring.

The Synergy has a more contemporary silhouette, with a longer, slimmer profile and textured aluminium scales.

Measuring 93mm long, 23mm wide and 12mm thick, the limited edition weighs 79g, making it compact enough to carry in a pocket or everyday bag.

Interestingly, the company has opted for solid decorative scales instead of the cut-out design found on the standard Synergy, which gives this version a cleaner appearance.

The knife is manufactured in Switzerland, as you'd expect from Victorinox, and retains the practical versatility that has made the brand's pocket tools so popular.

The Victorinox Synergy Winter Magic Limited Edition 2026 is available now at Victorinox UK, Victorinox US and Victorinox EU, priced at £75 / $85 / €75. AU price and availability TBC.

With production capped at 15,000 pieces worldwide and a comparatively affordable price point, it could make a particularly appealing Christmas gift for Swiss Army Knife enthusiasts (provided you can resist keeping it for yourself).

Retro-inspired outdoor clothing is having something of a moment, with brands increasingly looking to their archives for inspiration.

Now, Swedish outdoor specialist Fjällräven is joining the party with a 3-piece capsule that looks delightfully vintage in all the right ways.

The Expedition Block Collection reimagines the brand's classic Expedition Down Lite Jacket with bold colour-blocked designs inspired by nature.

It brings a distinctly vintage aesthetic to a silhouette that can trace its roots back more than five decades.

Even though I have no qualms with how the brand's modern pieces look, the new range is a welcome departure from the more understated colours traditionally associated with Fjällräven.

On top of that, it's nice to see another major outdoor brand embracing its heritage as retro-inspired clothing continues to grow in popularity.

A 1970s classic gets a colourful update

The original Expedition Down Jacket was introduced in 1974, designed by Fjällräven founder Åke Nordin to provide serious insulation in the harsh Scandinavian winter.

More than 50 years later, its oversized profile, substantial hood and distinctive horizontal baffles remain instantly recognisable.

Fjällräven has focused on colour, introducing contrasting panels and unexpected combinations that recall the style of outdoor clothing catalogues from the 1970s or 1980s.

"For the Expedition Series, which has such history, colour blocking feels like a fresh approach," explains Fjällräven designer Samuel Stadell.

According to Stadell, the design team initially explored around 30 colourways before narrowing the collection down to five, with the final combinations drawing inspiration from natural landscapes.

Old-school looks, modern insulation

The Expedition Down Lite Jacket is a less bulky interpretation of the original Expedition Down Jacket designed for cold-weather adventures.

It uses down insulation arranged in sewn-through channels, with synthetic padding around the shoulders to help resist moisture and wear in areas particularly exposed to the elements.

The jacket also features an adjustable hood and hem, a two-way front zip, as well as three internal pockets.

The collection includes men's and women's versions of the jacket, alongside the limited-edition 1960 Leather Logo Hat, a two-layer lambswool beanie finished with a leather Fjällräven logo.

The Expedition Block collection launches today, 23 October 2026, and is available at Fjällräven UK and Fjällräven EU.

Both the men's and women's Expedition Down Lite Color Blocked Jackets are £550 / €550, while the 1960 Leather Logo Hat costs £60 / €64.95. US and AU prices and availability TBC.

Leatherman's range of multitools can regularly be found on wishlists, especially during sales periods and the holiday season. After all, there are plenty of them – at different price points – and they can run into the £100s.

If you're looking for an alternative, however, there are plenty of those too, with more popping up all the while. One of them is the Blackjaw, which is currently undergoing a pre-order round on Kickstarter, and it looks to be something of a rival to the Leatherman Wave+ at a fraction of the price.

Admittedly, there are fewer tools on the Blackjaw – it is an 11-in-1 rather than offer the 18 of the Wave+ – but all the essentials are there, and you can currently secure yours from just ¥14,200 (around £68 / $89). There was a launch early bird offer, which started at £53 / $69, but considering only 50 were available at this price, they've already been snagged.

The Blackjaw gives you pairs of long nose and standard pliers, a wire cutter, knife, wire-stripping blade, double-sided saw, Philips head and flat screwdrivers, can and bottle openers, and a carabiner clip.

It weighs 220g and the handles are built from aluminium. Stainless steel has been employed for the tools, such as the blades and screwdrivers.

It measures 107mm, so can be stored in a pocket, while the carabiner clip enables you to hang it off a bag or belt, too.

According to the Japanese designer – Tsuchioto Works – the black finish has been chosen for "what it hides after six months, not for how it looks on day one". It will mark up over time, but the darker hue hides the scratches and dents more.

You get a carry case with the Blackjaw too, although do take into account shipping which will be different depending on where you're ordering from.

Shipping is expected to start next March.

Victorinox has unveiled a new limited-edition version of its iconic Huntsman Swiss Army Knife to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

The Huntsman Year of the Goat 2027 trades the usual understated appearance for a vibrant red finish decorated with intricate golden artwork, including a beautifully illustrated goat surrounded by traditional cloud motifs.

It's a fitting tribute to the upcoming Year of the Goat, which begins on 6 February 2027, but there's more to this special edition than its eye-catching appearance.

Victorinox is producing just 8,888 individually numbered examples worldwide, a figure that appears to have been chosen for a very particular reason.

In Chinese culture, the number eight is associated with wealth, prosperity and good fortune, making it an especially appropriate choice for a Lunar New Year collectible.

And, as we'll get to later, the Swiss brand hasn't stopped there.

A familiar favourite with a golden twist

The Huntsman is a classic Swiss-made multitool that offers 16 functions, including large and small blades, scissors, a wood saw, a corkscrew, can and bottle openers, screwdrivers and a multipurpose hook.

There are also smaller essentials, such as tweezers, a toothpick and a SIM card pin.

Measuring 91mm long and weighing 99g, the limited edition retains the compact dimensions that have helped make the Huntsman such a popular choice for everyday carry enthusiasts.

The biggest difference is the exterior, which features red Cellidor scales adorned with exclusive Year of the Goat artwork.

Each knife arrives in a specially designed red-and-gold presentation box, complete with a certificate and its individual edition number, reinforcing its appeal as a collector's item rather than simply another pocket tool.

The brand released a similarly limited Huntsman Year of the Horse for 2026, featuring a galloping horse and symbolic motifs associated with good luck and success.

The Huntsman Year of the Goat 2027 is available now at Victorinox UK for £88, continuing the lucky-number theme with a price that seems almost too deliberate to be a coincidence.

Sadly, the pocket knife doesn't cost $88 in the US; the retail price over the pond is $99 at Victorinox US. It's €88 in Europe, though, through Victorinox EU. AU price and availability TBC.

With only 8,888 individually numbered pieces being produced worldwide, collectors hoping to add this golden goat to their collection may want to act sooner rather than later.

YETI has spent years building a reputation for making some of the toughest coolers, drinkware and outdoor accessories money can buy.

Now, the American brand is taking that same approach to technical outdoor clothing.

The company has unveiled its first dedicated performance apparel collection, featuring waterproof jackets, insulated outerwear, merino wool midlayers and technical fleece.

The brand has sold T-shirts, hoodies, caps and other lifestyle merchandise for years.

However, this latest launch represents a significant departure from those products, putting YETI in direct competition with established outdoor brands such as Arc'teryx, Patagonia and The North Face.

And judging by the specifications, YETI isn't approaching the category half-heartedly.

From coolers to technical outerwear

The collection currently includes five products, with the Tilloo Rain Jacket, athree-layer waterproof shell, among the most exciting models.

YETI claims the jacket offers an impressive 40,000mm hydrostatic head rating, 45,000g/m²/24h breathability, and a RET rating of 4.67.

Those are some big numbers, even compared with established premium waterproof jackets, although laboratory specifications don't always translate to real-world performance. Still!

For colder conditions, there's the Tensleep Hooded Hybrid Down Jacket, which combines RDS-certified ExpeDRY down with traceable European Lavalan wool insulation.

The collection also includes the Hueco Merino 310 Full-Zip and Caprock Merino 250 Quarter-Zip, both of which use Nuyarn technology, and the Sansaba Fleece Full-Zip.

A new chapter for YETI

YETI has a long history of acquiring brands across different categories and using their know-how to launch its own products.

In 2024, the company acquired premium backpack manufacturer Mystery Ranch, subsequently incorporating its expertise into YETI's own outdoor equipment range.

In 2025, YETI also acquired the designs, patents and tooling of shaker bottle specialist Helimix for $38 million, using the technology to launch its own Yonder Shaker Bottle later that year.

There's no indication that YETI has acquired an established clothing manufacturer for this latest launch, but the collection demonstrates the company's ambition to become a more comprehensive outdoor brand.

It's also promising a longer-term commitment to apparel, confirming that additional styles, categories and seasonal collections are already planned.

The Performance Apparel collection is available now at YETI US, with prices from $180 for the Sansaba Fleece Full-Zip to $400 for the Tensleep Hooded Hybrid Down Jacket.

The Tilloo Rain Jacket costs $350, while the Caprock Merino 250 Quarter-Zip and Hueco Merino 310 Full-Zip are priced at $200 and $280, respectively.

For now, the collection is exclusive to the US, but it'll likely arrive in other regions in the coming months.

Finding a genuinely waterproof jacket that doesn't cost a fortune can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you want something that looks equally at home on a rainy commute as it does on a weekend walk.

Shop all Helly Hansen deals on Amazon

Fortunately, Amazon has reduced the price of the Helly Hansen Dubliner Jacket to £74.90, down from £95.75, saving you 22% on one of the Norwegian outdoor brand's most versatile waterproof shells.

The Dubliner uses a two-layer construction with a durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment and fully sealed seams to prevent rain from getting inside.

It has a quick-drying lining, adjustable cuffs and a hood that packs neatly into the collar. It's not an insulated winter jacket, so it's best to layer it with a fleece when it's cold.

Customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with the waterproof jacket currently holding a 4.5-star rating from more than 4,500 Amazon reviews.

One particularly enthusiastic buyer described how the Dubliner kept them completely dry during a torrential downpour in the Amazon rainforest, even protecting the camera equipment they had tucked underneath.

Another customer, who previously worked outdoors for the RNLI, praised the jacket's durability and waterproofing, calling it a "brilliant jacket all-round".

There are a few things worth considering before ordering. Helly Hansen itself warns that the Dubliner runs small and recommends sizing up by one or two sizes depending on your preferred fit.

Several Amazon customers echo that advice, particularly if you're planning to wear insulating layers underneath.

It might not be the lowest ever price for the Dubliner, but it's still a competitive price for a fully waterproof Helly Hansen jacket, especially one with such consistently positive customer feedback.

For anyone looking for a versatile rain jacket that can handle everything from the school run to a soggy weekend walk, the Dubliner is well worth considering.

You might be more familiar with established brands such as Petzl and Silva, but German brand Ledlenser has been at the forefront of portable lighting for 25 years. It’s made enough of an impression that multi-tool maestro Leatherman acquired a majority stake in the company back in 2011.

Ledlenser was among the pioneers of LED head torches, while its Advanced Focus System helped push portable lighting towards more versatile, hands-free designs. What it hasn’t done is go all-in on the featherlight, bounce-free head torches favoured by trail runners racing through the night. Instead, it’s built a reputation for robust, substantial hardware – and the HF7R Signature is no exception.

A little research revealed that “HF” stands for “Headlamps – Front”, which, thankfully, means there’s no separate battery pack to contend with at the back of your head. Ledlenser describes the HF range as comprising “compact, lightweight head torches”, although that’s relative to the company’s H series, which is aimed at tradespeople such as construction workers and electricians.

I’m no tradesperson, but as the days shorten and more of my adventures spill into darkness, I’ve been putting the HF7R Signature RGB Rechargeable head torch through its paces on evening walks in the woods. Here’s how it fares when the sun goes down.

Ledlenser HF7R Signature RGB Rechargeable Head Torch review

Price and availability

The Ledlenser HF7R Signature is available in black and camouflage for £149.95 directly from Ledlenser. A standard version is also available for £119.95, with a slightly lower maximum output of 1,200 lumens.

That puts it in premium territory. It’s only a little cheaper than the more technologically ambitious HF8R Signature, which pairs with an app for hands-free operation, and around £40 more than the Petzl Swift RL, which we named Best Overall in our guide to the best head torches.

If you simply want a light for rummaging around in the boot of your car at a campsite, that’s a hefty investment. But it’s broadly in line with what you’d expect to pay for Ledlenser’s more advanced lighting technology.

Design and materials

The HF7R features three LEDs delivering spot, mid-range and flood beams, housed in a recycled aluminium casing that can be tilted manually. The unit attaches to an adjustable, stretchy dual strap that runs over the top of your head for additional support.

At 40mm deep, the torch sits noticeably proud of your forehead, and its 144g weight (including the battery) makes it considerably more substantial than many hiking head torches. The overhead strap helps distribute that weight, though there’s no disguising the bulk.

Where the HF7R really distinguishes itself is its choice of lighting modes. Alongside standard white light, it offers red illumination to help preserve night vision, green light for foggy conditions and hunting, and blue light for blood tracking.

Ledlenser’s Adaptive Light Beam automatically adjusts brightness and focus to suit your surroundings. If you prefer to take control yourself, the Digital Advanced Focus System lets you adjust the beam using a rotating dial.

There’s plenty of power available when you need it. The maximum output reaches 1,300 lumens, with a beam range of up to 210 metres, making it viable for scrambling in technical terrain. Standard Power delivers 600 lumens, while Low Power drops to 20 lumens and a beam range of 40 metres – more than enough for finding your way around a campsite in the middle of the night.

The HF7R is designed to withstand drops of up to 1.5 metres and carries an IP67 rating for dust protection and resistance to immersion in water. It comes with a protective case to help prevent accidental damage when it’s stowed in your pack.

Operation and performance

The HF7R is listed as “straightforward to use,” but I found I had to refer to the instruction manual (which seems to show a series of identical images) to get started, partly because mine had arrived uncharged.

After a bit of fiddling around, it ended up being as simple as a short press of the button on top to turn it on, following which it toggles through the three different bulbs before the Adaptive Beam Mode settles on the correct brightness and focus settings for the current conditions.

Once it’s on my head, I can press the button again to toggle through Low, Mid and Standard settings, but really I never need to intervene because Adaptive Beam does it for me. On evening hikes, the Standard Power mode absolutely blasts away the night, and I can really see the difference between this and my trusty Petzl.

I use red light as much as possible when I’m out at night to help preserve my night vision, which activates via a two-second hold from off. Once I’m in that mode, I can short-press it again to rotate through green light, which offers better night vision, and blue light, which I’ve never had on a head torch before.

This is essentially for hunters doing blood tracking, and it occurs to me that it could be really useful for paramedics searching for veins. It makes me feel like I’m examining a crime scene, which adds excitement to a nocturnal jaunt.

Sometimes rotating the dial changes the beam; other times it doesn’t, and I'm not clear on why (I also expected this to rotate through red, green and blue modes, but it doesn’t).

As for wearability, it’s more comfortable than I feared given the weight and bulk. The overhead design really helps offset the weight, but compared to most camping and hiking head torches, it is really quite heavy, and I wouldn’t want to wear it for very long. But for campsite duties, it’s brilliant in every sense of the word.

Finally, it has a Transport Lock setting which is activated by pressing and holding the button for five seconds and means it doesn’t accidentally switch on in your backpack: useful, but since it comes with a carrying case, this hasn’t proven necessary.

Battery

There are no AAA batteries rolling around in my pack with the HF7T. This head torch is charged with a standard USB-C cable (provided), and upon turning it on, green lights on one side show how much battery remains, which I think is a fantastic feature.

Mine arrived uncharged, and it took a couple of hours to fully charge, which is pretty slow, and I’d be worried about it burning through a whole battery pack if I were trying to recharge it on a long-distance trek. That said, it’s got a solid battery life, so perhaps I’ll never need to worry about that.

Continuous use in Standard Power gets you about three hours, which is fairly standard, and at 600 lumens is adequate for alpinism and mountain rescue. Turn it down to Mid, and you’ll get up to eight hours, and at Low, a whopping 60 hours. If you’re likely to be out all night, the HF8R has a better battery life.

Verdict

The Ledlenser HF7R Signature ticks plenty of boxes: it’s powerful, versatile, robust and more comfortable to wear than its size initially suggests. Its bright beam is a clear step up from cheaper head torches, while the choice of coloured lights gives it capabilities that many general-purpose models lack.

But those extra features won’t be essential for everyone. Unless you’re hunting, tracking, working in specialist environments or regularly tackling challenging terrain after dark, you may find yourself paying for functions you rarely use.

The overhead strap helps balance its substantial front unit, but I’d still think twice before wearing it for hours on end. It feels better suited to shorter outings, campsite tasks and situations where power and versatility matter more than minimal weight.

The HF7R Signature is also a significant investment for the average camper or hiker. The technology helps justify the price, but there are more affordable options if all you need is reliable illumination on the trail.

For outdoor enthusiasts who value serious brightness, specialist lighting modes and a robust build, the HF7R Signature is a compelling option. For everyone else, it’s probably a luxury rather than an essential – or a very good gift for someone preparing for a grand adventure.

If you've been living under a rock, you might have missed the trend of brands like Arc'teryx and Goldwin blurring the boundaries between high-performance mountain equipment and contemporary fashion.

Swedish outdoor specialist Klättermusen is taking that approach in an interesting new direction with The Signal, its first dedicated freeride collection.

Designed primarily for backcountry skiing and snowboarding, the range introduces roomier silhouettes, innovative fabric technologies and a distinctly futuristic aesthetic that wouldn't look out of place in a science-fiction film.

And while the technical features are clearly intended for demanding mountain environments, there's plenty here to appeal to anyone who appreciates well-designed outerwear.

Technical innovation meets futuristic styling

Famous for its nature-inspired apparel, Klättermusen has spent more than 50 years developing mountaineering equipment.

However, The Signal marks the first time the brand has created a collection specifically for freeride skiing and snowboarding.

Unlike traditional mountaineering clothing, which prioritises efficiency during sustained movement, freeride equipment needs to accommodate everything from strenuous climbs to high-speed descents.

To address these demands, Klättermusen has introduced more generous silhouettes that allow additional layers underneath while improving ventilation and freedom of movement.

Leading the collection is the Meile insulated shell system, which combines Klättermusen's proprietary Cutan waterproof technology with its Oculus Forte fabric.

The lightweight two-layer construction provides weather protection without the stiffness sometimes associated with technical waterproof garments, while Thermore Ecodown synthetic insulation delivers warmth.

(As a side note, Thermore seems to be the new Polartec, as seemingly everyone, including Patagonia, now uses the brand's insulation.)

Both the outer fabric and insulation are made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester, with a fluorocarbon-free water-repellent treatment providing additional protection.

"One of the central design challenges was creating more structure and protective air space without losing the comfort, quietness and freedom of movement we are known for," explains Isabelle Liahaugen, Klättermusen's Head of Design & Development.

Beyond the mountains

While the Meile system is the collection's technical centrepiece, several other pieces demonstrate how Klättermusen's approach could appeal beyond the slopes.

The Brage 2.0 Jacket and Salopette offer a non-insulated alternative, using a three-layer version of Cutan technology alongside reinforced panels, ventilation and integrated RECCO reflectors.

The Gimle Hoodie is made using the brand's lofted Wuru Light fabric and combines 61% recycled polyester, 30% wool and 9% polyamide for warmth, breathability and quick-drying performance.

The relaxed silhouette also makes it particularly suitable for layering.

Completing the collection is the Gyme Backpack, available in 25- and 35-litre versions, featuring recycled polyamide construction and dedicated compartments for technical equipment.

Developed with input from mountain guides and testers in Northern Norway, The Signal demonstrates that serious outdoor performance and contemporary styling don't have to be mutually exclusive.

Klättermusen's The Signal collection launches today, 15 October 2026. For more information, visit Klättermusen.

Keeping warm during outdoor activities is usually a relatively straightforward affair.

You put on a fleece jacket and a waterproof shell, and you're good to go.

However, staying warm without overheating when you're constantly switching between high-intensity activities and rest is more complicated.

Polartec set out to solve this problem when it originally developed its Alpha insulation for military personnel operating in demanding environments.

Now, more than a decade later, the American textile specialist has introduced the next generation of Polartec Alpha.

It promises improved durability, greater design flexibility and the same exceptional breathability that made the original material popular among outdoor enthusiasts.

And some big names are already getting involved, including Patagonia, Goldwin and Purple Mountain Observatory.

From military technology to everyday outerwear

Unlike traditional synthetic insulation, which generally prioritises trapping heat, Polartec Alpha uses an open construction that allows air to circulate through the material.

This helps excess heat and moisture escape during strenuous activities, reducing the need to constantly remove and replace layers as your intensity changes.

It's particularly useful for activities such as hiking, trail running and cycling, where conditions and exertion levels can fluctuate considerably.

The original Alpha was designed primarily as an insulating layer sandwiched between other fabrics, but outdoor brands have increasingly started using the material in more exposed applications.

To address this, Polartec has developed a new patent-pending construction that improves the fabric's structural integrity, making it more resistant to snagging and shedding.

Crucially, the company claims these improvements don't compromise the material's lightweight warmth, breathability, compressibility or ability to regulate temperature.

The updated Alpha is also available in a broader selection of weights, textures and constructions, giving designers more freedom to create everything from technical outdoor clothing to lifestyle pieces.

According to Polartec, the development took more than four years of collaboration, prototyping and testing with performance apparel brands.

A new generation of technical fleece

One of the first examples of the technology is the Polartec Alpha Wool Hoodie from Purple Mountain Observatory.

The striking green hoodie combines the latest Alpha Wool construction with a blend of 54% recycled polyester, 40% wool and 6% nylon.

The wool adds natural temperature-regulating properties, while the synthetic fibres help manage moisture and maintain the material's lightweight performance.

Weighing 300g, the hoodie features a relaxed fit, elasticated cuffs, an adjustable-coverage hood opening and integrated thumb loops.

It's also a good example of how technical insulation is increasingly becoming a visible part of outdoor fashion rather than being tucked away.

Purple Mountain Observatory certainly isn't alone. Polartec says more than 11 brands are preparing products featuring the updated insulation, including Ornot, Senchi Designs, Farpointe and Goldwin.

Patagonia is also preparing an exclusive style using the new material, scheduled to arrive in November 2026.

The Polartec Alpha Wool Hoodie is available now at Purple Mountain Observatory for £220 / $345 / €266 / AU$425.

Portable power stations are becoming increasingly popular among campers, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone looking for a reliable source of backup electricity at home.

However, making them powerful and compact has been a problem manufacturers have struggled to solve.

Jackery thinks it has found a solution with its new Explorer Plus v2 series, which includes two models that are significantly smaller and lighter than their predecessors.

First unveiled at IFA 2026, the Explorer 1000 Plus v2 and Explorer 2000 Plus v2 are now making their way to the UK, bringing improved portability, expandable battery capacity and a clever feature that could prove invaluable during a power cut.

More power, less bulk

The biggest improvement is the redesigned construction, which uses Jackery's new Cell-to-Body (CTB) architecture to integrate the battery more efficiently into the chassis.

The result is a substantial reduction in size and weight without compromising battery capacity or power output.

The smaller Explorer 1000 Plus v2 has a 1,024Wh battery and delivers up to 1,800W of AC output, and at just 10.8 kg, it's 26% lighter and 44% smaller than its predecessor.

The larger Explorer 2000 Plus v2, despite packing a 2,048Wh battery and delivering 2,400W of AC output, is an impressive 60% smaller and 33% lighter than the previous generation.

It weighs 18.8kg, which is still substantial, but considerably more manageable for anyone regularly moving their power station between their home, car and campsite.

Both models also support expandable battery capacity using Jackery's Battery Pack 2000 units.

The Explorer 1000 Plus v2 can be expanded to approximately 11kWh, while the Explorer 2000 Plus v2 supports up to 12kWh.

Solar charging is also supported, with the smaller model accepting up to 400W of solar input and the larger version accommodating up to 800W.

A clever upgrade for home emergencies

While the reduced dimensions are certainly the headline improvement, there's another feature that makes the new Explorer Plus v2 series interesting.

Both models feature a 10ms uninterruptible power supply (UPS) function, which allows the stations to provide near-seamless backup power to connected devices when mains power fails.

Jackery has also equipped both power stations with lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, which are rated to retain 70% of their original capacity after up to 6,000 charging cycles.

To put this in perspective, it would take 16 years and five months of daily discharge and recharge before the battery reaches 70% of its original capacity, according to Jackery's specifications.

That's an impressive longevity claim and should make the new models appealing to anyone planning to use their power station regularly.

The Explorer 2000 Plus v2 also features three AC outlets, two USB-C ports, a USB-A port and a 12V output, allowing users to power several devices simultaneously.

The Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus v2 and Explorer 2000 Plus v2 are available now in the UK, with introductory discounts running until 3 November.

The smaller Explorer 1000 Plus v2 launches at £599, reduced from its £749 RRP, while the Explorer 2000 Plus v2 costs £949, down from £1,249.

Jackery is also offering bundles with an additional Battery Pack 2000 for £1,248 and £1,598, respectively. The expansion battery costs £849 when purchased separately.

American outdoor brand YETI has just expanded its LoadOut GoBox collection with three new wheeled gear cases that look like something you'd take on an expedition to the end of the world.

Available in three sizes, 28, 68 and 88 litres, the new GoBox cases combine the rugged construction of YETI's existing storage boxes with the convenience of wheeled luggage.

And while they're clearly designed for people who take their outdoor adventures seriously, it's hard to miss that YETI has Pelican in its crosshairs with the new range.

A new challenger to Pelican?

Pelican has dominated the rugged protective case market for decades, with its Protector and Air collections becoming favourites among photographers, filmmakers and professionals transporting expensive equipment.

YETI's new wheeled GoBoxes offer a remarkably similar proposition, right down to the waterproof construction, pressure-equalisation valves and customisable interiors.

The cases use what YETI calls its Defender material, a rugged outer shell designed to withstand serious impacts, alongside puncture-resistant NeverFlat wheels and a retractable aluminium Periscope handle.

More importantly, all three models meet IP65 and IP67 standards, meaning they're completely dustproof, resistant to water jets and capable of surviving temporary immersion in water up to one metre deep for 30 minutes.

There's even a pressure-relief valve that automatically balances internal air pressure without compromising the waterproof seal, which should come in handy when travelling between different altitudes.

More than just a tough suitcase

Perhaps the cleverest feature is the modular storage system, which allows users to customise the interior depending on what they're carrying.

Optional accessories include YETI's Pack Attic lid organiser, MOLLE panels and Gear Cubes, alongside the particularly interesting KOR Protective Inserts.

These use vacuum-form technology to mould themselves around equipment, creating a snug fit for delicate items such as cameras, lenses and other electronics without requiring traditional foam cutouts.

The smallest GoBox 28 offers approximately 29 litres of storage and weighs 6.1kg empty.

It's also designed to meet the carry-on luggage requirements of most airlines, making it an intriguing alternative to conventional cabin luggage.

The larger GoBox 68 and 88 offer approximately 68 and 88 litres respectively, and are both intended for checked luggage.

The 68's elongated shape also makes it suitable for transporting tripods and other awkwardly shaped equipment.

Of course, all this protection comes at a cost, both financially and in terms of weight, and the interior organisers are sold separately.

The new YETI LoadOut GoBox Wheeled Gear Cases are available at YETI US, with the GoBox 28 priced at $350 and the larger 68 and 88 models both costing $450. UK, EU, and AU pricing and availability TBC.

Most people associate Hollywood product placement with luxury watches, expensive cars and the occasional pair of designer sunglasses.

But one American toolmaker appears to be having a particularly good year on the silver screen, and its product of choice is considerably more practical.

Earlier this year, eagle-eyed fans spotted Ryan Gosling using a Leatherman Surge in Project Hail Mary, where his character, Ryland Grace, relies on the heavy-duty multi-tool to help him survive in space.

Now, the same model has made another appearance, this time in Matchbox: The Movie, the new Apple TV action-adventure starring John Cena and Jessica Biel.

And unlike some blink-and-you'll-miss-it product placements, the Leatherman gets its own moment in the spotlight.

Never leave home without your Leatherman

Released on 9 October, Matchbox: The Movie follows a group of childhood friends who find themselves caught up in an international adventure after their former leader, played by John Cena, returns home.

One of those friends is Crosby, played by Sam Richardson, who has a particular fondness for his trusty multi-tool.

During an early scene, Crosby proudly produces his Leatherman, declaring, "Never leave home without my trusty Leatherman."

It's a surprisingly prominent moment for a tool that most people probably wouldn't recognise by name, and it isn't the only time Crosby's Leatherman features in the film.

What's particularly interesting is that this follows the Surge's appearance in Project Hail Mary, where it plays a considerably more important role in keeping its protagonist alive.

In that film, Gosling's character uses the tool during several crucial sequences aboard his spacecraft, including situations where having a reliable blade close at hand makes all the difference.

The Surge is an interesting choice for a space adventure, particularly given its substantial size and weight, but it seems Hollywood has developed a taste for Leatherman's more heavy-duty offerings.

Why the Surge?

The Surge isn't Leatherman's lightest or most sophisticated multi-tool.

In fact, it's one of the brand's biggest and most robust models, designed primarily for demanding jobs.

It packs 21 tools, including large pliers, replaceable wire cutters, two knife blades, spring-action scissors, screwdrivers and an interchangeable saw-and-file system.

Four of its tools are accessible from the outside, meaning you don't have to unfold the entire thing whenever you need to use a blade or scissors.

It's built around a substantial stainless steel frame, well suited to situations where durability and leverage matter more than portability.

Its substantial, recognisable silhouette might explain why Hollywood likes featuring the Surge so much these days.

From characters repairing something in space or finding themselves in the middle of an international conspiracy, the Surge certainly looks the part.

Of course, two major film appearances don't necessarily make it Hollywood's most popular multi-tool, but it's an amusing coincidence that the same model has found its way into two very different productions in the space (pun intended) of a few months.

And while the Matchbox movie is by no means as sophisticated as Project Hail Mary (even though I admit that beauty is in the eye of the beholder), Leatherman must be rather pleased with its newfound Hollywood career.

The Surge is available now at Leatherman US, Leatherman UK, Leatherman EU and Leatherman AU for the recommended price of $160 / £160 / €179 / AU$360.

Matchbox: The Movie is streaming now on Apple TV.

Portable power stations have become increasingly useful for camping trips, campervan adventures and keeping essential appliances running during power cuts. However, finding one that offers enough capacity to power more demanding devices without costing a small fortune isn't always easy.

Shop all Bluetti deals on Amazon

That's why the latest Amazon deal on the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 caught my attention. The compact power station combines a substantial 1,024Wh battery with 1,800W of continuous output, and it's currently available for less than £400.

According to price-tracking data, the latest discount has brought the Elite 100 V2 down to its lowest recorded Amazon price in the past 54 days. It's also a considerable reduction from the £799 price shown in late September.

One particularly useful feature is the ability to recharge the battery in approximately 70 minutes using mains power. There's also support for solar charging.

Better still, the Elite 100 V2 has earned an average customer rating of 4.4 out of five stars on Amazon, based on 312 reviews.

One verified buyer describes it as "Small, compact, lightweight and powerful!", adding that it offers excellent value compared to building a similar system themselves.

Another customer reports successfully using the power station to run a camping fridge, a television, an Xbox, a small hairdryer, a toaster and even power tools.

Campervan owners appear particularly impressed. One reviewer explains that the Elite 100 V2 powers their fridge and diesel heater during off-grid weekends, describing it as a reliable alternative to a traditional campervan electrical setup.

For anyone looking for a capable portable power station with enough output to handle more than just phones and laptops, the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 looks like excellent value at its current price.

Finding the perfect jacket for autumn and winter isn't always straightforward. You need something waterproof enough to withstand the inevitable downpours, but also warm enough to keep you comfortable when temperatures drop.

Shop all jacket deals at Cotswold Outdoor

The North Face has a clever solution in the form of its Quest Triclimate 3-in-1 Jacket, which looks like a fairly conventional waterproof jacket from the outside but hides a useful feature underneath.

The Quest Triclimate's clever trick is its removable inner fleece, which can be detached from the waterproof outer shell and worn separately. This means you effectively get three jackets for the price of one, making the £165 asking price feel even more reasonable.

Wear the outer shell when it's raining but relatively mild, throw on the fleece when you need a little extra warmth, or combine the two when the weather turns particularly unpleasant. The outer jacket uses The North Face's DryVent waterproof technology, designed to keep rain out while allowing moisture vapour to escape.

It's a particularly practical arrangement for Britain's unpredictable weather, especially if you'd rather not invest in several different jackets for different conditions. The adjustable hood, cuffs and multiple pockets also make it a useful option for everything from commuting to weekend hikes.

The Quest Triclimate has already impressed one customer who put it through its paces on holiday in Norway. In a verified five-star review, the buyer praised the waterproof outer's performance, describing it as "lightweight and easy to dry".

They were equally impressed with the removable fleece, which they said kept them very warm despite its lightweight construction. The reviewer also highlighted the generous pocket space and ease of detaching the inner layer, ultimately rating the jacket's value for money as exceptional.

Patagonia has been making some of the best outdoor clothing for decades, but I've always had a particular soft spot for its older designs.

The bold colours, contrasting panels, oversized logos and slightly eccentric aesthetic of its early mountain gear have a charm that's difficult to replicate.

(Just watch Vertical Limit on Netflix – sooooooo good.)

That's why I'm particularly excited about the brand's new Mountain Minded collection, which celebrates Patagonia's snow sports heritage dating back to the early 1980s.

Patagonia has taken inspiration from its early designs and applied it to a selection of contemporary outdoor essentials, including fleeces, insulated jackets, technical base layers, T-shirts and accessories.

Back to where it all began

According to Patagonia, the collection celebrates the period when the company was developing some of its first dedicated snow sports clothing.

The idea was to capture the spirit of an era when skiing, mountaineering and backcountry exploration were less about performance metrics and more about getting out into the mountains.

"The mountains are a state of mind," the brand explains, describing the collection as a celebration of its early 1980s snow styles, complete with throwback labels, vintage colours and heritage designs.

In an accompanying behind-the-scenes video, Patagonia's design team explains how it revisited the company's archives to find inspiration.

Mitch Bloom, who works on graphics and art direction, says the team examined historical trims and labels, including those associated with Chouinard, the climbing equipment company founded by Patagonia creator Yvon Chouinard.

The designers also drew inspiration from some of the brand's more obscure products, including the Mountain Lounger and vintage telemark skis.

The latter inspired the striped graphics that appear throughout the collection, while the updated heritage branding gives even relatively simple pieces a distinctly retro feel.

Old-school looks, modern outdoor gear

One of my favourite pieces is the Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Pullover, which combines a muted two-tone fleece design with contrasting purple trim and an old-school Patagonia chest label.

The Men's Retro Pile Pullover is another highlight, offering a more understated take on the vintage aesthetic with its fluffy fleece construction and relaxed silhouette.

The Capilene base layers offer modern technical performance with some decidedly old-school patterns.

The best thing about the collection is that it feels recognisably retro without looking like fancy dress, and most of the pieces should work just as well around town as they do on a mountain getaway.

It's also refreshing to see the brand having some fun with its extensive design history.

The Patagonia Mountain Minded collection is available now through the brand's official website. Prices vary depending on the product.

In the US, the Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Pullover costs $149, the Men's Retro Pile Pullover is $159, and the Women's Insulated Snowfarer Jacket is $369. Accessories start at $39 for the Kids' Logo Beanie, while the Black Hole Duffel 70L costs $209.

Availability and pricing may vary between regions, with some pieces and colourways potentially exclusive to certain markets.

I like a good multitool. There's something satisfying about having a pocket-sized collection of useful tools ready for those moments when you need to cut, tighten, open or fix something.

At first glance, Mossy Oak's 27-in-1 multitool looks like a fairly conventional pair of pliers. Fold it out, though, and you've got 27 different functions packed into the handles.

The pliers sit at the centre of the design, with the handles hiding most of the other tools. There's a wood saw, knife, wire cutters, bottle opener, can opener, several screwdrivers and a file, among other tools.

The idea is that instead of carrying a toolbox around, you've got a small collection of the most useful bits of one in your pocket.

The tool measures around 4.1 inches when folded, so it's small enough to carry in a pocket, backpack or camping kit. It comes with a nylon pouch, too, if you'd rather keep it attached to a belt or tucked away with your other gear.

The 27 functions include needle-nose pliers, regular pliers, wire cutters, a wood saw, knife, bottle opener, can opener, ruler, file, screwdrivers and several other small tools.

There's also a set of hex wrenches built into the handles, which adds another layer of usefulness if you're fixing something on the go.

The Mossy Oak 27-in-1 is currently available for around $25, which works out at roughly £19. That's not bad for 27 tools in one compact package, assuming you actually find yourself using more than the pliers.

Fjällräven has unveiled a new expedition-ready down jacket designed to keep people warm – and alive – in some of the harshest environments on Earth (a.k.a. the mountains).

Best known for its iconic Kånken backpacks and rugged outdoor clothing, the Swedish outdoor specialist's Bergtagen collection takes a more technical approach to outdoor adventures.

The latest addition to the range, the Bergtagen Topp Down Jacket, combines high-loft goose down with strategically placed synthetic insulation to deliver warmth where it's needed most.

It's a clever approach that addresses some of the traditional weaknesses of down insulation, particularly its tendency to lose effectiveness when compressed or exposed to moisture.

The best of both worlds

The company says the Bergtagen Topp Down Jacket uses premium 800-fill-power down, which provides an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio without requiring excessive bulk.

The jacket also uses box-wall construction, a technique typically found in high-end expedition clothing and sleeping bags.

Unlike conventional stitched-through baffles, which can create cold spots along the seams, box-wall construction separates the down chambers using internal fabric walls.

This allows the insulation to maintain its loft more consistently, helping to trap warm air throughout the jacket.

However, Fjällräven hasn't relied exclusively on down. The Bergtagen Topp also incorporates PrimaLoft synthetic insulation around the neck and shoulders, where backpack straps and moisture can compromise the performance of traditional down.

Synthetic insulation generally retains warmth better when damp and can withstand repeated compression more effectively than down.

By combining the two materials, Fjällräven aims to deliver the warmth and packability of natural down alongside the resilience of synthetic insulation in high-stress areas.

Built to last

Beyond its insulation, the Bergtagen Topp Down Jacket features a recycled polyamide shell designed to resist wind and moisture.

It's worth noting that this isn't a waterproof jacket, so you'll still want a protective shell, such as the Bergtagen shell that uses GORE-TEX ePE technology, if you're expecting prolonged rain or wet snow.

The outer fabric is reinforced in areas most likely to experience abrasion to help the jacket withstand contact with climbing equipment, backpacks and rough terrain.

Fjällräven has also designed these high-wear areas with repairability in mind, an increasingly important consideration for technical outdoor clothing that can cost several hundred pounds.

The overall design prioritises functionality over fashion, with a protective hood and an expedition-focused silhouette intended to accommodate additional layers underneath.

Despite its substantial insulation, the jacket is designed to remain packable, making it suitable for carrying in a backpack until temperatures drop or you stop moving.

The Fjällräven Bergtagen Topp Down Jacket is available now in men's and women's versions, priced at £625 in the UK, €700 in Europe and £750 in the US. AU price and availability TBC.

Patagonia has teamed up with Italian insulation specialist Thermore for its latest launch, the Heyes Peak 3-in-1 Parka.

Unlike some of the outdoor brand's more technical garments, the new casual insulated jacket is designed for everyday wear and not demanding mountain adventures.

It combines a weather-resistant outer shell (essentially, a waterproof jacket) made from recycled fishing nets with a removable insulated layer constructed from recycled plastic bottles.

Probably because of its more approachable nature, the Heyes Peak Parka is set to be one of the brand's most interesting pieces for this season, especially as we look ahead to the unpredictable autumn and winter months.

Two jackets are better than one

The Heyes Peak 3-in-1 Parka's outer uses Patagonia's NetPlus recycled nylon ripstop fabric, made from discarded fishing nets collected to help reduce plastic pollution in the oceans.

Inside, you'll find Thermore EVOdown, a synthetic insulation designed to mimic the softness and loft of traditional down without using animal-derived materials.

Thermore might not be as instantly recognisable as outdoor titans GORE-TEX or PrimaLoft, but the family-run Italian company has been developing technical insulation for decades.

I've covered its technology before, including the Trailberg jacket that turns plastic waste into winter insulation.

Thermore's EVOdown technology uses 100% recycled polyester fibres and is designed to provide lightweight warmth with a soft, down-like feel.

The 3-in-1 design isn't a revolutionary concept, but the combination of recycled materials and modular construction makes the Heyes Peak particularly appealing as an everyday winter jacket.

And unlike some of Patagonia's more technical outerwear, the collection has a relatively understated look that should work just as well on the commute as on a weekend walk.

Built for the everyday adventures

Despite its casual styling, there's some serious outdoor technology involved with the Heyes Peak 3-in-1 Parka.

The outer jacket features Patagonia's waterproof H2No Performance Standard construction, including a two-layer shell, an adjustable hood and a storm flap.

Interestingly, the outer shell uses recycled polyester sourced from coastal communities at risk of plastic pollution, and the removable inner jacket uses NetPlus fishing-net material.

The parka also uses durable water-repellent treatments made without intentionally added PFAS.

At 1,020g, it's not particularly lightweight (let's not forget it's a 3-in-1 garment, though), but that's arguably less important for a jacket intended for commuting, travelling and everyday winter adventures.

The Heyes Peak 3-in-1 Parka is available in men's and women's versions, priced at £480 in the UK, €500 in Europe and $569 in the US. AU price and availability TBC.

You can read more about the collaboration at Thermore.

Few jackets have made the leap from mountain expeditions to streetwear quite as successfully as The North Face's Nuptse.

Originally introduced in 1992, the distinctive puffer has become one of the most recognisable pieces of outerwear in the world, embraced by everyone from mountaineers to hip-hop royalty.

And although its signature boxy silhouette has remained largely unchanged for more than three decades, The North Face isn't afraid to experiment with the formula.

The latest example is the new Pertex Nuptse Reversible Jacket, which combines the familiar design with upgraded technical materials and a clever two-in-one construction.

Part of the brand's Autumn/Winter 2026 Ever Icons collection, the jacket celebrates The North Face's 60th anniversary by giving one of its most famous designs a fresh twist.

Two sides to every story

The biggest selling point of the new Pertex Nuptse is, unsurprisingly, its reversible construction.

One side features the familiar quilted baffles that have defined the Nuptse since the early 1990s, while the other has a smoother, matte finish that gives the jacket a more understated appearance.

The Pertex Nuptse uses 700-fill recycled goose down to provide warmth without excessive bulk, paired with Pertex Quantum fabric.

The latter is a lightweight, tightly woven material designed to improve insulation efficiency and prevent down from escaping through the fabric.

The North Face also highlights the jacket's water-repellent exterior, providing some protection against damp conditions.

(It's not a waterproof jacket, though.)

An icon that keeps evolving

The reversible Nuptse arrives alongside the new Summit Nuptse, which takes a more technical approach to updating the classic design.

The Summit version features 800-fill ProDown insulation, abrasion-resistant Spectra materials and an insulated hood, making it better suited to demanding mountain environments.

The Pertex version, meanwhile, leans into the Nuptse's considerable cultural influence.

It's a fitting direction for a jacket that became a favourite among New York's hip-hop community in the 1990s, appearing on artists including The Notorious B.I.G. and Redman before becoming a fixture of modern streetwear.

And for those who prefer the original, the classic 1996 Retro Nuptse remains part of the collection.

The North Face Pertex Nuptse Reversible Jacket is available in men's and women's versions, priced at £325 in the UK, $430 in the US and €360 in Europe. AU pricing has yet to be confirmed.

BEAMS has been celebrating its 50th anniversary by collaborating with seemingly... everyone.

The Japanese retailer has already dipped into the archives of some seriously big names as part of its anniversary celebrations.

These include Arc'teryx, Timex, and more, and now it's turned its attention to American outdoor institution REI Co-op.

The BEAMS x REI Co-op Expedition Parka is a gloriously oversized down jacket based on an REI design dating all the way back to 1986.

It comes complete with enormous baffles, huge patch pockets and a blue-and-orange colour scheme that makes absolutely no attempt to disguise its '80s origins.

The Expedition Parka is also not the first meeting between BEAMS and REI.

Both were involved in 2025's three-way collaboration with On, with REI's archive again inspiring the collection.

However, the parka is probably my new favourite, thanks to its ability to mix classic design with modern materials and manufacturing processes.

A storied design, retold

According to REI, the teams went well beyond simply examining the original Expedition Parka by looking through the American retailer's Living Archive in Seattle.

Also, additional vintage Expedition Parkas were sourced and taken apart so the designers could study details, such as loft, proportions, hand feel and hardware.

The resulting jacket preserves much of that old-school character, right down to the retro REI mountain logo embroidered onto the chest.

BEAMS branding appears across the hood, and there's a rather lovely internal label describing the project as “A storied design, retold.”

Underneath all that nostalgia, however, is a thoroughly modern outdoor jacket.

The shell uses WINDSTOPPER by GORE-TEX Labs, paired with 650-fill-power down insulation.

There's also a durable water-repellent finish made without intentionally added PFAS, recycled materials and construction in a Fair Trade Certified factory.

Heritage outdoor gear has become increasingly influential in contemporary fashion, and few companies understand the intersection between vintage Americana and Japanese streetwear quite as well as BEAMS.

Its 50th anniversary projects have repeatedly leaned into that history, including the recent BEAMS x Arc'teryx collection that revisited the Canadian brand's 1998 Theta AR Jacket.

Only 500 BEAMS x REI Co-op Expedition Parkas have been produced. The jacket launches on 6 October for $599, online at REI Co-op and in selected stores.

Portable power stations aren't cheap, especially once you move beyond the smaller models designed primarily for charging phones and laptops, which is why this deal on one of my favourite EcoFlow models is worth a look.

Shop all EcoFlow deals on Amazon

The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus has dropped to £549 at Amazon, down from its £699 RRP, saving you £150 or 21%. It's also £50 cheaper than EcoFlow's current £599 direct price. The £549 offer is a Prime-exclusive deal, so you'll need an Amazon Prime membership to get the lowest price.

I reviewed the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus for T3, and there's a lot to like about it. It's surprisingly compact given the power on offer, yet its 1,800W output means it can handle considerably more demanding appliances than smaller portable batteries.

Its 1,024 Wh LFP battery is robust, with EcoFlow claiming 4,000 cycles before falling to 80% of its original capacity. To put it in perspective, it would take nearly 11 years af chargin and draining the DELTA 3 Plus every day to get to the point!

There are 11 outputs in total, including four AC sockets and a pair of powerful 140W USB-C ports, so there's plenty of capacity to power several devices simultaneously.

Hook the power station up to the mains, and EcoFlow says it'll go from empty to full in just 56 minutes. It can also accept up to 1,000W of solar input, making it a particularly capable option for off-grid use.

EcoFlow rates it at under 30dB when operating below 600W, which is particularly useful if you're keeping it indoors as a backup power source.

Powered exoskeletons might still sound like something you’d expect to see in a science-fiction film, but Hypershell is making a convincing case that the technology belongs in the outdoors right now.

Designed to add powered assistance to walking, hiking and other active pursuits, the New Hypershell X range essentially gives your legs a little extra help when you’re moving. The idea isn’t to do the walking for you, but to make long days, steep climbs and demanding terrain feel more manageable.

What does a powered exoskeleton actually do?

All models in the Hypershell X range are powered by the brand’s HyperIntuition system, which recognises how you’re moving and adjusts the level of assistance accordingly. The company says – and TÜV Rheinland, global leader in independent technical testing, has verified it – that the system can respond in as little as 0.31 seconds and synchronise with your gait as terrain and pace change.

The system is also designed for the stop-start nature of real-world outdoor use, regardless of the surface or steepness of the terrain you’re tackling. Hypershell says its testing has shown reductions in muscle load of up to 42.7%, along with lower average heart rate and oxygen consumption in certain test scenarios.

As ever, real-world performance figures will vary depending on the wearer, terrain and activity, but Hypershell’s numbers are a good indication of the level of assistance you get from wearing an exoskeleton out in the wild.

Three versions for very different adventures

The Hypershell X Pro S is the most accessible all-rounder of the three discounted models.

With up to 800W of output and a claimed single-charge range of 17.5km, it’s aimed at everyday outdoor activity, lighter hiking, walking and commuting. If you’re intrigued by the technology but don’t necessarily need huge range, this is the most straightforward entry point.

For longer outings, the Hypershell X Max S increases peak output to 1000W and extends the claimed range to 30km.

That makes it the more obvious choice for longer hikes, trail outings and days when you expect to cover significantly more ground. Hypershell Max S sits in the sweet spot for users who want more range without stepping up to its most extreme configuration.

Then there’s the Hypershell X Ultra S, which takes things considerably further.

It retains the 1000W peak output, but pairs it with a dual-battery setup capable of delivering a claimed 60km total range and can withstand more extreme temperatures (-20° to 60° C versus -10° to 60° C for Pro S and Max S). It’s designed for demanding, long-duration use where maximum endurance is the priority.

Designed to disappear into the background

As fascinating as the technology behind the Hypershell X range is, comfort matters just as much for something designed to be worn for hours at a time.

Hypershell has equipped the units with a soft-pack suspension system, a three-zone waist pad, lower-back support and honeycomb anti-slip silicone intended to keep everything stable while you move.

The best wearable technology is the kind you stop thinking about once you’re using it. And while any old powered exoskeleton can offer impressive specifications on paper, if it doesn’t feel natural enough to wear on a long walk or day out, you’ll stop using it eventually.

The New Hypershell X range is designed with that in mind, and combines powered assistance with a wearable setup meant to move with the body rather than get in its way.

A more approachable way to try exoskeleton tech

Exoskeletons have historically felt like specialist equipment, but products such as the New Hypershell X Series are pushing the category towards mainstream outdoor use.

Head to the Hypershell website to find out more.

Vollebak has made jackets from some pretty unconventional materials over the years, including copper and wood, but its latest experiment might be its most wonderfully absurd yet.

The British clothing brand has unveiled the Rock Jacket, and in this case, the name quite literally refers to the material it's made from.

More specifically, Vollebak has covered the garment in thousands of tiny squares of slate, creating something that looks like a futuristic body armour from Minecraft. And I'm 100% on board with the idea.

The reason why I'm not buying the Rock Jacket is that there is only one made and it costs £50,000, so it's slightly out of my price range.

Rock and roll

While some might focus on the price tag, the most interesting aspect of the jacket is how Vollebak managed to turn a material generally associated with roofs and floors into something you can actually move around in.

The project began with French designer and material technologist Steven Leprizé, whom Vollebak originally approached about making a more wearable version of its experimental Wooden Jacket.

Leprizé adapted his WooWood elastic marquetry technique, which uses hundreds of small wooden tiles backed with rubber, replacing the wood with slate.

The slate arrives in sheets measuring 100cm by 50cm and just 0.5mm thick, which are then cut into tiny 5mm × 5mm squares before being attached to a neoprene backing.

The tiny gaps between the tiles allow the material to twist and move without completely disguising the slate's naturally uneven surface.

Vollebak says there are around 50 steps involved in making the material, with Leprizé describing cutting the tiles as the most important part of the process.

Stone Age tech meets sci-fi

Vollebak has turned that material into a relatively minimalist, cropped Harrington-style jacket.

The slate sheets are laser-cut, the seams are deliberately left visibly taped, and Cordura pockets and a zip provide the Rock Jacket a reassuringly conventional feel.

From a distance, it almost resembles leather or some exotic technical laminate, but once you get closer, the grid of individual stone tiles becomes obvious.

Even though there's only one made, Vollebak sees the Rock Jacket as more than an expensive one-off experiment.

Co-founder Nick Tidball suggests rock could eventually become a legitimate clothing material, although he acknowledges developing the idea could take a decade or longer.

The Vollebak Rock Jacket is available now for £50,000, although "available" is doing some heavy lifting here: only a single example has been made.

Element has reunited with French mountaineering specialist Millet, and the resulting collection goes considerably harder than it has any right to.

The Escape from the Concrete Jungle – Le Deuxième Chapitre is the second Millet x Element collaboration that once again attempts to find common ground between climbing and skateboarding.

And while outdoor-meets-streetwear collaborations are everywhere right now, the two brands have produced something delightfully strange, technical, gloriously retro and well worth checking out.

The collection spans technical outerwear, waterproof jackets, fleeces, trousers, bags, accessories and casual staples, with a colour palette dominated by browns, burgundy, orange and navy.

There are also wonderfully loud graphics that look like they've escaped from a late-'90s climbing catalogue.

Approach shoes have never looked this good

The Millet x Element Friction might be my favourite piece from the entire collection.

These approach shoes combine a gloriously hairy suede leather upper with a chunky black rand and Vibram outsole, finished with orange laces and detailing.

Approach shoes and low-profile hiking footwear have been steadily crossing over into everyday wardrobes.

However, no matter how good they look, the shoes are 'proper' approach footwear, and Element says only 250 pairs have been produced.

The fleece is pure retro outdoor perfection

As well as the Friction shoes, the Millet x Element Multi Fleece Jacket might be the piece I'd actually wear most.

Its 300gsm recycled polar fleece construction is broken up with contrasting burgundy panels, an asymmetric chest pocket and the collaboration's deliberately wonky graphics.

It looks like something you'd discover buried at the back of a particularly good vintage outdoor shop, except it's brand new.

Another standout piece, the Millet x Element GORE-TEX Jacket, uses recycled 75D GORE-TEX fabric with a quoted 28,000mm waterproof rating and combines a dark burgundy upper with a violently orange lower section.

Apparently, shoppers weren't put off by the £490 asking price, either. At the time of writing, the jacket is already listed as sold out on Element's UK website.

The Millet x Element Escape from the Concrete Jungle – Le Deuxième Chapitre collection is available now from Element, with prices ranging from £22 for the beanie to £530 for the Puff Down Jacket.

Black Friday usually gets all the attention when it comes to big discounts, but Amazon has just beaten one of last year's best torch deals before its October sale has even officially started. The Olight Marauder Mini is now £119.99 at Amazon, down from £199.99, giving Prime members a massive £80 saving, or 40% off.

Shop all pre-Prime Day deals on Amazon

I reported on the same torch during last year's Black Friday sale, when Amazon dropped it to £129.99. Today's early Prime deal takes another £10 off that price. Prime Big Deal Days officially takes place on 6 and 7 October, although Amazon has already started rolling out deals ahead of the main event.

Despite being called the "Mini," there's not much that's mini about this compact torch's performance. Its floodlight can output up to 7,000 lumens, with nine LEDs providing a wide spread of light. Flick over to the dedicated spotlight, and it'll throw a beam up to 600 metres.

There are also separate red, green and blue LEDs, each with multiple brightness levels. The controls include a rotary dial to adjust brightness and a physical toggle to jump between the floodlight and spotlight.

The aluminium-bodied torch has an IPX8 waterproof rating, is tested for drops from 1.5 metres and uses a replaceable 6,500mAh rechargeable battery with Olight's magnetic charging system. Maximum runtime stretches to 43.5 hours when using the lowest spotlight setting.

I've reviewed several Olight torches over the years, including the smaller Seeker 4 Pro, which I awarded five stars. The Marauder Mini takes that basic idea of a powerful rechargeable torch and turns everything up several notches.

And judging by its reception, I'm not the only one impressed. People on Amazon call it a "great torch" with "just the right balance between brightness and portability." Another review simply calls it the "Best Torch Ever."

There are certain gadgets that make you wonder why someone didn't build them years ago. The Poclink Motion Ultra is one of them: it's basically the walkie-talkie you remember from childhood, rebuilt for a world where we expect our gadgets to have GPS, mobile connectivity and enough intelligence to know when one connection isn't available. I want one.

Traditional walkie-talkies are brilliant until you and the person you're trying to reach are no longer within radio range, while a smartphone isn't exactly ideal when you're skiing, cycling or hiking in miserable weather. The Motion Ultra tries to bridge that gap by combining 4G LTE with analogue radio, switching between the two depending on what's available.

A walkie-talkie built for the real world

When LTE coverage is available, the Motion Ultra can communicate over the mobile network, effectively removing the normal range limitation of a walkie-talkie. When there's no cellular connection, it can switch to analogue radio, with Poclink claiming up to 20 miles of range in favourable open conditions. Actual range will depend heavily on terrain and surroundings.

Poclink has given the Motion Ultra two large push-to-talk buttons that can be operated by feel, plus a rotary control for things such as volume and channel selection. It's IP67-rated, weighs around 100g and is designed to work down to -20°C, with mounting options for helmets, handlebars and backpacks.

There's plenty going on inside, too. The Motion Ultra supports GPS location sharing, one-touch SOS alerts and geofencing, while its LTE mode can handle groups of up to 1,000 users. There's also a five-person full-duplex mode, so conversations don't have to follow the old-school "over" and "over" walkie-talkie format.

The 2,000mAh battery charges over USB-C, while Bluetooth means it can also double as a music or podcast player. There's even noise reduction intended to keep voices intelligible when you're wearing a helmet or dealing with strong wind.

The other thing that makes the Motion Ultra interesting is its connectivity. Poclink says the device comes with a lifetime-free global SIM plan covering more than 80 countries, currently.

The Motion Ultra is currently being offered through Kickstarter, with the source listing two units at $399 and estimated shipping from November 2026.

For anyone who grew up treating a pair of chunky walkie-talkies as the height of technological sophistication, the idea of getting that same feeling from something with LTE, GPS, SOS and a USB-C port is pretty hard to resist.

Nike ACG has unveiled its Holiday 2026 collection, featuring an awful lot of purple, and I’m very much on board with it.

The collection includes the ACG Lava Flow Ultralight Jacket, which Nike describes as having the highest warmth-to-weight ratio of any ACG jacket it has made so far.

Alongside it is an updated version of the ACG Misery Ridge GORE-TEX Jacket, joined for the first time by matching trousers to create a complete waterproof shell system.

Purple reign

The Lava Flow is undoubtedly the star for me, particularly in the gloriously unsubtle Bold Berry and Monarch Purple colourways.

It features 1,000-fill-power ExpeDRY Gold goose down, Nike's Therma-FIT ADV technology and a water-repellent outer.

One of the more interesting technologies involved in the jacket, ExpeDRY, bonds tiny amounts of recycled gold recovered from electronic waste to the down to prevent clumping when exposed to sweat, humidity and moisture.

Despite all that insulation (and tech), the jacket weighs just 255g / 9oz in a men's medium, while a women's small comes in at 217g / 7.6oz.

It also stuffs into its own pocket and apparently compresses to something smaller than a 32oz water bottle.

Nike says the wider collection was informed by time spent in Yunnan, China, where the ACG team encountered rain, snow, ice and rapidly changing high-altitude conditions.

Even the colours take inspiration from the area's granite, limestone and alpine skies, supplemented by ACG's safety orange and, thankfully, that vivid purple.

ACG's GORE-TEX shell gets an update

The Misery Ridge jacket and new matching trousers use three-layer GORE-TEX with Nike Storm-FIT ADV, articulated construction, adjustable details, secure storage and zippered ventilation.

And while the purple Lava Flow is perhaps the loudest piece, the purple, royal blue and almost radioactive yellow Misery Ridge colourway might be even more characteristically ACG.

The pieces have that slightly chaotic early-ACG energy without sacrificing the genuinely technical construction underneath.

Nike's UK currently lists the Lava Flow at £369.99, with the women's purple version marked as coming soon. The blue men's version is already available for the same price.

The Holiday 2026 release lists the US Lava Flow at $400, while the Misery Ridge Jacket and trousers launch on 1 December for $450 and $400 respectively.

UK pricing for the Misery Ridge Jacket is currently listed at £459.99 for the Black/Summit White colourway.

Leatherman has given one of its smallest and longest-running multitools an autumn refresh.

The pocketable Micra is getting three new seasonal colours, including Ginger Peach, Cardamom and North Star.

Considering the little multitool celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, keeping the changes purely cosmetic feels very appropriate.

Introduced in 1996, the Micra has become the company's most popular mini multitool since its inception.

It was also the first Leatherman to make spring-action scissors its primary feature.

Three decades later, that basic formula is pretty much unchanged.

The latest Cardamom finish combines two shades of green, while Ginger Peach mixes warm orange with a softer peachy-pink panel.

North Star is considerably more understated, pairing a dark blue-green with a muted stone-like shade.

Cardamom probably wins the prize for looking most at home next to fallen leaves and a waxed jacket, although Ginger Peach isn't exactly lacking in autumn energy either.

Small tool, surprisingly long feature list

The Micra manages to squeeze 10 tools into a package measuring just 6.35cm long when closed and weighing around 51g.

The spring-action scissors are the main feature of the compact multitool, joined by a 420HC knife, tweezers, a bottle opener, a nail file and cleaner, a 12cm ruler and three different screwdriver options.

Unlike the Wave Alpha or ARC, the Micra concentrates on the irritating little problems that crop up during the day.

These include (but are not limited to) cutting open packaging, dealing with a splinter, tightening a loose screw or snipping something you'd otherwise end up prying with your house keys.

Speaking of keys, the Micra comes with an integrated keyring attachment, so it can live on your keys or hang from a bag.

The EDC world has become increasingly fond of interchangeable bits, modular accessories and ever more exotic steels, yet the Micra has spent three decades doing broadly the same thing.

For its 30th birthday, then, Leatherman has apparently decided that the best way to update the Micra is simply to give you another excuse to buy one.

The new Cardamom, Ginger Peach and North Star colours are available now at Leatherman US, Leatherman UK and Leatherman EU for $49.95 / £54.95 / €59 (~AU$72). AU price and availability TBC.

Patagonia has produced plenty of excellent fleeces over the years, but few are quite as recognisable as the Synchilla Snap-T.

Its contrasting chest pocket, high collar and row of snap fasteners have become part of the outdoor brand’s visual language, and right now you can pick up the Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T Fleece Pullover for 30% less as part of Patagonia’s Past Season Gear sale.

Shop Patagonia's Past Season Gear Sale

The original Snap-T arrived in 1985 after Patagonia worked with Malden Mills, now Polartec, on Synchilla, a synthetic fleece designed to provide a lighter, faster-drying alternative to the wool layers commonly worn in the mountains at the time.

The version on sale is the Lightweight Synchilla Snap-T, but the basic formula remains reassuringly familiar.

It uses soft, double-sided Synchilla fleece made from 95–100% recycled polyester, with a four-snap front placket that lets you dump a little heat when necessary. The stand-up collar adds extra protection around your neck, while elasticated cuffs and hem help keep warmth trapped inside.

There’s also the signature snap-flap chest pocket, which uses NetPlus recycled nylon made from discarded fishing nets. Despite being a genuinely useful outdoor layer, the whole thing weighs just 374g, making it easy to throw over a T-shirt or layer beneath a waterproof jacket when the weather turns.

And that’s probably where the Synchilla makes the most sense today. It has enough outdoor heritage to work for walking, camping and weekends away, but its retro styling means it looks equally at home with jeans and trainers.

Importantly, not every colour is discounted, so make sure you select one of Patagonia’s past-season options. The particularly good-looking Nautilus Tan colourway is currently reduced from £120 to £84.

This is a big moment. It’s the first time I’m reviewing anything from Japanese outdoor specialist Montbell on T3. Better still, I’ve been testing one of the brand’s ‘entry-level’ waterproof shells, the Thunder Pass, which feels like the perfect introduction to what the company does so well.

What makes the Thunder Pass fascinating is its ability to deliver high-end specs at an affordable price. It’s not often you get a 3-layer construction with decent waterproofing and breathability below the £200/$200 mark. On top of that, you get a 50D ripstop outer and a fabric that feels surprisingly light and supple for something this durable.

I’ve been testing the Thunder Pass for the last few weeks, and it’s quickly becoming my go-to everyday waterproof shell, not just because it looks great. I love Arc’teryx and Montane waterproofs as much as anyone, but many of them feel built for the mountains. The Thunder Pass feels just as at home everywhere else, and that’s exactly where I’ve been using it.

Montbell Thunder Pass Jacket review

Price and availability

The Thunder Pass has been part of Montbell's range for well over 15 years, but the jacket was refreshed for 2026, replacing the long-running #1128635 version with the new #1128770 model, which I tested.

It’s available for £140 / $150 / €149 / AU$250 at Montbell UK, Montbell US, Montbell EU and Montbell AU. In the UK, the jacket comes in seven colours. I tested the wonderful yellow colourway.

Design and build quality

The Thunder Pass uses Montbell’s own DRY-TEC waterproofing technology, a 3-layer PFAS-free construction with a 20,000mm hydrostatic head rating. It’s rated at 15,000 gsm/ 24 for breathability.

If you don’t know what those numbers mean, all you need to know is that the Thunder Pass will protect you from moisture without making you feel too stuffy. Better still, the 3-layer fabric feels supple and light, which is unusual for such a well-specced shell.

Speaking of weight, my men’s medium jacket weighs a mere 328g (11.6oz), which isn’t incredibly lightweight but plenty light for the purpose. It feels light enough to have in your bag as an emergency layer, should the rain start pouring.

Despite its supple, lightweight nature, the Thunder Pass features a 50-denier nylon ripstop outer fabric with a water-repellent finish. The different panels are connected with neat stitches that are fully seam-sealed on the inside to prevent water from entering.

The colour-matched Aqua-Tect zip runs through the full length of the front of the jacket, and the pocket zips should be water-repellent, too. There are no pit zips, which might be an issue for ‘serious’ hikes, but for everyday use, the breathable fabric and the front zip offer more than enough ventilation.

The tri-axial hood offers a close fit, but I wish the front extended a bit more to keep rain from hitting my face. I really like Arc’teryx’s hood design, and even though I appreciate that the Beta AR is more of a mountaineering shell than an urban jacket, the same feature that keeps your face moisture-free at high altitudes could do the same in the city.

The website says the Thunder Pass’s hood should roll up with a hook-and-loop tab fastener, but I couldn’t figure out how to do it. On the other hand, the cuffs are adjustable with a Velcro-style strap, and there are elastic hem drawcords to prevent drafts from entering the jacket from below.

Oh, Montbell supplies a colour-matched stuff bag with the jacket, which is not only a nice gesture but it also makes it easier to keep it tidy in your backpack. Excellent thinking!

Performance

I love the supple nature of the Thunder Pass (might have mentioned this a couple of times already) – it makes the jacket perfect for its purpose as an everyday shell. Three-layer fabrics can feel horrible, plasticky/clammy, but Montbell’s DRY-TEC material allows full freedom of movement and doesn’t make squishy sounds, either.

I used the shell on various occasions, including a full (very rainy) day in London, windy days by the coast and walks around the countryside. The London day proved to be an excellent test for the waterproofing, not just because of the relentless rain but also because I wore a backpack, which made me hotter.

To my delight, the Thunder Pass performed exceptionally well, neither wetting out nor letting moisture in. Granted, I got a bit hot while pounding the streets of London, but that would happen in any layer, so I wouldn’t chalk that up to a Thunder Pass’s inability to ventilate my body heat.

Wind protection is excellent, too, but as I mentioned above, I would have appreciated a more protective hood. The hood adjustability is good, and I like that there is a little lip at the front to keep the rain and wind out of your face when it’s coming sideways.

The length is perfect; the back is slightly longer so that you can lean forward without exposing your lower back. The arms are also the correct size, and I appreciated the Velcro-style fasteners at the cuffs, which allow quick and precise adjustments.

The front zipper is worth its own paragraph. The Aqua-Tect model integrates water-resistant properties directly into the zipper track, eliminating the need for storm flaps. Not only does it reduce fabric weight, but it also prevents the zip from catching. It’s a bit stiff, though, so the zipper can make the fabric bulge in the midsection. Not my favourite look!

Verdict

The Montbell Thunder Pass is proof that a properly capable 3-layer waterproof shell doesn’t have to cost north of £300. It feels unusually soft and supple for such a protective jacket, packs down easily, looks good enough for everyday wear and still has the waterproofing and durability needed for hiking.

There are a few compromises, most notably the lack of pit zips and a hood that could offer more protection around the face, but neither feels particularly serious at this price. The Thunder Pass offers exceptional value and has quickly become one of my favourite everyday waterproof shells.

Also consider

If money is less of an issue, the Arc’teryx Beta AR is a considerably more technical shell designed for serious mountain use. Its GORE-TEX PRO ePE construction, excellent DropHood, and pit zips offer greater protection and ventilation, though at £600, it costs more than four times as much as the Thunder Pass. Eek!

For something more hiking-focused, the Mountain Equipment Makalu is an excellent option. Its rugged 3-layer GORE-TEX ePE construction, helmet-compatible hood and pit zips make it better suited to long days in the mountains, while its £300 price sits neatly between the affordable Thunder Pass and flagship alpine shells.

Disney merch doesn’t usually come with fully seam-sealed waterproofing, but Columbia’s latest Mickey’s Outdoor Club collection certainly does.

After years of collabs, the outdoor brand has reunited with Disney yet again for a special-edition range, this time imagining Mickey Mouse and friends heading off on a classic American road trip.

The artwork running across the collection depicts Mickey, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Humphrey the Bear hiking, camping and exploring among towering redwoods.

It’s considerably more outdoorsy than simply sticking a Mickey logo on an existing jacket.

Columbia has worked the Disney theme into some of its established technical designs, with the CSC x Disney Mickey Ibex Rain Shell sitting at the top of the range.

The $180 waterproof shell uses Columbia’s Omni-Tech waterproof-breathable construction with fully sealed seams, but brings back some of the wonderfully silly details from previous Disney collaborations.

Those include stowable Mickey Mouse ears on the hood and Mickey-shaped ventilation ports.

Mickey’s Outdoor Club hits the road

Instead of the more overtly ’90s, ski-inspired look of 2025, the new range revolves around a family road-trip adventure, with custom illustrations featuring trails, campfires and forests.

It's not too dissimilar to 2024's Floyd Gottfredson-inspired range, but adds a tone akin to “family fun on the trail, around the campfire, and beyond”.

The collection includes men’s, women’s and kids’ Half Snap Fleeces, graphic T-shirts and a ball cap, alongside youth and toddler versions of the Ibex jacket.

The supplied range sheet also shows the collection branching into accessories, such as the Disney Water Bottle Sling and a matching Water Bottle.

As expected from the Columbia x Disney range, there are plenty of smaller Disney references hidden throughout.

Columbia says Mickey-head silhouettes appear on the fleece snap buttons, while the rain shells feature character artwork on the inside.

The youth Ibex, for example, has a Pluto print and a Mickey’s Outdoor Club membership graphic that kids can add their name to.

Columbia Greater Rewards members get early access from 7 a.m. PT on 29 September – 3 p.m. UK time – before the collection opens to everyone at the same time on 30 September.

Greater Rewards membership is free; you just need to create an account. The programme also includes free shipping, points on purchases and member-only early access.

The US range currently spans 15 products, with prices ranging from $25 for the youth graphic tee to $180 for the adult Ibex Rain Shell.

For more information on the collection, head over to Columbia.

Patagonia might be best known for technical outdoor gear, but some of its most wearable pieces borrow heavily from old-school workwear.

Shop all deals at Patagonia

The Point Reyes Canvas Jacket is a good example. It has the kind of simple, rugged shape that works just as well over a T-shirt in early autumn as it does layered over knitwear once temperatures start to fall.

And right now, Patagonia has knocked 40% off the Gumtree Green version, bringing the price down from £150 to £90!

The brand uses a hefty 9.5oz 100% Regenerative Organic Certified cotton canvas that gives the Point Reyes considerably more structure than your average lightweight overshirt.

Patagonia describes it as its rugged Stand Up canvas, and the jacket weighs a fairly substantial 726g. Along with the button front, flap chest pocket and oversized patch pockets, the corduroy collar makes the Point Reyes look and feel like a classic chore jacket.

The Gumtree Green colourway has that slightly faded olive appearance that suits the workwear aesthetic nicely, and the brown collar gives it just enough contrast to stop the whole thing looking too plain.

The jacket has a regular fit, and the front pockets have both top and side entry for added versatility. It’s made in a Fair Trade Certified factory.

The Patagonia Point Reyes Canvas Jacket is currently £90, reduced from £150, in Gumtree Green. At the time of writing, Patagonia is showing multiple sizes available, although past-season stock can disappear quickly.

Haglöfs has teamed up with fellow Swedish outfit KA-YO for a new two-piece outdoor collection that proves a collaboration doesn’t necessarily need wild colours or oversized logos to stand out.

The PROTOTYPE® (H-001) + Haglöfs is the first capsule that takes two existing Haglöfs staples and gives them KA-YO’s distinctly technical _Prototype® treatment.

Both the Front Proof shell and Magma 40L backpack are almost entirely black, punctuated by small flashes of bright orange hardware and sparse H-001 and Prototype branding.

It isn’t radically removed from Haglöfs’ usual understated aesthetic, but the details give the collection a sharper, almost development-sample feel.

Haglöfs describes the project as bringing together the companies’ “shared heritage of Nordic functionality”, while KA-YO has given the collaboration the rather more mysterious title The Impossible Playground.

This is officially “drop 1”, too, suggesting there’s more to come.

More than an orange zip

The more exciting of the two pieces is the Front Proof Prototype Jacket, partly because it has serious weather-protection prowess.

The waterproof shell uses Haglöfs’ three-layer PROOF Pro shell fabric, made from 100% recycled polyester, with a 20,000mm waterproof rating and 20,000g/m²/24h breathability.

Other features include a lightweight, helmet-compatible hood, a two-way front zip, a zipped chest pocket, ventilation openings and higher hand pockets that remain usable while wearing a backpack.

The Magma Prototype 40L – the backpack component of the collection – is a lightweight frameless hiking pack weighing approximately 800g.

Its recycled ripstop construction features taped seams and water resistance, while a roll-top closure lets you adjust the capacity depending on how much gear you’re carrying.

A V-shaped compression system helps secure the load, and you also get external pockets, attachment points, padded shoulder straps and a supportive hip belt.

KA-YO operates somewhere between an outdoor retailer, a design platform and a performance-fashion label from its Stockholm base.

Its Prototype line leans heavily into experimental materials and highly technical-looking design.

Haglöfs, on the other hand, supplies the genuine mountain credentials.

The Haglöfs x KA-YO collection is available now, with Haglöfs listing the Front Proof Prototype Jacket for £219 and the Magma Prototype 40L for £159 in the UK.

European pricing is €319 and €229, respectively. US and AU prices and availability TBC.

YETI built its reputation by making some of the toughest, most over-engineered coolers around, but the company is preparing to make a fairly fundamental change to the formula that made it famous.

The outdoor brand has confirmed that its first Power Cooler is coming in 2027, marking its move into powered cooling and potentially opening an entirely new branch of the YETI cooler family.

YETI revealed the product during its Investor Day presentation earlier this month, where Hannah Mara, Head of Product of Home and Hydration, discussed the company's plans to expand its Gear and Equipment business.

"We built this category from the original Tundra 45 to over 18 hard coolers, covering the full range of personal, consumer, and commercial formats," Mara said, before adding that YETI's Power Cooler would bring "an exciting innovation to YETI and to the entire category next year."

YETI's coolers have traditionally been about maximising thermal performance through clever construction and insulation.

A powered model moves the company into a category populated by electric cool boxes and portable fridge/freezers that actively maintain a set temperature.

Years in the making

Later in the presentation, YETI CFO Scott Bomar said the company had made four acquisitions across bags, cookware, hydration and powered coolers.

He explained that YETI uses acquisitions when it wants access to product knowledge, intellectual property or development expertise more quickly than it could build those capabilities internally.

This happened when the company bought out Mystery Ranch to launch its backpack range and Helimix for its recently launched shaker.

Bomar specifically referenced YETI's "Power Cooler" acquisition alongside cookware brand Butter Pat, saying the deals provided capability and innovation in categories the company "couldn't build fast enough on our own".

Gear and Equipment is already a significant business for the company, and YETI says the platform could grow from $360 million in sales in 2025 to as much as $600 million by 2030.

A powered cooler also feels like a natural way of expanding beyond the limitations of traditional ice-filled designs.

Exactly how YETI plans to tackle those things remains unknown. The company hasn't revealed the Power Cooler's capacity, cooling system, battery setup or whether it will be available in multiple sizes.

There's also no word on pricing yet, but given YETI's premium positioning and the price of existing powered coolers from rival outdoor brands, I don't expect it to be cheap.

What YETI has now confirmed is that the Power Cooler will arrive in 2027, with more details presumably coming closer to launch.

[via YETI Investor Relations]

Last year, Mammut teamed up with British designer Nigel Cabourn on a collection inspired by the 1969 Direttissima ascent of the Eiger, combining vintage mountaineering references with modern materials.

This year, the Swiss outdoor brand has handed the keys to its archive to Japanese designer Junya Watanabe, whose eYe JUNYA WATANABE MAN label has reworked the brand’s technical mountain gear into something considerably more fashion-forward.

The seven-piece capsule comprises six jackets and a backpack, with Watanabe drawing on decades of Mammut alpine design.

The result sits in the perfect intersection of expedition kit, workwear, and high-end Japanese menswear.

You get oversized pockets, long technical silhouettes, bold Mammut Red, corduroy collars and enough black outerwear to equip an exceptionally stylish (and stealthy) alpine expedition.

From mountain shells to waterproof tailoring

One of the most interesting pieces is the WR-C910 Mod Coat, which takes the construction of a three-layer hardshell and stretches it into a much longer, city-friendly silhouette.

The WR-J911 Ventile Jacket is made from weather-resistant Ventile cotton and features utility details, including multiple external pockets and a detachable hood.

Things get stranger with the WR-J910 Puckered Jacket, which is essentially a weather-resistant technical blazer with a three-layer fabric construction reshaped into one of Watanabe's more familiar tailored silhouettes.

It weighs just 413g and still gets practical touches, including wrist adjustment, an internal mesh pocket and a zipped chest pocket.

The flagship WR-J927 Premiere Down Jacket uses what Mammut describes as premium eiderdown, one of the collection's most extravagant materials.

There’s even a relatively restrained backpack (the most affordable option), finished with a rope-inspired grab handle and a small Mammut mascot dangling from a climbing carabiner.

The collection is available now, having launched globally on 24 September through selected Mammut channels and premium retailers.

In the UK, the Puckered Jacket starts at £555, while the Mod Coat and WR-J912 Jacket are £955, the Down Jacket costs £975, and the Ventile Jacket jumps to £1,220.

But the showstopper is the WR-J927 Premiere Down Jacket at a frankly spectacular £2,885. Against that backdrop, the £140 backpack suddenly looks almost suspiciously reasonable.

This week’s best style drops are all doing something a little unexpected with familiar ideas.

G-SHOCK has borrowed from origami to rethink how a watch strap moves around the wrist, Db has turned its best-known backpack into a barely-there ultralight version, and Gramicci is making a convincing case for hemp as an everyday trouser fabric.

Elsewhere, 66°North is dipping into a century of Icelandic workwear, Universal Works and TAION have reworked RAF-inspired outerwear with Japanese down, and Flower Mountain has handed its trail-flavoured Yamano 3 to New York streetwear institution Staple.

It’s a good snapshot of where style is heading into autumn, with technical fabrics, outdoor influences and heritage references still everywhere, but the most interesting pieces coming from brands willing to reinterpret them rather than simply repeat them.

Universal Works has reunited with Japanese down specialist TAION for the second instalment of the pair’s Future Friendship Project.

The new collection takes some of Universal Works’ most recognisable pieces and reworks them around lightweight down construction.

Chief among them are the Universal Works Cardigan and Rams Jacket, two styles traditionally associated with wool fleece that have now been filled with TAION’s signature down for the first time.

The result is exactly the sort of British-meets-Japanese outerwear mash-up you’d hope for, combining Universal Works’ relaxed workwear shapes with the quilted construction TAION has become known for.

Alongside the more restrained seasonal shades are pink and yellow options, plus a new Cloud Camo pattern that prevents the collection from drifting into generic technical-puffer territory.

Military layers with a modular twist

The most technical piece is probably the new CR RAF Jacket, which draws on vintage RAF flying jackets and pairs a water-resistant outer shell with a removable down liner.

The two parts can be worn together in colder weather or separately in milder conditions.

Military references continue elsewhere in the collection, for example in the returning Down Mod Parka, which now also comes in new colourways.

Both jackets can be customised with six removable badges inspired by traditional insignia, British subcultures and music.

Universal Works says wearers can leave the supplied patches in place, remove them altogether or swap in their own.

A reversible down trapper hat rounds out the collection and is available in five colour combinations.

This is the second TAION collection produced under Universal Works’ Future Friendship Project, an initiative designed around long-term collaborations rather than one-off drops.

The relationship began after the two brands met while sharing a showroom in Paris, with Universal Works later visiting TAION’s team in Nagoya during a trip to Japan.

The accompanying campaign was shot around Tokyo, which feels particularly fitting.

Universal Works’ distinctly British take on relaxed workwear sits surprisingly naturally alongside TAION’s lightweight Japanese down expertise, and this latest collection leans further into that overlap than their first.

The new collection is available now from Universal Works, with prices starting at £60 / $82 / €63.95 (AU$113).

Founded in a small Icelandic fishing village in 1926, 66°North has spent the past century making clothing for some fairly unforgiving conditions.

This year marks the company's 100th anniversary, and the Icelandic outdoor brand has already been busy celebrating it.

For its latest capsule, 66ºNorth dug through the archives and brought back ten pieces spanning ten decades of its history.

The aptly named 100-Year Capsule stretches from the protective clothing 66°North originally produced for North Atlantic fishermen to technical shells and down jackets that helped turn it into the outdoor and lifestyle brand it is today.

As you would expect, 66°North has updated the designs with modern performance fabrics while retaining their archive silhouettes, colours and details.

Bookending the collection are the Slippurinn Anorak, first introduced in 1926 and now reimagined using Gore-Tex Windstopper, and the Snæfell Shell Jacket, representing the 2016–2026 period in a particularly striking orange colourway inspired by traditional fishermen's coats.

Between the two are eight more pieces that chart some of the more unexpected moments in 66°North's history.

From Icelandic workwear to Björk-approved ’80s outerwear

Highlights include the chunky Bylur Sweater, the long Arnarhóll Coat, the wonderfully dramatic Ægissíða Rain Coat and the blue-and-black Kría Colourblock Shell Jacket, which looks every bit as 90s as you would hope.

The collection also incorporates the Tindur Down Jacket, Þórsmörk Parka and a recreation of the brand's classic Workman beanie.

Perhaps the most interesting piece is the Greni Overall, known in Iceland as the kuldagalli, an insulated all-in-one that became a fixture among Icelandic teenagers in the 1980s, with Björk among its most notable wearers.

For the anniversary collection, it returns with archival KRAFT and 66°N embroidery.

Each piece also gets a specially developed woven label detailing the garment and the decade it represents, reinforcing the sense that this is as much a wearable history lesson as a conventional outdoor collection.

“Reaching 100 years gives us a unique opportunity to look back at the collections, people and ideas that have shaped 66°North,” says Bjarney Harðardóttir, the company's Chief Brand Officer and co-owner.

“The 100-Year Capsule is a celebration of our evolution. Each piece has its own story, but they are all connected by the same purpose that has guided us from the beginning – creating clothing that is made to last.”

The 66°North 100-Year Capsule launches globally on 24 September through the brand's website and selected 66°North stores.

Its Reykjavík, Copenhagen and London flagships will also host a 100-hour anniversary experience from 25–28 September, combining art, sound, scent, taste and touch.

Norwegian travel brand Db has been experimenting with new materials for years, and finally, its iconic Hugger backpack is available in lightweight ALUULA Graflyte construction.

The aptly named Weigh Lighter Hugger is only 520g, making it 54% lighter than the original Hugger. It also weighs less than Apple’s current 13-inch iPad Pro in its lightest configuration.

The lightness alone wouldn't be news, as there are plenty of sub-500g packs on the market, but the Hugger is a full-size 30-litre travel backpack with all the organisation skills under the sun.

The translucent white exterior gives the new Monochrome version an almost prototype-like appearance, with the bag's structure visible through its outer material.

It looks considerably more technical than the conventional (albeit rather handsome) fabric Huggers Db has been making for more than a decade.

Same Hugger, very different material

The Hugger was one of the first bags created by founder Truls Brataas, originally launching in 2012 after apparently being sketched out in Excel and designed around the Golden Ratio.

Fourteen years later, the basic silhouette remains recognisable, but almost everything about the material construction has changed.

The big reason for that is ALUULA Graflyte, an ultra-light material Db has already experimented with through its Weigh Lighter projects.

The main fabric is made from 100% polyethylene, with Db claiming Graflyte provides an unusually high strength-to-weight ratio as well as water and UV resistance.

Despite its wispy appearance, the company is positioning the new Hugger for everything from daily commuting to outdoor use.

Its Rib Cage Technology remains, using lightweight ABS ribs to provide structure and help protect its contents.

The main compartment opens fully for easier packing, and it features a quick-access top pocket and a separate padded compartment that fits a 16-inch MacBook Pro.

It's also compatible with Db's Hook-Up System, so you can attach it to the brand's wheeled luggage, such as the Ramverk Alu Collection.

Most importantly, at barely half a kilogram, there's a lot more room for your stuff in the Weigh Lighter Hugger before you hit your airline baggage allowance.

The Db Weigh Lighter Hugger Backpack 30L Monochrome costs £259 / $399 / €299 (~AU$482) and is available now at Db UK, Db US and Db EU.

If your outdoor wardrobe is full of Arc’teryx waterproof jackets and The North Face puffers, you might want to check out British expedition brand Shackleton.

It's a good time to do so, too, as the company has just unveiled its AW26 collection, featuring some striking pieces, including the brilliant Signal Yellow version of its polar-proven R-Series down gear.

The new colour appears on the best-selling Rothera Hooded Down Jacket and Ross Down Gilet, giving two of Shackleton’s more technical insulation pieces a considerably louder look.

The R-Series uses 850-fill-power, 90/10 RDS-certified goose down alongside a windproof ripstop outer, with Shackleton saying the jackets are designed to retain body heat in temperatures down to -12°C (10.4°F).

New horizons

The new collection sees Shackleton pushing into several entirely new product categories.

Leading the new arrivals is the Knox Waterproof Down Jacket, the brand's first waterproof insulated transitional jacket.

It combines a soft-feel two-layer waterproof outer rated to 20,000mm hydrostatic head with body-mapped insulation.

Down is used throughout the torso and synthetic insulation in the arms, where Shackleton says moisture and movement can make traditional down less practical.

The jacket also gets a three-way adjustable storm hood that can be stowed away, magnetic front closures, storm cuffs and a C0 DWR treatment.

With a quoted RET breathability rating of 4.32, it should be a lot more breathable than it looks.

Shackleton is also making its first move into technical trousers with the Palmer Softshell Trouser.

Built as a multi-activity piece for hiking and climbing, it uses a wind-resistant four-way stretch fabric, a movement-friendly gusset, C0 DWR and UPF 50+ protection.

According to Shackleton, the Palmer can be paired with a base layer for use down to -20°C (-4ºF), while the trousers are intended to remain comfortable up to 25°C (77ºF) when worn alone.

The Franklin Fleece Jacket and Freemantle Fleece Gilet, two exciting additions to the collection, use a 63% recycled wool blend.

Shackleton says the approach effectively takes fleece back to its original meaning – the coat of a sheep – while avoiding the microplastic shedding associated with many synthetic fleeces.

Both pieces have a cleaner, bomber-style silhouette for both technical/outdoor and everyday use.

The Haakon Tactical Parka, its Antarctica-tested flagship parka, has also been revised for AW26, featuring a three-layer seam-sealed shell and 850-fill-power down. The Pilot Jacket returns in Sage.

The British-made Hero Sweater, inspired by knitwear worn by Sir Ernest Shackleton, returns in new Brown and Brick colours and continues to be made from 100% Geelong lambswool.

The Signal Yellow Rothera Hooded Down Jacket costs £495 / $745 / €680 / AU$990, and the matching Ross Down Gilet is £345 / $520 / €475 / AU$690.

The Franklin Fleece Jacket and Freemantle Fleece Gilet are also available now.

The Knox arrives on 1 October, Palmer and Pilot on 8 October, Hero Sweater on 15 October, and updated Haakon on 29 October.

You can check out the new collection at Shackleton.

Arc’teryx has built its reputation by refining, replacing and occasionally retiring products as its materials and design language evolve.

There are exceptions, though, and apparently being a cult Japanese brand with a 25-year relationship with Arc’teryx helps.

BEAMS has somehow persuaded the Canadian outdoor brand to bring back the Theta AR Jacket, a technical shell originally released in 1998.

The waterproof shell is the centrepiece of a new six-piece anniversary collection celebrating 25 years of collaboration between the two brands and BEAMS’ own 50th anniversary.

The collection is called KOYO, named for Japanese autumn leaves and inspired by their colour palette.

On the Theta AR, that translates to dark brown across the shoulders and hood, transitioning into blocks of bright yellow and BEAMS orange, complete with contrasting zips and gold Arc’teryx and BEAMS embroidery.

It looks gloriously retro, but what makes the jacket particularly interesting is that BEAMS hasn’t simply pulled an old design from the archive and changed the colours.

Past tense, future fabric

According to BEAMS, Arc’teryx is generally known for not reissuing old models, preferring instead to keep developing new products.

For this anniversary, however, BEAMS received special permission to revive the discontinued Theta AR and deliberately went back to its earliest generation for inspiration.

That means details such as the centre storm flap, covered pocket zips and chunky old-school pull tabs return, along with the longer cut and high pockets characteristic of the original design.

It might look old-school, but the Theta AR uses the latest GORE-TEX PRO ePE to bring the shell’s waterproof construction up to date.

The rest of the collection is more than filler, with items like the bright orange Gamma Jacket, the newly developed relaxed-fit Jogen Pants, a Konseal 15 Backpack made from 315-denier Hadron fabric, and a black-and-gold Gamma 5 Panel Cap.

My other favourite might be the white Kragg Cotton LS Shirt, which has six previous anniversary products from the pair’s 25-year partnership printed on its back, effectively turning a heavyweight long-sleeve tee into a miniature Arc’teryx x BEAMS archive.

The Arc’teryx x BEAMS Anniversary Collection launches on 25 September 2026, with BEAMS confirming availability through selected Arc’teryx brand stores in the UK, US, Canada and China, alongside BEAMS Harajuku in Japan.

At ¥187,000 (~£889 / $1,191 / €1,038 / AU$1,677) in Japan, the Theta AR Jacket is knocking on the door of the £1,100 Sperro SV, Arc'teryx's new circular jacket.

Head over BEAMS for more information about the collection.