All posts in “Gear”

The Best Wallets for Men

wallets

Henry Phillips

Wallets may come in all shapes and sizes but one thing is certain: they’re an essential part of a person’s EDC. Every wallet is designed to hold and secure daily necessities, including a driver’s license, cash, credit cards and other requisite cards.

Though the wallet’s purpose is simple and rooted in function, there are numerous styles that achieve this end, ranging from minimalist styles (card holders and slim folding wallets) to more classics designs (bi-fold wallets and trucker wallets). Exploring the best wallets in each category, this guide covers the nearly three dozen of the best men’s wallets.

Advertisement – Continue Reading Below

Best Card Holder

Card Holder

Anson Calder

Anson Calder’s ultra-sleek Card Holder comes with two slots for cards and a center stash spot for cash. It’s available in six colors and with an optional monogram.

Card Holder

Military Porte Cartes

Orée’s card case has room for five cards. It’s constructed entirely from vintage military issue WWII canvas duffle bags.

Card Holder

Double-Sided Cardholder

Cut from vegetable-tanned Italian leather, this card holder features two exterior card slots and the brand’s logo is embossed on the exterior.

Card Holder

Journeyman

Tanner Goods

Made from durable, 3.5oz natural tooling leather, Tanners Goods’ Journeyman boasts just enough room — four slots and a central pocket — for your cards and some folded bills — nothing more.

Card Holder

Front Pocket Flap Wallet

Leather Works Minnesota

The majority of Leather Works Minnesota’s leather comes from Red Wing’s S.B. Foot Tanning Co. This minimal wallet is stitched together from two pieces of leather, creating three pockets for your cards and cash. Waxed nylon thread is used to increase the wallet’s longevity and monogramming is optional for $15. 

Card Holder

Card Sleeve

There’s a big slot for a bunch of cards, a tinier one for cash, and a pull tab to make getting both out a bit easier.

Card Holder

Concha Card Wallet

RRL’s Concha Card Wallet arrives with a patina one would’ve otherwise worked years for. Crafted from premium leather, it boasts a snap button closure, four card slots and a debossed branded logo on the back.

Card Holder

Metal Cash Strap

This wallet can hold one to twelve cards in its RFID-blocking aluminum body. It comes with an elastic strap attached to hold your cash and it is easy to disassemble for cleaning.

Card Holder

#57 BYO French Chévre Slim Leather Wallet

Chester Mox

Crafted in its small artisan studio in Southern California, Chester Mox’s Slim Wallet is a subtle and elegant wallet. It’s saddle-stitched by hand for superior construction and hand burnished for a glass-like finish at the edges. Plus, it uses luxurious French goat leather for the exterior as well as the lining, leaving no stone unturned. 

Best Slim Folding Wallet

Slim Wallet

Nomad Goods

Made from Horween leather, Nomad Goods’ Slim Wallet has room for 12 cards and a tracker, like Tile Slim or Apple’s AirTag. 

Slim Folding Wallet

Ludlow Slim Coat Wallet

Although this won’t fit in a pant pocket, Smythson’s Ludlow Wallet is right at home in the hull of your favorite jacket, whether that be a blazer or a bigger parka. 

Slim Folding Wallet

Ion Bifold

Pioneer Carry

This slim folding wallet is water-resistant, seamless and tough as hell. It’s available in seven colors and can carry up to eight cards and few bills.

Slim Folding Wallet

Inn Folding Credit Card Case

Sonnenleder

Cut from vegetable-tanned Sonnenleder leather, this folding wallet has three larger pockets (two internal, one external) and two smaller slots (both internal). The German leather with develop a unique patina over time, darkening with use. 

Slim Folding Wallet

SA6400 Colour Wallet

Comme des Garçons

Comme des Garçon’s Classic Wallet keeps things sleek with just two card slots and a slot for your bills. It’s made in Spain using cowhide and comes in a range of colors, offering a bright pop (if you don’t want black) and designer cred at a friendly price.

Slim Folding Wallet

Small Bi-Fold Wallet

Il Bussetto

There’s room for six cards plus cash in Il Bussetto’s vegetable tanned, somewhat tiny Bi-Fold Wallet.

Slim Folding Wallet

Capra Mini Wallet

With over 70 years of experience behind it, Ettinger’s Capra Mini Wallet is crafted in England using supple goat skin leather which gives the exterior a pleasing pebbled texture. It’s compact but has enough carry capacity for six cards and several bills. 

Best Bi-Fold Wallet

Bi-Fold Wallet

Handmade in Seattle, Filson’s Bi-Fold Wallet is constructed from durable Bridle leather and long-lasting nylon thread.

Bi-Fold Wallet

Billfold Wallet

Joshu + Vela

This wallet is cut and sewn from natural Vacchetta leather in San Francisco. The design features two pockets for cards (which can each hold four cards) and a slot for bills. 

Bi-Fold Wallet

Utility Bifold

Tanner Goods

Founded in 2006, Tanner Goods spares no details when crafting its range of wallets. Case in point: the company uses the same hide for each piece to ensure exact color matching. This American-made bi-fold utilizes from 3.5-ounce natural tooling leather. The interior features six slots for cards and one pocket for cash. It can be monogrammed for an extra $20. 

Bi-Fold Wallet

Landscape Billfold Wallet

Cut from Madeira English bridle leather from Wicket & Craig, this American-made wallet features a unique interior with two folded card slots and one cash pocket. Each slot holds up to six cards and the cash pockets fits all currency. 

Bi-Fold Wallet

Folding Nylon Wallet

Porter-Yoshida & Co.

Made from Cordura riptop fabric, this Japanese-made wallet is lightweight and durable. With a classic bi-fold design, it features six interior card slots, a zip compartment for coins and an interior key ring. 

Bi-Fold Wallet

Cordovan Wallet

Iron Heart

The eye-catching luster of the shell cordovan exterior is the first thing you’ll notice about Iron Heart’s Medium Wallet. Calf leather makes up the inner compartments which include a zipper coin pouch and several slots for cards and notes. It also includes a solid silver ring for attaching a wallet chain and it’s all sewn together using genuine coat achilles tendon. 

Best Trucker Wallet

No. 262 Small Trucker Wallet

Featuring harness-grade leather and either nickel or brass hardware, this American-made wallet is small enough to fit into your back pocket. The interior features two slots for cards or cash and one zippered compartment for coins. 

Trucker Wallet

FH Mid-Length Wallet

The Flat Head

This Japanese-made wallet utilizes tan steerhide leather and features a red pigskin interior. Hand-sewn with waxed cow tendon thread, it includes an internal zippered pouch, four card slots and a slot for bills.

Trucker Wallet

Long Wallet

Glad Hand x Porter Yoshida

Glad Hand and Porter Yoshida’s co-branded cow- and horsehide wallet is crafted in Japan to accommodate up to 17 cards, cash, and receipts, which can be any kind of paper in two large slots.

Best Passport Wallet

Leather Passport and Card Case

This English bridle leather passport wallet comes with a lifetime warranty. The interior features two card slots, a pouch for bills and a passport pocket.

Passport Wallet

Passport Wallet

Winter Session

Cut from four-ounce vegetable-tanned, waxed Horween leather, this wallet has a simple one-piece design. The interior features a passport pocket, two card slots and one pouch for bills or receipts. 

Passport Wallet

Passport Wallet

Cut and sewn in Minnesota from vegetable-tanned leather, this passport wallet features three full-length pockets for bills, a notebook or a passport, and two card slots. Red Wing released its line of leather goods in 2017 utilizing a range of leather from its own S.B. Foot Tanning Co. Understated on a whole, the brand’s logo is embossed on the interior of each piece. 

Best Phone Wallet

The iPhone Wallet

Edward Field

Made in the USA, this wallet features Italian full-grain leather and a unique grip technology that firmly holds your phone without extra bulk. The interior features four card slots and a slot for bills or receipts. (And, it comes in every iPhone size; don’t mind the ancient model.)

Phone Wallet

Phone Case 3 Card

This phone wallet has a microfiber lining and chamfered edges. Along with holding your phone, the wallet has space for up to three cards and an extra SIM card. Available in eight colors, it is also backed by a three year warranty. 

Phone Wallet

Cordovan iPhone Sleeve

Makr’s iPhone Card Sleeve is a minimalist’s dream with a compartment for your phone and a single slot for a few cards or bills. It’s made using vegetable-tanned leather from Wickett & Craig and features an elegant design thanks to its rolled edges and gentle curves. 

Best Zip Wallet

Card Pocket

This zip wallet can hold between four and 15 cards, along with coins and folded bills. It has a slot for a SIM card as well, and it is cut from three colors of environmentally certified leather.

Zip Wallet

Powell The Travel Wallet

Made from a cotton-recycled poly blend, this zip wallet features five card slots, a zip pouch for coins, a pen loop and a slot for bills. Available in three colors, the wallet has a contrasting lining and zips flat for easy access. 

Zip Wallet

Zipper Credit Card Wallet

Manufactured in New England, this wallet features vegetable-tanned leather with polished and painted edges. Available in nine colors, the design has a solid-brass YKK-Excella zipper and two exterior slots that can hold up to 10 cards. 

Zip Wallet

L Zip Wallet

Hender Scheme

This Japanese-made wallet is constructed from supple calf leather. The design includes a main compartment, two card slots, and a coin pouch. 

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

Advertisement – Continue Reading Below

8 Notes App Features You Should Be Using, But Aren’t

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

If you have an iPhone, iPad or Mac, you’re probably well-acquainted with the Notes app. Apple’s digital note-taking app is a great place for keeping lists, jotting down quick ideas, drawing sketches and writing long-form drafts, and it can be an incredibly powerful tool because, as long as it’s synced with iCloud, everything on your Notes app will quickly sync across all your devices. No need to share via AirDrop or email. If you write on Note on your iPhone, it’ll automatically appear on your iPad and Mac as well.

The neat thing about the Notes app is that Apple updates and adds new features to it all the time. For instance, you probably didn’t know that the Search feature in the Notes app can recognize typed or handwritten text, as well as images and scanned documents (like a recipe or receipt). It lets you organize folders within folders, too. (I know, mind blown.) And this fall, Apple rolled out iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 and with it, brought a bunch of new convenient features to the Notes app.

Looking for some useful tips and tricks? Go on, master the Notes app.

Group notes together with the new ‘Tag’ feature.

Apple gave the Notes app a new tagging feature with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 and it’s great because it allows you to instantly group like-themed notes together just by adding a common hashtag to each Note. For instance, if you have several different Notes that are focused on the beach (#beach), vacation (#vacation) or work (#work), you can simply add that hashtag to that Note and then it will automatically be grouped/organized with the other Notes with that hashtag. And you add multiple hashtags to each Note so that it gets added to the various groups that it relates to.

To add a tag to a note, all you have to do is type # followed by the tag name. Once you write #, a dropdown menu of your existing tags come out which you can select from, too. To add a tag to multiple notes, select the folder with the list of notes > select the More button with the three dots (…) > tap “Select Notes” > select the notes you want to tag > select the Tags option at the bottom-center of your screen > and select the # you want to group them all into.

Once you’ve created one or more tags, you can find them in the Tag browser. You can select one tag or multiple tags at the same time. If you select two tags, all the notes will appear that have that two tags.

tech roundup

Courtesy

Create a smart folder.

Smart folders are another new feature that Apple added with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, and it’s really useful for people who take advantage of the new tagging system. A “smart” folder is just like any other folder in the Notes app, but groups notes together that have the same tag — and it does this automatically (hence the “smart” folder).

To create a smart folder, all you have to do is select the New Folder button (in the bottom left corner) and select the option to create a “New Smart Folder.” Then you just have to select what tag (or multiple tags) you want the notes to populate this smart folder. From then, any note with that specific tag will automatically get populated into that smart folder.

tech roundup

Courtesy

Quickly undo a typo.

Did you accidentally highlight something and delete it (also by accident)? This can be incredibly frustrating especially if you’re using the Notes app on an iPhone or iPad and you don’t have access to an actual keyboard (you can’t press Command + Z to undo on an on-screen keyboard). Also, there’s no quick “Undo” menu to select on the iPhone. Fortunately, Apple baked in a “Shake to Undo” feature where you can actually shake your iPhone to prompt an “Undo Typing” menu. This feature is on by default, but you can change it by going to into Settings > General > Accessibility > Shake to Undo.

Quickly scan a document and sign it.

The Notes app actually has a built-in scanner function which makes it easy to scan a real-life document, sign it or mark it up (via the markup functionality in Notes), and then share it with whoever you need to it. All you have to do is start a new note, select the camera icon in the bottom-center of that note, and select “Scan Documents.” The app with then walks you through how to align the document so that it scans properly.

Share a folder with a friend.

The Notes app makes it incredibly easy to share your notes with others. You can set the permissions to “view only” if you don’t want other people to make edits, or you can open edits if it’s a more collaborative project. To share, just open the note in question and select the share button in the top-right; you can then select how you want to share: AirDrop, iMessage, Mail or another third-party app like Slack or Gmail.

If you use the shared notes feature between multiple people, Apple added a convenient feature with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15. It’s called “Activity View” and it shows you what edits each people who access to the note has made, as well as the date and time that the edit was made. For example, you can tell which person added a which specific item to a shared list. To access the Activity View of a shared notes, select the More button (three dots) in the top-right corner and select “Show Note Activity.”

PS-Notes-App-Gear-Patrol-Amb

Password protect specific notes.

If you’re worried about unwanted eyes seeing one of your notes, you can password protect it. To do this, simply go to the note in question, select the “share” icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, and then select “Lock Note.” From there you can set a password (along with a hint in case you need help remembering) or enable Face ID (or Touch ID) to gain access to the note. All password-protected notes have a lock icon over them.

Have Siri take a note for you.

Siri, Apple’s voice assistant that comes built into your iPhone, iPad and Mac, can actually be pretty helpful in terms of taking notes. You can say “Hey Sir, start a new note” and then dictate what you want the note to say, and Siri will jot it all down for you and save it as a note. This is a great option if you don’t feel like typing or you want to create a note hands-free.

Create a checklist, not just a list.

A checklist is essentially just an interactive list where you can mark tasks as completed while leaving others open. To create a checklist, simply create a new note and then, at the bottom of the note, select the icon that has a checkmark inside a circle. Then type something and hit Enter (Return) when you’re done. Each time you hit Enter (Return) a new task will be created. To mark off a task as completed, simply select the circle (or bullet) next to it. You can deselect it the same way.

LEARN MORE

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

This Compact Off-Road Truck Camper Is Ready for Anything

If you’re dreaming of off-road camping, we have some new fantasy fodder for you. Arizona-based AT Overland has just debuted their new Aterra XL truck camper at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona (an event which also saw Nissan launch some sweet overlanding accessories for the Frontier, in case you were curious).

The Aterra XL, designed by Tern Overland and built by AT Overland, is a futuristic-looking off-road truck camper that uses a lightweight fiber-reinforced thermoplastic honeycomb composite shell. AT Overland says the Aterra XL be “suitable for all seasons and full-time overlanding for two + pet.” (We presume the pet in this scenario is a dog.)

The Aterra XL interior is optimized for comfort and storage. There’s a queen mattress above the truck cab, with three-inch-thick upholstered foam and travel springs. The company sought to include best-in-class appliances such as a Truma VarioHeat comfort heater, a Truma Aqua Go on-demand water heater and a Dometic flush-mount two-burner sink and stove combo with a glass top.

Rooftop solar panels generate 400 watts of power to charge a 105-Ah lithium-ion battery. (Sadly, the solar setup precludes adding a roof rack.) The camper also has a 30-gallon freshwater tank, indoor and outdoor Sagiv shower hookups and a Wrappon Trekker waterless toilet system.

off road camper

Aterra XL

aterra xl

Aterra XL

The Aterra XL is pictured on a a Ram 3500, but you can fit it to any full-size pickup that can accommodate an 80×80 flatbed. That said, non-heavy duty trucks may require a beefed-up suspension to accommodate the extra load.

Pricing, as one would expect from all things overlanding vehicle-related, can get a bit steep. Conversions begin at $69,000 and don’t include the cost of the pickup itself or installing the flatbed. Also, just so you know — the lead time for a build is 25–30 weeks, and reserving a slot requires a 50 percent deposit.

LEARN MORE

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

James Jean Goes Surreal With The Design Of This Koenigsegg CCX Art Car

Back when we were kids, some of our favorite activities involves art supplies. It’s a great way for children to nurture their creativity and perhaps even discover artistic talents. If you love coloring books, this unique collaboration between Taiwanese-American artist James Jean and Koenigsegg is a tribute to that. However, instead of print on paper, we have the latter’s CCX hypercar.

Following the stunning Agera RS “art car” that debuted earlier in September 2021, the subsequent project is a little more interactive. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Festival of Children Foundation, Koenigsegg and Jean coming up with a fun visual upgrade.

Wrapping around the CCX is a mesmerizing fantasy artwork in black and white. Evidently, this is intentional as guests at the exhibit are encouraged to participate. The same concept applies to a regular coloring book. However, it’s on a bigger scale and with a powerful machine.

Dubbed “Les Forestiers II,” images of flora and fauna adorn the exterior of the Koenigsegg hypercar. Instead of the actual body of the CCX, the graphics are printed on a wrap the covers it. The event was held at the Ghost Squadron at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California.

Koenigsegg is a renowned Swedish carmaker that produces some of the world’s most remarkable high-performance vehicles. The CCX proudly boasts completely in-house construction. The aluminum V8 engine produces 806 horsepower with 693 lb-ft of torque.

This allows the hypercar to go from zero to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds. Track testing also shows a top speed of more than 245 mph. We know discerning clients can practically order their CCX in whatever configuration they want. However, the James Jean tie-in is as bespoke as one can get.

Learn more

imageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimage

Images courtesy of James Jean/Koenigsegg

Specialized Markets The Turbo Tero As Its Most Versatile And Powerful E-Bike Yet

Among sustainable personal transportation solutions, e-bikes are creeping up the rankings. With the popularity of cycling at an all-time high, consumers prefer a platform that can switch from pedal power to electric motors on the fly. Therefore, Specialized unveils its latest generation models with the Turbo Tero as the newcomer.

The brand has been in the business since 1974 and continues to innovate its fleet of two-wheelers and accessories. In 2009, Specialized introduced its first electric bike and the Turbo catalog welcomes new upgrades. Also, the e-bikes receiving cutting-edge tweaks include the Como and Vado.

Moreover, the fresh face among the group is the Turbo Tero. This newcomer promises “unrivaled power, confidence, and versatility,” according to the product page. It is a high-performance all-arounder for riders who welcome the dynamic shift in terrain and the challenges that follow.

This means Specialized is taking its 40 plus years of manufacturing experience and building an e-bike with flexible capabilities. Likewise, you can use it for almost every scenario imaginable as its DNA adapts to urban and off-road landscapes. The powerful 2.2 motor is backed by a removable 710-Wh battery.

Hence, even with an additional load of about 60 lbs, the Turbo Tero’s pedal-electric powertrain won’t make you break a sweat. As such, it’s time for you to gear up and go. At the heart of its intuitive features is the MasterMind TCD controller. Pair your e-bike with Specialized’s Mission Control companion app and enjoy the convenience it delivers.

For additional safety, Specialized equips the Turbo Tero with a rear-facing radar to warn you of potential fender benders or worse. Moreover, the advanced anti-theft system remotely renders the electric motor unusable, while the motion sensors trigger an alarm when someone attempts to steal your ride.

Get yours here

imageimageimageimageimage

Images courtesy of Specialized

Upgrade Your Winter Gear with This Sale from Backcountry

As we head into colder weather, now is the time to make sure your gear is up to date for everything you have planned this winter. Whether you’re looking to spend your time on the slopes, hiking or cross country skiing, Backcountry has all the high-quality gear you need to stay warm on your excursions. Plus, with Backcountry’s Winter Clearance sale you can score big on brands including Patagonia, The North Face, Smith and much more. Check out some notable items from the sale below at prices you can’t beat.

The North Face Saikuru Vest

This vest is perfect to throw on after a day on the slopes or for a cooler hike on your favorite trail. With polyester insulation, the vest traps heat without adding too much weight.

Patagonia Better Sweater 1/4-Zip Fleece Jacket

This fleece is perfect for a cozy night in or layered under your heavy coat this winter. With a variety of colors and patterns available, you might find yourself wanting more than one. 

Black Diamond Midweight ScreenTap Liner Glove

Thanks to a Polartec shell, these gloves are ultra-flexible and perfect for demanding adventures. Not only do they keep your hands warm, but with touchscreen-compatible construction, you can check your phone without taking off all your gear. 

Simms Cold Weather Shirt

This flannel is breathable and dries quickly which makes it perfect for all your winter activities. Available in three colorways, this is sure to be a staple in your wardrobe as the temperature drops. 

Smith I/O ChromaPop Goggles

These goggles are comfortable, plush and the perfect upgrade to your snow gear this season. Their ChromaPop technology will make sure you pick out each and every feature laid out in front of you on the slopes. 

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

Comfort Catastrophe: Your Fleece Jacket Is Bad for the Environment

fleece jacket

Huckberry

Welcome to Counterpoint, a series in which we challenge commonly held ideas about well-known products. This time: fleece jackets.

First, let me introduce you to this story’s villain, fleece. More specifically, the microplastics it sheds. See, most fleece jackets are made from polyester. And polyester (aka polyethylene terephthalate) is plastic, which derives from a chemical reaction between air, petroleum, and water. But wait, I know. I can hear you now. People use plastic for everything. Why are my fleece jackets the problem?

Due to their size, the microplastics fleece jackets shed are harder to corral. If you see a water bottle floating along the shoreline, you pick it up. Or, if there is a herd of them floating a few miles offshore, a conservation crew can scoop them with one swift sift. Microplastics usually measure out to no more than a few millimeters (five at max). For context, a pea is roughly 10 mm across. The tip of a pencil is roughly 1 mm across. They’re hard to see and even harder to address. But, microplastics are everywhere.

“In a business-as-usual scenario, the ocean is expected to contain one tonne of plastic for every three tonnes of fish by 2025, and by 2050, more plastics than fish [by weight],” researchers in a 2016 study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation determined. That’s bad news. And this isn’t a problem we should shelve and address further down the road. Scientists found microplastics in table salt; fish caught miles from California’s coast; and shorelines where effluent and other wastewater is routed.

Activists are worried we’re underestimating the reach of clothing-derived microplastics, even in the face of such grave realizations. Any damage done to the environment eventually impacts us, too, especially if we’re unaware of the potential problems. But sooner than most realize, some argue, we’ll learn that plastics have infiltrated our diets, the air we breathe, and the water we drink.

Advertisement – Continue Reading Below

So, what’s being done about it?

Why can’t brands just stop using polyester? Patagonia’s Manager of Materials Research and Development, Ryan Thompson, puts it best: “Polyester has undeniable benefits… In historic alpine insulation systems, the material of choice was almost always wool. The transition to polyester happened because we could offer an economical alternative to wool with similar performance and comfort characteristics. It’s durable even at light weights and it’s easier to maintain, because it’s machine washable and dryable.”

Polyester performs. It’s why Patagonia introduced the material to outerwear in the’80s. It’s also why they’ve held onto it for so long, having only recently set forth a plan to replace virgin polyester with recycled polyester made from bottles and manufacturing waste. But the brand’s progress is worth celebrating: 64-percent of its new products are made from recycled materials. That’s a fair amount of progress internally toward an end goal of overhauling the apparel industry, but it’s nothing in the grand scheme of things. Patagonia’s not the only culprit behind microplastic pollution. All clothing releases fibers during the wash.

“Textiles shed between 31,000 and 3,500,000 fibers per load during normal laundering in household washing machines,” Patagonia found. But while nylon, spandex, and other stretchy, synthetic materials shed, none do like fleece. “‘Fluffy’ textiles like fleece, as well as textiles made of spun staple yarns and textiles pre-treated with brushing are the highest-shedding types,” the brand’s aforementioned study also determined. Water treatment plants can only really capture around 60- (the rough average) to 80- (the optimistic take) percent of microplastics in the water they refine. That leaves a whopping 20- to 40-percent of a few million. Yikes!

There’s hope, though, for those of us who retreat to high-pile jackets whenever winter appears from around the bend. Studies have found that some jackets shed a whole lot the first time you wash it but then do so less abundantly with each subsequent wash. Sure, flushing a wad of microplastics away with the first wash isn’t worth celebrating, but this leaves room for pre-treatments that could eliminate that initial shed. Beyond scientific developments, there are also fleeces being made from alternative materials. There are natural woolen ones, too, which shed far less and decompose faster. If we can sway consumer interest away from polluting polyester fleeces, more brands will become aware of the problem and explore opportunities to innovate upon their own products — see: switching to wool or recycled polyester. Shop options from a few early adapters below.

50% recycled polyester

Men’s Classic Retro-X Fleece Jacket

It’d be wrong to leave Patagonia off this list. The brand popularized fleece outerwear and is now taking significant strides toward making it more sustainable.

50% Wool

Pocket Polar Fleece Crew

Ditch your typical zip-front fleece jacket for a pullover fleece crew — specifically, one with a bright red pocket.

100% Recycled Polyester

Denali 2 Jacket

The North Face

To me, this jacket screams middle school, which was like ’07-’08 for me. But, it’s plenty cool nowadays, still. It’s gotten plenty of cosigns from rappers both US- and UK-based.

60% Wool

Fleece Jacket

This one’s less structured than other jackets on this list, but it’s made from 60-percent wool. A win for sure.

100% Recycled Polyester

Thermal Boa Fleece Jacket

Japanese outdoors brand Snow Peak made a massive statement with its 100-percent recycled polyester fleece. This one’s eco-friendly and fashion-forward. 

85% Recycled Polyester

Alpine Sherpa Jacket

85-percent recycled polyester. That’s B, B+ territory. Vuori’s certainly trying and that’s more than you can say for most brands. 

100% Recycled Polyester

Dawn Patrol 1/2 Zip Pullover

There’s no true affiliation between us, Gear Patrol, and this jacket, dubbed Dawn Patrol, but we certainly approve of its 100-percent recycled polyester construction.

Beyond Buying a New Jacket, Here’s What You Can Do

  1. Don’t wash your fleece as often (or at all). Sure, certain circumstances call for a deep clean, but be mindful of the impact of repeat washes.
  2. If you must wash your fleece, do so using one Guppyfriends’ Washing Bag. The patented, medical-grade nylon sleeve zips shut and stops microplastics from escaping into waterways.
  3. Purchase and install a lint trap that filters out fabrics in the pathway between your washing machine and your septic tank.

Good for 50+ Washes

Washing Bag

Guppyfriend

If you must wash your fleece, put it in this bag first. You get around 50 washes out of one, and it catches 85-percent of particles.

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

Advertisement – Continue Reading Below

Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA: What It Is, and Why It’s So Popular

Everything you need to know about the most iconic beers in history from grocery staples to cult favorites. This time: Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, a beer that helped to popularize one of the leading beer styles today.

Sequels are rarely as good as the original. Just don’t tell that to the Godfather 2, Spider-Man 2 or Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA. For almost two decades, 60 Minute IPA has been one of the most popular beers in the US, and it’s not one you have to line up for hours for. So what exactly is the 60 Minute IPA (we’ll give you a hint: It’s not a beer that takes 60 minutes to drink), and how did it become such a pivotal beer? This is the story of 60 Minute IPA.

What is Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA?

As its name suggests, 60 Minute IPA is an IPA. First released in 2003, 60 Minute IPA is a continually hopped beer, which means during the course of a 60-minute boil, hops, specifically from the Northwest, are continually added to provide a super hoppy flavor minus any harsh bitterness. The 60 Minute IPA is actually a follow-up to Dogfish Head’s 90 Minute IPA, an imperial IPA, that helped to popularize the style when everyone else was drinking amber ales and lagers. Besides its 60 Minute and 90 Minute IPAs, Dogfish Head also has a 120 Minute IPA, a knock-you-out-of-your-seat imperial IPA with anywhere between 15 and 20 ABV.

60 Minute is a 6 percent ABV beer with 60 IBUs, and holy hell is it a good beer. The beer is shockingly crisp for an IPA with a relatively high ABV, and its predominant flavors include citrus and pine. Despite being an absolute hop bomb, it’s not overly bitter to the point that you want to rip your tongue out.

dogfish ipas

Dogfish Head

Who makes Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA?

The brewery behind Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA is, get this, Dogfish Head. The Delaware-based brewery, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, is a legend in the craft beer world, helping to popularize the trend towards microbreweries and away from the Big Guys. While the brewery has gone through some major changes, including an acquisition by Boston Beer, Dogfish Head remains the same scrappy and inventive brewery it once was with its founder, Sam Calagione, at the helm.

Where can you buy Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA?

You can find Dogfish Head beers all across the country, with distribution in all 50 states, as well as Washington D.C. The beer is a grocery store staple as much as it is a staple in craft beer stores. If you’re looking for 60 Minute (or another specific Dogfish Head beer) around you, check out the brewery’s “Fish Finder.”

Why is Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA so popular?

In a 2009 Youtube video, Calagione says “60 minute has sort of become the de facto session beer for hardcore hop heads.” 60 Minute is by no means a session IPA, especially with its 6 percent ABV, but it is on the lower end of the ABV spectrum when it comes to IPAs. Over 12,000 people on Beer Advocate have rated 60 Minute, which currently sits at a score of 91, or understanding. What makes the beer so popular is its complex, balanced flavors, and also the story behind its inception. The legend goes: Calagione fashioned an electronic football game, which uses a vibrating metal field to move pieces, to move hop pellets into boiling wort at a consistent rate. The invention has had such an impact on the world that Dogfish Head donated its continual hopping machine to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History collections.

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

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

The 10 Best Bongs for Getting Ripped

If the goal is to get high, you can’t go wrong with a bong: They’re perfect for group hangs or for solo sessions and they deliver immediate results. Bongs are the everyman of the weed smoking world. But is there such a thing as a bad bong? Through rigorous testing, we found out. These 10 bongs represent the cream of the crop.

Bongs 101

Anatomy of a Bong

Although bongs come in many different styles, the anatomy of a bong is relatively the same across the board. First is the mouthpiece, where you inhale the smoke out of. Then, there’s the tube and maybe an ice catch; the tube is, well, just a tube, and ice catch stops ice from getting into the water chamber. The bowl holds the ground material, and the downstem connects the bowl to the chamber, which holds the water.

How do I hit a bong?

Fill up the bong with enough water so a decent amount of the downstem is submerged; too much water and you’ll get splashed while smoking, while not enough water leads to a harsher hit. Then, fill the bowl with the desired amount of marijuana. Put the bowl into the downstem, grab a lighter and find a comfy seat on the couch. Grab the bong with your non-dominant hand and hold the lighter with your dominant hand. Light the bowl and put your lips inside of the mouthpiece — you’re not taking a sip of water and you’re not trying to eat the bong. Suck (don’t inhale) so the water bubbles and fills the chamber. When you have the desired amount of smoke, lift the bowl and inhale. Repeat as necessary.

What materials should I look for when buying a bong?

Popular bong materials include glass, acrylic, ceramic and silicone.

Glass bongs are the most popular bong material on the market, since they provide the cleanest and purest taste. Bongs made from borosilicate glass contains boron trioxide, which has a very low coefficient for thermal expansion. This means it’s incredibly durable and will not crack under extreme temperature changes like regular glass.

Acrylic bongs are the cheapest and virtually indestructible. However, it makes for the least versatile, since it’s difficult to add-on accessories like percolators.

Ceramic bongs are durable and are behind glass for providing the tastiest hits.

Silicone bongs are the easiest to wash and clean since they are dishwasher safe. They are also durable, well-priced, customizable and perform well compared to their comrades.

Are bongs a healthier alternative to bowls and joints?

Compared to hitting a joint or smoking from a bowl, bongs provide a smoother toke thanks to water (and some ice cubes if you’re feeling jazzy). Since there’s no dry heat, which you get from a joint, your hits feel less harsh. However, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) smoked marijuana — regardless of how you smoke it — can harm lung tissues and cause damage to blood vessels. And, smoking marijuana can lead to a greater risk of bronchitis and chronic coughing, according to the American Lung Association. Both organizations agree that more research is needed into the effects of marijuana on lung health. If you’re looking for a less risky way to ingest cannabis, try vaporizers, which use convection and conduction rather than combustion (the fancy term for lighting something on fire) to release the terpenes in the marijuana and have shown to reduce respiratory irritation.

The Best Bongs of 2021

Best Overall Bong

Higher Standards Heavy Duty Mini Beaker

Although Higher Standards also sells a larger beaker, the mini beaker, standing at eight inches tall, is the definition of small-but-mighty. The glass downstem has six slits that clean and cool draws to a silky smooth hit. The medical-grade borosilicate glass is seven millimeters thick, making the piece feel luxurious and durable. And, if you’re into dabs, the pipe also includes a 45-degree quartz banger, carb cap and concentrate tool, which is large and fits well in the hand. The bong is incredibly easy to clean, so much so that I didn’t have to scrub an inch after soaking mine in this bong cleaner. I didn’t know it was possible for a bong to have my heart, but this one does. 

  • Not too small; not too large
  • Durable and feels good to hold
  • Clear, can’t hide your dirty water bong

Best Splurge Bong

Heir Waterpipe

Heir Waterpipes — which come in 11 or 13 inches — is the Rolls Royce of bongs. It’s made out of alumina ceramic, stainless steel and soda-lime glass, meaning it’s made to last. It features an ergonomic mouthpiece and a removable glass chamber that allows you to add ice or water easily and pop in in the dishwasher when you’re finished. The seven-hole design in the bowl prevents clogs and the 8-slotted percolator gives powerfully smooth hits. The price can be a hurdle, since not that many people have $260 sitting around. Regardless, it’s a beautiful addition to your home that just happens to get you incredibly stoned.

  • Made of high quality materials
  • Can be dishwashed

Best Budget Bong

Bento Bong

Sam Freedman first came up with the “half-baked” idea for Bento Bong, his Seattle-based start-up, in college when an acquaintance sat on a $300 bong that Freedman had collectively purchased with his four friends. “We started talking about how annoying it was that one part of the bong broke and we had to throw the whole thing away and buy a new one to replace it,” Freedman said. “Fast forward a decade and a few more broken glass bongs, I decided to create the bong I always wished I had.” 

Bento Bong is made out of BPA-free Tritan TX1001 plastic, giving it the same durability as a silicone bong, but with a modular, sleek, packable, customizable design. Not that many bongs at this price point come with a percolator, are dishwasher safe and disassemble in seconds. Will it last forever? Maybe not, but if you’re just getting into bongs, Bento Bong is a great option. 

  • Sleek and modular
  • Easy to disassemble
  • Dishwasher safe

Best Incognito Bong

Puffco Budsy

This isn’t your average Nalgene. Puffco’s Budsy is a bong disguised as a water bottle that makes a perfect companion for any adventure. To use, just fill the bottle to the fill line on the bottle (which is at 420 millimeters), open the top portion, flip up the mouthpiece and place the ceramic bowl from the storage location to the air hole. You’ll never have to lug around an actual bong again. 

  • Made of plastic

Best-Looking Bong

Summerland Chongo

A completely ceramic bong, the Summerland Chongo combines aesthetics with durability. The full-size bong hits incredibly well and has a roomy bowl with a tight seal. You’ll have to look closely to see inconsistencies in the glaze, a reminder that this is made by humans, which is a feat upon first glance. And, Chongo is made with lead-free, food-safe glaze and ceramic, giving you peace of mind. 

  • Beautiful to look at
  • Durable
  • Looks like art and costs as much as art

Best Bong for Inspector Gadget

Eyce Beaker

Go go gadget toke time! This silicon bong has a hidden stash jar, rolling tray, magnetic lighter holder and a stainless steel poker: talk about coming prepared to smoke. The borosilicate glass bowl and diffused borosilicate down stem mean that this silicon bong might just be indestructible. 

  • Made of indestructible silicone
  • Has built-in compartments for accessories

Best Bong That Does Good

Session Goods Bong

Session Goods’ bong features a modern design that blends in seamlessly to your home and feels good in your hands. Two different bowls allow you to adjust the size of your hits, and four millimeter borosilicate glass gives you peace of mind. The silicon base cover protects the glass and indicates the recommended water fill line for the best hits while hiding unsightly bong water. 

Best of all, the company is a member of the Floret Coalition, an anti-racist collective of small businesses supporting and funding equity-oriented actions, and pledges month donations to organizations for their work in support of Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities. 

  • Modern design is nice
  • Makes monthly donations to organizations supporting marginalized groups

Best Souped-Up Bong

Jet Filtration Systems SubZero Water Pipe

This bong has it all: A lifetime warranty! Impact-resistant materials and design! An ash filter! A water fill line! Plus, you can purchase different-colored percolators separately that allow for even smoother hits. Although it is on the higher end of plastic bongs, JET SubZero Water Pipes allow for complete customization.

  • Lifetime warranty
  • Customizable for your perfect hit

Best Classy Bong

Marley Natural Water Pipe

The Marley Natural water pipe is made of borosilicate glass and sustainably-sourced black walnut, making this piece perfect for a stoner who likes the aesthetics of big libraries, plaid and reading J.D. Salinger. Cleaning is made easy since the wood smoke chamber is removable. However, be warned: a lot of reviews say this bong is fragile. 

  • The quintessential bong design made with high-end materials
  • Super fragile
  • Expensive

Best Gravity Bong

Stundenglass

Ditch your MacGyver-ed grav bong for the Stundenglass, which uses the power of gravity to fill the chamber with smoke. And, it provides contactless cannabis ingestion, meaning you don’t have to worry about mouth germs when toking. Although it’s $600 and a very large piece to have sitting around, it can be used to smoke food and drink and includes attachments to be used as a hookah. MacGyver wishes he could have made something this multifunctional.

  • A do-it-all bong
  • Contactless ripping
  • Super, super expensive

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

10 Best Netflix Hacks Every Man Should Know

Host Netflix Party On Virtual Movie Nights With Friends

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

You must miss hosting movie nights with your family and friends or most times, you don’t. Being a host of a binge-watching party doesn’t come easy. You need to fill your fridge with drinks and beer, ready the popcorn, and clean after the mess once it’s over.

There’s a better solution for you. Set a virtual movie night with them instead without the hassle. Simply install the Netflix Party Chrome extension that allows people to watch Netflix movies/TV shows together. This tool also has a chat feature where you can communicate in real-time while watching a movie.

Everyone in the group must have their own individual Netflix account in order to use the Netflix Party. You can host the Netflix Party up to 50 people, which is a huge audience.

Let’s get a closer look at the Netflix Party features, how it works, and how to install it on Google Chrome, shall we?

Netflix Party Features

Netflix Party is a tool that connects people by watching Netflix movies/shows online with other people. Users can use the Chrome extension to sync Netflix playback with friends or watch together with their family members from their respective rooms.

You can also chat in real-time on-screen about the turn of events in the movie and so on.

How Does Netflix Party Work?

Netflix Party only works as an extension exclusively for Google Chrome, so it’s not available on non-Chrome desktop browsers. It does not support Android, iOS, games consoles, or streaming boxes either. It means you need to use the Netflix Party extension from Chrome on a desktop operating system. The best thing is it’s free to download.

You and your friends can watch via the official Netflix site in your country without the need for VPN connections, mirrors, proxies, or tricky portals. That’s why everyone in the group should have their own Netflix account to access the movie or the TV show playing.

Another cool feature of Netflix Party is it supports HD videos and fast buffering. While chat is enabled, it doesn’t support video or voice chat.

How To Install Netflix Party

To install the Netflix Party, head over to the Chrome Web Store’s extension listing. Add to Chrome in the upper-right corner and tap add an extension when notified to finish the installation.

Now you can set out a plan to host a virtual movie night one of these days. It’s easy as 123. Just follow the steps below.

  • Head to Netflix and sign into your account.
  • Navigate to the movie or TV show you want to watch.
  • Wait for the Netflix Party Chrome extension’s icon to turn red (labeled NP).
  • Click on the NP button.
  • Choose whether you want to retain control over video playback.
  • Click Start the party.

Panerai Is Offering Only 100 Examples Of Its Submersible S Brabus Black Ops Edition

We’re once again at that point when two renowned brands decide to collaborate for an exclusive production run. This time, it’s a luxury creation from Panerai dubbed the Submersible S Brabus Black Ops Edition. This diver’s watch is for fans of the German aftermarket tuning group with a love for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

The tuner also caters to discerning clients with its lineup of high-performance marine vessels. As such, Panerai holds up its end of the partnership with it an appropriate model to host the BRABUS badge. This is a sophisticated timepiece that embodies elegance within a sleek and stealthy profile.

What gives the Panerai Submersible S Brabus Black Ops Edition a distinct aesthetic is the material of choice for its construction. Also, the watchmaker’s proprietary carbon fiber-based composite material – Carbotech is the highlight here. It endows the surfaces with an almost damascene pattern people will admire.

You’ll find it on the 47-mm tortuga case, anti-clockwise uni-directional bezel, and crown-guard lever. Beneath the sapphire crystal is an open-work dial with skeleton hands, and applied hour markers. Meanwhile, the small seconds sub-dial at 9 o’clock shares its space with the AM/PM indicator.

Those who frequently travel will benefit from the GMT function of the Submersible S Brabus Black Ops Edition. Red accents outline the hands, sub-dial indices, and frame the date window at 3 o’clock. Panerai is using a P.4001/S self-winding caliber with a 3-day power reserve.

Low-light visibility won’t be an issue as all crucial elements glow brightly with green/blue lume. Panerai, ships the Submersible S Brabus Black Ops Edition with two straps. Only 100 examples are pegged for production, so don’t hesitate to reserve yours now.

Check it out: Here

imageimageimageimage

Images courtesy of Panerai

Bask In the Beauty of Fari Islands At The Patina Maldives Hotel

The newly-opened Patina Maldives Hotel located within the Fari Islands should be on the bucket list of any thalassophileNot only does it look breathtaking from the outside, but it is even more luxurious on the inside. 

You don’t have to go to the extreme when on a quest for both elegance and functionality. This summer escapade destination boasts both contemporary and modern design with its use of natural tones, both in the pieces of furniture and in the furnishings. There is a sense of cohesion, of being one with the topography. This is in keeping with the hotel’s goal to use only sustainably sourced or eco-friendly materials.  As such, the hotel uses locally sourced, biodegradable, and reusable materials for its frame and interior design. 

Speaking of topography, a vast of greenery from lush trees surround the Patina Maldives Hotel on the ground. Meanwhile, beautiful sparkling blue-green waters encompass one side, overlooking and connecting the terrace for great views of the sea.  The hotel is comprised of 90 villas designed by Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan characterized by their surroundings.

There are land villas and over-water villas. The accommodations range from one to three bedrooms but both have outdoor showers and interiors that blend seamlessly with the natural landscape. Then there are also outdoor bathtubs, private gardens, big private pools, floor-to-ceiling windows, and butler service so you can simply relax and unwind.

To keep you connected, the Patina Maldives Hotel also offers WiFi. Likewise, entertainment is provided via a smart TV and gaming consoles including the Xbox and Nintendo.  

Learn More Here

imageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimage

Images courtesy of Patina Hotels

At 900 Hp With 922 Lb-Ft Of Torque, The BRABUS 900 Rocket Edition Is A Luxe Beast

In our years of regularly featuring some of the most badass rides from BRABUS, it’s always a thrill hearing about its latest projects. Most of you might know the badge for their jaw-dropping armored conversions. What many overlook is the insane work they do with aftermarket tuning. Don’t believe us? Maybe the 900 Rocket Edition will change your mind.

Boasting a highly limited production run of only 25 examples, this souped-up machine is overflowing with extreme upgrades. BRABUS loves working exclusively with an iconic German marque and is not breaking tradition anytime soon. Its latest venture involves the Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S 4MATIC Coupe.

The donor model is by no means an underwhelming platform when it comes to performance and luxury. However, BRABUS exists to push SUVs like it beyond their limits. The 900 Rocket Edition exceeds whatever the stock powertrain can deliver by a remarkable margin.

Its 4.5-liter BRABUS 900 twin-turbo V8 engine is good for 900 horsepower with a 922 lb-ft of torque. This allows the 900 Rocket Edition to reach 60 mph from a standstill in just 3.2 seconds. Furthermore, the top speed is around 205 mph.

To give onlookers an idea of what’s in front of them is a sportier and aggressive silhouette. They call the new coat of paint “Superior Gray” which is appropriate given the performance tweaks it received. Carbon fiber elements peek out in all the right places and the set of 24-inch BRABUS Monoblock “Platinum Edition” Z forged wheels.

The 900 Rocket Edition is decked with a multi-tone interior of black, gray, and red elements. Leather and plush Alcantara wrap almost all surfaces of its cabin. Of course, BRABUS will gladly cater to their client’s tastes when it comes to customization.

Learn more

imageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimageimage

Images courtesy of BRABUS

20 Best Stoner Movies To Binge-Watch With Friends

MALLRATS (1995)

Editors Rating

  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star
  • star

Mallrats arrived in 1995 as an American buddy comedy offering from the funny man and writer-director Kevin Smith. To critics and fans, this is Smith’s most intelligent and hilarious movie despite a disappointing performance at the box office.

The film is a story of buddies Brodie Bruce (Jason Lee) and T.S. Quint (Jeremy London) set in New Jersey. In some shared fate, their hot girlfriends (Claire Forlani and Shannen Doherty) dumped both of them on the same morning.

While T.S. feels devastated about the breakup, Brodie stays calm in dealing with it. On the same day, the two take comfort in a local mall, Brodie’s favorite hangout. They find their exes there, however, and both try to win them back.

For the potheads, meanwhile, Jay and Silent Bob, Stan Lee, the Easter Bunny, and a 3D Magic Eye poster also make special appearances in this stoner movie.

The supporting stars of Mallrats include Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, Renee Humphrey, Jason Mewes, Ethan Suplee, Priscilla Barnes, and Michael Rooker.

Stonedest quote: “What you need is a fatty-boom-batty blunt, and I guarantee you’ll be seeing a sailboat, an ocean, and maybe even some of those big-titted mermaids doing some of that lesbian sh**.”

Run Time: 2 hours 3 minutes

Want to Own the Most Badass Rolex Dive Watch Ever? Here’s Your Chance

There are badass dive watches and then there are really badass dive watches. And then, there’s a singular badass dive watch like no other: the prototype watch that Rolex made and strapped to the exterior of Auguste Piccard’s bathyscaphe Trieste submersible vessel in 1953 to test it at a depth of 3,150m. It’s an absolutely legendary watch and as funky-looking as you’d expect early, experimental dive equipment to be: It’s the Rolex Prototype Deep Sea Special N°1, and soon you’ll be able place a bid to own it.

This watch will go under the hammer at Christie’s Rare Watches Auction in Geneva on November 8, 2021. This isn’t quite the most famous watch that Rolex strapped to a submersible vessel and sent to the bottom of the ocean — that would be the Prototype Deep Sea Special N°3 that went 10,908m into the Mariana Trench in 1960 (and is now housed in a museum). But the N°1 is, of course, the first prototype that took part in this type of adventure (which Rolex has continued), and it marks the beginning of a very cool and interesting series of history-making events. For consumers, of course, this development led to Rolex’s most serious dive watch, the Rolex Sea Dweller.

The Deep Sea Special series of prototype watches were experimental and made to develop water resistance technology, so their look isn’t quite like that of any other watch you’d expect to wear on your wrist. With its 43mm diameter, it sounds just about wearable for modern tastes, but it’s also extremely thick with an unusually bulbous plexiglass crystal — though, not quite as remarkably bulbous as the later N°3 prototype of 1960.

watch
The Rolex Deep Sea Special N°1 will be up for auction on November 8, 2021. 

Courtesy

watch
The Rolex Deep Sea Special N°1 was tested to 3,150m underwater in 1953. 

Courtesy

For these reasons, this watch represents a rare opportunity (to say the least) for collectors, but there are even more “cool factors” that only make it more compelling: How about that massive Rolex crown logo at 12 o’clock and the wordmark at 6 o’clock on the dial? Pretty unusual. Also fascinating is that Rolex chose to make this badass among dive watches in a two-tone mix of steel and gold (in modern Rolex speak, this is called “Rolesor”) in the midst of the dressy 1950s. Even two-tone-haters might have to make an exception here.

Though it previously auctioned in 2005 for around $400,000 (CHF 322,400), you’d expect a watch like this to go for even more today. So even if you’re not in the bidding yourself, it’s worth keeping an eye on the sale in November.

LEARN MORE

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

Scotty Cameron Phantom X 9.5 Triple Black: A Murdered-Out Putter For Your Killer Game

As the heat of summer gradually mellows down, some of us who love the cooler weather for outdoor fun should soon be out in droves. Sadly, the nasty virus is still out there so we should always take precautions. Many agree that fall is a wonderful season to play golf, so hit the links with new gear in tow such as the Phantom X 9.5 Triple Black from Scotty Cameron.

Enthusiasts of the game already know what this limited-edition release is all about. For the uninitiated, what we have here is a putter. With input from touring professionals, Scotty Cameron designs and builds a premium piece of equipment for players. Although it won’t guarantee a perfect game, you’ll win by style points every time.

“The Phantom X 9.5 Triple Black is a new high-MOI mallet head shape that shares many dimensional qualities with the popular Phantom X 5.5 and Phantom X 11 models,” says the manufacturer. Given our love for murdered-out colorways, this would be our putter of choice.

The body features a 303 stainless steel construction along with a 6061 aluminum sole/flange. Every aspect of this putter just oozes with superior craftsmanship. Plus, the Tour Black finish gives off a stealthy and menacing vibe. Once again, Scotty Cameron’s signature style makes this club stand out from all angles.

Taking cues from vintage muscle cars pinstripes, the engravings add a visual flair before you take that game-winning swing. The three red dots on top is where you want the putter to hit the golf ball to sink it in. Scotty Cameron plans to ship only 4,000 examples of the Phantom X 9.5 Triple Black globally.

Gear up now

imageimageimageimageimage

Images courtesy of Scotty Cameron

The Best Diamond Watches for Men

Guys love their rough-and-tumble tool watches and patina, but also their fancy, shiny timepieces. Masculine bling in the form of polished steel or gold is perfectly normal, it seems, so why are stones like diamonds overwhelmingly restricted to women’s watches? Can a mineral be inherently feminine? We’re simply talking about a type of rock, and this is the 2020s — gender norms beg to be questioned and transcended.

So, you’ve got to ask yourself: how do you feel about diamond watches for men?

The very idea of a distinction between men’s and women’s watches is more and more outmoded. Usually defined by size, brands are increasingly selling watches labeled “unisex” (not that it’s particularly helpful), but segmenting collections by gender is still typical. Many female horology fans wear watches ostensibly designed for men and feel frustrated that so many products presumably made for them feature stereotypical motifs like flowers, butterflies, pink, purple and, yes, diamonds. Diamond watches for men, however, remain rare, so why shouldn’t the norm-busting go in the other direction as well?

It turns out that these attitudes are more relevant in certain countries than in others, and that diamond watches for men are relatively popular in significant parts of the world (though there are also plenty sold in places like the United States, as well). We see celebrities wearing crazy “iced-out” full-pavé watches and the like, but for more regular folks there’s no reason that an interesting material should be off the table as an option as long as it’s tastefully integrated.

Why might you want diamonds on your watch? Diamonds do a couple things: they sparkle like crazy and they communicate value (you knew that). But they can also add interest to a watch in a few ways. First of all, they’re just objectively cool objects to look at up close and represent natural phenomena that any science buff should appreciate — being the hardest natural material known, formed under crazy conditions over millions of years, miles within the earth. The rarity and remarkable level of purity of gem-quality diamonds also makes them fascinating as well as gives them inherent value.

In addition to these physical properties, diamond selection, cutting and setting represent exactly the kind of skill and craftsmanship that watch enthusiasts tend to appreciate in other forms. This means that there’s more value and cost associated with a diamond watch than just that of the diamonds themselves, but also be aware that precious materials in general serve as an excuse for brands to mark up prices even further. If you’re interested in a watch with diamonds, here are a few things to consider, and a few options:

Carats: In diamonds, carats (also karats and abbreviated c, k, ct or kt) refers to the mineral’s weight, one carat being equal to 0.2 grams. Note that this is different than in precious metals like gold where the term denotes purity.

Natural vs. synthetic: Man-made diamonds are physically and chemically equivalent to natural ones, but they’re grown in a lab and are more common and affordable. Avoid any uncertainty regarding diamonds’ authenticity or origin by buying directly from brands or authorized dealers.

Ethical sourcing: There are national and international processes for addressing environmental and ethical sourcing of diamonds. Brands and authorized dealers should include language in their materials related to sourcing and be able to provide it on request.

Casio Vintage Collection A159WAD

amazon.com

$30.00

You probably didn’t expect to see something like this here. Within Casio’s Vintage collection of classic digital watches are a few special editions that are made in Japan and feature two small, natural diamonds as accents above and below the screen. Casio also distinguishes these models with a crystal that’s different from the typical flat type and features facets as if to echo those of the diamonds.

Diameter: 36.8mm
Movement: Quartz

Citizen Corso

citizenwatch.com

$340.00

With Citizen’s light-powered Eco-Drive line you can get a solid and practical watch featuring eight diamonds on its dial — and without the luxury prices associated with automatic movements that otherwise make watches like this expensive. Diamonds add a hint of pizazz to this handsome, everyday watch make it feel a little more special.

Diameter: 41mm
Movement: Citizen Eco-Drive quartz

Rado HyperChrome Classic Automatic Diamonds

rado.com

$2,550.00

The tasteful diamond hour markers on this subtle Rado watch don’t feel at all overly fussy or fancy — though they add about $500 to the price of a similar model without diamonds. The watch is further interesting as it offers a case and bracelet combining elements of steel, titanium and ceramic. There are other versions available as well, including one in 35mm.

Diameter: 42mm
Movement: ETA C07.111 automatic

Rolex Datejust 41

rolex.com

$11,600.00

This is probably more like what you expected to see here. Rolex has an in-house gemology department and like everything else the brand does, its gem selection and setting is some of the best in all of watches. Any Rolex watch is a kind of a flex anyway, but something like this Datejust in steel and white gold with nicely sized diamonds on the dial is another level. (The same configuration is available in 36mm.)

Diameter: 41mm
Movement: Rolex 3235 automatic

Omega De Ville Trésor

omegawatches.com

$11,800.00

Omega’s DeVille Tresor collection houses some of the most elegant dress watches available. Rather than on the dial (as in the above examples), Omega places diamonds all around the bezel — many bunch of them. Though housed in a stainless steel case, this is an exceedingly handsome example of a traditional mens watch style accented with diamonds in a natural-feeling way.

Diameter: 40mm
Movement: Omega 8910 manual

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

John Legend Talks Bespoke Suits by His Dad and More

John Legend is no sartorial rookie. The 12-time Grammy, one-time EGOT winner, told WWD that he’s “always had an interest in fashion,” and that “it’s part of my job in some ways.” It’s true. He’s fresh off a collaborative collection with Sperry, which includes three original designs: a slip-on loafer, a high-top sneaker, and a 10-eye boot. And as a high-profile celeb, his every move — and thus outfit — makes headlines, making what he’s wearing as much a talking point as what it is he’s doing.

As such, here we are: talking about both — but really, really quickly. Legend’s a busy guy, but he set aside a few minutes for us at his recent Sperry unveiling in L.A. We talked about personal style, his first suit (which was custom-made by his Dad), and what it was like to design shoes.

John Legend

On his personal style…

1.

“I think it depends on if I’m going on vacation or going to lunch with friends on the weekend or if I’m on stage. There are different moments for different expressions of my style.”

On timeless menswear…

2.

“I’ve always had a good sense for the classics and for tailoring and all those things, but also finding ways to make it more rockstar. I like finding a balance between classic shapes, classic silhouettes, classic tailoring and something more interesting and exciting.”

legend of the underground premiere 2021 tribeca festival
This isn’t an amateur outfit: a bold pattern, contrasting blazer, and (at least) a few open buttons.

Arturo HolmesGetty Images

On dressing up again…

3.

“During COVID, a lot fewer suits were being worn. [Over the past year] I got more into casual wear, particularly during that time because everything was casual, but it’s nice to get dressed up again.”

On his first suit…

4.

“I’ve been wearing suits since my dad first made one for me when I was kid going to church. Both of my parents are tailors, and suits have always been very natural for me. It always feels good to put one on. You feel like you’re put together very well when you wear one.”

sperry x john legend collection launch at nordstrom
To design the Sperry x John Legend Collection, the singer-songwriter leveraged many of his own interests: combat boots, cars, travel, and, of course, clothing.

Stefanie KeenanGetty Images

On designing his new Sperry collab…

5.

“I was very involved with [Sperry’s] team, and we just went back and forth and exchanged inspiration. We gave them examples from my closet of things that I love and then we talked about the things we’ve done together before. We wanted to include historical Sperry elements but marry those with my sensibilities.”

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

Sore Muscles? Here Are the Best Massage Guns You Can Buy on Amazon, All in One Place

percussion gun

Gear Patrol

The highs of working out often come with the lows: fatigue, muscle soreness and tightness. Luckily, your post-workout doesn’t have to feel this way. Massage guns have gained massive popularity in the past few years, and for good reason: they’re affordable, portable and provide (almost) instant relief after an intense workout. From the most advanced to the entry-level, here are the best massage guns you can buy on Amazon.

Advertisement – Continue Reading Below

Hyperice Hypervolt Plus

Bluetooth connectivity? Check. Multiple speed and attachment options? Check. A whopping six hours of battery life? Triple check.  Weighing just three pounds, the Hypervolt Plus is also TSA-approved and ready to accompany you at home or abroad.

Lifepro Dynasphere

At less than $100, the Dynasphere is a quality massage gun for a  killer deal. Featuring 13mm amplitude (standard guns come with 8-10), and 66 pounds stall force, it’s plenty powerful. Other perks include a protective case, single button control and a comfortable handle.

Theragun Elite

Theragun is one of the most recognized names in the category, and its Elite model lives up to the hype. The proprietary QX65 motor maintains a quiet yet powerful massage, and the internal lithium-ion battery doubles the life of the gun, up to two hours of continuous use.

Hydragun

SmoothDrive Technology makes Hydragun one of the quietest massage guns on the market, so you can focus on recovery. The 3200 RPM high torque motor delivers a powerful massage, while six speed settings and six attachment heads allow you to pick just how you like it. 

Ekrin Athletics B37

Five speeds, four attachments and an ergonomic design that lets you reach 90 percent of your body come together in this small but mighty package. Ekrin’s Quiet Glide Noise Reduction Technology minimizes the annoying hum of most massage guns, and for the quality, the price point is hard to beat.

Fusion Black Pro

Fusion gives you relief from your intense workouts, without breaking the bank. The brushless motor provides 3300 percussions per minute without sounding like a mini-jackhammer. Twenty intensity levels and six attachments provide everything from a light massage to deep-tissue recovery work. 

Toloco Massage Gun

Not too pricey, not too cheap. Toloco’s massage gun lands in the middle of the pack, and provides just what you need without frills or distractions. Enjoy 20 speed levels, 10 unique attachments and an ergonomic silicone handle that keeps slipping to a minimum. 

Opove M3 Pro Max

Work out knots and tension with Opove. The M3 Pro Max delivers respectable stats, in a small package. The brushless motor keeps noise low, while 15mm amplitude and max 55 pounds stall force keep recovery high. Slip it in its included carrying case, and recover on the go. 

Darkiron Percussion Massage Gun

With almost 2,000 positive reviews on Amazon, this massage gun is going to deliver. For a cool $99, you’ll enjoy four adjustable speed levels, a 2500mAh rechargeable lithium battery and 10 massage heads, plus a storage case. Promote circulation, relieve fatigue and soreness and recover quicker for less. 

Hardnex Massage Gun

Easily the most affordable gun on our list, the Hardnex is lightweight and easy to use. The touchscreen allows for simple operation, and fast charging times mean you won’t have to delay recovery. 

The Best Percussion Massage Guns of 2021

Recovery is critical, and these muscle-pounding gadgets are here for it.

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

Advertisement – Continue Reading Below

Today’s Best Deals: Save on Aesop Soap, $50 off Jabra 85t Wireless Earbuds & 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.

HOME & KITCHEN DEALS

OUTDOOR DEALS

FITNESS DEALS

STYLE DEALS

TECH DEALS

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