Gear Patrol | The Definitive Men's Resource

Zoom-Zoom Concentrated

Last month, Gear Patrol was invited to be amongst the very first folks in North America to get keys to the brand new 2011 Mazda2. Naturally, we were keen to accept the offer where we sojourned to Montreal to get our hands, feet, and butts-in-seat on Mazda’s forthcoming compact – an award-winning vehicle that’s garnered almost 50 worldwide accolades including the 2008 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show. With over 400,000 of the Mazda2’s having been sold in Europe and Japan over the past few years, there’s no doubt this diminutive Zoom-Zoom packs in Mazda’s trademark styling and sporty appeal for fans of the growing B-car segment. Read on to get our driving impressions and hear our thoughts on the 2.

Real Icing, Bros

When we described the Moji Knee as an icing smart bomb last summer, we weren’t joking around. It did and does everything as advertised and has been a real life saver. So, when Moji let us know they were releasing a Moji Back, we decided to give it the Gear Patrol hands-on treatment.

The Moji Back works much the same as the Moji Knee. It has a Support Wrap made from Polartec that holds the Cold Cell snug to your back, while providing mobility while icing. This mobility during icing has always robbed you of is Moji’s greatest achievement in our opinion. The only downside is “But, I’m icing.” is no longer a good excuse to get out of the dishes. The Moji Back has one surprise up its sleeve that we didn’t see coming, the addition of a Heat Cell. Toss it in the microwave prior to your next work out and the Heat Cell will help warm up/loosen up your back for 20 minutes. Both the Heat Cell and the Cold Cell conformed to the contours of my back and provided exemplary relief.  It would seem Moji has outdone themselves with the Moji Back. Well played.

Take Note: Like the Moji Knee, the Moji Back is rare in that it actually performs. If you’re hard on your body, like many of our readers (and myself), this will go a long way to making life a lot more comfortable.

Cost: $150

Suit Yourself

Men’s fashion expert Alan Flusser, author of Style and the Man aims to help men make the most of their wardrobe. The BeSpeak (Free, iTunes), takes things digital. It works by first creating a personal profile based on information you submit about your skin tone, hair, eye color, body size and shape, face shape, and neck height. It then uses this information to determine what colors look best on you.

For example, based on a high contrast profile, BeSpeak recommends garments with “high to medium intensity colors in order to frame face and enliven presence.” Each recommendation includes a suit, dress shirt, tie, and pocket square, along with an ensemble quality score of between 1 and 10. Higher scores indicate “how well a garment matches your profile”, while skill scores measure “the complexity of an outfit.” In addition to providing recommendations for matching, BeSpeak enables users to upload photos of garments in their closet for inclusion in the app. There are some kinks though, when we attempted to test this feature by uploading a photo of a tie, BeSpeak was unable to identify any of the colors in my tie, which was burgundy. Otherwise, this is a solid must-have for style-conscious iOS device owners.

Buy Now: Free (iTunes)

By Brendan Wilhide

Feel Better Bottle

We know, the last thing you need is another re-usable water bottle. The noble crusade against plastic bottles and the great BPA scare have left us with enough re-usable canteens to bottle the Pacific much less any idea what’s eco-friendly and what’s cancer-inducing.

First things first, the Vapur Anti-Bottle ($9) is not going to fix either of those problems, but it solves just about everything else wrong with bottles. The premise is deceptively simple but brilliantly executed: an ultra-portable 16 oz water bottle that stands upright when full, but rolls up for easy packing. Why did it take so long to figure this out? Vapur has thought out most everything else too – the bottle is freezable, dishwasher-safe, BPA free, manufactured in the USA using wind power and recycled materials, the Vapur Anti-Bottle comes in 5 colors, and can safely transport hot beverages or (ahem) alcohol. Perfect for air travel, backpacking, lunches, school lunches, or anywhere you don’t want to be dragging around a useless, empty bottle. Stand out from the plebeian Nalgene carriers. Vapur also commits 1% of their profits to the 1% For The Planet program and works locally with third-world communities to provide reliable clean water access.

Buy Now: $9

By Matthew Claudel

For a More Measured Existence

We love a good a steak, but eating healthy on a regular basis is still unquestionably a top priority. The Perfect Portions Digital Scale ($52) gives you the ability to monitor your nutrition easily thanks to its familiar Nutrition Facts label which can display key food stats like calories, fats, carbs, and sugars for close to 2,000 foods, and adjust them by weight. Users can also track daily totals and program in up to 99 other commons foods they eat on a regular basis that may not be included in the database. Entering in things like Whopper and Nachos Bel Grande however would be defeatist to say the least.

Buy Now: $52

Wrist Assured

If you’re looking for a handmade strap to distinguish your timepiece from the rest of the 20mm-26mm watches out there, look no further than Bas and Lokes straps ($94+). Made by two experienced strap makers with a passion for quality and luxury, all of their straps are suited for large watches with wide lug widths. Based in Sydney, Australia, each band is entirely hand cut and sewn for a unique, one-of-a-kind look that you won’t find anywhere else. To check out the various color, style, and material options they offer hit the link below.

Buy Now: $94+

A Year Ago on Gear Patrol

Crazy For the Storm: A Memoir of Survival by Norman Ollestad

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Be.ez LA besace Lime Drop Messenger Bag for MacBook

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Vizualogic RoadTrip Universal Dual Headrest DVD System

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Better Flames, But Still the Same Fire

After the recent announcement of the new graphite Kindle DX, you had to figure its smaller e-reader brother would get a refresh soon. Announced yesterday, some welcome changes are hitting the new Kindle like a 21% decrease in size and 15% decrease in weight, while maintaining the same 6-inch e-Ink screen. The new graphite case is also available and the price drops to $189 for a 3G version or $139 for a new Wi-Fi only model. Not everything about the new Kindle involves shrinking though, its E-Ink screen’s refresh rate is 21% faster and offers greater contrast, improved control ergonomics, doubling of on-board memory to 4GB, a preloaded “experimental” Webkit-based browser, and battery life is now an extended-vacation lasting 10 days with 30 day standby.

Considering Amazon founder’s Jeff Bezo recent quip, “I like building a purpose-built reading device,” we’re not holding out for a true iPad competitor anytime soon. But hey, at least you can read on the beach right?

Buy Now: 3G ($189) | Wi-Fi ($139)

Unique Breeze

Sometimes you need a fan in a tight spot. Sometimes your room doesn’t warrant a Big Ass Fan. Sometimes you just want something to look at and either laugh or fondly admire. The Duplo-Dinamico ($1,000+) and its smaller, single brother Bianca ($451) fit that bill. Not only do they make for vertically aspirated conversations, but also move a sizable amount of air. Constructed entirely of cast aluminum and heavy gauge spun/stamped steel with marbelized Bakelite motor mount & fan head knob detailing, the fans are also Underwriters Laboratories listed (you know, the “UL” sticker) and available in polished chrome, brushed nickel, polished copper, bronzette powdercoat (shown), or black nickel. Problem is, we can’t help feeling like these belong in the modern-day house of Silver Spoons’ Ricky Stratton.

Buy Now: Duplo-Dinamico ($1,000-$1,400) | Bianca ($450-$600)

Stubbornly Versatile

If you’re a gear enthusiast, then hydration packs are likely no stranger. There’s even a good chance you’ve got one (or two) sitting in your closet. If you live in a warm climate it’s doubtful you’ll find a better hydration back for day trips than the Camelbak M.U.L.E. ($90). The crippling effect of 95° days and 80% humidity are mere deterrents to the passionate outdoorsman, but sometimes that can lead to nonsensical acts, like going on 30 mile bike rides in the dead of summer. Bringing a MULE along may not save your life, but hydration can go a long way to counterbalance even the more absurd Gear Patrol readers, this writer included.