Today in Gear: The Day’s Best Product News

We talk about EVs a lot in one way or another here on Today In Gear, and with good reason: people want to buy them. According to a recent Automotive News interview with Ford CEO Jim Farley, “Demand is two to three times what we expected…Our reservations are approaching 200,000 units now and we’re moving those reservations to actual orders.” That doesn’t just mean more electric trucks on the road — including the Ford E-Transit and F-150 Lightning — that means innovation. Reports surrounding Ford’s Blue Oval City campus in Tennessee indicate that Ford’s planning to introduce a new truck on a completely new platform. While the timeline for the truck in question is leaning more towards 2025, Ford is already planning for the model to sell, as Farley put it, in “incredibly high volume.” Expect to see more investment in Ford “mega-sites” like Blue Oval City, where both vehicles and batteries are produced at a single location. Electric vehicles aside, we’re talking about everything from Steel Will’s newest knife to JJJJound’s upcoming collaboration with Danner and indie watchmaker Josh Shapiro’s unique tantalum watch. This is Today in Gear.

Forget worrying about the forecast with On’s all-season Parka.

On

Designed to deal with whatever mother nature throws your way, On’s Parka is a fully-adjustable piece of outerwear that’s supremely versatile. The overall silhouette is knee-length to block any stray sprays of snow or rain, and is cut in a more relaxed shape. This allows the jacket to facilitate airflow and feel breathable — while still being fully wind- and waterproof (thanks to its triple-layer construction and DWR coating).

This is the perfect gift basket for your streetwear-loving friends and family.

Courtesy

An icon of British retail, luxury department store Harrods is a hub for international shopping — especially during the holiday season. In a surprise twist, Harrods has teamed with streetwear label Palace on a gift basket that blends the retailer’s luxury legacy with Palace’s signature tongue-in-cheek humor. Using Harrods holiday hamper as a base, the gift basket includes co-branded chocolate, tea, coffee, socks and even Palace-branded wine. A selection of other apparel will drop alongside the holiday basket on December 10.

Indie watchmaker Josh Shapiro makes the first tantalum watch case outside of Switzerland.

J.N. Shapiro

High school teacher-turned watchmaker Josh Shapiro turned a hobby into a full-on project, evangelizing engine-turned watches with 2019’s Infinity Series. Proudly made in America, Shapiro’s latest Infinity is unique for its use of tantalum — a difficult metal to work with. As Shapiro explains it, the tantalum case is a first (outside of Switzerland) and a world first to be used in a part of the watch other than the case. Due to the scale of Shapiro’s operation and the materials involved, only 26 watches will be made.

JJJJound and Danner link up again for moodboard-ready Feather Light and Mountain Light boots.

JJJJound

Revisiting a partnership that started back in 2020, noted “good taste-haver” JJJJound has teamed up once again with Danner on a pair of Feather Light and Mountain Light boots. Both made in Portland, both boots have Gore-Tex liners and Vibram 1276 Sierra outsoles. The Feather Light goes for a brown suede upper with green accents while the Mountain Light goes for a one-piece brown suede upper. Whichever you prefer, both styles drop December 9.

Steel Will showcases its second new knife of 2021, the Spica.

Steel Will

Steel Will has already established itself in 2021 thanks to the Fjord blade release earlier this year, adding the all-new Spica model just in time for winter to set in. Featuring a 3.4-inch, plain edge drop point blade, the flipper uses 154CM which reinforces the model’s place in the market; this is an everyday blade that’s straddling the line between budget-friendly and luxury. Both the 154CM steel and the aluminum handle highlight this blade’s unique spot, incorporating materials not often seen in Steel Will’s knives.

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