Category: Lifestyle

Carscoops 

It’s no secret that Ferrari is hugely protective of its brand, and last year, it destroyed over 400,000 counterfeit products with the famed Prancing Horse. Sellers of fake Ferrari memorabilia, clothing, and even cars should watch out, as they could be next.

In an infographic recently shared on social media, the Italian brand revealed that of the hundreds of thousands of counterfeits that were destroyed, three of them were cars.

Read: Ferrari Sued A Used Car Dealer For $2.2M Over A Ford Cougar-Based Replica. It Didn’t Go Well

Ferraris have long been popular cars to replicate and mimic, and there are probably thousands of fakes out there. We’re not sure how Ferrari came into the possession of three it wanted to destroy, but the crushing of three cars barely scratches the surface.

Throughout 2023, no less than 100,351 items of clothing disguised as official Ferrari products were destroyed. In addition, 30,161 perfumes were thrown away, alongside 17,231 bags, 17,438 pairs of shoes, and 60,903 watches. Things didn’t stop there as 13,415 belts, 11,500 labels, 800 scooters, 872 scale models, 91,229 glasses, 1,092 footballs, and 57,503 wallets were also scrapped by Ferrari.

Ferrari operates an anti-counterfeiting reward scheme that rewards those reporting a product potentially infringing on Ferrari’s trademarks sold in a commercial setting. Those submitting a report need to provide details about the business selling it, the approximate number of products involved, and photos that show imitation Ferrari Trademarks, including labels.

The firm is primarily concerned with products sold at a commercial establishment, as these are the only ones it will accept reports on. As such, it’s unlikely that someone building a Ferrari replica in their basement purely for their private use will have their vehicle seized and crushed.

Genuine watches from Hublot and Ferrari

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Carscoops 

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk confirmed in June that the long-awaited Model Y facelift will not debut this year. However, that doesn’t mean a new model isn’t in the works, and a Reddit user just snapped what appears to be one of the first prototypes of the refreshed EV.

The new Model Y is known as ‘Juniper’ and this prototype was snapped in Pasadena, California, by a Reddit user. Tesla has covered the front and rear of the test car with black cladding, limiting our ability to pinpoint the visual changes made to the world’s most popular EV. Nevertheless, it appears the front end has undergone a similar design refresh to the new Model 3, meaning it sits slightly lower than the outgoing model while also sporting narrower and sharper headlights.

Read: Elon Musk Confirms No Tesla Model Y Refresh Is Coming This Year

Given that the existing Model Y is essentially just a Model 3 with a slightly taller and more bulbous body, it’s reasonable to assume that the facelifted model will get at least some of the same styling tweaks as the Model 3. In addition to getting new headlights and taillights, the bumpers will be redesigned, and new wheel designs will be added.

Some updates are also expected on the interior of the Model Y. Like the Model 3, it will ditch traditional steering column stalks and shift important controls, including the turn signals, to the steering wheel. This change in the Model 3 generated plenty of controversy and has even prompted an aftermarket firm to start developing stalks for the new Model 3. Despite this, we do not expect Tesla to reverse course, retaining turn signals.

Possible New Model Y sighting
byu/JacklJack inTeslaModelY

Tesla doesn’t need to rush an update to the Model Y. Last year, it was the world’s best-selling EV, and while demand for it has slightly slowed this year, particularly in Europe, it remains a hugely popular choice.

When shooting down the possibility of the new Model Y premiering this year, Elon Musk noted that the carmaker “continuously improves its cars,” adding that a car “6 months newer will be a little better.” With that in mind, software updates will likely be pushed to the current Model Y while the world awaits the Juniper.

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The Points Guy 

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers

The United Quest℠ Card was unveiled in 2021, giving United loyalists another option within the airline’s lineup of cobranded cards. It’s a middle-of-the-road credit card option built for those who fly enough with the airline to want a couple of perks without shelling out $500+ for an annual fee on a super-premium credit card.

If you’re wondering whether the United Quest Card is the right choice for you, here are five reasons you should consider adding it to your wallet.

Valuable sign-up bonus

It’s always fun to get a card that comes with a large welcome bonus, and the United Quest has an outstanding limited-time bonus offer.

United is offering a welcome bonus of 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening, plus 500 Premier qualifying points (PQP).

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

TPG’s July 2024 valuations peg United miles at 1.35 cents each, making the bonus worth $945. This isn’t the highest welcome offer we have seen on this card but the bonus 500 PQPs can offset the lower bonus miles.

The welcome offer alone is enough to offset the annual fee cost in your first year alone, but the perks don’t stop there.

Related: United Airlines MileagePlus: Guide to earning and redeeming

Statement credits offset the annual fee

The United Quest has a $250 annual fee, putting it between the United℠ Explorer Card ($95 annual fee, $0 intro annual fee for the first year) and the premium United Club℠ Infinite Card ($525 annual fee).

To help offset that cost, you’ll get $125 per year in statement credits when you use the card to make United purchases. This benefit alone knocks the cost of the card down to $125 — only $30 more than the United Explorer Card.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Additionally, you’ll get up to $100 in statement credits for your TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit every four years. That lowers the cost of the annual fee to only $25 for your first year. This isn’t a make-or-break perk (plenty of travel credit cards offer the same benefit), but it is a nice addition to the card for those who don’t already have a card that covers their TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee cost or for those who have multiple family members who need these fees covered.

Earn miles on more than just United flights

Airline cobranded credit cards aren’t traditionally super rewarding when it comes to bonus points on spending outside of that airline, but that’s not the case with the United Quest.

You’ll earn 3 miles per dollar spent on United purchases (after earning the annual $125 United credits), 2 miles per dollar spent on all other travel (which includes flights on other airlines and more), select streaming services and dining and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.

There are certainly other cards that earn a higher rate of return on travel, dining and streaming services. But if you’re looking to rack up United miles, it’s great to see this card award bonus miles on more than just United flights.

Perks for frequent United flyers

If you are a semi-frequent United flyer, the United Quest card comes with some solid perks to help enhance your flying experience and pad your MileagePlus balance at the same time.

Every account anniversary year, you’ll get 5,000 miles back in your MileagePlus account after you take a United or United Express-operated award flight booked with your miles. You can earn this benefit up to two times per anniversary year. That’s up to an extra 10,000 miles back each year — worth $135, according to TPG’s July 2024 valuations.

SKYCOLORS/SHUTTERSTOCK

If you use this benefit and the $125 annual flight credit, that will essentially offset the cost of the annual fee each year.

Additionally, you’ll get elitelike benefits, including priority boarding, 25% back on United inflight purchases, complimentary premier seat upgrades when flying on miles when available if you have elite status, and you and up to one other companion on the reservation will receive the first two checked bags free on United flights.

Related: Who should (and shouldn’t) get the United Quest card?

Elite status boost

As a cardholder of the United Quest card, your purchases can help you reach elite status faster by earning PQPs after meeting a spending threshold.

You’ll earn 25 PQP for every $500 spent on purchases (up to 6,000 PQP in a calendar year) toward Premier status qualification, up to the Premier 1K® level. This greatly boosts those on the cusp of achieving the next tier of elite status but are short on PQPs.

Related: United Premier status: What it is and how to earn it

Bottom line

There is a lot to love about the United Quest Card, starting with the limited-time sign-up bonus and continuing to the anniversary offerings when you renew. If you’re a frequent United flyer, this card could be an excellent addition to your wallet.

Just keep in mind that this card does adhere to the Chase 5/24 rule. If you’ve opened five or more new accounts in the past 24 months, your application for this card will most likely be denied. However, having a different United credit card does not automatically disqualify you from getting this new card.

For more information, please read our full review of the United Quest card.

Apply here: United Quest Credit Card

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The Points Guy 

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.

We’re off to a pretty decent start when it comes to flight delays and cancellations — unlike last summer, when we saw many meltdowns. Still, while summer thunderstorms have already caused havoc this year (both in the U.S. and Europe), it’s been nothing like summer 2023, when airlines couldn’t seem to recover after weather incidents.

Full planes, strikes, severe storms, a shortage of air traffic controllers and overburdened airports contributed to major travel snafus last summer; thankfully, though, the worst of the staffing issues seem to be behind us, at least when it comes to pilot and crew shortages. And while the air traffic controller shortage is ongoing, it hasn’t yet led to massive disruptions.

Still, it’s not uncommon to see flights canceled or delayed for hours (sometimes even overnight) due to weather.

We have plenty of tips to guide you through delays and cancellations so you get the help you need before your flight.

However, it can’t hurt to seek additional guidance, so we turned to Lisa Kulpa, co-founder of the Basic Travel Couple blog and flight attendant for a major airline.

She gave us her best advice on avoiding delays, what to do if you’re stuck this summer and how to make travel a better experience for everyone. (Spoiler alert: Being nice to crew members goes a long way.)

Related: Unsung heroes: A flight attendant talks grueling schedules, ‘commuting’ by plane to work and being an AvGeek

This conversation has been edited for length. 

When should you fly to avoid delays?

CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

The first flight of the day will always be your best bet for a few reasons.

For starters, you have the least chance of flight delays on the first departure of the day. The plane arrived the night prior, so it will be there waiting for you. This means you won’t have to wait for the plane to arrive from another destination.

Flights later in the day also have a greater chance of delays due to weather, maintenance and delays getting in and out of gates, which pushes back the entire flight schedule day.

If you live in a smaller city and not a hub, taking the first plane is also important because it means the crew members likely overnighted in that city and will be available for your flight. (The only time this could backfire is if a crew member became ill, then they would be short and have to fly in another crew member.)

Another benefit of taking the first flight is that the plane will be thoroughly cleaned overnight, which means you will receive a fresh, clean aircraft.

What are some of the reasons flights are delayed and canceled?

Finnair plane during a storm in Helsinki. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

There are plenty of reasons for delays, but the biggest one in the summer is definitely thunderstorms. We cannot fly through them because it is unsafe to do so.

Staffing issues have also caused major delays. Not only is there a pilot shortage, but there have been shortages of flight attendants, gate agents, ramp operators and everything in between.

It takes many people to get a plane off the ground successfully, and if one person is missing, it’ll delay the whole flight. For example, I was once delayed for baggage issues when ground ops were backed up because of staffing issues; we sat boarded on the flight for 45 minutes, waiting for the baggage issues to be resolved.

We can also be delayed if maintenance issues arise, if air traffic controllers hold flights back due to weather or if runways are backed up. International flights can also hold you for border control. If they have too many flights landing, they will sometimes hold you on the plane so as to not back up customs too much.

How early should travelers get to the airport?

I’m seeing an increase in the number of people going through security. Give yourself enough time to get through.

If you don’t have TSA PreCheck (or Clear), allow time to take out your liquids and electronics, remove your shoes, and so forth. Pack lighter than you need so it’s easier to breeze through security.

Plan to be at the gate at least an hour prior to your flight time, then add in time for security.

Related: Ways to get through airport security faster

How long should travelers allow for connections?

Travelers walk to their gate inside Terminal D at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Every airline is struggling with staffing and the uncontrollable factors mentioned previously.

If you cannot fly direct, I would say at least two hours is going to be your best bet for travel time for connections. This gives you flexibility for delays on either end. Any connection less than an hour is cutting it close.

Keep in mind that for domestic flights, you typically board about 30 minutes prior to takeoff, and for international ones, it is usually 45 minutes. Then, you have to account for another 15 to 20 minutes to get off the plane, and walking through the terminal can even take time. If your flight is delayed, even 15 minutes, it could cause you to miss a short connection.

What’s the easiest way to rebook or get information about your delayed flights?

Delta jet at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD). CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

FlightAware is a great app to get ahead of the game. You can see any plane in the sky and details on when it is landing, where it is coming from and so on. It will show you if the flight is on schedule, which is helpful to know when determining if your flight will be delayed or not.

Related: Flighty: A great app for tracking your flight

Your airline’s app is helpful as well since you might get notified sooner about any delays or cancellations.

If your flight is canceled or delayed, call the airline immediately and/or get in line at the customer service desk. Both will likely take a while.

I would even start searching for flights on other airlines if need be. Google Flights is a great resource for finding same-day available flights.

Related: Even more reasons to download your airline’s mobile app — summer flight delays and cancellations

What should you bring on board, and what should you leave at home?

When flying, always bring a carry-on with necessary items such as car keys, medicine, electronics and whatever else you can’t replace easily or don’t want to lose. If you check your bag, be sure to pack a change of clothes and a toothbrush to bring on board with you.

I also recommend a small blanket and/or a sweater. Airplanes can definitely be cold, and we most likely have no control over the temperature. If you really hate wearing shoes on an airplane, bring flip-flops; please don’t go to the bathroom barefoot.

Always bring headphones, especially for little ones with electronics.

Please, please, please do not bring personal alcohol and consume it during the flight. We need to know (for your safety and those around you) if you are intoxicated. By serving you alcohol on the flight, we can monitor how much you are drinking. Alcohol affects you differently at higher altitudes, and if you are suddenly passed out or something goes wrong, we won’t know the reason. Also, it is a federal offense, and you can be fined thousands of dollars.

Other things to not do or bring in flight: nail clippers, nail polish, nail polish remover. These products will make the whole plane smell, and some people get sick from it. Other unwanted smelly things include any extremely fragrant food. Even fast food sometimes stinks up a plane.

What advice do flight attendants want you to know?

Please be nice. We are more willing to help you if you are nice, and there really is no need to be rude. We know you are upset about XYZ and missing whatever event. However, we don’t purposely delay and cancel your flight to ruin your trip. Things happen. If you absolutely have to be somewhere, fly out the day before to give yourself enough time to be flexible and not stress.

Also, make sure you purchase trip insurance, whether through a great premium travel credit card or on your own. If your flight is delayed for hours or canceled, the insurance should help you cover a hotel and food (depending on the credit card or coverage).

If crew members are serving snacks or beverages, please wait for them to finish before using the restroom. It is not easy to push carts or carry trays of drinks while maneuvering around standing passengers. If you can hold it, do so.

Also, be prepared with your drink order. There is either a beverage menu in the seatback pocket or on the airline’s app that we told you to be prepared with. One flight attendant usually goes through 50 passengers, and sometimes, we have very short flights to work through and serve everyone. Just be ready.

For those who have anxiety when flying, here’s one tip to help you out: Turbulence is as normal as a pothole in the road. It is safe, and planes are built to withstand the fluctuations.

Another tip: Watch to see when flight attendants are sitting. If they are strapped in, most likely, we are going through bad weather and were told to stay seated. You can expect bumps. This is not the time to use the restroom. Please be safe. If extreme turbulence does happen, you can get injured or fall on others and injure them. It is not worth the risk.

Follow Lisa Kulpa on Instagram at @basictravelcouple or visit her blog at basictravelcouple.com.

Related reading:

Key travel tips you need to know — whether you’re a first-time or frequent traveler
6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
13 must-have items the TPG team can’t travel without

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Well+Good 

Not all of us have lawns to mow, but everyone can reap the benefits of the lawn mower exercise. This basic move—which is done by pulling a weight or resistance band diagonally across your body—is an excellent way to build strength in your shoulders and back.

Because your back and shoulders are some of the most used muscles (and therefore the most injured), it’s super important to strengthen them so you’re easily able to do everyday tasks (hello, carrying and putting away those heavy groceries!) without getting hurt.

Perhaps the best part? The lawn mower exercise doesn’t require much space or expensive equipment, and it’s adaptable to all fitness levels. TL;DR: It’s a great addition to at-home upper-body workout—and who doesn’t love that?

We reached out to functional fitness expert Noelle McKenzie, CPT, a certified personal trainer and co-founder of Leading Edge, for advice on how to do the exercise properly, why it’s beneficial, and more.

What is the lawn mower exercise?

The lawn mower exercise (sometimes called a lawn mower row) is a strength exercise designed to work your back and shoulder muscles. You can do it with a resistance band or dumbbell (check out these adjustable dumbbells!), depending on what equipment you have available.

The exercise is done by pulling the weight across your body in a diagonal motion—much like the motion of starting a lawn mower.

This is a great exercise for functional fitness because it improves your strength for lifting heavy things in your everyday life. Strengthening your shoulders and back can also help to improve posture and alleviate back pain caused by weak muscles or muscle imbalances.

How to do the lawn mower exercise with perfect form

Photo: Noelle McKenzie, CPT

Start standing with your feet together, holding a dumbbell in your right hand with your palm facing in toward your body.
Step your right foot about 6 to 12 inches back, keeping it straight. Lift your right heel off the floor, balancing on the toes of your right foot. Your left leg should be bent in front of you.
Lean your torso forward at a 45-degree angle to the floor.
Let your right arm hang down toward the floor. You can rest your left arm on your left thigh for stability if needed.
Keeping your back flat and core tight, retract your shoulder blades to pull your right shoulder down and back away from your neck.
From here, pull the dumbbell toward your right hip by bending your elbow and squeezing your shoulder blades together to keep your scapula retracted.
Your right elbow should move past your torso, and you should allow your T-spine (the middle section of your spine) to rotate slightly.
Slowly return to the starting position, allowing the weight to pull your arm back down toward the floor in an extended position.
Finish your set and repeat on the opposite side.

Lawn mower exercise muscles worked

The specific back and shoulder muscles the lawn mower exercise works include the following, according to McKenzie:

Latissimus dorsi (middle and lower back)
Rhomboids (upper back)
Trapezius (neck, shoulders, and upper back)
Rear deltoids (shoulders)
Biceps (upper arm)
Forearms (lower arm)
Obliques (the sides of your trunk)
Transverse abdominis (deepest abdominal muscle)

Benefits of the lawn mower exercise

The lawn mower exercise has the obvious benefits of improving strength and building muscle in your back and shoulders, but that’s not all it has to offer.

“Because it requires the twisting of your body, it’s great for training rotational movements, which work on opening up your T-spine,” McKenzie says.

It’s also an excellent exercise for functional fitness, aka the fitness you require for everyday activities, and improving your posture.

McKenzie also notes that the lawn mower exercise helps improve stability and muscle imbalances by training one side of your body at a time. This can also help relieve pain caused by muscle weakness, especially if said weakness is more prevalent on one side of your body as this can cause you to compensate on the opposite side.

Lawn mower exercise variations

While the lawn mower exercise is great for a lot of people, it’s not one-’cise-fits-all (see what we did there?). Here are a few variations to help you find the best option for you.

1. Banded bent-over row with bilateral stance

Photo: Noelle McKenzie, CPT

Best for: those who struggle with balance

Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Place one end of a resistance band underneath both feet and grab the other end with both hands.
Lean your torso forward at a 45-degree angle to the floor.
Retract your scapula by pulling your shoulder blades down and back away from your neck.
While keeping your back flat and parallel with the floor and your core engaged, drive both elbows up past your hips, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
Slowly return back to the starting position, allowing your arms to fully extend toward the floor.
Repeat.

2. Bent-over dumbbell row on bench

Photo: Noelle McKenzie, CPT

Best for: those who lack T-spine mobility

Set an adjustable weight bench to a flat position.
Stand with the weight bench to your left, holding a dumbbell in your right hand, palms facing in toward your body.
Place your left hand and left knee on the bench, with your right foot firmly planted on the ground.
Flatten your back, brace your core, then retract your shoulder blades to pull your right shoulder down and away from your neck.
From here, pull the dumbbell toward your right hip by bending your right elbow and squeezing your shoulder blades together to keep your scapula retracted.
Your right elbow should move past your torso while keeping your shoulders square with the bench.
Slowly return to the starting position, allowing your right arm to fully extend back toward the floor.
Finish your set and repeat on the opposite side.

3. Seated row with band

Photo: Noelle McKenzie, CPT

Best for: those who need to—or prefer to—sit

Start sitting on the floor with your legs extended straight out in front of you.
Wrap the band around the balls of both feet and grab either end of the band in each hand.
Retract your scapula by pulling your shoulder blades down and back away from your neck.
With your chest open and core tight, bend your elbows and pull them back toward your hips. Make sure to squeeze your shoulder blades together to keep your scapula retracted.
Slowly return to the starting position by straightening your elbows.
Repeat.

If you’re still not sure which variation is the right option for you, McKenzie has a few more suggestions to help you narrow it down:

The banded row variations are great for people who want to work on power and speed, such as athletes.
The bent-over dumbbell row using a bench is a great option for people looking to maximize muscle growth.
For those coming off a shoulder or back injury, start with the seated banded variation because there’s minimal resistance at the start of the pull.
For older adults or those who are more sedentary, it may be best to progress up toward the rotational lawn mower variation to regain more mobility through your T-spine, which is something people tend to lose as they age and become less active. This mobility is key to maintaining a healthy functioning body.

Lawn mower exercise safety tips

Although the lawn mower is pretty safe as far as at-home exercises go, there’s always the possibility of injury if you aren’t careful. Here are a few tips from McKenzie to keep you out of harm’s way when doing the lawn mower exercise:

Always maintain proper form to make sure you’re engaging the right muscles and not over-compensating somewhere. If ever your form breaks down, it’s an indicator that you either need to drop down in load, do fewer reps, or modify the exercise to one of the variations provided above. If you’re just starting out, use a mirror so you can assess that your form is correct.
Always check your equipment to ensure it’s secure. When using the exercise bench, make sure it’s locked in the position you have it set to. Make sure your bands are anchored well, and when choosing a weight, start low and move up—it’s always best to start below your max to ensure you’re using a weight you can handle safely.
Prep your body for exercise with a dynamic warm-up with moves like banded shoulder openers, wall angels, and spinal controlled articular rotations (CARs).
Assess for pain before you begin, and be aware of your body throughout the move. If you ever experience pain or discomfort, make sure to modify as needed or stop completely. You should never push through pain as this can lead to injury.

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Well+Good 

Noise-canceling headphones are a lifesaver in certain situations, but sometimes, I don’t want to be so disconnected from my environment that I can’t hear what’s going on. Like when I’m biking and need to hear oncoming cars, or traveling on public transit and want to keep my wits about me, I need something a little less stifling than my over-ear headphones. In these cases, I wear the Bose Ultra Open Ear Headphones ($299), which let in some ambient noise and are comfortable enough for all-day wear. They’re my go-to for staying aware of my surroundings without sacrificing audio quality. (Not to mention, they’re way comfier than AirPods.)

First impressions

When I first opened these headphones, I thought they were going to be similar to bone-conduction headphones, which I don’t personally use because they never feel secure. But after I tried them on, I realized they were in a league of their own. They wrap around your ear with a “roller” made of soft, pliable rubber; it looks similar to an ear cuff but you can barely feel it. When you’re wearing them, they look pretty sleek; I’ve gotten a few comments that they look like earrings.

Photo: Author

Right away, the listening experience was pretty different from any other headphones I’ve tried. When I turned the volume up, it felt like everyone else could hear my music. (They couldn’t). But this was because even when you’re listening at full blast, some of the noise from your environment makes its way in. It’s not enough to distract you, but enough to hear it if someone tried talking to you.

Sound quality and experience

I’m not a sound quality expert, but these provide a clean, fun listening experience. The audio performance in the Bose Ultra Open Ear Headphones is surprisingly robust for open-ear headphones: The bass is punchy without being overwhelming, the mids are well-defined, and the highs are crisp. In the Bose App (which is available on the App Store and Google Play), you can customize the settings and choose from presets like “Bass Boost,” “Treble Boost,” or “Treble Reducer.”

Photo: Author

The coolest feature is the Immersive Audio mode that “moves” with you as you walk around. As you turn your head, the soundscape shifts slightly, as if the music surrounds you. This creates a 3D audio experience that feels more natural and dynamic. To be honest, I didn’t notice this right off the bat, but when I used the demo to switch between modes, I could tell a big difference between the immersive and classic audio formats. It’s particularly noticeable when listening to tracks with rich instrumental layers and overall, it adds depth but is subtle enough that you get accustomed to it.

Bose Ultra Open Ear Headphones: final thoughts

While the sound quality is great, the reason I love these headphones so much because I can wear them for hours on end without them hurting my ears like Airpods do. And compared to my over-the-ear headphones, I can use these when I run and bike without getting too sweaty. They’re surprisingly secure in my ear—I’ve tried to toss them around my head to get them to budge but they won’t fly out.

I still prefer over-the-ear headphones for travel and deep work sessions, but despite the fact that these don’t have a noise-canceling feature, they have become a staple in my day-to-day life for workouts and commutes.

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Carscoops 

Just a few weeks after announcing the ICE-powered Mini John Cooper Works, the BMW Group-owned carmaker will showcase a lightly camouflaged prototype of the fully electric equivalent at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, ahead of its official debut this fall.

Unlike the JCW trim of the electric Mini Cooper SE that doesn’t bring any performance upgrades, the new John Cooper Work E is a proper hot hatch. Mini hasn’t shared any specifications yet but promised an ‘advanced electric powertrain,’ hinting at more power than the Cooper SE’s 215 hp (160 kW / 218 PS). It’s likely the company will aim to offer similar performance levels across the EV and ICE versions.

More: Will ICE-Powered Mini Cooper JCW Convertible Get Hatch’s Manual Option?

As with the lesser trims, and despite the shared styling cues inside and out, Mini’s fully electric JCW E will differ from the ICE-powered John Cooper Works in terms of underpinnings. The performance flagship of the electric hatchback is expected to benefit from a sharper chassis setup, accentuating its go-kart driving dynamics.

In terms of styling, the bodykit bears a strong resemblance to the JCW trim of the Cooper SE. This is evident in the shared design elements like the bumper intakes, the large rear spoiler that flanks the rear glass, and the wide diffuser. Notably, the EV adopts a less aggressive aesthetic compared to its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts, which are distinguished by their prominent fender flares.

The fully electric Mini John Cooper Works E (above) compared to the ICE-powered equivalent (below).

The red camouflage wrap covering the prototype’s body is adorned with prints of famous racetracks from all over the world, a nod to Mini’s rich motorsport heritage. Further emphasizing this legacy, the number 37 displayed on the rear side window pays homage to the classic Mini Cooper S that triumphed at the 1964 Rally Monte Carlo.

The pictured prototype of the Mini John Cooper Works E will make its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (11-14 July 2024), showcasing its performance credentials on the famous hill climb.

Mini

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Well+Good 

The fashion industry has, on a whole, treated pockets on women’s apparel as an afterthought. But compliment any woman on a dress or skirt hiding pockets in its folds, and there’s a universal response: “Thanks! It has pockets!”

As the lines between fashion and activewear start to blur, that public demand for pockets is crossing over into running clothes. A new breed of fashion-forward fitness brands are combining style and function to better serve runners’ needs—and one of the most obvious ways they’re doing that is with better storage solutions.

Generally, I can fit my essentials—keys, an ID or credit card—into the standard zip pocket built into the side or back of a pair of running shorts, and drop-in side pockets keep my phone secure. But what I can’t fit is the fuel I need for longer runs.

A good rule of thumb for long runs is to consume 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrates per hour, which means I’d have to carry at least two gels per hour if I’m using my go-to Maurten 120 gels (although recent research has shown that runners can consume up to 120 grams of carbohydrates per hour without gastrointestinal issues). For a marathon, that means I need to find somewhere on my body to stash eight gel packets.

For a marathon, I need to find somewhere on my body to stash eight gel packets.

For a long time, I ran with a running belt. But after multiple marathons and countless training miles, I couldn’t stand the expandable pocket stuffed full of gels (and my phone) flopping around at the small of my back. After spending the better part of the 2021 Chicago Marathon tugging at a waist belt, I knew there had to be a better option.

Why gel-specific pockets are so great

Enter: the gel pocket. These slot-like compartments keep your fuel organized and easily accessible, which eliminates the need for extra pieces of gear—like running vests, handheld water bottles, and waist belts—and can have a direct effect on a) how well you fuel and b) how well you run.

“I’ve worked with runners that don’t want to be bothered wearing extra gear as they find it cumbersome,” says Amy Goblirsch RD, a running dietitian based in Minneapolis. “Finding attire options with pockets makes it more likely that those runners will carry and actually take in the fuel they need.”

Plus, pockets eliminate the wasted physical and mental energy that comes from belting, strapping, or buckling additional layers onto your body. “Anecdotally, we know that unzipping a waist belt to retrieve a gel every 20 to 30 minutes can not only take you out of your flow, but also is quite difficult to execute unless you slow down or stop,” says Amanda Katz, a NASM-certified personal trainer, AAFA-certified group fitness instructor, and RRCA-certified running coach.

Personally, I’ve found the bouncing of a vest or belt to be extremely distracting during hard efforts—not ideal when you’re trying to get in the zone.

At the Colorado Marathon in 2022, I wore the Tracksmith Lane 5 Short Tights for the first time. These shorts have four pockets specifically designed for gels (there are two on each hip), plus a zip pocket that can fit at least three more gels—and I never had to break stride to pull a packet out of those pockets. They were so good, I wore the same pair for the NYC Marathon that year, as well as the Tokyo and St. George Marathons in 2023. Is it a coincidence that I PRed in three out of the four races?

From a performance standpoint, there’s no significant difference between carrying handheld water bottles, waist belts, and backpacks for hydration and fueling needs when it comes to running economy, according to a recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology. But toting extra weight—whether it’s on one side of your body or at your waist or back, and, yes, even if it’s just a few ounces—may cause imbalances or asymmetrics that could potentially lead to injury.

“Anything weighing you down would affect your stride no matter what,” says Matthew Meyer, CPT, an RRCA-certified run coach and certified personal trainer based in Boulder, Colorado. Extra weight or a tight belt at your waist can change the range of motion for your hips, for example, while a vest might restrict your breathing or cause you to lean forward or backward.

The effects might be barely visible in the moment, but they add up as the miles tick by. But “the closer any kind of storage is to your center of mass, with as little bounce as possible, the less it would affect your running,” says Meyer—which is why leaning into intelligent pocket design is key.

Like so many other choices when it comes to running gear, it really comes down to what works best for you. The more comfortable you feel, the more likely you are to perform well. When I run, I want to feel free. I do still use vests, belts, and handhelds, but more and more—especially during harder efforts—I find myself gravitating toward gear with more pockets than I even need.

I’ve run my last three marathons in the Brooks 3 Pocket Sports Bra, which, in addition to the large phone pocket on the racerback, has two small side pockets that each fit a gel. (Bandit Running just released a dupe, the Cadence Scoop Neck Run Bra.) If I’m not wearing one of my four pairs of Tracksmith Lane 5 shorts, I’m wearing the Oiselle Pocket Jogger shorts, with two mesh pockets on the sides perfectly sized for gels and zip pocket at the back, or the On Sprinter Shorts, which have a built-in mesh belt that can fit more than 10 gels.

And brands are getting more and more innovative when it comes to pockets: At their FURTHER event this spring, Lululemon debuted a runsie with a similar 360-degree waist pocket, as well as a sports bra that neatly tucks an actual water flask into the front pocket.

At this point, gel pockets are a non-negotiable feature when it comes to my race day outfits. I recently raced a half marathon in Bandit Running’s Nova Crop, which takes inspiration from cycling jerseys with four gel pockets on the lower back, and the Soar Running Marathon Speed Tight, a pair of spandex shorts that can fit up to six gels in the back pockets.

I loaded up all four crop top pockets with gels, even though I probably didn’t need that much fuel for the race, and the placement was so comfortable, I forgot that I had two unused gels for the entire race. I crossed the finish line two minutes faster than my previous best half marathon time.

And to everyone that followed up their congratulations with a compliment on the crop top, all I had to say was, “Thanks, it has pockets!”

The best running gear to carry gels

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Carscoops 

Crossovers and SUVs still reign supreme, but the traditional three-box, four-door sedan body style is showing signs of life. Hyundai has shifted its attention to boosting production of the Sonata and Elantra, while Volvo’s S60 sales skyrocketed 281.3% in May—though even that performance couldn’t save it from being axed. Even Ford’s CEO hinted that they may return to the segment, albeit with an electric offering.

Now, the latest models to offer a Lazarus-like turn in sales numbers are the Nissan Versa and Sentra. The Sentra, a stalwart of the Nissan lineup, recorded a 55 percent increase in sales between 2023 and 2024, while the Versa faired even better, recording a 61.7 percent uptick.

Read: Nissan Wants Dealers To Sell Cars At A Loss, Up To 15% Below Invoice

Could this be a result of Nissan’s reported efforts to increase sales by offering cars below MSRP? A report in May claimed that Nissan dealers could advertise almost every car up to 10 percent below invoice.

Meanwhile, perhaps indicative of the cooling EV market and maybe the age of the product offering as well, June’s sales of the Nissan Leaf dropped by 27.6 percent. But, while the Leaf is perhaps getting ready to retire, Nissan’s more modern BEV offering, the Ariya crossover SUV, managed to report an increase in sales of 79.9 percent in the first six months of the year compared to 2023’s performance.

At the other end of the performance spectrum, but fairing similarly in terms of sales, the recently culled Nissan GT-R’s market share shrunk by 30.4 percent. However, the Z sportscar managed an impressive increase of 50.8 percent.

Meanwhile, the aging third-generation Murano appears to be falling out of favor with buyers, with a 56.9 percent drop in sales so far this year. The Armada SUV, reportedly being advertised by dealers at 15 percent lower values than invoice, moved 33 percent fewer units than last year.

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