Best New Gear | August 2023

Out-of-the-box pack patterning, suave leather EDC, and a lightweight revamp of an outdoor classic are just some of the great new pieces that captured our attention in August. Delve in and discover the month’s best new gear below…

EDC

Bastion Bolt Action Pens

A pen is a go-to staple in any well-rounded EDC setup. And when they look as good as Bastion’s Bolt Action Pens, you’ll want to find room in your daily carry for them. Available in a range of materials and finishes, the pens fuse understated luxury and functionality, moving easily from business meetings to creative musings at your local cafe.

MAKR Portrait Billfold and Eyewear Sleeve Revised

MAKR’s dedication to high-quality craftsmanship and timeless designs is evident in their latest releases, the Portrait Billfold and revised Eyewear Sleeve. The Portrait Billfold features two vertical internal card slots that each hold up to six cards, as well as a pocket for cash that accommodates all currency types.

The Eyewear Sleeve features a revised aesthetic and functionality, updating the construction with a projected top that accommodates more eyewear frames. The edge-sewn “wrap” style sleeve secures with a brass button stud closure. Both pieces are made in the USA, sewn and edge painted by hand, and available in a choice of leather and colorway options including Rye Wickett & Craig® English Bridle Leather, Black Horween® Chromexcel® Leather, and Smooth Moss Horween® Leather. They can be purchased as individual pieces or alternatively you can score a sweet discount by purchasing them as a set.

Tactile Knife Launches Three Seasonal Knives

Besides making amazing knives like the Maverick and Rockwall, what we love about Tactile Knife (alongside their sister company Tactile Turn), is their seasonal releases. Always with an undisclosed but very limited production run, each release starts with an idea, then is impressively executed so the end result is a knife that exudes the theme.

This time is no different with not one or two, but three seasonal knives. The Trailhead is based off the Rockwall Thumbstud and is inspired by a previously released Slim Side Click Pen with the same aesthetics. It features a custom Cerakote treatment and custom engraving on top of the titanium base to give that gritty rockface texture. As always, there are pops of red and blue color on the screws and thumbstud as well as a custom yeti on the pivot. The Trailhead is available in both drop point and tanto blade styles.

Up next is the Fairway Rockwall in the same two blade styles. Clearly inspired by the great game of golf, the Fairway is rocking a bold green Cerakote with custom dimple engraving reminiscent of what you’d find on a golf ball. The hardware gets the full yellow treatment on the thumbstud, clip, and screws but the pivot has a nice white pop, inspired by you know what.

Finally, the GT Rockwall Thumbstud Tanto has just one (aforementioned) blade style. A homage to classic race cars, it features a bold baby blue Cerakote. The rest of it is kept pretty clean with pops of orange, a white thumbstud and a blasted MagnaCut blade which contrasts nicely with the smooth handles.
The pen counterparts did extremely well and while we can’t share numbers, trust us when we say these are limited so you should pull the trigger if they catch your eye.

Wuben X3 Owl EDC Flashlight

Featuring a fully articulating head that can rotate 180 degrees, the new X3 Owl flashlight from Wuben brings high performance and usability in a small compact package. Measuring 2.76 x 1.38 inches and just 0.83 inches thick and weighing 2.47 oz, the X3 packs a punch for its size. 

With a maximum output of 700 lumens on turbo and a runtime of 6 hours on a medium brightness (50 lumens), the X3 gives you the option of being used as a spotlight, or as a lighting source for a work or campsite. In addition to its primary Samsung LED, the light also features a red LED to preserve night vision. Finally, it has a magnetic base allowing you to attach it to a work surface and even supports wireless charging!

The James Brand The Wells

This was certainly unexpected! Hailing from Portland, Oregon, The James Brand recently announced the launch of their first backflipper design, the Wells. Blending form and function, the Wells is designed, machined, and built in the USA out of MagnaCut steel and aerospace-grade aluminum. 

With a blade length of 2.875” and weight of just under 100g, the Wells has a high carryability factor and thanks to its one-handed operation and stainless steel ball bearings, it boasts fast deployment. The wire pocket clip and matte black or gray scales along with the sheepsfoot blade design screams classy gentleman’s knife. But one that packs a punch!

Urban

Chrome Industries Kadet Max Sling

Inspired by their popular Kadet Sling but designed for those who need something a little larger, Chrome Industries has created the Kadet Max Sling. Designed to find the sweet spot between smaller slings and larger messengers, the Kadet Max holds all your day-to-day and commuting essentials with ease, while retaining a sleek profile and comfy portability. It fits a 15″ laptop and includes a reversible shoulder strap for right or left carry, as well as a removable stabilizer strap.  

Arc’teryx Veilance Men’s Fall ’23 Collection

With cooler weather on the horizon, Arc’teryx steps up to deliver a versatile collection blending technical outdoor performance with city styling. The Arc’teryx Veilance Men’s Fall ’23 Collection features lightweight fabrics that adapt to a variety of settings and weather conditions, moving smoothly between urban and outdoor use. The collection includes three new styles as well as updates on classic styles, with monochrome color palettes such as pale forest green and sage, soft off-beige, and popping bright yellow. With a range of long-sleeve shirts, jackets, and pants on offer, you can find adaptable wardrobe pieces that will fit your specific needs.

DSPTCH Gym/Work Bag Collection Relaunch

DSPTCH is re-launching their popular Gym/Work Bag collection, a long-awaited set of bags that provide practical all-in-one carry for your gym gear and daily or travel gear. The three-piece collection has been updated with new features for even better functionality, one of the key ones being a roll-top style shoe or gear pouch that’s handy for separating workout gear from the rest of your belongings. Available at a discounted price for pre-orders, the collection is expected to ship in December 2023.

côte&ciel AVON “Robin Grey” Backpack

côte&ciel have a reputation for standing apart from the crowd, not afraid to experiment with head-turning silhouettes and out-of-the-box approaches to carry design. And the new côte&ciel AVON “Robin Grey” Backpack is a prime example of their creative approach. Designed to mimic the natural structure of a carapace, the AVON expands and transforms through unzipping various sections to suit a variety of different carry needs. The pack is made using the “Robin” fabrication, which offers vibrant and contrasting colors and materials. However, if you like your packs a little more subdued, the AVON also comes in Black Ecoyarn and Black Alias Leather options.

Reigning Champ Towel Terry Collection

Canadian athletic wear brand Reigning Champ serves up a tempting selection of sporting gear with their Towel Terry collection. Featuring a Quarter Zip, T-Shirt, and Short, the collection is handcrafted using Italian terry cloth fabric that has an absorbent, low pile surface and a smooth knit reverse. Of course, there’s no reason you can’t embrace these cozy offerings on lazy weekend lounge sessions too, making them comfortable pieces for active and day-to-day wear alike.

Osprey Aoede Series

Osprey’s new Aoede lifestyle collection features four clean and versatile pieces designed for daily urban use. The series includes the Aoede Briefpack, Aoede Daypack, Aoede Messenger, and Aoede Crossbody. Each piece is made with bluesign® approved 840D 100% ballistic nylon and comes in two colorway options that transition easily from work settings to about-town carry. The Aoede Briefpack provides three carry options including backpack, shoulder strap, and hand carry mode, while the Briefpack, Daypack, and Messenger all offer a padded laptop sleeve to keep tech protected on the go. 

Bellroy Tokyo Crossbody

Small in size but big in functionality, Bellroy’s Tokyo Crossbody is a hard-working sidekick for weekdays and weekends alike. Taking inspiration from camera bag formats but thoughtfully designed for a variety of urban uses, the bag works as a compact companion to a larger work bag, a convenient hold-all for nights out, or an easily accessible stash for your small travel essentials. It features padded storage for valuables or small tech, practical but uncluttered organization, and a removable strap so you can easily alternate between shoulder bag and pouch mode.

OSUZA Limitless Bag

While some bags are specialist pieces, others are designed to adapt to a wide range of needs. But what could you achieve if you really pushed the boundaries of this adaptability? OSUZA decided to find out by creating the Limitless Bag. The highly customizable bag uses the MOLLE system to secure a range of clips, straps, and accessories to any part of the bag. The bag can be set up in multiple ways to suit different needs, ranging from duffel mode to fold-over or roll-top backpack setups and more. The adjustable volume adapts to a range of different loads, and when paired with the optional accessories kit you get even greater flexibility to accommodate diverse everyday and travel carry needs.

North St. Custom Bag Collection

After some very positive feedback and high demand from customers surveyed, North St. Bags announced a new limited-edition run of customizable bags. You can choose between the Woodward Backpack Pannier, the Pioneer 9 Hip Pack and the Davis Daypack, a truly versatile collection. 

Customers can choose among different base fabric colors, stripe colors, and zipper cord colors, along with options such as a padded mesh back panel, webbing loops or a handlebar kit, to create something unique to themselves.

WaterField Designs ROG Ally Magnetic Case

As the first real competitor to the Steam Deck, the ROG Ally has certainly made waves in the handheld PC gaming market. WaterField has always been quick to respond (as they did with the Analogue Pocket, Playdate, etc.) and has just announced a custom magnetic case for the new device. The made-in-USA solution is offered in both vegan and full-grain leather, as well as ballistic nylon or waxed canvas options. A string of rare earth magnets lines the top and acts as a unique “zipper” that allows for in-case charging. The structured case protects the device with closed-cell foam, a plush lining, and reinforced seams.

EVERGOODS Undyed Collection

Piece dyeing textiles consumes a lot of water and electricity. So when EVERGOODS got the opportunity to experiment with “undyed” textile, they embraced it fully and created the Undyed Collection. The charm of the collection lies in its appreciation of the lack of uniformity due to color inconsistencies in the material. Subtle differences give each piece character, while championing a more sustainable manufacturing approach. The collection includes the CIVIC Access Pouch 2L, CIVIC Access Pouch 1L, and Mountain Hip Pack 3.5L, each featuring an undyed, greige yarn.

Outdoors

Arc’teryx System_A Drop 06 Collection

Arc’teryx System_A have launched their sixth drop, designed to blur the lines between mountain activities and transition easily between hikes, climbs, runs, and more. The System_A Drop 06 capsule features seven pieces for summer conditions including a packable windshell, short, pant, tees, a backpack, and the line’s first footwear offering, a slip-on technical trail shoe that suits both men and women.

Austere Manufacturing 1″ Pin Ladder Lock

It can be easy to overlook the small details in carry but sometimes these make a big difference – not to mention offering refreshing takes on traditional designs. Austere Manufacturing’s 1″ Pin Ladder Lock is a nifty take on buckles, offering a durable alternative to plastic buckles for 1″ webbing. The CNC-machined aluminum buckle offers a great balance of strength and light weight, with pin options in either titanium or stainless steel. The buckle can be ordered with the pins installed or separate, with the latter option allowing you to attach the buckle to a bag without sewing.

Snow Peak Recycled Titanium Aurora Bottle

Snow Peak have introduced their first recycled titanium product in the form of the eye-catching Recycled Titanium Aurora Bottle. The anodized titanium bottle has been designed in collaboration with Nippon Steel and includes a recycled plastic bottle cap as well. The titanium construction means you can avoid unpleasant aftertastes sometimes associated with other materials, while a choice of 600ml and 800ml sizes lets you roam with your ideal option.

Huckberry X Mystery Ranch Greenbelt Hybrid Backpack 30L

Inspired by ’90s vintage sportswear, the Huckberry X Mystery Ranch Greenbelt Hybrid Backpack delivers a fun blend of retro styling and ready-for-action functionality. The water-resistant collaborative pack is built with a durable ripstop fabric with a ballistic nylon exterior and is designed to straddle the outdoor/urban divide, jumping from trail excursions to urban commutes or weekend trips. The pack offers external pockets and cord to keep quick-access gear within easy reach, paired with a U-zip opening to the main compartment for convenient access and packing.

HOKA Skyline-Float X

Keeping your feet happy on the trail is key to enjoyable outdoor excursions. And that’s where HOKA steps in with their Skyline-Float X, a hybrid hiker that offers comfy, responsive cushioning and propulsion in options for both men and women. The shoe features an engineered air mesh upper and plant-based elements including a soy-based sockliner, 30% sugarcane EVA midsole, 89% bio-based Pebax® plate, and a Vibram® XS Trek rubber outsole. You also benefit from a SwallowTail™ heel for smooth heel-to-toe transitions.

GORUCK x Taylor Stitch Hard Road Loadout Collection

GORUCK have built a reputation for tough gear that helps you push hard, while Taylor Stitch is committed to creating responsibly made pieces that are built for enduring wear many years down the line. So what do you get when these two brands team up? A limited-edition capsule collection that embraces a variety of travel, training, and adventure environments. Designed to adapt to diverse uses, the six-piece collection includes the Limited Edition Tac Hat, Challenge Cargo Short in Black, and Deploy Packable Shell in Dark Navy, all crafted from an exclusive new version of GORUCK’s ToughDry © fabric. To enjoy the excellent benefits of merino, check out the Merino Base Layer Tee in Sharkskin and the Merino Half Zip in Forest. And for your hauling needs the collab has you well covered with the GR1 in Limited Edition Waxed Rain Drop Camo, available in just 100 units and made with an organic waxed raindrop camo canvas from Halley Stevensons.  

Haglöfs Tight Backpack

First launched in 1993, the Haglöfs Tight Backpack has undergone a variety of different iterations but continues to be one of the brand’s best sellers. So to celebrate the pack’s 30-year history, Haglöfs is encouraging customers to share their nostalgic Tight memories while also retracing the pack’s design journey from the first sketches to the newest incarnation, the L.I.M Tight Light. The iconic teardrop design stemmed from the desire to create a small daypack that was more modern and anatomically designed than most other small packs at the time, offering a simple and functional design with an ergonomic fit. The new L.I.M Tight Light retains the teardrop shape but is 50% lighter than the original. It is also fully compressible and can be stored in an internal accessory bag that also doubles as a detachable sling bag. Adaptable for everyday and outdoor use, it’s made with a 100% recycled polyamide and weighs in at just 240 grams.

Travel

COOLEVER HPT x World Explorers Collective T-Shirt

Heimplanet and the World Explorers Collective are both passionate about exploring the world and pursuing adventure. So they teamed up on a collaborative tee that not only makes a great addition to your packing list but helps fund worthy adventures too. The COOLEVER HPT x World Explorers Collective T-Shirt features COOLEVER technology that wicks moisture from the body for a comfy feel during sporting activities and everyday wear alike. Additionally, 10% of all proceeds from the t-shirt sales go directly to funding meaningful World Explorers Collective expeditions around the world.

Trakke Storr Travel Backpack

Trakke have revamped their travel backpack with an all-new Storr design that offers a host of travel-friendly features, as well as three pack sizes to choose from including 20L, 25L, and 35L options. The pack features a clamshell-style main compartment for easy packing and access, as well as a quick-access admin panel and lay-flat bottle pockets. The admin pocket includes a removable Gigha Sling for further organization and flexible day-trip carry with just the essentials in tow. You also get external-access laptop storage, as well as a burly build, ventilated back system, and AustriAlpin COBRA frame adjusters for a tailored fit.

Huckberry x 1733 Collaboration

Need bags that can roam the city streets one day while tackling the demands of rugged outdoor use the next? And then grabbing a quick flight for that spur-of-the-moment getaway? Huckberry and 1733 teamed up on a highly versatile two-piece exclusive collaboration that pairs bomber construction with excellent functionality for urban, outdoor, and travel use alike. The Huckberry x 1733 Side Pack 7L and Huckberry x 1733 Zip Tote 28L both feature tough and weather-resistant Ecopak EPX400 that takes all the elements in its stride. Whether you need to carry a lot or a little, thoughtful organization options help keep your gear tidy on the go, while the exclusive colorway adapts to a variety of settings too.

Roark Far Out East Collection: Layover 2.0 Pants

Roark’s Fall 2023 Collection is titled Far Out East, inspired by their latest travels through Hokkaido, Japan. Of note in the collection is version two of their Layover Pants, a perennial favorite travel pant of the Roark faithful, clocking in with nearly 300 reviews!

With nine different colorways to choose from, the Layover 2.0 Pants are an updated version of their slim, straight fit, travel pant. A drawstring closure and zipper fly keeps things secure but not restrictive, while a front long zip pocket with internal stash keeps your passport and boarding pass close by and secure. A back patch pocket with button closure and small stash pocket is great for cellphone storage. The Layover Pants are made of a two-way blended stretch fabric for maximum comfort.

Photography

Moment T-Series Mobile Lenses

As the saying goes, the best camera is the one you have on you. It’s not always feasible to carry cameras on your outings but with Moment’s T-Series of mobile lenses for your phone, you don’t have to. Redesigned with 25% more glass to create even sharper images, they have a larger bayonet interface to support more phones as well. The T-Series lenses work on phones made after 2022 such as the iPhone 13/14, Pixel 7, or Samsung S23. They can be attached to a phone in two ways, either via Moment Cases for a variety of phones or drop-in lens mounts for the iPhone 13/14 models.

Our Best New Gear guides are written by David Vo and Catherine Baecker-Khoury.