Like A Batcave for Your Gear

I was a book nerd growing up, and most of my reads were about adventure. Louis L’Amour, Jack Higgins, and the Redwall Series, not to mention comic books. As a result, the No. 1870 Strong Box from Colonel Littleton taps directly into my dorky childhood fantasies of the wild west, tales of buried treasure, and secret rooms… you get the picture.

Looking like an heirloom you might find in your grandfather’s attic, the No. 1870 Strong Box will have you channeling your inner Clint Eastwood in no time (badass Outlaw Josey Wales Clint, not senior citizen director Clint). Based on the Wells Fargo Strong Box used in the stagecoach days of the Old West, it’s constructed by hand in Lynneville, TN out of yellow poplar. The Strong Box features iron bands and corners for strength, along with a replica 1870s pad lock.

Appropriately, the crowning achievement of this treasure is a secret chamber under a false bottom that’s accessible only with a special tool. Maybe it’s time to get your valuables out from under your ratty boxers and into this treasure chest befitting a grown man. The only questions are what do you own that deserves to be kept in a secret compartment, and does Mom still have your old cowboy cap-gun hanging around?

Editors Note: This is hardly the only great product from Colonel Littleton — I could easily blow a few paychecks there. So be sure to check out the rest of their products on their website. Also, any suggestions on how to justify my need for one of these to my wife would be welcome.

Cost: $850

Also See: SMC Furnishings SBW Desk | Atocha Record Cabinet

Performance Outdoor Footwear

When it comes to shoes, I’m a minimalist. Trail runners, dress shoes, and sneakers - what more does a guy need? Well, often there comes a need for a shoe that maintains the style and class of a dress shoe, yet provides the comfort and functionality of a sneaker. Kuru bridges the gap perfectly with the Halcyon.

The first thing you’ll notice is the fit; it has support in all the right places. Cleverly camouflaged, the stitched racing stripe along the middle also provides that extra bit of reinforcement. Halcyon combines a tough exterior with a water and stain resistant soft-shelled upper and a cool, comfortable, moisture controlled antibacterial lining.

I’ve spent a fair amount of time wearing the Halcyons around town, as well as a bit on light trails. Kuru has designed a fantastic product that has more than exceeded my expectations for both style and functionality. This hybrid shoe looks great with jeans and a t-shirt, or it can hold its own with a pair of chinos, a button down, and nice coat.

These shoes are a great value for the price and should be a definite addition to your wardrobe.

Cost $115

Also See: Supra Footwear | Vibram Five Fingers | Rakku Shoe Wheel

Ski Conditions? I Got Your Ski Conditions. 7 Days Worth Of ‘Em.

With global warming eroding the once consistent weather forecasts of Old Man Winter, how’s a man to know what to expect on the slopes? Choose the wrong day and the most action you’ll get a forlorn cup of hot cocoa in the lodge. Enter the Ski FX from Bushnell.

With wireless delivery of your 7-day forecast, the Bushnell Ski FX goes a step further giving your favorite slopes’ low down. Besides mountain conditions (current base depth, new accumulation, and surface conditions), the Ski FX also provides slope information (current number of open trails and lifts).

The Ski FX is light-weight, battery powered, and doesn’t require a computer to upload any information. It’s completely self-contained. All you have to do is toss it in your pack for your next ski trip. Simply change the regional setting, and all the mountains in that area populate automatically. Damn, I’m getting excited for ski this weekend just writing about this.

Happy trails.

Cost: $100

Also See: Ruby Mountain Heli-Skiing | Dalbello Proton 12 Ski Boot | Oakley Custom AFrame

Snobbery At Its Finest

The next time you and your railroad baron pals decide to hold a cartel meeting, make sure these are part of your barware collection. Each snifter and accompanying stand is designed with a singular purpose: to make sure that every glass served is warmed to perfection.

Granted, some would argue that a snifter clutched in hand should provide proper warmth for your potable, but since nothing unlocks the character of barrel aged brandy like a little heat, don’t trust your circulatory system alone to get the job done. Especially with the current weather.

Not to mention we all know that your spare hand is better served resting atop a mahogany pimp cane.

[As seen on core77]

Cost: $25

Also See: Cubist Cocktail Set | Crate and Barrel Bar Tool Set

GQ Magazine’s Style Correspondent and Guest Editor at Piperlime

Gear Patrol recently sat down with Guest Editor for Piperlime, Brett Fahlgren (about Brett) to talk men’s footwear. Finding the right shoes that offer comfort, style, and verticality is key - and, frankly, not that easy. That’s where Brett comes in.

Gear Patrol: What should men look for in a shoe that we want to go from the office to a night out on the town?

Brett: Versatility is very important - shoes that look great with both your office look and your evening look.

A black Chelsea boot is always a good option. It’s sleek and formal enough for the office but also has a hip factor so you won’t get held up by the doorman. Think about the rest of your look, ways to make your life easier. If you’re wearing a suit to the office, bring along a pair of jeans and a zip front cardigan sweater and make a quick change before going out. You should buy suits with jackets that can double as sports jackets – they should be more fitted and not as baggy. Layer the cardigan under your jacket, switch out the trousers for your jeans and finish off the look with a great pair of black Chelsea boots.

GP: It’s winter here in the Big Apple, how do shoe options change as the weather gets worse? What kind of shoes can we wear to get to work that still look good once we’re there?

Brett: As the weather changes it’s important to make sure you keep your feet warm and protected from the inclement weather. Softer, lightweight leather shoes like loafers should be put in the back of your closet until the spring. If you’re going to go with black lace up dress shoes, make sure the soles are comfortable and substantial: rubber with a good tread vs. harder leather that can be impractical when navigating wet, icy streets. I have a pair of chocolate brown lace up suede boots that are my favorite cold weather option. They look great with gray and navy suits and pair up especially well with jeans. Hook yourself up with a slightly thicker dress sock as well; you’ll be amazed at the difference.

GP: We all love jeans. What’s your favorite kind of shoe to pair with them?

Brett: I like to wear classic white sneakers year round with my jeans. They’re comfortable, minimal and have an old-school charm. Shoes help pull together your entire look and white classics go with just about anything. When wearing a darker and dressier jean, simple black lace up dress shoes or Chelsea boots add a more formal appeal.

Learn More About Brett Fahlgren at GQ Connects

For Full HD Camcorders, Does Size Really Matter?

For manufacturers like Sony, the competition has always been about making cutting-edge technology smaller and lighter. In the race to make the smallest, lightest, AND slimmest full HD camcorder in the world, Sony has beaten everyone to the punch.

Putting the power of 1920×1080i high definition recording in the palm of your hand, it’s hard to believe the HDR-TG1 camcorder comes in at a petite 1.25 x 4.75 x 2.5 inches and a scant weight of less than 10 ounces, battery included. Don’t let it’s minuscule size fool you. The HDR-TG1 is as tough as nails, thanks to its pure titanium body (another world’s first, according to Sony) and scratch-resistant premium hard coating.

You can read the full list of features after the jump.

Bottom Line: Among its competitors in the ultra-compact HD camcorders department, the HDR-TG1 takes the crown by managing to pack powerful video performance into a sleek and stylish design.

Cost: $899 @ Sonystyle.com

Also See: Red Scarlet Digital Stills and Motion Camera | Flip Mino HD
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