BMW clearly recognizes the potential of the burgeoning adventure bike market, and at multiple price points, too.

Just a few weeks ago, the German brand was spotted testing what looked to be an M-spec version of its top-dog R 1300 GS. Between the upgraded brake hardware and other subtle changes, it promised an even more refined take on the flagship.

BMW Motorrad

And now it looks as though BMW could be reviving the F 650 GS nameplate through a new middleweight offering. Spy shots recently caught test riders in Europe handling a bike that looks primed to challenge ADV steeds such as the Yamaha Ténéré 700 and Honda Transalp.

Surprisingly revealing spy shots

The bike in question was first broadly surfaced thanks to ADV Pulse. Though it’s pictured partially under a cover, it’s still pretty revealing due to what you can see.

That’s because the shots depict spoked 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, a short windscreen and an X-shaped headlight unit. You can clearly see other off-road accouterments like hand guards and a bash plate, and the bodywork is very similar in posture to rally raid bikes like the Ducati DesertX.

BMW Motorrad

Moreover, even though BMW already has an adventure-ready parallel-twin in the F 900 GS, this particular test mule shows some distinct changes. Beyond the obvious visual differences in the bodywork, the frame also appears to be adapted, suggesting a fresh engine design.

Whatever it’s to be called, all of these details do imply real off-road intent. The wheel size alone guarantees some degree of dirt capability, as street-going setups typically keep things more balanced.

BMW Motorrad

The Goldilocks size BMW needs

Regardless of whether BMW goes for a 600, a 650 or even something closer to 700cc, there’s a strong case to be made for adding a middleweight to its already extensive adventure bike portfolio.

After all, long before bikes like the 450 or the 310 even existed, the F 650 GS was, in many ways, the entry point to the brand’s off-road range. Smaller and nimbler than the brand’s horizontally opposed R series, it’s a bike that I’ve toyed with buying on more than one occasion (all the more so having owned and dropped an R 1150 GS). 

BMW Motorrad

Originally, it was actually a funky single-cylinder model born out of a collaboration with Rotax. However, with time, it grew to not only become a twin but also much larger in displacement than its name might have suggested. The most recent version was actually a detuned version of the F 800.

Across both generations, the platform proved remarkably versatile. From road-biased oddballs like the Scarver to hardcore dirt uplifts like the Dakar and Sertao, BMW has a history of flexing the F series.

BMW Motorrad

More to come

At this stage, we can only speculate about what BMW’s unnamed adventure bike might be. However, the brand is clearly keen to explore the adventure space given its continued testing. Hopefully, it rolls out this mystery middleweight before too long.

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

The world of whiskey is rooted in tradition yet, simultaneously, always changing. Whether it’s new bottles from iconic distilleries or up-and-coming brands hoping to be the next bar cart staple, this guide should provide you with a few new options to consider.

This time, a few releases stood out from the rest. Redemption’s Single Barrel Bonded Bourbon made a case for the bonded category’s staying power, and with single-barrel selection. Chattanooga Whiskey went further out on a limb with its Moldovan Ice Wine Cask Finished expression. Also, Jim Beam revives a decades-old collectors item. Plus, a couple of bottles from Scotland and Ireland that might have you running to Total Wine.

Jameson

Jameson Distiller’s Batch 2026

Jameson’s Distiller’s Batch marks the brand’s first US release from its higher-end Reserve Series, and it arrives with serious credentials. Master distiller Kevin O’Gorman crafted this single pot still whiskey at the Midleton distillery in County Cork, aging it across five cask types: American ex-bourbon, European Oloroso sherry, and virgin American, European and Irish oak. The result layers toasted oak, honeycomb and salted caramel with dark chocolate, cinnamon and orange peel. It has earned gold medals at both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and the International Spirits Challenge.

• $50 at Jameson

The Dalmore

The Dalmore Distillery Select Series 2026

The Dalmore’s second Distillery Select release is a 14-year-old Highland single malt built for collectors who want something off the well-worn path. Distilled into American white oak ex-Bourbon barrels, it then spent one year and nine months in semisecco Marsala casks — a medium-sweet Sicilian fortified wine that layers in candied citrus, honeyed fruit, roasted nuts and gentle spice. Bottled at 53.7% ABV, only 1,110 bottles exist, available from 31 August at The Dalmore boutiques and its Cromarty Firth brand home.

• $473 at The Dalmore

Copper Works

Copperworks American Single Malt Urban Family Barley Wine Cask

Seattle’s Copperworks Distilling Co. and Urban Family Brewing Co. pulled off a clever cask exchange for this limited release: Urban Family aged its Treehouse in the City barleywine in a Copperworks whiskey cask, then returned it so Copperworks could finish its three-and-a-half-year-old 5 Malt signature whiskey there for 10 more months. The result, bottled at 50% ABV, layers sweet malt, tobacco, black walnut and ripe blackberry, and is available exclusively to Whiskey Club members.

• Learn More

Bruichladdich Distillery

Bruichladdich Greener Still

• Learn More

Chattanooga Whiskey

Chattanooga Whiskey Moldovan Ice Wine Cask Finished

• $60 at Seelbach's

You’ve heard this sound bite before: old-school music format surges in popularity. But vinyl’s just the start of it.

According to the Luminate Midyear Report, the rise in CD sales outpaced vinyl through the first half of 2026, fueled by the popularity of the BTS album Arirang.

It’s far from a fluke. Even if you remove all of K-pop, CD sals still grew by 6.7 percent, a trend supported by a steady string of high-end hardware releases from Marantz, Bang & Olufsen, Cambridge Audio and more.

Before you go dusting off your old collection of ’90s grunge, however, check out the page of Instagram creator @mister_minimalist, who found an ingenious hack for storing a small collection of CDs.

Here’s the twist: it’s hiding in IKEA’s kitchen section.

IKEA

Worth a spin

The item in question is the Rinnig plate holder, a $6 plastic-coated steel rack available in black or yellow.

IKEA

Designed to fit nine plates, it can store just as many CDs — or, as some of the comments point out, vinyl records, letters or anything else that has no other good place to go.

IKEA

IKEA

Although IKEA doesn’t openly acknowledge the plate holder’s hi-fi chops anywhere on the product page, the company has a long track record of supporting multipurpose design.

For example, it sells an insert that transforms a cubby of a Kallax unit into a cat sanctuary, while the famous blue Frakta shopping bag might be the world’s most iconic laundry hamper.

In any case, the Rinnig looks like an ideal solution for displaying someone’s budding CD collection. They’re coming back, you know?

IKEA

Ikea Rinnig Plate Holder, Yellow

• $6 at IKEA

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Once you’re tapped into the EDC knife world, it’s hard not to appreciate the influence of Japanese craftsmanship on the industry.

From the tanto blade to the higonokami folder to the Samurai-inspired fixies, the impact runs far and wide and strong to this day.

Tenable Knives

Yet another example is the latest release from Kansept spinoff Tenable, the cheekily named Toothpik.

This budget-friendly banger takes inspiration from a unique design that’s been around much longer than any of us have been alive.

Ancient ace

More specifically, we’re talking about the Kiridashi, classic Japanese utility knives that, Daily Carry Co points out, “have been a mainstay in ancient Japan for carving wood or bamboo for centuries.”

The word can literally be translated as “to carve out,” and Japanese blacksmiths, influenced by Samurai culture and blades, hand-forged the original examples.

Tenable Knives

The design itself is quite simple: a single piece of high-carbon steel ending in a slim, needle-like blade with a chisel grind, a straight or slightly curved cutting edge and a tanto-like tip.

These qualities make it ideal for marking up carpentry projects, wood carving and leatherworking, but it can basically tackle all sorts of everyday tasks.

Which brings us to Tenable’s contemporary adaptation, designed by Dirk Pinkerton of Pinkerton Knives, which adds a few wrinkles.

Tenable Knives

The blade is 3.04 inches of affordable 14C28N steel with the classic Kiridashi straight edge but a double bevel, as opposed to the more common single bevel of the form.

Grippy micarta scales frame the lower half of the full-tang fixed blade, with enough room for a three-fingered grip and serious spine jimping to improve control.

Tenable Knives

The knife remains compact and light, measuring 5.68 inches and weighing 1.58 ounces, and comes with a Kydex sheath on a ball chain, enabling you to wear it as a neck knife for swift deployment when you need it.

These features set the Toothpik up perfectly for precision cutting, scoring, carving and detailed everyday tasks.

The rich history behind it is just a bonus.

Availability and pricing

The Tenable Toothpik is available now for $50.

Tenable Knives

Tenable ToothPik

• $50 at Tenable Knives

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The Expedition Pioneer sub-collection contains some of Timex’s most capable watches and generous bargains. While it is technically a field watch category, the GMT and time-and-date models both boast 200m water resistance and classic diver looks.

The new Expedition Pioneer Automatic blends design elements from both of its predecessors in a stainless steel case that makes the bargain even sweeter.

Timex

Timex’s new GADA watch features the same 41mm faceted case with squared-off lugs as its predecessors, but presented in brushed stainless steel.

From there, it blends the GMT’s triangle-dot-dash hour track with the diver’s three-hand set. Interestingly, the new seconds hand is colored the same yellow as the existing GMT hand.

Timex

Like the time-and-date titanium model, it features a date window at 3:00, but Timex swapped the Seiko Caliber NH35 for a Miyota Caliber 8215. Both Japanese wholesale movements beat at 3Hz and offer a 40-hour power reserve.

Black and blue

The new Expedition Pioneer Automatic is available with the same matte-black dial as the titanium models, encircled by the same ruler-style white minute track.

But Timex added a blue dial to the new steel case, featuring the same off-white hour track and matte-black-coated hand frames.

Timex

This is one of those annoying Timex releases where one color dial (black) is only available on a steel bracelet, while the other color (blue) is only available on a brown leather pin buckle strap.

A 60-minute bezel

One more hybrid tweak added to the Expedition Pioneer Automatic is on the aluminum bezel insert, set into a bidirectional frame. It is marked with a 60-minute count-up track, like a dive watch, but it is formatted like the 24-hour GMT track.

There are numerals every five minutes, with dashes spaced evenly between them. It gets the job done, but I would much rather see the traditional diver bezel track, pip and all, found on the Expedition Pioneer Titanium.

Timex

Availability and price

Aside from the funky bezel track, the Expedition Pioneer Automatic is a worthy addition to one of Timex’s best sub-collections, especially if you prefer the look of steel over titanium. Best of all, it lowers the entry price to just $429 with the blue dial. That’s a hell of a bargain.

The Expedition Pioneer Automatic is available now from Timex for $459 in black on a stainless steel bracelet and $429 in blue on a brown leather strap.

Just a few weeks ago, LiveWire announced that the S4 Honcho would finally be entering production. 

Exciting as the little electric bike was upon its initial reveal, we were admittedly more preoccupied with how it fit into other brand developments at the time.

LiveWire

But now I’m glad to say we can finally recognize the S4 for what it means, not just for the LiveWire brand but also for Harley.

That’s because the S4 Honcho is no longer a prototype or a promise; it’s real, and the Trail version is finally rolling out to dealers as we speak.

Delivery on new LiveWire promise

As someone who’s a huge fan of established 125cc-class bikes like the Honda Monkey, I’m extremely excited about the development. The S4 Honcho promises to make LiveWire way more attainable. 

After all, the Trail starts at just $4,999, and the Street is only a little more at $5,499. Regardless, that means both come in at significantly less than bikes like the S2 Mulholland. Even the ONE’s deep discounts still have it at more than twice those numbers.

LiveWire

Beyond the accessible MSRP, they’re bikes that promise to be highly approachable to ride. Along with rolling on 12-inch wheels, they bring lower seat heights (29 inches for the Trail and 30 inches for the Street) and modest curb weights of 253 pounds and 266 pounds, respectively. 

Granted, seeing as the Honcho S4s rock 3.48-kWh batteries, LiveWire isn’t making any bold performance claims. They’re good for a range of around 53 miles, a 3-second 0-30 mph time and a top speed of 59 mph.

Assuming you can keep your throttle hand in check, LiveWire does state that the range can reach 73 miles, though that requires a sustained 20 mph.

LiveWire

Still, for runabout duty that’s more than enough. Even with lights, mirrors and a license plate holder, the Street isn’t a bike that’s meant to compete with traditional motorcycles.

Instead, it aims at offerings like the Honda Grom; though it doesn’t have the edge when it comes to range, the S4 does bring a worthwhile alternative for silent, emission-free riding. 

Availability and pricing

LiveWire’s S4 Honcho Trail is rolling out to dealers in the United States now, and the S4 Honcho Street is confirmed to be soon to follow. They’re priced at $4,999 and $5,499, respectively.

LiveWire

Livewire S4 Honcho Electric Motos

• Starts at $4999

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In terms of low-effort, high-return style, no shoe brand does it quite like Vans. The long-standing California-cool brand continues to drop heater after heater, but it’s the classics that seem to have the most staying power.

From the Authentic that kicked off its decades-long, ongoing legacy to the stylish Sk8-Hi high top, Vans’ most iconic sneakers pair easygoing aesthetics with an approachable price point.

Right now, some of its best-selling options are even more wallet-friendly than usual.

Here are the temporarily discounted Vans classics our editors are adding to cart for permanent rotation.

Vans

Vans Authentic Shoe

Born in 1966, the Authentic is the shoe that started it all for Vans. Its low-top canvas upper keeps the silhouette lightweight and breathable, while the vulcanized construction and signature waffle rubber outsole deliver the classic boardfeel the brand built its name on. Metal eyelets, a lace-up closure and an unpadded low-profile cuff round out a minimalist build that works as well off a deck as it does on the street.

• $50 at Vans
  $60 (17% off)

Vans

Vans Classic Slip-On Checkerboard Shoe

A skate staple since 1979, Vans’s Classic Slip-On returns in a two-tone checkerboard colorway that made the silhouette a pop culture fixture. The laceless design leans on elastic side panels for easy on-and-off, while a padded collar keeps things comfortable underfoot. A vulcanized construction and signature waffle outsole, unchanged since 1966, deliver the grippy, flexible ride the shoe built its reputation on. The suede-and-canvas upper layers two textures for added visual depth.

• $50 at Vans
  $60 (17% off)

Vans

Vans Sk8-Hi Shoe

The Sk8-Hi has been a high-top staple since 1978, and this Black / Marshmallow White colorway shows exactly why it endures. A suede-and-canvas upper pairs two textures against the signature Sidestripe, while a padded collar, vulcanized build and the iconic waffle outsole cover the functional basics. It’s an honest skate shoe that doubles as an everyday icon, no reinvention required.

• $65 at Vans
  $75 (13% off)

For all the belly-aching about the sequelization of Hollywood, it’s worth noting that the product world got there much faster.

Yet while movies generally get worse as the numbers go up (here’s looking at you, Zoolander 2), products often actually improve with updates.

Tops Knives

The knife and EDC world is no stranger to this phenomenon, as we can see right now with the Tops Silent Hero “franchise.”

That latest generation, the Silent Hero 4 Tanto, is arguably the most stunning yet, even if its intended purpose isn’t for everyone.

A history of Silents

For the record, the original Silent Hero was a much different animal.

Designed by Anton du Plessis for use in dangerous southern Africa anti-poaching efforts (see: Silent Heroes Foundation), the OG was a wilderness-ready beast boasting a drop-point blade measuring 6.38 inches.

Tops Knives

The subsequent Silent Hero 4 saw the business end pared down to around 4 inches (hence the name), shifting the use case toward EDC while retaining the fixed-blade fortitude that skirts the potential failure of folders under stress.

Which brings us to the Silent Hero 4 Tanto, whose biggest update is also right there in the name.

Tops Knives

This latest chapter features a 4.25-inch 1095 high-carbon steel tanto blade with a cutting edge of 3.88 inches and an overall length of 8.75 inches.

The reinforced tanto tip boosts the structural strength and piercing ability, a quality very much geared toward penetrating the protective apparel of an assailant. (Let’s not beat around the bush here.)

Tops Knives

However, that piercing prowess also comes in handy with other tasks, such as working with leather or other tough textiles, a reminder that intended and actual use need not be the same.

The tanto shape has an undeniable aesthetic appeal, no matter what your plans for the knife are, after all.

Tops Knives

Adding to the utility is a textured micarta handle with handle swells and a deep finger choil, enabling a firm grip even in adverse conditions.

As is often the case with fixed blades, the new knife also comes with a handy sheath; this one is made of black Kydex with a beta loop, making it easy to mount to a belt.

Availability and pricing

The Tops Silent Hero 4 Tanto is available now for $210.

Tops Knives

Tops Knives Silent Hero 4 Tanto

• $210 at Tops Knives
  $260 (19% off)

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Last year, Fiio announced it was working on a portable cassette tape player, named the CP15, that was positioned as a newer, higher-end version of its current offering, the CP13, which was released in late 2013 and currently sells for $88. 

At the time, Fiio described the CP15 as having an electronically controlled mechanism and a lossless motor, which would “significantly [reduce] the size and thickness of the cassette player while also greatly enhancing the user experience.” The player is expected to cost in the region of $150.

However, Fiio has since delayed the release of the CP15, citing challenges in developing its new ultra-thin mechanism. The company still expects to ship it “within half a year.” 

Fiio

The good news? Fiio has now announced that it will release a second, more affordable portable cassette tape player: the CP11.

Fiio says that the CP11 will feature “an all-new ultra-thin mechanism, higher-quality magnetic head, brushless motor, brand-new motor servo drive and circuit design, plus Bluetooth transmission functionality.”

The CP11 aims to be super lightweight and pocketable, as small as some of the Walkmans from decades past. And judging by the photos, it will come in several new colors, including beige, red, and turquoise. 

The price has not yet been revealed (though it’s likely in the $100 ballpark). And Fiio says it aims to release the CP11 by the end of 2026.

Fiio

Fiio

Fiio

Fiio CP11

• Learn More

Once every quarter, online shopping platform Lyst puts out its Lyst Index, a ranking of the most in-demand fashion brands and products. The Index tracks search data across three categories: Desire, Demand and Discovery, to calculate which products are currently the “hottest.”

Welcome to Heat Check: A guide to the trends and products taking the internet by a storm. Discover more here.

The recently released Q2 Lyst Index reports on the second quarter of 2026, detailing what the hottest brands and products were as summer kicked off.

To give you an idea of the level of fashion the Lyst Index typically deals with, the top five brands in the report are, in order: Chanel, Miu Miu, Dior, Saint Laurent and Gucci. This is all high-fashion, high-priced stuff, which makes it all the more surprising that the hottest product in the new report is a baseball cap that costs just $37.

New Era

Taking the top product spot in the Lyst Index for Q2 is a humble New York Knicks baseball cap. The Knicks of course won the NBA championship in June, the team’s first in 53 years, which brought a ton of exposure and popularity to the team and its long-suffering fanbase (which includes yours truly, a loyal diehard Knicks fan since the early ’90s). 

According to Lyst’s data, online searches for Knicks hats increased by an absurd 4,276 percent from Q1 to Q2, with the team’s incredible playoff run, which began in April, obviously fueling the rise.

To further drive home the point of the kind of rarified air the Knicks hat is occupying here, it’s joined in the Index’s top five products by a $400+ Issey Miyake stole and a trio of women’s shoes by Skims, Gucci and Chloé. The Knicks hat sticks out like a sore thumb here, which makes its domination all the more impressive. (Not as impressive as Jalen Brunson’s 45-point barrage in game five, but still impressive.)

New Era

The Lyst Index seems to be grouping all Knicks hats together here, which run the gamut from affordable ’47 to high-priced Siegelman Stable. But the most emblematic, and the one pictured in the report, is the already classic New York Knicks NBA Champions Adjustable Cap by New Era, which is still sold out at New Era but in stock at the NBA store for just $37. 

Championship Knicks gear was hard to get a hold of for several weeks after the team’s win, but now that the hype has died down a bit, stores have had a chance to restock. So if you haven’t yet picked up a Knicks hat this summer, now’s the time to do so. Not because everyone else is doing it, but because we are so running it back next year and you don’t want to be accused of jumping on the bandwagon when we do.

NBA Store

New York Knicks New Era NBA Champions Cap

• $37 at NBA Store

For commuters, travelers and everyday-carry enthusiasts, choosing between a tote and a backpack can feel like an inconvenient compromise … or downright impossible.

If you’re sick of moving your loadout from backpack to tote and back again depending on your mood or activity, Arc’teryx has you covered with its latest sleek release.

The Axios 20 checks all the boxes for everyday carry: it’s compact, built from Arc’teryx’s signature durable materials and relatively affordable by the brand’s standards … and that’s before you get to the fact that it’s essentially a 2-for-1 special.

Arc’teryx

Tot(e)ally functional

Arc’teryx’s modular tote-backpack hybrid packs a ton of functionality into its 20-liter capacity, 1.04-pound silhouette.

That’s thanks to a mix of technical materials and streamlined design, which focuses on the less is more philosophy.

Arc’teryx

The main body of the tote is constructed with a 260 gsm, 100 percent nylon 420D HT Cordura Plain Weave fabric, treated with a FC0 DWR waterproof treatment.

The multi-functional bag’s lining is a 100-percent 110gsm recycled polyester, also treated with DWR.

Arc’teryx

Arc’teryx

For storage, there’s a zippered exterior pocket and a cavernous main compartment. Alas, there is no water bottle pocket, which is sorely missed when wearing the Axios 20 as a backpack.

The backpack straps are breathable for warmer adventures, and stow easily in the tote when not in use. There’s a minimal sternum strap for extra security.

Arc’teryx

The Axios 20 made its debut in two colorways: Black (pictured) which is still available and Mongoose, which sold out quickly after the tote’s release.

While $120 might seem steep for a humble tote, considering the fact that this particular option is made to Arc’teryx’s standards and that it’s also a backpack, it’s actually a steal in the grand scheme of things.

Availability and pricing

The Axios 20 Tote is available now on Arc’teryx’s website, retailing for $120.

Arc’teryx

Arc’teryx Axios 20 Tote

• $120 at Arc'teryx

The karambit knife, a mainstay of the tactical knife industry that has also crossed into everyday carry, traces its origins to West Sumatra, Indonesia. Inspired by a tiger’s claws, it began as a humble farming tool before being repurposed as a self-defense implement.

While it remains suited for military and martial arts applications, it has also inspired more utilitarian, sensible knives. Take the Bestech Duci, for example, which draws heavily from the iconic karambit but also puts an impressive, innovative EDC spin on it.

Bestech

Put a ring on it

Knowledgeable knife nerds will notice that the Duci’s shape isn’t really karambit-like. The handle and blade both lack the necessary curves to qualify. However, it does share one very distinct element: a finger ring on the butt.

With karambits, that finger ring ensures a secure grip and allows the wielder to change grips quickly and securely. On this knife, it serves much the same purpose, especially because the knife is pretty tiny: 6.38 inches total, including the ring.

Bestech

By putting a finger through that ring, the user can secure their grip and also remain safer, as it will help prevent choking up toward the blade in conjunction with the flipper (which acts as a guard on its own when the blade is deployed).

But that ring has a little secret: it can detach from the knife. Better still, you don’t need to use any tools; it connects to the knife’s handle with a button lock. Press the button, and you can remove the ring. It goes back on just as easily. This increases the knife’s versatility a ton; you can keep the ring on when you need it and ditch it when compact, discreet carry is more essential.

Bestech

Tiny but mighty

Despite the small stature of this knife, it is still built rock-solid with impressive materials. Take the blade, for example: measuring just 1.97 inches, it is crafted from 20CV steel, which is often compared to Böher M390 and boasts edge retention, wear resistance and corrosion resistance.

Opposite that blade, this knife comes in a few different options, which vary in style and material, as well as price. All of them have a base handle built from titanium. That includes the frame lock.

Bestech

The knife also gets a scale onlay. On most of the configurations, it’s also made from titanium, including the flamed titanium option. However, there’s also a shredded carbon fiber one.

All versions also get a flipper deployment, as mentioned, as well as a ceramic ball-bearing pivot for smooth deployments.

Bestech

Pricing and availability

The Bestech Duci is now available on the brand’s official site, starting at $199.

Bestech Knives

Bestech Duci

• Starts at $199
  $232 (14% off)

There was a time when Sitka Gear could be called a well-kept secret. But the brand has emerged from its corner of the hunting industry and made inroads into the larger outdoor industry.

Of course, it’s going to be hard to keep such a stylish, performance-driven outfit close to the vest, especially when it keeps dropping gear as outstanding as its Sitka Gear Ascent Gore-Tex hunting shoes. Even calling them hunting shoes doesn’t do them justice, as they transcend the pigeonholing entirely.

Sitka Gear

Hunting for trails

I have a sneaking suspicion that Sitka Gear knows the Ascent is much more than a hunting shoe, but that is how the brand positions them. Still, when you take a gander at the shoe’s specs, materials and capabilities, it becomes clear that it has much more in common with modern trail runners and hikers than you might expect, and yet they still connect to the brand’s original intent and history.

For instance, one touted feature is the Ascent’s Axis-Fit. This is a proprietary design engineered to completely wrap around the foot, offering a secure, locked-down fit. While you wouldn’t want ill-fitting shoes for hunting, that’s simply true of any outdoor activity, especially as the terrain gets rougher and you pick up speed.

Sitka Gear

That construction also makes these shoes lightweight, another element that extends beyond hunting into the wider outdoor world. Being lighter on your feet means you can stay on the trails longer, avoiding fatigue and that heavy-hoofed feeling.

The brand also promises stability, offered by an EVA midsole with TPU reinforcements. Again, stability is essential for hunting, as you can’t be unsteady when lining up a shot, but these features should also be familiar to hikers and runners, since they’re standard in capable outdoor footwear.

Sitka Gear

Any terrain, any weather

That lightweight upper also has another secret weapon: it features a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit membrane. That means the exterior is completely waterproof, capable of fending off creek and river splashes, mud and even downpours.

The exterior is also abrasion-resistant while remaining breathable, so you don’t have to stress about scrapes and can stay comfortable the whole time. Furthermore, the tongue is gusseted to keep stray debris out from underfoot.

Sitka Gear

Below, the shoe features the brand’s Apex Tread System, with omnidirectional lugs that deliver steady grip on any terrain at any angle, whether you’re stationary or on the move.

There is one slight catch: all that ruggedness comes at the cost of weight. These shoes are 13.6 ounces, putting them on the heavier side for trail running but on the lighter side for hiking shoes. Still, their toughness and capability will likely outshine this minor pain point for the right folks.

Sitka Gear

Pricing and availability

The Sitka Gear Ascent Gore-Tex is now available on the brand’s site for $179 per pair in a trio of classic outdoor colorways. There is also a Gore-Tex-free version, which swaps the waterproofing for a lower $149 price.

Sitka Gear

Sitka Gear Ascent Gore-Tex

• $179 at Sitka Gear

Most camper conversions force a choice: commit to a permanent build or make do with a mattress and a good attitude.

With this in mind, seasoned van outfitter Native Campervans has created a new spinoff project that seeks to sidestep the trade-off altogether. 

Hunker

It’s called the Hunker Pod, and it’s a modular, self-contained camper system designed for the Ram ProMaster. Assuming you’re looking at a compatible model, it aims to make van life a hell of a lot easier. 

A simplified camper solution

That’s because, according to the brand, the setup installs in about an hour. It rides on wheels, and there’s no drilling, cutting or permanent mounting mods required; when owners are done with it, the whole thing slides out just as easily as it went in.

Hunker

To accomplish such a feat, Hunker worked closely with Berlin-based Innovation4Van (creator of the PlugVan system), which specializes in removable camper modules. Unlike the latter’s design, which is shaped to be compatible with a range of vehicles, Hunker Pod is for just one: the 159″ Ram ProMaster, specifically 2014 and newer.

Much as that might seem like a limiting factor, Native says it’s an informed decision based on years of operating rentals. Whether you’re a fleet owner or an individual vanlifer, the company claims the configuration “offers the best combination of value, interior space and everyday practicality.”

In any event, the decision to design for a particular setup does at least maximize the utility of the floor plan. The Hunker Pod fills out the ProMaster with less wasted space compared to more cookie-cutter solutions, so it manages to pack a lot into the available footprint.

Hunker

Still a well-equipped conversion

After all, even though it advertises plug-and-play convenience, the Hunker Pod comes equipped to be a complete living system. 

As such, along with a TrekMount electrical system featuring a 312Ah lithium battery, a 1,200-watt inverter, dimmable LED lighting and USB charging, the Hunker Pod sports a kitchen with an included Dometic refrigerator, as well as an electric water pump and removable 7-gallon fresh and gray water tanks.

Hunker

What’s more, Hunker designed the convertible bench seating to turn into a true queen-size bed. Toward that end, there’s also dedicated storage for two carry-on suitcases, bedding, camp chairs and other gear.

Assuming that’s not enough, the outfit even offers add-ons to further refine the experience, like a ProBreeze roof fan for quiet integrated cabin ventilation.

Hunker

Availability and pricing

Whether you don’t own your van outright or you’re merely looking for a setup that can be moved from one vehicle to another, the Hunker Pod certainly promises its fair share of advantages. 

It’s currently only available for the Ram ProMaster, priced at $32,995 and secured with a $100 refundable deposit. Moreover, it’s important to note that Hunker handles the installation.

The website states that Transit and Sprinter solutions are on the way, so Ford and Mercedes-Benz owners are likely to benefit from similar options before too long.

Hunker

Hunker Pod

• Starts at $32,995

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Sector’s Design Lab is the Los Angeles watchmaker’s experimental division, providing a playground for collaborators to create fascinating iterations of the brand’s core collection.

It allowed Holme & Hadfield, a brand known for its handcrafted display cases, to add a fascinating sapphire dial to the Sector II Dive. The result is a printed hour track that appears to float, suspended on its own plane halfway between the handset and dial plate.

Nodus Watches

In a way, all watches are display cases, with the dial protected by a transparent sapphire, mineral or acrylic crystal. This collaboration takes it a step further by leveraging that transparency to create a fun visual trick.

At arm’s length, the H&H Edition appears to be a pared-down version of the Sector II Dive, with the titular sector dial replaced by a flat, matte black surface. The dial is simplified with only a white hour track, minute track and a pair of brand logos.

The date complication is deleted (one of my favorite adjustments), and the only touch of color is a green seconds hand.

Nodus Watches

The foundation of this special-edition Sector II Dive remains unchanged, with a 40mm brushed stainless-steel case placed on a stainless-steel three-link bracelet featuring a proprietary NEM micro-adjustment clasp.

Floating in the dark

By printing the white hour markers, minute track and brand logos onto a sapphire plate, laid over a matte black base layer, the dial detailing appears to float.

Nodus Watches

Along with looking cool, the separation enhances legibility, much like a sandwich dial. Combined with the black-and-white color scheme, it makes for an extremely legible dial.

That legibility carries over to the dark, thanks to blue-emission Super-LumiNova on the hour markers, hands and bezel pip.

Nodus Watches

Beneath the dial ticks a Seiko Caliber NH38 automatic movement, which Nodus regulates to an accuracy of +/-10 seconds per day.

A touch of bronze

The Sector II Dive H&H Edition also features a couple of bronze accents. The fluted bezel and knurled crown are made from the ancient alloy, designed to patina with age.

Nodus Watches

The bezel insert is the Sector II Dive standard, made from steel with a black DLC coating, as is the blue-tinted box sapphire crystal.

Availability and price

The lone downside to this intriguing take on the Sector II Dive is that only 75 pieces are available. With Nodus offering it at a characteristically low price of $650, this beauty will sell out in a flash.

Nodus currently offers an email signup to get early access to order the Sector II Dive H&H Edition on August 27. Any remaining stock will be available on the brand’s website starting August 28 at noon.

Additionally, the first five orders will receive a complimentary H&H Watch Care Kit with their purchase.

Nodus Watches

Nodus Sector II DIVE Holme & Hadfield Edition

Specs

Case Size	40mm
Movement	Seiko Caliber NH38 automatic
Water Resistance	100m

• Learn More

Since its introduction in 2014, the Clifton has been Hoka’s best-selling model, effectively putting the brand, and the max cushion movement, on the map.

For years, fans of the lightweight, neutral daily trainer have worn the Clifton outside of its intended running use-case, donning them for casual walks, errands and even jobs that require long hours standing.

With the introduction of the Clifton UTL, Hoka has finally released a variant of the Clifton that doubles down on its comfort-first reputation, delivering a build that prioritized everyday wear with a structured, street-ready build.

Hoka

Hoka is bringing the Clifton UTL to market as its first new lifestyle silhouette since the Mach Remastered launched in the spring of this year.

The cushy underfoot feel that has made the Clifton a fan-favorite is maintained via the plush CMEVA midsole, while the upper has been reworked to handle the demands of everyday urban wear.

Raised PU-molded details add a textured exoskeleton are layered over a mesh underlayer, bridging durability and breathability. Durabrasion rubber handles traction underfoot.

The Clifton UTL is designed to handle day-to-night wear through both components and styling.

The smooth-riding feel of the franchise is preserved with this new model, and the subtle Cilantro colorway, which pairs a light grey upper with a creamy midsole and pops of green, is a neutral in its own right, capable of being styled with everything from vintage denim to athletic apparel.

The new UTL variant represents Hoka’s attempt to formalize the crossover appeal of its popular workhorse, and offers fans of the franchise a more specialized option for everyday wear.

Hoka

Hoka

Hoka

The Samba is one of the most interesting sneakers in Adidas history because it wasn’t originally intended to be a lifestyle sneaker, or even an indoor soccer shoe.

With history dating back to the ‘50s after German footballers needed a solution for gripping the frozen ground during play, the Samba eventually became one of the world’s most recognizable casual sneakers.

Superkicks

Now, Adidas has tapped into its heirloom roots with one of its most stunning editions ever.

Superkicks

Shoe storage

The Samba has come in countless variants over the years, but the latest collaboration with Indian streetwear retailer Superkicks might take the cake.

Superkicks

Inspired by vintage peti trunks used to store personal valuables or clothing, the Samba “Heirloom” starts with a warm green suede accented with black leather overlays and cream-colored cracked leather for the Three Stripes. Around the collar you’ll find touches of plaid slightly visible.

Superkicks

The heirloom trunk inspiration displays itself through some of the black leather. Strips on the heel and near the eyestays are accented with gold rivets to evoke the look of a luggage chest.

Likewise, the top view will point out a black strap with a gold buckle to complete the aesthetic. It all sits atop a chocolatey brown gum rubber sole.

Superkicks

The shoe comes in thoughtful packaging as well. Included with the individually numbered custom box is a leather luggage tag, extra laces, a “design zine,” a provenance card and a sticker pack.

Pricing and availability

The Superkicks x Adidas Samba “Heirloom” is limited to just 350 pairs. As such, it’s sold out in several sizes already. It’s priced at ₹12,999 (~$136).

Superkicks

Adidas Originals x Superkicks Samba “Heirloom”

• Shop Now

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Last fall, I waxed ecstatic about arguably the most eye-popping moto at the Japan Mobility Show, Honda’s hyper-futuristic EV Outlier Concept.

Though its appearance is as Akira-leaning as you can get sans a red paint job, what’s under the hood is equally notable.

Honda

Both elements just helped the bike score a Red Dot Design Award, specifically in the Design Concept category.

So let’s take another long, lingering look at Honda’s vision of a post-2030 electric two-wheeler.

Function drives form

The leading innovation here is the use of front and rear in-wheel motors, which dramatically open up the profile beyond the practical limitations of gas-powered machines.

Honda

That’s what freed Honda’s designers to lay out a super-sleek silhouette with unconventional dimensions and a lower-than-average riding position, which Honda says the latter amps up the feeling of acceleration while offering a unique field of view.

Meanwhile, a double-wishbone front suspension replaces the usual telescopic fork, camera mirrors sub in for glass and a dual-screen display surfaces real-time torque distribution. 

Honda

The vibe is complemented by smooth bodywork and a smoked-clear outer structure that showcases the mechanical underpinnings. 

These elements also hint at Honda’s overall perspective on electric motorcycles that do not seek to mimic traditional bikes but rather open up new possibilities. 

Honda

Those ideas are further elucidated in a brand film, What Is a Motorcycle? / Electric Motorcycles, which also won a Red Dot Award, in the Brand & Communication Design class. Of course, a couple of key questions are left unanswered. 

First, will the Outlier ever see the road? It is, after all, aimed at the world of the upcoming decade (and beyond), which could look very different from our current reality. 

Honda

Second, as cool as this bike is to look at, how satisfying/comfortable is it to actually ride?

We will have to wait and see on both fronts, but in the meantime, the convention-challenging form and function on display here is no doubt impressive, lifting the Red Dot recognition above such pedantic concerns.

More to come

The Honda EV Outlier Concept is far from the production stage, but we’ll be keeping an eye on it as we get closer to (gulp) 2030.

Honda

Honda EV Outlier Concept

• Learn More

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Tissot now has enough versions of the PRX to suit every possible wrist.

With different case sizes, materials and complications and myriad colors making up the line, there are now a total of 57 different PRX models on offer.

That’s a lot, but as long as Tissot keeps coming up with ways to improve the watch, I don’t see any reason why the collection won’t continue to grow.

Case in point is the latest addition to the flagship 40mm PRX Powermatic 80 line.

Tissot

Arguably, the most impressive PRX dial that Tissot makes is the mother-of-pearl dial found on the 35mm Powermatic 80. Unlike most stone dials that are flat, Tissot actually applies the automatic PRX’s signature waffle pattern to the delicate mother-of-pearl material, resulting in a shimmering, opalescent display that’s an impressive feat of engineering for such an affordable watch.

Now, Tissot has doubled its offerings of this impressive dial by adding it to the 40mm PRX Powermatic 80. It’s the same waffle-patterned white mother-of-pearl dial previously only available on the 35mm version, but now upscaled so there’s even more room to show off its beauty.

Tissot

Outside of the pretty new dial, the new watch is the same as any other 40mm PRX Powermatic 80 in stainless steel and features 100m water resistance, an 80-hour power reserve, a quick-change bracelet system and sapphire crystals on both sides. 

Availability and pricing

Unlike the 35mm mother-of-pearl PRX automatic, which comes at an $85 premium over a standard dial, the new 40mm version somehow has the same SRP as the non-MOP dials. This is either an excellent bargain or an oversight on Tissot’s part, but as it stands, the 40mm PRX Powermatic 80 Mother-of-Pearl is priced at just $850.

Tissot

Tissot PRX 40mm

Specs

Case Size	40mm
Movement	Tissot Caliber Powermatic 80 automatic
Water Resistance	100m

• $850 at Tissot

Esoteric is a Japanese hi-fi manufacturer known for its ultra-high-end audio gear. Its flagship “Grandioso” range of hi-fi components can range from $20,000 to $80,000 each. 

In 2022, to celebrate its 35th anniversary, the company introduced its first-ever turntable: the Grandioso T1. It cost $72,500 without a tonearm. It costs $80,000 if configured with Esoteric’s TA-9D tonearm. You also have the option to add Esoteric’s external clock for an extra $27,000.  Yeah, we’re talking crazy numbers.

Fast forward to the present, and Esoteric is introducing what is essentially a smaller, slightly more affordable version of that flagship turntable. Emphasis on “slightly.”

Esoteric T-01

Esoteric

The Esoteric T-01 is the company’s newest turntable and, like the flagship model, it isn’t a conventional belt-drive or direct-drive turntable.

Instead, it borrows the Grandioso T1’s patented “Esoteric MagneDrive System,” a non-contact drive system that uses magnetic force to rotate the turntable platter rather than physical components. It’s an extreme method to isolate the record from vibrations typically caused by the motor. 

According to the brand, the T-01 “achieves extraordinary rotational silence, stability, and high-torque performance, revealing music with uncompromising precision, energy, and realism.”

Esoteric

In addition to the patented magnetic drive system, Esoteric incorporated the T-01 with several other technologies used in the flagship model. This includes a sophisticated triple-layer aluminum and MDF cabinet construction, the brand’s TA-9D tonearm and an external power supply. It can also be synchronized with a 10 MHz external clock (of which, Esoteric makes several). 

Esoteric

As far as differences from the Grandioso T1, it mainly comes down to size and ease of installation. 

The T-01 weighs just over 90 pounds (that includes the external power supply unit), making it considerably smaller and lighter than the Grandioso T1, which weighs nearly 140 pounds all in. 

And while the flagship requires a separate motor assembly, the T-01 has its MagneDrive integrated into the chassis. Esoteric claims that this “enables easier installation and improved usability.” 

Esoteric

Price and availability

As mentioned, the Esoteric T-01 is slightly more affordable than the brand’s flagship turntable, but it’s still reserved for elite audiophiles with extraordinarily deep pockets. It costs $50,000. But note: It doesn’t come equipped with a phono cartridge. That, you’ll have to supply yourself.

The Esoteric T-01 will be available in September 2026.

Esoteric

Esoteric T-01

• $50,000 at Esoteric

Sneakers are Nike’s bread and butter. But the brand’s biggest hit of 2026 almost doesn’t qualify.

The unorthodox Mind 001 is a slip-on mule that sells out every time it restocks, including a seven-colorway drop on August 20 that evaporated in less than a day.

Thankfully, Nike is already previewing the next batch of Mind 001 variants. The collection is headlined by a colorway called “Tarp Green” that sees the mule take on a tactical, mil-spec aesthetic with its interplay of olive and tan on the outsole.

Nike

Mind games

Of course, looks are only half the story. The real draw of the Mind 001 is the promise of what they do.

The design features almost two-dozen foam nodes on the bottom, each of which moves independently to transmit sensory feedback from the body to the brain.

Nike

The goal, according to Nike’s Chief Science Officer Matt Nurse, is to act as a sort of antenna, enhancing someone’s sense of their surroundings.

Nike

“We [tested] it on an artificial grass surface in the lab in Beaverton and you can feel the blades,” Nurse told Gear Patrol upon the initial release of the Mind 001 and the laced version, Mind 002.

“In the sensory cortex … the activity there is increased while wearing Mind 001 and Mind 002 compared to a control shoe. That’s a good sign.”

Nike

Nike

Availability and pricing

At least two other Mind 001 colorways are confirmed to join “Tarp Green” when it releases on October 1, including “Hemp” tan and “Light Smoke” gray.

All three are now listed on Nike’s official website with a retail price of $95.

Nike

Nike Mind 001 “Tarp Green”

• $95 at Nike

Timex has been going ham with its Snoopy watches these past couple of weeks, with around 10 new options added to its catalog. But if you happen to have the bandwidth for just one more, I’d argue its latest addition is the finest of the bunch.

Timex

Hail to the leaf

Back in 2020, the watchmaker wasn’t putting out quite as many Peanuts collaborations as it is today. Despite that year being the comic strip’s 70th anniversary, Timex picked its spots sparingly for the jubilee.

Perhaps the most popular model to come out at the time was a beige-dial reference that depicted Snoopy and Woodstock jumping into a pile of leaves. Part of the Standard line, the autumnal timepiece sold out very quickly and hasn’t seen the light of day … until now.

Timex

Back in action

Now as part of its 2026 deluge, the fall-themed quartz watch returns, but with some key differences.

For one, Snoopy is now jumping solo into said pile of leaves (sans Woodstock), and from the right side instead of the left. The dial color has also changed to white, bringing some more wearability to the watch.

Timex

Now part of the Waterbury Classic collection, the model gets some material upgrades as well. Rather than the low-lead brass case (silver-toned) of the 2020 version, this one gets a sturdier stainless steel. Luckily, the case diameter remains the same at 40mm across with water resistance staying put at 50m, although it’s a tad thicker at 11mm (up from 9.5mm).

The Waterbury structure is a lot cleaner than the Standard. The sleeker, more angular bezel is better for everyday use and the flatter crown is decidedly less gaudy than the onion crown found on the latter.

Timex

To assist with the model’s versatility, the crunchy brown leather strap on the original gets swapped for a classier eco-friendly black leather strap from the Leather Working Group with black stitching on the sides.

One thing missing

A big selling point on the original is the inclusion of Timex’s Indiglo backlight. The button-activated glow is a much more popular alternative than the oft-unreliable lume fill on the hands. Unfortunately, fans will have to settle for basic lume. It’s not a deal-breaker but something important to point out.

Pricing and availability

Priced at $189, the Peanuts x Timex Waterbury Classic is available now.

Less of a novelty this time around, the autumn-themed watch might not sell out quite as quickly. But if you have your eye on it, I wouldn’t wait to find out.

Welcome to “Today in Gear,” your daily snapshot of the most important releases in style, watches, tech, motoring, fitness, home and the outdoors.

Today in Gear: The most important news in the product world, independently curated by our editors. Catch up on other key releases across all the topics you care about.

Smith Optics

Smith x Beams Sliders

In celebration of Beams’ 50th birthday, this limited-edition sunglass revisits a decades-old collaboration between the Tokyo-based brand and Portland, Oregon’s Smith, now updated with modern tech and looks. The revival retains Smith’s patented Slider innovation, the industry’s first dual-lens interchangeable system from 1995, while adding ChromaPop performance lenses. (The installed Photochromic one can be swapped for included Low-Light Copper and Black options.) Meanwhile, the black frame gets accented with BEAMS’ signature clear orange on the inner frame and under-rim, with a bespoke special-edition pouch rounding out the package.

• $227 at Smith Optics

Mattel Creations

Mattel Brick Shop Microsoft Xbox Building Set

Mattel’s Brick Shop pays tribute to gaming history with a 1:1 scale, fully buildable replica of the original Xbox console and its iconic Duke controller. Once it’s built, you can open the console lid to trigger the original Xbox startup sequence, then use the controller’s working buttons to cycle through four light and sound sequences tied to three included dioramas — one each for Halo, Psychonauts and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Each diorama slots directly into the console and features 1-inch NanoWorld figures of iconic characters, making this a display piece as much as a hobby build.

• $324 at Mattel Creations

J. Press

J. Press x Original Madras Trading Company Indigo Handloomed Chore Jacket

There’s something to be said for producing a basic garment to the highest possible standard, as J.Press and OMTC did with the humble chore coat. It’s built with pure cotton canvas handloomed in India, and dyed with genuine plant-based indigo. Hemmed cuffs, three patch pockets and a spread collar fit the standard blueprint. Just be careful during the first few wears and washes, as natural indigo will bleed.

• $325 at J. Press

Knoll

Knoll Saarinen Executive Veneer Back Side Chair

Knoll updates Eero Saarinen’s classic Executive Side Chair by adding a wood veneer back. This gives the normally fully upholstered 1950 design more of a mid-century modern look and provides more versatility when adding it to new spaces. The chair is available with three veneer finishes: light oak, light walnut and ebonized walnut, all of which are matched to the chair’s bent wood legs.

• Starts at $1,977
  $2,636 (25% off)

Outerknown

Outerknown The Beachcomber Relaxed Jean – Washed Black

Originally designed for men, the Beachcomber quickly crossed over into a popular unisex staple. Now, Outerknown’s Beachcomber Relaxed Jean makes its debut in Washed Black, a vintage-leaning colorway that adds to its low-slung, baggy appeal. Built with 13 ounce organic cotton woven at Italy’s Candiani Mills, the relaxed silhouette features chainstitch embroidery, copper rivets and dull nickel hardware to round out its considered style. Size up for an oversized, skater-influenced drape; stay true for a cleaner, higher-rise line.

• $168 at Outerknown

Buck’s most famous and iconic knife is the 110 Folding Hunter, no question. But that knife is a bit on the beefy side for EDC use.

That’s why the brand created the 112 Ranger, which boasts similar styling in a smaller, more pocket-friendly package.

Buck

Well, an elite version of that knife, the Buck 112 Ranger Pro 2024 Legacy Collection, is now on sale for a whopping $90 off.

Buck wild

The silhouette of this knife and many of its mechanisms remain largely true to the original, which came out in 1972. That includes its 3.0-inch blade, sturdy back lock, bolster handle design and even the leather sheath it ships with.

Buck

However, it also has some very modern, premium upgrades. For instance, the blade shape is a modern drop point, instead of a clip point, and the steel is upgraded to S45VN. The handle scales are also elevated, featuring a Richlite construction and a scalloped design that looks great and offers better grip.

Like other Buck knives, this one is made in the USA and comes with a lifetime warranty, helping boost its overall construction quality and longevity. That said, it is a limited-edition offering, so it won’t be around forever, especially at a discount.

Buck

Pricing and availability

The Buck 112 Ranger Pro 2024 Legacy Collection normally retails for an eye-watering $340, but the brand has dropped it to $250. While still pricey, it’s a worthy investment for such a rarefied EDC knife.

Buck Knives

Buck Knives 112 Ranger Pro 2024 Legacy Collection

• $250 at Buck Knives

Since its founding in Portland, Oregon, back in 2012, The James Brand has been a major driver of the design-focused corner of the everyday carry industry. Sometimes divisive but always relevant, the brand’s signature minimalism has significantly influenced the pocket knife and multi-tool world, spearheading the anti-maximalist, refined, utilitarian movement.

The brand has been going through a bit of a renaissance lately, as marked by the redesign of both its beloved keychain-sized Elko folding knife and its Ellis multi-tool knife.

Welcome to Power Moves: Diving deep into the product and brand moves that can change where a category is headed. Discover more here.

The latest to join them could perhaps be one of the brand’s most significant launches of its 14-year history. The James Brand’s Helton is the outfit’s first-ever full-sized, fully-featured pocket multi-tool, in the same vein as the iconic Swiss Army Knife. And I got an early hands-on look at it.

The James Brand

A familiar tune

Crucially, the Helton is not a departure from the brand’s emerging design language. That’s important for a few reasons. Primarily, it means those familiar with the two previous product redesigns should have some idea of what to expect from this bold new EDC multi-tool.

Like the Elko and Ellis, this knife has a pair of 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum handle scales, complete with sleek, ergonomic contours and an elegant machined grip pattern. Similarly, it has the same low-profile pocket clip as the Helton. In fact, side by side, the two EDC multi-tools are nearly the same length and width (the Ellis is slightly longer because of its pry bar, and the Helton is a good deal thicker [more on that later]).

The James Brand

Closed, the Helton measures just 3.5 inches long, making it perfect for pocket carry. While the brand hasn’t unveiled a specific weight, the one I tested is 3.42 ounces, right in the middle of average pocket knife weights (about 2.5 to 5.0 ounces). However, the Helton offers a lot more utility than similarly weighted dedicated knives.

While the Helton comes with a pocket clip, the brand does promise some personalization and configurability. To that end, the pocket clip is removable, and it also comes with a lanyard and an attachment point integrated into one of the liners.

The James Brand

Dressed to the nines

In the timeless words of American architect Louis Sullivan, “form follows function”. While the Helton’s styling and shape are certainly noteworthy, it’s what this tool can do that really helps it stand apart, even from the brand’s other offerings.

All told, there are nine reported tools on the Helton (but we all know you can stretch that with some cleverness). They’re found on four separate folding implements, each with its own proprietary TJB liner locking mechanism. (Yes, they all lock individually).

They include a 2.5-inch partially serrated VG-10 drop-point blade, a hybrid bottle opener-Phillips driver, a pair of spring-loaded scissors and a combo flathead driver and file.

The James Brand

There’s also a removable pair of tweezers that slides in and out of the presentation-side handle scale. And it ships with a lanyard and toothpick, alongside the pocket clip and tweezers.

All four folding implements open and lock with a gratifying thunk, signaling the lock’s security. They’re also easy to disengage, although I did find I need two hands on occasion (while that, too, is not uncommon among comprehensive tools, I suspect I’ll get better at it with practice).

The James Brand

Verdict, pricing and availability

I’ve been using the Helton for a while and, I have to say, I’m very happy with it. It fits a form-function that’s easier to carry than a Leatherman, but it also feels tougher and performs better than a typical SAK. I have noticed the finish is starting to rub off the handle scales, so those who prefer pristine tools may want to take note. Beyond that, it has not failed me yet, and I suspect it will withstand much more use over the years.

The James Brand’s Helton marks a brave new avenue in an already evolving catalog, and I think it will become a fan favorite, especially for those who have already come to appreciate TJB. It may also encourage the previously hesitant to give the brand a shot. Although I do suspect this tool will find its biggest fans among those who already appreciate refined minimalism.

The James Brand

The James Brad The Helton launches on August 25, 2026, for $169 on the brand’s official site. However, Gear Patrol readers can sign up for early access, which will open two hours before general public access.

The James Brand

The James Brand The Helton

• $169 at The James Brand

Ford’s Ranger Super Duty remains off-limits to American buyers, but that hasn’t stopped the Blue Oval from finding ways to make its forbidden fruit even more appealing.

Just a few months ago, FoMoCo Australia updated the pickup with a refined XLT version. Together with the truck’s rugged capabilities, it presented a tempting vision of what could be.

Ford Australia

Now Ford has revealed a built-up Ranger Super Duty it’s calling Project FireTrak. Beyond demonstrating the truck’s potential chops as a fire-response unit, I’d argue it continues to tease the pickup’s overlanding potential.

The Ranger earns the assignment

The Ranger Super Duty before you is the product of a collaboration between Ford Australia, Deakin University and specialized upfitters XL Service Bodies and Zeliox Australia. It’s envisioned as an alternative to larger rigs and ladder trucks, more easily maneuvered in urban zones to arrive on the scene in eight minutes or less.

Ford Australia

The team responsible was intentional with its choice of configuration for the build. The Super Cab offered just the right amount of tray space for hauling equipment at the rear while still bringing secure, dry storage behind the front seats.

However, it’s worth pointing out that the Ranger itself didn’t require any modifications to accommodate the bulk. Because of its generous 4,500-kilogram (9,920-pound) GVM, the truck easily hauls everything from a dedicated water supply and high-capacity pumps and hoses to breathing apparatuses, first aid and recovery gear. 

You’ll also find critical comms equipment and, of course, essentials like lights and sirens.

Deakin University via YouTube

To keep it all organized, XL Service Bodies did provide a comprehensive rear canopy for storage. It’s a slick setup, and it’s made all the more capable (and quieter) thanks to Zeliox Australia’s all-in-one inverter and charging system with solar charging capability.  

An overlander hiding in plain sight

Admirable as the build is for its emergency response aspirations, it’s hard not to appreciate the rig for its obvious off-road chops. It’s an impressive package, and its equipment list gives it an aggressive overlanding setup.

After all, as part of the standard Ranger Super Duty treatment, Ford equips the truck with a snorkel, locking diffs and more rugged all-terrain tires. Thanks to the extra kit, it’s claimed to be capable of fording depths up to 33.5 inches. 

Ford Australia

In the case of the FireTrak truck, the addition of a bull bar to the front and a set of tubed bumper extensions around the sides means the Ranger only leans into the look more.

Toward that end, drop the high-vis wrap and leave the firefighting equipment at home, and you could just as easily have one of XL’s Outlaw canopies. They’re the recreational alternative to the service and trade-oriented Super Duty bodies.

Ford Australia

Availability and pricing

I’m not getting my hopes up that the Ranger Super Duty ever arrives in the US in any form, though Ford could always prove me wrong. I sure hope so, because concepts like the FireTrak make a compelling case for the truck’s capabilities.

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I’m old enough to remember when Birkenstocks were decidedly uncool because they were marketed for comfort (it was the 2000s). Just like “Dad shoes” from New Balance and Nike before them, the orthopedic German footwear brand has reached new heights in the modern fashion zeitgeist. 

Huckberry

The admirable part is that Birkenstock hasn’t compromised a stitch of quality in the face of massive success and the scaled-up production it entails. Sure, flagship models like the Boston Clog and Arizona Sandal are considered stylish these days, but they are damn comfortable first and foremost.

Slide on in

Right now, Huckberry is offering generous discounts on a few essential Birkenstock models to clear out inventory before fall hits. You can pick up the Boston Clog for $108, the Naples Clog for $112 and, best of all, the EVA Arizona Sandal for just $40.

Huckberry

Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed Clog

The Boston is Birkenstock’s most popular closed-toe shoe for good reason. You just have to step into them, it doesn’t get any easier. The soft footbed version layers a suede microfiber lining over the classic contoured cork-latex base for extra cushioning underfoot. An adjustable buckle strap across the upper dials in fit, while the durable EVA outsole provides traction.

• $108 at Huckberry
  $155 (30% off)

Huckberry

Birkenstock Arizona EVA Sandal

Birkenstock’s Arizona EVA is the brand’s iconic two-strap silhouette rendered entirely in lightweight, waterproof EVA foam. The single-material construction makes it fully washable. It applies the German brand’s signature contoured footbed to the popular rubber slide sandal format. This sale includes olive green, taupe and gray-blue.

• $40 at Huckberry
  $50 (20% off)

Fans of the Adidas Terrex Freehiker franchise had to wait four years for the latest version, which debuted earlier this spring, but just on the heels of that release, we’ve already got a striking new rendition on our hands. Well, more accurately, feet …

The Adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra Gore-Tex, the third generation of Adidas‘ versatile, nimble outdoor shoe, just landed in a Collegiate Green colorway that suits its outdoor-ready features better than anything it has worn before.

Adidas

While the capable hiker-that-feels-like-a-sneaker has always walked on the sportier side of the dividing line between recreational sports and the outdoors, the new flora-inspired, earthy color treatment really brings out its granola capability.

The breathable, flexible green upper is paired with a charcoal-grey eyestay, and balanced with coral color pops on the Continental rubber outsole and oversized heel pull tab.

Aside from its gorgeous new look, the latest, lighter weight Freehiker remains the same underfoot: dual-midsole cushioning, featuring Hyperboost and Dreamstrike+, joins the grippy Continental rubber outsole and revamped Gore-Tex membrane.

If the Freehiker 3 Ultra was already on your radar, the Collegiate Green colorway is the one worth owning.

Welcome to “Today in Gear,” your daily snapshot of the most important releases in style, watches, tech, motoring, fitness, home and the outdoors.

Today in Gear: The most important news in the product world, independently curated by our editors. Catch up on other key releases across all the topics you care about.

Litefar

Litefar B1 Electric Beach Wagon

The Litefar B1 is a foldable electric beach wagon designed to haul gear across soft sand without the usual struggle. A motorized drivetrain does the heavy lifting so you can load up chairs, coolers and umbrellas without worrying about how hard it’s going to be rolling this along. Sporting a folding frame that keeps storage compact when the beach day is done, it suits families, anglers and anyone who has ever regretted packing too much for a sandy trek.

• Starts at $599
  $999 (40% off)

Janji

Janji Ultrahauler Backpack

Janji designed its Ultrahauler Backpack to specifically max out international carry-on limits, claiming it offers, “A week of gear, zero checked bags.” The beloved running brand has managed that by granting this bag an impressive 42-liter capacity across a whopping 12 pockets, which means it is ideal for organization, too. It also has a handy clamshell opening, a padded 16-inch laptop sleeve, a stretchy water bottle pocket, a rain fly and so much more.

• $288 at Janji

Pecos Outdoor

Pecos Outdoor The Pecos Table

Built from aircraft-grade aluminum and FDA-compliant plastics, the Pecos Table is a legitimate workhorse — rated to hold 3,200 pounds and engineered to stand firm in winds up to 60 mph. Its 20 x 38-inch non-slip surface sits at a 35-inch countertop height, while legs with orbital feet adjust 1.5 inches to level out on rough ground. A tool-free trigger clip system lets you snap on accessories along the entire perimeter, making it equally at home at a tailgate, hunting camp or fish-cleaning station. A limited lifetime warranty backs it all.

• $700 at Pecos Outdoor

Genesis

Genesis GV90

Genesis’s first full-size flagship SUV arrives as a production model rooted in the 2024 Neolun concept, and it brings with it a host of world-firsts: independently opening hidden B-pillar coach doors, a roof airbag and the largest battery in the Hyundai Motor Group lineup (123.5kWh). Combined output comes to 657 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, while Dual E-LSD and multi-chamber air suspension underpin the drive. Inside, features like a 25-inch HUD, a pop-up OLED Cinematic Display and a Bang & Olufsen 25-speaker sound system define the cabin.

• Learn More

Save Khaki United

Save Khaki United Cord Easy Jacket

Save Khaki United’s Cord Easy Jacket proves laid-back warm-weather dressing can still look elevated. The lightweight jacket is built with a 100 percent cotton, 14-wale corduroy shell cut in a relaxed easy fit. A zip front, elastic cuffs and hem and kangaroo pockets keep the silhouette unfussy. The unique pigment dye finish, which sits on the fabric’s surface rather than penetrating it, yields a vintage, broken-in patina from day one.

• $220 at Save Khaki United

Humans have been hauling stuff to and fro for as long as anyone’ can remember’s been keeping track. But when it comes to rugged adventure bags, The North Face gets credit for the category.

The premise for the Base Camp Duffel came about in the late ’70s, though the ballistic nylon, bounty of handles and familiar D-shaped design we know today came about later.

Nonetheless, the Base Camp Duffel is nothing short of an outdoor icon. And it’s still designed withstand serious abuse, whether that means Everest or the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Welcome to Shop Smarter: A series dedicated to highlighting not just what’s on sale, but why it’s worth owning. Discover more here.

Compared to the competition, it also represents excellent value, especially when you factor in The North Face’s end-of-summer sale, which sees the Base Camp Duffel drop in price 30 percent in every size and a range of colors.

Notably, the deals extend to the Base Camp Voyager series, which trades the 1000D face fabric for treated 300D polyester and also adds a laptop compartment for adventures closer to home.

Shop the Base Camp Duffel below or head over to The North Face’s website to browse the sale in full.

Since Angel’s Envy debuted its Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon in 2011, cask finishing has been a popular way to experiment with the traditional craft of whiskeymaking, especially since it doesn’t rock the boat too much and can even provide variety for your bar cart.

One brand that’s known for its exceptional experimentation is Bardstown Bourbon Co. The Kentucky producer has finished its whiskeys in everything from pineapple-aged rum barrels to Indian single malt whiskey casks.

However, its latest release is perhaps the first time it’s dabbled with single malt Scotch.

Bardstown Bourbon Co.

Cask me no questions

Bardstown’s new Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish is one of its most interesting releases to date. The liquid begins with a blend of 12-year Kentucky bourbon (21%), 11-year Indiana bourbon (30%) and 10-year Indiana rye (49%). A full mashbill breakdown of each component can be found on the whiskey’s product page.

Bardstown Bourbon Co.

From there, the blend spends an additional 32 months in casks previously used to hold single malt Scotch from the Isle of Jura. According to the brand, the end result is a whiskey exhibiting notes of caramel, baking spice, ripe fruit, spearmint and vanilla crème with blackberry compote on the palate.

Notable for being the location in which George Orwell penned his seminal novel 1984, Jura is an island in Scotland that has fewer than 250 people and a single distillery, the namesake Jura Distillery. 

Bardstown Bourbon Co.

Now, it should be noted that, unlike bourbon which must technically be aged in new American oak barrels, Scotch aging typically consists of casks that were previously used for the likes of bourbon and/or sherry. As such, this Bardstown blend combines both ex-bourbon (84%) and ex-sherry barrels (16%) for its cask finishing.

Bottled at 104 proof, the expression already nabbed the highest American whiskey score at the 2026 International Wine & Spirit Competition with 99 points.

Bardstown Bourbon Co.

Pricing and availability

Bardstown Bourbon Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish will get a limited release starting August 21. Pricing will be $140 per 750mL bottle.

Bardstownbourbon

Bardstown Bourbon Company Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish

• Learn More

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One of Timex’s most rugged offerings, and perhaps its most rugged automatic offering period, is the Expedition Field Post Titanium Automatic. 

Formerly known as the Expedition North Titanium Automatic when it launched in 2022 (I’m not sure what spurred the name change), the field watch features a robust 41mm shock-resistant case made of titanium, a scratch-resistant AR-coated sapphire crystal, a dive-ready screw-down crown and 200m of water resistance,  a reliable Japan-made automatic movement by Miyota, and Swiss-made Super-LumiNova on the hands and indices. All for less than 500 bucks.

It’s one of Timex’s best all-around values, and perhaps better embodies the brand’s classic “takes a licking, keeps on ticking” mantra than any of its other modern offerings. 

Now, Timex has made the  Expedition Field Post Titanium Automatic even better. How, you ask? By blacking it out, of course.

Timex

Timex

The new version of the watch introduces a black IP coating to the case, giving it a stealthy look. This is paired with yellow-tinted lume on the hands and indices for a slightly aged look, while the black dial retains its rough, asphalt-like texture. 

Pairing black and brown can sometimes be a no-no, but Timex pulls off the combo here with a gorgeous dark brown leather strap responsibly sourced from Leather Working Group. The strap is equipped with quick-release spring bars and is secured with a black Timex-signed pin buckle. Timex doesn’t say whether the buckle is titanium or not, which probably means it’s made of steel.

Timex

Availability and pricing

The blacked-out version of the Expedition Field Post Titanium Automatic is certainly a visual upgrade over the standard gray version, but you won’t have to pay much of a premium to look cooler. The watch is available from Timex now for $429, which is just $10 more than the standard version.

Timex

Timex Expedition Field Post Titanium Automatic Black

Specs

Case Size	41mm
Movement	Miyota Cal.8215 automatic
Water Resistance	200m

• $429 at Timex

In addition to maintaining a regular cadence, Jeep’s Twelve 4 Twelve program has followed a predictable release schedule since it started last fall. Whether 392-powered or retro-inspired, each drop has corresponded to the 12th of each month, with no deviation from the pattern.

Yet, the brand decided to mix things up for the No. 10, for good reason. By delaying the debut of the new Wrangler until this week, Jeep coordinated the release specifically for its Smoky Mountain Jeep Invasion in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, one of the largest Jeep-specific off-road gatherings in the country.

Stellantis

In addition to the timing of the reveal, enthusiasts are bound to appreciate what the package brings. Assuming you’re in the market for a Wrangler right now, the value is hard to argue against.

Jeep’s play to Smoky Mountain fans

It’s called the Smoky Mountain special edition. In case you haven’t brushed up on your Jeep lore, that name first appeared back in 2017. It was also a nod to the region, a package designed as something of a stopgap between the base model and a full-on Rubicon.

Stellantis

Beyond the historical implications of the badge’s return, the new special-edition Wrangler is highly attractive because Jeep says it comes in at just $80 more than a popularly equipped Wrangler Willys. 

Granted, it’s hardly an extensive transformation of that trim. Along with some exclusive hood-side Smoky Mountain decals, it brings smoky black wheels and a black grille. The Willys models also share other features, including 33-inch tires, steel rock rails, Dana 44 axles and a locking rear differential.

Stellantis

Still, the interior does benefit from some choice details. In addition to unique textured Black Ferndale cloth seats, it brings an Addax-patterned instrument panel wrap, Terracotta and Blaze Orange accents, standard heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

Moreover, Jeep has made sure to incorporate plenty of enthusiast-worthy Easter eggs. The shifter medallion sports a mama bear and cub graphic celebrating the region’s iconic wildlife, while the seat bolsters and rear swing gate plaque celebrate the “drop” motif of the Twelve 4 Twelve program. In the case of the latter, the graphic even includes a star-filled Smoky Mountain night sky.

Stellantis

Availability and pricing

According to Jeep’s announcement, orders are now open for the 2027 Smoky Mountain special edition. It’s available on four-door Wranglers equipped with 2.0-liter and 3.6-liter automatic powertrains. 

It’s priced at $80 above popularly equipped Wrangler Willys models, which run from $45,635 depending on options.

Stellantis

2027 Jeep Wrangler Smoky Mountain Special Edition

• Learn More

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These days, Sony is a juggernaut in the audio world.

It makes some of the best noise-canceling headphones and earbuds you can buy. Its portable Bluetooth speakers are incredibly popular. It’s also at the bleeding edge of innovation for home theater soundbars and home theater speaker systems. And that’s just the tip of Sony’s audio empire.

That said, one area where Sony has been lacking lately is in desktop audio … it currently doesn’t sell any desktop speakers. Well, that is now officially changing.

Sony Pulse Elevate

Sony

Last September, Sony announced the Pulse Elevate, a set of wireless desktop speakers that, well, sort of resemble miniature versions of the company’s PS5. Each speaker is the same color and has a similar shape (not size) to the console.

The speakers are compatible with Mac and PC, as well as the PS5 (so, presumably, they can be used as TV speakers, though that hasn’t been specified yet) and Sony’s handheld remote player, the PlayStation Portal.

Sony

Not your average desktop speakers

You could probably tell just by looking at them, but the Pulse Elevate aren’t your average desktop speakers — the main reason is that they don’t support a wired connection. Instead, they connect to your computer via Bluetooth or a USB adapter.

Additionally, each Pulse Elevate has a built-in rechargeable battery. This means that you can pick them up and take them with you. This is mostly so they can be used with the PlayStation Portal, so gamers can enjoy a more immersive audio experience anywhere.

Sony

Arguably more interesting, it means that the Pulse Elevate can essentially double as portable Bluetooth speakers (either individually or stereo-paired) that you can carry around the house and listen to music.

Sony claims that the speakers have “hours of battery life” (exact details haven’t been announced). They come with charging docks that, according to Sony, make it “easy to jump back into a desktop gaming setup.”

Sony

As far as sound quality, Sony claims that each speaker features “studio-inspired planar magnetic drivers for lifelike sound across the entire audible spectrum.” Powered by PlayStation Link technology, the speakers support ultra-low latency and lossless audio, too.

The right speaker has a built-in mic that supports AI-enhanced noise rejection technology. While this can be used for standard video calls, Sony claims that it can provide “a new level of headset-free voice chat for desktop gaming,” too.

Price and availability

As mentioned, Sony officially announced the Pulse Elevate in September 2025, but only this week has the company revealed pricing and availability information.

The Pulse Elevate will come in two color options, midnight black and white, and they cost $220. They go on sale September 1st, but won’t start shipping until November 12.

Sony

Sony Pulse Elevate

• $220 at Sony

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For all the talk of Harley-Davidson being set in its ways, the 123-year-old brand was actually kinda ahead of the curve when it came to one burgeoning category.

While the original LiveWire was hardly the first electric motorcycle, its debut in 2019 put it well ahead of most traditional moto brands.

LiveWire

However, as a new-wave bike from a legacy brand with an old-school fan base, its original asking price of $29,799 was, well, asking a lot.

Fast-forward seven years and you can now snag this puppy for $13,999, which suddenly makes the (since re-christened) LiveWire ONE arguably the most compelling LiveWire bike on the menu.

Electric avenue

Now, there are enough caveats here to make your head spin faster than the ONE’s wheels, but let me try to break things down quickly.

LiveWire

That original price did not last too long, as LiveWire dropped it to $22,799 in 2021, when it spun off into its own company/brand.

The figure later dropped to $16,499, but it hits its lowest price ever as the brand shifts focus to its S2 platform and, more promisingly, the S4 Honcho mini-bikes, which are among the most logical and exciting electric executions I’ve seen lately.

LiveWire

That said, if you are seriously considering a full-size electric LiveWire moto, the ONE might really be the one to get now.

As motorcycling.com’s Dennis Chung points out, the price is now just a grand more than the top-line S2 Alpinista, while the bike itself puts up more robust numbers in many categories.

LiveWire

To name a few, the range is 146 miles versus 120, horsepower is 100 versus 84, the top speed is 110 mph versus 99 mph and the DC Fast Charging 0-100% time is 60 minutes, versus the Alpinista’s Level 2 mark of … 142 minutes.

The ONE is admittedly much heavier (562 pounds versus 434 pounds) and takes a huge L on torque (84 lb-ft to 194 lb-ft), but considering both bikes go 0-60 mph in three seconds, who’s counting?

LiveWire

Final caveat: the ONE was last EPA-certified as a 2023 model, so this is clearly a case of a brand trying to clear out inventory, not a new bike.

But the specs remain and, looked at another way, that model year only adds to the “vintage” appeal, right? Right??

Availability and pricing

The (presumably) 2023 LiveWire ONE is available now for $13,999.

LiveWire

LiveWire ONE

• Starts at $13,999

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Carhartt WIP (Work in Progress) plays to its streetwear and vintage fans, offering classic designs executed with more meticulous detailing.

However, that refinement comes at a premium price, with most models priced above their counterparts in the regular collection. 

Carhartt WIP

Right now, during its Last Call sale, Huckberry is making up much of the difference by offering generous discounts on four of the American workwear brand’s core jackets. The iconic Michigan and Detroit jackets, along with the denim Warren Chore Coat and Prescott barn coat, are all 20 percent off or more.

Get to work

Huckberry

Carhartt WIP Michigan Coat

The Michigan Coat is Carhartt’s most iconic design, and the WIP version refines the details. It’s built from 12-ounce Organic Cotton Dearborn Canvas, featuring triple-stitched seams, a corduroy-lined collar, bartack reinforcement and signed metal rivet buttons. This deal covers the brand’s signature brown, olive drab and light khaki.

• $171 at Huckberry
  $245 (30% off)

Huckberry

Carhartt Wip Warren Chore Coat

An iteration of the flagship Michigan coat, the Warren Chore Coat swaps in a 12-ounce pure cotton denim, aged with a medium wash. The collar is lined with a contrasting fine-wale corduroy, and the pockets are spade-shaped, while the rivet buttons are donut-style. A single internal patch pocket is added to the right-hand chest panel.

• $157 at Huckberry
  $225 (30% off)

Cowboy style has been going strong in fashion circles for the past two seasons, and the cowboy-approved trend isn’t showing signs of slowing down.

The latest example of its staying power comes in an unexpected package. Ugg took its Otzo clog, already one of the more versatile new slides in its lineup, and covered it in cow print.

The result is the Otzo Western Clog, a limited-run riff on the brand’s elevated everyday silhouette that commits fully to the western trend without tipping into costume territory.

Ugg

Goin’ country

While most everyone recognizes Ugg’s iconic Tasman slip-on, the Otzo is a sleeper hit; an IYKYK clog, if you will.

The sleek design features a contoured EVA foam footbed, streamlined leather upper and slim outsole.

Ugg

The recently unveiled Western version, part of the brand’s larger Western Collection, maintains that classic foundation while giving the straightforward design a playful twist.

Ugg

Ugg

The hand-painted, creamy white and multi-shade brown, cow hair upper offers instant artisanal style, and is accented with a subtle leather flag embossed with the Ugg logo.

Ugg

The lining is constructed with leather and a microfiber RWS wool jersey lining, which features a peppermint-based anti-odor treatment for continued freshness.

The contoured EVA footbed and lightweight outsole maintain Ugg’s commitment to all-day comfort.

Availability and pricing

The reworked Otzo Western Clog has proven to connect with fans of the comfy brand; almost the entire size run is on backorder since its initial release, with the $195 clog is expected to start shipping again between September 1 – 16th.

Ugg

Ugg Otzo Western Clog

• $195 at Ugg

Czapek is largely known for its Antarctique sports watch. The flagship is simply one of the best integrated luxury sports watches one can buy, and it has established the 11-year-old watchmaker as a serious player in the high-end independent space.

But Czapek is far from a one-trick pony.

Among the brand’s non-Antarctique offerings is the Promenade, a sporty dress watch with a roster of mesmerizing dials, most notably its exclusive water droplet-like Goutte d’Eau pattern. The latest reference takes a different approach, as instead of emphasizing the dial itself, it puts the focus on the invariable star of any Czapek watch: the in-house movement.

Czapek

Czapek’s most famous movement is its Calibre SXH5. A 4Hz, 60-hour, time-only automatic, the movement was Czapek’s first fully in-house calibre and is renowned for its original and attractive look which includes a platinum offset micro-rotor, a free-sprung balance and, most notably, seven skeletonized bridges that hold the gear train in a contemporary homage to 19th-century pocket watch movements.

The calibre is used to power many Promenade and Antarctique references alike, and while the reverse side is always visible, the just-as-interesting front of the movement is typically hidden behind the dial. But not on the new Promenade Transparencies Aqua Blue.

Czapek

Here, the dial is made of smoked blue sapphire and is transparent, giving a nearly unobstructed view of the Cal. SXH7 within. The movement is a more skeletonized evolution of the SXH5, featuring an openworked main plate that allows you to see all of the action through the dial, including the aforementioned bridges, micro-rotor and balance, along with other details such as the mainspring and keyless works.

The blue fumé color of the sapphire dial was achieved through metallization, with a metallic coating comprised of microscopic dots applied to the underside of the sapphire disc. There’s a small seconds indicator printed on the dial at 4:30 driven directly off the movement’s fourth wheel, and the applied hour indices are made of solid-block Super-LumiNova in light blue.

Czapek

The 38mm x 10.8mm stainless steel case is the same as you’ll find on other Promenade references and features hollowed-out sides and 50m water resistance. The watch is paired with a nubuck leather strap in blue, naturally.

Availability and pricing

Czapek previously launched the Promenade Transparencies Viridian Green back in 2024, but that watch is long gone. So if you missed that one, now’s your chance to get on the Transparencies train … but you’ll have to hurry. The Aqua Blue is limited to just 38 pieces and is available now from Czapek for $40,300. 

Czapek

Czapek Promenade Transparencies Aqua Blue

Specs

Case Size	38mm
Movement	Czapek Caliber SXH7 automatic
Water Resistance	50m

• $40,300 at Czapek Genève

The Bose SoundLink Home is one of the company’s newer portable Bluetooth speakers. And it’s quite different from the rest of its SoundLink family.

Welcome to Shop Smarter: A series dedicated to highlighting not just what’s on sale, but why it’s worth owning. Discover more here.

Released in late 2024, the SoundLink Home is a portable Bluetooth speaker that’s meant to be used around the home. It has a retro-inspired design, is made of fabric and metal and doesn’t have an IP rating. Basically, it’s designed to look good, but not to be brought to the beach.

Bose

Also, unlike many portable Bluetooth speakers today, the SoundLink Home is really straightforward to use. You turn it on, use the pairing button to connect it to your smartphone and, boom, you’re in business. There’s no companion app to deal with. 

Bose

When Bose released the SoundLink Home, it offered it in two different colored finishes: gray or light silver. However, the company has since introduced a third option: warm wood.

Bose

What’s the deal?

Right now, Bose is running a discount on the SoundLink Home that drops its normally $219 to $179. However, Costco is running an even better deal. It’s selling the same speaker for $129. 

The deal applies to gray, light silver and warm wood models.

Bose

Bose SoundLink Home

• $179 at Bose
  $219 (18% off)
• $130 at Costco (Gray)
  $219 (41% off)
• $130 at Costco (Silver)
  $219 (41% off)
• $130 at Costco (Warm Wood)
  $219 (41% off)

Over the last decade, Yeti has been the bar by which all other rugged cooler brands have been measured. And that’s for good reason: the outfit has really raised the bar on quality and performance.

But those clever enough to look past the giant might discover there are other interesting brands in the space these days. Take, for instance, Rugged Road and its Ultralight Cooler, which performs similarly to Yeti but at a fraction of the weight.

And now, it’s on sale for way less than normal.

Huckberry

Featherweight formidability

This particular Rugged Road Ultralight Cooler is the 65-can size. For the sake of comparison, that puts it right between Yeti’s beloved Roadie 32 (50 cans) and Roadie 48 (76 cans).

Performance-wise, the Ultralight Cooler hits all the same points you’d expect from a Yeti. It can retain ice for up to seven days, courtesy of its Fridgite insulation. It has a robust exterior, bolstered by a blast-resistant Rigorite coating. And it has non-slip surfaces, built-in cupholders (and a cutting board) set in the reversible lid, a self-closing latch and more.

Huckberry

It’s also a fraction of a Yeti’s weight, even compared to the smaller version. For reference, the Rugged Road is just 13 pounds, while the smaller Roadie is 24.5 pounds (and the larger one is a whopping 28.3 pounds). The Ultralight Cooler is also so buoyant that the brand promises it will float, right side up, even when fully loaded.

Additionally, this cooler is available in a trio of smart, classic colorways: Blue Steel, Sahara Tan, and Polar White.

Pricing and availability

While the Rugged Road Ultralight Cooler is normally priced the same as the smaller Roadie, at $375, Huckberry has it on sale for just $300 ahead of Labor Day. But here’s the real kicker: you can use code LASTCALL15 for an additional 15 percent off that sale price, bringing it down to just $255.

Huckberry

Rugged Road RR65 V2 Ultralight Cooler (10 Gal)

• $255 at Huckberry
  $375 (32% off)

In 2025, Vero Engineering took home a major accolade from Blade Show Atlanta: Imported Folding Knife of the Year. The knife that brought the award home was the Avid 1.

Now, a year later, that same knife is in its third iteration. Better still, the Vero Engineering Avid 3 marks a new frontier, adding a new blade shape to one of the brand’s most approachable and affordable silhouettes.

Vero Engineering

Avid engineering

Those familiar with Vero Engineering likely won’t be surprised to hear about Avid’s pedigree. After all, the Joseph Vero-helmed brand has consistently produced exceptional EDC knives and fixed blades since its inception in 2018, earning a well-deserved cult following.

What Vero has not been known for, however, is affordability. Unfortunately, the brand’s penchant for high-end engineering and materials means most of its offerings come at a premium.

Vero Engineering

For instance, the brand’s Nova, a titanium super-steel knife, starts at $325, a full $125 over the Avid 3’s entry price. Granted, the Avid isn’t as low-cost as the brand’s Aura, Vero’s first $100 knife, but it’s still another more affordable option in the catalog, signaling a potential continued shift toward a more affordable overall lineup.

However, the brand quickly clarifies that this knife still “delivers Vero-level quality without compromise.” More affordable doesn’t mean cutting corners; this is still a Vero Engineering knife, after all. Then again, the knife’s makeup probably speaks for itself better than any claim could.

Vero Engineering

Tip to tail

Even a passing glance at this knife shows it fits right alongside Vero’s other offerings. It boasts the same minimalist, almost brutalist styling the brand is known for, especially including that signature rectangular nail nick.

That sleek styling is also enhanced by its materials and mechanical design. Even the base model comes with an S45VN steel tanto blade measuring 3.25 inches long. This is the first time this blade shape has been applied to this particular silhouette.

That shape and its compound grind ensure a razor-sharp cutting edge and a stronger tip than other similar blade shapes. (There is also a high-end version with Damasteel.)

Vero Engineering

On the other side of the knife, there are far more material options. The base model has G-10 two-tone scales, but there are options with marbled carbon fiber and stonewashed titanium, as well. Regardless, the knife comes with titanium liners and a liner lock, a reversible wire pocket clip, a ceramic pivot and detent and more.

You can also swap the wire pocket clip for a specialty titanium pocket clip for an upcharge. In any case, this is yet another spectacular EDC cutting tool in the brand’s catalog and one that will be far more accessible than some of its other offerings.

Vero Engineering

Pricing and availability

The Vero Engineering Avid 3 is now available on the brand’s site, starting at $199.

Vero Engineering

Vero Engineering Avid 3

• Starts at $199

If you’ve ever shopped for a bike on the smaller side (like 600cc or less), you’ve probably noticed your choices are pretty limited when it comes to engine configurations. Singles and twins are generally far more economical than more complex triples and fours.

However, China’s motorcycle boom is proving that small displacement doesn’t have to mean simple. From CFMoto and Kove to QJMotor and Voge, there’s a raft of new names touting big bike value at prices that undercut established competitors by thousands.

ZXMoto

Another is ZXMoto, an outfit my colleague Steve Mazzucchi highlighted for its retro-styled 500F. The brand has already proven its Honda-duping abilities with that bike, and now it’s made it clear that it’ll be aiming for Team Green as well.

A new challenger approaches

That’s because ZXMoto’s 500RR is rapidly growing its market presence. After debuting the bike at CIMAMotor 2024 and reaching its first delivery milestone the following year, ZXMoto has now confirmed not only the bike’s EU Whole Type approval but also its UK launch in September.

ZXMoto

Mind you, those are developments that follow further expansions around the world throughout this year. ZXMoto’s 500RR will also reportedly be breaking into Australia and New Zealand, Malaysia and several other markets. 

In the case of the bike’s UK arrival, it’s not a tentative launch like Honda’s WN7 in Australia. According to statements made to Motorcycle News, ZXMoto has “nearly sold through two containers of 500RRs”  and “a second batch of 500RRs is expected to arrive towards the end of September.”

Of course, it’s easy to understand why when you consider what the bike brings to the table. When it goes on sale in the UK, the 500RR will start at £5,899 (roughly $8,000). By contrast, Kawasaki’s ZX-4RR runs quite a bit more, priced at some £8,799.

ZXMoto

ZXMoto’s underdog proposition

It’s not just a case of undercutting the Ninja’s cost, either. 

The 500RR touts more displacement than the ZX-4RR (470cc vs 399cc) and a higher output. Moreover, its 84-horsepower figure surpasses Kawasaki’s little four-pot Ninja regardless of emissions considerations, and it makes for an especially large jump here in the States. The ZX-4RR leaves the factory with 56 ponies in America.

ZXMoto

In any event, the 500RR also promises some pretty respectable hardware considering its more wallet-friendly price tag. Along with a six-axis IMU, it touts a slipper clutch, dual front discs with four-piston calipers and 300mm rotors, a set of 41mm inverted forks and a single-sided swingarm.

It even looks the part. From the striking headlight design and the bright livery to the winglets and floating taillight design, the 500RR offers its own unique visuals compared to Kawasaki.

Still, it promises to be accessible for newer and smaller riders. Curb weight comes to 370 pounds, making it approachable even if the seat height stands a touch over 31 inches. 

ZXMoto

Availability and pricing

As of this writing, ZXMoto hasn’t announced any concrete plans to land in the United States. Accordingly, if you want to swing a leg over the 500RR, you’ll have to be in a supported market like the UK, where it’s set to start at £5,899. 

Still, given the competitive specs and rate of expansion, Kawasaki better be taking notice. I wouldn’t be surprised if ZXMoto continues its quest here in America at the earliest opportunity.

ZXMoto

ZXMoto 500RR

• Learn More

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The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is generally regarded as the first modern dive watch, initially created for the French Navy in 1953.

Today, Blancpain is a prestigious luxury brand, and the modern Fifty Fathoms stands as the pinnacle of dive watches. But there’s just something magical about the vintage Fifty Fathoms watches of the 1950s and ’60s that the current generation, as great as they are, simply can’t match.

But every once in a while, Blancpain gives the people what they really want by reaching into its illustrious back catalog to reissue one of its classic divers. And I’m happy to say that today is one of those occasions, with the brand launching a pitch-perfect retro Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe based on a 1968 reference.

Blancpain

The new Bathyscaphe was created to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the line, which first debuted in 1956 as a smaller, more wearable Fifty Fathoms skin diver for civilians. The watch is visually almost indistinguishable from the iconic 1968 Bathyscaphe that inspired it, as Blancpain has done an excellent job of keeping what’s necessary while adding contemporary updates where it makes sense.

As far as what’s been kept, the 37.4mm stainless steel case diameter remains the same, and so does the unique bezel design that puts a polished steel ring between the bezel insert and the box crystal. The case is a thing of beauty, fully polished with faceted straight lugs, a swooping mid case, a thickness of just 12.3mm and a compact lug-to-lug of 46.5mm.

Tim Vaux for Blancpain

Tim Vaux for Blancpain

The design of the baton-shaped hands and applied hour markers remains the same, though the indices are now made of 18K white gold. All are filled with vintage-colored Super-LumiNova to mimic aged tritium lume.

Blancpain’s mid-century wordmark appears below 12:00 on the dial, which is a sunburst “meteor gray” like the original ’60s model. A framed white date window is also still at 3:00. 

Blancpain

The modern updates are subtle, but necessary. While the fully graduated bezel and domed crystal look the same as they did in the ’60s, both have received material upgrades from their original Hesalite. The crystal is now sapphire, obviously, while the bezel insert is made of black ceramic with lacquered markings. 

The new model sees its water resistance increase to 300m, in line with modern Fifty Fathoms divers, and it receives a sapphire exhibition caseback to show off its movement. Blancpain, of course, makes all its own movements today and finishes them to haute horlogerie spec, so naturally, the brand likes to show them off. The Calibre 1150 has twin barrels providing 100 hours of power, an antimagnetic silicon balance spring and a solid gold rotor. 

Blancpain

Somewhat curiously, Blancpain has opted to sell the Bathyscaphe 70th Anniversary exclusively on a chocolate brown leather strap. I admit the strap is a nice aesthetic choice for the watch’s warm tones, and Blancpain admittedly wants to play up the model’s historic civilian reputation, but I still think a rubber or NATO strap would’ve been more fitting.

Tim Vaux for Blancpain

Availability and pricing

This watch looks incredible, but here comes the bad news, and you’ve probably already guessed what it is.

As with every super-cool retro Fifty Fathoms release from Blancpain, this new Bathyscaphe is extremely limited and expensive. Just 300 examples have been made, and my brand contact tells me that almost all were pre-sold ahead of the watch’s release. 

If you’re one of the lucky few who’s able to snag one of the remaining watches, though, you’ll pay a whopping $18,300 for it.

Blancpain

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe 70th Anniversary

Specs

Case Size	37.4mm
Movement	Blancpain Caliber 1150 automatic
Water Resistance	300m

• $18,300 at Blancpain

The Attainable Alternative 

If you strike out on the Blancpain, however, all is not lost. There is another option on the market that’s aesthetically and historically very similar to this release; it isn’t limited and it costs less than 1/10th the price.

I’m talking about the Squale Sub-37 Legend, which launched earlier this year. The Sub-37 is based on Squale’s own late ’60s dive watches; back around the era when the brand was also producing cases for Blancpain’s divers.

I couldn’t find any evidence that Squale produced the 1968 Bathyscaphe case on which the new 70th-Anniversary edition is based, but the Sub-37’s case is almost identical. It measures 37mm across, is fully polished with straight, faceted lugs, has the same swooping mid case, and even features the same polished steel ring between the fully graduated bezel insert and box sapphire crystal.

Squale

The Sub-37 Legend doesn’t feature any gold, it’s powered by an off-the-shelf Sellita movement rather than a haute in-house beauty, and it obviously isn’t built to Blancpain’s luxury standards. But with its similar design and wearing experience, not to mention its shared history with Blancpain, the Squale makes a damn fine consolation prize.

I actually have a Sub-37 on my wrist right now for a future review, and at just $1,750, I can confidently say that it is one of the best bargains in dive watches … when it’s in stock, that is.

Squale

Squale Sub-37 Legend

Specs

Case Size	37mm
Movement	Sellita Cal. SW200-1 automatic
Water Resistance	300m

• $1,750 at Squale

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Before debuting the Tiempo Premier in 1994, Nike had dabbled in the world of football boots for over two decades.

However, it was this very silhouette that established the footwear giant as a legit player in the soccer world.

The Tiempo Premier was itself based on the previous Tiempo from 1984. But Nike spent the decade refining that basic concept. By ‘94, the Tiempo Premier had become a considerably more sophisticated boot. One particularly distinctive feature was its tucked tongue, designed to create a cleaner striking surface on top. Nike also drew on Italian shoemaking expertise in Montebelluna and input from elite players.

Nike

And then came the 1994 World Cup. Eight Brazilian players wore Nike Tiempos in the final, including all-time great Romário. While football had previously been an afterthought for Nike, by its own admission, the success of the Tiempo Premier shifted how the brand and the public saw Nike’s identity in the sport.

Now, after 32 years, the Tiempo ‘94 is finally making its way to the street.

Nike

Cryoshot to the heart

As part of the new revival-focused Cryoshot series that debuted earlier this summer, the Tiempo ‘94 OG is the first time the cleat has been transposed as a lifestyle sneaker.

Nike

Premiering in a sleek colorway based on the original scheme from back in the mid-’90s, the shoe gets a glossy black synthetic leather upper with matching laces and hinged tongue that folds over. It still sports that same stitching found on the original model. Meanwhile, a white Swoosh emblem contrasts the design, along with giant Nike branding in the rear.

Nike

But the company hasn’t forgotten about the lineage of this iconic cleat. Instead of removing the spikes entirely, Nike actually “froze” them inside of an icy transparent outsole underneath.

For comfort and bounce, the drop-in midsole comes equipped with an Zoom Air unit at the heel.

Nike

Pricing and availability

The Cryoshot Tiempo ‘94 OG is set to drop August 22 at 10 a.m. ET from Nike’s SNKRS app. The shoes are priced at $200 and are expected to move quickly.

Nike

Nike Cryoshot Tiempo ’94 OG ‘Black and White’

• $200 at Nike

Adidas is on one hell of a run.

Last year, it unveiled the Adizero Prime X Evo, still the only shoe to cover 100 kilometers in less than six hours. Months later, the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 propelled not one but two runners to break the two-hour barrier in an official marathon, a feat Nike’s been chasing for close to a decade.

Welcome to Power Moves: Diving deep into the product and brand moves that can change where a category is headed. Discover more here.

Now, days ahead of the prestigious 106-mile trail race UTMB, Adidas goes off-road with release of the Agravic Speed Ultra Evo, a $500 long-distance racer that the brand calls its “fastest trail running shoe ever.”

Looking at the specs, the brand might have a point.

Adidas

Energy shot

Adidas claims that the Agravic Speed Ultra Evo is the culmination of a “multi-year program” that culled the “expertise of adidas designers, engineers and elite athletes to shape every major design decision.” But its chief technology isn’t exactly unique.

Adidas

The Agravic Speed Ultra Evo makes use of the brand’s newly develop EnergyRim featured in the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 and Adizero Prime X Evo, leading to a 10 percent increase in energy return.

However, it does introduce a new dual construction that allows each side of the shoe to move independently across uneven terrain.

Adidas

Adidas

“Trail running asks so much more of a shoe,” says Korbinian Lehner, who helps oversee footwear innovation at Adidas. “Our challenge was finding the balance between speed, stability and confidence, and that’s exactly what the Agravic Speed Ultra Evo was built to deliver.”

Foaming at the bit

Notably, the new model uses Lightstrike Pro for the midsole, rather the Lightstrike Pro Evo used in the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3. Makes sense: the next-gen road-tuned foam would likely be too soft and fragile for the demands of long-distance trail running.

Adidas

Nonetheless, a rocker positioned at 60 percent the length of the shoe does match that of Adidas’s new pinnacle marathon racer, giving the Agravic Speed Ultra Evo an aggressive toe-off.

Adidas

Up to speed

The other big callout is the upper, which includes an integrated gaiter-like collar similar to the Hoka Tecton X 4. Made with a one-way stretch woven fabric, it keeps stitching to a minimum for a “second-skin fit,” Adidas says.

Adidas

Adidas

All in all, the various components add up to a shoe that weighs just 8.8 ounces (250 grams) in a men’s UK 8.5 — a five percent reduction from Agravic Speed Ultra 2.

Adidas

Availability and pricing

“Fastest” and “lightest” aren’t the only superlatives that describe the Agravic Speed Ultra Evo. Like Adidas’s other pinnacle race shoes, the model sells for an eye-watering $500. That will likely do little to prevent the shoe from selling out upon release.

On August 25, the Agravic Speed Ultra Evo goes on sale in “very limited numbers” at Snell Sports and Ravanel in Chamonix Mont-Blanc. Additional pairs will be available from Running Warehouse and Adidas’s official website in December.

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Glashütte Original is a flagbearer for Saxony’s particular watchmaking offshoot.

The German brand specializes in elegant, intricate dress watches and practical, feature-packed tool watches. With the introduction of a new dial, the Senator Chronograph collection bridges that gap, placing an in-house automatic flyback chronograph movement under a 1940s-style pilot’s dial.

Glashütte Original

Until now, Glashütte Original’s Senator collection featured fancy early-twentieth-century design language (the kind seen on vintage pocket watches and grandfather clocks), executed with the finest modern finishing.

While the new Senator Chronograph Navigator looks out of place in its collection, it is a very welcome digression. Roman numerals, leaf hands and delicate detailing are replaced with a monotone, pragmatic design optimized for legibility mid-flight.

Glashütte Original

The matte black dial features large bicompax subdials, printed Arabic numeral hour markers and a white tachymeter scale running along the flange.

One detail carried over from the existing Senator collection is GO’s distinctive Panorama Date complication. The date is displayed on two separate discs, one for the tens digits and one for the ones digits, through a beveled window.

Take to the skies

While other German watchmakers like Hanhart and Sinn are known for 1940s-style pilot’s watches, the Navigator is a novel addition to GO’s modern catalog.

Glashütte Original

The sword hands and indices are enhanced with green-emission Super-LumiNova. An arrow-tipped hand on the 30-minute totalizer at 3:00 differentiates it from the small seconds display at 9:00.

Glashütte Original

The Navigator is available on a stainless steel three-link bracelet, a khaki nylon strap and a black genuine alligator leather strap.

Return flight

The key feature of the Navigator is GO’s in-house Caliber 37-24 automatic movement. It boasts an integrated column-wheel, a silicon balance spring, solid gold regulation screws and a swan-neck fine adjustment.

Glashütte Original

Along with a 4Hz beat rate and a 70-hour power reserve, it offers a flyback chronograph complication, meaning it resets and restarts with a single push.

Availability and price

The Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph Navigator is available now for $16,100 on a nylon strap or alligator strap, and $17,100 on a stainless steel bracelet.

Glashütte Original

Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph Navigator

Specs

Case Size	41mm
Movement	Glashütte Original Caliber 37-24 automatic
Water Resistance	50m

• Starts at $16,100

While fellow iconic Portland, Oregon-area knife brand Benchmade leans heavily on its version of the crossbar lock, CRKT’s lineup is smaller than you’d expect.

It does appear in some real standouts, including variants of Kit Carson’s legendary M-16, Ken Onion’s sweet Redemption and Counterpart folders and Richard Rodgers’ art deco-inspired Sero.

CRKT

However, one of the very first from the brand deserves a closer look, especially when it is available for $60 off the original price.

That would be MJ Lerch’s boldly named Definitive Crossbar Lock, now on sale for a more affordable $100.

Lerch party

Celebrated Wisconsin-based custom knifemaker Matthew Lerch has penned a number of winners for CRKT, most recently the refreshingly minimalist Zephr.

CRKT

But it turns out he isn’t the only talented designer in the family, as his wife, MJ, also steps into the shop from time to time.

Her efforts have resulted in the well-received Synergist Fixed Blade Boot Knife as well as this frankly pretty badass USA-made folder.

CRKT

The business end is a generous 3.7-inch harpoon-style blade made of 154CM steel, most valued for its admirable edge retention.

It features jimping on the spine for improved grip and an ambidextrous thumb stud for swift, smooth deployment.

CRKT

The aforementioned crossbar lock serves as an auxiliary deployment method while making one-handed retraction similarly easy.

The ergonomically shaped handle is made of light, durable G10, with six open slots at the rear, shaving additional weight, bringing it down to a nimble three ounces.

CRKT

A tip-up deep-carry clip rounds out the appeal of this oversized EDC option, and there’s no better time to snag it thanks to the serious discount.

Availability and pricing

The CRKT Definitive Crossbar Lock is available now for $100, 38 percent off the original price of $160.

CRKT

CRKT Definitive Crossbar Lock

• $100 at CRKT
  $160.03 (38% off)

It’s no secret that race-day shoes are wildly expensive, with a $250 price tag serving as the traditional benchmark and plenty of brands pushing well past that.

That’s what makes On’s Cloudboom Strike, currently discounted by $115, so appealing. Yes, this is last season’s super shoe, but if you’ve previously been priced out of race-day options, this is a chance to save big without giving up the benefits of a finely tuned racer.

On Running

Super shoe, super deal

Compared with the Nike, Adidas, ASICS and Saucony super-shoe crowd, On’s carbon-plated Cloudboom Strike has flown relatively under the radar.

The fine-tuned race-day design has been a sleeper hit since it arrived in the summer of 2024, but it still packs a punch when it comes to underfoot technology.

On Running

The Cloudboom Strike packs some serious race-day technology into a surprisingly lightweight package.

Its standout feature is the drop-in Bounceboard, a removable layer of On’s ultra-responsive Helion HF hyper foam that adds a plush, bouncy sensation underfoot while helping maximize energy return.

On Running

On Running

Beneath it sits a spoon-shaped, 100 percent carbon-fiber Speedboard designed to absorb and transfer energy toward the forefoot for powerful toe-offs, while strategically placed CloudTec elements help smooth out transitions.

On Running

The result is a highly cushioned, responsive ride that weighs just 7.4 ounces in a men’s size 8.5, with a low 4mm drop.

All of that tech is now on sale for $165, down from the shoe’s original $280 price tag.

If you’re been dreaming of a race-ready shoe that can keep up with your budget, this may be the pick you’ve been looking for.

On

On Cloudboom Strike Men’s Road Racing Shoe — Sunstone/White

• $165 at On
  $280 (41% off)

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This week, there’s been a lot of news about Apple’s AirPods. Particularly, AirPods with built-in cameras. As shown in a leaked video, these new AirPods use Visual Intelligence and Siri to capture images you want to save for later. No need to take out your iPhone. 

But Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman put the kibosh on the initial hoopla, reporting that, despite definitely being in the works, AirPods with built-in cameras won’t launch before 2027. So, we’re like still a year (or more) away. 

If you’re in the market for a new set of high-end wireless earbuds and want to set yourself apart from the AirPods-wearing masses, Sennheiser just introduced a new flagship pair.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5

Sennheiser

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 (or Momentum 5, for short) are the company’s latest pair of high-end wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation. They’re essentially the next evolution of Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 4, released in early 2024, and they bring key improvements.

For those familiar with Sennheiser’s wireless earbuds, the biggest difference in these fifth-generation models may be the shape of the earbuds. The company says they have a new aerodynamic silhouette with a fin-less design that helps them achieve a “barely there” fit.   

Sennheiser

Naturally, the Momentum True Wireless 5 promise to sound better than the previous generation models. Sennheiser has decked them out with its latest 7mm TrueResponse dynamic drivers along with Bluetooth 6.0 (with support for aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless), so they can stream audio up to 24-bit/96kHz. 

Sennheiser

You can replace the batteries?

Sennheiser improved the active noise cancellation of the new earbuds, and redesigned the ear tips to better position the built-in mics to improve call clarity. And, like the over-ear siblings, the 2026-released Momentum 5, the true wireless earbuds now support Dolby Atmos with active head-tracking.

The new earbuds promise improved battery life, now up to 12 hours per earbud. And the charging case packs enough juice to fully charge each earbud twice over. Maybe most interestingly, Sennheiser has introduced a user-replaceable battery system for each earbud and the wireless charging case. So, with just a screwdriver, you can replace the batteries (should they degrade over time) without having get an entirely new pair of wireless earbuds. 

Sennheiser

Price and availability

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 will be available in five metallic finishes: Graphite, Cream, Copper, Denim, and Lavender. 

As for price, a pair will set you back $300. (This is the same price as the previous models, Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 4.)  They are available now and start shipping September 3rd. 

Sennheiser

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5

• $300 at Sennheiser

It’s only been a few months and already Timex is perfecting one of our favorite collections.

Earlier this year, the brand expanded its Continental family with a new quartz-powered chronograph, joining the likes of the Day & Date, GMT and digital Q80. The timepiece was sleek and affordable, albeit not quite as period-accurate as the other entries in its ‘70s-inspired lineup.

Timex

Now, with a trio of new references, the Q Timex Continental Chronograph receives some subtle changes that make all the difference.

Timex

They’ll steel your heart

The new expansion consists of three colorways, including full steel models with either ice blue or panda dials and a two-tone gold option with a champagne dial.

Timex

The panda variant complements the reverse panda model that inaugurated the set back in February. Meanwhile, the gorgeous two-tone perfectly captures the ‘70s spirit that undergirds the Continental line to begin with.

Timex

But the expansion is far more than just new color schemes. The biggest part of the story is the case size. Rather than the 40mm diameter on past models, the newcomers get sized down to 36mm, which nails the vintage vibe a lot better.

Timex

However, the most notable change comes on the tachymeter bezel. Instead of color-matching the dials, the new 36mm references stick to pure steel. And for the two-tone variant, it’s colored in gold. Also, as opposed to the rotating bezels on the 40mm, the 36mm bezels are stationary.

Timex

The final change comes on the bicompax registers. Now, instead of a flatter transition, the outer index track is stepped, making the overall aesthetic much more dynamic.

Most of the other features get saved, including the radial dial texture and stainless steel flat-link bracelet. However, water resistance has been reduced from 100m to 50m.

Timex

Pricing and availability

The new Q Timex Continental Chronograph 36mm is available now. The two steel options carry a $259 price tag ($10 cheaper than the 40mm counterparts), while the two-tone gold costs $279.

Timex

Timex Q Timex Continental Chronograph 36mm

• Starts at $259

With over 40 years of history and innovation, G-Shock makes some of the most impressive and formidable Japanese watches ever made. Yet the brand continues to innovate and iterate, filling performance and functionality gaps across its catalog.

The latest, the G-Shock GBA-950 Series, combines sporty styling, fitness-focused capability and the brand’s legendary toughness into a single affordable, everyday watch, especially for athletes and gym-goers.

G-Shock

Hit the road (and trails)

The GBA-950 Series is specifically designed with daily training in mind. To that end, the watch is compatible with Strava, the world-famous fitness tracking app and social network. Using the onboard Bluetooth technology to connect the watch to your phone, you can record your routes, distance traveled, speed, elapsed time and more.

That also means you can use your watch and the app to track your progress, calories burned, life logs, activity history and more. But here’s the best part: even without Strava, the watch still has a ton of useful integrated features.

G-Shock

It has a comprehensive stopwatch, countdown timer, fitness measuring modes (like a lap timer and split time function) and it can keep up to 45 records at a time, so you can maintain your tracking across numerous metrics, routes, exercises and so on.

It also has a bunch of other standard features you’d expect from a G-Shock, like a full-auto calendar, LED backlight for easier low-light reading and five daily alarms. It even has an airplane mode and a low-battery alert.

G-Shock

Shocking, isn’t it

The Japanese history- and innovation-inspired construction is undoubtedly another massive highlight of this watch. That starts, of course, with the brand’s legendary shock resistance. No matter the route you take, whether through city streets or up and down literal mountains, no amount of jostling or impacts will affect the watch’s functionality or reliability.

Like other G-Shocks, this watch is built to take a literal beating and keep right on ticking. But that’s not all it has to offer.

G-Shock

The resin case design and integrated resin band are inspired by the classic Japanese art of origami. Better still, the integrated bezel and band are crafted for everyday comfort, offering ergonomic curves made to fit the human body.

It also comes in three unique, bold colorways that stand out, even among G-Shocks. One is black with an orange dial; another is white with a blue dial; and the boldest of all is highlighter yellow with a gray dial.

G-Shock

Pricing and availability

The G-Shock GBA-950 Series watches are now available on the brand’s official site for $165 apiece, offering an incredibly affordable alternative to other daily training watches, such as those from Garmin.

Casio

Casio G-Shock Move GBA-950-1A4

Specs

Case Size	43.9mm
Movement	Quartz
Water Resistance	200m

• $165 at Casio

It has now been over a year and a half since Jens Ansø, one half of the Danish duo at the core of GiantMouse, left the brand to focus on his eponymous side hustle, Ansø of Denmark.

So we’ve had lots of time to see what remaining Dane Jesper Voxnaes (and the third founder, CEO Jim Wirth) and the brand can get up to without him, and so far, it’s been a series of smart, stylish plays.

We’ve seen GM drop team up with tactical pros, experiment with alternative steels, drop multiple blacked-out beauties and spin classics in new directions, including one Jackass of an Ace.

Catch up on everything you might have missed from this one-of-a-kind brand below.

GiantMouse Jutland Slipjoint Blackout

GiantMouse Redington N690

GiantMouse Ace Zoobie

GiantMouse Ace Pontius

GiantMouse Ace Biblio FL Blackout

GiantMouse ACE Tribeca (Black & Brass)

GiantMouse ACE Atelier Flat Brass

GiantMouse The Redington

GiantMouse ACE Iona Sailor

GiantMouse ACE REO Black & Brass

Zodiac

Zodiac x GiantMouse Super Sea Wolf Pro Diver

This collaborative release is precisely how the worlds of dive watches and seafaring knives should collide. On the one hand, you have an utterly capable and stylish diver, good for 300m of underwater travel and boasting an automatic movement. And on the other, there’s a crazy-robust N360 satin steel knife with a classic sailor-style tipless blade and integrated gut hook. If you’re an ocean-going adventurer, these are two essential tools you should absolutely have in your arsenal, and these particular versions are especially adept, reliable and durable.

• $2,295 at GiantMouse

On the heels of the Pegasus 42, released in February, Nike continues to take the Year of the Horse seriously.

The Pegasus Plus 2 arrives later this month as the lighter, quicker big brother to Nike’s longstanding workhorse trainer.

Nike

Big shoes to fill

The weight of history is a hard shackle to shake. When Nike first launched the first Pegasus Plus, its predecessor, a shoe called the Pegasus Turbo, cast a long shadow on the 2024 release.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

For all intents and purposes, the Pegasus Plus was a reissue of a storied tempo trainer from the dawn of super trainers, one of the first-ever to feature race-day foam in an everyday runner. It came in the original colorway and even featured the text “Pegasus Turbo” on the sole. Call a it not-so-subtle homage to a shoe with no shortage of fans.

Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

But running looks different now, and designs have evolved, too. Across the board, shoes are faster, bouncier and a lot more fun. Fact is, the Pegasus Plus felt a little too lifeless underfoot. Staying true to requests, the shoe itself didn’t change much, just the preferences of the people who asked for it.

The Pegasus Plus 2, out at the end of August, aims to address those shortcoming with a more significant update that “runners can both see and feel,” Nike says.

Nike

What’s changed

The Pegasus Plus 2 continues to make use of the foam that powered not just the Pegasus Plus but the Turbo of yesteryear. It’s just no longer the only technology at play.

Paired with the midsole is an exposed Air Zoom unit, positioned in the forefoot like the one found in Nike’s top-of-food-chain marathon racer, the Alphafly 3.

Nike

Nike

According to Nike the addition of Air Zoom yields 18 percent more energy return without a plate, while also making the shoe feel more lively.

“The curved Air Zoom unit helps ease each step into the next, creating a rhythm that feels natural and uninterrupted, with inner tensile fibers that act like preloaded springs to pump out more of the energy runners put in,” Nike says.

There are also more subtle changes at work.

The Pegasus Plus 2 features a new last, introduced earlier this year with the Pegasus 42, that widens the toebox for a more accommodating fit.

Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Nike

“I love a run where I’m locked in but still enjoying every step,” says Cameron Myers, who currently leads the world rankings in the 1,500 meter. “That’s the feeling I get from this shoe. Easy, fast, smooth. It just flows.”

Nike also revamped the upper, adding a midfoot band for a tighter fit on uptempo efforts, while also reducing the weight. According to the brand, the Pegasus Plus 2 is 10 percent lighter than its predecessor.

Availability and pricing

Whether or not everyday runners respond positively to the changes remains to be seen.

Today, they are flush with options when it comes to so-called “super trainers,” including Nike’s own wildly popular Vomero Plus (which prioritizes comfort over speed).

Soon, they will have one more to consider. The Pegasus Plus 2 goes on sale later this month for $170.

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Another day, another Grand Seiko limited edition.

The Japanese luxury brand loves putting out small production runs of unique watches that are exclusive to certain areas or jewelers, and even though most of us will never see many of these ultra-rare references in person, I always find it exciting to see what kind of gorgeous dial Grand Seiko’s artisans have cooked up for each of them.

The brand’s latest ultra-limited edition is the Reference SBGA527, which is exclusive to the Ala Moana Center and Kalakaua Avenue Ben Bridge Grand Seiko Boutiques in Honolulu, Hawaii. Unsurprisingly, it’s just as beautiful as you’d expect for its exotic purchase point.

Grand Seiko’s famous textured dials typically draw their inspiration from the beauty of Japan’s natural world, but for the SBGA527, the brand went a bit further afield for its muse.

Grand Seiko

The blue dial on the new watch was inspired by the Pacific Ocean. Specifically, the intensely beautiful waves that lap against the white sands of Japan’s Shirarahama Beach, considered the nation’s finest beach, and Hawaii’s famous Waikiki. The two beaches, while separated by over 4,000 miles, share a similar aesthetic and have been official “sister beaches” for a quarter century.

The dial is a medium blue color with a calm, feathered texture similar to the pattern seen on Grand Seiko’s Sōkō Frost. It’s complemented by a smooth-gliding blued seconds hand courtesy of the Calibre 9R6 Spring Drive movement, giving the dial a serene vibe befitting its beachy inspiration.

The rest of the watch’s specs read like a classic modern everyday sports watch from Grand Seiko’s Heritage Collection and include a sharply finished 40mm 62GS case in High Intensity Titanium with a matching bracelet, 100m water resistance, a box sapphire crystal and a dial-side power reserve indicator tracking the movement’s three-day runtime.

Availability and pricing

The SBGA527 is one of the better-looking Grand Seiko limited editions I’ve seen, and one of the more exclusive. It’s limited to just 50 examples and is only available in person at the Ben Bridge Grand Seiko Boutiques in Honolulu. The watch is priced at $7,600.

Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko SBGA527

Specs

Case Size	40mm
Movement	Grand Seiko Cal. 9R65 Spring Drive
Water Resistance	100m

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