We publish our weekly roundup of gear news for you to enjoy over the weekend. Savor it with your Saturday morning coffee, or use it to fend off the existential panic of Sunday night — it’s up to you. Comments or concerns? We’d love to hear from you at tig@gearpatrol.com.
This Week in Review
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10 Best Online Coffee Subscription Services
Because fresh coffee shouldn't be a guessing game, these services have made its effective delivery a science.
The 10 Best Sleep Accessories to Try in 2020
Not every sleep accessory will work for every person, but our list of some of the best around the web is a good place to start looking.
The 14 Best Charcoal Grills You Can Buy in 2020
The best charcoal grills you can buy at every price point and for every backyard.
More than 40 of the Best Charcoal, Gas and Pellet Grills for Summer 2020
Whether you're a charcoal purist or need a grill small enough to fit in your apartment closet, we've got a recommendation.
The 6 Best Coffee Makers for Camping
Headed for the wilderness? Don't forget the tools to make your precious life-giving elixir.
The Bauhaus Is One of the Most Influential Design Movements in History
Founded in Germany by Walter Gropius in 1919, the Bauhaus continues to influence architecture, product design, watchmaking and more.
The 5 Best Cold Brew Coffee Makers of 2020
Stop the French presses. Buy one of these five great cold brew coffee makers instead.
Why the Hell Is There a Dimple on the Bottom of Wine Bottles? We Found Out
Bottoms up -- wait, what's that dent?
I Love My Japanese-Style Iced Coffee More Than Air Conditioning
Japan really does do everything better -- even iced coffee.
A New Bourbon Whiskey Named After a Golf Course Is One of the Best Things I Drank Last Month
A mountain of booze passes through the Gear Patrol office every month. Here are some of our staff's favorites.
Snacking on Skins Is Huge in Japan. Could It Get Huge in the States?
No, we're not turning into cannibals. The latest snack trend is fried animal skins.
For the First Time Ever, You Can Buy Whiskey from a Distiller on the Internet (Sort of)
You can now order The Macallan online. If only we could get Pappy now.
Here Are 6 of the Best-Designed Home Products of 2020
A little Red Dot is a seal of approval for good design.
A Company That Makes Fire Pits Designed a Charcoal Grill That Gets Hotter, Faster
A Weber alternative if there ever was one.
Finally, Fake Houseplants That Don’t Look Fake
The Sill's collection of fake plants are up to 20 percent off for July 4th.
This New Cutting Board Is the Ultimate Meal Prep Upgrade
TidyBoard's name is self-explanatory: it's a tidy cutting board.
Motoring
Essential Gear for Car Owners: Be Ready for the Road
Living with a car, whether you use it primarily for work and commuting, long road trips or weekend drives out of the city, it pays to be as prepared as possible.
7 Car-Themed Pieces of Furniture We’d Actually Want in Our Homes
Coffee tables, end tables, lamps and more, all with a classy mechanical influence.
The Cars We Desperately Wanted to Drive in High School
From exquisite Porsches to Nissan SUVs, these are the cars we daydreamed about driving in high school (and maybe still do).
Watch One of the Coolest Pickup Trucks of the Future Strut Its Stuff
If we had to rank the EVs we're most excited for...we'd be hard-pressed not to put this one at the top of the list.
Toyota’s New Truck Could Be a Sneak Peek at the Next Tacoma
Toyota used to sell just one midsize pickup truck. Could the Tacoma and Hilux merge once again?
These 12 Cars Just Won One of the Biggest Design Awards in the World
Perhaps unsurprising: Ferrari and Mazda both did pretty well.
The Jeep Wrangler Could Be Losing Its Coolest Engine Very Soon
It might be time to wave goodbye to eTorque.
The Next Ford Mustang Could Be Unlike Any Muscle Car in History
One part of this, we expected. The other? Not so much.
Help Hungry People Across America Just By Entering to Win This Range Rover
Support a great cause — and potentially win the most remarkable Range Rover on the market.
The Cheaper, Stripped-Down Land Rover Defender You Really Want Has Arrived
But there's a catch.
GM Could Be About to Fix the Biggest Problem With Its Pickup Trucks
The Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra could be a good bit more aesthetically pleasing in the near future.
Toyota Might Be Planning Massive Changes to Its Trucks and SUVs
The next few years should be pretty exciting at Toyota.
Chevrolet May Be Planning to Destroy the Ford Raptor
Ford's toughest truck has owned its niche of the pickup truck market since it debuted in 2010. Chevy might change that.
Is This Boxy-and-Badass Off-Roader What the New Defender Should Have Been?
When a British billionaire couldn't get Land Rover to sell him the plans and parts to build the old Defender...he set about making his own.
In the 1980s, Ford Had Some Very Weird Ideas for the Bronco
The Bronco is timeless. But these 1980s Bronco concepts were very much of their time.
Here’s How You Can Be One of the First People to See the New Ford Bronco
The Bronco is set to dominate the airwaves on July 13th.
This Camper Van Has a Killer App: A Back Porch
Bring yet another comfort of home with you on the road.
Outdoors and Fitness
I Found the Best Way to Combine Exercise and Errands
Apidura's new Packable Backpack makes it possible to go on the leanest, longest bike ride and still stop for groceries on the way home.
How a Billion Dollar Eyewear Company Started in the Back of a Honda Civic
Before it made sunglasses, goggles, helmets, outerwear, backpacks and NFL face shields, Oakley was just a man and his car.
The Best New Knives and EDC of July 2020
Recently, Drop teamed up with Quiet Carry, Field Notes released a heavy-duty notepad, Benchmade revealed a unique tool and more.
The 16 Best Running Shoes Available Right Now
This list of top performers incorporates both recent winners and time-tested standbys to help you find the perfect pair.
This New Bike Helmet Will Make You Want to Wear a Bike Helmet
Loaded with seamlessly integrated features, the Thousand Chapter MIPS Helmet is destined to make cycling safer — and more stylish.
Design Experts Say This Is the Best E-Bike of 2020
Leave it to a Dutch company to create e-bikes good-looking and functional enough to win a prestigious international Red Dot design award.
A New Knife Demonstrates the Best Emerging Trend in EDC
Civivi's new knife, the Mandate, is sleek and comes with extra blades, but it's an example of something bigger happening in the knife world.
Style
The Best Bandanas to Use Every Day
From your garden-variety paisley prints to life-saving survival squares to luxe renditions.
Like Patagonia Baggies? Then You’ll Love These Shorts, Too
Baggies are a classic summer short that have inspired many alternative shorts. Here are the ones you should consider.
Sizing for Clothes Can Be Confusing. This Will Help You Get it Right
Letter sizing for clothes are almost useless. To get the right size, here's what you need to know.
Why You Need an Insulated Jacket in the Summer
Before you pack all your winter clothing into a box bound for the attic, stop, think and take that puffy jacket back out. Yes, an insulated jacket is great for summer use. Here's why.
The 12 Best Lightweight Chinos to Wear All Summer Long
From Todd Snyder, Everlane, Bills and more.
Warby Parker’s New Eyewear Collection Brings Steely Cool Looks
Lightweight steel frames in classically hip shapes.
Ever Wonder Why There’s a Loop on the Back of Your Button-Down Shirt? We Found Out
It prevents wrinkles, lets people know if you're spoken for and it's on the back of your favorite button up shirt.
14 Stylish Sandals to Wear All Summer Long
You wouldn't wear a parka in the middle of summer, so why are you still wrapping your feet up in shoes?
How to Dress Cool Through Hot Weather
If you're gonna make it through summer, you'd better dress appropriately. These are the best tips for dressing when it comes to hot weather.
The Best Tote Bags to Take to the Beach This Summer
All the best beach-ready totes from simple canvas classics to feature-packed carryalls.
These Two Iconic Brands Just Made Your New Beach Outfit
From SoCal to New York, this beach-ready collaboration takes a bicoastal approach to surf style.
13 Sneaky Secrets Your Favorite Products are Hiding
You may think you understand everything there is to know about something so simple as a shirt, but do you really? You might be surprised.
Tech
Which Should You Buy: Smartwatch or Fitness Tracker?
In the past, there has been a clear divide between what was a fitness tracker and what was a smartwatch. Not so much anymore.
The Small Company Making Some of the World’s Best Headphones
Meze Audio is a hi-fi company in Romania that is making some the best headphones money can buy.
5 Gadgets That Clean Your Smartphone For You
They give your smartphone a blue light bath, killing 99-percent of germs.
The Most Popular Vintage Receivers and Amplifiers, According to a Hi-Fi Shop Owner
Mike Garry, owner of Hudson Valley HiFi, reveals the most popular vintage receivers and amplifiers that people are buying.
What’s Actually the Difference Between a Cheap and Expensive Stereo Receiver?
A stereo receiver is a necessary audio component in any hi-fi system. But what exactly is the difference between one that costs $150 and $500?
4 Mistakes You’re Making When You Charge Your Phone
What's the best way to charge your phone? What habits should you bend over backwards to avoid? We talked to a battery expert to find out.
Can New Technology Help You Get Fitter at Home?
At a time when home fitness is especially relevant, two new products promise to help you sweat without crowding your house. Our testers check them out and weigh in.
The Best Compact Cameras to Buy in 2020
Capture your next adventure in high res with some of the best compact digital cameras.
This $20 Purchase Is Already My Summer MVP
I'm forever indebted to the gadget that brought my ancient air conditioner into the 21st century.
What’s Actually the Difference Between a Cheap and Expensive Soundbar?
It's an unspoken rule that when you're shopping for a TV, you also need to shop for a soundbar. But which should you choose?
These 30+ Products Just Got Awarded One of the Most Prestigious Prizes in Design
You may not know too many specifics about the Red Dot Design awards, but you likely know they're something to brag about. Check out 2020's winners.
This Big Change Affects Everyone Who Uses Google Photos
From here on out, Google Photos app won't automatically backup your photos in quite the same way.
Watches
This Affordable Mechanical Chronograph Watch Costs Just $500
Killer looks and a great price make the Lorier Gemini a perfect way to experience a mechanical chronograph.
The Best Blue Dial Watches for Summer
Blue-dial watches that remind us of the sea and the sky just seem to work best during the summer. We pick out some of our favorites.
This Innovative Sport Watch Is Ripe for a Comeback
The IWC Ingenieur has been both a tech-forward timepiece on par with the Rolex Milgauss and a bold sport watch as envisioned by a legendary designer.
The Complete Rolex Buying Guide: Every Current Model Explained
We distill down the world of modern Rolex to something easily decipherable to help give you a leg up for your next purchase.
Perfectly Simple: 10 Great Minimalist Watches
A well-executed minimalist watch is an artful accent, rather than a flashy main course.
Why Do So Many Seiko Watches Have Crazy Nicknames?
The Seiko catalog is full of reference numbers, so fans of the Japanese watchmaker have given their favorite watches endearing and sometimes funny aliases.
The Iconic Chronograph Watches of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s
These five chronographs used for racing, aviation and space exploration pushed the limits of what the complication could do.
Want a Cartier Tank? Here Are Three Worthy Alternatives for Less
These three dress watches offer attractive alternatives to the Cartier Tank experience, with classic looks that stand out among so many round watches.
Rado’s Lightweight Ceramic Watch Gets an Olive Green Treatment and a Transparent Dial
The True Thinline Anima features Rado's distinct ceramic case, a skeletonized Swiss movement and a stunning face.
5 Super Affordable MVMT Watches
Delve into watch collecting with a fun timepiece that won't break the bank.
This Colorful New Dive Watch Supports a Worthy Cause
As part of ongoing ocean conservation efforts, the new Oris Carysfort Reef Limited Edition raises awareness for a Florida-based charity.
This Automatic Pilot’s Watch Is Built in France and Costs Just $690
The new Yema Flygraf Pilot packs a ton of value into a handsome timepiece with military looks and the brand's own automatic movement.
Track a Second Time Zone with This Beautiful Dive Watch
The Baltic Aquascaphe now comes with a steel 12-hour bezel, larger hands and indices and your choice of rubber strap or bracelet.
These Are the Best-Designed Watches of 2020, According to Experts
The Red Dot Design Awards are in, and among them are some interesting watches, some of which you may have never heard of.
This Chunky Bronze Pilot’s Watch Was Made for a Globe-Circumnavigating Aviator
The new IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished” comes in bronze and celebrates a modern aviation adventure.
One of the Decade’s Best Dive Watches Now Comes in Blue
The Black Bay Fifty-Eight captured the hearts of watch lovers everywhere in 2018. Now, it's finally available in a second iteration, with a deep navy blue dial.
Now You Can Customize Your Watch to Match Your Custom Porsche
The new configurator from Porsche Design allows you to create a totally unique version of its well-known chronograph.
If You Scuba Dive at Night, This is the Dive Watch for You
Bell & Ross has applied a fully illuminated dial treatment to their dive watch line, making for a model that you can easily read underwater darkness.
This Limited Edition Dive Watch Is Packed With ’60s Panache
The newest release from French watchmaker Yema resurrects the very first Superman dive watch from 1963.
Is This the Best Dress Watch of 2020?
Laurent Ferrier makes some of the finest, most beautiful watches in the world. His new Classic Origin Opaline is no exception.
4 Great Watches to Wear to a Cookout This Weekend
In your grilling arsenal should be a solid watch that's also appropriate for summer weather. Here are four suggestions.
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