All posts in “Gear”

The UNDONE x Simple Union: 無3 reflects Wabi-Sabi with the Sometsuke and Urushi

Just a little over a month ago, we featured products from a rekindled partnership between a Hong Kong-based fashion house and watchmaker. That was the UNDONE LAB + Simple Union collection of accessories. What we didn’t know that it was just a teaser that leads up to another exciting tie-in. Hence, the latest to come from this collaboration are two classy wristwatches; The UNDONE x Simple Union: Sometsuke and UNDONE Urushi.

UNDONE x Simple Union: 無3

One look at the unique visuals each brings to the table reminds us of the label’s previous work. The 無2(MŪ2), gave us a wonderful overview of how imperfections can highlight the beauty of an object or even a person in some cases. Moreover, this is what the Japanese refer to as the philosophy behind Wabi-Sabi.

With all 300 examples of the aforementioned limited-edition timepiece selling out in less than two days, it was only a matter of time before UNDONE revisited the concept. With Simple Union back in the saddle once more for this artistic endeavor, the Sometsuke and Urushi will likely be a hit, especially among those who loved the older ones.

Two brands, one cohesive design

This is a wonderful opportunity for people who missed out on the first two. Still, you might be wondering exactly which should be your next purchase. Worry not, because we’re here to help.  Just note that the UNDONE x Simple Union: Sometsuke is the more exclusive one in this release at only 300 units allocated for production.

On the other hand, UNDONE is also offering the Urushi. This is an exceptional option for those who normally prefer darker colors to match their style. Although each model is visually different, both likewise share some essence of Wabi-Sabi in their design.

A tribute to the creativity of old

We have a duo of remarkable mechanical watches that tout a top-notch level of craftsmanship and artistry not many can pull off. For the curious and willing, we’re here to give you an overview of what makes these absolute must-haves.

Choosing between the Sometsuke and Urushi seems difficult, but we are here to help. So let’s find out which of the 無3(MŪ3) models will be the next one on your wrist.

Imperfection (Finding Beauty in Fragility)

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With the Sometsuke headlining this pleasantly regular partnership between UNDONE and Simple Union, it’s only fitting that we start things off with this timepiece. As you can likely glean from the specifications, there are some elements that each share with the other.

What immediately grabs your focus here is the aesthetic choice for the dial. Living up to its name — “Sometsuke” — which refers to the traditional way of making porcelain that’s primarily in white with a variety of designs in blue.

To achieve the look of this type of pottery, UNDONE uses white enamel paint on the dial. What follows are the indices and cathedral hands in blue that recreate the signature classic look of vintage ceramics we mentioned earlier.

This continues with a line that starts just below the 4 o’clock hour marker and runs diagonally up to the left and ends with a crack at the 9 o’clock section. This exposes the movement beneath which is in gold to represent the art of Kintsugi (金継ぎ).

It is meant to represent the Japanese method of mending broken porcelain using gold. Once again, you have to give it to UNDONE for artfully pulling this off on the Sometsuke. Enclosing it with a 316L stainless-steel tartaruga case and exhibition case back likewise gives it another layer of sophistication.

The partnership with Simple Union is visible with the Hong Kong-based fashion house’s emblem at 12 o’clock. Additionally, the intricate patterns of its 150-year-old Katazome fabric strap mean each of the 300 Sometsuke watches is truly one-of-a-kind.

Specs

  • Case Size – Excluding Crown (mm): 37
  • Case Thickness – Including Crystal (mm): 12.8
  • Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel
  • Lens Material: Sapphire
  • Bezel Type: None
  • Movement: Japanese TMI NH71 Automatic Winding Mechanism
  • Water Resistance (ATM/Meters): 5/50
  • Strap: Katazome Fabric

Immortality (The Line
Between Life & Death)

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The Sometsuke might be the poster boy for this new collection, but UNDONE is not about to downplay the elegance of the Urushi. While its limited-edition stablemate captures the lighter shades of the color spectrum, it goes for a darker tone that is further enhanced by the gold accents.

According to what the watchmaker shares, its namesake is taken from an ancient ritual performed by Japanese monks whereby they make tea out of the Urushi tree. It might sound like something ordinary except that the ingredients they use are as toxic as poison ivy.

This supposedly aids in the process of self-mummification called Sokushinbutsu (即身仏), which is done by a few devout Buddhist monks. Aside from the creepy history, the name Urushi also refers to lacquer sourced from the said tree.

UNDONE starts off with a black dial intended to represent the iconic Japanese lacquerware of the same color. It also infuses the art of Maki-e to decorate the glossy surface with specs of gold applied by a brush.

The theme continues as the Urushi boasts golden cathedral hands as well as indices that glitter against the inky black backdrop. These, along with the movement, sit within a 316L stainless-steel tartaruga case under sapphire crystals on both ends. Finally, it is paired with a brown Italian leather strap.

Specs

  • Case Size – Excluding Crown (mm): 37
  • Case Thickness – Including Crystal (mm): 12
  • Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel
  • Lens Material: Sapphire
  • Bezel Type: None
  • Movement: Japanese TMI NH35A Automatic Winding Mechanism
  • Water Resistance (ATM/Meters): 5/50
  • Strap: Italian Leather

Our Takeaway

Now that you are aware of the differences between the Sometsuke and Urushi, let’s talk about what they have in common. First off, we have that minimalist-yet-stylish 316 stainless-steel tartaruga case with a combination of satin and glossy surfaces. Next, is the fluted crown with the watchmaker’s “U” emblem at 3 o’clock. Finally, there are the enamel painted dials that emulate the appearance of porcelain and lacquerware respectively.

A dial that with a profound meaning

Of course, let’s not forget that each flaunts what UNDONE calls their Kyoto dial, which is a variation of the California dial. Instead of Roman numerals for the top half, the markers are instead replaced with four stylized Kanji characters. Furthermore, these embody the so-called Three Marks of Existence (三印法): 無, 常, 苦, 空.

Translated, they mean impermanence(無常), suffering(苦), and absence of self-nature(空). As you can see, the UNDONE x Simple Union: 無3 collection is definitely something else. Ultimately, if you have the budget, we highly recommend grabbing both the Sometsuke and Urushi so you can swap between the two anytime. Otherwise, go for the style that calls out to your soul.

Purchase it now from UNDONE

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Images courtesy of UNDONE

Level-Up Your Morning Routine With Trade

Waking up is hard enough — waking up and realizing you’re out of coffee is something we wouldn’t wish on anyone. Make sure your mornings always start with a cup of high-quality craft coffee with Trade. Trade allows you to get a personalized selection of coffee from some of the top roasters in the country delivered straight to your door. Simply take a short quiz about how you like your coffee, choose your delivery frequency and Trade matches you to your own personal selection of beans you’re guaranteed to enjoy. If you want to switch to cold brew during the summer months or stop deliveries while you are away, Trade provides total flexibility to pause or cancel anytime, as well. Plus, if for some reason you’re not in love with the beans, no worries, Trade will ship you a new bag free of charge. Use code GEARPATROL50 to get 50% off your first bag.

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The Cabins on The Mountain concept by Veliz Arquitecto is the off-grid spot we want

It’s clear that living in close proximity with other people spaces with barely any fresh air circulation is not good. Perhaps this is also why we are seeing an upsurge of folks heading outdoors and staying away from urban locations. Architectural designer Veliz Arquitecto envisions the concept of Cabins on The Mountain which would be ideal for our current predicament.

This is even more apparent now that we have this devastating health crisis on our hands. With health experts encouraging social distancing all over again, the Cabins on The Mountain might be a wonderful idea. These form a striking visage with their cocoon-like silhouettes

Veliz Arquitecto did not provide any specifics on the location. Still, it notes the structures should ideally be somewhere along the mountain ranges of Cuba. Given its natural surroundings, the designers are primarily using wood and concrete for its construction.

Those with fear of high places should be mindful not to look down as the Cabins on The Mountain live up to the name. Meanwhile, people who love breathtaking views will love the backdrops of verdant trees and boulders.

The concept suggests it will be a temporary residence for adventurous souls who might want to enjoy some creature comforts along the way. Although sleeping under the stars or in a tent or camper has its perks, nothing beats being inside a cabin after a long day of trekking or hiking.

Despite the off-grid situation, the Cabins on The Mountain could rely on clean sources of power. In some of the images, we could see wooden turbines. Taking advantage of the wind that flows through the area, we can only speculate that it is enough to power lights or electric motors to pump water for plumbing.

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Images courtesy of Veliz Arquitecto

The Infiniti QX55 Is Stylish Above All, and Sometimes That’s All You Need

Strange as it may sound to those of us who love cars and driving…not everybody feels the same way. For millions of people, cars exist merely as appliances, machines that, like washers and dryers and air purifiers and humidifiers, are nothing more than a tool meant to accomplish a mundane task.

Still, even if you take little joy in the act of using them, there’s something to be said for having an appliance that looks good. That’s why refrigerators and laundry machines and vacuum cleaners and all sorts of other utilitarian machines these days look stylish enough to have come out of a sci-fi movie — and it’s the reason that Infiniti’s otherwise rather unremarkable compact crossover now wears an even more elegant skin in the form of the QX55.

The Infiniti QX55 is a compact coupe-y crossover

Infiniti’s family tree has been through a tumultuous decade or so, and its naming system can be a bit tricky to parse, so you might need a little help understanding where this ride fits in the lineup. Never fear; Gear Patrol is here.

Basically, the QX55 is the trendy “four-door-coupe” versions of the QX50 compact crossover. The previous QX50 — also known as the EX37 earlier in life — was a bit of an odd duck in that it was basically an awkward-looking wagon version of the old G37 sedan; it was surprisingly fun to drive, but its oddball looks and strange market positioning meant it never sold in big numbers.

In late 2017, Infiniti revamped it from head to tail, reinventing the QX50 as a more conventional compact crossover. The big news was the presence of Nissan’s new VC-T variable compression system that, ostensibly, offers better power and fuel economy — but the only people who cared about that were car nerds who weren’t exactly interested in the product. Still, sales picked up based on the fact that, well, it was a good-looking, easy-to-drive SUV from a luxury brand at a decent price.

So, for 2021, Infiniti decided to resculpt the roofline to give it a sleeker look at the expense of a bit of cargo space and call the resulting spinoff the QX55. (In a bout of unfortunate timing, the carmaker is also in the midst of rolling out the new QX60 that uses the Nissan Pathfinder‘s larger chassis, which could result in a dash of confusion.)

It’s a good-looking ride, if not a fun one to drive

Once upon a time, a decade or two ago, Infiniti carved out a niche for itself as the Japanese equivalent of BMW — purveyors of luxury cars with a little added driving fun when compared to the domestic competition. But much as BMW seems to have lost the plot with many of its mainstream models, Infiniti has strayed from that path to court more mainstream buyers with a more sedate blend of driving characteristics.

In the case of the QX55, that means a turbocharged inline-four, a continuously variable automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive. The power output is adequate enough — 268 horses and 280 lb-ft — but the delivery leaves plenty to be desired. The clever variable compression system takes a beat to shift from efficient to max power, the turbocharger takes a beat to spool up, and the CVT takes a beat to do, well, whatever you ask of it; add up all those beats, and it feels like there’s a loose connection between your right foot and the car, with inputs always taking a bit longer than you’d expect. It’s a long way from involving — but for buyers who rarely use more than 40 percent of the gas pedal travel and switch on cruise control early and often, it’ll probably go unnoticed.

Likewise, anyone who expects it to handle like the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 S Coupe it resembles will be sorely disappointed when the first turn comes. The QX55 makes no pretensions of being sporty in turns; it’s happy to slide through them at normal traffic speeds, but pushing the limit brings no sense of involvement. Some of the issue, no doubt, falls to the Direct Adaptive Steering system found on my top-trim tester, which replaces the direct mechanical link between steering wheel and front tires with a drive-by-wire setup that translates your inputs into 1s and 0s and then sends them to a computer, which interprets them and tells the rest of the steering what to do. The system is certainly better than it once was — early Infinitis with it were notorious — but it’s still a far cry from a conventional setup in terms of feel or feedback. Again, though: if you’re driving the speed limit and using lane-keep assist all the time, odds are good you might never think twice about it.

Indeed, it might be a little too style-focused

Indeed, in its efforts to distinguish the QX55 from the pack, Infiniti went a bit wild with some of the styling cues. The edges of the hood, for example, jut out over the sides of the wheel arches in a way that I thought was just an example of terrible fitment at first. It wasn’t, thank goodness — but it does beg the question as to who thought such a look was a good idea.

Still, the overall appearance succeeds at making the QX55 stand out of the crowd of compact crossovers — which was, of course, the point. (My tester’s red paint certainly helped in this regard; like the red Mazda uses, it looks wetter and more delightful in person than it does in pictures.) The carmaker likes to consider it an homage — or even a successor —to the likes of the bold FX crossovers of the early Aughts; it doesn’t quite pull that off the way fans of those cars would probably like, but it does manage to be generally attractive.

The interior is comfortable, if familiar

If the exterior is bold, the interior plays it safe, sticking largely to the basic Infiniti playbook in terms of materials, controls and design. The only real change to the QX50 up front is the addition of some asymmetric color elements, like the red strip that crosses the center console and loops around on the dash.

Move back, though, and you’ll find that sleek roofline takes a toll. Headroom in the second row is down an inch and a half versus the QX50, while cargo space in back falls from 31.1 cubic feet to 26.9. Still, most of that is lost up high, where most people would be reticent to stack gear unless necessary; after all, once you start lobbing bags and so forth that high, you risk blocking rearward visibility. Just be sure you check to make sure your Costco loads will fit before you sign on the line.

Infiniti’s aging infotainment system is saved by CarPlay

Infiniti’s two-screen infotainment system has been around for well over a decade, and while the lower screen has received much-needed updates over the years, the top one — which is generally reserved for the nav system map — looks as low-rez and crude as it did in 2010.

Luckily, Infiniti has found a way to work around that: they’ve turned the top screen into the display for Apple CarPlay. Doing so completely revolutionizes the infotainment experience, enabling the car to display multiple important pieces of info — like, say, Google Maps directions and SiriusXM satellite radio info — simultaneously and clearly, something few cars these days can say. If our automobiles of tomorrow are going to be filled with multiple screens (as it seems they will), hopefully they’ll take this tactic, rather than using them to show redundant (or meaningless) info.

2022 Infiniti QX55 Sensory

Base Price: $58,075

Powertrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four; continuously variable automatic; all-wheel-drive

Horsepower: 268

Torque: 280 lb-ft

EPA Fuel Economy: 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway

Seats: 5

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The Best Cars to Buy in 2021

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These Certified Refurbished Products Are a Steal

roomba

Roomba

Looking for even more great savings? Head over to Today’s Best Deals page to see all our top deals from today.


Often, buying a bigger ticket item new can be a bit too expensive, making it hard to pull the trigger. Or you decide you really want to buy but simply can’t justify the price, so you pass on it. That is where certified refurbished goods come in. You can get top-of-the-line products (like Roomba vacuums, Bose speakers, Sony headphones) for a huge discount if you’re willing to buy them refurbished. Certified refurbished means the brand has given the OK to resell an item, guaranteeing that it isn’t damaged (structurally or electronically) — sometimes they’ve even replaced a part that wasn’t working. These items will work just as well as a new product and most often come with the same warranty.

eBay is a treasure trove of refurbished goods and right now you can get a huge number of its like-new items for 15 percent off with the code PICKCR4MOM. Whether you’re trying to pick up something nice for Mother’s Day or just want to treat yourself, now is a great time to make a certified buy.

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LG CordZero A906SM Rechargeable Cordless Stick Vacuum Plus, Matte Silver

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$500 $230 (54% off)

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones – Refurbished

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$350 $194 (45% off)

iRobot Roomba 980 Vacuum Cleaning Robot – Refurbished

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$600 $255 (57% off)

Microsoft Surface Pro 7 12.3-Inch – Refurbished

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$800 $455 (43% off)

Jabra Elite Active 75t True Wireless Earbuds Certified Refurbished

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$180 $71 (61% off)

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Today’s Best Deals: 20% off at Brooklinen, a Deal on Reebok Nano X & More

Welcome to Deals of Note, where Gear Patrol captures all the best deals of the day. You can also visit GearPatrol.com/Deals for constant updates on the latest deals discovered by our team.

EDITOR’S PICKS

The most rare or exceptional deals picked by Gear Patrol’s product experts.

OUTDOOR DEALS

FITNESS DEALS

STYLE DEALS

TECH DEALS

HOME & KITCHEN DEALS

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Harley Davidson’s New Electra Glide Revival Is Absolutely Stunning

While the brand is branching out into electric motorcycles and e-bikes, heritage remains a critical part of Harley-Davidson’s appeal — and the brand plans to celebrate it with a new Icons Collection series of motorcycles.

Harley-Davidson will launch one or two Icons Collection bikes per year in limited, single production runs. The brand says the bikes will elevate traditional forms, celebrate Americana, revisit classic Harley-Davidson designs and explore motorcycle style’s future.

harley davidson electra glide revival

Josh Kurpius

In short, the Harley-Davidson’s Icons Collection bikes are going to look really cool and likely cost a premium over the standard models. Case in point: the first Icons Collection bike Harley-Davidson is releasing for 2021, the Electra Glide Revival.

The Electra Glide Revival is based on Harley Davidson’s 1969 Electra Glide, which is the first Harley to feature the brand’s iconic “batwing” fairing. The bike is based on a modern Harley-Davidson Touring bike with a Milwaukee Eight 114 engine putting out 97 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque. It will also come with Harley’s Reflex Defensive Rider Systems and Apple CarPlay.

The bike, to put it simply, looks incredible. The fairing and saddlebags are Birch White to match the look of the original 1969 bike, while the fenders and side panels are painted Hi-Fi Blue. The tank is painted two-tone Hi-Fi Blue and Black Denim with a white stripe.

Harley-Davidson will build a limited run of 1,500 Electra Glide Revival bikes globally this year. Starting MSRP is $29,199, which is a substantial hike over the modern Electra Glide Standard and other HD touring bikes. The bikes are due to arrive at dealers in late April.

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Save Hundreds on Iconic Mid-Century Furniture

Looking for even more great savings? Head over to Today’s Best Deals page to see all our top deals from today.


Herman Miller’s contribution to mid-century modern home design is difficult to overstate. Think Charles and Ray Eames’ lounge chair, Isamu Noguchi’s coffee table, George Nelson’s platform bench and so on.

Design Within Reach is has been holding a Herman Miller sale where you can score some of the greatest mid-century modern pieces for 15 percent off with free shipping. That means 15 percent off the aforementioned iconic Herman Miller pieces (you can save nearly $1,000 on the Eames Chair and Ottoman) as well as classics such as the Sayl Chair and the Crosshatch Chair — plus savings on coffee tables, dining furniture, lighting and more. The mid-century home of your dreams is now within reach. This Herman Miller sale runs until May 13.

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The Best Body Groomers for an All-Over Trim

When hair grows out of pretty much every part of you, you’re not expected to just accept it as is. It’s great if you do think “eh whatever, let it grow,” but it’s also nice to consider exactly how you’d like to maintain all of that fuzz. Do you like the chest a little fluffy, and the back bare? Do you want to manicure your bush — or more importantly, does your partner want you to?

On top of all that, you need a trimmer for the task, and we’re not suggesting you put your beard trimmer, electric shaver, or hair clippers up for it. They’re designed for your head, in terms of ergonomics, and oftentimes those trimmers are too wide-toothed, low-powered, or overly powered for your more sensitive body parts… especially one area in particular.

If you’re going to do any grooming below the neck, then it’s worth investing in a device for any and all tasks. Considering all the different ways you’ll be customizing your hair, based on where it’s growing, how much it’s growing, and how dense it is (and it’s never uniform across the body, is it?), you’ll be doing yourself a huge favor. And the results won’t go unnoticed, either — especially by that person nearest you, or those people nearest you, if you’re feeling extra frisky, post shearing.

Best Overall Men’s Trimmer: Panasonic Electric Body Groomer (ER-GK60-S)

Courtesy

Panasonic Electric Body Groomer ER-GK60-S

Panasonic amazon.com

$69.99

$59.57 (15% off)

Given all the contours of the body, and the odd angles one must navigate to trim his entire person, ergonomics and design go a long way. I love the upright stature of Panasonic’s groomer and its V-shaped head that allows for snipping in all the nooks and crannies. I think it’s an extremely straightforward device: wet/dry use, three trimmer heads for various length preferences up to one-quarter of an inch (or remove them all for a bare shave, 0.08 in.), and it’s one of the easiest for trimming your own backside, too. It takes a while to get a full charge (8 hours for 40 minutes of shave time, to which is its only real detriment.

Best Upgrade Men’s Trimmer: Braun Epilator Silk-épil 9 (9-020)

Courtesy

Epilator Silk-épil 9 (9-020)

Braun amazon.com

$179.94

$159.99 (11% off)

This one is an uncanny entry into the list, given its hair-tweezing powers. It’s a pick for the guys who want to be bare-chested, smooth-legged, dolphin-pitted, and so forth. You’ll have to ignore the gendered advertising (please always ignore gendered advertising), in order to see that this device can keep you smoother longer—at a slightly higher level of pain, of course. It’s basically a hair removal device, as opposed to a pure trimmer/shaver (though it trims and shaves as well). Its epilator head uses 40 tweezers to extract the hairs completely from the skin as if you’ve used a wax strip or a depilatory cream. Just follow its red-light sensor to note that you’re applying the right amount of pressure as you go, and you can enjoy “silky” smooth results for weeks, instead of stubbled results days later. Oh, and it even has a massage head to help boost circulation in the skin, and to expedite any necessary recovery from all that extraction.

Best Affordable Men’s Trimmer: Remington Shortcut Body Groomer (BHT6455FF)

Courtesy

Remington BHT6455FF Shortcut Pro Body Groomer

Remington amazon.com

$59.99

Speaking of design (notice a pattern?), Remington’s got its own thing going with this palm-held trimmer, which transforms into a long-handled back shaver (rather, you attach said handle). I think it’s best suited for the chest and back, while some of the other trimmers master the tighter, more angled spaces. But its wide blade can make for an efficient trim, and it does so with wet/dry functionality, as well as five trimming guards for 0.2mm up to 12mm of length (just shy of a half-inch). It has a 40-minute life on a four-hour charge.

Philips Norelco Bodygroom Series 7000 (BG7030/49)

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Philips Norelco BG7030/49 Bodygroom Series 7000

Philips Norelco amazon.com

$69.49

Philips Norelco has a thoughtfully designed device as well. This dual-ended trimmer/shaver allows you to manage body hair at five different hair settings (up to 7/16 in., plus the shaver end for a full shearing). It has wet/dry functionality, and its angular design at either end allows for you to have a steady grip on the task at hand. Also, it holds an 80-minute charge after only an hour of being plugged in.

Meridian The Trimmer Groin and Body Shaver

Courtesy

The Trimmer by Meridian

Meridian amazon.com

$69.99

Your jewels are precious, so don’t go trimming the balls and the bush without a device that is specifically tailored to do so. (Have you ever nicked your scrotum while trimming down there? It bloody hurts, literally.) Meridian’s groomer gives you just enough distance on the trimmer head to avoid any such mishaps, and even comes with two head guards for bushier results (up to 12mm, nearly half an inch). I’d say you can go ahead and use this to manicure your chest and body, too, but the reverse logic is not always safe. (The same way I would tell you to apply a facial moisturizer on the body, but never apply a body moisturizer to the face. Always graduate upwards with sensitive body parts.) Meridian’s hedge trimmer holds a 90-minute charge with its USB charger and has wet/dry functionality.

Mangroomer Electric Back Shaver

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Mangroomer Ultimate Pro Back Shaver

Mangroomer amazon.com

$49.99

If you want a dedicated back trimmer, then Mangroomer is your guy. (I always think these brand names are so… well, you know. There’s one called BRO SHAVER, too… sigh.) Anyway, one thing this brand does get right is shaving your hirsute hind-side, which is never a simple task when you’re doing it solo. I like its 1.8-in. Width, which is large enough to mow fast but short enough to target specific patches and angles. It has a flexible trimmer and shaver heads (with a foil shaver head for a nick-free shave), a power-burst mode for tougher tasks, and a lock button so that you can keep it taut at whichever angle you require (not to mention, an extendable handle for extra length or torque). It’s an odd device, with an odd name, but, bro, it sure follows through.

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LeBron James Spotted Wearing Something Stylish You Can Actually Afford

It’s not often that you see a celebrity — especially at LeBron James‘s level — wearing something most of us can afford. Yet last night, while hanging courtside during the Los Angeles Lakers v. Orlando Magic game, LeBron donned a discounted jacket by Macy’s private brand INC International Concepts.

The top, officially called the Abstract-Print Twill Jacket in Worldly Blue, was designed by UpscaleHype founder Allen Onyia as part of the retailer’s Icons of Style initiative, a ready-to-wear release comprising pieces by five Black designers: Zerina Akers, Ouigi Theodore, Misa Hylton, Aminah Abdul Jillil and Onyia. Each contributed to one of Macy’s in-house brands, and every piece is on sale now for 30 percent off (when using the code FRIEND).

macy

Courtesy

“We are thrilled to celebrate Black excellence and amplify the voices and exceptional talent of five Black creatives,” Macy’s Fashion Office VP Durand Guion explains in a statement. “We’re using this moment to tell their stories and provide our fashion-devoted customers with exclusive, one-of-a-kind pieces to help them express their personal style.”

The limited-edition jacket evokes the current tie-dye craze while remaining subdued enough for suit-and-tie scenarios. It’s structured, boasts a front zipper closure, two angled pockets and another chest one that zips shut, too. Pinks and reds swirl across the back while yellows and greens grace the collar. Cop the matching pants for a head-to-toe statement.

Normally $150, this jacket is now just $105. All sizes remain available as of this story’s publication, but that surely won’t last.

Macy’s

Abstract-Print Twill Jacket

INC International Concepts x Allen Onyia macys.com

$149.50

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Hyundai’s Best Hot Hatch Now Comes in SUV Form

Hyundai has made something of a name for itself with the Veloster N. It’s a super fun hot hatchback, but it comes in a funky, not-very-practical three-door body shape buyers don’t really dig. In an ideal world, you’d take the Veloster N engine and dual-clutch transmission setup and place it in a still small, still nimble. but more conventional vehicle — perhaps one you could technically describe as an SUV for sales purposes.

Well, that’s what Hyundai just did with the new Kona N.

The Kona is Hyundai’s subcompact crossover, which slots below the Tucson in the lineup. It was the North American Utility Vehicle of the Year when it debuted. The electric version was named one of the best cars to buy in 2021. And it earns those plaudits for basically handling like a hatchback. Now, Hyundai is adding a “hot” version, cramming the Veloster N’s 2.0-liter turbo putting out up to 286 horsepower (in “N Grin Shift” mode) and its slick-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

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Hyundai

hyundai veloster n

Hyundai

The Kona N will accelerate from 0-62 mph in 5.5 seconds using launch control, which comes standard. It will hit a top speed of 149 mph, will have an electronic limited-slip differential, handle different terrains and snow and perform like, as Hyundai put it, a “corner rascal.”

Hyundai also added what it describes as video-game-like features. You’ll be able to toggle between custom drive modes at the push of a button, and use onboard lap timing. Europeans will get an N Road Sense feature that will prompt the driver to engage the more hard-edged N mode when there are fun, curvy roads ahead.

No word from Hyundai yet on the timeline for American availability or pricing for the Kona N. What we do know, however, is there are a lot more N performance models coming; Hyundai says it will launch 18 of them by the end of 2022.

As we’ve seen from Mercedes’s AMG and BMW’s M, buyers have a strong appetite for exclusive performance branding, even when that branding floods the lineup to the point it’s no longer that exclusive. That profit potential is why you have premium brands like Lexus pushing out more F models and mass-market brands like VW with R and R-Line and Hyundai with “N” and “N-Line” leaning harder into their performance brands.

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Nomad Outland Whisky

When it comes to bourbon and rye, we’re all about the single barrel expressions bottled at barrel proof. But when it comes to Scotch, it’s all about the blending and the finishing. Nomad Outland Whisky…

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Rothsport 1978 Porsche 911 SC

If you want to really stand out in the Porsche 911 space, then take a look at this racing version of the 1978 911 SC from Oregon tuner, Rothsport. It was created in 2007, and…

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10 Google Chrome Settings You Should Change Right Now

Welcome to Product Support, a column devoted to helping you get the most out of the stuff you already use.

Google Chrome is a powerhouse of a browser that’s been with us since it launched way back in 2008, ushering in a new era of speedy, simple tab-based browsing. These days it’s not quite as lean as it once was, but it’s risen to be the most popular browser out there.

In the usual course of day-to-day life, you don’t need to spend much time messing around with browser settings: You just open up a tab and off you go. Dive a bit deeper into Chrome though, and you can tweak its settings for a more secure, streamlined experience.

Important: These options, unless stated, can be found on the Settings page inside Chrome on the desktop: Click the three dots to the top right, then choose Settings from the drop-down menu.

1. Clean up after yourself

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Before you get down to tweaking, it’s important to clean up the cruft that’s built up already. If you click Privacy and security and then choose Clear browsing data, you can wipe out all the cookies stored in Chrome, as well as other images and temporary data stored on your local computer.

Use the Advanced tab for more control over what gets deleted, then use the Time range drop-down to choose how far back the clear-out goes. If you want to remove all traces of your browsing on your current computer without affecting the historical browsing history Google has logged for you, click the Sign out button first.

It’s good to do periodically, but especially before you get down to business with other tweaks.

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2. Set your browsing data to self-destruct

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Google uses the data it collects about you in Chrome to know what you’re going to search for next, or to decide which restaurants it should recommend to you, or to help you get back to something you were looking at weeks ago. It’s up to you how much you trust Google with your data and how you want to balance privacy with convenience.

You can now tell Google to automatically delete your browsing history after three months, so its recommendations and other algorithms are only running from recent data. From the Settings tab, click You and Google, then Sync and Google services, then Control how your browsing history is used, then Manage activity—the three month auto-delete will be one of the options at the top.

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3. Control what Google gets to know

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Also on the You and Google page and under Sync and Google services section from Settings, you can control how much diagnostic data and other information gets sent back to Google for analysis—Google wants this data to spot bugs in Chrome, and to make it easier for you to browse the web (with auto-complete search suggestions) and so on, but you can stop some of this feedback if you want to.

Toggle any of the switches on the right to Off to limit what Chrome is sending back to home base. For example, you can stop sending the URLs of the pages you visit to Google, and turn off the feeding back of statistics about how you use the browser.

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4. Sign into Google without signing into Chrome

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By default, whenever you sign into a Google service like Gmail, Chrome now also signs you into the browser itself (to sync passwords, browsing history, bookmarks and so on between devices). This is helpful if you’re jumping between different computers and phones a lot, but you might also want to use Gmail or Google Docs without attaching your identity to the Chrome browser you’re using.

The answer is in Settings, under the You and Google page, then Sync and Google services and then Allow Chrome sign-in. With the toggle switch turned to Off, you can sign in and out of your Google account on the web, but avoid signing into Chrome and linking the browser to your account as well.

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5. Turn off annoying notifications

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The days of websites being static pages are long gone, and plenty of sites and online apps are going to want to access your webcam and microphone (for video calls perhaps) and your location (for maps and deliveries and so on). These permissions are granted on a site-by-site basis as they’re needed, but you can edit them from a master list too.

On the Settings tab, click Privacy and security, then Site settings. Choose a permission to see which sites have access, then revoke any permissions one by one, or block all requests of a certain type in one fell swoop. The same page lets you control which sites can display notifications on the desktop.

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6. Stop certain sites from tracking you

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Like other browsers, Chrome lets sites store cookies on your system: These small files keep logs of who you are and your preferences. Cookies might be used to remember your location on a weather site, for example, or to keep you signed in somewhere. Cookies known as third-party cookies can also be used by advertisers to track your browsing across multiple sites (which is why you might see ads for trainers or another specific product everywhere you go).

Head to the Site settings screen (under Privacy and security from Settings), then click Cookies and site data: From here you can block cookies completely, or just block the more invasive third-party cookies.

If you really want to get extreme, you can toggle the Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome switch to On, and the browser effectively gets reset every time you close it down, so you get a clean slate in terms of site logins and targeted ads.

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7. Prevent web apps from running in the background

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A lot of websites want to keep running in the background even when you shut down Chrome — to keep files syncing to the web, for example, or to alert you the next time you get a tweet.

If you don’t want this to happen, and would rather sites and apps didn’t run when Chrome was closed, open up the Settings tab then click Privacy and security, then Site Settings, then Background sync, and turn off the setting for Allow recently closed sites to finish sending and receiving data.

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8. Search multiple sites more quickly

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Chrome can support multiple search engines and sites very easily, so you can switch between searching Google, Amazon, Wikipedia and other places with just a few taps on the keyboard. To set this up, click You and Google tab, and scroll down to the Manage search engines tab—you can use the search engines already listed or click Add to add a new one.

You’ll see available search engines and sites listed together with what are called keywords: To run a search on this site, type the keyword then the search term into your browser address bar. For example, you could set up Wikipedia with a “wiki” keyword for fast access to the Wikipedia search.

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9. Make more space for Bookmarks

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If you’re a Chrome power user (or you just use it every day), but you’re frustrated by the fact that you can’t fit more Bookmarks on the actual Bookmarks Bar — here’s a workaround.

If know the icon of a Bookmark (you likely know all of them as you use them every day) you don’t need the name of the Bookmark, too. You can right click the bookmark, select Edit and clear the name section; once down, the Bookmark icons will be more compact and you’ll be able to see more Bookmarks in your Chrome Window.

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10. Master Your Chrome Tabs.

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This is another pro tip rather than a setting to change, but it’s incredibly useful. Google introduced a tab grouping feature to Chrome within the past year that is a life saver if you’re somebody who always has a zillion tabs open at a time. Called Tab Groups, the feature allows you to group tabs together and organize them by color, custom group name or even an emoji. It essentially lets you organize your tabs like a color-coded filing system.

Here’s how to use Tab Groups. Go to a window with multiple tabs in it. Right-click on one of those tabs, select “Add Tab to Group” in the drop-down menu, and then type the group name and select the color you want the group organized by.

Once you’ve created one or more tab groups, you can move entire tab groups within your web browser just by drag-and-dropping. You can minimize entire tab groups by clicking on the color circle at the beginning of the tab group. You can ungroup a tab from a tab group by right-clicking “Remove from Group.” And you can delete entire tab groups by right-clicking on the name of the tab group (or the first color icon) and selecting “Ungroup.”

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Want an Omega Speedmaster? Here Are 3 Worthy Alternatives That Don’t Cost as Much

In some sense, Omega’s Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch is like no other watch. Not only is it about as iconic and compelling as any timepiece ever could be, but its base price of $5,250 is relatively reasonable, and makes for a worthy aspiration.

Circa $5,000 is still plenty of money (more like $6,000 for the newest generation), though, so something comparable but more affordable might be what’s right for you. Or, maybe you’ve heard so much hype and seen so many pictures of Speedmasters on Instagram that you simply want something a little different.

The Moonwatch’s history is hard to beat, but its handsome, legible design that’s sporty and technical yet understated is also rare in other chronographs. However, there are alternatives out there. In their own ways, each option below offers an attraction similar to the Omega Speedmaster.

The Alternatives

Bulova Lunar Pilot Chronograph

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It’s been called the “other” Moonwatch, and it even shares some visual traits with the Speedmaster. Though less well known, the Bulova Lunar Pilot is among a handful of watches that have actual space-mission cred. Bulova collaborated with NASA for decades, contributing the likes of its Accutron technology in a few ways, including in the Lunar Pilot watch. The actual model worn on the moon by astronaut Dave Scott sold at auction in 2015 for no less than $1.625 million. Equipped with a quartz movement, however, this commercial version is eminently affordable and probably one of the coolest watches in this price range.

Movement: Bulova High Performance Quartz chronograph
Diameter: 45mm
Water Resistance: 50m
Price: $460+

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Farer Chronograph Sport Moritz

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British indy brand Farer released a winning collection of mechanical chronographs in 2019, and of those, the Moritz offers a look and feel that might satisfy a Speedmaster hankering. Its mostly monochromatic face, the layout of its subdials and its tachymeter give it the sort of instrument-like character of the Speedy — and it’s similarly powered by a hand-wound movement that helps keep it thin and wearable. It’s different enough, however, to have its own personality, with various design elements drawing inspiration from vintage chronographs, but also incorporating the brand’s vibrant highlights.

Movement: Sellita SW510 BH Elaboré grade manual
Diameter: 41mm
Water Resistance: 100m
Price: $1,955

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Bell & Ross BR V2-94

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The black dial with black tachymeter bezel and typical chronograph dial layout make Bell & Ross’s BR V2-94 aesthetically comparable to the Speedmaster, and perfect for those who perhaps like the Speedy’s look but want something less common. The BR V2-94 also offers luxury-level fit and finish commensurate with a price that’s about $1k less than the (basic) Speedy itself — and on its steel bracelet, it’s all the more Moonwatch-reminiscent.

Movement: ETA 2894-2 automatic
Diameter: 41mm
Water Resistance: 100m
Price: $4,800 (on steel bracelet)

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Win a Car and Save the Animals

If there are two things we can all get behind, it’s helping out rescue animals and sweet, sweet rides. The National Humane Society (The NHS) is a 501 © (3) Charity dedicated to improving the…

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Need New Gear for Your Workout? Here Are the Best New Things

This year, April showers have brought interesting findings on how muscles might recover after hard workouts — in addition to the eventual May flowers.

As reported by The New York Times, scientists in Japan conducted a study on how icing might aid or hinder recovery and found that, contrary to what we all learned in elementary school gym class, a cool compress might not be the best thing for a sore muscle. In the study — which, let’s note, was conducted on mice — they found that icing could actually hinder recovery.

Thankfully, full-length compression “boots” are among the best new fitness gear releases of the month — more on those and a bunch of other things below.

Asics MetaSpeed Sky

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Ever since Eliud Kipchoge ran the first sub-two-hour marathon in October 2019, Nike’s Alphafly NEXT% has been widely considered the pinnacle of running shoe tech. But with the MetaSpeed Sky, Asics is angling for the top spot. Like most new super-fast running shoes, the MetaSpeed Sky has a carbon fiber plate, but Asics is applying new findings from its Institute of Sport Science in Japan. Namely, as runners increase their speed, many extend their stride length, so that’s what the company built this shoe to facilitate. Other runners increase their cadence, and Asics has another shoe coming in June to amplify that approach.

Price: $250

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Aer Sling Bag 3

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Aer’s sleek, feature-loaded gym bags have long been among our favorites for toting around workout gear. The San Francisco-based company recently revamped its entire line with updated shoe compartments, a new antimicrobial interior lining and exterior fabrics. The Sling Bag 3 is a best-in-class example of how these bags can hold and organize all your stuff while remaining low-profile. Check out the complete collection here.

Price: $90

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Nobull Reflective Knit Runner

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Nobull’s new running shoe is all black but subtly knit with reflective yarn. That means you can run with minimal flash during the day and max it out at night, when being seen is critical to safety.

Price: $169

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Dynafit Alpine DNA

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If you plan to take your runs trailside this summer, give Dynafit’s new trail running shoe a look. The company aimed to minimize weight while amping up features for fast movement. The mix includes an adaptive lacing system and a rockered sole — and tips the scales at a slim 9.5 ounces per shoe.

Price: $160

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Therabody RecoveryAir

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As awareness of the positive impact of recovery on performance increases, so does the number of tools to facilitate it. Therabody, best known for its percussion massage guns, recently revealed a set of medical-grade boots that reduce muscle fatigue and inflammation through pneumatic compression. Read more about how these fancy (and pricey) boots work here.

Price: $699

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Ten Thousand Distance Kit

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Ten Thousand’s thoughtful approach to workout apparel already earned some of its shorts and tees approval among runners, but its latest collection is dedicated to them. The line includes shorts available with five- and three-inch inseams, a tank and socks.

Price: $16 to $72

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Tracksmith Collection

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In 1978, William “Boston Billy” Rodgers won the Boston Marathon for the third time (he nabbed a fourth victory two years later). That same year, he founded Bill Rodgers & Company, a running apparel brand that took a thoughtful approach to materials and cuts at a time when nobody else was. Runners today are accustomed to high-quality apparel, but there are still brands that consistently take the approach a step further. Tracksmith is one, and its most recent collection is an homage to Bill, consisting of items that bring his brand’s style to its contemporary fabrics.

Price: $38 to $188

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Introducing Issue Sixteen, The Summer Preview

In magazine-making, summer previews are all about sharing ideas and products to help you make the most of warm weather pursuits. But after a year like no other, we’ve instilled something else into ours: motivation. One of the greatest gifts is an unexpected upside, and you’ll find much of it in the pages of our latest print offering, Issue Sixteen.

gear patrol issue 16
The hottest houseplants have thorns.

Henry Phillips

gear patrol issue 16
All your self-driving car questions, answered.

Henry Phillips

gear patrol issue 16
These reissues are worth watching.

Henry Phillips

gear patrol issue 16
Style that looks good — and does better.

Henry Phillips

If you’re itching to look at the world beyond the screen, check out “How to Pack for a Microadventure,” a collection of buyer’s blueprints for near-home pursuits — from cycling a “century” (that’s bike speak for 100 miles) to overnight overlanding.

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Henry Phillips

Or join us in Japan for an exclusive look behind the scenes with Tommy O’Gara, an expat Nebraskan who has spent the past 40 years of his life crafting a reputation as one of the most inspired designers in eyewear.

gear patrol issue 16

Henry Phillips

Speaking of inspiration, we also take a timely look at the people and brands paving new roads in the cycling world. Our story “Cycle of Change” goes inside the burgeoning movement to make the sport more diverse. It’s gear. It’s inclusive. And it’s refreshingly colorful.

gear patrol issue 16

Henry Phillips

Last but not least, if you’re a dad or hunting for a present for one this Father’s Day, you’ll find just what you’re looking for in our robust gift guide, 18 pages of awesome new gear for every kind of enthusiast.

gear patrol issue 16
Footwear that fits and speakers that rock.

Henry Phillips

gear patrol issue 16
Everything you need to heat up and cool down.

Henry Phillips

It all comes together for the latest installment of Gear Patrol Magazine, our premium, award-winning journal printed right here in the USA.

gear patrol issue 16

Henry Phillips

If you’re a subscriber, good news: your copy is already on its way. If not, now’s a great time to subscribe. In addition to all the perks of being a subscriber, you’ll also receive a $15 gift card to the Gear Patrol Store each year. Subscribe now to receive a $55 subscription value for just $39.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

If you’re not ready for commitment, we get it. You can purchase a single copy of Issue Sixteen while supplies last.

PURCHASE A COPY

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Don’t Show Up Sweaty, Strap On Ventapak

As Spring weather starts to warm up, the Ventapak Backpack Spacer will get that hot sticky pack off your back & replace it with some nicely ventilated air-space. That way, you can arrive without embarrassing sweat spots or a slimy shirt. It’s a lightweight external frame that works with virtually any pack and attaches easily & quickly to promote maximum airflow & keep you cool. Detach it & it doubles as a travel pillow or backrest.