The Gear Shed

Berne Broudy writes regularly on the latest and greatest gear.

Hundreds of manufacturers released thousands of new products recently at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and SIA tradeshows in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Denver, Colorado, respectively. We were there, and here are some of our top picks for gizmos and gadgets coming soon to an outdoor store near you.

TIKKA RXP
A year ago, we told you about Petzl’s Nao, a full-sized headlamp with a sensor that continuously analyses ambient light, and adjusts the light’s output accordingly. Now, Petzl has put that same tech into its compact Tikka headlamp. With light output up to 180 lumens, the Tikka RXP has more than double the power of the current model, and the beam shape and brightness automatically adjusts. It weighs a mere four ounces with a USB-rechargeable 1,800mAh lithium ion battery, and has three modes that prioritize power and a red night-vision LED. Two independent power and mode buttons control the lamp, and can be locked in the off position to prevent the Tikka from getting turned on accidentally in your pack. Available September 2013, $90; petzl.com.

SEA TO SUMMIT FIELD REPAIR BUCKLES
Nothing sucks worse than when a buckle breaks on your pack or dry bag, leaving your load unbalanced or exposed. Sea to Summit’s Field Repair Buckles replace broken or worn-out buckles in the field or at home and require nothing more than a screwdriver—no sewing necessary. The nylon buckles use a sliding pin that slips through webbing left by the broken unit and screws into the replacement. There are two side-release and one ladderlock-style buckle—the most common buckles found on backpack lids, shoulder and compression straps, dry bag closures, and v-pull style waistbelts. All styles come in one-inch and three-quarter-inch widths. Available March 2013, $4-$5.50; seatosummit.com.

DAKINE FIDGET
Made for skiers, Dakine’s keychain-sized slopes-specific multitool has everything you need to futz with your bindings while out in the field. Flick open the #2 Phillips head, fine tune your DIN with the #3 Posidrive, and manage any other on-piste repairs with the 3/32” hex and 1/4” flathead, all on a ring that’s about the same size as the smallest Swiss Army Knife. Bonus: It’s all drivers and no knives, which means you can fly actually with it. Available fall 2013, $8; dakine.com.