Today in Gear: Updates on The Outpost’s 2018 Events, Lightweight Adventure Trailers, Ebay’s First-Ever Sneaker Drop and More

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].

The Outpost Trade is Where We’ll Be Come September
This September, The Outpost is gathering in Camp Navarro, in the Redwoods of Northern California. Its seventh event since 2016 will double in size, pulling together trade show attendees with conference-like offerings, all in the great outdoors. Whether you work in the outdoor space or want to learn more, on this trip you’ll mingle with some of your favorite brands — right after Labor Day weekend, from September 7 to 9th. Enjoy music, loads of food, workshops and panels with photographers, artists, athletes and brand insiders. It’s a unique experience that’s impossible to replicate anywhere else. If you buy your ticket today, be sure to take advantage of the early bird discounts.

New & Noteworthy Releases

You Don’t Need a Big SUV to Tow These New Lightweight Adventure Trailers

You don’t need a massive SUV to tow these lightweight trailers from the new brand TetonX. Starting at 700lbs, all you need is a small car and a sense of adventure.

Ebay Just Announced the Biggest Sneaker “Drop” Ever

Set an alarm for June 27, 10 a.m. EST.

Booker’s Latest Bourbon Was Made for Summer BBQs

The second release from Beam-Suntory’s award-winning high proof bourbon makers at Booker’s was crafted with the season in mind.

Fresh Deals

TJB

The James Brand County Pocket Knife
Save 20%: It’s Friday, so I’ll cut right to the chase (and the egregious pun) — one of The James Brand’s mainstay pocket knives is currently on sale for 20 percent off. It isn’t a massive discount, but still noteworthy given that these knives rarely go on sale. Enter the code SMR20 at checkout to apply the discount.

We’re big fans of The James Brand and its gorgeously-minimal pocket knives. The County is a modern folder that draws inspiration from heritage jackknives, and it’s the only knife in the brand’s collection that can be ordered with a wooden handle (other handle options include titanium and G10 composite).

The County’s 2.5-inch straight-edge blade is Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel, and it’s implemented into the handle as a non-locking slipjoint, so it’s easy-open, easy-close. The knife doesn’t have a pocket clip — there’s a lanyard hole instead — so its profile is left clean and uncluttered. All these details make the County appropriately old-timey with a hint of the contemporary, which combined make it timeless; it’s the type of knife you’d use for years and pass down to a future generation.

If your collection of folders is already brimming, check out the fixed-blade Eggen Knife by Helle. It’s also on sale at Backcountry and shares many of the County’s aesthetic qualities, including a wooden handle made of curly birch. Again, use the code SMR20 at checkout to apply the discount. — Tanner Bowden

John Varvatos

John Varvatos Collection Sunglasses
Save up to 84%: If you want a well-made pair of shades for a steal, head over to Nordstrom Rack now. You can save up to 83 percent on Italian-made sunglasses from John Varvatos Collection, and prices start at just $50 for a range of tasteful styles. So if you see something you like, don’t wait — these frames won’t be around long — John Zientek

Rocky

Rocky Mountain Underground BRFCS Travel Bag
Save 20%: Rocky Mountain Underground, or RMU for short, is a ski company, but its new BRFCS is a contender in the realm of adventure travel bags. The BRFCS — fill in the vowels for pronunciation — is the Colorado brand’s second foray into outdoor and travel bags and builds on the success of its Core Pack, an all-purpose backcountry adventure backpack.

The BRFCS is a carry-on compatible bag with a 35-liter base capacity that expands to 50 liters. RMU outfitted its interior with compartmentalized storage for clothing, (there’s enough room for ski boots), and smaller zip pockets for necessities and essentials. There’s also a false bottom for discreet carry. Additionally, the BRFCS features a padded laptop sleeve and a removable compression strap with hardware that doubles as a bottle opener. It can be carried like its namesake, with backpack straps and a stow-away hipbelt or as a shoulder bag.

The BRFCS was first announced last month but Huckberry has already marked it down by 20 percent. If you’re in need of an all-in-one, rugged and organized travel bag ahead of a summer vacation this is definitely one to consider. — Tanner Bowden

Adidas

Adidas BW Army Trainers
Save up to 34%: If you’re looking for a solid sneaker for the warmer months, consider the Adidas replica of the German army trainer. Available in both white and blue colorways, the style was first worn in the ‘70s by German troops. It features a smooth leather upper with suede overlays, a gum rubber outsole and embossed tongue. Normally $105, the sneaker is up to 34 percent off at End, and prices start $69. — John Zientek

Q Acoustics

Q Acoustics Concept 20 Bookshelf Speakers
Save $75: The Concept 20s ($500) by Q Acoustics are some of the best bookshelf speakers out there. We reviewed them last year, actually integrating them in a Sonos system via a Connect:AMP, and they were brilliant — a big step up from a pair of Sonos Play:1 speakers (now $149/ea). And now, for Father’s Day, these normally $500 analog bookshelf speakers are only $425 on the company’s website. — Tucker Bowe

Today on Gear Patrol

The Ultimate Gear Guide for a Weekend of Overlanding

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An Expert Skier, Pilot and Philanthropist’s Gear Essentials

Known on the slopes for her skiing prowess, we can all take notes from her gym bag picks.

5 Easy-Drinking Whiskeys to Sip All Summer Long

Whiskeys primed for hot weather drinking are not all that different than what you’d drink come the fall or winter — but certain flavor profiles, proof levels and finishes do pair better with nights spent…

The Best Bike Racks of 2019 for Any Vehicle

Whether you’re headed on a weekend trip, to the local trail system for a lunch ride or the top of your favorite descent, a good bike rack is crucial. These are the best available now,…

Found: Three Vintage Blue Dial Watches Perfect for Summer

Three vintage pieces from Grand Seiko, Omega and Tudor.

4 Things to Know About Portal Axles, the Secret to the Mercedes 4×4’s Badass-ness

The Mercedes G 550 4×4’s capability, most visible in its extreme ground clearance, is possible thanks to an old-school mechanical wonder: the portal axle.

Why Smart Speakers Are Everything That Matters in Audio

How will popular stalwarts like Bose or Sonos convince customers that their speakers are different from Amazon’s, Google’s or Apple’s?

Forget Tequila and Mezcal. Reach for This Flourishing Mexican Spirit Instead.

Your guide to sotol, Mexico’s new of-the-moment spirit.

Review: This Hi-Fi Wireless Speaker Has a Portable Volume Dial (And It’s Brilliant)

The “knob feel” is wonderfully satisfying. So is the speaker’s sound quality.

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