Hot Rod Jaguar XJS Convertible

The idea of driving a 6-Liter V12 convertible might be appealing to many, but cars like this usually tend to be in the six figures range, some even closing in on 7 figures … but if you are ok with getting an older, classic model, this 1990 Jaguar XJS Convertible might be an option, currently being listed on BringATrailer, at the time of writing the maximum bid is below $15,000 … so is this a bargain then?

I hope you take a close look at what you would be getting yourself into when you buy this car or any 30-year old classic for that matter, especially with a massive V12 engine under that long hood, while you could argue this is a classic car that will appreciate over time and become very valuable in the long run, right now it’s just an old Jaguar with a very limited interest on the car market, made even worse by the fact this one is a custom one.

A classic, collectible car first becomes just another old car at a certain point in its life, just like this 1990 Jaguar XJS Convertible, old cars don’t have a lot of value and sometimes end up in a car graveyard to die a slow death or become a parts car to keep other ‘old’ cars running. But at a certain moment in time,  some old cars become classics, and then things get interesting as their value goes up, in some cases quite considerably might I add.

In the case of Jaguar, I’m sure we can all agree on the fact that the E-Type is a collector’s classic these days, and quite frankly the XJS models just haven’t reached that point yet, sure there are owner’s clubs out there for this big coupe from the UK, and some of these might demand a nice premium … but this red sample from 1990 with the original style taillights just won’t, and my guess is this specific one will never become a collectible classic either, sorry.

Personally, I rather like the styling and the idea behind the Jaguar XJS, being a successor to the E-Type, the XJS was intended to be a big, comfortable and luxurious GT, and the V12 engined ones were impressive in their own time, the top-of-the-line version, especially in convertible form like the 1990 model presented here … but that’s where the good news ends for this specific model, as in the long run only factory original cars will become collectible, and this red one has been heavily modified.

While this might have been a great idea when this car was ‘current’, owing an older customized car isn’t always a good idea, in this case, the original, numbers-matching 5.3-Liter V12 got destroyed and has been replaced by a more modern 6-Liter V12 engine, still from Jaguar, but taken from the XJR-S sedan, complete with Jaguar Sport cam covers, further upgraded by Hyper Engineering with a cold-air intake and a custom Zytek ECU for increased performance.

To get even more cool air into that Hyper Engineering intake, the headlight pods on this US-spec Jaguar XJS have been altered, the standard dual headlights have been replaced by single units, the inner headlight units were removed, and two custom-made Hyper Engineering cold air intake were fitted, fully chromed to match the rest of the front, and that was only the start of the customization on this XJS Convertible.

An extensive Lister aerodynamic kit was fitted onto this bright red convertible too, consisting of a deeper front spoiler, side skirts, wider rear fenders, a rear diffuser underneath the chromed bumper, and to complete the looks a rear wing sits on the luggage cover, with an opening for the automatic antenna, a very special touch courtesy of Lister is the new engine cover with dual NACA inlets for even more cool air for that large V12 engine.

Many years ago these 17-inch OZ Racing wheels in multi-piece Futura design were very popular, but today they do look rather dated, tires are impressive Dunlop SP Sport 4000 units in a wide 275/40 size, the brakes have been updated in 2001 by Hyper Engineering together with beefier torsion bars … to make the car sound as good as it looked, stainless steel exhaust manifolds joined the replacement engine, and the original three-speed transmission was replaced with a five-speed manual unit from Gretag … it’s obvious not much of the 1990 XJS remains today.

The interior inside this red convertible looks amazing, finished in tan leather on the seats, door panels, central console … there is soft leather and wood everywhere inside this classic Jaguar, with a period-correct Sony cassette stereo complete with a CD changer in the trunk, naturally this convertible GT comes with air-conditioning to keep cool when you close the black cloth roof, which is power operated as you would expect, a custom MOMO steering wheel matched the black leather on the top of the dashboard.

Chassis SAJNW4845LC172726 now has about 31,000 miles on the odometer, which comes down to 1,000 per year on average, and if you would buy this car today, you should just enjoy it, driving around with the top down under the sun, listening to that V12 engine. This isn’t a future collector’s item you should park in your temperature and humidity-controlled garage and just wait for the value to rise … that will not happen for this car, it’s been modified too heavily to become a classic that will be sought after by collectors in a decade or so, collectors look for numbers-matching samples in good condition, not a personalized interpretation like this … so this one is just about having fun with it while it lasts, enjoy it to the fullest and don’t worry about adding miles … just drive it.

July 27, 2021 / Comments Off on Hot Rod Jaguar XJS Convertible
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We’ve Never Seen a Cycling Shoe Like This Futuristic New One Before

When we first laid eyes on the LoreOne, three letters sum up the reaction: W T F? Because, wow, this thing is different. With an appearance that calls to mind, well, a very technical jelly shoe, this new, limited-edition cycling footwear is clearly the product of some majorly out-of-the-box thinking.

Digging into the details, however, we quickly realized the shoe could be a game changer for the 277 pedal-mashing people who get in on the first round of production. After all, the folks behind it are veterans of such progressive brands as Tesla, Nike, Apple, Black Diamond, Puma and DPS Skis. It has been embraced by world-class athletes like Tim O’Donnell and Colby Pearce, who consulted on its development. And the technology involved is about as innovative as it gets. So as we seek to make sense of what lies before our eyes, here are three elements that jump out.

Custom 3D-Printed Carbon Fit

loreone

Courtesy

Nobody’s feet are simply mirror images of each other, so why should your shoes be? That’s the question LoreOne seeks to answer with its approach to customizing the fit. First, you scan your feet using an iPhone and a proprietary app, which enables sub-millimeter levels of precision. That data then goes to the Morphic Scan+Print platform, which spits out a conveniently ventilated Carbon AirFrame exoskeleton. What’s different here, Lore says, are “structurally interlocked dorsal and plantar shells that efficiently capture lateral and rotational forces produced by the foot through normal biomechanical movement.”

Foot-to-Pedal Connection

loreone

Courtesy

Translation of the previous sentence: your feet will interact and engage with your pedals more deeply and powerfully than ever before. That relationship is buttressed by what lies within the exoskeleton — custom footbeds textured to boost muscle activation and plush ventilated foam that improves comfort and breathability. A sculpted toe box, footbed and heel cup integrated into the AirFrame round out the fit. Even the cleat position, oriented around your first and fifth metatarsal bones, is optimized for precision power transfer.

Peak Performance

loreone

Thomas Woodson

What’s it all add up to? From what we hear, significant gains over traditional road shoes, including less power loww on the backside of the pedal stroke, a critical factor when rapid acceleration is required, as when sprinting or coming out of a corner. Because the top of the shoe is carbon-reinforced, you don’t lose any energy at the traditional ‘dead spots’ of 6 and 12 o’clock while pedaling. The upshot of all this efficiency, of course, is what every cyclist craves: the ability to ride faster and longer, with less fatigue.

Of course, all this innovation doesn’t come cheap or easy. Lore is currently taking pre-orders, with printing and fulfillment beginning this fall. The first 277 early adopters get the Founder’s Kit, which includes the shoe, three booties, a commemorative pennant, travel bag and cap. Oh and if you are stressing about parting with nearly two grand to upgrade your cycling shoes, relax: there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Price: $1,900

SHOP NOW

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July 27, 2021 / Comments Off on We’ve Never Seen a Cycling Shoe Like This Futuristic New One Before
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Want to Customize Your Clothes With Natural Dyes? Let an Expert Tell You How

Naturally dyed garments are increasingly commonplace for fledgling and established brands alike. Older Brother uses kelp and algae from the coasts of Ireland and Argentina to make a pastel green button-up. Wellen dyes their T-shirts with pomegranate skins. Lululemon makes basic tees in colors created by plant waste from the agricultural and herbal industries. All of these are interesting, and dedicated, attempts at weaning their brands, and thus their customers, off petroleum-based dyes.

According to The World Bank, 20-percent of the world’s water pollution problem can be traced back to the textiles industry, which cites over 8,000 different chemicals in its dyeing processes. Seeing bigger brands take stabs at switching from less eco-conscious dyes to ones derived from plants, food, insects or roots and woods is a step. Each release is further proof that natural dye processes work. But vloggers, bloggers, and social media personalities, each eager to show how natural dyes work, are downplaying not only how hard it is to make them but use them, too.

two people dying clothing

Waxflower Dyeworks

Hannah Cornish Edelstein, a natural dyer, textile artist, and owner of Waxflower Dye Works, feels the art of natural dyeing faces ongoing misinformation issues. “There is a big problem in the natural dye world of folks being mislead into thinking they can easily make a permanent dye from their kitchen waste, and without proper fabric prep. Scouring and mordanting is essential,” she says. “Then, when their projects fail or fade very, very quickly, they assume that all natural dyes are like that — when they aren’t.”

Scouring: cleaning or preparing textiles with an abrasive tool or detergent

Colorfastness: how well a dye color holds up to repeated washing (wash-fastness) and exposure to natural light (lightfastness)

Mordanting: the process of soaking fibers in a metal salt in order to increase colorfastness and allow for dye molecules to form a permanent bond with the fiber.

Fugitive: dyes that are quickly degraded by everything from water, washing, and sunlight to just plain exposure to the air

WOF (Weight of Fiber): expressed as a percentage. Ex: Use yellow onion skins at 100% WOF means that if your fiber weighs 200g, you need to use 200g of onion skins

Natural dyeing a white cotton T-shirt isn’t as easy as boiling red onions, black beans, matcha powder, beets or blueberries in a vat of water, letting the mixture cool, dipping the T-shirt in, and letting it dry. In fact, there are far more steps — and only a shortlist of ingredients you should really use. Edelstein uses Madder Root to make red; Marigold for yellow; invasive insect Cochineal for a pinkish purple; and avocado pits for a pale pink. It’s the insects, plants, flowers, and foraged roots that work best, she says.

dyeing a shirt with flowers

Waxflower Dyeworks

“To be honest, food and food waste are really poor sources of natural dyes. Chemistry is at the core of this craft, and it dictates which dyestuffs (sources of dye: plants, insects, etc) are and are not suitable for use in textiles,” Edelstein says. “The important thing to remember is that just because a food produces color doesn’t mean that color can be used as a dye. The colors you get from pretty much all foods and most flowers — those pretty blues/greens, purples, and reds/pinks from red cabbage, beets, black beans, and berries — are notoriously fugitive, meaning they don’t stick around. Fugitive colors are really not even dyes. They are stains, and they are temporary.”

Got that? No food or food waste (except for avocado pits). I know. That YouTube video on natural dye you just watched tricked you into thinking this whole experience would last about an hour. Wrong! Let Edelstein answer some of the questions I know you’re dying (get it?) to ask.

Why won’t food or food waste work?

“The primary pigments in those foods are Anthocyanins. Most fruits, veggies, and flowers that are some shades of red, blue, or purple/black owe their color to Anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are not colorfast. They will fade or completely disappear very rapidly no matter what preparation you do to your fibers.

Natural dyers spend years researching chemistry, performing our own tests of colorfastness, and experimenting with preparation. We care about giving our craft a future, and we don’t recommend dyeing with kitchen waste unless you are looking for a temporary color — like a craft with kids where it doesn’t matter that the color disappears rapidly.”

food for dye

Waxflower Dyeworks

“Anthocyanins are great for coloring food and can be used to dye things like Easter eggs, where longevity isn’t required… You can’t use rotten food, because the phytopigments have already begun to decay, so the results will be even more muddy and short-lived if any results are achieved at all.”

What if I’m okay with it fading?

“If you are dead set on dyeing with food, you can get some nice shades of yellow, gold, or beige from things like yellow or brown onions and turmeric. Both of those are still relatively fugitive, but not nearly as bad as anthocyanin-based foods. Boiling 100 percent WOF (weight of fiber) of yellow or brown onion skins can create a vibrant yellow-gold color that can last anywhere from a few weeks or months to a year or more depending on the amount of washing and light exposure it gets. Turmeric is less stable and will fade with washing and exposure to air and light. But, both of these yellows will fade into paler yellows, which is the goal. You want a natural dye that fades into a paler, lighter shade of the original color — not something that goes grey.

Yellow/brown onion skins can contain, among other chemical compounds, Quercetin and Luteolin, which give [off] yellows and are more colorfast than anthocyanins. The same compounds are found in traditional dyestuffs like Weld and Oak.”

Wait a second. How exactly do I even dye then?

“It depends on what kind of fiber you are working with. Natural dyes can only be used on natural fibers: protein fibers like silk or wool or cellulosic (plant) fibers like cotton or hemp, or bast fibers like linen. Protein fibers are much easier to dye than cellulose fibers and require less prep. Silk, assuming it is already degummed to remove sericin, can be scoured using Orvus Paste Soap, or a very small amount of pH-neutral detergent like Synthrapol. Some say that degummed silk does not need to be scoured, but I always do it anyway to remove dirt and manufacturing residues.”

yellow cardigan soaking in water

Waxflower Dyeworks

“Cotton always needs to be scoured to remove dirt, waxes, residues, etc. Cotton should be scoured in boiling water with 5-percent WOF (weight of fiber) Soda Ash and 1-2-percent pH neutral detergent (synthrapol). It should then be rinsed thoroughly, and repeated if the scour water was at all yellow or brown. Sometimes this must be done several times. If you don’t scour properly, it is like painting on a canvas covered in olive oil — nothing is going to stick to it.

After scouring, you need to mordant. Mordanting is the process of soaking fibers in a metal salt in order to increase colorfastness and allow for dye molecules to form a permanent bond with the fiber. Aluminum is the most common and most safe of all the metal mordants. Protein fibers are mordanted with Alum (Potassium Aluminum Sulfate, or pickling alum) at a rate of 15-percent WOF. Cotton is first soaked in a tannin bath, and then in Aluminum Acetate (AA). Using AA alone on cotton is okay, but the tannin step is recommended to help the AA bind to the cotton fibers. Tannin has a natural affinity for cellulosic fibers, and aids in creating the strong molecular bond we are after.”

What kinds of clothes can I use?

“Natural fibers are the only kind that will even accept natural dyes. Synthetics like nylon or polyester are not dyeable with natural dyes. It just won’t color at all. The exception is Viscose (rayon), which is a semi-synthetic fiber manufactured with regenerated cellulose (wood pulp, etc). So while it is technically man-made, it is done so with cellulosic (plant-based) materials and can be dyed using a cellulose method. Same with bast fibers like flax.”

yellow dyed clothing

Waxflower Dyeworks

“Protein fibers (from animals) like wool and silk are the easiest to dye, and what most natural dyers work with. They are easier because dye molecules have a greater affinity for protein fibers — they molecularly bond better — than they have for cellulosic fibers. Silk and wool present their own challenges when it comes to being more delicate to handle, more susceptible to damage from high temperatures or temperature shock, and with wool [especially], you have to be super careful not to agitate it when wet or it will felt (why sweaters shrink in the washer/dryer).”

Any other common errors I can avoid?

“The most common mistake is trying to take shortcuts. Natural dyeing has been documented and practiced for thousands of years. If there were any shortcuts, we would have found them by now. That’s why synthetic dyes were invented — scalability and speed.

Natural dyeing is not fast, and it isn’t really a rainy day activity. The simplified versions of natural dyeing aren’t really dyeing. It is basically just staining, in which case you are better off just pouring red wine on your shirt and saving yourself the hassle of extracting the same color from a food. Natural dyeing done properly takes many many hours of preparation and a lot of research — and trial and error. There aren’t any shortcuts.”

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July 27, 2021 / Comments Off on Want to Customize Your Clothes With Natural Dyes? Let an Expert Tell You How
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Eagle Rare Bourbon: Where to Buy It, What It Is and Why It’s So Popular

Everything you need to know about the most popular bourbon whiskey on shelves today. This time: Eagle Rare, Buffalo Trace’s ultimate gateway bourbon.

What is Eagle Rare?

Eagle Rare is a low-rye, low-proof bourbon made at Buffalo Trace’s Frankfort, Kentucky distillery. It’s aged for 10 years before bottling, and belongs to the Mashbill #1 family of bourbons at Buffalo Trace; which includes the likes of E.H. Taylor Small Batch, Stagg Jr., the distillery’s namesake bourbon and others. The whiskey has won numerous awards, and remains one of the most popular premium American whiskeys in the world. Because of the mechanized single barrel bottling process, it’s neither a vatted small batch bourbon nor a single barrel product, technically speaking. It’s also the foundation to collector favorites Eagle Rare 17-Year-Old and Double Eagle Very Rare.

Who makes Eagle Rare?

Sazerac, Buffalo Trace’s parent company, has owned the brand since 1989 and, apart from a short period of sourcing whiskey for the label after its initial purchase, has been producing Eagle Rare from its Frankfort, Kentucky distillery since (known as the George T. Stagg distillery, later renamed Buffalo Trace Distillery).

Before 1989, it was made by Seagram’s at the Spanish Mission-style Lawrenceville, Kentucky distillery of Four Roses. Created by Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee Charles L. Beam in 1975, it was one of the last new, premium bourbon brands introduced before the market for less premium spirits forced many bourbon makers to change tack.

eagle
Mary Lee Beam, Charles Beam’s wife, accepts his posthumous induction into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2010 along with Eddie Russell (Wild Turkey master distiller) and Ronnie Eddins (longtime Buffalo Trace warehouse manager).

Courtesy

Where to buy Eagle Rare bourbon?

Eagle Rare is distributed to all 50 states, but it, like all Buffalo Trace-made bourbons, is available on allocation only. This means that stores only receive a certain number of cases of Eagle Rare, rather than have their stocks replenished on demand or when supplies are low. To find a bottle, our advice is to become a consistent patron at a local spirits shop and build a relationship with the staff. Knowing when bottles might show up is half the battle.

Why is Eagle Rare so hard to find?

A combination of factors. First, it is an allocated spirit, meaning Eagle Rare will never reach equilibrium. It’s also a premium bourbon produced by Buffalo Trace Distillery, which, even if the whiskey inside the bottle were average, adds a layer of shine for bourbon drinkers. Above all, though, Eagle Rare is exceptional whiskey and fills out the scorecard like few others can: affordable, well-aged, low-proof, award-winning. Its low-rye mash keeps the whiskey on the softer side, and the drinkable 90 bottling proof and 10 years spent in a barrel make it a crowd pleaser.

How much does Eagle Rare cost?

Speaking about whiskey price in terms of a bottle’s suggested retail price is naive at this point, but, unlike some of the obscene gaps between real-world bottle value and MSRP (looking at you, Weller) Eagle Rare’s $30 SRP and roughly $50 shelf price isn’t too bad.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

July 27, 2021 / Comments Off on Eagle Rare Bourbon: Where to Buy It, What It Is and Why It’s So Popular
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Listen to the Gordon Murray T.50’s V12 exhaust note

The Gordon Murray Automotive T.50, promised to be the greatest — and perhaps last — analog supercar, is still undergoing testing. When we last saw a T.50 prototype, its naturally aspirated, mid-engined V12 was rev-limited to low speeds. Now, GMA has released another video showing two test mules at slightly higher velocities, giving us a better idea of what kind of exhaust note we can expect.

The testing takes place at the Dunsfold, England, test track famous for its appearances on “Top Gear.” Though the Cosworth-built 3.9-liter V12 is said to have a redline of 12,100 rpm, in these tests it’s still limited to 5,000 rpm. Still, that’s enough to give us an idea of what kind of aural assault the car will deliver.

As it turns out, at low rpm there’s a lot of the baritone rumble that seems to be de rigueur in modern performance cars. At higher speeds, the engine provides a bit more of the high-pitched hum of the T.50’s spiritual predecessor, Murray’s McLaren F1, though overall the exhaust note is quite loud. There’s definitely more of a primal roar than the F1’s all-business precision engineering whir.

But while it may sound like other supercars, Murray has been adamant that the T.50 will remain the anti-supercar supercar. It will prioritize agility and handling over raw horsepower, with styling that’s more subdued than modern look-at-me-mobiles.

As such, Murray says the T.50 will be about the size of a 718 Boxster and lighter than a Mazda MX-5 Miata. Though the output of 654 horsepower at 11,500 rpm and 344 pound-feet of torque at 9,000 rpm may not win armchair bragging rights, its power-to-weight ratio should better the Ferrari LaFerrari’s.

Production of the 1+2 seater is slated to begin in 2022. A production run of only 100 units has been promised, so if you think you might want to drop the $3 million on the last pure naturally aspirated, internal combustion-only sports car by arguably the greatest living supercar engineer on Earth, you should act fast.

July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on Listen to the Gordon Murray T.50’s V12 exhaust note
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The Best Men’s Underwear

Too much of the time, underwear is an overlooked part of the wardrobe. Relegated to the backs of dark dresser drawers and thoughtlessly shuffled on every morning, it suffers from neglect: maybe you’re stuck in a rut, busy with life or spending money elsewhere. It happens. But, refreshing your underwear is as important as buying a new toothbrush. What’s more, the new set provides comfortability and looks quite good (especially compared to those you’ve owned for the better part of a decade). Switching them out will make you feel better, too. I promise.

Here’s an important tip, by the way. Just because you’re swapping out old pairs doesn’t mean you need to replace them with the same style from the same brand. There are numerous styles and countless options available in fabrics like cotton, merino wool and high-performance synthetics out there, from brands both new and old. But, before you begin comparing things like stretchiness, softness, and shape, learn the basic styles first, because it’s easy to call one pair one thing when it’s really something else: aka when you broadly call a style boxers when they’re actually boxer briefs.

Briefs

Briefs might be considered the most practical underwear due to their supportive fit, non-creeping tendencies, breathable cotton fabric and no-nonsense waistband. And there’s nothing inherently wrong with white cotton, but there’s a range of colors and patterns available depending on your taste. Other options are made with odor-fighting merino wool, cooling bamboo fibers and breathable synthetics — all worth a look.

Boxer Briefs

In the mid-’90s, John Varvatos — then the head of menswear design at Calvin Klein — invented the boxer brief. This brilliant melding of boxer shorts and traditional briefs boasts the support of briefs while providing additional length in the leg for more coverage. The hybrid style is both comfortable, supportive and flattering.

Trunk Briefs

Trunk briefs toe the line between traditional briefs and boxer briefs. Longer than the former and shorter than the latter, they essentially have the same cut as Sean Connery’s swim trunks in Goldfinger, hence the name. Again, because they’re a bit longer than the traditional brief, they appear more modern than traditional briefs. Definitely geared more for the athletically focused, they’re supportive without feeling restrictive in the upper leg.

Boxer Shorts

Boxer shorts were designed to provide the same freedom of movement as shorts worn by boxers. Typically made of materials like cotton and silk, the only restrictive part of this underwear is the elastic waistband — the rest of the boxers are designed to fit loosely. They’re an incredibly comfortable option that’s become one of the staples.

Long Underwear

Long underwear doesn’t just come in waffle-knit cotton. In fact, newer styles are made with a host of new fabrics suited for everyday wear and athletic endeavors. Appropriate for the coldest months, long underwear is a necessary base layer to keep you comfortable — styles are available from both performance and heritage brands.

Easy, right? Right. Truly a breeze to remember, but it’s also important to remind yourself that there are other brands out there, too, not just shapes. It might be hard to kick your Champion, Fruit of the Loom, Ethika, or Hanes habit, but you can do it. Ditch the scratchy cotton in favor of softer, moisture-wicking alternatives. It’s worth it!

Here are the brands — from acceptable classics like Calvin Klein to sustainable upstarts like Sir Cadian — making the best men’s underwear.

CDLP

Stockholm-based basics brand CDLP produces an assortment of updated takes on men’s wardrobe staples. From T-shirts and swim trunks to performance wear and pajamas, every release blends interesting materials and style-forward designs. See these Boxer Shorts, for example. Cut from Lyocell, a rayon-like fabric that’s softer than cotton but uses less water, they’re breathable, moisture-wicking and naturally anti-bacterial. For those who don’t like the tightness boxer briefs offer, these come with a looser cut without being too wide open.

Nice Laundry

Born out of a Kickstarter campaign, Nice Laundry makes socks and underwear you can wash with pride — hence the name. All kidding aside, the company covers two of the classic styles, boxers and boxer briefs, but offers updates to both: the fly sits horizontally; there’s anti-rise ribbing on both legs; they’re odor-resistant; and you can customize your own pair with tiny logos or monograms. The Boxer Brief in grey offers a pleasant blank canvas.

Calvin Klein

The boxer brief style has only been around since the mid-90s. It was officially invented by John Varvatos, the then Head of Menswear at Calvin Klein. Ever since, Calvin Klein’s become synonymous with skivvies. And they’ve made the category rather sexy for all genders. Thank social media, influencers or catchy marketing (#mycalvins), either way, they’ve been a pillar in the category since they launched. Now they come in an array of colors and cuts, but you can’t go wrong with the classic Cotton Stretch boxer brief in black — in a 3-pack, of course.

Saxx

Saxx specializes in something they call the BallPark Pouch. And it has little to do with baseball. Instead, it’s a slot for men to park their… you know where this is going. They say the feature gives them a “boost,” but really it’s the security of compression shorts without extreme tightness. Plus, shopping on their site proves easier than on others’, because they break out their underwear collection by both silhouette and activity. Bottoms for running, for example, aren’t listed alongside ones for lounging. The pair pictured here is their Vibe Trunk, a versatile option that’s tight through the legs and butt and features the aforementioned pouch.

Tommy John

Tommy John collection of men’s underwear covers the entire spectrum of styles. From longer boxers and leggings to briefs and square-cut bottoms, no matter your preferred fit, the brand’s got you covered. But we’d be remiss not to mention one line, in particular, the ultra-soft Second Skin collection. Pictured here as a brief, these iterations are cut from non-pilling micro modal fabric and feature a subtle built-in pouch and non-roll waistband.

Kotn

Since 2015, basics brand KOTN has steadily grown its collection from standard T-shirts and tanks to ultra-soft underwear and camp shirts. But, sometimes, the classics remain the most popular — and for good reason. Their standard Boxer Brief cut from 94-percent Egyptian cotton remains a pair of underwear you don’t have to worry about: they’re moisture-wicking, breathable and a great value.

Lululemon

It’s no surprise that a brand nearly synonymous with stretch wear makes excellent underwear. Their options are flexible, come in five sizes, and offer a variety of fits. The Always In Motion pack boasts three pairs all made from Modal, a super-soft alternative to cotton. They stretch and have an inseam of 5-inches.

Merz B. Schwanen

Made on loopwheelers that are more than 100 years old, Merz B. Schwanen’s basics are the ultimate upgrade — in an old-world luxury kind of way. Using organic cotton, the German company constructs underwear to classic standards, with a few sensible updates. Plenty of them still feature button fronts, but this boxer brief has a vertical fly and a form-fitting circular waistband.

Mack Weldon

Mack Weldon was one of the first everyday brands to embed silver into its line of men’s essentials. While used in high-performance settings like research studies at NASA, sporting events at the Olympics and the ilk, its presence in boxers, for example, was unfounded. It’s anti-microbial and promises longer freshness. They mix it into their Supima cotton boxers but use jersey for their 18 Hour line, which is named after how long the fabric sits before it’s cut. The longer wait period makes for a softer, more consistent fabric. This is most evident in the 18 Hour Boxer Brief, a soft and appropriately spacious iteration that comes in a dozen colors. 

Nike

It’s hard not to mention Nike, the sportswear giant capable of churning out revamped versions of their own compression wear nearly monthly. Most of their styles are catered to those seeking something to wear under their workout clothes, but that doesn’t mean they can’t do double duty undershorts in the summer. The Nike Elite Micro offers a contoured look with super soft seams and a waistband you won’t notice.

Organic Basics

Long johns make sense whenever the weather shifts from warm to cold — or when you’re out camping or spending an evening or early morning outdoors. Organic Basics makes them in two weights, this lighter option made from Tencel and heavier running tights. But that’s not all: they have an entire line of men’s underwear made from organic materials. (Hence the name.) Divvied up into two categories, Boxer Shorts and Boxers, both are soft and breathable but the former is wider, signaled by the loose fit around the leg. They’re pricier, but the price tag is a product of their commitment to better materials and processes.

Everlane

It’s always been commonplace for the waistband on men’s underwear to flaunt a brand’s logo. Everlane loves to point out that their pairs come without that. But, that isn’t the only area of improvement: these are softer, wash-tested up to 50 times, feature a 4-inch inseam, and come in a 93-percent Supima cotton, 7-percent elastane construction. The Longer Brief strives to cover more of every man’s leg, ensuring they won’t ride up when you’re in motion. Plus, they come in an array of colors.

Municipal

Municipal makes three different types of underwear, their Everyday Boxer Brief, the Tech Bodymap Boxer and these Stealth Cropped Leggings. Each offers various performance benefits, but all come constructed from a blend of polyester and spandex. The cropped leggings stop short of where crew socks would sit, ensuring fabric doesn’t get doubled up, thus reducing the overall breathability. Sure, these are smart for intense workout sessions, but they also won’t show from under usual trousers.

Smartwool

No, Smartwool hasn’t developed an intelligent fabric capable of cooling you on command. However, the way they’ve leveraged merino wool should be heralded as a technical achievement, too. Merino proves light, breathable, and naturally odor-resistant. These Merino 150 Boxer Shorts boast all of these and more, too: there’s embedded nylon for added durability, flat seams to prevent chaffing and a nearly invisible fly that’s still fully functional. 

Sir Cadian

As a category dominated by decades-old big box store brands, start-ups oftentimes find success through simply offering solid alternatives. (See: socks, for example.) Sir Cadian took their products one step further, promising a commitment to their customers’ comfortability but also the planet, too. The brand uses sustainable (yet undoubtedly soft) materials like Tencel Modal, bamboo, and organic cotton, palm tree nuts for buttons, and elastic-free waistbands. They’ve been designed as sleepwear, but their Boxer Briefs can be worn anywhere. 

Entireworld

The strangely childish descriptions on Entireworld’s underwear aside — see: “synthetic free peen” — the brand makes plenty of excellent options. All of them emphasize organic materials and comfortable silhouettes, plus sensible subtlety. Pick the Organic Cotton Trunks if you’re seeking something stylish, safer for the environment, and long-lasting. There are lots of colors to choose from, too.

Duluth Trading Co.

Duluth doesn’t come to mind when you think of men’s underwear? Don’t sleep! Although the patterns and illustrated product images aren’t the most flattering, their options feel great and are some of the hardest-wearing we’ve tested. They don’t lose their shape in the wash or through rigorous wear. Plus, this pair, the Buck Naked Performance Boxer Briefs, comes in sizes small through 4XL.

Sunspel

If you want a classic pair — something kids and dads alike would call “tighty whities” — go see Sunspel. Not only do they have a collection of whites called Sea Island Cotton, but they make three others, Superfine Cotton, Premium Stretch, and Cellular Cotton. Superfine uses 100-percent cotton, Stretch employs 92-percent cotton and 8-percent elastane, and Cellular are 100-percent cotton with an open knit for added breathability. There are few brands making better underwear, but their price points might deter even the splurgy shopper. See the $90 dollar Sea Island Brief, for example. But, well worth it, I’d argue.

Uniqlo

I’ve learned something about Uniqlo. Most times, you buy something there knowing it’s cheap — but then it’s better than excepted! Such is so with their underwear, an assortment of Supima Cotton, Airism (a blend of breathable materials), Woven Cotton options. These are the aforementioned Supima Cotton bottoms, which are odor resistant, stretchy and yet capable of holding their shape. Reminder: just because they’re under $7 dollars doesn’t mean they won’t endure repetitive wear.

Hanro

Swiss manufacturer, Hanro, makes a lengthy catalog of men’s underwear, each with its own hint of tradition. (The company’s over 137 years old.) Take this brief, for example. It’s made from a mix of long-staple Egyptian cotton and elastane, has a higher waist and a flattering lay-flat construction. These are certainly an upgrade on your usual, big-box brand styles.

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July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on The Best Men’s Underwear
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Today in Gear: The Best Home Rowing Machines, How to Use a Chronograph Watch & More

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Is a Teutonic War Hammer for the Track

Mercedes yet again one-ups itself in making the AMG GT more fierce.

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What’s Hair Oil For? And, Why Add More Oil?

Even for those with greasy hair, plant and nut oils promise to help with styling, restoring moisture, and finding relief from scalp irritation.

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What’s a One-Hand Watch Good For? De-Stressing, For Starters

These ultra-minimalist watches just might change the way you think about time itself.

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Soundbar Versus Speakers: Which Is Better for Your TV Setup?

The sound quality of your TV’s built-in speakers is trash. It’s time to upgrade.

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Take Our Summer Audience Survey for a Chance to Win $270 Worth of Gear

We want to hear all about your upcoming trips, the gifts you plan to give to loved ones and the gear that will be by your side through it all.

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If You Only Buy One Digital Watch, Buy This One

The Casio G-Shock 5600 series has everything you need in a digital watch, and nothing you don’t.

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How to Use a Chronograph Watch

A chronograph offers genuine utility with its ability to easily time events. This is how to operate one.

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The 12 Best Fitness Products of Summer 2021

There’s never been a better summer to get out there and get active.

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The Best Men’s Underwear

20 brands making underwear you’ll enjoy wearing.

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The 6 Best Home Rowing Machines

Our favorites will help you reach your stronger, faster, better goals right from your living room.

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The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers You Can Buy in 2021

Looking for a portable speaker to take to the beach, mountain or tailgate party?

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A Vintage-Inspired Chronograph with a Modern Dial

The Massena LAB Uni-Racer takes a classic chrono and turns it colorful and contemporary.

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Tom Hanks Is Auctioning His Toyota Land Cruiser and Airstream Trailer

For the Hanx enthusiast or someone on the hunt for quality items.

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Apple’s New AirPods Are Coming. Here’s What to Expect

Rumor has it Apple is gearing up to release the third-generation version of the original AirPods, because…of course. Here’s what we know so far.

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The Best Outdoor Furniture Brands for Your Patio, Balcony or Backyard

From Ikea to Herman Miller, this is your survey of the best outdoor and patio furniture at every price point.

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Enter to Win a Vansmith Mercedes Sprinter Van and Support Solar Power

Support a great cause. Maybe score the ultimate camper van

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July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on Today in Gear: The Best Home Rowing Machines, How to Use a Chronograph Watch & More
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Today’s Best Deals: $29 off Some Awesome Nike Runners, Huckberry’s Big Sale & More

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.

Welcome to Deals of Note, where Gear Patrol captures all the best deals of the day. You can also follow all our deal posts in the Deals section.

Jul 26, 2021

July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on Today’s Best Deals: $29 off Some Awesome Nike Runners, Huckberry’s Big Sale & More
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249

LEGO Launches 4×4 Mercedes-Benz Zetros RC Trial Truck

For fans of extreme off-road action, the LEGO Technic 4×4 Mercedes-Benz Zetros Trial Truck is not just a mean RC machine, it’s a big build. With 2110 pieces, builders get 4 functioning doors and hood, independent 4-wheel suspension and other real-deal features. Once built, connect 6 AA batteries and use the LEGO Technic app & bluetooth control to drive this dirt-blasting Benz!

July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on LEGO Launches 4×4 Mercedes-Benz Zetros RC Trial Truck
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Organize, Stack & Store More with Sidiocrates

For your equipment, tools, toys, and gear, Sidiocrate is a tougher, more technical storage crate. Designed for stable stacking and custom organization, they feature a straight wall w/ structural ribs, removable dividers that move easily to keep stuff from shifting and sliding around. A padded bottom mat and a snap-on lid seal the deal to keep your stuff right where you want it. Sidiocrates measure 18.5” X 12.5” X 6.5”

July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on Organize, Stack & Store More with Sidiocrates
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Till The End: CC Sabathia Memoir

Till the End is the thrilling memoir of one of baseball’s most beloved and successful pitchers, CC Sabathia, veteran star of the New York Yankees. It’s also a book about addiction, CC’s long journey to redemption and ultimately, the game of baseball—covering the ins and outs of its most important and technical position and its evolution in a volatile era of the sport’s history.

July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on Till The End: CC Sabathia Memoir
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Enter to Win a Vansmith Mercedes Sprinter Van and Support Solar Power

If you’re anything like us — and if you’re reading Gear Patrol, you probably are — bolting off into the wilderness in an exquisite custom camper van sounds just about perfect right now — or anytime, really. The trouble for most of us is those camper vans, especially off-road-ready Mercedes Sprinter 4×4-based ones, don’t come cheap. The best conversions can run well into six-figure territory with the price of the van included.

If you can’t afford the camper van of your dreams, you could always enter to win one and help support green energy initiatives. Omaze has teamed up with Colorado-based Vansmith to offer one of their awesome custom builds.

The vehicle itself is a Mercedes Benz 4×4 Sprinter Van with $80,000 to spend at Vansmith on a conversion, which is enough to do one of their exquisite high-end builds. Vansmith adds in their “Green Package,” which includes all-natural build materials and a carbon offset package. You can also add exterior accessories like a bike rack and all-terrain tires. The package also includes an extra 25% of the anticipated retail value to cover income tax payments.

Vansmith can deliver your van directly to you. Alternatively, you can pick up your van on site in Colorado and take your first adventure road-tripping home.

Every donation supports the Honnold Foundation, started by professional rock climber Alex Honnold, which provides grants to promote solar energy development in the developing world.

The sweepstakes runs through November 5, 2021.

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July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on Enter to Win a Vansmith Mercedes Sprinter Van and Support Solar Power
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Fabio Lamborghini unveils Huber Era

There will be only 21 of these Huber ERA built in the entire world, created by Sean-Peter Huber’s own coachbuilding company, the ERA is a facelift based on the Lamborghini Aventador, the first one of these Huber ERA has just been delivered to its owner in the UK, Ciro Ciampi, who is not only the membership Secretary for the Lamborghini Club UK, he is also the founder of the car community Petrolheadonism.

The unveiling of this impressive Lamborghini conversion was held at the former David & Victoria Beckham Estate, complemented by an amazing supercar collection on the grounds, and with the attendance of none other than Fabio Lamborghini himself, who together with Tonino Lamborghini, the latter being Ferruccio’s son, runs the family museum in Italy that showcases several Lamborghini that were important in history, or that actually belonged to Ferruccio Lamborghini himself.

But back to the Huber ERA, created by a passion for car design this car is another homage to the ten year anniversary of the Lamborghini Aventador that was unveiled back in 2011, the ERA comes with replacement units for the entire front bumper, rear bumper right up to the taillights, and an optional trunk, all made from carbon fiber.

The first of only 21 units are already booked, note that the project is fully-funded and independent from Automobili Lamborghini SpA, pricing starts at €30,000 (just over US $35,000), the UK Distributor for Huber is renowned Supercar Service Ltd, who’s founder Raj Singh was very impressed with the ERA kit for integrating perfectly with the Aventador chassis, Super Service Ltd even offers a ‘Flying Partner’ service where they will fly out to you to make sure the Huber ERA kit is fitted exactly as it should assure quality control.

A closer look at the Viola finished Huber ERA

July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on Fabio Lamborghini unveils Huber Era
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Tom Hanks Is Auctioning His Toyota Land Cruiser and Airstream Trailer

Tom Hanks is one of America’s most beloved actors and a high-end coffee machine aficionado. He has two automotive-related items coming up for auction at Bonhams in August that caught our eye, a low-key vintage Land Cruiser restomod and his personal Airstream trailer that he used for many of his most famous films.

The Land Cruiser is a 1980 FJ40. Hanks had it modified for driveability. The FJ40 gets more power from a 180 horsepower GM V6 and a better five-speed manual transmission. It’s also upgraded with Old Man Emu shocks and steering dampers. The FJ40 also has been upgraded for comfort with power-adjusted Porsche seats and air conditioning.

Bonhams expects the FJ40 Land Cruiser to fetch between $75,000 and $125,000. The listing notes that Hanks autographed the FJ40 — great for avoiding any John Voight style confusion.

Hanks’s trailer is a 1993 Airstream Model 34 Limited. He used it on film sets between 1993 and 2017 after getting fed up with generic movie trailers. Hanks customized the interior to be “gorgeous and cozy” with a sofa, single bed, fireplace and hardwood flooring. Window stickers denote each film and location the trailer appeared in, including “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Forrest Gump.”

Bonhams estimates that Hanks’s Airstream trailer will go for between $150,000 and $250,000. Hanks signed the air conditioning unit to dispel potential naysayers disputing the claim that it was Tom Hanks’s trailer.

Hanks’s Land Cruiser and Airstream will be sold at Bonhams’s Quail Lodge Auction at the Carmel Quail Lodge & Golf Club on August 13th. Marquee auction items not related to Tom Hanks include a Ford GT40 and a 1992 Ferrari F40. Both are expected to go for well into the seven figures.

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July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on Tom Hanks Is Auctioning His Toyota Land Cruiser and Airstream Trailer
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A Vintage-Inspired Chronograph with a Modern Dial

The overarching trend in watches toward everything vintage is itself full of mini-trends. One of those is for brands to first release a faithful homage or reissue and then, if successful, follow it up with new dials and finishes that make it much more unique and modern. This is what new versions of the Massena LAB Uni-Racer chronograph represent with three vibrant and interesting colorways touting a perfect summer feel.

Massena LAB’s dip into vintage-inspired watches featured an homage to the Universal Geneve Uni-Compax watch in two dial variants that were released last year. The brand tweaked some elements, increased the case size to a more modern 39mm and used a modern movement (the manually wound Sellita SW510 M) but generally stayed as close to the original watch as possible. This included the dial designs which came in nearly monochromatic “panda dial” color scheme and a more colorful “reverse panda” style of gray dial with white subdials.

With the new versions, Massena got a little creative: The underlying features like case size, movement and asymmetric “big eye” chronograph subdial are unchanged, and the vintage vibe is respected — but you’re left with something that feels familiar and time-tested yet fresh at the same time. Two models seem to take a similar panda/reverse panda approach as the first run, but now the colors are silver and vibrant shades of blue. A third model mixes a green dial (currently on trend, too) with gold-toned subdials. Each model throws in little touches of red for an overall colorful effect.

While these new models in what the brand is calling the Holiday Collection aren’t strictly limited, each version is only being produced in a batch of 35 examples. They’re available exclusively from the the Massena LAB website and the Hodinkee Shop starting today for $3,495.

SHOP NOW

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July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on A Vintage-Inspired Chronograph with a Modern Dial
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KTM is building only 100 units of its track-only 2022 RC 8C superbike

It seems unfair that track-only variants from the world’s leading supercar manufacturers have been getting all the attention. Despite the equal popularity of motorcycles, a majority of publications prefer to focus on automobiles instead. We hope that changes so rides like the 2022 RC 8C from KTM can blow us away. Since its debut in the 2017 season of the MotoGP.

While even many enthusiasts will shy away due to its usage limitations, those who crave pure power and performance will find it here. Since KTM is only producing 100 examples of the 2022 RC 8C, collectors are probably already lining up for one. In fact, it won’t be long before every unit is already spoken for.

Anyway, the Austrian sub-brand of Pierer Mobility AG is eager to promote its latest superbike as a race-ready beast. In fact, they say that the 2022 KTM RC 8C “is ultra-lightweight, bespoke track weapon designed with one simple purpose – to decimate lap times and stamp orange authority on the starting grid.”

Starting with the trellis frame, KTM is building it out of chromium-molybdenum steel. Krämer Motorcycles is likewise on board to craft this platform for those willing to harness its capabilities. The 2022 RC 8C weighs approximately 309 lbs thanks to GRP with carbon Kevlar bodywork.

Its 889-cc LC8c engine produces 128 horsepower with 74.5 lb-ft of torque and is paired to a 6-speed transmission. For superior cooling, the carbon fiber front fender features an air scoop that channels air to the radiator. In short, KTM equips the 2022 RC 8C with everything it needs to tackle the tracks.

Check it out: here

Images courtesy of KTM

July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on KTM is building only 100 units of its track-only 2022 RC 8C superbike
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The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers You Can Buy in 2021

It’s 2021 and portable Bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen. They come in all different shapes and sizes, with different sound qualities and price points. But before actually buying a portable Bluetooth speaker, there are a lot of different factors that you should consider.

Ultimate Ears Boom 3

Ultimate Ears

Ultimate Ears Boom 3 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Ultimate Ears amazon.com

$149.99

Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Released in 2018, the Boom 3 is the successor to UE’s Boom 2. It has a two-toned outer fabric and “Magic Button” on top of the speaker that’s used for play/pause and skipping tracks. The charging port has been moved from the bottom of the speaker on the Boom 2 to the side here, so you can charge and listen to each speaker simultaneously, fixing a small design flaw in the Boom 2. For deeper, richer bass and longer battery life, check out the bigger and slightly more expensive Megaboom 3. (Both the Boom 3 and Megaboom 3 have the same 90dBA maximum sound level.)

Sonos Roam

Sonos

Sonos Roam

Sonos sonos.com

$169.00

Best Upgrade Pick

The Sonos Roam is the company’s smallest and most rugged (IP67-rated) portable speaker, and it’s the perfect option for anybody who has other Sonos speakers. It has both built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, similar to the Move, so you can integrate it into an existing Sonos home speaker system or take it outside and use it as a traditional Bluetooth speaker. It supports Google Assistant or Alexa when connected to Wi-Fi, so you can use it just like a Sonos One. And it features Automatic TruePlay so it’ll sound good no matter where you’re listening to it. It charges via USB-C or any Qi-wireless charging pad, too, which is pretty neat.

Sony SRS-XB13

Sony

Sony SRS-XB13

Amazon

$58.00

Best Cheap Bluetooth Speaker

Released in 2021, the SRS-XB13 is the smallest portable Bluetooth speaker that Sony makes — it’s about half the size of a soda can. It’s the next-generation version of the SRS-XB12, which looked identical, but the SRS-XB13 now charges via USB-C and delivers true 360-degree sound. It has a lanyard so you can easily attach the speaker to a backpack or golf bag. And it comes in a number of different colors so you can buy one to match your style. (If you’re looking for more room-filling sound, we recommend spending a little more onSony’s SRS-XB23, which you can pick up for less than $100.)

Sony SRS-XB23

Sony

Sony SRS-XB23 Extra Bass

Sony amazon.com

$98.00

Best Bluetooth Speaker Under $100

The SRS-XB23 is the smallest and most affordable portable Bluetooth speaker in Sony’s 2020 Extra Bass series. It lacks the lighting strobes that the company’s larger speakers, SRS-XB33 ($150) and SRS-XB43 ($250), have, which helps keep the price of the SRS-XB23 down. It has a new more cylindrical design and packs two new full-range drivers and a passive bass radiator, as well a strap so that you can hang it on a chair or tree. One of my favorite things about the SRS-XB23, however, is that it’s the first Extra Bass speaker to charge via USB-C.

Sonos Move

Sonos

Move

Sonos sonos.com

$399.00

Best Sounding Bluetooth Speaker

The Move is Sonos’s first portable Bluetooth speaker and the best-sounding portable speaker on this list. In addition to being drop-resistant and IP56-rated, it also has built-in Wi-Fi and can work almost exactly like a Sonos One. When connected to Wi-Fi, it can play in a Sonos multi-room system and respond to either Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands. Unlike every other Sonos speaker before it, the Move has automatic Trueplay, meaning it automatically optimizes its sound for the space that it’s in.

Ultimate Ears Hyperboom

Ultimate Ears

Ultimate Ears Hyperboom

Ultimate Ears amazon.com

Loudest Bluetooth Speaker

Released in 2020, the Hyperboom is Ultimate Ears’s biggest, loudest and “boomiest” portable speaker to date. It’s no small fry, either, weighing in at 13 pounds and reach up to roughly a grown person’s knees. It’s a 270-degree, not a true 360-degree speaker, meaning it’s best placed in the corner of a room rather than the center. It’s also Bluetooth-only speaker, (no Wi-Fi, like the Sonos Move and UE Megablast), so it can’t be used as a smart speaker. The Hyperboom is a speaker that’s designed for people looking for a versatile party speaker that can be carried around the house.

Bose Portable Home Speaker

Bose

Bose Portable Home Speaker

Bose amazon.com

$349.00

Best Bose Bluetooth Speaker

Bose offers a variety of smart home speakers that work with Alexa and Google Assistant, like the Home Speaker 300 and Home Speaker 500, but they require constant power. Like its name indicates, the Portable Home Speaker is essentially a portable version of those speakers. It has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, meaning that you can streaming music away from Wi-Fi like any other portable speaker, or you can connect it to Wi-Fi and sync it with Bose other multi-room speakers. In this way, it’s Bose’s direct rival to the Sonos Move. It’s also the only Bose portable speaker that charges via USB-C.

Bose SoundLink Revolve and Revolve Plus

Bose

Bose SoundLink Revolve and Resolve Plus

Bose amazon.com

$199.00

$179.00 (10% off)

The Bose SoundLink Revolve and Revolve Plus are the company’s first 360-degree Bluetooth speakers. They’re loud and powerful, and they’re able to deliver accurate and spacious audio; each speaker is engineered with dual-opposing passive-radiators and an efficient transducer to eliminate distortion. They’re not the most rugged speakers on this list, but each still splash-resistant. And their simple design and easily-defined buttons make this traditional Bluetooth speaker very intuitive to use. It also has a built-in mic so you can answer calls without having to take out your phone. For anybody who loves the Bose sound and style, the SoundLink Revolve and Revolve Plus are a solid buy.

JBL Flip 5

JBL

JBL Flip 5

Amazon

$119.95

Released in 2019, the JBL Flip 5 is an excellent and affordable portable Bluetooth speaker. It’s doesn’t have too many premium features — it can be paired with other JBL speakers in a party mode — but that’s not a problem for most people. It has a very rugged (IPX7) design, meaning you can dunk it in 3 meters of water and it’ll survive (and thrive). The two big draws of the JBL Flip 5 are that it’s available in a wide variety of colors and it’s the first in the Flip series to charge via USB-C.

Anker Soundcore Motion+

Anker Soundcore Motion+ Bluetooth Speaker

Anker amazon.com

$105.99

The Motion+ is one of the best-sounding portable speakers at the $100 price point. It has four drivers, two high-frequency tweeters and two neodymium woofers, and a central passive radiator, and can play loud music with extra bass. It’s really rugged, with IPX7 water-resistance rating, so it’s no problem if it gets dropped out in the pool and left out in the rain. Since it’s one of Anker’s newer portable speakers, it also charges via USB-C.

Ultimate Ears Blast and Megablast

Ultimate Ears

Ultimate Ears Megablast

Ultimate Ears amazon.com

$350.00

The UE Megablast and UE Blast are the company’s first smart speakers and are equipped with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. When connected to Wi-Fi, they support Alexa voice commands and essentially work exactly like an Amazon Echo. When not connected to Wi-Fi, they function as normal Bluetooth speakers. In early 2018, their downside was that they were too expensive and didn’t support Alexa voice commands with Spotify — both of the problems have now been rectified; UE has significantly dropped the price of each speaker and updated its software to support Spotify. As far as sound quality, they are similar to the company’s Megaboom 3 and Boom 3 speakers.

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2

Ultimate Ears

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2

Ultimate Ears amazon.com

$99.99

The Wonderboom 2 is the smallest speaker that Ultimate sells. It’s a true 360-degree speaker with a durable IP67 design — and yes, it floats if you throw it in water. Compared to its predecessor, the original Wonderboom, the second-generation model gets louder and has a three-plus-hour battery life, but it can also stereo pair with another Wonderboom 2. There’s also an Outdoor Boost mode button on the bottom of the speaker, which essentially boosts the bass.

JBL Xtreme 2

JBL

JBL Xtreme 2

JBL amazon.com

$249.95

JBL has made some of our favorite Bluetooth speakers for years and its Xtreme 2 speaker is probably the best sounding and most rugged of the bunch. It’s powerful and bass-heavy, yet still sounds accurate, comfortably handling mid- and high-range frequencies. Through its companion app, you can pair multiple JBL speakers together. It has a built-in mic to answer phone calls. And it’s waterproof.

Anker Soundcore Flare Mini

Anker

Anker Soundcore Flare Mini

amazon.com

$42.99

The Soundcore Flare Mini is a little portable speaker that produces surprisingly good 360-degree sound. Throw in the fact that it costs less than $50, so you can’t really beat it. It’s extremely waterproof and has a dedicated button on the outside to boost its bass if you’re into that sort of thing. Additionally, through Anker’s Soundcore app, you can tweak the EQ settings and customize the LED lights that flash on the outside of the speaker.

Before You Buy: The Factors to Consider

Brand

You’ve probably heard of all the speaker manufacturers on this list, which is a good thing. You want to trust that the speaker is not only going to sound good but also last. Many portable speakers on this list work with other like-branded speakers; for instance, you can pair two Bose Soundlink speakers together or two of Kicker’s Bullfrog speakers together for more of a party (or multiroom) setup. So there is an advantage to sticking to one flavor if you have that usecase in mind.

Size and Shape

Generally, the bigger the speaker, the louder and better it is going to sound. You also want to consider the shape and design of the speaker. The two most popular shapes these days are 360-degree (cylindrical) or monodirectional speakers. The 360-degree speakers are generally better when placed in the middle of a room while monodirectional speakers are better for stereo audio.

Ruggedness

All rugged speakers aren’t the same. And in order to know how water-resistant or drop-proof a speaker is, you really need to understand IP (Ingress Protection) ratings. The easy way to explain it is that the higher the IP rating of the speaker, the more water-resistant it is — an IP7-rated speaker is more durable than an IP4-rated speaker. You can check out how the IP ratings are explained, here.

Voice Assistance

Some of the newer portable speakers have wi-fi connectivity and support a voice assistant, such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google Assistant. This allows you to use a speaker similar to an Amazon Echo or Google Home, using voice commands to request songs, answer general queries and control smart home devices. However, you’ll only be able to access the voice assistant when connected to wi-fi or a mobile hotspot.

Battery Life

Bigger speakers tend to have larger and longer-lasting batteries. That said, it varies from speaker to speaker. If you know you’re going to listen to the speaker a lot and you’re also going to have to go days between charges, these are things you should consider before purchasing a portable speaker.

Charge

Most of today’s portable speakers need a micro-USB cable to charge. However, there are some speakers that require a USB-C or AC cable to charge. Knowing what kind of cable might seem like a small thing, but it’s actually really convenient to be able to use the same cables to charge a few of your devices, like wireless headphones, your smartphone and computer.

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July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers You Can Buy in 2021
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Saint Perry’s Incredibly Comfy Underwear Can Be Yours for Free

Since their inception years ago, Saint Perry has redefined the men’s luxury apparel space with trendy and timeless pieces that fit seamlessly into any wardrobe. Case in point, the Saint Perry Signature underwear. These boxer…

The post Saint Perry’s Incredibly Comfy Underwear Can Be Yours for Free first appeared on Cool Material.

July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on Saint Perry’s Incredibly Comfy Underwear Can Be Yours for Free
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The 6 Best Home Rowing Machines

It’s time for a revolution — a rowing revolution. For too long, the rowing machine has been the default loner in the corner of the gym that seems to always be available. The desperation needs to end, because the modality is a marvel of full-body fitness. Engaging 86 percent of your muscles — nearly twice as many as running or cycling, including quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, shoulders, upper back, arms and core — rowing burns more calories than any other single piece of equipment.

“The rowing machine makes for the most efficient workouts, and intervals on the rowing machine are great,” says Bryan Volpenheim, two-time Olympic medalist and previous head coach of the US Men’s National Rowing Team. “You don’t have to do it for hours like you would running or cycling. You can get an incredible workout in thirty minutes… and it’s low impact so it’s not hard on your joints.”

With a combination of testing and scouring the internet, we’ve rounded up a few of the best. Scroll down and you’re sure to find one that will help you row your way to a fitter physique, fast.

Smartest Home Rower

Hydrow Rower

Yes, it’s pricey. But you get what you pay for, and in this case that means not only a top-notch rower but a whole online community that’ll keep you motivated and moving. The Hydro boasts a computer-controlled electromagnetic drag system for a real on-the-water feel, plus a sweatproof 22-inch HD touchscreen monitor to unlock a world of rowing experience. Through a membership ($456/year), you gain access to expert trainer-led live classes plus more than 1,000 streaming river and studio rowing sessions. The connected set-up also lets you track your progress and compete with others via leaderboards, daily rows, challenges and special events.

Most Gym-Like Home Rower

Cityrow Go

CityRow Go Max

City Row has close to a dozen energizing row-centric gyms across the country, with more on the way, and this unit is the rower of choice. So even when you use it at home, you get that dynamic gym feel, especially with the app and a subscription ($29/month), which lets you tap into all sorts of pumped-up trainer-led classes — rowing plus HIIT, strength, yoga and more. The rower itself is based on the classic WaterRower (see below) and its original WaterFlywheel, but it’s updated with a rotating touchscreen, hi-fi speakers, Bluetooth connectivity and realtime performance data.

Best Budget Home Rower

Courtesy

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515

$399.00

$249.99 (37% off)

If you wanna bring home a reliable rower for less than $300, this currently discounted option is your best bet. Relatively easy to jump on and use (or fold up and store), it features an LCD screen displaying time, count, calories and other key data. Meanwhile, a twist of the dial near the feet lets you access eight levels of magnetic resistance, so you can challenge yourself as you get stronger. You’ll have to supply your own motivation however — there’s no fancy screen on this unit, nor is there any place to add one.

Most User-Friendly Home Rower

Concept 2 Model D

First launched in 1976, Concept 2 churns out high-quality equipment that can be found in gyms nationwide, as well as at the indoor world rowing championships. Elite athletes use Concept 2 machines to push themselves to new levels. The Model D is easy to use: on the performance monitor, just hit row to get going. The harder you pull, the more muscles you’ll engage and the more intensity you’ll feel. You can also raise and lower the damper to control how much air gets into the flywheel housing. To store, separate the machine at the middle, tuck away the arm and roll the resistance sphere to a closet or corner.

Best-Looking Home Rower

WaterRower Classic

While the WaterRower has been around since 1988, it experienced a revival of sorts after its starring role in House of Cards. The beauty of the machine is that it’s built to blend in with its surroundings, so you don’t have to banish it to your gym dungeon. The machine is smooth, easy-to-use and works for everyone from beginners to experts. Even with its classic aesthetics, it has modern touches, too — most notably a performance monitor that tracks speed, intensity, time, distance and stroke rate. Of course, the soothing sound of water rushing around the base of the machine is also a plus.

Most Versatile Home Rower

Nordic Track RW900

If Peloton and Concept 2 were to have a baby, you’d get the RW900. Your first year of an iFit membership, which can be used on the RW900, is free, so you can enjoy expert-led workouts for not only rowing but also cross training, boot camp, HIIT and active recovery and more — both on and off the rower. The digital screen transports you to majestic spots around the world, immersing you in the rowing experience right from your living room. And not unlike the latest Peloton screen, it also rotates for easy viewing when you transition to other workout modalities.

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July 26, 2021 / Comments Off on The 6 Best Home Rowing Machines
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Men’s Gear Awards: Best Pocket Knife Brands Of 2021

One of the most common things we’re asked about at Men’s Gear is our stance on knives. We cover a lot of them, so we can understand why this comes up so often. The hardest question to ask us is which pocket knife we love the most. It’s a nearly impossible answer. However, we do have certain pocket knife brands that we swear by over others.

To us, it is still difficult to pick the best. There are a lot of factors to consider there. It was like when we had to pick out just 150 camping gadgets. We went over the top and picked more because we loved this stuff so much. When you ask about the top pocket knife brands, you’re looping together just about every company that makes outdoor knives.

They all make a pocket knife or something in that world like it. They also make hatchets and axes, with some even going as far as making tactical tomahawks. In fact, tactical-led companies have some of the best knives you’ll ever find, and they have to be when you’re going to need them in the field.

Overall, pocket knives are another breed of knife altogether. The pocket knife brands picked by us below were all judged by a number of factors. However, the main thing we focused on was only legal versions of knives. Most brands have assisted open and others that are legal in most countries but switchblades are not.

We only picked brands that fit the closed, smaller knife criteria. They have to count as a pocket knife, as in one that fits in your pocket, basically. Without further wait, enjoy our list of the best pocket knife brands in the world today.

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Editors Rating

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Spyderco makes some of the best knives you’ll ever see. This is especially true of pocket knives. In fact, people are discovering just how impressive Spyderco’s pocket knives are as of late.

So much so, several of these knives from the brand has reached top ten lists for top knife-centered websites as well as outdoor sites.

This is not shocking when you see what they have to offer. All of the knives are made with only the best materials, yet they don’t charge an arm and a leg for their products either. More on that later.

What makes Spyderco stand out over some of the others out there is their countless list of knives that are only sold by them. They trademarked or have copyright on a ton of their knives. Most of the ones that are pocket knife related are in that listing of brand-only knives too.

With that said, let’s get to some of these amazing knives and why they stand out.

Spyderco Pocket Knives 

While some may define pocket knives differently than us, we define them as knives that can fit in your pocket without a protective sheath. That means they are either too small to stab you in the leg if you put them in your pants pocket, or they fold up.

Something must cover them with a protector otherwise, which to us cannot count as a pocket knife. Everything that makes a pocket knife must come attached to the base of the knife or something of that nature. At Spyderco, they have multiple knives that fit this.

Here are the brand knives you should know about:

  • A.T.R.™ 2
  • Advocate™
  • Alcyone™ G-10 Grey
  • Amalgam™
  • Bradley Folder™ 2
  • Brouwer™ Folder
  • Caly™ 3.5 Carbon Fiber ZDP 189
  • Caribbean™ Leaf
  • Caribbean™ Sheepfoot
  • Civilian™ G-10 Black
  • ClipiTool™ Rescue™
  • ClipiTool™ Standard™
  • Cricket™ Stainless Steel
  • Harpy™
  • Hundred Pacer™
  • Karahawk™ G-10 All Black
  • Karahawk™ G-10 Black
  • Magnitude™ Carbon Fiber
  • Manbug™ Salt Sheepfoot
  • McBee™
  • Opus™
  • P’Kal™
  • Reinhold Rhino™
  • Rescue 79 mm™ Lightweight
  • Rubicon™ 2
  • Salt™ 2
  • Saver Salt™
  • Schempp Bowie™
  • Snap-It Salt™ Lightweight / Kraton
  • SpydieChef™ Titanium
  • Subvert™
  • Tatanka™ G-10
  • Techno™
  • Tropen™
  • Tusk™
  • Vallotton Sub-Hilt™
  • Wolfspyder

As you can tell, their list of impressive one-off knives is fantastic. However, Spyderco decided to continue some beyond a few knives. In fact, they have entire knife lines dedicated to them. These are the lines you should really check out:

  • The Assist Salt™ Lightweight Line
  • The Chaparral™ Line
  • The D’Allara™ 4 Line
  • The Dragonfly™ 2 Line
  • The Endura® 4 Line
  • The Lil’ Native® Line
  • The Manix™ 2 Line
  • The Matriarch™ 2 Lightweight Line
  • The Military™ Model Line
  • The Native® 5 Line
  • The Para Military™ 2 Line
  • The Para™ 3 Line
  • The Police™ Model Line
  • The Sage™ Line
  • The Shaman™ Line
  • The Spyderco Line
  • The Stretch™ 2 Line
  • The Tasman™ Salt 2 Line
  • The Tenacious™ Line
  • The Yojimbo™ Line

Each line and knife is made for different reasons. Some are better for hunting or fishing while others are better for camping. Carbon fiber, Titanium, and other materials are used in these knives too. Overall, you cannot go wrong with any of them.

Some of the designs are unique, not just in the handle but in the blade itself. While you still see the classic serrated or straight look in the blade, it may be shaped differently than you might normally see. This only makes them more valuable and unique, in our opinion.

Price Range:

The prices at Spyderco are around the industry average for pocket knife brands. You’ll pay as much here as anywhere else, but not every brand makes knives as impressively as they do. It is quite clear that they are in the average, but what is it exactly?

You’ll spend anywhere between $60 to $800 here. However, most of their knives meet in the middle where you won’t spend much more than $300 most days. The higher knives are usually more specialty-driven. This is why for $140 or $250, you can buy a quality knife from them just as easily as you could for those north of $300.

Spyderco does offer a warranty, but it looks to be a basic Limited Lifetime Warranty. They do have conditions with their warranty, however. One of them is that the service life of a knife will run out eventually, due to the knife needing to be retired from use. Sometimes, knives do reach their expiration. At this point, Spyderco does not fix anything.

They also do not fix the knife if it was used outside the realm of its abilities. If you would like to know more about what the warranty does or doesn’t cover, click here.

Spyderco is also a very big supporter of the Armed Forces. This led them to do what they call a Military Lottery. Each month, they pick 50 Military Personel to give a knife to for absolutely free of charge. This had to do mostly with deploying men and women.

If you want to find out more or you wish to enter the knife lottery with Spyderco, click here.

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Victorinox is a master in the craft of Swiss Army Knives. This is likely due to the fact that they are a Switzerland based company. This sort of helps them with that sort of thing, we feel.

Due to Victorinox being so good with Swiss Army Knives, they obviously have to land on the pocket knife brands list. These types of knives are really what people think about first when they think up a pocket knife.

Swiss Army Knives have been popular for years and it makes sense. They include a blade, sometimes multiple. They may also include tweezers, a bottle opener, nail file, and much more.

Overall, when you think about these types of knives, you know you’re getting more bang for your buck. This is due to the fact that they come with so much, so it feels like you have a one-stop shop for all the things you might need in a given day.

No one is better than Victorinox at making these knives. That said, let’s examine the knives they have and why you should pay attention to them.

Victorinox Pocket Knives 

The Victorinox pocket knives are not nearly as vast as Spyderco. This was to be expected, considering this brand focuses so much on the Swiss Army Knife. That means for every knife other brands might make, Victorinox is making 5 to 6 in one basically.

What knives should you keep an eye on here? These are our favorites among them:

  • Cadet Alox Limited Edition 2019
  • Pioneer Alox Limited Edition 2019
  • Classic Limited Edition 2018
  • Hunter Pro
  • Hunter Pro M Alox
  • Skipper
  • Skipper Pro
  • Huntsman
  • Classic SD
  • Huntsman Year of the Pig 2018
  • Sportsman
  • Spartan Wood
  • Victorinox@Work
  • Jettsetter@Work
  • Midnite Manager@Work
  • Work Champ
  • Hercules
  • Evolution S54
  • Equestrian 
  • CyberTool L
  • Swiss Champ XLT
  • Ranger Grip

As you’ll notice, the selection is vast at Victorinox. It is pretty clear that you’ll find exactly what you need here too. For proper Swiss Army Knives that count as Pocket Knives, there are few better places to shop.

Unlike other models of these knife types, the blades are not half-assed. They make them perfectly and they don’t just mess up with the smallest issue. The blade or blades you get here are perfectly designed for doing what they’re supposed to.

That means you won’t deal with the unsharp problems. The tools inside are also high-quality, making them worth the buy.

Price Range:

The prices on the Victorinox knives are all relatively good. They are a bit under the median of the industry standard. Pocket knife brands do not always have clear pricing. Sometimes you can see a knife for $50 then one similar for $500. This makes a range heavily needed.

Due to being made in Switzerland, they do not charge as much as Victorinox as people might think. The prices can range a bit wildly though. This seems to be from $25 to $250. The reason for the price difference makes a lot of sense, however.

They charge more depending on the number of tools or blades they have inside their particular Swiss Army knife. That means it’s worth the extra money, and you’re not getting cheated.

The company currently has a nice free 2-day shipping option, which should save you money on orders of any amount. They also have free returns if you need to send something back. This is only for a limited time after your purchase, however.

Victorinox even has a good warranty on their knives. Each knife has a Lifetime Warranty on it.

These guys do not mess around, as they feel their products are the best possible version of Swiss Army Knives you’ll find. So if you ever need to get something fixed, you just need to go to their Product Service Center.

You just have to go online and find the service center, fill out the form, and they’ll get back to you on what they can do. Since we’re nice guys, we found the place to go. That said, just click here to go straight to the service center and form area.

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Editors Rating

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The Columbia River Knife & Tool brand is one of the very best knife companies in the world today. They can literally do it all. It’s almost shocking to see how they can make some of the most incredible knives today.

We’re constantly seeing them make top ten lists on the internet, and some people swear by their knives right now. They are consistently making new and improved knives in every category.

They make perfect knives for fishing and hunting, yet they also make great tactical and protective knives too. CRKT knows how to make a proper pocket knife, so we’re not shocked that they make so many lists along with other great knives.

That said, let’s examine the best pocket knives from the CRKT brand.

CRKT Knives 

CRKT likes to make knives that can be used for just about anything. While they design them for specific tasks, we’ve found that you can use them in several crossover projects. Their pocket knives are a huge area that they love to perfect.

With that knowledge, we were sure they had plenty of knives to show off. However, they have major top rated versions that we feel need to be highlighted more. From single make to major lines, we wanted to highlight the best of the best CRKT has to offer. Let’s do that now:

  • HOMEFRONT™
  • K.I.S.S.® COMMEMORATIVE
  • SHENANIGAN™ Z CAMO REALTREE XTRA®
  • SQUID™ COPPER – LIMITED EDITION
  • SLACKER™
  • PREQUEL™
  • AVANT™
  • FLAT OUT™
  • BEV-EDGE™
  • INCENDIARY™
  • DAKTYL™
  • SNAP LOCK™ WITH TRIPLE POINT™ SERRATIONS
  • RIPSNORT™
  • HELICAL™
  • GUSSET™
  • DELILAH’S P.E.C.K.™
  • JETTISON™ 
  • GRAPHITE™ 
  • MOXIE™ 
  • DEVIATION™ 
  • MY TIGHE™ 
  • TIGHE TAC™ 
  • WRINKLE™ Red

As for those impressive lines we mentioned, here’s the best of the best:

  • The PILAR® Line
  • The Crossbones Line
  • The FOSSIL™ Line
  • The M4™ Line
  • The M16™ Line
  • The M21™ Line
  • The PAZODA™ Line

We cannot get enough of Columbia River’s major lines that seriously continue to improve, and only become greater each time they add more to them. They are often made with nearly indestructible blades. This only makes them more valuable.

They are perfect for hunting, fishing, and everyday activity. Overall, we see these knives all over the place and it is for good reason. They’re simply too difficult to kill and that adds value that cannot be overlooked.

Price Range:

We know that the CRKT knives are impressive, but did you know they are insanely well-priced too? It’s true. The company is actually under the median normal price range among pocket knife brands.

You’ll pay anywhere between $25 and $300 here. Nearly all are under $100, which makes the knives very affordable for everyone. This is perfect for fishermen and hunters who do not like overspending. The newer the knife, the higher the knife’s price is at CRKT.

The brand offers free shipping for any orders over $100. They even have a Limited Lifetime Warranty on all of their knives too. To find out what it does and does not cover, click here.

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Editors Rating

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Gerber Knives have been huge in the last few years. They have developed key partnerships with impressive people, like Survivalist and TV Presenter Bear Grylls alone. Heck, he even has his own knife with them.

Their Gator Grip knife is known by many to be among the best knives in the world, full stop. Yet when you’re trying to think of the best pocket knife brands, Gerber continues to rank highly. It is hard to overlook them mostly because they make incredibly popular knives.

The respect they have earned and the popularity they have managed to get over the last few years is clearly giving them an edge in the market right now. While they may be known for their hunting and fishing knives, their pocket knife listing is downright massive.

Let’s examine those knives and explain why they’re so well-liked.

Gerber Pocket Knives 

The Gerber line of knives is massive, but the biggest collection they have is clearly in their pocket knife section. They have dozens that can all be considered top tier. Most feel the biggest issue Gerber has is that their selection is so hard to choose from.

Happily, unlike some other knife brands, they don’t have a bunch of the same knife. They have multiple different types that can all be used for different things. These are a few that you should keep your eye on:

  • HINDERER RESCUE – SERRATED, SHEATH
  • HINDERER CLS
  • EAB POCKET KNIFE
  • GERBER EDGE
  • VITAL POCKET FOLDER
  • POCKET SQUARE – ALUMINUM HANDLE
  • COVERT FAST – BLACK, SERRATED
  • PROPEL AO
  • PROPEL DOWNRANGE AO
  • US-ASSIST S30V
  • HAUL
  • ANSWER F.A.S.T. SM, DROP POINT, FINE EDGE
  • SWAGGER AO

They have several automatic open knives too. These do not technically count as switchblades, but they can be considered similar. Some states in the United States ban auto-open, so we won’t highlight those here.

Of course, they also partner up with survival experts and military personnel too. The BEAR GRYLLS SCOUT and BEAR GRYLLS FOLDING SHEATH are spectacular, top-rated knives. Meanwhile, they have a serrated option called the SHARKBELLY that has been tested and used in disaster relief efforts.

Overall, Gerber gets it done every time with their work. They even do it at fair prices. Speaking of those.

Price Range:

The Gerber prices are actually quite impressive. They are actually on the low end of prices compared to other pocket knife brands from what we can tell.  At Gerber, you’ll spend anywhere between $25 and $225.

Almost all of the major pocket knives are less than $100 too, making even their specialty knives completely affordable.

While not all of their products are made in the United States, a large number of them are. This could be why there is a price difference on those compared to the other knives, however, it is not by much.

Gerber has one of the best warranties you’ll find among pocket knife brands too. They have a Limited Lifetime Warranty on their products for customers in North America only. For those outside the continent, they have a 25-year warranty. This is pretty impressive, we think.

Not everything is covered by Gerber, but a lot is. To know what the company does and does not cover, click here. They also have knife sharpening covered within this warranty, which often costs more elsewhere.

If you think you might buy a lot from the Gerber brand, and who can blame you, why not save some money while you do it? Gerber has a Pro Program that provides exclusive offers to get their products at reduced prices. To find out more about the program, click here.

5SOG Flash II Serrated

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SOG might be known as a tactical company, yet they are masters when it comes to knives overall. It’s quite clear that they can make just about any type of knife they want, including pocket knives, and rank high on any list.

Since they have a large selection of pocket knives, it should come as no surprise that people love SOG for their work in this department. In fact, one might say that SOG really made their name on the backs of their pocket knives.

They are specially made, each and every single one. This is why, even if they have a knife line, all of those knives end up being different. Whether it’s the handle, the blade, the style, etc. It really does not matter, as they will continue to differ.

Let’s go over some of SOG’s biggest and most well-liked knives of today to prove this.

SOG Pocket Knives 

SOG has a lot of smaller knives, but not all of them fold up to count in our pocket knife category we established at the start. This is why we only counted the folded versions of their knives, whether they were part of a line or a special solo version knife.

Here are some to keep your eye on:

  • The Flash II Line
  • The Twitch II Line
  • Trident
  • Kiku Assisted
  • Kiku Folding
  • SOG-TAC Line
  • Strat Ops Auto
  • Traction Tanto
  • Aegis
  • Slimjim Line
  • X-Ray Vision
  • Zoom Mini
  • Flashback-Black Tini
  • Vulcan Tanto Mini
  • Terminus
  • Salute Mini-Beaded Blast
  • Ultra C-Ti
  • Kilowatt

Overall, the company has all sorts of knives. The ones that are folded or assisted open are listed here, but not their automatic types. Again, we wanted to avoid any that are considered illegal for any state in the United States.

The SOG brand has been known to vary their knives and you can tell the differences in all of these we highlighted above. This is the key thing we feel makes everything better for them. They put their hard work to good use and made everything better in the end.

Price Range:

The prices for SOG knives are relatively industry standard. Here you’ll pay between $50 and $300 with most knives coming under $200.

SOG also has a Limited Lifetime Warranty on all of their knives. To learn more about what they do or do not cover, click here.

Overview Of The Best Pocket Knife Brands

As you clearly noticed from our list, the premier pocket knife brands are those that know their customers. While some knives may be used only for hunting, tactical, fishing, etc., it really does not matter. Pocket knives can be used for a lot of different things, and the right brands will know this.

That is why they may separate them out for what a knife might be perfect at, but they won’t hold them back either. They won’t tell a hunter that he cannot use a certain pocket knife for something, even though they may guide them to better-equipped versions.

This is essential, we feel, to making a good knife. When you can do just about anything with it, regardless of its original design, that is a great thing. Proper pocket knife brands will have knives that may include a lot of extra material beyond the normal blade. The infamous Swiss Army Knives often have several tool attachments, for example.

Yet the proper pocket knife will be one that, well, fits in the pocket. The Swiss are great at making those it appears. To us, it comes down to the fit at the end of the day. Some blade are bigger than others, and some are straight over serrated. In the end, none of that matters as long as it fits the job you needed the knife for.

These pocket knife brands seem to deliver what you need each time. If you’re getting the opinion of Men’s Gear, that is what one must deem most important in a brand. When they can deliver, no matter what, they have done the job you need. These brands just so happen to be the best at it in this category.

Buyer’s Guide To The Best Tactical Pens

Would you like to have a pocket knife but need something more covert? Why not try out a tactical pen? They double as a real pen that also works as a knife. This is better than Janice from Accounting trying to use her letter opener, right? Check these tactical pens out and keep yourself protected at the office or anywhere else you may end up.

CLICK HERE

July 25, 2021 / Comments Off on Men’s Gear Awards: Best Pocket Knife Brands Of 2021
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