Make Space For VSSL on Your Next Adventure

When shopping for survival kits, settling on one designed by someone who spent their childhood roaming the backcountry of Northern Canada is never a bad idea. From a young age, Todd Weimer, the founder of VSSL, knew the value of space, and the cost of weight, while crafting camping kits for long excursions. He’s since improved on his designs — with the help of field experts in Overlanding and emergency first aid — to produce the VSSL adventure kit: a 16-ounce, 9″ by 2″ waterproof aluminum tube that could save your life. A typical kit houses a collection of replaceable, themed pods, like Russian nesting dolls of outback survivalism, that include: water purifiers, first aid, fishing line, firestarters, cloth, tape, sewing kits, can openers, etc. The kit is held together, literally, by an LED flashlight (with 40 hours of runtime on S.O.S mode) at one end and a compass at the other. Essentially, VSSL is the distilled down version of your neighbor’s apocalypse bunker, minus the canned food.

1. Small Details:
With so much to do in such a small package, little things make or break a survival kit. This is why the VSSL flashlight runs on N-type batteries — because AA and AAA are the first to go in an emergency — and includes 3 LED lights, in case one fails.

2. Military Dependency:
As a training aid, the flagship VSSL is used by the Canadian Armed Forces at their wilderness survival school. The wire saw is the same one used by the British Military. The can opener? Military-grade. The aluminum container? Military-grade. You get the idea.

3. Giving Back:
From the beginning, VSSL has partnered with the non-profit Communitas in order to hire young people with special needs to assemble each VSSL kit. Each kit is designed and assembled in British Columbia, with a defective rate of less than 1% in the 4 years since founding.

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This Machine Makes Perfect Pour Over Coffee Every Time

In this modern, artisanal world, the goalline for even the simplest of pleasures, like — as Agent Dale Cooper would put it — a damn fine cup of coffee, pushes farther away each year. Coffee has never been more complicated and fussed over, which is why the first thing you’ll notice about the sleekly designed Ratio Eight, a luxury coffee machine made by nerds, for nerds, is that it only has one button. There’s nothing to set and no variables to manage; the machine automatically detects the amount of water in its tank and customizes the brew cycle for perfect coffee every time. And in this regard, it’s insanely consistent. The machine delivers optimally heated, 200-degree water, every time. But the thing is, the Ratio Eight doesn’t brew a fantastic cup of drip coffee. It brews a fantastic cup of pour-over coffee. That same, expensive cup that a sweating barista has to make personally, complete with a bloom cycle, is now available at the press of a button.

1. Stop Thinking:
While comparable coffee and espresso machines feature a dashboard of knobs, buttons, and multicolored lights, the Ratio Eight has only one button. (For those interested, subtle white lights signal what’s happening in the brew cycle). But when it really shines is on lazy mornings with guests; whether making a 40-ounce carafe or a 16-ounce to-go cup, the machine automatically fine-tunes the entire brewing process.

2. Bloom Cycle:
The bloom cycle is what sets your typical diner coffee apart from a $4 cup at your local coffee aficionados’ spot. The Ratio Eight automatically soaks the grounds and allows time for the bloom cycle time to occur, which releases CO2 trapped in the beans, before continuing to brew. Welcome to more nuanced, less acidic coffee.

3. Built to Last:
The Ratio Eight juxtaposes state of the art technology with natural finishes; die-cut aluminum and borosilicate glass contrast with premium hardwood. The machines are assembled by hand and are designed to outlive your current coffee maker, complete with a five-year warranty. As a bonus, they’re easy to take apart and clean, so maintenance is a breeze.

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Go From Meetings to the Mountaintop With Troubadour’s Explorer Collection

Among the sea of products built for the ubiquitous “modern man on the move,” Troubadour stands above the rest with obsessive detailing and clinic-clean lines. The company first gained cult status with overnight bags that were sleek, weatherproof (what else would you expect from a brand based in London), and a bit pricey. Their new Explorer series doubles down on out-of-office adventuring, but at a price that appeals to those who work to live, and not the other way around. The collection — which ranges from 26-liter cycling-inspired rucksacks to 16-liter commuter-friendly totes — comes standard with pockets aplenty for quickly accessing pens, zipping away valuables, and padding your breakables. These efficiencies of minimal design and maximal utility are bundled into an unbelievably lightweight, obsessively sturdy bag made of waterproof fabric and zippers, in addition to an antimicrobial lining. It’s the only bag you need, anywhere.

1. No Sweat:
Constructed from lightweight fabrics with as few seams as possible, Troubadour bags are impossibly lightweight. Pair this with an electro-molded breathable back panel and padded straps engineered to prevent pressure points, and you’ll arrive at the office with a sweat-free back, ready to work.
2. Airport Engineering:
The Explorer series shines during rainy, off-piste adventures, but details such as a built-in trolley sleeve that slides over the handle on your rolling luggage are the real heroes. These bags keep you free and agile, whether you’re climbing a rock face or sliding through airport security.
3. Peace of Mind:
None of Troubadour’s bags use paints, finishes, or chemicals that harm the environment. And rest assured, all fabrics come Bluesign approved for guaranteed sustainable manufacturing, and all leathers are naturally vegetable-tanned. Any problems? Each bag comes with a five-year guarantee against any manufacturing fault.

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The Max Bill Is the Best Affordable Watch for the Stylish Guy

During the middle of the last century, the Swiss architect-designer Max Bill began, through his Concrete Art movement, to reshape popular graphic design. Bill — who most notably co-founded the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Germany, the most progressive design school at the time — started focusing his design prowess on everyday products, at a time when other legendary designers were doing the same. Think Schlumbohm’s Chemex from 1941 or Eames’ lounger from 1956. It was time chronographs joined the trend.

The opportunity came when Junghans, the German watch manufacturer, approached Bill and asked for two clocks. The resulting designs, which now both reside in the collection at the MoMA, launched a lasting relationship between designer and brand. And so, in 1961, Junghans turned Bill’s attention to crafting purist wristwatches that paired his elegant styling with their precise movements. A decade later, Junghans landed the role of official timekeeper at the 1972 summer Olympics. Today, the technical construction of the Max Bill by Junghans collection is state of the art, while the designs remain timeless Bill.

1. Fit Your Budget:
The Max Bill by Junghans collection comes in a range of price points, and each watch face features the designer’s iconic styling. From the self-winding chronoscope to the more budget-friendly quartz movement, the tenant of “good design” in everyday objects is the democratization of functional beauty.
2. Find Your Strap:
The collection is available in a simple array of color combinations, allowing wearers to tailor the watch face’s go-with-anything-aesthetic to well… go with anything. The dials come in white, black, silver, and anthracite, while the straps are available in black, brown, tan, and felt grey leather, in addition to stainless steel Milanese.
3. Distilled Functionalism:
“Functional design considers the visual aspect, that is, the beauty of an object as a component of its function, but not one that overwhelms its other primary functions,” said designer Max Bill about his iconic design philosophy.

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This Handlebar Bag Makes Access on the Fly a Breeze

Any truly great outdoor company chips away at the barrier between the explorer and their environment. For the Overlanding cyclist, San Francisco-based Outer Shell applies this philosophy to clever bike accessories that blend minimal, weatherproof design with maximal ease of access. The Drawcord Handlebar Bag is clutch for storing anything a bikepacker needs close at hand, but it really shines for adventure photographers who prefer to shoot on two wheels. An auto-closing, weatherproof lid allows riders quick, one-handed access to their camera for photos on the fly. No more wasted seconds digging through zippered backpacks.

1. Expandable Storage:
The 8” x 4” x 5” bag stores up to six 12-ounce cans, or the rough equivalent of one camera, an extra lens, and a rain jacket. The 3.5” expandable drawcord section allows you to squeeze in a few extras on a longer trip, while camera padding and foam spacers (purchased separately) provide additional protection on the trail.
2. One-Handed Access:
Don’t miss a shot while fumbling with zippers or searching through disorganized shoulder bags. Outer Shell uses a unique drawcord lock system that allows riders to open and close the bag with one hand while riding. And the storm flap lid automatically flips closed, keeping your gear covered between uses.
3. Weatherproof:
While we always recommend a dry bag for serious moisture control out in the field, the Drawcord Handlebar Bag’s waterproof X-Pac construction uses fewer seams, zero zippers on main compartments, and an auto-closing lid to keep your electronics away from the weather. Leaky bag? Outer Shell stands behind their gear with a warranty.

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This American-Made Tote Is a Crush-Worthy Carryall

Orox Leather Company arrived on the scene in 2012 in the heart of Portland, Oregon. For this family business, craftsmanship is a birthright that crossed four continents and four generations. Today, the Orox founder José Martinez and his three sons Martin, Kevin and Levi blend designs and techniques from Japan, Mexico and the Americas. This fusion approach produces unique silhouettes like the Viator Tote, a leather and canvas carryall. The Viator Tote is at once a utilitarian daily-carry bag and sharply dressed weekender. It offers 14 liters of storage capacity, a rugged removable English bridle leather shoulder strap and an elegant profile that effortlessly fuses a waxed canvas core and a rich Horween exterior. The result is a simple yet polished shoulder bag that rises to almost any use case.

1. Elegant Utility:
The Viator Tote’s unique shape allows for myriad applications: stow a laptop and other work items in the internal pockets or deploy the 14-liter capacity for an overnight getaway or carry it on your next flight. Slide the luggage strap over your suitcase handle or clip on the adjustable bridle leather strap for shoulder carry.
2. Solid Brass Hardware:
A great bag is nothing without the right hardware. That’s why all three of the Viator Tote’s zippers and both strap grommets are fashioned from solid brass, adding reliability and strength to an already robust design.
3. Lifetime Warranty:
Every Orox Leather Co. product comes backed with a limited lifetime warranty that covers all defects in materials and craftsmanship for the life of the product. And, while leather will naturally age and change over time and with use, each product is designed from the beginning to fashionably patina with wear and use without compromising the look and feel of the product.

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These American-Made Bags Are Now 20% Off

In the bustle of Portland’s Chinatown, Martin Martinez places the finishing touches on a rich leather shoulder bag. Beneath its refined, polished appearance lies a story that spans oceans, continents and four generations. It is the story of a family bound by a single craft; the story of Orox Leather.

Whether you’re looking for a unique seasonal gift, or ready to upgrade your personal carry, Orox is a brand you shouldn’t miss. Through 10/16, get 20% off all Orox Leather Co. goods when you shop at the Gear Patrol Store.

The History

The tale begins in Oaxaca, Mexico with Don Felipe Martinez Audelo who was, among other things, a ballplayer. To keep his team equipped, Don Felipe developed custom-made baseball gloves and belts for his baseball team, Los Audelos. Over time, his sons grew up alongside Don Felipe, playing baseball and learning the craft of traditional leatherworking.

Don Felipe’s middle son, Pepe, grew the craft into a family business with the help of his brothers, and in so doing ingrained a love of leatherworking in his son José. By early adulthood, José’s prowess as a maker earned him an invitation to teach traditional Mexican leather crafting in Japan. José ended up spending six years in Japan, teaching his trade and learn traditional Japanese techniques. When José returned to Oaxaca, still fascinated with Japanese culture and its craft, he found his son Martin’s interest in craftsmanship was burgeoning.

Orox founder, creative leader, and master leather maker José Martinez

A New Generation

Having grown up surrounded by his family’s history of craftsmanship, Martin’s interest lay in entrepreneurship and he soon moved to the United States to study business at Portland State University. There, he decided to re-ignite the family trade, and over the course of a decade, he gathered his family together in Portland. There, Orox Leather was born. Combining Oregon (Or) with Oaxaca (ox), the Martinez family business was fully realized in America when they opened shop in Portland in 2012.

Martin Martinez, left, with his father and Orox founder José Martinez at their Portland store

Today, Orox Leather’s blend of heritage and craftsmanship produces a unique blend of techniques that feels at once classic, worldly and wholly new. Underpinned by tradition and a deep love for craftsmanship, Orox Leather is a promising fresh face in the world of American-made leather goods. We sat down with Martin Martinez to get his take on craftsmanship, leatherworking and to learn more about the brand.

Q: It seems now that those who love leather goods have more options than ever. How do you differentiate your products from similar brands?
A:We share the same core value — Made in America —with a focus on craftsmanship and durability. What we try to do is connect at a deeper level because each piece is unique and there’s a story behind it, a depth that comes with a multi-generational family business. My father would stop people wearing his sandals and bags and adjust them, tweak them to be more comfortable or look better. That’s how he operated: he still had a connection to that piece or pair of sandals and he was committed to ensuring the customer was getting the most out of it, no matter how long ago it was purchased from him. This attitude rolls down to all our employees and is the soul of our business.

The Ryoko Duffel, inspired by Japanese aesthetics

Q: Where do you draw inspiration for your products?
A:It starts with my father and grandfather. They were able to conceptualize patterns and silhouettes in their minds. He’s very much a trailblazer, my father. He’ll often meet with a client to get a rough idea and some details of what they’re looking for, and then he sketches it out in his mind. After a few iterations, he’ll have created a finished product. We also draw inspiration from Japanese, European and American brands. Onitsuka Tiger, Hardgraft and Filson come to mind, and being in Oregon, we’ve always been inspired by Nike in terms of the drive to innovate and focus on aesthetics. We’re also surrounded by a lot of shoe enthusiasts in Portland’s Chinatown. It’s a neighborhood that’s attracted a lot of makers and crafters because of cheaper rents, and really fostered a lot of creativity and created a sense of community.

Q: What makes a good bag?
A:Leather needs to age gracefully, transform over time and become unique to you. I like to experiment with different leathers; for example, testing hides with different levels of waxes and oils that act as natural protection. In a bag, space and functionality are key. For example, the Viator Tote is great for travel — I put my camera in there and it has a strap to serves both as a home for our logo and also to seamlessly attach to my suitcase- those are the kind of features that make me love using it. I also want a bag to be as light as a leather bag can be, and spacious.

The Viator Tote

Q: What is often overlooked by manufacturers?
A:Sometimes there are too many materials without stories, with not a lot of thought about how is it going to age, but rather how it looks on the shelf. There isn’t enough thought put to timelessness.

Q: What do you say to people who say your bags are too expensive?
A:I first speak to the materials — we source only the highest quality hardware and hides because that quality is passed on to the end-user. I also emphasize the people behind the products. We pay fair wages and take care of our team. That cost of doing business well translates to higher price tags, but we know that it’s worth it. As a self-funded company, we appreciate each and every customer because, through their purchases, they are caring for and supporting our family, community, and craft. Maybe our goods are an expensive luxury, but then again, we see that patrons come away with so much more than just a bag.

Q: What are your favorite pieces?
A:The Nuntius X briefcase is one. When I first started building the business, I wanted something that looked professional to bring to meetings, but that would hold up to daily bike rides– my primary mode of transportation. It’s a product that has undergone countless design modifications and updates to evolve it into a perfect briefcase. I still use it today, along with the Viator Tote.

The Nantius X Messenger Bag

Q: What does the future hold for you?
A:We have big aspirations to become a leader in the leather accessories market by creating durable products that are timeless, iconic, and functional. We want to become a more socially responsible company by creating job opportunities in places and demographics in need like the ones in Oaxaca, Mexico. Our home town is full of talented individuals without opportunities to succeed. By creating jobs in those areas it prevents migration into the USA and the loss of culture. Preserving that craft at a good living wage is very important to us. Sourcing the best leather is another ambition of ours. We want to be using the latest and most innovative leathers in the world, on the cutting edge of the material as it develops. We want to work hard on being at the vanguard of style and sustainability in our sourcing. Model companies like Patagonia are very influential in the direction we want to take with our small family business and we are excited to make it a reality.

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Stock Up With 20% Off at the Gear Patrol Store

The Gear Patrol Store is dedicated to sourcing the best products out there, from the newest iterations from well-traveled brands to fresh products and new designs. For a limited time, we’re offering 20% off our entire store to help you get the best gear at even better prices. Whether you’re looking for everyday carry items, elevated leather goods, audio and hi-fi equipment or refined home goods, we’ve got you covered. As always, all U.S. orders receive free standard shipping.
Discount applied automatically at checkout; some exclusions apply.

Audioengine Speakers

Audioengine’s line up of impressively-designed speakers and accessories brings high fidelity sound into your home or office space while offering wireless connectivity and analog compatibility.

Sunski Sunglasses

For the beach, mountains, and everywhere the sun’s out. Sunski sunglasses are lightweight, polarized and made of recycled materials.

The James Brand

The James Brand’s understated aesthetic and unrivaled build quality set it apart in modern knife making. From keychain blades to full fixed-blade utility pieces, a James Brand knife should be on your hit list.

Isofrane Dive Straps

With a unique polymer that retains the flex and stretch of rubber, but resists salt corrosion and breakdown from sun exposure, ISOfrane makes one of the best dive straps on the planet.

Velomacchi Collection

Velomacchi’s line of tough-as-nails bags and accessories are built from top to bottom with the toughest materials and designed for high-speed travel.

Gear Patrol Goods

From our PATROL line of tees and sweatshirts to a whole host of branded products, Gear Patrol Goods are a great way to rep Gear Patrol while supporting our editorial efforts.

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Six Essentials for a Better Fall Hike

Summer is over, and while the beach chairs might be packed away until next year, the changing of the seasons means new ways to escape to the outdoors. One of our favorite ways to recharge as the leaves begin to turn is a weekend hike. But just like lounging on your favorite stretch of sand, a fall hike can be made much better with a few simple additions. Whether you’re taking on a challenging summit or simply stretching your legs, here are six essentials that will make your fall hike a little more enjoyable.

Mystery Ranch Scree 32

Mystery Ranch is built on a heritage of function, comfort, quality, and durability. Since 2000, Mystery Ranch has been manufacturing packs and load carriage systems for military, hunting, wildland fire, and mountaineering customers, with a focus on use-specific designs and hand-built quality.
This mid-size, technical daypack offers ready access to your hiking kit via Mystery Ranch’s signature, 3-zip design. The Scree 32 is a versatile 32-liter pack with an ideal capacity for most of your outdoor adventures. Longer hikes require ample hydration, so the Scree 32 is both hydration compatible as well as offering easy-to-reach water bottle pockets. For smaller essentials you want to keep organized, there’s a spacious zippered pocket the waist belt that’s well suited for your phone, chapstick and other small essentials

The James Brand Ellis

The Ellis is The James Brand’s competitor to the traditional Swiss Army Knife but with the added bonus of a lock-back feature which secures the blade and bottle opener/screwdriver while in use. The partially-serrated drop point blade is perfect for everything from prepping snacks or cutting cordage, and a machines bail loop adds a lash point for attaching to your keys, a carabiner or backpack.

The blade is fashioned of Sandvik steel and pivots on sturdy phosphor bronze washers ensuring easy, reliable use for years to come.

Matador Pocket Blanket

The Matador Pocket Blanket is a dry, clean place to sit – anywhere, anytime. It weighs in at only 3.8 ounces, making it ideal for hiking. It’s also water repellent and puncture resistant. It folds up in seconds with the Easy-Pack Pattern.

The pocket blanket is 63 x 44 inches, offering ample sitting room for up to four adults and comes with integrated corner stakes and weighted corners with sand pockets to help anchor it on windy days.

Miir Vacuum Insulated Bottle

The Mirr Vacuum Insulated bottle is a must for any outdoor adventure. Its slender design helps make it slip into any pack pocket and the spacious loop top is ideal for securing with a carabiner or piece of cordage.

The vacuum-sealed, double-wall design keeps liquids cold or hot for hours, and the 23-ounce capacity is ample for hydration on short hikes. It’s also constructed from stainless steel, making it robust enough for heavy-duty use.

Sunski Treeline Sunglasses

Part of Sunski’s premier Sidekick Collection, the Treeline is a modern take on mountain sunglasses. The Treeline is a lightweight companion for your outdoor adventures featuring removable plastic perforated side shades, giving you 360-degree sun protection when you need it most.

The Treeline’s frames are made from 100% recycled Superlite polycarbonate resin and the ocean/grey polarized lenses block 100% of UVA/UVB/UV400 rays. Each Treeline comes with a hard-sided carrying case and Sunski’s Forever warranty.

Wildsam Field Guides

Founded in 2012, Wildsam’s aim is to point travelers towards unforgettable experiences. They shed light on the lesser known, the complex, the real things, through their series of American field guides. Through the guides, Wildsam documents a place through its stories. Both the city series and road trip series explore via prose and personalities, mixing together historical anecdotes, local interviews, literary memoir and hand-drawn maps, all in service of a deep understanding of place. The guides also offer a highly curated list of recommendations, the kind of smart list a close friend might offer.

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Conquer Your Next Adventure with These Thoughtfully Designed Packs

When it comes to buying a technical backpack, it’s easy to get lost. There are packs for just about every sport, climate and season. But at the heart of making a good bag (read: a bag that performs unequivocally in its intended use case) is knowing how people intend to use it. It sounds too simple, but it’s a notion that a lot of bag manufacturers miss; how will this bag be used?

Human-Centered Design

Mystery Ranch knows this question well. Over the nearly twenty years since it was founded, Mystery Ranch has worked to solve the problems of real-life use through smart design, superlative materials and hawkish attention to detail. And for good reason. Since its inception, Mystery Ranch has produced bags for the military and fire and rescue services alongside the consumer-grade bags for hiking, hunting and casual outdoor use. By gathering feedback from the front lines, Mystery Ranch founders Dana Gleason and Renee Sippel-Baker were able to inject their designs with practical features that reflect what users actually need when the chips are down.

By incorporating user feedback and shifting the focus of the business to direct-to-consumer products, Gleason and Sippel-Baker have been able to produce packs that are finely tuned to the needs of the end user, resulting in a collection of robust, innovative bags fit for any pursuit.

Why Mystery Ranch

Most of us aren’t spending our days scaling mountains or fighting wildfires. But that’s what we love about Mystery Ranch. Rather than overbuild its entire line into a one-size-fits-all collection, Mystery Ranch has developed a wide array of bags, designed to match specific use cases.

The 3-ZIP design, a bold three-way zipper that enables the top and sides of the pack to open and unfold, permeates Mystery Ranch’s line. This wide aperture makes packing and organizing your gear much easier, and helps limit the frustrating up-to-your-armpit blind search for a piece of kit that’s been buried out of reach.

Our Favorites

Though Mystery Ranch’s lineup is expansive, we’ve selected three of our favorite models, offering the right balance of utility, space and price.
The Coulee 25

The taut design of the Coulee 25 makes it an ideal choice for fast and light outings. The Coulee 25’s twenty-five-liter capacity, dual front, exterior stretch-woven stow pockets and two side stretch-woven water bottles pockets offer utility for a wide range of applications and make it well-suited for wandering around a new city or a day hike on your favorite mountain escape.

The Scree 32

The Scree 32 offers the versatility of the smaller Coulee 25 but brings more loadout options and space. Mystery Ranch’s adjustable yoke system enables you to dial in your perfect fit. The Scree 32 is hydration bladder compatible and sports auxiliary side water bottle pockets, making it well-suited for longer trips. A spacious brain compartment and handy waist belt pocket help organize smaller pieces of kit.

The Coulee 40

For big day hikes in the hills or feathery overnight blitzes, reach for the Coulee 40. Featuring dual composite frame stays for stability and a fully adjustable yoke the Coulee 40 offers a sturdy, customized fit. The padded waist belt cants and conforms over the hips to effectively transfer and distribute the weight and eliminate slippage down over the hips. Tool carry loops, compression straps and side stretch pockets make the Coulee 40 a fully-equipped technical pack.

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These Origami-Inspired Kayaks Are Adventure in a Box

The best products are the ones that solve a problem. When it comes to owning a kayak, one of the biggest problems is where to store it when it’s not in use. For some, it’s as easy as standing it up in a spare corner of the garage. But for many enthusiasts, space is tight and storing a large boat is a pain. What’s more, unless you have an SUV or truck with the appropriate hardware, getting your boat to the water’s edge can be just as irksome. That’s where Oru comes in.

Oru kayaks are inspired by the traditional art of Origami, folding up when not in use into a footprint no bigger than a standard suitcase. This miraculous transformation makes even Oru’s larger profile boats easy to store in a closet, behind a couch or under a bed. When you’re ready to paddle, a packed Oru rides easily to the water’s edge in a trunk or back seat. Oru kayaks are so portable when packed you could even take them on the New York City subway or on your favorite airline.

The best part is that all this space-saving savvy doesn’t compromise functionality. Oru’s kayaks are stable and sturdy, constructed from a custom polypropylene that is rated to 20,000 fold cycles and sports a UV treatment that will last for ten years. What’s more, they’re light. Even the Bay ST, a larger kayak designed for longer waterborne adventures weighs 28 pounds, far less than a typical solid hull kayak. And while these unique boats require a little assembly, going from totally packed to water-ready should take no more than 10 minutes for an average user.

With a weight capacity of up to 300 pounds and space for paddlers up to 6’6″, Oru kayaks are designed for everyone. Adjustable foot and backrests give the boats customizable comfort while still affording plenty of space to stow some gear.

We’ve encountered a lot of great products in our day, but few rank as highly as the boats from Oru Kayak. But don’t take our word for it. For a limited time, save 15% on all Oru products and get free shipping on all orders.

The Boats

The Beach LT

The Beach LT kayak uses origami to unfold from a compact box, into a high-performance kayak. Unfolding only takes a few minutes — no pumps, tools or roof racks required. In the water, it’s sturdy, durable, agile and fast — it paddles like a molded hardshell kayak, minus half the weight.

With a large cockpit and stable 28” beam, it’s perfect for day trips, picnics, fishing, and casual fun with friends and family (or even dogs!) While it may be Oru’s friendliest boat, it’s still built to the company’s high standards of strength and durability, rated to 20,000 folds. And it’s as easy on the eyes as it is on the water.

The Bay ST

The Bay ST is the original Oru Kayak, launched on Kickstarter in 2012; it’s even in the permanent collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Over the years, Oru has thoroughly updated the design to enhance performance, making it easier to assemble and more comfortable to use than its predecessors.

It’s stable enough for beginners, while the length and contouring make it fast and sporty for experts. There’s plenty of room to stash gear for day trips and short camping excursions. Best of all, transforming it from box to boat takes just a few minutes.

The Accessories

Kayak Pack

Bring the Oru Kayak anywhere! Hike into remote waters, or check it on a plane to foreign lands. The Oru Pack is made of rugged heavy-duty nylon, with a super-comfortable shoulder and hip strap system. It’s loaded with smart features to make your Oru Kayak journeys easy and convenient. Padded shoulder straps add comfort and external mesh pockets stow paddles and other gear with ease.

Paddles

The Oru Paddle—in bright white to match the kayak—breaks down into four pieces, so it stows easily inside the Oru Kayak in box form. It features a lightweight fiberglass shaft and super-tough ABS plastic blades. The paddle is truly customizable: a quick-clamp connector allows you to adjust both the length (220-230cm) of the paddle and the feather angles of the blades.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

Lifetime Leather

Lotuff Leather has been turning heads since their push to independence in 2012. Though once part of the leatherworking powerhouse Lotuff Clegg, Lotuff Leather has continued to evolve as a premium bag maker and leatherworker, designing and manufacturing some of the world’s most eyecatching products. Beyond the dogged use of American leathers and commitment to U.S.-based manufacturing is Lotuff Leather’s deep reverence for the handcraft of leatherworking. In fact, it is this persistent search for exquisite handiwork that underpins Lotuff’s collection today.

From the ever-popular No. 12 Weekender, which is one of Lotuff’s more popular silhouettes, to the ultra-refined Triumph Briefcase, Lotuff’s collection is rife with leather goods built to last a lifetime. That’s why we’re so excited to welcome Lotuff Leather into the Gear Patrol Store. And to celebrate their addition, we’ve worked with the Lotuff team to offer free monogramming on all Lotuff products purchased through the Gear Patrol Store. What’s more, we’re offering a $100 Gear Patrol gift card for every bag purchased.

Featured Models

The No. 12 Weekender

Proportional, sleek, and remarkably light, the No. 12 Weekender Bag is a compact piece that’ll get you through the weekend, no matter your destination or mode of transportation. Sized to fit perfectly on top of a roller suitcase, the Weekender can act as your carry-on piece or your sole travel bag. An exterior extended wrap-around zipper on both sides gives the bag a handsome symmetry while also allowing for easy interior access. And the comfortable nesting handles are both riveted and stitched onto the bag to promise durability and integrity.

A lock-and-key closure promises that only you or your trusted companions can get inside. And an interior drop pocket is just large enough to fit your travel tickets, keys, and phone.

The Triumph Briefcase

Sleek, modern, and instinctively functional, the Triumph is a fully leather-lined, triple-gusset briefcase. This triple-gusset design creates a unique accordion construction, allowing the bag to expand and contract between 2 inches and 8 inches. This rare expandability provides unparalleled functionality, making the bag perfect whether you’re a traveling minimalist or a heavy packer. With an extended zipper, access to the interior is wide and easy.

On the inside, you’ll find three separate full-length compartments. The center compartment has two full-length zipper pockets for a laptop, tablet, or periodical and smaller pockets for a mobile, keys, or travel miscellany. A cross-body strap attaches and detaches to each side of the bag.
Because the bag is fully leather lined, it stands up independently whether completely empty or teeming with your possessions.

The Zip-Top Briefcase

An understated, handsome piece with full leather construction and an extended zipper for easy interior access, the Zip-Top Briefcase meets at the intersection of functionality and beauty. It’s wonderful for business professionals who have a lot to carry and want to do it in style, with two full-length exterior pockets and an interior that contains even more space for all you need. Pens, cards, and your phone all have their own designated compartments, and your 15” laptop will fit snugly in its own as well. There’s room left over for notebooks, a newspaper, and more, too: whatever the meeting or trip requires, this briefcase can handle it.

A 5″ handle and a removable, adjustable shoulder strap allow this briefcase to be carried both in-hand or over the shoulder depending on preference. The Zip-Top’s single-gusset design, double-stitched nesting handles, and other minimal-yet-stately accents give it a classic look, and thanks to our lifetime guarantee it’s one that will last for years no matter what.

The Zipper Backpack

Thoughtful details of practicality complement an elemental, classic design on our Leather Zipper Backpack. A transcendent piece, the Zipper Backpack is just as appropriate with a suit as it is with a sweater, jeans, and sneakers.

A wrap-around zipper gives access to the main compartment, but the secret weapon is the back zipper pocket. This pocket sits snugly against your back, allowing you to safely carry your most precious cargo, from your laptop to your keys to your manuscript of the next great American novel. A zipper interior pocket gives alternative access to this back pocket, and a front zipper pouch is perfect for carrying sunglasses and other miscellany. Adjustable back straps with a loop ensure a comfortable carry no matter your height.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

Save On Audioengine’s Most Popular Wireless Speakers

Audioengine’s line up of impressively-designed speakers and accessories brings high fidelity sound into your home or office space while offering wireless connectivity and analog compatibility. For a limited time, save on Audioengine’s favorite models.

A2+ Wireless Speaker System

The A2+ Desktop Speakers are constructed with custom Audioengine components: aramid fiber woofers, silk tweeters, premium Bluetooth aptX, and built-in power amps wrapped in precision-tuned, hand-crafted cabinets. The bass was teased from the A2+ with some clever acoustic and electrical design without using any digital signal processing or fake bass boost circuits. This results in surprisingly substantial bass from speakers of this size and clear, full and powerful audio that fills almost any room.

HD3 Wireless Speaker System

The HD3s are Audioengine’s most-versatile wireless Bluetooth speakers. These wireless speakers work with all your apps, music, and devices so no matter how you listen, HD3 has you covered. A built-in analog power amplifier provides high-end sound. Don’t let their size fool; these small speakers are packed with much more sound than you would expect. The HD3 Wireless Speakers are constructed with custom Audioengine components such as aramid fiber woofers, silk tweeters, Premium Bluetooth aptX-HD, and built-in power amps wrapped in precision-tuned, hand-crafted cabinets. A front panel volume knob and headphone jack make the HD3 a versatile listening option for any space.

512 Portable Speaker

Bring pure, clear sound to your home, workspace or the outdoors with an impressive 100 feet Bluetooth range to keep all your tunes going strong. The 512 Portable Bluetooth Speaker gives you Audioengine’s trademark sound with an impressive battery life — up to 12 hours – using a built-in, fast-charging lithium-ion battery.
The 512 has a warm and inspiring voice, surprising imaging and a very large soundstage. It may sound strange to write about things like soundstage and imaging in a little mouse speaker, but Audioengine wanted to bring something special to the portable speaker market. Tight, firm bass, solid midrange, and clean, singing highs are what they aimed for, delivering more than just the typical battery-powered Bluetooth speaker.

Five Bags That Will Improve Your Next Trip

Whether you’re globetrotting or just planning a weekend getaway, the right bag can make all the difference. And while there are a lot of bags that claim to do it all, sometimes you want a bag that’s been deeply designed for a specific use case. That’s why we’ve combed through our favorite bag makers and selected five models that are ready for purpose-built service, regardless of where you’re headed.

Airport Terminal

Aer Travel Pack 2

The Travel Pack 2 is a versatile carry-on backpack designed for traveling smart. Breeze through security checkpoints, skip the baggage carousel and quickly access your travel essentials on the go. A spacious lay-flat main compartment makes packing simple and easy while an additional compartment accessed via the bottom of the pack keeps stowed shoes separately. Multiple handles and a pass through for a luggage handle make the Travel Pack 2 a savvy travel partner.

Weekend Getaway

Billykirk No. 479 Carryall

The Carryall line features a wire-framed zipper construction, making this iconic style light and functional. The No. 479 Carryall is the perfect size for a weekend away. One exterior and two interior slip pockets keep small goods like phones and wallets organized, while the internal snap-clip makes for a quick and easy way to store keys. Made with high quality 20 oz. waxed canvas and full-grain vegetable tanned leather, every Carryall is designed to age with grace.

Mountain Adventure

Matador Beast 28

The Beast28 Packable Technical Backpack is a game changer. With a rugged and technical build and an ultralight design which packs down into its own compression sack measuring just 7” x 4.5”, the Beast28 is 28-liter pack that’s well-suited for travel yet ready for adventure. And, built to accommodate a hydration bladder, the Beast 28 is well-suited for even the most intense adventure.

Business Meeting

Orox Nuntius X

Well-made and thoughtfully designed, this briefcase is the last one you’ll ever buy. It’s hand-crafted using high quality, full grain leather. For the dedicated professional, this bag makes a serious statement about a commitment to quality and longevity. Holds a 17” laptop, several pockets to keep organized, and has multiple strap and handle options for ease of carrying. Use the shoulder strap as a messenger bag, as well as the cross-chest stabilizing strap for use while bicycling.

Overland Expedition

Velomacchi Speedway 50L Duffel

The 50L Speedway Duffel Backpack is the ultimate watertight adventure bag built for both exploring the back roads and traveling the world. It can be carried as a duffle, a backpack, or a shoulder bag and can be securely strapped down to a motorcycle or roof rack. The Speedway Duffe is constructed from 1000D abrasion resistant nylon fabric and features a water-tight main compartment with high quality YKK zippers and a special stretch panel construction that protects the zipper from blow out. The shoulder harness straps neatly tuck behind the padded back panel for transitioning from backpack to duffle bag.

Conquer Your Next Adventure with These American-Made Packs

When it comes to buying a technical backpack, it’s easy to get lost. There are packs for just about every sport, climate and season. But at the heart of making a good bag (read: a bag that performs unequivocally in its intended use case) is knowing how people intend to use it. It sounds too simple, but it’s a notion that a lot of bag manufacturers miss; how will this bag be used?

Human-Centered Design

Mystery Ranch knows this question well. Over the nearly twenty years since it was founded, Mystery Ranch has worked to solve the problems of real-life use through smart design, superlative materials and hawkish attention to detail. And for good reason. Since its inception, Mystery Ranch has produced bags for the military and fire and rescue services alongside the consumer-grade bags for hiking, hunting and casual outdoor use. By gathering feedback from the front lines, Mystery Ranch founders Dana Gleason and Renee Sippel-Baker were able to inject their designs with practical features that reflect what users actually need when the chips are down.

By incorporating user feedback and shifting the focus of the business to direct-to-consumer products, Gleason and Sippel-Baker have been able to produce packs that are finely tuned to the needs of the end user, resulting in a collection of robust, innovative bags fit for any pursuit.

Why Mystery Ranch

Most of us aren’t spending our days scaling mountains or fighting wildfires. But that’s what we love about Mystery Ranch. Rather than overbuild its entire line into a one-size-fits-all collection, Mystery Ranch has developed a wide array of bags, designed to match specific use cases.

The 3-ZIP design, a bold three-way zipper that enables the top and sides of the pack to open and unfold, permeates Mystery Ranch’s line. This wide aperture makes packing and organizing your gear much easier, and helps limit the frustrating up-to-your-armpit blind search for a piece of kit that’s been buried out of reach.

Our Favorites

Though Mystery Ranch’s lineup is expansive, we’ve selected three of our favorite models, offering the right balance of utility, space and price.
The Coulee 25

The taut design of the Coulee 25 makes it an ideal choice for fast and light outings. The Coulee 25’s twenty-five-liter capacity, dual front, exterior stretch-woven stow pockets and two side stretch-woven water bottles pockets offer utility for a wide range of applications and make it well-suited for wandering around a new city or a day hike on your favorite mountain escape.

The Scree 32

The Scree 32 offers the versatility of the smaller Coulee 25 but brings more loadout options and space. Mystery Ranch’s adjustable yoke system enables you to dial in your perfect fit. The Scree 32 is hydration bladder compatible and sports auxiliary side water bottle pockets, making it well-suited for longer trips. A spacious brain compartment and handy waist belt pocket help organize smaller pieces of kit.

The Coulee 40

For big day hikes in the hills or feathery overnight blitzes, reach for the Coulee 40. Featuring dual composite frame stays for stability and a fully adjustable yoke the Coulee 40 offers a sturdy, customized fit. The padded waist belt cants and conforms over the hips to effectively transfer and distribute the weight and eliminate slippage down over the hips. Tool carry loops, compression straps and side stretch pockets make the Coulee 40 a fully-equipped technical pack.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.