Men don’t usually think about diamonds. When we do it usually means we’re about to do something obtuse (think marriage), or we need to make up for something even more obtuse (think Kobe Bryant). But diamonds don’t just have to be a gift for that special someone. Men can sport diamonds too. No, I’m not talking about iced out grilles or blinged out chains. I’m talking about raw diamond cufflinks; the kind of cufflinks that that exude subtle sophistication; the kind of cufflinks that set you apart from every other suit in the room.

Since 1992, Todd Reed has specialized in raw diamond jewelry and now his collection includes cufflinks. Each cufflink is hand made in Todd’s Colorado studio, where he and his nine employees set raw diamonds in recycled gold or oxidized sterling silver. The diamonds are sourced from reputable vendors locally and from around the world.

The raw diamond look lets you standout without being flashy. Or as Todd Reed says, “Our raw look creates a very masculine jewel for even the most understated gentleman.” So forget all you know about the four C’s of diamond buying, and get yourself a pair.

(ED: The pictures don’t do these cufflinks justice. I’ve seen several pairs in person, and it took a lot of will not to run out the door with them)

Cost: $6,000+ @ Todd Reed

My last post may have nearly been my last post forever.

This past weekend I went out surfing for the first time since last Fall. The 47 degree water temps warranted a wet suit and gloves. The conditions were perfect for a relatively newcomer to surfing and the waves were about 2.5 to 3 feet high at about 8 seconds apart. There was a nice offshore breeze, and the air temps were in the mid 70’s. Aside from a handful of locals on the shore I was alone in the water. This became a problem when I got caught in a rip..

(read on for the rest of Marc’s near-final post)

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“Once it hits your lips it’s so good…”

In my college days, I did a fair amount of keg stands and Frank the Tank impersonations, but since then I’ve out grown keg parties and Will Ferrell quotes (well kind of) and I’ve graduated to beers that taste less like water and more like beer. In my search for good beer, I stumbled upon Innis and Gunn Original. This beer is aged 77 days in oak barrels that were used to mature bourbon. This process imparts an incredibly complex flavor characteristic that’s comparable to fine scotch or wine. I mostly tasted butterscotch and caramel, but Innis and Gunn say it has notes of vanilla, rose, and coconut as well. In fact, the brewers have gone as far as to provide a spidergram of flavors. But beyond the fancy flavor diagrams, the beer just tastes good; damn good. On a side note, it tastes even better with a medium-rare steak. Trust me I had the pair for dinner last night.

What this means to you: It’s good beer. Need I say more?

Cost: $5 per bottle

From the Editor - I’m excited today to introduce one of our two new contributing editors to Gear Patrol. Marc Ryan Arevalo is located right here in New York City where Gear Patrol is published. We’re excited to have him join the team so take the time to email and welcome him. You should look forward to the knowledge he brings to the table from being an outdoor zealot. Let me avoid any further formality here by allowing Marc to introduce himself.

Hello, my name is Marc and I’m addicted to Gear Patrol. I started my subscription because I wanted to win free stuff, and I did. After that, I found myself checking the website everyday then finally two or three times a day while I was at work… that’s when I knew I had a problem. Not caring that I would get an email alert about new posts, I had to read the witty humor and learn about the latest gadgets before anybody else. When Gear Patrol said they where hiring, I felt compelled to apply. A month later, here I am confessing my addiction and introducing myself as the newest member of the Gear Patrol team.

So, who is Marc? Well, I’m a financial analyst and originally from Virginia, having moved to Manhattan about 8 years ago for college. After college I got a job at a major financial services firm and haven’t looked back. A year ago I moved to (gasp) New Jersey. But, before you dismiss me as bridge and tunnel trash, there are a couple of benefits to the Garden State. One, rent is more managable. Two, I have a car and therefore a way to get out of the city and do the things I like to do.

What occupies my time? You can see from my first post that I surf, having picked it up late last summer and surfed until the cold simply made it unbearable. When I’m not surfing you’ll find me hiking every chance I get. Otherwise, I’m on either one of of two vehicles: riding my bike out on 10-20 miles rides or my ‘07 Mini Cooper S named beaster (love that car).

Eric asked me what my dream gear would be and I had to say it would be Allison Stokke um… I mean a Ferrari Enzo. Cliche? Perhaps. Incredible (on either account)? Undoubtedly.

Anyway, hope you enjoy what I’m bringing to the table and encourage you to help feed my addiction by sharing posts, commenting and subscribing.

Marc can be reached for questions or comments via email at any time. If you want to read all of Marc’s posts, consider bookmarking his post thread.

With the advent of instant messaging, satellite telephones, and videoconferencing, business trips are becoming a thing of the past. But sometimes you have to travel for work, and you have to travel far; half way around the world far. For those times, nothing is worse than that dirty feeling of recycled air and smog. So when you expect your travel time to last longer than eight in-flight movies, put on a pair of Ex Officio Give and Go Boxers. Not only are they comfortable, but they wick moisture, resist odor, and dry quickly.

These things were made for long hikes and camping trips, so they’ll keep you feeling fresh for the length of your flight. Pack a few on your next long business trip, or just wear them to work. Because if they can take the abuse of cramped airplane seats, they can definitely deal with a hot summer commute. Either way, you’ll appreciate the moisture wicking fabric and the fresh feeling when you finally land.

What this means to you: The next time your job takes you to a dusty third world country or the swimming pool of humidity that is South East Asia, at least you’ll be fresh and dry down under. (Ed: That, gentleman, is a very very good thing)

Cost: $25 @ Ex Officio

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I don’t usually listen to music when I workout. It messes with my pace and it’s just dangerous when I’m cycling through the city. But surfing is a whole different story. I’ve sat on my board in between sets wishing I could listen to the reverb of Dick Dale or the acoustic tones of Brian Wilson. Enter H2O Audio’s line of waterproof iPod cases and headphones.

I first heard about these when I added swimming to my regular workouts about two years ago. But, I didn’t think of surfing with one until now. Or really until the big-wave surfer, Laird Hamilton, started promoting H2O Audio’s surf series. Not only has Hamilton started endorsing them, with his help they will be developing the “next generation of surf/music products.”

Currently, they offer a wide range of cases that fit both older and newer iPods. They even have a case that fits the $50 iPod shuffle. All the cases in the surf series are water proof to 10 feet and have a LatchTight™ Locking Closure and a SealTight™ Connector. Basically, this means that your iPod will stay dry if you’re surfing the Jersey shore or the infamous North Shore. Also, their cases allow you to easily use the iPod scroll wheel under water. So next time your shredding waves or just waiting for the next big one, you can chill to your favorite surf music

What this means to you: You can take your iPod into the water without worrying about a bill from Rapid Repair.

Cost: $40-$80 @ H20 Audio