5 awesome innovations in sports and outdoors gear in 2024

Physical activity is beneficial for everyone, regardless of their experience level, skills, or location. The latest innovations in outdoor and active gear featured in this year’s Best of What’s New awards aim to make getting outside and staying active easier. From a shirt that prevents itchy mosquito bites without chemicals to an electric fishing reel that eliminates cords and heavy batteries, these innovations are designed to enhance the outdoor experience. An app that combines avalanche education with real-time reports, a waterproof jacket with a battery membrane for breathability, and an exercise bike with cutting-edge technology are among the other innovations that take the “rough” out of outdoor activities.

(Editor’s Note: This is a section from Popular Science’s 37th annual Best of What’s New awards. Be sure to read the full list of the 50 greatest innovations of 2024.)

Grand Award Winner

HoloBike by Saga: A relaxing yet immersive bike ride in your house

“Riding a bike outdoors” and “riding a bike at the gym” are vastly different experiences. One feels immersive and relaxing; the other can feel tortuous and monotonous. Samuel Matson, the founder of Saga and a former Google VR designer, noticed that same dichotomy after returning from a sabbatical during the pandemic, which he spent cycling in the Andes Mountains in Colombia. Wearing a bulky VR headset isn’t ideal for a cycling workout, though. Instead, the HoloBike forgoes a wearable headset for a lenticular-inspired, high-resolution screen that utilizes optic flow, the same phenomenon that is the basis for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Eye-tracking cameras adjust the scene based on where you’re looking for an immersive experience. The 3D environments are made using AI-powered scans of real trails and resemble an open-world video game. Best of all, the HoloBike has roughly the same footprint as a Peloton, meaning it won’t take up too much space in your house. It’s currently available for pre-order online.

Mosquito Protection Technology by Royal Robbins: A chemical-free way to stop mosquitoes

Protecting oneself from mosquito bites in the wilderness usually involves using chemical repellents, but Royal Robbins’ Mosquito Protection Technology (MPT) offers a chemical-free alternative. The fabric’s tight weave prevents mosquitoes from penetrating it while maintaining breathability. Additionally, the fabric is designed to withstand washing without losing its protective properties. The MPT technology is set to be launched in spring 2025.

Fathom Electric Reel by Penn: Bye-bye, cords

Electric reels for sea fishing are typically powered by a cord plugged into a power source. If you’ve been on a boat, you know that “wet surface” and “thing that can be tripped on” don’t mix. The Fathom Electric reel ditches those cords for a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Despite the battery, the reels are impressively lightweight at 60, 71, and 84 ounces, depending on size. The reel also has bonus features like an easy-to-use LED display with customizable settings.

Aspect Avy App: Avalanche safety made simple

M10 collection by Patagonia: A waterproof jacket crafted with battery membranes

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Starting in 2025, several states including New York and California will ban the sale of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in apparel. Other states are set to follow in the years after. PFAS has been integral to waterproofing—and can be found in other components like zippers and webbing—yet they’re forever chemicals, and harmful to the environment. Patagonia’s built-from-the-ground-up M10 collection is an indication of what’s to come in the textile space. The waterproof membrane is borrowed from the car battery industry, which uses mechanically made nanoporous membranes to separate ions. In the M10, these consistent-sized pores keep rain and snow out without PFAS but let heat and sweat escape even better than the rain jackets and ski shells we’re used to.

Win the Holidays with PopSci’s Gift Guides

Shopping for, well, anyone? The PopSci team’s holiday gift recommendations mean you’ll never need to buy another last-minute gift card.

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Related Topics:awesomeGearinnovationsoutdoorsSports

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