The Best New Knives and EDC of February 2019

Some product launches are predictable — now that spring is around the corner we can assume the latest rain jackets, waterproof trail running shoes and hiking boots will soon make their debut. Other items don’t fall so neatly into weather-defined timelines though, like pocket knives and EDC tools. The designers and makers behind these things never rest, and manufacturers that roll out as many as 50 new knives and multi-tools per year don’t do so all at once. Instead, companies reveal them in a steady but unpredictable flow, and there’s something new to ogle every week. We make it our mission to keep you in tune with the release of knives and tools that have the potential to become your next daily sidekick or a worthy addition to any collection. But just in case you missed one, we’ll round up our findings here in one concise, easy-to-scroll article.

In February, The James Brand released its first multi-tool and updated its flagship EDC knife, 2018’s best blade got a new look and Gerber released a tool for eating outdoors.

The James Brand Chapter

The Chapter was The James Brand first knife. It isn’t a decade old yet but the designers at The James Brand are already working to make sure it never becomes obsolete. The new version of the Chapter looks identical to the old one, but it includes some crucial upgrades that elevate it to a new level. Most importantly, the blade steel has been changed to Crucible S35VN, a high-end material prized by custom makers for its corrosion resistance and edge retention, adding to the blade’s longevity. The James Brand also added ceramic bearings for a smoother open and close, and a lockface to add durability to the framelock mechanism that the knife uses.

To most, these changes will be invisible, and they’ll go unnoticed. But they’re important — more than the stonewashed black finish that’s also new to the Chapter. They help the knife do what knives are supposed to do, and maybe they’ll help make it iconic. “If you dove into the future 20 years, I would love for that Chapter silhouette to still exist and have the same value as the Case Trapper or the Chris Reeve Sebenza,” says Ryan Coulter, the company’s founder. We’ll have to wait and see if he’s right.

Malboro & Kane Sub

No, it’s not a knife; it’s a new light called Sub. The Sub, which is roughly the size of a marble, is affordable at $20 but is made of space-grade aluminum and has a battery life that should last one year. The Sub emits 30 lumens of light, which is significantly less than the typical EDC flashlight, which typically counts its lumens in the hundreds and sometimes thousands. Even in some of the videos displayed on Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns, the Sub doesn’t appear to pack enough power to come in handy in any but the most detail-oriented situations.

For some, that might not matter. The Sub is cheap, and it truly is small enough to go unnoticed on a keychain — or as an admittedly very handsome zipper pull. Even a tiny light is always better than no light at all. But still, is the Sub brighter than the built-in flashlight of the smartphone that’s already in your pocket? Those aren’t assigned lumen counts (many estimate the number to be roughly 50), but even from the brand’s own videos, it doesn’t appear to be the case.

The James Brand Ellis

The James Brand’s second February update is the Ellis, the company’s first multi-tool. The Ellis isn’t like a Leatherman though; there are neither pliers nor wire cutters here, just a partially-serrated blade, a screwdriver that doubles as a bottle opener and a scraper tool. It’s simple, and that’s the point.

That’s because Ryan Coulter, the company’s founder, and the rest of the team wanted it to be uncluttered, like the iconic Swiss Army Knife, and drew inspiration from the historic brand. “We’re big fans of Swiss Army and that design ethos,” he says. “I always think that Swiss Army has done the best job of making good everyday carry knives and tools that are not positioned in either the tactical or the outdoor space.”

The James Brand reached out to friends and more importantly, consumers, to figure out which tools to feature in the Ellis. What are the items that people need all the time? “A bottle opener and a screwdriver,” says Coulter. “Those are the things that, besides the knife blade, get used like 90 percent of the time.” Specialized implements — things like awls or magnifying glasses — come at the price of increasing the size of the tool. “We were focused on what can you take out of this, what’s the most minimal thing you can do and still make a multi-tool?”

Fox Knives Titanium Suru

The original version of the Suru won the overall prize at Blade Show, an annual trade show for the cutlery industry, because it used a carbon fiber frame-lock for the first time. That made it incredibly light at 2.04 ounces. These new iterations swap out that material for titanium, making it heavier (but not by much; it weighs 3.3 ounces) but provide an entirely new look and feel.

The Suru’s steel drop-point blade is 2.32 inches long, and it deploys smoothly with either a thumbhole or flipper tab. Jesper Voxnaes, the knife’s designer, incorporated two choils, the unsharpened notches close to where the blade meets the handle, to provide a solid grip given the knife’s small size. Even the pocket clip features a zirconium ball bearing at its end to help the Suru transition easily into and out of a pocket. It’s details like these that helped solidify the Suru as an award-winner, and the new array of titanium handles, which come in various color finishes, amplify those and add an element of choice to this unique pocket knife.

Gerber Compleat

Gerber’s new piece of trail cutlery, the Compleat, is more multi-tool than spork. In one 2.3-ounce package, the Compleat packs a fork, spoon, dual-edge — one serrated, one rubberized — spatula and a tiny tool that campers can use to open bottles, packages, and cans and peel vegetables. By all means, this should produce an overpacked tool that’s either unwieldy or one that can perform its multiple functions without excelling at them; a dud. Gerber sidestepped these traps by giving the Compleat a construction that’s more modular than fixed, as traditional multi-tools are. Each of the tool’s implements slides apart from one another at the end of the handle for independent usage. Combine the spatula with either the fork or spoon to create a pair of tongs.

The Compleat is 7.75 inches long. The spatula is made of heat-resistant nylon with a silicone overmold on one edge while the fork, spoon and tool are anodized aluminum. Even the most severe ounce-counting campers will have a hard time turning down all of the tool’s utility to save weight in a backpack. Especially when the alternative is a spork.

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

The 21 Best Base Layers of Winter 2019

Last updated February, 2019: We’ve added new picks for 2019. Prices and links have also been updated.

Base layers need to do three things in order to perform well in the outdoors. They need to keep you warm through insulation, they need to breathe well during aerobic activities, and they need to wick moisture away from your body and allow it to evaporate. While your good ol’ waffle-style long johns might be comfortable and cozy near the fire, they no longer cut the mustard when it comes to modern needs. Merino wool, synthetic materials and a host of alternatives are better designed to accomplish all three objectives well, and they can be relied upon to do the job when you need them most.

Contributions by Tanner Bowden, Meg Lappe and AJ Powell.

Merino Wool

Natural Fibers that Shake the Scratchy Wool Stigma

Merino wool is the gold standard in base-layer materials. Its fibers are naturally antimicrobial, so they fight the stench that occurs after a few days on the trail, and the fabric is great at regulating temperature, making it usable in multiple environments. It also breathes well and wicks moisture away from your body to keep you dry.
From left to right
Bergtagen Woolmesh Sweater by Fjällräven $160 $120
Bergtagen Longjohns by Fjällräven $140 $105
Merino 150 Base Crew by Smartwool $80
Merino 150 Base Layer Bottom by Smartwool $75
Tech Top Long Sleeve Half Zip by Icebreaker $120
Bodyfitzone 260 Zone Leggings by Icebreaker $120

Synthetics

High Performance at an Affordable Price Point

Synthetic materials pack a big punch at a low price point. While they tend to pick up a stench easier than other materials, they do the trick of keeping you warm and wicking moisture away quickly. An easy solve for this is a blend of all-natural and synthetic materials (like the Patagonia picks in here). They’re also highly breathable, and after purchasing, they leave a little bit of extra cash in your wallet for something like a nice pair of hiking boots or new goggles.
From left to right (lightweight to heavyweight)
Sopris Long Sleeve by Corbeaux Clothing $80
TJ Pant by Corbeaux Clothing $75
Capilene Air Crew by Patagonia $129
Capilene Air Bottoms by Patagonia $129
UA Base 4.0 Crew by Under Armour $85
UA Base 4.0 by Under Armour $85

Alternatives

From Yak Wool to Bamboo

Recently, many manufacturers have started making base layers out of alternative materials. The below examples include bamboo wovens, yak wool and silk. They offer similar performance to merino and synthetic materials, but also offer other benefits, such as sustainability (as with bamboo fiber).
From left to right
Featuring yak wool:
Shola 230 Crew by Kora $145
Shola 230 Leggings by Kora $145
Featuring bamboo:
Crewneck Top by Bambool $70 $60
Men’s Legging by Bambool$60
Featuring silk:
Silk Underwear Crewneck by L.L.Bean $50
Silk Underwear Pants by L.L.Bean $50

One Piece Suits

Channel Your Inner Ninja

Onesies are a great way to keep warm on super-cold days. Even if the material is a lighter weight than you would typically wear on a cold day, the one-piece construction retains heat better than a top/bottom combo, so it’ll keep you plenty warm. As a bonus, they make great Halloween costumes.
From left to right (coolest to warmest)
Merino Ninja Suit by Airblaster $200 $160
Supermons 3/4 One Piece by Mons Royale $200 $160
Super One-Piece by Norrona $219

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 Shop Is One of Colorado’s Best Open Secrets

Rocky Mountain Underground got its name by default. In 2008, founder Mike Waesche and a group of friends began making their first skis with equipment that they also built themselves, in a garage dug into the side of a hill in Breckenridge, Colorado. “We were building skis for beer,” Waesche says, and they were doing it underground, in the Rocky Mountains.

Sometimes the literal is also implicative of nonphysical qualities. Rocky Mountain Underground, or RMU for short, now makes its skis at the Never Summer factory in Denver and its headquarters isn’t beneath a hill but in the middle of Main Street in downtown Breckenridge. The violet-hued building’s front porch leads to two entryways, one to the ski shop and the other to the bar. Once inside though, it’s clear that these two designated spaces are indivisible.

That’s by design. “How do you take our culture, who we are as skiers and as people and then manifest it into a space?” Waesche says. “It was this culture of drinking a couple of beers, building stuff, having a community involved in it — we just glorified it. Instead of a garage, now it’s on Main Street, and it’s open to everybody.” Community forms the shop’s core — RMU often holds events and fundraisers to benefit groups like the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (or in one case a local dog with a leg injury).

Waesche often refers to the bar side as “a time machine,” the type you step into without knowledge of what date the controls are set to. On a recent Saturday night, much of the furniture was pushed aside to allow for a band to set up. While they covered “House of the Rising Sun” and John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery” in the shop, a big screen in the bar aired a decade-old ski movie on silent. Younger versions of pros that are still around today, including RMU’s own Wiley Miller, hucked cliffs and contorted their bodies over massive wedged jumps. The bartenders worked the taps like excavator levers; the band thrummed on.

Ski bummery will forever be linked with partying, but when the carpets are rolled up and the amps are securely in the van, RMU’s shop is one that teetotaling gear nerds will find wholly adequate. Behind the front counter is a space for tuning and mounting skis (if you’re lucky you might get a glimpse of next year’s unreleased models) and a fully-operational ski press; one can imagine that the old garage followed utilized a similar layout. The brand’s own skis and bags are on display, but everything a skier needs is also present: outerwear, boots, socks. We asked Waesche to point out his favorites.

Dynafit Hoji Pro Ski Boot

“Dynafit is based out of Boulder, and they’ve been a great partner for us. It tells the story of the skis. We could be seen as competitors but we work together really well; it’s the same story of getting in the backcountry. The boots, the access and everything they provide complements what we’re doing so well. It’s right in line with our customers.”

New Belgium La Folie

“A lot of people see it and they think it’s just beer. We do this limited edition ski for them and they use that to donate to nonprofits all over the state. They do these events where they serve beer but they’ll donate the proceeds to nonprofits. It’s been cool to be a part of, the reach of these products activating more in the community. We’re serving their beer and selling it and that’s great but it’s perpetuating other things. They’ll always have a new can to release and they’ll often release it with us.”

RMU BRFCS

“People are traveling through and the see it and they’re like, ‘what the hell is this thing?’ They probably arrived here with some carry-on they’ve been meaning to upgrade anyways, and I think they connect the town and RMU together. It’s cool to travel with something that reminds you of the place where you’ve been skiing.”

21 Best Base Layers of Winter 2019

Last updated January, 2019: We’ve added new picks for 2019. Prices and links have also been updated.

Base layers need to do three things in order to perform well in the outdoors. They need to keep you warm through insulation, they need to breathe well during aerobic activities, and they need to wick moisture away from your body and allow it to evaporate. While your good ol’ waffle-style long johns might be comfortable and cozy near the fire, they no longer cut the mustard when it comes to modern needs. Merino wool, synthetic materials and a host of alternatives are better designed to accomplish all three objectives well, and they can be relied upon to do the job when you need them most.

Contributions by Tanner Bowden, Meg Lappe and AJ Powell.

Merino Wool

Natural Fibers that Shake the Scratchy Wool Stigma

Merino wool is the gold standard in base-layer materials. Its fibers are naturally antimicrobial, so they fight the stench that occurs after a few days on the trail, and the fabric is great at regulating temperature, making it usable in multiple environments. It also breathes well and wicks moisture away from your body to keep you dry.
From left to right
Bergtagen Woolmesh Sweater by Fjällräven $160 $120
Bergtagen Longjohns by Fjällräven $140 $105
Merino 150 Base Crew by Smartwool $80
Merino 150 Base Layer Bottom by Smartwool $75
Tech Top Long Sleeve Half Zip by Icebreaker $120
Bodyfitzone 260 Zone Leggings by Icebreaker $120

Synthetics

High Performance at an Affordable Price Point

Synthetic materials pack a big punch at a low price point. While they tend to pick up a stench easier than other materials, they do the trick of keeping you warm and wicking moisture away quickly. An easy solve for this is a blend of all-natural and synthetic materials (like the Patagonia picks in here). They’re also highly breathable, and after purchasing, they leave a little bit of extra cash in your wallet for something like a nice pair of hiking boots or new goggles.
From left to right (lightweight to heavyweight)
Sopris Long Sleeve by Corbeaux Clothing $80
TJ Pant by Corbeaux Clothing $75
Capilene Air Crew by Patagonia $129
Capilene Air Bottoms by Patagonia $129
UA Base 4.0 Crew by Under Armour $85
UA Base 4.0 by Under Armour $85

Alternatives

From Yak Wool to Bamboo

Recently, many manufacturers have started making base layers out of alternative materials. The below examples include bamboo wovens, yak wool and silk. They offer similar performance to merino and synthetic materials, but also offer other benefits, such as sustainability (as with bamboo fiber).
From left to right
Featuring yak wool:
Shola 230 Crew by Kora $145
Shola 230 Leggings by Kora $145
Featuring bamboo:
Crewneck Top by Bambool $70 $60
Men’s Legging by Bambool$60
Featuring silk:
Silk Underwear Crewneck by L.L.Bean $50
Silk Underwear Pants by L.L.Bean $50

One Piece Suits

Channel Your Inner Ninja

Onesies are a great way to keep warm on super-cold days. Even if the material is a lighter weight than you would typically wear on a cold day, the one-piece construction retains heat better than a top/bottom combo, so it’ll keep you plenty warm. As a bonus, they make great Halloween costumes.
From left to right (coolest to warmest)
Merino Ninja Suit by Airblaster $200 $160
Supermons 3/4 One Piece by Mons Royale $200 $160
Super One-Piece by Norrona $219

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

The 7 Pieces of Gear You Need to Start Lifting Weights

Starting a new gym routine can be intimidating, especially if you’re starting from scratch. But if you’ve gone a little too Dad Bod, there’s an easy fix — start lifting weights. Strong muscles help keep bones healthy, prevent injuries (runners, we’re looking at you) and increase your resting metabolic rate. And it’s good for your heart. Weightlifting has been shown to lower blood pressure, too. It’s a good idea to mix in cardio as well as strength training, to get the full health benefits, but even if you have just twenty minutes, you can strength train and fit in cardio.

To get you started on the right track to bulking up, we talked to experts from gyms across the country to hear what they recommend for beginners. You’ll find suggestions from Rick Richey, owner of the Independent Training Spot; Nicole Spizzirri, studio manager at Life Time Athletic Sandy Springs in Atlanta, GA; David Freeman, National Program Manager of TEAM Alpha at Life Time Fitness; James Garcia, Senior Personal Training Manager at Life Time Athletic Flatirons in Boulder, CO; and Daury Dross, one of the FHIT Pro trainers at Fhitting Room in New York City.

All the Gear You Need

Water Bottle

We’ll start with the very basics. You should have water at hand throughout practically any workout. “You need a water bottle for the gym whether you’re doing cardio or lifting weights. 50 Strong water bottles are BPA free, non-toxic and leak-resistant,” Richey says. Another pro-favorite is Hydro Flask. “Not only will it cut down on the cost of purchasing a water every time you go to the gym, this bottle will not hold or transfer flavors from [anything] you put in your water,” Spizzirri says.

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Sneaker

Heading to the gym is different from heading out for a run — you actually need a pair of shoes specifically for the gym floor. The best gym sneakers our trainers recommended include the Nike Metcon and Metcon DSX. The Metcon “is the perfect shoe for weightlifters,” Freeman says. “It has extra support and stability for Olympic lifting.” Look for a pair of shoes without a ton of cushion — the exact opposite of what you look for in a running shoe. “Shoes with too much height in the heel should be avoided when weightlifting or doing HIIT workouts,” Dross says. “The Nike Metcon DSX Flyknit are as comfortable as the Nike Flyknit, and they are flat, which is good for stability when squatting and lifting.”

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Shorts

Heading to a gym likely means you’re going indoors, so shorts are the play. Wear something you’re comfortable in, whether that’s shorts, tights or both. Dross likes Lululemon running shorts with 3/4 length compression training tights underneath, whereas Garcia prefers the “loose breathable fabric” found in the Jumpman short. “It allows you to move, and is still a great length for any workout you may be doing,” he says.

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Shirt

Comfort is key up top as well. Whether you prefer a tank, tee or long sleeve, the cut and style are up to you. The trainers all recommended Nike and Lululemon gear, as well as 32 Degrees. “They have technologically advanced fabrics that are anti-microbial, anti-static, stylish and come at a great price,” Richey says. And if you’re more comfortable in a sweatshirt, find one that’s sweat-wicking like the Nike Dri-Fit that Garcia recommends.

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Weight Lifting Gloves

If you’re starting from scratch, your hands might take a beating as you get used to lifting dumbbells and bars. To prevent calluses, blisters and other gross-looking hand issues, use gloves. “A minimalist glove that protects your hands from calluses while still allowing you to grip and feel the bar during your lifts fix the problem,” Spizzirri says. The slim ones from Barehand combat stink with anti-odor strips. Harbinger’s Power Non-Wristwrap Weightlifting gloves have mesh for breathability and extra lycra so the gloves will stretch to any hand size. Side note: It’s a good idea to hand-wash and air-dry your weightlifting gloves every couple of weeks to keep smelly bacteria at bay. After all, would you wear anything else to the gym for weeks on end without a wash?

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Heart Rate Tracker

The only way to really track your fitness is to hook yourself up to a heart rate monitor. While most wrist-based trackers will have one, the more accurate way is to wear a chest or forearm-strap. “I usually wear a Polar H10 strap to track my heart rate and see how many calories I burn,” Dross says.

“No workout is complete without the proper heart rate monitor,” Garcia confirms. “The Garmin Fenix has a great look for every day, and offers everything a multisport watch should, from performance metrics and heart rate to GPS and smart notifications.”

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Foam Roller

If you take a class or work with a personal trainer, you’re likely to start sweating during the warm-up and properly prime your muscles to work hard. On your own, it can be tempting to skip the warm-up and jump right into the workout. To encourage warming up, Dross recommends foam rolling, something he does before starting any workout. “I have injuries, so I have to make sure my muscles are relaxed and properly warmed up before I lift.” Foam rollers are a simple way to bring more blood to your muscles to literally ‘warm them up.’ They’re cheap and easy to store. High-density foam rollers are basic and do exactly what you need and nothing more. The PERformance Roller is an easy go-to. If you’re looking for something that kicks it up a notch or makes you look like more of a pro, the new HyperIce HyperVolt is a vibrating massage tool that you can use to quickly ‘roll’ out IT bands, calves, quads and hamstrings. You’ll just need someone to help you reach your back and shoulder girdle.

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

The Pocket Knives We Keep at Our Desks

Welcome to another installment of Staff Picks from our Outdoors and Fitness team. Every other week, we select our favorite pieces out of the gear we’re testing, mainstays in our kits, as well as items on our wish lists. It’s like a sneak peek at the gear we’re testing and what we’re stoked on. Have something you think we should check out? Or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at outdoor@gearpatrol.com.

Sypderco Mantra

For Gear Patrol staffers, knives are an office necessity. Virtually everyone has one at their desk, but none are nicer than the folder I have tucked in the top drawer of my filing cabinet. I’ve been using Spyderco’s Mantra for the past eight months or so, and nothing at my desk brings me as much joy — whether making quick work of boxes or simply flipping it open to admire the CPM M4 steel blade or titanium handle. — AJ Powell, Assistant Editor

If you’re looking for something similar, but the Mantra isn’t quite right, try these alternatives: Benchmade Mini Ti Monolock ($355) | CRKT M16 02D ($300)

N°08 Jeremyville Edition France! 2017 by Opinel

When I started at Gear Patrol, one of the first things I realized that I needed at my desk was a knife. Since we work in the outdoor space, everyone has some sort of knife (or more likely multiple knives) at his or her desk to do everything from open packages to cut fruit. While my previous job at a women’s publication didn’t quite prepare me for this (for reference, the only multitool I own is a Sog Baton Q1, meaning I can write, cut up paper and open a beer all from the comfort of my desk), after asking around I quickly found my new favorite desk tool: the Opinel N°08. The Jeremyville designed handle looks great in use, and I can keep the blade hidden so it stays clean. — Meg Lappe, Staff Writer

If you’re looking for something similar, but the pick above isn’t quite right, try these alternatives: Grand Way Folding Pocket Knife ($18) | Lion Steel LST8800UL-BRK Opera ($88)

The James Brand Elko

So far 2018 has proven, somewhat unintentionally, to be the year in which I finally give due consideration to my everyday carry. In January, I slimmed down my wallet, and when I’m not preaching to anyone within earshot the massive advantages of that transition, I’m talking about the other new inhabitant of my pocket: the James Brand’s Elko. The Elko is tiny for a pocket knife, but thanks to some smart thinking by Ryan Coulter and the rest of the team at the James Brand, its unique drop-point shape packs enough functionality to stand in for blades twice its size that I might otherwise carry.

The Elko also comes equipped with a simple tool on its butt that I’ve used to scrape away extra-persistent stickers and open bottles with. But let’s be honest, while utility and function are great, what really drew me to the Elko was the fact that for a tiny, keychain-ready pocket knife, it’s just plain pretty.
— Tanner Bowden, Associate Staff Writer

If you’re looking for something similar, but the pick above isn’t quite right, try these alternatives: Victorinox Bantam ($16) | Sypderco Manbug ($45)

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