Gear Patrol

If you’re going to wear an apron, it better be the manliest, most rugged, heavy-duty friggin’ apron the world has ever seen. We suggest Filson’s Tin Cloth Utility Apron ($95). Don’t put this thing on when you’re in the kitchen burning toast or poking some weenies around on the grill, though. This sucker is built…

Given the amount of time and money you spent painstakingly selecting the perfect pair of frames — protecting (and not losing) your favorite summer accessory should be a top priority. The fine leather craftsmen (some say magicians) at Makr obsess over every detail when it comes to the creation of their leather goods, and their…

Surfing is as much an art form as a sport. The simplistic beauty of the waves, sand and sun is the basis of a perfect day hanging ten. Ingmar Beer Surfboards ($600+) make you and your board part of that candid aesthetic. Beer’s boards are hand-made in New York, but their design is an import….

For many of us, 101 proof alcohols conjure up fuzzy memories of enflamed shot glasses and, well, not much else. For the now more responsible — and presumably with better taste — the Lawrenceburg, Kentucky distillery famed for its high-proof whiskeys, has released Wild Turkey Rye 81 Proof. Aged for 4–5 years in “alligator” char…

Whether credit goes to Don Draper or not, there’s no denying the current popularity of aviator sunglasses. And while there is no shortage of brands to choose from, if you want the original, there’s only one choice: American Optical. The US military started issuing AO Aviator sunglasses to its pilots, sailors and soldiers way back…

If you’re itching to reenact an episode of Lost, husk coconuts, or just clear brush, the Woodman’s Pal Military Premium 284 machete should come in handy. The made in the USA concave axe blade, forged in high carbon steel (hardened to Rockwell C47+2 for you knife aficionados), “catches” branches and vines, reducing the glancing blows…

Sound principles don’t always create success, but they certainly don’t hurt. The Bosavi Headlamp ($80) is a multi-purpose light backed by the fundamental axiom of usefulness, something too often taken for granted. While flexible-use lights abound, the Bosavi provides a quality of design and ingenuity that sets it apart. Environmental friendliness and quality hands-on manufacturing…

When Larry Damore isn’t rocking audiences behind the mic touring with punk band Pegboy, you can usually find him somewhere upstream, in a calm and quiet section of the Mississippi. The Chicago based lead also happens to be an avid fly fisher and craftsman to boot. Flying Pig Performance Fly Rods are the result of…

Calligraphy is big business. It’s also manly. Has it been hijacked by the fairer sex? For the time being, perhaps, but that doesn’t mean ol’ John Hancock wasn’t afraid to whip out his quill and nib/feed combination when the right cellulose paper called for it. Are you better than John Hancock? We didn’t think so,…

Pickles polarize. You’re on one side of the fermented fence or the other. We consider the salty, crispy cukes “the white man’s kimchi”, frankly. Gordy’s Pickle Jar just so happens to take their delicatessen delicacies seriously enough for fanatics like us. With four diverse gourmet pickle-based products — Sweet Chips, Hot Chili Spears, Sweet Pepper…

In the ongoing struggle to carry gear without looking like an overstuffed Sherpa, all-around black-bag purveyor Ignoble has tossed in a solution in the form of the Ignoble Lorna Case Backpack ($300). At 25 liters, made from black ballistic nylon, and sporting padded shoulder straps, obligatory sternum strap, and airmesh back, the Lorna functions as…

Stand up paddle boarding or (SUP) is taking the aquatic sports world by storm and was even named one of the five hottest outdoor sports by the Outdoor Recreation Topline Report. Coincidentally, the same study found fishing to be the most popular outdoor activity for adults. Combining these two awesome and extremely popular pastimes was inevitable,…

Wingtips have always been on the casual side of the dress shoe spectrum, but footwear legend Allen Edmonds has nudged the style into more aggressive territory with their Special Edition Kasmuk ($300). The striking blue denim uppers are definitely a step outside of the company’s typical brogue comfort zone. Their risk, however, is your fashionable…

Fresh on the heels of your last thought about a reason to imbibe comes

Sure, you could argue the obnoxious styles of most biking apparel lines makes you more noticeable to vehicles on the road, but who cares about safety if you’re riding in clothes you wouldn’t be caught dead in? A new brand Search and State is challenging the notion of what cycling gear should look like with…

Dial down the touristy vibe on your next photo hunt, home or abroad, with a DSPTCH Camera Sling Strap ($48). Designed and made in San Francisco by a photographer — a man quite deft with the lens himself — is made using mil-spec commercial grade nylon webbing and outfitted with a uni-loop connector to ensure…

To celebrate the centennial anniversary of their iconic boot line, L.L. Bean recently introduced the Men’s 100th Anniversary Main Hunting Shoe ($140), a special 12-inch edition of the sturdy footwear that first made them famous. Available only in limited quantities, the boot is an almost exact replica of the ones invented and worn by the…

Men’s fashion authority Allen Edmonds knows a moneyball when it sees one. The Fastball Boat Shoe ($115) adroitly struts the tightrope between gimmicks and licensed apparel to create a unique set of boaters for fans of America’s favorite pastime. Each pair is made from a white unlined distressed leather upper with red baseball stitchings on…

Thanks to a practically impenetrable, yet ultra-soft fabric layer called Crypton Super Fabric (seriously, that’s the name), the Read n’ Rock Rocker ($849) will hold up against even the worst chunky eruptions or sippy-cup snafus. Sized for 1.25 people and available in five colors (we like sandstone), the chair should serve nicely both as a…

We’re suckers for good gin, so when one pops up in our backyard, we uncap some vermouth and chill our martini glasses. Greenhook Ginsmiths American Dry Gin ($30) is a new product from the Greenhook Ginsmiths Distillery in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Led by ginsmith Steven DeAngelo, the distillery utilizes a vacuum method that lowers the atmospheric…

Originally intended as commemorative gifts for family and friends, Danny Brown’s handmade masterpieces were just too beautiful not to be shared. A little word of mouth, and some busy weekends later and Whiskeyjack Paddles came to be. Based out of the Rocky Mountains in Whitefish, Montana, Whiskeyjack creates individually crafted, hand made functional art in…

We know you’re busy, hey we are too. Making it to the gym isn’t always an option, and unless you’ve got a couple hundred square feet to spare, home workouts can get tired fast. Take boredom out of the equation and keep your muscles guessing with the Blank Slate Training Board ($129). Just like that…

It’s only fitting that the founder of Paper Denim & Cloth, Scott Morrison, is the mind behind 3×1. The jeans demigod created the SoHo-based store/workshop/gallery as a shrine to all things denim that includes over 130 bolts of selvage to choose from, and a glass-enclosed “atelier” where each hand-stitched individually numbered pair is made for…

Over the years, we’ve raved about Billykirk’s products and founders, and their latest laptop sleeves ($219+) reaffirms our love. It’s a classic Billykirk piece – blending chic with toughness, and elegance with durability. Featuring hand-stitched Horween leather, a Chicago asset since 1905, this sleeve exudes rugged class. In any boardroom or meeting it sends a…

A new fashion startup Everlane is on a mission to let you know that you’ve been paying way too much for your basic fashion staples (here’s looking at you Banana Republic). The online-only retailer offers luxurious basics for under $100; a feat made possible through tight control of its manufacturing, removing middlemen and bypassing the…

With spring upon us, it’s time to dust off madras shirts. If you’re looking to upgrade your current collection or even taking the plunge into the famous cloth born from the city of Chennai, India for the first time, make sure to check out the Milton from Taylor Stitch. The SF-based brand pride themselves on…

The Sven Folding Saw eliminates the cumbersome builds of traditional cutters, while still retaining the strength to conquer any task. Both 15” and 21” models are available, featuring a USA made frame and a serrated blade formed in Denmark from Swedish steel. Its unique folding design protects the blade when not in use, and collapses…

Petrified Design revives reclaimed materials to create timeless new furniture that’s not only functional, but also artfully crafted. The Austin-based furniture maker gets its inspiration and materials from old ceiling slates, pieces of old gooseneck trailers and wine barrels — and combines them with industrial steel. Their resulting creations range from chairs and stools to…

Quality and fit: that sums up American Giant, a small company from San Francisco. As of now, the brand only sells a variety of affordable, long-lasting basic sweatshirt styles, all handmade in America. Unlike other brands who skimp on labor costs to keep prices low, American Giant doesn’t operate stores and spends absolutely nothing on…

Red Wing is a classic American brand, and we’ve always been fans of their footwear. Today, the company has launched a new collection, hand sewn in Lewiston, Maine. Other fans of the brand are bound to enjoy the video above released to explain the collection, but even if fashion isn’t your thing, it’s still interesting…