Swift Industries: The Perfect Bag For Your Wald Basket

The Sugarloaf Basket Bag by Swift Industries is perfect for your Wald Basket.  It's made to fit in there nice and snug, snap into it, and made to withstand whatever kinda torture you put it through.  Maybe I should, AHEM, sneak this onto my Christmas list?! From $150

Lee Parks Design DeerTours

Lee Parks Design DeerTours gloves are beautiful.  And, finally, a way to measure your size with an easy PDF chart.  Seriously, what a great idea.  Protect your hands while you're riding and cover 'em up with these beauts.  $95, here.

Buck Products

I stumbled upon Buck Products earlier in the week and couldn't wait to share!  Actually, I may be a bit behind the times, but oh well!  The bags are made in Bozeman, Montana with an intent to be simple and durable.  The Flapsack, pictured on top and the Mini Knappsack are two of my favorite items on the lineup.  The are affordable and seem rugged enough for whatever the day throws at you.  This may be another good thing to add to the Yosemite packing list!

Check out Buck Products on Instagram, here.

Need it: Beer Bottle Stein Lid

It's okay, you can get a little over excited about this one!  Here we have the useful yet hilarious Oktoberfest Party Favor Beer Bottle Stein Lid available off of Amazon for a mere $9.00!

Perfect for those Summer beers we suggested last May!  Or even something a little richer from the colder months, here.  Either way, this is a funny little bottle topper and a perfect cheesy gift for the beer lover you know!

Grifter Company: The Bandoleros

Committed to bringing you quality, American made gloves Grifter Company sought out the experts in Gloversville, NY to bring an idea to life.  The Bandoleros gloves are a mix of bison leather and Mexican serape designed fabric.  One of a kind and tough as nails.  $69-available here.  I'll take a pair in medium, thank you ;)

Cycling Caps

I recently picked up a monthly subscription to Bicycling Magazine.  Now, I'm not a lycra-wearing road cyclists, an extreme mountain biker (though I dabble), or a cross rider, but I do love reading about gear and news from the professional front.  The center fold this month could not have been more appealing, hundreds of cycling caps through the years and a nice little write up to justify the wearing and history of the cap.

I have a few caps hanging around and used to wear them in colder weather while on the dirt trails or when it rained.  I have to admit that though guys can for the most part pull off wearing the cap, it is much harder for women.  Do you agree?   Maybe I have a funny shaped head.

I've read a dozen or so articles about the history and "how to wear" guides for the old casquette.  Here's my favorite how-to guide over at Cycling Tips.

What are your thoughts on the cycling cap?  Do you wear it solely while riding?  Or is it okay to accessorize your daily wear with it?  Are you a collector?

It's raining here in these parts, but you enjoy your weekend wherever you are!

Omnipollo x A-B-C Beer Cup

A model piece of craftsmanship built for true beer enthusiasts.  Behold, the beer cup you will have forever.  Created by the team of Swedish craft beer brewers, Omnipollo and the designers Simon Klenell and Kristoffer Sundin at 
A-B-C.  Check it out here.

Winter Mitts

There's a handful of accessories that I keep near and dear to me during the winter.  These mittens have revolutionized my cold weather biking habits.  I can literally go forever.  Well, that is until the one afternoon it started snowing, wet heavy gobs of precipitation and my mitts were completely saturated.  So I pulled out the Sno-Seal I got from my dad and set to work.  Now these things are unstoppable.  And, apparently, so is this winter.  

Upgrade Your Christmas Gifts For Under $15

Well, well, here we all are again. Officially one month from now it will be Christmas.  Swirly winds filled with snowflakes, warm fireplaces, good food and cheer, loved ones around us, what else could you possibly want or need?!  Well, for those still searching (or beginning your search) for the perfect gift or stocking-stuffer, look no further! 

"Heap on the wood! - the wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, We'll keep our Christmas merry still." - Sir Walter Scott

1. Glencairn Scotch Whisky Glass
2. Antler Chew for Dogs
3. Dark Rum Votive
4. Duck Rabbit Milk Stout
5. James Joyce's Ulysses
6. 24 of Hank William's Greatest Hits
7. Chromed Brass Guitar Slide
8. Southern Tier Krampus Helles Lager
9. Bandana in Fishing Lure Print
10. Authentic Wool Boot Socks
11. Vermont Cinnamon Cider Syrup
12. Cocktail Ice Cube Trays
13. Elixr Mexican Santa Theresa
14. BW Film Ilford
15. Dr. Bonner's Peppermint Castille Soap
16. Swedish Morakniv Classic

Lamps For the Cabin

Looking for the ultimate lamp for the cabin?  Look no further, Wm. Lamb & Sons has just the home accessories for you. This is by far one of the coolest lamp shades I've seen in a while.  Check it out.  

Gearing Up For April Showers

We're halfway into April here and the rainy season has begun.  I underestimated the rain on Friday morning and ended up sopping wet from my early morning bicycle commute.  The rainy weather can get you down, especially if you are like me and you've been waiting for nice weekend weather to mountain bike in.  Cheer up, here's a list of gear that'll get you through the day and keep you (for the most part) dry!


1. LL Bean Classic Anorak
2. Swiss Army Bike Tool
3. Rapha Short Trousers
4. Otter Wax Waterproofer
5. Velo-Orange Hammered Fenders
6. Mission Workshop Waxed Canvas Rucksack
7. Asos FlyFish Embroidery
8. Five Ten Impact II Grippy Shoe
9. Sweet Action Cream Ale - Post Ride Brew

Pre-Order: Tracko Splinter Camo Cycling Vest

Pretty cool design coming from Tracko.  Manufactured by Endo Customs in downtown Los Angeles, CA.  I'm always up for a little camo in the woods and it seems Tracko has been rolling out the camo gear for a bit of time now.  With a $125 price tag and %100 polyester, you gotta weigh your options here.  Head on over to the site for more deets.

And for all of you sitting in your cubicle itching to get out there...Chris Akrigg is at it again, recovering from his crazy fall and cranking out some fun videos for our viewing pleasure.  Check it out!!!

Kershaw Ken Onion Leek One Year Later

 

I've had the Kershaw Ken Onion Leek for about a year now and posted about here, here and here (because I'm really not joking when I say it'll be a great gift).  This is the best pocket knife I've ever had and for many reasons.  First, it holds a super sharp edge like a champ.  I've sharpened it about 3 times on a stone to keep the razor-like edge.  The best thing about the knife is the speed safe opening mechanism, you only need one hand and the flick of a finger to open it.  It's super slender and lightweight and fits in my pocket more conveniently than my chapstick.  There's a lock on the bottom to keep the blade from flicking open, another useful little feature.  For around $45.00 I can't think of a better tool.  I use mine anywhere from food cutting, box cutting, bike tool as an emergency, whittling, pry bar and much more...I really abuse it.

Lazer 2X3M Helmet

On Saturday I headed over to Bicycle Revolutions and checked out their closeout helmet rack in hopes that I would find a lightweight and airy helmet for the Spring and Summer.  I currently wear the Bern Watts helmet for commuting, and man, that thing does not breathe!  It's really hard to find a decent helmet that doesn't look like an enormous marshmallow mounted on my head.  Luckily for me Bicycle Revolutions had the Lazer 2X3M on sale and it doesn't look half bad!  A small victory this weekend! 

Spiegelau IPA Glass



Looking for the ultimate glassware for your next Southern Tier American IPA?  Look no further than the Spiegelau IPA glass   coming out in May of this year.  You can pre-order your set (of 2) now and have it just in time for Summer. 

What the website says: "With input from two of the leading IPA brewers in the United States- Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head and Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada- Spiegelau has created the new standard for IPA beer glassware. The Spiegelau IPA glass is designed to showcase varying aromatic profiles for the American 'hop forward' IPA beer, preserve a frothy head and volatiles and maintain a comfortably wide opening for the drinker to "nose" the beer. This is the go-to vessel for IPA beers!"

My Favorite IPAs:

 Southern Tier American IPA

Lagunitas American IPA

Smuttynose Big A IPA



Aether Skyline Motorcycle Jacket

Spring is around the corner and with that, Aether added the Skyline Motorcycle Jacket to their inventory.  This mild-temp jacket offers sealed seams, waterproof material,  and "highly abrasion resistant Field Nylon shell." "On the interior, the jacket has a breathable mesh lining with integrated compartments for protective padding."

Four color options and a lot of features. Unfortunately this would set you back a cool $650.  On the upside, this jacket features their D30 pad system that can be added or removed for safety.  The sleeves look a little short on the model I wonder if this has been an issue with anyone out there?

Swrve Belgian Cap in Gore-Tex & Wool

The Swrve Belgian Hats make for a great Winter accessory. The wool one has impressive reviews and I'm sure stands its ground against the cold weather, winds and moisture. I'm a bit partial to the Gore-Tex hat since this is something that would have to fit under my helmet. Thoughts? Anyone familiar with this brand or hat?

About the Wool Belgian Cap - "traditional Belgian cut winter cap with fleece fold-down ear flaps! made of thick knit 70% wool, 25% Nylon, 5% spandex, this cap will keep your noggin' warm on your chilliest ride. wool naturally resists odor and insulates even when wet."

Favorite Winter Accessories

 

Sometimes those new, updated winter accessories are the best things to be treated to.  These are some of my favorite gifts from Christmas.  A nice new Carhartt cap and a pair of Alpaca wool mittens.  Keeping you roasty toasty in the coldest of weather.  Hopefully we still have a lot of Winter weather ahead of us here in Philadelphia.  We need a couple nice freezes and a snowstorm, you know, as long as you have no place to go.

What kind of Winter gear gets you through the season?

Under $20: Gifts for Dad, What He Really Wants

Northern Goods Co. Handmade Paracord Key Fob $13.17
Craftsman Figure 8 Wrench $19.99
Kaufmann Mercantile Bicycle Cards Standard Deck in Silver $5.00
Kaufmann Mercantile Hermetus Bottle Opener $8.70
Backwoodsman Past Issues Oct./Nov. $6.00
Gemplers Carhartt Canvas Cap w/ Fold-down Ear Flaps $19.95
AlpacaMall Alpaca Socks in Yellow $17.45
Smuttynose Winter Ale ~$15.00 or less
Think Geek Swedish FireSteel $4.99-15.99

Because the old man does not want one more damn polo shirt or tie. 

Five Panel Hats With Flaps

You knew the day would come when the Duck Canvas 5-panel with quilted caps came out.  I say go for it, the color is great, the price isn't bad and Norse Projects is a respectable premium shop.

A 100% cotton canvas five panel with quilt lined ear warmers, fastened by an adjustable webbed strap.

We'll give this the Christmas gear label.