Today in Gear: A Great Travel Backpack, an Absurdly Affordable Watch and More

The best way to catch up on the day’s most important product releases and stories.

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We’ve made some new adjustments to Today in Gear, including a new publishing time of 4 p.m. in order to capture all the day’s new stories. Comments or concerns? We’d love to hear from you at [email protected].


New & Noteworthy Releases

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Gnarbox 2 SSD

The Gnarbox 2.0 SSD aims to streamline what it takes to get a photo or video from the press of the shutter button to your Instagram feed and beyond.

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Ball Engineer Master II World Time

Another under-the-radar hit from Ball.

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Mack Weldon Ion Convertible Backpack

It can actually function as a backpack, briefcase or a messenger bag.

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Outerknown Sea Shirt

Cut from organic cotton and available in 10 colors.

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2019 Volkswagen Jetta

Based on how the Jetta’s price tag has fluctuated over the years — even considering inflation and market conditions — it’s safe to assume the next-generation Jetta will be at it’s most affordable as soon…

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Victorianox I.N.O.X Automatic

It happens to be an excellent caliber.

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Todd Snyder x New Era Spring 2018 Collection

Todd Snyder’s latest collab with New Era uses some of the last Denim made at the legendary Cone Denim White Oak plant.


The Best Deals of the Day

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BAD Bags No. 3 Duffel Backpack Hybrid
Save 30%: BAD stands for “Best American Duffel,” and you don’t give a product a name like that without making sure it can stand up to some serious abuse. BAD makes its bags with 1,000-denier Ballistic CORDURA nylon fabric that’s urethane-coated for additional weather resistance. Seams are taped, stitches are doubled and hardware is nickel-plated and rust-resistant. The Duffel No. 3 is also wrapped with a length of two-inch, 6,000-pound break-strength seat-belt webbing to ensure durability over time and help with weight distribution when fully-loaded. It isn’t just a tank though; BAD equipped the No. 3 with pack-away backpack straps and ensured that it’s carry-on compliant, making it the last travel duffel you’ll ever have to buy.
Right now the BAD No. 3 Duffel is available at Huckberry in an exclusive tan and black colorway for almost 30 percent off. — Tanner Bowden

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Steven Alan Optical Sunglasses
Save 30%: Now’s the time to invest in a nice pair of shades before the long sunny summer sets in. Take advantage of pre-season savings from Steven Alan Optical with 30 percent off three vintage-inspired sunglasses. The range of frame shapes includes an aviator, a Wayfarer-esque model and a clip-on style. These acetate glasses feature real temple rivets and come with a hardshell case. Why settle for the norm when you can invest in a pair of these unique frames starting at $130? — John Zientek

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Sony WH-1000XM2
Save $143: Frankly, the Sony WH-1000XM2 and the Bose QC35 II ($350) are the two best wireless active noise-canceling headphones you can buy in 2018. And the Sony WH-1000XM2 are going for $205 on eBay right now — which is almost $150 less than its normal $348 MSRP. This is one of the lowest prices we’ve seen the Sony WH-1000XM2 going for. It’s also important to point out that these headphones are “manufacturer-refurbished.” If you’re worried about them not meeting your expectations, remember that each pair comes with a warranty and a 30-day return policy.

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Altra Running Shoes
Save $50: The brand that made zero drop running sneakers with a wide toebox commonplace to see on the road and trail is having a big sale. Altra’s Torin 3.0, Instinct 4.0 and Olympus 2.5 sneakers are all up to $60 off original prices. Now’s a good time to stock up on sneakers for a great price. — Meg Lappe

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Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II
Save $150: The Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II was released in 2016 as a follow up to the PowerShot G7X, which was the company’s first camera with a 1-inch sensor. The Mark II came with the same sensor-and-lens combo as its predecessor (4x optical zoom lens, aperture range of f/1.8-f/2.8.), but it also had a few modest upgrades, like as better battery life and a tilting touchscreen. The big improvement, however, was that the Mark II had a significantly better image processor (DIGIC 7), allowing it to be a faster burst shooter and have better focus tracking capabilities.

Today, the PowerShot G7X Mark II is still an excellent travel camera that’s particularly great in low-light situations. And it’s usually affordable, coming in at $699, but today it’s extra affordable — get it for $549 on Massdrop today.
— Tucker Bowe

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Chippewa General Utility Boot
Save 70%: Chippewa’s General Utility Boot was built to take abused. This boot from the century-old American company features a tough Vibram Heritage Christy outsole and a cushy-but-supportive Texon Poron maple leather insole. A Goodyear Welt construction combines with a steel shank to provide support and long-lasting durability, and minimal design flourish and branding mean they’re wearable to work or in the field.
The Chippewa General Utility Boot typically retails north of $400, today the Cognac model is at the absurd price of $114. Sizes seven to eleven available as of posting. — Will Price


Today on Gear Patrol

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5 Historically Significant Watches You Can Buy on the Cheap

Some watches had big impacts on the industry but can still be had for a few hundred dollars.

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The 12 Best Lightweight Chinos to Wear All Summer Long

From Todd Snyder, Everlane, Bills and more.

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Ditch Your Chest Strap Heart Rate Monitor and Use This Instead

The newest heart rate tracker doesn’t need to sit right on your chest — and for that we like it.

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Opinion: Why Watch Enthusiasts Should Love Hand-Wound Movements

Most mechanical watches today feature automatic winding, but there’s charm in twisting the crown to get your watch going.

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Where to Buy the Country’s Best Craft Coffee Online

Trade works with more than 40 coffee roasters and purveys 411 different bean roasts.

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