Gear Patrol | Spirit of Adventure, Passion for Gear

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

No Drafting

It’s quite satisfying when you find quality bike wear that not only offers up the right functionality, but also looks downright fashionable. We recently tested the Icebreaker Commute Jacket ($230) and fell in love with it — a trend these days with Icebreaker gear. The 84% Merino wool Ponte 355 fabric is both soft and remarkable in its ability to retain its shape. The fabric is incredibly warm and the perfect thickness for those chilly morning rides but not so thick that you’ll be overwhelmed when your blood starts to flow. The breathability is fantastic as is the sheer convenience of its design. Highly reflective piping along the back and sleeves, along with a plethora of pockets (side, chest and the uber-convenient rear pocket) and the longer tail for good coverage are a boon for riders. You’ll be pleased to know it’s far more versatile than its intended purpose, looking sharp with cargos and jeans, too. Clearly no one-trick pony, the Commute will be a welcomed addition to your athletic wardrobe.

Buy Now: $230

Part trade show, part soiree, all business

Every year, 18 of the major Swiss watch manufacturers pack up their suitcases, shut down their ateliers and head to Geneva to participate in one of their biggest events of the year, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH). Part trade show, part intimate soiree and all business, SIHH has, for the past 20 years, been an integral part of the watch industry’s business cycle. This past week, a select group of international retailers, collectors and journalists was invited to SIHH to check out the companies’ novelty releases, rub shoulders with celebrities and ogle their latest innovations and designs.

There were a lot of great watches on display from brands like A. Lange & Söhne, Mont Blanc, and Cartier but we’re gear guys through and through and always run to check out the sports watches first. And SIHH 2012 didn’t disappoint. Here is a rundown of Timekeeping’s favorite new releases.

One for all, all-in-one

People at the helm of Apple, like Jony Ives and the late Steve Jobs, tend to get all of the credit for the company’s constant innovation. Startups like the Nest Learning Thermostat and Flipboard, which were both founded by Apple alums, proved though that Cupertino’s talent pool is incredibly deep and certainly capable of innovating in all kinds of categories.

In2technologies is a new player in the home theater space, developed by former Apple Audio Lab head Tod Beauchamp, and Sony engineering exec Mike Fidler. Together, they have re-thought the home theater in the same way Jobs approached personal computing, with the goal of making make home audio systems more consumer friendly and easier to setup. Their Unity all-in-one home theater system combines a left, right, and center speaker sound bar with, a TV stand, dual subwoofers, DVD/Blu-ray player, and iPad/iPhone dock into one cohesive unit, which then connects to a flatscreen using a single HDMI 1.4 cable. Wireless rears are also included for a fully immersive 5.1 surround sound experience.

That tight level of integration allows consumers to setup an excellent sounding home entertainment system in under 15 minutes. It’s also quite space-conscious, and oozes with Apple-esq aesthetics. The final cost for this breezy beautiful setup is still undisclosed, but don’t expect anything less than $1,000. You didn’t think sleek convenience like this would come cheap, did you?

Learn More: Here

Ditch your eye baggage

You work your ass off to get ahead in everything. You rise early and go to bed late. You eat well, exercise, and spend time with those you love. And everyone can tell you live life to the fullest, not from the pep in your step, or the smile on your face, but from the Ray Lewis-like black streaks under your eyes. Sure, women complain about those bags all the time, but the truth is puffy, saggy eyes aren’t flattering on us either, and there is a solution to treat it (outside of logging more sleep). Polaar’s Icy Magic ($25) is a chapstick-sized grooming roll-on that provides a soothing ice cold effect while fighting dark circles and puffiness under your eyes. Use it for 15 days and it’ll leave your mug looking like a spring chicken, without the whole American Psycho cold face pack routine. It’s also fragrance and alcohol free, so it’s good for sensitive skin types. Get over yourself, give it a try, and leave a better impression on those you meet, no matter how exhausted you may feel.

Buy Now: $25