Gallery: Things We Love: The Gear and Gadgets We Couldn't Live Without This Summer
01Casio PRW-3000-1A Watch
One of the best parts of our jobs here at WIRED is that we get to test all the new things as soon as they come out. But we often only get a few days to play something before we have to write about it. That's difficult -- getting a clear assessment about an object's worth when you have to crank out a written review in less than a week. There are some products that don't show their true colors until we've had several weeks, months, or years to experience them, live with them, play with them, and wear them. That's what we've rounded up here -- the stuff from our lives that we either own and never want to let go, or that we've been testing recently that we're just totally enamored with. This is the gear we want to take everywhere. This is the stuff we want to cook breakfast for. These are the things we love. Casio PRW-3000-1A Watch ----------------------- Some people just want their watches to look good and tell the time. I like to demand a little more from my wristwear. Don’t get me wrong, with multiband atomic bona fides and a slick negative screen, my [Casio PRW-3000-1A](http://www.casio-intl.com/in/en/wat/watch_detail/PRW-3000-1A/) is no slouch in either of those departments. But this Japanese import also comes with the Pro Trek’s standard ABC goodies -- that’s an altimeter, barometer/thermometer, and a compass. Those sensors happen to be faster, more accurate, and about 95 percent smaller than the versions in current (U.S.) Pro Trek watches, which means I no longer have to strap a boat anchor to my wrist just to get at all that lovely data. Sure, the instruction manual is thicker than a bible, the menu system is clunky, and I still haven’t figured out how to work the snooze alarm. But for those who worship the outdoors, this black beauty will put anything by Suunto to shame. You can expect to see them stateside this fall. *-- Bryan Gardiner* *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
02Rawlings PRO1000-B Baseball Glove
Rawlings PRO1000-B Baseball Glove --------------------------------- The Rawlings "Heart of the Hide" PRO1000-B isn't on sale anymore. But I never bought mine anyway. Scott Gray found it on a baseball field back in 1990, and Scott played catcher. His brother Brent was a catcher, too. Neither of them had much use for a 12-inch infielder's glove, but I happened to be standing in the general vicinity, and I played second base. That's the moment this glove became My Glove. Go ahead and try My Glove on. It's small, you say? That is correct. It's supposed to be; you don't want the ball getting lost in an infielder's mitt during the transfer, Einstein. Oh, you say it's broken in real nice? That is also correct, and thanks for noticing. It's hard to find glove oil in Belgium, so that's the result of 20-plus years of rubbing shaving cream into it. My Glove was found on the ground, but it's no stranger to the air. It has flown to the minaret-punctuated ballfields of Cairo. The family steakhouses of Kissimmee, Florida. The walled-in diamonds of Ramstein Air Base and S.H.A.P.E. The lengthy smos-concession lines of Oosterhout, Holland. It has caught-and-ghost-swiped hundreds of warmup throwdowns from Brent Gray, received dozens of double-play feeds from Jimmy Russell, and (mis)handled thousands of fungo grounders. It has never been to a Major League game, and it understands why: Because grown men should not wear gloves to games unless they have earned their way onto the field. These days, My Glove sees some occasional softball action, but it's really just riding out its retirement. Its inner-palm lining has worn through, so I have to be *that guy* and wear a batting glove under it during rec-league softball games. Neither of us are happy about that. But battle scars and all, My Glove is the best. I'll never use another one. *-- Tim Moynihan* *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
03Moto X
Moto X ------ It's not quite a superphone -- the Moto X's hardware specs can't match top-shelf offerings like the HTC One, the Samsung Galaxy S4, or the iPhone 5s -- but it certainly is a *super phone*. Why? [The software](http://www.att.com/att/moto-x/). The Moto X is the first real collab between newlyweds Motorola and Google. And unlike most Android phones, the software on this device is just what Google wants you to experience when you pick up a Google phone. So of course, as you would expect, the level of personalization and intuition exhibited on the screen is equal parts magical and creepy. But mostly, it's just got a bunch of cool features. You take it out of your pocket and the clock pops up on the screen instantly without you pressing a button. Ask it to open an app, and it opens an app. Shake the phone and the camera opens. To take a picture, just tap the screen. And Google Now -- with its ability to mash up voice commands, location awareness, and data about your online habits -- surfaces some excellent stuff: where to eat, the final score of the Oakland A's game, or what time the bus you ride every day is expected to arrive at the stop closest to your office. The device itself can be heavily personalized, too. You [pick the colors you want](http://www.motorola.com/us/FLEXR1-1/Moto-X/FLEXR1.html), and you can have it engraved at no extra cost. It's the Android phone I'm currently recommending to people, especially those with smaller hands; the Moto X's screen is a perfectly sane 4.7 inches. Available now for [$200 on contract](http://www.att.com/att/moto-x/). *-- Michael Calore* *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
04Capo Bike Clothing
Capo Bike Clothing ------------------- Two bills is a lot to spend on a bike jersey. Once you pass the $200 mark, anything you buy is bound to be pretty damn nice. What sets Capo apart is the little details -- and at this price, details matter. The fit and finish of the company's $250 [Drago Jersey](http://www.competitivecyclist.com/capo-drago-jersey-short-sleeve-mens) is top-rate. It's constructed from four separate fabrics, including mesh under the arms and a material called ColdBlack on the rear for some UV protection and better heat distribution. My favorite show-off feature is the full-length lockable zipper. On those hot days, just leave it in the unlocked position and give it a tug with one hand when you're ready to ventilate. The jersey pulls apart in an instant, exposing your chest just like Richard Virenque climbing the Galibier. Three rear pockets provide room for everything you’ll need for a double century, and a fourth pocket zips shut (pro tip: that's where you stash your wallet and phone). I read all about this jersey on the bike websites and forums, but I didn’t really appreciate the detail work that went into it until I found myself standing in the chilling fog of Jenner, California after riding the famed King Ridge route. The route zips through a dozen of the California coast's famous microclimates, and the Drago kept me comfortable the whole time. It worked to keep me cool in the sun and warm in the damp. Suddenly, $250 seemed totally reasonable for a jersey. The two women on the ride with me tested a couple of pieces from Capo’s fall collection, and they were equally impressed. The testers particularly loved the [SC-12 Donna Roubaix Carbon Knicker](http://www.capocycling.com/apparel/womens-apparel/cipressa/roubaix-knicker) ($169). They’re cozy, have reasonable compression and the crossover waistband keeps everything where it’s supposed to be. The knickers are a great match for the [Bacio](http://www.capocycling.com/apparel/womens-apparel/bacio) long-sleeve jersey ($120), which was hailed for it’s cozy lining and stylish lines. Capo takes an outfit approach to its kits, so don’t forget to finish off the look with a pair of crisp socks, snappy gloves or the matchy-matchy [Bacio midweight jacket](http://www.racycles.com/product/capo-womens-bacio-midweight-jacket) ($170). *--Jim Merithew*  *Photos: Jim Merithew/WIRED*
05Powers of Ten Flipbook
Powers of Ten Flipbook ---------------------- Of all the various cutting-edge gadgets and toys waiting for me on my first day at WIRED's Gadget Lab, my favorite was a decidedly low-tech flip book. That's because it's the dead tree version of Charles and Ray Eames' legendary 1977 short film *Powers of Ten: A Film Dealing with the Relative Size of Things in the Universe and the Effect of Adding Another Zero*, or just *Powers of Ten* for short. Like the movie, the *Powers of Ten* flipbook illustrates how staggeringly huge our galaxy is, and alternately, how amazing and complicated the universe inside a single cell is. During the film, we zoom out into outer space. The book recreates this outward zoom at a rate of two pages per order of magnitude. And since this is a flipbook from Eames, it's cleverly designed as well: Once you reach the end of the universe, simply switch hands and start flipping the book backwards to zoom all the way back in. *-- Kif Leswing* Pick up a book for $10 [here](”http://eamesoffice.com/toys/”), and watch the seminal short film here: //www.youtube.com/embed/0fKBhvDjuy0 *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
06Victorinox Swiss Army Knife
Victorinox Swiss Army Knife --------------------------- I won this knife in a writing competition put on by a former editor of mine. I can't even remember what I wrote. But I won, and this prize knife has been at my side ever since. While Swiss Army knives can often wander clumsily into the realm of ridiculousness as they're packed with more blades than any one human will ever use, this one is perfect. It's Goldilocks Knife. It has just enough blades and tools to make it actually useful, while it still feels like a traditional pocket knife. I've used the large serrated main blade to open hundreds of boxes and blister packs. The screwdriver is actually really good and hardly ever gives me trouble, since it's so easy to hold. Plus, the tweezers have helped me retrieve more than a few dropped parts in disassembled smartphones. And in a pinch, it keeps the other Gadget Lab writers away from my stash of Sriracha. This particular model is no longer available from Victorinox. But you can [find similar knives](http://www.victorinox.com/us/content/swissarmy/category/1) for about $70. *--Roberto Baldwin* *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
07Mountain Hardwear Thermostatic Jacket
Mountain Hardwear Thermostatic Jacket ------------------------------------- The puffy jacket has come a long way from the days when they made you look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. They’re no longer a fashion statement; they’re practical and essential pieces of clothing for anyone who wanders into the great outdoors. The [Thermostatic jacket](http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Men%27s-Thermostatic%E2%84%A2-Jacket/OM5668,default,pd.html) ($200) is great for those afternoons when the sun dips below the horizon and the mercury follows suit. It can take the chill off, but it's also thin enough to be the perfect layering piece when the weather turns nasty. Plus, the colorways are stylish. When the fog rolls in, roll out in this stowable jacket. *-- Jim Merithew* *Photo: Jim Merithew/WIRED*
08Grain Audio Bluetooth Speaker
Grain Audio Bluetooth Speaker ----------------------------- We're all up to our necks in Jambox wannabes. Our storage shelves here at WIRED are littered with colorful hunks of plastic that have cheap drivers and crappy Bluetooth hardware inside, all made by companies who don't really care about good audio or tasteful design. They're just looking to cash in on the still-booming wireless speaker trend. So it's refreshing to see a speaker as refined and as beautiful as the $250 [Grain Audio PWS](http://grainaudio.com/collections/handheld/products/pws). Well the name is a mouthful, and rather pretentious (PWS stands for "Packable Wireless System") but the "Grain" part is the point: The sides and top of the speaker are coated in luscious walnut. It has a [Klossian](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Kloss) look about it, which really appeals to me. Size-wise, it's about 7 inches across -- halfway between a Jambox and a Big Jambox. Not so big that it's un-portable, but it is heavy. And actually, I consider the extra heft a good thing. Lighter Bluetooth speakers have a tendency to creep around on the table as the rapid movement of the drivers cause the whole shell to vibrate. My Jambox has taken dozens of tumbles from the tabletop in its lifetime. The Grain Audio speaker doesn't budge. Oh, and it also sounds excellent. The dual 2-inch drivers and the passive radiator are very much like what you'd find in competing products, but the Grain still gets plenty loud. Also, its signal processing is on the gentle side, which keeps the sound profile relatively natural. I usually can't stand the compression and sweetening technologies that companies pack into these speakers to make them sound bigger, to pump up the bass, or to reduce distortion. But I have no complaints about the Grain. It just sounds great. Plus, the battery lasts about 8 hours, the Bluetooth connection is strong, and it supports apt-X and AAC, so it sounds even better with newer devices that can use those codecs. Finally, it comes with a little bag (it's "Packable!") to protect the wood. *-- Michael Calore* *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
09Panache Move Button-Fly Shorts
Panache Move Button-Fly Shorts ------------------------------ We tapped the bicycle-crazy folks at Panache to make this year’s WIRED bicycle kit and they did an amazing job. Our kits are both gorgeous and comfortable. So when I heard Panache was whipping up some “lifestyle” attire for wearing off the bike, I had to check it out. The [Move Button-Fly Shorts](http://shop.panachecyclewear.com/2013/05/move-collection/) ($110) quickly became my go-to shorts for all of the other, non-bike outdoor activities I indulge in, like hiking to the Whole Foods and taking my dog to the park. They have a lot of style that reflects Panache's bike-riding heritage without being over-the-top "bikey." For example, only hardcore bicycle fanatics would include back pockets big enough to swallow a couple of water bottles. And the shorts are even comfortable enough to wear on the bike over a chamois base layer or a pair of bibs if you're going out for 10 or 15 easy miles. Just be careful about sizing, as the comfortable material makes getting a snuggish fit without a belt nearly impossible. *--Jim Merithew* *Photo: Jim Merithew/WIRED*
10Arc’teryx Beta LT
Arc’teryx Beta LT ----------------- I've been treating this [Beta LT](http://www.arcteryx.com/product.aspx?language=EN&gender=Womens&model=Beta-LT-Jacket-W) ($500) like a security blanket. It has everything one might want in a summer/fall jacket. It's windproof, waterproof, breathable and featherweight. It hits all the outdoorsy buzzwords right square on the nose, inlcuding "Gore-Tex Pro construction." But what I really love about this jacket is the slim fit and the stylish touches. It looks good on me, and it feels great as a light outer layer on the foggy, groggy SF Bay area mornings. I've been keeping it with me in my car, throwing it into my backpack whenever I travel, and wearing it out the front door whenever I leave the house at the crack of dawn. I also like the vertical external pockets for when I’m sporting my backpack. The fact is, I never want to be without it. Even if I know the fog is going to burn off in an hour and the wind will die down soon after, I still wear it just to get some extra cozy-time. *-- Terry Alvord*  *Photos: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
11ZT Junior
ZT Junior --------- It's no bigger than a bookshelf speaker, but this little guitar amp sure does pump out some serious tone. The $150 [ZT Junior](http://www.ztamplifiers.com/products/junior.html) is essentially just a simple solid-state practice amp. But at 35 watts, it's loud and powerful enough to serve you just fine in a basement jam, or as a stage amp if you want to sit in on an acoustic-based set. I threw this little box into the car for a trip to the river, just as something to have around the rental house for the week. I must admit that I'm a tone snob who usually prefers vintage tube amps, but I have to say, the sound quality of the ZT Junior won me over right away. Not to mention the convenience of an amp that’s smaller and lighter than a 12-pack. Like ZT's other Lunchbox amps, the Junior lacks any real tonal character like you would find in a vintage Fender Champ, or in any of the “student” tube amps you might find in the sub-6-inch speaker category (the Junior has a 5-inch cone). But of course, you can plug in your pedals -- and, since there's a 9V DC output on the back, the Junior will even power your effects for you. There's a headphone jack for private jams, and an eighth-inch input for playing along to your favorite MP3s. ZT even sells an accessory 12-volt battery pack for when pluggin’ in isn’t possible. *--Jim Merithew* *Photo: Jim Merithew/WIRED*
12Z.Vex Vexter Fat Fuzz Factory
Z.Vex Vexter Fat Fuzz Factory ----------------------------- One of the many appealing things about the guitar stomp boxes from [Z.Vex Effects](http://www.zvex.com/): their awesome paint jobs, which are done by hand at the factory by a staff of artists. But those hand-painted beauties -- favored by players like Billy Corgan, Nels Cline, and Adrian Belew -- will cost you well over $300 each. If you don't have the big bucks, or if you just want the sound of a Z.Vex and don't care as much about the look, the company's Vexter line is here to fill the hole in your pedal board. These Vexter pedals are made overseas and sport silkscreened graphics instead of the hand-drawn cases of their U.S.-built brethren. But the butter-slathering tones that come out of the Vexters are virtually identical to the originals. Not all Z.Vex pedals get the Vexter treatment. Only the more popular models like the Fuzz Factory, the Box of Rock, the Sonar, and this one, the [Fat Fuzz Factory](http://www.zvex.com/vfff.html). I've been playing both my bass and my guitar through this Vexter FFF for the last month. And lo, how it destroys. The laughter of Crom booms across Valhalla. Meat rains from the sky, driven by gales of hellsmoke. Screeching and squealing of the highest order. Endless torture, endless beauty. Oh my, yes. And all for under $200! *-- Michael Calore* *Photo: Jim Merithew/WIRED*
13Salewa Wildfire
Salewa Wildfire --------------- I do a lot of trail hiking, and I've really grown to love the new $160 [Wildfire shoe](http://www.salewa.us/product/footwear/wildfire+man) from Salewa after wearing them for a couple of weeks this summer. They're as comfortable as my favorite around-town kicks, they're snug like the best climbing shoes, and they're stylish in that “Hey! Look at me!” way. But they are made purely for the outdoors. GoreTex uppers ensure your dogs stay warm and dry on dewy morning hikes, and the material's high wicking properties will keep you comfy when you get to the hotter part of the day. My favorite part: The footbed is adjustable, and as long as your feet aren't overly finicky, it's easy to find the perfect fit. *--Jim Merithew* *Photo: Jim Merithew/WIRED*
