Today in Gear is our daily roundup of the latest product announcements, drops and news from Gear Patrol Studios. Please direct pitches, tips and questions to [email protected].

Let the AI chatbot battles commence. Google just rolled out a major upgrade to Bard (a competitor to ChapGPT), which is now powered by the company’s Gemini Pro AI model. Curious users can now collaborate with AI in a number of different ways, and can expect major improvements in the way it understands, summarizes, reasons, codes and plans. Google tapped YouTuber Mark Robert to test it out, which you can watch here. Bard can now generate images through Imagen 2, has new AI map upgrades and a music generation tool. 

Next year, Google will launch Bard Advanced, and users will be able to try Gemini Ultra, which will is designed for even more complex tasks (and will also feature a ‘Google It’ button so you can fact check responses). 

Today we’re taking a look at new trail runners, a graphene puffy and fresh bedding. This is Today in Gear.

Altra

New Trail Runners

Got race goals on the calendar? Check out the freshly updated Timp 5 ($155) from Altra. This high-cushion trail running shoe is now an entire ounce lighter. The new Vibram Megagrip compound helps provide the grip and traction needed for security on wet or slippery terrain so there’s no excuses when it comes to getting outside to train. The rugged Timp 5’s also have a softer, more responsive midsole.

Vollebak

New Puffy Materials

Vollebak released the Double Graphene Lightweight Puffer ($1,295), which is made with graphene, aka “the lightest, strongest, most conductive material ever discovered” according to the brand. The brand created its first graphene jacket in 2018, and the 2024 puffy is billed as a jack of all trades: temperature regulating, waterproof, windproof, breathable and lightweight. Graphene is hypoallergenic and anti-static — bacteria can’t grow on it — and a hydrophobic treatment uses electrostatic forces to make the water bead up and roll off. 

Article

Article Joins the Bedding World

The brand is known for providing quick-ship, quality furniture, and just launched a brand new bedding collection (and is well on its way to home decor domination). The linen Alto Duvet Cover ($299) comes in king and queen sizes and three colors: clay, green and white. Add pillow shams ($79), a sheet set ($279) and even a down pillow ($139) and down comforter ($399). Other offerings include a cotton quilt and cotton bedding set. Sweet dreams!

Percival

Percival’s Spring Collection 

The Spring 2024 collection from the London-based menswear brand, Percival, just dropped and we’ve already scoped our favorites (and are ready for the sun to come out so we can wear them). The Fruit Crochet Vest ($240) screams modern grandpa — in the best way – and features little embroidered strawberries and cherries. The Saturn Dye Cardigan ($240) is a cozy blue-grey-black button-up sweater that pairs effortlessly with whatever t-shirt you’ve got on. Shop the collection today. 

Struesli

Savory Granola 

Granola lovers know that the breakfast cereal often has a lot of sugar, which is a bummer because it’s also really tasty. Enter Struesli, which is making granolas without the sugar bombs. The company just released a new flavor, Savory and Seed (4 pounds for $60). This crispy granola has no grains and no added sugars or sweeteners, instead relying on the natural flavors (and fiber) of tiger nuts, which is actually a root vegetable. Eat this versatile granola with milk for breakfast, or throw it into a salad, soup or on top of avocado toast.