Bob Patterson

I'm a digital marketer and an illustrator with a passion for user experience. I constantly dabble in gadgets and technology, with a particular interest in bags & EDC products, cooking, and creative tools. I'm also an old school punk rock guy and a rabid fan of sci-fi and fantasy genres... I have the Yoda tattoo to prove it.




ANKOMN 2-in-1 Smart Coffee Measuring Scoop review

ANKOMN 2 in 1 Smart Coffee Measuring Scoop 6

REVIEW – Coffee is life, and I love a good coffee gadget! I’m testing the ANKOMN 2-in-1 Smart Coffee Measuring Scoop, a clever little accessory that makes my morning routine *just* a bit easier. Plus it matches my new favorite mug! Hey! Ho! Let’s go… to the review! What is it? It’s a coffee scoop

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Marlondo Leather Mousepad and Cord Keepers review

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REVIEW – Here’s a little something to add some class to your workspace! I got my hands on some accessories from Marlondo Leather that I’ve been using for the past month as part of my work-from-home setup. Lovely full grain leather that’s super functional to boot! To the review! What is it? The mousepad is,

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ChargeHub PowerStation 360 10-Device Surge Protector Power Strip review

ChargeHub PowerStation360 1

REVIEW – With work from home becoming the new normal, my wife has established base camp in our dining room for the foreseeable future. Fortunately, the ChargeHub PowerStation 360 arrived just in time! This power strip & surge protector uses a unique wheel design that provides plenty of ports for all of her gear. Shelter

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Bag makers are switching things up to help with the Coronavirus crisis

BagMakers MasksAndGowns

NEWS – I don’t need to tell you that things are tough right now. Some of our favorite bag makers have been not only adapting to the difficult times, but they’re also doing what they can to help out the community at-large during this crisis. Defy Bags is a small Chicago-based shop that specializes in

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Crossrope Weighted Jump Ropes review

Crossrope Crossrope 36

(This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure about affiliate links here.) REVIEW – Yup. That’s me… jumping rope for the first time in 30 years! The Crossrope is a jump rope system that combines excellent design, different levels of weighted ropes, and a fantastic app to satisfy experienced jumpers and newbies like me.

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The Bellroy Apex backpack is some next level design thinking

Bellroy ApexBackpack 1

NEWS – Our friends at Bellroy are constantly pushing the envelope in bag design. Their latest creation, the Apex Backpack, looks absolutely brilliant. It’s got that’s tightly composed, upscale profile we see in all of Bellroy’s bags. And then you open it up to this: How cool is that? This design is all about accessibility,

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PowerDot 2.0 Smart Muscle Stimulator review

PowerDot SmartMuscleStimulator 1

REVIEW – Electric muscle stimulator (EMS) devices make a lot of promises about helping your performance, improving recovery, and eliminating aches and pains. For this review, I’m putting the PowerDot 2.0 Smart Muscle Stimulator to the test. Let’s see how this fancy technology works. To the review! What is it? It’s a device that uses

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Timbuk2 Lane Commuter Backpack review

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REVIEW – No wet laptops! That’s what Timbuk2 is promising this season, and I’ve got several bags from their new lineup to check out. Today we’re looking at the Lane Commuter Backpack, a smaller daypack built for style and protection from the elements. To the review! What is it? It’s a slim daypack built for

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The Topo Designs Rover Pack, All Grown Up

TopoDesigns RoverPackPremium

NEWS – Topo Designs has around since 2008, making supremely functional bags & accessories with a distinctive outdoorsey vibe. The Commuter Briefcase (which I reviewed here) is still in my regular work rotation, as is their iconic Rover Pack… which is now the subject of a full lineup based on the original design. The original

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FEED ME! Saddleback Leather introduces the Big Mouth Leather Duffle Bag to consume all of your things!

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NEWS – Remember doctor’s bags? Those old-school leather beasties with the big opening? I have my dad’s bag from years ago, and Saddleback Leather has brought back that wide-mouthed design in a series of bags over the past couple of years. Today they announced the introduction of the Big Mouth Duffle to add to the

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T2 Iso-Trainer workout equipment review

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CROWDFUNDING REVIEW – So you want to get fit, eh? The T2 Iso-Trainer is a product that sets some high expectations as a single total body fitness solution. It’s based on isokinetic training principles where you provide the resistance, but it also combines elements of resistance bands and suspension trainers for a complete workout in

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ThinkNoo Nutrient-Enhanced Coffee review

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REVIEW – Unlock your coffee’s potential! That’s the mission of ThinkNoo with their line of instant coffees, which are enhanced with nutrients to give you energy and focus without the caffeine jitters. Do they deliver the goods? Let’s drink! What is it? They are instant coffee drinks that are nutrient enhanced to provide all-day energy

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Tom Bihn’s new Icon Messenger is for carrying all of your essential things

TomBihn IconMessenger 1

NEWS – You may have missed this one over the holidays, but Tom Bihn released a whole bunch of new stuff in December. I’m particularly interested in the Icon Messenger, which is Tom Bihn’s first all-new messenger-style design in quite a while. With a 7.2 liter capacity, the Icon is a shoulder/crossbody bag sized up

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ZAVOR Duo Pressure Cooker review

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REVIEW – The holidays mean lots of cooking at Bob’s house, and I’ve got a new toy to play with! I’m been putting the ZAVOR Duo Pressure Cooker to the test for weeknight meals, parties, and family gatherings over the past month. How does it handle the daily culinary adventures? Bring your fork and spoon.

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