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.
Puma Clyde Sneakers
“Call me a creature of habit. Call me lazy. Call me both. But when I find something that works, I stick with it. Such is the rationale behind my recent purchase (or re-purchase) of these classic kicks from Puma, which I bought as a replacement for my previous well-worn pair. Having served me well the past few years, I saw no reason to rock the boat. Comfy and looking good in pretty much any social situation, they’re all you can ask for in a pair of everyday urban sneaks. No parking at the mall. No weird shoe salesmen. Win-win.” Buy: $70
– Jay Gentile, Sales Director
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EcoFlow RIVER 2 Portable Power Station
“We’ve run into a few power outages at our house, and we do have a gas-generator in the garage for serious emergencies. I needed something I could use in the house to power our modem/router/computer so I could still get work done should something go south with the electricity. The RIVER 2 is perfect because it provides 300W of output and even 600W in boost mode. It can manage AC, Solar, USB-C, and car charging for true versatility, and it can charge up to 100% in just an hour. We just used it on our 2,500-mile trip from Chicago to Florida and back, and it did not let us down.” Buy: $219
– Amos Kwon, Auto/Watches Editor
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12 Days of Cocktails Advent Calendar
“Some people are easy to buy gifts for. Others are decidedly not. One sure-fire gifting category that’s always a crowd pleaser when the in-laws come into town is a drinks gift that the whole family can enjoy together. This year, one brother in-law is getting this 12 Days of Cocktails syrups advent calendar. Will he open them day by day and make one cocktail only for himself? Maybe. But he also might open it all at once and share the love. Either way, that’s 12 fewer cocktails I’ll have to make.” Buy: $45
– Nickolaus Hines, Features Editor
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Particle Goods Smoke Incense Cones
“I recently opened a vintage shop in Philly and have been looking to find the perfect scent for the store. I did some research, zero’d in on some options, and ordered 5-6 different samples to test. Most were too incense-y and I wanted something unique. As soon as I lit these Smoke cones I knew I had a winner. Hints of fireplace, campfire, juniper, and pine without being too fragrant or outdoorsy. We immediately started getting compliments and inquiries from customers walking in. Already ordered 5 more packs.” Buy: $22
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Cast & Lane Weekender Trousers
“Whether you’re a fan of Cate Blanchett’s wardrobe in TÁR or just love High Grant’s 90’s era fashion choices, Cast & Lane’s weekender trousers are just the ticket to get that old-world feel to your outfit. It’s not a style of pant that’s common in the U.S. but that’s kind of the beauty of it. With a high waist and a generous cut throughout the pant, it’s a style that’s comfortable while still feeling dressy no matter what you throw on.” Buy: $128
– Brett Braley-Palko, Style Editor
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Arcade Ranger Stretch Belt
“As much as I love my chunky leather belts with brass buckles, they don’t always work for shorts and lounge-style pants. On a recent warm-weather vacation, I needed a slim belt for shorts. The Arcade Ranger turned out to be just what I needed. It provides the right amount of stretch and security, and it’s all very low profile. The webbing is made with 85% post-consumer recyclable REPREVE polyester, and it even micro-adjusts for those binge-y weekends. The tough high-density plastic buckle means you don’t have to take it off at airport security, and you can even toss the belt in the washer. I love this thing and plan on getting a couple more colors.” Buy: $32
– Amos Kwon, Auto/Watches Editor
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Polaroid Go Instant Camera
“While I have noticed a rampant rise in nostalgic marketing, I can’t help but appreciate the timeless joy of Polaroid cameras. Sure they’re an outdated throwback since we all have extremely capable cameras in our smartphones. But, the tactile sensation and instant gratification of seeing the printed photos is fantastic. I just picked up a small Polaroid Go for parties. Is there a chance I’ll forget about all of the photos I take and they’ll wind up in a drawer somewhere? Absolutely. But, in the moment, it’ll be a blast.” Buy: $100
– John A. Paradiso, Managing Editor
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High West x Huckberry Bourbon & Double Rye Gift Set
“The holidays are a great time to stock up on booze because damn near every alcohol brand puts out some sort of gift set. These gift sets are great because they’re only ever a couple bucks more than the bottle of booze of you were gonna buy anyway, and you also get free stuff. The problem with most of these gift sets is the free stuff is generally promotional rocks glasses, flasks or jiggers you probably already have too many of, or Christmas tchotchkes you don’t want. But not this one! Two great bottles of High West Whiskey (Bourbon and Double Rye) paired with two Huckberry-exclusive Whiskey Peaks glasses you’ll actually want to show off to guests and use regularly.” Buy: $80
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Carhartt Loose Fit Washed Duck Sherpa-Lined Mock-Neck Vest
“I’m actually writing this up immediately after purchasing if that gives you any indication of how excited I am! My hometown added a Carhartt store a few years ago and it’s been love at first sight for both me and my fellow workwear converts. I think it goes without saying, but there’s no BS when it comes to Carhartt: what you see is exactly what you get. The trademark rugged duck exterior combined with a warm, soft sherpa lining is the no-nonsense quality we’ve all come to expect. Perfect for a night at the Xmas pop up bar or actual outdoor work (who would’ve thought?), this vest is definitely worth adding to your rotation as we head into the colder months.” Buy: $80+
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