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.
Nomadix 59 Parks US Map Towel
“I really do hate cotton towels. They’re only great when they’re fresh out of the dryer, and they generally suck for post-workout showers at the gym because they’re just too bulky. I also hate pulling it out of my gym bag at the end of the day. Gross. The Nomadix Original Towel is the answer. It’s big, absorbent, and ultra-quick to dry. I picked up one for the beach, the gym, and travel. It’s also made with post-consumer recyclable material (30 plastic bottles!). It’s soft, super-absorbent, and odor resistant. Buy: $45
– Amos Kwon, Auto/Watches Editor
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Huckberry 45 Slub Pocket Tee
“We all have that wardrobe where we’ve acquired a series of great pants and shoes, yet we don’t have anything to wear. It’s like learning to hit a fade-away jumper before you have the basics down. You need that one shirt that can seemingly create a series of outfits from nothing. That’s where the basic comfortable t-shirt comes in. I’ve been getting my groove on lately with the 45 brand from Huckberry. They make classic, well-made tees that are super durable. Like a great pair of boots, the more you wear the 45 t-shirts the better they look. The slub pocket tee is my go-to whether I’m teaching, working, or ordering a drink at the bar. If you want to add a solid multiplier to your wardrobe collection, get yourself a couple of 45s.” Buy: $35
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A Subscription to Radiooooo
“I have a few upcoming trips and finally bit the bullet and got myself a subscription to Radiooooo. It’s wonderful. A so-called ‘musical time machine,’ the app allows me to select a decade of music and a country and, from there, will play a curated playlist that corresponds to those selections. While in South Carolina this past weekend, I was enjoying 1950s French pop and on the plane ride home, I was jamming to Icelandic glam rock from the 80s. With deep cuts and radio hits, it gives me a mosaic of what countries and generations were enjoying (and helps me practice my language skills a bit too!).” Buy: $5/month
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Strange Paradise Slides
“While this actually isn’t a new purchase, I wanted to shine a light on the slides I’ve been wearing all summer long. Strange Paradise makes beautiful, Italian-crafted house slides that are as comfortable as they are stylish. There’s a distinctly European flavor and sophistication, though they’re perfect for the most mundane tasks and errands. Whether I need to run to the post office or water some plants, I’m always rocking the Strange Paradise slides. I picked up the Camel Suede options but the colorful leather slides look buonissimo.” Buy: $95
– John A. Paradiso, Managing Editor
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Andyer Two Pocket Fireproof Document Bag
“Believe it or not–and in our experience–all those Amazon “-proof” safes (whether it’s fireproof, waterproof, or shockproof) don’t stand up in actual testing. You can fight the vendor and the manufacturer ’til the cows come home if you want, but at the end of the day, you’re probably more concerned with proper protection for your important documents and money in the long run. This Andyer Two Pocket Fireproof Document Bag has two separate areas for birth certificates, currency, coins, IDs, mementos, and anything else you want to save for future generations, which makes it the perfect time capsule.” Buy: $17
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