Today in Gear: Start the Week Here

There’s no arguing that Musk has been behind some incredible innovations, but he’s also created an equal or more significant number of calamities, both personal and public. The latest in Musk’s long string of bullshit, as reported by TIME Magazine, revolves around the inane and essentially defunct Hyperloop. Musk admitted to a biographer that the tunnel project “was all about trying to get legislators to cancel plans for high-speed rail in California—even though he had no plans to build it.” Yep, to “solve” Cali’s transport problem, Musk spent a gajillion to develop a tunnel that will never work, literally to squash public transportation that… always works. Cool! Cool, cool, cool.

Today we’re checking out Ford’s new Hertiage Editions of the Bronco and Bronco Sport, VanMoof’s latest e-bike and affordable and very modern floorstanding speakers. This is Today in Gear.

Today in Gear is our daily roundup of all the latest product announcements, drops and news from Gear Patrol Studios. Send your most pressing product questions to [email protected].

Vans Reimagines Eco-Friendly Footwear With the New UltraRange VR3

Vans

Vans new UltraRange VR3 ($12) reinforces the brand’s long-term sustainability goals and paves the way for a new generation of footwear made from regenerative, responsibly sourced renewable and recycled materials. To craft these new shoes, Vans tapped the popular surfboard shaper Pepe Rivas to learn how he uses reclaimed materials (like leftover foam scraps) to cut down on overall waste. The new shoes include an EcoCush midsole made of at least 50 percent biobased EVA foam partially derived from plant-based sources, as well as a one-piece knit upper made from a blend of 50 percent organic cotton, 36 percent recycled PET and 14 percent recycled nylon. The shoes also feature Vans’ all-new EcoWaffle™ rubber compound made with responsibly sourced natural rubber (instead of petroleum-derived synthetic rubber), which is engineered to maintain the usual grip and durability fans have come to expect from the iconic skate and surf brand.

Ford has granted retro-philes’ wishes.

Ford

Well, well, well. It seems Ford knows exactly what we want. The company has just released another slate of special editions of its newest (or oldest, depending on how you look at it) off-road-ready Bronco and Bronco Sport SUVs: Heritage Edition and Heritage Limited Edition. These new models feature comprehensive, vintage-inspired styling packages harkening back to O.G. ’60s Broncos. Appropriately, 1,966 of each available model will be made – another homage to 1966, the year the Bronco debuted. The packages include retro colorways and white roofs, unique lettering on the grille and alloy wheels that complete the look. Bronco Sport Heritage and Heritage Limited Editions will list for MSRPs of $34,245 and $44,655, respectively; Bronco Heritage and Heritage Limited Editions will begin at MSRPs of $44,305 and $66,895. Check out all the particulars in Ford’s press release below, and act fast because Ford is taking orders now.

The latest VanMoof e-bike is predictably gorgeous.

VanMoof

VanMoof has announced a new variation on its two-year-old S3 e-bike model, the limited-edition VanMoof S3 Aluminum ($2,648). Featuring all of VanMoof’s typical (and splendid) tech and features, the S3 Aluminum’s frame is constructed of gorgeous brushed aluminum joined by raw welding. At the same time, its fully-integrated handlebars, 28-inch tires and a one-piece saddle are all finished in black. With no other colorways or options, the new e-bike lives up to VanMoof’s “Beauty in Simplicity” mantra.

IKEA adds a boatload of EV fast-chargers to its stores.

IKEA

As if anyone needed another reason to go to IKEA, the minimalist furniture brand will be adding ultra-fast EV charging stations to over 25 of its locations across 18 U.S. states. The effort is part of IKEA’s goal to become a fully “circular and climate positive business by 2030” and will quadruple the total number of EV chargers at its stores. By the end of 2023, there will be “more than 200 individual ultra-fast chargers offering the fastest charging speeds available today – 150kW to 350kW.” IKEA has partnered with Electrify America and Electrify Commercial to install the network, including charging for its delivery fleet vehicles.

Fluance’s $500 floorstanding speakers are ready for anything.

Fluance

After having been somewhat left behind in recent years as smaller bookshelf speakers received more and more tech updates, Floorstanding speakers seem to be getting much-needed attention. Fluance is one brand leading the charge: its new Ai81 Floorstanding Speakers ($500 for a pair) are big statement pieces that’ll do pretty much everything its tiny cousins can. The Ai81s are three feet tall powered speakers that feature an integrated 150-watt amp, DAC and other wired and wireless connectivity options, including Bluetooth. (Yes, there’s an optical port to link to your TV.)

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