Good morning, and welcome to the latest edition of This Week in Gear — your single-shot serving of an entire week’s worth of killer new gear pulled from our weekday editions of Today in Gear. Bookmark it to peruse over Sunday football and start your Monday completely up to speed. Here’s to another fantastic week.
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It’s the beginning of the end of Mad Men in just over a week, and Birchbox is cashing in with a package inspired by the show. New subscribers to the monthly toiletry curation and delivery service will receive a period-inspired box; along with basics like shaving cream, razors and aftershave, each box may include a pair of boxer briefs, body wash, cologne or lotion. No commemorative pack of Lucky Strikes, though. $20/month
They don’t have paisleys, but Interior Define’s distinctly modern sofas would be all too appropriate for a Mad Men viewing party. The company’s furniture is made to order, and like the new crop of mattress manufacturers, costs are reduced at a rate of nearly 50 percent by selling direct to consumers online. interiordefine.com
Further down the retro rabbit hole is McIntosh Laboratory, a lauded manufacturer of audio equipment since 1949. Their newly revamped C22 preamp, despite its throwback style, delivers sound at a 0.08 percent ultra low distortion rate across 10 input channels (8 stereo inputs, 2 phono; 6 unbalanced, 4 balanced) and at an impedance of 20K ohms. It’s a fine addition to any home audio setup, retro or modern. mcintoshlabs.com
Gin is as retro as spirits get, so Boodles benefits from hundreds of years of boozy advancement with their well-honed recipe of nutmeg, sage, rosemary and more, foregoing citrus botanicals for an extra dry product. It’s all infused in a Carter Head copper still with a clean spirit distilled from British wheat. boodlesgin.com
Some vices are better off modernized. The monolithic PAX 2 vaporizer improves on the old PAX with a lip-sensing mouthpiece that adjusts its according to skin temperature, a brushed anodized aluminum shell, a larger oven for continuous heating and a vapor path constructed with medical-grade components. $280
Timekeeping luddites and tech zealots will argue over the Apple Watch for days, but that won’t stop Twelve South. The Apple accessory designer’s HiRise Apple Watch is a magnetic, charging bedside stand for the new timepiece designed to show off its slick/atrocious design (depends on who you ask) at a tilted angle and prevent strap damage with rounded silicone edges. $50
It may not have a 430 horsepower flat-six engine, but the LaCie USB-C Mobile drive was designed by Porsche and built for speed. The solid aluminum casing holds a hard drive with a transfer speed of 100MB per second, carrying 500GB, 1TB or 2TB of storage depending on your chosen model. $129
Carlock replaces a handful of automotive devices and apps by combining them into one. Carlock connects directly to your car and tracks its position — great for teen driving or anti-theft purposes — and can notify you if your car has been in an accident, monitor its performance and act as a navigation app. $109
Tequila doesn’t age the same as whiskey, so it’s extremely rare to find an old tequila that still holds the signature agave taste. Patron just released Patrón Extra Añejo 7 Años, the oldest tequila that’s ever come from the brand, claiming it to be their boldest and best-tasting tequila yet. patronspirits.com
Cheap black plastic doesn’t cut it for space shuttles, nuclear subs or Formula 1 cars, so why should you settle for it when combing your hair? Treat your follicles to aerospace grade 5 titanium with Octovo’s Titanium Comb. And because it’s not just any comb, it comes in a custom made, Italian leather sleeve. $115
With the horological world at a fever pitch during this year’s Baselworld, you’ve no doubt been tempted into buying a new timepiece; so why not give it the full lux treatment with a Bas & Lokes Manolo Watch Pouch? A handmade Italian leather pouch to go with you new handmade Swiss watch makes plenty of sense. $89+
Tailored for the jetset dapper traveler, the Bonobos Jetsetter Suit was designed to hold its crisp lines no matter how many frequent flyer miles you throw at it, with a four-season-friendly wool, a little bit of stretch and a passport pocket. The red eye just met its match. $525
Onia’s first-ever tech-inspired board shorts are perfect for summer. Each pair is made with a four-way stretch material that’s also water resistant. They’re great swim trunks, but thanks to their precision paneling and engineered seaming, they make comfortable and functional shorts as well. $195
True sports fans
Look out for this NYC-based company’s 2015 Spring Line, which will be released in early April. From new riding jerseys, to vests, to shorts and more, they’ll have them all in a spectrum of spring colors. searchandstate.com
With Masters right around the corner, golf fans are just getting revved up. To get you even more excited, Bushnell is releasing a tournament-legal rangefinder that has everything to help shake off that early-season rust. It reads yardage and slopes, and allows for toggling between display sharpness and colors for optimal visibility. bushnellgolf.com
Nite Ize makes tech-based solutions for nighttime challenges. Their new LED Run Vest is lightweight and weather resistant, and it illuminates brightly enough for cars to easily see it in the dark. The vest runs on (easily replaceable) 3V lithium batteries and has zippered dry pockets for valuables. $36
The combination of a premium leather upper, a rugged neoprene sole and over 108 years of company experience: these are Red Wing’s Foreman Chukkas. They come in two colors (Briar Oil Slick or Black Harness) and are versatile enough to wear to work, no matter where you work. $290
360fly is the next evolutionary leap in action sports POV videography. Its 360-degree video format allows you to capture any moment from almost every angle all at once. Its rugged design is resistant to water, sand and dirt, leaving you with endless opportunities to capture your next adventure. $499
The iMacompanion USB 3.0 port aims to make a user-friendly device even more accessible. This unique port allows you to utilize your USB devices from the front of your desktop while preserving the design of your iMac. It’s a simple yet intuitive addition to your everyday workflow. $40
The Datasat RS20i looks to be the most versatile, customizable and feature-rich audio processor available today. The RS20i provides true-to-source transparent audio that’s packed with memory profile settings and extensive automation controls. Its streamlined design is an easy addition to any high-end home entertainment system. datasatdigital.com
Isaora’s Ultrasonic Mackintosh is an extremely streamlined overcoat designed for a life in motion. This Italian-made garment was crafted with laser-cut seams and Ultrasonic Welded construction to provide a lock-tight piece that’s nearly impermeable to weather. Efficient, light and bulk-free — this is as good as it gets for spring apparel. $395
Buster + Punch’s Smoked Bulb is one of the first LED bulbs to be finished in smoked glass. The resin light pipe at the center of the bulb creates a subtle ambient light while providing focused light onto the surface below. Providing 10,000 hours of light, it’s a sophisticated approach to energy efficiency. $60
The Lowepro Echelon Series is the brand’s newest line of luxury luggage designed for professional photographers. Each piece (Attaché, Brief and Roller) provides the same level of expected protection in a highly refined design. This three-piece set keeps your most important equipment riding first class, always.
$340-800
Port’s strong-hold, wax-like Texturizing Hair Putty is easy to distribute evenly through hair and add volume and weight to thinning manes. It works just as well with full heads of hair, without imparting an overly glossy sheen to the finished look. $22
Lightweight without the fluff, this CORDURA nylon Minimalist Backpack from Dyer & Jenkins stays true to its name without skimping on durability. It comes equipped with an external zippered front pocket, heavy-duty seatbelt shoulder straps and a vegetable-tanned leather bottom panel. $98
Shaped like a traditional glass pint, Hydro Flask’s 16-ounce True Pint is designed with double-wall vacuum insulation to keep your foamers cold on a hot summer’s day outdoors. The lip is even angled in a way to help the outpour of beer and release of the brew’s natural aromas. $22
Matcha is a very fine green tea powder prepared during tea ceremonies in Japan. Panatea’s ceremonial-grade set, available for preorder, contains everything you need to make it at home, including an illustrated directional pamphlet that shows you how. $67
The Citymaps app, available for both iOS and Android, lets users create their own personalized maps of favorite restaurants and points of interest in cities around the world. As a plus, these curated guides can be shared with friends easily and include directions for driving, walking and public transportation. citymaps.com
Feet swell in the warm temperatures. That’s where the airy Mist trail shoe from Swedish footwear brand Icebug excels, expanding to the shape of your feet wile allowing them to breath. Meanwhile, the RB9X outsole provides the traction needed to tackle the trails you’ve been waiting all winter to run again. $130
