The Drop Zone: 120 Years of Red Wing, Ciele's Flashy New Apparel, and Running Insoles That Give Any Shoe a Carbon-Plated Boost

Welcome to The Drop Zone, where we highlight the best new gear in and around the outdoor world. 

For this week’s edition, we’re highlighting 120 years of Red Wing boots, a new hybrid sneaker perfect for outdoor lovers living in the city, a collection of reflective running gear from Ciele, new carbon-plated running insoles, and a new pair of lightweight, minimalist sunglasses.

Red Wing 120 Year Capsule

In celebration of their 120th anniversary, Red Wing has reintroduced a trio of rugged boots that were originally released in the 1930s, 1950s, and 1960s: the Pecos, the Logger, and the Engineer. Each pair is made in the USA with leather tanned at SB Foot in Red Wing, Minnesota. The Logger is a stitch-for-stitch re-issue of the original Logger from 1961, which was the first Red Wing boot to be sold in the USA with a Swiss-made Vibram sole. The Pecos is a western boot originally launched in the 1950s to meet the demands of workers in the thriving Texas oil industry. The third boot is the Engineer, a 1930s silhouette that was originally developed as a riding boot and later adapted to suit the many workers, like engineers, who adopted the boot as their go-to for their trade.

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Greats Ravine Sneakers

A modern light hiker, the Greats Ravine immediately caught our eye for its good looks and gorp-y details. The shoe is made with a weather-resistant suede and nylon upper and a lugged rubber outsole, protecting your feet from the elements whether you’re walking through downtown Manhattan or heading on a quick hike. The shoe is handcrafted in Portugal and comes with an extra set of reflective laces that will come in handy during the winter. It comes in three colors and is priced at $189.

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Ciele NiteRite Collection

If you’re a runner, you know there are certain times of year where it’s impossible to avoid running in the dark. One of the biggest concerns of a runner heading out in the dark isn’t whether they’ll be able to see, but if they’ll be able to be seen. Ciele has made the perfect lineup for these moments, the NiteRite collection. Each piece of the collection, which includes shorts, a half-zip fleece, a long sleeve tee, and a trio of hats, is outfitted with reflective detailing that allows the wearer to be seen from any angle, even when the night gets dark.

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Superfeet Run Pacer Elite

Superfeet wants runners to be able to give any running shoe a carbon-plated boost. The all-new Run Pacer Elite running insole has a built-in Carbitex carbon fiber plate that provides extra propulsion and stability for a smooth toe-off that saves energy with each step. The split-toe design of the Carbitex plate allows your foot to move naturally, resulting in a powerful and efficient stride. The insoles are also dotted with Superfeet’s SuperRev foam, which provides energy return across the entire foot by adding a bit of bounce to every step. At $95, the insoles aren’t cheap, but they give every runner the opportunity to experience the power and propulsion of a carbon-plated speed shoe without fully committing to a shoe that has a carbon fiber plate built-in.

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Roka Vapor Sunglasses

Roka has dropped their lightest frames yet, the Vapor. At just 13 grams, the minimalist metal frames are designed for performance first and foremost, but we’d be remiss to not mention that they look pretty dang cool, too. The contoured temples are bendable, allowing the wearer to dial in the perfect fit, and the nose pads were designed to be comfortable during high-output workouts. The sports sunglasses are also made to actually stay on during these intense workouts, utilizing a GEKO™ grip along the temples to prevent slippage. And, perhaps most importantly, the lenses use Roka’s C3 tech (C3 stands for color, contrast, and clarity) to provide excellent UV protection plus anti-scratch, anti-reflectance, and hydrophobic properties, all of which work together to help you keep your mind on the task at hand and not on your shades.

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