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.
Osprey Glade 12 Ski Backpack
“Our family loves to ski, but we don’t love carrying backpacks while doing so. However, reality during hours on the slopes dictates some form of carry for food, water, small gear items, and shed layers. So I picked up the new Osprey Glade 12. It’s slim enough for lift riding, but it also has a large main compartment and a stash pocket for items like goggles or a smartphone. Most important is its 2.5-liter water reservoir and accompanying insulated hose and bite valve that threads through one of the Glade 12’s padded straps. This one’s a lifesaver and keeps us going all day long.” Buy: $110
Melvin Van Peebles: Essential Films
“Every now and again, The Criterion Collection tempts you with a 50% off flash sale and you give into the temptation. It’s what you do. In this case, I went right for the Melvin Van Peebles: Essential Films boxset, containing 4K digital restorations of 4 of his best movies – The Story of a Three Day Pass, Watermelon Man, Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, and Don’t Play Us Cheap – sandwiched between extras, extras, and more extras. Documentaries. Interviews. Essays. Van Peebles’ short films. It’s a prototypically handsome package, and well-deserved for one of America’s greatest filmmakers.” Buy: $100
WP Standard The Wine Tote
“I’m not a huge wine drinker, but I am a picnicker and a bit of a snob at that. I’ll definitely be adding WP Standard’s Wine Tote into my al fresco artillery. WP Standard is known for their considered approach to leather goods and the wine tote is one of those accessories that just fits so easily into one’s life. Designed to hold two bottles of wine and includes a little side pocket for your corkscrew, this tote will graduate quickly from ‘nice to have’ to ‘everyday carry’ for me in no time.” Buy: $88
Ninja BL610 Pro Blender
“I am not a fan of having a bunch of unnecessary small kitchen appliances. Only an espresso machine and toaster oven for me for the past 5+ years. But I’ve decided to switch to a smoothie lunch 3-4 times a week in order to incorporate more greens into my diet and to drop a few pounds in time for speedo season. The Ninja BL610 is under a hundred bucks, has over 36k good reviews, and delivered the next day. I whipped up a quick smoothie using collard greens, banana, OJ, ginger, flaxseed, chia seeds, and even threw in my daily collagen powder, and just like that, I’m a healthy mf’er.” Buy: $80
Bailey Mannes Hat
“The shaved head look? I’m down and have been for years. But sometimes, you need something to compliment that t-shirt and jeans look you are rocking. My go-to is the Bailey Mannes hat. They have lots of great colors, and it’s super comfy to wear. With its teardrop shape and snap-brim, it’s a well-deserved upgrade to that baseball cap you are about to put on. Get one now.” Buy: $40+
Diet Smoke Delta 8 Gummies
“As an occasional THC user, these gummies piqued my interest. I have heard Delta 8 referred to as ‘weed light’ and, at least in this dosage, I would say it is an accurate description of the feeling you get from Diet Smoke. They certainly take the edge off but not so much that you zone out or get paranoid or anything like that. Think of it more like having 2 beers with dinner.” Buy: $34
