All posts in “buying guide”

13 Household Cleaning Essentials You Need Under Your Sink

Moving house is a necessary evil that most of us will have to incur multiple times down the line. Regardless of where you’re moving to, the first thing you should worry about is cleaning up the place. These 10 products will freshen up your new digs and keep it that way for, hopefully, many years to come.

Multipurpose Cleaner

A do-everything cleaner that chefs consistently rave about? Check. Bar Keepers Friend powder cleanser clears rust, tarnish, hard water stains and everything else that clings to your counters, sink and cookware.

Coffee Machine Cleaner

No, your coffee isn’t supposed to taste rancid. This barista-approved coffee machine cleaner is the best way to refresh your coffee maker so you can get the perfect brew every time.

Food-Grade Mineral Oil

We told you to ditch the wooden and plastic cutting boards for a rubber one, but many of you will stick to your guns. If so, you’ll need some food-grade mineral oil to protect the board from not-so-good bacterial growth.

Liquid Soap

The infamous 18-in-one concoction by Dr. Bronner’s has developed a reputation for being versatile — hence its 18 uses, which includes body wash and laundry detergent. It’s basically a one-stop shop when it comes to cleaning products.

All-Purpose Cleaner

Every household needs an all-purpose cleaner. Method makes the best one available, using naturally derived ingredients to tackle all the messes bound to happen.

Trash Bags

“Trap, lock and neutralize tough odors.” You’ve heard the adage before and it’s stood the test of time. Glad’s tall kitchen trash bags are consistently rated as one of the best garbage bags money can buy.

Dish Soap

Palmolive’s Pure and Clear dish soap takes all that’s good with its grease-fighting predecessor and makes it biodegradable so it doesn’t harm the environment (as much) with dangerous chemicals.

Disinfecting Wipes

These cleaning wipes aren’t compostable, but they do disinfect. Use these for areas that are susceptible to being contaminated by germs and bacteria. These are great for killing cold and flu germs, so having these on hand can literally be a lifesaver.

Wood Cleaner

This USDA-certified wood cleaner uses coconut oil to clean all your precious wood furniture and countertops to keep it hydrated and conditioned.

Room Spray

Sometimes the room just needs a little freshening up without any real cleaning necessary. Give this spray a couple of spritzes into the air to revitalize the room. Or use it directly on fabrics for a quick pick-me up minus the laundry.

Non-Scratch Scrub Sponges

Researchers who conducted a 2017 study on the bacterial microbiome of kitchen sponges came to the conclusion that sponges should be replaced on a weekly basis. That’s a lot of sponges in one lifetime, so reach for these biodegradable ones from Scotch-Brite.

Stainless Steel Cleaner/Protectant

Stainless steel appliances look great, but only if you maintain them. This spray tackles grease and fingerprints without the use of harmful chemicals, something you definitely don’t want near your food prep station.

Under-Sink Storage

If you’re going to put in the effort to clean your place, you should also keep your cleaning essentials in check. Get this under-sink organizer so all of your cleaning gear is neatly organized and easily accessible.

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

Tyler Chin is Gear Patrol’s Editorial Associate for Editorial Operations. He’s from Queens, where tempers are short and commutes are long. Too bad the MTA doesn’t have a team like Ed-Ops.

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February 28, 2020 / Comments Off on 13 Household Cleaning Essentials You Need Under Your Sink
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15 Delicious IPAs You Can Buy Almost Anywhere

The IPA still remains the king of American craft beer. According to a recent estimate from Dr. Bart Watson, chief economist of the Brewers Association, IPA accounts for roughly 35 to 40 percent of U.S. craft beer sales. Its popularity has sparked a sea of variations on the style over the years: New England-Style IPA, Double IPA, Triple IPA, Session IPA, Brut IPA, Lo-Cal IPA and so on.

Out of Beer Advocate’s top 10-rated US beers, five are IPAs. But these are the white whales most of us can’t get hands-on — Pliny the Elder, King Julius, Heady Topper. These beers require traveling to breweries on release days or ponying up for them online. But you don’t have to hunt these rarities down though to enjoy a good IPA. The beauty of America’s love of the IPA is that you can get a good one just about anywhere (even online). And the following 15 IPAs are about as reliable — and available — as IPAs get.

Additional reporting by Jack Seemer and Will Price.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Hazy Little Thing


While Sierra Nevada’s iconic Pale Ale fits the guidelines for this list, the California brewery’s Hazy Little Thing falls more inline with today’s IPA tastes. This New England-Style IPA has taken the beer world by storm, at one point in October 2019 seeing an increase in volume by 160 percent year-over-year. It’s citrusy and fresh thanks to a combination of Citra, Magnum, Simcoe, Comet, Mosaic and El Dorado hops. When it comes to a Hazy IPA you can find in your grocery store, we find ourselves gravitating to this one more often than not.

ABV: 6.7%
IBU: 35
Brewery Location: Chico, CA

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Bell’s Brewery Two Hearted Ale



There’s a reason Bell’s Two Hearted Ale has been voted by Zymurgy readers as the “Best Beer in America” for three years consecutively: it’s the definition of an American IPA and you can get it just about everywhere. Unlike the other beers on this list, Two Hearted Ale features just a single hop, Centennial, which gives it a floral taste and smell. If you’re counting calories, check out the recently released Light Hearted Ale.

ABV: 7%
IBU: 55
Brewery Location: Kalamazoo, MI

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New Belgium Brewing Voodoo Ranger



While New Belgium became known years ago for Fat Tire (and then its incredible sour program), Voodoo Ranger took the beer world by storm when it was re-launched in 2017 as a unified series. New Belgium now produces at least five distinct Voodoo Ranger variants but the flagship IPA version is an excellent, clean-tasting IPA hopped with Mosaic and Amarillo (among Nugget, Cascade, Simcoe and Chinook).

ABV: 7%
IBU: 50
Brewery Location: Fort Collins, CO

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Dogfish Head Brewery 60 Minute IPA



Led by the vision of Sam Caglione, winner of a 2017 James Beard Award, Dogfish Head makes what it calls “off-centered ales for off-centered people.” Its 60-Minute IPA may be the most centered beer in Caglione’s repertoire, however, as the impeccably balanced 17-year-old beer remains relevant as ever. It’s light gold in color, moderately bitter and incredibly crisp.

ABV: 6%
IBU: 60
Brewery Location: Milton, DE

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Founders Brewing Co. All Day IPA



While All Day IPA might have been the most successful session beer in the country at one time, Founders Brewing Co. has had a fall from grace after a 2019 lawsuit in which they were accused of discrimination against employees. Abhorrent as that is, the liquid itself stands up. At just 4.7 percent ABV, it’s light in both body and mouthfeel, though surprisingly complex for a beer of its gravity. It also launched the now-standard 15-pack. But it may eventually be left behind in the dust as more Lo-Cal IPAs continue to be launched (All Day has 147 calories).

ABV: 4.7%
IBU: 42
Brewery Location: Grand Rapids, MI

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Stone Brewing IPA



Founded in 1996 in Escondido, California, Stone Brewing has become one of the most respected craft brewers in the world. While the “Enjoy By” series and Neverending Haze have recently garnered praise from beer drinkers across the country, it’s the 20-plus-year-old IPA, which features eight different hops, that helped put West Coast IPAs on the map. It leans a little more on the hoppy bitter end of the spectrum, but it’s still very much a leader in the traditional IPA category.

ABV: 6.9%
IBU: 71
Brewery Location: Escondido, CA

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12 Classic IPAs That Still Stand Up Today

If you can look past the hype, you’ll find plenty of solid IPA offerings from what are now considered big-name brewers. Here are 12 of them, all first brewed more than a decade ago. Read the Story

Lagunitas Brewing Company IPA



Lagunitas IPA might be the one beer on this list you can find just about anywhere you look — on tap and in bottles. Thanks to being owned by Heineken, even the diviest of dive bars oftentimes have a keg of this balanced IPA. The hop bitterness of this IPA is married perfectly with a caramel malt body that mellows out the hops and brings forward more of the citrusy flavors.

ABV: 6.2%
IBU: 52.5
Brewery Location: Petaluma, CA

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Firestone Walker Brewing Company Mind Haze



Firestone Walker was one of the first nationally distributed breweries to find success with a shelf-stable hazy IPA. This tropically-flavored IPA is brewed with Cashmere and Mandarina hops and then dry-hopped with El Dorado, Idaho 7, Azacca, Mosaic and Cashmere.

ABV: 6.2%
IBU: 40
Brewery Location: Paso Robles, CA

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Brooklyn Brewery East IPA



Brooklyn Brewery’s Garrett Oliver is a student of English brewing. As such, the iconic brewery’s East IPA (which became a year-round offering in 1996) blends British tradition with American innovation. British malt balances out the blend of hops quite well, creating a toffee malt palate and a clean hoppy finish.

ABV: 6.9%
IBU: 47
Brewery Location: Brooklyn, NY

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Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai



If tropical Florida vibes were an IPA, it’d be Jai Alai. It’s bright and citrusy thanks to an impeccable blend of seven different hops. A standout for quite some time, it’s now readily available due to an ever-expanding distribution network from Cigar City.

ABV: 7.5%
IBU: 65
Brewery Location: Tampa, FL

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Goose Island IPA



Goose Island’s flagship IPA harkens back to a little more of the piney, bitter IPAs. That’s thanks to the use of some more characteristically resiny hops like Pilgrim, Celeia, Cascade and Centennial. A grapefruit-like citrus is to be found though with a smooth flavor and a moderate lingering bitterness.

ABV: 5.9%
IBU: 55
Brewery Location: Chicago, IL

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Revolution Brewing Anti-Hero



Chicago’s beloved Revolution Brewing may not be on the name-recognition level of some of the other breweries on this list, but it should be. First brewed in 2010, this flagship features a blend of Warrior, Chinook, Centennial and Amarillo hops for a unique floral and citrus combination that finishes clean and crisp.

ABV: 6.7%
IBU: 65
Brewery Location: Chicago, IL

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Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Torpedo Extra IPA



The second IPA from Sierra Nevada on this list, Torpedo Extra IPA gets its name from a dry-hopping device Sierra Nevada invented in 2009 called the Hop Torpedo. This essentially circulates beer with hops in a way that imparts flavor without bitterness. The beer itself, hopped with Magnum, Crystal and Citra varietals, is darker than most IPAs with notes of pine and citrus and less perceived bitterness than Pale Ale (despite a higher grading on the IBUs scale).

ABV: 7.2%
IBU: 65
Brewery Location: Chico, CA

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Elysian Brewing Space Dust IPA



This classic West Coast IPA may not be as familiar to East Coasters, but it is most certainly a supermarket gem — especially since AB InBev owns Elysian and is pushing this beer hard in more and more markets everyday. It’s on the heavier side at 8.2 percent ABV but the bitterness is balanced by dry-hopping Citra and Amarillo. It’s a decent middleground between the old school IPAs of yesteryear and the en vogue fruity Hazy IPAs.

ABV: 8.2%
IBU: 73
Brewery Location: Seattle, WA

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Oskar Blues Brewery Dale’s Pale Ale



Dale’s Pale Ale has been a craft beer staple since 2002 when it became the first canned craft beer in America. Much like Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale, it harkens back to the popularity of the American Pale Ale (which is of course, America’s take on the India Pale Ale) before the haze craze. It features more pale malts and a citrusy hop character and is still just as pleasant to drink today as it was back in 2002.

ABV: 6.5%
IBU: 65
Brewery Location: Longmont, CO

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The 15 Most Underrated Beers in the World

We asked 15 brewers from across the country to name a beer they consider underrated. When was the last time you had one of these beers? Read the Story

Ryan Brower

Ryan Brower serves as Commerce Editor and also writes about beer and surfing for Gear Patrol. He lives in Brooklyn, loves the ocean and almost always has a film camera handy.

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February 21, 2020 / Comments Off on 15 Delicious IPAs You Can Buy Almost Anywhere
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The Best Leather Watch Straps You Can Buy

While we watch-lovers often categorize straps into several well-established types according to style and material (NATO, leather, bracelet, etc.), in truth it’s an oversimplification to lump all leather watch straps together. What type of leather are we talking about – full grain, top grain, nubuck, suede, cordovan? Is the strap a 1-piece or a 2-piece? Is it top-stitched all around the perimeter or does it feature vintage-style threading near the lugs?

All of these factors dictate which type of watch the strap will be appropriate for, and certainly, not all straps are created equal. What follows are 11 of our favorite leather watch straps from some of the best brands available from 3 continents:

Bulang & Sons Denim Blue Retro Leather Watch Strap

Easily one of the most striking leather straps we’ve ever seen, full stop. This beautiful band is handcrafted by Jean Paul Meniccuci, the OG of leather strappage, especially for Netherlands-based Bulang & Sons, and we’d be hard pressed to find something comparable from the other big players. Painted in a cool, denim-colored leather with a distressed pattern and using cream-colored edge stitching and natural leather keepers, the Denim Blue Retro strap pairs perfectly with a vintage tool watch and a beat-up pair of selvedge jeans. Available in sizes from 18mm through 22mm — including 19mm and 21mm for those pesky vintage watches — we challenge you to find a more unique strap for the money.

Bas & Lokes Everett Light Grey Suede

The Everett, a semi-bespoke strap from Australian company Bas & Lokes, is by far one of the most comfortable leather strap we’ve ever worn, period, the end. The suede on this particular strap is so supple that you barely notice it’s on your wrist, and probably wouldn’t notice at all if not for the blunt-force-trauma-weapon-size buckle and the weight of whatever watch you’ve got it sitting on. Additional details include edge paint in a complimentary grey color and side stitching in a grey waxed linen. With numerous lengths, widths and buckle finishes available on each of their straps, it’s possible to semi-customize a Bas & Lokes strap until it feels like it was made especially for your wrist.

Analog/Shift Stout Black Calf Strap

Everyone needs a black leather strap in their rotation, ready to go to accompany a thin dress watch or spruce up an otherwise playful tool watch. And though lizard or croc is a classic choice for such a band, a soft calf leather version is more versatile, giving you that formal look while remaining perfectly appropriate on a Sub. Analog/Shift’s version is made in Italy and comes in 18mm, 19mm or 20mm versions, so you can definitely dress up that vintage 34mm Rolex. With matching black stitching and keepers and a stainless steel pin buckle, this minimalist strap is the perfect companion to a serious watch collection.

Crown & Buckle American Made Walnut Boxcalf

While there are several styles of 2-piece strap available in C&B’s American Made Collection, the Walnut Boxcalf is a standout offering. This is a two-layer strap with an underside and topside made from matching “Boxcalf”-style leather, which is chrome-tanned, full-grain calfskin sourced from France. Boxcalf leather is typically used in high-end leather dress shoes, and the Boxcalf used in this strap is “boarded,” a process by which a tight grain is created that closes the hair follicles. This is an incredibly versatile color that will work well with a wide variety of dial types, and the slightly darker edge dying, as well as perimeter top-stitching and corner knots near the buckles, lend this strap a vintage look that doesn’t seem to be going out of style any time soon.

HODINKEE Bedford Strap Collection in Olive Green

The HODINKEE Shop began with a small collection of fine leather watch straps, and has been regularly updating its stock with new collections ever since. The company’s Bedford Collection, launched in 2019, is made in the U.S.A. and available in 10 colors and four sizes. Crafted from high-quality nubuck leather in attractive, subdued shades with off-white stitching, brushed buckles and calfskin lining, the Bedford is another strap that serves as the perfect compliment to a vintage piece, or an upgrade to a modern watch. The Olive Green version is our personal favorite, but there’s truly something for everybody in this high-quality collection, available from 18mm through 22mm

Worn & Wound Model 2 Premium Stone

Worn & Wound’s Model 2 Premium (show here in Stone) is essentially a refined version of their Model 2 Classic that uses a tapering design made of Wickett & Craig vegetable-tanned lining and Horween top leather. With painted edges in a complimentary color (the strap is available in 14 different colors), waxed cotton braided knots near the lug edges, fixed metal loop and leather keepers, the Model 2 is, for the money, simply one of the best leather watch straps available on the market. With all the different colors to choose from to precisely match the strap to your watch, not to mention available sizes in 18, 20, and 22mm, there’s a Model 2 Premium that’s right for every watch out there (except perhaps that pesky 34mm vintage Rolex).

HODINKEE Barrett Strap Collection in Navy Blue

If the Bedford is a bit too subdued for your taste, you owe it to yourself to check out HODINKEE’s Barrett Strap Collection. Crafted in a small, family-owned tannery in southern France, this group of six vegetable-tanned leather straps features a glossy sheen that’s sure to compliment a watch in steel or in a beautiful precious metal. Available in burgundy, navy, yellow, dark brown, red and tan in sizes from 18mm through 22mm, the Bedford straps are complimented with contrast stitching and polished buckles.

Molequin Grained Calf Strap in Taupe

Based in Brussels, Belgium, vintage Rolex enthusiast Michael Luther’s brand Molequin fashions straps in a variety of leathers, and their robust, thinly cut Grained Calf is far and away one of the best. Available in nine different colors, two lengths, five widths (from 18mm through 22mm), two spring bar choices and two buckle choices, the Grained Calf is particularly versatile in taupe. Pair this band with a monochromatic watch to maintain a subdued look or use it to counterbalance a timepiece with a louder dial. (Pro Tip: It’s worth springing for the quick-release spring bars, since you’ll likely want to throw this baby on multiple watches.)

Everest Bands Curved End Link Leather (for Rolex Submariner)

Michael DiMartini, founder of Everest Horology Products, conceived of an Italian vegetable-tanned calf leather strap with hypoallergenic lining made for Rolex wearers. The strap features an ABS plastic insert embedded at the case connection point for a precision fit to your Rolex Submariner (there are however several models of Submariner that are not compatible with the curved-end leather model, so we recommend checking the Everest website regarding compatibility). The curved-end leather Sub strap, available in nine finishes, is incredibly over-designed and ergonomic, with its precision-fit ends and steel buckle that looks robust enough to use as a weapon in close-quarters combat. For die-hard Rolex enthusiasts, an Everest strap is about as good as you can get.

Molequin Suede Collection in Taupe

The Suede Collection from Molequin is crafted from premium goat leather from France for uniform quality and feel. The result is a strap that’s low-key, subdued and perfect for a variety of watches, both vintage and modern. Available in 6 colors, two lengths, five widths (from 18mm through 22mm), two spring bar choices and two buckle choices, the Suede straps make use of a calf leather lining to prevent damage from moisture and sweat. We personally love the Taupe colorway, which pairs beautifully with all manner of dial colors.

B&R Bands Russet Le Mans Racing Watch Strap

Every self-respecting watch nerd needs a “rally” strap in his or her collection (or “ralley,” or “rallye,” or whatever). Essentially a leather strap perforated with holes, this type of strap accompanied vintage Heuer and Omega racing chronographs in the 1960s, but it looks good on just about any chunky tool watch. The Le Mans from B&R Bands, founded in 2009, is a modern take on this classic style, available in three sizes (18mm, 19mm and 20mm), two lengths, and several colors. Personally, we dig the Russet version, a dark brown with contrasting top-stitching and brushed hardware, that perfectly compliments darker dials.

February 20, 2020 / Comments Off on The Best Leather Watch Straps You Can Buy
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11 Style Essentials Every Guy Should Keep at His Desk

You’ve made your office desk nice and cozy. It’s got all the hallmarks of a good desk: a calendar, photos of your dog and loved ones, succulents. You’ve made your desk a home. But when it comes to style, is your desk equipped with everything you need to make it through the day looking your best? Probably not. If you’re caught in a pinch, left home in a rush, forgot about that important meeting, these are the style essentials for the office that you shouldn’t be caught without.

Cologne

First impressions are important. Assuming you’re well-groomed and well-dressed, the next thing someone will notice is your scent, whether it’s bad, overbearing or, style God forbid, both. If you’re not sure what to go with, read this and once you’ve settled on a scent, read this.

Hair Product

Whether it’s a particularly windy day or your hair’s enjoyed a good snooze wrapped under a hat, you’ll want to make sure your ‘do is looking right when it comes time to meet that important client (or post-work date).

Mints

Coffee and cigarettes might be a balanced New York breakfast, but not the best when it comes to conversing with your boss about a raise. Or really, any conversation with literally anyone.

Lip Balm

Not that anyone should judge you on your skin, but having lip balm at the ready is really more for your own comfort than it is for anyone else. You’ll thank yourself later when you get to the office realizing that you left your lip balm in your other pants.

Lotion

See ‘Lip Balm’ and apply the same reasoning.

Nail Clippers

Hang nails are not fun. Not for you, not for the client who’s hand you’re about to shake. Why not get this Japanese one?

Lint Brush

For pet hair, dandruff or, maybe worst of all, pilled knits, you’d do well to have a lint roller in your drawer.

Fabric Pen

If you’re anything like me, hot sauce can and will happen. And, not always in your mouth.

Umbrella

You checked the weather right before you left work, but in spite of our best efforts, the weather often has other plans.

A Full Suit/Change of Clothes

Maybe your office is super chill, or maybe your office is a suit and tie situation. Whether it’s for a surprise meeting with high-profile clients or there’s just too much hot sauce for that fabric pen to handle, an extra change of clothes could save you.

Sewing Kit

You should know how to sew a button. You never know, the button that falls off could be the one holding up your pants.

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

February 3, 2020 / Comments Off on 11 Style Essentials Every Guy Should Keep at His Desk
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Buying Smart Light Bulbs for the First Time? Here’s What You Need to Know

The first thing to know is that, compared to other smart home tech, smart light bulbs are simple. They’re almost exactly the same as conventional LED bulbs, but with a whole host of added benefits.

The Advantages of a Smart Bulb

You can do a host of other neat things with smart light bulbs that you simply can’t conventional LED bulbs, too. Most of them have to do with control.

• Remote control: You can turn smart lights on or off even if you’re not home. All you need to do is have your smartphone connected to Wi-Fi or LTE, and a compatible smart home app at the ready.

• Create schedules: You don’t need to turn your lights on or off manually. With schedules you can set them to turn off or on (or otherwise change their settings, at a certain time every day or night. If you have multiple smart lights you can have them all set to the same or different schedules, too.

• Create scenes: A “scene” or “room” in the context of a smart home is a group of devices all working together. For example, you can group the three smart light bulbs that are located in your bedroom together, name them “Bedroom,” and then turn them all on or off with a single voice command: “Hey Google, turn off bedroom lights.”

• Brightness control: Not every smart light bulb is dimmable, but many are. Dimmable smart light bulbs are neat because you can adjust the brightness without having to adjust a physical dimmer. You can adjust it via an app or using voice commands.

• Energy efficient: The vast majority of modern light bulbs are LEDs, and that includes most smart light bulbs. They’re naturally more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, but the fact that they’re smart means you can always check on them; if you’ve left a light on by accident, you can turn it off from anywhere you have a Wi-Fi or LTE connection.

What to Look Out For

There are many different smart light bulbs that you can choose from in 2020. Not all of them work the same way or have the same capabilities, however. Here are some common questions to ask when considering your choice.

• Does it need a hub? Some smart lights connect directly to your home’s Wi-Fi network so  you can easily control them straight from your smartphone or with a voice assistant. Others, require an extra piece of hardware, like a hub or a bridge, to do the exact same thing. Knowing if the smart lights will need extra hardware, which also adds an extra expense, is one of the most important things before investing in smart lights.

• Is it compatible with your other gear? The other big important thing to consider before buying a smart light bulb is knowing whether it will work with your home’s smart ecosystem. Not every smart light is compatible with Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s HomeKit, the Google Assistant or IFTTT, so you need to check beforehand.

• What do you want for light color and temperature: If you’re willing to spend a little more, you can buy smart lights that have various colors and temperature effects. For instance, Philips Hue’s White And Color Ambiance smart bulbs can shine in millions of different colors and various shades of white light. These smart lights can also adjust the temperature of the light throughout the day, which can help you better wake up or fall asleep.

Smart Lights or Smart Switches/Outlets: Which to Choose?

Smart lights are great smart home products but they aren’t great in every scenario. For example, an area in your home that has multiple lights controlled by a single light switch probably isn’t a great situation for smart lights. A better solution for such a scene, like a large family room with lots of overhead lighting, would be to buy a smart switch instead, such as the Wemo Light Switch, instead.

Smart switches are generally a little cheaper and can be used to control the “dumb” lights that you already have. This also means that you can use smart switches to control any light bulb. On the downside, smart switches usually require more installation — typically some light wire-work — and they can’t be used to create scenes. While most smart light switches are able to dim the lights, they definitely can’t adjust the color or temperature like you’re able to with a lot of smart light bulbs.

The Best Smart Bulbs You Can Buy Right Now

Philips Hue White

Best Starter Bulbs: Philips Hue makes the most popular smart bulbs. The company’s “White” smart bulbs can’t produce the many shades of color as the “White and Color Ambiance” smart bulbs, but they’re cheaper, still dimmable and work in much the same way.

Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Smart Hub? Optional

Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance

Best Multi-Color Bulbs: These are the best option for people who really want to play around with all the customization options smart bulbs have to offer. Like the company’s “White” bulbs, they work with pretty much smart home ecosystem and you can control them with your voice. The big upside with them is that, via the app, you can adjust the smart lights to change to one of 16 million colors and shades of white. The downside is that you need to use the Hue smart hub (included in the starter pack) to get the most out of them.

Compatibility: Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings
Smart Hub? Yes

Wyze Bulb

Best Budget Bulbs: At just $8 a piece and even cheaper in packs, you’re not going to find a more affordable smart bulb than the Wyze Bulb. And it’s actually pretty versatile to boot. It’s compatible with both Amazon’s and Google’s smart speakers. You can adjust its brightness and color temperatures (from warm to cool). And if you use Wyze’s other smart home products, you can have the Wyze Bulbs perform tricks like lighting up when certain sensors are triggered, like when motion is detected by a Wyze Cam.

Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT
Smart Hub? No

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Ikea Tradfri

Best Decorative Bulbs: Ikea’s first smart filament light bulb is beautiful, dimmable and relatively affordable. Its tinted glass helps create a warm, moody light. The only downside is that you’ll need to buy a smart hub, the Tradfri gateway ($35), to get the most out of it, such as the ability to control with voice controls or work with Ikea’s ecosystem of smart home products (consisting of motion sensors, LED light bulbs and some light panels).

Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit)
Smart Hub? Yes
Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

January 31, 2020 / Comments Off on Buying Smart Light Bulbs for the First Time? Here’s What You Need to Know
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10 Solid Places to Shop for Men’s Furniture Online

There’s more to the furniture world than Ikea, CB2 and legacy furniture makers. These days, a number of internet-native companies have joined the competition with all manner of aesthetics and prices represented. Here are 10 of the best spots for guys to buy furniture online.

Dims.

Dims.’s Eugene Kim would prefer if you didn’t call his company the “Warby Park of” anything. Dims. (the period is always there) isn’t a design house as much as it is a design incubator. Designers who lack decades-long résumés pitch Kim on their pieces and, if produced, earn royalties off of them. In the original design space, its prices are competitive, with products listed from $145 to $795. To date, there’s a coffee table, side table, dining table and bar cart.

Can’t Miss: Barbican Trolley ($350)

Artifox

Artifox’s products look like they were designed for full-stack developers with good taste. Its tech-minimalist aesthetic stems from Sarah and Dan Mirth’s blend of interior and industrial design backgrounds; the collection heavily features hardwoods, powder-coated steel and small-but-useful organization measures (the headphone hook and cable management grid are great). The lineup includes the things you’d expect to find in a small apartment space — bike racks, wall shelves, monitor raisers and side tables included. Prices are on the higher end, but not unreasonable, with an oak desk starting just under $1,000.

Can’t Miss: Desk 02 ($950+)

Floyd

Floyd may be of the same flat-pack ilk as many of its direct-to-consumer forebearers, but comparison stops there. It’s assemblable (and disassemblable) furniture made of heavy birchwood and thick-gauge steel and it’s meant to last — all rareties in its space. With a nice balance of heavy materials and light colors, the look is a sort of whimsical-industrial. Starting a few years back with just a platform bedframe, its catalog has now opened up to include a sofa, shelves and tables. Its prices are fairly moderate.

Can’t Miss: The Platform Bed ($650)

Akron Street

It’s all about the wood. Every piece in Hansley Yunez and Lulu Li’s catalog is made, at least in part, of American white oak. In spite of that, few pieces are visually heavy and all are, given the materials and original designs, surprisingly affordable. Its wares include chairs, tables, desks, bedframes, coat racks, media consoles and more.

Can’t Miss: Small Tenon Oak Table ($277)

Article

Article doesn’t look much different than most internet furniture retailers, but it is. Where others are built overnight with seed funding and venture capital, Article has taken longer to reach its size than most, and unlike others on this list, Article doesn’t necessarily have a specialty. There are hundreds of products in its catalog, ranging from mid-century sofas to boho-inspired wall shelves. The upshot: you could furnish an entire home with Article and hit myriad styles throughout, and do so affordably. Plus, it’s one of few retailers — online or off — to include the absolute maximum of information on product spec sheets (check out the rub counts on upholstered sofas and chairs).

Can’t Miss: Sven Sofa ($999)

Burrow

Burrow’s greatest strength is listening to its customers just enough. Its initial collection of sofas upholstered sofas were met with praise, but they weren’t perfect; buyers said the arms were too high to comfortably lean against for a nap, the cushions took too long to break in and the built-in phone charger in the base was too flimsy. Oh, and it should come in leather. It updated the collection in 2019 to remedy all those issues and doubled down on quick shipping and easy assembly, a combination which made its sofas our favorite on the internet. The brand makes sofas, sectionals, armchairs and ottomans in a number of upholstery and leather options.

Can’t Miss: The Nomad Leather Sofa ($1,995)

Schoolhouse

The driving force behind Schoolhouse’s founding was a nostalgia for heavy things. Brian Faherty’s Portland, Oregon-based company, which started as a mail-order catalog selling old school, cast-iron molded glass shades, makes everything from barware to hardware to extendable dining room tables, each piece intended to become what Faherty calls a “modern heirloom.” Visually, its pieces are either direct descendants or reminiscent of various art and design movements of the 20th century (Art Deco, Cubism, Mid-Century Modern all makes appearances), but because its products are made Stateside and in an uncompromising manner, don’t come looking for a bargain. They’re built to stick with you for a lifetime.

Can’t Miss: Jack Loveseat ($2,199)

Muji

Muji isn’t a new company, but it is new to America. The intensely Japanese company makes damn near everything — house slippers, gel-ink pens, facewash, tea kettles and beanbags included — but its furniture is quietly one of its strongest categories, despite a significantly depleted stock compared to its Japanese equivalent. Look for a satisfying mix of smart storage, compact seating and a series of cult-favorite beanbags at fair prices. Also a plus: the brand recently updated the look and functionality of its outdated online store, which makes things a lot easier.

Can’t Miss: SUS Steel Shelving Unit ($250)

Vipp

Vipp is a high-end Danish design house that recently launched its first full-fledged furniture collection online, but its beginnings are, shall we say, humbler. The company made a name for itself making the best damn trashcans in the world and has become a respected fixture in Scandinavian design. Expect powder-coated aluminum frames dressed up with luxe materials, high price points and lots of people asking where you found your chair.

Can’t Miss: Chair w/ Leather ($950)

Hay

Hay’s ability to bend smart ideas and forms from its Danish roots with a playful disposition is second to none, and since Herman Miller acquired a portion of the company in 2018, its stuff is finally available in the US. And unlike Herman Miller, Hay’s products typically register at more manageable price points. Look for furniture that seems normal but throws you a curveballe, like a black marble-topped coffee table with a frame made of rebar.

Can’t Miss: Don’t Leave Me Side Table ($165)

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

October 9, 2019 / Comments Off on 10 Solid Places to Shop for Men’s Furniture Online
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The Best Upgrades to Your Cheap, Disposable Pens Are Surprisingly Affordable

There are three inevitabilities we will experience during our time on this mortal coil: we are born, we will die, and sometime in between, we will use a BIC Cristal pen. The company claims to have sold over 100 billion of dirt-cheap pen since the design launched in 1950.

Despite its humble price, the Cristal is a bonafide design icon. The pen is on permanent display at the Museum of Modern Art and was revolutionary for its time. The hexagonal shape, modeled after a wooden pencil, provided better grip and wouldn’t roll from a tabletop. And assuming you could hold on to one long enough to be concerned about it running out of ink, the transparent fuselage easily showed the user how much ink was left inside. Few manage such a feat. This is the downfall of the BIC Cristal.

Cheap, disposable pens can bring out a lot of bad habits. We lose them, we chew on them and we toss them in the trash without a second thought. This is before considering that the cheap pen, while plenty useful, isn’t all that special to write with.

Enter, the moderate upgrade. We’re not talking three-figure Montblanc’s and gold-nibbed Parkers. There is a whole world of high-end ballpoints under the $20 mark. A fair bit more than a $3 package of BIC Cristals, for sure, but between their high-quality builds and refillable cartridges, they’ll last you eons longer. These are the best upgrades to your cheap pen collection.

OHTO Horizon

OHTO was established in Japan in 1929 and started making ballpoints 20 years later, so even if you haven’t heard of it, know it isn’t a spring chicken when it comes to the writing utensil game. OHTO’s well-known for making fine-tipped writers (including the absurdly slim Minimo), and the Horizon is no different coming stock with a 0.7mm tip and cartridge nestled in its sleek, aluminum barrel. Better still is the fact that the pen will take a multitude of cartridge refills, including Pilot’s Hi-Tec-C, revered among pen nerds for its smooth, consistent writing action and needle-thin tip.

Caran d’Ache 849

The Caran d’Ache 849 shares the BIC Cristal’s hexagonal fuselage, which gives it a similarly comfortable grip, but the aluminum construction is more durable and more satisfying to hold than the BIC’s cheap plastic. The overall effect is sleek, and since the 849 is Caran d’Ache’s mainstay products — it was introduced in 1969 — there are endless colors and finishes to choose from. One of the calling cards of the 849 is its stainless-steel “Goliath” cartridge, which the brand claims is good for 8,000 meters, or nearly five miles of writing line.

Pilot Metropolitan

Pilot’s Metropolitain is better known as an entry-level fountain pen, but it comes in a ballpoint guise, too. The body is thick and round, not all dissimilar from something you’d expect to see on an ‘80s executive’s desk, but the variety of monochrome matte finishes makes it look and feel more appropriate for the 21st century. The body is made from brass so it’s weighty; a good thing if you tend to write with a heavy hand.

Fisher Space Pen

You don’t need to be a certifiable pen dork to know the story of the Fisher Space Pen: developed in the 1960s, it was designed to write in zero gravity for astronauts. You’ll never go to space, but it’s nice to know that if Elon Musk’s idea for a moon colony pans out (it won’t) that at the very least you can write with it in any situation, in any orientation, on any surface. That makes it particularly suitable for EDC types who find themselves jotting notes anywhere that isn’t a flat desktop.

Kaweco Classic Sport Ballpoint

Like the Metropolitan, Kaweco’s Classic Sport is well known as a cheap fountain pen, but the ballpoint version is not to be slept on. Like it’s nibbed brethren, the fuselage is thick, hexagonal and made from a thick, durable plastic. Yes, it lacks the metallic composition of other pens on this list, but it allows for a girthy body without excessive weight and means you can opt for a clear variant if you appreciate the transparency of the BIC Cristal. It will also accommodate a massive amount of refills — Jet Pen, for instance, lists a whopping 77 cartridges that are compatible.

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

September 19, 2019 / Comments Off on The Best Upgrades to Your Cheap, Disposable Pens Are Surprisingly Affordable
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The 7 Best Workout Gloves, According to Personal Trainers

When you start a new workout routine, changes often need to be made: that could mean everything from adjusting to an earlier morning alarm to learning the proper weight for a deadlift versus a farmer’s carry. And if you find yourself in the weight room frequently, you’ll notice some changes in your hands — from barbell blisters to rough palm patches.

Solution? Weightlifting gloves. These guys can quickly become your trusty sidekicks, helping you work out harder and more efficiently while protecting your hands and wrists from the weighted pressure.

They can support your wrists when lifting heavy weights, to relieve the pressure and provide more structure and protection, says Abby Schmidt, CPT and Instructor at Studio Three in Chicago.

Even better, they can actually help you heave heavier weights. “Using gloves takes the pressure out of your fingers and hands and puts the weight into your forearms, which can increase how much you’re able to lift,” she explains.

When looking for gloves, make sure they are easy to clean. A buildup of sweat and moisture in them can lead to skin infections, says Caleb Backe, CPT and health expert for Maple Holistics. It’s also worth considering what workout you’re choosing.

“Gloves, wrist supports and lifting straps should vary depending on the workout,” he says. “When doing muscle-ups, gloves are important because you can easily tear up your hands. Wrist support should be the main priority when doing heavy dumbbell press and overhead press.”

With that in mind, these are the seven best options.

Schiek Sports 425 Power Lifting Gloves

Best Everyday Weightlifting Gloves

“These gloves serve a more diverse purpose, which means they are functional for a wide variety of your weight training needs,” Backe says. They are ideal for several different types of lifting, as they give added wrist and hand support to help with a variety of workouts and moves. “While they won’t make up for grip strength, they will protect your wrists from injury and stop your hand from getting calloused,” he adds.

Trideer Padded Weight Lifting Gloves

Best Budget Weightlifting Gloves

“These gloves are super durable and come at a great price point,” says Schmidt. The Trideer gloves are great for powerlifting and using heavy weights. “The gloves are padded through the palm and the fingers and are fully supported with added StretchBack Lycra for increased flexibility through the wrists,” she says. Use them with deadlifts, heavy chest and back exercises.

RimSports Premium Weight Lifting Gloves

Best Powerlifting Gloves

“These gloves are ideal for powerlifting because they help improve your ability to pick up the heaviest bar possible,” says Backe. “They give you the necessary wrist support to lift heavier weights and also double as lifting straps,” he explains. What’s more, they can help you build muscle past your grip strength limitations, so you can expect some serious gains when wearing these on your hands and wrists.

Fit Active Sports RX1 Weight Lifting Gloves

Best Travel Weightlifting Gloves

“The Fit Active RX1 Weight Lifting glove would be my choice for travel, [as it] combines user friendly features for comfort and support, including wrist straps and breathable material,” says Jamie Hickey, CPT, founder of Truism Fitness. Plus, they’re easy to pack in a small carry-on and keep odors at bay due to the openhanded design and ventilation.

Pullup & Dip Grip Pads

Most Versatile Weightlifting Gloves

“These gloves are ideal for muscle-ups, pull-ups, dips and kettlebell workouts because they don’t restrict your wrist mobility,” Backe explains. “These gloves will protect your hands near your fingers while still allowing you to have the proper dexterity in your wrist,” he adds, so swap opt for these gloves if you do a lot of bodyweight or kettlebell work.

Crown Gear Weightlifting Gloves

Most Stylish Weightlifting Gloves

“For style I would choose Crown Gear weight lifting gloves,” says Hickey. “Featuring a striking black and red design with ergonomically curved fingers, these gloves are very easy on the eyes,” he says. Plus, the gloves are made from soft leather with stitching for contrast and durability, so they’re super sleek while still being incredibly functional.

Mark Bell Sling Shot Lifting Straps

Best Lifting Straps

“These are very affordable and offer extra hand support if you’d like to train while giving your grip a rest,” says Aaron Alexander, CR, LMT, CPT, author of The Align Method. They’re strong, light and made of high-quality materials. “These can also come in handy for gymnastics or training on pull-up bars,” he says.

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

September 5, 2019 / Comments Off on The 7 Best Workout Gloves, According to Personal Trainers
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Everything You Need to Know About Fall’s Most Hyped Bourbon Releases

Fall is whiskey season. Not just for drinking, but for new whiskey releases, too. From September to November, the biggest bourbon makers in the world have made fall whiskey’s unofficial drop season. Here’s what you need to know about Autumn’s five most hunted-down bourbons.

How to Score Bottles

Short of paying inflated secondary market prices, there are no sure things in the search for any of the whiskeys below. These methods are used to increase odds, not guarantee you a bottle.

Get on the List: Many liquor stores receiving higher-end, allocated whiskeys dole out the bottles they get using a raffle method. It may not be as exciting as finding a choice bottle collecting dust at the back of a shelf, but a score is a score.

Location, Location, Location: Liquor stores in population centers are more likely to get both coveted whiskey and huge crowds. Stores out in the boonies have less foot traffic and are allocated less of the good stuff in turn. In whiskey hunting, the edge of suburbia is fertile ground — where stores receive the bottles you’re looking for, and the odds you’re the only person on the premise who knows what to look for improve (marginally).

Buy More Whiskey: Being a good customer is the simple and sagely advice of all experienced whiskey collectors. You give your business to a store over a period of time, befriending managers and employees, and the odds of a store clerk throwing you a bone increase exponentially.

The Bottles

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon

Release Date: September 2
Retail Price: $100
Street Price $500+

Birthday Bourbon marks the beginning of bourbon hunting season. According to Campbell Brown, it was launched in 2002 as a means for the brand to re-establish itself as a premier whiskey making operation. Its timing couldn’t have been better. In the coming years, the bourbon market erupted, and Birthday Bourbon became a flagbearer for the ultra-premiumization of the category. It has continued to fly off shelves since.

The Backup Bottle: Old Forester Prohibition Style
Birthday Bourbon is higher proof and more mature than standard Old Forester’s, but it’s still made with the brand’s standard mashbill. That description could just as easily apply to Old Forester’s well-reviewed, widely available Prohibition Style. You can find Prohibition Style for $60 to $70 in liquor stores nationwide.

Parker’s Heritage Collection

Release Date: September
Retail Price: $150
Street Price Varies by release, $350+
Named after the late, legendary Master Distiller Parker Beam, Parker’s Heritage Collection is Heaven Hill’s most experimental line of whiskey. Released annually, the only consistency from year-to-year is that there is no consistency. Past bottles have been filled with straight wheat whiskey, 24-year-old Bottled-in-Bond whiskey, curaçao-finished bourbon and other weirdness. Each release is hunted to retail extinction.

This year’s Parker’s sticks to the status quo of not having any semblance of a status quo. It’s a rye whiskey aged for eight years and nine months made with Heaven Hill’s standard rye mashbill — the same it uses to make its Rittenhouse and Pikesville ryes — and it will retail at its usual $150. But where most Heaven Hill products (and most whiskey in general) is aged in Level 3 char barrels, the new Parker’s rests in Level 5 char barrels. Expect a spicy, woody, smokey, vanilla-heavy whiskey.

The Backup Bottle: Heaven Hill Pikesville Rye
Get one of Heaven Hill Distillery’s other ryes. Pikesville is a couple of years younger, proofed a little higher and made with the same mashbill. Bonus points for those who get both and drink side-by-side.

Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

Release Date: October
Retail Price: $99 a bottle
Street Price $300 to $1,000
The dream haul. Its hype levels exceeded only by only the likes of Pappy Van Winkle, Buffalo Trace’s annual bottle drop is perhaps the most-awarded collection of booze in the world. Comprised of the staggeringly high proof George T. Stagg, William Larue Weller (which shares a mashbill with another whiskey on this list), Eagle Rare 17-Year and a pair of older Sazerac ryes. Finding bottles in stores in hard enough; finding bottles at retail prices is virtually impossible. The most valuable of the lot are generally the George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller.

The Backup Bottles: Stagg Jr., Weller 12, Sazerac Rye
Seeing as the Antique Collection houses a number of bottles, there are a few backups. Stagg Jr. is a worthy alternative to George T. Stagg and isn’t too much of a chore in most states. William Larue Weller’s legendary wheated mashbill can be found in any bottle of Weller, but Weller 12-year is probably the closest (or the newly released Weller Full Proof). Sazerac’s standard, slept-on rye remains one of the best values in all of whiskey.

Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch

Release Date: September
Retail Price: $140
Street Price $300+
It gets less mainstream coverage than others on the list, but it’s no less revered by those in the know. Every bottle is a little different, with Master Distiller Brent Elliott and team tinkering with aging and Four Roses’ trademark dual-mashbill, variable yeast whiskey making process (it’s not as confusing as it sounds). It’s particularly popular with Four Roses completionists for very obvious reasons.

The Backup Bottle: Four Roses Small Batch Select
Released this year, Four Roses Small Batch Select mirrors many of the Limited Edition’s charm. It’s higher proof than most of the brand’s offerings, it’s non-chill filtered and it shares much of the same recipe. Find it for $55 to $65 in most states.

Pappy Van Winkle Collection

Release Date: October
Retail Price: $60 to $270
Street Price $1,000 to $3,000
What more is there to say? The poster bottles for the most ridiculous parts of the bourbon boom are, perhaps more than any other whiskey, known within and without bourbon collecting circles. Every piece and parcel of Van Winkle mythology has been dissected and analyzed, but one truth remains: finding any of the bottle in the Van Winkle lineup at or near retail price necessitates purchasing. Its price, while painful, is reflective of its status as the sole über-limited bourbon to break into the mainstream. Pappy is a grail for more than just whiskey nerds.

The Backup Bottle: Weller 12
Those who fail to find it in the wild often opt for a whiskey made with the same exact recipe — Weller. Both made with the same wheated mashbill at Buffalo Trace’s Frankfort, Kentucky distillery, Weller’s rise to prominence is one of Pappy’s aftershocks. Weller 12’s lower proofing makes it the best candidate to replicate the sweet, low-burn of the most sought after whiskey in the US.
Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

September 4, 2019 / Comments Off on Everything You Need to Know About Fall’s Most Hyped Bourbon Releases
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Terrific Tripods to Take Your Photography to the Next Level

Looking for a tripod? There’s no wonder. A tripod might be the signal most important tool for photographers and videographers, other than the actual camera, because it opens up a world of creative opportunities. It’s great for nighttime, landscape, wildlife and sports photography, or basically anything shot with a telephoto lens, plus it provides the much-needed stability for long exposures, hyperlapses and panoramas. And then there’s the relief aspect; photographers just don’t want to hold a heavy camera for that long.

So what kind of tripod should you buy? It depends on what type of photos you’re looking to take, as well as what kind of camera you’re shooting on (DSLR, mirrorless, point-and-shoot or even smartphone), but ultimately, here’s what you need to know: a big and heavy tripod is gonna do a much better job stabilizing the camera, which is why most professional studios you large full-sized tripods, but most people are willing to give up some of that stability for a tripod they can pack in bag.

Manfrotto 5-Section Compact Action Tripod

Best Tripod Under $100: Manfrotto makes some of the best and most popular tripods that you’ll find. This one, the 5-Section Compact Action Tripod, is great because it’s surpisingly durable and sturdy, plus it comes in at well under $100, making it a solid-buy for budget-conscious photographers. It has a joystick head to help you adjust the angle of your camera. And it’s really lightweight – less than three pounds – and compact. It’s an ideal tripod for photographers using an entry-level DSLR with a standard lens or a compact travel camera.

Manfrotto 500 Fluid Video Head with 190X Video Tripod

Best Video Tripod: Videographers shooting in 4K tend to need heavier, more supportive tripods because they are typically better at eliminating vibrations. This one by Manfrotto, for example, is over seven pounds and it’s sturdier than any other tripod on this list. It has a number of key features for video, too, like an innovative head with fluid cartridges on both pan and tilt axes, a leveling column and a five-pound counterbalance; all of which allow the photographer to move their camera smoothly and accurately. There are admittedly more moving parts in the system, but this Manfrotto tripod still manages to be pretty intuitive to use.

CamKix Premium 3in1 Kit

Best for Action Cameras: This is a simple, affordable and pretty great impulse buy for anybody with an action camera (or even a compact camera or smartphone). The tripod has a socket-ball mount with a locking switch that allows you to rotate the camera a full 180 degrees. And there’s a telescopic pole attachment, which you can use to achieve better height on your shots, or just use it as a glorified selfie stick. It’s worth pointing out that while compact cameras and smartphones can be attached directly to the tripod, your GoPro needs to be housed in a GoPro mount.

MeFoto Globetrotter Travel TriPod

Best Travel Tripod: As the name hints, the MeFoto Globetrotter is one of the best travel tripods. It’s compact and lightweight (less than four pounds), and it’s carbon fiber frame is strong enough to support larger systems (up to 26 pounds). It has five leg sections so you can set the camera to stand over five-feet high, and the cushioned legs actually come together to convert the tripod into a monopod, which is neat. This is an ideal travel tripod for anybody shooting DSLR or mirrorless.

Peak Design Travel Tripod

One for the Future: Peak Design’s first tripod is, as you’d expect, designed for adventurers and outdoor photographers. It’s super compact and packable, about the size of a water bottle, and everything on the tripod is designed to be efficient and intuitive. For example, there are latches instead of annoying twist locks, to quickly extend the legs; to adjust the orientation of the ball head, there’s a single adjustment ring instead of a series of knobs; and small levers let you spread the legs wider to help you take low-angle photos. It’s available in aluminum or carbon fiber, the latter being the noticeably lighter (and significantly more expensive) model.

The Peak Design Travel Tripod is available for pre-order today. It’s expected to ship in January 2020.

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

August 23, 2019 / Comments Off on Terrific Tripods to Take Your Photography to the Next Level
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The Best Retro Tech to Still Hunt for Today

It’s easy to understand the appeal of heirloom watches, classic cars, or vintage clothes, but it can be harder to imagine how gadgets and gear more broadly classified as “technology” can have usefulness that stands the test of time. Old computers are a fun novelty, but you’ll be hard-pressed to use them in any remotely modern way. Smartphones from as little as seven or eight years ago are often worthless as anything more than paperweights. But there are exceptions to the rule, bits of gear that work just as well — if not better — today, albeit perhaps a little differently. Here are some examples.

Buckling Spring Keyboards

Photo: Wikipedia

If you’ve ever thought about how computer keyboards used to be louder and clickier back in the day, chances are you’re thinking of the venerated Model M. These classic beige beasts were included with IBM PCs starting back in the 1980s and sport a unique “buckling spring” design unlike what you’ll find in a modern keyboard, even a mechanical one. The Model M may be old, it’s not obsolete. Enthusiasts collect, restore, modernize, and even sell these pieces of computer history, and you can use one with your laptop, if you’re willing to pay the price.

Old School Stereo Recievers

There’s no shortage of new hi-fi audio equipment, but classic Marantz equipment from the 70s is not only still functional but still desirable. Not only do Marantz receivers have retro flair, but they offer incredible sound and have stood the test of time for decades already. Models like the Marantz 2270 will cost a pretty penny nearly 50 years on, and you can expect to pay over $1,000 for one, but you can also expect it to be the last stereo you’ll ever need to buy.

Film Cameras

Photo: Japan Camera Hunter

Digital cameras are absolutely terrific, even if the ability to see a picture right after you’ve taken it seems old hat after several decades of dominance. But good old-fashioned film cameras still have their charm, not only thanks to the long, long legacy of film photography and development, but also because they can do things that a digital camera could never dream of—like shooting with no battery power required. There is a whole army of vintage cameras worth exploring, depending on your price range, your preferences, and your access to film, but the Fuji GW690III is a great place to start thanks to its hefty build quality, price, and the size of its negatives.

CRT Displays

Photo: Smithsonian American Art Museum

The modern TV and monitor market is obsessed with size and resolution. The age of 8K is on the horizon. But if you’re trying to recapture the warm, fuzzy visuals of classic retro gaming, that added resolution is only going to make your NES graphics look uncanny. If you want authentic visuals, you’re going to need scanlines, those faint, classic, horizontal stripes that define the pre-digital picture of cathode ray tube TVs. CRTs are, for the most part, out of production but plenty of old models are still floating around. Among the various choices, vintage gamers often point to the Sony Triton as an option worth hunting for. And in addition to those beautiful lines, you’ll also have all the retro ports you need to plug in your old Sega Genesis with no need to fiddle with adapters.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
July 17, 2019 / Comments Off on The Best Retro Tech to Still Hunt for Today
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9 Essential Grooming Products for the Frequent Flyer

Unless you’re traveling business class on a long-haul flight, you’re left to your own devices when it comes to in-flight grooming. It’s not like you’re planning a mid-air shave (razors and turbulence don’t mix), but it is the ideal time to give your skin extra hydration, your hair a pinch more lift, your breath a refresh and to check any eye baggage.

Mile-high grooming is a shortcut to landing on the right foot and rolling right into any scenario, be it a work meeting with added confidence, or a rejuvenating vacation mode.

Here are our favorite products to pack along — all carry-on friendly, and all water-less so that you don’t have to use that iffy airplane bathroom faucet.

Use them in this order, too.

Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitizer

New to Dr. Bronner’s assortment, this lavender-oil hand sanitizer neutralizes germs without drying out the skin. Just as the brand is confident in its soap as an all-purpose cleanser, they tout this sanitizer as child-friendly — even for the kid’s dirty face. That seems a little like a stretch, for you or any child, so we’ll still include a facial cleansing device below. But be sure to start your mid-air regimen with a disinfecting dose of sanitizer, since you’re in essentially traveling inside a bacteria incubator.

Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes

For post-gym or mid-flight, Ursa Major’s face wipes are as essential as they claim to be. They have four functions, in fact: removing grime and dirt, cooling and hydrating the skin, balancing oil production and gently ridding of dead skin cells — thus brightening your complexion. They’re the easy solution to not splashing any sink water onto your mug, plus they take up little room in your dopp.

Jack Black Eye Balm De-Puffing and Cooling Gel

Now more than ever, your eyes need a remedy. When you combine the skin-dehydrating cabin with the exhaustion of travel, you land looking hungover and feeling every bit as groggy. Jack Black’s roll-on eye gel is a hydrating and vitamin-rich product that neutralizes puffiness and brightens dark circles within the first minutes. It cools to the touch, and you can feel your eyes firming up almost instantly, too.

Cardon Daily SPF and Moisturizer

After cleansing your face and applying eye gel, it’s time to moisturize. Cardon’s hydrator comes with SPF 30, so it’s doubly defensive, and the inclusion of cactus extract helps cool and calm skin; it’s terrific as a post-shave moisturizer, too, should you require that on your travels. This travel-friendly 1.2-ounce container goes a long way, and allows you to tote it in your day-time bag, too, for SPF or hydration re-apps on the ground.

Fenty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer

The entire industry is in awe of Fenty, which offers 50 different concealer tones. Find the one that matches your skin using the brand’s digital shade finder, then tote it everywhere in the event of blemishes or irritation. A small dab, post moisturizer, blends right into your natural skin tone, and it gives you the certainty that nobody will study the red bump above your eye.

Boka Brush

Alright, so this one technically requires water, but you’re 100 percent not using any from the tap, because you’d never put that water in your body. Instead, you can request a small cup from the service staff, or bring in your own water bottle.

And leave the brush-charging station at home, because Boka’s electric toothbrush lasts 25 days without a top off. Its heads are designed for 3-month use, for which you can enroll in automatic replenishment, too. I prefer to tote the head in a separate small baggie, to isolate it from everything else, then reattach it for use, and for air-drying in the hotel later. If there’s a line building up behind you, then the brush’s 2-minute timer might feel a little excessive tacked onto the rest of your regimen, but you could always stop it short once you get a good enough clean. Don’t forget to pack your preferred toothpaste!

DedCool Mint ChazStick Lip Balm

After hours in the sky, your lips are likely the first thing to feel dry; that’s because the skin there is thinner and more susceptible to these types of changes in their environment. DedCool’s oil-infused, aloe-packed, mint-scented, shea-butter lip balm is the post-brushing, post cleansing fix that restores them to their happy, hydrated state and shields them from further dry-air aggression.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Body Builder

If your hair is of stylable length, then save the touch-up until after your face regimen, so that you don’t end up patting any hair product into your skin. Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day spray is like a reset on your style, which has likely turned greasy and limp through the long flight. It adds volume and texture, kind of like a hair paste or fiber in any other setting. Simply spray it on, massage it into place with your fingers or a comb, and walk off the plane with soft, touchable, textured hair, unlike every other passenger who is desperate for a shower.

Byredo Eleventh Hour Hair Cream

If you’ve got that face wipe on hand, then now’s the time to remove any excess product buildup from your mitts. You can leave the bathroom and follow it with another hand sanitizing, before sitting in your seat and applying Byredo’s scented hand cream. This one has subtle notes of bergamot, cashmere woods, fig and tonka beans, but it won’t overwhelm your seatmates. Instead, it gives your dehydrated and product-slogged hands a chance to recover, with the added benefit of a cooling, uplifting tingle.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
July 9, 2019 / Comments Off on 9 Essential Grooming Products for the Frequent Flyer
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Bike Pain-Free With These Game-Changing Cycling Upgrades

Pretty much any seasoned cyclist will tell you, if you feel a consistent pain on a ride, look at your frame fit. If your back hurts, your seat is probably angled too high; if your hands are going numb, your stem length is perhaps off.

But there’s also a level of expected — and accepted — mild discomfort. For me, that’s always been in the saddle and my knees. I’ve traded out my seat twice, tried covers, adjusted the angle of the saddle itself… but no matter what, I feel like I’m sliding off the pint-size perch; I can’t quite find that sweet sitting spot to lock and load instead of squirm.

As for my knees, they also act up during long runs and, since I know my frame fits and is set up correctly for my dimensions, I’ve long written off the dull ache as a biomechanical issue I can only hope to mitigate with cross-training and better recovery.

Then, last summer, I went through a fitting with Retül Match, a program owned by Specialized that uses full-body mapping sensors to determine your bone shapes and imbalances. A technician took pressure points of my foot, measured my femur length, measured my sit bones on a pressure map and lightly analyzed my biomechanics.

(Note: The company also has a super intensive fitting conducted from Specialized’s Boulder shop that analyzes your entire biomechanics on a bike, but I just did the program on the Match Tower that’s in bike shops nationwide)

The first few things they told me I already knew: I have a wide toe box and super high arches, which limits what kinds of shoes I’ll find comfortable in pretty much every sport, cycling included. But then they dropped statistics I hadn’t heard, or even considered: My sit bones were wider than most, so I need a 168mm saddle compared to the standard 135mm. My left foot naturally turns out 5 to 10 degrees.

What that meant: I needed to upgrade my saddle and reinstall my shoe cleats at the proper angle.

It sounds super basic, maybe even obvious if you’re a super seasoned rider. But in my two years getting into the sport, these were levels of detail I had never considered.

My first 60-miler with a new perch and properly aligned cleats felt like I had popped half a bottle of ibuprofen and gotten two days worth of sleep before heading out. My knees didn’t ache, and my undercarriage didn’t start screaming till the last 10 miles (hey, some things are inevitable).

Now, every rainy day that I go to a spin class where the saddles are all that 135mm, I can recognize that my constant battle against sliding off the seat is not just part of a ride, but something I can control (if only studios would let me bring my seat in).

It’s worth pointing out some pains are most likely the result of an improper fit or not enough core strength: namely, neck pain, hand pain, low-back pain and some knee pain. But the minor details are often overlooked by intermediate riders, says Todd Carver, founder of Retül, possibly because it takes a skilled fitter, advanced technology — not to mention time and money — to figure out the finer details.

But the payoff is real: “Comfort is the most immediate benefit of these minor tweaks,” says Carver. “But long-term, you also get a reduced risk of overuse injury and better efficiency by ensuring the right balance is created between fit aggressiveness and rider flexibility.”

Intrigued? You’ll get the most benefit from paying for your fitting at a local bike shop (you can find Retül Match programs here). Meantime, here are the main micro-changes that might make all the difference to your ride.

Trade Your Saddle Shape

If you feel constant pain or numbness in your, ahem, undercarriage, or like you can never get comfortable on the perch, the stock saddle is probably wrong for your body. The two variables here are width and shape — and it’s pretty much the opposite of one-size-fits-all, Carver says.

Ask your local bike shop for a saddle fit, where they should measure your sit-bone width, then let you try a zillion shapes till one feels right under your tush. Here are a few of our favorites for different booties.

Pro Stealth

A cult favorite among aggressive riders supporting stubby saddles, this seat is wider at the nose, allowing you to stay at the front of the saddle and in the drops for longer periods of times. The wide middle cut-out chops weight and helps take pressure off the soft tissue.

Planet Bike A.R.S. Anatomic Relief Saddle

This comfort saddle has firm foam padding to keep your sit bones from screaming and a slight mid-channel for blood flow. It feels cheaper than the saddles that’ll run you triple digits, but the gel top and affordable price tag make for an easy upgrade on a budget.

Selle SMP Pro

For guys with wide sit bones and serious perineal pain, this Italian-made saddle may be worth the price tag. The super wide center channel will cushion your soft tissue and optimize circulation while the drop nose encourages you to stand more often, alleviating the pressure underneath.

Tweak Your Cleats

Try this: Standing on one foot, lift your knee till it’s up 90 degrees. Look down at your foot; is it hanging straight ahead or slightly askew? Chances are it’s the latter. “All humans have a natural foot angle,” Carver says. Clipless pedals will make each stroke more efficient, but when your foot is clipped in perfectly straight with zero float, this causes weird torque on all parts of your leg, which translates to ankle, knee or hip pain, he explains.

Speedplay Zero Pedals

“Some cleats are fixed and have no float, which can be a huge problem as the foot has no room to rotate once clipped in,” Carver says. Float essentially lets your heel pivot slightly as you pedal. The ideal amount of swivel is a personal (and biomechanical) preference, but we — along with countless pro cyclists — love the Speedplay Zero pedal system; when paired with their Aero Walkable Cleats, you can adjust from wide open (15 degrees) down to a fixed position (zero float).

Crank Brothers Zero Float Cleats

There’s a solid camp of zero float devotees, as being completely locked in gives you optimal power. And that’s OK — adjusting the angle of your cleats may be enough to help offset the biomechanical issues causing your knee pain. These Crank Brothers cleats are durable but offer no play, so be sure your cleats are installed to match your natural foot angle.

BikeFit Cleat Wedges

Instead of angling your cleats, you can insert these wedges between your cleat and shoe to offset your biomechanical foot angle issues. By adding a little lift on the inside or outside of your foot, your leg won’t rotate inward or outward and, theoretically, your power will increase and knees will ache less. Considering these run about the price of a decent bottle of wine and don’t require the help of a fitter, they’re a pretty easy troubleshoot to lower limb pains.

Get Fitted for Shoes

Shoes that are too small overall or cause hot spots and numbness in your feet make for a very uncomfortable ride. You want enough room for that mid-ride swell in size, but also a tight closure around the heel and midfoot for optimal power production, Carver says. Just like with running shoes, you should go into a store, get fitted and try on a variety of brands to determine which best fits your foot shape, but here are a few of the most promising options.

Specialized Torch 2

This iconic mid-tier cycling shoe features Specialized’s signature Body Geometry technology, which means it was ergonomically designed to better align the hip, knee and forefoot to improve pedaling efficiency and decrease pain points. The Torch 2 specifically has a more relaxed fit around the toe box than other models (though it’s probably still too tight for those with a wide forefoot) and a less constrictive fit along the foot. Additionally, the insole is designed to minimize hot foot and support your arches.

Bont Vaypor S

The Vaypor S shoes are super light with a dual-layer Boa system that lets you get a tight fit without hot spots. Their biggest selling point is the wide toe box (akin to Altra running shoes), which theoretically allows your toes to grip, balance and resist more naturally than being crammed together. We also love that they come with a custom heat-molded footbed.

Louis Garneau Course Air Lite II

The shoe itself fits snugly in the heel with minimal stack height, but what makes it stand out is its adaptive fit. It features a lace design from top to toe, which means multiple anchoring points but with Boa closures for those ideal micro-adjustments. The included insole has three adjustable arch wedges for personalized support, but most impressive is LG’s patented X-comfort zone material. It’s essentially an elastomer-spandex built into the shoe’s upper that gives as your foot expands with heat without compromising the stability of the shoe.

Insert Insoles

Ideally, you want to support your natural arch, even if it’s neutral, to prevent it from collapsing while riding. This can go a long way toward preventing foot problems like toe numbness and plantar fasciitis, as well as knee pain, says Carver.

Specialized Body Geometry SL Footbeds

These Body Geometry insoles have three distinct arch supports, plus another for your metatarsals (placed right off the medial arch, something most footbed designs get wrong). They come in three levels of support depending how high your arches are from the start.

Sidas Bike+ Flashfit Footbeds

If your arches have dropped or you naturally have flat feet, opt for a custom footbed. Carver recommends having a mold created by a skilled fitter or medical professional, but for a quick at-home option, these heat-moldable insoles from beloved footbed company Sidas can help.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
June 28, 2019 / Comments Off on Bike Pain-Free With These Game-Changing Cycling Upgrades
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The Best American Audio Companies That Are Keeping Passive Speakers Alive

Wireless smart and active loudspeakers have taken a considerable slice of the pie in the past three years; the category generated more than $3.2 billion in revenue in 2018 and has experienced a level of growth not seen since the launch of the iPad and Android-based tablets. But before you stick a fork in passive loudspeakers, it’s worthwhile to point out that the category still generates billions in revenue; passive loudspeakers are also able to deliver superior sound quality at both the entry-level and extreme high-end.

Passive loudspeakers may not represent the future of home audio, but dozens of manufacturers around the globe, and particularly three in the United States, are holding firm: their passive speakers sound better than the vast majority of speakers out there.

Magnepan, Zu Audio, and Spatial Audio are all located in the states and build their products domestically. Each audio company offers something different than the traditional passive loudspeaker you might find in your local Best Buy.

Quality doesn’t come cheap and it should be noted that you can’t drive any of these passive loudspeakers with A/V receivers and expect great sonic results. It’s true that each company has a very different philosophy when it comes to transducer technology but they all share one thing in common; their products offer world-class levels of transparency and resolution that could make you rethink how a loudspeaker is supposed to sound.

Magnepan

Magnepan is an audio company based in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, that has been manufacturing full-range planar loudspeakers for almost forty-eight years. Its planar magnetic loudspeakers — which utilize very low mass, razor-thin film ribbon drivers — have a specific dipole design; there’s no speaker cabinet and the sound radiates from the back and front of the loudspeaker. The effect is that the sound has a level of openness and transparency that you don’t hear from conventional loudspeakers.

Magneplanar speakers utilize a full-range ribbon tweeter and quasi-ribbon driver to reproduce the entire frequency spectrum of sound; the trade-off is that the panel needs to be larger to accurately reproduce mid and low bass information. And you shouldn’t expect subterranean bass from this type of driver. Magneplanar speakers are known for their resolution, speed, clarity, and the illusion of soundstage depth and height. They require space (a minimum of 2-to-3 feet from the wall to allow their sound to really open up) and a very powerful amplifier to work properly; 100-200 watts at a minimum.

Magnepan’s loudspeakers can be surprisingly affordable by high-end standards; the .7 ($1,395) and 1.7i ($1,995+) full-range models are $1,450 and $2,200 respectively, but the new LRS (Little Ribbon Speaker), which retail for $650, offer better sound quality than most loudspeakers below $1,000.

Zu Audio

If Magnepan represents the old guard of American high-end audio, Zu Audio is new money. Based in Utah, the company focuses on full-range single-driver loudspeakers housed in beautifully finished cabinets that don’t require a lot of power. Zu’s product range is comfortable with 5-400 watts of power, but your choice of solid-state, tubes, or class D amplification will have a significant impact on the final sound.

The Omen MK. II loudspeakers ($2,250), for example, are its hook. The 10-inch full-range driver is augmented with a super tweeter and the 36-inch tall cabinets are built to last. Every Zu loudspeaker inspires confidence with its heft and high level of finish quality.

If you’re looking for an audiophile loudspeaker that is overly focused on imaging and soundstage depth, the Omen MK. II is not for you. Zu’s speakers create a wall of sound that flesh out great sounding recordings with midrange punch and a lot of detail; which can also be too much of a good thing with bad ones. A small nitpick is that they are sensitive to placement; a few inches in either direction can have a significant impact on the sound.

Spatial Audio

Spatial Audio is another Utah-based company, but they are better known for their M-series open baffle loudspeakers that have turned a DIY concept into an innovative piece of industrial design; the speakers not only look sleek and expensive, but sound impressive as well.

Open baffle loudspeakers have always had a big following in the DIY audio community; the absence of a cabinet that can negatively interact with the room and drivers, and the ability to experiment with a combination of driver technology are just two of the advantages. The disadvantages include not sounding great in smaller rooms, the need for a relatively large baffle, and not being very forgiving of bad recordings. The reality is that very few have succeeded in bringing this type of loudspeaker to market in a way that most people would consider them for a living room or den.

Spatial Audio builds and assembles its products in-house; its custom full-range drivers are mounted in a 2.5-inch thick multi-layered HDF slab that screams Ikea chic. The M4 Turbo S feature two 12-inch full-range drivers per speaker and are a very amp friendly load. What sets the Spatial Audio products apart from the other designs that have failed over the years are the room-friendly baffles; the M4 Turbo S work well in smaller spaces and the controlled directivity of the drivers minimizes their interaction with the room.

The M4 Turbo S delivers layers of resolution and impressive low-end performance. Their high sensitivity allows them to work with low-powered tube amplifiers, and even moderately powered integrated amplifiers. Their neutral sounding tonal balance makes them a good loudspeaker to experiment with if you want to compare the differences between solid state and tube amplification and they are very spacious sounding.

Give them enough space and drive them with quality amplification and you may not understand how a pair of floor-standing loudspeakers can disappear in a room like a pair of the world’s best bookshelf loudspeakers.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
June 3, 2019 / Comments Off on The Best American Audio Companies That Are Keeping Passive Speakers Alive
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This Casual Shirt Is Designed to Take a Beating

This spring, countless brands are offering fresh iterations of the classic rugby shirt. Though the designs offer new colors and patterns, the garment is essentially unchanged. The tough, long-sleeve shirt is made with heavyweight cotton, reinforced seams and a tough collar. Originally designed to take a beating on the field, this shirt is ideal for everyday wear through the shoulder season. There are countless options available in stores now, but to get you started, here are a few of our favorites.

J.Crew 1984 Rugby Shirt

The rugby shirt became a fast staple for the brand after it was first released in 1984. This reproduction of the classic style utilizes a harlequin-print style introduced in 1990 along with traditional rubber buttons.

Mr P. Rugby Shirt

This take on the rugby shirt from Mr Porter’s house brand showcases a non-traditional colorway that is seasonally appropriate. The ribbed cuff and hem give the relaxed-fit shirt a shilhouette typically associated with sweatshirts.

Battenwear Pocket Rugby Shirt

Battenwear based its rugby shirt of the style championed by Patagonia in the ’70s. It is cut from 12-ounce cotton jersey and features a chest pocket, twill collar and reinforced seams.

Rowing Blazers Ireland 1895 Authentic Rugby

Made with 14-ounce heavyweight cotton jersey, this rugby shirt features an oversized five-sprig shamrock emblem. Made in Europe, it has an off-center rugby collar (based on the original design), a three-button placket and rib-knit cuffs.

Remi Relief Rugby Shirt

Made in Japan, this rugby shirt has a serrated stripe running across the chest. The relaxed-fit style features a two-button placket, a split hem and ribbed cuffs.

AMI Rugby Shirt

Made in Europe, this rugby shirt has a bold striped pattern and a traditional boxy fit. Made from heavyweight cotton fabric, it features a twill collar, understated logo and side slits for mobility.

Aimé Leon Dore Rugby Shirt

Inspired by the classic style, this rugby shirt is knit from lightweight cotton. It features a three-button placket, slim fit and ribbed trims.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
April 8, 2019 / Comments Off on This Casual Shirt Is Designed to Take a Beating
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The Biggest Spring Splurge Is the Drug Rug

One of the most recognizable counter-culture garments, the drug rug, got a major refresh this spring. The relaxed knit hoodie has been a staple of alternative groups since the ‘70s when American surfers brought the style back to California after wave hunting on the Baja Peninsula (hence the term Baja hoodie). And while you’d be equally likely today to find the Central American style at a Dead and Co. concert as you would on a Pacific beach, you’d also, more surprisingly, see it gracing the racks of the country’s top luxury stores.

Brands have recreated the laid-back garment in high-end materials (think: cashmere) and the prices reflect the substance — they differ by orders of magnitude. Though the mash-up of high and low is nothing new in the fashion world, it has, perhaps, never been quite this cozy. Check out a few of our favorite options below.

Faherty French Terry Hoodie Poncho

Made from incredibly soft cotton terry, this Baja hoodie is both incredibly comfortable and easy to take core of. It fits true to size and is machine washable and dryable — essential if you’re wearing it to the beach.

Frye Baja Hoodie

This earth-tone cotton hoodie has an oversize fit and comes in two sizes: S/M and L/XL. The brand recommends you dry clean it when it gets too dirty as to preserve the knitting.

Vince Boiled Cashmere Baja Hoodie

Made from 100-percent boiled cashmere, this hoodie features a kangaroo front pocket and a ribbed hem and cuffs. The dense knit is both warm and breathable, perfect for cool weather.

Amiri Striped Hoodie

While this Baja hoodie references the shape of the classic style, it’s color palette is decidedly more far out. Made from cotton, this mid-weight knit features vertical black stripes and a wild tie-dye pattern of blue, hot pink and yellow.

The Elder Statesman Baja Pullover

This 100-percent Mongolian cashmere hoodie is knit in Los Angeles and features black, yellow, green and blue stripes. Intentionally oversized, the features a front pouch pocket and faux-drawstrings.

Alanui Striped Cashmere-Blend Hoodie

Made in Italy, this Baja hoodie is knit from a blend of cotton and cashmere. The mid-weight relaxed style fits true to size and features an open drawstring hood and front pouch pocket.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
April 1, 2019 / Comments Off on The Biggest Spring Splurge Is the Drug Rug
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The Best New Running Shoes Out This Month

With spring races just around the corner and more hours of sunshine in each day, it’s time to take your treadmill miles to the road. Each month there are a seemingly large number of new sneakers released, whether they’re updates to old versions or brand new models — and it can be hard to figure out which ones are worth buying. We’ve sifted through the noise for you; Here are all the running sneakers we’re excited about that launched this month.

Inov-8 Roclite 275

This light and speedy sneaker is ideal for rocky trails. Despite weighing just 9-ounces, the mesh upper and grippy, lugged outsole are heavy duty and won’t fall apart after 50 miles.

S/Lab Ultra 2

The S/Lab Ultra is for those on the high mileage side of trail running. At $180, it’s not an entry-level shoe, but runners in the know will recognize and put value in the name Françoise D’haene, an ultrarunner who collaborated on the design. He wore these during his record-breaking run of California’s John Muir Trail last October. Salomon’s newest trail runners will handle 50-mile trail races in stride, plus the improved fit means there’s ample room for foot swell.

Mizuno Wave Horizon 3

The newest sneaker from Mizuno is built for those who need stability on their runs. For those familiar with the Mizuno family of shoes, the midsole is the same as the Wave Enigma, Wave Rider and Wave Prophecy. For those who haven’t tried it, the foam is soft and cushioned, so you have a plush feel as soon as you step in.

Adidas Running x Game of Thrones

These unisex shoes, inspired by the television series Game of Thrones, come in six limited edition styles and colors. Expect the same great performance features the Ultraboost is known for like a cushioned feel and a grippy Continental outsole.

Skechers Go Run Razor 3 Hyper

In honor of the Los Angeles marathon (on March 24), Skechers, a title sponsor, released a new colorway of the speedy Gorun Razor. We tested a version of this sneaker and awarded it as one of the Best New Running Shoes of 2018, so we expect this version, which has only had a color update, will also help us pick up the pace and log some speedy meters.

Asics MetaRide

After a brief 20-minute treadmill run in the Asics MetaRide, we can vouch that the rocker technology makes for a seriously different feel. Heel strikers will get the most energy return as they hit the ground with their heel and feel the shoe roll forward (picture a rocking chair moving back and forth), which helps eliminate some energy output on your part.

The 15 Best New Running Shoes of 2018

This definitive guide to the best new running shoes of 2018 explores everything you need to know before buying new running shoes this year, including shoes from Brooks, Altra, Adidas, Asics, Mizuno, Reebok and more. These twelve shoes are worth tracking down this year. Read the Story

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
March 30, 2019 / Comments Off on The Best New Running Shoes Out This Month
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10 Workout Recovery Products That Feel Damn Good

The science behind recovery gear should come with an asterisk. It’s not that it doesn’t work, but the benefits may be more mental than physical; there’s a limit to how much it can help. The term active recovery stems from the effort to ease soreness and prepare our bodies for the next effort. And yet, science shows that the best recovery method is actually passive, free and something we can’t function without sleep.

The perception that we are involved in our recovery is hard to shake. How many runners and cyclists take an Epsom salt bath after a hard workout to help flush out lactic acid? Lactic acid doesn’t cause muscle soreness. Instead, it recycles itself back into stored energy within an hour after exercise. By the time an athlete gets home and fills the bathtub, the lactic acid is gone.

When you start a new training regimen, you might not be sore right away but you will likely feel it several days later. That phenomenon is known as delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and is caused by micro-tears in muscles (and not by lactic acid as is a common myth), most often happening in movements where the muscles stretch or lengthen. Think the lowering of your arm during a bicep curl or the stepping down from a box jump. That soreness remains the primary justification for massage products and the use of ibuprofen. Before you throw down hundreds for some fancy leg chambers you saw an Olympian using on Instagram, know your money is likely better spent on a comfy recliner.

That’s not an excuse to skip cooldown exercises or massages – mainly if they work for you – as studies continue to find benefits, even if they can’t explain them. “I am a big advocate of recognizing the principle of individual differences,” Dixie Stanforth, Ph.D., Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM), and editorial board member of ACSM Health & Fitness Journal, says. She’s a big fan of foam rollers and massage, which allow you to enter a parasympathetic state, where your body knows to slow your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate. One caveat with rollers is that getting too intense can cause pain and trigger the body’s fight or flight response, where your heart rate spikes and you have a burst of energy. Make sure to track your heart rate and let your body come back down to a resting state before calling it quits.

We pulled ten of the best recovery aids to help you improve sleep and muscle soreness. While pampering yourself into a relaxed state may be the most beneficial outcome, anything that feels good after using it is worth the investment.

Fit Simply Resistance Bands

For light-resistance stretches or recovery cooldowns, these bands can work muscles in a variety of ways you can’t (safely) get from free weights. The five color-coded bands represent different weights, with the red one providing two pounds of resistance and the black one registering around 25 pounds. For recovery, you want to stay on the lower end of that scale — save those heavier bands for an actual workout. It’s a simple set that’s affordable and travel-friendly, plus it comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Trigger Point Grid Foam Roller

The Grid Foam Roller is one of the original self-massage tools. A lot of the ‘upgrades’ stray toward more dubious claims and cost more. This hands-on approach to massage helps your body know its time to begin recovering. There is evidence that post-effort self-massage with a foam roller can temporarily increase the range of motion and alleviate muscles soreness over a few days. It’s not a torture device, so avoid movements that cause too much discomfort as misuse can also lead to injury. Do you need one that vibrates? Probably not.

Addaday Type J+ Junior Roller

The Junior+ Roller is a favorite travel-ready massage tool. It’s a larger and softer version of the balls used on Addaday’s stick rollers, which is good since the massage roller reaches some of the more sensitive muscles, like feet. The roller sits inside an easy-to-grip frame that can also sit on the floor while you work your arches. If you’ve held off buying a roller before, the Junior is an excellent entry-point to recovery. It will quickly become a must-pack for post-race bags.

Oofos OOmg Fibre Low Shoes

If your workout runs overtime, elevating your legs isn’t always an option. That’s where recovery footwear comes in. The Oofos flip-flops make great house footwear, but don’t fare as well outside. The shoes can go out on errands and withstand light outdoor use. A flexible and breathable upper makes for a snug, sweat-free fit meaning they make walking around after a workout extremely comfortable, especially for those with foot issues like plantar fasciitis.

Tailwind Rebuild Drink

Sometimes a ride or run goes long, and you’re behind schedule. A recovery drink can help save time and sate your hunger for more than an hour. Tailwind’s Rebuild recovery mix is unique in that it offers a complete protein made from vegan ingredients like organic rice, amino acids and coconut milk. The six-pack of single-use packets comes in chocolate or vanilla.

CEP Merino Socks for Recovery

Compression socks have shown promise as a legit post-run recovery device, though some studies had participants wear them for an improbable two days after a marathon effort, and then tested their recovery on a treadmill test. Hopefully, you’re not running to failure anytime soon after a marathon. Pros and weekend warriors alike swear by their socks, and even researchers admit that a perceived reduction in muscle soreness and inflammation may benefit the athlete. At worst, wearing these is a comfortable way to signal you are in lounging mode. Weekend warriors may want to use them to alleviate next-day soreness for those Saturday-Sunday efforts.

Charlotte’s Web Extra Strength CBD Oil

The science behind CBD and its benefits is still emerging, which means it is easy for companies to throw out overreaching claims and hope research backs them up some day. That said, studies in humans have found that full-spectrum hemp oil can curb anxiety and reduce inflammation which in turn help regulate sleep. Hemp oil is also high in omega fatty acids and plays well with other micronutrients. Charlotte’s Web sources its hemp from Colorado farms which have a reputation for monitoring soil contamination and product consistency. Despite the naming convention, the Extra Strength oil is a good entry level, as the Original Formula contains three times as much CBD.

Nuun Rest

If you have trouble falling asleep, try one of these magnesium and tart cherry-packed tablets. The melatonin in these tablets will aid sound sleep — dissolve one tablet in four ounces (half a cup) and don’t worry about getting up in the middle of the night. The Lemon Chamomile and Blackberry Vanilla flavors can be served cold, or try one in warm water with a dash of honey, like a tea.

Slumbercloud Nacreous Cooling Mattress Pad

Cooler bedroom temperatures make for better sleep — aim for 60 to 67 according to The Cleveland Clinic — but the thermostat can’t keep heat from building up between your body and the mattress. This cooling mattress pad siphons excess heat into the mattress and returns it when your temperature drops. The liner inside the mattress pad contains tiny beads that attract or repel heat according to a set temperature, creating a consistent sleeping temperature, which is especially useful for old school souls who sleep without air conditioning in the summer.

Good to Go, by Christie Aschwanden

What does a book have to do with recovery? Good To Go pulls back the curtain on the recovery industry and questions the efficacy of many popular recovery methods. Aschwanden is an author, athlete and lead science writer at FiveThirtyEight. Her research even challenges the notion that athletes need to help their body recover faster, which should make you stop popping ibuprofen like its candy. If you’re a weekend warrior, a post-effort nap is the most effective and cheapest option out there. If you’ve thought about investing $100 in infrared pajamas or a recovery gym, give this book a read first.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.
March 26, 2019 / Comments Off on 10 Workout Recovery Products That Feel Damn Good
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The Best Vinyl LPs to Really Show Off Your Turntable

If your affection for sound quality has started to compete with your affection for music itself, you may have entered the early stages of audiophilia. Should the condition advance, you will likely become preoccupied with stereo equipment and, inevitably, the sound quality of the recordings you own. Often dismissed as a geeky hobby gone awry, audiophilia actually rests upon a keen phenomenological insight: that aesthetic experiences start with physical events. It follows, then, that optimizing those physical events is an attempt to optimize aesthetic experiences, which, if not entirely cool, isn’t an entirely geeky impulse either.

As one of the most important art forms to arise from the industrial era, the 12-inch vinyl LP – with its perfect running length, natural intermission between sides and meaningful tactility – can deliver thoroughly transcendent analog listening experiences, provided the LP is itself physically optimal. Unfortunately, the likelihood of getting a subpar LP today is far higher than it should be, and a subpar LP will make even the best of stereo systems sound iffy at best.

The Complex Process of Producing an LP

Producing an LP is a multi-stepped process. We’ve separated each of the steps below, each a potential pitfall on the long journey of delivering a high-quality LP.

• Recording: With today’s shrinking budgets, home studios and self-taught engineers, the probability of an exceptional recording using exceptional equipment is lower than ever.

• Mixing down to stereo: ^ Ditto. Plus the demands of mixing for digital streaming have left a generation of mixing engineers bereft of techniques best suited to making analog LPs.

• Mastering the stereo tracks: Mastering is the final polishing of the mixes for commercial delivery. Even many top-notch mastering engineers optimize tracks for digital media, and not for cutting an LP. It’s best to cut an LP from specially prepared masters or from the unmastered mixes.

• Cutting a lacquer disc: The cutting engineer plays the stereo tracks and uses a lathe to cut grooves into a blank lacquer disc. If the cutting engineer is not the dude at the plant who just pounded three beers on his Friday lunch break, but rather a sober and experienced cutting engineer working in a sterile environment on a well maintained lathe, there is hope of a properly cut lacquer. However…

• Producing the blank lacquer disc: In 2013 a bad batch went out from Japan and screwed up cutting sessions around the world. Environmental restrictions on certain chemicals have made modern lacquer production fussier than it used to be.

• Plating: Let’s assume the cutting engineer produced a near-perfect lacquer. Excellent, now the cutter screws the lacquer into a what looks like a medieval torture device and ships it off to an electroplating plant where another engineer sprays the lacquer with silver, dips it in a nickel bath, zaps it, and eventually ends up with two metal plates called stampers. Lacquers are often destroyed in failed attempts to create stampers, and must be cut again.

• Pressing: Let’s assume plating produced clean stampers. The plating engineer packs the metal stampers into another odd looking packaging device and delivers it for pressing. A pressing machine operator installs the stamper onto a huge machine that drops goobers of (what we hope is properly formulated) vinyl onto the metal plates and then squeezes them together just like you’d make waffles. If dust hasn’t found a way in and the vinyl releases cleanly from the metal stampers, we may have an excellent sounding vinyl LP on our hands.

The Records

As one who has overseen vinyl production from microphone to final packaging, I can attest to the Sisyphean nature of making a high-quality LP. The good news is that more than a few labels are doing it, and some are even forging new analog techniques.

Below are ten albums that have miraculously made it past all of the production pitfalls to stand proudly as some of the very best sounding 12-inch vinyl LPs currently available. Whether you dig the music or not, spinning any of these LPs will give you a good idea of what your stereo rig is capable of. Chances are, however, that at least one of these LPs will transport you to the quasi-psychedelic glory land of vinyl at its best.

Harvest, Neil Young

The grandfather of grunge is one of the most outspoken advocates for great sound quality, and his masterpiece Harvest may be the main reason he wants your stereo and source not to suck. This edition, cut directly from analog masters and pressed in 180g vinyl, brings Neil and his tasty Nashville studio group into your living room. Check out the hi-hat overdub on “Heart of Gold,” added months after the song was tracked, and tolerate the hyperbolic “A Man Needs a Maid” because it’s a 26-year-old Neil live at the piano with the London Symphony Orchestra over his shoulder.

Key Specs

Label: Reprise Records
Series: Neil Young Archives Official Release Series (ORS)
Format: 180g black vinyl, gatefold
Source: original analog masters (no digital conversion)
Cut: Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering
Plated and Pressed: Pallas Group, Germany

Tomorrow’s Harvest, The Boards of Canada

It’s rare that a modern synth record will translate onto vinyl as well as this set of retro-electroica from the analog-obsessed Boards of Canada. Every swishy filter sweep, grinding bass tone, and live drum beat is rendered with sculptural realism. You’ll find yourself sitting up straight in the sweet spot and admiring your rig’s bass response and mid-range articulation as these moody, dystopian tracks chronicle our fast-changing world.

Key Specs

Label: Warp Records
Series: standard release
Format: 180g vinyl, double disc in gatefold

All other info is unavailable.

Maggot Brain, Funkadelic

The ten-minute, Hendrix-trouncing guitar solo that opens this LP is so raw, so up-in-your-face, and so far off to the right channel that it sounds like Eddy Hazel set his amp up in your house. When the band comes in, you’ll hear exactly why the 1970s are still regarded as the heyday of the recording arts, as well as unbridled drug use. Sounds are crunchy and warm and a million light years away from today’s sterile digital soundscapes. Consider a seat belt.

Key Specs

Label: Westbound Records
Series: 4 Men With Beards issue with permission from Westbound
Format: 180g black vinyl, single disc in gatefold with essay

All other info resides on The Mother Ship.

Concerto for Orchestra, Bela Bartok

Of all the version of this masterpiece on vinyl, this one recorded in the mid 1950s with Fritz Reiner waving the baton at The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is the gold standard. When the low string drone starts the first movement, turn up the volume and brace yourself for a long slow crescendo up to the brass fugue that, on a great stereo, will make The Who sound minuscule. Reverb is natural and astonishingly well suited. Acclaimed mastering engineer Ryan Smith cut this one directly from the original analog master tapes, and Quality Record Pressings (QRP) here in the USA pressed it flawlessly.

Key Specs

Label: RCA Records
Series: RCA Living Stereo Series from Analogue Productions
Format: 200g black vinyl
Source: original analog master tapes
Cut: Ryan Smith
Plating and Pressing: Gary Salstrom, QRP

The Four Seasons Recomposed, Max Richter with the Berlin Orchestra

By side three of this two-disc set, Max Richter has taken us from a crystal clear and quintessentially German orchestral recording of Richter’s take on Vivaldi into an entirely electronic soundscape. The sound quality throughout is modern and precise without succumbing to brittleness. That’s quite an accomplishment, but shouldn’t surprise fans of Deutsche Gramaphone’s modern records.

Key Specs

Label: Deutsche Gramaphone
Series: standard issue
Format: dual 180g black vinyl discs in cut-out gatefold
Source: original mixes by Neil Hutchinson and Max Richter
Mastering: Mandy Parnell at Black Saloon
Cut: Mandy Parnell on a Neumann lathe
Plating and Pressing: N/A

Monk, The Thelonious Monk Quartet

The simple grammar of Frankie Dunlop’s drum intro eventually interlaces with Monk’s abstract expressionism on piano, Charlie Rouse’s economical tenor sax, and John Ore’s swinging bass to form one of the most vibrant live jazz records ever laid down. Rendered in glorious mono, you’ll have nothing but an incredible center image of the 1963 set from Copenhagen to remind you, as only Monk can, that sometimes less is way more. This LP is 100-percent analog from start to finish.

Key Specs

Label: Gearbox Records
Series: Future Analog
Format: 180g black vinyl
Source: AAA = analog recording, analog mix, analog master
Mastering: Darrel Shienman on a Haeco Scull lathe with Westrex RA1700 series amps, 3DIIA cutting head, Telefinken U73B tube limiter and Decca valve EQ.

Natty Dread, Bob Marley & The Wailers

Sometimes a musician and their songs are so iconic that sound quality barely registers beneath their glory and fame, but Bob Marley and the Wailers did not fuck around in the studio. Perfect panning and a delicately balanced mix allow the deep grooves and even deeper emotions to come forward in equal measure. To celebrate what would have been Bob’s 70th birthday, all of his albums for Island Records have been faithfully reproduced in fresh new 180g pressings, but Natty Dread’ has the most compelling 1970s sound quality.

Key Specs

Label: Tuff Gong / Island / Universal
Series: 70th Anniversary Reissue
Format: 180g black vinyl

All other info is unavailable. Marley’s releases are notoriously varied across markets and poorly documented, which is half the fun.

Revolver, The Beatles

Staying up into the wee hours with Australian-born, LA-based record producer Andy Baldwin (Bjork, Nick Cave, etc) trying to decide which Beatles record sounded the best brought a unanimous vote for Revolver. In Baldwin’s words, “Oh, mate, it’s just like you could pet the guitar tone, like a cat, sitting just there.” Both the stereo and mono versions sound incredible, but the Fab Four would prefer you listen in mono as God intended. Go ahead, pet it.

Key Specs

Label: EMI
Format: 180g mono vinyl (mono and stereo available)
Series: All-Analog Project
Source: mono from original 1/4” master tape; stereo from 192kHz digital transfers
Mastering: cut at Abbey Road Studios by Magee and Berkowitz using the original analog chain from the 1960s
Plated and Pressed: Optimal, Germany

Shady Grove, Jerry Garcia and David Grisman

Two old friends, an acoustic guitar, a mandolin and a few mics. This LP is naked in the best way possible. Grisman convinced Garcia to put heavy strings on his guitar, and the result is Uncle Jerry struggling just enough to get his best acoustic guitar tone ever laid to tape. Newly cut to 180g vinyl from the original analog tapes using Mobile Fidelity’s GAIN 2 Ultra Analog process, your stereo will seem as naked as the recording itself.

Key Specs

Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
Series: GAIN 2 Ultra Analog™
Format: 180g vinyl on two discs with full sized booklet
Source: original masters
Cutting: GAIN 2 Ultra Analog system
Plated and Pressed: N/A

Portrait in Jazz, The Bill Evans Trio

If you’re going to drop $125 on a single LP, then it ought to blow your mind, and this one will. Recorded in 1960, the fidelity of this LP has yet to be topped. Paul Motian’s ride cymbal sounds like Champagne bubbles sliding down the throat of Audrey Hepburn in a black sheath dress, while LaFaro’s bass steps forward to create the modern standard for jazz bass recording. Evans’ piano tone approaches perfection. Cut using a unique one-step process that skips plating all together, this LP will either make you very proud of your stereo rig or have you out shopping for upgrades – which is always fun.

Key Specs

Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab
Series: Ultradisc One-Step
Format: 180g black vinyl
Source: original tapes
Cutting: done via the one-step process which creates a unique lacquer stamper
Plating and Pressing: no plating involved (see above)

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March 20, 2019 / Comments Off on The Best Vinyl LPs to Really Show Off Your Turntable
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7 High-Proof Bourbon Whiskeys to Drink This Year

A bourbon myth for you, briefly: any 120 proof bourbon is somehow inherently better than your run-of-the-mill 80- or 90-proof stuff.

“There is a falsity that’s in the consumer base that cask strength is better,” says Fred Minnick, a spirits writer and the Editor-in-Chief of Bourbon+ magazine. “What’s really happening is, a lot of people can’t taste flaws at that strength. If they were to cut it with water and get it down to 90 or 80 proof, they would detect notes they wouldn’t necessarily care for.”

Don’t go pouring the strong stuff in your liquor cabinet down the drain, though. High-proof bourbon (it’s called “cask strength” when it’s unwatered, and therefore the same strength it was when it exited the bourbon cask) remains a beautiful spirit.

Weller first bottled a bourbon at “barrel proof” in the 1940s, but it was only 107 proof. The first bottles to breach the 115 mark came from Booker Noe, at Jim Beam, and a less-remembered bourbon from Willet called Noah’s Mill. Those bourbons weren’t just about firepower. They gave drinkers a chance to taste the bourbons like their blenders had, straight out of the barrel; they added a new tool to the bartender’s cocktail kit; and they introduced a new route — albeit a difficult one for distillers and blenders to traverse — to flavors intensified by the higher alcohol content.

Science backs this up. Ethanol, the alcohol in spirits, is an immense flavor enhancer, but its effects on the taste of a drink are not always straightforward. For instance, scientific studies have found that an increase in ethanol content in a spirit tends to decrease the release of aromatic compounds — higher alcohol, less smells. To a point, a well-balanced high-proof bourbon can amplify certain flavors, like caramel, Minnick says. When distillers control the beast, “you get those special bourbons, where the concentration of the flavor notes are much more powerful.”

It’s a fine line to walk for distillers, let alone buyers. The final lesson? Don’t buy high-proof bourbon for high proof’s sake, but prospect carefully and you’ll unlock liquid pleasures beyond the vale. Here are some high-proof bourbons that walk the line beautifully.

Booker’s 2018 04 “Kitchen Table”

The OG: Booker Noe was a visionary in the high-proof world, one of the first to bottle bourbon at cask strength, unwatered. (Booker’s also claims that he coined the term “small batch” when, really, he popularized it.) That bourbon was called “Booker’s True Barrel Bourbon.” Today, every bottle of Booker’s is bottled at barrel proof, and they pack a serious punch — usually, upward of 125 proof.
Proof: 128 (barrel proof)
Age: 6 years, 8 months, 7 days
Tasting Notes: honey, rye, molasses, spice

Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve

Juicy Bomb: Also the doing of Booker Noe, Knob Creek comes from the Beam Suntory distillery. It’s aged nine years, just like every other Knob Creek bourbon, which drinkers will find reflected in its classic vanilla and caramel notes. The extra ethanol seems to amplify the sultry caramel flavor without overwhelming the juicy, light citrus that comes from the rye.
Proof: 120
Age: 9 years
Tasting Notes: vanilla and caramel, with a touch of citrus

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

Award Winner: Heaven Hill’s ubiquitously distributed gem has won serious awards. Elijah Craig small batch variety has been lauded by Whiskey Advocate, Whiskey Magazine and The Whiskey Bible, while the Barrel Proof version was Whiskey Advocate’s 2017 Whisky of the Year. It’s an incredibly dark bourbon, representative of a serious interaction between bourbon and barrel.
Proof: 131 (barrel proof)
Age: 12 years
Tasting Notes: caramel, butterscotch, spice

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

The People’s Champion: Even the widely accessible bourbons on this list cost upward of $80. Wild Turkey’s version goes for around 50 bucks. It’s been around since 1991, a blend of 6-, 8-, and 12-year-old bourbons. Its spiciness follows with Wild Turkey 101s.
Proof: 118 (barrel proof)
Age: 6 – 12 years
Tasting Notes: spice, rye, pepper, oak

George T Stagg

Dream Bottle: Much like Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. — more on him in a moment — George T. Stagg was not known as a great distiller or blender, but rather a salesman. He’d be happy to see a bourbon with his name on it that goes for upward of $800, if it can be found. But inflated as its price may be, this is truly a dream bottle for collectors, fawned over by experts worldwide: winner of Jim Murray’s Whiskey Bible World Whiskey of the year from 2004 to 2006, and second in 2012, it was awarded three golds and three double gold medals by the San Francisco World Spirits Competition from 2006 to 2012.
Proof: 124.9 (barrel proof)
Age: 15 years
Tasting Notes: rye, coffee, fudge, dates, dark berries

Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof

Gentle Giant: Colonel Taylor was a benefactor of sorts for the bourbon industry in the 19th century — first as a banker and then as a modernizer of distilling equipment at what today is Buffalo Trace. The standard E. H. Taylor, Jr. bottle and the small-batch version are both bottled-in-bond without an age statement, which means they are at least four years old; the Barrel Proof version also has no age statement. All three use the distillery’s ubiquitous “mash bill no. 1,” shared with a number of other bottles, including Buffalo Trace and Stagg Jr.; get your hands on all three and you can compare how different barrels and proofs make for drastically different bourbons.
Proof: 125 (barrel proof)
Age: NAS
Tasting Notes: vanilla, citrus, plum

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength

Wheated Winner: There are few barrel-proof bourbons on the market that use wheat rather than rye. When Maker’s Mark Cask Strength was introduced in 2014, it gave wheated bourbon fans their first crack at a reasonably priced, widely available option. The home-run version for high-proof wheated bourbons is William Larue Weller, which is closer to 130 proof, wins loads of awards but it also costs an arm and a leg. Maker’s Mark is bottled at a much lower proof, which helps balance its sweetness, spice and alcohol heat.
Proof: 111.3 (varies)
Age: NAS
Tasting Notes: cherries, cinnamon, vanilla, dark fruit, molasses

The Best Bourbon Whiskeys You Can Buy

Everything you ever wanted to know about America’s favorite brown spirit, including, of course, the best bottles you can actually buy. Read the Story

January 4, 2019 / Comments Off on 7 High-Proof Bourbon Whiskeys to Drink This Year
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