A Look Back at the New Gear We Discovered This Week

Good morning, and welcome to the latest edition of This Week in Gear — your single-shot serving of an entire week’s worth of the best new gear pulled from our weekday editions of Today in Gear. Bookmark it to peruse over a cup of coffee or before you soak up the last of your weekend freedom, then start your Monday completely up to speed. Here’s to another fantastic week.

Monday, January 29th

Steelcase SILQ Office Chair
From Steelcase, maker of the popular Leap office chair comes your new workplace grail: SILQ, a carbon fiber office chair made from just 30 parts. Though pricing has yet to be announced, Steelcase told Fast Co. Design that the SILQ will cost more than $3,000, while a less technical version will cost $970 (still more than most office chairs). — Jack Seemer

Bell & Ross V2-94 Heritage
Bell & Ross’s vintage-inspired chronograph was well-received when it debuted at Baselworld in 2017, and now the brand is giving the watch an updated dial colorway. In Heritage guise, the V2-94 gets hands and hour markers adorned with tan-colored Super-LumiNova, as well as a 100M depth-rating denoted at six o’clock in eye-popping red. The changes are overall minimal, but the result is an excellent recreation of a vintage tool watch dial. — Andrew Connor

Google Clips Camera
Google revealed the Clips — a tiny wireless camera designed for parents who want to take candid photos of their kids and pets — several months ago alongside the Google Pixel 2, Google Home Max and Pixel Buds. But pre-orders for the unique device finally opened up just this weekend. Unfortunately, it’s already “out of stock,” though you can join a waitlist on Google’s website. You can find a rundown of everything the camera can do here.
— Tucker Bowe

Gregory Optic 48
The brand that’s best known for its ultralight backpacking and trekking packs unveiled a new superstar, the Optic 48. Ideal for thru-hikers, the shoulder straps are ventilated, the waist belt is supportive, and the aluminum frame helps to keep the pack weighing in at just 2.3-pounds. Fit water bottles in the side pockets on the left and right for easy access during the day, plus store your favorite snacks in the zippered hip belt pockets, or the front stretch mesh pocket. Offered in a blue or grey, and a 48 or 58L, this new pack is here to keep your back dry during even the toughest trail conditions. — Meg Lappe

Wilson Black Edition Tennis Rackets
Following the success of the Black Edition product line, Wilson launches three models of rackets, including the Ultra, Blade and Burn. Each contains countervail technology, designed to help reduce muscle fatigue and shorten recovery time. If you’re looking to seriously up your game, consider investing (all your money) in the Roger Federer Historic 20th Grand Slam Platinum Edition racket package for a cool $20,006. You’ll have to shop fast since Wilson only produced 20 of the limited edition rackets. In addition to the racket that will have you serving aces, you’ll receive a tennis ball signed by Federer, too. Match points are no longer intimidating. — Meg Lappe

Tuesday, January 30th

Leatherman Wave +
For Leatherman’s 25th anniversary, it decided to up the ante on its best-selling multi-tool. With 16 tools all ready built-in, a new set of pliers with removable and replaceable wire cutters brings the total number up to 17. It’s still easy to open, lightweight, and covered by a 25-year warranty. — Meg Lappe

Legacy Overland, a 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser HJ-45
Upgraded and modernized vintage overlanders seem to be a dime-a-dozen these days. What’s really rare, though, is a modernized project that keeps it classy, tasteful and still holds on to the vintage flair that makes the four-wheeler special in the first place. And the latest masterpiece from Legacy Overland, a 1978 Toyota Land Cruiser HJ-45 pick-up, strikes that perfect balance, between old-world charm and modern performance and reliability. — Bryan Campbell

Fimbulvetr TRAILR
Known for its lightweight and high-quality snowshoes, Fimbulvetr announced its newest shoes at Outdoor Retailer this year. The TRAILR is a more nimble snowshoe with the addition of Grivory and a narrower design. Grivory, about 65% glass fibers, is sturdy and stiff, yet lightweight. More commonly seen as a metal replacement in car engines and propellers, the addition of it allows the smaller design to perform as well as larger models of the past do. You’ll move faster, and not be held up by snowballing that gets caught in the crampons, thanks to the anti-snowballing integration. Look for it come winter 2018. — Meg Lappe

100% Speedcraft Air
When Peter Sagan signed with 100%, we made a pretty safe assumption that some crazy tech would quickly follow suit. That’s exactly the case with the new Speedcraft Air. The new shades are designed with a nosepiece that features magnets that stick to the skin. The magnets pull open the air passages in the nose and make it easier for Sagan to breathe while racing. We’re pretty sure these won’t make you as fast as a world champ, but they may increase your efficiency a bit. — AJ Powell

Zenith Cronometro Tipo CP-2 Flyback in Bronze
Zenith has just released a new version of one of its best vintage reissues in recent memory: the Tipo CP-2 Flyback, a recreation of a chronograph worn by the Italian military during the 1960s. This new iteration retains the basic construction — it has a chunky case design and a rotating bezel and a high-beat El Primero chronograph movement ticking at 36,000 mph — but is made from bronze, a metal that’s becoming increasing trendy in watch design. — Andrew Connor

Allagash Brewing Company Map 40
Maine’s Allagash Brewing Company teamed up with Portland coffee roaster, Speckled Ax, for its second run of Map 40 — a Trappist-style stout brewed with cold-brewed coffee, chocolate malts and roasted barley. Available nationwide this month. — Jack Seemer

Learn More: Here

Wednesday, January 31st

Asus Blue Cave Wireless Router
The most striking thing about Asus’s new wireless router — it has a hole in it. Announced last May, the AC2600 is a dual-band wireless router that’s meant to be shown off, not tucked behind a media console. Asus says that it’s capable of 4K UHD streaming. And it supports Amazon Alexa and IFTTT right from the get-go. You can control who can connect to it via an app on your phone, too. The design-focused router is finally available for purchase. — Tucker Bowe

Icebreaker Descender Hybrid Jacket
Icebreaker’s Descender Hybrid Jacket leverages the technical performance of merino wool in an innovative mid layer. The Descender is constructed with body-mapped MerinoLOFT — Icebreaker’s wool alternative to down insulation — and merino fleece to provide warmth exactly where it’s needed. The Descender was announced last week at Outdoor Retailer and will be made available later this year. — Tanner Bowden

666hp Lister Thunder
Lister, Britain’s longest running race car building company, got its hands on the Jaguar F-Type and massaged 666 horsepower out of the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 and called it the Thunder. From the 22-inch wheels and up, almost everything has been upgraded to help the modified F-Type get from 0-60mph in 2.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 208 mph. More importantly, what Lister is trying to do, starting with the Thunder, is build a similar relationship with Jaguar to what Brabus enjoys with Mercedes or Alpina does with BMW. — Bryan Campbell

Zeal Optics Hatchet Goggle
Zeal Optics first introduced its Rail Lock System for fast lens changing in this year’s spherical Portal goggle. In 2018, Zeal will bring that same tech to the Hatchet, a google that features a tapered cylindrical lens that prevents visual distortion in the mountains. The Hatchet will be available in fall 2018. — Tanner Bowden

Happy Socks x Keith Haring Collection
Known for its collaborations with everyone from Steve Aoki to the Billionaire Boys Club, Happy Socks’ latest collection stars legendary pop-artist Keith Haring. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the vibrant colored socks and underwear are inspired by the idea of love. In three unique patterns and styles, they start at $12 and come individually or in packs of three. — Meg Lappe

Thursday, February 1st

Ridgemont Outfitters Monty Hi Boot
Hiking boots that function well out on the trail all day and then look good in the bar later are hard to find. The Monty Hi boot strives to fix that. Inspired by the classic 80’s style hiking boot, Ridgemont slimmed down the look and elevated the style with waterproof oiled suede. The hi-density rubber lugged sole prevents slips, and the heel stabilizer works well over rock scrambles. Best of all, it’s just $99. — Meg Lappe

Osso Good Soup’r Foods
Osso Good, a California company that specializes in pre-packaged bone broth, released a new line of soups called Soup’r Foods. They range from Tomato Basil to Thai Carrot and include the brand’s chicken bone broth. — Jack Seemer

Glenmorangie Spìos Private Edition Single Malt Whisky
The newest addition to Glenmorangie’s Private Edition series, Spìos (Scots Gaelic for “spice”), was matured entirely in ex-rye casks. While distilleries have used ex-rye casks to finish single malt expressions (see: Johnnie Walker’s Select Casks Rye Cask Finish), Glenmorangie claims this to be the first time a single malt has aged in them exclusively. Straw gold in color, Spìos (SRP $99) carries notes of toffee, baking spices and vanilla, finishing with hints of fudge and citrus. — Jack Seemer

Learn More: Here

Black Diamond Ultralight Ice Screw
For winter 2018/2019, Black Diamond has created the lightest ice screw, ever. Ice screws, used for crucial weight-bearing during ice climbs, are commonly made of titanium and steel. Black Diamond has figured out how to fuse a short steel tip to an aluminum shaft to reduce the weight of the screw by 45 percent without compromising strength or durability. And as with all climbing equipment, the lighter it is, the better. — Tanner Bowden

Mission Workshop Bosun Fleece
Mission Workshop’s Bosun fleece combines technical performance materials with a streetwear-inspired silhouette. The Bosun features New Zealand merino wool and four-way stretch nylon panels on the shoulders and forearms for a bit of extra durability. A removable hood, a deep interior pouch pocket and two zippered outer pockets provide enough functionality to make the Bosun part of any daily kit. — Tanner Bowden

Friday, February 2nd

Outerknown x FairEnds Caps
Sustainable surf brand Outerknown has teamed up with Californian-made hat brand FairEnds to produce a collection of organic cotton caps. Made up of three styles — the Ball Cap, the Farm Cap and the Happy Farm Cap — the release is made in the USA from organic cotton and each cap costs just shy of $50. Outerknown embroidery adorns the crown of each style colors range from plum and honey to navy and black. With sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing, it’s hard to fault these caps. — John Zientek

Christopher Ward C5 Malvern 595
At just 5.95mm thick, Christopher Ward’s latest timepiece is one of the thinnest mechanical watches you can get under a grand. It packs a proven, hand-winding movement from ETA and comes with two brilliant minimalist dial options: one in a shimmering opalin white and the other in slate gray. The watch comes standard on a leather strap, but for an extra $95 you can spec it with a steel mesh bracelet. — Andrew Connor

Belstaff Trialmaster Evo Jacket
70 years ago Belstaff released its iconic Trialmaster jacket, a light waxed-cotton jacket with four front pockets and a buckle-tab collar. In the brand’s latest Origins collection, the classic jacket is updated with technical fabrics. It is cut from waterproof and breathable stretch nylon, and features heat-sealed seams, weatherproof zippers, back vents and, of course, four front pockets. Available in slate green and black, the jacket costs $795 and exemplifies the new trend of functional-yet-stylish city-to-mountain apparel. — John Zientek

Ventev Powercell 6010+ Power Bank
This power bank by Ventev is unique for two reasons. One, it has a built-in Lightning cable to charge your iPhone, which is a fairly-rare-yet-not-totally-unheard-of feature. And two, it also has foldable AC prongs built directly into it, so you can plug the power bank directly into the wall to recharge it. It’s super convenient — one less charging cable to worry about — and it’s actually pretty rare to find in a power bank. — Tucker Bowe

Good Things Glycerin Soap
Industrial designer Jasper Morrison’s take on everyday glycerin soap is fantastic to behold. The block of clear, unscented soap comes as a large slab that can be broken into four smaller bars as needed. With nothing extra (dyes, fragrances, etc.), there’s plenty of room for an overabundance of attractive, minimalist design. A great way to start your day in the shower or wash away a long day. — Nick Caruso

2018 Polaris RZR RS-1
This week, Polaris announced a major update to its high-performance side-by-side lineup with the RZR RS-1. It’s not the brand’s first single-seater model, but it is the first Polaris single-seater to be given legitimate power and serious running gear, compliments of the 110 horsepower engine and suspension setup borrowed from the much bigger, beefier RZR XP1000. — Bryan Campbell

Prettypegs Frontly Wood Panels
Ikea hacker Prettypegs’ new Frontly lineup features a selection of thin, self-adhesive wood panels that transform Ikea’s trusty Bestå storage system into high-end furniture. They’re available in three different sizes, four different colors (pink, gray, white and mint green) and come in four different textures. — Andrew Connor

Fahim Kassam

Sea to Sky Line from Reigning Champ
Reigning Champ, the modern activewear brand based in British Columbia, just launched its latest Sea to Sky Line, designed to take you from the city to the mountains in one fell swoop. The performance-based collection includes base and mid-layers, water- and weatherproof outerwear, as well as shorts, polos and hats. The line is undoubtedly city inspired, with colorways ranging from black to grey to charcoal, making it easy to pack a few staples for a long weekend. — Meg Lappe

Under Armour’s HOVR Sneakers
Under Armour wants to update your running experience with its newest sneaker launch: HOVR Phantom and HOVR Sonic. The shoes feel great while in motion. Runners who like to keep track of every mile will appreciate the automatic pairing with MapMyRun. Just shake your foot to connect to the app, and it syncs your distance, so you don’t have to worry about your watch or phone dying mid-run. — Meg Lappe

Herschel Supply Co. Jackets and Travel Duffel
Herschel’s spring collection of jackets proves that it isn’t just a bag company anymore. Each coat is composed of a blend of polyester and cotton and finished with a durable water-resistant finish to allow for all-weather wear. Additionally, Herschel released a svelte travel bag called the Winslow. The Winslow may look like a duffel, but it’s actually a garment bag and includes a trolley sleeve, an integrated hanger bracket and a roll-out garment cover. — Tanner Bowden

Priority Bicycles Classic Plus NeverFlat
Priority Bicycles originally designed the Classic Plus to be a user-friendly cruiser that never (or at least very rarely) needs maintenance. Now Priority is giving the bike another upgrade that doubles down on this mission: airless tires. The tires come from Nexo, and while they look just like regular road bike tires, they’re puncture-resistant, don’t require a pump and are tested for more than 3,000 miles of use. — Tanner Bowden

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