Best New Gear | July 2023

Clean carry for your commutes, outdoor-ready gear that embraces adventure off the beaten path, and luxuriously suave luggage were just some of the great new offerings that July dished up. Discover all of these and more as we delve into the month’s best new gear…

EDC

AETHER + Bamford GMT

Like your timepieces with style, function and the flexibility to handle everyday, travel and outdoor use? Then the AETHER + Bamford GMT might be a great addition to your setup. AETHER and Bamford London teamed up to create the ultra-limited-edition automatic watch, which is also AETHER’s first timepiece. The Swiss-made, automatic GMT watch has a self-winding Sellita SW330-2 movement that powers itself as you move, so you don’t need to worry about batteries no matter where you are. It is also water-resistant up to 100 meters. The case features corrosion-resistant 316L stainless steel, while custom topographical map contour details and the capability of displaying two time zones encourage you to get out and explore.

Bellroy Leather Case for Pixel Fold

Dig phones with flip? Bellroy offers a sleek and suave way to keep them safe courtesy of its Leather Case for Pixel Fold. Bellroy’s first case for a folding phone, it’s made with premium, eco-tanned leather in a choice of colorways and has polymer edges for scratch protection. Compatible with wireless charging and Fingerprint Unlock, the case is a clean and practical way to keep your Pixel Fold protected on the go. 

The James Brand x Bryce Wong

For their latest collaboration, The James Brand have partnered with multidisciplinary creative Bryce Wong who has the title of designer, illustrator, artist, and tattooist in his CV. Born in Southern California and currently residing in Portland, Oregon, Wong is recognized for his modern manipulations of pop culture icons. His iconic wavy skull design in canary yellow, black, and white can be found in the following products: The Ellis, The Mehlville, The Cambro Valet Tray, and a Bryce Wong T-Shirt.

Leander Workspace Collection

Your work environment and the tools can make a big difference to your productivity. So Leander, a new design studio based in Pinehurst, NC, founded by a former Green Beret, crafted their Workspace Collection with elegance and practicality in mind. Designed to elevate your working environment to support creativity and purposeful productivity, the collection features a variety of premium, American-made pieces that are well-made and luxurious without being pretentious.

The collection includes valet trays, cord organizers, pen holders, desk mats, and coasters, with some epic limited-edition camo leathers too.

Urban

Trakke Bairn Pro Messenger Bag

Love Trakke’s Bairn Messenger but need a little extra space? Trakke welcomes a big brother in the form of the Bairn Pro Messenger Bag. The bag offers an 11.4L capacity and an assortment of pockets and three zipped compartments to keep your gear tidy. It features a padded shoulder strap, AustriAlpin COBRA Quick Release Buckles, and dedicated storage for a 15″ laptop. Available in four colorways, it’s handmade in Scotland and also includes a removable Trakke patch.

Mission Workshop Ocho

Looking to beat the heat with a multifunctional short? Mission Workshop has restocked their fastest-selling short ever, the Ocho boardshort. Made in the USA, it takes inspiration from 1960s lifeguard shorts and pairs it with a modern Tweave 518C textile. The American-made, mil-spec fabric provides four-way stretch, water repellency, and dries quickly after a swim, making the short a great pick for cooling off in the water and adventures around town alike. The Ocho comes in both a 17″ outseam with a 6.5″ inseam that nods to the golden age of boardshorts, as well as a longer 19″ outseam with an 8.5″ inseam in a salute to modern boardshorts. The short has triple-stitched seams, a drawstring closure, two secure cargo pockets, and a key cord.

Topo Designs Session Pack

From work commutes to campus treks and everywhere in between, the Topo Designs Session Pack has been designed as a versatile everyday companion for a variety of carry needs and settings. It combines quick-access exterior pockets and daisy-chain webbing with a wide-opening main compartment for easy access and organization. You also benefit from an exterior-access laptop sleeve, while the durable build uses a mix of 400D and 1000D recycled nylon and is designed to last for years to come.

Trakke Eigg Sling

Sometimes you simply don’t need a large bag but still want convenient storage for a small setup. Enter Trakke’s Eigg Sling. This compact and tough sling is handmade with durable weather-resistant waxed canvas and provides 2.4L of storage capacity. The interior features three open pockets, a zip pocket, and a key clip, while the exterior drop pocket provides quick-access storage for a phone or other small items. The wide opening makes it easy to access gear in the main compartment and a choice of four colorways and a removable Trakke patch let you tailor it to your personal style.

MiiR New Standard French Press

Love starting your day with that ‘just right’ coffee fix? MiiR helps you create your ideal cup every time with its New Standard French Press, available in black and polished stainless colorways. The quick-release removable grinds basket helps prevent bitter, over-brewed coffee, letting you brew to your perfect taste. Plus it helps with easy clean-up too. Made with a vacuum-insulated stainless steel body and a sealable double-walled lid, the New Standard French Press also keeps coffee hot for several hours, allowing you to sip at your leisure.

Bellroy Via Workpack

If you appreciate the carry comfort of a backpack with the accessibility of a tote, the Bellroy Via Workpack could be your ideal daily commuter bag. Offering the best of both worlds, the Via Workpack can be worn on your back, carried by hand, or paired with luggage using the luggage pass-through. The wide opening makes it convenient to pack and access items easily, while the sleek and uncluttered feel suits a range of work, travel, and day-to-day settings. The bag offers pockets to store your smaller essentials, along with a padded 16″ laptop sleeve to keep tech safe on the move.

Ten Thousand CamoKnit Shirt

Originally released under the experimental CØNCEPT program, the CamoKnit Shirt is now a permanent part of Ten Thousand’s main line of performance training shirts. It is designed for high-output workouts with a focus on breathability and comfort. It features a proprietary CamoKnit fabric with micro-perforations and a camouflage pattern for superior breathability. It also includes anti-chafe flatlock seams and Odorblock anti-odor treatment.

Aleck Punks

What started out as a successful Kickstarter has now turned into a product that is soon making its way into the hands of backers. Aleck Punks is the first true wireless, near-ear audio and communication system for cyclists. Designed to attach securely to helmet straps, the Punks utilize a connection to your smartphone to facilitate crystal-clear communication to your group of local riders, or even friends working out across the country or across the world. Party Mode allows always-open group comms, enabling easy communication while riding, without slowing down or turning heads.

The Punks are lightweight, weighing just 16 grams each, and are sold in pairs for balanced audio to each ear without interfering with your riding or vision. The near-ear drivers and dual wind-blocking mics ensure clear communication while still allowing you to hear what’s going on around you. 

Outdoor

GiantMouse Knives ACE Iona V2

The GiantMouse Knives ACE Iona V2 builds on the original Iona to create a tough and functional outdoor tool you can depend on for many years to come. The knife features a wider Magnacut steel blade that handles a variety of tasks while keeping its sharpness. Phosphor bronze washers at its pivot provide a smooth and easy blade deployment, while the durability, corrosion resistance, and self-lubricating properties of phosphor bronze provide high outdoor performance while needing less maintenance. The Iona V2 also offers a longer, ergonomic handle for a comfortable and secure grip, with spine jimping for precise use. Additionally, the knife also features improved lockbar access for fast and convenient unlocking, even while wearing gloves. The Iona V2 comes in both Green Canvas Micarta and Black Linen Micarta options and includes an attached basic wire clip but also comes with a sample of GiantMouse’s new deep carry pocket clip.

Gerber Assert

Perhaps a nod to one of the other iconic knifemaking neighbors in Oregon, the Assert is Gerber’s latest offering. It is a USA-made knife designed for EDC but also to be used on outdoor adventures. It’s a compact knife rocking an S30V plain edge blade, deep pocket clip, single-handed operation, and a textured grip with a honeycomb interior for strength and durability. The blade measures under three inches at 2.98” and the whole package weighs just 1.87 oz. And last but not least, it’s fully customizable through Gerber Custom where you can tweak things like the thumbstud, spacers, and blade finish and even laser engrave your own design.

Beyond Clothing Ascent-Glide Pant

The latest release from Beyond Clothing promises to equally handle your next summit as well as dinner in the city afterward. The Ascent-Glide Pant boasts an integrated ankle gaiter, exceptional mobility, and a clean look. The aforementioned gaiter uses a two-strand drawcord that lets you wrap it around your preferred hiking shoe, keeping out gravel, dust, and snow without having to carry around extra gear. It also has a four-way stretch nylon construction for ease of mobility, bolstered with articulated knee seams and a crotch gusset. A DWR coating helps with wind and water resistance and webbing belt loops and an inner drawstring help dial in that perfect fit.

Helly Hansen Roam Wind Jacket

Looking for a lightweight, packable jacket for your next hike? Consider the Roam Wind Jacket from Helly Hansen. Featuring a PFC-free, water-repellent treatment to shed light moisture, the Roam Wind weighs just 210 grams. Made of 90% polyamide and 10% polyester (in a bluesign-approved manufacturing process), the jacket has raglan sleeves and is designed for movement while being backpack compatible. 

It also has hand pockets with breathable mesh fabric and YKK zippers, a DWR treatment, an elastic waist, a snug-fit hood, and elastic cuffs. It’s available in a full size run in two colorways, as well as both men’s and women’s fits.

686 Gore-Tex Paclite Jacket

What might be your new favorite rain jacket, this 2-layer Gore-Tex shell from veteran-owned snow brand 686 checks a lot of boxes for practical outdoor use. Constructed of bluesign-approved GORE-TEX PACLITE, the jacket is both waterproof and breathable with a DWR finish. The seams are GORE-TEX taped to keep things dry, while adjustable cuffs and an inner thumb grip keep the sleeves comfortable. An adjustable hood and merino wool inner collar/mouth flap also boost comfort. It’s cut in a standard fit and is currently offered in six distinct colorways.

Exped Camp Slipper

Nothing beats kicking off your heavy boots after a long hike once you reach camp. But soon you realize fetching that firewood or hauling water from the closest stream requires a little more protection than just your socks. The Exped Camp Slippers are that middle ground, allowing you something more durable while staying lightweight, warm, and comfortable. They are made from 100% recycled synthetic insulation. The durable grippy outer sole allows you to move about camp, perfect for setting up that coffee brew in the morning.

Travel

Carl Friedrik All-Black Collection

Carl Friedrik are back in black with their new All-Black Collection. Modern and monochromatic, the luggage collection moves elegantly between work and leisure travel and includes the Carry-on Pro and Large Check-in. The pieces feature a lightweight yet tough polycarbonate shell, an aluminum lock frame, and chic black Italian Vachetta leather trims. Understated and luxurious, this classy collection is a perfect way to travel in elegantly functional style.

REEF Swellsole Neptune

The beach-friendly footwear brand that you mostly associate with sandals has just introduced the Swellsole Neptune, a new ultralight and comfortable sneaker style. The Neptune has a breathable stretch-knit upper, EVA outsole, and memory foam sockliner. It also has a fold-down heel which allows you to easily slip them on and off or optionally wear them as slipper shoes. These really look like the perfect summer travel go-anywhere, do-anything shoe.

Our Best New Gear guides are written by David Vo and Catherine Baecker-Khoury.

A heads up: Bellroy and Carryology share the same founders. You can read about our origin story here.

And hey, we’re reader-supported too, so if you find something that sparks your interest and click through and purchase via our affiliate links, sometimes we’ll get a little kickback from the brands or retailers. It helps us to make more content and build this channel. Although, we’ll just point out, some brands don’t have affiliate options, and that’s cool with us too. If the carry is awesome, we recommend it!