Gear Patrol | Spirit of Adventure, Passion for Gear

Here’s a quick mental exercise for you. Imagine you were faced with a fight, in which you knew your opponent was bigger, stronger, more experienced, and had access to the best facilities, trainers, and coaches money could buy. Would you step into the ring?

It’s a terrible analogy, but those kind of Rocky odds are what nearly every new independent brand faces today. Amazingly, despite having the deck stacked against them, plenty of small, passion-fueled companies are creating incredibly innovative products with one goal in mind; revolutionizing their respective industries. While we make it a point to highlight brands like this on a regular basis, in the list below we’ve compiled 20 of our favorites to date in no particular order.

Read on about them all after the break and remember their names, because we don’t expect them to stay small for long.

We’d like to extend a special hat tip to our partners at Intel for making this GP x Smart Life series possible. Sharing our passion for discovery, Intel’s relentless pursuit of innovation not only makes our lives better today, but tomorrow’s as well. Now that’s smart.

Help bring this Irish spirit upstart, stateside

Poitín is essentially the traditional Irish equivalent to moonshine and holds a reputation for being one of the strongest spirits in the world, thanks to its 60%-95% ABV. Its Gaelic name references the small copper pots used in its distillation and the booze is commonly found throughout homes on the Emerald Isle. Poitín is in many ways a symbol of Irish independence too, since it was banned for over 300 years by the English Crown in 1661.

While two companies have been officially licensed to distill the spirit since 1989, it’s still incredibly difficult to find in the states, so Ashlee Casserly has started a Kickstarter project to bring the treasured drink to American shores. Her plan involves working with a small batch Irish distillery that uses only Irish ingredients to create a truly authentic version of the spirit, unlike the international varieties that usually just add a “poitín flavor” to neutral grain spirits such as Vodka. Given the early nature of the project, none of the basic donation levels will immediately land you a bottle of the spirit for your own bar. Contributors who pledge $500, however, will have 100 bottles named after them, complete with their signature printed on the label. Also worth noting is that high rollers donating $2,000+ will receive a Poitín tour in Ireland, tracing the spirit’s roots and production. Sounds like an incredibly cool vacation to us.

Editor’s Note: We’ve elected to donate $500 to this project — so rest assured you’ll see a Tasting Notes post on 1661 Poitín should Ashlee reach her funding goal.

Buy Now: $25+

The First American Cookbook

American Cookery ($10) is the first cookbook written by an American. Strangely, the only details that are actually known about its author come from the words “American orphan” found on the cover. Other hints from the book’s text suggest she was a domestic laborer who lacked formal education. The book was published originally in 1796 and much of its contents revolve around using traditional English cooking methods with American ingredients. Before then, English cookbooks were the only items available and called for ingredients not readily accessible in the new world. For instance, its recipe for Johnny Cakes is the first known printed version that exchanged English oats for American maize, which has evolved today to become corn bread. It also contains the first printed recipe for turkey and cranberries. Finally, and probably most important of all, Simmons outlines the use of leavening agents for making dough rise.

Only four first editions of the book exist today, but Applewood Books does offer new copies of the rare, second edition, printed in 1796 with a special introduction by food historian Karen Hess. For $10, it’s an ideal gift for foodies and chefs looking for insights on what real American cooking was like before the advent of Hamburger Helper and Velveeta.

Buy Now: $10

One star resort

Part childhood camp, part adult retreat, all neo-luddite, Camp Wandawega proves relaxation doesn’t have to involve iPads and DVRs. In lieu of technology, Wandawega’s camp counselors — oh yes, there are counselors — are happy to point you to activities like lake fishing, archery, various court sports, or one of the many other non-internet-connected activities across Wandawega’s sprawling 25 acre property. If you’re still feeling restless from not checking Gmail, you can always grab an old Schwinn and ride it up the street to pick up provisions at the gourmet grocer, tuck into a book (your Kindle, if you must), or shoot pool on an antique billiards table. If you prefer the water, you’re welcome to take a rowboat out, cast a line into one of Wisconsin’s cleaest lakes, take a turn on the uncomfortably long rope swing, or just while away the afternoon on a battered old pier thinking about how far the office seems.

For accommodations, Camp Wandawega, which is located 90 miles from Chicago in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, offers guest rooms, cabins and even a boy scout canvas-tent campsite. Our recommendation though is Tom’s Treehouse. For $200 a night, the three-level treehouse is stocked with vintage books and games, Pendleton blankets, and even a deer antler chandelier. And like any good treehouse, it also offers a towering view of the surroundings and loads of nostalgia. But don’t worry city slickers, Camp Wandawega does boast one luxury. Hot water.

More photos after the jump.

Rate: $200+ | wandawega.com

Et Two, Brutus

Motorcycles are already far more efficient than their automotive petrol-hog brethren. Now that electric varieties have popped on the scene, you’ll start to see manufacturers emerge with new exhaust-free bikes and eventually go mainstream. The new and beefy Brutus 2.0 certainly doesn’t look like an electric bike hippies would fawn over, thanks to its sinister stance, uber-thick profile and prominent gold flake frame paint job.

Brutus part deux also features a decidedly better lithium-powered battery compared to the original’s lead-acid power supply, as well a new chain-drive system that will propel the 500 pound two-wheeler to 60 in less than five seconds. Translation — the prototype hauls, and as production creeps closer, that sprint time is likely to get better. When it comes time to engage the sensible side of your brain and stop, twin 6-piston caliper rotors upfront combined with a pair of clamps in the rear should do the trick, and light action on the rear break lever is even supposed to mimic the sense of engine-braking found on traditional bikes. No word on top speed, but it should get you to triple digits with ease and the range will be 100 miles plus on a full charge. Look for the bike’s release soon, though the date and the price remain cloaked in secrecy.

Learn More: Here

New Jerseys

Take a trip down memory lane and look at the unis worn by Bird and Magic, vs. Jordan and Isiah Thomas, vs. Lebron and Kobe, and you’ll see just how much the style of basketball has changed. The same trends have flowed through the college game. Yesterday, Nike unveiled what it expects to be the next step in uniform technology for nine elite college programs, who all have won NCCA championships while wearing the swoosh. As the name hints, a shiny platinum coloring forms an eye-catching base, while the team’s signature color and logos layer on individual school pride. The futuristic aesthetic is matched by high-tech construction techniques like laser-etching and ultra-light materials that shave 5% off of the weight of the previous jerseys. Despite the grey theme, these uniforms are also some of the greenest around and are made from 97% recycled material.

Traditionalists obviously won’t enjoy Nike’s meddling in the game, particularly in the case of Syracuse — since their color iteration happens to match Big East rival, Georgetown. Still, they’re bound to be popular with players and garner envy from teams not graced with the Nike touch. Each team is only obligated to wear them once, and the first set will appear during the UConn/Notre Dame match up on Sunday the 29th.

We’ve got some more shots of the kit after the break.

Making the most of a bad situation

Cancer is poor topic for a comedy, but then again, humor has always served as tent pole for those suffocating under grief. 50/50 also isn’t your generic, “let’s get edgy” script, because its writer Will Reiser was actually diagnosed with spine cancer, and his real life friend, Seth Rogan, actually stood by him through the process. That kind of personal investment, supported by Joseph Gordan Levitt’s strung out performance and director Jonathan Levine’s (The Wackness) steady, but methodical pacing, makes the film float above The Hangover‘s that have defined “good” comedy at the box office of late. There’s still plenty of dark humor and “did they just go there” moments for laughs and even 50 / 50‘s depiction of such a terrible disease is lacquered with plenty of Hollywood sheen, but its more introspective message is what winds up sticking with you after the credits have rolled.

Buy Now: $18

Bicicletta Italiano

Bringing their subtle Italian style from leather goods to two-wheel motion, Travelteq has collaborated with Milan based Cicli Maestro to create the Traveler Bike (~$1120). For the record, we haven’t decided whether or not to categorize it as a style accessory or simply a stylish bicycle, but we’re leaning toward the former. The single speed bike — available as a fixie or freewheel — is centered around its signature element, an Italian hand-made steel frame coated in 3 layers of ivory paint. It also boasts a Brooks leather saddle and either a sport or city-oriented handlebar — both with Italian leather grips. And in fine Italian tradition, build times are approximately one month. In summary, you’re looking at the unofficial cruiser of the Amalfi Coast.

More photos after the jump.

Buy Now: $1,120

Rip yourself up, not your equipment

Sandbag training provides plenty of benefits for athletes of all stripes compared to routines centered only around formal weight lifting. Their awkward shape, along with the slight movements of the sand inside, provides an added endurance challenge, forcing users to constantly adjust to the weight. The no-handled variety are excellent for increasing grip strength too. Anyone who has attempted to use basic sandbags for this type of exercise quickly learns though that they aren’t great for repeat lifting — unless you enjoy cleaning the Sahara out of the exercise room on a regular basis. That’s where Brute Force Sandbags come in.

Back in 2010, couple Keith Burns and Rhonda Baxter set out to make their own sandbag training equipment. After creating more than a few messes, Rhonda decided to use her sewing experience making belly-dancing consumes to fortify bags (no joke), and the rest they say is history. After achieving success in hardcore training circles for MMA fighters, tough mudder runners, strong man competitors, and the military, the company produces an entire line of sand bags for a wide array of weight requirements out of a factory in Denver. Made form durable 1000D cordura, 1000D Mil-Spec Velcro, and YKK Mil-Spec zippers — they’ll take repeated abuse probably longer than you can. Most feature 8 low profile handles for gripping, but if you’re particularly masochistic, they do sell handle-less options as well.

Buy Now: $99+

Call it a comeback

In America, the hatchback has long fought an uphill battle — garnering the scorn and disdain of image conscious buyers who prefer the look of a sedan or coupe. The thing is, regardless of mass public opinion, we think hatchbacks are great, especially on smaller vehicles where the proportions, engineering and design seem to jive blend perfectly into an automotive smoothie. Hatchbacks can also be incredibly fun to drive, downright agile even, thanks to the combination of lightweight design and potent engines like the one we tested. Long devoid of the attention it deserved, Ford has reinvigorated the 2012 Ford Focus with shockingly good looks (even in our Just Blaze livery), a healthy engine paired to a (gasp) twin-clutch transmission and loads of luxe-only tech — part of Ford’s ongoing mission to become a technology-forward company. The new Focus is no longer the econobox of yore. It’s just downright awesome.

Watch our Behind the Wheel video right after the jump.

Travel sheets to the wind

We can deal with the TSA airport security shuffle but the frenzy to keep grooming items down to the correct but annoyingly small 3 ounces is all but intolerable. To cut back on some of that hassle, consider using the cool and amazingly convenient Travelon Toiletry Sheets ($5). Each small plastic travel pack holds 50 thin sheets of body wash, shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, laundry soap or shaving cream. Just pull out with dry hands, add water and voila! Mildly scented and biodegradable, these sheets might just be the answer to the leaky and cumbersome Ziploc bag full of travel-sized toiletries you’ve been carrying. Small enough to fit in your pocket, they also work well for camping trips and hikes. As much as we love these toiletry sheets, we’re still hoping for the breakfast, lunch and dinner versions and possibly the after-meal 15 year single malt scotch sheets.

Buy Now: $5

Powering your lifeline

One of the few knocks on the iPhone 4S has been its battery life. While our own iPhone doesn’t seem to be plagued with any battery-sucking gnomes, having a longer battery life, when you need it, is never a bad thing. PowerSkin makes a number of cases for major mobile phones (ahem, your iPhone) that provide back up battery for the device of your choosing. Each case is made of recycled silicone and protects your phone like any other bumper case would.

We got to test out the PowerSkin on our iBeloved and it saved us in a couple of pinches. The PowerSkin offers a second full charge for the iPhone, doubling your use time. Yes, it may be bulky in comparison to other streamlined cases, but considering the extra Li-Ion it packs, the size is easily manageable. We found ourselves throwing it into our bag each day instead of using it as our full-time case, then putting it into service when running somewhere after work with our battery in the red and no time to plug into a charger. Pair the two and in a few minutes you’re good to go. If you’re a heavy traveler, then consider the PowerSkin a must-have.

More photos after the jump.

Buy Now: $70