Tag Archives: hiking

RC Outdoor Supply Made a Sacoche Bag for Actual Hiking

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You know that feeling when you’re torn between bringing your sleek crossbody for a coffee run and a clunky backpack for a day hike? RC Outdoor Supply just solved that dilemma with their Trail Sacoche Bag, and honestly, it’s about time someone did.

For those not in the sacoche know, these compact bags have been having a major moment in streetwear circles. Originally a French term for a simple shoulder bag, the sacoche has become the go-to for minimalists who refuse to lug around more bag than they need. But here’s the thing: most sacoches are designed for urban jungles, not actual ones. RC Outdoor Supply flipped the script by taking this city slicker silhouette and giving it proper trail credentials.

Designer: RC Outdoor Supply ca

The Trail Sacoche hits that sweet spot of being compact without feeling restrictive. Made from durable nylon ripstop (the same stuff that keeps parachutes intact, no big deal), this bag laughs in the face of branches, rocks, and whatever else nature throws at it. The dimensions are clever too. At 11.5 by 8 inches when fully opened and 6.5 by 8 inches when folded, it’s like getting two bags in one depending on how much stuff you’re hauling around.

What really sets this apart from your average crossbody is the thoughtful pocket situation. There are two exterior cargo pockets on the front for quick-grab items (phone, trail snacks, that chapstick you’re always losing), plus a mesh pocket on the back that’s perfect for things you want visible but secure. The top closure uses bungee cording, which might sound casual but is actually genius for uneven terrain where you need flexibility and security at the same time. Inside, there’s a key ring because nobody wants to dig through their entire bag to find their car keys after a long hike. It’s these tiny details that show RC Outdoor Supply actually tested this thing in the wild rather than just sketching pretty pictures in a studio.

The brand, founded in California, has a specific philosophy: create clothing and gear that transitions seamlessly from the trail to the city. With the Trail Sacoche, they’ve nailed that brief. The bag comes in three colorways that work equally well on a mountain trail or a city street: Lichen (a muted green-gray), Saffron (a warm golden yellow that adds a pop without screaming for attention), and classic Black. Priced at $62, it sits in that reasonable middle ground where you’re not wincing at checkout but you’re also getting quality materials and construction. In a market flooded with either cheap fast-fashion bags or designer pieces that cost more than a weekend trip, this feels refreshingly honest.

What’s interesting is how this bag represents a larger shift in outdoor gear design. For years, the outdoor industry was stuck in a rut of aggressively technical-looking gear that screamed “I own expensive hiking equipment!” Now brands like RC Outdoor Supply are proving you can make functional gear that doesn’t look like it belongs exclusively on a summit attempt. The sacoche format itself is proof of this evolution, borrowing from fashion while adding legitimate outdoor functionality.

The versatility is the real selling point. Morning farmers market? Trail Sacoche. Afternoon hike? Same bag. Evening concert? Still works. This is exactly the kind of multifunctional design that makes sense for how people actually live, especially if you’re someone who refuses to be boxed into either “outdoorsy person” or “city person” categories. If there’s a critique, it’s that at this size, you’re definitely packing light. This isn’t replacing your daypack for serious hikes. But for short trails, urban exploring, travel, or just running around town with more style than a tote bag offers, it hits perfectly.

RC Outdoor Supply might not have the name recognition of legacy outdoor brands yet, but pieces like the Trail Sacoche Bag show they understand something crucial: the best gear works everywhere, looks good doing it, and doesn’t require a manual to figure out. Sometimes innovation isn’t about adding more features. It’s about doing something simple, exceptionally well.

The post RC Outdoor Supply Made a Sacoche Bag for Actual Hiking first appeared on Yanko Design.

Beacon Bottle is a drinking and lighting solution for your long hikes

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If you’re hiking up a mountain or going on long walks and trekking, you probably need to carry as little as possible. However, you also need to have a lot of necessities with you especially if it’s an overnight hike. Three things you definitely need are a water bottle, a lamp or light source, and a compass. Usually, these are three different things that you carry. But a designer has come up with a way to have all three in just one item.

Designer: Anantvijay

The Beacon Bottle for Hikers is a product concept for something that hikers can carry that has different functionalities. The way that it’s designed is that it looks like a lamp that serves as your light source but it also looks like a water bottle for your hydration needs. And yes, it is both. Plus, there’s even a compass on the cover so that you get another bonus with this item and it lessens the items that you need to bring with you.

The body of the bottle even has a textured surface so that it’s easy to grip while you’re drinking. The light-emitting component is at the bottom of the bottle and can be attached and detached easily with a threaded mechanism. If you detach it from the bottle, you can still use it as an independent light source. The charging part has a type-c port and you can still use it even when it’s charging.

The compass is integrated into the polypropylene bottle cap while the handle is designed for easy carrying or can also be attached to the backpack or hung on a tree branch. The body of the bottle is made from polyethylene terephthalate so it shouldn’t be that heavy. If all you need is to hydrate and have something to light your way (and give you direction), then this is a handy tool to have during your long hikes.

The post Beacon Bottle is a drinking and lighting solution for your long hikes first appeared on Yanko Design.

This pair of hiking pants with adjustable & motorized carbon fiber module lets you climb with less muscle fatigue

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Would it be fair to set out in a pair of robotic pants to cover all 47 miles of the West Coast Trail in Vancouver, British Columbia, in record time without breaking a sweat? You’d say why not, but anyone who’s been there in excruciating pain and sweat will call out cheating. Of course, it wouldn’t be fair to make a record claim with MO/GO on but it may surely be worth bragging.

Exoskeletons and wearable mobility devices have been around for decades. Obviously, the main focus of such devices has been on assisting seniors or those with mobility issues in rehabilitation, to gain strength and independence. But if you have been following us closely, you’d know that there is a new trend on the way. Wearable robots, such as the WIM mobility assist wearable device created by WIRobotics, are being built to assist the healthy strengthen their lower limbs or walk with more confidence and freedom saving up to 20 percent energy.

Designer: Skip x Arc’teryx

Now, MO/GO is a wearable pair of robotic pants conjured up “to support and inspire adventure in a new kind of way.” Short for mountain goat, MO/GO is designed by Skip – a Google’s research and development wing, X, spinout – in collaboration with Arc’teryx, to help people tackle any elevation with less muscle fatigue and body exertion. It “makes you feel up to 30 pounds lighter as you move,” the developers suggest.

Skip is taking pre-orders for the $5,000 MO/GO, right now for a $500 discount. The $5K powered pant is the first of its kind clothing featuring an adjustable boomerang-like carbon fiber module that snaps onto the pants – at the knees and extends over the quadricep and hamstring muscles – to provide up to 40 percent boast to your legs on the way up. It gently supports the legs on the way down, and can snap off effortlessly to be stowed away when you don’t need it.

When you think of putting on something like the MO/GO on your legs, you would be concerned about the weight it would add on. Interestingly, the carbon fiber construction makes it exceptionally lightweight. It weighs only two pounds (with an onboard motor) and is powered by a battery for hours of usage. Charge it once on your way out be rest assured, you’ll make it safely back home no matter the strenuous trail you’re climbing up.

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Next Gen Moc and Mule footwear brings comfort and aesthetics to your soles

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For around half of my life, I’ve been wearing sneakers and boots and avoiding heels and sandals since I’m more comfortable with the former than the latter. Also, I’ve promised myself not to wear that certain brand that’s usually made fun of by shoe enthusiasts. Weird-looking footwear has never been my style although Merrell Hydro Moc is the closest I got to actually thinking of getting one.

Designer: Merrell

The Hydro Moc and Mule seem to be great options if you like hiking and doing all sorts of outdoor stuff but you don’t want to wear clunky boots and hiking shoes. The Next Gen versions of these unique-looking footwear are even more design-led but also sturdy enough with its EVA foam cage that can resist water and also keep your feet protected and resilient. They future-facing design doesn’t sacrifice aesthetics for quality protection and comfort as that’s what their market is most likely looking for.

The Hydro Next Gen Moc 1TRL has max cushion FloatMax midsoles and a better heel shape. You can still wear it hands-free and the EVA foam upper gives you a lightweight flexible fit. The BLOOM performance foam is actually made of algae biomass and it “magically” turns green water into clean water. The Hydro Next Gen Mule 1TRL meeanwhile is the open-back and more laidback version of the Moc. It still has the eVA foam and the BLOOM performance foam but also has the FloatPro Foam midsole to give you lightweight comfort.

Both the Moc and the Mule still has the trademark design that is inspired by the water flowing around and over rocks. I still wouldn’t wear a pair because of aesthetic (and financial) reasons but it does look good if you want to hike and walk around in style.

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