Gear Patrol

Sometimes being American causes us great pain, especially when it comes to rides we can (1) never afford (which seems to occur often) and (2) never see in the States. Like a hot poker in the eye, Land Rover has issued a celebratory 65th Anniversary all-terrain yak known simply as the Land Rover Defender LXV (~$44,500).

IWC’s Ingenieur is as steeped in history as any watch. First seen in 1954, and designed as both a general-purpose sport watch and for scientists who worked with strong electromagnetic fields — hence the name, “engineers” in French — it reflected a growing trend towards robustness, which was already driving the popularity of the still-nascent diving watch. We break down the reference 3239 Ingenieur Automatic, our favorite of the bunch.

And you thought trucks were just a waste of space and gas. The urban cowboy in us says otherwise, as does Ford, with their newly announced Ford Atlas Concept, a bold new face in the pickup truck race. Looking like an angry four-wheeled bank vault, the Atlas shows us what the next generation F-150 could…

The final frontier of space — and the technology required to get there — once represented the pinnacle of innovation. Then stagnation (and budget cuts) set in. The core design of the Space Shuttle was developed in the late 70s, several years before the development of Apple’s Lisa computer and Microsoft’s Windows operating system, and served for three decades before officially retiring in 2011.

Similarly, the iconic Spacesuit designed to protect our fragile forms in the endless vacuum hasn’t received a major update since 1998, the same year Google was founded, Bill got naughty in the Oval Office and Céline Dion’s My Heart Will Go On was making our collective ears bleed. While advancements in the spaceship industry have shifted to the private sector, the space agency has finally shared its own internal plans for the next generation spacesuit, dubbed the NASA Z-1.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is both a pilot’s and a passenger’s dream come true. The first truly revolutionary commercial jet has arrived, and the technology within makes other planes look like their place of departure was Kitty Hawk. The Dreamliner doesn’t just look different, it takes all the old ways of thinking and throws them…

Another Porsche 911? Really? What else can they change with this automotive icon? Prepare yourself. No miniscule aesthetic changes such as little headlight and taillight tweaks. That’s for sure. This new version — known inside Porsche as the 991 — is different beyond expectations. 90% of the new car is reworked. With a stretched wheelbase…

Outdoor activity is unpleasant when: A). you are wet; B). your pack is too heavy; or C) when you are not wearing and Outdoor Research Axiom Jacket with Gore-Tex Active Shell (which, conveniently, solves all of these problems). Gore-Tex –- a name that needs no introduction — recently unveiled the latest advancement in its long…

We’re long overdue for a breakdown so what better candidate for a part-by-part analysis than the GR TAC ($35) — the new tactical hat from the deft hands of GORUCK. It’s quite possibly the last hat you’ll ever need or want. Hit the jump for our breakdown.

Okay, so the iconic Porsche 911′s overall shape hasn’t changed much in the last 40 years, but it has certainly become a more complex design. One thing is for sure, the original shape leaves nothing to be desired. It is, in a word, stunning. Well, very few people have the patience and skill to restore…

For this week’s Breakdown we highlight another brand you may not yet know but should, Lexdray. How many times have you looked at that tired messenger or daily case and thought: damn, this thing just isn’t cutting it? We blame it on the increasing load of our everyday carry. Regardless of whether your daily commute…

Welcome to another Breakdown. Let’s be honest, when was the last time you seriously considered buying a Fuji point & shoot? If you’re an avid GP reader then we’re willing to bet a roll of Kodachrome Velvia it’s probably not the first compact to cross your mind. Nevertheless, this month Fuji will completely change your…

Just last month the all-new Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental embarked on its maiden test voyage from Paine Field in Everett, Washington and with it, a legacy that started 42 years ago entered another chapter of its storied life. The 747 is a modern-day icon, representing a crux of engineering, design and ambition — maybe even more…

A. Cutting Edge: Formula 1 technology and design inspired. Schuey would be jealous. B. Automotive Weightwatchers: Extensive use of carbon fiber for rigidity and lightness C. High-tech Bathtub: Carbon-fiber monocell for driver safety and structural integrity D. Talk about Details: Magnesium dash support beam instead of steel to save weight E. Not Just a Pretty…

A. Smart: Steering wheel mounted Manettino to adjust F1-Trac high-performance traction control system, suspension and E-diff settings B. Symphonic: Intentional removal of the audio system so you can hear the sonorous V8 and listen to yourself scream with joy C. Sleek: Formula 1 aerodynamics to decrease lift and increase downforce and cooling. More traction, less…