Today in Gear: Product News Worth Your Time Today

Building on an announcement back in October, expressing its desire to create sneakers and apparel for the metaverse, Nike has acquired startup RTFKT — a platform where artists design and create, as RTFKT puts it, “Metaverse-ready sneakers and collectibles.” On the acquisition, Nike President and CEO John Donahoe said, “Our plan is to invest in the RTFKT brand, serve and grow their innovative and creative community and extend Nike’s digital footprint and capabilities.” If that all sounds a bit vague, that’s because it is; while Nike’s new investment is unlikely to have yielded any concrete new projects, it’s also a testament to how new the space is on the whole. It’s hard to even speculate on what Nike would be making with RTFKT, both because there’s not a lot of precedence for a partnership and because — frankly — the possibilities are practically endless when working with a global name like Nike. NFT and metaverse news aside, we’ve got a few updates for today. From a new race-ready Shinola tachymeter to Sierra Nevada’s limited-edition malt whiskey, this is Today in Gear.

The Canfield Speedway is Shinola’s latest limited-edition tachymeter.

Shinola

Shinola’s 44mm Canfield watch makes its racing inspirations as clear as day — from the two-tone wheel-inspired subdials to a strap that mimics the design of racing gloves. Featuring a sandblasted black PVD stainless steel case, exposed caseback (showcasing the custom Sellita movement) and fixed tachymeter scale along the bezel — this watch is ready to roll before, during and after race day.

Tracksmith adds new pieces to its performance winter running collection, complete with Polartec.

Tracksmith

Back in 2018, Tracksmith introduced the Franklin Fleece. With a little help from Polartec, the pair created a performance piece designed for wintery cross country runs in mind. Now, the duo has added a quarter snap, mittens and hats to the collection, tapping into Polartec’s bluesign® and OEKO-TEX®-certified Classic fleece. It’s a material that not only boasts quick-drying, lightweight warmth — it’s a continuation of the legacy established by the very first Franklin Fleece.

AIAIAI’s TMA-2 Wireless+ opens up new possibilities for musicians, podcasters and creators.

AIAIAI

While wireless headphones may be one of the most convenient options on the market, the potential issues with battery and signal latency can be a major issue — especially if you’re someone working directly with audio files. AIAIAI’s TMA-2 Wireless+ headphones are an evolution on the brand’s modular TMA-2 headphone system, featuring Bluetooth 5.0 with 80 hours of battery life, AIAIAI’s W+ Link for low latency playback and a coiled cable connection (if you still want to do things the old fashioned way).

Watch out mopeds: Zoomo unveils the “ultimate delivery machine.”

Zoomo

Launching in the first half of 2022, Zoomo has revealed the Zoomo One, designed with delivery drivers and utility uses in mind. Rated above the ISO 4210 standard for mountain bikes, Zoomo’s e-bike is built for virtually any kind of terrain you’d come across, with a peak of 28 mph and a max cargo carry capacity of 88lbs on the back and 40lbs on the front. This is on top of modular customization options, integrated GPS, Bluetooth and an accelerometer — making the Z1 ideal for everything from individual use to full-on fleets.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and St. George Spirits prove that friendship simply leads to (making) whiskey.

Sierra Nevada

You know Sierra Nevada for its immensely popular Pale Ale, but it’s decided to team up with friends at St. George Spirits to craft a new limited-edition malt whiskey, “Ruthless.” Dropping on December 18, “Ruthless” is inspired by the pair’s earlier work making 2013’s Ruthless Rye IPA. Led by St. George Spirits’ head distiller Dave Smith, the project blends whiskeys from seven Ruthless Rye IPA casks with a small portion of the first barrel of St. George Single Malt Whiskey (which dates back to 1997). To stay updated on the release, head over to St George’s Spirits’ Instagram.

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