Adding a new aesthetic or color scheme to an existing product might not seem like that much of an innovation, but one look at this weeks Emerging Gear picks will change your mind. Peak Performance turned the normally bland, utilitarian down jacket into a pastel art form. Vero revamped a popular watch with help from an iconic retro 44, and Kizer put a holiday spin on some of its most popular knives.

　　Backpackers also have plenty to check out this week, with an ultralight headlamp from Petzl and a new way to get their caffeine fix in the backcountry. Check out all the latest and greatest in gear this week.

　　Limited-Edition Scout Motors Watch

　　(Photo/VERO) To design a fresh new timepiece, Vero turned to an iconic brand: Scout Motors. The new limited-edition Workhorse ($450) pulls its distinct colorways from some of Scouts early SUVs from the 1960s. Choose from a dark navy with accents of red or a striking terra cotta orange and black design.

　　Vero calls the Workhorse one of its most durable, standalone watches. Only 500 of each color were made, so grab one while you can.

　　1.5-Oz. Headlamp

　　(Photo/Petzl) A GJ reviewer was a big fan of Petzls Swift RL headlamp, so well be interested to see what they think of Petzls latest drop: the Swift LT ($55). This barely there headlamp weighs just 1.5 ounces but delivers a brightness of 380 lumens.

　　The new Swift LT is rechargeable via a lithium-ion battery, which can last up to 6 hours on a single charge on standard brightness. Its also water-resistant and is made from 50% recycled material. And with a price tag under $60, it shows that ultralight doesnt have to be ultra-expensive.

　　Limited-Edition Jacket

　　(Photo/Peak Performance) An insulated jacket has to withstand cold conditions, but it doesnt hurt if it also looks cool. Peak Performance aims to deliver warmth and style with a special edition of its popular Helium down jacket ($280). The All-Over Print (AOP) design includes swirls and splotches of cool or warm colors that resemble an Impressionist painting.

　　The pattern can read like a moody winter sky or a frozen, reflective pond — or just as easily like colored lights bleeding together or spray paint on concrete. It’s intentionally ambiguous: a kind of Rorschach test for your vision of spring, the brand explained.

　　Cold Brew Pouches

　　(Photo/Bear Box Brew) If youre looking to upgrade your backcountry coffee setup, Bear Box Brew is betting its got the product for you. Its single-serving cold brew pouches ($25 for a 10-pack) are made with single-origin beans from Guatemala, and nitro-sealed to preserve freshness. The night before, add a pouch to 12 ounces of water, and then the next morning, drink up.

　　The brand says that steeping overnight allows for a slower extraction process. This allows the coffee to express its more nuanced flavor profile. It also helps avoid the burnt or acrid taste that can come with some instant coffees. And itll pass muster with ultralighters: A single pouch weighs just 0.5 ounces.

　　Holiday Blades

　　(Photo/Kizer) Keeping with the tradition of making holiday-themed, small-batch runs of some of its popular knife models,Kizerrecently released its 2025 series of Christmas-themed knives.

　　Ranging from $50 to $125, each knife featuresfestive colors and is adorned with familiar Christmas imagery, ranging from Christmas trees to snowflakes to the big man himself, Santa. Each knife maintains the quality materialsand build as the original, justwith a little holiday cheer baked in.

　　Portable Dryer

　　(Photo/Hedgehog) Nothing ruins a day in the great outdoors more than wet, soggy shoes, and Hedgehog is aiming to make that a thing of the past. Its new DRIVE ($60) is a lightweight, compact dryer specifically designed for ski boots and shoes.

　　With 80 W of power, the DRIVE can get up to 105 degrees, and the brand says it can take shoes from soaking wet to dry as a bone in just 30 minutes. It weighs just 8.5 ounces and can plug into a car adapter for use on the go.

　　Belay Assistant

　　(Photo/Mary Andino) If your climber is heavier than you, a belay assistant is an essential device. It adds friction to the system, acting to make the belayer heavier and helping you avoid unsafe falls and collisions. For a long time, Edelrid has been the only name in the game, but Mammut is coming for the kings crown.

　　The brand just released the Assist Belay Resistor ($100). As someone whose belay partner weighs 80 more pounds than them, Im no stranger to these devices. He and I have been using the Mammut Assist for the last few months, and have been thoroughly impressed: Its lightweight and doesnt short rope the climber, thanks to the camming mechanism. The all-metal construction helps boost durability, too.

　　Winter Gloves

　　(Photo/Patagonia) For its new line of gloves and mittens, Patagonia turned to the experts: Hestra, the Swedish glove maker thats been around since 1936. The collection ($55-230) includes heavy-duty GORE-TEX mitts, made with goatskin and a fleece liner to withstand extreme conditions.

　　For those who dont want staying warm to mean sacrificing their mobility, theres the Hestra Ergo Active Grip Gloves, whose patented design places seams to optimize the hand’s freedom of movement, Patagonia says. For more casual, everyday use, theres the Windshield Liner Gloves, which are windproof yet slim and lightweight.

　　Sellout Skeleton Watch

　　(Photo/Maurice Lacroix) The last two collabs between Maurice Lacroix and Label Noir have sold out, so the brands are giving the people what they want: another limited-edition watch. This special version of the Aikon ($8,500) includes the Manufacture Skeleton housed in a water-resistant stainless steel case. The hour and minute hands are lined with Super-LumiNova to make it easy to read, day or night. Bold turquoise accents add pops of color and visual interest.

　　Stretchy Snowboarding Kit

　　(Photo/Rossignol) In partnership with Evo, Rossignol put its new outerwear to the ultimate test: pro snowboarders on the Freeride World Tour. With help from athletes like 2025 champion Marcus Goguen, the brand is confident its new Proclivity collection ($475-550) will deliver when it counts.

　　Inspired by freeriders, Rossignol designed the jackets and bibs to have a roomier fit and built-in stretch. Theyre seam-sealed and water-repellent to achieve the right balance of protection and breathability. And, of course, the brand prioritized the absolute essentials: giant pockets.

　　Memory Ring, Snowboard Suspension, 'Revolutionary' Pack, and More Emerging GearCheck out the latest gear from Topo Designs, VALLON, Deuter, Gossamer Gear, and more. Read more