Ikea says it designed its upcoming KOMPISHÄNG collection for city-dwelling twenty-somethings bouncing between apartments. Still, at least one piece has the potential to take on a life of its own among another target consumer group.

As the name suggests, the KOMPISHÄNG desk was developed as a work-and-socializing table that’s easy to set up, break down, and move around town.

But those are the same design details that might make it feel right at home on well-appointed camp sites.

An elevated camp table for half the price?

Ikea

Ikea early press materials state that the desk deploys in seconds — two pulls and two clicks, and it stands.

It measures 39 3/8 inches wide, 21 5/8 inches deep and 29 1/2 inches tall, which puts it solidly in medium-format camp table territory and big enough for people to surround.

The surface is clear-lacquered solid pine, giving it a warmth that aluminum competitors also simply can’t match.

Ikea

There are two caveats worth flagging though that may only be answered through hands on experience.

The tabletop doesn’t fold — meaning you’re fitting a rigid 39-inch panel through a hatch or cargo door, which rules out smaller vehicles entirely. And while the collection is designed for life in motion, it’s unclear whether the lacquer finish is robust enough to shrug off morning dew, spilled coffee or genuine outdoor abuse.

Ikea’s own SOLUPPGANG folding camp table uses a eucalyptus top — a harder, more weather-resistant wood — for exactly that reason. Pine, even lacquered pine, is softer and more porous.

Ikea

But at least on dimensions and price, the case gets compelling fast.

The Snow Peak Single Action Table Large Light is a benchmark for good reason, but it runs nearly $600.

The KingCamp Bamaura bamboo folding table offers a natural-top alternative at a lower price, but it’s still $160, and the Zempire Kitpac Pro brings a large adjustable surface with dedicated camp features, but costs $180.

Ikea’s own SOLUPPGANG collection — which we’ve previously flagged as a stealth car camping value is another option and includes a folding table measuring 32 1/4 inches long, 17 3/4 inches deep and 16 1/2 inches tall.

But the KOMPISHÄNG desk is wider, taller and arguably more versatile as a standalone surface.

Availability and pricing

Ikea

The KOMPISHÄNG desk lands at $100 — a strong number against the competition. The collection hasn’t shipped yet, so exact availability dates remain unconfirmed.

If the lacquer holds up in the field and the legs don’t quickly rust, this might be an easy recommendation for car campers with a truck bed or a full-size SUV. For everyone else, the SOLUPPGANG folding table remains the more practical Ikea pick until Ikea proves the pine can take a beating.

Ikea

Ikea KOMPISHANG Desk

• $100 at Ikea

Between Porsche’s ongoing 718 EV development delays and some rocky VW finances, the future of the Boxster and Cayman is decidedly unclear at the moment.

Remember, for a time, the electric powertrains were even rumored to be canceled altogether. However, the automaker has since confirmed the once EV-only sports cars will be joined by new gas-powered variants (hopefully).

Welcome to Moonshots: A series exploring the big ideas that could reshape the future of products. Discover more here.

In any event, the ongoing uncertainty of the Boxster/Cayman situation is made only more apparent when you consider the state of things over at Alpine. While Porsche has been preoccupied deciding its way forward, the French outfit just beat it to taking the first leap of faith.

Alpine

A show of EV intent

That’s because Alpine not only recently displayed its all-electric A110 Future development mule at the Goodwood Festival of Speed but also ran the hill climb throughout the three-day event. Meanwhile, Porsche’s 718 EV has only been spotted in camo guise, and pretty sparingly at that. 

Mind you, as it’s set to be the third generation of the iconic French sports car, a battery-powered A110 has some big shoes to fill. Both the OG and the modern revival are lightweight enthusiast vehicles known for their dynamics and driver connection.

All the same, Alpine’s presence at this year’s FOS demonstrates confidence in what’s coming down the pipeline, and that’s on account of its all-new Alpine Performance Platform (APP). Unlike the current A110, the forthcoming version will be based on a modular aluminum architecture that can be built to a range of configurations and powertrains. 

As applied to the two-seater Future coupé, Alpine says this has allowed it to match both the overall height and the low driving position of the current gas car. In practice, it’s running a dual battery pack split front-to-back, driving the wheels with a pair of motors at the rear.

Alpine

Moreover, to ensure the electric A110 remains agile and responsive, Alpine is working on a new Active Torque Vectoring 2.0 system and Wheel Slip Torque Control. Together, they’re supposed to help reduce understeer from corner entry to apex. 

Alpine’s APP optimism

Beyond its significance with respect to Porsche’s own efforts, the appearance of Alpine’s Future mule bodes well for the brand’s lineup as a whole.

After all, the flexibility of the APP means that Alpine can pursue development of its all-electric sports car without compromising the viability of a future gas-powered variant for a multi-energy portfolio. According to a recent interview with evo, however, it’s not meant to be a de-risking strategy like Porsche’s 718 pivot.

Alpine

That’s because Alpine frontman Philippe Krief isn’t worried about the possibility of the EV failing. Instead, he views the all-electric A110 as a car that can be “at least as good” if not “even better” than its predecessor.

Towards that end, the modularity of the platform also means that Alpine will spawn further sports car variants down the road. There’s already talk of a three-motor 911-sized electric model in the pipeline, so the brand clearly believes in the potential performance applications of its new APP.

In light of Porsche’s recent pledges to keep the 911 gas-powered, it makes for a markedly different outlook. Regardless of what happens with the 718, it seems Alpine is willing to go to lengths Zuffenhausen would never dare.

Alpine

More to come

According to industry timelines, Alpine’s updated A110 is expected next year. What powertrains it’ll offer from the jump only time will tell. However, it’s certain to make the sports car fight interesting. 

Alpine

Alpine A110 Future

• Learn More

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As trail running’s popularity continues to rise, the technology behind the sport is evolving right alongside it.

Merrell’s latest trail running shoe may be the embodiment of that union of progress and popularity.

Developed and refined after five years, 154 prototypes and over 13,000 testing miles, the MTL SpeedARC Peak aims to live up to its name … the peak of trail-ready performance.

Merrell

No filler, all killer

The MTL SpeedArc Peak is built with components that are impressive enough their own, but when combined, they yield an ultra-capable trail shoe whose whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Merrell

Designed with the intention of every inch being elite, and informed by athlete feedback and lab testing, the MTL SpeedArc Peak prioritizes speed, stability and performance.

The rule of thirds seems to define Merrell’s newest release: first, there’s the three-part, Merrell-specific SpeedArc midsole system, engineered to deliver responsive cushioning and efficiency across challenging terrain.

The system is designed with a top layer of FloatPro PEBA-based racing foam, a bottom layer of more dense FloatPro foam and a carbon plate sandwiched between the two.  

Merrell

Merrell

The rule of thirds appears a second time, albeit in a more abstract partnership context. The shoe is defined in part by Merrell’s own technology, but also by two trusted brand partners that bring their own component expertise to the table. 

Merrell defines the middle of the shoe, while Vibram tackles the outsole and Matryx with Kevlar (literally) covers the upper.  

Merrell

Each step stays where it should, thanks to the grippy 4mm lugs on the high-traction Vibram MegaGrip Elite outsole.

The technical Matryx upper, meanwhile, allows for maximum breathability and abrasion-resistant durability. 

Released in part to celebrate Merrell’s 45th anniversary, the new shoe’s bright colors pay homage to the vivid hues that defined the ’80s, Merrell’s founding decade.

Availability and pricing

The MTL SpeedArc Peak is available now on Merrell’s website, retailing for $290.

Merrell

Merrell MTL SpeedARC Peak

• $290 at Merrell

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Just last week, I was writing about BMW’s pitch-perfect color-focused update to its dreamy retro-styled R12 G/S.

Now the brand has rolled out an off-road-focused edition for riders competing at the 2026 BMW Motorrad International GS Trophy event this September in Romania.

BMW Motorcycles

That doesn’t stop the rest of us from configuring something similarly rugged (OK, maybe 75 percent as rugged) on our own. 

Should you be interested in doing so, here’s all you need to know about the 2026 BMW R 12 G/S GS Trophy Competition Bike.

Go configure

The bike retains its signature silhouette and trademark power plant, the 1,170cc air/oil-cooled boxer twin making a claimed 109 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 85 lb.-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm.

BMW Motorcycles

Where it separates itself is with the various sponsors, numbers and event-specific graphics on the tank and front fender.

BMW Motorcycles

The bike also boasts integrated navigation, an Akrapovič silencer and a 5-liter tank bag converted into a small rear luggage bag, plus engine protection bars, cylinder head guards and a Rally cockpit fairing.

At least some of these components can be procured through the BMW Motorrad Parts section of BMW’s official site.

BMW Motorcycles

There’s also Light White paintwork and a red seat, which are available as options but unfortunately can’t be retained once you start introducing all the other upgrades.

BMW Motorcycles

Everything else can be added to the standard bike via the R12 G/S’s configurator page, as follows.

The Comfort Package introduces Gear Shift Assist Pro, Hill Start Control, heated grips and cruise control.

The Enduro Package Pro adds off-road tires, an 18-inch rear wheel and handlebar risers for better standing ergonomics.

Finally, Riding Modes Pro and Headlight Pro (featuring adaptive cornering lights) upgrade the electronics and lighting.

Availability and pricing

While the 2026 BMW R 12 G/S GS Trophy Competition Bike is not available to the general public, as mentioned, most of it can be recreated starting with a standard R12 G/S.

It will cost you, though; while the bike’s base price is $17,095, the upgrades will raise that figure to at least $22,245.

If there’s one sport luxury watch brands love, it’s auto racing. But if there are two sports they love, then number two is definitely sailing.

That’s especially true of the America’s Cup, the oldest continually operating international sports competition in the world. The iconic yacht race counts Omega as its official timekeeper, while individual teams have been sponsored by brands including Bremont and TAG Heuer.

Currently, outside of Omega, the most prominent watch sponsors of the America’s Cup are Tudor, which is the lead sponsor for Team Alinghi out of Switzerland, and Panerai, which is now in its seventh year as the watch sponsor for Italy’s Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.

Panerai has created countless Luna Rossa-edition watches throughout its partnerships, but its latest stand out for their surprise sleekness.

Panerai

Silver sailors

Panerai has launched two new Luna Rossa tool watches, a GMT and a chronograph, both of which feature the same shimmering, monochromatic design.

I’ll start with the GMT, Reference PAM01791. It’s a Luminor GMT in stainless steel with a 40mm case and matching steel bracelet, making this the first Luna Rossa watch to come on a bracelet.

The watch features a sandwich dial that’s among the most contemporary-looking I’ve seen from Panerai, as the top plate is silver with a sunray finish, and the luminous lower level is coated with white Super-LumiNova rather than a yellow or green-tinted one like we’re used to seeing.

Panerai

That same white lume appears on the handset, which features bright red accents on the arrow tip of the GMT hand and the small seconds hand at 9:00; the only pops of color on the watch. The lume glows green everywhere but the GMT hand, which glows blue.

You may be wondering why there’s no 24-hour scale on the dial. Well, that’s because many of Panerai’s GMT movements, like the Calibre P.900/GMT automatic that powers this watch, display both time zones in a 12-hour format, meaning you don’t have to do any math to calculate the time in your second time zone. The movement has a power reserve of 3 days and is visible through a sapphire caseback.

Next, we have a Luminor Chronograph, reference PAM01768. It shares a lot in common with its GMT sibling, including the same sandwich dial with a sunburst silver top layer over a white Super-LumiNova base. It also gets similar red accents, with a red hand on the 30-minute chronograph register at 3:00 and a red tip on the centrally mounted chronograph seconds hand.

Panerai

The chrono receives just a touch more color than the GMT, though, as its chronograph pushers, located on the left side of the case to accommodate the right side’s signature crown-protecting device, are both accented with red rings. The dial is, of course, a bit busier, too, with a tachymeter scale printed on the rehaut.

The chronograph doesn’t get a bracelet like the GMT, but its strap does mark another first for the Luna Rossa line. It’s a waterproof, elasticated Velcro strap that allows for a custom fit on the wrist. It’s black with a woven texture and features a red stripe with Luna Rossa branding in white text. The watch also includes a rubber strap, in case you’re not feeling the Velcro.

The movement powering this 44mm stainless steel beast is the Panerai Cal. P.9210 calibre automatic chronograph, which oscillates at 4Hz with a 42-hour power reserve. Unlike the GMT’s movement, it’s hidden behind a solid steel caseback.

Panerai

Availability and pricing

The next America’s Cup doesn’t take place until June of 2027, but you can pick up one of these Luna Rossa watches from Panerai now.

The PAM01791 GMT is priced at $11,400, while the PAM01768 has a nearly identical SRP of $11,500.

The era of the Nissan Altima is officially coming to an end. WardsAuto reports the Yokohama-based automaker is axing the company’s popular midsize sedan.

But the cause isn’t what you probably expected. Although the current Altima is nearing the end of its production lifecycle, the reasons to discontinue the model are rather unusual.

Sacrificing the Altima for the Sentra

Nissan

According to the report, the outlet spoke with Nissan’s product planning chief, Ponz Pandikuthira, who said the company is significantly reworking its lineup to streamline its offerings. The motivation behind the plan is to optimize the company’s product range for a more sustainable long-term strategy.

And, ultimately reduce operational costs. Said strategy already includes hitting some high-demand targets, such as the highly-anticipated return of the Xterra, the next-gen rugged body-on-frame Pathfinder and more.

Nissan

But the sadder parts of the plan includes axing the Altima. The main reason why Nissan is getting rid of the Altima is apparently to allow the Sentra to grow, both literally and figuratively.

As with every new generation of vehicles, they tend to get bigger in size and offer more features.

It’s been the case with most cars, including the Sentra and Altima. However, seeing as the Sentra is growing even more, the Altima is redundant.

The end of one of Nissan’s longest-running models in America

Nissan

The discontinuation of the Altima is an unfortunate decision because it brings an end to one of Nissan’s most iconic models. Regardless of your opinion on the car (and the jokes surrounding the model in the community these days), the Altima has been a part of the brand’s portfolio for almost four decades.

It’s consistently been the rivaling answer to the likes of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry since 1992. The current sixth-gen model has been with us since 2018. After a mid-cycle refresh in 2022, it’s finally reached the end of its lifecycle.

Nissan

The Altima joins the Maxima and the entry-level Versa on the discontinuation bandwagon after the company axed those two models not too long ago (the Versa still exists in other markets).

Focusing on an SUV and truck-centric future

Nissan

With the Altima departing, that leaves the Sentra as the only standard car left in Nissan’s US lineup. All other remaining models are either SUVs or trucks.

Yet, Nissan Americas still plans to lean even more into its SUV and truck offerings. Along with the Xterra returning and the next-gen Pathfinder going back to its rugged roots with a body-on-frame platform, there will be another, road-biased Pathfinder variant that’ll retain a unibody construction.

Nissan

The Armada and Frontier will march on with business as usual. While the Kicks, Rogue and Murano complete the automaker’s crossover range.

“Across that spectrum, we are fully able to capture people who are coming in for a typical sedan,” Pandikuthira continued telling WardsAuto. “We are not losing out on sedan customers unless they are driven primarily by price.”

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Spotify is having quite the week.

The streaming giant just announced a new feature for parents who are paying subscribers. Specifically, they can now create a free managed account for their kids.

This way, kids (13 and under) can listen and discover their own music, as well as create their own playlists, without it muddying their parents’ suggestions and feed. And it comes at no extra cost.

Previously, this feature was available only to parents who also subscribed to a Premium Family plan. Now, it’s available to all Premium subscribers.

If you’re not a parent, no worries: Spotify announced another new feature that I’m guessing many people will find very useful.

It’s called Talk to Spotify.

Spotify

Talk to Spotify

Talk to Spotify is a new AI chatbot feature that aims to make it way easier and more conversational to control music playback, discover new music and learn more about the podcasts and audiobooks you’re already listening to.

It allows you to control all the above with your voice or by typing in a textbox, similar to how you use Siri on your iPhone. The difference is that Talk to Spotify works exclusively when in the Spotify app. And when you’re in the Home and the Now Playing views. 

Spotify says in the press release: “By typing or speaking directly in the app, you can have a back-and-forth conversation to choose what’s playing, learn about the music you love, revisit your listening history, and go deeper on podcasts and audiobooks, all without leaving Spotify.”

The company gives a number of examples of what you can do when using Talk to Spotify.

You can ask it to “Play some artists I haven’t heard before” or “Keep the same vibe, but with smaller undiscovered artists.” You can ask to add songs from specific artists to existing playlists. You also specify that these songs be newer or older, as well as specify the mood (upbeat or more mellow) of the tracks.

When you hear a track you like, you can use Talk to Spotify to “save this song,” “add this to my queue” or “follow this artist.”

You can get more information or context on what you’re listening to. Specifically, you can ask questions like, “What other podcasts has this guest been on?”, “What was the inspiration behind this album?” or “Can you recommend similar audiobooks?”

Also, you can ask specific information about your listening habits as it relates to a specific artist, song or album. For example, you can ask how many times you’ve listened to a specific song or when you first listened to it. Pretty neat.

Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

When’s it coming?

Spotify says that it is gradually rolling out the Talk to Spotify feature right now to Premium subscribers who are 18+ in the U.S., Ireland and Sweden across iOS and Android devices in English.

The feature is currently in beta, which is Spotify’s way of saying that responses might not exactly be perfect at launch.

If you’re a Premium subscriber, you can check to see if you have access to Talk to Spotify now. Just open the Home view in the Spotify app.

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Have you ever heard of Nike Atelier? Don’t fret, if not.

Launched in June of this year, it’s the Swoosh’s brand-spanking-new premium, bespoke creative division. It’s so sneaky-exclusive that it doesn’t even have its own website.

However, it already has more than one collection under its belt, having just announced the Nike Atelier Total 90 Capsule with a little help from NBA superstar Victor “Wemby” Wembanyama.

Nike

Clean kicks

It’s interesting that Nike Atelier chose Wemby as its celebrity spokesperson for this launch, as he plays basketball, and the shoe that anchors the collection is decidedly not a basketball shoe. Rather, it’s a reinterpretation of the Total 90 Laser III.

For reference, the Total 90 is a soccer shoe. In fact, it could be called the closest thing Nike has to an Adidas Samba alternative, both in terms of its styling and its evolution.

Interestingly, the version in this capsule moves it both closer to its origins and further away. Allow me to explain:

Nike

The overall silhouette is refined and elevated, crafted entirely from premium white leather (some of which has a reptilian texture), making this an unquestionable lifestyle shoe (as opposed to a genuine soccer cleat).

However, it also gains a fold-over tongue, which is common with soccer cleats. As refined and premium as the stylistic redux is, this addition is unmistakably football-inspired. Per the brand, this shoe “distills one of Nike Football’s most iconic silhouettes into its purest form.”

See? It’s equal parts heritage and contemporary — quite a paradoxical bit of footwear.

Nike

Swoosh swish

These reimagined Total 90 shoes are only half of the capsule. For some, the other might be even more interesting and exciting.

Joining the sneaker is a highly unique Nike Atelier LenoWoven jacket. Per the brand, it’s entirely bespoke and “crafted from a cotton yarn adaptation of material technology originally developed for Nike Football boots.”

Nike

The brand explains that it “reinterprets performance innovation through an elevated lens.” What that means in practice remains to be seen, but the jacket does have a woven structure, suggesting it is as breathable as it is stylish. It’s also reasonable to assume it’s durable and tough.

Both the jacket and sneakers will likely be difficult to get. In fact, the brand has already made its exclusivity clear in its available retailers: Nike Atelier Total 90 [will be] available […] at The Broken Arm (Paris), Dover Street Market (Paris), Nike Soho, Nike HOI (NYC), and SNKRS (North America).”

Nike

Availability and pricing

The Nike Atelier Total 90 Capsule will be available to preorder starting July 20 at select retailers, including Nike’s SNKRS platform.

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What’s a SUBA diver’s favorite type of watch dial? A sand-wich dial!

My unabashed dad joke (I have two kids, so I’m allowed) is backed by the fact that sandwich dials have been used in dive watches for decades, enhancing legibility through contrasting depth. That’s why Doxa devised a new “superimposed titanium” sandwich dial for its latest Clive Cussler model.

Doxa

Doxa debuted the first Clive Cussler model in 2023, paying homage to the prolific author who helped establish the Doxa mythos through his Indiana Jones-esque protagonist, Dirk Pitt. An avid diver, Cussler also founded the National Underwater and Marine Agency (NUMA) to help preserve historical shipwrecks.

While the first two signature models leaned too heavily on the literary angle with faux-aged compass dials, the third entry is arguably the coolest SUB 300 released since the line was revived in 2020. It has a vintage-faithful design with the NUMA logo stamped on the signature orange dial.

Doxa

The newest Clive Cussler model is a worthy follow-up, sticking even closer to the standard SUB 300 blueprint. It improves upon the icon with Grade 5 titanium for the case, proprietary decompression bezel, crown and caseback.

The elliptical cushion case is the same size, measuring 42mm wide, 13.4mm tall and 45mm lug-to-lug, and features the same radial brushed top and polished sides. However, a relief Doxa word mark replaces the etched-and-lacquered fish logo on the crown, and the helium escape valve is gone.

Below deck

From a technical standpoint, this is the first instance of Doxa using the Clive Cussler series to debut a new feature. It utilizes the brand’s first “dual-plane” titanium dial plate, which is a fancy way of saying sandwich dial.

Doxa

Two titanium plates are superimposed, with laser-cut apertures in the top plate forming Doxa’s customary baton hour markers. The center of each 3D index is filled with Super-LumiNova, and a framed date window sits at 3:00.

The matte titanium dial resembles a darker variation of the brand’s radiant steel Searambler motif. It has the same black printed minute track, date window frame, crosshair and logos, along with the same orange minute hand distinguished from the black hour hand and seconds hand.

A worthy tribute

The SUB 300 Ti5 Clive Cussler is powered by the same Sellita Caliber COSC-certified SW200-1 automatic movement found throughout the Doxa catalog. It’s the top-grade “Chronometer” version (it comes in four grades) of a dependable Swiss workhorse that beats at 4Hz and offers a 38-hour power reserve.

Due to the full titanium case build, it comes on a quick-release black rubber tropical strap with a titanium pin buckle. I appreciate the vintage aesthetic of this choice over the brand’s standard rubber strap, and Doxa doesn’t offer a titanium beads-of-rice bracelet.

Doxa

When I covered the previous Clive Cussler model, I called it the signature model that the late author, who passed away in 2020, would most likely wear. Given that he was an experienced SCUBA diver, I think this is the one he would choose to dive in.

The titanium build makes it lighter than a standard SUB 300, and the sandwich dial provides excellent submerged visibility.

Availability and pricing

Doxa’s Clive Cussler series is more than an ode to a niche author who was a noted fan. Part of the proceeds from the watch’s sale are donated to Cussler’s NUMA foundation, supporting a mission that both parties believe in.

The Doxa SUB 300 Ti5 Clive Cussler is available now from Doxa for $3,390. It is a limited edition of 300, with each watch numbered on the caseback beside the etched NUMA logo.

Doxa

Doxa SUB 200 Ti5 Clive Cussler

Specs

Case Size	42mm
Movement	Sellita Caliber SW200-1 automatic
Water Resistance	300m

• $3,390 at Doxa

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Before Nike, Adidas and Reebok dominated NBA footwear in the ‘80s and ‘90s, there was one company that ruled them all: Converse.

From the league’s inception in 1946 into the ‘80s, the footwear brand was all but ubiquitous among players. Nevertheless, one silhouette in particular stands out among the pack in terms of how it impacted the industry.

Converse

Now, Converse teams up with rapper Tyler, the Creator’s Golf le Fleur brand for a new take on that very shoe, but nearly leaves its court provenance in the rearview.

The Doctor is in

Born in 1976, the Pro Leather became one of the most important sneakers ever made. It was Converse’s first truly modern basketball shoe and pushed the category away from canvas uppers into leather construction.

Converse

The silhouette was a successor to the Leather All Star, which was simply a leather-wrapped take on the age-old Chuck Taylor. The Pro Leather was a new direction entirely. 

Its sturdier cupsole construction, improved lateral stability and updated design (among the first to feature the brand’s Star Chevron emblem) caught the attention of Julius “Dr. J” Irving, one of the biggest stars of the era. The connection to the athlete catapulted the Pro Leather’s popularity into the stratosphere, even influencing designs by companies that would later dominate the industry.

Converse

Fat chance

With the brand-new 1908 Pro Leather, Converse has eschewed its progenitor’s basketball lineage in favor of life off the court. According to the product description, the new sneaker takes “cues from b-boy style and bootleg culture.”

Converse

Taking its name from Converse’s inaugural year, the 1908 makes some substantial changes from its predecessor. For starters, the overall proportions are exaggerated with a wider toe box, fatter laces and slightly enlarged vintage details. Also, the heel cap is more pronounced and the toe box features the star logo embossed on top.

At first glance, it appears the silhouette is a vintage example of the original ‘70s shoe. Against the suede upper, the toe box and midsole are yellowed to look vintage. Meanwhile, the kelly green color scheme looks like it could’ve come straight out of that era. It arrives with baby blue laces, although yellow and white options are also available.

Converse

Alongside the green variant, Converse is also releasing a mostly-white colorway with green accents. 

Availability and pricing

Priced at just $95, the 1908 Pro Leather lands in both colorways July 16 at 10 a.m. ET from Nike’s SNKRS app.

Converse

Converse 1908 Pro Leather

• $95 at Nike

A hot shower after a dusty, sweaty day camping has long been a luxury mostly reserved for hardcore overlanders who invested in custom rigs complete with dual-battery setups and enough 12-volt gear to wire a small apartment.

The Australian-based brand Joolca built its reputation with this crowd when it launched the original HOTTAP back in 2012, which earned consistent praise among off-the-grid adventurers for delivering genuine on-demand hot water in the backcountry, though the revolutionary accessory didn’t launch in the U.S. until 2019. Its newest product, however, aims at a broader target: the car camper who just wants a clean rinse without engineering a custom rig to get it.

Joolca

The Joolca HOTTAP Go – which was originally called the HOTTIE when the first production models were available in January – distills that overlanding pedigree into a more compact, self-contained unit that skips the need to source a separate water tank. Fill it before you leave camp, hook up a propane canister and a power bank, and you have pressurized hot water ready to go. That sounds simple because it mostly is — which is exactly what makes it interesting.

The nearly all-in-one solution

Joolca

The outdoor shower market has grown surprisingly crowded, and the options now span a wide spectrum. At the bottom sit gravity-fed or foot-pump bags — cheap, light, but dependent entirely on the sun to warm the water. A tier up are powered sprayers like the RinseKit Pro, which deliver real pressure but no heat. Then come the propane-fired units that actually heat water on demand, the category where the HOTTAP Go lives.

Within that heated tier, the HOTTAP Go carves out a specific niche. Size-wise, it weighs just under 22 pounds before adding water, and takes up about the same amount of physical space as a 5-gallon Jerry Can (19.5 x 14.1 x 7.1 in). Joocla says those dimensions mean the Go can easily be stored in any mount designed to hold Jerry Cans.

Joolca

Speaking of water, its integrated tank, which holds roughly 3.4 gallons, eliminates the need to attach a separate water source or reservoir to start showering. With a stated flow rate of between 0.4 – 0.9 gal/min, that means it holds enough for roughly two very conservative showers before needing a refill.

That single design decision simplifies the Go’s setup in at least one way compared to other heated water systems in the market.

Fill the tank at a spigot or water source, attach the included 9.8 ft shower hose and a standard 1-pound propane canister, connect it to a USB-C battery or to a 12V DC car adaptor to power the pump and ignition, and you’re done.

Long-term users of the original HOTTAP consistently praised its reliability; the Go inherits that core heating mechanism in a more approachable form factor, while still offering a max heating temp of 140°F and stated pre-heating time of ~5 min.

Joolca

The tradeoffs are real and worth naming. That integrated tank is convenient until it runs dry, which can happen mid-rinse if you’re not conservative — refills between uses are likely. You’re also trading one set of supplies for another: no need to haul a separate water container, but you do need both propane and a charged power bank. That’s a different dependency, not necessarily a lighter one. At $554, the HOTTAP Go is undeniably a luxury item, though it’s fairly priced for the category.

The Go also faces more competition today, each of which offer a different set of tradeoffs that may appeal more or less to certain kinds of campers. 

The Kakadu Outback Shower flips the formula — it includes an integrated battery so you don’t need an external power bank, but it requires you to bring your own water container. The BougeRV Portable Propane Outdoor Water Heater makes a similar tradeoff at a lower price point, though it lacks the brand track record.

At the far end of the spectrum, the Geyser System is impressively small and efficient, but it’s more of a heated sponge bath than a true outdoor shower. 

Availability and what it costs

Joolca

The HOTTAP Go retails for $554 directly from Joolca’s website. Joolca also sells bundle kits at higher price points that add accessories like a carrying case and battery, and even a portable sink — a worthwhile upgrade if you want the Go to pull double duty as a camp dishwashing station.

If a genuine hot shower after a hard day outside sounds like a reasonable ask — not an overland fantasy — the HOTTAP Go is now one of the most frictionless ways to get there on the market.

The tank size demands some water discipline, and the power-plus-propane dependency means one more thing to pack. But for car campers who have been waiting for a heated shower solution that doesn’t require a dedicated truck build, this is a compelling answer.

Joolca

Joolca HOTTAP Go

• $554 at Joolca

American wagon fans may be in for a treat in the near future. New reports suggest that BMW could be sending us Yanks a new long-roof in the coming years.

And it won’t be just some crazy expensive, high-performance model, like the M5 Touring. Enthusiast forum BimmerPost and site BMWBlog learned the Munich-based automaker is canvassing the idea for something more approachable after experiencing profound sales success with the M5 Touring.

Because of its impressive sales after launch, BMW is convinced there may be a solid business case for more wagons in America.

BMW sees the wagon demand in America

BMW

According to the post on BimmerPost, the anonymous source said BMW USA is considering options for more wagons in the US. Specifically, the “G51” 3 Series Touring.

The German automaker recently revealed the next-gen 3 Series in the form of the all-electric i3. Although it’s just the electric version, the gas-powered and hybrid versions will follow shortly in the near future, all with the same sheet metal and interior design.

In addition to the standard 3 Series and hybrid models, BMW will also reveal the next-gen G51 Touring wagon. It’s been standard practice for decades.

BMW

Because a new 3 Series Touring is on the horizon, BMW is considering its availability in America.

“We are seeing continuous demand. We also saw customers petitioning for the M3 Touring, bringing it to the U.S,” BMW North America’s vice president for product management, Michael Keller, previously said to media. “There is momentum in the market. These are all indications where we continue monitoring the market and trigger the right discussions.”

Although BMW also just recently introduced the latest 5 Series Touring, executives didn’t mention its consideration for the US.

Could America get the 3 Series Touring back?

BMW

The sixth-generation F30-based 3 Series was the last standard wagon BMW sold to the States. BMW sold the F31 wagon here as the 3 Series Sport Wagon in both gas and diesel form between 2012 and 2018.

It was sold as the 328i with a gas turbo-four, which later morphed into the 330i after its LCI mid-cycle update.

The diesel wore the 328d badge. Both of the gas and diesel versions of the F31 were available with xDrive all-wheel drive.

BMW

Before the F31, BMW sold the E91 and E46 3 Series Touring generations stateside. The E61 5 Series Touring also saw US dealer space from 2004 through 2010. That was the last time we got a 5 Series wagon.

Since then, America hasn’t had the option for a BMW long-roof. That was, until the M5 Touring arrived and proved everyone wrong about demand for wagons here in America.

BMW

Now, with the impending arrival of the G51, BMW may be preparing to send it across the pond to our shores. But don’t get too excited just yet, as BMW hasn’t made an official decision.

“We will look into Touring concepts where it makes sense for the U.S. market, because at the moment we are quite happy with the M5,” Keller remarked.

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Last year, Toyota announced a rad new treatment for the Corolla hatch here in the States that it called the FX Edition. 

It was strictly an appearance package, but the fun vibes and historic references nevertheless made it one of the automaker’s more impactful releases. In the eyes of Gear Patrol’s own, it even gave the Corolla bona fide ‘cool’ factor.

Toyota

Still, unfortunately, it seems Toyota wasn’t interested in keeping the package around in name. The FX Edition doesn’t appear on the option sheet for 2027, leaving only the SE and XSE.

Breaking up the FX

Now, it’s worth noting that some parts of Toyota’s Corolla FX Edition treatment will technically live on. 

Toyota

For instance, the 18-inch gloss-white alloys aren’t going anywhere, though Toyota is now selling them separately as a Toyota Genuine accessory.

Likewise, Toyota will continue to offer a rear wing option that appears to be nearly identical to that included as part of the FX for 2026. In other words, buyers can still dress their SE or XSE like a rally car, at least.

However, the package’s discontinuation does come at the expense of some of the more tasteful touches. Along with the cool retro-styled badging on the rear hatch, it means the loss of the sport touring seats and the orange-accented interior.

Toyota

Ultimately, though, the biggest blow is to the sense of affordable exclusivity, as Toyota had planned just 1,600 FXs for 2026. Sure, buyers can equip their Corollas with some of the same exterior features for 2027, but they won’t be made to feel nearly as special in doing so.

Options bring savings

Of course, if ’80s heritage isn’t something you really care about, Toyota’s 2027 lineup simplification could be to your benefit. You can get a lot of what the FX Edition offers without paying the full premium.

Toyota

That’s because, as part of its 2027 Corolla model-year update, Toyota is also upgrading the gauge clusters across the range. The SE is set to get the larger 7.0-inch unit, while the XSE will go bigger still through a 12.3-inch cluster in combination with a 10.5-inch infotainment display.

It’s a notable upgrade. Beyond its looks, the FX also currently distinguishes itself from the SE through interior tech. As things stand, the latter instead ships with a 4.2-inch Multi-Information Display. 

Moreover, because other features like the 169-horsepower 2.0-liter engine remain unchanged, Toyota has kept the price hike relatively minimal for 2027. The SE is up to $24,780, while the XSE starts from $27,875.

Toyota

As such, even with an extra $600 in base MSRP, $320 for white wheels and $360 or so for a rear wing, the cost of a gussied-up SE comes out to around $25,460 (sans dealer fees). Mind you, that amounts to big savings over the $26,780 base price of this year’s FX, leaving you plenty in the budget for some Recaros or other goodies.

Availability and pricing

According to Toyota’s announcement, the 2027 Corolla Hatchback is expected to arrive at dealerships this summer. MSRP, excluding dealer processing and handling, starts at $24,780.

Toyota

2027 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

• Starts at $24,780

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Legendary food critic Craig Claiborne is known for saying: “Cooking is at once child’s play and adult joy.”

When you’re working in a cramped kitchen or over a barebones camp setup, that joy can be more difficult to access … but Yeti’s upcoming release makes that elated emotion much more available.

The Carbon Steel Griddle combines no-nonsense design with a lightweight, oversized form factor designed to make every meal a delight.

Yeti

Let him Yeti cook

Debuting later this month, the Carbon Steel Griddle continues Yeti’s expansion into carbon steel cookware, a notably lighter, less brittle and naturally nonstick alternative to traditional cast iron cookware (which, for what it’s worth, Yeti also produces).

Yeti

Measuring 22 inches wide x 12 inches high, the 12-pound griddle is constructed with pre-seasoned carbon steel designed to get better with age.

The non-toxic nonstick quality of the material makes it easy to flip pancakes and other snacks with ease, and the nitrided treatment makes the entire griddle rust-resistant.

Yeti

Yeti

The generous size of the griddle allows for dual cooking zones, so one side can sear while the other keeps things warm and toasty.

There’s a unique lip edge that keeps everything contained without adding bulk, and angled corners allow for easy grease disposal.

Yeti

Although 12 pounds is robust enough to keep the griddle in place while cooking up a feast, compared to a similarly-sized cast iron pan of the same size, there’s a weight savings of at least five pounds.

And unlike more finnicky cast iron, the Carbon Steel Griddle can be cleaned by hand with soap and water, making post-meal washing-up a breeze.

Availability and pricing

The Carbon Steel Griddle will be available later this month on Yeti’s website, where it will retail for $200.

Yeti

Yeti Carbon Steel Griddle

• Learn More

The design for G-Shock’s DW-5000C was so good that it continues to inform new watches over 40 years later.

When the Japanese watchmaker was planning to revise its G-Steel lineup last year, it looked to its first-ever digital watch from 1983 for guidance. Simplifying the overall look, adding an octagonal bezel and implementing a brick motif on the dial, the flagship stainless steel analog series was suddenly turned into a minimalist masterpiece with the new GST-B1000.

G-Shock

Now, G-Shock takes that same G-Steel platform and evolves it even further with a stealthy new look.

G-Steeling the show

When the G-Steel first arrived in 2015, it offered G-Shock fans an interesting new mid-tier option. It was more premium than the brand’s resin-cased digital watches but wasn’t as expensive as top-tier MR-G models.

G-Shock

G-Shock

It essentially combined the durability and sleekness of stainless steel with the shock resistance of resin thanks to an ingenious layered construction. 

However, as trends changed, G-Steel seemed to be stuck in between. The very middle ground it occupied was defining its limitations. It looked too casual to dress up but too tactical and bulky to be an everyday watch. An evolution was imminent.

G-Shock

Keep it simple

Last year’s new GST-B1000 took the long-extant GST-B100 and refined it significantly. 

For starters, the case shrunk to a much more wearable size, from a 53.8mm diameter to 44.2mm. Thickness also decreased from 14.1mm to 11.6mm. These dimensions are similar to the popular 2100 “CasiOak” models, which are known for their comfort and wearability.

Branding was removed from the bezel, which now sports an octagonal shape like the aforementioned 2100 and, most notably, the 1983 DW-5000C. Fortunately, the watch’s durability remains, with the same carbon-reinforced resin case underneath the steel housing. As such, the timepiece still boasts shock resistance and 200m of water resistance.

G-Shock

Back in black

After just a few months, G-Shock is already expanding the B1000 with a blacked-out colorway that’s sleeker than ever. Inspired by city lights, the GST-B1000BD-1A gets a full black ion-plated bezel, case and integrated steel bracelet that combines hairline and mirror finishing for an elegant look.

The color extends to the dial here as well, with a black brick motif, along with black subdials (used as a calendar, timer and 24-hour indicator). It should be pointed out that, like earlier versions, the B1000BD utilizes Tough Solar charging and connects via Bluetooth to your smartphone for timekeeping accuracy.

G-Shock

Along with the all-black variant, there’s a blue dial version as well (GST-B1000BD-2A).

Availability and pricing

The GST-B1000BD models in both colorways just landed on G-Shock’s website. They’re priced at $510 each.

G-Shock

G-Shock G-Steel GST-B1000BD-1A Black

• $510 at G-Shock

From the Meteor 350 to the Scram 411 to the Guerrilla 450 to the Continental GT 650, I’ve ridden basically every size and shape of Royal Enfield motorcycle — and written about many more. 

Over the past several years, I’ve come to really appreciate the brand’s knack for combining fantastic looks, reliable performance and unbeatable prices. 

Royal Enfield

Even still, I feel pretty confident saying that I’ve never seen a Royal Enfield bike so singularly stunning as the new Shotgun 650 x Rough Crafts Drop.

Not too many non-Royal Enfield motos either, to be honest.

Luck of the draw

While the bike was unveiled in the fall, it’s back in the news this week now that purchase details have finally become available.

The price is $7,999, which is $700 more than the base, but considering it’s as close to custom as can be (see details below), that’s a surprisingly small upcharge, with a catch.

See, as it is a very limited release, with just 100 individually numbered units divided among India, Europe, North America and APAC, actually getting one will require winning a lottery.

To get your shot in the US (10 units) and Canada (2 units), you must register by July 28; on July 29 at 10 a.m. EDT, each of the 25 winners will begin the payment process.

Royal Enfield

Assuming all the paperwork is in order, you’ll receive your individually numbered unit within 120 to 180 days of the booking date.

All these details and more just dropped on Royal Enfield’s US site, where you can not only get the full scoop but also register now.

Clap your hands, say “Yeh”

So what is this bike exactly? Only the latest brainchild of renowned custom builder Winston Yeh, who first teamed up with the brand in 2018 on a dramatic reimagining of the GT650 dubbed the Midas Royal.

That one-off led to another, an equally out-of-this-world overhaul of the Shotgun 650. 

Royal Enfield

“The result — a low-slung, elegant but menacing build we’ve called the Caliber Royale — is a spiritual successor to Midas, but all its own motorcycle at the same time,” notes Yeh. “And of course it was a perfect inspiration for our Shotgun x Rough Crafts Drop.”

Which means that even though the Drop is limited to 100 units, it still ultimately makes a masterful Yeh creation much more widely available than his typical project. 

Royal Enfield

Not to mention the fact that only the most eagle-eyed enthusiasts would be likely to recognize one of these bikes as not an individual custom build.

That’s because the man and brand have done an excellent job of carrying over the most compelling qualities of the Caliber Royale to a factory-produced edition.

Drop it like it’s hot

Exhibit A is the real gold leaf stripe with a grey shadow running across the body of the bike and beautifully accenting the gloss jet black and matte stealth black fenders, tank and side covers.

That tank also boasts a hand-cast solid brass badge — a direct replica of one you’ll find on the Caliber Royale.

Royal Enfield

Meanwhile, the saddle features real quilted leather that matches the custom build’s seat pattern, plus gold fork inner tubes, contrast cut alloy rims and bar-end mirrors, all of which reflect the general understated elegance of a motorcycle that simply shines without trying too hard.

Of course, none of these glorious aesthetic touches interfere with the qualities that make the Shotgun 650 such a sweet, irresistibly customizable ride in the first place.

Royal Enfield

Those include but are not limited to a 648cc parallel twin engine making 46 horsepower at 7,250 rpm and peak torque of 38.6 ft-lbs at 5,650 rpm, ample suspension and responsive disc brakes.

The bike also boasts a digital-analog cluster with Tripper navigation, retro-style switch gears, USB charging and a feature that will ensure you see as well as you are seen: a big round LED headlamp. 

Availability and pricing

As outlined above, you can now register for a chance to purchase the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 x Rough Crafts Drop for $7,999.

Royal Enfield

Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 x Rough Crafts Drop

• Learn More

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Marantz has revamped its entry-level hi-fi range with the Model 70 integrated amplifier and the CD 70 CD player.

The latter is more exciting as it once again proves that CDs (and physical media) aren’t going anywhere. Plus, it’s the only new component the Japanese hi-fi giant will sell in the States.

Marantz’s new entry-level CD player

Marantz

The Marantz CD 70 is the direct successor to the brand’s previous entry-level CD player, the CD6007, which was released in 2020. And naturally, the new model has been upgraded inside and out.

In the press release, the Japanese hi-fi maker says that the CD 70 delivers “an elevated listening experience that remains true to Marantz’s heritage while embracing the expectations of a new generation of audio enthusiasts.”

Marantz

Marantz

Upgrades, inside and out

In the last several years, Marantz has revamped the designs of many of its hi-fi components, bringing textured finishes and upgraded displays (including a signature “porthole” display, which it has integrated into the Model 70 amp). And it has brought similar modern aesthetics to the CD 70.

But, naturally, the biggest improvements are under the hood. Marantz has given the CD 70 an upgraded DAC and the brand’s proprietary HDAM circuit design. The company claims “the CD 70 delivers detailed, expressive and emotionally engaging reproduction of compact discs, extracting every nuance from treasured music collections.”

Marantz

Marantz

Other improvements with CD 70 include an upgraded power supply, a new double-layered chassis, more rigid isolation feet and strategically deployed copper hardware. According to Marantz, all these upgrades contribute to “improved stability and reduced interference.”

Like the CD6007, the CD 70 also has a dedicated headphone amplifier with a fully discrete circuitry design. This way, you can plug in your headphones and enjoy a private CD-listening session without additional hi-fi components (like an integrated amplifier).

Marantz

Availability and pricing

Like seemingly everything these days, Marantz has unfortunately increased the price of its entry-level CD player. While the CD6007 is priced at $650 (and it’s still available from most third-party retailers), the CD 70 comes at a $100 premium.

The Marantz CD 70 CD player costs $750 and will be available starting August 15. It comes in black or silver finishes.

Birkenstock and Kith have a long-running relationship, which doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.

The brands’ last team-up happened at the tail end of 2025, once in August and again in December, with Birkenstock’s iconic Boston clog getting a braided makeover.

Now, the brands have reunited once more for another Birkenstock 1774 x Kith footwear capsule, but this time on a pair of different silhouettes. Nevertheless, they’re just as refined as their predecessors, if a bit more subtle.

Birkenstock

Chef’s Kith

As mentioned, Kith’s most recent collaborations with Birkenstock have centered on the latter’s Boston clog. However, this latest one eschews that legend in favor of two other, perhaps less ubiquitous silhouettes: the Amsterdam and the Zürich.

The first of the two, the Amsterdam, is much more pared-down than the Boston. It’s a slip-on clog, boasting one of the brand’s most minimalist uppers, making it both sleeker overall and more easy-wearing than just about anything else in Birkenstock’s catalog. Just slip them on and go.

Birkenstock

The second is the Zürich, a kind of hybrid between a slide and a mule, centered around an exposed-toe upper with a thick, dual-strap piece of material. While Kith has played around with both, they do retain their overall silhouettes and some key elements.

Arguably, the most significant retention is in their footbed and outsole. Both shoes get the brand’s signature, anatomically shaped cork-latex footbed. And below that, they have durable EVA foam outsoles.

Birkenstock

From A to Z

Of the two offerings, the Zürich boasts the largest stylistic departure from the original. This sandal’s upper is built from premium suede and has metal hardware on its dual straps.

However, it also gets a significant, albeit subtle upgrade. What looks like a checkerboard pattern at a distance is actually a repeating pattern of classic fuzzy suede rectangles alternated with debossed Kith logos. It’s a style the brand is known for (it was even applied to its Benchmade EDC knife collaboration).

Birkenstock

The Amsterdam slip-on clog is undoubtedly far more minimalist, but it isn’t without Kith-exclusive elements. Unlike the Zürich, this shoe has two options: one with a Nubuck leather upper and the other in tan suede.

Both, however, have a debossed Kith logo on the outside toward the heel. Both silhouettes also get exclusive packaging, Birkenstock labeling on the footbed and all three available options are priced the same.

Birkenstock

Availability and pricing

The three shoes in the new Birkenstock 1774 x Kith collection are now available on Birkenstock’s official 1774 site for $225 per pair.

Birkenstock

Birkenstock 1774 x Kith Zürich

• $225 at Birkenstock

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.

XGIMI

XGIMI Elfin Flip 4K Projector

XGIMI expands its Elfin Flip projector series with a new top-tier 4K model. Still sporting the slim frame of its entry-level LED units, the laser projector upgrades the optics with a 4K RGB Triple Laser engine, 1,600 ISO lumens of brightness and serious color accuracy. Other features include a 7W Harman Kardon speaker with Dolby Audio support and built-in Google TV. Lastly, the projector weighs just 3.4 pounds, making it easier to carry it from room-to-room around your home.

• $999 at Amazon
• $899 at XGIMI
  $999 (10% off)

Kickstarter

TiMate Verolite

Most EDC load-outs don’t support carrying a full tool kit around with you on the daily, but most pockets don’t have TiMate’s functional Verolite pen in them … yet. The new multi-functional writing implement is designed with multiple modules, magnetically linked together, to create one waterproof, adaptable package designed for illuminating and correcting most everyday obstacles. The integrated tools include a three-mode, removable flashlight, dual-ended marking module, a waterproof storage compartment for three 4-mm bits and pry bar, all in a lightweight 2.1 ounce titanium package. The Verolite comes in two finishes: Titanium Grey and Tactical Black. This isn’t TiMate’s first rodeo on Kickstarter … the Verolite is preceded by the BoltLite and the CoreLite, and is 15 percent lighter, has stronger magnets and a much longer battery life.

• $79 at Kickstarter

Standard & Strange

Freenote High Low Jacket in 14oz Broken Twill Denim

The High Low Jacket, a modern interpretation of turn-of-the-century American workwear, was one of Freenote’s first products and remains its flagship design. This new iteration is built from pure cotton 14-ounce broken-twill denim, custom-produced by Japan’s Yoshiwa Mills. This particular knit produces a small zig-zag texture that becomes visible as the denim patinas. It is cut and sewn in California, using custom copper rivets and signed buttons.

• $400 at Standard & Strange

The James Brand

The James Brand The Redstone (Sherbet + Pink Haze)

One of The James Brand’s lightest and most affordable outdoor knives gets an unlikely yet delicious-looking handle makeover while retaining its best performance features. At just 1.8 ounces, it offers a super-secure grip via the unique “island design” concept, a reliable one-handed TJB Slide-Lock and thumb slot combo and a versatile half-serrated blade made of corrosion-resistant, edge-retaining Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel. Note: The Mehlville EDC carabiner ($59) gets a matching color treatment.

• $99 at The James Brand

Satechi

Satechi MacBook Neo Collection

Satechi’s MacBook Neo Collection is a series of accessories that are specifically designed to work with and match Apple’s most entry-level laptop, the MacBook Neo. There are three accessories in the collection, which include two USB-C hubs: the OntheGo 5-in-1 Multiport Adapter ($45) and the USB-C Snap Hub ($45). And there’s Satechi’s Slim EX wireless mouse ($30). All three accessories come in the same colorful four finishes as the MacBook Neo: Citrus, Blush, Indigo and Silver.

• Starts at $30

Here in America, the Ford Escort may not exactly be the first automobile to come to mind when thinking of bona fide go-fast machines. But that story is very different across the ponds flanking both sides of the country.

The Ford Escort is actually one of the greatest motorsports icons in automotive history. Ever. And leaning into that heritage is a little British racing firm by the name of MST Cards Ltd.

The firm just revealed its latest concoction, which is, yes, another Euro-spec Escort restomod. But this one sports a neat trick that greatly sets it apart from any other race-prepped Euro Escort fixer-upper.

Featuring suspension tuned by Colin McRae

MST Cars Ltd.

It’s called the MST MK1 Evo. And while it may just look like some crazy race-prepped restomod on the surface, there’s far more to it than what one can see with the sheet metal.

The looks like a heavily modified Mark I Ford Escort. But underneath is a completely new and modernized chassis, compliments of MST.

MST isn’t the only one that worked its magic. The company says the MK1 Evo actually sports a completely reengineered rear multi-link suspension system.

Said system actually received developmental input from the late Colin McRae, who tested and helped engineer the setup just before his unexpected passing in 2007.

MST Cars Ltd.

Rather than letting McRae’s input be shelved and forgotten, MST put the suspension system on the back burner and slowly kept chipping away at a finalized design.

Now, the system is ready for primetime action with the MK1 Evo. The system also sports World Rally Championship-spec Reiger shocks, which is fitting given the Euro Escort’s storied history in rallying.

MST’s new flagship

MST Cars Ltd.

The MST MK1 Evo joins MST’s long list and history of restoring and building early Euro Escort models.

And that’s because the tiny, small classic economy car is actually a favorite for amateur and professional club car racing. (That also happens to be one of Britain’s most popular pastimes.)

Like MST’s other offerings, the MK1 Evo is a brand-new Mark I Escort shell, complete with its own DVLA-registered VIN and chassis number. So, on paper and by British motoring department standards, it’s a legit brand-new car.

MST Cars Ltd.

MST then gets to work, fitting additional carbon fiber body pieces to keep the body light weight. From there, it all goes ham with more WRC-spec suspension bits, including adjustable Bilstein coilovers, front and rear adjustable arms for camber and castor and an AP-racing brake system.

MST even offers a fully adaptable electronically controlled setup from Tractive with said Reiger adjustable shocks.

MST Cars Ltd.

Under the hood is the choice of a custom-built 2.7- or 2.8-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder from Millington Diamond. The 2.7 is good for 330 or so horses while the 2.8 serves up at least 360.

Said four-cylinder is then paired with a Tractive six-speed sequential or manual transmission and a WRC Motorsport limited-slip differential.

Availability and pricing

Should one of these awesome Escorts tickle your motorsports fancy, the MK1 Evo program starts at around £195,000. When converted to Yankee dollars, that amounts to around $260,000. Thankfully, you’re getting much more than an OG Escort with some restored bits.

MST Cars Ltd.

MST Ford Escort MK1 Evo

• Starts at $260,000

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Buzz Aldrin wore arguably the most important watch in history.

He had an Omega Speedmaster Professional strapped to his wrist when he followed Neil Armstrong out of their lunar lander and onto the surface of the moon during the Apollo 11 mission on July 20, 1969. Armstrong had left his Speedy in the lunar module as backup for a malfunctioning digital timer, making Aldrin’s watch the first to ever be worn on the moon.

Since 1973, Armstrong’s watch has resided at the National Air and Space Museum, but Aldrin’s watch disappeared while in transit from NASA to the same museum in 1971. It has never been recovered, making it the world’s greatest (and likely most valuable) lost timepiece.

NASA

As a piece of government property, Aldrin never owned his famous Moonwatch. But as a collector and longtime Omega ambassador, the now-96-year-old astronaut legend has amassed an impressive watch collection over the years.

Several watches from Aldrin’s personal collection are going up for auction at Sotheby’s this week, and while there are plenty of Omegas to choose from (eight, to be exact), the coolest watch in the lot actually comes from a different brand.

From space to sea

Aldrin’s Omega watches that are up for grabs are pretty cool too, don’t get me wrong.

There’s a new reverse panda Speedmaster 3861 in full Moonshine gold that Aldrin received earlier this year, a Moonwatch ref. 3590.50 from 1990, a Speedmaster X-33 Gen 2 from 2010, which is the same model the Artemis II astronauts recently wore during their trip around the moon, and the quirky Speedmaster HB-SIA ‘Solar Impulse’ from 2013, which has a titanium case and bracelet, an automatic chronograph GMT movement and a carbon fiber dial.

Sotheby’s

Rounding out the Omega lineup are a pair of De Villes, a very 1980s two-tone Constellation Manhattan and a “Bond” Seamaster Diver GMT.

But, in my opinion, the coolest watch from Aldrin’s collection actually comes from another Swiss brand, Jaeger-LeCoultre.

It’s a LeCoultre (JLC’s American branding at the time omitted “Jaeger”) ref. 2643, better known as the “Shark Deep Sea.” The watch dates to 1970, meaning it’s likely that Aldrin purchased it the year after he touched down on the moon. The astronaut would’ve been at the height of his fame then, and maybe even picked it up to mark his mankind-altering achievement.

This is just speculation on my part; the lot contains no information on the watch other than a quote from Aldrin saying it was “a treasured item in my personal collection for many years.”

So what makes the Shark Deep Sea so cool? Well, just look at it.

Sotheby’s

This is a reverse panda chronograph that’s also a dive watch. It has perfect creamy patinaed lume on its hands and indices, pump-style pushers, a rotating coin-edge dive bezel with a black aluminum insert, an inner tachymeter scale, straight faceted lugs on its 40mm stainless steel case, and a tri-compax layout complete with a 12-hour chronograph counter.

It’s basically the definition of a cool mid-century sports watch.

The watch is also mounted on a five-row steel bracelet from JB Champion. Known today as Forstner, the brand is best known for having made the mesh bracelets that Aldrin and other Apollo-era astronauts preferred to pair with their Speedmasters, so it’s cool to see that Aldrin also used the brand for his other watches.

Sotheby’s

Produced in limited quantities beginning in the 1960s, the Shark Deep Sea was JLC’s first diving chronograph and was water resistant to 120m when new. Even more interesting, the watch originally came with two interchangeable bezels. Aldrin’s only comes with the attached dive bezel, but the watch should have come with a telemeter bezel for measuring the distance of a sound, and a world time bezel for calculating the time in cities around the world.

The Shark Deep Sea is powered by the Valjoux Calibre 72 manual-wind movement, a classic chronograph engine that’s considered one of the greatest ever made. Ever hear of a Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona? It used the same movement.

Jaeger-LeCoultre

To sum up, we have a rare mid-century sports watch from one of watchmaking’s most storied names with a beautiful design, a legendary movement inside, and a groundbreaking feature set that arguably makes it the ultimate tool watch of its era. Oh, and it was owned by the second man on the moon.

I mean, do watches even get better than this?

The online bidding for Buzz Aldrin’s JLC Shark Deep Sea currently sits at an obscenely low $17,000, with live bidding set to take place tomorrow at 10 am EDT. I expect the watch to sell for well above the anticipated sum of $20,000.

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.

When it dropped in 2025, Vosteed’s Parallel pocket knife made an immediate impact on the EDC world. To this day, it remains among the thinnest locking folding blades ever made.

Now, the brand has revisited that monumental release with a nature-inspired upgrade package called the Vosteed Parallel A3522 that improves upon the original in several key ways.

Vosteed

Friendly, neighborhood spider … knife

There are two pretty significant upgrades or updates to this version of the Parallel. The first is pretty obvious, in that you can see it, but it might be a bit more significant than you might first realize. And the second can’t entirely be gleaned with just the naked eye.

Let’s start with the obvious one: the handle. While this knife maintains the same titanium handle the Parallel has always had, this new edition has a never-before-seen spiderweb pattern.

Vosteed

But this isn’t merely a stylistic update. The pattern is etched on the handle scales, giving it a raised texture. This fixes one of my biggest gripes with the original Parallel: the lack of a sturdy grip. The spiderweb pattern adds a more tactile element to the handle.

The other upgrade is on the knife’s opposite side. Not only does this edition get a new tanto blade shape with a sturdier tip, but it also gets upgraded to S35VN steel, which offers better edge retention and toughness than the standard 154CM steel.

Vosteed

Upgraded, but still faithful

Lovers of the original Parallel need not fret. For the most part, this new version remains faithful. As mentioned, it retains the signature titanium handle scale material, which is as strong as it is lightweight.

It also has the same overall silhouette and size specs. It is still 7.04 inches total, putting it right in the EDC sweet spot, and has a 2.9-inch blade, same as the original, despite the shape swap.

Vosteed

It also retains many of its smaller elements. Most notably, it has the same crossbar lock that, in part, allows for the knife to be as thin as it is while still maintaining locking blade security. It also has the same thumb stud deployment, reversible wire pocket clip, lanyard hole and caged ceramic ball-bearing pivot.

While it’s not a huge departure from the existing pattern, the upgrades are nonetheless significant. And it marks another exceptional addition to the Parallel’s robust lineup. It might even convince some skeptics to finally try out what I think is one of the most interesting, innovative EDC knives of the last few years.

Vosteed

Availability and pricing

The Vosteed Parallel A3522 and its sibling, the A3523, are both available on Amazon exclusively for $169 apiece.

Vosteed

Vosteed Parallel A3522

• $169 at Amazon

While Honda has already made quite a splash this year with the launch of its first all-electric production motorcycle in the WN7, the brand has something still more exciting in the pipeline.

As it last appeared at EICMA, it was called the V3R 900 E-Compressor Prototype. Thanks to a trick electric supercharger and an oddball V3 engine configuration, it promised widely usable torque with reduced emissions to boot.

Honda

Now, at this stage, Honda hasn’t announced a production timeline. However, if the latest images are anything to go by, the real-world V3R 900 E-Compressor seems nigh. 

Pre-production similarities

The documentation in question was filed with the Australian IPO as a design protection, unearthed by the team over at Motorcycle.com. Some other patents recently surfaced showing further application of the blower, but Honda clearly isn’t done with the V3R.

Honda / Australia IP

That’s because the bike depicted remains incredibly faithful to the prototype. Up front, you’ll find the same aggressively alien-esque lighting. It also retains its asymmetrical side cowls, with the larger of the two feeding the compressor.

Similarly, around the rest of the bike, you’ll find familiar elements like the trellis subframe, the peculiar snowflake-like brake discs and even the single-sided swingarm.

Honda / Australia IP

Aside from the similarities, the documents also show the V3R wearing all of its necessary road-going accouterments. In addition to mirrors and turn signals, this means a license plate bracket at the rear.

It’s as clear as indication as any of the model’s production imminency, as it’s perfectly fine to exist without such equipment in Prototype form. However, any applications with road use in mind obviously require compliance. 

Honda / Australia IP

A revolutionary Honda moto

In any case, there’s good cause to be looking forward to Honda’s V3R 900 E-Compressor hitting production. The bike is poised to be revolutionary, and in more ways than one.

As mentioned, it heralds impressive capabilities. When unveiling the Prototype at EICMA last year, Honda claimed the 900cc powertrain and its electrical compressor delivered performance on par with that of a 1,200cc. 

Honda

What’s more, Honda claimed that the new “Honda Flagship WING” design for the tank emblem would be adopted by top-tier models. As such, the V3R E-Compressor is likely to arrive as a kind of new brand flagship to introduce the supercharger before it makes its way to other bikes.

To that end, the e-compressor is poised to be a game-changer for the Honda lineup. Beyond its outright power potential, it serves to make two-wheeled forced induction a more mass-market solution.

After all, Honda is striving to create something that not only brings “guaranteed thrill” but also “reassuring peace of mind.” Compared to what most riders know, that stands to be quite a change. Be it with vintage efforts like the turbocharged TC or current production bikes like the supercharged H2, it’s typically only the first part that rings true.

Honda

More to come

Though Honda hasn’t yet announced a production date for the V3R 900 E-Compressor, industry chatter suggests that EICMA 2026 is a likely debut venue. The brand first showed the engine at the event in 2024, and last year brought the reveal of the full bike.

Honda

Honda V3R 900 E-Compressor Prototype

• Learn More

We’re in the dog days of summer, when most of America is experiencing triple-digit temperatures and wearing as little clothing as possible. Thanks to the iron-clad law of supply and demand, that is the best time to stock up on cold-weather gear left over from last fall and winter.

The internet (and likely, your inbox) is loaded with the best sales this side of Black Friday as retailers clear out leftover stock before the Fall 2026 lines arrive. If you’re in the market for a new jacket, or three, Huckberry is the best place to start.

Barbour

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

The Austin-based digital retailer curates one of the internet’s top catalogs of jackets and outerwear. Right now, you’ll find some top-shelf pieces discounted by up to $100.

Flint and Tinder, Huckberry’s in-house brand, offers enough discounted jackets to fill its own list right now. Then, there are gems from well-respected names like Barbour, Dehen 1920 and Relwen.

Layer up!

This can’t-miss sale covers hundreds of items, including dozens of jackets, so it can be a bit overwhelming to comb through. To expedite your search, here are the eight best jackets that hit or come close to the 35-percent-off ceiling.

A nigh-indestructible chore jacket

Huckberry

Dehen 1920 Chore Coat 2.0

• $356 at Huckberry
  $445 (20% off)

If you only own one jacket, make it this one

Huckberry

Flint and Tinder Waxed Parka

• $219 at Huckberry
  $398 (45% off)

The Bedale’s warm-weather counterpart

Huckberry

Barbour Bedale Cotton Jacket

• $378 at Huckberry
  $540 (30% off)

Cold War military surplus made modern

Huckberry

Relwen Sailcloth Tanker Jacket

• $201 at Huckberry
  $288 (30% off)

They do make ’em like they used to

Huckberry

Dehen 1920 Corduroy Team Jacket

• $393 at Huckberry
  $525 (25% off)

Huckberry’s waxed cotton hidden gem

Huckberry

Flint and Tinder James Waxed Snap Jacket

• $194 at Huckberry
  $228 (15% off)

Base layer or top layer, don’t care

Huckberry

Relwen Quilted Insulated Tanker Jacket

• $206 at Huckberry
  $318 (35% off)

A buttoned-up Barbour

Huckberry

Barbour Transport Casual Jacket

• $235 at Barbour
  $335 (30% off)

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.

Right now, everyone is World Cup-crazy. And rightfully so. 

But while Adidas’s F50 cleat doesn’t dominate on the pitch like it did two decades ago, there’s been a renewed love for the shoe ever since the brand revived it back in 2024.

Adidas

Now, Adidas continues its highly successful partnership with Bad Bunny by hybridizing the F50 with a cult-favorite Y2K-era running shoe to make … a lifestyle sneaker.

Playing the field

When Adidas debuted the F50 in 2004 (for the 50th anniversary of Germany’s 1954 World Cup victory), it was much different than your typical football boot. Setting the trend for a new era of cleats, the shoe moved away from traditional leather construction in favor of maximizing speed and minimizing weight.

Adidas

Adidas

Its fame only increased when Lionel Messi donned the F50 for his 2006 World Cup appearance and continued to rock the shoe for years to come. 

If that weren’t enough, Adidas then challenged itself to make the lightest, fastest football boot ever. In came the F50 AdiZero, weighing around 145g (~5oz), which was staggeringly lighter than anything else on the market at the time. This helped players accelerate and change direction faster than ever before and forever cemented the shoe’s legendary status.

Adidas

Ghostly presence

Just like the F50, Adidas’s Ghost Sprint came about during a time when the company was trying to make everything much faster. Except, instead of appealing to a broad audience, the performance running shoe aimed for a more experimental, futuristic aesthetic.

Adidas

What resulted was a niche tech runner that had a brief, quiet lifespan. But as the modern era of collectors began looking at the brand’s archival history, enthusiasm for the Ghost Sprint got louder. As such, the silhouette received its own revival last year.

Unexpectedly, the two shoes have now collided into a single lifestyle model.

Adidas

The F50 Ghost Sprint

The most noticeable feature on the F50 Ghost Sprint is the web-like TPU cage that spans the entire upper. This cue is taken from early F50s — most notably the F50 “Spider” cleat from 2004 — and also the wolf spider from Bad Bunny’s home of Puerto Rico. The flexible and supportive overlay sits on top of “deconstructed spacer mesh” for breathability. 

Adidas

Meanwhile, the midsole-outsole design feels entirely reminiscent of the Ghost Sprint with its unusual shape. The shoe’s slim profile and track-inspired origin blends together with the F50’s soccer-focused tooling to create one unusual sneaker.

Availability and pricing

Landing in the Ocean and neon yellow colorways you see here, the Bad Bunny x Adidas F50 Ghost Sprint arrives July 18 on Adidas’s website. It’s priced at $160.

Adidas

Bad Bunny x Adidas F50 Ghost Sprint

• Learn More

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.

At June’s WWDC 2026, Apple gave us a brief introduction to the next-generation operating systems coming to your various Apple devices (including iPhone, Mac and iPad), as well as highlighting some of their upcoming features.

The vast majority of these features take advantage of improvements to Siri and Apple Intelligence (or more accurately, Siri AI, which combines the two to create a way more capable, conversational voice assistant). But there were a few hidden gem features sprinkled throughout the presentation.

One of those brings a long-awaited feature to the AirPods you currently own (provided you bought a new pair in the last year and a half).

Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

Apple’s AirPods are notoriously feature-rich. You can access a wide array of customization options via the Settings app, which allows you to tweak volume, noise-cancellation, spatial audio and head-tracking settings. And that’s just scratching the surface.

However, one feature that Apple hasn’t given to AirPods in all their years is customizable EQ. But a decade after the first AirPods were released, this is finally changing.

A 3-band equalizer

Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

Apple just released the first public beta of iOS 27 and with it, rolled out a 3-band equalizer to compatible AirPods. Once selected, you can create a custom EQ profile and adjust low, mid and high frequency ranges.

EQ customization is something that many of today’s flagship headphones and wireless earbuds (by the likes of Sony, Bose, Sennheiser and Bowers & Wilkins) have supported. By accessing a companion app, you’ve been able to tweak the bass, treble and midrange of your music, or pick between various EQ presets.

Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

To date, the consensus on AirPods is that they sound fairly neutral: neither bass-heavy nor midrange- and vocal-heavy. However, everyone has their own preferences and listens to different music genres. And with the upcoming customizable EQ, you’ll be able to tweak their AirPods’ sound as they deem fit.

Once running iOS 27 (and your AirPods are running their latest software), you can access the Equalizer feature in the Settings app.

1. Open the Settings app when your AirPods are connected.
2. Select your AirPods.
3. Tap Audio & Routing.
4. Tap Equalizer.
5. Select Custom.

Once Custom EQ is selected, you can adjust low, mid and high frequency ranges as you deem fit. The neat thing is that you can do this while playing music, so you can hear how the adjustments sound in real time.

Photo by Tucker Bowe for Gear Patrol

Which AirPods will support it?

Unfortunately, the new equalizer feature will only work with AirPods that have been updated with Apple’s H2 chip. So it’ll be available for these four models: AirPods Max 2, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 (both w/ and w/o ANC).

This means if you’ve purchased AirPods before September 2024, they won’t support the new custom equalizer feature.

It’s been some time since we’ve seen Tom Cruise flex his acting muscles in something other than a blockbuster action movie, but that’s about to change in a big way with the star’s unrecognizable, over-the-top role in the upcoming Digger.

The zany new film from two-time Best Director Oscar-winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu sees Cruise portray the title character, a powerful and eccentric elderly billionaire who sets off an ecological disaster that could potentially end the world … and he’s the only one who can stop it.

The film’s trailer, which dropped yesterday, has generated a lot of buzz for Cruise’s transformative role, as it sees the ultimate Hollywood star sporting a prosthetic pot belly, a thinning gray combover, old man makeup and a thick southern accent.

But if you’re a watch nerd, you were probably distracted by something else in the trailer: Digger’s gold watch that he wears throughout.

Gold Digger

Warner Bros.

Right at the start of the trailer, we get a pretty clear view of Digger’s watch as he sits in his bed attempting to get his crusty, decrepit cat to eat something.

Although Digger may be a questionable character, he nevertheless has outstanding taste, as the character’s watch is the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time in 18K 5N pink gold with an “Intense Green” dial.

This extra-luxe version of Vacheron’s outstanding travel-ready sports watch debuted at Watches & Wonders 2024 and instantly became one of, if not the most, desirable takes on the highly popular Overseas. (I’d take a Cardinal Points over it, but that’s it.)

Warner Bros.

The watch features a green lacquered dial with a sunburst finish paired with an 18K 5N pink gold 41mm case and integrated bracelet. The bracelet hides a microadjustable mechanism in its butterfly clasp that can be activated on-wrist, and all of its links are removable for a custom fit.

The bracelet itself can also be removed with the press of a button, thanks to Vacheron’s best-in-the-game strap exchange system, and the watch comes with two green straps, one rubber and one leather, that can quickly be swapped in.

Digger’s Overseas Dual time is powered by the Vacheron Cal. 5110 DT/2 automatic movement, which beats at 4Hz with a 60-hour power reserve. It boasts a Geneva Seal and outstanding finishing, including on its solid gold rotor.

Vacheron Constantin

The GMT complication is on a 12-hour scale rather than a 24-hour one, with an AM/PM indicator at 9:00 telling you whether it’s day or night in your second time zone. The local hour hand can be adjusted in both directions with the crown pulled out to the first position, and crossing midnight in either direction will change the date.

The date can also be quick-set using the pusher at 4:00. This pusher screws down, as does the crown. But why would a gold watch need a screw-down crown and pusher? Because this one is water-resistant to an impressive 150m.

There is still much we don’t know about the eponymous character of Digger, but we can deduce some things from his choice of watch. And make no mistake, this watch is a choice. No film character is wearing this specific watch by accident; it was deliberately chosen by a costume designer, or potentially even an outside watch advisor (yes, that’s a real job, and yes, Hollywood, I’m available.)

Vacheron Constantin

Per the film’s synopsis, Digger is the “most powerful man in the world.” He’s also a billionaire. Therefore, he could conceivably have any watch he wanted. The Vacheron is pricey at $88,000, but there are many watches that cost far more. So we can assume he didn’t just pick it because it’s expensive. Otherwise, he might have on some $2 million Jacob & Co. monstrosity. This tells me Digger has taste.

The Overseas Dual Time is also not a common watch. If Digger had on a gold Rolex Day-Date, you could just say he’s the average rich guy wearing the stereotypical rich guy’s watch. The Rolex may be tasteful, but it’s far from original. The Vacheron suggests Digger wanted something outside the norm.

Then there’s the feature set of the Vacheron. This is one of the most practical and capable gold watches you can buy. It has convenient travel features, excellent water resistance and highly customizable strap and bracelet options right out of the box. This casts Digger as a man of action who wants a watch that’s both luxurious and utilitarian.

Finally, this watch is pretty new. It was launched just two years ago, meaning Digger hasn’t had it for very long. This tells me the guy keeps up with the latest releases in the industry.

In short, Digger is a watch nerd.

Digger arrives in theaters on October 2. The Overseas Dual Time Ref. 7920V/210R-B965 is available now from Vacheron Constantin boutiques and authorized dealers for $88,000.

Perhaps more than any other modern moto brand, Harley-Davidson has a deep sense of its own heritage within the context of American history as whole.

I got the chance to witness it up close at the brand’s signature Homecoming event last year, and it’s back in the spotlight with the brand’s latest launch.

Harley-Davidson

The new bike taps into the raw, rugged style embraced by many post-World War II riders, epitomized by the 400-plus riders who gathered at Sturgis, South Dakota’s Black Hills Motor Classic in 1947.

Meet the darkly dazzling, fittingly named Harley-Davidson Deadwood retro cruiser.

Bare (yet modern) necessities

Many riders of that golden era, perhaps drawing from the austerity required in the trenches of the war, unburdened their bikes of unnecessary frills, wrenching them toward simplicity and speed.

The new Deadwood (named for the storied Old West town just a stone’s throw from Sturgis) echoes that ethos in both aesthetic and engineering.

Harley-Davidson

Much of the bike is finished in a deep black, with chrome plating on the powertrain’s lower rocker covers and pushrod tubes to highlight its iconic shape.

It’s not lacking in power either; the 1,923cc Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic V-Twin makes 98 horsepower and 120 lb.-ft. of peak torque, ensuring every twist of the throttle is met with Harley’s trademark rumble and plenty of road-ripping grunt.

Harley-Davidson

The matte black five-gallon teardrop tank, meanwhile, bears a classic red-letter logo as its only adornment, topped by a black console with a five-inch round instrument featuring an analog speedo above a multi-function LCD display offering access to key ride info.

Laced wheels with black rims mimic the style of the time, while a solo seat with a tuck-and-roll cover reveals the (also black) rear fender. 

Harley-Davidson

The lack of saddlebags exposes the Softail chassis, which gives off vintage hardtail vibes while sneakily concealing the modern rear suspension (a monoshock with hydraulic pre-load adjustment and 3.4 inches of travel).

A chopped, detachable windshield accenting the nonetheless slightly slammed silhouette.

Harley-Davidson

Continuing the theme of throwback looks and modern features, the bike offers three ride modes (Road, Sport and Rain), cruise control and several rider safety enhancements, including Cornering ABS, traction control, drag-torque slip control and tire pressure monitoring.

Lastly, the all-LED set-up features a seven-inch headlamp with signature ring, auxiliary fog lights and combo rear lighting, which Harley says helps ensure something that feels almost guaranteed with the Deadwood: “conspicuity to other motorists.”

Availability and pricing

The 2026 Harley-Davidson Deadwood is coming soon to authorized US Harley-Davidson dealerships at a starting price of $17,999.

Harley-Davidson

2026 Harley-Davidson Deadwood

• Starts at $17,999

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.

Writer-director (and otherwise multi-hyphenate) Wes Anderson has cultivated one of the most distinctive cinematic styles in film history. Present in everything from The Phonecian Scheme to The Life Aquatic and more, it is unmistakably stylish and captivating.

It’s so unique, in fact, that it has inspired people around the world to replicate it in myriad ways, including for social media. In fact, there’s an entire online community, called Accidentally Wes Anderson, based around “[exploring] the unique, the symmetrical, the atypical, the distinctive design and amazing architecture that inspires [them] all.”

Now, that community has collaborated with a mainstay in the EDC, travel and outdoor worlds to create the AWA x Topo Designs Capsule.

Topo Designs

Accidentally Intentionally Wes Anderson

While AWA’s community is largely centered around unintentional recreations of Wes Anderson’s signature style, this capsule is very intentionally crafted. And while it’s not official merchandise from any of the director’s flicks, it certainly looks like it could have come right out of Moonrise Kingdom.

That makes perfect sense, of course, as the aforementioned film follows, in part, the exploits of (a legally distinct approximation of) a Boy Scout at camp, and this capsule was designed in collaboration with Topo Designs, a beloved outdoor lifestyle brand.

Topo Designs

While the collaboration includes just two bags, Topo’s Light Pack and Mountain Essential Tote, quite a bit has gone into their respective reimaginings. It’s also worth noting that both bags can be purchased individually, but they make a great set.

The stylistic redesign features a bevy of exclusive patches applied to the bags, all of which are styled in a Wes Anderson-esque manner. They’re quirky, vibrant, fun and wholly unique to this limited-edition collection.

Topo Designs

More than just visuals

As stylistically distinct and visually appealing as these bags are, they offer far more than just a fun appearance. Both bags, of course, are built rock-solid and are designed to perform, whether that be in an EDC, travel or outdoor sense.

The Light Pack is a classic backpack style, offering 18.5 liters of storage (more than enough for EDC or daypack usage) across its numerous internal and external pockets. That includes a 15-inch padded laptop sleeve, water bottle sleeve and much more.

Topo Designs

The tote is a stalwart carry-all, featuring 9 liters of storage, most of which is taken up by its generous main compartment. It also includes a removable shoulder strap (in conjunction with its integrated suitcase-style straps), loop-and-toggle top closure, key hook and a handy external pouch for smaller items (like EDC gear).

Both packs are made from a combination of lightweight, sturdy, recycled nylon and they both get a DWR finish, making them weatherproof, as well. Perhaps best of all, despite all their style and utility, both bags are also relatively affordable.

Topo Designs

Availability and pricing

The Accidentally Wes Anderson x Topo Designs Capsule is now available on Topo Designs’ official site. The Light Pack is $99, while the Mountain Essential Tote is $79.

Remember: this is a limited-edition release. Once it sells out, the bags are gone for good.

Ducati is ringing in its 100th birthday this year, and the Borgo Panigale manufacturer has spared no expense in its celebratory efforts.

Between retro-inspired Formula 73 releases and lineup-wide livery tributes, the brand has orchestrated a comprehensive history lesson throughout 2026. Moreover, with carbon-clad Centenario V4s and single-cylinder supermotos, Ducati is also paving the way forward.

Mecum

However, without one legendary ancestor, many of these bikes likely wouldn’t be here. In fact, the Ducati brand as we know it today might not even exist.

Ducati’s Imola mic drop

I’m talking, of course, about the 750 racer that Ducati fielded to win the first-ever Imola 200. It’s a bike that’s an absolute legend in the annals of motorcycle lore, and the one pictured will cross the block at Mecum’s Monterey auction next month. If you’re a Duc fan, you can’t miss it.

Mecum

Beyond making for the first-ever public sale of such a bike, the particular desmodromic twin in question amounted to a significant inflection point for Ducati. Up until that time, the brand was a niche outfit mostly specializing in small-bore singles, and it didn’t get much attention outside of Italy.

As a result, Ducati needed a way to cement itself as a true ‘big bike’ manufacturer and guarantee its future. With the announcement of the Imola 200 in 1972, the brand decided that racing would be the best way to stay in business.

Mecum

Now, competitors of the day like MV Agusta, Honda and Norton all had works machines in abundance with established 750 platforms. As if that wasn’t enough, they also brought dominant riders in legends like World Champion Giacomo Agostini.

Still, even with underdog status and an unproven engine design in the Taglioni L-twin, Ducati pulled off an upset that catapulted it onto the global stage. Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari raced to a dominant 1-2 finish over 20 seconds ahead of third place, proving that Bologna was more than capable of mixing it up with the best. 

Mecum

Race-ready time capsule

The example pictured here is one of seven 750s that Ducati brought to Imola as part of its historic 200 win back in 1972. That alone makes it a big deal, and it only gets better the more you dig into its history.

Mecum

For starters, according to Ducati authority Ian Falloon’s research, the bike was likely the backup for Paul Smart’s victorious number 16 mount. Though it didn’t enjoy the same fame on the track, it was later displayed alongside it at the Museo Ducati in Bologna, Italy. 

And for good reason. In keeping with its survivor status, this particular 750 Imola racer is one of only three to retain its sandcast L-twin engine case. As a result, Falloon ranks it among the most OG examples in existence today, second only to its race-winning sibling. 

Mind you, that’s even with some work back in the 1990s. Despite being fitted with irreplaceable race-spec equipment and distinctive metalflake bodywork, the iconic Ducati racer underwent a careful restoration to preserve its competition pedigree.

Mecum

A first-ever opportunity

As previously mentioned, this 1972 Ducati 750 Imola racer will be the first-ever offered for public sale. It’s set to cross the block next month as part of Mecum’s August Monterey auction.

Mecum

1972 Ducati 750 Imola Racer

• Learn More

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.

Things are apparently not going too well at Volkswagen. According to various reports and official statements from the mothership, the Wolfsburg-based automaker may be forced to kill off some of its most notable models to save its dire financial situation.

A report from Germany’s own Bild says the German automaker is currently weighing its options to avoid going into the red. One would have the carmaker reduce its portfolio across the board.

But some more drastic measures may also be on the table for consideration.

VW’s cars aren’t “profitable”

Volkswagen USA

In addition to the reports, Volkswagen AG issued an official press release announcing its plan to scale back operations and curtail expenses. While VW shared no specifics regarding which models could be disappearing, the news still has the Internet abuzz with speculation.

The plan reportedly calls for cutting offerings by roughly 50 percent by 2030. However, if VW can’t correct its trajectory, that percentage is at risk of swelling to as much as 75 percent.

The idea is to reduce VW’s product portfolio diversity to streamline production and planning while reducing assembly costs.

Chris Chin

According to Bild, models like the Jetta and the Taos could face the axe after their current generations. The Taos just entered its second generation last year, so it still has some life expectancy left until its production run ends.

The Jetta, however, is in its seventh generation and has been with us in its current form since 2018. That means it’s very much due for replacement. But with this new reduction plan, this could mean the Jetta is running out of time, and quickly.

Furthermore, the Jetta is a Volkswagen staple, having been part of the automaker’s lineup since 1979. If it goes the way of the dodo, VW could be losing one of its most iconic models.

Cuts aren’t just limited to VW

Porsche

Because VW is a massive auto conglomerate that owns a hefty list of brands, its cuts aren’t just limited to the People’s Car. Analysts are also expecting reductions at Porsche and other VW-owned brands.

For instance, the Taycan isn’t expected to live on past its current generation due to extremely slow sales. Porsche’s also suffering from a whammy as some of its models are just aging out.

Porsche

One of which is the current gas-powered Cayenne Coupe, which is still based off the outgoing third-gen model.

Cutbacks at Audi are also reportedly part of the plan, along with model reductions at Skoda and SEAT.

However, two brands that don’t seem to be affected by the new plan are Bentley and Lamborghini.

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French indie brand Yema has supplied its country’s military with watches for years. Fortunately, many of the designs developed in partnership with each armed services division are also sold to the public.

The new official watch of the French Air Force is now available for purchase. Along with an ornately sandblasted case and highly legible dial, it is equipped with an obscure Seiko movement that pulls a fast one.

Yema

Yema’s new Flygraf Pilot French Air Force is intricately decorated for an official military-issue watch, but that doesn’t interfere with its effectiveness. The slate-gray dial is finished with a coarse texture to eliminate glare and maximize contrast with the raised, smooth hour track.

The hour markers are raised numerals, and a horizontal line running from 9 to 3 helps orient the dial at a glance. They are encircled with a printed railroad minute track on a sunken, smooth ring, with a grainy outer ring featuring a printed 60-minute track.

A white Yema logo is printed below 12:00, and the red, white and blue logo of the French Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace (Air Force and Space Force) is printed above 6:00.

Yema

The fence post hour and minute hands are gray with white lume inlays, and the white needle seconds hand has a lollipop counterbalance and a red tip.

Blue-glowing Super-LumiNova on the hands and hour track also gives the dial strong legibility in the dark.

Ticked off

The motion of the seconds hand is deceptively smooth, ticking four times each second. You’d be forgiven for assuming it is powered by a mechanical movement.

However, the Flygraf Pilot French Air Force is equipped with the obscure Seiko Caliber VH31 quartz movement. Its “quad-pulse” system makes the seconds hand beat at the equivalent of a 2Hz mechanical watch.

Yema

If you look closely, the seconds hand moves sluggishly, like an automatic at the end of its power reserve, but still much smoother than a typical quartz. Seiko claims that it is accurate to within 15 seconds per month and has a 2-year battery life.

On blast

Yema added a subtle tactical detail by finishing the 38mm stainless steel case with a sandblasted camo texture. The shading is achieved by blasting the metal with different densities, creating three distinct surface textures.

Yema

Another benefit of using a quartz movement is that it allows for a sleek 9mm case height, excluding the protrusion of the double-domed sapphire crystal.

The French Air Force’s “tricolour” target emblem is printed on the black woven nylon two-piece strap, which is secured with a signed stainless steel pin buckle.

Availability and pricing

Along with improved performance and easier maintenance, the funky Seiko quartz movement in the Flygraf Pilot French Air Force dramatically reduces the watch’s cost. All while eliminating the one visual quirk that drives most quartz hatred.

The Yema Flygraf Pilot French Air Force is available now from Yema for $530, making it one of the French brand’s most affordable watches. As usual, import duties are covered by the brand for American customers.

Yema

Yema Flygraf Pilot French Air Force

Specs

Case size	38mm
Movement	Seiko Caliber VH31 quartz
Water Resistance	100m

• $530 at Yema

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Timex continues to be one of our favorite watchmakers simply for how much range its catalog has, in terms of both style and price. 

From its mid-century-inspired automatic Atelier Chronograph ($2,000) to the military-style MK1 field watch ($300), and even its phenomenal Deepwater Reef Titanium diver right in the middle (~$600), the iconic brand has no shortage of offerings. 

However, in recent years, Timex has done an amazing job of mining its archival catalog to bring us budget-friendly retro timepieces under its Q Timex label as well. And every now and again, those watches get even more affordable. 

Timex

Right now, one of the most distinctive watches in the brand’s archive gets its price slashed in half: The Q Timex LCA from the ‘80s is currently just $60, down from $119.

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

It’s like analog, but digital

There are analog-digital watches and then there’s the LCA (Liquid Crystal Analog). While the former features both analog and digital displays occupying the same dial, the latter simply mimics an analog display on a digital dial. 

Timex

This style was born around the early ‘80s with brands like Casio and Seiko heavily experimenting with digital interfaces. Most of us know the Casio AE-20 and AE-200 (aka the Twin Graph) at first glance, while the Seiko G757 is a bit more obscure, yet popped up on Roger Moore’s wrist as 007 in Octopussy.

While automatic (and, thus, analog) watch brands were falling by the wayside during the peak of the Quartz Crisis, LCA models could be seen as an unintentional victory lap. Rather than simply replacing traditional hands with quartz movements, they dispensed with physical hands altogether, rendering them as pixels on an LCD.

Timex

Then, in 1987, Timex debuted its titular LCA model. It didn’t reinvent the wheel but it certainly gave customers a cleaner, decidedly more minimalist version of what was already on the market from the competition. The digital time was at the bottom of the dial.

Along with telling the time two different ways, the LCA also had chronograph, stopwatch and alarm features.

Timex

Timex remembers a classic

Since majorly reviving the Q Timex range in 2019, the company has apparently sought to reissue every single watch it’s ever made. And the LCA is no exception. 

Resurrected in 2020, the Q Timex LCA remains faithful to the ‘87 original but with some modern updates. According to the brand, “the display is clearer and sturdier than before.” Water resistance has also been bumped to 30m thanks to a revised case structure.

Timex

Nevertheless, the quartz watch’s dimensions are “approximately the same,” as are the push buttons and pre-Indiglo lighting system.

The initial LCA reissue introduced stainless steel models, but those have since been discontinued. The variant available right now is the transparent resin colorway in dark gray. The glossy gray strap is also made of transparent resin.

Availability and pricing

Priced at $60 (down from $119), the Q Timex LCA Reissue is currently on sale via Timex’s website. Amazon also has the watch listed as low as $42 right now.

There’s a good chance these models are being liquidated, so if you’ve been thinking of getting one, you might want to act fast.

Timex

Q Timex LCA Reissue Resin

• $60 at Timex
  $119 (50% off)
• $42 at Amazon
  $119 (65% off)

In the last year, KEF has introduced several new speakers.

This includes the Coda W, an entry-level wireless active speaker system with a ’70s-inspired design, as well as refreshed versions of its Blade loudspeakers, which cost $28,000 (or more). And KEF released its first new ultra-portable speaker in over a decade with the second-gen Muo.

Additionally, KEF introduced a truly elite Dolby Atmos soundbar, the XIO, which you can think of as a souped-up version of Sonos’s flagship Arc Ultra. It costs $2,500.

Now, the revered British hi-fi manufacturer has teased another new speaker to be introduced at the end of the month. And while details are sparse, it looks poised to excite audiophiles and high-end hi-fi fans.

KEF’s upcoming “luxury” speaker

In a blog post today, as well as Instagram, KEF has revealed that it will be introducing a new speaker on July 30th that will set “a new definition of luxury, one where visual artistry and acoustic mastery are composed as one.”

KEF shared three macro images of the upcoming speaker, which show off a familiar Uni-Q driver similar to those in its flagship LS50 series speaker systems, as well as a unique cabinet design.

KEF

KEF

“Coming soon”

The company also shared that the upcoming speaker will be a joint collaboration with Ross Lovegrove, a Welsh industrial designer who worked with KEF on a number of its other speakers, including its flagship $225,000 Muon loudspeakers.

That said, KEF claims that the new speaker will have a visual identity unlike any of its other speakers.

“Beneath its striking form lies performance engineered to draw you closer to the music,” reads the company’s blog post. “Expect stunning sound clarity, sharper details and an expanded soundstage, that fully immerses you in the artist’s creative vision.”

Again, all other details about the upcoming speaker are still under wraps and will remain so for the next two weeks. In the meantime, you can check out KEF’s blog post or, for a better video, keep replaying the Instagram post.

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For those unfamiliar, Triumph Factory Custom is a very exclusive strain of motos, characterized by limited quantity, enhanced performance, design innovation and premium finishes.

So restricted is this club, Triumph has welcomed just four members since its launch in 2019. 

Triumph Motorcycles

That is, until now, as the new Speed Twin 1200 TFC joins the Thruxton TFC, Rocket 3 TFC and two editions of the Bobber TFC.

As stunning as the bike is at a glance, it also boasts a number of details that prove it’s worthy of the coveted TFC badge.

Style meets substance

As the name implies, TFC-badged bikes feel uniquely bespoke right off the factory floor. Limited to just 750 units worldwide (including 180 for the US market), the new Speed Twin 1200 is no exception.

A number of unique elements make it special, including carbon fiber bodywork, machined bar-end mirrors, a leather and suede bench seat, gold chain and fork lowers and blacked-out detailing throughout.

Triumph Motorcycles

Adding to the exclusive nature are the distinctive paint scheme, known as Obsidian Gold, plus unique TFC badging, individual numbering and a certificate of authenticity.

Beyond pure aesthetics, a number of additional touches are geared toward enhancing the actual riding experience.

These include clip-on bars for a more engaged, aggressive posture, plus fully adjustable Öhlins front and rear suspension.

Triumph Motorcycles

Meanwhile, premium Brembo brakes boost responsiveness and glorious Akrapovič titanium silencers enhance every purr and roar of the engine’s signature sound.

Speaking of the engine, Triumph’s 1200cc Bonneville twin is a punchy one, responsive low in the rev range, with 83 ft-lb of torque available from just 4,250 rpm.

Meanwhile, the peak power of 105 horsepower at 7,750 rpm translates to lively acceleration with every blissful twist of the throttle.

Triumph Motorcycles

As a “Modern Classic,” the bike loads up on rider-friendly tech, including Triumph Shift Assist and a ride-by-wire throttle providing Sport, Road and Rain settings, plus advanced safety systems including Optimized Cornering ABS and Traction Control. 

Even the classically circular instrument dial is high-tech, offering a large LCD display with a color TFT screen controlled by handlebar inputs, complete with an integrated USB-C charging port.

Triumph Motorcycles

The same goes for the lighting system, as the round LED headlight boosts visibility while throwing a distinctive light signature.

After all, when your bike looks this good, you most definitely want to see and be seen.

Availability and pricing

The Speed Twin 1200 TFC is available to order now, starting at $21,995, with arrival at dealerships beginning in October 2026. It is limited to 750 units worldwide, with 180 coming to the US.

Triumph Motorcycles

Triumph Speed Twin 1200 TFC

• Starts at $21,995

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Hosting is an art form. Knowing just when to serve small bites, what playlist to put on and how to keep the good times rolling takes practice, patience and attention to detail.

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast hosting a campout dinner or someone who has friends over by the pool more often than not, Yeti’s latest release takes one thing off your hosting plate.

The new Tank 30 Beverage Tub features the same dependable insulation and straightforward design as the brand’s beloved coolers, reimagined in an open-top format that makes it easy for guests to grab their favorite drink, fast.

Yeti

Time to chill

Yeti’s latest creation is the ideal accessory for any party, whether you’re car camping, at the beach or chilling in the backyard. The brand-new Tank 30 Beverage Tub may look simple at first glance, but there’s plenty of utility to this unassuming new release.

Yeti

Built with the same hallmark features that have catapulted Yeti’s coolers to cult classic status, the new trough-style tabletop tub keeps drinks ice cold, despite its lack of a lid.

That’s thanks primarily to its Permafrost insulation, which is the same cooling tech that lives inside the brand’s Tundra coolers. In terms of performance, the new trough cooler is on par with Yeti’s popular Tank Beverage Tub.

The tub is rotomolded, just like the rest of Yeti’s heavy-duty lineup, so you can toss it around and pack it up without worry.

Yeti

Yeti

Its proprietary Bearfoot non-slip silicone feet help keep the tough tub in place, whether that’s on the bar, table or next to the pool. Integrated handles make it easy to carry wherever you’re posting up.

Weighing 8.9 pounds, with exterior measurements of 28.6 inches wide x 14.6 inches deep x 8.5 inches high, Yeti’s newest release can hold enough drinks for an afternoon without taking up too much space.

Yeti

The Tank 30 Beverage Tub is available in three core Yeti colorways: Navy, White and Tan.

While the trough is currently only available in a 30-liter configuration, knowing Yeti, there could be more sizes released in the future.

Availability and pricing

The Tank 30 Beverage Tub is available now on Yeti’s website, retailing for $150.

Yeti

Yeti Tank 30 Beverage Tub

• $150 at Yeti

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.

Marshall

Marshall 1959BJA Artist Signature

The Marshall 1959 is a legendary 100-watt guitar amplifier head that was first introduced in the mid-1960s. The 1959BJA is a special and modernized version of the 1959 amp that Marshall created with Billie Joe Armstrong, Green Day’s iconic frontman. It’s the first artists signature amp that Marshall has released in 14 years. It features a striking baby-blue finish with brass and silver panel details, paying tribute to Billie’s first guitar, Blue. The 1959BJA is being released as a head-only unit, allowing players to pair it with the cabinet of their choice. It will be available starting July 21, 2026.

• $4,000 at Marshall

Tops Knives

Tops Knives Shirodagga

Designed by Laci Szabo, this knife seeks “to bridge the gap between full-size combat blades and micro backup knives.” Measuring 10.5 inches overall, it has a slender profile that makes for discreet carry (like a boot knife), with the majority of its length made up by its 5.5-inch 1095 steel blade with a Black Traction Coating. It also has a contoured G-10 handle, comes with a black Kydex sheath and can be crafted with a serrated edge and camo finish (for an upcharge).

• $265 at Tops Knives
  $330 (20% off)

Diamond Atelier

Diamond Atelier DA#22 Hyperbike Prototype

Diamond Atelier is billing DA#22 as the world’s first ‘hyperbike.’ Regardless of how you interpret the outfit’s claim, there’s no denying it makes for quite the head-turning moto. On the performance side, it touts a 205-horsepower LC8 V-twin pulled from a KTM 1290 Super Duke, some bespoke Wilbers suspension and a trick titanium exhaust setup. When wrapped in some painstakingly hand-formed bodywork and finished with a unique color-changing paint (along with a literal diamond), the result is a bike that’s packed with presence. Moreover, because of the unique pigment used, no other motorcycle can don the same look as the pictured prototype.

• Learn More

Roark

Roark x Arcade Belt

Adventure apparel brand Roark and the celebrated belt experts at Arcade have teamed up for a new release that combines a rugged, outdoor-ready aesthetic with dependable performance. The Roark x Arcade Belt features a custom-woven camo jacquard webbing, adding subtle style, and Arcade’s patented A2 Buckle System, which provides a dialed-in fit every time. The metal-free and machine washable construction make this belt super travel- and TSA-friendly, and the durable, lightweight recycled polyester and buckle won’t weigh you down on your next adventure.

• $40 at Roark

Camshop

Nissan R32 GT-R NISMO Computer Mouse

Are you a hardcore fan of one of the most underrated generations of Nissan GT-R? Camshop out of Japan might have just the gadget for you. Its computer mouse replica of the R32 GT-R is back in stock and available for just under $48. It’s completely wireless and features both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, and is compatible with nearly all devices that are mouse capable, regardless of the OS. But it’s also not just any R32 GT-R it’s paying tribute to. Pay attention to the subtle details, and one can tell from the wheels and the badge decal on the back that this mouse honors the very special NISMO edition of the R32 GT-R. Better get one fast as local Japanese auto media report that it sold out almost instantly.

• $4,755 at Camshop

On has been methodically developing a serious hiking lineup over the last few years. As of publish time, its current hiking roster includes roughly 8 different models, many of which are in their second generation, spanning everything from light trail runners to burly approach shoes.

Yet despite their different use cases and design approaches, one detail has traveled with all but one hiking shoe in the catalog, not to mention nearly every other kind of shoe the brand’s ever created. 

That detail, of course, is the visible gaps in the shoe’s outsole, which are central to how On shoes look and feel on foot and often generally referred to as clouds or pods. 

On

That technology comes in two main flavors. The original CloudTec design uses hollow pods that compress on impact and lock together on toe-off — it’s the look that put On on the map, and you’ll find it on workhorses like the Cloudmonster 2 and the Cloudrunner 2.

The newer CloudTec Phase iteration replaces those pods with angled, sequentially collapsing cloud elements that deliver a smoother, more rolling transition underfoot — it features prominently on shoes like the Cloudsurfer 2 and the Cloudeclipse.

The On’s newly revealed Cloudsoma Hike arrives as the second chapter in On’s evolving Cloudsoma family — one that the brand appears to be positioning as its more trail- and outdoor-focused identity.

The original Cloudsoma drew attention for its sleek, low-profile silhouette, and reviewers noted its unusually refined look for a performance shoe. The Hike version extends that direction further, and makes one quiet but meaningful departure that many outdoor fans of the brand have patiently waited for. 

Solid and stylish — by design

On

A closed sole isn’t just an aesthetic choice. Anyone who’s run or hiked in classic On shoes knows the minor but real annoyance of trail debris — pebbles, mud, pine needles — lodging in those pods.

The Cloudsoma Hike sidesteps that entirely with a continuous outsole, which also gives the shoe a cleaner, more boot-adjacent look that works as well on a sidewalk as a fire road. 

As we noted when the original Cloudsoma launched, this line is built around understated versatility, and the Hike version leans into that identity harder.

On

The upper keeps that same restrained sensibility. They’re structured enough for trail confidence and streamlined enough to avoid looking like a slab of technical gear.

Under the hood, the shoe runs CloudTec Connect cushioning for precise ground feel and Missiongrip dynamic grip for reliable traction across variable terrain.

On says the abrasion-resistant, quick-drying upper is designed to lock down securely for hiking, while a padded tongue provides all-day comfort. A protective toe cap and mudguard round out the protection package, signaling that On built this shoe for actual trail use, not just the vibes of it.

Availability and pricing

On

The Cloudsoma Hike is listed as coming soon with an MSRP of $160. Both the men’s and women’s versions include a maroon-tinted version called Ox | Eclipse, as well as a blacked-out version.

The men’s edition also features an exclusive Brume | Ghost edition that’s a mix of Khaki and grey, while the women’s exclusive Glacier | Pearl color way leans into lavender and light blue. 

At that price, the Cloudsoma Hike sits squarely in the premium-but-reasonable zone for this category. If On can back up the silhouette with legitimate trail performance, ditching the CloudTec pods may prove to be the best thing the brand ever did for its hiking line

Yeti has been inching toward a fully stocked ceramic-lined Rambler product line for a couple of years now.

The brand introduced its Durasip ceramic lining on smaller vessels first, creating what’s now a Durasip ceramic collection that spans small stackable cups, pitchers, a French press, a wine tumbler, and, most importantly, 10- and 14-oz. cups. mugs suitable for a decent-sized first cup.

But anyone who brews a full pot in the morning and wants it to stay tasting clean has been waiting for something bigger — and with the new Yeti Rambler 24oz Mug With Durasip Ceramic Lining, Yeti’s finally answered the call.

A bigger mug for long days

Yeti

At 24oz, this is the largest mug Yeti has fitted with the Durasip ceramic lining — a coating designed to keep your coffee tasting like coffee rather than like the steel walls of a thermos.

That matters more than people give it credit for. Metal interiors can impart a faint metallic flavor over time, especially with acidic drinks like black coffee. The special ceramic barrier eliminates that contact, which is exactly why we were enthusiastic about Yeti’s earlier Durasip mugs when they first appeared.

Scaling the lining up to 24oz without compromising it is a real win for anyone who’d like to take more of their morning pot with them and keep it hot and tasty throughout the majority of the workday.

Yeti

And in case you’re wondering, yes, this mug is still dishwasher safe, just like the rest of Yeti’s Rambler lineup.

There is one obvious question mark about the new mug worth flagging, though: handle ergonomics.

A 24-oz mug filled to capacity gets heavy, and how well the handle distributes that weight is something only extended use will fully answer. There’s also concern that a handle that large might not fit most car cup holders.

It’s the potential Achilles heel of an otherwise long-awaited upgrade, which is why we’d love to see a version of this mug without a dedicated handle released sometime in the future.

Availability and pricing

Yeti

The Rambler 24oz Mug With Durasip Ceramic Lining retails for $40 and is available now directly through Yeti’s website.

It comes in a handful of core colorways consistent with Yeti’s current Rambler palette. At $40, it sits at a premium over most ceramic-lined competitors, but that shouldn’t surprise anyone familiar with Yeti’s other products or pricing strategies.

Yeti

Yeti Rambler 24oz Mug With Durasip Ceramic Lining

• $40 at Yeti

Jannik Sinner lifted the Wimbledon trophy for the second consecutive year on July 12, and for eagle-eyed watch fans, the most surprising detail wasn’t the serves or his footwork that got him there — it was the timepiece he put on his wrist to celebrate.

As documented by Rolex’s own Instagram, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference he wore to celebrate his 2025 title was there again in 2026, marking what’s surprisingly the second time a relatively obscure version of the Crown’s flagship chronograph has appeared in back-to-back Wimbledon victories.  

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

Unlike the yellow-gold, meteorite-dial Daytona Carlos Alcaraz wore in 2023 and 2024, though, Sinner’s 126515LN isn’t a discontinued rarity. It’s still in Rolex’s current lineup — and, until recently, was one of its more overlooked Daytona references in watch collecting circles.

That may no longer be the case. With the kind of global spotlight no ad campaign could replicate, this watch suddenly feels like a prime candidate to join the ranks of Daytonas remembered by a nickname rather than a reference number.

Reaching nickname status?

Rolex

The 126515LN pairs Rolex’s proprietary Everose gold — a rose gold alloy engineered to resist fading — with a black Cerachrom bezel and a rich “Sundust” and bright black dial.

It’s a warm, confident configuration that reads more as quiet luxury, at least compared to yellow-gold versions of the watch, making it a piece that works equally well at lifetime achievement award celebrations as it does a lifetime’s worth of nice dinners.

Yet despite its striking looks and elevated details, its lacked in attention compared to many other Daytona references, especially those known by nicknames.

Rolexes, and the Daytona line, in particular, have a deep tradition of community-given pet names.

Photo by Johnny Brayson for Gear Patrol

Some have evolved as simple descriptive shorthand for the watch’s look, as with the ‘Panda’ and ‘Ghost’, or, more unfortunately, the ‘Pikachu’.

The name ‘Wimbledon’ is also already off the table for this reason. The Datejust Wimbledon dial — with its slate-grey sunray face and green-outlined Roman numerals — has long since earned its label thanks to its aesthetic association with the tournament’s color palette and the Crown’s long role as a sponsor of the prestigious tournament.

Rolex

But of course, the most famous Daytona references of all are named after the man who helped make them famous, Paul Newman, and in more recent years, a slew of other Daytona references have also earned nicknames based on their famous fans.

Yellow gold Daytona references with green dials are often generally described in watch circles as John Mayer Daytonas, based on the musician’s well-documented obsession with the color combo.

And even in the sport of tennis, Carlos Alcaraz has proved that the court is a legitimate stage for a Daytona to earn a nickname as the ‘Alcaraz’, even if he’s worn other references more often during major wins.

As such, calling the 126515LN the ‘Sinner’ feels like the most likely bet. The precedent is there. And it does have a nice ring to it.

Then again, maybe nothing sticks.

Roger Federer’s blue sapphire Daytona — an off-catalog gem-set ref. worth an estimated $1.5 million, isn’t known by his name. Neither is Scottie Scheffler’s far more obtainable, though now-discontinued Coral Red Oyster Perpetual, which he frequently wears.

Nickname or not, though, after two Wimbledon wins, the 126515LN no longer needs an introduction.

Availability and pricing

Rolex

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in Everose gold, Reference 126515LN, carries an official retail price of $44,800.

Of course, that number is largely academic. Daytonas at authorized dealers are famously difficult to source under any circumstances.

Jannick Sinner putting a reference this squarely in the public eye for the second consecutive July certainly won’t make getting this version of the sports watch any easier.

Rolex

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Everose Gold Reference 126515LN

• $44800 at Rolex

As time marches on, we’re getting more eager for the official debut of the highly anticipated return of the Toyota MR2. While we’re still supposedly a good way from the big moment, Toyota’s still been kind enough to provide incremental updates on its R&D progress.

The Japanese automaker just launched a new video on its YouTube channel, and it shows the Big T has made some big progress on the MR2.

Proving its worth, one endurance race at a time

According to the video and various reports, Toyota reportedly ironed out all the kinks for the new mid-engine-placed turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder. In case you’re out of the loop, Toyota shocked the world a few years ago with a very unique GR Yaris M Concept.

It was basically a GR Yaris, but with Toyota’s latest high-performance turbo-four. However, it wasn’t under the hood; it was placed in the middle of the chassis, driving all four wheels.

Initially, such a concept raised tons of eyebrows. Obviously, we now know the GR Yaris M Concept has been the testbed for Toyota’s new MR2 revival.

Toyota

Because Toyota is bringing back the company’s iconic affordable mid-engine sports car, it had to start from the ground up. Since no car existed in Toyota’s portfolio as a parts bin starting point, the new MR2 required a completely fresh start.

Now, the company’s been able to thoroughly test its new midship turbo-four, both in motorsports and on the road to prove its capabilities and reliability. It supposedly got Toyota’s official seal of approval after performing admirably in this year’s annual Super Taikyu 24-hour endurance race.

Ironing out the kinks

Toyota

According to the video and other tidbits, Toyota reportedly struggled with aerodynamic and cooling issues in its new midship four-cylinder. Through various test runs and redesign stages, the automaker was able to prepare it for its final test at this year’s Super Taikyu 24-hour endurance race.

With the race finally done, and Toyota being successful, the company’s looking back on all its efforts leading up to this internal victory.

Toyota

Gazoo Racing and its R&D department report a total of six different prototypes. The sixth was the last, which raced in the national endurance event.

Engineers also tweaked the chassis and the all-wheel-drive system to hone the handling. Unlike previous MR2s, which were all rear-wheel drive only, the new model will sport all-paw traction with rear-drive bias.

Toyota

Now, the company claims that the power- and drivetrain are both largely sorted. From here on out, Toyota’s product planners can focus on other bits of the MR2, such as its final exterior and shape and its interior.

In any case, every update they provide only drives up our anticipation and excitement. We can’t wait for the final product.

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Once a scrappy outfit out of Anaheim, California, Vans has, over its 60-year history, become one of the world’s most recognized sneaker, apparel and lifestyle brands.

While perhaps best known for its alternative styling, the brand does, from time to time, play around with refinement, especially with its elevated OTW sub-label.

Such is the case with one of its latest launches, the Vans OTW Chukka 49 Vibram, which melds the brand’s signature sneaker style with an absolutely legendary boot.

Vans

Pumped-up kicks

If you were to look at these sneakers and mistake them for Half Cabs, one of the brand’s most iconic sneakers, you could be forgiven. They do have some elements in common with legendary skater Steve Caballero’s signature shoe.

For instance, they have a premium suede upper similar to the Half Cab. They also share a medium height, putting them between the brand’s classic low-tops (like the Old Skool) and Hi-Tops.

Vans

However, the overall shape and lacing system borrow inspiration from elsewhere in the footwear world. These sneakers, as their name suggests, are made to mimic the overall look of Chukkas. More specifically, they carry the same vibe as minimalist desert boots.

They do still maintain some classic sneaker elements, like a padded collar, eyestay reinforcements and a reinforced heel. However, even these elements are downplayed to make for a far more pared-down appearance overall.

Vans

Desert stompers

Perhaps the most significant upgrades to this shoe are ones you can’t actually see, at least at first glance. Take the outsole, for instance.

Instead of a classic vulcanized rubber sole with a waffle pattern, as is typical with the vast majority of Vans catalog, this one instead gets a Vibram outsole with a tank tread pattern. Not only does the rubber upgrade mean it’s sturdier and more stable, but it also offers better traction than its more pedestrian alternative.

Vans

To match that outsole, Vans has also given this shoe a Sola Foam ADC (All-Day Comfort) insole. Made using at least 30% biobased PU foam, this makes for an even more comfortable step than the brand’s classic sneakers.

While I wouldn’t suggest wearing these out for a hike, and they might not be formal, they’re certainly more capable and refined than their siblings. And they’re a welcome upgraded stylistic addition to the brand’s other timeless, proven offerings.

Vans

Availability and pricing

The Vans OTW Chukka 49 Vibram is now available in Black or Marshmallow White on the brand’s official site for $110 per pair.

Vans

Vans OTW Chukka 49 Vibram

• $110 at Vans

Blancpain’s Fifty Fathoms is generally acknowledged as the first proper dive watch, developed in 1953 for France’s equivalent of the Navy SEALs.

The French Navy continues to influence diver design to this day, recently working with the domestic brand Yema to develop a watch for the crews of its Barracuda-class nuclear-powered attack submarines. A civilian version is hitting the market, and it features a specialized tool not often seen on dive watches.

Yema

Yema has been providing watches for the French Navy for years, including its current official watch, the Navygraf Marine Nationale. Based on a 1970s design, it is straightforward, with an automatic movement and 300m water resistance.

To outfit its submariners, the Marine Nationale, as the French Navy is officially known, requires a more specialized design. It worked closely with Yema to optimize the Navygraf Barracuda for use in dark, cramped quarters.

Yema

The 39mm stainless steel case features the standard Navygraf shape with polished, chamfered edges that twist along the gently sloped crown guard. Its crown is equipped with a fluted grip and is signed with the same anchor logo as the Navygraf Marine Nationale.

The standout feature sits atop the case, where a fluted steel bezel holds a black forged carbon insert with a fully graduated 60-minute track. However, where a typical dive bezel counts up, this one counts down, with a special 20-minute segment in red to assist sailors with tracking dive preparations.

Carbon-based

The forged carbon continues on the dial, which displays the same gray-and-black marbled texture. White applied hour markers and a white dash minute track create strong legibility.

The hour hand has a gray frame, and the large minute hand has a red frame, both filled with a brilliant white that matches the needle seconds hand and the indices.

Yema

The bezel scale, indices and hands are enhanced with white-glowing Super-LumiNova C1 Grade A. It creates optimal legibility through maximum contrast with the black forged carbon dial and bezel.

A 2.5 mm-thick double-domed sapphire crystal helps ensure 300m water resistance.

Red alert

Yema’s partnership with the French Navy makes sense because the watchmaker offers excellent movements produced domestically in Morteau, France. The Navygraf Barracuda runs on the Yema Caliber CMM.20, a micro-rotor automatic movement that packs an impressive 70-hour power reserve.

Yema

The micro-rotor layout keeps the movement thin, allowing for a svelte case height of 9.75mm, excluding the protruding domed crystal. It is visible through a red-tinted sapphire caseback, decorated with the logo of France’s submarine division, Forces Sous-Marines.

Availability and pricing

Yema offers the Navygraf Barracuda on a black nylon NATO strap with a white stripe and brushed stainless steel hardware, or the same H-link stainless steel bracelet as the standard-issue Navygraf Marine Nationale.

Yema

The Yema Navygraf Barracuda will be available on July 14 from Yema for $2,590 on the NATO or $2,890 on the bracelet. It is a limited edition of 400 pieces commemorating the 400th anniversary of the founding of the French Navy.

Yema

Yema Navygraf Barracuda Limited Edition

Specs

Case Size	39mm
Movement	Yema Caliber CMM.20 autoamticq
Water Resistance	300m

• $2,590 at Yema

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Approaching footwear through the lens of everyday utility, laid-back style and comfort, few silhouettes can hold a candle to the mule.

For its latest release, Vans applies its California-cool approach to the timeless profile, resulting in an effortless riff on an undeniable classic.

Vans

Slip into something a little more “Off the Wall”

The Harbor Mule VR3 is a plush, easy-on lifestyle shoe built with Vans’ premium materials, which makes it one of the most comfort-maxed silhouettes I’ve seen of late.

Vans

The upper is a soft suede that offers just the right touch of texture while the sherpa-like lining brings additional coziness to each step.

The midsole is Vans’ own VR3Cush, designed for lightweight, cushioned support.

Vans

While minimalist in its overall design, the Harbor Mule VR3 does maintain some of Vans’ core touches; these include the checkerboard globe logo detail, the Vans tag on the seam and the slip-on look of the opening.

Finally, the VR3Waffle outsole offers reliable grip and traction.

Vans

To complement its easy-wearing attitude, the Harbor Mule VR3 comes in two neutral colorways that will go with anything in your closet: Khaki Beige and Black.

Availability and pricing

The Harbor Mule VR3 is available now on Vans’ website, retailing for $85. Sizes in both color options are selling out quickly, with about half of the inventory gone at the time of this writing.

Vans

Vans Harbor Mule VR3

• $85 at Vans

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Last year, Bulova dropped a big surprise by bringing back a classic mid-century dive watch from its little-used sister brand, Caravelle. The original Caravelle Sea Hunter debuted in the 1960s, sporting a look akin to Longines skin divers with a shovel-shaped hour hand, a 12-9-6 dial layout, an oversized unprotected crown and a fully graduated dive bezel.

The new version, which Bulova revived with the Caravelle brand name intact, was a visual carbon copy of the original, right down to the fan-favorite 666 Feet “Devil Diver” water-resistance rating on the dial. But as a new watch in 2025, the reborn Sea Hunter was also granted a number of upgrades, including a 316L stainless steel case and bracelet, a larger case (but not too large), an automatic Miyota movement and a mineral crystal.

Most surprising of all was the dirt-cheap price, with the new Sea Hunter priced at just $375, arguably making it the best dive watch available below $500.

The Sea Hunter arrived to great acclaim with four references at launch. Now, Bulova has doubled the line with a quartet of new colors that have arrived just in time for summer.

Bulova

Four more

Curiously, the Sea Hunter’s original launch included just one model in bare steel, which it paired with a classic black dial and bezel. This was joined in the lineup by a yellow gold-tone version with a blue dial on a rubber strap, a full yellow gold-tone version on a bracelet with a green dial and a rose gold-tone black dial on rubber.

For the four new references, Bulova has thankfully flipped the script, giving us three new steel models and just one in gold-tone, and all are on bracelets. Let’s be real, this is what the people want.

Bulova

Of the steel models, there is one with a black bezel and a bright orange dial reminiscent of Doxa’s iconic Sub 300 “Professional.” Another version pairs a black bezel with a very pretty shade of robin’s egg blue, giving more of a modern look to the vintage-themed model.

Next is a tonal version that pairs a forest green dial with a matching bezel. This one is certainly the most versatile of the new crop and will likely be the most popular. Lastly, there’s a beige dial with a brown bezel and a yellow gold-tone case and bracelet. It gives off some slight ’70s Rolex “Root Beer” vibes and is my favorite gold-tone Sea Hunter so far.

Bulova

All four colors feature the same fauxtina lume on the hands and printed indices, which looks better on some colors than others (I would’ve liked to see white lume on the blue and orange dials, personally).

Outside of the new colors, these four Sea Hunters are the same as their four predecessors. The movement remains the Miyota Calibre 8215 automatic with a 41-hour power reserve, the water resistance is still 200m (or 666 feet, wink wink), there’s still a luminescent pearl inserted at the bezel pip and the case retains its more modern yet still compact diameter of 39mm.

Bulova

Availability and pricing

The Bulova/Caravelle Sea Hunter remains a ludicrously good deal at $375, and it can often be found for even less. Right now, in fact, you can get the original four references on Bulova’s website for between $280 and $316, which is just nuts.

It might be a few weeks before these new four colors drop in price, but the price is still ridiculously cheap for an automatic dive watch from a known brand featuring an original 1960s design.

All of the new Sea Hunters are available now, with the blue, orange and green references priced at $375 and the beige at $395.

Bulova

Bulova Caravelle Sea Hunter (2026)

Specs

Case Size	39mm
Movement	Miyota Cal. 8215 automatic
Water Resistance	200m

• $375 at Bulova

Last fall I found myself positively smitten with Titaner’s EDC Ratchet System, which is so smartly engineered and priced, it raised nearly $600,000 on Kickstarter.

This summer brings a titanium-powered alternative that is pretty compelling in its own regard.

Comandi

Rather than simply dupe what worked so well for Titaner, Hong Kong-based Comandi’s new TiNexus blazes its own trail with a uniquely streamlined design.

In some ways, it offers even more for less, which helps explain why it is on a pretty bonkers crowdfunding run (over $112,000 raised with nearly two weeks to go) of its own.

Battle of bits

Roughly the size and shape of a pack of cigarettes, the TiNexus packs the capability of a typical ratchet (including a built-in direction selector) while coming in much smaller and lighter.

Comandi

Of the total package weight of 11.7 ounces (in tough, corrosion-resistant titanium) or 8.5 ounces (in wallet-friendly aluminum), the ratchet itself makes up just 1.13 ounces, just over half of a full-size one.

Even more notable is the fact that its 72-tooth mechanism requires a swing of just 5 degrees to engage the next tooth.

Comandi

That’s just one degree bigger than Titaner’s 4 degrees, and a third of the traditional 15-degree swing arc you’ll find on classic ratchets.

That makes a big difference when you’re working in tight spaces, as you’ll need less than half an inch of clearance to operate.

Comandi

Equally impressive at a glance is the built-in bit storage, whereby two foldable plates accommodate a total of 20 standard quarter-inch bits, all held neatly in place by the power of magnets.

According to the TiNexus Kickstarter page, the “included matrix will cover 97% of daily life,” but you can also swap in your own specialized implements if desired.

Comandi

Adding to the capability, an integrated extender shifts the torque transfer point 1.8 inches forward while offering two different configurations to tackle the task at hand.

L-Mode locks at a 90-degree angle, offering higher leverage when it is required, while I-mode straightens things out, effectively transforming the tool into a screwdriver with extended reach.

Comandi

In a whimsical, haptically satisfying touch, you tap the tool against your palm to release the extender from its magnetized storage slot, where it can snap back into place when the job is done.

Availability and pricing

The TiNexus is available via Kickstarter at the Super Early Bird price of $199 for Titanium (left) and $119 for Aluminum (right). Estimated delivery is September.

Comandi

TiNexus EDC Ratchet System

• Starts at $119

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Dickies has been a staple of American workwear since 1922. It remains a reliable outfitter for professions ranging from surgeons to welders, while holding an esteemed cultural reputation for its adoption by rock stars, rappers, skaters, artists and other counterculture heroes.

The Denim Painter Jacket is a quintessential piece for the Texas-based brand, representing its pragmatic design and reliable quality. Right now, this foundational piece of American workwear is 45 percent off during End’s massive Summer Sale.

Dickies

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

This simple collared jacket blueprint, with a zippered front, welted pockets and adjustable cuffs, offers nearly universal versatility. It works for Harrington jackets, barn coats and classic utility apparel like this.

Of course, I don’t have to spell out the appeal of a good denim jacket. While Dickies isn’t as recognized in the outerwear category as Levi’s or Wrangler, it’s been producing excellent examples since before World War II.

It is made from 100-percent cotton 14-ounce denim twill, with no lining on the body or sleeves.

Attention to detail

The Denim Painter Jacket features a tan corduroy lining on the collar with a fine wale for a soft feel.

Dickies

There are two slanted welted hand pockets on the front, and one horizontal welted chest pocket with a zipper. All three are reinforced with bar tack stitches.

Key seams, like the sides and shoulders, are secured with triple-needle stitching. The other seams aren’t much weaker, featuring double needle stitching.

Pleated shoulders on the back panel provide the enhanced range of motion a painter needs on the job.

Dickies

The vented cuffs are adjustable with double snaps, and the waist is adjustable with snap tabs on each hip.

Availability and pricing

Dickies’ iconic design is just as endearing and useful as it was during the peak of America’s industrial age.

With the original price of $145 knocked down to just $80 during End’s Summer Sale, it is a deal too good to pass up. Better still, every size is still available.

It is worth noting that End is a British retailer, but it covers import duties for American customers.

Would you believe it? The Jeep Twelve 4 Twelve program is now in the home stretch. The brand has just unveiled the ninth installment in its series of monthly celebratory Wrangler releases.

Thankfully, it’s a good one this go-round, as Jeep has opted to revive the Laredo name for the first time in quite a while. The trim debuted on the CJ platform in the early ‘80s, and it even survived into the start of Wrangler production until the brand pulled it from the lineup.

Stellantis

In any case, it’s not just any old paint and equipment package. Back in the day, Jeep introduced the Laredo to give drivers a little extra refinement with some western-flavored flair, and it’s taken a similar approach with its modern tribute.

The most notable addition is easily the return of the brand’s distinctive tan soft-top, but Jeep’s treatment extends inside and out. Along with Bison Brown leather upholstery and gold-colored interior stitching, the new Laredo brings unique decals, earth-toned accents and bronze beadlock wheels wrapped in 35-inch BFGoodrich K02 tires.

Of course, being a Laredo, it’s packed with cowboy culture. Beyond the lasso-style 4WD decal, you’ll find other subtle references like a cowboy hat motif in the HVAC pad prints.

Stellantis

Stellantis

Stellantis

Stellantis

Availability and pricing

Orders for the 2027 Laredo open later this month with a starting price of $1,995 over a Wrangler Willys with the Xtreme 35 Tire Package. 

Stellantis

2027 Jeep Wrangler Laredo

• Learn More

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, better known as Milwaukee Tool (or just Milwaukee), was founded all the way back in 1924. With over a century under its belt, it is one of the most storied, venerated and relied-upon tool brands on the market today.

It is also known for creating tools with a signature color combination.

It’s this styling that the Microtech L.U.D.T. Journeyman Gen III T/E borrows, as an homage to the beloved toolmaker. But this tactical EDC knife is a capable tool in its own right, as well.

Blade HQ

A different kind of power tool

Microtech has done a spectacular job of reinterpreting Milwaukee’s signature styling and colors for this knife. Even at a distance, it’s clear what the brand was trying to achieve, and I dare say they nailed it precisely.

The red handle perfectly mimics Milwaukee’s most vibrant trademark hue, and it’s furthered by the choice of font for the white logo and slender lightning bolt, crafting a perfect tribute to the tool brand’s own.

Blade HQ

But I’d also go so far as to say that the two-toned blade is even more intriguing. Not only does it feature the other two colors, black and dark gray, but it manages it uniquely, with a bold diagonal divide and, even more interestingly, two different textures.

The tip half of the blade features a classic stonewash-style finish, while the lower half, the blacked-out portion, has an almost sandpaper-like texture. And yet, for all its styling, its materials and mechanisms are somehow even better.

Blade HQ

High-performance reissue

For those unaware, the Microtech L.U.D.T. is actually an existing silhouette. And yes, its name is, in fact, an acronym. It stands for Large Underwater Demolition Team and is named for the WWII-era Navy frogmen that predated the SEALs.

While the styling heavily differentiates this tactical knife from its siblings, it shares many elements in common, not the least of which includes its 8.00-inch overall length and 3.5-inch blade.

Blade HQ

Like its predecessors, its aggressive tanto blade features a fuller (or a blood groove) and it’s built from Microtech’s proprietary version of Böhler’s beloved M390 super steel (M390MK). For reference, this specially developed version improves on the original’s toughness and edge retention.

Opposite the blade, the handle is crafted from aluminum and has a button-actuated automatic deployment and locking mechanism. The knife also gets a pocket clip for easy pocket (and pack) carry, and it has a lanyard hole for additional accouterments.

Blade HQ

Availability and pricing

The Microtech L.U.D.T. Journeyman Gen III T/E is now available for preorder at Blade HQ for $411. While the price is obviously a big ask, it’s also a limited edition, so I don’t expect it to remain in stock for very long.

Blade HQ

Microtech L.U.D.T. Journeyman Gen III T/E

• $411 at Blade HQ

Volkswagen’s iconic Transporter California is already chock-full of what camper van dreams are made of. But the Wolfsburg-based automaker seems to have just made one of its newest variants even better.

In the latest development, Volkswagen’s commercial division just rolled out some worthy updates for the flagship Grand California.

They piggyback off VW’s other van updates, some of which went to our own North American-spec ID. Buzz, as well as Europe’s latest Transporter and Caravelle. Now, the bug caught up with VW’s grandest factory-built camper van ever.

An even grander Grand California

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

For some, the VW Transporter California may already be a familiar name. If you’ve never heard of the Grand California, it’s an even larger and more luxurious version of the famed camper van.

Introduced in 2018, VW created the bigger and more opulent California based on the more sizable Volkswagen Crafter multi-purpose vehicle. Naturally, the result is an even more deluxe camper van.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

The standard Transporter-based California already comes with everything, including the kitchen sink. The Grand California really just amps everything up.

As such, rather than a portable wash station based out of the rear cargo area, the Grand California is large enough to house a standalone bathroom, complete with a sink, toilet and shower combo.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

It makes for more interior space. The larger proportions also enable bigger kitchenette setups with more amenities, more versatile storage and sleeping options and other perks that come along with benefits of more room.

Now, VW updated the Grand California for more off-the-grid capabilities.

Power when you need it

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

To bolster the Grand California’s nomadic purposes, VW upgraded the van’s onboard auxiliary electrical system across the range. Both the Grand California 600 and the bigger 680 now benefit from rooftop-mounted photovoltaic solar panels.

The standard 600 model gains a 104-watt panel while the larger 680 gets a more powerful 174-watt panel. Along with the solar panels is a new dual 40-ampere/hour battery system, which is a part of the van’s new optional Self-Sufficiency package.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

Helping to retain electrons is a larger 92-ampere/hour AGM battery, which can be used to power all of the van’s onboard features without running the internal combustion engine.

VW says the switchover to a heavier-duty AGM battery boosts the amount of useable electricity charge by almost 40%. It also improves the battery’s longevity, as constant charging and discharging significantly affect overall lifespan and charge capacity.

2027 Volkswagen Grand California

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It’s all thanks to advancements in battery technology itself. Other benefits include more efficient, faster and more powerful charging from the solar panel.

As a result, drivers can now go longer distances and spend more time at rural campsites rather than being tethered to an area with power hookups for additional charging.

Availability and pricing

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

Like the standard Transporter California, the Grand California is unfortunately only available to European and select Asian markets. But that doesn’t keep us from lusting over it from across the pond.

If you’re lucky enough to be in a market where you can buy a Grand California 600, prices start at €83,508 (or around $95,700 USD). This new Self-Sufficiency power package, complete with the battery upgrade, adds around $3,000 USD to the price.

The larger 680 commands more, around $100,000 USD.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

2027 Volkswagen Grand California

• Learn More

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Over the past decade, New Balance’s catalog has been largely defined by heritage runners and chunky dad shoes. 

Instead of following trends, the Boston-based footwear brand has been staying true to its own design ethos. That’s why when New Balance does venture outside the box, we take notice even more so. 

New Balance

One such “radical” design comes in the way of the new 204V. Taking cues from last year’s 204L, this unusual silhouette is almost anti-New Balance in every way.

New Balance

Laceless accusations 

The first thing you’re likely to notice with the 204V is its lack of laces. Joining the ranks of the Fresh Foam X 1080 Unlaced and the 1906L Loafer, this mary jane-style shoe ditches laces altogether. However, it’s unusual in the sense that it’s not a mule or sneaker loafer or recovery slide, but a low-profile lifestyle shoe.

New Balance

Instantly recalling ‘70s-era racing flats, the 204V brings together all kinds of inspiration here. Unlike the brand’s uber-thick Abzorb-based midsole models, it rides on a thin EVA to go along with the slim design. You could easily stuff these in your gym bag without worrying about them getting crushed.

New Balance

On the other hand, the upper design is total Y2K. Just like the 204L, the “V” shares the same multi-layered mesh panel layout and overall tech-forward aesthetic. You’ll also notice the slanted “N” logo on the side, just like the 204L as well. 

Both eras collide on the outsole. According to the brand, it features a “2000s-inspired strike path and 70s-influenced tread pattern.”

New Balance

Climb disease

Pushing the 204V into new territory is its climbing influence. Rather than looking at rugged hiking boots, New Balance extracted subtle functional elements from the world of approach shoes.  

New Balance

The most obvious impact is found on the absence of laces, which are replaced by an adjustable single-strap Velcro closure that wraps across the bridge of the foot. Likewise, the overlays feature arced lines that wrap around the shoe, mimicking the reinforced rands that lock your foot in place.

Availability and pricing

Debuting in Fan Blue and Neo Flame colorways, the 204V lands July 15 on New Balance’s website. Pricing sits at $120.

New Balance

New Balance 204V

• $120 at New Balance

Since Kia pulled the wraps off the PV5 back last year, the slippery electric van has remained tantalizingly out of reach for US buyers. Mind you, that’s even with reports of Stateside testing. 

It’s unfortunate, because in addition to undercutting rivals like the Volkswagen ID. Buzz by a hefty margin, the Korean EV is also increasingly showing its potential with camper conversions.

Vantrack

Vantrack’s forthcoming option is a case in point. By pairing a premium design with some clever modular integration, the Dutch outfit has managed to turn the Kia into an impressive sleeper.

Simple but effective

Vantrack is calling it the LightCamp, and it’s an offering that now currently exists as the pictured concept. However, following an overwhelming response, it’s bound for production.

Vantrack

It’s not hard to see why. Through its efforts to make the PV5 into a camper, Vantrack has created what it’s calling “a new form of mobility in which vehicle, interior, shelter and outdoor space merge into a single lightweight and flexible system.”

Abstract as that sounds, it really just means that the Kia benefits from a clever, comprehensive camping conversion. That includes a 51-inch-by-74-inch slide-out bed, a skylight and roof platform, as well as a neatly hidden storage and a slick little cook station.

Vantrack

In combination with the ZELT pop-top tent, it makes for a robust setup. The sink and stovetop can be deployed away from the van, and the integrated hatch provides access to the elevated quarters from below. 

Moreover, because of the modularity of pieces like the bed and the storage, Vantrack’s LC system can easily be removed (barring the skylight and roof rack, of course) to accommodate day-to-day use.

Vantrack

The bare necessities 

Even still, the LightCamp conversion isn’t lacking when it comes to its living provisions. 

For instance, along with an 11L portable water system complete with a sink, Vantrack is touting an 18L compressor fridge, as well as an induction stovetop. In other words, you’ll have everything you need to handle prep and cooking.

Vantrack

Elsewhere, the interior bed platform includes a pair of Exped Luxemat air mattresses to ensure a good night’s sleep. To that end, there are refinements like blackout blinds, a bug screen and an expandable awning. 

Moreover, Vantrack’s conversion even makes accommodations for mobile power thanks to the PV5’s factory capabilities. In addition to a sweet ‘Camp Mode’ function that runs climate control and power supply functions while parked, it also boasts Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) 230V AC power output up to 3.6 kW.

In any event, it all adds up to a unique take on a camper conversion that strikes a balance between full- and part-time rig.

Vantrack

Availability and pricing

According to the Vantrack website, the production LightCamp is set for debut this September. Based on the PV5 Passenger Essential trim, prices are set to start from €65,000 (~$74,000).

Though this makes for a pretty hefty premium on top of Kia’s EV, it still makes for one of the more affordable ways to get into the space. Let’s just hope we eventually get such an option in the States.

Vantrack

Vantrack Kia PV5 LightCamp

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Tiny Vinyl is the fast-growing company that makes four-inch vinyl records, approximately one-third the size of standard 12-inch vinyl records. Each record can play two tracks (one per side) and can be played on any full-sized turntable.

And while it sounds a little gimmicky, these pocket-sized records have taken the vinyl world by storm. They are officially licensed by many of today’s biggest artists, each of whom selects the two tracks that go on the record, and thus have become highly collectible.

Now, doubling down on its success, Tiny Vinyl has introduced its first record player that is specifically designed to play its miniature records. And naturally, it lives up to the tiny name.

Tiny Vinyl

A tiny, vinyl player

The Tiny Vinyl Player is a shoebox-sized all-in-one record player that is specially designed to play the company’s 4-inch vinyl records. It’s obviously aimed at those who own a lot of Tiny Vinyl records, as it can only play them and not any full-sized records. It’s too small.

Again, Tiny Vinyl’s records are compatible with any traditional turntable that supports 33 RPM speeds. So, most turntables. This means that the Tiny Vinyl Player is hardly a necessity, but another collectible.

Tiny Vinyl

Tiny Vinyl

The Tiny Vinyl Player is comprised of everything you need to play Tiny Records. It requires a constant powered connection and features a built-in speaker.

Naturally, the size and price of the built-in speaker mean that it probably won’t sound super elite. However, the system supports Bluetooth, so you can stream vinyl records to larger speakers or wireless headphones.

There are wired connections in the back of the Player, so it can be integrated into a larger system, as well.

Tiny Vinyl

Tiny Vinyl

Build out the system

Integrated into the platter is a storage slot that can hold up to five Tiny Vinyl records.

For those with more miniature records, the company has also introduced the Crate, a vinyl storage solution with the same footprint as the record player that’s designed to rest underneath. It gives super fans a way of building out their Tiny Vinyl system.

Additionally, the company has introduced a third accessory, the Frame. It’s a picture frame meant to hang on your wall and show off Tiny Vinyl records. Each Frame can hold four Tiny Vinyl albums.

Tiny Vinyl

Tiny Vinyl

“Our fans asked for tiny accessories and we listened. We are excited to offer a custom player, crate, and frame for our fans to enjoy,” says Tiny Vinyl’s co-founder Neil Kohler.

“These new products give music fans and collectors everything they need to build out their own little Tiny Vinyl universe, a setup as fun and personal as the music they love,” adds co-founder Jesse Mann.

Tiny Vinyl

Availability and pricing

The Tiny Vinyl Player will cost $50. The two accessories, the Crate and Frame, will cost $20 and $15, respectively.

All products are sold exclusively at Target. They are available now.

Back in 2010, Seiko debuted the original “Cocktail Time,” Reference SARB065, an automatic dress watch with a sky blue dial featuring a beautiful stamped pattern inspired by a cocktail glass, sharp applied indices and dauphine hands.

The watch became a smash hit, instantly ranking among the best dress watches available at its sub-$500 price point and attaining fan-favorite status among enthusiasts. In the years that followed, Seiko has vastly and continually expanded upon the SARB065 to create an entire family of Cocktail Time watches in different sizes and colors, with various dial patterns and complications.

Now, the Japanese brand has iterated on this affordable icon once again with the Cocktail Time “Crushed Ice,” a trio of new references that might be the most crowd-pleasing version yet.

Seiko

This crushes

The biggest downside to the original Cocktail Time, and many other references that followed, is that they wear pretty large for a dress watch. With a design that’s basically all dial and a case diameter of 40.5mm, these aren’t exactly dainty watches.

Seiko has addressed this with a couple of new sizes over the years. There’s a 34mm version that also boasts a cleaner dial design, with an unobtrusive small round date window at 4:30 instead of the usual framed one at 3:00. It’s very handsome, but for many buyers, these models simply feel too small.

Seiko’s best size for the Cocktail Time is its 38.5mm case, which has a compact lug-to-lug measurement of 45.4mm and a thickness of 11.8mm. These models are a crowd-pleasing “Goldilocks” size, but have previously exclusively featured the less elegant 3:00 date window of the 40.5mm versions.

Seiko

Now, with the new “Crushed Ice,” Seiko has put it all together by combining its most versatile 38.5mm case size with the cleaner dial design of the 34mm version.

The “Crushed Ice” features the round 4:30 date window, pairing it with the Cocktail Time’s familiar applied dagger indices and dauphine handset. But there’s something else that’s novel here besides the new size-and-layout combination, and that’s the dial texture.

All three “Crushed Ice” references boast a new stamped dial texture meant to be reminiscent of, you guessed it, crushed ice. Its appearance is more complex and luxurious than the usual Cocktail Time pattern, and it reminds me a bit of the iconic “Snowflake” dial from high-end sister brand Grand Seiko.

Seiko

The dials also feature a fumé-like effect, wherein their outside is a darker color than their inside. This adds even more of a high-end appearance to the dial, and looks especially striking on the blue version.

Speaking of the dial colors, there are three: Green, blue and brown. As usual, each is inspired by a cocktail. The green is “Mint Mist” (HCB002), the brown is “Whiskey Mist” (HCB003) and the blue is “Emerald Mint” (HCB001).

How one gets blue from something called “Emerald Mint,” which are two types of green, is anyone’s guess, but it’s easily my favorite of the bunch. “Emerald Mint” is also the only model to be paired with a steel bracelet. The other two get brown leather straps.

Seiko

The rest of the specs are identical to the 40.5mm Cocktail Time, with a domed Hardlex crystal, an exhibition caseback, 50m of water resistance and the in-house Calibre 4R35 automatic movement providing 41 hours of power on a full wind.

Availability and pricing

These new Cocktail Times are the most refined take yet on the model. The case size combined with the cleaner dial layout is wonderful, and the new dial treatment looks quite high-end. That blue is really speaking to me; it works really well with the texture, and the mix of colors absolutely sings.

Seiko has not yet added pricing information to its U.S. product pages for the “Crushed Ice” models, but Teddy Baldassarre reports that all three are priced at $475. That seems a bit odd to me, as usually the bracelet models are priced slightly higher, but Teddy is an authorized Seiko dealer, so I’m assuming their information is correct.

Seiko

Seiko Presage Cocktail Time “Crushed Ice” HCB001

Specs

Case Size	38.5mm
Movement	Seiko Cal. 4R35 automatic
Water Resistance	50m

• $475 at Seiko

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The Vomero 18 spent most of 2025 making noise — quietly becoming a $100 million franchise in just 90 days — and Nike keeps feeding the momentum with fresh colorways.

The latest wave brings several new options, but one cuts through the noise by doing the opposite of everything else: the Nike Vomero 18 (Grey Fog/Work Blue) trades spectacle for restraint, and it might be the most wearable version yet.

Cool and coastal

Nike

The Vomero line has a long history as Nike’s premium cushioned road runner, and the 18th edition pushed that legacy into lifestyle territory without abandoning its performance roots.

Our launch coverage of the Vomero 18 zeroed in on its generous ZoomX-over-ReactX foam stack and how the shoe manages to feel plush underfoot without sacrificing responsiveness — qualities that earned it a “Superb” rating from RunRepeat and a spot on its list of Nike’s best walking shoes.

Nike also proved the platform’s versatility by releasing a Gore-Tex edition built for all-weather running, confirming that the Vomero 18 is more than a fair-weather proposition.

Nike

Nike

The new wave of colorways includes a brighter green and white option, a bolder volt-colored release in a nod to classic Nike neons and a brighter gradient-styled version.

But the Grey Fog/Work Blue sits in a different register than most of the shoe’s other options and is far more interesting than a straight black or white build.

Think of it as a summer coastal colorway: cool-toned, easy to read and built to work with almost anything already in your rotation.

Availability and pricing

Nike

The Nike Vomero 18 in Grey Fog/Work Blue is available now at Nike for $155. Given how quickly earlier colorways have sold out, we don’t expect the full-size run to stick around forever.

Nike

Nike Vomero 18 (Grey Fog/Work Blue)

• $155 at Nike

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Nivada Grenchen, more than any other independent watch brand, does an excellent job of serving every tier of vintage enthusiasts. Hardcore collectors with larger budgets are served by faithful reproductions featuring dead-stock movements and dials, while more affordable alternatives are offered to casual fans.

The revived Swiss watchmaker’s catalog offers a full spectrum of designs that fall between those examples, including new models that pick up right where the brand left off in the 1970s. The new Chronoking Racing II is an affordable descendant of the legendary Chronomaster that employs one of Nivada’s most intriguing tricks.

Nivada Grenchen

Nivada’s Chronoking Racing II is an affordable tricompax chronograph that offers heaps of the brand’s authentic 1960s design language for well under $1,000. It improves upon the previous generation by, among other things, applying “exotic” subdials.

The distinct dial layout, featuring square lollipop indices, is known for its appearance on the “Paul Newman” Rolex Daytona, but a company called Singer produced the design in the 1960s for Rolex, Nivada and other watchmakers. Which means this affordable racing chronograph holds an equal claim to the design as the Crown.

Phillips

Other dial tweaks for the second-generation Chronoking Racing include a broader chapter ring, simplified stick applied hour markers and a slimmed-down seconds hand.

It is powered by the same Seiko Caliber VK63 meca-quartz movement, which blends a mechanical chronograph module with quartz timekeeping. Along with a small seconds at 6:00 and a 60-minute totalizer at 9:00, it features the quirky synced 24-hour time dial at 3:00.

Nivada Grenchen

The stainless steel case is identical, measuring 38mm wide by 13mm tall, and featuring pump-style pushers flanking a signed crown with a fluted grip.

For some reason, Nivada’s typically robust strap selection is limited to just two options for this release. There is a steel beads-of-rice bracelet and a black perforated leather pin buckle strap.

A nifty trick

The Chronoking Racing II features Nivada’s novel interchangeable bezel system. Introduced in 2024 with another “exotic” dial Chronomaster, it allows for quick, easy swapping of five different bezels without tools.

Nivada Grenchen

This time, the interchangeable bezel features Nivada’s “city track” in five different colors. It displays 12 global cities representing 12 different time zones on an outer ring, with a 60-minute inner track.

All of the colors

The Chronoking Racing II leans into the retro auto racing theme with five distinct color schemes inspired by 1960s sports cars. There is a black and burgundy, a tonal blue, a black and blue, a tonal green and an ice blue.

Nivada Grenchen

Interestingly, all five watches come with the same set of bezels, each corresponding to a different reference color combination. This allows for some pretty complex dial and bezel arrangements.

Availability and pricing

You have to applaud Nivada’s efforts to serve as many fans as possible. The new Chronoking Racing II walks a middle ground between the eccentric design of the first Racing and the older vintage-faithful Chronoking reissue.

The Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Racing II is available now from the brand for $810 on a steel bracelet and $610 on a leather strap.

Nivada Grenchen

Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Racing II

Specs

Case Size	38mm
Movement	Seiko Caliber VK63 meca-quartz
Water Resistance	100m

• Starts at $610

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Since its debut seven years ago, G-Shock’s 2100 line has seen an embarrassment of riches when it comes to new colorways. However, unlike some of the brand’s other models, these “CasiOak” variants have largely featured new color combinations rather than cohesive designs built around a unifying theme.

That’s why the latest take on G-Shock’s modern lifestyle icon feels so special.

C2H4

Not your average CasiOak

For the task, the Japanese watchmaker reunites with LA-based fashion label C2H4, known for its experimental and science-inspired designs. The duo takes the 2100 and revamps it with a retro-futuristic aesthetic from top to bottom.

C2H4

C2H4

Built on the same classic CasiOak platform, the new GA-2100C2H426-8A features a translucent resin bezel and strap in a cloudy gray. Nevertheless, this is still a G-Shock after all, and remains shock resistant and water resistant to 200m.

What really sets this Space Age-inspired watch apart from the pack is the dial. Not only does it match the case but completes the motif with a stunning metallic silver plating and a brushed finish with vapor deposition. 

The metallic effect extends to the hands here as well. Meanwhile, the reverse LCD digital display appears to have a blue backdrop instead of black.

C2H4

Sticking to the Theme (Building)

This timepiece takes significant inspiration from a mid-century modern design icon, the Theme Building at the Los Angeles International Airport, which became a paragon of the “googie” movement when it was built in the 1960s. The structure is etched into the watch’s caseback as well.

It should also be pointed out that the Theme Building served as muse for C2H4’s first G-Shock collab last year, based on the 5600.

C2H4

Lastly, the new Space Age 2100 comes packaged in a remarkable new case that looks straight out of the ‘60s. It recalls the Panasonic TR-005 “Orbitel” television from that era.

C2H4

C2H4

Availability and pricing

The G-Shock x C2H4 GA2100 will drop July 17 from C2H4’s website. It’s priced at $245.

C2H4

G-Shock x C2H4 GA-2100C2H426-8A

• Learn More

Since its release in the fall of 2025, Nike’s Vomero Premium has stood out (literally) amongst the brand’s deep roster of running shoes, thanks to its massive 55mm heel stack height and plush cushioning that gives even Hoka a run for its money.

The Vomero Premium has always managed to marry style with substance and look sleeker than its ultra-plush, full-length ZoomX foam with visible, dual Air Zoom units might suggest, but its latest look is more striking than any iteration before it.

The high-contrast White/Midnight Navy/Green Spark colorway brings a vivid white upper into the equation, layering a rich navy Swoosh on the lateral side of the sneaker.

That classic combo is complemented by a bright green accent color, which appears in the almost-invisible “Air” dot pattern layered over the aforementioned Swoosh, as well as highlighting the integrated Air unit in the midsole and the “Vomero Premium” branding on the tongue.

The refreshed look is clearly resonating; the new variant is already sold out on Nike’s own website, and is only available in limited sizes on select retailers’ websites.

If you like what you see, act fast.

Nike

As gas prices continue to sting, you may be joining the growing ranks of Americans considering transportation alternatives.

Thankfully, when it comes to around town scenarios, we are seeing more and more intriguing options, from safety-first e-bikes to short-range buggies. 

GZ Bikes

If you seek something a bit different and endlessly charming, feast your eyes on some quirky forbidden fruit from across the pond. 

Because the GZ Duo, complete with rarely seen sidecar, has all the makings of an urban superstar. 

Dynamic Duo

Straight of Germany (probably by way of China, given the “Jincheng” branding), this small wonder has much to offer beyond the immediate vintage moto styling.

I should give that element its proper due, however, as the round headlight and mirrors, quilted brown saddle and two-toned paint job certainly pop.

GZ Bikes

That’s to say nothing of the sidecar itself, which features a bubbly windshield, striking throwback grille and diamond-stitched seat.

Complete with precise pinstriping, the sidecar is color-matched to the bike itself, which comes in five distinct hues. 

The sidecar is also detachable, should you wish to streamline this ride and give the beloved Honda Monkey a run for its money. 

GZ Bikes

Just don’t plan on running too fast, as high performance is not exactly the GZ Duo’s strong suit.

The engine is an air-cooled 125cc single-cylinder four-stroke making 8.4 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 6.5 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm, with a staid top speed of 43 mph, after all. 

But let’s be honest, with a bike like this one, terrorizing the neighborhood isn’t the point. 

GZ Bikes

This is a bike built for cool Sunday cruising, turning heads as you motor down main street, possibly with a goggle-wearing pup by your side.

That being said, don’t underrate the utility here, as you ultimately have capacity for a couple of passengers (just steer clear of steep hills).

You’ve also got built-in storage for helmets, in case you ride out solo and someone begs for a ride home or you make a new friend along the way. 

GZ Bikes

That extra space could also prove handy for running urban errands, as you’ve got plenty of room for everything from picking up groceries to dropping a kid off at school. 

With the way the Duo looks, they might even let you do so in front of their friends, as opposed to a block away.

Availability and pricing

The GZ Duo is available in Europe for €3,999 (roughly $4,560 USD). Fingers crossed it makes it way stateside down the road.

GZ Bikes

GZ Duo

• Learn More

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.

Fieldbar

Fieldbar Mini Bar

Fieldbar’s Mini Bar is directly inspired by midcentury lunch boxes. However, it’s actually a little modern travel cooler. That means, while its styling is timeless and handsome, its capabilities are far greater than its inspiration, offering a 4.2-quart capacity (which fits a six-pack of beer), 24-hour cold retention timespan (courtesy of closed-cell foam and an airtight lid), a weight of just over two pounds and a comfort grip handle. This summer, carry your lunch, even if it’s liquid, in style.

• $229 at Fieldbar

Reebok

Reebok Phase Evo Tennis Shoes

Reebok releases its first on-court performance tennis shoe in nearly two decades with the Phase Evo. Built with the same retro-inspired design language that guides most of the brand’s silhouettes, the shoe boasts functional elements such as a Toetection cage to resist abrasions on the upper, a Griptonite rubber outsole for traction on the court, a TPU shank for stability and a comfortable high-density collar around the ankle. Lastly, the midsole is a Floatride EVA foam to give you responsive cushioning for your entire match.

• $130 at Reebok

Beats

Beats Cables (Power Pink)

Beats has expanded its line of woven charging cables by introducing a new colorway: “power pink.” And as you can see, they’re vibrant, bright, and designed to stand out. The company is offering three cables in this new finish: two USB-C to USB-C (in five and ten-foot lengths) and one USB-A to USB-C. Each cable is compatible with both Apple and Android devices. The USB-C to USB-C cables support faster charging and lossless wired audio.

• Starts at $19

Roush Performance

2027 RAM 1500 Direct Connection By Roush Package

Roush Performance just teamed up with Mopar’s performance upgrade division to create the Ram 1500 Direct Connection by Roush. The partnership opens up official channels between the iconic aftermarket performance tuning firm and Chrysler/Dodge/Ram’s own factory-backed OEM performance and accessory division. The result is now the ability to officially order Roush-engineered parts through the Direct Connection program, which also receive factory backing from Auburn Hills. When checking all the boxes, the result is the exemplary pickup as seen here in the marketing photos. As Such, the truck starts as a Ram 1500 in Big Horn Crew Cab 4×4 configuration with the 5.7-liter HEMI V8. With the Direct Connection Package Level 2, it comes with a 3.92 rear end with electronic locking capabilities, exterior upgrades, TRX running boards, Roush Performance 2.0 Coil-Over Package, custom 18-inch wheels and more.

• Learn More

Nocs Provisions Zero Tube 8×25 Monocular

Building on the success of its best-selling Zero Tube, Nocs Provisions has released an everyday-friendly version of its technical, long-range scouting monocular. The Zero Tube 8×25 Monocular’s more compact form factor is designed for everyday use, and its waterproof construction makes it a worry-free accessory at concerts, sports events, road trips and more. The ED glass and fully broadband mulit-coated lenses offer a super-clear image, and the no-slip grip keeps everything in place. Finally, nitrogen-filled internal chambers offer a fog-proof view.

• $180 at Nocs Provisions

Another week down, and, per usual, a bunch of new tech and gadgets have been announced.

This past week, Sony announced its latest camera, Andover Audio introduced its first-ever portable Bluetooth speaker, and Shanling came out with an iPod Nano-looking portable hi-fi player. But that’s just scratching the surface.

Below, we’ve rounded up all the most interesting new releases and announcements you might have missed from the past week.

Sony

Sony RX10 V

The Sony RX10 V is the long-awaited successor to the company’s 2017-released RX10 IV. Like its predecessor, the RX10 V is a compact camera with a 20.1MP 1-inch stacked sensor and incredible zoom capabilities thanks to a 24-600mm optical zoom lens. But nine years is a long time in the camera world, and Sony updated the RX10 V with a brand new processor and advanced AI-tracking capabilities. The result is a camera that’s way faster and has a far superior autofocus system. Plus, it’s much better at capturing video (now up to 4K at 120 fps). The downside? It starts at $2,300, which is a big leap up from its predecessor’s $1,700.

• $2,300 at Sony

Final Audio

Final DX10000 CL

The Final DX10000 CL is the company’s new flagship pair of closed-back wired headphones. They’re built around a newly developed 40mm True Diamond diaphragm dynamic driver, designed to combat the resonance and coloration that typically hinder closed-back headphones. According to the brand, the headphones are “designed for listeners who want a private, immersive and physically engaging listening experience, with the clarity, tonal accuracy and resolution expected from a true flagship audiophile product.”

• $8,499 at Final Audio

Ruark Audio

Ruark R410 Anniversary Edition

The Ruark R410 Anniversary Edition is a special-edition version of the company’s all-in-one wireless speaker, released to celebrate the British hi-fi maker’s 40th anniversary. It’s identical in pretty much every way to the standard R410, but the Anniversary Edition speaker has a white oak cabinet with ebonized inlay and grille. Only 500 special-edition R410 speakers will be made.

• Learn More

Fiio

Fiio FG3

The Fiio FG3 is the company’s first-ever gaming headset. It’s built around a coaxial driver arrangement comprising a 50mm dynamic driver for low and midrange frequencies and a 16mm dynamic driver for high frequencies. The company says this driver arrangement extends the frequency response of the FG3 from 10 Hz to 40 kHz, while also “improving detail retrieval across the audio spectrum.” The headset is compatible with all major consoles, including the PlayStation 5, both Xbox Series and the Nintendo Switch 2, as well as the latest Windows PCs and smartphones.

• $70 at Apos

While manufacturers’ relentless obsession with newness means that year-to-year model updates are often pretty incremental, even small changes can yield big results when it comes to motorcycles.

Be it a fresh KTM livery, a new BMW frame or approachable Honda tech, it only takes a few choice additions to yield a completely different bike, in looks and in spirit.

So catch up on what you might’ve missed below. Considering the many bikes making moves around the world, you may not even realize what’s now freshly available.

Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson X350

Long a staple of Harley’s excellent Riding Academy, the X350, made in conjunction with China’s QJMotor, has never before been available for purchase in the US. That changes with a recent service bulletin and dealer communication letter authorizing dealers to sell their old X350s to the public. More approachable and affordable than anything in the existing H-D lineup, the X350 features a liquid-cooled parallel twin 353cc making 36 horsepower at 9,500 rpm, plus 23 ft-lbs of torque. Key specs for the new rider include a seat height of 30.6 inches and running weight of 430 pounds, numbers that are more like a warm hug than a stiff handshake.

• Learn More

Suzuki Cycles

2027 Suzuki SV-7GX

Unveiled at EICMA last fall, this long-awaited crossover hits the market with a blend of performance and long-haul capability. Powered by Suzuki’s long-running 652cc liquid-cooled V-twin, the bike boasts a host of rider-friendly modern features, including ride-by-wire throttle, ABS, a bi-directional quickshifter, hill-start assist, three power modes and three traction control modes. Refined aerodynamics and a Pirelli Angel GT II tires keep it sporty, while handguards, an adjustable windscreen and the option to add up to 85 liters of luggage secure its touring bona fides.

• Starts at $8,599

Brough Superior

Brough Superior Dagger S

Born in Nottingham, England in 1919, Brough Superior was reborn in the 2010s in Toulouse, France, with a small lineup of eye-popping hand-built “if you have to ask, you can’t afford it” motos. The latest riffs on 2022’s original Dagger, retaining the “bruiser” bike’s full-carbon bodywork, Fior-type cast aluminum fork system and 997cc water-cooled V-twin making 101 horsepower and 64lb-ft of torque. The big shift is in the ergonomics, as the bars have moved lower and farther forward, placing the rider in a more aggressive, racier position, just enough to justify the S/Sport branding. Price is not listed but likely to approach six figures.

• Learn More

BMW Motorrad

2027 BMW M 1000 RR

For 2027, BMW has given its halo-grade M 1000 R a new, third-generation frame design that brings some impactful improvements. For instance, along with reducing the frame’s wall thickness by 30 percent, BMW has managed to shave a full 2.86 pounds off the package. As such, the frame tips the scales at a mere 3.3 pounds. Still, even though it comes in lighter, BMW claims that the entire design delivers not only greater overall rigidity but also “improved flex-balance.” In combination with a new upgrade package structure, it makes the 205-horsepower beast even more refined an option.

• $35,395 at BMW

From afar, the watch industry may seem unhurried. But every passing day brings about new timepieces from brands big, small, new and old.

Below, find 26 new releases from the likes of affordable brands like Casio and Seiko, luxury legends such as IWC and Vacheron Constantin and enthusiast favorites like Christopher Ward and Wren. Together, they show an industry that never stops ticking — and, centuries later, can still find the time to surprise you.

Best New Gear: This article is part of an ongoing series collecting the most important new watches, gadgets, pocket knives and more. Catch up on other releases.

Spinnaker

Spinnaker Bradner Automatic SP 5062

The Bradner is one of Spinnaker’s most iconic dive watches. It’s also incredibly affordable, which makes this revision all the more enticing. While it retains some of what made it great, like a reliable Seiko movement, it gets a significantly upgraded dial treatment, swapping the original for a guilloché textured one with a fumé sunburst finish. It’s a stunning look that you’d likely expect to cost at least double (if not more) than its MSRP.

• $370 at Spinnaker

Wrist Enthusiast

Ben’s Watches x Wren Diver One Obsidian

Ben’s Watches and Wren team up again to give the 41mm Diver One Magma, featuring an orange fumé dial, an all-black DLC coating. It’s powered by a Sellita Caliber SW200-1 automatic movement and comes with an additional neon orange FKM rubber strap. This limited edition of 100 pieces will be available first in person at the Wind-Up Watch Fair Chicago from July 10-12, then exclusively at Time & Tide NYC and online starting July 14.

• $1,195 at Wrist Enthusiast

Seiko

Seiko Rotocall Gold & Silver

Seiko expands on its Rotocall reissue with two dressed-up versions in gold and silver. Taking on the now-obscure ’80s digital watch that went to space dozens of times, the new edition stays faithful to the original with an octagonal bezel that toggles through its various digital features. This time around, however, the watchmaker opts for a reverse LCD display.

• $550 at Seiko

Christopher Ward

Christopher Ward The Twelve Xander

Christopher Ward teams up with The Dial Artist, Chris Alexander, for a hand-painted take on its Twelve X sports watch. Each watch in this limited series of 150 pieces features 8 hand-painted components of the dial and the in-house Calibre CW-001 movement, visible through both sides of the watch thanks to the skeletonized dial and exhibition caseback, in a process that took a total of 900 hours.

• $5,995 at Christopher Ward

Summer is in full swing and we are feeling the heat.

If you, like us, are looking to cool off inside for a bit, it might be worth your time to sit back, relax and thumb through this week’s wild, wacky and wonderful EDC knife and tool releases.

The wide-ranging offerings include a quirky yet utilitarian, affordable Leatherman multi-tool, an all-American Buck Bowie knife, a reimagining of one of Benchmade’s most beloved knives and even a WWI revival from Böker.

But that’s hardly all there is to behold. Check out those products and more below.

Buck

Buck 119 Special America 250 Edition

Buck is one of the most storied, long-lasting American knifemaking brands around, and the brand’s 119 (an interpretation of the iconic Bowie knife) is a quintessentially American blade. However, this version really takes the cake. While it retains much of the same specs and construction, including that legendary 420HC clip point blade and combination brass and aluminum butt and guard, it gets a handle swap for a red, white and blue acrylic American flag motif. It’s an appropriate love letter to the brand’s heritage and country of origin.

• $500 at Buck Knives

Titaner Hornbill

The business end of Titaner’s second-ever EDC knife is a full-bellied 3.23-inch drop-point blade made of M390, a super steel prized for its wear resistance, corrosion resistance and edge retention. Performance is further boosted by a cutout at the base of the spine, complete with jimping, flanked by grippy, ambidextrous thumb studs. Additional highlights of the precision-machined folder are a sturdy, smooth-functioning Axis crossbar lock and your choice of handle scales: tough titanium or lighter, more affordable G10.

• Starts at $139

Prometheus Design Werx

PDW SPD STS-SFLT Mudhorn

The PDW STS-SFLT is undoubtedly one of the brand’s lightest, toughest tactical and outdoor knives. However, this edition kicks it up a notch, granting it a blacked-out finish. But it’s not just a colorway; that’s a Cerakote finish, granting this knife even more durability and toughness. It’s also still made from a single piece of MagnaCut steel, retains its skeletonized full-tang handle (with its paracord wrap) and comes with a Kydex sheath. As a final touch, this knife gets a Mudhorn sigil: a subtle nod to The Mandalorian (of Star Wars fame).

• $225 at Prometheus Design Werx

Hitting the road with an RV probably sounds pretty appealing if you nurture even the slightest bit of wanderlust. Unfortunately, realizing that kind of dream often requires the towing capabilities of a truck and/or splashing a bunch of cash on a fancy trailer.

As a result, there has been a growing number of smaller solutions designed to make the experience more accessible. Be it pop-tops or shorter aluminum setups, even Airstream is getting in on the action.

Clasica

However, the latest promising effort to emerge doesn’t come from an established presence. Instead, it’s the product of a fresh Oregon-based upstart by the name of Clasica.

A retro-inspired lightweight

Now, even though the company might be a new name to the space, it’s taken a decidedly old-school approach in its efforts to create a camper that’s retro, affordable and hassle-free.

Clasica

That’s because The Clasica comprises a one-piece fiberglass shell, and the shape itself actually originated in 1970s Europe. It’s inspired by a mold of a vintage Polish design known as the Niewiadów N126 (as is confirmed by the above included image on the website).

On the road, this makes for a very practical choice. Seeing as the OGs were designed to be hauled by tiny Fiat economy cars, Clasica’s trailer is not only a featherweight but also super compact.

Clasica

The camper tips the scales at around 1,200 pounds, and its overall length comes to just 12 feet. As a result, it promises to be a truly accessible option, towable by everything from sedans and wagons to small crossovers and SUVs. Hell, it’s light enough that even some golf carts are up to the job.

Still, with features like built-in stabilizers for pitching camp, double-pane windows and a pop-top roof for adding a little extra room, it’s equipped to be more than a quaint retro-vibed accessory.

Clasica

Simple but honest sleeping

To that end, Clasica may have kept the interior simple, but it’s an effort that’s nevertheless designed to maximize livability.

As such, it touts just over six feet of standing room, and it brings a pair of dinettes that can be converted into single and double beds.

Clasica

Moreover, while The Clasica doesn’t make provisions for a bathroom or shower, it nevertheless comes specced with some key creature comforts. 

Along with a Goal Zero Yeti 1500 6G power station, it also sports a Dometic mini fridge and a kitchenette complete with an included sink and a three-gallon fresh water tank.

Assuming you’re a more power-hungry buyer who plans on using the interior LED lighting or plugging into the USB ports and outlets, don’t fret. The setup isn’t as robust as some rigs, but Clasica does ship the camper solar-ready.

Clasica

Availability and pricing

If you’re interested in getting your hands on one of Clasica’s campers for yourself, you can learn more on the company’s website.

Prices start at $28,500. Although the first batch is sold out, you can secure a future build with a $500 reservation.

Clasica

Clasica Camper

• Starts at $28,500

Bring a Trailer may have its ups and downs, but you can catch some of the coolest cars ever made as they hit the secondhand market. One of which is this 1989 Laforza, which immediately caught our eye and had us swooning.

If you’ve never heard of a Laforza, that’s okay. It’s one of automotive history’s best-kept secrets and one of the most awesomely obscure automobiles ever made. (No, it’s not an extension of today’s epic Xbox arcade racing simulator.)

Italy’s first crack at the Range Rover

borregan78 via BringATrailer

Cut back to the 1980s. SUVs are just taking off in popularity. However, between the Range Rover, the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen, the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Ford Bronco (among many others), tons are hitting the market.

After all, SUVs offered tons of potential in a growing market. Thus, many automakers, big and small, came out of the woodwork to try and jump on the American SUV bandwagon. That trend would ultimately become one of the industry’s biggest cash cows.

That was the inspiration behind Rayton-Fissore‘s decision to concoct the Laforza. Formerly known as Carrozzeria Fissore, it is one of Italy’s oldest coachbuilders, automotive manufacturers and design firms.

Rayton-Fissore and its predecessor were known for creating some of Italy’s most unique automobiles. Other clients included Germany’s DKW (one part of Auto Union, or Audi’s predecessor), Britain’s TVR and even DeTomaso. One of its highest-profile creations was also the Monteverdi High Speed, perhaps Switzerland’s only mass-market automaker.

borregan78 via BringATrailer

Like many Italian automakers in the 1970s and 1980s, Rayton-Fissore was desperate for a home run to help pay some bills. Italian automakers were also on a high note, with brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini proving how sensational the country’s auto industry could be.

So, the firm reached out to heavy-duty automaker Iveco to brew up a luxury SUV to one-up the Range Rover.

A military off-roader adapted for normal folk

borregan78 via BringATrailer

As such, Rayton-Fissore took the rugged ladder frame from Iveco’s 40 PM 10, a multi-purpose-built military off-roader. The 40 PM 10 would eventually become one of the Italian military’s most widely used transport vehicles, the VM 90.

Rayton-Fissore modified the chassis so that it could graft a custom-made five-passenger wagon body from Pininfarina over the frame. Then, the firm essentially ported all of the 40 PM 10’s running gear over, including the differentials, suspension and brakes.

borregan78 via BringATrailer

The company also swiped the same tough part-time four-wheel-drive system from the era’s Iveco Daily. It’s one of Europe’s most popular workhorse multipurpose vans, next to the Ford Transit.

They also added a hefty BorgWarner transfer case for the low-range. The result was an incredibly capable four-by-four ready to put every competitor in its place.

borregan78 via BringATrailer

Rayton-Fissore called it the Magnum in most markets. But for America, they badged and marketed it as the Laforza.

Powertrains varied depending on the market. Some got BMW’s venerable 3.5-liter “M30B35” inline-six. Others received a 2.5-liter Alfa Romeo V6, a supercharged Fiat/Lancia inline-four and a plethora of diesel options.

borregan78 via BringATrailer

But American-destined Laforzas got Ford’s 302 5.0-liter Windsor V8. Yes, to sum it up, this off-roader was a Mustang-powered Italian beast. Later models after 1998 up until the Laforza’s discontinuation in 2003 also gained an optional supercharged 6.0-liter Vortec V8 from GM.

A spectacular find, no matter the circumstances

borregan78 via BringATrailer

Because of its complex assembly and Rayton-Fissore’s positioning of the luxury SUV, Laforzas weren’t cheap. Some bits on the Internet say a Laforza stickered for around $45,000 in America. With inflation, that’s around $120,000 in today’s money.

As such, not many were made. Rayton-Fissore reportedly only built a total of 6,000 Laforzas throughout the model’s 18-year production run. Of those 6,000, a mere 1,200 made it to the States.

borregan78 via BringATrailer

It’s why, whenever any Laforza pops up on the second-hand market, let alone seeing one move under its own power (or even rotting away behind a shed), it’s always an occasion.

This specific Laforza on BaT is one of those 1,200 US-spec cars, complete with the Mustang V8 and all. According to its history, it’s also lived a very well-cared for life, undergoing all necessary maintenance and gaining some noteworthy and beneficial upgrades in the meantime.

borregan78 via BringATrailer

It’s incredibly clean and has low miles, with around 54,000 on the odometer.

Because of its well-documented history and tasteful modifications, this could be a really awesome ticket to own one of the coolest cars ever made. With the current bid sitting at $9,500 as of this writing, less than a day until the gavel comes down, it’s easily a collectible bargain for what is ultimately one show-stopping automobile.

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The Old Skool, Classic Slip-On, Authentic and Sk8-Hi are among the most popular silhouettes from Vans, but the brand’s catalog runs much deeper than its core models.

In othr words, if you want a new style that captures the rebellious Off the Wall spirit but brings a fresh aesthetic to the table, you’ll have more than enough options to choose from.

The Premium Super Lowpro Trainer is one such under-the-radar recent release, continuing to pick up steam since its debut in February.

The low-profile, retro lifestyle shoe just received a pep in its step, thanks to a pair of neutral, elevated colorways.

Vans

Laced-up lay up

The Premium Super Lowpro Trainer draws directly from Vans’ extensive archives, counting 1980s low-profile trainers as its inspiration.

Preceded by Vans’ own Super Lowpro Sneaker in 2025, which was modeled off the brand’s Serio running line from the ’70s and ’80s, the Premium version of the vintage-leaning shoe makes a noticeable stylistic departure from the standard edition of the shoe.

Vans

That novel feature comes in the form of a dual lace wrap that crosses the upper, offering a unique visual component to the shoes.

The nostalgic style has received multiple new color treatments for summer, each highlighting its funky feature.

Vans

Vans

The Elevated Suede Cream variant sees the suede upper dressed in varying shades of off-white and cream, paired with a latte-colored dual lace wrap and white traditional lace closure.

Elevated Suede Black/Dark Gray takes a moodier approach, utilizing a black suede upper with grey textured overlays and a matching grey lace feature.

Vans

The low-profile, OrthoLite foam insole, slim EVA midsole and puffed tongue and collar offer a cushioned, comfortable fit for all-day wear.

The laces on both pairs are interchangeable, so you can switch up your look without breaking the bank.

Availability and pricing

The Premium Super Lowpro Trainer is available now on Vans’ website, retailing for $95.

Vans

Vans Premium Super Lowpro Trainer

• $95 at Vans

Last fall, Sony released the IER-EX15C, a pair of $30 wired headphones with a USB-C audio jack. They were designed as an affordable option for people who listen to music on their smartphones but don’t want to deal with a wireless connection. Wired audio is still king, after all.

Now, in a similar spirit of affordability, Sony is introducing pair of in-ear headphones designed for more budget-conscious audiophiles and aspiring musicians.

Sony IER-M500

Sony

Sony has a long history of making professional-grade in-ear monitors for artists and music professionals. The company’s most recent flagships, the Sony IER-Z1R, cost roughly $1,700. Its latest release, the IER-M500, is more entry-level than other offerings.

According to the brand, they’re “the perfect partner for amateur, emerging, and professional musicians, performers, and monitor engineers who require reliable and accurate in-ear monitoring for live performances and practices.”

Sony

Sony

The IER-M500 are wired earphones that feature Sony’s original fit supporters, which wrap around your ears to keep everything in place, alongside noise-isolating earbuds. In the box, Sony provides four sizes of noise-isolating eartips to ensure the perfect fit.

The earbuds themselves house a dynamic driver and feature a large acoustic chamber. Sony claims they “produce deep, controlled bass, while the optimized internal structure refines high-frequency reproduction, to help nail every cue and harmony.”

Sony

Sony

Sony is offering the IER-M500 in three transparent color options. Black and clear are the most straightforward options, while the red/blue option has the two earbuds in different colors.

They also feature a 5-foot (or 1.6 meter) detachable cable that Sony claims is engineered for frequent use, including “repeated connecting and disconnecting, supporting reliable performance on stage and in the studio.”

Sony

Availability and pricing

The Sony IER-M500 In-ear monitors are available now from Sony and other authorized retailers. They cost $120.

Sony

Sony IER-M500

• $120 at Sony
• $120 at B&H

As most knife and EDC aficionados know, sub-$50 small pocket knives capable of tackling basic everyday tasks aren’t too hard to find.

Brands such as Böker, CRKT, CJRB, Sencut and Tenable have dozens of solid options at this price point.

CJRB Cutlery

Because you can’t really distinguish yourself with materials here, it takes a special design to really catch our attention. 

That’s what we see in CJRB’s new Spud, which possesses a couple of unique qualities almost unheard of for its size and price.

Super Spud

The moment I saw this knife, and its designer, I had a feeling the Spud might offer a bit more than your average small folder.

It comes from the inspired mind of Jake Diaz, who also penned CRJB’s Lanky, a super-sleek, gentlemanly challenge to the CRKT CEO that won a major Blade Show award several years back.

CJRB Cutlery

The blade is a 2.34-inch drop-point made of AR-RPM9, an affordable blade steel valued for its corrosion resistance and edge retention. 

That in and of itself is unremarkable, but Diaz makes it interesting with a deep, angled finger choil, which teams up with the ergonomically shaped aluminum scales to offer a legit four-fingered grip, impressive for a knife with a 3.25-inch handle.

There’s jimping at the front of the spine, rather than where we typically see it, at the back.

CJRB Cutlery

The reason becomes apparent in the promo video for the knife; with a detail-oriented task like whittling, you can press on this part of the blade with the thumb of the hand holding the stick for a more focused, controlled cut.

Kind of a niche use case, yes, but intriguing nonetheless. So is the fact that the Spud is being positioned as CJRB’s first neck knife. 

CJRB Cutlery

We almost always see neck knives as fixed blades with small lanyard hole-bearing sheaths, but Diaz flips the script here with a folder that at just 1.71 ounces is light enough to “neck,” with a prominent lanyard clip inviting you to do so. 

That said, it’s just as easy to throw this thing in your fifth pocket, where it will stay safely in place thanks to the reversible pocket clip.

That brings me to the second rare, user-friendly feature of the Spud: not only is this pocket clip removable, but also the lanyard clip is.

CJRB Cutlery

That means if you commit to a carry method, you can streamline this small wonder to carry so light you’ll forget all about it till there’s cutting to be done. 

CJRB also says that thanks to a reliable thumb stud and liner lock combo, “the mechanical ASMR is unbeatable.”

Regarding the truth of that statement, I will gladly leave it up to the ear of the beholder.

Availability and pricing

The CJRB Spud is available now for $40.

CJRB Spud

CJRB Spud

• $40 at CJRB Cutlery

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Lately, there’s been something of a trend on social media of watch enthusiasts replacing their watch straps with a Whoop or Fitbit Air. By positioning the fitness band’s sensor on the underside of their wrist, the idea is to receive the benefits of a Whoop while still wearing a mechanical watch, without having to wear one on each wrist.

Welcome to Moonshots: A series exploring the big ideas that could reshape the future of products. Discover more here.

In theory, the idea makes sense. But in practice, not so much. The main issue is that these bands are not meant to be paired with a watch, and vice versa. The fit is going to be awkward and uncomfortable in most cases, and it’s going to be bulkier than you’d like it to be.

Enter the Codex XBand, a new project on Kickstarter that’s aiming to produce a dedicated smart wearable integrated into the clasp of a dedicated luxury-level rubber watch strap.

Codex

Band together

The XBand is made of rubber with styling reminiscent of, and clearly inspired by, Rolex’s Oysterflex bracelet. This inspiration continues to the oversized stainless steel clasp, which has a raised center portion to match the strap and opens via a deployant system. If I saw someone wearing the XBand on a Rolex from across the room, I would assume it was an Oysterflex.

The strap itself is quite premium. It’s made of FKM rubber, which is the same material used in high-end rubber watch straps, and it’s equipped with what appears to be a very nice push-button quick-release spring bar system. It’s sized via a cut-to-size format, like the one you’ll find on the Patek Philippe Aquanaut, ensuring a seamless look once sized.

Codex

As nice as the strap is, it’s the 316L stainless steel clasp that’s the real innovation here. It’s a touch wider and longer than a Rolex Oysterlock clasp at 18mm wide and 44mm long, but it offsets that by measuring a bit thinner. That’s remarkable because the clasp hides sensors that give it Whoop-like functionality.

Through its clasp-embedded sensors, the XBand can track vitals and activity levels. Specifically, the band’s Goodix GH3026 sensor (the same one found in the Samsung Galaxy Fit 3) is able to track your heart rate, blood oxygen level, stress level, glucose trends and more.

Codex

It tracks your sleep, too, giving feedback on your total sleep time, sleep debt, sleep efficiency and more. It’ll also keep track of your steps and workouts, with a built-in accelerometer and 40 dedicated modes for different sports and exercises. All of this information is available in a dedicated Codex app, as the XBand has no display of its own.

The XBand supports magnetic charging and takes about 1.5 hours to get fully juiced up, with the battery lasting a week between charges. The strap is available in four colors: the previously mentioned Oysterflex-esque black, plus white, green and orange.

Codex

Availability and pricing

As someone who has dabbled with wearing a Whoop on his right wrist and a traditional watch on his left but could never commit to being a double-wrister, this idea does intrigue me. I think the XBand is a clever solution to a problem that a lot of watch enthusiasts are looking to solve, and I think it’s much more elegant and attractive than it has any right to be.

Still, I don’t think the XBand is for me. Maybe I’m just a horological purist, but I want a traditional clasp on my watch strap, as a great clasp can be a real joy on the wrist. Additionally, I’m not wearing my mechanical watches to sleep or work out, which are the main times I’d want to wear a fitness tracker anyway.

But I’m still glad the XBand exists. It’s a great-looking product, and I have no doubt it’s going to appeal to a lot of watch nerds who are looking to “featuresmax” their watches. If this sounds like you, you can pick up your own XBand on Kickstarter. The campaign’s meager $1,913 goal has already been funded with 27 days left to go as of this writing, and the Early Bird price of $280 is still active.

Codex

Codex XBand

• Starts at $280

Craig Karger is a rare example of a critic bold enough to put their money where their mouth is. After achieving editorial notoriety in the watch community with Wrist Enthusiast, he founded the watch brand Wren in 2023.

Two years in, Karger teamed up with another notable horological voice, his podcast co-host Ben Cook of Ben’s Watches, to create an eye-catching version of the Wren Diver One. It was dubbed Magma for its traffic-cone-orange dial with a fumé fade, and now the incendiary dial is back with a tougher, cooler, blacked-out case and bracelet.

Wrist Enthusiast

The Diver One Obsidian is more of an upgrade than a sequel. It reproduces the orange sandwich dial from the Magama, with its deep red fade inspired by cooling lava and white frames around the dot-and-triangle sandwich indices.

Visible through the top dial plate is the “black lume” from Super-LumiNova, which has more of a charcoal shade and fittingly glows like embers in the dark. Matching lume is set into the white frames of all three hands.

Wrist Enthusiast

The orange dial is encircled by the same black ceramic bezel insert, marked with white markings containing numerals at 15, 30 and 45. The coin-edge unidirectional steel bezel is now black, contrasting the glossy ceramic insert with a matte finish.

The dark knight of Wren

Where the Obsidian leaps ahead of the Magama is the case and bracelet. The 41mm-wide and 13mm-tall stainless steel case is sheathed in matte black DLC, enhancing both the look and the durability.

Wrist Enthusiast

The flat-link stainless steel bracelet and its folding clasp are finished with the same DLC coating for a Porsche Design-like all-black motif.

Brighten up

As two certified watch fanatics, Cook and Karger appreciate the importance of strap versatility. The Obsidian comes with an additional bright-orange rubber strap, a bonus not provided with their previous collaboration, which included a black strap.

Swapping in the other strap completely changes the watch’s look, lending a sporty vibe that complements its 200m water resistance. It’s also a little easier on the wrist than the DLC bracelet.

Wrist Enthusiast

The Diver One Obsidian is powered by the same Sellita Caliber SW200-1 automatic movement as its predecessor, which beats at 4Hz and provides a 38-hour power reserve.

Availability and pricing

As cool as the Diver One Magma was (no pun intended), the full matte black case and bracelet significantly amplify the orange fumé dial on the Obsidian. Bonus points for the orange strap that makes it feel like a completely different watch.

The Ben’s Watches x Wren Diver One Obsidian costs $1,195, which is only $120 more than the Magma. That’s not a bad deal for a full DLC coating.

The watch will hit the market with a 100-piece staggered release. The first 30 will be available at Wind-Up Watch Fair Chicago from July 10 to July 12. An additional 20 pieces will be released the following day, in-person-only at Time & Tide’s New York City boutique. The remaining 50 pieces will be available online at the Wrist Enthusiast store starting July 14.

Nike has no shortage of retro-inspired tech runners. But last year’s resurrection of the Air Max Moto+ 6 was nevertheless a welcomed addition to the catalog.

The original Air Max Moto line was created as an entry-level alternative to the Air Max lineup and could be purchased for less than $100. Today, the sixth-gen model from 2008 is considered the absolute peak of the series and a paragon of aggressive Y2K-era styling. The Moto+ lasted just two more generations after that.

Nike

Visually faithful to the Moto+ 6, the Air Max Moto 2K has already been released in over a dozen different colorways — many of them discounted by as much as 38% right now on Nike’s website.

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

Nike’s Asics dupe

Upon its revival, the Air Max Moto was nearly stitch-for-stitch identical to the ‘08 model. Its core design relies on open-mesh upper paneling with a complex pattern of flowing, usually metallic, overlays.

Nike

For all intents and purposes, the Moto+ 6 was Nike’s version of Asics’s Gel-Cumulus runner, but with its own personal touches. The 2025 revival feels more like a retro dad shoe than a performance runner (although no one would stop you from using it as such).

Something’s missing

The midsole still sports a visible Air unit in the heel. However, what does change is the midsole construction. Aside from updating the Cushlon foam, there’s one key component of the Moto+ 6 that’s unaccounted for here.

Nike

When Nike got a few generations into its Air Max Moto line, it began developing a new feature with the help of Apple. Many fans might remember the Nike+iPod system, which used a sensor buried in the footbed to transmit running data to an iPod nano. Considering the tech is obsolete in today’s era of wearables, Nike decided not to include this footbed pocket in the sneaker’s revival as a lifestyle sneaker.

Nike

Retro pricing

Another thing that hasn’t remained the same is the price. While the original carried around a $90 price tag, the reissue clocks in at $135. But right now, you can nab several pairs for around their 2008 sticker price. 

Nike

Among the colorways that are on sale, the biggest discount is found on the Anthracite-Wild Grape variant, which hits a remarkable $84 (38% off) — notably below its average price nearly two decades ago. 

Nike

Both the Off White-Metallic Silver and White-Metallic Gold variants are also pretty affordable at $95 (29% off). Meanwhile, my personal favorite in Light British Tan is also 29% off. But the higher $145 price tag puts the sale price at $103.

Head over to Nike’s website now to explore the sale.

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Spinnaker is known for a few things, but two of its most defining features as a brand are the affordability of its watches and its affinity for bold, playful, eye-catching dials.

Both of those factors collide in the brand’s latest sneaky relaunch of the Spinnaker Bradner Automatic dive watch. What was already one of the brand’s most iconic offerings is now more stunning (and value-packed) than ever.

Spinnaker

A ripple on the surface

Perhaps the biggest change between this version of the Bradner and its predecessors is the dial treatment. For the most part, previous Bradners have been relatively pedestrian by comparison.

A few have had flat dials, some were metallic and others had an almost turf-like texture. Perhaps the most interesting and similar to this relaunch were those with a textured, gradient dial meant to evoke the look of the ocean floor.

Spinnaker

But this new treatment takes the cake. Done in four distinct colorways, this new dial features a guilloché texture with a fumé sunburst finish. Radiating out from its center, this combination gives the impression of waves on the ocean, which is fitting for a diver.

That central dial is mated to a textured minute track and an internal bezel (meaning the bezel, like the rest of the dial, is housed underneath the crystal, which prevents accidental adjustments). Truly, this is one of those watches that gets more interesting the longer you look at it.

And that’s not even the half of what makes it such a great option.

Spinnaker

Bargain price, big value

Even without its dial, this is a deeply interesting and value-packed watch. Of course, that is obviously somewhat dependent on its price: a pretty bogglingly low $370 apiece.

You get quite a bit for that investment. For starters, the watch has a classic, reliable, albeit low-cost movement: a Seiko NH35. And that movement is visible through the watch’s caseback (which also has a unique lume treatment).

Spinnaker

The SuperLuminova lume treatment also extends to the dial on the hands, indices and bezel markers. While it’s a bit more restrained than other Spinnaker watches, it’s no less vibrant.

The case is entirely stainless steel, as is the jubilee bracelet it comes with. And it gets an AR-coated sapphire crystal. As a final note, it measures 42 millimeters in diameter, which is smack-dab in the center of the range for most dive watches.

Spinnaker

Availability and pricing

The new Spinnaker Bradner Automatic is now available on the brand’s site in four colorways for just $370 apiece.

Spinnaker

Spinnaker Bradner Automatic SP 5062

Specs

Case Size	42mm
Movement	Seiko NH35
Water Resistance	180m

• $370 at Spinnaker

Back in March, Honda pulled the wraps off a sweet little two-wheeler that it called the *takes breath* CB400 Super Four E-Clutch Concept.

Much as the bike’s name was a mouthful, it made for a tempting vision of what the winged brand might be working on. Between the retro style, the approachable size and the trick E-Clutch tech, there was a lot to be excited about.

Honda

Thankfully, it’s no longer just a concept. According to an announcement this week, Honda is officially putting the CB400 Super Four E-Clutch into production, and it’ll be hitting the road in Japan before you know it.

A super E-Clutch upgrade

As previewed by the concept (and evidenced by the name), Honda’s CB400 Super Four will be powered by a newly designed 399cc inline-four good for 57 horsepower and 28 lb-ft of torque. It’s a notable configuration, as singles and twins are far more common at lower displacements.

Honda

Cool as the engine is, though, the bike’s real value proposition is the addition of E-Clutch tech. Since debuting the feature back in 2024, Honda has rolled it out on everything from the Transalp ADV to the tiny Rebel 300.

And for good reason. By allowing for optional clutch actuation and a virtually stall-free experience, without frustrating computer intervention, it’s a system that democratizes riding while still catering to those who might not always need the assist.

Honda

As if it wasn’t cool enough out of the gate, Honda has also more recently started pairing its E-Clutch with throttle-by-wire to allow for further control and an even smoother experience.

On the road with bikes like the CB400 Super Four, this means that the ECU simultaneously optimizes clutch engagement in combination with throttle angle. It helps better match revs during deceleration to improve overall stability and avoid rear wheel hops.

Refining a brand staple

Now, being an evolution of the CB400 Super Four, the new model is an approachable ride because of more than just its slick Honda clutch assistance.

Honda

In keeping with its predecessors, it promises to be an accommodating ride because of a manageable curb weight and saddle height. While not exactly a lightweight at 412 pounds, the new CB400 does promise a reasonable enough 30-inch standover.

What’s more, even though the bike comes with a redesigned frame, it nevertheless maintains an accessible riding position. Honda designed it to be upright, comfortable for commuting and touring alike, also shaping the seat to improve foot placement.

Honda

That’s not all. To make the CB400 Super Four ready for modern riders, Honda also gave it a new 5-inch full-color TFT with Honda RoadSync for smartphone support. It even brings a USB-C port on the side of the headlight for powered device connectivity.

With its four-into-one exhaust and sweet retro bodywork, any of the available colorways looks pretty cool. But let’s face it, the Freddie Spencer-inspired Wolf Silver Metallic is undoubtedly the way to go.

Honda

Availability and pricing

At this time, Honda has announced the CB400 Super Four E-Clutch for Japan, so there’s no telling if it will ever come to the US. That’s a fact that’s not made any better by its intended MSRP.

When the CB400 Super Four launches on August 21st, it’s slated to retail from just 998,800 yen (~$6,100). Hopefully, then, Honda has the sense to bring this thing Stateside. How could something this approachable and retro not be a hit at that price?

Honda

Honda CB400 Super Four E-Clutch

• Learn More

With a history stretching back some four decades, Suzuki’s GSX-R (aka Gixxer) nameplate is one of the best-known and most beloved in the sport bike world.

Yet the liter-class superbike versions had essentially been on death’s door, without a meaningful update since 2022 and getting widely discontinued around the world (but not the US) in 2024.

Suzuki Cycles

As documented by GP and many moto-specific outlets last summer, however, Suzuki was not about to let the big Gixxers ride quietly into that good night, instead giving them a Euro 5+-compliant 40th anniversary treatment.

This week brings news that those shiny new bikes are finally here: meet the 2027 GSX-R1000 40th Anniversary, GSX-R1000R 40th Anniversary and GSX-R1000RS 40th Anniversary.

Three of a kind

As you might guess, this trio shares a platform, meaning they have much in common with more features being introduced as the number of letters (and the prices) go up.

Toward that end, all three bikes boast an updated 999.8cc liquid-cooled DOHC inline-four engine that Suzuki calls “the most powerful and hardest accelerating engine in the GSX-R family.”

Suzuki Cycles

They also all feature the Suzuki Intelligent Ride System (S.I.R.S.), complete with a new Bosch IMU and Motion Track Brake System (cornering ABS), plus Smart TLR Control, which combines traction control, roll torque control and lift limiting.

A third shared trait is what I would call elegantly restrained 40th-anniversary branding, including exclusive graphics,  a special fuel tank emblem and logos on the seat and muffler.

Suzuki Cycles

So similar are the bikes on the outside that they appear almost identical, although it’s worth noting a color distinction for the US market.

All three models will come in a blue/white livery, but the R1000 will also come in yellow/light blue, while the higher-end variants get a red/white paint scheme. 

Difference in the details

Beyond those similarities, here are some variant-specific highlights.

Suzuki Cycles

As the base model, the R1000 is essentially the standard configuration of the platform, meaning it gets functional body work, standard brake lines and basic electronics.  

Upgrades for the Goldilocks-ish R1000R include a higher-performance Showa Balance Free Front (BFF) fork and rear shock and chassis tuning via adjustable swingarm pivots.

Suzuki Cycles

It also boasts more responsive braking via stainless steel brake lines feeding the Brembo radial-mount calipers.

The top-of-the-line R1000RS gets everything the R1000R gets plus the trendiest, most visible difference: carbon-fiber winglets derived from the Suzuki “CN Challenge” race bike, which generate downforce to boost stability at speed.

Suzuki Cycles

The bike also features a notable bodywork upgrade: the left-side cowl is smooth, improving the bike’s look and matching the updated exhaust.

Availability and pricing

From now through July 31, customers can work with their local Suzuki dealer to reserve a 2027 GSX-R1000 bike.

The 2027 GSX-R1000 40th Anniversary starts at $16,399, the GSX-R1000R 40th Anniversary starts at $17,939 and the GSX-R1000RS 40th Anniversary starts at $18,639.

Boat shoes are already a staple summer style, but Sperry’s new take on a classic silhouette is more warm weather-ready than ever before.

Thanks to three material treatments, the Sperry x Colbo Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe looks and feels as cool as can be.

Sperry

Sophisticated shoes

For the unfamiliar, Colbo is a New York City-based multi-disciplinary brand and retailer focused on premium, relaxed designs and quality craftsmanship.

That perspective, when applied to one of the most well-known American footwear brands in existence, yields a shoe that is at once classical and contemporary … and built to last.

Sperry

The collaboration Sperry x Colbo Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe sees the iconic model reworked in three new constructions; one is heritage-driven, and two are distinctly summery.

The most expected version is likely the distressed beige leather; the new treatment is the most similar to a traditional Sperry boat shoe.

Sperry

Sperry

Thoroughly unexpected, on the other hand, are the linen and jute variants.

The former is constructed with 100 percent Italian linen designed to develop a loved, worn-in aesthetic.

The style is lined with a soft blend of silk and Lyocel and features a sheep leather insole.

Sperry

The latter also highlights Colbo’s dedication to artisanal craftsmanship; it is designed with Italian jute, along with the same lining and insole as the linen version.

All three styles include a leather and rubber plate outsole that combines a premium look with uncompromising comfort.

Sperry

While Sperry’s standard leather 2-eye boat shoe typically retails around the $100 mark, all three of the limited-edition collaboration styles push well past $200, due to the handcrafted nature of their materials and construction.

Availability and pricing

The Sperry x Colbo Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe in both linen and jute is available now on Sperry’s website, each retailing for $275.

The shoe is also available in distressed leather for $235.

Sperry

Sperry x Colbo Authentic Original 2-Eye Boat Shoe

• $275 at Sperry

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