Today in Gear: August 14, 2015

Smith Optics’ new mountain bike goggle, comfortable wool slippers, the perfect bourbon book and more.

On the Radar

Reveals, New Launches and Gear

Smith Optics Squad Mountain Bike Goggle

Smith Optics is known for crafting high-quality snow and motocross goggles with a history going all the way back to 1965. Since then, they have been innovators in a number of areas, including adding fans to snow goggles and developing a revolutionary bike helmet called the Forefront. Next up in Smith’s arsenal of innovations is the Squad mountain bike goggle. It features a lattice design that is vented the entire way around the goggle to keep your face cool while you’re charging at mach 10. The goggles will retail for $60 and will be available in October. (★)

2016 Mercedes C300 Coupe

Ahead of its official debut at Frankfurt, Mercedes released the Coupe version of its updated C-Class. Its proportions are reminiscent of its premium stablemate, the S-Class Coupe, and fits well with Mercedes-Benz’s new elegant, flowing design language. Like the C300 sedan it’s powered by a 241 horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder. Expect it to go on sale spring 2016.

Bourbon Curious: A Simple Tasting Guide for the Savvy Drinker

Bourbon authority Fred Minnick leads new whiskey drinkers through the vast world of bourbon in this hefty tome, meant to help them recognize true quality bourbon when they see it (and taste it).

Glerups Slippers

The perfect accoutrements to your smoking jacket, pipe and ascot, these 100 percent wool and calfskin slippers will make you feel like Hugh Hefner, even if your mansion is a studio in Queens.

Cotopaxi Luzon Del Día

Cotopaxi have released a new pack that’s as unique as the person wearing it. Each design is one-of-a-kind featuring bright materials and screen printing.

Nectar Sunglasses

A new sunglass brand featuring an anti-scratch film covering the lenses and a flexible thermoplastic memory frame.

Reviews and Buying Guides

Advice from the Crew

Shacksbury Dispels the Cider Drinking Stigma

Is hard cider beer for weaklings? Shacksbury Cider, which sources the best apples from Vermont, Spain and England, gives a strong liquid argument to the contrary. Read the Review

Noteworthy Reads

Reviews and News from around the Web

The DJI Phantom is one of the best drones on the market. The Verge has an in-depth review of its latest iteration.

Adventure Journal reviews MSR’s fast and light camp cookware, the Quick 2 Pot set.

Wired‘s review of the Audeze EL-8 Open-Back Headphones will leave you wishing your dinky earbuds would disappear.

Looking Ahead

What We’re Testing Now

Tip or Submission? Comments or suggestions? Send them to [email protected]. You never know, you might get something in return.

Related Topics