“Watches, Stories, and Gear” is a roundup of our favorite content, watch or otherwise, from around the internet. Here, we support other creators, explore interesting content that inspires us, and put a spotlight on causes we believe in. Oh, and any gear we happen to be digging on this week. We love gear.

The Global Travel Stash from Matador 

Here at Worn & Wound, much of the team is gearing up for what will be a rather intense season of travel. Between trade shows, Windup, and maybe even some personal travel (imagine that!) a lot of us are thinking about where we’re going and what we’ll be bringing along with us to make those trips as smooth as possible (but honestly, we don’t need much of an excuse to think about the gear side of things). 

To that end, a new piece of kit from Matador caught our eye recently. The Global Travel Stash is a low profile, weatherproof carry solution meant to house your most important travel essentials. Things like cash, credit cards, your passport, keys – all the little things that you absolutely need to keep secure. The Global Travel Stash is also RFID blocking and can be carried like a wallet or around your neck or even as a cross-body “bag” if you’d prefer. Check it out at the Matador website here. The retail price is a very reasonable $49. 

The Leatherman OPNR 

We love a ridiculously simple everyday carry solution, and the new OPNR from Leatherman is about as straightforward as it gets. This extremely minimal keychain tool can open a package, work as a prybar or screwdriver, and easily pop a bottle cap. In stainless steel, it measures just a hair over 2.5 inches long and weighs in at 14 grams. In other words, it will stay out of your way until you need it, and for many of us, the applications for use will be ever present. It’s also inexpensive enough at just $10 that it feels like a waste to not pick one up, right? More info here.

The Global Pro Series from Topo

More bags and EDC! We’re big fans of Topo Designs around here, so it’s definitely worth highlighting their latest, and perhaps most ambitious collection yet. The Global Pro Series is a new carry system that offers several refinements compared to standard Topo gear. Designed to cover work, travel, and outdoor adventure, the pieces in the Global Pro Series feature upgraded dual-ripstop fabrics, weatherproof zippers, modular design solutions, and more. The initial drop features the Global Pro Series spin on the 3-way briefcase, backpack, a travel tote, roller bag, and several additional pieces to round out a complete carry solution. If you like Topo’s functionality but sometimes wonder if the bright colors they’re known for are versatile enough for your needs, this collection feels like a demonstrably more sober take on their standard design language, with some real functional improvements as well. Check out the entire collection here.

Some Very Consistent Magic Mushrooms 

Sometimes a story comes along that’s so deeply strange, we feel like we just have to share here in Watches, Stories, & Gear. Like this one from the BBC, which discusses a very specific mushroom found in the Yunnan Province of China, which when consumed in a certain way, makes people hallucinate. Of course, we all know that mushrooms can do this, but what’s strange about this is the mushrooms seem to make people hallucinate much the same thing. And that thing? “Little tiny people,” as described by some in the story. Scientists are studying the mushrooms and what could cause this truly unusual phenomenon. 

Chronopolis is Coming 

When the Worn & Wound team heads to Switzerland in April for Watches & Wonders, there will be a brand new event to take in alongside the industry’s largest trade show that happens to feature some of our favorite brands. Chronopolis, just announced, will take place in the heart of Geneva and includes brands like Dennison, Atelier Wen, Baltic, Awake, and many more small independents that will be quite familiar to our readers and Windup attendees. These events that take place on the fringes of Watches & Wonders continue to grow and expand, and it’s exciting to see more brands in the affordable realm take part.