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.
Thousand Heritage Bike Helmet
“When riding my electric bike around Philly, I want to wear a helmet that looks as good as my ride. That’s where Thousand comes in. Aptly named Thousand with the goal of saving that many lives by creating helmets that people actually want to wear. You can take a quiz on the site to find the helmet that’s just right for you. The design is unique and cool, and it’s got a secret poplock to keep your helmet with your bike, plus a simple one-hand magnetic buckle and an easy-to-adjust dial fit system. If you are riding a bike or scooter right now with nothing but a baseball hat on, use your head and check out Thousand.” Buy: $99
Telic Energy Flip Flops
“I put my feet through a lot when it comes to exercise. Running, biking, weight training, HIIT. I’m also not a light guy at 6’0″ and 200 pounds. Post-workout recovery for me doesn’t include protein shakes as much as it does recovery footwear. Telic’s Energy Flip Flops were replacements for my overused OOFOS slides this summer, and I don’t regret it all. The footbed is actually plush and supportive at the same time. The textured footbed stimulates blood flow, and they help dissipate heat, too. The smoke colorway also ensures they’re easy to find in a family of five.” Buy: $69
Yamazaki Home Kitchen Rack
“After acquiring some new kitchen appliances and cookware, my wife and I needed extra storage in our relatively compact kitchen. We decided to try out the handsome, minimalist storage rack from Japanese home goods brand Yamazaki and it fit perfectly in our space. Now we have extra space plus a stylish way to display our colorfully retro KitchenAid and Dutch Oven. With customizable hooks on the side and easy to clean surfaces, it’s a versatile, worthwhile kitchen storage rack.” Buy: $178
Grovemade Wood Magsafe Stand in Brass
“I recently moved my WFH situation to an office to give me more room – and an excuse to decorate. Top of the list was this Magsafe Stand by Grovemade. I’m a big fan of how Grovemade has a way of using warm, natural materials and integrating them so seamlessly into the tech space. This stand is no different. The Magsafe charging plate lays flatly against a leather and wood face, while the solid brass stand gives it an additional level of dimension and integrity. It’s a larger price point, but it’s definitely the focal point of my desk now.” Buy: $220
Lost Cost Tent from Sierra Designs
“I moved from New York City to Denver two years ago and I’m still working on building up my list of gear to make the most of the outdoors that surround my new home. This Lost Coast tent will soon be my latest addition. It’s designed to be easy for anyone to set up — even those who don’t have much experience — with an X-pole freestanding design and color-coded poles. It’s light enough to take just about anywhere (four pounds, 10 ounces), waterproof, and affordable at about $120. Just what I need for some last-minute, late-season camping.” Buy: $120
– Nickolaus Hines, Features Editor
Fillable Touch Up Paint Brush Pens
“Whether it’s kids, pets, or careless guests, your sweet, sweet paint job is most definitely going to get dinged, knicked, peeled, or otherwise chipped off at some point. While this is most definitely not a product I would classify as sexy, it’s one that I didn’t know about and is an absolute essential once you own a home. Forget about busting out your brushes or rollers to fix the tiny blemishes that everyone else tells you to ignore–the ones we know from experience you’ll think about every day–because this multi-brush kit allows you to use your leftover paint to bring your walls back to day 1 status.” Buy: $20
