Published Jun 14, 2026
This week at Lotz Outdoors we added four brands across hiking accessories, marine power, freshwater fishing, and paddle sports. Trail Tether brings a hiking-rated bungee strap that solves a dozen small gear problems. NOCO joins our battery management selection with Group 24, 27, and 31 lithium marine batteries and supporting chargers. VEXAN expands our fishing rack with IM8 graphite rods and StrikeBack reels. Floatsup rounds out the week with floating cup and bottle holders for SUP and kayak decks. Each brand below gets a full breakdown so you can decide where it fits your kit.
This Week's New Brands
| Brand | Product Category | Headquarters | Best Known For | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trail Tether | Outdoor accessories, gear management straps | United States (small business, sold through outdoor retailers) | Hiking-rated bungee strap with hook and loop ends | View |
| NOCO | Marine batteries, smart chargers, jump starters, battery accessories | Glenwillow, Ohio, United States | GENIUS smart chargers and Boost lithium jump starters | View |
| VEXAN | Fishing rods, casting and spinning reels, ice combos, tackle storage | Minnesota, United States | IM8 blank casting and spinning rods, StrikeBack reels | View |
| Floatsup | Paddle sports accessories, drink and bottle holders | United States (paddle sports small business) | Floating cup and water bottle holders designed for SUP and kayak deck plugs | View |
Trail Tether
Brand Overview
Trail Tether is an American outdoor accessory brand built around a single problem solver, a hiking-rated bungee strap that secures gear, bottles, baby items, and small kit to packs, belts, and rails. The company sells direct through retailers and trail communities, and its catalog is anchored by the multi pack and the multi use strap. Independent coverage of the strap design by GearJunkie and trail review communities highlights its simple loop and hook construction and the way it doubles as a pacifier or accessory clip for parents on the trail. The product is engineered to be lightweight enough to live in a hipbelt pocket and strong enough to lash a water bottle to a sternum strap.
Product Categories and Related Collections
Trail Tether sits naturally in our Outdoor Accessories collection alongside other small kit organizers. It also pairs well with items in our Camping Accessories collection and the broader Outdoor category for hikers building out a personal pack system.
Featured Products at Lotz Outdoors
 Trail Tether Max - All-Purpose Bungie Gear Management System |
 Trail Tether 2 Pack |
 Trail Tether 10 Pack |
 Trail Tether 5 Pack |
 Trail Tether: Hiking-Rated Pacifier Clip and Multi-Use Strap |
Quick Facts
- Headquarters: United States (small business, sold through outdoor retailers)
- Founded: Recent indie launch
- Founders or Ownership: Independently owned, hiker designed
- Product Category: Outdoor accessories, gear management straps
- Best Known For: Hiking-rated bungee strap with hook and loop ends
- Typical Customer: Hikers, backpackers, parents on the trail, day pack users
- Notable Product Types: Single strap, 2 pack, 5 pack, 10 pack, Max all purpose, pacifier clip strap
Reputation and Target Customer
Trail Tether has earned a quiet following among day hikers, parents, and ultralight enthusiasts who want a single piece of kit to replace cord, carabiners, and bread ties. Mentions in The Trek hiker gear roundups and trail forum threads point to a product that travels well across use cases, from securing a Nalgene to a daisy chain to clipping a toddler pacifier to a kid carrier. The brand is positioned at an accessible price tier and the multi packs are popular as stocking stuffers and trail gifts.
Why We Added This Brand
We added Trail Tether because customers ask for small, durable problem solvers that improve every other piece of gear they already own. The strap quietly upgrades a day pack or a fishing vest without adding weight, and the multi packs make it easy for a household to share a roll across daypacks, kayaks, and bike commutes. It is the kind of accessory we want stocked alongside our larger ticket items.
Best For
Best for hikers who want to lash a bottle, jacket, or sleep pad to the outside of a pack, paddlers who need to keep a dry bag tight to a thwart, parents who want to clip a pacifier or small toy to a baby carrier, and anglers who want a quick way to secure pliers, nets, or a rod to a sling pack.
How It Fits Our Catalog
Trail Tether complements packs and accessories we already stock from established outdoor brands. Pair the strap with items from our Camping Accessories collection or use it to secure rod tubes from our Rod and Reel Storage selection during transport.
Brand FAQ
What is a Trail Tether used for?
A Trail Tether is a hiking-rated bungee strap with hook and loop ends. It secures water bottles, jackets, sleep pads, fishing pliers, kids items, and small gear to packs, belts, daisy chains, and rails.
How is Trail Tether different from a carabiner or cord?
Carabiners and bungee cord work but require knots or open hooks that can snag or fail. Trail Tether is a single elastic loop with secure ends that stays stretchy under load and does not require any knot tying.
Which Trail Tether pack should I start with?
Most users start with the 2 pack to test on a daypack, then move up to the 5 or 10 pack for whole family use or for outfitting multiple packs, kayaks, and bikes.
NOCO
Brand Overview
NOCO is a Glenwillow, Ohio company that has built its reputation on smart battery chargers, lithium marine batteries, and the Boost line of lithium jump starters. Independent reviews from outlets such as Car and Driver have repeatedly named NOCO jump starters among the top consumer picks, and the company's brand history traces its product story back to a 1914 industrial roots in the cleveland area. NOCO is privately held and serves powersports, marine, RV, and automotive customers worldwide.
Product Categories and Related Collections
NOCO products bridge several of our category collections. The lithium batteries belong in Electrical Battery Management, the smart chargers live in Battery Chargers, and the battery boxes and accessories support customers building out marine and trolling motor setups in Trolling Motor Accessories.
Featured Products at Lotz Outdoors
Quick Facts
- Headquarters: Glenwillow, Ohio, United States
- Founded: Modern brand built on 1914 industrial roots
- Founders or Ownership: Privately held, family ownership
- Product Category: Marine batteries, smart chargers, jump starters, battery accessories
- Best Known For: GENIUS smart chargers and Boost lithium jump starters
- Typical Customer: Boaters, anglers, RV owners, powersports riders, automotive enthusiasts
- Notable Product Types: NLX series Group 24, 27, 31 lithium batteries, 65W USB-C chargers, marine battery boxes, eyelet kits
Reputation and Target Customer
NOCO has earned a strong reputation among boating publications and marine forums for its lithium marine batteries, which offer significant weight savings over lead acid AGM equivalents while delivering high cycle counts. Pro anglers and marine techs cite the GENIUS series of smart chargers for safe reconditioning and balanced multi bank charging. NOCO also sponsors offshore fishing and powersports events and has been featured in boats.com reviews of modern lithium battery offerings.
Why We Added This Brand
We added NOCO because anglers and boaters keep asking for a serious lithium battery option that pairs with proven charging hardware. Stocking the 120Ah Group 31, 100Ah Group 27, and 90Ah Group 24 lithium packs alongside NOCO chargers and boxes gives our customers a complete power solution from one trusted brand.
Best For
Best for boat owners upgrading from lead acid to lithium, anglers running heavy trolling motor loads all day, RV owners managing house bank capacity, and automotive enthusiasts who want a reliable jump starter or USB-C charger that handles real workloads.
How It Fits Our Catalog
NOCO fits our marine and powersports inventory cleanly. Customers buying outboards, trolling motors, fishfinders, or marine electronics will find compatible batteries, charging hardware, and accessories in our Boat Outfitting collection.
Brand FAQ
Are NOCO lithium batteries drop in replacements for lead acid?
NOCO NLX lithium batteries are built to BCI group case sizes, so they fit Group 24, 27, and 31 trays. You should confirm the on board charger is lithium compatible or replace it with a NOCO lithium ready charger.
Why choose NOCO over a less expensive lithium brand?
NOCO publishes detailed BMS specs, supports its products through US based service, and integrates the charger and battery ecosystems together, which simplifies maintenance and warranty coverage.
Do I need a special charger for a NOCO lithium battery?
Yes, lead acid chargers can damage lithium cells. NOCO GENIUS lithium ready chargers and the on board lithium chargers handle the correct charge profile.
VEXAN
Brand Overview
VEXAN is a Minnesota-rooted fishing rod and reel brand built around tournament-grade IM8 blank construction and the StrikeBack reel line. The brand has been profiled by tackle distributors and Midwest Outdoors, and has earned coverage in Wired2Fish for its rod sensitivity at value pricing. VEXAN sells both ice fishing and open water gear through outdoor retailers across the midwest and online.
Product Categories and Related Collections
VEXAN spans several of our Hunting and Fishing sub categories. Their rods and reels connect to Rod and Reel Storage, the offshore rods fit the open water customer in Boat Rod Holders, and the tackle backpack belongs in Tackle Storage.
Featured Products at Lotz Outdoors
Quick Facts
- Headquarters: Minnesota, United States
- Founded: Mid 2010s
- Founders or Ownership: Independent angler founded
- Product Category: Fishing rods, casting and spinning reels, ice combos, tackle storage
- Best Known For: IM8 blank casting and spinning rods, StrikeBack reels
- Typical Customer: Bass anglers, ice anglers, midwest multi species anglers, walleye and pike anglers
- Notable Product Types: StrikeBack casting and spinning rods and reels, ice combos, offshore rods, fishing backpack with LED light
Reputation and Target Customer
VEXAN has a loyal following among midwest tournament anglers who want a high modulus blank without a premium brand markup. Independent reviews on TackleTour and angler forums highlight blank sensitivity and reel smoothness for the price tier. The ice fishing combos are especially well regarded in In-Fisherman seasonal coverage of value combos.
Why We Added This Brand
We added VEXAN because customers want quality fishing rods and reels that compete with name brand performance at a fair price. Carrying the StrikeBack Casting Reel and the matching StrikeBack Casting Rods together lets customers build a complete combo from a single trusted brand.
Best For
Best for bass anglers searching for a sensitive jig rod under a hundred dollars, ice fishermen looking for a packable combo, walleye and pike specialists who fish the great lakes, and customers upgrading from entry level gear without jumping to premium tier prices.
How It Fits Our Catalog
VEXAN deepens our freshwater and great lakes fishing assortment. Customers shopping for tackle, rod holders, and electronics in our Fishing Accessories selection can now pair their boat setup with rods and reels from VEXAN.
Brand FAQ
Are VEXAN rods made of IM8 graphite?
Yes, VEXAN rods are built with IM8 high modulus graphite blanks, which is a step above IM6 used in many entry level rods and delivers better sensitivity and recovery.
Is VEXAN good for tournament bass anglers?
Many midwest and great lakes tournament anglers fish VEXAN as a value tier alongside premium brands. The StrikeBack and Vexan offshore lines are tuned for serious anglers.
Do VEXAN rods come with a warranty?
VEXAN backs their rods with a manufacturer warranty against defects. Refer to the VEXAN warranty page for current terms.
Floatsup
Brand Overview
Floatsup is a small American paddle sports accessory brand that designs floating drink holders for kayaks, paddle boards, and pool floats. The company has been profiled in kayak angler and SUPConnect coverage of practical on water gear. Floatsup partners with Beverage Buddee for can covers and offers jumbo water bottle and cup holders that attach to standard SUP and kayak deck plug systems.
Product Categories and Related Collections
Floatsup is a natural fit in our Paddlesports assortment, specifically Paddlesports Accessories and the broader Watersports category for SUP and kayak users who want a reliable spot for a water bottle or beverage on long paddles.
Featured Products at Lotz Outdoors
 Floatsup Can Cover x Beverage Buddee |
 Floatsup® Cup Drink Holder |
 Floatsup® JUMBO Water Bottle Holder |
Quick Facts
- Headquarters: United States (paddle sports small business)
- Founded: Recent paddle sports indie brand
- Founders or Ownership: Independently owned
- Product Category: Paddle sports accessories, drink and bottle holders
- Best Known For: Floating cup and water bottle holders designed for SUP and kayak deck plugs
- Typical Customer: Paddle boarders, recreational kayakers, lake and river users, casual anglers
- Notable Product Types: Cup drink holder, jumbo water bottle holder, Beverage Buddee can cover
Reputation and Target Customer
Floatsup has gathered positive word of mouth on SUP and kayak community pages, particularly among paddlers who want a deck mounted drink solution that does not slide off when waves chop up the surface. Paddling.com contributors regularly include similar deck accessories in their long paddle gear lists. Floatsup's collaboration with Beverage Buddee on can covers extended its visibility into the lakeside crowd.
Why We Added This Brand
We added Floatsup because our paddle sports customers ask for small accessories that fix real day on water annoyances. A secure place for a water bottle on a SUP is the kind of detail that turns a good paddle into a great one, and the jumbo bottle holder pairs cleanly with hydration systems we already stock.
Best For
Best for SUP paddlers on long lake sessions, kayak fishermen who want a dedicated bottle slot, recreational paddlers who carry a koozie for a sunset cruise, and anyone who wants to stop dropping a drink between their feet on a stand up board.
How It Fits Our Catalog
Floatsup adds practical accessories to our paddle sports lineup alongside paddles, life vests, and navigation gear in Paddlesports Safety and Paddlesports Roof Rack Systems.
Brand FAQ
Does Floatsup attach to any paddle board?
Floatsup holders attach to standard SUP and kayak deck plugs and bungee systems. Confirm your board has a compatible mount point before ordering.
Will Floatsup hold a Yeti or jumbo bottle?
The jumbo water bottle holder is sized for large insulated bottles. The standard cup holder fits typical canned drinks and slim cups.
Is Floatsup made in the United States?
Floatsup is an independent American brand, with production and sourcing handled through small batch partners.
Weekly Wrap Up
This week's additions span outdoor accessories, marine batteries, fishing rods, and paddle sports accessories and reflect what our customers keep telling us they want, durable gear from small and mid sized makers backed by real customer support. Every brand on the list this week earned its spot by solving a specific problem worth stocking.
Take a few minutes to explore each brand's collection. Click any shop button below to jump to the full lineup, and reach out if you want help building a kit around these new arrivals at Lotz Outdoors.
Shop Trail TetherShop NOCOShop VEXANShop Floatsup
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