2018 Gear of the Year Nominees
I normally don’t publish my nominees list before I post the results. I am this year because Nick and I are going to go through this on the podcast, I thought it would be helpful to post them here so you can read along.
Again, the rules are simple:
1) Item must be released in 2018 for the first time; variants count as new products. “Variant” is interpreted liberally.
2) Once an item is chosen for one of the big product awards (Overall Product, Best Value, Most Innovative, and Biggest Surprise…Best Company doesn’t count), it cannot win category-specific awards (such as Best Knife).
These rules serve one purpose: because I am focusing only on new stuff and products can’t “sweep” the awards I am able to highlight a lot of cool gear.
Big Categories:
Overall Product of the Year
Nominees: Massdrop x Ferrum Forge Gent, TRM Neutron, CRKT Pilar in S35VN, Nik’s Minimalist Wallet, Frelux Synergy I
Best Value
Nominees: Kershaw Atmos, CRKT Pilar in S35VN, Frelux Synergy I, Giant Mouse Iona, Spyderco Chaparral in FRN
Biggest Surprise
Nominees: Frelux Synergy I, Buck 110 Slim Pro, SOG Terminus XR, CRKT Pilar in S35VN, Knives and Tools Grailer 1
Most Innovative
Nominees: Tom Bihn Nik’s Minimalist Wallet, Hinderer Tri-Way Pivot, USB chargeable Cells
Looking for two suggestions.
Company of the Year
Nominees: Spyderco, Massdrop, Hinderer Knives, 47s, Three Rivers Manufacturing
Individual Categories:
Best Knife
Nominees: Spyderco Chaparral, Massdrop Gent, CRKT Pilar in S35VN, TRM Neutron, SOG Terminus XR
Best Light
Nominees: 47 Preon Mk. III, Surefire Stiletto, Frelux Syngery I, Fenix E16, RovyVon A2
Best Multitool
Looking for five suggestions—God multitools sucked this year.
Best Pen
Nominees: Prometheus Writes Bamboo, TWSBI ECO T
Looking for three suggestions.
Best Pack
Nominees: TAD Axiom, TAD Spectre 22L
Looking for three suggestions.
Best Accessory/Other Gear
Nominees: Massdrop Cache EDC Display Case, Takeya 18 oz. Bottle
Looking for three suggestions.
Community Categories:
Community Contributor
Looking for suggestions.
Best New Reviewer
Looking for suggestions.
Best Social Media Presence
Looking for suggestions.