Backpacking

The new KEA Hex looks like an unassuming folding knife upon first glance. But what looks like a basic lanyard holder is more than meets the eye, carrying a handful of functions within a simple rotating dial.

With DNA linking back to Leatherman's original PST multitool, the Wave has long served as a cornerstone for the brand. Now it evolves into the Wave Alpha, adding serious cutting muscle while improving upon its staple one-handed operation and grip.

Fire Maple packs both cooking and heating capabilities into its sleek, powerful Sunflower X. After cooking dinner, this particularly portable, wind-resistant stove can quickly tilt up to fire its radiant heat directly at you.

Designed for bigger adventures, longer distances and heavier loads, the new X Ultra performance exoskeleton is what Hypershell calls its best model to date. The new wearable boosts performance with a full 1,000 watts channeled into your natural gait.

The new Aviator's Ember from Aerohart applies aerospace-grade materials to an age-old design, providing powerful fire-starting performance that carries lightly in a pocket. Like an engine piston, it compresses air for fast, furious combustion.

Looking to best other squeezable filter bottles, the Oassay FlexFlow uses a compact filter to remove tiny viruses, bacteria, heavy metals, hydrocarbons and even fluoride. The bottle passes water at drinkable flow rates for seamless hydration.

The Flextail Zero 2.0 takes the benchmark-setting Zero pump to the next level with a lighter build that weighs an even ounce, increased output and an improved battery. It's everything backcountry adventurers loved about the original, just better.

Opinel knives are an ageless classic of the folding knife market. This year, though, they've gotten a new twist ... or lack thereof. The Néo6 knife carries the same sleek, timeless look but trades out the locking blade for a non-locking slip joint.

One of the pioneers of the portable camping stove has released its lightest stove ever. The new Primus Micron III weighs a flat 2 oz and folds so small it can nest in your open palm. Screw it atop a gas canister and it fires out 2,600 watts of flame.

Zpacks offers one of the world's lightest lineups of backpacking tents. Its new Duplex Pro combines that same ultralight construction with a comfortable build that adapts to each backcountry explorer to offer more personalized performance per pound.

Just larger than a typical human thumb, the new APO5C pocket pump dips below the 1-oz mark. Thanks to its carbon fiber construction, it's nearly half an ounce lighter than the last "lighter than light" miniature pump we looked at.

Modular multitool specialist Roxon lets you spec your own multitool with components of your own choosing. Now it introduces the Mini Flex Companion, shrinking that flexibility down to the size of a 5-pack of gum for more convenient everyday carry.