Electric cars are increasingly different just to be different. Case in point: the Chevrolet Blazer EV. Plus:

• Testing Columbia’s new Omni-Heat Arctic gear: We went far, far off the beaten track to try it out.
• The best women's gifts: All at a variety of prices.

Drivers Are Just Trying to Get Used to EVs. Why Complicate It?

Have you noticed that EVs are starting to get…a little weird? Automakers are past the initial phase of electric vehicle development: converting existing gas-powered platforms into battery-powered machinery, and doing their best not to scare off customers with unusual or daring features. Now, the normalization of EVs in the eyes of the market has seen more than a few car companies letting down their hair a little. Maybe too much.

After trying to impress car buyers with extended range and startling acceleration, brands are now putting their own stamp on EVs. But when engineers and product planners are given free rein with a blank electrified slate — if there’s no engine, fuel lines, muffler, etc., what else can we nix? — it’s normal for the average driver to feel more than a little confused at the end result. It’s not that anyone’s setting out to make vehicles that are purposely obtuse, but the temptation to overcomplicate in the name of simplification, abandon expected options and features, and muddy the model waters is seemingly too strong to resist.

Testing Columbia’s New Gear Among Glaciers and Volcanoes in Iceland

Most people are familiar with Columbia Sportswear as a performance-meets-lifestyle brand that makes gear for an outdoorsy life. Fleece zip-ups, puffer vests, winter jackets, you get the picture. So when they invited me to a far-flung destination just below the Arctic Circle to test their new Omni-Heat Arctic line, I was intrigued. I’d known about their innovative Omni-Heat technology, which uses thermal reflective tech, though I’d always thought it better suited for chilly coffee shop outings than confronting the frigid landscapes of Iceland.

Unless you’re a regular glacier trekker, it’s easy to see why. We’re in a golden age of performance menswear, with brands blending functionality and street-ready style, often blurring the lines between actual performance and simply good-looking clothes. Now let’s trek into Iceland with Columbia’s latest and greatest pieces and delve into the tech behind them.

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The Best Women’s Gifts Under $100

Finding the best gifts for the women in your life can be overwhelming. It’s why we took the liberty to narrow the big wide world of women’s products into one comprehensive gift guide. (You can check that out here.)

However, we understand that we might need to get even more specific, particularly as it relates to price.

Whether you’re looking to pick up something extra to tack on to the main attraction, or you’re just looking for something sumptuous that doesn’t break the bank, below are 20 pretty darn good gifts — all of them under $100.