The McLaren Elva track machine is the brand’s lightest supercar, but it’s missing something: a windshield. Designed for race days and track days only, the Elva is meant to be driven with a helmet and…
The post The 2021 McLaren Elva Gets a Windshield first appeared on Cool Material.
Loops & Wales
Whether you are suited up for a wedding, dressed for work or running a road race, sometimes your socks are the only way to showcase your personal style. They not only bring warmth, comfort and empower performance, but they enable self-expression and can even be a conversation starter. If you are looking to up your sock game or even start your sock game, then look no further than Loops & Wales. Launched in 2020, Loops & Wales was created after the realization that there was not an easy and engaging way for people to shop for socks online. The brand took its decades of industry experience and turned into a seamless online shopping experience. With an extensive amount of collections and styles from brands like Sperry, K.bell, Hot Sox, Merrell and more, your socks will be anything but an afterthought. The brand’s tagline, “a life well-lived is lived in socks,” shows just how dedicated it is to making sure some of the best socks on offer are featured on its site. Whether you are looking for tried-and-tested classics, surprising finds or new favorites, Loops & Wales has a sock for every occasion. Here are four pairs selected by the Gear Patrol Studios team worth checking out.
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Chrome is the most popular web browser, and odds are you spend a lot of your time in there, from shopping on Amazon to checking your email to filing your taxes. One way you can get more out of it, is making use of the built-in Google Password Manager
Google’s built-in password manager is more than just convenient. It enables you to create stronger passwords so that it’s less likely that your account gets hacked and your personal information stolen.
In order to take advantage of Chrome as a password manager, you need to have a Google account and use Chrome as your web browser. After that, Chrome will automatically remember your usernames and passwords. And as long as you’re logged into your Google account and using Chrome, your usernames and passwords will sync across your various devices, like your smartphone and desktop.
The catch, of course, is that in order to make use of it, you’ll have to ensure that you’re always using Google Chrome. If you don’t want your choice of password manager to lock you into a particular browser (or be part of Google’s information domain), then it’s time to look at independent alternatives. The downside there, is that you’ll probably have to pay at least a small fee for a similar suite of services.
One of the great advantages of using a password manager is that it allows to quickly check a username and password for any of your accounts, in case you forget them or wish to share them. And you can easily change a password whenever you want.
If you want to see your login credentials for a specific website, simply scroll down to that website and you’ll see your username and hidden password. To reveal your password, click on the eye icon and, when prompted, type in your Google password. You can easily change your password, too, by selecting the three vertical dot icons (located next to the eye icon) and selecting “Edit password” from the dropdown menu.
If you don’t want Chrome to store your usernames and passwords — maybe because you’re using a different password manager, such as 1Password or LastPass — you can easily turn it off by deselecting the “Auto Sign-in” feature within Chrome’s password manager (which you get to by following the above steps).
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A high-performance light hiker is a staple piece of footwear that everyone should have in their wardrobe. They can do just about everything, and are ideal for days that start out hiking at your local trailhead, move to running errands around town and finish off at the brewery. The downside of most light hikers, however, is that they are often accompanied by loud colorways and a race-to-the-summit, grab-the-KOM type of aesthetic. Garmont’s DRAGONTAIL light hiker bucks the trend. Not only is it feature-packed and ready for your next adventure on the trail, but it offers a toned-down look that will match anything in your closet.
Garmont
Garmont
The headline for the DRAGONTAIL is its new form and fit. It combines a wrapped fit with plenty of support where you need it, while still allowing for increased forefoot volume to ensure comfort.
The DRAGONTAIL is available in two versions — the standard version and a version with G-DRY. G-DRY is Garmont’s waterproof breathable membrane that guarantees your feet stay dry no matter what mother nature throws at you.
To top it all off, the DRAGONTAIL is loaded with outdoor-ready tech. It features a dual-density EVA midsole, lace-to-toe closure for better fit, a FrameFlex Lite insole that keeps things stable when traveling on rough terrain and a GTF™- DIAMANTE Garmont® rubber outsole that provides tons of traction.
Price: $125+
Gear Patrol Studios
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The seemingly simple process of whitening your teeth is rarely ever easy. Brightening kits don’t always work, and they’re tedious beyond belief. Further, dental insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic services like professional whitening, and at-home kits that promise quick results require wearing uncomfortable mouthpieces and applying unsavory gels and serums. (Try doing literally anything else with a massive mouthpiece in!)
We believe the best way to make whitening a part of your routine — in a way you’ll remember to do it, too — is to buy a whitening toothpaste. Options are aplenty nowadays, and we’ve done the work of narrowing the field for you. These are the 10 best whitening toothpastes.
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A patented formula comprising 3 percent hydrogen peroxide lends Colgate’s Optic White toothpaste its whitening powers. In four weeks, the brand states, you’ll see a near-complete reversal of up to a decade’s (give or take, I guess) worth of stains. For those prone to mouth sores, perhaps steer clear; Colgate says SLS within can exacerbate such issues.
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You know Native? The ones you see selling $10 dollar deodorants? Yeah, they make $10 dollar toothpaste, too. (It’s good stuff, I swear!) Available with or without fluoride, their whitening iteration can be used daily to prevent cavities, restore enamel and, over time, lift stains.
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Toothpastes with activated charcoal added are a dime a dozen, but Schmidt’s all-natural option tastes better than most, courtesy of a blend of infused botanicals: goji and pomegranate extracts and organic aloe leaf juice.
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Sure, spending $75 on some toothpaste sounds insane, right? Well, consider the cost of whitening services at the dentist — which insurances rarely cover. Supersmile’s professional-grade polishing system promises instant results of up to six shades lighter, and applying the paste and accelerator proves as simple as mixing both on your toothbrush and cleaning twice daily.
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Fluoride and farm-grown mint form the basis of Hello’s bad-breath-battling whitening toothpaste. Sugar and artificial sweetener-free, it’s the tea tree oil that offers the fresh-out-of-the-dentist tingle.
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Dr. Sheffield’s makes a strange assortment of flavored options for kids — strawberry banana, mixed berry, chocolate — and a line of fluoride-free extra-whitening pastes, too. The brand’s named after a real-life Dr. Sheffield, who’s credited, at least in some capacity, with inventing an alternative to tooth-cleaning powders.
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Mmmm, activated charcoal. Buzz words like “3D white.” All joking aside, Crest’s most popular whitening toothpaste lifts surface stains and remineralizes weakened enamel.
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Snow’s Morning Frost flavored toothpaste — think more peppermint than mint julep — doesn’t foam like most options but rather remains somewhat slick and gel-like the whole time. That might not be for everyone, but it works for what’s intended to do.
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Do your sensitive teeth deter you from trying out whitening products? Sensodyne offers a Gentle Whitening option that addresses damage done by fruit, soda and wine acids — the primary culprits behind stains and heightened sensitivity.
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Davids all-natural peppermint option is SLS-, fluoride- and sulfate-free and ultra-smooth. Plus, it comes with a tiny key roller for easy squeezing, too.
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Tudor Black Bay Chronograph, $4,900+
We know, we know — this is far from the first Black Bay Chrono you’ve come across on the pages of Gear Patrol, or elsewhere: there were black ones, special ones, steel and gold ones, etc. We get it. But this one is different.
This one resurrects the “panda” dial and the “reverse-panda” dial, classic, mid-century configurations that represent the pinnacle of chronograph aesthetics. Also — this version is thinner than past versions, which is welcome news for those of you with slimmer wrists, or who simply prefer the look and feel of vintage models. Let’s dive right in.
Key Specs:
Case Diameter: 41mm
Case Depth: 14.4mm
Water Resistance: 200m
Movement: Tudor Cal. MT5813 (COSC)
Price: $4,900+
The two new models — panda (white with black sub-registers) and reverse-panda (black with white sub-registers) — are each available in three configurations: on bracelet, on a “Bund”-style leather strap, and on a fabric strap. This gives the user a choice of two different price points as well as different band options. The case size has also been slimmed down somewhat to 14.4mm, which, while still chunky, is thinner that that of previous iterations. In short, this is a handsome, classically inspired take on the midcentury chronograph that should provide a great alternative to sister brand Rolex’s Daytona. It also stands well on its own.
If you want a Daytona but you can’t find one, or you can’t afford one, or you don’t wanna be yet another dude wearing a Daytona, then this is the watch for you. If you dig midcentury chronograph aesthetics — especially the whole “panda” dial thing — then this watch is for you. If you just like chunkier, hefty tool watches, then this watch is for you. If you like to time things, like pasta boiling on the stove or how long you can stand on your head, then this watch is for you. In short: this is a watch for many, many different types of people.
Well, you could go for a Daytona. (LOL.) If you can get your hands on one of those in steel at retail, it’ll set you back $13,150. Despite a price difference of over 2x, there are still a fair number of similarities: sizing, dial configurations, in-house movements, etc. Though of course the Daytona uses a triple-register layout and leaves out the date.
Zenith’s Chronomaster Sport is a page out of the old Daytona book, and thus a good alternative to the BB Chrono — though it’ll run you $10,000 on a bracelet. Moving a bit downmarket but sticking with the dual-register-plus-date configuration, we’ve got the Intra-Matic Auto Chrono from Hamilton for $2,195, though it comes on a leather strap. The layout and similarities in look are striking, however. Another good reverse-pandal option is Yema’s Speedgraf, an awesome, affordable mechanical chrono with a dual-register layout and an uncommon movement from Seiko. They’re about $1,500.
We’re talking about a 41mm chronograph with a 14.4mm depth and, on my review model, a matching steel bracelet. So first things first: this thing has some heft to it. And that’s welcome, frankly — a svelte, dressy Patek 1463 or 1518 this most certainly ain’t, but you also don’t have to worry about banging it around.
The exciting upgrade to the BB Chrono is two new dials in panda and reverse-panda configurations, so let’s start there. And what’s with the whole bear-themed thing, you ask? Well, a “panda” dial just indicates a white dial in which the sub-registers are black; a “reverse-panda” is the opposite. (You can no doubt guess why in both cases.) In the case of the review model I have here, we’re talking about a panda configuration.
And a handsome panda dial it is: we’ve got applied, lume-filled dot indices and “snowflakes” hands — a handset unique to Tudor watches — plus two registers (one for running seconds at 9 o’clock and one 45-minute counter at 3 o’clock) in addition to a recessed date window at 6 o’clock and a minute and 1/5th-second track around the dial edge. Then there’s an outer black tachymeter scale with silver printing, and some branding on the dial. (The water resistance rating is printed in red, for a nice, vintage Rolex-inspired touch.) A domed sapphire crystal tops it all off.
Of course, given that Tudor is Rolex’s sister company, we have handsome case-work: the steel case features nicely beveled edges, brushed tops and polished sides, plus a largely blank case back that’s perfect for engraving. (The case is not punched, meaning there are no lug holes — you have to get a spring bar tool behind the lugs in order to swap straps.) On the right side of the case is a large, screw-down crown and two screw-down pushers, ensuring water resistance of 200m.
And the matching bracelet? Everything you need and nothing you don’t: it’s a brushed, “rivet”-style strap, vintage inspired but featuring a modern clasp and three micro-adjustment positions. I can’t speak to the other two strap options, but to my mind, one should almost always buy the bracelet-equipped version and then spring for extra straps – which are relatively inexpensive — later.
The thing about a chronograph with screw-down pushers is that, to operate the chrono, you have to, you know, unscrew the pushers — which is much easier done with the watch-off wrist. Once you do operate the chronograph on this particular watch, it’s oh-so buttery smooth, courtesy of the in-house Tudor cal. MT5813 (COSC) developed in conjunction with Breitling, which provides 70 hours of power reserve. Of course, you could leave the pushers unscrewed if you, like me, actually use your wristwatch to time stuff fairly often. You just have to be cognizant of water ingress.
Ok, so here are my honest feelings about this watch, which, for better or worse, mirror my feelings for many other watches: I love it, but I still feel like it’s slightly too big.
Yes, yes, I know — the case depth has been shrunk down to 14.4mm on this version. (Thank you, Tudor.) And the thing wears great in short sleeves, I must say. I checked out my wrist in the mirror like some vain psychopath just to make sure.
But I don’t want a 14+mm-tall watch, nor do I necessarily want a 41mm-wide watch. I think men are finally coming around to the fact that the ’90s, with their oversized Panerais, JNCO jeans, Oakley A Frames and XXXL t-shirts, didn’t exactly set a sartorial standard that looked good on anybody. People are coming around to smaller watches again, and we should let them. Even Tudor acknowledged this with their 39mm BB58, a wildly successful watch (and deservedly so).
All I’m saying is, though I love this watch (and I’m not just saying that — I truly think it’s killer and would wear the shit out of it), I want a smaller, more wearable version. I have a permanent indent in my left wrist from the crown of my Sub — just imagine what the onion-sized steel crown on this thing is going to do to me! Tudor, if you’re listening, I know you can do this: Give us the 39mm, 13mm-thick version of this chronograph. I would buy one in each color.
Ah, the barbershop: a sacred place of in-depth conversations imbued with life advice, sports-based banter, and, of course, haircuts. As they reopen, patrons and their preferred stylists reconnect over the first 45-ish minute appointment in, for some, many months.
Many of us have let the mane maneuver its way past the ears and down onto the shoulders. Others’ hairdos grow out and up — gravity-defying growth with impressive resistance to styling products. Some are sporting looks shorter than ever out of necessity.
Over the past 12 months — well, nearly 15, if you’re counting from when the pandemic began — plenty of us have dabbled in buzz cuts, box dyes and styles we can only call bowl-cut-but-longer. Returning to the barber’s chair comes with a sigh of relief, but what if you’ve left your old barber behind? Some were forced to close when restrictions forbid formal appointments. Customers might’ve relocated to different neighborhoods or new cities. Trends have also come and gone and maybe you’re in the mood for something new.
As such, plenty of questions arise: How do I tell my barber what I want? Do I even know what I want? What’s in right now? When should I come back for another? What was once nearly routine is now less familiar than ever.
Mildred barbershop co-owner Rob McMillen, whose shop is located in NYC’s Lower East Side, has seen a newfound freeness amongst clients returning to the chair. That being said, McMillen — who’s booked solid for the next three months — has the answers to a few questions you’ll probably consider before booking your next appointment.
“From a trend standpoint, guys have felt more comfortable leaving things a bit looser. We’ve had folks that still want to have some tapered edges, or still might want the beard trimmed up a bit, but not so strict in form or hair parting or really specific style. Guys are saying, ‘I used to get my hair cut every three weeks. Now, I’m coming every six weeks, because I’m not traveling to the office or work; I don’t have as many social obligations.’ In New York, I can’t say that there’s one style that we’ve seen a trend of, it’s been more that we’ve had more to work with… We’re seeing more facial hair and just longer hair in general.
“A lot of folks also learned what some of their limitations might be with hair and grooming, and I think that’s a really healthy thing to discover. Also, there were some that had these perceived limitations that I think they were able to work through. That’s another really a wonderful thing. Maybe they thought, ‘Oh, I could never have long hair because of this, or I could never do that, because of this.’ The never mentality is not the best one to have.”
“[I’ve noticed] guys have been more comfortable asking, ‘Hey, what do you think? I was doing _____ for a really long time, was there something you’ve thought about or seen?’ Nowadays the idea of experimentation and trying something comes with a little less risk. In the early pandemic, because they weren’t out as much, guys let their goofy mustaches grow — because no one is seeing me because I’m wearing a mask, or because, if I’m on a Zoom call, I’m comfortable enough with my team to do so, and so on. People seem to have learned how to live in their own skin a bit more, and that’s a good thing to see.”
“I think in the past I’ve seen some guys kind of be embarrassed to show a photo — they’d just be kind of like, eh, I don’t know. And if your barber or stylist doesn’t want to look at a photo reference and wants to drive instead, I think that’s a sad thing. A photo reference, whether it be some cuts you’ve seen (from a celebrity standpoint) or just looks you’ve seen on social media, can be a really great jumping-off point. At that point, you’re not necessarily discussing very strict terms in regards to texture, length or whatever it may be, but it’s more so trying to look at that photo, see if it works with that person’s personal style and then tailoring something to them that’s going to be close. There’s no such thing as one size fit all for this.”
“When it comes to the consultation, especially if is someone trying a new shop, or a new stylist, or whatever it may be, it can be intimidating. But I think, just be confident in realizing there’s no wrong look to bring in. And photos are one thing, but also bring some things that you’ve either loved or haven’t loved so much in the past: things that bothered you about your hair, that have been troublesome, that you’re looking to work through. I think there’s been so much misinformation in barbering and styling that a lot of guys out there have read that there are these five best ways to keep curly hair, these five best beard looks, or all of these different things.
“There’s just a sea of information, and it can be overwhelming for a lot of folks. I think kind of whittling things down, simplifying things a bit, and just speaking in terms of more personal style and some of the things that you would prefer, and working with your barber stylist to achieve some of those things is a really fun thing.”
“Anytime you want to approach either a longer style or a different style, the first thing you want to think about is what type of maintenance you’re going to have to do to maintain that style. If it’s longer hair, you’re going to be adding a grooming product to our your medicine cabinet or kit. If it’s a different look that you’re not super comfortable with styling, it’s going to require some other additional pieces. And, finally, you should be realistic now that the world is is opening back up. Is this something that you can maintain when your schedule picks up again?
“We do say, if you keep it really short, [you should go] two to three weeks [between visits]; if you keep something medium length, three to five; and if you have a longer look, maybe it’s five to seven or even longer. Those are the kind of parameters we look at, but it’s again about being open and flexible, which your barber or stylist should be. And, if you’re still unsure, there’s no such thing as a bad or dumb question.”
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A version of this story first appeared in Gear Patrol Magazine. Subscribe today for more stories like this one, plus receive a $15 gift card to the Gear Patrol Store.
If you’re anywhere along the car-buying spectrum right now, you’ve probably asked yourself a question your forebears never had to contend with: Should I get an electric car?
After all, saying goodbye to gas is more in vogue than ever. Elon Musk has become one of the world’s richest people based on market expectations that Tesla represents the future of transportation. And governments around the globe have announced plans to ban the sale of fossil fuel cars before today’s infants start driver’s ed, with good reason. EVs have many advantages over internal-combustion-engined vehicles: you can refuel them at home; they require less maintenance; their torque-laden motors make them feel zippier; and, of course, they don’t produce harmful emissions.
Here’s the thing, though: you shouldn’t buy an electric car. Not yet.
This isn’t to say today’s EVs suck. Far from it. From Tesla to Taycan, many of the electric vehicles you can buy right now are among the most cutting-edge passenger vehicles ever sold, capable of doing everything from almost driving themselves to delivering acceleration that could make Neil Armstrong puke.
And though you might know the term “range anxiety” as a reason to be apprehensive about electric cars, it’s not the issue it’s made out to be. Today’s EVs can usually cover at least 200 miles on a charge; that may not be the equal of fossil fuel cars, but it’s still more than enough to handle 99 percent of the average person’s needs.
What remains a deal breaker in 2021, however, is another hang-up: a paucity of charging options. While there are around 168,000 gas stations in the United States, there are only around 47,000 public electric vehicle chargers in the U.S. and Canada combined. Less than 6,000 of those are fast chargers capable of substantially recharging a vehicle in under an hour — and more than 1,000 of those only work with Teslas.
The vast majority of chargers are Level 2 units, which can fully recharge an EV over five to 12 hours. That makes them ideal for recharging at home overnight or at the office, where cars sit stationary for hours, but not so great in the areas many of them are actually located: places like shopping malls and grocery stores, where people are in and out. Add it all up, and America’s EV infrastructure still has a long way to go before it can come close to matching gas stations.
The other primary obstacle: the number of electric vehicle options is still limited compared with internal-combustion options, and they’re relatively pricey for what you get. As of this story’s publication, there are only 19 true EVs in U.S. showrooms. Want a pickup truck, like millions of Americans buy every year? A giant SUV, a convertible or a station wagon? Tough luck. And even if you’re shopping in a category that is fairly well-represented, like all-wheel-drive crossovers — the EV equivalent of a $29,000 Honda CR-V — you’re looking at shelling out more than $45,000.
Thankfully, the next few years should see both of these stumbling blocks fall away. On the charging front, the Biden administration aims to make EVs far more appealing through an onslaught of investment, including plans to add 500,000 charging stations across America. That would not only make electric-car ownership easier for road-tripping suburbanites, but also open up the door to EVs for city dwellers, who often don’t have the luxury of a dedicated parking/charging space at home.
And by 2024, the market will be flooded with a broad array of EVs, as nearly every car company that sells in America dives into the space. Given the fast pace of EV development and the ramping up of battery tech and production, those cars will likely pack more power and range than many of the EVs you can buy today — quite possibly with smaller price tags.
But if you’re locked into a lease or loan you signed in 2021, you’ll be left watching from the sidelines, grumbling under your breath every time one of those new electric Cadillacs, Fords or Mercedes-Benz EQs glides by.
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The very phrase ‘sun shirt’ is a shade oxymoronic, no? I, for one, would rather be bare-chested in the summer sun. Unfortunately, the rewards for going shirtless are agonizing sunburns, increased risk of skin cancer and refusal of service at all my favorite restaurants. Not exactly worth the fleeting feeling of freedom. Sun shirts are a necessity. And while they vary in style, weight, stretch, cut, fabric and intended use, they all have a single common goal: to protect the skin from ultraviolet rays.
It’s worth noting that while experts still recommend the use of sunscreen in conjunction with protective clothing, it can be detrimental to your sun shirt over time. “Our UPF garments do not require any special care,” says Corey Simpson, Patagonia’s communication manager of product and sport communities. “But we do recommend washing them to keep any body oils, sunscreens and other contaminants out of the fabric in order to get the most out of the garment.”
We should also say that there are lots of references to UPF in this story. It means Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and you can learn all about it here. Or if you just want to get to the goods, here are Gear Patrol’s top 10 sun shirts of 2021. Pick your favorites, throw them on, and get ready to have tons of (safe) fun this summer.
The amphibious, quick-drying Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoodie is tailored to multi-sport summer days that switch from trail to river and back again. Not only is the relatively affordable UPF 50+ hoodie treated with odor-obliterating Polygiene, but it’s also knit from Bluesign-approved recycled polyester and stitched in Fair Trade Certified factories. Combining style, comfort and safety, it’s the best sun shirt of the entire batch.
Don’t let its looks fool you. Despite looking downright classy, the Elaho is loaded with technical chops that make it perfect for extended backcountry trekking and hiking. Made from a light (6.2 ounces!), airy and durable fabric called Alatorre, this shirt keeps you cool and wicks moisture to keep you dry. It also packs more than its fair share of snap-front style — and a skin-friendly UPF 30+ rating.
You know how loads of people where aviator sunglasses but don’t fly planes? Think of this shirt the same way, because while it does prevent board rash, you don’t have to surf to experience its other benefits. Thanks to a UPF 50+ rating and heathered HyperDry fabric that feels like soft cotton but dries three times as fast, this T is tops in any sunny and/or aquatic situation.
Lenni here is an adventure-ready chameleon disguised as a chilled-out button-down, equally at home at semi-casual gatherings and semi-rad escapades in the sun. A plaid pattern and buttons bring style to the forefront, while the stretchy, Polygiene-treated, UPF 30+ synthetic fabric — complete with a movement fold for extra flex — is all about action.
This lightweight UPF 20+ long-sleeve shirt boasts Insect Shield technology, an anti-bug treatment that keeps pests at bay for 70 wash cycles, yet is unnoticeable to humans. The thumbhole-equipped Debug is on the heavier side, the jersey material is super comfortable thanks to a polyester blend spiked with an unexpected ingredient: recycled coffee grounds.
Ultralight and packable at just 4.8 ounces, this nylon and spandex blend is our top pick for hitting the road. The UPF 50+ button-down offers even more protection than your average sun shirt: the collar flips up, snapping into a bizarre-looking turtleneck that’s actually blissful on sun-soaked adventures.
This UPF 50+ sun shirt is crafted from a Polygiene-treated polyester blend called ‘BD.cool,’ which minimizes stink and keeps you from overheating during rock days. The under-the-helmet hood is perfect: it offers sufficient neck coverage without strangling the wearer, and the durable fabric provides welcome coverage without cloying weight.
Thoughtful pockets, a covert sunglasses wipe and stretchy, quick-drying UPF 30+ fabric solidify this piece as our favorite hoodless shirt for long days on the river, while the casual button-down vibe means you don’t have to swap out of your nerdy fishing duds once the rod’s put away.
This UPF 50+ angler’s essential boasts an internal mesh neck gaiter, which helps keep both bugs and reflecting rays off the face — and doubles as a facemask. Deflective points on the fabric exterior (Omni-Shade) and sweat-reactive rings on the fabric interior (Omni-Freeze) suggest it should be omnipresent on both your saltwater and freshwater fishing trips.
This lightweight utility player is loaded with features, including a UPF 50+ rating, a stretchy, breathable blend fabric that lets you move and integrated thumbholes to maximize coverage. Low-profile style rounds out the package, ensuring you’ll be as comfortable running a Zoom meeting as zooming through a run meeting out on the trails.
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If you’ve read our guide to The Best Sun Shirts, you may be wondering what all this talk about UPF is. So welcome to UPF 101.
“Ultraviolet Protection Factor is a standard that measures the effectiveness of sun protective fabrics,” says Corey Simpson, Patagonia’s communication manager of product and sport communities. “It is a specific standard for fabrics. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a standard specifically for sunscreens.”
It’s easy to get those similar acronyms mixed up, but it’s crucial to distinguish between the two. In a paper for the Skin Cancer Foundation, researchers Peter Gies and Alan McLennan point out that a UPF rating denotes how much ultraviolet light penetrates through a fabric. And unlike SPF ratings, which only measure for harmful UVB light, UPF ratings consider UVA and UVB, both of which can contribute to skin cancer.
When shopping for sun protective clothing, you’ll find that UPF ratings range between 15 and 50-plus. A UPF rating of 20 is decent — it means that 1/20th (five percent) of UV rays pass through a fabric. Meanwhile, 50-plus is generally the highest rating you’ll see used with regards to outdoor clothing and it references a permeability factor of 1/50th (two percent) or less.
Gies and McLennan detail how fabric density, type, color, weight and thickness are key in determining these UPF ratings. A classic white cotton t-shirt scores a measly five on the UPF scale, dropping down to three when soaked. On the far end of the spectrum, jeans earn a whopping 1700.
What’s more, they point out that initial UPF ratings can change over time: washing a garment can actually shrink existing gaps in the fabric weave, henceforth curtailing the percentage of UV rays that can pass through. Excessive wear will do the opposite, as fabric weakens, tears and stretches over time. Unsurprisingly, UPF ratings can also drop when fabrics are wet.
So just be mindful of these mitigating factors, and you’ll be much less likely to get burned. Literally.
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Welcome to Product Support, a column devoted to helping you get the most out of the stuff you already use.
Google Photos is one of the most popular cloud-based photo storage services for both Android and iPhone users — in large part, because for the last five years, it offered free unlimited photo storage, which was more than its competitors like iCloud or Dropbox. But now, Google has walked back that feature.
As of June 1, Google has officially ended its free unlimited storage plan and now capped it at 15GB — but it only effects new photos and videos. If you uploaded your photos and videos to Google Photos before June 1, they do not count against your 15GB limit of free storage.
This 15GB of free storage that Google Photos offers is still more than the 5GB of free storage that iCloud Photos offers, and significantly more than the 2GB of free storage that Dropbox offers. But if you exceed it, you’ll have to start thinking about upgrading to Google’s One plan, which start at $2/month for 100 GB of storage.
If you plan to keep using Google Photos, a good thing to do is disable auto backup, so your limit doesn’t get filled with random stuff.
You can also adjust the quality of the photos and videos that back up to Google Photos so that they don’t take up as much space and thus you can get more out of your 15GB of free storage.
To do this, just follow the above steps to get to the ‘Back up & sync’ page in Settings > select ‘Upload Size’ > and make sure ‘High Quality’ is selected (which is a reduced size to the original photo or video).
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The modern reinterpretations of Seiko‘s earliest dive watches look, in a word, dope on their existing bracelet and rubber strap options — but, like many tool watches, these Seikos also perfect for mixing up straps. As no-nonsense dive watches, a NATO-style strap is always a good option, but Seiko went the extra mile to offer something uniquely cool and infused, as always, with an extra Japanese touch.
Two Prospex models are now being offered with new textile strap options: they are the SPB239 based on the 1965 watch known as the “62MAS” and the SPB237 based on the 1970 watch nicknamed the “Captain Willard,” after the character who wore one in Apocalypse Now. The watches themselves aren’t so much new, but the NATO-style straps have have an unusual weave and texture with an interesting pattern and distinctly premium feel.
As with many Seiko releases, there’s a “traditional Japanese technique” behind the straps: the fabric’s braiding style is said to be the same as that used for kimono sashes’ decorative cords. It just so happens that this technique also works particularly well for dive watches with properties that make it flexible, breathable, resistant to degradation from light and give it a “tensile strength nearly four times that of regular Seiko fabric straps.”
The straps include premium hardware (a nicely finished steel buckle and keepers) and a Prospex logo patch. Each of the watches is offered with the textile straps in two color options: The SPB239 will be available with a black or tan strap, and the SPB237, with green or gray.
Kevin Norris
Courtesy
Interestingly, the straps are positioned as premium options, and springing for one brings the watches’ prices close to that of steel bracelet-equipped versions (whereas they’re a couple hundred dollars less on rubber straps). Available later in June 2021, the 1965 recreation SPB239 will be priced at $1,200 and the 1970 recreation SPB237 will be $1,300.
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Toyota
The Toyota Tacoma is one of our favorite off-road vehicles. Earlier this year, the brand teased two new adventure-ready trims for the 2022 model year; now, however, we can actually tell you about them.
To be fair, the “new” trims are actually significant updates to previous ones: the top-of-the-line TRD Pro that’s made for crazy off-roading; and the Trail edition, a more affordable off-road-ready option with some neat features for overlanding.
Both new Tacoma trucks go on sale in the fall of 2021. Toyota has not yet revealed pricing on either yet, but here’s everything else you need to know about the upcoming changes.
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A version of this story first appeared in Gear Patrol Magazine. Subscribe today for more stories like this one, plus receive a $15 gift card to the Gear Patrol Store.
In the sixties and seventies, Doxa, Aquadive and Aquastar made the kinds of serious watches you’d find for sale in dive shops rather than at jewelers, while Tropic and ISOfrane made waterproof rubber straps that came standard on many such watches. It was a time when sport diving was still young and dangerous, and watches from this era have a special appeal to today’s vintage collectors. After these brands faded into obscurity, Rick Marei brought each back to life, one by one.
Resurrecting defunct dive-watch brands was a natural extension of Marei’s passion as a collector. It all started in the 1990s, when most collectors were hunting for pocket watches — few were interested in the mechanical workhorse timepieces from the 1970s the way he was. Marei became obsessed with recreating a famous Doxa dive watch, the 1969 SUB 300T Conquistador, which was developed with the legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau. Its unique design — which includes a bright orange dial for increased underwater legibility — helped it later become a cult classic.
Marei, who spent the first decade of his career working for Microsoft, cashed in his stock options and offered to buy 1,000 units for resale if Doxa remade the SUB 300T. Following three years of negotiations, they finally did so, and Marei went on to help steer the company to newfound success using e-commerce. Other manufacturers sought him out to replicate this success, but he was simply too busy to help them.
After two decades of work with Doxa, Marei parted ways with the brand, and has now moved on to resuscitate a range of other companies under his Synchron umbrella. The reissued Deepstar diver’s chronograph, from fan-favorite brand Aquastar, is the latest in a long list of his projects, which also includes Tropic and ISOfrane rubber straps. And while Marei is based in Europe, he’s benefitted from big interest in recent years from this side of the pond: “If it weren’t for the U.S. and the American watch-buying mentality, none of this would be possible,” he says.
Rick Marei was not only far ahead of today’s vintage-watch reissue trend, but he pioneered online sales when such a concept was alien to watchmakers. The watch industry is only now catching up on both fronts, but Marei isn’t slowing down.
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When establishing a skincare routine, trust KISS — short for “keep it simple, stupid” — a ’60s-era design principle established by the US Navy. No, that doesn’t mean you should opt for the all-in-one product you find populating the men’s aisles in chain retailers.
Instead, it means limiting the steps you take to protect and replenish your skin to the bare minimum. Why? Because as easy as it can be to adopt a new product as soon as it catches your eye, or promises specific results, you’re likely overspending on something superfluous. That being said, reducing your product inventory down to the equivalent of dish soap for the sake of being frugal doesn’t cut either.
Skincare doesn’t have to be a complex task only celebrities prove capable of mastering (with the help of some grooming guru no one else can afford). Anyone can establish a basic skincare routine, and not only will one improve your overall appearance, but it’ll address lingering, or worryingly recent, issues like wrinkles and acne and damage done by sun exposure.
According to Dr. Jeremy Fenton — Medical Director for Midtown Manhattan’s Schweiger Dermatology Group and winner of the Marion B. Sulzberger Award for Excellence in Dermatology — there’s a defined order of importance and optionality, steps you shouldn’t skip and products you can avoid altogether (if you want). “These are your basic components,” he says. “With them you’re covering 95 percent of what you need.”
These are the five steps to a complete skincare routine.
“You’re going to do this twice a day — morning and night. I generally recommend some sort of gentle skin cleanser. You don’t want something that’s going to strip the oils away or is overly harsh. What you choose is going to depend on what your skin type is like.” Guess what? You’re in luck. Here are handy guides for every type of skin. Choose yours below.
“You don’t really need to buy a fancy or super expensive moisturizer,” Dr. Fenton says. “Most dermatologists, myself included, obviously, say that some of the basic brands — like Cetaphil, which you can pick up at any at any drugstore — are sufficient as moisturizers.” Although luxurious little vials can be tempting, trust the accessible, dermatologist-approved classics.
“The most important thing that’s going to make the biggest difference, in the long run, is putting a sunscreen on every day,” he says. “Underestimating the importance of sunscreen is a common mistake.” Listen to the man!
“If you’re looking for anti-aging and to get glowing skin, then you would add in a retinol, which is over the counter, or prescription-strength retinoid,” Dr. Fenton says. However, be mindful of both how much you’re using and how often you’re using it.
“If you’re going to add something else on top as a protective function, then you could add in an antioxidant serum,” he says. These penetrate deeper than moisturizers to address dryness in all of the skin’s layers.
These are the extras you’d get from an extended visit.
“That is the most commonly used product that I tell people they could eliminate and probably not lose anything,” Dr. Fenton says. Using one won’t do any harm, but he says you don’t need it.
“If you’re going to spend the money, where you want to spend it is in the retinol and antioxidant categories,” he says. “That’s where different brands have different qualities and can set themselves apart.” Welcome to skin money management 101.
Sephora
As far as order of application goes, Dr. Fenton says start with the lightest product. “As a general rule of thumb, we tell men to apply whatever product is thickest last, unless it’s a medicated product that you want directly on the skin.”
“Too many people think they need to be stripping their skin of all of its oil in order to get it clean,” he says. “If you strip all of the oil off of your skin, you’re going to create an imbalance and end up doing more harm than good.” Our collective hygiene’s at an all-time high, but heed caution with the facial cleansers.
“You don’t just put it on when you go to the beach or when you’re going to be outside,” Dr. Fenton says. “If you’re going to be spending money, and doing all this other stuff, focus on putting your sunscreen on first.” Commuting? Put it on. Walking the dog? Put it on. Working by a window? Put it on. Going to the pool? Definitely put it on.
In case you weren’t aware, the folks at Toyota are up to some major new car announcements this week — leading up, of course, to the all-new 300-Series Land Cruiser. First up is an all-new affordable SUV: the Corolla Cross. And as the straightforward name indicates, it’s a crossover version of Toyota’s popular Corolla compact car, running on the same TNGA-C platform.
Toyota
Toyota
Why did Toyota turn the Corolla into a crossover? Well, buyers prefer crossovers, and Toyota — like nearly every manufacturer — is pivoting its lineup to offer those buyers more options. Last year, the brand launched the all-new Venza, which slots above the RAV4 and below the Highlander. The Corolla Cross will slot between the C-HR and the RAV4. It will compete in the burgeoning smaller compact crossover segment with vehicles like the Kia Seltos, Subaru Crosstrek and Volkswagen Taos.
The Corolla Cross, at least to start, only packs one engine. Toyota is debuting it with the sportier 2.0-liter inline-four from the Corolla, which puts out 169 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque. It will shift via a CVT, though like with the Corolla, Toyota designed it with a “physical first gear” that helps it off the line with a more appealing kick…before settling into typical CVT humdrum operation once you get going.
Toyota is making the Corolla Cross available in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive. The AWD version gets an independent rear suspension and Toyota’s Dynamic Torque Control system, which can send up to 50 percent of torque to the rear wheels when needed. Toyota estimates the EPA will rate the Corolla Cross for 32 mpg combined in FWD and 30 mpg in AWD form. The Corolla Cross will also have a 1,500-pound tow rating and 8.1 inches of ground clearance. Toyota says it will be spacious, though potential cargo space with the rear seats folded is TBD.
Toyota
The Corolla Cross will begin as a 2022 model year vehicle. Toyota did not reveal pricing, but splitting the difference between the RAV4 and the C-HR would put the base MSRP for the Corolla Cross around $24,000.
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Shooting photos can be a great way to get outside, explore new neighborhoods and get a much-needed breath of fresh air. And while all you really need to do that is a smartphone these days, the experience is much improved and elevated with the right combination of gear. Take for instance Goldwin‘s Rip-stop Light Jacket, the perfect packable layer for use in the event of a sudden rainstorm. Or Fuji’s X-E4 camera, which will put your mediocre smartphone photos to shame. The point is, the right gear makes taking photos a more enjoyable endeavor, and in some cases, can even yield better results.
Gear Patrol Studios
Gear Patrol Studios
Gear Patrol Studios
Gear Patrol Studios
No matter what activity you’re undertaking this spring, if it involves being outdoors, you should have Goldwin’s Rip-stop Light Jacket in your kit. Spring weather is unpredictable, and there is nothing worse than being caught out when a thunderstorm rolls through. This jacket is not only lightweight, but it easily packs down into its own hood for easy storage in a pack or camera bag. It’s made from a water-repellent 20-denier recycled polyester, which makes it perfect for sudden weather changes while still being lightweight and durable. And if you’re worried about getting hot while wearing it, don’t be. The zippered front mesh pockets function as vents, and are made from a silver blended material that’s naturally antibacterial and cuts down on odor. But beyond just technical prowess, the Rip-stop Light Jacket also offers a sleek and streamlined look that’s just as at home in the city as it is in the mountains.
Price: $200
Gear Patrol Studios
Every Day Sling by Peak Design $100
X-E4 with XF 27mm f/2.8 R WR Lens by Fuji $1,049
Ultraboost 6.0 DNA X Parley by Adidas $180
Legacy Sunglasses by Akila $120
Free P2 Multitool by Leatherman $120
Gear Patrol Studios
It’s called stainless not stainfree. Cooks — both amateur and pros — buy stainless steel pans for their ability to reach hell-level heat, without needing to worry about seasoning and cleanup. While that ripping-hot pan is great for getting a delicious crust on your food, it’s also what gets your pan into trouble when the dishes need doing. Your stainless steel pan is bound to get stained, but no stain is impervious to some elbow grease and a couple under-the-sink essentials you already have (or can have in the next couple hours). We asked “Top Chef” season 16 winner, Kelsey Barnard Clark, how she keeps her stainless steel cookware clean after constant use and abuse. From everyday maintenance to getting rid of those stuck-on bits you’ve just learned to live with, here’s how to clean your stainless steel pans so they’ll always be good as new.
So you finished cooking a meal in your stainless steel pan. You’re left with a bit of oil and stuck-on bits — what’s a cook to do? The answer is to start cleaning before you start digging in. “I can’t stress enough that it is always ideal to clean dishes right after using,” Clark says. “I know it’s tempting to let them sit until the next morning, but fresh is best in every circumstance.”
Henry Phillips
And while the dishwasher may feel like an easy way out, you’re better off washing by hand. Clark definitely does. “In my house we only use our dishwasher after dinner parties, or as a drying rack,” she says. A lot of stainless steel cookware claims to be dishwasher safe, but washing by hand prevents a lot of the risk that you face when looking to the dishwasher as a quick solution. The mix of abrasive detergents and humid environment can corrode the metal.
Start by taking a paper towel to absorb all the excess grease. It’ll cut down on how much oil you end up just rubbing all over your pan while you clean, and it’ll also reduce the likelihood of developing a fatberg or clogging the sink. Scrape up all the bits and toss them in the trash, and then you’re good to start cleaning. The best way to clean a stainless steel pan after it’s just been used is to make sure it’s still hot (or warm enough so you can touch it) while you clean. Add hot water to dislodge any stuck scraps, but avoid shocking your hot pan with cold water, which can cause your cookware to warp.
Hot, soapy water is the way to go, Clark says. She insists on only using a soft sponge, avoiding anything rough like an abrasive Brillo pad. Then comes Clark’s secret for maintaining the longevity of her stainless steel cookware. “To keep them shining and like-new, I love using Bar Keepers Friend after cleaning — nothing beats it!” she says.
So maybe you waited too long to start cleaning, and those burnt-on bits seem to have permanently made their home in your pan. If elbow grease and all the soap in the world won’t do it, Clark’s recipe for clean might do the trick.
“For tough to scrub messes, I always combine roughly four cups of hot water, one tablespoon of Dawn soap and 1 tablespoon of baking soda,” Clark says. “Let it come to a boil, then simmer in your pan for about 30 minutes. This typically lifts those really stuck on spots best.”
After it’s cool enough to handle, go to town on your pan like you normally would. Hot water, soap and a soft sponge is the perfect trifecta when you need to clean your cookware and some stubborn stains won’t change that.
After you’ve cleaned your pan (thoroughly, and following these directions no less!), you may notice your pan still looks a bit off. The surface of your pan may have a strange cloudy-looking substance that forms, and it’s all because of your tap water. Hard water, which contains heavy amounts of calcium, are the result of your chalk residue and the cleanup is even more simple than cleaning stuck-on food bits.
Fill your pan with one part vinegar to three parts water, and let it come to a boil before resting it off heat and letting it cool. Wash the pan as usual, then dry with a clean towel to prevent more hard water stains from forming.
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