Today in Gear is our daily roundup of all the latest product announcements, drops and news from Gear Patrol Studios.
Nature’s Generator
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What were the most-searched things this year? Check out Google’s “Most Searched” Playground for a unique look. The game’s basically a “Where’s Waldo,” but instead of the striped fellow, you’re hunting for signs of the 25 most-searched things, from food to superheroes to the year’s top musicians. It’s a fun search, and an interesting way to explore our digital curiosities. Plus, major props on the childhood-vibes soundtrack.
Today we’re taking a look at an 8K stabilized cinema camera, a serious parka from Norway, two-handed fly rods and more. This is Today in Gear.
Today in Gear is our daily roundup of all the latest product announcements, drops and news from Gear Patrol Studios. Send your most pressing product questions to [email protected].
Check Out This Portable Solar Generator
Nature’s Generator
The Lithium 1800 ($1,000) is a potent portable generator that allows users to harness the power of the sun. Thanks to its compact build, it’s a great choice for both those who need an in-home backup or power on the go. This generator is powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) cells, the safest battery technology on the market. And, with 1800 watts of power, a 3600-watt surge capacity and 1440 watt-hour battery capacity, the Lithium 1800 is engineered to run appliances safer for longer.
DJI’s Ronin 4D-8K camera ($12,838) is an 8K beast perched lightly atop the brand’s ultra-stable 4D gimbal system. The camera captures 8K up to 75 fps in ProRes and has an optional LiDAR focusing system, wireless transmission and control system. As an all-in-one stabilized camera solution, it’s something you’ll want to shoot your next film on.
Small spey rods — traditionally longer, two-handed fly rods used for large game fish like salmon — are in at the moment. R.L. Winston’s new Microspey AIR 2 ($1,295) rods are available in 2, 3, and 4 weights, all at around 11 feet in length, with new materials that help you cast further and fight big fish. Less rod, more spey: It’s a caster’s dream.
Ah, Apple AirPods: Incredibly convenient for listening to music, and also incredibly easy to lose. Perhaps because the small-sized USB-C charging case is so easy to lose itself, Apple now offers it for sale without AirPods inside for $99. Just try not to lose this one.
For a new upgrade to its Arctic Patrol collection, Norwegian-based brand Helly Hansen partnered with Arctic scientists. The Arctic Patrol Modular Parka 2.0 ($2,000) incorporates their notes: the stretch, body-mapped insulator jacket is made with recycled materials, features PrimaLoft® Gold premium synthetic insulation, and has a utility vest with multiple storage pockets.
Every month, we’re tasting a huge amount of beer, whiskey and other beverages. In some cases, we’re taste-testing the industry’s best new products, and in others, we’re coming across hidden gems in the wild. Our favorites from the last four weeks are gathered here, in the best things we drank this month.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
Stranahan’s Snowflake Batch #26: Pyramid Peak
Johnny Brayson
Stranahan’s is at the forefront of the American single malt whiskey movement — the Colorado-based distillery says it’s the top-selling brand in the segment — and its annual Snowflake release has developed the sort of cult following usually reserved for the most hyped bourbon brands. Snowflake is so named for the dual reasons of its winter timing and the fact that no two releases are alike. This year’s installment was the 26th and sold out in record time — just three hours — but I was lucky enough to secure a sample for tasting.
The 2023 Snowflake single malt spent 6 – 8 years maturing in char #3 American oak casks before undergoing a wide variety of finishes in rum, sherry, ruby port, mezcal and Islay quarter whisky casks for another year or two before all getting to know each other in the bottle. The resultant whiskey is all kinds of complex and delicious. On the nose, I get mostly caramelized fruits, while the palate sees those disparate finishes all fighting for my attention. There’s a touch of Islay peat smoke, some dark fruits, brown sugar and caramel and an earthy umami note, all of which ends in a pleasantly warming finish that’s perfect for a winter’s evening. — Johnny Brayson, Associate Editor
In our day and age of hazy beers being what everyone wants, the brown ale has been a long (unfairly) snubbed style. Lightly hopped and leaning on sweet, brown malts, they’re a perfect style for the winter months. Except you’re hard-pressed to find many breweries who are still brewing them in 2023.
One of the longstanding prime American examples is Smuttynose Old Brown Dog. Smuttynose had some issues back in 2018 when it was sold at public auction to a VC firm. Since then, the legendary New Hampshire brewery has undergone lots of change and its beers have been hard to find over the past five years. But to my delight, I came across Old Brown Dog in the liquor store recently and snapped up the four individual cans they had. It’s still a well-balanced brew with a bit of hop bite that dulls just in time for that sweet malt to take over. At 6.5% ABV, it’s a beer that drinks above its weight in alcohol. Here’s to hoping I can find more of it throughout the winter because the world needs more brown ales. — Ryan Brower, Managing Editor
Limerick Lane Cellars is located about an hour and a half north of San Francisco on the outskirts of Healdsburg. The 53-acre estate has vines that date back to 1910 and sits in the northeast corner of the Russian River AVA — an appellation known for stellar Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. For Limerick Lane’s 2021 Marquis Zinfandel, the estate chose to blend wines from some of the oldest and most notable vineyards to celebrate the region’s history. The blend comprises sites such as Banfield, Carlisle, Maffei, Monte Rosso, Bedrock and, understandably, Limerick Lane. The estate refers to it as a “musical supergroup in a bottle” that’s “one of the finest Zinfandels to ever come from the Russian River Valley.”
After experiencing a bottle, it’s hard to fault that description. It has a nose of dark fruit, tobacco and eucalyptus and flavors of black cherry, espresso, blackberry, vanilla and green peppercorns. The mouthfeel is velvety and round, and it has a notably long finish. If you pair this wine with food, it elevates the whole experience — the depth and balance of flavors in the wine are seemingly bottomless yet never overpowering. — John Zientek, Managing Editor
Even if you don’t know Diageo, you know Diageo. The British company owns more than 200 brands across the alcoholic beverage multiverse, from Guinness to Captain Morgan. Among that enviable portfolio, however, are some of the most beloved, idolized names in Scotch whisky — and every so often, the parent company reaches across the DCU (Diageo Cinematic Universe) to pull together an Avengers lineup of truly rare spirits called Prima & Ultima.
The latest installment — what Diageo calls the Fourth Edition — boasts eight Scotch whiskies of exceptional heritage, five of which I was lucky enough to try at a tasting event. But as it turns out, they’d saved the best for last, as the event wrapped up with a 1978 release from the Port Ellen Distillery, sourced from the last four American Oak Hogshead casks left from that year. The expression turned out to be everything I love from an Islay whisky — subtle on the nose, with a smokiness more earthy and sooty than Lagavulin, a hint of sea breeze saltiness and a fair amount of cocoa on the finish. It was one of the tastiest spirits I’ve ever had … and given its rarity, I’m sad I’ll likely never try it again. — Will Sabel Courtney, Senior Editor
Am I sober? No. Do I enjoy a tasty and complicated drink that won’t contribute to giving me a headache? Absolutely. I’ve become a vocal fan of Seedlip non-alcoholic spirits since really diving into the possibilities this year. Unlike other non-alcoholic mixers, Seedlip isn’t pretending to be liquor; it just elevates a mocktail to have more interesting tasting notes so you won’t feel like you’re just drinking juice.
The Spice 94 is my go-to this winter. It has a blend that includes allspice and cardamom alongside some citrus flavors to provide balance. The warm and smokey notes complement holiday flavors perfectly and it is a great non-alcoholic addition to any cocktail where I’d typically use whiskey or spiced rum. Plus, having Seedlip on hand makes my sober friends feel all the more welcome at a party, and isn’t that what the holidays are all about? — Erica Givans, Content Strategist
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We’ve seen a number of unique annual trends pop up in the watch industry over the past several years. 2018 was the year of the Pepsi, with both Rolex and Tudor releasing new red-and-blue-bezeled GMTs and various other brands following suit. In 2021, it was watches with green dials that were stealing all the headlines. And in 2023, the trend I spotted most was a color from the opposite side of the color wheel (and, coincidentally, the color you get when you mix the red and blue of a Pepsi bezel). Purple was everywhere on watches over the past year, on dials and bezels and bracelets from Seiko to microbrands to Patek Philippe.
Truth be told, the purple trend really kicked off in 2022. That year saw hyped purple-dial variants of such touchstone luxury watches as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, TAG Heuer Monaco and Hublot Big Bang find their way onto wrists, along with a handful of more affordable options from brands like Nomos and Seiko’s King Seiko line. Prior to that, the color was rare to see on a watch face and was almost exclusively seen on high-end timepieces from brands like Zenith, Moser and Rolex, unintentionally mimicking how purple clothing was reserved for royalty in antiquity.
Products in the Guide
Rowing Blazers x Seiko 5 Sports Watch (Limited Edition 2023)
But 2023 saw the democratization of purple on a large scale across the watch industry’s ultra-wide price spectrum. This is likely an extension of the general larger trend toward colorful dials we’ve seen in the industry since Rolex revamped the Oyster Perpetual with a series of bright shades in 2020, but why such a focus on purple? Is it because McDonald’s mascot Grimace celebrated a birthday in 2023 with a purple-tinged milkshake that spawned a viral TikTok trend? Is it an example of brands playing a game of “me, too!”? Or is it simply because purple looks good and is a lot easier to wear than people think?
I don’t know the reason, but I do know that 2023 saw more purple watches than any year in recent memory. Below are my favorites.
Seiko x Rowing Blazers
Rowing Blazers
Rowing Blazers x Seiko 5 Sports Watch (Limited Edition 2023)
For its second go-around with Seiko early in 2023, preppy clothing brand Rowing Blazers continued its parade of colorful dials for the Seiko 5, with one of the four options for this year being this brilliant royal purple. All of the watches are long sold out, but given that the two brands have collaborated each of the last two years, I’d bet we’ll see a third series come 2024.
Even without Rowing Blazers’ help, Seiko was churning out purple watches in 2023. This Presage GMT model, along with a similarly styled three-hander in the same color, were released in the first week of January, quickly establishing that 2023 would be a purple year for the Japanese brand.
Why let standard Seiko have all the purple fun? Luxury brand Grand Seiko also got in on the act late in the year, releasing a trio of limited editions exclusive to retailer Watches of Switzerland in dark gray, bright green and this gorgeous light purple. The purple shade of the dial was inspired by the “dynamic nighttime cosmos” above Miyako, Japan’s Jodogahama Beach.
Fellow Japanese brand and pseudo-Seiko subsidiary Orient also showed some love to violet this year as part of one of its biggest releases. The brand launched a smaller 40mm dive watch as an alternative to its standard 42mm divers, and this interesting lilac was one of the five colors available at launch alongside more traditional shades like black, blue and white — a testament to the color’s growing popularity.
Each year for the past several years, Oris has released a special limited edition model dedicated to its hometown of Hölstein, Switzerland. For 2023, the brand chose to slap a purple dial on its Aquis diver, because what else would be a better representation of this year in watches? According to Oris, it’s the brand’s first purple dial after many requests from fans of the brand. The watch also continues the purple theme when you flip it over, as it features a purple caseback decorated with the Oris Bear mascot in scuba gear.
Perhaps no brand used purple as frequently or as effectively as Christopher Ward did in 2023 (not included in this guide is the limited-edition “Foxglove Purple” Sealander 36 from the spring). After immediately selling out of the industry-shaking Bel Canto chiming watch after the initial blue-dialed limited edition was announced in late 2022, CW made four new colors available to kick off 2023, with the most desirable arguably being this plum stunner.
Speaking of desirable Christopher Wards, the “Nebula Purple” titanium version of the brand’s other major 2023, the integrated bracelet Twelve, has basically been impossible to get a hold of since its launch in the spring. The fumé dial in that saturated Thanos-esque shade has proven especially tempting when paired with the dark titanium case and bracelet, and this reference currently sits atop my personal wishlist for 2024.
Who says only dials can be purple? Texas microbrand Jack Mason took a different approach for its purple watch era by mixing up the colors on its Strat-o-timer GMT for this 100-piece limited edition. This Joker-inspired version of the watch swaps out the blue of the classic “Batman” GMT’s bezel and fourth hand for purple versions of each. The result is a clever alternative to that watch by using the Caped Crusader’s greatest villain as its muse.
G-Shock goes even further away from the dial for its 2023 purple watch, using purple throughout the case and bracelet of this piece. Well, if you want to get technical, this watch actually isn’t purple at all. Its carbon bezel, case and bracelet are black with swirls of blue and pink resin. The overall visual effect is a purple watch, made extra special by the fact that this was created to celebrate the brand’s 40th anniversary.
Parmigiani Fleurier x Revolution
parmigiani fleurier
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Micro-Rotor “Purple Reign” x Revolution
I think it’s safe to say Revolution founder Wei Koh has an affinity for purple dials, as he also teamed up with lesser-known indy watchmaker Torsti Laine for a series of 12 one-off purple-dial watches in September. But slightly more accessible is this team-up with Parmigiani Fleurier that puts a subdued purple dial on the brand’s elegant Tonda PF Micro-Rotor. The goal of the watch was to achieve a “quiet luxury” vibe, making it even more suitable for 2023.
Baltic quite literally crafted its most impressive watch ever in 2023 for the charity event Only Watch, and the brand fittingly swathed it in the color of royalty. The French microbrand — through its new watchmaking studio Baltic Experiments and in collaboration with Swiss manufacture Maclef — created its own perpetual calendar module for this watch, fitted to a Vaucher VMF 5401 Micro-rotor extra-slim. And since Only Watch ended up being postponed until next year, it looks like the purple party will continue in 2024.
Girard-Perragaux’s purple effort of 2023 was less a product of style than of necessity — the purple on the dial is delivered discreetly via the silicium blade at the heart of the Calibre GP09200’s unique constant-force escapement that keeps the rate of movement constant even as its power reserve runs down. An evolution of GP’s original Constant Escapement from a decade ago, the new purple-tinged version features several refinements, including a smaller and more wearable case, a seven-day power reserve and COSC certification.
Patek is not Audemars Piguet — I don’t see the brand collaborating with superheroes or rappers any time soon. Patek is more conservative and traditional, but even it couldn’t resist the purple siren’s song in 2023. At the Maison’s “Watch Art” Tokyo 2023 event in June, Patek unveiled a number of limited-edition novelties, but none more head-turning than this gorgeous version of its classic World Time. But the aubergine shade isn’t the only special thing about this travel watch: It’s also the first Patek World Time with a date display.
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Working out at home is rarely an ideal situation. Unless you’re an MLB superstar, Hollywood mega-mogul or tech billionaire, you likely don’t have an entire gym’s worth of equipment in your house; most of us lack the space, the money or both. But making your way down to the health club on a regular basis can be tricky for many of us, as we constantly juggle the responsibilities of work, family, friends and, well, just about everything else that gets between us and making our way down to Equinox or Crunch.
Which is where the home gym system can come in handy. These multi-role exercise machines are hardly a new idea — Bowflex has been around nearly 40 years — but they’ve taken on new life with the advent of the smartphone, Bluetooth, Wifi and the Internet of Things.
One of the latest additions to the realm of smart home gym equipment is Speediance’s Gym Pal. The foundation of the device is a black-and-white platform that looks a little like a wheel-less Segway, packing a pair of resistance motors; this platform is paired with a variety of accessories such as handles, benches and barbells, which combine to enable you to perform hundreds of different exercises. It’s significantly cheaper than options like Tempo and Tonal, whose home gym setups start at $2,915 and $3,995, respectively.
Sounds great, in theory. But how does that play out in practice? To find out, DPReview senior editor Eric Limer took one home for a test; here’s what he thought.
Speediance Gym Pal: What We Think
The Gym Pal makes for a comparatively stylish, very versatile home exercise solution. Its high-tech features are complex enough to give it a bit of a learning curve, and its accessories make storage a bit trickier than you might think based on the website, but overall, this is a good fit for anyone who needs a comprehensive way to work out without leaving the comforts of home.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
Small, portable platform allows for use in multiple rooms without much issue
Tons of accessories to help you add variety to your training
Cons
Bluetooth control ring can be touchy at times
Need to be delicate with the outer plastic shell
The Gym Pal isn’t huge, but it’s bigger than you might expect
The Gym Pal is small in theory, but larger in practice. While you can tuck it away into a closet, additional but essential components like the weight bench and various accessories require additional space to store and additional time to collect, pull out and set up. If your plan is to put the Gym Pal “away” between every single workout, think twice about how dedicated you are. If I didn’t leave mine set up in the basement, I’d use it way less.
Speediance
The Bluetooth Ring accessory is clever and extremely useful
One of the key differentiators of the Gym Pal is its Ring, which lives on your hand and connects via Bluetooth to control the machine. It has a button you can press to start a given set and a wheel you can use to adjust weight. I found it invaluable for getting in position for a bench press, for example, and then pressing the button against my chest to get started. The downside is that you have to pair it to your phone — and keep the accessory charged.
The brushless motors offer a nice feel
The resistance is nice and smooth, and it’s relatively similar to lifting actual weights. It’s at its weirdest when you’re using the barbell, because if you aren’t lifting the bar perfectly parallel to the floor, you’ll start to feel a little slack on one side or the other. But it’s not a big problem.
The accessories are easy to swap in and out
Not only are they simple to use, but it’s a snap to detach and attach them when changing up the exercise. The attachment points feel very solid, and the mechanism is easy to operate and feels secure. I’m not reluctant to do a workout that involves swapping the accessories around. (I am, by contrast, a little reluctant to do a workout that involves moving the bench around.)
The Speediance app is … a lot
There’s a reason why the website artistically displays the app’s screens as giant floating holograms: the screens are packed with data, options and small text. It’s a little overwhelming. As a professional tech nerd, I was able to navigate them fairly smoothly, but a normal person (i.e. my wife) needed a little help to find, start and run the workouts.
Speediance
There’s a bounty of different ways to exercise
Speaking of workouts, there are tons of them. It can cause a bit of “analysis paralysis,” but it’s nice that there are multi-week programs filterable by difficulty level, frequency and overall length. Each individual workout has video of a real human performing the exercises from multiple angles, which I found extremely helpful, as well as some spoken reminders that play out of the Gym Pal’s speakers. It was very useful to me as someone who can benefit from reminders to breathe.
The app also tracks your workouts for you because it (obviously) knows how much you’re lifting and how many times. I have always been terrible at keeping a workout log, so this is incredibly useful. It extends beyond just the use of the Gym Pal; there are full bodyweight workouts in the app that don’t use the machine at all.
A few quality control issues raised their heads
There are a lot of fit-and-finish issues with the app, mostly translation issues. You’ll see loading bars with captions like “workout progresses” and confirmations that say things like “successful connect.” Exercise descriptions have grammatical errors. It doesn’t make it any less good of a workout app, but it does make me start thinking about things like “will this equipment still be operational in any way if and when this app disappears, be that in 1, 5, or 15 years?” For the moment, however, the overall package delivers.
The Lexus GX is one of our favorite off-roaders. The current second generation has grown dated after entering production back in 2009. But the days of affixing adjectives like venerable and old-school to the GX are numbered. Lexus just unveiled the all-new 2024 Lexus GX.
Here’s everything you need to know about it.
Lexus
The Lexus GX moved to Toyota’s TNGA-F platform
The Lexus GX moves to the new TNGA-F body-on-frame platform along with the LX 600 and the Toyota Tundra. The new setup includes a double-wishbone front suspension and a multilink rear suspension. Buyers can opt for an adaptive variable suspension. The new GX looks boxier. And it has grown dimensionally: 2.36 inches longer than the outgoing model and up to 4.52 inches wider, depending on the trim. The overhang is 0.78 inches higher for better ground clearance.
Lexus
The Lexus GX ditched its V8 for a V6 engine
The Lexus GX has two engine options, but only one is available at launch, a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6. It’s a detuned version of the engine in the LX and the base Tundra, putting out 349 horsepower and the same 479 lb-ft of torque. Lexus has confirmed the other engine option will be a hybrid. The 3.4-liter V6 pairs with a 10-speed automatic. And the GX will have full-time four-wheel-drive, a Torsen limited-slip differential and electronic power steering.
Lexus
The Lexus GX has two new off-roading grades
The new GX is getting new Overtrail and Overtrail+ grades. These will be off-road themed and include standard features like 33-inch all-terrain tires, an aluminum skid plate, an electronic locking rear differential and styling features like black overfenders and available two-tone paint. An E-KDSS suspension will be available for better wheel articulation. The Overtrail trims will have a max tow rating of 8,000 pounds.
Lexus
The new Lexus GX has not gotten much more efficient, unfortunately
If you were hoping the new Lexus GX would bring dramatically better fuel economy, you will be disappointed (at least with the first powertrain option). Lexus estimates the EPA will rate the 2024 GX for 17 mpg combined, a 1 mpg improvement over the outgoing V8 model.
Lexus
There is a Toyota Version of the New GX
Toyota revealed the all-new 2024 Land Cruiser. It’s twinned with the GX rather than the LX this time around. But instead of the GX’s V6, the new Land Cruiser packs a new four-cylinder hybrid powertrain that puts out 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque.
Toyota
How much will the 2024 Lexus GX cost?
Lexus has announced the full pricing for the 2024 GX SUV. It’s getting a bit pricier. The new GX starts at $62,900 for the GX 550 Premium or $64,250 when you factor in the delivery, processing and handling fee. That’s $3,625 more expensive than the outgoing GX. The range tops out with the GX 550 Overtrail+ model starting at $75,900.
Lexus
When will the 2024 Lexus GX arrive?
The new third-generation Lexus GX will be assembled in Japan. Lexus expects the new GX, a 2024 model-year vehicle, to go on sale in early 2024.
Last year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety — better known as the IIHS — updated its moderate front overlap crash test. The organization found that fatality rates were now higher for rear passengers than front-row passengers (due to improvements in frontal safety). The test now includes a 12-year-old child-sized dummy in the second row and tests for the common injuries those passengers experience.
The Volvo XC60 earned a Good rating on all four rear-seat measures with the new test. The Lincoln Aviator received three Goods and an Acceptable for “Rear Passenger Restraints and Kinematics.” The Mercedes GLE-Class had three Goods and an Acceptable for Head and Neck rear passenger injury.
Only three of the eight SUVs tested received a Good overall rating after rear seat testing was added. IIHS
The Acura MDX and BMW X3 received overall Acceptable ratings on the test. Both had Good ratings for everything except Rear Passenger Restraints and Kinematics. The Audi Q5 and Lexus RX received Marginal overall ratings. Cadillac’s three-row XT6 earned a Poor overall rating.
Per the IIHS, the major issue in the five vehicles that received an acceptable or lower rating was the restraint system. The impacts on these vehicles caused the dummies to submarine beneath the lap belt, increasing their chance of injuries to either the head/neck or chest areas.
Note that the testing didn’t factor in children secured in a car seat, and the IIHS still maintains that the second row is the safest place for children in car seats to avoid the impact from the air bag.
Considering most buyers choose sport-utes because they’re transporting children, rear seat safety is (or should be) one of the most important consideration when buying an SUV. And we expect the new testing to result in safety improvements form manufacturers quickly.
There are long-enduring nameplates in the automotive world…and then there’s the Chevrolet Suburban. The brand first slapped the badge on a passenger vehicle back in 1934 — back, arguably, before even the current idea of the American suburb even was born, assuming you peg that to the post-WWII housing boom.
So with nearly nine decades and 12 generations of history to inform (and weigh upon) it, how does this O.G. SUV hold up in a modern market filled with just about every type of sport-ute imaginable? I took it for a spin to find out.
2024 Chevrolet Suburban: What We Think
The Suburban may be big, it may be heavy, it may drink a lot of gasoline — but there’s no denying its excellence in doing exactly what it’s designed to do: carry a lot of people and a ton of gear through just about any conditions the world will realistically throw at it. If you need one vehicle to handle as wide a variety of tasks as possible, it’s hard to beat.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
Few vehicles can match the breadth of the Suburban’s capabilities
Will Sabel Courtney
A minivan can comfortably seat seven or eight people; a pickup truck can tow four tons or more; an off-road-oriented SUV can give you low-range four-wheel-drive for plowing up the steep, icy road to the AirBnB in January. But a Suburban-class vehicle can do all three. Hell, even just being able to combine two of those feature sets is enough to create an ideal vehicle for a lot of folks.
Granted, it’s not going to be the absolute best at any of those particular tasks; a Wrangler or Bronco will always be better for rock-bashing or mud-splashing, a Silverado or F-150 will be better for towing and hauling, and a Sienna or Carnival will be a more comfortable road trip partner for a half-dozen folks. But much in the same way a great sport sedan can fill the dual roles of sports car and family transport, the Suburban takes on multiple roles better than any single ride might logically be able to do.
If you simply need one vehicle that can do as much as possible, it’s hard to beat this big Chevy or its kin. That’s why GM sells hundreds of thousands of them a year, in spite of their price tags and thirst; that’s why the Suburban has been on sale and making friends for the better part of a century.
The Suburban is large, but it’s not unwieldy to drive
Will Sabel Courtney
Considering it’s based on a full-size truck’s body-on-frame chassis, weighs in at three tons or more with a driver aboard and stretches 225.7 inches from tip to tail (with a wheelbase as long as two Tom Cruises lying head-to-toe), you might assume the Suburban is about as much fun to drive as a freight train. You’d be wrong.
General Motors still has some of the best chassis engineers in the business, and they did a good job making the Suburban’s steering and handling responsive, even fairly nimble; it never feels unwieldy, even in New York City. On the highway, it’s even better, with that ample wheelbase providing plenty of stability even if crosswinds try and batter those broad flanks.
(Also: While I’d generally steer buyers towards the gas-powered V8 models, if you’re planning bladder-busting road trips across the heartland, it’s worth considering the 3.0-liter turbodiesel; between the Suburban’s 28-gallon tank and the diesel’s 26–27 mpg highway fuel economy ratings, you can knock out 700-plus miles without stopping if you’re so inclined.)
The interior is functional, if not as nice as some competitors
Will Sabel Courtney
In terms of usability, there’s little to complain about from the driver’s seat of Chevy’s monster SUV. The all-digital gauges are easy to read; the touchscreen infotainment system is set up appreciably high, making it easier to use while keeping your eyes close to the road; and just about all vital controls still use physical buttons, making them easy to commit to muscle memory. Even the push-button gear selector shift, while perhaps lacking in character, are simple and easy to adopt.
Once you level up to the higher trims, however, the Suburban starts to lag behind its counterparts in terms of fanciness. My top-shelf High Country trim costs almost exactly as much as a GMC Yukon XL Denali, but while the Denali scores a bespoke dashboard layout to set itself apart from less-luxurious variants, the only real difference between the High Country and the volume-trim LT is the color and quality of the leather trim. (And in all honesty, even the base Yukon’s interior is more aesthetically pleasing than the Chevy’s.)
There’s soooooooo much space inside
Will Sabel Courtney
Extra-long three-row SUVs have long been roomy, of course, but the latest generation of Suburban sets a new high bar for usable interior volume. Credit not just the massive size, but GM’s decision to switch over to an independent rear suspension for this generation, which freed up extra space for legs and things in the rear.
All three rows pack enough leg room for even a six-foot-tall adult (though admittedly, the quality of the accommodations does go from Business Class to Comfort Plus to Basic Economy as you head towards the back of the plane), and with all the seats raised, there’s still 41.5 cubic feet of storage space — about three times as much as the trunk of a Honda Accord. In practical terms, that’s around enough for six occupants to each bring a carry-on bag without blocking the view out the rear-view mirror.
And if you don’t need butts in all those seats at once, the cargo carrying capabilities become even more expansive. Fold down the third row, and the four-to-five occupants that can still fit inside could each bring multiple checked bags and carry-ons without concern. Moving a kid to college? Leave one second row seat up, and you can fit their entire life back alongside and behind them.
And if you really need space, plop both second and third rows down. That doesn’t just produce 144.7 cubic feet — literally, a gross amount — of usable space, but space with a completely flat load floor and enough length for even your six-foot-four narrator to lie flat inside. Forget air mattresses for camping — you could put an actual memory foam double back here and have a decent sleeping area for two with the seats all down. Throw a rooftop cargo box on top, and two people could practically live out of the Suburban for weeks at a time — so long as they didn’t mind seeking out public restrooms on the regular.
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This week, Apple started selling a standalone USB-C charging case for AirPods Pro (2nd-generation) for $99. This means that if you bought AirPods Pro (2nd-generation) with a Lightning charging case last year, you can upgrade to the newest charging case without having to buy wireless earbuds, too.
That said, assuming you have a working Lightning case for AirPods Pro (2nd-generation), unless you really want to make the jump to the USB-C, there’s very little reason to buy this new case. Both cases support the same exact wired and wireless (via MagSafe) charging speeds. Both cases have the same exact battery capacity, so upgrading to the new case won’t give your AirPods Pro (2nd-generation) more listening time. And both cases have a built-in speaker and support Apple’s Find My network.
Aside from a USB-C charging port, the one reason to upgrade to this new charging case is that it’s slightly more durable: it has an IP54 rating compared to the IPX4 rating of the Lightning charging case. So while both charging cases have the same resistance to water — they’re splash-resistant, not waterproof — the new USB-C charging case has a dust-resistance rating and is technically more rugged. This is not exactly a huge reason to upgrade.
The 2023-released USB-C charging case is pretty similar to the 2022-released Lighting charging case. Both have a speaker, support MagSafe wireless charging and work with Apple’s Find My network.Apple
There is a difference between the actual wireless earbuds, however. The 2023-released AirPods Pro will support lossless audio when paired with Apple’s Vision Pro headset. The 2022-released AirPods Pro (with the Lightning case) will not. So if you’re planning on being one of the first to have Apple’s upcoming AR/VR headphones next year, you’ll want to have Apple’s latest wireless earbuds.
In a nutshell: upgrading to the new USB-C charging case will not upgrade your older AirPods Pro, too.
As a reminder, the 2023-released AirPods Pro (2nd-generation) with USB-C charging and the 2022-released AirPods Pro (2nd-generation) with Lightning charging are almost exactly the same. The look and sound identical. They have the same active noise-cancellation and transparency skills. They have the same battery life. And they both support the newest audio features — Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume and Conversation Awareness — that Apple rolled out this fall.
This standalone charging case is available now. However, if you order now it’s not expected to arrive before Christmas.
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A flask is an exercise in control – its owner must know when it is and isn’t appropriate to uncover and how often. Because it may be carried every day does not necessitate its everyday use, and knowing that is the first lesson one should learn in picking one.
After the self-control is in check, then it comes down to where exactly you’re taking your flask. If you’re trying to bring one to a wedding, you’re not going to want a flask that leans on the more rugged side. And the inverse is just as true. You probably don’t want to bring a delicate, dainty flask with you on an outdoor adventure.
Regardless of the use case, a flask is a must-have. It’s a great companion to your favorite travel mug (you probably don’t want to drink coffee from the same vessel you keep tequila in) and also an excellent gift. So whether you plan to carry rare Japanese whiskies, Kirkland Vodka (believe the hype) or Pepto-Bismol, these 10 options run the gamut of price, personality and prestige.
Don’t worry, they’re pretty much different versions of the same thing. The term pocket flask may have originated when it was common to keep a pocket watch, so it was natural that a flask had to be compact enough to fit in the tighter clothes of the day. Near the time of Prohibition, the shape evolved a bit to match the laws of the day — a flask had to be easy to conceal. This is where we began to see the curved shape many flasks are crafted with today.
Cleaning a Flask
The biggest thing is this: Don’t leave liquids in your flask for a long time. Either drink it all or pour it out, don’t let it sit. Otherwise, over time, it will get skunky and become much harder to clean. When you do need to clean it(which you should do from time to time anyway), fill it 2/3 with soap and water, swish it around with the cap on and rinse. Get all the soap out or your booze will undoubtedly taste funny. Use a bottle brush if necessary.
Flasks with Cups
Some of our favorite flasks come with their own cups or shot glasses. Usually, these are more geared towards camping and, of course, sharing, so be sure to pick one of these if you’re looking to celebratewith friends.
There’s a reason this flask is roundly suggested in all corners of the internet. Stanley’s affordable rugged steel flask lacks accouterments, pretty websites and melodramatic descriptions. One could say a certain cool factor is absent, but, weirdly enough, that’s exactly what makes it cool. A Stanley flask (especially in hammertone green) says you couldn’t give a damn about what you tote your liquor to-go in.
Titanium is attractive and doesn't affect liquid's flavor
Easily fits in most pockets
Cons
Expensive
Tiny opening
Size: 7-ounce
Material: Titanium
What’s a collection of best flasks without Snow Peak’s completely titanium (and questionably necessary) flask? Not this collection. Thanks to the titanium, the almost seven fluid ounce-carrying flask only weighs two ounces empty and is virtually unbreakable. Japan’s coolest outdoor brand doesn’t do anything by the book, and this flask is no exception.
It’s affordable. It’s lightweight. It’s tougher than tough. It carries 10 whopping ounces of booze. The GSI Boulder Flask’s body is a unique copolyester that’s wrapped in a shock-absorbing silicone bumper – both lighter in weight than a typical steel or hard plastic flask. Also, it’s clear, so gauging how much your buddy takes when he takes a “sip” is that much easier.
The crown jewel of the Jacob Bromwell flask range, the Vermonter is a thing of both beauty and quality. This nine-ounce round-edged copper flask is not cheap, but it is hand-soldered, 100 percent copper, will earn a unique patina and comes with a lifetime guarantee. It’s a little heavy at one pound, but the heft adds to its mystique. Just, for the love of all things good in the world, do not wash it in the dishwasher (hot water, soap, shake to clean).
VSSL’s flask doesn’t l0ok much like a flask, and that’s in part because it’s so much more. Hidden inside the lightweight aluminum flask is an integrated weatherproof Speaqua Bluetooth speaker. It provides up to five hours of tunes, and the double-walled construction keeps spirits exactly the temp you want them — making for a very merry time indeed.
Two flasks offer plenty of sipping (and sharing) options
Break-resistant glass means no metallic taste
Cons
Leather detail adds bulk to the design
Size: 100ml and 240ml
Material: Glass and leather
If you’re looking for the gift that keeps on giving, consider this set from Rag Proper. Crafted from break-resistant glass, the 100ml single shot and 240ml double shot flasks are wrapped in black full-grain leather, adding an air of sophistication and style to your sipping. A gun metal lid, a plastic cork-lined cap and silicone liners help maintain flavor.
Flasks come in all shapes, sizes, materials and looks, but few approach the simplicity of this one. Savage’s glossy mirror-finished stainless steel flask does its job and emits serious Gatsby vibes in doing so. Yet, in a world too full of monograms, needle stitching and weird colors, it isn’t at all outrageous. Also, Jay Gatsby wouldn’t buy a $16 flask, but that’s his problem.
Viski finishes its flask in an ultra-shiny coating that basically makes it a mirror. It’s made of durable 304 stainless steel that won’t impart any unwanted flavors into your liquor. While it is on the smaller side with its six-ounce capacity, the Viski flask is the perfect size to slip away discreetly.
Miscellaneous Goods started with a very pretty pack of Kickstarter-backed cards and has since broadened its offerings to leather goods, prints and, yes, flasks. The brand’s 11-ounce ceramic flasks are slipcast and made in America, and each sports a handsome brass and leather cap clasp.
Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps things cold (or hot)
Can hold a whole bottle of wine (or liquor)
Comes with two tumblers
Cons
Heavy
Too cumbersome for most situations
Pricey
Size: 750ml
Material: Stainless steel
At 750ml (just over 25 ounces), this stainless steel flask is the ideal flask for camping. It can hold a fifth of liquor or a whole bottle of wine and has double-wall vacuum insulation to ensure your drink stays cold while you’re on the trail. While it is definitely too big for your pocket, it’s not intended for discreet sipping anyway — it comes with two tumblers for sharing drinks around the campfire, in the backyard or at the top of the mountain. And just in time for the holidays, High Camp has released this sleek Onyx version — featuring a limited-edition jet-black powder coat that takes it to the next level.
Mercedes-Benz is no stranger to the overlanding world; the Sprinter AWD chassis is the preferred option for many a camper van outfitter. But the Sprinter AWD capability pales compared to the ultimate Mercedes overlanding vehicle, the G-Wagen. And there’s now a way to get most of that camper van functionality in the more compact G-Wagen frame.
The Tecrawl conversion works within the Mercedes G Wagen’s body shell, rather than just using the chassis.Terracamper
German builder Terracamper — as spotted by New Atlas — now offers a Tecrawl conversion package for the G-Wagen ( the current generation, buily from 2018 onward). It provides a solid camping setup for three that works within the existing G-Class bodywork, saving a massive amount of money versus a custom shell. That’s important, since a base G-Wagen starts at around $140,000.
Space in the G-Wagen is limited, but the Tecrawl conversion makes the most of it. Two passengers sleep in a hard-sided rooftop tent. A third can sleep on a convertible sofa on the passenger side of the cabin. The driver’s slide features a slide-out kitchen (out the passenger door) with a dual-burner stove, pantry and a workspace.
The Tecrawl’s convertible sofa can sleep one passenger.Lars Cramer
There’s also a 31-liter fridge box in the driver’s side trunk and a pressurized water system with a 20-liter tank. Buyers can also add options like an Xtreme Pott dry toilet and a solar power setup.
According to New Atlas, Terracamper’s Tecrawl conversion package starts at $11,900, which is pretty reasonable by both camper and G-Wagen standards. The rub is that Terracamper’s installation facility is in Germany, which will likely preclude installing it on your U.S. spec G-class. If you’re European-based, Terracamper also offers more extensive build-outs with pop-top roofs based on the Volkswagen Transporter.
Back in August, Winnebago unveiled a new super-affordable camping trailer solution called the Access that’s now available for order. Here’s what you need to know about it.
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The Winnebago Access sleeps up to six passengers
The Access camping trailer comes in five different floor plans, ranging between 29 and 33 feet in length and sleeping anywhere from three to six people. Several versions offer pop-outs for extra room when parked.
The sofa and dinette areas can also be converted into sleeping compartments. And in a happy note for folks who enjoy bathing, the trailers include a dry bath with separate toilet and 30″-x-36″ shower.
The Winnebago Access cabin can sleep up to six people.Winnebago
The Winnebago Access comes with quite a few standard features for the
The Access has an array of standard features, including an enclosed and heated underbelly, 12-volt water tank pad heaters, a factory-supplied 200-watt solar panel and Wifi. Electric tongue jacks easily move the trailer up and down, and powered stabilization jacks deploy with the push of buttons. The Access also has a two-inch accessory receiver hitch that can hold up to 350 pounds of bikes or other gear.
Winnebago
The Access also offers some cool options
The Access can be fitted with 14-inch by 22-inch skylights, easy-to-clean porcelain toilets, thicker and UV-blocking sidewall metal, reinforced under-bed storage and LED lighting on the exterior and interior.
The interior is bright, airy and surprisingly open, at least on models with the pop-outs.Winnebago
And this Winnebago is super-affordable for a camping trailer
The Access starts at $29,600 for the 26BH floor plan, making it around $16,500 cheaper than Winnebago’s Hike camping trailer and less than half the price of the smaller Airstream Bambi or SylvanSport Vast. The larger 25ML, 30BH and 28FK floor plans — all of which include pop-outs for extra room — range between $32,130 and $33,460, making each one a solid deal.
Winnebago
The Access is on sale now at Winnebago dealerships.
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The canon of men’s clothing, footwear and accessories is not exactly set in stone, but only a small minority of new releases manage to meaningfully shift the conversation about style. Those select few — from classic to cutting edge — make us think more critically about design, manufacturing, durability, materials and more.
From boundary-pushing materials to no-holds-barred designs, these are the releases changing how we think about our clothing.
Red Wing Heritage Classic Chelsea
Red Wing
Why It Matters: Red Wing’s version of the popular, black pull-on boot may be the best value on the market thanks to its time-tested construction.
The Big Picture: Minnesota-based Red Wing Heritage is no stranger to the Chelsea boot category — the brand has released numerous versions over the past few decades. But its most recent release, the Classic Chelsea in Black Harness leather, is the best to date. Though the silhouette isn’t new, the use of black leather — and a black Traction Tred sole — make this a direct competitor to popular pull-on boots from Down Under. But unlike those imports, the Classic Chelsea is crafted from hefty S.B. Foot Tanning leather and features Goodyear welt construction so it can be resoled and rebuilt after years of use.
Why It Matters: It’s hard to find a good hard-shell suitcase at a reasonable price. Or at least, it was harder until Quince rolled up.
The Big Picture: Since hiring Todd Barket, former owner of San Francisco menswear store Unionmade, Quince has been on a stylish hot streak, rolling out increasingly slick wardrobe basics — and now, some great luggage at an incredibly reasonable price. The Carry-On Hard Shell is a sleek, sturdy piece of luggage that costs far less than competitors from the likes of Monos or Away. On top of that, it’s proof that affordable fashion is playing it smart by hiring thoughtful tastemakers.
Why It Matters: The first true collaboration between two of fashion’s biggest names may well go down as the pinnacle of collectible luxury sneakers.
The Big Picture: Nike and Tiffany are two of the best-known brands in the world, so if they team up on a product, you know it’s gonna be notable. The 1837s — so named after the year Tiffany was founded — combine black suede, sterling silver heel tabs and, of course, a Tiffany Blue Swoosh. These AF1s prove that sneaker collabs are no longer outside the mainstream. By teaming up with the planet’s biggest name in luxury jewelry, Nike is demonstrating how these creations have crossed over into “real” luxury. For Tiffany, meanwhile, the shoes arguably prove that the brand is serious about breaking out of its stuffy (blue) box and expanding well beyond jewelry into the broader fashion world.
Why It Matters: This bombshell of a release marks the first collaboration with country superstar Chris Stapleton and the revival of one of Filson’s best archival designs.
The Big Picture: When Chris Stapleton agreed to work with Filson on the Traveller Collection — named after the musician’s 2015 album of the same name — he wanted to make sure he properly paid homage to the Filson gear his father introduced him to during his childhood. This bag is emblematic of the collaboration as a whole, with vegetable-tanned leather (courtesy of Pennsylvania’s fabled Wickett & Craig), water-resistant Rugged Twill fabric and plenty of utilitarian storage options.
Why It Matters: This no-fuss leather jacket avoids the trappings of bomber or biker jackets and delivers classic style at a phenomenal price.
The Big Picture: Buck Mason made a name for itself with well-made wardrobe essentials at a fair price and its new Bruiser PCH jacket shows the brand hasn’t forgotten its roots. Thanks to the semi-vegetable tanned, top dyed, hand-burnished sheepskin its cut from, the jacket wears like a well-loved vintage find. The construction of this throwback rider jacket doesn’t cut corners and includes a full lining, welt pockets with knuckle-side corduroy lining and zip sleeve gussets. The understated style manages to strike a balance between versatile and classic — all with a price tag under $600.
Why It Matters: Todd Snyder pulls out all the stops for its first-ever sneaker, an homage to the classic athletic shoes of yesteryear.
The Big Picture: Todd Snyder is known for working with the best in every field — his approach to collaborations shaped J.Crew’s resurgence in the late aughts and created the blueprint for brand collaboration over the following decade. After 12 years helming his own brand, Snyder released his first non-collab sneaker with a “best-of” list of features inspired by classic, coveted athletic shoes. The Italian-made Tuscan Court Shoe puts years of knowledge working with other brands to work and then elevates it. The suede and Vachetta leather uppers sit atop a cork footbed and stitched EVA sole. There’s even an additional suede “mudguard” before the vamp, adding a bit of function and flourish.
Why It Matters: To celebrate the 150th anniversary of 501 jeans, Levi’s released an entirely plant-based version of the beloved style dyed with natural indigo.
The Big Picture: It may be a surprise that jeans aren’t already plant-based. But contemporary styles are normally held together with polyester thread, include polyester pocket liners and zipper tape, and are dyed with synthetic indigo. So for the 150th anniversary of the 501, Levi’s created an iteration of the iconic style made with 97% bio-based content. The plant-based 501s are made with organically grown cotton and feature a plant-based patch with ink made from wood waste. Notably, it’s dyed with natural indigo produced by Stony Creek Colors. The pre-reduced natural liquid indigo starts as plants in fields converted from tobacco farming in Tennessee and will make dying jeans much cleaner and safer for the industry at large.
Zegna x The Elder Statesman Cashmere and Wool Robe
Zenga
Why It Matters: Two luxury brands from opposite ends of the spectrum find common ground to design one of the most unique garments of the year.
The Big Picture: On first glance, Zegna’s immaculately tailored suits and the Elder Statesman’s relaxed tie-dyed sweaters don’t have much in common, but the brands share a surprising amount. Both champion conscious craftsmanship, sustainability and unbridled luxury. The similar spirits allowed for the contrasting aesthetics to blend. A standout piece from the broader collection, the Cashmere and Wool Robe is knit in a tie-dye pattern with Oasi Cashmere — which Zegna commits to certifying as 100% traceable by 2024. It features a laid-back fit and soft, brushed exterior that can best be described as “indulgent.”
zegna
Zegna x The Elder Statesman Cashmere and Wool Robe
Why It Matters: This life-changing dental care device makes brushing a cinch, even for people with limited mobility.
The Big Picture: You probably never stopped to think about it, but brushing your teeth requires a piece of equipment beyond the brush and toothpaste: a fully mobile hand. Nearly 88 percent of people with disabilities experience tooth decay in large part as a result of not being able to brush properly. Samba’s new toothbrush makes it easy for folks with reduced dexterity or mobility to attend to their pearly whites by largely reducing the hand’s task; just hold the toothbrush in place in your mouth, and the 12,900 bristles will vibrate and buzz their way into every corner of your dentition for a squeaky clean smile.
Why It Matters: The grooming industry is setting its sights on sustainability and Horace is leading the charge.
The Big Picture: While sustainability has long been a buzzword in automotive, agriculture and textile industries, it’s only recently caught on in grooming. French men’s grooming brand Horace is leading the charge, offering a range of clean products that are between 95 and 100 percent natural. Its cream pomade features ingredients like beeswax, coconut butter and shea butter, lending a medium hold that’s residue-free and easy to rinse out. But its refillable packaging is also noteworthy: When you’ve used up the pomade, simply keep the jar and order a lower-price refill.
Why It Matters: Goldwin’s unique Brewed Protein Down Shirt uses next-gen material from Japan, pairing environmental and sustainability with durability, comfort and fashion.
The Big Picture: Nearly a decade ago, Goldwin launched a development campaign alongside Japanese biotech firm Spiber. The Brewed Protein Down Shirt is the fruit of the brands’ labors, boasting a construction made from a groundbreaking structural protein material (as opposed to petroleum-based synthetics or traditionally-grown fabrics). Along with that sustainable exterior, the shirt also features 650 fill power recycled down insulation, secure zippered pockets and a flattering, roomy cut.
Why It Matters: District Vision’s first foray into cycling eyewear is a throwback style created with popular Los Angeles shop, Golden Saddle Cyclery.
The Big Picture: When District Vision set its sights on cycling gear, it chose a respected shop to help design its first pair of bike-specific sunglasses. The Linto Rider sunglasses, like District Vision’s other performance eyewear, are made in Japan and feature injected nylon construction with titanium armature and hardware. But unlike the brand’s more modern running frames, these are inspired by heritage cycling sunglasses. They come with polarized lenses that mitigate reflected light and allow 10.03% visible light transmission. To add to the throwback appeal, the frame’s tortoise pattern is applied by hand so no two frames are alike.
Why It Matters: A cult-favorite leather jacket brand expands its footwear offerings with a minimalist zip-boot.
The Big Picture: Discerning shoppers know the best-kept secret in leather jackets is Nashville’s Savas. The brand made a name for itself making badass custom jackets for its hometown musicians, but later expanded into ready-to-wear pieces and footwear. Its latest boot —the Avenue — brings all the swagger of its jackets and the impeccable attention to detail the brand is known for. The minimalist zip silhouette features a calf-leather upper, Cuban stacked-leather heel and flexible buffalo sole. And since Savas modified its proprietary garment leathers for footwear, the water-resistant suede will only look better with each passing year.
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Considering the basic technology that powers today’s mechanical watches has been around for centuries, you’d think there wouldn’t be much room for innovation within the space in 2023. But you’d be wrong. This year saw a number of watches from across the spectrum finding new ways to surprise and excite us, with clever manufacturing and engineering bringing us shockingly affordable ceramic divers, luxury sports watches and flyback chronographs — and even the lightest mechanical watch ever made.
But it wasn’t just technical innovations that drew our attention this year in the world of watches. There was also the element of surprise, with several prestigious brands trotting out models seemingly out of nowhere featuring unexpected dials, complications and crossovers. From a $1,000 Timex to an emoji-fied Rolex, here are the 14 watches that made the biggest waves in the industry this year.
Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms
Blancpain
Why It Matters: Swatch proved the MoonSwatch wasn’t a fluke by tapping an even more illustrious partner for its second Bioceramic collab.
The Big Picture: The Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch was a sensation, taking over not only the watch world in 2022 but also entering the larger pop culture zeitgeist. So how could Swatch follow up such a global blockbuster? Would it even be possible? Should it even be attempted? In 2023, we got our answers in the form of the Blancpain x Swatch Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms. A $400 plastic version of a $16,000 luxury diver, the watch is both fun for enthusiasts pining for a real Fifty Fathoms and also beneficial to Blancpain, which was previously little known outside of watch geek circles. At the end of the day, it’s also a better watch than the MoonSwatch, with good lume, an automatic movement, more solid construction and decent water resistance — all the way down to fifty fathoms.
Why It Matters: Oris not only added a Muppet to a dial but also went all-in to create a watch whose entire identity is based around fun and happiness.
The Big Picture: We’re used to seeing cartoon characters on watches. Mickey Mouse, Snoopy, you know the drill. But a Muppet dial? From Oris? On the brand’s ultra-modern, high-end titanium pilot’s watch? The ProPilot X Kermit Edition was certainly unexpected, injecting a dose of fun into a hobby that can at times be too stuffy and self-serious. The watch features a felt-green dial, Kermit’s face in the date window and its own mythology: Kermit only appears on the first of the month, which Oris has dubbed “Kermit Day” as a reminder not to take life too seriously. Apparently, it is easy being green.
Why It Matters: This Swiss-made beauty is the most expensive Timex ever at nearly $1,000 and shows what the brand is really capable of.
The Big Picture: Timex is where you go when you want a $100 watch. But a $1,000 watch? Well, now they make one of those too — and it’s a pretty compelling option. The brainchild of its namesake, Timex global creative director Giorgio Galli, the Giorgio Galli S2 Automatic is a Swiss-made, Sellita-powered automatic watch in a 38mm case crafted from both titanium and stainless steel. While it’s the kind of spec sheet you’d expect on watches costing three times as much, seeing “Timex” on the dial brings a degree of sticker shock when paired with the $975 price tag. But it shouldn’t. Timex has been making good watches for a while now, and if this one is any indication, we’d better get used to it.
Why It Matters: The best and most coveted examples of the uber-hot integrated-bracelet luxury sports watch genre are outrageously priced and impossible to obtain. The Twelve turns that notion on its head.
The Big Picture: After coming into vogue in the 1970s with Gerald Genta designs, such as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus, the integrated-bracelet luxury sports watch has seen a massive resurgence over the past handful of years. Most high-end brands make a version, and a number of cheaper brands have tried to make a suitable alternative for pennies on the dollar. But none had cracked the code until CW’s Twelve. The watch’s impeccable finishing, delicate proportions and intricate details — that dial pattern? It’s the brand’s cross logo, repeated over and over in 3D — all give the legitimate impression of a watch that costs $10,000, rather than one with a price barely north of $1,000. It’s a monumental achievement that seems to have converted the last watch enthusiast holdouts who weren’t buying what Christopher Ward was selling. They’re buying now … literally.
Why It Matters: Tudor went small and got big buzz with this retro-looking 37mm dive watch that recalls vintage Submariners.
The Big Picture: A few decades ago, midsize dive watches were commonplace. These days? Not so much. But Tudor in one fell swoop made smaller dive watches a thing again with its surprise unveiling of the Black Bay 54 at Watches and Wonders. Based on the original Tudor Submariner from 1954, the vintage-style diver comes in at the same 37mm case size as its ancestor, a refreshing change of pace in an industry that is finally coming to terms with the realization that bigger isn’t always better. But the 54’s charms stretch beyond its small size; it also sports pitch-perfect old-school styling that makes it the closest modern-day equivalent to a vintage Rolex Sub.
Why It Matters: Rolex did the unthinkable and brought back the “Paul Newman” dial — with a new race-day-ready movement to boot.
The Big Picture: One of, if not the most in-demand vintage watches is the Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman.” Named for its most famous wearer, this version of Rolex’s chronograph was produced for a short period in the 1960s and early ’70s and is recognized for its unique “exotic” panda dials. No one thought Rolex would ever put a Paul Newman dial on a Daytona again, but here it is. This white gold Daytona was made by Rolex to celebrate 100 years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a fact that no doubt would have made the racecar-driving Newman proud, but there’s more going on than the coveted dial. The watch also has a new movement — visible through a sapphire caseback, a trick Rolex employed for the first time earlier this year on the platinum Daytona — that tracks 24 hours of the chronograph instead of the usual 12, a fitting tribute for Le Mans.
Why It Matters: An innovative steel core helps keep costs down on this colorful and playful take on a ceramic dive watch.
The Big Picture: Zodiac’s Sea Wolf has a long history. In fact, its history goes back as far as any dive watch, all the way to 1953, the same year Blancpain launched the Fifty Fathoms and Rolex the Submariner. While the nameplate has gone in and out of production over the decades, the modern Super Sea Wolf iteration has become well-known for its playful hues. In 2023, Zodiac kept the fun color palette but added ceramic to its experimentation via a unique and innovative case. Unlike a traditional ceramic case, Zodiac’s features a ceramic outer case around a steel core. This structure aims to make the watch more durable while also keeping costs reasonable, a must for this value-oriented Swiss brand.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Moon Phase Retrograde Date
Vacheron Constantin
Why It Matters: Take a couple of high-end complications normally reserved for dress watches, put them on a luxury sports watch, and what do you get? One of the coolest and most unexpected releases of the year.
The Big Picture: Watch brands don’t get much more prestigious than Vacheron Constantin. Founded in 1755, it’s one of the oldest brands — and perhaps the oldest to operate continuously throughout its history — and it’s considered one of Swiss watchmaking’s “Holy Trinity” alongside Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet. As such, Vacheron has built a reputation as a maker of high-horology movements with classic complications, such as the moonphase and its signature complication, the retrograde date. But what do you get when you put these complications on a modern luxury sports watch like the Overseas? A gorgeous timepiece that blends casual sporty looks with traditional watchmaking in a way that feels new and exciting.
Vacheron Constantin
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Moon Phase Retrograde Date
Why It Matters: Breguet’s sportiest watch made a welcome return this year and has us seeing double.
The Big Picture: More than any company on this list, Breguet is known as a dress watch brand. Its founder invented the tourbillon, for God’s sake. But Breguet also has one very iconic tool watch in its portfolio: the Type XX, a pilot’s chronograph originally produced for the French military in the 1950s. Breguet has made modern versions of the Type XX off and on since 1995, but the line had been out of production for several years before returning this year, when Breguet gave us not one but two new Type XX chronographs. The Type XX, for “civilian” use, and the Type 20, for “military” use. The watches feature the same case but different lume, hands, dial layouts and bezels, along with different calibers of the same new movement that have been tweaked to suit their intended targets (the military version is cleaner and easier to read at a glance). We’ll take one of each, thanks.
Why It Matters: More than just a new colorway, this revamp of Omega’s quirkiest watch also brings the Ploprof back to its roots in some unexpected ways.
The Big Picture: In 2023, Omega celebrated 75 years of the Seamaster. Perhaps the most varied nameplate in the entire watch industry, there have been divers, dress watches, bullhead chronographs and more over the past seven-plus decades all bearing the word “Seamaster” on the dial. But the strangest of all is the Ploprof, a chunky, asymmetrical dive watch with a huge bezel lock, a destro crown and a depth rating of 1,200m. The model has long sat gathering dust on the shelves at Omega, but it received a welcome injection of new life as part of the Seamaster’s big birthday party. Not only did the Ploprof get a gorgeous new blue colorway but also a brand-new case that recalls the smaller, monobloc case of the 1970s original in Omega’s proprietary and premium O-Mega Steel material.
Why It Matters: A flyback chronograph complication at this price point is practically unheard of. Or, at least, it was.
The Big Picture: Fans of Longines are used to getting a lot of bang for their buck. Where else can you find Swiss-made chronometers with luxury-level finishing from a top-selling heritage brand for around $2,000? Even so, the Spirit Flyback takes things to another level, as it gives you a flyback chronograph complication for well under $5,000. This feature alone makes the watch remarkable, as it’s exceedingly rare, but on top of the brag-worthy complication, you’re also getting a timing bezel with a ceramic insert, a COSC-certified movement and even 100m of water resistance — not to mention dynamite looks. It’s another astounding value proposition from Longines in a catalog that’s overflowing with them.
Why It Matters: This Malaysian marvel is likely the lightest mechanical watch ever made.
The Big Picture: Ming has only been around since 2017, but it has quickly carved out a name for itself as one of the most innovative and boundary-pushing entities in the industry. This watch may just be the indie brand’s greatest achievement yet, as it’s almost certainly lighter than any other mechanical watch ever. The hand-wound version of the LW.01 weighs in at just 8.8g for the watch head, and the automatic version isn’t much heavier at 10.8g. For reference, two pieces of standard printer paper weigh about 10 grams, meaning these watches are practically weightless. The feat was achieved not only through the use of lightweight materials but also a whole lot of design ingenuity, doubly admirable in such a young brand.
Why It Matters: TAG Heuer has spent the better part of the past decade repairing its image among enthusiasts, and this pitch-perfect makeover of the iconic Carrera is the culmination of those efforts.
The Big Picture: The Carrera is TAG Heuer’s flagship model, and the brand pulled out all the stops to mark the nameplate’s 60th anniversary this year. 2023 saw a murderer’s row of special Carrera models like the throwback Skipper, the innovative Chronosprint x Porsche and a solid gold version, but none were more impactful — or more emblematic of the brand’s rehabilitated image — than the “Glassbox” Chronograph. The new standard bearer for the Carrera name combines stellar good looks, a conservative case size of 39mm, high-level finishing, an improved movement and the star of the show: that gorgeous domed sapphire crystal that engulfs not only the dial but the bezel too.
Why It Matters: Love it or hate it, this unprecedented President is arguably the biggest swing we’ve ever seen from the Crown.
The Big Picture: Rolex typically doesn’t do the unexpected. The brand is known for incremental change — for being reliably boring. Line up a Submariner from 1953 next to one from 2023 and it’s not hard to see the common DNA. So when the brand unveiled this model at Watches & Wonders, it turned more than a few heads. Not only is it taking the brand’s most prestigious model and putting a colorful puzzle pattern motif on the dial, it’s also effectively removing its eponymous complication. The day? That’s been replaced with words like “peace” and “love.” The date? Instead of numbers, we get emojis. You might think it’s ugly or silly, but one thing for certain is no one expected this from Rolex.
These Delicious Seltzers Bring a Surprisingly Delightful Buzz
What makes WYNK’s Infused Seltzers worth talking about — by Gear Patrol Studios.
Wynk
Presented ByWYNK
Published
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Welcome to Talking Points, a series that looks at what makes certain products worth talking about, brought to you by Gear Patrol Studios.
No one wants to wake up with a hangover on a weekday. But that doesn’t mean you have to save the buzz for the weekend. WYNK offers the perfect solution: a zero-calorie, zero-sugar, zero-alcohol seltzer with, as the brand puts it, just a “WYNK” of THC, for a zero-regrets beverage that might just become your new social staple.
Wynk
The Backstory
WYNK: Seltzer + THC
Unlike some other infused seltzers, which can be manufactured by third-party vendors, WYNK actually makes its own products. This ensures a consistent, high-quality drink that deliver the dosage printed on the can every time.
Speaking of dosage, WYNK’s beverages come in two strengths: 2.5mg and 5mg of THC per can for low- and medium-dose options, respectively. (THC is the compound in cannabis that produces a high.) This THC is counterbalanced by an equal part of CBD, THC’s mellower, calming, non-psychoactive cousin, to produce a light, social buzz suitable for any gathering.
The Gist
Why Are WYNK’s Infused Seltzers a Game-Changer?
We already covered the main reasons you’d choose to reach for a WYNK instead of a boozy alternative But here’s an equally important factor: they’re absolutely delicious. The brand currently offers three fruit-forward flavors: Black Cherry Fizz, Lime Twist, and Juicy Mango.
Not sure which to try first? WYNK offers the perfect starting point with its Variety Pack ($65), which includes one six-pack of each of the refreshing flavors. Every can has 2.5mg each of both THC and CBD – ideal for casual sipping. And now, those seeking a stronger hit can also find the variety pack in new 5mg cans ($97).
Our POV
WYNK’s Variety Pack Is Your New Weeknight Starter Pack
Be the hero at your next social gathering by bringing a WYNK Variety Pack, with a flavor for everyone. These delicious seltzers will bring a balanced buzz to the party, and with no calories or alcohol, will leave everyone waking up regret-free the next morning. Snag a selection of the best THC seltzers in town now.
As cleverly reported by Apple Insider, Apple filed a patent for a “Modular Light Assembly For A Wearable Device” on December 7. The patent describes a device that’s connected to an Apple watch through the band and can be controlled via the Apple watch. A band-based tool would make for great user application in the field: press a button, light shines out the bottom of your wrist. Currently, the Apple watch “flashlight” involves the screen blasting white light (flashing, sometimes), often directly into the user’s face. Mechanical watch wearers have been taking the band-based approach with compasses for a long time. Smart thinking, Apple!
Today we’re taking a look at a Supreme x Vans collab, sake for stoners, a crazy skincare mask and more. This is Today in Gear.
Today in Gear is our daily roundup of all the latest product announcements, drops and news from Gear Patrol Studios. Send your most pressing product questions to [email protected].
Spicy New Supreme x Vans Drop Announced
Supreme x Vans
You have until tomorrow to prepare for Supreme x Vans’s release in the form of new Half Cab Pro and Old Skool Pro models. The new navy, orange and black colorways with faux leopard skin and SUPREME branding will surely be on our feet come spring.
A German Makrolon shell, a TSA-approved lock and a dedicated hidden pocket for AirTag or GPS tracking device highlight these new, excellently priced ($295) carry-ons from Ridge. The orange does it for us, but the green, black and navy are handsome, too.
Though it’ll make you look like Leonardo DiCaprio in The Man In the Iron Mask, TheraFace’s Mask ($599) uses red, infrared and blue LED lighting, plus vibration therapy, to firm up skin and prevent blemishes. Leo-esque youthfulness, here we come.
Your iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods—all charged quickly thanks to the Nomad Stand One Max ($110). This magsafe charger has a unique, compact look in weighted metal and glass. Plus it’ll juice up your devices twice as fast thanks to 15 watts of MFi magsafe charging.
Find the Blundstone Chelsea boot that fits your lifestyle.
Blundstone
Presented ByBlundstone
Published
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Blundstone has been making high-quality boots suited for both work and play for more than 150 years. In the last 60, the brand’s timeless, comfortable and easy-to-wear Chelsea model has become a true icon and made the brand a global household name, synonymous with supreme durability and classic style. There truly is a Blundstone Chelsea boot for everyone.
A super grippy, self-cleaning Vibram® outsole means this boot is made to go the distance. The rustic brown leather upper — a Blundstone signature — is water-resistant, making this truly an all-terrain go-to.
The classic Blundstone look, elevated. The refined profile of this boot is clad in premium black leather, bringing a lustrous shine. Bronze leather lining and premium Goodyear welt soles add a polished finish and durability.
Often imitated but never matched, the #500 is perhaps Blundstone’s most iconic offering, known for its incredible durability, supreme comfort and versatile look. From town to country, the high-quality stout brown leather will patina beautifully with wear and its water resistance will give these boots real staying power.
These lightweight kicks are comfortable wherever you are, whether that’s on a city street or off-trail in the mountains. The cushioned, shock-absorbing midsole and removable footbed will keep you comfortable all day.
The antique brown finish on these classic Chelsea boots creates a look that transcends setting. With the easy pull-on style, all-day comfort and water-resistant durability that comes with the Blundstone Chelsea name, they’re a closet staple.
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I’m a New England native who lived in New York City for a spell after college. I spent the bulk of my life dealing with cold and brutal winters and learned to adapt my wardrobe to keep warm and comfortable above all else during the six-ish months of the year when it sucks to go outside. Over time, that meant my go-to winter jacket became a puffy, down-filled parka with a faux fur-trimmed hood from Uniqlo. But in 2015, I moved to sunny and warm Los Angeles, which meant the winter gear went into hibernation … until last year when I returned to New England to stay.
Suddenly, I was met with a conundrum. During my time in California, I came to become more style-conscious — I guess that’s what happens when your career requires you to constantly cover cool brands and products — and I found my previous winter wardrobe to be lacking. While my old down parka was still as warm as ever, I realized that I didn’t always want to look like I had just come from a ski slope. I needed to find a way to look stylish and presented without sacrificing warmth, and I’ve found it in the Billy Reid Bond Peacoat.
I had been aware of the Bond Peacoat for years. The coat came into widespread consciousness back in 2012 when Daniel Craig wore it as James Bond in Skyfall. Funnily enough, the coat’s name actually pre-dates its star-making turn in the superspy’s wardrobe. It dates to 2001 and was actually named for the brand’s Bond Street store in New York. I was also a fan of Billy Reid as a whole before acquiring the coat — I own several pieces from the Alabama-based brand. I love its elevated takes on menswear basics, and I tend to think of its eponymous founder and designer as a Southern Todd Snyder.
The Bond Peacoat has regrettably turned me into one of those mirror-selfie people.Johnny Brayson
This winter, I finally got the Bond Peacoat, and I’ve never had a winter coat that makes me feel the way this one does. And I’ve owned peacoats before — I had a black wool one from Calvin Klein for years in my 20s. But that one, like other winter coats I’ve worn, had no shape to it. It lay on me like a burlap sack, giving me an amorphous blob-like shape that I would be destined to recreate every winter. But the Billy Reid coat has changed all that.
This coat is Italian-made and cut like an Italian suit, with a streamlined slim fit that is relentlessly flattering. It’s crafted from sturdy wool and stitched with bound seams, making the coat rugged and warm enough to forego a liner, cutting down on bulk. This allows the coat to wear more like a blazer than an overcoat, meaning it hugs my body where it should and makes me feel put-together regardless of what I have on under it.
Johnny BraysonJohnny Brayson
The Bond Peacoat also has a number of minor details that make it feel elevated and special, and the coat translates those feelings to me whenever I put it on. There’s a calfskin leather strip in the brand’s trademark ribbon pattern underneath the collar, only visible when I pop the collar to keep out the wind. The buttons are made from genuine horn and look a whole lot more polished and premium than the constantly detaching buttons of my old CK peacoat. Then there are the peak lapels, the slanted hand-warmer pockets, the clean-finished cuffs and the flap pockets with hidden leather linings and button closures — all of which make the coat feel as carefully executed as a bespoke suit.
The Billy Reid Bond Peacoat is like beautiful armor that simultaneously shields me from the cold and gives me a boost of confidence every time I pull my arms through the sleeves. It’s now my go-to winter jacket for everything from walking the dog to running errands to going out to dinner. Sorry, Uniqlo parka.
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For the first time in nearly a decade, Storz & Bickel — one of the most influential and innovative names in the cannabis vaporizer space — has released an entirely new vape. Called the Venty, it promises speed and efficiency unheard of with other vaporizers, and its precision is said to be as exacting as other S&B products (which is already a high bar, no pun intended).
But can this brand’s promises stand up to the hype? To find out, I got hands-on with the brand-spanking-new Venty to find out for myself. Over the course of several weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of using this new device as my daily weed vape, putting it through the paces to see if, indeed, the Venty lives up to its towering promises and potential. Here’s what I found out.
Storz & Bickel Venty: What We Think
At $449, this is Storz & Bickel’s most expensive portable vaporizer to date — and its third-most expensive, period (coming in just $30 under the famed Volcano Classic). That alone is going to scare off a lot of potential buyers. Pair that with its size — about the same as a TV remote but with a bit more girth — and the Venty may be a pretty tough sell.
Having said that, this vape is noticeably better performance-wise than virtually every other I’ve tested, at least from a technological standpoint. It heats up so fast that the time is almost negligible (at least twice as fast as most others). And the adjustable airflow allows for hits as big or small as you want (just be careful, as it can hit pretty hard if you’re not paying attention).
All told, I genuinely believe that the Venty sets a new standard in the weed vape industry, and I’m interested to see how long other brands take to catch up. Yes, it’s quite expensive and could be smaller, but it’s definitely worth the investment if the price doesn’t immediately spook you.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
In the past, I’ve been disappointed by the amount of time weed vapes take to heat up to a smokable temperature, especially when it comes to higher-end portable options. So when I heard that the Storz & Bickel Venty was the brand’s fastest device to date, I was skeptical. That skepticism was quashed the first time I turned the thing on. Not only does this thing heat up super fast (just 20 seconds from cold), but it happened so fast I wasn’t even paying attention by the time it was ready to go.
Sean TirmanSean Tirman
Upon further use (and in an attempt to scrutinize its jaw-dropping speed), I can confirm that this is the fastest dry herb vape I’ve ever used. And it’s a true pleasure not to have to sit and wait around to take that first puff. Even at higher temperatures — there are three presets available, all with just a double-click of the power button: Basic (356 degrees Fahrenheit), Boost (383 degrees Fahrenheit) and Super (410 degrees Fahrenheit) — it’s just as quick.
Watch out — the adjustable airflow might surprise you
At the top of the vape, just below the mouthpiece, there’s a small orange dial demarcated with a series of notches — I, II and III — meant to illustrate the amount of airflow available. This is a first-of-its-kind inclusion and another I was skeptical of (could there really be that much of a difference, or is this all smoke and mirrors?). It turns out I was wrong yet again.
The dial below the mouthpiece allows you to easily increase or decrease the device’s airflow.Sean Tirman
Not only does the dial actually work — restricting the airflow as much (or as little) as you want — but the sizable hits I got out of going all-out to the highest setting took me by surprise. What I’ve come to love about this, however, is that it lets me better control how high I want to get. Want just a little puff to take the edge off? Set it to the lowest setting and take just a couple of puffs to your satisfaction. Want to melt into your couch and veg for half an afternoon? Crank that guy up and breathe in deep. I wouldn’t call the airflow dial a necessary inclusion, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t enjoying using it.
When I first saw what the Venty looked like, I saw it only in pictures and not held in someone’s hand. Compared to the brand’s other vapes and devices, it looked downright small. Unfortunately, I was incorrect in that estimation, discovering that it’s really more like the size of a TV remote or even a microphone.
About the size of a TV remote, the Venty is one of Storz & Bickel’s more portable weed vapes.Sean Tirman
Granted, that still makes it more compact and portable than many of the brand’s other devices — especially the Volcano and even the Mighty+ — but it isn’t quite as small as I had hoped. Yes, I would still call it portable, but portable like something you’d keep at home and tote from place to place. I would not say it is pocketable unless you are stashing it in your cargo pants pocket, and that limits where you might take it.
Is the device worth the price? I’m not convinced
The most eye-watering piece of the Venty puzzle is the price. At $449, it’s Storz & Bickel’s third-most expensive product and a good $50 over the next-closest portable vape (the Mighty+). When your competition is vapes that are half that price or less, you’ve got to wonder if the investment is really worth it.
While I’m not sure I’d be so eager to spend this amount of money on a vape (one without a replaceable battery, no less), I actually do understand the price point. It’s the technology and nigh-medical precision that this thing offers that excuse the incredibly high price. And those features have definitely left a very positive impression on me. If you have the means, I’d certainly recommend spending your scratch on the Venty. If it feels excessive, this device probably isn’t for you.
Storz & Bickel Venty: Alternatives
Obviously, any alternative you might pick out isn’t going to stand up to the kinds of tech and precision found in the Venty. That being said, there’s no reason you can’t get a great vape for a fraction of the price, including the Pax Plus (our pick for the best all-around vape you can buy). And while I might not suggest picking up the Mighty+ (just spend the extra $50 at this point), its sibling, the Mighty, is only $319 and offers much of the same precision, if not the same speed. And if you want something much, much more budget-friendly, you could do far worse than the G Pen Dash, our best affordable vape pick.
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The Opal Tadpole is an external webcam that faces an upstream battle (do tadpoles swim upstream?). It comes a few years after the great webcam shortage during the pandemic when you couldn’t find a webcam online or, if you did, its price was exorbitantly inflated. Thankfully, it’s a lot easier (and cheaper) to buy a webcam nowadays.
Also, laptop manufacturers have caught up with the times. Seemingly learning from webcam demand, most laptops that have been released in the past two-ish years have significantly improved webcams — most are 1080p or higher.
Lastly, Opal’s Tadpole is a webcam with a unique purpose: it’s specifically designed for laptops. It’s the smallest and most travel-friendly webcam that I’ve tested, but its USB-C cable is too short to use with most desktop or monitor setups (assuming you want to place it on top of your display, of course).
Basically, the Opal Tadpole is an external webcam that limits itself to people with older laptops that have cruddy webcams or people with newer laptops who want an even better webcam. And at $175, it’s not that cheap of an upgrade.
Still, despite all these currents (a fast-flowing water reference) fighting against the Tadpole, I can’t help but kind of love this little device. It’s a fantastic, albeit simple, webcam.
The Tadpole is available in white (pictured) or black finishes.Tucker Bowe
The Opal Tadpole is an adorable little webcam that’s easy to use, works well and, in my opinion, is quite stylish. It’s a tough sell, however, being that it’s really only meant for standalone laptops … its integrated cable simply isn’t long enough to allow it to work with a desktop or monitor setup. If you’re somebody who travels with a laptop — especially a laptop from a few years ago — and is looking for a quick way to improve how you look and sound on video calls, the Tadpole is a surefire (albeit somewhat pricey) solution.
1080p image quality is not that much better than newest laptops
The cable is too short for the webcam to work in a desktop or monitor setup
It's not exactly cheap
It’s a plug-and-play webcam … that works with everything
Tucker BoweTucker Bowe
Probably the most refreshing about the Opal Tadpole is, it just works. There’s no serious setup process or app you need to install to get the Opal working. You simply plug it into your laptop, click the permission notification (allowing your computer to trust the accessory), and you’re in business. It’s truly plug and play.
If you have a Mac, there is a companion app — Opal Composer — that you can download to give you more manual controls over things like bokeh, lighting, colors and zoom (to name a few). I tried it just to see what it’s like … and it’s simple and intuitive, but not something that most people will feel the need to go back to frequently.
It’s a small webcam with a big sensor
Tucker BoweTucker Bowe
Photo (above): The M3 MacBook Pro’s 1080p webcam (left) vs the Opal Tadpole’s 1080p webcam (right). Both are quite good, but different.
The Tadpole is not a 4K webcam. Or rather, it doesn’t shoot 4K. It has a 48-megapixel sensor — which is a big sensor that’s actually the same one (Sony IMX582) found in some fairly recent Samsung and OnePlus smartphones — and outputs a 1080p (or HD) picture. According to Opal, the Tadpole can actually capture 4K video but it downscales to 1080p as that is “the current maximum of all video conferencing applications.”
I own an M2 MacBook Air and am testing the most-recent M3 MacBook Pro — both also have 1080p webcams. And, in my opinion, the Tadpole delivers a more realistic picture with more contrast and a bright background that doesn’t blow your face out quite as easily. However, the quality shift not as night-and-day as you might think — many new laptops have very good webcams — and you might even prefer the brighter look of your MacBook’s webcam.
The built-in mic is actually quite good
The USB-C connector also doubles as a tap-to-mute capacitive button.Tucker Bowe
The Tadpole isn’t an “all-in-one” webcam. There’s no built-in speaker or glow light — there’s no space for it — but it does have a built-in microphone that’s pretty good. It’s a front-facing directional microphone that Opal has integrated with “VisiMic” technology; it basically helps the mic only pick up sounds from right in front of the camera, and block most everything else out.
In my testing I found that the mic isolated these noises pretty well; I work from home so most of the background noise comes from the TV. However, colleagues told me that I still sounded better when just using my new MacBook Pro … but it has “studio-quality mics” and I wouldn’t expect a tiny webcam to compete with that.
It’s an adorable and well-built gadget.
The Tadpole comes with a little silicone lens cover. Tucker Bowe
Despite its small size, the Tadpole feels anything but cheap. It’s made mostly of aluminum and glass, with a silicone clip that firmly grips the back of your laptop and a braided USB-C cable. After reading David Pierce’s review on The Verge, I can’t help but think it looks a little like an iPad Shuffle too. It’s a premium build.
The other neat thing is that the USB-C connector that plugs into your laptop has a capacitive touch sensor; by tapping it, you can mute and unmute your microphone (a red light turns on/off to let you know when you’re muted or not). It’s easy to use and works well, although it’s exactly software capability varies video conferencing apps. When in Google Meet, for example, I could mute myself in the call by touching the webcam, but they wouldn’t recognize each other. That’s a little annoying.
Overall, however, the construction is impressive — and hey if you’ve made it this far, the Tadpole just might be for you.
Welcome to Brand Breakdown, a series of comprehensive yet easy-to-digest guides to your favorite companies, with insights and information you won’t find on the average About page.
Mercedes-Benz produces a wide range of cars, from relatively affordable sub-compacts to opulent pleasure sedans for the uber-rich. The company names its vehicles efficiently – no faux-French flair required – with letters and numbers. That naming system, while sensible, can get a bit confusing for buyers.
There are GLA, GLB, GLC, GLE, and GLS SUVs, none of which should be mistaken for the G-Class. That’s before you get to the multiple variations of each with different engine sizes, drivetrains and body styles. Essentially, letters found later in the alphabet denote larger, more expensive vehicles and larger numbers denote more powerful (and more costly) engines. For example, a GLA 250 is a smaller, lower-powered SUV than a GLS 580.
While in the past Mercedes-Benz model ‘numbers’ corresponded to their engine volumes (an E55 featured a 5.5-liter engine), that is no longer the case. Turbocharging and hybrid technology has advanced to the point where big horsepower can be derived from much smaller engines. An example below like the AMG E63 currently features a turbocharged 4.0-liter engine (and may get smaller in the future)
And so it’s obvious: the Mercedes-Benz lineup cries out for a helpful explainer, delineating all the different options and terms and what to expect. See below for a simplified guide.
Mercedes-Benz Sub-Brands
EQ: Mercedes uses EQ branding for its electric vehicles.
Mercedes-AMG: This is Mercedes’s high-performance division. AMG cars are typically sportier, more aggressively styled and more expensive than the standard models.
Mercedes-Maybach: Mercedes revived the Maybach brand as a new luxury sub-brand. These vehicles are positioned at a much higher price point than typical Mercedes models.
Mythos: Mercedes has announced a new Mythos lineup that will be top-of-the-line, ultra-exclusive collectors’ models. None are out yet as of December 2023.
Mercedes-Benz Terminology
4MATIC:All-wheel-drive
4MATIC+:All-wheel-drive on an AMG car
Cabriolet: A four-seat convertible
Coupe: A car with a sloping arch-like roofline. For Mercedes, this can be a two-door car, a four-door car or an SUV
EQ Boost: Mild-hybrid system added to some turbocharged engines. An “electric auxiliary compressor” generates electric power as the turbocharger spools up to provide smooth acceleration
Roadster: A two-seat convertible
The Complete Mercedes-Benz Buying Guide
Cars (Sedans, Coupes, Convertibles and Station Wagons)
C-Class
Will Sabel Courtney
The C-Class is Mercedes’s compact car, available as a four-door sedan, two-door coupe or two-door convertible. The W206 generation debuted for the 2022 model year. A monstrous 671-horsepower C 63 S E Performance hybrid is coming for the 2024 model year.
The second-generation CLA is Mercedes’s four-door, entry-level compact “coupe.” Mercedes describes it as having “show car shape with seductive details.” The second generation debuted for 2019 and, with the A-class entering the lineup, moved a bit up market. All three versions use the base 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-four. Two AMGs are on tap now: a CLA 35 making 302 hp and a CLA45 making 382 hp. All AMG CLAs are all-wheel-drive, but the 45 can be equipped with “drift mode” that turns off the front axle’s power.
Mercedes essentially fused the C-Class Coupe and the E-Class Coupe into the all-new CLE Coupe, which will be available in early 2024. The aim is for it to be more luxurious than the C-Class Coupe and sportier than the E-Class Coupe, meeting the desires of both customers. It’s launching with four and six-cylinder powertrains in early 2024. A Cabriolet convertible will follow after the Coupe.
The CLS is a sleek, sporty-looking four-door coupe. Mercedes describes it as having “lean, toned muscle.” The current third-gen model launched in 2018. The CLS employs 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine delivering 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and comes with all-wheel drive. The CLS is departing the lineup for 2024.
The E-Class is Mercedes’s midsize car, a step up in both size and price from the C-Class. It’s all-new for the 2024 model year and available as a four-door sedan (four-cylinder and six-cylinder) or an all-terrain wagon (six-cylinder). All motors feature an integrated starter generator than can add around 20 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque.
The Mercedes EQE is a midsize luxury sedan, the electric counterpart to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The EQE is new for the 2023 model year. It’s available in both RWD and AWD, with the former version offering up to 305 miles of EPA range on a single charge. The top-tier Mercedes AMG EQE can get up to 677 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque with the AMG Dynamic Plus package and accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds.
The EQS is Mercedes’s all-electric full-size sedan that debuted for the 2021 model year and runs on a dedicated EV platform. It comes in three versions: a 329 hp RWD EQS 450+, a 516 hp AWD EQS 580 4MATIC and an AMG EQS version with 658 continuous horsepower and up to 761 with launch control. The base model can deliver up to 350 miles of range per the EPA and has the lowest drag coefficient of any production car on sale today.
The S-Class is Mercedes’s flagship full-size sedan. It’s all-new for the 2021 model year and, as usual, it’s a technological tour de force. Coupe and cabriolet versions depart the lineup after 2021. Expect AMG versions and plug-in hybrids in the near future. For now, there are three options, each with 4MATIC AWD. There’s a six-cylinder S 500 with 429 hp, an eight-cylinder with 496 hp, and a luxurious Mercedes-Maybach version.
The Mercedes AMG GT is a high-performance sports coupe that competes with the Porsche 911. Mercedes unveiled an all-new version for the 2024 model year. It’s currently available in two-door coupe form. But Mercedes has offered four-door and roadster versions in the past. The coupe comes in two V8 versions. The top model can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and hit a top speed of 196 mph.
Mercedes revived its SL Roadster for the 2022 model year. Unlike the outgoing SL, it’s more of a hard-edged sports car developed by AMG. It comes with two V8 versions that are AWD. The SL 43 AMG packs a 375-hp four-cylinder and strips away much of the performance tech to bring the cost down considerably.
The GLA-class is Mercedes’s smallest and most affordable luxury subcompact SUV. It’s sleeker than the boxy GLB with a sloping roofline. Mercedes revealed an updated GLA for the 2024 model year. It comes in front-wheel-drive GLA 250 and all-wheel-drive GLA 250 4MATIC versions. Both pack 221 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.
The GLB is Mercedes’s boxy compact crossover, that slots between the GLA and GLC. Mercedes debuted a new version for the 2024 model year. It comes in both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions and offers an optional third-row to seat seven passengers.
The Mercedes EQB is a luxury compact electric crossover. It’s related to the GLB combustion SUV. The EQB 250+ is front-wheel-drive, cheaper and offers the most range (245 miles). You can level up to the EQB 350 4MATIC with 288 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. Like the GLB, the EQB offers a third row with up to 7 seats (though the back row is tight).
The GLC is Mercedes’s compact mid-level SUV, equivalent to the C-Class on the sedan side. It is Mercedes’s best-selling passenger vehicle in the United States. It can be bought in a traditional SUV or SUV Coupe shape. AMG versions are coming, including an AMG GLC 63 model that packs 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque.
The GLE is Mercedes’s mid-size luxury SUV, the SUV equivalent of the E-Class. It’s the direct descendant of Mercedes’s first luxury SUV in America, the M-Class. The current fourth generation debuted for 2019. Mercedes offers you a lot of options. You can get a GLE with inline-four, inline-six and V8 engines. It can be fitted with either five or seven seats. There’s a base GLE 350 offered in RWD. You can also get a swoopy SUV Coupe roofline on the AMG models.
The Mercedes EQE is the brand’s smaller, cheaper electric SUV. It’s all-new for the 2023 model year. It’s built on a dedicated Mercedes EV platform. It has two rows and seats five passengers. It can offer up to 617 horsepower in the AMG EQE SUV model and up to 279 miles of electric range in the RWD version.
The GLS is Mercedes’s full-size, three-row luxury SUV. It’s the SUV equivalent of the S-Class sedan, though it enters at a lower price point than the G-class. Mercedes pledges the GLS will “take you to a place where leadership is omnipresent,” whatever that’s supposed to mean. (If everyone’s a leader, how does that even work?) A top-of-the-line Mercedes-Maybach version entered the lineup for 2021. All versions come with 4MATIC all-wheel drive.
The Mercedes EQS SUV is a full-size luxury electric SUV, the electric counterpart to the GLS crossover. It’s new for the 2023 model year. Like the EQS and EQE sedans, it runs on Mercedes’s dedicated EV architecture. The EQS SUV is available in both RWD and AWD. It offers seating for up to seven passengers and up to 536 hp and 633 lb-ft of torque in the EQS SUV 580 4MATIC version. The top EPA range is 305 miles in RWD spec.
The G-Wagen is Mercedes’s boxy, off-road-capable body-on-frame midsize SUV. The current second generation debuted for 2018. There are two versions, the 416 hp G 550 and the 577 hp AMG G 63. The latter may be the most capable all-around vehicle on the market. It’s great at everything except consuming fuel efficiently. Mercedes is planning to branch the G-Class into its own “G” sub-brand and will produce an EQG electric version.
Nature’s Generator
