Win Over $1,000 Worth of Spring Style Essentials

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Introducing Gear Patrol At Home; A Newsletter for Better Living off the Clock

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Which Brands and Businesses Are Fighting the Coronavirus, and How You Can Help

In light of Covid-19, we’re all looking for ways to help. Thankfully, companies both small and large are stepping up. Some are gifting free gear to healthcare workers on the front lines. Others are putting profits aside to design, produce and create much-needed supplies like masks. Many more are donating money to indirect victims of the pandemic, such as hospitality workers in the restaurant industry.

Here is a running list of American businesses (in alphabetical order) you can support by shopping, sharing and donating. This list will be regularly updated.

We plan on surfacing inspirational actions from companies that are going above and beyond to help their own team or others. If you are aware of any examples along these lines, please feel free to bring them to our attention at coronatips@gearpatrol.com.

Adafruit Industries

Adafruit Industries is under the crunch like the rest of us, with its normal open-source chip-making activities on pause for the forseeable future and many of its 130 employees at home (but still on the payroll). In the meantime, the company is working on developing low-cost, disposable, open-source face shields for medical workers, helping to simplify the supply chain constraints by spinning up manufacturing right in New York City.

Adobe

Adobe is offering Photoshop and InDesign free of charge to students worldwide in light of Covid-19. Adobe also announced a $3 million commitment to local and global trusted organizations like Covid-19 Coronavirus Regional Response Fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and Covid-19 Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Askov Finlayson

Askov Finlayson, the Minnesota-based company that wants to Keep The North Cold, partnered with Second Harvest Heartland to support the hospitality industry. Second Harvest Heartland is one of the nation’s largest hunger-relief organizations. Right now, the team is working with local restaurants to launch Minnesota’s Central Kitchen and get prepared meals to those in need. All profits from the tee go to the organization.

Citizen Watches

Japanese watchmaking giant Citizen announced on Instagram that a portion of proceeds from online sales will go to charities with the aim of supporting those most vulnerable to Covid-19. It will donate to the organization Jewelers for Children that works with charities such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make A Wish America, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and National CASA Association.

Ergatta

Ergatta brings the rowing experience directly to your home with its at-home machine, and it is using that as an opportunity to give back. For new customers, Ergatta will donate $100 to the Meals on Wheels Covid-19 Response Fund with each purchase. And for existing members, Ergatta is launching new challenges like the Meals on Wheels Race of the Day — the 10-day series of races will increase in distance and each race that meets a certain participant threshold earns a $100 company donation.

Everlane

Shop tees, tanks, hoodies and sweats at Everlane and 100 percent of the profits will go to Feeding America’s Covid-19 Response Fund.

Ford

Ford launched a program called Built to Lend a Hand, offering new buyers up to six months of deferred payments on all 2019 and 2020 vehicles except the F-Series Super Duty. Ford Credit is urging customers seeking payment relief to contact them through Ford Credit Support, the FordPass app or on a special hotline at 1-800-723-4016.

Griffin Claw Brewing Company

Griffin Claw Brewing Company out of Birmingham, Michigan has switched its distilling operations to make free hand santizer for employees, first responders, medical professionals and its local community.

Hedley & Bennett

Hedley & Bennett makes aprons and chef’s gear, but given the times, the team is pivoting to create reusable, protective masks with some oversight from Dr. Robert Cho, the Chief of Staff of Shriners for Children Medical Center in Pasadena, California. While they aren’t FDA-approved, if used correctly, they should help minimize person to person droplet transmission of the virus.

Hyundai

Hyundai is offering 0 percent APR financing and three months of deferred payments on new vehicles through April 30, 2020. Hyundai will cover up to six months of payments during a Covid-19 job loss for buyers who purchase a new vehicle between March 14, 2020 and April 30, 2020. Existng customers who suffer a Covid-19 job loss or medically-related hardship can defer payments for up to three months.

Keen

Keen is giving away 100,000 pairs of shoes to help anyone who needs to free themselves of another expense during this tenuous time. Know someone who needs a pair of boots or shoes? Head to Keen’s website to nominate that person by entering his or her email address.

Kitsbow

The cycling apparel company based in Old Fort, North Carolina, changed gears from designing performance apparel to making face shields and reusable face masks. The first shipment goes out Monday, March 23. Shields are going to Asheville-based Buncombe County Emergency Management and Burke County Emergency Management; masks will head to medical clinics in Salem, Oregon. The team is also selling the masks to local first responders and medical staff and hopes to send them internationally as well.

New Balance Foundation

The Boston-based charitable organization has committed $2 million in non-profit grants to support local, regional and global communities. These funds will be allocated to Global Giving, No Kid Hungry, Boston Resiliency Fund, Groundwork Lawrence, Good Shepherd Food Bank in Maine, the St. Louis Area Foodbank and select organizations from New Balance Foundation’s network of more than 60 grantees around the world, which support children and families with a focus on health, nutrition, education and physical activity.

Oofos

The brand that makes incredibly soft recovery sandals, slippers and lifestyle shoes are planning to donate 1,000 pairs of Oofos shoes to nurses and medical professionals across the country. Healthcare facilities include the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Swedish Hospital in Chicago, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center in Florida, Prebys Cardiovascular Institute at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla and Palomar Medical Center in California, Hackensack Meridian Health at Pascack Valley Medical Center in New Jersey and Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center in Atlanta. Oofos will also offer special offers and benefits to nurses across the country through RealID.me.

Pacific Shaving Co.

The Pacific Shaving Co. is planning to donate 100 percent of profits from the website to the CDC foundation through March 31st.

Rhone

Rhone, the men’s activewear and clothing brand, is donating 10 percent of all proceeds to the Direct Relief foundation through May 1. The foundation works to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty and emergencies and spans all 50 states.

Rogue

Rogue specializes in Crossfit equipment like barbells, plates and weights, but the company is switching gears to manufacture medical supplies. The supply-chain team started sourcing raw materials and supplies for local medical groups, and it’s prototyping masks. Rogue also just hired 100 people from the community to help support demand.

Theragun

Beyond discounting products, Theragun, the massage gun company will donate a portion of all sales to Feeding America. Each Theragun sold will provide 100 meals to
people across America. The goal is to donate 100,000 meals. The team at Theragun is also donating devices to hospital break rooms across the country to help those on the front lines banish tension and stress and keep their bodies feeling good. If you know someone who needs one and is a medical professional, DM Theragun on Instagram.

Tread and Butter

Know a nurse or hospital worker who could use a new pair of insoles to stay upright during those long hours at the hospital? Fill out this form and the Tread & Butter team (known for its performance cork insoles) will do its best to get a pair to them.

Pirelli

Pirelli has decided to cancel the production and launch of the 2021 Pirelli Calendar. In the context of other initiatives already undertaken by the company, a project called The Cal will donate 100,000 euros to the fight against and research into Coronavirus.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

This Giveaway Is the Fix for the Holiday Frenzy

The holiday gift-buying season can be one of the most fun and rewarding times of the year. But it can also be taxing, even overwhelming, making one want to shout ‘humbug!’ and hibernate ’til January. But for all you making a go of it this year, we wanted to bring a little spirit to the mix with a very special giveaway featuring some of our brand new collaboration products. So take a break from digital stocking stuffing and sign yourself up for a chance to win one of these killer products.

Enter Here

Grand Prize: Dims. x Gear Patrol Utility Cart

We’ve been working closely with the team at Dims. to spec out our very own twist on their beloved Barbican Trolley. We riffed on the original concept, evolving the original elegant design by adding a proprietary all-weather powder coat, a metal handle, and upgraded castors and discrete drain holes on the shelves to create a multi-purpose, indoor/outdoor cart. It’s a side table, a bar cart, a kitchen dolly, and the hero of backyard barbeques. Produced in limited quantities specifically for Gear Patrol. ($399 Value)

Second Prize: Topo Designs x Gear Patrol Backpack Tote

We teamed up with Topo Designs to create a go-to bag for city dwellers, subway commuters and people on the go. But we also wanted to capture an outdoors spirit and distill it into a silhouette that offers the same kind of versatility and utility for urban dwelling that technical packs offer for off-the-grid adventures. The unique design of the Backpack Tote, coupled with four distinct carry options and sleek modern look, makes this bag a great solution for daily city and commuting use, but a simple robust build means the possibilities are virtually endless. Produced in limited quantities.
($139 Value)

Third Prize: Knickerbocker x Gear Patrol Overland Tee and American Trench x Gear Patrol Crew Socks

There are few vehicles that are more sought after or beloved than the Land Rover Defender. For us, it’s at the pinnacle of our perpetual want list. Owing to its iconic nature, the Land Rover has come to represent a timeless pursuit, not just for car enthusiasts, but for outdoors people, escapists, and adventurers. The custom illustration Knickerbocker commissioned for the tee — penned by the very talented Joshua Minnich — is an ode to pursuits of all kinds, a reminder to go, to do, to see, to live.

We worked with our good friends at American Trench to create this most democratic of socks: its crew silhouette means you can wear this with sneakers for your active pursuits, but it’s simple Breton Stripe and neutral colors lend well to boots, sneakers, mocs, or even wingtips.
($74 Value)

You’re Invited to The 2019 Gear Patrol Holiday Pop-Up

Save the date for Gear Patrol’s third-annual holiday pop-up in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. On December 12-15, we’ll be popping up with a selection of curated products that help you get to where you’re going during the holiday season and beyond. Whether it’s the heated razor that gets you through winter business trips, the commuter bike to get you to your 9 AM meeting, or the perfect bag to take on your next adventure, we’ve got the gear to get you there.

Stop by for the chance to interact with these unique products, enter daily giveaways, meet our editors, swing by happy hours and more. And if you can’t be there, don’t worry: we’ll be putting together a small online shop with products from the pop-up so you don’t miss out.

The Details

What: The Gear Patrol Holiday Pop-Up
When: December 12-15 from 11 AM-6 PM
Where: 122 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn 11249

The Brands

What Went Down at Stocked: Gear Patrol’s Flagship Conference

Two weeks ago, the team here at Gear Patrol took a leap and opened the doors to our first two-day immersive experience called Stocked: A Product Culture Conference presented by Hill City. The event took place at Classic Car Club Manhattan, a perfect setting for an event of this kind. We had never put on anything of this scale and scope, and it certainly required some serious faith to believe that once we built it, folks would show up. They came by the hundreds, and we could not be more pleased with such an enthusiastic response. Thank you to all who attended and each brand that participated. We couldn’t have done it without you.

Day One: The Conference

On Day One, attendees were treated to an exclusive complement of inspirational panels and presentations from special guests and Gear Patrol editors that exemplified what we mean when we talk about product journalism. After an introductory panel on human design with Hill City and OXO, the content ranged from additional panels on game-changing products with The North Face to spotting the next collectible with Knob Creek and Herman Miller. Presentations included a deep dive with our editors into why a cooler made from recycled paper particles would make Gear Patrol’s list of the best products of the year and concluded with some intensely personal storytelling from adventure photographer Chris Burkard.

Day Two: The Marketplace

Day Two opened things up to the public, creating a marketplace for both commerce and product education. Visitors were treated to a highly-curated mix of products on display and for sale from brands including: Hill City, Dyson, Seiko, Sennheiser, Triumph Motorcycles, Couple Co. and Cardon. And there were also several how-to classes were taught on site by brands such as: Ladder, Le Creuset, Best Made Co., Topo Designs, Worn & Wound, Faribault Woolen Mill Co. and The James Brand.

Not to mention, free beverages were flowing from our friends at Knob Creek, Brooklyn Brewery and Partners Coffee. Hundreds of readers, followers, fans and visitors made their way through the marketplace, all learning more about these products, the craftsmanship that goes into them, and the ways they enhance everyday life.

What’s Next?
We are now excited to officially announce that this event will be the first of many more to come. So if you missed out on the festivities this year, don’t worry. Get prepared for Stocked 2020. If interested, sign up below for updates on exactly when and where the next Stocked will be happening. See you next year!

Announcing Gear Patrol Magazine, Issue Eleven: The Craftsmanship Issue

These days, people use the word “craftsmanship” to describe everything from the sartorial to the gastronomical. But its ubiquity has only led us to wonder, What does it mean for a product to be well-made? To produce the latest issue of Gear Patrol Magazine, our team of product journalists searched for an answer.

Inside, you’ll find stories ranging from the effect Jony Ive has had on the world’s most influential tech company to the unexpected problems that come with making the internet’s most popular coffee mug. There are also features about blacksmiths forging blades for the apocalypse (between swigs of beer), the surprisingly controversial world of aftermarket watch modification and the fight over what the term “craft whiskey” really means.

Additionally, two working artists model fall’s best and most comfortable layers and we share some of the gear we’ve been testing in the office: Yeti’s new dog bed, a dive watch from Seiko and Bose’s top-of-the-line noise-canceling headphones.

Gear Patrol Magazine, Issue Eleven is available now at the Gear Patrol Store.

Want Gear Patrol Magazine before anyone else? Subscribe today.

Here’s Everything That’s Happening on Day One of Our Biggest Event of the Year

We’re bringing Gear Patrol’s mission to life this September 27-28 with our first two-day event called Stocked: A Product Culture Conference, at Classic Car Club Manhattan, and you’re invited to join us. Below, everything to expect on Day One (and here, everything to expect on Day Two). Get your tickets while they last.

Here’s what you get access to with a ticket to Stocked.

Live Programming and Panel Discussions

Who’s This For? Designing Products for People
Top designers cover how product designers think, how users interact with a product, and how their needs and desires play into the final design.

The Story Behind One Game-Changing Product
What it takes to be an innovator, to work without asking permission and to create products that change the game.

How to Spot the Next Collectible
What it takes to create — and spot— collectible products that span time.

Including special guests from Herman Miller, OXO, Hill City and the MoMA Design Store.

Headline Speaker: Chris Burkard

Chris shares stories about his essential pieces of kit, items that he cannot live without and the personal meaning behind each object’s importance.

Hear from Gear Patrol Editors

Head to Head Review
Two Gear Patrol editors go head to head with two competing products. Which one comes out on top?

First Impressions
A never-before-seen episode of First Impressions, Gear Patrol’s popular semi-weekly, product-focused YouTube show.

GP 100 Preview
A live filming of This Week In Gear.

Product Demos and Shopping

Visit stations to touch, feel and test products from:

Coffee Breaks & Experiential Activations

• How to Choose the Right Leather Boots
  Goodyear welt? Quebec Eyestays? Learn the terms to know and what makes a great boot.
• How to Properly Change your Watch Strap
  Ever wonder how to change the strap on your watch? Learn how from Gear Patrol editors.
• Gear Patrol Watch Photography Photo Booth
  Our photographers will snap your watch and send it to you in real-time, ready to be posted and shared.
• Gear Personalization with Billykirk
  Meet Chris Bray, co-founder of Billykirk, and get our gift to you personalized onsite.

Gifts and Giveaways

A curated check-in pouch with everything you need for Stocked, and a gift bag on your way out with gear from:

Throughout the day, attendees will be randomly selected to win some gear, with the prizes revealed onsite.

Happy Hour

Cocktails and a whiskey tasting with Knob Creek along with light bites and music.