I keep meaning to bring it up as I know you guys love Boonie hats - take a look at Shelta. I wear the Firebird V2 which is of the wider variety and they make them slimmer. But they have a molded front section that does not flip up or down, it just stay wonderfully true. Removable strap, floats, super cooling. Just a great wide brim hat. I've worn my coaching and racing (sailing), very frequently hiking and just works well. A+
Holyfuckingshitballs! My 686 Anything Pants just turned up! Complete and utter game changer! Thanks for tip Jason. I'll drop some photos on Insta if folks wanna see what they look like (they look 'pants' on the 686 EU site) @felixrunswatches
Great collection of recommendations! I'd add a recommendation for a great pocket knife; my EDC is the Zero Tolerance 0450CF. Its handle is carbon fiber and titanium, and the whole knife weighs in at under 2.5 oz (plus the small green accents are lovely). https://tinyurl.com/2vwz67h7
Some shirts, shorts, and clothes in general for quality would be Aime Leon Dore and Kith. They are expensive and they do a streetwear method of having drops of clothing for seasons. But for streetwear they produce some really nice pieces. You do have to be quick though as stuff can sell out quick.
Seconded on the Vollebak being the best travel shirt out there! I picked one up after listening to the interview with Steve – James, you need one in green, it rivals “the” green overshirt (you know the one) for adventuring vibes.
Jason, is that the black or navy Planet Earth shirt in your photo? Looks navy to me and, like James, I’m thinking of getting another...
If you're looking for a high performance water (or coffee) bottle that fits in a cup holder, go with Zojirushi. We have multiple sizes and cap versions, and they keep all day (and usually longer). I also have their larger (68oz) versions for both hot and cold drinks that we use for long drives (coffee) or a day at the beach (water). Both keep drinks hot/cold for days.
James I noted the comment regarding the lack of the LED indicator for text messages in your iPhone. There’s a workaround in the Accessibility options that will do this.
I struggled to find a great key ring for so long and this one has really been a fast favorite. It keeps keys slim in the pocket. I have 7 keys on it and they stay tidy and compact. Plus if you had a car key or fob there's not a huge difference as you would get with a larger ring.
The Jung Maven t-shirt was a recommendation by a friend who has worn them for years. He told me you can beat on them and wash and dry infinitely and they hardly wear out of change shape. Plus they're incredibly soft I bought one of the Pocket Tees that 55% hemp and 45% cotton. Now all I want to do is replace all my tees with them.
Jason - while in Asheville area, I'd suggest checking out 12 Bones BBQ (2 locations) for some awesome western NC 'que. If you want a cool pub, take a look at Jack of the Wood downtown, hopefully you can check out some music there. Obviously you'll be right smack in the middle of some incredible mountains, so outdoor activities abound. If you make it out to Old Fort, you can snag some Kitsbow gear, as they make awesome cycling gear. I grew up in NC and western NC is still my happy place
Great call! The area is chock full of all kinds of breweries! I figured with Jason's healthy eating habits I'd hold off on the beer suggestions. I'm not quite as well disciplined, so I've partaken in many of those establishments :)
I’ll submit three recommendations: bag, knife, and light source.
Bag: Billingham Hadley One
Here’s why…
I previously used the Topo Designs Premium Global Brief discussed in this episode. However, even with a ‘premium’ label it’s quality left something to be desired. Additionally, although it was all black with subdued branding, it still looked very “outdoorsy”. Out of place in the locales I work in.
I used an Observer Collection Tango bag for sometime but found it to be too small and lacking the organization I needed. Also, lack of luggage handle pass through was always a problem for me. Yes, you can wrap the tote straps or even the OC sling that Robert sells but I found this too complicated and never as secure as I’d like. The Tango bag is definitely quality kit but be honest with yourself as to how much you’ll use it because it is a bit of niche item. It has since found a new owner who is enjoying it.
The Hadley One is the ‘buy once, cry once’ bag. While it’s marketed as a camera bag, it is an even better carry-all messenger. The included camera insert buttons in and out in seconds, which allows me to use it more for everything else: books, laptop/tablet, groceries, etc. The padding/water resistance is unmatched and it looks just as good in a professional business setting as it does in a conflict zone. This bag replaced all the other messengers and backpacks that I had. Pair it with a cabin trolley for a carry-on solution that cannot be beat by any ‘one bag carry-on’ on the market. It is the one bag for life that I spent years looking for.
Knife: Emerson CQC-7 mini
Where I live I must be mindful of blade length laws. The CQC-7 mini blade is 7.3cm (2.9in) - making it legal in most countries. It is a superb knife. With all folders, I recommend adding some skateboard grip tape to the clip and thumb position for quick access. Like all Emerson products, it’s bombproof and will last.
Light: Surefire Defender
Pricey but still way less than a Muyshondt. Dangerously bright on high (by design) and it can be used as a striker. Good for carry-on too. If TSA ever decided to take it you can always buy another. Batteries are also readily available worldwide. Not a toy.
Great episode! A few quick knife recommendations that are small and light. Kershaw Ember is robust and can easily fit in the 5th pocket of a pair of jeans... although jeans are not that summery. Or the Spyderco Dragonfly 2, which is about as small and lightweight as you can get for a usable knife.
As far as keys, I have tried many options with moderate success. The best solution is to "hang" them inside of your pocket with a pocket clip. That way they don't end up in a clump in the bottom of your pocket. Just search "P-7 Keychain Suspension Clip" on Amazon.
Thank you for another great episode. Just, as always, great recommendations.
I would like to add my bag of choice. I have an old yellow north face duffel bag. It’s from 2008, back from before they removed all the strong plastic (slight “nasty”…) bpa stuff. It’s indestructible. I’ve travelled for six months around Nepal, the Himalayas, China, India, diving in Thailand, cigars in cuba and so on. Now it’s used for baby stuff and it must have gone through 100 flights. I love that bag. It’s the medium size and the yellow is summer fresh also! Bought a smaller version and a larger version. Both a great but the medium is perfect! Highly recommend that for all seasons.
That bag is the most flexible thing I've ever traveled with. I've flown a lime green one around the world and never found a situation it was the wrong choice to bring. With a few Eagle Creek packing folders and cubes you can fly with everything from suits and work tools to beach clothes. The thing eats up whatever you put in. I use it nearly every single week. With bright colors it makes it easy to find when it comes out at bag claim when it is 2:30 AM local time in Delhi or midnight in Chicago. Best. Bag. Ever.
I keep meaning to bring it up as I know you guys love Boonie hats - take a look at Shelta. I wear the Firebird V2 which is of the wider variety and they make them slimmer. But they have a molded front section that does not flip up or down, it just stay wonderfully true. Removable strap, floats, super cooling. Just a great wide brim hat. I've worn my coaching and racing (sailing), very frequently hiking and just works well. A+
Holyfuckingshitballs! My 686 Anything Pants just turned up! Complete and utter game changer! Thanks for tip Jason. I'll drop some photos on Insta if folks wanna see what they look like (they look 'pants' on the 686 EU site) @felixrunswatches
Great collection of recommendations! I'd add a recommendation for a great pocket knife; my EDC is the Zero Tolerance 0450CF. Its handle is carbon fiber and titanium, and the whole knife weighs in at under 2.5 oz (plus the small green accents are lovely). https://tinyurl.com/2vwz67h7
Some shirts, shorts, and clothes in general for quality would be Aime Leon Dore and Kith. They are expensive and they do a streetwear method of having drops of clothing for seasons. But for streetwear they produce some really nice pieces. You do have to be quick though as stuff can sell out quick.
Central City (BC, Canada) makes two delicious NA beers- Red Racer Street Legal Pilsner and IPA. shorturl.at/emtCW
Great episode.
I highly recommend the Outlier New Way Shorts, they look like regular shorts on the outside but its swim ready with mesh pockets and draw string.
NA beer: Athletic Brewing is really great and free shipping, even to Hawaii!
Seconded on the Vollebak being the best travel shirt out there! I picked one up after listening to the interview with Steve – James, you need one in green, it rivals “the” green overshirt (you know the one) for adventuring vibes.
Jason, is that the black or navy Planet Earth shirt in your photo? Looks navy to me and, like James, I’m thinking of getting another...
If you're looking for a high performance water (or coffee) bottle that fits in a cup holder, go with Zojirushi. We have multiple sizes and cap versions, and they keep all day (and usually longer). I also have their larger (68oz) versions for both hot and cold drinks that we use for long drives (coffee) or a day at the beach (water). Both keep drinks hot/cold for days.
James I noted the comment regarding the lack of the LED indicator for text messages in your iPhone. There’s a workaround in the Accessibility options that will do this.
Cheers
Antoine
Melbourne, Australia
Just finished listening to the episode and it was one of my favorites. Love these product recommendation episodes! Couple new found items that I wanted to recommend were the Craighill Wilson Keyring (https://craighill.co/collections/essentials/products/wilson-keyring-brass) and Jung Maven t-shirts (https://jungmaven.com/collections/men-hemp-clothing/products/hemp-shirt-short-sleeve-pocket-tee-jung).
I struggled to find a great key ring for so long and this one has really been a fast favorite. It keeps keys slim in the pocket. I have 7 keys on it and they stay tidy and compact. Plus if you had a car key or fob there's not a huge difference as you would get with a larger ring.
The Jung Maven t-shirt was a recommendation by a friend who has worn them for years. He told me you can beat on them and wash and dry infinitely and they hardly wear out of change shape. Plus they're incredibly soft I bought one of the Pocket Tees that 55% hemp and 45% cotton. Now all I want to do is replace all my tees with them.
Jason - while in Asheville area, I'd suggest checking out 12 Bones BBQ (2 locations) for some awesome western NC 'que. If you want a cool pub, take a look at Jack of the Wood downtown, hopefully you can check out some music there. Obviously you'll be right smack in the middle of some incredible mountains, so outdoor activities abound. If you make it out to Old Fort, you can snag some Kitsbow gear, as they make awesome cycling gear. I grew up in NC and western NC is still my happy place
"comment notes" :p
https://www.12bones.com/
https://www.jackofthewood.com/
https://www.kitsbow.com/pages/factory-tours
Another good place in Asheville I discovered last year is Hillman Beer -- great food too!
Great call! The area is chock full of all kinds of breweries! I figured with Jason's healthy eating habits I'd hold off on the beer suggestions. I'm not quite as well disciplined, so I've partaken in many of those establishments :)
I’ll submit three recommendations: bag, knife, and light source.
Bag: Billingham Hadley One
Here’s why…
I previously used the Topo Designs Premium Global Brief discussed in this episode. However, even with a ‘premium’ label it’s quality left something to be desired. Additionally, although it was all black with subdued branding, it still looked very “outdoorsy”. Out of place in the locales I work in.
I used an Observer Collection Tango bag for sometime but found it to be too small and lacking the organization I needed. Also, lack of luggage handle pass through was always a problem for me. Yes, you can wrap the tote straps or even the OC sling that Robert sells but I found this too complicated and never as secure as I’d like. The Tango bag is definitely quality kit but be honest with yourself as to how much you’ll use it because it is a bit of niche item. It has since found a new owner who is enjoying it.
The Hadley One is the ‘buy once, cry once’ bag. While it’s marketed as a camera bag, it is an even better carry-all messenger. The included camera insert buttons in and out in seconds, which allows me to use it more for everything else: books, laptop/tablet, groceries, etc. The padding/water resistance is unmatched and it looks just as good in a professional business setting as it does in a conflict zone. This bag replaced all the other messengers and backpacks that I had. Pair it with a cabin trolley for a carry-on solution that cannot be beat by any ‘one bag carry-on’ on the market. It is the one bag for life that I spent years looking for.
Knife: Emerson CQC-7 mini
Where I live I must be mindful of blade length laws. The CQC-7 mini blade is 7.3cm (2.9in) - making it legal in most countries. It is a superb knife. With all folders, I recommend adding some skateboard grip tape to the clip and thumb position for quick access. Like all Emerson products, it’s bombproof and will last.
Light: Surefire Defender
Pricey but still way less than a Muyshondt. Dangerously bright on high (by design) and it can be used as a striker. Good for carry-on too. If TSA ever decided to take it you can always buy another. Batteries are also readily available worldwide. Not a toy.
Great episode! A few quick knife recommendations that are small and light. Kershaw Ember is robust and can easily fit in the 5th pocket of a pair of jeans... although jeans are not that summery. Or the Spyderco Dragonfly 2, which is about as small and lightweight as you can get for a usable knife.
As far as keys, I have tried many options with moderate success. The best solution is to "hang" them inside of your pocket with a pocket clip. That way they don't end up in a clump in the bottom of your pocket. Just search "P-7 Keychain Suspension Clip" on Amazon.
Totally endorse the pocket clip method. I hardly recommend the hook/knife(!) Klip from Dapper Design.
Thank you for another great episode. Just, as always, great recommendations.
I would like to add my bag of choice. I have an old yellow north face duffel bag. It’s from 2008, back from before they removed all the strong plastic (slight “nasty”…) bpa stuff. It’s indestructible. I’ve travelled for six months around Nepal, the Himalayas, China, India, diving in Thailand, cigars in cuba and so on. Now it’s used for baby stuff and it must have gone through 100 flights. I love that bag. It’s the medium size and the yellow is summer fresh also! Bought a smaller version and a larger version. Both a great but the medium is perfect! Highly recommend that for all seasons.
That bag is the most flexible thing I've ever traveled with. I've flown a lime green one around the world and never found a situation it was the wrong choice to bring. With a few Eagle Creek packing folders and cubes you can fly with everything from suits and work tools to beach clothes. The thing eats up whatever you put in. I use it nearly every single week. With bright colors it makes it easy to find when it comes out at bag claim when it is 2:30 AM local time in Delhi or midnight in Chicago. Best. Bag. Ever.
Oh man....this is going to be an expensive listen.