The outdoor industry loves its gear, and this week Peak Design, PAKA, and Yulex released some product news.
Yulex LLC
Materials science company Yulex LLC announced the launch of a new high performance natural rubber material, YULEX2.0. The new material is the result of years of research and design to develop an alternative to neoprene that provides a high degree of stretch. The product has applications across a range of products including wetsuits, sportswear, sports equipment, sports medicine, accessories, and footwear.
In addition to YULEX2.0, the company is in the final stage of bringing to market YULASTIC, a new material that will initially replace spandex in stretchable denim, elastics, and socks.
YULASTIC is being tested by some of the world’s leading brands and will be in the market by late 2024.
Peak Design
Peak Design introduced Coyote X-Pac VX-21 Ocean Edition fabric and colorway as a permanent purchasing option across 11 bags and pouches in Peak Design’s Everyday and Travel lines. Manufactured in Putnam, Connecticut, VX-21 Ocean Edition is composed of 100% recycled fishing nets and is PFAS-free. The material has a multilayer laminated construction that utilizes X-PLY, a post-consumer recycled polyester ripstop thread that is diamond stitched at 22° across the fabric.
Coyote X-Pac® VX-21 Ocean Edition is now a purchase option for the following Peak Design bags:
- Everyday Backpack 20L, MSRP $299.95
- Everyday Backpack 30L, MSRP $324.95
- Travel Backpack 45L, MSRP $319.95
- Everyday Sling 3L, MSRP $94.95
- Everyday Sling 6L, MSRP $124.95
- Travel Duffel 35L, MSRP $154.95
- Travel Duffel 50L, MSRP $169.95
- Wash Pouch, MSRP $64.95
- Small Wash Pouch, MSRP $54.95
- Tech Pouch, MSRP $64.95
- Small Tech Pouch, MSRP $54.95
Bags and pouches featuring Coyote X-Pac® VX-21 Ocean Edition fabric and colorway are available via peakdesign.com, Peak Design Stores, and Peak Design dealers worldwide.
PAKA
PAKA, the sustainable apparel brand best known for its performance-based alpaca fiber gear, announced the launch of its first-ever alpaca fiber sun hoodie, which offers the benefits of alpaca’s natural breathability, odor resistance, and temperature regulation.
Made of an alpaca fiber blend, the Sol Hoodie boasts a natural UPF rating of 30+, antibacterial properties, adaptable thermoregulation, and moisture resistance (only retains less than 10%): all owed to alpacas’ evolution in the highly fluctuating alpine environment of the Andes.
The Sol Hoodie is made from royal alpaca fiber, the thinnest designation of alpaca fiber at only 17-19 microns, with a softness comparable to cashmere. Each hoodie features a handwoven Inca ID crafted by women artisans employed at four times the living wage in Peru. The hoodie also features a crossover, hat-compatible hood, and thumbholes for optimal sun protection. The Sol Hoodie is available in Men’s – Supernova (Silver) and Camu (Rust), and Women’s – Guava (Blush Pink) and Supernova (Silver) for $98.
