In our minds, the unofficial start of the year is actually February. January is so caught-up in the afterglow of the holiday season and fresh-faced with all of its resolutions that it can sometimes feel like a bit of a false start. It is a month that hasn’t quite come to terms with the harsh reality of yet another 365 days of abandoned goals, false promises, and outright failures. And while that may come across as being a little bleak – we tend to think of it in somewhat different terms.
While January may represent an all too sunny view of the year to come, February acts as a kind of counterbalance – the yin to the previous month’s yang. To celebrate that balance, we pulled together a grey and black gear roundup for this month’s Scoured guide. The stuff you’ll find below won’t make your unrealistic January goals suddenly attainable, but they may serve as a bit of a bright spot during all the upsetting, bleak days you are sure to have during the next 11 months.
SOG MacV Tool Multi-Tool SM1001-CP
This 12-in-1 multi-tool from the Washington-based knives and tools company is made from a solid piece of 3CR13 stainless steel and is coated in a hard cased black coating. It can do everything from loosen bolts, to rip open boxes, pry nails, and pop beer bottles. And thanks to its slim profile, it easily fits in your pocket or on a keychain.
Elago Keyring Headphone Splitter
The best tools will forever and always be the one you have on you. And thanks to the elago key-like design, you’ll never again have an excuse for not having a headphone splitter on-hand. Featuring a simple metal cord, 3.5mm jack, and two terminals for inserting additional pairs of headphones, it is just about as and effective a tool as one could hope for. Just don’t try and jam it in your fancy new iPhone X.
Anker PowerPort Wireless Qi Charger
Want to keep your desk clean and cord-free? Consider Anker’s PowerPort 5 charger. The pad can juice-up any Qi compatible device on the market faster than most other wireless chargers. Have last generation’s metal-backed phone? No worries. This charger is powerful enough to charge your phone through its aluminum backing. It comes with a Micro USB cable, and 18-month warranty.
BISON Rolling BBQ Grill
You shouldn’t have to heft a large and heavy grill with you just to enjoy a hot meal while camping. Or at least that is what Bison Gears is betting on with their rolling grill. This thing weighs just 1.6 pounds and can roll up into an easy-to-pack cylinder for transporting to and from your campsite. A great grab for the fireside cook.
CRKT Raikiri Folding Knife
Conceptualized by Japanese designer Drew Hara and built by CRKT, this thing is a folding knife with the spirit of a sword. It features a cold forged aluminum handle with a liner lock, and a satin finished steel blade. In addition to boasting clean lines and a mean look, the knife boasts CRKT’s field-strip technology for easy cleaning and maintenance no matter where you are.
SureFire EDCL 1-T
OK let’s just state the obvious. That cell-phone light you rely on to get around when it is dark out? It kind of sucks. A better solution? SureFire’s EDCL1-T EDC flashlight. This virtually indestructible flashlight has an output as high as 500 lumens for turning the night into day. In addition, it also has a two-way clip for storing on your belt or EDC backpack.
G-Shock GLS-5600CL G-LIDE Watch
While G-Shock is best known for their decidedly more hefty Mudmaster watches, they do make slimmer timepieces that manage to retain a good deal of the durability of their broad-shouldered brethren. The G-Lide is the perfect example. This watch comes with a cloth strap and is designed to operate at temperatures as low as -4 Fahrenheit.
Vivobarefoot Men’s Primus FG M Mesh Trail Runner
When it comes to great zero-drop running shoes, Vivobarefoot is one of the best brands out there. Doubt us? Just look at their Primus FG Mesh runners. They feature a breathable and tough mesh upper, super grippy outsole, and protective ankle collar for keeping rocks and debris out of your way.
Topo Designs Mountain 61L Duffel
On the hunt for a great travel duffle? Consider Topo Designs’ Mountain 61L Duffel. This pack from the Colorado-based outdoor brand features a shoulder strap for traditional carry, and a pair of backpack straps for when you’re trying to book it to your gate before the final boarding call. In addition to the clever strap configuration, the bag boasts a tough fabric build and waterproof zippers for keeping the nature out and your gear secure.
Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones WH1000XM2
For a long time Bose has been considered the leader when it comes to producing noise-cancelling headphones. Sony’s newest release, however, has changed some critics minds. These over-ear cans boast touch control for pausing, taking calls, or skipping tracks, while a 30 hour battery ensures non-stop play.
Nudie Jeans Alexander Canvas Bomber
You can’t go wrong with a bomber jacket. This one from Nudie Jeans is made from a 100% cotton fabric, features an exposed silver zipper, and elasticated cuffs, hem, and collar. Of course, the jacket has a shoulder pocket and an internal zip-closing pocket for storing extra cash.
Leica Q Compact Camera
Leica’s Q is just about the best cameras out there. It boasts a 24.2 full frame CMOS sensor that can capture HD 1080p video at 60 frames per second, and snap 10 frames per second while continuously shooting. The camera also features a touchscreen LCD monitor, and has an ISO range that tops out at 50,000. Not bad for such a pint-sized camera.
Scoured: Best Gear On Amazon - December 2017
Feeling a little more bright than dark? Take a look at our roundup of the best gear on Amazon from last month.
