Every week there are dozens of new and exciting pieces of gear. But are they actually worth buying? Trust the team at Cool Material to help you find the latest and greatest releases in a recurring column: What We’re Buying.
Waverly Slate Blue Herringbone Flannel Jacket
“I needed a new blue blazer for off-site work meetings, but I wanted a tiny bit of personality in the fabric. The Waverly State’s Blue Herringbone wool flannel has great texture and just the right amount of warmth without the bulkiness of a lining. It looks just as good with jeans as it does with dressy grey trousers. As with all Proper Cloth blazers, you can customize it including lapels, buttons, pockets, and vents.” Buy: $445
– Amos Kwon, Auto/Watches Editor
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Vintage Travel Wine Cooler
“Every few weeks or so I dive down a rabbit hole looking for this vintage wine cooler designed by Richard Carlson. I first discovered it through the interior decor store Coming Soon but they’ve since sold out. So, I very regularly peruse sites like eBay and Etsy hoping to find a score. And very recently I did! So, here’s the story. This Richard Carlson wine tote was made in Australia in the late ’70s. With a wide variety of color combos, it pops with a sense of art deco fun and modern practicality. The design is ingenious. The hard plastic outer shell keeps your precious wine bottles protected. The handle also functions as a locking mechanism to keep the top in place. And on the inside, a plastic water bladder can be filled and frozen to both separate the two bottles and keep them nicely chilled. The whole piece is so fantastic that it’s actually held in the MoMA’s permanent collection. So, if you want to get your hands on one, simply search for “Richard Carlson wine cooler” on eBay or Etsy and you’ll likely find a gently used version on sale. Depending on the condition, these coolers can be pricey – but I managed to score mine for less than $100 so keep searching.” Buy: $215
– John A. Paradiso, Managing Editor
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Gordy's Camera Straps
“I picked up an old Pentax K1000 35mm camera recently and it needed a strap. Years ago I purchased a leather strap from Gordy’s and I was very pleased to see that they are still around. Each strap is handmade using high-quality materials by a small team on Whidbey Island, just north of Seattle. The straps are very well-made, handsome, comfortable, and look better with age and use.” Buy: $30+
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Humanrace Routine Pack
“Technically this was a refill and not a new purchase, but, hey, any excuse to sing praises about my Humanrace Skincare set. Like many others, I’ve always been in awe of the ageless wonder that is Pharrell Williams. So, naturally, once he launched a skincare routine that was the culmination of ’20 years of skincare experience,’ I immediately jumped on it. They come to you in a sleek, minimally but efficiently designed set: Rice Powder Cleanse, Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator, and Humidifying Cream. Only three minutes and you immediately start the day feeling like a new person. Here’s to hoping you’ll start preserving yourself in amber too!” Buy: $126
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Boveda Humidification Packs
“Wintertime in the northeast can wreak havoc on a humidor. The colder temperature and lower relative humidity can lead to dried-out sticks in no time. These humidification packs from Boveda are the perfect solution to give your humidor a boost through the cold months to ensure that the humidity is kept at a consistent 70% wherever you store your stogies.” Buy: $13/10-pack
– Pat McLaughlin, Senior Editor
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Tröegs Hop Horizon
“Tröegs took 2 of the most popular hops in the craft beer market (Citra and Mosaic), paired them with a solid runner-up (Sabro), and jammed them into a can, where they developed into a liquid hop pasture. We look forward to fresh hop beers to ring in the winter; we should also look forward to spring-themed beers like this one, brewed for maximum brightness to usher us into the next season. There’s a sticky effervescence to Hop Horizon, its defining trait and an inviting reason to grab a pack for yourself.” Learn More
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