In the worlds of rucking, backpacking, hiking and travel, there is an axiom: “Ounces become pounds.” This is loosely translated as, “Even small, lightweight items can add up to a lot of extra weight when walking around carrying that weight for miles.” That’s one reason why absorbent microfiber towels have become popular among folks who participate in […]
REI Mini MultiTowel review Read More
I use my earbuds daily: at the gym, working at my desk, mowing the lawn, and on and on. But sometimes I’d like to listen to my podcasts, tunes and other audio without having to deal with that annoying cable. I’d been wanting to try a pair of Bluetooth-based wireless headphones on the market today, so when
Arctic P324 BT Sports Bluetooth 4.0 Headphones review Read More
Good protection for your smartphone can be difficult to find, depending on your criteria. Some folks go more for style, some for protection and some for a combination or for other factors. The bumper style has been popular for few years now, and X-Doria now produces two “bumper” style cases that offer both style and protection. The
X-Doria Defense Shield and Defense Gear iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus cases review Read More
Steven Elliot is at it again with a crowdfunded Kickstarter campaign for his newest wallet design, the Dash 4.0. It retains the quick-access thumb slot for a frequently-used card and the coated, synthetic Saffiano “leather” front from previous versions. It also builds on the previous three Dash wallets with several improvements including a flexible 4-way stretch elastic back for expansion
Dash 4.0 wallet is a slimmer, more expandable version Read More
I’m locked in a constant struggle with my earbuds–they just fall out of my ears. I’ve lost count of how many aftermarket earbuds with all sorts of tips I’ve tried out over the years. Evidently there are others who struggle with similar issues, because Comply Foam Tips makes a variety of earphone tips for people
Comply Foam Tips help customize your earphone fit Read More
Handcrafted, American-made products seems to be increasing in popularity in recent years, alongside military and firearm-inspired products and gear. High Caliber Craftsman sits at the nexus of this space, producing writing instruments and other items that are hand made from actual ammunition casings. With various calibers, finishes, coatings, colors and materials such as cerakote, carbon fiber, nickel
High Caliber Craftsman turns bullet casings into durable, elegant writing instruments Read More
I wear glasses daily (I can’t wear contacts) and wear ballcap-style hats often, especially when outdoors. I sometimes wish I could pull my cap down lower over my eyes, but my glasses or shades get in the way. Notch must have been reading my mind, because their hats potentially solve this problem. Founded by a U.S.
Notch gear lets you wear your hat down low with shades Read More
Key rings have been around for quite a while and a whole lot of us carry them in our pocket or purse every day, so there can’t be a whole lot new with them, right? Not so fast, gadget fan! Have a look at Flex-O-Loc. It’s a short length of plastic-coated cable that can hold
Flex-O-Loc key ring review Read More
Remember those merit badge patches that you earned in the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts? Demerit Badges are like that, but a little more fun and a lot less serious. There are dozens of designs in a dozen categories, including Outdoors, Americana and Vegas to name a few. Each patch is 1.5 inches in diameter
Give tongue-in-cheek congrats with Demerit Badges Read More
Living in the Midwest, we get more than our fair share of inclement weather. As I type this, in January, it is -8 F air temp with -27 F wind chill. Brisk, baby. Well, more like painful. I’ve tried many types of winter coats over the years, but I hadn’t owned a “puffy” coat since I
Eddie Bauer MicroTherm StormDown Jacket review Read More
I’m a fan of watches, and of the crowdfunding site Kickstarter. Over the past several years, there have been many great-looking watches on Kickstarter, from burly dive watches to complex smartwatches. Now Elliot Havok, who has run several successful Kickstarter campaigns including the Quarter Century Belt and three versions of the Dash Wallet, have launched their Havok
Havok Watch is classic rugged style, lightweight case and won’t break the bank Read More
We lug our smartphones and other personal devices everywhere. But one of the drawbacks of the device features arms race—with larger display sizes, faster processors and connectivity speeds and other new features—is an ever-increasing need for power. My iPhone 4S’s battery life had been steadily decreasing over time, so I found myself needing a boost throughout the
SkinnyCharge V1 review Read More
Ever wish your wallet was the perfect combo of thin, stylish, secure and durable? Yep, me too. I’d been on the hunt for such a unicorn for some time when I discovered that one my favorite wallet makers, Bellroy, had released their new Elements Range of wallets. Billed (see what I did there) as “Extra
Bellroy Elements Pocket Wallet review Read More
I’m not much of a cyclist myself, but I am a big fan of the “Tron” films, particularly the newer “Tron: Legacy.” The futuristic costumes worn by the characters inside their imaginary computer reality were way cool. When I randomly stumbled onto this Tron-Inspired Cycling Skinsuit from Podium Cycling, I had to share it. Due
Cycling skinsuit can turn you into a “Tron” lookalike Read More
“Funny us going out like this—killed by a 400-foot Marshmallow Man!” Of my favorite movies (and there are many), Ghostbusters has always been on my short list. It has action, ghosts, special effects and best of all, a near constant barrage of quotable one-liners from the top-notch cast. (“Tell ’em about the twinkie.”) And while marshmallow-flinging
Ghostbusters Stay-Puft Series Marshmallow Blaster review Read More
I like wallets, and I also like items that are multi-functional, which give better value for their price as well as potentially enabling you to carry less stuff around. When Julie asked me if I’d like to try out a Wezel wallet, my first thought was, “A what?” I was immediately intrigued by the name and
Wezel Wallet Easel review Read More
We haul lots of gear ’round these parts, some of us more than others. I like my gear-hauling bags to be durable and multi-purpose, and to include at least a few organizational features. Oh, and to look good too. Cargo Works has several products that seem to fit those criteria for me. I recently had the
Cargo Works Utility Carry All and 3 X Utility Pouches review Read More
Portable gadget power is a constant need for many of us at The Gadgeteer and I suspect for you as well. The TYLT ENERGI 2K Travel Charger and SYNCABLE-DUO Charge and Sync Cable seem to be a good solution. The ENERGI 2K is a combination charger & portable battery, while the SYNCABLE-DUO is a charge/sync
TYLT ENERGI 2K Travel Charger and SYNCABLE-DUO Charge and Sync Cable review Read More
Having a full fridge is actually a good problem to have, right? It probably means we aren’t going hungry. But not having enough space in your fridge can be a bit frustrating at times. Brian Conti, creator of the successfully funded Strong Like Bull Magnets Kickstarter projects, is back with a new crowdfunded—and of course, magnetically-powered—product. The
bottleLoft magnetically helps save fridge space Read More
The duffel bag has been done and re-done since it became a staple of military luggage—and later gym bags—forever ago. Crowdfunded Bomber Barrel was designed to improve on the classic. While it retains the recognizable cylindrical shape of the duffel bag, it also includes a combination of several useful and durable features: lightweight (390 grams) and
Bomber Barrel is a durable, functional, minimal duffel bag & accessories Read More