The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (2025)

Table of Contents
100: A hand-forged felling axe inspired by American heritage Best Made Co. Old Gold No. 1 Axe 99. An AirTag-like tracker that fits in your wallet Nomad Tracking Card 98. A titanium GMT watch sets a new standard for value Timex x The James Brand x Titanium GMT 97. A car camping cot that increases storage space Pacific Adventure Works Hideaway Sleep Platform 96. A travel trailer that’s easier on your bank account — and your nerves 2025 Airstream Trade Wind 23FB 95. Modern sustainability, courtesy of a centuries-old process Patagonia Lightweight Waxed Cotton Jacket 94. A fan-favorite affordable watch goes into stealth mode Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Carbon 93. Artisanal boots rebuilt around go-anywhere versatility Red Wing Beckman 92. Apple’s moonshot at the computer of the future Apple Vision Pro 91. An upstart watch brand enters a new level of excellence Ming 20.01 Series 3 90. Iconic sneakers reimagined as lightweight hiking shoes Keen Jasper Zionic 89. A welcome return to the original appeal of home fitness Hydrow Core Rower 88. A plastic-free brewer worthy of the coffee it produces AeroPress Premium 87. An utterly serious attempt at having a whole lot of fun 2024 Ford Mach-E Rally 86. The strongest case yet for AI gadgets looks very familiar Meta Ray-Ban Advanced Smart Glasses 85. A “very, very special” bourbon that lives up to the hype Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition 84. A refined, and sporty, take on an iconic pilot’s watch Breguet Type XX Rose Gold 83. A cool callback that hits the icebox sweet spot Yeti Roadie 15 Hard Cooler 82. A stylish, minimalist redesign of legendary tennies Muji x Reebok Court Sneakers 81. Cadillac electrifies the status symbol 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ Get more stories like this in your inbox daily. Related Topics References

Important products aren’t always good or bad. Often, they fall somewhere in-between, all the while offering perspective on where a particular industry has found itself … and where it might be going.

This is the spirit driving the 12th annual GP100, Gear Patrol‘s mighty, end-of-year roundup collecting the year’s most relevant releases from tech, motoring, style and watches, outdoors and more.

Gear Patrol

This year, we also decided to do something we’ve never done in more than a decade of publishing the GP100: rank our winners, focusing on novelty, popularity and impact on culture at large.

You might not agree with our selections. You definitely won’t agree with the order. But maybe, just maybe, you might agree with us on this: products have never been so dynamic, exciting and downright important to our lives.

We will reveal the GP100 winners in batches of 20 over the course of this week. To stay on top of the countdown, bookmark the collection page. To see last year’s winners, follow this link.

100: A hand-forged felling axe inspired by American heritage

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (2)Best Made Company

GP100 Winner

Best Made Co. Old Gold No. 1 Axe

Specs

HandleAppalachian hickory
Head1060 high-carbon steel
Length28, 30, 32 or 36 inches
  • $450 at Best Made Co.

Best Made Co. has had an odd few years. First, Peter Buchanon Smith, the brand’s founder, left the company some ten years after starting it. Following his exit, Duluth Trading bought the brand. Then, shortly after that and in an unheard-of reversal, Duluth sold it back to Smith.

All that trading hands and the confusion it caused hurt Best Made’s reputation. But Smith was determined to right the ship and return the company to its roots.

To that end, the brand needed a signal flare — something that screamed, “We’re back to our roots and better than ever!” It could not have picked a more appropriate release than the Old Gold No. 1 felling axe.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (3)Best Made Company

Based on the 19th-century McKinnon Rockaway pattern, this axe is practically American heritage incarnate. But the design is only half the story.

The head is hand-forged from 1060 high-carbon steel, utilizing delicate tampering and heat-treating processes to give it its rich golden color. And it’s mated to an Appalachian hickory handle secured via a walnut wedge.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (4)Best Made Co.

As Best Made Co. puts it, this axe is the first step toward “raising the bar higher, slower, more deliberately, and on a much smaller scale.” Truly, it’s a magnificent achievement in design and craftsmanship, and it marks a triumphant return to form for the brand.

99. An AirTag-like tracker that fits in your wallet

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (5)NOMAD

GP100 Winner

Nomad Tracking Card

Specs

MaterialPolycarbonate
Size86mm x 54mm x 2mm
Water-resistanceIPX7
  • $40 at Nomad

Apple’s AirTags are brilliant because they help keep track of your stuff. You can attach the button-sized tracker to your bag, bike or even your pet’s collar and, after a quick peek of the Find My app, you can locate it at any given moment.

But AirTags aren’t perfect. They lack a built-in loop or clip and thus need an accessory to attach it to anything. They run on a CR2032 battery that you have to replace every year. And they’re too bulky to practically stick in a wallet — which is the EDC you probably need the most help keeping track of.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (6)Nomad

Enter the Nomad Tracking Card. It’s a credit card sized tracker that works almost identically to an AirTag. It supports Apple’s Find My network and even has a tiny speaker that you can trigger to emit a sound to help you find it. Just slip it into your wallet and whenever misplaced, simply pop open the Find My app on your iPhone.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (7)Nomad

The only real downside is that the Nomad Tracking Card lacks an Ultra Wide Band chip and doesn’t support Precision Tracking (which helps guide you to an AirTag’s exact location when within 150 feet). But it does have other advantages — most notably a rechargeable battery that works with any Qi or MagSafe charger.

In a nutshell, it’s the perfect AirTag alternative for your wallet.

98. A titanium GMT watch sets a new standard for value

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (8)The James Brand x Timex

Timex x The James Brand x Titanium GMT

Specs

Case Size41mm
MovementMiyota 9075 automatic GMT
Water Resistance200m
  • $749 at The James Brand

  • $749 at Timex

  • $749 at Huckberry

Two of the more interesting stories that have emerged in the watch industry over the past few years are the democratization of affordable automatic GMT watches and the resurgence of Timex as a major player in the market.

This watch is the ultimate culmination of both trends.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (9)The James Brand x Timex

With a big assist from design-forward EDC favorite The James Brand, this watch is arguably the most GMT you can get for the money. Well, it was anyway: both colorways released so far have been limited editions that sold out quickly.

The watch’s popularity is quite easy to understand. On paper, it’s an absolute monster. Both the case and the full bracelet are made of lightweight titanium. There is a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating over the dial and a second sapphire on the display caseback. Water resistance is a dive-appropriate 200m, the lume is Swiss-made Super-LumiNova C1, and the movement is Miyota’s excellent Cal. 9075 automatic “true” GMT with its independently adjustable fourth hand.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (10)Timex

Add in TJB’s design work, which gives the watch a contemporary edge that’s not only attractive but also wholly original compared to every other GMT on the market, and you have an undeniably compelling package at a price that feels too good to be true.

97. A car camping cot that increases storage space

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (11)Pacific Adventure Works

GP100 Winner

Pacific Adventure Works Hideaway Sleep Platform

Specs

Frame6063 anodized aluminum with nylon connectors
LoadUp to 400 pounds
SizesSingle, Double, XL
Topper500D Cordura
  • $700 at Pacific Adventure Works

While car camping might seem like a convenient middle ground between traditional tent camping and RV glamping, it has plenty of challenges. Storage is one of its biggest issues, as using your trunk space as a bed limits how much gear you can haul.

Bed platforms for trucks and SUVs aren’t new, per se, but a quick glance at the options will reveal that they’re all very expensive and require permanent installation.

Pacific Adventure Works’ Hideaway Sleeping Platforms solve all of those problems. In fact, they’re so good that they won an innovation award at this year’s Outdoor Retailer trade show.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (12)Pacific Adventure Works

The concept is so simple that it’s baffling that nobody else came up with it — but therein lies PAW’s genius. The platforms are made from a combination of aluminum and nylon (including Cordura) and they come in three sizes — single, double, and XL.

But what’s really impressive is that they can be used to fit just about any vehicle (the brand has a handy Guaranteed Fit Guide to help you choose). All you have to do is pick the height, slip it into your car or truck and enjoy.

The raised platforms offer a secondary bonus, too. While their tops are comfortable and sturdy for sleeping, they create a space beneath them so you can store all your other camping gear, food and other supplies. It’s as simple as it is brilliant.

96. A travel trailer that’s easier on your bank account — and your nerves

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (13)Airstream

GP100 Winner

2025 Airstream Trade Wind 23FB

Specs

Size23 feet, 11 inches long x 8 feet wide by 9 feet, 10.5 inches tall
Weight5,650 pounds
Sleeps4
  • $120,900 at Airstream

Loaded with features, last year’s Airstream 25FB was a game-changing beauty. But at 26 feet, 2 inches long, it was also a beast. Maneuvering through urban traffic could easily erase any stress relief hitting the open road might bring.

Enter Airstream’s follow-up, a scaled-back edition that is two feet, three inches shorter, 650 pounds lighter and $10,000 cheaper, yet retains many of its predecessor’s best features.

The 23FB boasts the same electrical capabilities: 810 Ah battery pack (four times the capacity of a typical Airstream trailer), 600W solar capacity (twice that of a standard trailer) and a powerful 3,000W inverter/charger combo, plus an 18,000 BTU furnace and 13,500 BTU A/C unit. It also carries a 37-gallon fresh water tank, a 37-gallon gray water tank and a 17-gallon waste water tank.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (14)Airstream

Maximizing available space, it sleeps four, with a separate bedroom in the front, plus a convertible dinette offering 20 square feet of sleep space, a full kitchen with a fridge and freezer, stainless steel sink, oven and three-burner gas stove and a full bathroom with shower.

Rounding out the package are 12 windows and skylights, a manual patio awning, 4-speaker audio and a 24-inch smart TV. You know, just in case you want to queue up Are We There Yet? and smile with smug satisfaction.

95. Modern sustainability, courtesy of a centuries-old process

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (15)Patagonia

GP100 Winner

Patagonia Lightweight Waxed Cotton Jacket

Specs

Face FabricWaxed cotton ripstop
Lining Hemp-cotton muslin
Weight29.1 ounces
  • $369 at Patagonia

There’s been a reckoning in the outdoor apparel space of late. Turns out the amazing durable-water-repellent garments that enable us to enjoy the great outdoors have a dirty secret.

They’re made using PFCs and PFAS, “forever chemicals” that pose serious human health and environmental risks we are only now confronting — with legal measures and brands such as Patagonia vowing to be forever chemical-free by 2025.

One step is working with partner Gore-Tex on a new, flourocarbon-free DWR treatment called ePE (expanded polyethylene). Another draws on an ancient alternative: waxed cotton.

This material dates back centuries, to when sailors realized rubbing linseed oil into sailcloth increased its water resistance — and eventually began making jackets with it.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (16)Patagonia

Patagonia has spent a decade updating that all-natural approach for modern use, in products like this jacket, which boasts a 6.9-ounce ripstop cotton face fabric weatherized using a plant-based wax made from food-industry waste.

It also has a tag reading: “Over time, waxed cotton inherits marks and creases, building character and its own history with each wear.”

Protection from the elements is enhanced by a three-panel hood and bellow pockets. Protection from humankind’s folly — plus the promise of a pretty patina — is built right in.

94. A fan-favorite affordable watch goes into stealth mode

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (17)Tissot

GP100 Winner

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Carbon

Specs

Case Size40m
MovementTissot Powermatic 80 Silicium automatic
Water Resistance100m
  • $995 at Tissot

Ever since its Earth-shattering debut back in 2021, the Tissot PRX has consistently ranked among the top affordable everyday watches on the market.

Following that initial unveiling, Tissot has experimented with the PRX by launching dozens of iterations in various sizes and colors with different dial treatments, bezels and PVD coatings and three different movements. But despite their myriad differences, these PRX variations all shared one thing in common: all had cases made of stainless steel.

But not the PRX Powermatic 80 Carbon — the first non-steel PRX that only adds to the model’s legacy as a luxury watch for less.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (18)Tissot

Forged carbon, the ultralight aerospace material used for both the case and dial of the PRX Carbon, is most often seen in watches costing many times the price of a PRX. Not only that, but the watch also houses an improved version of its titular Powermatic 80 movement. In place of the Nivachron hairspring found in other automatic PRX watches, the Carbon’s movement has the type of amagnetic silicon hairspring found in luxury watches.

Even though it’s built more like a luxury watch than ever, Tissot kept this stealthy version of the PRX at its typical low price point, coming in just under $1,000.

93. Artisanal boots rebuilt around go-anywhere versatility

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (19)Red Wing Shoes

GP100 Winner

Red Wing Beckman

Specs

ConstructionGoodyear leather welt
Last224
LeatherExcalibur full-grain
  • $400 at Red Wing Shoes

Back in the early aughts, Charles Beckman, Red Wing’s founder, sought out boots that were durable enough to go tromping through mud but looked good enough to wear in the office.

As he couldn’t find anything that fit his needs, he had his company make them. Only a few years later, the brand inexplicably and quietly phased them out in 2018.

Then, this year, those same boots — the Red Wing Beckman — made a triumphant return. Except they weren’t the same ones the company discontinued; they were better.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (20)Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

This new iteration comes with outsoles originally made for Red Wing in the 1920s. Called Gro-Cord, they’re constructed from tire cord and hold the crown as the first non-leather outsole.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (21)Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

They also feature a more anatomical toe box shape and Poron foam pad in the heel, increasing their comfort and wearability. Yet their iconic style, marked by a full-grain Excalibur leather upper and a trio of smart color options (Black, Black Cherry and Cigar), remains.

92. Apple’s moonshot at the computer of the future

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (22)Apple

GP100 Winner

Apple Vision Pro

Specs

Battery LifeUp to 2.5 hours
DisplaysDual micro-OLED displays
Resolution3660 x 3200 pixels per eye
  • $3,499.00 at Apple

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: the Vision Pro isn’t for everyone. Apple’s $3,500 mixed reality headset — or “spatial computer” — is out of most people’s price range. And you probably don’t need one anyway, as it won’t replace your iPhone, computer or TV.

But that doesn’t change the fact that the Vision Pro is impressive as all hell. Its marriage of premium hardware with custom Apple software make the headset feel both familiar yet futuristic at the same time.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (23)Apple

Thanks to dual micro-OLED displays, the Vision Pro delivers an absolutely gorgeous 4K experience. Its passthrough ability that seamlessly transitions between the real world to full-on immersion is second to none. And the way to control it without any extra gear, just using eye moments and hand gestures, is unlike anything else.

The headset has a few standout abilities that feel distinctly Apple, too. If you have a Mac, the Vision Pro works as a huge 4K virtual display. You can experience spatial videos and photos that place you more “in the moment.” And you take FaceTime calls while wearing the headset, which is strange but cool.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (24)Apple

Admittedly, the Vision Pro doesn’t really have a killer app yet. And right now it’s best as an immersive home theater for watching movies and shows. But that could change in the near future … or when Apple finally lets you experience live sporting events from court-side seats.

91. An upstart watch brand enters a new level of excellence

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (25)MING

GP100 Winner

Ming 20.01 Series 3

Specs

Case Size41.5mm
MovementAgenhor for Ming AgenGraphe Cal. 6361.M1 manual-wind chronograph
Water Resistance50m
  • $50,992 at MING

Ming has always been a bit of a prodigy. The Malaysian independent brand produced its first watch in 2017, successfully challenging luxury watch industry norms with its radically different design language and upfront Asian origins to become one of the most in-demand and acclaimed watch brands in the world.

By now, you’d think we’d have learned not to underestimate Ming. But the brand continues to exceed expectations, with the exceptional 20.01 Series 3 arguably being its most impressive creation to date.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (26)Ming

The case features Ming’s trademark flared lugs, except here they’re part of a solid 18k 5N rose gold outer case surrounding a black DLC Grade 5 titanium core. The movement is one of the finest in the world: a custom version of Agenhor’s AgenGraphe — a manually wound, centrally mounted jumping chronograph packed with proprietary innovations.

Most impressive of all is the dial. A visual feast in light or darkness, it required inventing a new technique to create and consists of a slab of topographical borosilicate glass with 600 laser-fused cavities hand-filled with luminescent material.

It’s a prime example of the kind of experimental work only Ming is doing, and perhaps only Ming can do.

90. Iconic sneakers reimagined as lightweight hiking shoes

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (27)KEEN

GP100 Winner

Keen Jasper Zionic

Specs

InsoleResilient foam with arch support
LiningMesh with Eco Anti-Odor
OutsoleHigh-traction rubber with 4mm multi-directional lugs
UpperLWG-certified premium leather
  • $150 at Keen

Keen’s Jasper, originally released in 2008, is one of the brand’s most enduring designs. Despite its outward appearance, marked by a rugged toe cap and tongue-to-toe laces, it’s actually a casual shoe.

The Keen Zionic, by contrast, is one of the brand’s newer, more cutting-edge outdoor offerings. It boasts a contoured fit, grippy all-terrain outsole and a stability shank.

So, what happens when you combine them? You get the Keen Jasper Zionic — a veritable best of both worlds.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (28)Keen

This hybrid gets its upper silhouette from the Jasper, including the tongue-to-toe lacing and reinforced toe box. But it borrows its high-traction rubber outsole with 4mm multi-directional lugs, lightweight shank and contoured fit from the Zionic.

It’s a smart, stylish, experimental redevelopment that speaks to Keen’s overall strengths, the brand’s signature style, and the company’s future potential as it continues to evolve.

89. A welcome return to the original appeal of home fitness

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (29)Hydrow

GP100 Winner

Hydrow Core Rower

Specs

Dimensions86 x 25 x 47 inches
Touchscreen Size22 inches
Subscription Fee$0
  • $1,995 at Hydrow

Deep in the COVID-19 pandemic, home fitness products began resembling gym memberships, with bikes and treadmills and interactive screens attaching one big string: a monthly subscription fee.

For some folks, that works. They log in daily, track stats, develop a parasocial relationship with a hot instructor and get shredded.

But just as gyms make bank off dropouts who don’t actually cancel, these products’ brands host loads of “zombie” accounts, subscribers who’ve stopped pedaling but keep paying. On the flip side are people who do the sample workout over and over without ponying up.

Those folks will love Hydrow’s latest product, the “limited edition” Core Rower. It’s just like the Pro Rower but costs $200 less and doesn’t require a membership.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (30)Hydrow

There are no instructors, badges, milestones or other premium features. Instead you (and your family) get unfettered access to 30 self-paced rows, where you stroke through breathtaking waterways and enjoy, Hydrow says, “more meditative workouts.”

Like an analog set of weights and a bench, it requires greater self-motivation — but skipping a day doesn’t cost a dime. And hey, if you later decide you do want a kick in the butt, you can always upgrade to the membership for $44 a month.

88. A plastic-free brewer worthy of the coffee it produces

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (31)AeroPress

GP100 WINNER

AeroPress Premium

Specs

Brew Capacity10 ounces
Washing GuidelinesHand-wash only
Weight1.7 pounds
  • $150 at AeroPress

Some products don’t need updates. Many AeroPress loyalists might argue that the lightweight coffee maker is one of them.

With its plastic body, the classic AeroPress is portable and durable. Ounce for ounce, it probably brews the best damn cup of coffee in the world. For travel and camping, it may never be beaten.

But does it really have to be plastic? Nearly two decades since the brewer came to market, its manufacturer, AeroPress, Inc., finally decided it does not.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (32)Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

The AeroPress Premium swaps out the classic’s food-grade polypropylene for a combination of materials worthy of its world-class coffee.

Borosilicate glass makes up the brewing chamber — the same stuff featured on the Chemex. However, it’s deployed here in a double-wall construction that acts as a thermal insulator.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (33)Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

In other words, the AeroPress Premium stays cool to the touch and makes the brewer easier to handle, all the while remaining transparent (a boon over brewers made with ceramic).

Anodized aluminum and stainless steel round out the other components, including the plunger and filter cap, resulting in the first AeroPress that actually looks like it belongs on the kitchen counter, for good.

87. An utterly serious attempt at having a whole lot of fun

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (34)Ford

GP100 Winner

2024 Ford Mach-E Rally

Specs

Coolest FeatureRallySport drive mode allows for maximum fun factor
Power480 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque
Range265 miles
  • Starts at $58,995

The 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally rips through traditional value-oriented EV limitations like a lightning bolt. Far more than stickers and plastic cladding, Ford is demonstrating a serious commitment to cranking up the fun — just as it’s done with its internal combustion models like the F-150 Raptor and Dark Horse Mustang.

Ford’s tuning mavens for the Mach-E Rally, who boast rally and racing pedigrees, have transformed the vehicle into a dirt-slinging, gravel-crushing machine that laughs in the face of traditional EV expectations.

We’ve met and driven with the team leads and are happy to report that they’re precisely the kind of stoic yet maniacal talents you want tuning a rally-ready compact with 700 lb-ft of torque. There’s nothing quite reassuring as an engineer muttering, “What else kicks a Lambo Steratto’s ass for 60 thousand bucks?” while flicking out a car’s rear end on a hot lap.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (35)Ford

In reality, a rally-oriented tune on the suspension makes the Mach-E a willing dance partner on both tarmac and rough terrain — offering up that dance of grip, power, and compliance when you demand it. We’re unsure where priorities were set, but isn’t this the story we should have about the Subaru Solterra?

Speaking of the 700 Club, the 700 lb-ft of torque available to send surging through the specially tuned all-wheel-drive system, the Mach-E is engineered for maximum laughs with specialized drive modes for gravel, mud and a Colin McRae-like rally-mode tuned after thousands of proving ground torture tests.

Here’s your Saturday: a quick trip to Costco, drop off the kids at AYSO, a couple of dirt-laden personal records at your nearest cross rally and back home with plenty of charge for heading to dinner out.

Visually aggressive, with rally-inspired body armor, perfectly inspired white wheels, a rear spoiler borrowed from the gone-but-not-forgotten Focus RS and a stance that whispers pure performance, the Mach-E Rally looks more like a tasteful enthusiast’s AI-fueled creation than anything you might expect from a Ford EV.

The Mach-E Rally is by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, and that’s something worth rallying around.

86. The strongest case yet for AI gadgets looks very familiar

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (36)Sunglass Hut

GP100 Winner

Meta Ray-Ban Advanced Smart Glasses

Specs

Frame Styles:Wayfarer, Skyler, Headliner
Camera:Ultra-wide 12MP
Max Photo Resolution: 3024×4032 px
Video Capture:1440×1920 px @30 fps
Mics:Custom 5-Mic array
Speakers:Custom-built open ear
Battery Life:Up to 4 hours with single charge, up to 36 hours with fully charged case
Storage:32GB Flash Storage
OS Compatibility:IOS 14.4/ Android 10 minimum
  • $299 at Meta

AI services exploded into the mainstream in 2023, setting the stage for what appears to be the next great tech leap of this decade, if not this century. In 2024, companies ranging from startups like Rabbit and Humane to titans like Google and Apple launched the race to optimize and integrate these cutting-edge AI capabilities into gadgets.

Some examples, like the Humane AI Pin and Rabbit R1, though novel in their approach and designs, have failed spectacularly to deliver on their lofty promises.

On the other hand, devices like Apple’s latest iPhones were explicitly designed to offer a host of new AI-powered features. However, these features will only slowly reach consumers through software updates trickling out now and throughout the rest of 2025.

Then there’s Meta, the social networking Goliath once upon a time known as Facebook, whose previous track record making physical products has been spotty at best.

The company technically released the second generation of its smart glasses, made in partnership with Ray-Ban eyewear, back in the fall of 2023.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (37)Sunglass Hut

The update, which included improved cameras, mics, speakers, charging, and media exporting, has been widely praised by reviewers and consumers for offering a compelling suite of capabilities that were once exclusive to smartphones, all in a package that looks and feels pretty normal by today’s fashion standards. And Meta has only continued to improve them since then.

This year, more frame options, including the Skyler Frame — a cat-eye-shaped style designed for smaller faces — a new transparent version of the Meta Wayfarer, and compatibility with EssilorLuxottica’s latest Transition lenses, were introduced. Meta also added new AI features, like remembering things you saw—like where you parked. The glasses can also help identify objects like landmarks and products or translate text into another language.

None of these capabilities are new tricks for AI. And like all things AI-related, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses still struggle to deliver consistently on their lofty promises. However, as a complete package, they make the most compelling case yet for how AI-powered wearables will support or even supplant the smartphone one day as an essential piece of personal tech.

85. A “very, very special” bourbon that lives up to the hype

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (38)Heaven Hill Distillery

GP100 Winner

Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition

Specs

Proof:100
Age Statement:13 Years
Mashbill:68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley
  • $299 at Heaven Hill

Old Fitzgerald dubbed this a VVS release, which stands for Very Very Special, for good reason. These maroon red-labeled bottles had surfaced only twice in Old Fitzgerald’s Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series over its seven years of existence until this year.

The new third edition celebrates the 25th anniversary of the brand’s acquisition of the historic Bernheim Distillery in April 1999. As mundane as that milestone may sound, the purchase saved the company.

In 1996, some of Heaven Hill’s whiskey warehouses in Bardstown, Kentucky,mysteriously caught fire, setting off an epic blaze. The disaster destroyed about 100,000 barrels of bourbon and the company’s distillery.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (39)Heaven Hill Distillery

The 100-proof, 13-year-old whiskey inside this release was barreled in September 1999, just six months after Heaven Hill acquired the new distillery and rebooted its operations. Heaven Hill stated that they knew they had something special on their hands when they first dumped this bourbon from the cask in 2013 and chose to sit on the whiskey until a worthy moment arose.

Most who have had the privilege to try it agree with Heaven Hill’s assessment.The Whiskey Washgave it a 10/10.Wine Enthusiastnamed it to its best 100 spirits of 2024and awarded it a score of 98 points, tying for a high on the list. VinePair came to a similar conclusion,rating it 98 out of 100and added it to their best of 2024 selections.

The combination of rarity and reviews has assured that this red-labeled whiskey phoenix, born from the ashes of the Bardstown fire, will go down as one of, if not the most coveted, bottles to collect from 2024.

84. A refined, and sporty, take on an iconic pilot’s watch

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (40)Breguet

GP100 WINNER

Breguet Type XX Rose Gold

Specs

Case Size42mm
MovementBreguet Cal. 728 automatic chronograph
Water Resistance100m
  • $37,900 at Breguet

A true icon in the world of tool watches, the Breguet Type XX is the civilian version of the Type 20 pilot’s watch that Breguet and other brands produced for French Air Force Pilots in the 1950s.

Just last year, Breguet introduced brand-new versions of the Type XX and Type 20 watches to great acclaim. But instead of resting on its laurels, the brand returned this year to launch a Type XX unlike any other.

Somehow, the Type XX Rose Gold is simultaneously sportier and more refined than its stainless steel siblings. The increase in refinement comes from its case made of solid 18k rose gold, its applied indices and logo, its more elegant syringe hands and its gorgeous blue sunburst dial.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (41)Breguet

The uptick in sporty vibes comes courtesy of the watch’s glossy blue ceramic insert for the 12-hour bezel. This type of bezel insert on a sports watch from a brand like Rolex or Omega would be considered pretty standard, but Breguet isn’t known for making sports watches. In fact, this marks the first time in its entire 249-year history that Breguet has used ceramic in any of its watches.

All of these changes create a Type XX that doesn’t look like a Type XX. It’s prettier, it’s sportier, it’s more luxurious. But is it an icon? Only time will tell.

83. A cool callback that hits the icebox sweet spot

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (42)YETI

GP100 Winner

Yeti Roadie 15 Hard Cooler

Specs

Capacity22 cans (only) or 16 pounds of ice (only)
Dimensions16.9 x 11.2 x 14 inches
Weight9.6 pounds
  • $200 at Yeti

Yeti’s smallest cooler shares a name with a beloved product from the brand’s early days. Markedly different from the original Roadie 15 (nicknamed “Cyclops” for its single-latch closure), this new kid is also becoming a fan favorite, for its own reasons.

First off, at $200, it lowers the entry barrier to one of Yeti’s signature categories.

Prioritizing mobility, it boasts a DoubleDuty strap you can carry with one hand or over your shoulder, crossbody. A quick-release system makes it easier to tie down in, say, a truck bed or a speedboat.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (43)Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Responding to customer feedback on the Roadie 24, Yeti also included a drain plug. This handy feature allows users to ditch melted ice (aka water) midway through activities to lighten the load.

Unlike the Cyclops, this Roadie 15 has two latches, but it can still be opened with one hand. And despite its compact size, it can accommodate a pair of organizational baskets or a couple of wine bottles oriented sideways.

It can also fit a dozen cans with ice — perhaps a delightful NA beer that also cracked this GP100 (stay tuned) or a juicy cocktail/ale hybrid from last year’s list, if you’re so inclined.

82. A stylish, minimalist redesign of legendary tennies

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (44)MUJI

GP100 WINNER

Muji x Reebok Court Sneakers

Specs

Base SneakerReebok Club C 85
OutsoleRubber
UpperSynthetic leather
Weight6.3 ounces
  • $80 at Muji

It probably sounds absurd, but one of the best sneakers of this year was actually a product of a home goods brand. Okay, so that’s only a half-truth, but the point remains.

Crafted in collaboration with Reebok, the Muji Court Sneakers were an utter surprise to fashion moguls and sneakerheads everywhere. But even a cursory glance offers a very clear explanation: they look spectacular.

They’re not flashy or experimental in the way of high fashion. In fact, they’re quite the opposite. These ultra-minimalist sneakers are bereft of all unnecessary style flourishes. They don’t even have a logo (a signature of Muji’s design language).

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (45)Muji

But that’s just part of what makes them so great. A closer look elicits some carefully considered details, like an offset heel loop and DMX cushioning (a returning Reebok tech from the ’90s). Even the silhouette, based on Reebok’s Club C 85 tennis shoes from the 1980s, has a special historical significance.

Perhaps the most significant detail is just how accessible these sneakers were. While they’ve long since sold out, they were priced at just $80 and required no special process to obtain them. That’s unusual in a world where sneaker releases increasingly require waiting list sign-ups and raffles.

81. Cadillac electrifies the status symbol

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (46)Cadillac

GP100 Winner

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ

Specs

Coolest FeatureAKG 36-speaker sound system
Power750 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque
Range460 miles
  • Starts at $127,700

The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ marks a monumental moment for the luxury brand and American automaking, and not just due to its hulking presence. The electric variant of Cadillac’s iconic full-size SUV is a bold, silent declaration that the words “Escalade” and “electric” can exist with unapologetic American swagger.

This is Cadillac’s first full-size electric SUV at its core, but it’s crucial to remember that the Escalade also serves as Cadillac’s cultural statement. With a staggering 750 horsepower and a range approaching 460 miles, the Escalade IQ is about having it all: size, speed, and range – price be damned.

A bellwether for GM’s strategic pivot to EVs and a clear sign of GM’s long-game with its Ultium electric-car platform, the Escalade IQ is a key salvo to test the legacy brand’s ability to usher in a new era of status-conscious consumers into an electrified future.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (47)Cadillac

To accomplish this, the IQ is packed with features. Unlike the current gas Escalade, essentially a dressed-up Tahoe or Suburban, the Escalade IQ proffers a clean sheet design, sharing its platform with the new GMC Hummer EV. It oozes advanced technology inside and out, including a massive pillar-to-pillar 55-inch curved LED display that functions more like a digital canvas than a driver interface. A Gulfstream-worthy “executive-class” second row ensures that first-class status now runs two rows deep. And yes, it comes standard with one of our favorite hands-free assistants, SuperCruise.

Crucially, Cadillac understands that electrification isn’t about abandoning heritage. The Escalade IQ honors the commanding road presence its target owners expect but modernizes it with swoopy, muscular proportions that communicate power and presence. A long hood and low-slung roofline give off a distinctly 1940s Mercedes 260D mafia vibe, and 24″ wheels are the largest ever fitted to an Escalade from the factory.

Enormous, opulent, and now electric, the Escalade IQ is in a class of its own. But from our seats (and oh my, are they nice in here), the Escalade also serves as Detroit’s declaration that the electric revolution will be luxurious, powerful, and unequivocally American.

You’ve reached the end of this section of the GP100, our countdown of the year’s most significant releases. Check out the collection page to see what else made the list or browse last year’s winners.

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Related Topics

GP100, GP100 2024

The Most Important Product Releases of 2024 (100 - 81) (2025)

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