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Each single yr at GearJunkie is a mixture of breaking out of doors information, evaluations, and narratives from athletes, business leaders, and even our personal editors. Although, 2023 positively stood out.
Wanting again at this yr, it was a reminder greater than years previous that high-tech improvements that push the envelope in ski, bike, knives, and total sport are what our readers are most serious about. We could also be identified for our thorough testing and evaluations, however individuals come to us to learn GearJunkie simply as a lot to listen to what we take into consideration different matters, too.
Specifically, what’s the newest development, have we examined it, what does it imply for the business or sport, and most significantly, why must you care? Why are individuals speaking about ALLIED Feather Down, for example? Is a completely customized jacket actually price it?
Notable tendencies of 2023 embody comparable advances we noticed in 2022, like extra automation and advances in mapping apps, robots in tech, and additional examples of ChatGPT and AI within the out of doors world. 2023 was an enormous yr for GearJunkie when it comes to our knife evaluations — simply take a look at the a number of examples in our high 10 checklist. Notable mentions on the planet of knives embody new flippers and folders all over the place, a brand new MagnaCut tremendous metal on the scene, a still-trending, sold-out-in minutes hatchet, and extra.
Apart from knives, GearJunkie’s high 10 checklist is affected by noteworthy information in classes which have seen an uptick in participation, like climbing and thru-hiking. Gone are the times of out of doors recreation trending down … ever for the reason that COVID pandemic, all issues tenting — together with winter tenting — and backcountry journey have been on the rise.
Right here, you’ll examine a number of new gear additions on the planet of vehicle-based tenting and overlanding. Plus, an enormous replace (which prompted an upset) to a longstanding mountaineering world document.
With out additional ado, listed below are the highest 10 tales penned this yr that had been learn greater than all others.
The Prime 10 GearJunkie Tales of 2023
Within the #1 slot, the most-read story on GearJunkie of 2023 is …
‘Silly Straightforward to Fly’: Icon A5 Amphibious Sport Mild Plane Evaluate
Gear that brings once-out-of-reach actions to inside grasp is among the finest stuff round. That’s maybe by no means been extra true than with the Icon A5 — a long-in-the-works, amphibious, two-seater airplane with foldable wings for simple towing down the freeway.
As GearJunkie Motors Editor Bryon Dorr discovered, its pleasant management structure and cautious engineering means you will get a pilot license for it inside a matter of months as an alternative of half a yr. And the massive home windows present way more visibility for the pilot and passenger than do the tiny portholes discovered on most single-engine plane.
Don’t overlook to take a look at the slick video our personal Bryon Dorr made to accompany the evaluate.
Breaking: Reinhold Messner Dethroned by Guinness World Information
Ever heard of somebody’s world document title being rescinded? It doesn’t occur! Or at the least, could be very uncommon. And, on this case within the mountaineering world, extremely sophisticated. However in late September 2023, Italian Reinhold Messner, arguably the best mountaineer of all time, had his information eliminated for being the primary individual to climb all 14 peaks over 8,000 m with out supplementary oxygen. Which, by the best way, he achieved by 1986 after his 1985 ascent of Annapurna.
He made the primary solo ascent of Mount Everest and, together with Peter Habeler, the primary ascent of Everest with out supplemental oxygen.
The latest upset got here as a shock each to Messner in addition to Ed Viesturs, the mountaineer who was bestowed the consideration of the “climbing all 14 8,000m+ peaks first document” in his place.
Everybody’s Crush Is ‘Ellie’: Mammoth Overland ELE Is a Protected Room on Wheels
If there’s one factor that high-tech tenting aficionados, preppers, overlanders, and engineering nerds alike had been most enthusiastic about this yr, it was this trailer. And actually, “trailer” doesn’t do that contraption justice.
The Mammoth Overland ELE (pronounced “Ellie”) is likely one of the most significantly “prepared” trailers on the market, beginning with its double-walled aerospace-grade aluminum sheeting exterior and high-density foam insulation, all the best way as much as added parts like its pressurized air filtration, bearproof submarine-style stress doorways, and drone and night-vision integration.
And it doesn’t cease there. The ELE is photo voltaic panel, gasoline generator, or electrical battery-powered, and has the capability to purify the air for its occupants for as much as 6 months. In case you are nervous concerning the aforementioned chance of bears, there’s additionally a bear spray protection system, which shoots out a 25- by 10-foot cloud of capsaicin (reloadable canisters, too). Lastly, every trailer is made to order, and comes with an possibility so as to add Degree 3 ballistic safety … aka armor.
What extra may you ask for in an apocalypse-ready, anything-ready automobile on wheels?
The Invention of a Climbing Exoskeleton, Courtesy of Kickstarter
Bear in mind when our story concerning the robotic 1-horsepower mountain climbing exoskeleton wearable practically broke the Web? Yeah, us too. If you happen to missed it, right here’s all you should know. In keeping with one startup firm’s Kickstarter pitch, this robotic wearable system may also help make working, mountain climbing, and even simply strolling extra environment friendly, by contouring to your actions and offsetting weight, due to its 14 built-in AI sensors.
It sounds practically as wacky because the guide-like AI backpack software program concept … although it’s a wholly doable piece of tech we may see on the paths within the subsequent 1-10 years.
We’ll should put all our skepticism apart: as a result of the $1.2 million in funding this exoskeleton acquired means it’s much more probably.
Fidget-Spinner-esque, Claw-Like, Fashionable Karambit: CRKT Provoke EDC Evaluate
One other most-clicked GearJunkie story from this yr was a evaluate of CRKT’s trendy tackle a Karambit, the Provoke EDC. Alongside the strains and idea of an amphibious airplane, robotic exoskeleton, and high-tech trailer is that this gadget. Positive, it’s a knife, and at first look is pretty paying homage to lots of different Karambit and claw-style flippers. However in a short time, you’ll notice the Provoke is doing its personal factor.
Primarily, it blends conventional Karambit model with CRKT’s circa-2020 Provoke designs, however tailored into an EDC package deal.
The Provoke EDC, in contrast to its family, is “aimed on the out of doors crowd as an efficient, trendy chopping device that carries straightforward, deploys quick, and locks up so nicely that it basically turns into a fixed-blade knife.” Pair all that with a light-weight body and D2 metal, and we’re off. If you happen to’re intrigued, we’ve obtained a full evaluate on the prepared.
A New Technique for Automobile Sleeping: We Tried the REI Trailgate Cot
The REI Trailgate cot was invented to suit — and comfortably convert — every little thing from the again of a cramped hatchback to a ProMaster van’s inside, which is not any small job. The Trailgate Cot achieved it although, thanks to 3 pairs of adjustable-height legs that unfold and lengthen to type a secure sleeping platform. The Trailgate gives an answer to backseats with totally different heights and formed dividers, footwells, and extra. And the truth that it may possibly work in commonplace journey automobiles like Subarus and the like.
Beware, although — this intelligent and extremely adaptable cot comes with a excessive price ticket, and nonetheless received’t match all small automobiles. The invention from REI has garnered each reward and combined opinions from van lifers and car-based adventurers each. So what was our verdict? Learn our tester’s full evaluate.
The Finest Rooftop Tents We’ve Examined … So Far
After a number of years of trolling commerce reveals, fastidiously analyzing tendencies, and testing a slew of RTTs, the decision is in: rooftop tents are right here to remain. (And spoiler: we anticipate that they’ll get even higher.)
Why? Rooftop tents supply a fowl’s-eye view of your environment, airflow that’s unparalleled in a floor tent, extra safety and safety, and customarily superior consolation for sleeping. The drawbacks: they aren’t low-cost, require set up and setup/breakdown if you wish to drive away, and may additionally require navigating a ladder.
All that being mentioned, there’s an enormous array of fashions (for practically any finances) to select from in the marketplace. And a few rooftop tents work for nearly each automobile or truck. As our author put it: in the event you’re in a position to put money into one, you received’t remorse it. After a whole bunch of nights of elevated sleeping and deliberations over varied RTT specs, execs and cons, we’ve up to date our checklist of which of them are the most effective. Learn our full evaluate in case you are contemplating investing in a rooftop tent.
Proving the Purists Incorrect: Civivi Voltaic Knife Evaluate
The Civivi Voltaic isn’t simply one other fairly face, wrote one among our frequent knife testers. In truth, this slim and compact profile blade is a “multifaceted workhorse.” How can that be, for below $100, you ask? Straightforward: it begins small, provides a number of alternative upgrades, and in the end, does lots of issues very well.
The highlights of the blade are particularly its Sandvik 14C28N drop-point metal blade, the steadiness between the G10 inlays and smooth-moving body lock, and the top-notch refinement within the ball bearings and mechanisms. All the pieces melds nicely, works nicely, and appears rattling good.
If there are cons to this blade (learn our full evaluate), there can’t be many.
Shimano Introduces GRX 12-Velocity Groupset
Shimano has a historical past of innovation in biking. And whereas Shimano could also be late to the 12-speed recreation, the wait was price it. The stalwart Japanese part model lastly launched its gravel-specific GRX groupset with what’s now a “commonplace” variety of cogs. It didn’t disappoint; Shimano proves that mechanical drivetrains aren’t useless, and certainly, they make sense on gravel bikes.
I discovered the shifting very good on my 2x setup, which is one thing on condition that I’ve virtually completely used digital drivetrains currently. And the hydraulic braking was wonderful, because it has been from Shimano for a very long time now.
Though I discover little motive to not go to digital for the street, mechanical variations make sense for gravel hounds. And with Shimano GRX 12-speed, you’re not giving something up. Learn extra about what this groupset means for Shimano and gravel-lovers alike.
CRKT and Ken Onion’s Newest ‘Redemption’
Not only one, however two CRKT blades made our top-10 checklist of tales all calendar yr. Look, we editors love knives as a lot as our readers, however that’s nonetheless fairly an announcement. If GearJunkie needed to decide one that actually took the cake, it’s probably the Redemption. CRKT partnered with notorious knifemaker Ken Onion to construct its 2023 Redemption, launched this September.
The Redemption is Onion’s tackle the basic “Gambler’s Dagger” — a knife that was often worn within the boot of outlaws, gamblers, and the like, straight out of the Wild West. Not only for stabbing, this blade gives a helpful design, has a low profile, is ambidextrous, and due to trendy supplies, gives unbelievable energy and edge retention. It’s not dissimilar in profile to the Voltaic that additionally made our checklist, other than an added couple of inches in size.
For the Redemption, Onion employed MagnaCut metal, G10 deal with scales, and a crossbar lock to replace it to be used within the trendy world. There could also be one con to this iconic, dagger-inspired blade — or possibly not. (Is dependent upon the kind of knife you might be on the lookout for.)
Honorable Mentions: Extra Prime Reads
After all, we’ve obtained a dozen GearJunkie editors on our workforce, and plenty of extra writers who’ve labored arduous this yr testing gear, chasing breaking information, and writing op-eds on tendencies we see. For that motive, listed below are a number of extra noteworthy tales from 2023 price a learn:
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