VENQUE Campro DSLR Bag
After a very successful Kickstarter campaign back in January, Canadian bag makers VENQUE (pronounced Venk) have returned to Kickstarter to launch the newest item in their collection: the Campro DSLR Bag. Made from a durable, water-resistant fabric blend of their own creation—dubbed Quanta Fabric—the Campro is capable of carrying just about everything a photographer might need for a pro shoot: a camera…
Camp Trip Notebooks
As I've said, you can never really have too many notebooks. These Camp Trip Notebooks from Trails of Escape in particular are great tools for planning and journaling your next outdoors excursion. The cover lets you fill in a trip location and date range, while the inner pages contain gear-packing checklists and pages where you can capture your thoughts during the trip.…
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mirrorless Camera
If you liked the Olympus E-PL5 camera, you'll love the new(ish) Olympus E-M10. Despite its slim profile, the E-M10 produces quality images on par with entry-level DSLRs. Compared to the E-PL5, the E-M10 has better manual dials, better image stabilization, and the addition of an electronic viewfinder, all without adding much more bulk. It also has the added benefit of Wi-Fi connectivity,…
Nock Co. — Pen Cases and Writing Accessories
It's been nine months since we first wrote about Nock Co., the pen-and-paper accessories startup co-founded by our friend Brad Dowdy. I won't belabor any childbirth references here (well I guess I just did), but I'm excited to say that their store is finally open for business. If you're like us and partial to nice pens and Field Notes notebooks, Nock Co.…
Cuppow
If drinking cold brew coffee out of a mason jar is your thing, you'll appreciate having a Cuppow around. It's a BPA-free plastic lid that essentially converts the jar into a travel mug. You can sip straight from the lid or use a straw, whichever you prefer. There are a variety of Cuppow colors and sizes to choose from, whether you're drinking…
Hard Graft’s New Camera Straps
Hard Graft has just added two more straps to its camera accessory collection, something I wrote about a while back. The Instant Camera Strap ($127) is for the photographer who needs no bells or whistles. It's a simple, non-adjustable leather strap lined with a strip of non-slip wool where it rests around your neck or shoulder. The Re-Process Camera Strap ($166), on…
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Maglus Stylus Black
The Maglus Stylus Black is a touchscreen stylus that works the same as its popular silver predecessor, but sports a sleek, anodized black finish. As before, the silicone tip is removable and replaceable, or you can easily swap it out for the reduced-friction microfiber model. The body of the stylus features a magnetic flat side so you can attach it wherever it's…
Twist-A-Lite
I rarely need a book light at home because my wife is nearly as much of a night owl as I am. The times when I do require one are more specific—for example, on a long road trip when it's getting dark outside and I happen to be riding passenger, reading a book I'm not ready to put down yet. This is…
Tessel Anti-Gravity Pack
The Tessel Anti-Gravity Pack is a Kickstarter campaign for a sleek modular backpack system inspired by space exploration. They had me at hello. There are four components in this system (from largest to smallest): Anti-Gravity Pack — The primary backpack piece, made from water-resistant nylon. Sports ventilated shoulder harnesses, an adjustable sternum strap, and hidden pockets. Lander — Smaller pack that can…
Littlbug Collapsible Camping Stove
The Littlbug is a super-light stainless steel camping stove able to be collapsed and stored in a backpack when not in-use. It can burn wood or alcohol, can support large pots, and only takes about 15 seconds to assemble. Its height and shape creates a nice chimney effect, so you shouldn't even need all that much burning wood to get the job…
FLIGHTBOOK Notebooks
Here at Tools & Toys, we don't think there is such a thing as having too many notebooks in one's life. Here's another one you should add to your collection (especially if you're an aviation nerd): FLIGHTBOOK. Inspired by the 1956 edition of The Observer's Book of Aircraft, the covers of these graph-paper notebooks contain some neat bits of aviation trivia, while…
AcousticSheep SleepPhones
If you're like me and have trouble sleeping at night, listening to relaxing music, nature sounds, or spoken-word materials can be a real sleep aid. The thing is, using headphones and earbuds while lying down gets uncomfortable quickly, especially if you prefer sleeping on your side. This is where AcousticSheep's SleepPhones come in. They're basically a soft fleece headband with two embedded…
Ugmonk Cross Pocket Leather Wallet
Ugmonk recently added some new items to their Lifestyle collection, my favorite being the Cross Pocket Wallet. Available in brown English bridle leather and natural vegetable-tanned leather, this slim, full-leather wallet is sure to develop an awesome patina over time. And like any good piece of leather, each piece has its own distinct markings and thus, every wallet is sure to be…
Field Notes — ‘Coal x DDC’ Edition
Coal Headwear has teamed up with Draplin Design Co. to produce a special, limited-edition Field Notes set that is timed perfectly for both the 4th of July and the World Cup. This beautiful Americana-inspired 3-pack is of the graph paper variety, and will run you $12 + US-only shipping (which was $5 for me).
‘Take Control of Podcasting on the Mac’ by Andy Affleck
The recently-released third edition of Andy Affleck's ebook Take Control of Podcasting on the Mac brings the book into the current era of podcasting. It now covers: Recording and editing with GarageBand 10 and Audacity New information about recording Skype conversations Step-by-step instructions on recording with an iOS device New profiles of experienced podcasters, including Chuck Joiner, Louis Trapani, Kelly Guimont, and…
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‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane’ by Neil Gaiman
This weekend my wife and I each had the pleasure of starting and finishing Neil Gaiman's popular 2013 novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. In stark contrast with his lighthearted children's book Fortunately the Milk, Ocean is a dark tale that resurfaces in the mind of its protagonist as he recalls a series of disturbing events from his youth.…
‘Singin’ in the Rain’ Print
Those of you unafraid to show off your love of musicals will appreciate this Singin' in the Rain print by Brazilian illustrator Niege Borges. Even if you're not a fan, you gotta admit she really nailed the water effects. The print is unframed by default, with prices ranging from $17 (8" x 10") to $50 (28" x 38"). They do offer frames…
Rhino Laces
Rhino Laces are gunmetal-tipped boot laces purported to be totally indestructible. The makers claim that they "cannot be burned, cut, sawed, chopped, destroyed, or broken, or we will replace them for free." I haven't tested them myself, but I've seen reviews saying that they're even tougher than paracord, which is pretty impressive. If that's true, these laces would be perfect for outdoors…