Welcome to InsideHook’s Staff Picks, a compendium of all the stuff our editors are digging on this week.
The Dock by ThanoTech
Assuming we avoid mutually assured destruction, we will live in a cordless world in the not-too-distant future. Until then, there is a growing cottage industry built around products that imitate true cordless-ness, of which The Dock is one the smartest options I’ve seen. At a glance, it’s a fairly straightforward nightstand catch-all for your personal effects. But under the surface lies a framework of hardware that wirelessly charges Qi-compatible devices and conceals the cords of Apple devices. Pledge to their Kickstarter campaign and you’ll get a special early-bird price of $150. — Walker Loetscher, Editor in Chief
REI Co-op Flash 18 National Park Pack
National Park tees. National Park tumblers. It’s refreshing and gratifying to see so many American companies looking for ways to support “America’s Best Idea.” But see enough logos of trees slapped on snapbacks … and the novelty wears off. Not so with REI’s National Park pack, which fuses variant color schemes with actual mapped topography of six parks, from Acadia to Rocky Mountain. It’s exactly what you want in a hiking daypack, bridging the gap between backpack and one of those hand-me-down drawstring numbers with its trusty strap, removable back pad and a convenient top-load entry. — Tanner Garrity, Associate Editor
Byredo Bibliotheque Candle
If I could cloak my nose in a traveling mist of eye-wateringly expensive perfumes, I would. I don’t wanna smell ya clothes, ya dog, ya cigarette smoke or ya rubbish. Ya hear? Same goes at home (I’m looking at you, my cat), where I keep a few amazing-smelling candles on hand to revive any untoward air. I’m gonna write into my will that I’d like to be buried with one of these Byredos just in case heaven smells like old people. — Athena Wisotsky, Senior Editor
Humade Kintsugi Ceramic & Pottery Repair Kit
Kintsugi is the ancient Japanese art of fixing broken pottery with a special lacquer dusted in gold. Instead of hiding cracks, the craft centers around the philsophy of incorporating unsightly breaks to give broken objects new life. It works in tandem with another Japanese concept I love, wabi-sabi, which calls for seeing beauty in the imperfect. It also will save my ass from accidentally breaking my partner’s favorite ceramic dish earlier this year. — Michael Nolledo, Deputy Editor/Chicago Editor
Aldo Piede Boot
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I favor versatility over pretty much everything else when buying clothes. These military-inspired numbers from Aldo add a dapper touch to suits and jeans alike, and they boast a hefty but low-key rubber tread for navigating crap weather. I’m partial to black, but don’t sleep on the cognac if that’s more your speed. — Danny Agnew, Creative Director
Uniqlo Miracle Air Jeans
Are they selvedge denim that you’ll be able to pass on to your grandchildren? No. Are they stretchy and super comfortable and won’t require a dozen wears before you can bend your knees? You bet. They are also the ideal jeans for keeping swamp-ass to a minimum in the summer, thanks to their lightweight, breathable design. Plus, Uniqlo will deliver your jeans hemmed to the half-inch of your choosing. — Eli London, Director of Partnerships
This Is Ground Venture 2 System
We got a sneak peek at This Is Ground’s revamped backpack, and … wow. This is OCD heaven. Available in two sizes (slim and regular), the key here is organization — there’s a place for every tech item, pen or doodad in your life, along with magnetic, interchangeable inserts and three types of removable custom “packs” (labeled tech, clean and sock … you can figure out their use cases). There’s also a REALLY hidden pocket to store a Tile so no one’ll steal this beauty. You can sign up for info now, and the pack’s on sale later this month. — Kirk Miller, Managing Editor
THE BEST THING WE DRANK THIS WEEK
If you’re in New York, stop by the new rooftop lounge Ophelia … and try their signature Ophelia’s Ascension cocktail. Activated charcoal, bourbon, mezcal infused with smoked Jamaican peppers, aromatic bitters and topped with smoke burned from cedar wood. Don’t make this at home. Use this as an excuse to travel to America’s greatest city.
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