Nitecore TUBE V2.0

When you put together affordability, thoughtful design, and simple and efficient functionality into a product, it’s often a winning formula. Products able to accomplish that unique balance of features are often the ones that stand the test of time. And when the Nitecore TUBE came out so many years ago, it ticked all the boxes that made it an instant success as one of the best keychain flashlights to EDC. And while we think it’s still worth it to carry the original one today, there’s always room for improvement. With upgraded performance in all the right places without having to reinvent the wheel, the TUBE V2.0 is a worthy successor to an EDC classic.

When you put the original TUBE and V2.0 side by side, you’d be forgiven for mistaking them to be the same light. The V2.0 comes in the same poly-carbonate shell as its predecessor, down to the same 2.22“ length and 0.33-ounce weight. So it will be a familiar form factor to those already carrying the original. Also like the original is a large selection of colors both clear and opaque, making it easier than ever to pair the V2.0 with the rest of your EDC.

The real treat for the V2.0, however, is under the hood. In short, all of its key metrics were upgraded, without taking up any more space or modifying anything from the original design (if it ain’t broke...). You now get 55 lumens from the original 45, throwing an extra meter out to 25m from the original 24 thanks to a slightly higher candela, with the wide, 100-degree beam offering floody utility. The single-button operation with ramping infinitely variable brightness is still present, but an improved battery now gives you 58 hours of runtime compared to the original 48. The V2.0 even charges faster, taking 1.5 hours for a full charge, 30 minutes faster than the V1. And speaking of charging, a micro USB port still takes care of battery duties.

Like before, the V2.0 carries like a key fob thanks to an integrated stainless steel ring connector that’s able to withstand 77 pounds of weight, scoffing at even the heaviest and jangliest keychain you can connect it to. Last but not least, an IP65 waterproof rating means that the TUBE is as comfortable in light inclement weather as it in your pockets for EDC. Check out the new Nitecore TUBE V2.0 in six colors at the link below.

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Trending: Douk Douk Le Tiki

An artistic variant of the traditional folding knife from French brand MC Cognet Cutlery climbs the charts for this week’s Traditional Thursday. The Douk Douk Le Tiki is from a line of staunch folders that have been used for over 70 years by members of the French Army and the French Foreign Legion, a testament to its reliablity and sound design.

The stainless steel handle of this variant features a stylized image of the “First Man” from the Maori creation myth—hence the knife’s namesake—and a hardened bright chrome finish for corrosion resistance and a bit of aesthetic flair. The hollow-ground Turkish clip point blade is made of blackened high carbon steel and sports a 3.3” cutting edge that narrows down to a thin point, good for light EDC slicing tasks. This traditional slipjoint features a half-stop and a strong heat-treated backspring to ensure familiar and reliable operation. The whole package is just 2.5 ounces light and 4.25” closed, making for an easy pocket or bag carry.

For a bit of history and mythology in your pocket, as well as a simple yet reliable folder that won’t break the bank, check out the Douk Douk Le Tiki at the link below.

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Trending: Secrid Mini Wallet

If you’re in the market for a slim wallet that adds some flash to your carry, check out the Wallet Wednesday's trending pocket essential, the Secrid Mini Wallet. At just 16mm flat you can stash cash and a few of your most used cards in three slots along the inside, but what really sets this wallet apart is the aluminum cardholder. Easily carry up to 12 cards that you can access quickly thanks to a small lever towards the bottom that slides them out the top for you to choose from. Pull out your needed cards at the push of a button. Throw in RFID blocking to protect your information and you've got an EDC wallet that holds its own for everyday needs. Pick one up in four colors at the link below.

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D01 Dapper Leather Pen Wallets

Organizing pen and paper in your EDC can often be a challenge: small items tend to get lost or damaged in the shuffle, especially when carried loose in your pockets. Plus, with limited space in your pockets anyways, consolidation is always a good thing. For instance, you already carry a wallet, but what if it could also hold a custom notebook and pen as well? That’s where something like the Dango D01 Dapper Leather Pen Wallet comes in handy. And with the new releases in fine whiskey brown, jet black and rawhide leathers, the D01 Dapper Leather Pen Wallet has never been easier to carry--and protect--these everyday essentials.

The D01 Dapper Leather Pen Wallet is a compact bifold front pocket that's been engineered for efficiency. For its compact size, there’s plenty of space, as each of the four pockets in the wallet accommodate up to four payment and identification cards (16 cards total). A grippy silicone band also offers a way to stow folded cash. While we've featured the wallet before in water-resistant DTEX material, there's something about classic leather that never goes out of style. From its unique handfeel to a patina personalized to its owner that develops over time, a leather wallet offers a timeless quality and durability. That durability extends to the CNC'd and anodized 6061 aerospace grade aluminum chassis of the wallet itself, setting it apart from the standard bifold and giving the D01 structure. And against digital threats, built-in RFID protection also helps keep your card information safe from fraudsters skimming for data in public spaces. Last but not least, you can pick up Dango’s separate MT02 multi-tool to further expand this wallet’s capabilities.

The other half of the bifold is dedicated to organizing your stationery. And while it’s compatible with many popular EDC pens and compact notebooks, Dango goes the extra mile by providing a custom pen and notebook with every purchase. The machined aluminum pen accommodates the ever-popular Fisher Space Pen refill as well as Schmidt 4889M ink refills, and slots perfectly into the spine of D01 to both reduce bulk and allow you to retrieve the pen without having to open up the wallet. And in case you’re the kind of person who constantly loses their pen, an integrated lanyard hole helps with retention for both the pen and the wallet itself. The included notebook is no slouch either, with 48 dot-grid pages bound together with red stitching by hand and placed within a thick quality cover, itself protected by the rest of the leather and aluminum.

If jotting down notes and ideas is an essential part of your day, the D01 Dapper Leather Pen Wallet is a complete starter kit that lets easily consolidate and carry. And even if you already have a notebook and pen as a part of your EDC, the smart design of this package lets you consolidate them into an all-in-one solution that saves space in your pockets while being immensely useful and functional at the same time. Check out the link below to learn more about the D01 in both its new leather iteration as well as other material options.

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This is a sponsored post presented by Dango.

Aer x 9H Capsule Collection

As any traveler knows, space is a valuable commodity. You deal with space when packing your bag for a trip, space on the plane for your luggage, and space at your destination when checking into your accommodations. So when Aer set out to develop their next bag, they sought to answer the former while taking inspiration from the latter. They partnered with 9 Hours, a capsule hotel group in Japan, to design the Capsule Collection, their next generation of travel bag designed as an all-in-one, versatile solution. With a sleek, minimalist style inspired by 9 Hours’ sleeping pods and the fit, finish, and features you’ve come to expect from an Aer bag, it’s a solid option for your travel—and EDC—needs.

The Capsule Collection comes in two sizes: 40L for the Capsule Max, and 35L for the regular Capsule Pack. Other than the dimensions and capacity, there are no differences between the two bags, so you can pick the one that suits your needs best. If you’ve used a flagship Aer bag before, you’ll recognize all the same hallmarks of their construction, from the 1680D nylon exterior, to the use of YKK water-resistant zippers and Duraflex hardware, to the heavily-padded straps and back panel designed for comfort. They’re all here on the Capsule Collection, along with a few new features that give it a unique spin when compared to Aer’s other travel bags like the Travel Pack 2.

The big difference for the Capsule is that its main compartment—accessed via the pod-shaped round zipper compartment—is essentially a large “bucket” for your main load, which means making use of pouches and packing cubes to maximize the space. Since the Capsule dedicates that space for your clothing and larger gear, it then makes the most out of its exterior compartments to make it easy to grab your smaller essentials.

Rather than a front admin panel/dump pocket, the Capsule moves its smaller compartments to the top of the bag, which makes it a handy spot to keep quick-access essentials like a power bank or a boarding pass. On top of this top-loading section is a smaller, felt-lined pocket ideal for a phone or wallet. On the left side is a zip-up water bottle compartment, and on the top and sides are grab handles for ease of carry. Last but not least is the laptop compartment on the rear, with a dual-pocket, felt-lined laptop sleeve with a false bottom. This compartment is also reinforced by a stiff frame sheet, ensuring both structure for the bag and protection for your laptop.

The straps are the other feature where the Capsule sets itself apart. Unlike their other backpacks these now can detach and stow in a compartment for a neater profile while on the move, or when using the bag in its other modes (as a messenger bag with the included strap or as a briefcase via the side handle).  Besides the sternum strap and length adjusters, load lifters on the top of the straps also help to dial in an exact fit when the bag is on full load, adding even more to its comfort. And speaking of load, a detachable hip belt on the Capsule Max ensures that you aren’t bearing the brunt of a full one on your back.

With a sleek new design inspired by one of the most innovative ways to spend a night in Japan and features that set it apart from its other travel bag brethren, the Aer Capsule Collection is worth the space it takes up in your EDC. Both the Capsule Pack and Capsule Max are available starting today on Aer’s website at the link below.

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