Important products aren’t always good or bad. Often, they fall somewhere in-between, all the while offering perspective on where a particular industry has found itself … and where it might be going.
This is the spirit driving the 12th annual GP100, Gear Patrol‘s mighty, end-of-year roundup collecting the year’s most relevant releases from tech, motoring, style and watches, outdoors and more.
This year, we also decided to do something we’ve never done in more than a decade of publishing the GP100: rank our winners, focusing on novelty, popularity and impact on culture at large.
You might not agree with our selections. You definitely won’t agree with the order. But maybe, just maybe, you might agree with us on this: products have never been so dynamic, exciting and downright important to our lives.
We will reveal the GP100 winners in batches of 20 over the course of this week. To stay on top of the countdown, bookmark the collection page. To see last year’s winners, follow this link.
40. A treadmill actually made for runners
WahooGP100 Winner
Wahoo Kickr Run
Specs
| Size | 72 x 38 x 58 inches |
| Top Speed | 4:00 per mile |
| Weight | 410 pounds |
Here’s the thing about treadmills. Most of them are made for gyms, not runners. They’re big, bulky machines, designed to go all day and take a beating. And if anyone cared to take their AirPods out, they’d realize just how loud they all get.
Meanwhile, the ones made for home use aren’t much better. Here, big screens and cushioned platforms have taken precedence over the thing runners really need: a place to run indoors, sometimes fast, not jump up and down while watching Netflix.
That’s the objective of the Wahoo Kickr Run, which arrived in 2024 as the industry’s first truly novel treadmill in decades. And get this, there’s no screen.
What the Kickr Run does offer is a max speed of 4:00 per mile for interval training and an ultra-quiet belt that won’t wake up the kids. However, its signature feature is something Wahoo calls the RunFree Mode that uses sensors to automatically adjust to the speed of the runner.
Combine that with side-to-side tilting capability, as well as a responsive surface that won’t suck the energy out of one’s stride, and you get a treadmill that mimics the feeling of running outdoors better than anything else out there.
Oh yeah, it uniquely measures speed in minutes per mile, not miles per hour. You know, the way real runners do.
39. A pocket-sized water filter
LifeStrawGP100 Winner
LifeStraw Sip Reusable Stainless-Steel Water Filter Straw
Specs
| Lifespan | 1,000 liters |
| Materials | Stainless steel |
| Weight | 3 ounces |
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$90 (26% off)
LifeStraw makes some of the best packable water filtration devices on the market. Their greatest strength is that all of them are capable of filtering out over 99.999 percent of all waterborne contaminants, including bacteria and parasites.
But up to this point, they look a lot like what they are: bulbous specialty water filtration devices. Plus, they’re all probably just a bit too big to be considered pocket-sized.
This year, the brand has made a big leap toward fixing both issues with the LifeStraw Sip, its sleekest, most compact offering to date.
LifeStrawThese new offerings sacrifice nothing technologically. While they can’t filter out viruses (you’ll still want to remain vigilant around potential fecal contaminants), they do filter out bacteria, parasites and even microplastics. Furthermore, each straw can filter up to 1,000 liters of water, making them a major boon for travelers everywhere.
They also boast a metal exterior that’s only a touch wider than other reusable straws. That means they’re small enough to pack in your bag or glove compartment and can be used discreetly wherever the drinking water might seem questionable.
38. A new breed of wireless earbuds
BoseGP100 WINNER
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Specs
| Battery Life | Up to 7.5 hours (per earbud) |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Water & Sweat Resistance | IPX4 |
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$299 (23% off)
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$299 (23% off)
This was a big year for open-ear wireless earbuds as all the biggest players (including Apple, which is marketing its AirPods 4 as having an “open-ear design”) seemingly got in on the action. But Bose’s innovative new entries were the runaway standout.
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds aren’t like most other open-ear wireless earbuds. Yes, they let in outside sounds so you can be aware of your surroundings while listening to music. But instead of having an ear-hook design (like the Nothing Ear Open), they have a unique silicone arm that clips to the outside of your ears, sort of like a pair of earrings.
BoseNot only does this design work — the Ultra Open Earbuds fit securely and are comfortable to wear — but Bose packed these earbuds with superb sound. They even use the company’s proprietary technology (called “OpenAudio”) that suppresses sound leakage, which is one of the biggest problems with open-ear wireless earbuds.
Additionally, Bose gave them a neat home theater feature (called “Personal Surround Sound”) that, when paired with Bose’s newest soundbars, allows them to function as rear-channel speakers in a private surround sound system. No other wireless earbuds, open-ear or otherwise, can do that.
37. A benchmark for supercars raises even higher
McLarenGP100 Winner
2025 McLaren 750S
Specs
| Power | 740-horsepower, 590 lb-ft of torque |
| 0-60 | 2.3 seconds |
What happens when a benchmark evolves?
The 2025 McLaren 750S arrives this year as a philosophical statement about pushing boundaries. When is too much too much? Where are the lines of design, mechanical performance, and supercar purity drawn? Where does a driver stop and a car start?
Far more than a successor to the 720S, the 750S represents McLaren’s most refined expression of pure driving. The lightest and most powerful series-production McLaren to ever come out of Woking, UK, the 750S is equally important as a demonstration of the brand’s commitment to approachability. McLarens are as shockingly easy to live with and drive as they are shockingly high in performance — something rarely said about supercars.
McLarenThis isn’t a vehicle that just goes fast. Yes, it does that too (2.3 seconds to 60mph), but in an era where you can buy EVs at a mall with that kind of acceleration, the McLaren stands out more as a testament to the sensational experience of transforming fuel into kinetic energy in a vehicle stripped of unnecessary complexity: a twin-turbocharged V8 generating 740 horsepower, power directed to the rear wheels, and a mere 3,062 pound curb weight.
Technologically, it represents the pinnacle of McLaren’s racing DNA. The advanced adaptive suspension, precision-tuned transmission, and revolutionary monoblock brake technology aren’t just specification boxes to be ticked — they’re part of the brand’s manifesto to performance. This vehicle assumes, perhaps demands, that the driver understands the difference between speed and velocity.
36. A simple tweak brings new appreciation to an icon
OmegaGP100 Winner
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional White
Specs
| Case Size | 42mm |
| Movement | Omega Cal. 3861 hand-wind chronograph |
| Water Resistance | 50m |
Watches don’t get any more iconic than the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional. That tends to happen when you lay claim to the title of “first watch worn on the moon.”
But icons don’t have to remain static. They can evolve, they can improve, and in the case of the Speedy, they can make an obvious yet simple change that ends up allowing everyone to see them in a new light.
OmegaThis year, Omega launched a new version of the Moonwatch with a white dial. There have been white Speedys before — several, in fact — but none quite like this. This one isn’t a limited edition, and it isn’t tied to any special event like the Olympics. It is the first time Omega has produced a regular production Moonwatch in stainless steel with a white dial.
That alone is a big deal; a legendary watch that’s always been black suddenly becoming available in the exact opposite color. But it’s the execution that really takes the watch over the top. It isn’t just a black Moonwatch with its colors inverted. The white dial is lacquered, the black indices applied and there’s that perfect pop of red for the “Speedmaster” font.
OmegaThe watch is utterly beautiful and allows us to appreciate the Speedmaster’s arguably perfect design through fresh eyes. It’s a worthy new chapter in what may be the greatest watch story ever told.
35. A pizza oven for the rest of us
OoniGP100 Winner
Ooni Koda 2 Max
Specs
| Dimensions | 29 x 16.5 x 25.5 inches |
| Fuel Type | Propane gas |
| Max Temperature | 950 °F |
Pizza ovens have exploded in popularity in recent years, replacing grills and griddles in outdoor kitchens across America.
But even the best examples have one fatal flaw. They’re only big enough to cook one pizza at a time. That might be fine for a week night, but when you’re on the line to feed a bunch of friends and family, well, you better get cookin’.
This year, Ooni’s gas-only Koda 2 Max addressed that issue head-on with an elegantly obvious solution: it’s big. Really big. But it’s also ridiculously useful.
OoniAn extra-large 24-inch stone surface can cook one giant New York-style pizza or a pair of Neapolitan pies at the same time. The Koda 2 Max also boasts independently controlled burners for dual-zone cooking, in case you want to swap one of those pies for a side … or two.
After all, there’s a whole party to feed.
34. The mini-truck is now hybrid and AWD
FordGP100 Winner
2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid
Specs
| Coolest Feature | 191 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque |
| Towing Capacity | Up to 4,000 pounds |
| Power | 8-speaker B&O sound system |
The 2025 Ford Maverick Hybrid w/AWD transcends its compact pickup origins to become a symbol for those who take pride in choosing practicality and versatility without compromise. It’s one of very few “IYKYK” vehicles left out there.
The Maverick Hybrid AWD speaks directly to urban adventurers, weekend warriors, and conscious consumers who seek a balance of both efficiency and capability. With its new intelligent hybrid powertrain, the Maverick delivers an impressive 40 mpg in city driving while still offering the flexibility of a true utility vehicle. More importantly, it doesn’t feel like a forfeiture of credibility for motoring enthusiasts to drive one. In fact, the Maverick oozes street-cred.
Ford’s engineering brilliance shines through brightly in the Maverick. The true compact pickup feels equally at home navigating tight city streets and tackling light off-road challenges — all with plenty of gear in tow. The power and delivery are just right.
FordBy combining Ford’s excellent hybrid powerplant with all-wheel drive, the Maverick vaults from a limited-use-case commuter tool into an essential tool capable of everything from city pragmatism to camping utility to long road trips. It’s the MacBook Air of pick-ups.
What truly elevates the Maverick to GP100 status is its democratization of automotive technology. It’s not just an entry-level truck; it’s a gateway to segment-leading hybrid efficiency and usable versatility, all at a price point that’s accessible to enthusiasts of all stripes.
The Maverick Hybrid AWD exceeds expectations, defies categorization, and represents a fresh take on an overlooked enthusiast in the US market.
33. Rolling luggage that stays put when needed
AerGP100 Winner
Aer Carry-On
Specs
| Dimensions | 22.7" x 15" x 9" |
| Volume | 48L |
| Weight | 8.4lbs |
Founded in 2014, Aer quickly became a fan favorite among style-savvy commuters and travelers for its collection of well-appointed, minimalist bags. However, it wasn’t merely their sleek exteriors that stood apart; it was how well they functioned, especially regarding organization.
Unfortunately, since its launch, the brand has only traded in soft-sided bags. That is, until the launch of its aptly named Aer Carry-On.
Finally, the brand offers its signature sleek style in a more rugged hardshell package, ideal for the rigors of air travel (and the carelessness of other travelers and TSA employees alike). However, as is the case with everything Aer makes, looks aren’t all it has to offer.
AerThe bag’s polycarbonate shell sits atop a quartet of Hinomoto Miraclent ball-bearing wheels. A brake system connects those wheels, allowing you to halt their rotation with the push of a discreet button on the handle.
That means whenever you stop in a busy airport, on a tram, in a train car or wherever else, your suitcase will stop with you and stay securely by your side.
Furthermore, it’s equipped with a recycled Cordura liner, a quick-action Fidlock magnetic compression system and a hidden pocket for an AirTag or other smart tracker. With Aer, it’s always all about the hidden details.
32. Google sets a new standard for foldables
GoogleGP100 Winner
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Specs
| Cover Display | 6.3-inch OLED |
| Inner Display | 8-inch OLED |
| Processor | Tensor G4 |
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$1,799 (17% off)
Sure, Google’s second-generation foldable smartphone is a mouthful. But despite its clunky name, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a massive upgrade from its predecessor, the 2023-released Pixel Fold. And it really feels deserving of the “Pro” name.
The most apparent improvement is on the hardware side. Google gave it substantially bigger screens — when folded, its 6.3-inch display is now identical to the base Pixel 9 — and made it significantly thinner so it doesn’t feel anywhere near as bulky as other foldables. In fact, when folded, it’s only 2mm thicker than Google’s non-foldable Pixel 9 Pro XL.
GoogleOf course, the main reason to get a foldable smartphone is to multitask and take advantage of its big tablet-sized screen — and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s 8-inch inner display is the biggest of any foldable smartphone. Boom.
This superb hardware (along with a flagship-quality camera system) is paired with Google’s Tensor G4 chip and custom Android operating system — both specifically made for Pixel. The result is a foldable smartphone that genuinely feels like two devices in one.
31. The king of collaboration keeps showing the world how its done
Georgio ArmaniGP100 Winner
Kith x Armani
It’s easy to feel numb about brand collaborations these days, especially in fashion. What was once an innovative vehicle for product experimentation and marketing buzz a decade ago now feels like brand strategy 101.
Yet occasionally, a partnership of epic proportions can still break through the increasing noise.
Kith – the elite retailer-turned famed house brand of footwear and clothing designer, Ronnie Fieg, deserves plenty of credit for pioneering this playbook. Over the years, the label has partnered with seemingly every major footwear brand including Nike, Adidas, ASICS and New Balance, in addition to major brands further afield including Coca-Cola, BMW, Taylor-Made Golf and yes, even Sesame Street.
However, this year’s collaboration with Giorgio Armani, the iconic Italian luxury brand and suitmaker, is arguably Fieg’s crown jewel to date. That’s partially because, surprisingly, it’s Armani’s first collaborative menswear collection ever.
Georgio ArmaniThe marketing campaign behind the partnership was also a celebrity-packed tour de force that even the most established fashion houses would struggle to imitate.
Designed around four professional archetypes of The Artist, The Entertainer, The Traveler, and The Entrepreneur, each of the four personas was modeled by Martin Scorsese, Pierce Brosnan, LaKeith Stanfield, and Fieg himself.
As for the clothes, Fieg announced on X this summer that after four years working on suits of his own, collaborating with Armani in the space would represent a dream come to fruition. And things clearly snowballed from there.
Georgio ArmaniThe final line includes four different blazers and matching pants, ten jackets, at least five mid-layers, and various other accessories, ranging from hiking boots, gloves, and ties to leather woven rucksacks, bucket hats, and bandannas. Refreshingly, most offerings also appear understated and wearable, prioritizing class and luxury over brash displays of exclusivity and cache.
And though the line’s premium price points were bound to hinder its mass appeal, the influence of this work goes beyond sales figures. Once again, the Kith team has raised the standard for creative brand partnerships, further cementing Fieg’s legacy as the king of collaboration.
30. The most powerful Land Rover Defender ever
Land RoverGP100 Winner
2025 Land Rover Defender OCTA
The Defender OCTA arrived this year as a bold statement in the frothy realm of luxury off-road performance vehicles. More than just ambitious engineering, this isn’t just another special edition Defender; it’s the ultimate expression of Land Rover’s adventurous heritage with a healthy dollop of hooliganism. After all, the man behind the OCTA was responsible for the Ford Raptor.
Powered by a 626-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 (two snorkels!) paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, the OCTA, which demarcates high-spec versions of Defenders, is an audacious interpretation of the popular new Defender. 60mph comes in just under four seconds. Its capabilities were developed and stress tested across the globe, including — listen up, enthusiasts — the Nurburgring race track.
Land RoverFurther distinguishing the OCTA from other performance SUVs is its holistic approach to off-road. Power, factory-equipped all-terrain tires, and an adaptive air suspension offering up to 11.5 inches of ground clearance are combined with a new “6D Dynamics” suspension first seen in the SV Range Rover Sport, which uses clever engineering and tech to communicate and react to imperfections before you even realize they’re present. It’s your very own off-road precog Agatha.
The Defender Octa’s offers a sense of occasion without losing the plot. It marks a moment for Land Rover to express its chops in luxury, performance, and capability — and flash some muscle. Those elements have all converged in the OCTA, yielding something legitimately special. It’s a bold debut for a pinnacle line of Defenders just as the “SV” has become for Range Rover. With this move, Land Rover’s strategy of separating their two iconic nameplates into distinct sub-brands may be looking pretty wise, after all.
29. An insider favorite moves up to the big leagues
H. Moser & Cie.GP100 WINNER
H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine Limited Edition
Specs
| Case Size | 42.3mm |
| Movement | H. Moser & Cie. Cal. HMC 811 automatic tourbillon |
| Water Resistance | 120m |
For several years now, H. Moser & Cie. — or simply “Moser” to those familiar with the brand — has been the ultimate “if you know, you know” brand. But that is changing.
Although the company’s origins stretch back to 1828, its current story really begins in 2012 when the Meylan family took control of the company. Since then, Moser has carved out a unique spot in the crowded independent luxury watch market through a combination of a signature minimalist style, high-end complications and an irreverant sense of humor.
While the brand remains small and little-known outside of collector’s circles, awareness of Moser has been steadily growing in recent years, with its biggest leap taking place this year with this very watch.
H. Moser & Cie.The watch is something to behold. It combines the brand’s hyper-modern Streamliner sports watch case with its mesmerizing skeletonized cylindrical tourbillon movement and a matching blue or pink rubber strap, a formula that is daringly sporty, impressively complicated and achingly cool.
But even greater than the watch itself is what it represents. It was created to mark Moser’s new sponsorship of the BWT Alpine F1 Team, a massive achievement for such a tiny company and something that should continue to fuel Moser’s growth on and off the track.
28. Wetsuit sustainability that doesn’t sacrifice surfing capability
BillabongGP100 Winner
Billabong Furnace Natural Upcycler Wetsuit
Specs
| Available Thicknesses | 2/2, 3/2, 4/3, 5/4 and 6/5 millimeter |
| Entry System | Chest zip |
| Foam Type | 100 percent neoprene-free natural rubber blend |
If we’ve learned anything covering outdoor products the past several years, it’s that if “sustainability” is your top selling point, you probably won’t sell very well.
And we get it: We don’t want to sacrifice performance, either — and together our wallets have done a great job of telling the industry, essentially, “do better.”
Which brings us to Billabong’s Furnace Natural Upcycler Wetsuit, perhaps the most comfortable, high-performance suit around — and also the most sustainable.
BillabongThe brand dovetailed these objectives by switching the source of the foam material composing most of the suit from fossil fuel- or limestone-derived neoprene to natural rubber.
Roughly 85 percent of the foam comes from sustainable, FSC-certified organic hevea rubber trees in Guatemala.
BillabongThe other 15 percent consists of “stabilizers” that are traditionally petroleum-based but here are made of post-consumer recycled Billabong wetsuits and other used rubber products such as tires. The rest of the suit is made of 100 percent post-consumer recycled textiles.
But unlike some products that sound earth-friendly but feel cruddy, the Upcycler is by all accounts superior surfwear. To us, this represents the next phase of sustainability: when the best thing for the planet becomes the best thing, period.
27. An affordable Matter-certified smart thermostat
MerossGP100 Winner
Meross Matter Smart Thermostat (MTS300)
Specs
| DIY Installation? | Yes, ~30 minutes |
| Installation | C-wire |
| Smart Home Compatibility | Matter (Apple Home, Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings) |
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$100 (30% off)
The beauty of Matter is that it has simplified the smart-home-building experience. Any Matter-certified gadget will work with any smart home ecosystem, be it Apple’s HomeKit, Amazon’s Alexa, Samsung’s SmartThings or Google Home.
Having officially launched in late 2022, there are a lot of Matter-certified devices these days, but Google has had a stranglehold on smart home thermostats. Its Nest Thermostat ($130) and fourth-gen Nest Learning Thermostat ($280) were the only two Matter-certified smart thermostats fit for HVAC systems in the US.
That’s since changed.
MerossThe Meross Matter Smart Thermostat is a third option, one that’s more affordable and bespoke. Its white glass panel camouflages better against white walls than Nest’s standout circular options. And it has many of the same abilities, including smart scheduling and energy tracking.
The only real hurdle is that the Meross Matter Smart Thermostat requires a common wire (or C-wire) installation, but that shouldn’t be a problem as, according to Meross, 95 percent of US homes have just that.
26. The ultimate compact wireless active speaker set
KefGP100 WINNER
KEF LSX II LT
Specs
| Power | Up to 200 watts |
| Resolution | Up to 24-bit/384kHz |
| Connectivity (wireless and wired) | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming; HDMI eARC, Toslink optical, digital coaxial, USB |
Wireless active speaker systems are one of the most popular components in modern hi-fi. They combine all the traditional components of a stereo system into a pair of bookshelf speakers, so you have a super versatile plug-and-play system that supports both physical sources and wireless streaming.
For years, KEF has been the most prominent brand in wireless active speaker systems. Its LS50 Wireless II ($2,500) are the current gold standard, but the speakers are quite large and expensive. The good news is that the LSX II ($1,300) is a shrunk-down and more affordable hi-fi system … but it’s still far from cheap.
Enter the KEF LSX II LT ($1,000). The speaker system is nearly identical to the the LSX II in basically every way — size, power, sound quality and versatility — but with a select small tradeoffs that have enabled KEF to drop the price by a few hundred bucks. It’s the company’s most affordable wireless speaker system to date.
KEFAs far as those trade-offs, there are two main ones. The speakers are both individually amplified, but both amplifiers are built-in the primary speaker and thus the two speakers need to be always tethered together. And secondly, the LT speakers lack an analog AUX input aren’t the best for a turntable.
But if you’re looking to hook these active speakers to a TV (via HDMI ARC) or computer (via USB-C), or stream high-resolution audio over Wi-Fi, they’re probably the best bang-for-your-buck all-in-one hi-fi systems you can buy.
25. A love letter to rally racing heritage
PorscheGP100 Winner
Porsche 911 Dakar
In a marketplace saturated with collector bait, the 2024 Porsche 911 Dakar emerges as a legitimately special vehicle. Equal parts a celebration of their rally heritage and recognition of an unignorable subculture amongst Porsche enthusiasts, Porsche turned a hobbyist’s dream into a road-going reality. The Dakar isn’t simply an off-road-ready 911; it’s a love letter to Porsche’s rally racing history, where precision engineering and peak driver skill are tested against untamed wilderness.
Inspired by the iconic 953 and 959 rally machines that conquered the challenging Paris-Dakar race, the 911 Dakar goes beyond conventional sports car boundaries in requisite Porsche fashion. With a lifted suspension, robust underbody protection, and all-terrain tires, the 911 Dakar begs you to take it where Cayennes and Macans rarely go, all while maintaining quintessential Porsche driving dynamics. It is the best of all worlds, the ultimate usable 911, the kind of car you think about at least once a day. The kind of car you drive just because.
PorschePowered by a 473-horsepower variant of the GTS engine, the 911 Dakar proudly proclaims that performance isn’t confined to smooth tarmac but can now tear across loose surfaces with the same reckless abandon traditionally reserved for purpose-built 4x4s. The specially tuned PDCC (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control) system is key to allowing the Dakar to seamlessly transition from precision cornering to unstructured exploration, a testament to the breadth of Porsche engineers’ grasp on what the chassis can do. After all, what is Porsche, if not an entire company of obsessed engineers and designers working to solve problems no one knew they had?
Limited to just 2,500 units, the 911 Dakar is easily one of the most coveted Porsches in recent history, and the starting prices reflect that. Expect reality at dealers to be far higher. That being said, the Dakar’s importance for offering a singular experience amongst singular experiences justifies the price of admission.
24. A dive watch that perfectly balances form and function
Christopher WardGP100 Winner
Christopher Ward C60 Trident Lumière
Specs
| Case Size | 41mm |
| Movement | Sellita SW300-1 automatic |
| Water Resistance | 300m |
The best watches are those that equally prioritize their utility and looks. This diver from Christopher Ward is a masterclass in how to do just that.
When it comes to utility, the Lumière has it in spades. Its bracelet has a quick-adjust clasp, it has a helium escape valve and its automatic movement is COSC-certified. Its materials are all top-notch, too. The thin case and bracelet are made of lightweight titanium, there’s a fully-lumed ceramic bezel insert and Globolight is used for the hands and indices.
Christopher WardGlobolight is a luminescent ceramic material made by Xenoprint that is most often utilized by watches far more expensive than anything Christopher Ward makes. Its use here is very welcome — it’s around twice as bright as typical lume-filled indices — and is yet another example of CW’s longstanding tradition of democratizing luxury watch traits.
Christopher WardPerhaps what’s most impressive about the Lumière is the way all of these features come together. From the mix of fine polishing on the case to the stark-white beauty of the Globolight to the way the muted gray of the Grade 2 titanium contrasts with the saturated color of the fumé dial, everything has been carefully considered to ensure that utility never gets in the way of beauty — and vice versa.
23. A gadget that turns (some) bikes into e-bikes
BimotalGP100 Winner
Bimotal Elevate EBike Motor System
Specs
| Continuous Torque | 50 Nm |
| Power at the Wheel | 750 watts |
| Battery life | ~30 minutes (full blast) to 3-plus hours (conservative) |
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$1,995 (10% off)
Some innovations are immediately resonant. Others’ impact lies in shifting paradigms. In rare cases, a breakthrough disrupts conventional thought while also being super cool right now.
That’s where we find the Bimotal Elevate EBike Motor System. Mount this 8-pound drive unit/battery pack/rotor-gear/throttle package to a compatible two-wheeler and you’ve got a Class 2 e-bike hitting 20 miles per hour.
BimotalNow, there are limitations. First, It’s pricey. Second, the range ain’t great. (Although in fairness, Bimotal product engineer Neil Flock tells us battery packs are relatively small and light — about the size of a small cycling bottle — making it possible to bring a few extras for, say, gravity laps at a mountain bike park.)
Third, power flows through the rear disc brake, giving your chain a rest but also requiring a disc-brake bike — and (currently) one with an external post mount or iso mount. (Examples include the Specialized Stumpjumper and Canyon Torque mountain bikes.)
Still, once you’re set up, the use cases multiply. Its quick-release capability means, for instance, you could throttle to the trailhead and then switch to pedaling, be an e-commuter all week and a trad MTBer on weekends, or simply keep up with e-biking friends.
Beyond turning a bike into an e-bike, then, what entrances us is the ability to switch between analog and electric. And considering Bimotal says they’ve also engineered twice the torque per weight of other systems, the party might just be getting started.
22. The fastest marathon shoe, ever
NikeGP100 Winner
Nike Alphafly 3
Specs
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 8mm |
| Stack Height | 40mm |
| Weight | 7.6 ounces (men's US size 10) |
These days, super shoes are a dime a dozen. So how do you convince everyday runners that your kicks are the real deal?
Two world records certainly help.
That’s about as convincing a case as Nike can make in regards to the Alphafly 3, the brand’s $285 super shoe that broke both the men’s and women’s marathon time records and released to consumers in early 2024. It’s also readily available, as opposed to other brands’ offerings that are rarer than a first-edition Charizard.
No wonder the Alphafly was the year’s top running shoe at global marathons, according to Strava’s latest Year in Sport report.
NikeLike versions one and two, the third-generation Alphafly includes a pair of Air Zoom units in the forefoot, a thick layer of ZoomX (Nike’s top-of-the-line foam) and full-length carbon-fiber plate. Nike also equipped the Alphafly 3 with a new Atomknit upper and rocker profile that’s continuously rounded, all the while making the shoe 15 percent lighter.
Admittedly, the changes result in a running shoe that’s more iterative than revolutionary. But the performances it empowered are proof enough that even small changes can break big barriers. Sometimes, more than once.
21. The future of fitness-focused wireless earbuds
SennheiserGP100 WINNER
Sennheiser Momentum Sport
Specs
| Battery Life | Up to 6 hours (per earbud) |
| Water-resistance | IP55 (earbuds); IP54 (case) |
| Sensors | In-ear heart rate and body temperature sensors |
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$329.95 (39% off)
When it comes to wireless earbuds, Sennheiser has been one of the best in the business for years. Its Momentum line — headlined by the flagship Momentum True Wireless 4 ($300) — packs immersive sound and top-notch active noise cancellation, albeit demanding a premium price, too.
The Sennheiser Momentum Sport are the company’s fitness-focused wireless earbuds that adopt the same elite level of sound and ANC as their Momentum brethren, but have a more durable build and a design — thanks to the integrated earwings — better suited for an active lifestyle.
SennheiserMost significantly, Sennheiser has integrated the Momentum Sport with health sensors for heart-rate tracking and body temperature monitoring — features that very few other wireless earbuds have. You can check these stats on the company’s Smart Control app or Polar Flow. If you use a third-party app like Strava and Training Peaks, the earbuds can also automatically send over your workout data.
Given the price and advanced fitness sensors, the Sennheiser Momentum Sport are best reserved for serious athletes. But they’re one of the standout wireless earbuds of the year because they offer a glimpse into the future of fitness wearables.
You’ve reached the end of this section of the GP100, our countdown of the year’s most significant releases. Check out the collection page to see what else made the list or browse last year’s winners.