Products of the Week: Artist Bandanas, Grateful Dead Coolers and a Collapsible Guitar

The 12 best pieces of garb and gear that crossed our desks this week

August 22, 2020 5:00 am
Products of the Week: Artist Bandanas, Grateful Dead Coolers and a Collapsible Guitar

Nota bene: If you buy through the links in this article, we may earn a small share of the profits.

Each week, our inbox runneth over with news of gear, apparel and tech releases from around the world. In this feature, we’ll parse through the best of them. Today: Bandanas for a good cause, a Grateful Dead Igloo cooler and a seriously portable guitar.

Stüssy x Birkenstock Boston Clogs

While you might have corduroy pants or even a corduroy jacket, we challenge you to fully embrace the fabric with corduroy shoes, namely Stüssy and Birkenstock’s collaboration for the latest iteration of the Boston Clog. The collab from the two brands keeps the silhouette of the iconic shoe from Birkenstock, rendering the upper in either “Anthracite” or “Bone” corduroy, with the Stüssy logo imprinted on the side. It’s a subtle yet effective update to the clog, a style already conducive to fall made all the more so thanks to the fabric choice. It’s also a shoe that lends itself well to the lifestyle of a homebody, a lifestyle we’ve all been relegated to, thanks to Birkenstock’s signature soft footbed and EVA sole, ensuring comfortable wear while the clog silhouette allows them to be slipped on or off at a moment’s notice.

“Artists Band Together” Bandanas

The one political cause literally everyone can get behind (or at least should get behind)? Increasing voter turnout. In service of that noble cause, eBay is partnering with a slew of artists you may not normally be able to afford — like Shepard Fairey, Barbara Kruger and the late Luchita Hurtado — to release a series of 15 fine art bandanas. Wear ‘em, display ‘em, just be sure to pick one up because all proceeds go to support nonpartisan voter registration and turnout initiatives.

Marine Layer Vail Reversible Puffer Vest

Does it feel a little weird to be recommending an insulated puffer vest when it’s hotter than the hinges of Hades’ gates in most of the country right now? It does. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that when Marine Layer drops awesomely throwback pieces like this, they do not last very long. So cop yourself some some of this sweet, sweet down-filled ’70s throwback flair now while you can — when fall rolls around, you’ll be damn glad you did.

Pearl River Mart Chinatown Collection

The industries, businesses and communities impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic are innumerable, but one community that has suffered drastically is New York City’s Chinatown. Anti-asian and racist sentiments has largely fueled this lack of support for the neighborhood and its businesses, with more restaurants and shops closing seemingly every week. If you’re looking for a way to support the community, whether you’re in New York or not, the iconic Pearl River Mart has created the Chinatown Collection, a range of tees, totes, hats and more, bearing the names of established institutions like MOCA, Nom Wah and Xi’an Famous Food, among others. Proceeds from the collection will go to Chinatown and its businesses, with 10 percent of proceeds going to charitable initiatives working to support the community. Rep your fave restaurant all while supporting a good cause.

Russ & Daughters + Jake Gyllenhaal T-Shirt Collaboration to Save Restaurants

One of New York City’s most iconic restaurants, Russ & Daughters, has teamed up with one of their most loyal customers, actor Jake Gyllenhaal, to create a special tie-dyed Russ & Daughters T-shirt (lox-colored, naturally) to raise money for the Independent Restaurant Coalition. The limited-edition shirt costs $40, and for the next month, 100 percent of the proceeds from it will go to the Independent Restaurant Coalition and their efforts to lobby Congress to pass the RESTAURANTS Act to provide relief to the industry.

Leatherman Limited-Edition Raptor

PVD coating and glow-in-the-dark handles make this a unique multi-purpose shear … and by multi-purpose, we mean there’s also a ruler on here and a tool that’ll open oxygen tanks in an emergency. Or you could just use this to cut thing. Anyway, only 500 of each color is being produced.

Tracksmith Run Commute Collection

With COVID-19 impacting public transit schedules and stoking fears about public transportation in general, getting around the city can be a bit difficult these days. Luckily, there is a solution: run commuting. Yes this will leave you very tired and very sweaty, but if this does sound intriguing to you, Tracksmith recently released its Run Commute Collection that includes styles engineered for this activity. The line features a running jacket, pant and short with designed with some cosmopolitan flair, along with a base layer tank and no-stink merino briefs. And to top off the look, Tracksmith and Mission Workshop came together to create a weatherproof hydration backpack to store your laptop, clothing and anything else you can carry.

Igloo Grateful Dead Steal Your Face Playmate Pal 7 QT Cooler

We’ve got nothing against the more heavy-duty coolers out there, they’ve got their place and we’ve recommended them plenty of times. Let it be stated, however, that there are several IH staffers who report that they’ve got an Igloo Playmate or two in the rotation that continue to kick ass and chill beers despite being well into “vintage” age territory. Built to last and won’t even dent the bank, let alone break it. And if you can grab one of these collab joints with a lil’ GD iconography on it as well, all to the better. Beware: much like the Marine Layer vest above, these are limited and will sell out fast.

Reveho All-in-One Guitar

A modular and collapsible guitar that fits into an easily packable case. It’s also easy to assemble and needs little to no re-tuning, and it comes with a built-in amp. It’s not cheap, but it’s certainly intriguing.

VSSL Java

Meet the VSSL Java — the ultimate hand coffee grinder. With 30 (yes, 30) different grind settings, this portable and extremely durable grinder was designed to ensure you get that perfect cup of coffee just about anywhere in the great outdoors.

Hermes Fly Fishing Box

The box itself is made from sycamore wood and clad in leather (with fish scale work appliqué). Inside, there are two types of hook-mounted flies “made in collaboration with French master fishermen.” The featherwork here is beautiful, and it’d be better be for an estimated $10,000.

Keith Monks Prodigy

Hey audiophiles: Spotlessly clean both sides of your records in five minutes “from the inventors of electric record cleaning” (somebody has to claim the title). Bonus: The gorgeous cabinet and most of the componentry is crafted from bamboo.

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