I know… I know… Flip flops? Buy hey, at least they are hand made and supposedly durable as all hell.
So a pal of mine is a big time writer in New York City for a big time men’s magazine. It ain’t GQ, but it might as well be. He mostly writes about senseless stuff such as style and fashion, but every now and then he hits a tune that my ears can comprehend. Just this last week, it was Hamilton 1883 shirts.
What are Hamilton 1883 shirts all about? They are 100% American made button downs that cost a small fortune, but last a lifetime. Admittedly, I only own one shirt from the Houston based taylor, but I’ve owned and worn it since 1999. If you are doing a cost analysis, your calculator will tell ya that the shirt has cost me about $18 a year… and that number is getting smaller.
There is something to be said for quality… even if it meshes with fashion.
I know a lot of you fellas out there work with your hands – either by trade or by hobby. A lost tool to many of you is the shop apron. If you’ve never used one, you would have a hard time imagining their usability. It’s about more than keeping your shirt and pants clean. It’s about having a platform to work from. You should try it out… And if you do, you might as well use the best aprons in the world.
The best boot I’ve ever owned is a Red Wing 1178. I bought a pair when I was 17 years old. I am now 34 years old and while they’ve been resoled four or five times, I still wear the Red Wings almost every day. However, in the past few months the leather has finally started to give way – my socks are peaking.
A few weeks ago, I posted about Nau’s new twill cargo pants calling them “covert cargos” as they featured the look of sleek chinos, but the functionality of EDC cargos. Folks in the forum showed some interest, so I contacted the company about getting a pair to review. They arrived at The Gear Journal world headquarters just a day before I set out on two major expeditions – a vintage car rally in Tennessee and an adventure in Hawaii.
The latest rage in the tactical world is the use of “covert” equipment. You know, silly shit… like concealed holsters that don’t print, tactical knives that fit deep in the pocket, gear bags that look like book bags, etc… Frankly, I find most of this stuff to be a bit over the top. Then again I’m not in “the service,” so who I am to judge?
In any case, I found a “covert” use product that I actually dig. They are cargo pants that don’t look like cargo pants. You get all kinds of pockets to stuff your gear in, but you don’t have to look like a mall soldier. Pretty cool.
Skate or die homie… 686 is a manufacturer of skate and snowboarding apparel. They also make the above belt which has become famous with folks interested in EDC goods. What looks like your typical “hep cat” belt is actually a multi-tool.
Got your pants on? Then you’re ready… A #2 phillips, a #2 flat, as well as a 1/2″, 9/16″, and 3/8″ wrench is ready to go just as soon as you detach the buckle from your belt. Plumber’s ass is almost certain to follow.
