Today in Gear: News to Kick Off Your Week

It’s a familiar headline since the COVID-19 pandemic took hold back in 2020, chip shortages have slowed and delayed product releases (or, in the worse case, scuttled releases indefinitely). In a bit of good news, at the end of last week the House of Representatives passed the America COMPETES Act, which — among other things — allocates several billion dollars for semiconductor manufacturing. If this legislation were to go in effect, it would help America soften the blow of what feels like regular chip shortages (something exacerbated by COVID’s damage to the global supply chain) and compete with China when it comes to technological development. It’s great news to see our politicians want to invest domestic production like this… that is, if Democrats and Republicans can agree on how to actually get this done; given that the act passed in the House on party lines, this support is likely to get tied up in the legislature and the two sides hammer out a compromise. Politics aside, we’re giving you the download on Octomore’s new 10-year-old whiskey, a newly designed blade from Real Steel and a Japanese-made replacement to your Patagonia shearling. This is Today in Gear.

Design the one-of-a-kind yard of your dreams with Tilly.

Tilly

It’s understandable that people want to invest just as much in their backyard as they do the interior of their house. Tilly is revolutionizing the way people can redesign their yard by delivering the process online, all while still offering a bespoke experience at a more affordable price than traditional landscape consulting. Each project kicks off with a questionnaire and a one-on-one virtual consultation with an accredited landscape designer who is an expert in your region. In the end you’ll receive personalized plans you can DIY or hire a contractor to install.

Bruichladdich’s Octomore debuts new decade-aged release.

Bruichladdich

Among whiskey fans, Octomore is known as the makers of some of the most heavily-peated whiskeys you can buy. This new release, the fifth edition of the “Aged Ten Years” has been matured for five years on American oak before spending the final five years on Spanish Ribera del Duero barriques. For those wondering if this bottle will represent Octomore’s usual full flavor, Octomore’s bottles have a minimum 80 phenol ppm (usually going much higher into the hundreds). This bottle is malted to 90.3 ppm.

New Belgium’s Fat Tire teams up with Burton on new gear collection (yes, there’s a snowboard).

New Belgium Brewing

Who says beer and outdoor activities don’t go together? New Belgium’s Fat Tire label has teamed with snowboarding label Burton on a collection of gear that will should deliver on a casual day on the slopes (or fit right in while you’re drinking some Fat Tire at the lodge). While the offering is mainly apparel, the collection does include a Burton Backseat Driver pow surfer (basically a bindingless snowboard).

Real Steel kicks of its 2022 releases with the new Huginn.

Real Steel

Designed by notable designer Ivan Braginets, Real Steel’s first major release is the Huginn model. While the model is built to be slim and sports a 3.66 inch drop point blade, the model is designed to be slightly larger than your average EDC; consider it something for both in-pocket carry and for heavier chores and even meal prep. The blade steel is VG-10. Considering the success Braginets and Real Steel have had with the Rokot, expect this model to follow suit.

Move over Patagonia: This isn’t your typical fleece jacket.

Standard & Strange

There’s nothing wrong with Patagonia, but sometimes you need a fleece to have a little something extra. This piece from Japanese label The Real McCoy’s is a virtual one-to-one reproduction of fleece jackets from the 1970s (for those who are unfamiliar, The Real McCoy’s is a brand that specializes in recreating old, usually military garments, down to the exact threads and stitch techniques). Made with a custom wool pile fabric, you’ll want to size down as — true to the vintage style — the fit is roomy.

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