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We'll be the first to admit it — it's tough to make the case for owning one of each type of watch we tend to cover at Gear Patrol. I mean, it's 2021: you don't need a pilot's watch. (Hell, most people didn't need one back in 1950.) You probably don't need a field watch, or even a dive watch — though the latter are admittedly so versatile that we thoroughly recommend owning one. But what everyone really should have is a good digital watch.
Why? Again, it's a question of versatility, though in this case, it's also a question of price: for significantly less than $100 you can get yourself the type of watch that does just about everything a timekeeping device should possibly do, and that will do it while getting the absolute shit kicked out of it. The type of watch you can wear while skiing, running, swimming, and triathlon-ing, whatever. The type of watch that does exactly what it's supposed to, and that you never have to worry about.
And what, pray tell, is the epitome of such a watch? For our money (and perhaps also for your money), we believe it's the basic G-Shock 5600 series. Why? Because Casio's famous watch for hard knocks is virtually indestructible, and it costs the equivalent of, like, three Manhattan cocktails. If you're only gonna buy one digital watch, we truly think this one should be it. Here's why (in more detail):
It's shockproof. It's waterproof. ("Water-resistant" — whatever.) It's dust-proof. I mean, there's a reason people take these things to war — they can withstand just about whatever you throw at them. And 200m of water resistance is nothing to scoff at — you could conceivably take this thing scuba diving in a pinch.
It's Packed with Useful Functionality
It's a watch! It's a stopwatch! It's a calendar! It's an alarm! It's a tiny flashlight! Does your Rolex do all this stuff? Probably not! (Granted, you probably couldn't trade your G-Shock for a flight in a small bush plane out of a country suddenly engulfed in civil war or sharknados, whereas this might be possible with your Rolex, but that's neither here nor there.) Never underestimate the usefulness of a solid digital alarm, we tell you.
G-Shock
It's (Relatively) Thin and Highly Comfortable
Considering the robustness of the case and all of the functionality packed therein, a 15mm case truly ain't bad. This thing will fit under your sleeve and out of the way, no problem. For such a tough piece of kit, it's really rather unobtrusive, and also weighs in at under 2 ounces. An integrated rubber strap is pliable, molds to your wrist and is comfortable enough that you'll likely forget the watch is on your wrist.
It's CHEAP.
Where else are you gonna get this degree of toughness in your life for under $50? Maybe, like, a pair of steel chopsticks, or a titanium spoon, but neither one of those will time things for you. Conceivably, if a 5600 ever broke, you could replace it without having to think much about the bottom line. But let's be real: G-Shocks don't break.
Weighted blankets have been proven to reduce stress and anxiety and help you sleep better. Now, you don't need to worry about overheating because this one is optimized for a cool night's sleep.
The Spot from Black Diamond is our pick for the best headlamp you can buy. It is simple, extremely effective and has all of the small features that make a headlamp worth having.
AirPods Pro have been hovering around $200 for a while now, which is a great deal. Competition is now fierce in this headphone category, but the quick pairing and native integration with Apple devices still make the AirPods Pro tough to beat.
This summer we'll hopefully be able to share drinks with friends again, but regardless, this 64oz container from Hydro Flask keeps glass out of parks and drinks in your hands.
Since many of us are going to be spending our days away from the comfortable chairs and desks of our office for a while longer, it may be time to actually invest in a nice chair for the home office.
Yes, Mother's Day is almost here and you should probably get flowers for your mom. If you pre-order from Bouqs, you can get 20% off any of its Mother's Day selection.
As Nike has stepped its game up, so have other elite running brands. The Carbon X is Hoka One One's foray into running shoes with a springy carbon plate for efficiency and a propulsive ride.
Nike is revolutionizing running and running shoe tech with its NEXT% series — these are the ultimate runners for daily training. These rarely go on sale, so pick some up while you can.
Dyson makes some of the smartest home appliances around, including its exceptional fans and air purifiers. This one has both — a combo that will come in handy for allergy season and as temperatures warm this spring and summer.
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When you're not using it, it functions just like any other mirror in your house. When you turn it on, Mirror reveals an LCD panel with stereo speakers and access to hundreds of workout classes.
It is just about time to start hanging out outside, thank goodness. This Adirondack chair takes one of the most classic outdoor chair silhouettes and twists it just a bit to make it distinctly DWR, which we love.
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