Don’t Throw Away That Water Bottle Just Yet

If you do a fair share of traveling you probably know that staying hydrated is important. Outside of Las Vegas, you’re probably not staying in any hotels that take room humidity into factor, an important part of better sleep and avoiding dry/flaky skin.

The Air-O-Swiss Travel Ultrasonic Humidifier allows you to bring along a high quality Swiss humidifier wherever you go by just adding your own water bottle. It uses high-frequency vibrations to generate a micro-fine cool mist that is blown into the room. It’s transcontinental AC adapter and exchangeable plugs ensure you’ll be able to use it in any country.

Editor’s Note: Also works great in the office.

Cost: $60

Also See: Voltaic Solar Backpack | Tumi Packing Cubes | Priority Pass

GP Protocol Rule #13 states that men should know how to pack. That being the case, having the right luggage and luggage accessories is essential, especially for those longer trips.

Luggage stalwart Tumi, has an ingenius luggage accessory aptly named Tumi Packing Cubes. They’re ideal for organizing your socks, ties and other smaller items. Larger sizes are available for your sweaters, slacks, etc. The Packing Cubes are enclosed via zipper and have a mesh cover and handle for ease of use.

Editors Tip: I’ve purchased two medium packing cubes. They’re perfect for my week long trips, helping me organize my daily changes or I can just take one for weekends.

Cost: $35-$55 @ Tumi

The Jim Beam Distillery. I can already smell the bourbon.

Looking for a getaway this month? Vegas, Europe, Mexico maybe? Well, how about making a trip to Louisville, Kentucky?

September is National Bourbon Heritage Month (bet you didn’t know that) and what better way to celebrate than partaking in the caramel-hued libation. Combine that with relaxed Bourbon tasting, grilled red meat, sports, and you’ve got yourself a getaway that’s easy on the wallet and not so easy on the liver, but who’s counting.

Make sure the hit up the Jim Beam Distillery (149 Happy Hollow Rd, Clermont, KY) to check out the Jim Beam and Knob Creek manufacturing process, play a round on the Heritage Hill Golf Course (1050 Valley View Dr., Shepherdsville, KY) and round out the night on Bardstown Rd, where you’ll find more bars than you know what to do with. You might even find time to squeeze in a trip to Churchhill Downs (700 Central Ave. Louisville, KY) to place a few bets on the ponies. Drink in hand.

Set Your Training Free

I don’t know about you but I’m tired of being cooped up in my gym. With Fall rapidly approaching there aren’t that many more chances to make my workouts al fresco either. But if you’re like me, you’re turning this into an opportunity. Stop running around the block or neighborhood and blend your fitness needs with an outdoor adventure. And if you’re creative enough you may even be rewarded for your efforts with Salomon’s XT Challenge.

Here’s how it works: Runners from all over the world come up with an inspired personal challenge, and submit their plans online here. Each month, Salomon will select the most creative challenge. That lucky runner gets a pair of Salomon XT Wings to wear for their challenge, and a Nokia Smartphone equipped with the new Sports Tracker software to document it. When they complete their challenge, they upload photos and data to the Salomon Running site, where other runners can check out dynamic maps of their route.

Some of the challenges so far have included an English runner who’s recreating the Central London Tube map by running all 11 routes above ground, and a French runner challenged himself to run up the Eiffel Tower in less than 20 minutes. You’re going to need your thinking caps and a little bravado to be a contender.

What this means to you: Training outdoors and setting your sights on a challenging goal is a great way to break the gym monotony and rejuvenate your workouts with a renewed focus. Once you experience the thrill of trail running you may never want to hit the treadmill again.

Sign Up For The Salomon XT Challenge

The Grand Canyon Only 1% of Men Have Ever Seen

Just because it’s the Grand Canyon doesn’t mean it has to be boring. [Credit: Jay Patel]
Purchase this image @ Jay Patel Photography

We feature a number of travel destinations and getaways, but traveling for all intents and purposes, sucks. Getting stuck in an airport terminal for 13 hours waiting on your twice overbooked flight to get stuck on the tarmac for an additional 4 hours is not an ideal man’s vacation.

But that doesn’t mean exotic and more interesting vacations or trips don’t exist. Gear Patrol is pledging right here and now to find more of these alternative destinations for you. Honestly, because we’re looking for ourselves. Oh, and don’t worry - we’ll pay attention to the price.

Now, turn your attention to Arizona. Home of the Grand Canyon. Yawn, right? Wrong. Book a trip through an alternative vacation agency like Just Roughin’ It Adventures, and your next long weekend might look something like this…
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A New Sartorial Destination For Men

A view of the Tribeca Men’s Shop circa 1968    [click on image to enlarge]

Today, J.Crew opened their first store for men, and men only - The Tribeca Men’s Shop. The outfitting destination is a collection of unique men’s items, foregoing the massive retail chain look for a look and feel that can be best described as a mix between brown liquor and boutique. The items you’ll find here are just as unique so find comfort knowing that your purchase won’t be worn by some fellow you run into in the parking lot.

J.Crew’s overarching vintage/French style is in full force at the 925 sq ft Tribeca Men’s Shop with Mackintosh coats, Italian suits, vintage oxford shirts, leather messenger bags, and well-priced cashmere sweaters in abundance. Better yet the pricing isn’t much more than what you’d see in a regular mall-bound J.Crew.

Gear Patrol got a sneak-peak at the store earlier this week and we must admit that the soothing notion of being in a store curated and designed by men gave us an entirely new perspective on the J.Crew brand. The mix of vintage prep, rotating art exhibits in the dressing area, and unique one-offs like Thomas Mason shirting, Baracuta jackets, tie clips/bars, and old Rolex watches made us think hard and carefully about turning our dining rooms into renovated liquor stores.

[Interior photographs after the jump.]

Visit J.Crew Tribeca Men’s Shop @ 235 W. Broadway, New York, NY. | Shop products @ J.Crew

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