Staff Picks: October 26th

Welcome to InsideHook’s Staff Picks, a compendium of all the things our editors have been digging on recently.

Masterbuilt 30″ Digital Electric Smoker
A couple months ago, I bought an electric smoker, hit up New York BBQ wizard Hugh Mangum for some tips, and then documented my inaugural meat-smoking voyage for this website. Two months later, I am happy to report that my slow-cooking honeymoon phase has not yet ended; that electric smoker remains the best purchase I have made all year. Unlike gas, charcoal or wood-fired smokers, it’s completely self-regulating and, vitally, street legal in a New York apartment building. Just take the plunge, trust me. I cannot tell you how enjoyable, hands-off and idiot-proof this thing is compared to being hunched over a grill all afternoon. — Walker Loetscher, Editor in Chief

Deus Ex Machina Address Workwear Jacket
Heritage workwear with text and logos probably wouldn’t find much approval from costume design for an early 20th-century period piece, but I’m not going to argue with Deus Ex Machina’s new workwear jacket. The corduroy-collared, cotton canvas zip reads “The Emporium of Postmodern Activity” across its back in happy cursive … which is either profound or superfluous, depending on how you look at it. I’ve decided it’s cool. Windblown, engine-roarin’ cool. — Tanner Garrity, Associate Editor

Nike Renew Rival Shield
On the first page of my veritable Neverending Story of excuses to not go for a run: it’s raining, it just rained and it’s too late. (Hello November.) These new Nikes take cues from the boot world in all the right places (water-repellent upper, toggle laces and reflective accents) while still leading the pack in traditional road-running design. Meaning? I’ve got fewer excuses and, if you know what’s good for you and those desk-weary Slim Jims you call legs, so do you. — Alex Lauer, Senior Editor

Blocks by Speks
Now, I’m not going to compare these to certain illicit substances, but I will say that if you could get them into your bloodstream in some way, they would be highly illegal. I must have metal in my hands, because I am constantly finding myself tinkering with these magnetic tchotchkes while pondering complex editorial concepts or marketing ideas. Get a set for your desk and you’ll be endlessly entertained with either the blocks or the tiny magnetic balls. They’re part of the rise of anxiety consumerism and I can’t put them down! If any other InsideHook editors are reading this, please send help. — Eli London, Director of Partnerships and User Acquisition

34 Heritage Navy Plaid Courage Pants
The dark plaid here is subtle and nuanced. The stretch of these pants, however, is amazing and quite apparent … at least to the wearer. These are dress trousers with the feel of a weekend casual pant, and they’ll work equally well in your office, at upscale drinking nights or as your elevated travel wear. — Kirk Miller, Nation Editor/Managing Editor

S’well Sports Cap
An avid S’well user and worker-outer, the new Sports Cap has changed my life. Never again will I be the person loudly squeaking my bottle open during savasana, thus disrupting the entire yoga class. Never again will I have to sit up in bed on an especially pathetic Sunday to sip my water. And, most importantly, never again will I have to change shirts in the middle of the workday because my motor skills lack the refinement to control the flow of water out of an unobstructed bottle mouth. These are my life’s little victories, and for the small price of $10, they can be yours too. — Charlotte Cruze, Associate Director Of Branded Entertainment

THE BEST THING WE DRANK THIS WEEK

The nice folks at SF’s Anchor Brewing came by the office to give us a sneak sip of their latest Christmas Ale, available in November. Changing recipes every year, 2018’s spiced winter warmer (a secret recipe) features a hefty 6.9% ABV and some very holiday-ish aromatics — but it’s a smooth sipper. It feels like a beer you’d enjoy in front of the Christmas tree, but really suitable for any festive occasion or belief system — as long as it’s one that allows drinking.

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Photos: (top to bottom) Huckberry, Amazon, Huckberry, Nike, 34 Heritage, S’well, Kirk Miller