This is a press kit I have created for my client NexOptic after winning the Top Tech of CES 2019 award.

We didn't think our CES 2019 Award for Photography would go to a pair of binoculars, but then again, the DoubleTake from NexOptic is no ordinary set of binoculars. Instead, it's a sci-fi-looking digital camera that you might see Luke Skywalker use. It uses a wide 5-inch display, in place of traditional eyecups, which makes the viewing experience not only comfortable, but easily shared with others.

You might think you know what a pair of binoculars looks like -- how they work has pretty much stayed the same since the 17th century, after all. But avert your gaze to this 21st century take on magnifying eye equipment to see what's possible when you bring digital technology into the picture. Built by optics specialist NexOptic and announced on Sunday at CES in Las Vegas, the DoubleTake binoculars allow you to view points on the horizon at 2x and 10x zoom on a display akin to one you're used to looking at on your phone.

Artificial intelligence, live streaming and 4K video are pretty standard features in digital cameras and smartphones nowadays, but they haven’t quite made it into binoculars — NexOptic, a Canadian optics company is aiming to change that. At CES last week, the company revealed a prototype of its DoubleTake digital binoculars, which could offer a glimpse into what the next generation of binoculars will be like.

This is a press kit I have created for my client Volkl on the launch of their 2018-2019 line of skis.

This article was the cover story of the Men's Journal's Buyers Guide. Volkl was the front cover.

1. Volkl 90Eight Skis The 90Eight skis are part of Volkl’s Eight series, which features 3-D ridge construction and a vertical sidewall running along the entire length of the ski. Each allows for a lighter weight construction, quicker transition from each edge, and better edge grip. If you’re looking for a great all-mountain freeride ski, this is your best bet. It can take every bump, branch, and grove that you may find on the trail.

Volkl M5 Mantra wins 2019 Gear of the Year award from Outside Magazine How do you freshen up a ski you’ve been making for 12 years and already redesigned four times? You blow it up entirely. That’s what Völkl’s German engineers did with the brand-new M5. Their goal: keep one of the most versatile all-mountain skis in history relevant. Not only did they succeed, but they created the best ski of the year. How? By bringing back underfoot camber for better glide and rebound, decreasing the width (from 100 to 96 millimeters at the waist) for easier edging, and deepening the sidecut for a more dynamic ride on hard snow. But what sets the M5 Mantra apart is its groundbreaking construction. Völkl’s skis are justifiably famous for their sturdy wood cores sandwiched between two sheets of titanium alloy, but they tend to be on the heavy side. To maintain ride quality while stripping away grams, Völkl reinforced the perimeter of the ski with Titanal, a NASA-grade aluminum alloy, shedding weight from the center. On the hill at Snowbird, the M5 Mantra was the most versatile ski in our test—stable but lively, floating in resort powder, carving like a frontside ski, and seamlessly transitioning from groomers to bowls. “It’s lightweight and precise at the same time,” said one tester. “I expected it to carve well, but I was surprised by how well it performed off-trail. Skilled skiers will excel on it. The sweet spot is huge.” 134/96/117

This is a press kit I have created for my client Cauldryn.

Thanks to a relatively new product called Cauldryn Coffee, at least the last of my worries can be knocked off the list. Think of it as a connected thermos in which you can also blend smoothies or cocktails in, or percolate coffee in -- provided you buy the optional combo package. It’s portable when you want it to be, coming with a battery-operated base that you can charge up. Or you can plug an included electric base into a wall socket. Then you attach the thermos portion with either the blender bottom or just a heating element bottom, before locking it to the base. There’s also an LCD screen on the side that lets you adjust the temperature to a specific degree -- anywhere from 78° to boiling (212°F). And there’s a helpful companion smartphone app that comes with it, and connects to the unit via Bluetooth.

If you thought that the cutting edge of vacuum-insulated coffee mugs was to buy one in a color other than black then, boy, have we got news for you. Cauldryn Coffee is showing off its modular coffee cup that promises to revolutionize the way we carry around beverages. At its heart, is the coffee mug itself, which comes with a heating element in its base and a plug for an external battery.

BEST TRAVEL MUG at Outdoor Retailer 2018 Summer Show: CAULDRYN COFFEE​ The first of its kind, this 16-oz vacuum-sealed travel mug allows coffee drinkers to actually grind and percolate coffee right in the mug. And it can keep hot beverages hot for up to 10 hours. Did we mention there are also attachable accessories, like a blender, lantern, and Bluetooth speaker?