The Best Gear Releases and News This Week

Editor’s Note: For years we’ve published This Week in Gear as an essential resource for readers looking to keep up with the latest product news they might have missed over the week. In continuation of that spirit, we’re excited to reveal a few changes to the series aimed at improving the reading experience. Starting immediately, This Week in Gear will publish on Friday afternoon, instead of Saturday morning.

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New & Noteworthy Releases

Indian Scout Bobber

Blacked out, stripped down, and charged with thunderous power — and that’s just the stock Scout Bobber. It’s a superb blank canvas. Recently, at the 2017 Brooklyn Invitational, we got the lowdown on three all-custom Bobber rigs built by three top-level custom bike builders. Still, if custom isn’t your jam, the stock Scout Bobber has plenty to offer: a 69-cubic-inch, 100 horsepower V-Twin engine; chopped fenders; a low-slung leather seat; knobby tires; and cast aluminum wheels.

State Bicycle Co. 6061 Black Label v2

State Bicycle Co.’s hallmark commuter bike, upgraded with a tapered head tube, a full-carbon Essor fork, a lighter wheelset, customizable handlebars and more. It also comes in four all-new colors: Matte Black, Raw (Silver), Army Green and Purple. Altogether, it’s lighter, faster and sexier than any 6061 Black Label bike before. — Michael Finn

Packer x J.Crew x ASICS Tiger “1907 Collection”

The “1907 Collection” includes four new colorways of the Gel-Lyte III, meant to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the opening of the original Packer store in Yonkers. This collection riffs on classic dress shoe styles — the White Buck, the oxblood cordovan shoe, the charcoal suede tassel loafer, the blue suede buck — and is available online at Packer and J.Crew this Saturday, September 30. — John Zientek

Meet Amazon’s New Alexa-Enabled Security Camera, the Echo Spot

The Echo Spot is part Echo Dot, part Echo Show, and part Alexa-enabled security camera.

The New Amazon Echo Is Cheaper and Smaller Than the Original (And Supports Multi-Room Streaming)

Get a three-pack for just $50 each.

A Swiss Watch Brand Launches a Budget Watch for Travelers

A sub-$600 watch with a reliable quartz movement and a selection of distinctive colorways.

The Fabric Worn by British WWII Spitfire Pilots Is Revived

Made from 100 percent cotton.

Is This the Perfect Kitchen Thermometer?

Developed in consultation with professional chefs.

New Designer Basics That Are Also Really Easy to Buy

GQ/GAP

AMI’s Parisian flair, at an accessible price point.

Subaru Drops Hints of the New WRX Ahead of the Tokyo Auto Show

Subaru

All the classic WRX hallmarks are there, with some extra-important details.

LIFX Tile Kit

Following the release of its smaller, more affordable smart bulb series, LIFX has announced an illuminated wall art set. The LIFX Tile Kit, available for preorder now and slated to ship in November, includes five wall-mounted tiles with full-spectrum color and 64 distinct “zones” each. Think of it as mood lighting for the 21st century, ideal for energizing otherwise blank walls. — Emily Singer

Mountain Standard Camo Sherpa Vest

As far as fall clothing is concerned, the Camo Sherpa Vest is a one-two punch: first, it’s a vest, that tried-and-true transitional garment; second, it’s made with synthetic sherpa fleece, a fabric that couldn’t be cozier if it tried. And yes, camo is still on trend. — Michael Finn

Mugsy Jeans

Mugsy Jeans go far beyond the bounds of traditional denim. From afar, they look and behave like ordinary jeans; up close, the high-tech denim is as soft and comfortable as sweatpants. The only person who’ll notice that is you. The jeans come in both slim and athletic fit — that’s the part everyone else will notice. Even better, they’re made to be durable and shrink resistant. Mugsy is so confident you’ll love ’em that returns or exchanges are free.

Diamondback Release 5c

When I rode Diamondback’s first full-suspension Release bike, I was wholely impressed. That bike was made from aluminum, and the new carbon version is even better. It climbs like a rabid monkey and eats up descents like it’s packing more than it’s working with. The Release 5c is Diamondback’s first full-suspension carbon bike, and it’s making quite the scene. — AJ Powell

McLaren Is Bringing Back the Center Seat Super Car

McLaren is currently using a 720S as a test mule for its upcoming BP23 hypercar. Juicy details like power and performance figures are still unknown, but what is very clear is that the British brand is bringing back the center-positioned driver’s seat, just like the original F1 supercar had back in the ’90s. McLaren is also claiming that this will be the “fastest-ever McLaren,” which pretty much confirms the BP23 will beat the F1’s 242 mph top speed. — Bryan Campbell

Voyej Superlative Collection

This week, Indonesia-based leather goods brand Voyej released its Superlative Collection, made up of five products. The collection — three wallets, a card holder and a bracelet — is made from Tochigi Saddle leather from Japan, features suede linings (where applicable) and ranges in price from $30 to $225. The distinctive leather is incredibly uniform, and will only look better as the years pass. — John Zientek

Norlan Glass VAILD — Black Edition

The original Norlan glass was a sensational reimagining of the whiskey-drinking experience. Using scientifically derived shapes and contours, the glass amplified scents and flavors far beyond the capabilities of an ordinary tumbler. Now, Norlan has further refined its original glass with the VAILD, a matte black double-walled tumbler that radiates a brilliant golden color from within when your favorite whiskey is added. Fine whiskey has always been magical in its own way; the VAILD coaxes that magic out to the fullest.

Little Book ‘The Easy’ Blended Straight Whiskey

Freddie Noe, the son of current Beam Master Distiller Fred Noe, will release his first whiskey next month through a new annual bottle series called Little Book. The inaugural blend, “The Easy,” mixes four-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, 13-year-old corn whiskey, and six-year-old malt and high-rye whiskies. Notes include caramel, oak and toasted nuts. Bottles will ship early October with a suggested retail price of $80 for 750mL. — Jack Seemer

Salewa Outerwear

Salewa has been producing a full range of technical mountain gear in the South Tyrol region of Italy’s Dolomites for over 80 years. But it was only six years ago that the company brought some of its goods to North America (and only footwear, at that). Now, Salewa is cranking things up another notch and bringing its apparel to this side of the Atlantic with a collection built on everything from locally sourced Italian sheep wool to the Gore-Tex you know and love. — Tanner Bowden

Aesop Hwyl Eau de Parfum

Aesop’s latest fragrance, made in partnership with perfumer Barnabé Fillion, is an unobtrusive scent inspired by a Japanese forest. Smoky, spicy and earthy, this is an intriguing fragrance to work into your fall grooming arsenal. It doesn’t scream “Look at me!” — and that’s just the point. It’s quiet and complex, a fragrance for the introspective. — John Zientek

Trek CrossRip+

The CrossRip+ is Trek’s first dropbar e-bike and it’s packed with features that long-distance commuters need, including puncture-resistant tires (700 x 38c), a powerful light system and a removable rack. As for speed, its Bosch Speed Performance power system promises sustained speeds of up to 28 mph even if you’re peddling uphill. — Tucker Bowe

This Extremely Rare Backpack Is Outdoor eBay Gold

Outdoor gear tends to get shredded before it becomes vintage. This pack is an exception.

Oak & Oscar Jackson

Chicago-based indie watchmaker Oak & Oscar has just released its third limited-series watch and it may be its most accomplished yet. The Jackson is a chronograph watch featuring a hand-winding, flyback chronograph movement from Swiss manufacturer Eterna. Buyers get to choose from a grey dial, navy dial or PVD version, but should consider acting quickly as only 400 Jacksons will be made total. — Andrew Connor

Federal Donuts: The (Partially) True Spectacular Story

It’s hard to say what James Beard award-winning chef Mike Solomonov is best known for. His Philadelphia-based restaurants encompass pita and hummus, waste-conscious soup, and Israeli comfort food. But it’s donuts and fried chicken, which Solomonov churns out at Federal Donuts, that his latest cookbook, Federal Donuts: The (Partially) True Spectacular Story, centers on. It begins with the basics and works up to wonderfully unexpected flavors, like salted tehina donuts and honey ginger-glazed fried chicken. — Emily Singer

Stio Woodson Down Vest

Workwear durability meets outdoor style in Stio’s latest hybrid. The Woodson Vest uses oversized baffles that are stuffed with 650-fill water-repellent down to aim warmth toward the core. Those feathers are protected by a two-layer polyester shell, which means you don’t have to coddle this essential fall layer. — Tanner Bowden

Wilson & Willy’s Dry Wax Anorak

From Wilson & Willy’s new AW17 collection, the Dry Wax Anorak may be the ultimate fall coat. It’s constructed with British 8 oz dry wax canvas, features horn buttons, black grommets and a riri zipper. It’s a light stormproof coat made in the USA — and for only $288, you won’t have to drain your bank account tp invest in quality outerwear. — John Zientek

Bellroy Classic Backpack

New to Bellroy’s collection of minimalist accessories is this sleek backpack. At 17 liters, it’ll hold just enough for your daily commute including a 15-inch laptop, iPad and other necessities. It’s made from sustainably produced water-resistant nylon and environmentally certified leather, but best of all, it’s backed by Bellroy’s three-year warranty. — John Zientek

Your Measuring Cup Sucks, So This Software Engineer Made a Better One

For more consistent baking, or just comfort in accuracy, the Euclid is a radically redesigned measuring cup.

These High-End Nato Straps Are Made Completely in America

Handsome, simple and rugged.

One of Australia’s Most Intense Off-Road Trailer Companies Has Set Up Shop in the US

Patriot Campers

TYou no longer have to gawk at videos on YouTube and envy those people hauling those rugged campers across the Outback.

This Week on GP

The 2018 Lexus LS Is Fantastically Good-Looking, Fast and Sophisticated

Lexus is being coy with advanced tech, but the new LS is still excellent.

Chunky Sunglasses Chart a Bold Comeback for Fall

Henry Phillips

Sometimes slimmer isn’t better.

The One Charging Cable I Never Travel Without

It’s so simple you’ll forget what life was like without it.

Legendary Telecaster Slinger Redd Volkaert Shares His Favorite Live Gear

Henry Phillips

Every piece of gear has a purpose, and after years of concerts, every piece of gear has a story.

Patagonia’s Massive Collection of Vintage, Insanely Cheap Gear Is Now Available Online

Before, vintage Patagonia was scattered across the internet. Now, it’s all in one place.

The New iPhones Support Bluetooth 5.0. So, What Is It?

Bluetooth 5.0 is the future of wireless headphones, speakers and more.

Review: The Leica TL2 Is Sleeker, Faster and 100 Percent More Chamfered

It’s pretty, it’s powerful and it’s intuitive, but is that enough?

5 New Fixed-Blade Knives from a Master of Ancient Japanese Forging

Murray Carter’s mastery of Yoshimoto bladesmithing is on display in these five all-new “neck” knives.

3 Accessories That’ll Help AirPods Stay in Your Ears

Do Apple’s new AirPods not fit in your ears? These accessories can fix that.

Found: Your New Obsession Is the Mesmerizing ‘Linen Dial’ Watch

Three beauties from Eterna, Tudor and Rolex.

Exclusive: Inside the New Jersey Warehouse Where Rare Porsche Dreams Come True

Inside a pineapple-colored building in Saddle Brook lie some of Stuttgart’s finest.

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