New and interesting gear we’ve discovered this month

Featured: The North Face Mountain GTX Pro Jacket 

$1500 | Gore-Tex Pro 3L 80D + Spectra Ripstop

The high-end details of the Mountain GTX Pro embody the qualities of the enduring Summit Series performance collection, a top-tier range that showcases gear which incorporates proprietary material technologies tested by The North Face athletes. The Mountain Pro has been launched as part of The North Face’s celebration of 25 years of Summit Series. Optimised with features for full-tilt mountaineering, it combines ultralight Spectra yarn with Gore-Tex Pro for maximum durability and storm protection.

Mont Lightspeed

$449.95 | 165g 

We’ve yet to try it, but Mont’s featherweight Lightspeed trail-running jacket caught our attention for its high waterproof rating and decent feature set. Recommended for running, cycling and cross-country skiing, the Lightspeed is made from Hydronaute Ultra (3-layer waterproof/breathable), which is rated to an impressive 20,000mm, with an equally respectable breathability rating.   

Charge faster with the Biolite Range 500

$139.99 | 68g

A svelte new headlamp from Biolite could illuminate your summer. The super comfortable Range series boasts extremely fast charge times, providing an hour of light after just eight minutes of charging. Models of 300, 400 and 500 lumens are available; the two higher models provide burn times of 250hr (low beam) and 5hr (high beam), and four lighting modes.

Pack a raft and paddle

$2799 | 4100–4430g 

Expanding on the fleet of packrafts available in New Zealand, the new 210D Mage is Alpacka’s fastest, smoothest and most responsive traditional whitewater packraft. This next-generation craft combines the performance features of the Valkyrie with the refined Gnarwhal hull to increase the waterline for maximum speed and tracking. It is lighter and has more cargo capacity than the Valkyrie, providing speed, handling and multi-day capacity for intermediate to advanced packrafters.