New and interesting gear we’ve discovered this month

The North Face launches inclusive collection

The Universal Collection from The North Face aims to remove barriers to the outdoors with a range of inclusivity-oriented products developed with input from the adaptive sports community.

Guided by the tenet that ‘The hallmarks of great design should provide a positive user experience from start to finish for all users’, the range includes a tent, pack and sleeping bag with practical design elements to simplify use and accessibility, enhancing safety and confidence for a wide range of users and skill levels. 

We took note of the Universal 20 Daypack, with its adaptable carry system for use with a wide range of body types as well as wheelchair compatibility. It has magnetic closure, oversized zip pulls and handles, and stands on the ground unsupported. Strategically placed materials and colour offer cues for those with visual impairments. 

Bushnell A1 10x25mm Binoculars $449.99 | 400g

Grippy, textured, soft rubber armour ensures Bushnell’s new A-Series binos stay in your hands, even when wet. The colourful compact binos are designed for travel, tramping and everyday outdoor activities (as opposed to hunting) and provide a crisp field of view with multi-coated optics. You can sling them around your neck with a removable colour-matched Snap-Lock strap. The A-Series includes magnifications from the pocket-sized A1 (8x25mm and 8x32mm) to the flagship A5 (8x42mm and 10x42mm). 

Rab Neutrino Down Sleeping Bag $999.95 | -6°C | 870g 

British outdoor and mountain brand Rab has released its most technically advanced sleep system collection to date. At the heart of the new collection lies an innovative baffle design LOFT 3D (Lightweight Offset Funnel Technology) which utilises offset baffle walls twisted into a helix shape, creating funnel points that lock down insulation in place throughout the night. This is said to prevent cold spots and optimise efficiency by reducing down migration. The Neutrino features 800 fill-power hydrophobic goose down and combines 10 and 20D Pertex Quantum fabric. It’s available in four temperature ratings.