Save Big On This Limited Edition Parka

We know winter. Whether slaying pow in Jackson Hole or fighting the foot traffic on Fifth Avenue, we know having a warm, weatherproof down parka is key to enjoying the winter months. So when our friends at American Trench reached out about making a new parka that would be sensibly made, stylish, ecologically sound and well priced, we leapt at the opportunity. Produced in black and charcoal specifically for Gear Patrol, we’re stoked to introduce the all-new American Trench x Gear Patrol Ventile Down Parka.

1. Ventile Shell:
Ventile is an extremely versatile fabric used for decades in the British Isles. Produced of 100% cotton fibers, Ventile gets its durability and weather resistance from its dense weave. This dense weave makes the material water repellent but also windproof. An extra DWR coating has been applied which aids in beading yet doesn’t sacrifice breathability. The end result is a parka that is warm, very lightweight and weatherproof.
2. Global TDS:
Global TDS stands for Global Traceable Down Standard – think of it as the Fair Trade approach for down fill – which is becoming the benchmark for down fill across the industry. The down used in this parka comes from Downlite, which is committed to providing a traceable supply chain with ethical and audited production standards.
3. Snorkel Hood:
A lot of parkas have hoods, but they’re usually fairly useless and often do a better job of collecting rain and snow than keeping your head out of the elements. A true snorkel hood should easily cover the wearer’s neck and head with only a small face opening when fully donned. This snorkel hood is fully lined and secures at the neck with an additional snap closure.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

How to Make it a More Refreshing Weekend in Five Easy Moves

All weekends share one thing: they’re too short. So we rounded up five of our favorite products to help you make the most of them.

Sip a Better Cup of Joe

The Ratio Eight delivers robust and flavorful pour-over style coffee with the touch of a single button, giving you more time for relaxation.

Discover Your Next Pursuit

Inside each issue of Gear Patrol Magazine you’ll find seasonal buying guides and long-form dispatches from the front lines of product design. Get four print magazines — delivered quarterly — with an annual subscription.

Rock Out in Peace

Sennheiser’s MOMENTUM 3 wireless headphones offer active noise canceling while delivering unmatched fidelity in a completely wireless package.

Relax à la Cart

The Dims. x Gear Patrol Utility Cart is part bar cart, part mobile serving table, and part magazine rack, keeping your indulgences close at hand.

Keep it Fresh

Blind Barber’s collection of hair and skincare products is free from parabens, sulfates, and artificial dyes, making it a great way to stay feeling good.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

We Teamed up With Hamilton to Make Your Next Favorite Watch

Just about every watch guy has, at one time or another, wanted to design his own watch. We’re no different. So when Hamilton approached us about doing a collaboration watch, our collective watch geek genes lit up like horological Christmas trees. We knew that we wanted something robust; capable of riding shotgun on some serious adventures. We also wanted to build something sleek, with a subtle overall look that would be at home in an array of environments. But we also wanted to make a special and distinct watch that felt like Gear Patrol.

Fortunately for us, Hamilton’s lineup of watches is diverse and we were able to find the perfect base model on which to riff. The Khaki Navy Scuba Auto was an easy choice. The sturdy 40mm steel case, screw-down crown, quickset date and uni-directional ratcheting bezel make the Khaki Navy Scuba Auto rugged and utilitarian. With 100m depth rating, it’s got everything you need for plunge beneath the waves yet isn’t a technical diver. And ringing in well under $1,000, it’s the kind of watch you can wear hard and not worry about.

A Unique Design

Gear Patrol has always had a foot in the outdoors. Since our early days, we’ve nodded to our wilder side with a touch of blaze orange. To some, the blaze is a marker, a guide, a signal. The orange sweep hand on this watch is at once an homage to our origins and a message to the wearer: find your path, pursue your passion. Against the spartan black dial and bezel, it’s a playful splash of color that turns a standard diver into a unique timepiece.

First of Its Kind

During the process, we learned that Hamilton had never before modified one of its existing models. But rather than shy away, Hamilton championed our design and made brand history; the Khaki Navy Scuba Auto Gear Patrol Edition is the first customized in-line watch produced by the brand. It’s even got a unique model number. We ensured the watch’s versatility by offering it with both a stainless steel bracelet and nylon NATO-style strap.

Everyday Wearer

The watch world is filled to the lugs with limited editions. To fight the hype machine, we decided that we would produce the Gear Patrol watch in rolling batches based on demand. In this way, the Gear Patrol Special Edition is made to be worn, not coveted or cached in a safe somewhere. It’s an everyday wear watch for everyone who wants one. The first batch of pieces launched in November of 2018 and sold out in just a few days. We’re proudly offering the second batch now, exclusively in the Gear Patrol Store.

If you’re just getting into watches and looking for your first mechanical tool watch, or if you’re a hardened watch guy looking for a great everyday wearer, look no further. The Gear Patrol Special Edition is the go-anywhere, do-anything watch you’ll want on your wrist.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

This Ventile Down Parka Is Now More Than 30% Off

We know winter. Whether slaying pow in Jackson Hole or fighting the foot traffic on Fifth Avenue, we know having a warm, weatherproof down parka is key to enjoying the winter months. So when our friends at American Trench reached out about making a new parka that would be sensibly made, stylish, ecologically sound and well priced, we leapt at the opportunity. Produced in black and charcoal specifically for Gear Patrol, we’re stoked to introduce the all-new American Trench x Gear Patrol Ventile Down Parka.

For a limited time, use code THANKS2019 at checkout to activate the discount, only on the Gear Patrol Store.

1. Ventile Shell:
Ventile is an extremely versatile fabric used for decades in the British Isles. Produced of 100% cotton fibers, Ventile gets its durability and weather resistance from its dense weave. This dense weave makes the material water repellent but also windproof. An extra DWR coating has been applied which aids in beading yet doesn’t sacrifice breathability. The end result is a parka that is warm, very lightweight and weatherproof.
2. Global TDS:
Global TDS stands for Global Traceable Down Standard – think of it as the Fair Trade approach for down fill – which is becoming the benchmark for down fill across the industry. The down used in this parka comes from Downlite, which is committed to providing a traceable supply chain with ethical and audited production standards.
3. Snorkel Hood:
A lot of parkas have hoods, but they’re usually fairly useless and often do a better job of collecting rain and snow than keeping your head out of the elements. A true snorkel hood should easily cover the wearer’s neck and head with only a small face opening when fully donned. This snorkel hood is fully lined and secures at the neck with an additional snap closure.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

This Cart Is the Most Useful Piece of Furniture You Can Buy Right Now

Dims. is a California-based, internet-only design house that acts as an art incubator: fresh, aspiring designers pitch Dims. with specs for “new-century modern” houseware pieces in exchange for royalties. So far, the house has accepted ideas ranging from Greco-inspired lamps to part-Scandinavian-part-Japanese dining room tables to, most recently, a multi-use, looks-good-anywhere utility cart called the Barbican Trolley. The trolley is designed by Visibility, an NYC-based shop, run by two RISD grads, which has produced designs for Away, Outdoor Voices, and Myro, the latter of which nabbed a 2019 Wallpaper Design Award. We loved the trolley for its versatility in use – it’s one part serving trolley, two parts utility cart, and a dash of end table – and a universality of design that’s clean enough to fit any room. For our first collaboration with Dims., we dialed up the Barbican’s utility and made it truly go-anywhere: we added an all-weather powder-coating and wheels, retooled the wooden handle with steel, and drilled drain holes for outdoor use. The Dims. x Gear Patrol Utility Cart is form meets function, designed for everyday use in just about any use case.

1. Environmentally Sound Furniture:
Dims. puts the environment first: their ash wood is sourced from Forest Stewardship Council-certified, sustainably-managed forests, all finishes and adhesives are Greenguard certified, meaning they’ve been independently tested to meet the world’s most rigorous standards for low chemical emissions, and all steel uses powder coating that’s free from harmful VOCs and heavy toxic metals.
2. Bathroom to Boardroom:
Mirror and makeup on top; toilet paper on the bottom. Crystal and shaker on top; ice and bourbon on the bottom. The sleek trolley, with wheeled-mobility, quick-access top storage, and an angled bottom tier for bulky items, is the most versatile piece in any room.
3. Democratized Art:
Dims. produces all of its pieces – the Utility Cart included – at family-run, Taiwan-based manufacturers that have been handpicked by Dims. founder Eugene Kim. Cutting out the middleman keeps prices low, while sourcing the best materials gives these products multi-generational longevity, making beautiful design attainable on many budgets.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

You’ll Want to Wear This Comfy, Custom Tee Every Day

In 2013, Knickerbocker took over a 60-year-old factory building on the border of Brooklyn and Queens. At first, the brand focused on low quantity production, bringing to life the designs of small shops and studios. Soon, the brand expanded, producing sportswear designs under its own label and collaborations with big NYC brands, like The Times, starting in 2016. Expansion was slow, though, because the brand – which focuses on responsible sourcing and environmental-mindedness – felt at times, ironically, “guilt-ridden” for bringing more clothes to the marketplace. However, it was this commitment to protecting the world we love to explore that led Gear Patrol to partner with Knickerbocker to create our new Overland Tee. Illustrated by the talented, Portland-based Joshua Minnich, the shirt features the Land Rover Defender, a vehicle that sits at the pinnacle of life’s perpetual “want list.” It’s an icon for us that goes beyond car or shirt; the Overland Tee is a comfortable shirt designed to bring together enthusiasts, outdoorsmen, and escapists to push for pursuits of all stripes.

1. Fit and Feel:
This shirt is a part of Knickerbocker’s new “Made in Portugal” series. It’s constructed of 100% pre-shrunk cotton, with water-based screen printed ink, mounted collar construction, and blind stitch sleeves and hem, giving it a refined and timeless look. This tee is mid-weight, soft, and runs slightly small to size.
2. Sustainability and Transparency:
It’d be almost impossible to track back the origin of every uncut, raw material used during production, but Knickerbocker collects (and publishes) as much information as they can about their business partners at every level of their supply chain, and they stand behind their partners and their stance on sustainability in manufacturing.
3. Progress:
Knickerbocker is constantly jet setting around the globe to find new factories, suppliers, and opportunities that align with their mission. Recently, the brand introduced “Made in Portugal,” which uses a central supply chain to reduce waste and environmental impacts. Eventually, the company plans to become 100% “Made in America” – it’s just a matter of finding production partners that live up to Knickerbocker’s standards.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

This Is the Smartest Survival Kit We’ve Seen in a While

It’s crucial to have the right survival gear and first aid equipment when planning your next adventure, whether you’re headed abroad or to the state park. But putting together a lightweight, compact, waterproof survival kit is more an art form than a science. Knowing what to include, how to pack it efficiently and how to use it in a pinch, are often headaches for outdoor enthusiasts. Unfortunately, this means that many people aren’t adequately prepared when disaster strikes. That’s why we love VSSL.

Each VSSL kit begins with a core design: a 9-inch, military-grade aluminum cylinder that has two threaded endcaps. The aluminum end caps have rubber gaskets that ensure a waterproof seal, protecting the supplies from the elements. The top cap features an oil-filled, precision compass while the bottom boasts a 200-lumen LED light with four light modes — including an SOS function — which can be used while fitted to the cylinder or deployed alone.

VSSL kits are only two inches in diameter and weigh in at less than a pound, making them compact, easy to pack, and relatively light. VSSL Adventure kits come in four configurations, each designed for a specific use case. Whether you’re a day hiker or thru-hiker, there’s a VSSL for you.

The Camp Supplies

VSSL’s Camp Supplies configuration is a compact survival multitool offering a bevy of essential gear in a compact package. The aluminum cylinder contains eight threaded tins which house assorted survival gear. Inside you find a firestarter kit, a fishing kit, a water purification kit and several useful items including a wire saw, a sewing kit and whistle. All told, the Camp Supplies kit contains over 70 pieces of essential survival gear.

The First Aid Kit

The Compact First Aid Kit is designed for emergencies. It contains a custom first aid roll that keeps bandages, Ster-Strips, vinyl gloves, gauze and antibiotic and burn creams organized yet easy to access. The reverse side has basic First Aid instructions for treating burns, tending fractures and controlling bleeding. Mend small cuts or scrapes or treat more serious injuries and use the emergency whistle and SOS light mode to get help quick.

The Flask

The VSSL flask is designed for those memorable moments on summits, streamsides or beside a campfire. It boasts two collapsible metal shot glasses, bottle opener, and a glass-infused, 9-ounce flask for your spirit of choice.

The Mini

If VSSL’s Camp Supplies kit is your survival gear multi-tool, then the Mini is your keychain Swiss Army Knife. The Mini adds to the core VSSL design by incorporating a carabiner clip on its top compass endcap. With essentials like a mini first aid kit, fire starter kit, and a tin with a spool of rope and razor, the Mini still packs a powerful punch, despite being only 6 inches long. The Mini is the perfect companion for a day hike or trail run, or throw it in the glove box of your car and keep some essentials handy while on the road.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

This Is the Best Garment Bag for Airline Travel

Occasionally, a new design for an old product comes along that seems, in retrospect, almost too obvious. Most modern garment bags are relics from the ’60s before they had implemented the wheel and instead lugged everything by hand. And the few attempts at a wheeled garment bag resulted in those short and fat rollers that aren’t carry-on approved, nor particularly sexy. Then Hook & Albert, the luxury travel brand founded in 2011, shook things up with a new garment bag silhouette. Their ingenious Garment Luggage Carry-On unzips its suit carrying case from the side, allowing you to wrap your suit neatly into a standard carry-on profile. And most importantly, the innovative, sideways storage compartment means that this bag does more than just look like your classic carry on – you can roll your TSA-approved garment bag onto all major domestic and international airlines. For a limited time save 25%, only at the Gear Patrol Store.

1. Garment Focused Design:
With a capacity of 45L, the luggage fits up to two suits in its garment bag, and any extras can fit easily in the included, adjustable compression system. The bag’s unique orientation allows for extended-length garments, such as dresses or large suits, to complete the trip without wrinkles.

2. Classic Styling:
The bag balances a function-focus with impeccable styling. Hook & Albert use a meticulous construction process that intentionally assembles many of the bag’s components by hand. Their handsome black garment luggage carry-on comes with detailing such as top-grain leather accents and plated zinc hardware.

3. Focus on Durability:
Highly trained craftsmen construct the timeless design of this garment bag from materials that are meant to last. Hook & Albert works hard to protect its brand from counterfeits and offers an extended 5-year warranty on all of their authentic products.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

This Ventile Parka Is the Best Way to Stylishly Weather Winter

Established in 2010, American Trench set out to make something that didn’t exist anymore: an American-made trench coat that could hold its own on the world’s stage. So, instead of slapping “Made in USA” on a cheaply made coat, founder Jacob Hurwitz spent over 2 years sourcing the best material and manufacturers in America. And now, as a follow-up to the trench coat that launched his brand, he’s shifted this meticulous focus onto down parkas. The brand’s new full-length parka has an exterior shell of weatherproof Ventile cotton, a performance fabric that developed for WWII flight suits intended to survive North Atlantic seas, and an interior of military-spec ripstop nylon packed with ethically sourced, 750 fill power down insulation. Paired with little details, like wool flannel-lined side entry pockets and spring-loaded snaps to prevent tearing, these parkas are built to keep you warm for years. And because these parkas borrow the modern, trim silhouette of the legendary trench coat, they delivery style – and warmth – without the bulk.

1. Ripstop Ventile:
Ventile starts its life in America as ELS Supima cotton and is then woven in Switzerland to a tightness that makes it completely water repellent. And to take things one step further, the fabric is coated in DWR, bringing a modern twist to increase surface tension – so water beads off – while not inhibiting breathability.
2. Unbelievably Warm:
While the warming workhorse is the premium, 750 fill down, which lends incredible heat retention with less weight, details like storm cuffs and adjustable pulls on the hood and interior allow the parka to be fully sealed off to the elements.
3. Made in the USA:
While each parka is produced in New Jersey by a family-run, luxury outerwear manufacturer, the small details – like the wool pocket lining, woven in Connecticut – are sourced from the best speciality manufacturers in America. And beyond the parkas, American Trench also produces socks knit in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, and cashmere hats knit in Texas.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

Did This Bespoke Tailor Just Make the Best Off-The-Rack Oxford?

What do Aziz Ansari, Paul Rudd, Bryan Cranston, and John Mulaney have in common? They’ve all donned fresh threads from Brooklyn Tailors, the small NYC-based shop with an outsized cult following. Founded by Daniel Lewis, initially as an after-work project in his small apartment, the brand grew quickly – spurred by GQ‘s 2014 Best New Menswear Designer award and then, once Lewis expanded to a Brooklyn storefront, GQ’s 2017 Best New Stores in America. The suits are intentionally not “work uniforms,” but rather immaculately fitted, wear-to-anything coalescences of narrow shapes and clean lines: suits for men with “nowhere else to go,” as Lewis puts it. While diehards must make the pilgrimage to Brooklyn for the full experience of Lewis’s famous bespoke threadwork, a new, off-the-rack option just hit shelves for those looking to dip a toe into the aesthetic of the “suitmaker to the creative class.” New for the fall collection is the BKT10 Sport Oxford Shirt, in light blue, white, and black. This is Brooklyn Tailors’ signature casual shirt.

1. Modern Fit, Slim Shapes:
The BKT10, with single needle tailoring and a raised front pocket, follows Lewis’s iconic, modern aesthetic. The Rivershell button-down is slim, yet comfortable, with narrow shoulders, trim sleeves, and a length that fits perfectly in that sweet spot between long enough to tuck in, and short enough to leave untucked.

2. Suitmaker to the Creative Class:
On Master of None, every suit worn by Aziz Ansari’s character, Dev, is from Brooklyn Tailors. It’s a quiet, sophisticated look for those in the know. (Brooklyn Tailors also holds the distinction of being one of the few stores in the US to carry U.K. stalwart Joseph Cheaney’s line of oxfords, split-toe derbies, Chelsea boots, and chukkas.)

3. Lasts a Lifetime:
These shirts are handmade, one at a time, by Somelos in Portugal using traditional methods and the highest quality woven cotton available. The collars and cuffs are constructed with a non-glued, free-floating interlining for a more natural drape, and shirts that last a lifetime.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

This New Commuter Bike Is Purpose Built For Better Rides

We’ve been testing the offerings from Priority Bicycles since the company’s launch in 2014, spurred by a massively successful Kickstarter campaign. At a time when bikes kept getting more technical — and more expensive — Priority felt fresh but familiar. Founder Dave Weiner set out to make the perfect bike for the everyday commuter: lightweight, comfortable to ride, and simple to maintain. It was a bike for business suits, not spandex. A recent addition to the Priority line-up, the Brilliant L Train, took commuting a step further with a redesigned frame for easy over-the-shoulder carrying, 7 speeds for sweat-free hills and speed in the flats, and more aggressive seat and handlebar positions for in-traffic commuting. For our NYC-based staffers, this was the perfect rider. And so, after nearly a year in design and development, we’re excited to announce the Priority Bicycles x Gear Patrol Commuter Bike, which tailors the Brilliant L Train specifically to our New York City specs: we upgraded to trigger shifters for more dynamic, in-traffic riding, added a custom crankset and applied a city-inspired, all-black paint job to hide dirt and scratches (mirror the classic NYC wardrobe).

1. Designed for Commuting:
The star of the show is the rust-free, grease-free Gates Carbon Belt Drive. The unique system keeps chain marks off your pant leg, and, because the belt drive lasts longer than a traditional chain, keeps your bike out of the shop. Pair this with the puncture-resistant tires, and you won’t have an excuse to be late.

2. No Middlemen:
These are the best bicycles in the world for the price because of a simple model: high-quality parts assembled through an efficient supply chain with low overhead. There are no storefront frills adding to the price tag — these bikes are only available online. This translates to a value that you can’t get elsewhere.

3. Murdered Out:
For our collaboration, we painted our NYC-inspired bike all black. With high-wear gloss black around the forks and crank to take abuse and scratch-resistant matte black everywhere else for style, these bicycles are fit for the everyday grind but attractive enough for weekend rides.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

We Designed This Exclusive Commuter to Be a Better Bike

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

Bike commuting can be a pain the ass. Road bikes are built for speed, but leave a lot to be desired on pothole-strewn streets. Mountain bikes can be unwieldy, over-engineered for a fairly straightforward trip across town. Add in weather, wear and weight and it’s actually really difficult to find a bike that’s really well-suited to be a daily rider. Until now.

Since it surged onto the scene in 2014, Priority Bicycles has been redefining the commuter class of cycling. Underpinned by the Gates Carbon Drive system — a synthetic, carbon-reinforced belt that outperforms a standard metal chain and renders a bike nearly maintenance-free — Priority’s bikes are built for maximum utility while being easy to ride and own. We’ve worked with Priority Bicycles for years and, having several committed bike commuters in our office, we decided it was high time to design our version of a purpose-built commuter bike. After nearly a year in design and development, we’re proud to introduce our first true collaboration with Priority Bicycles, the Gear Patrol Commuter Bike.

Featuring a lightweight frame, upgraded components, a sealed seven-speed hub and Gates Carbon Belt Drive system, the Gear Patrol Commuter Bike is designed specifically to take on year-round commuting in the city. Now available with special launch pricing, only at the Gear Patrol Store.

Behind the Design

We’ve worked closely with Priority Bicycles for years, helping launch several new Priority Bicycles models including the Gotham and the Proof, two of our favorite executions. But over the years we’ve dreamt about building a Gear Patrol bike — something essentially Gear Patrol — that would speak to our history, the history of our partnership with Priority Bicycles, and New York City, the place that we both call home.

A bike should be simple. It should be robust. It should get you from point A to B, but in so doing, it should also elevate the journey. A good design should make the journey better. Over potholes and half-paved streets, a bike — your bike — should function as an extension of you. It should be ready to respond to whatever The City throws at you.

We designed the Gear Patrol Commuter Bike from the ground up to be a simple, no-frills, machine. We began with our favorite Priority Bicycles frame — used in the beloved L-Train — and started building it to New York City spec. Our spec. The sealed seven-speed hub and Gates Carbon Drive system had the perfect gearing for the mean streets of Manhattan, but we wanted faster shifting, so we opted for trigger shifts. With speed comes great responsibility, so we made sure to use high-quality Shimano V Brakes.

Finally, we wanted a bike that would rise to the challenge, a two-wheeled solution to getting there. In the Priority Bicycles x Gear Patrol Commuter Bike we sought to build a bullet-proof example of what a reliable, enjoyable, commuter bike could be.

Back in Black

If you spent a day in New York City you’d likely learn that black is the new black. In The City, wearing black is refined and straightforward, staid and understated. But black is also utilitarian. The City is dirty, and to move through it means to get dirty. Black goes with anything, especially, especially grit and wear. When black gets roughed up, it looks better, a signifier of a hard ride, an inspired moment, a helluva day.

We brought black back in two ways. The lower half of the bike is in gloss black — a high-wear finish around the forks and crank that is well-suited to abuse. In short, it will bear the brunt of a gnarly ride and still look distinguished. The remainder of the bike is finished in a matte black, the kind of finish you wished your everyday rider had. Why’s that? Because matte diverts attention, it hides scars, it is what you didn’t see coming.

Who It’s For

The finished Gear Patrol Commuter Bike isn’t interested in attention, it isn’t preoccupied with how it looks. Instead, it’s thinking: Can I make that light? What’s beyond that turn? When can we downshift? In this way, this bike is our spirit, distilled down into Chromoly and rubber, two-wheeled steed worthy of the grit — nay, the guts — of New York City. This is the bike for the early session, for beating rush hour, for breaking bad habits, for pushing the envelope, for making it worth a damn.

If You Commute, You Need to Get This Easy-to-Carry Bag

Topo Designs released their original Backpack Tote in the fall of 2013, and the bag did everything. The small silhouette carried well as a tote yet offered the option to be carried as a backpack via tuck-away straps. The shape allowed for an interior was roomy enough to pack away heavier items yet not so big that it got in the way. But after three years in production, Topo Designs updated its lineup and the original was discontinued. Having known and loved the bag since it was first launched, we always wanted to see it in production again. So, we sat down with Topo Designs and began riffing on the original model. After a year of prototyping and testing, we had increased the tote handle drop for easier shoulder wear; retooled the front snap pocket with a zipper closure; added a padded shoulder strap with D-ring lashing points for a cross-body carry option; updated the quick release hardware on the backpack straps; and added an internal key lanyard. The finished Topo Designs x Gear Patrol offers the same kind of versatility and utility for commuting that technical packs offer for off-the-grid adventures.

1. Four Carrying Options:
Along with in-hand carrying via tote straps and back carrying via adjustable, tucked-away straps, we added a padded shoulder strap with D-ring lashing points for cross-body carrying – messenger style – and lengthened the tote straps for over-the-shoulder wear.
2. Original Bag, Improved Features:
While the blaze orange interior aids visibility for sorting through your stuff, the front pocket now features a zippered enclosure and built-in key lanyard, to keep essentials close and secure.
3. Commuter-Focused:
The Backpack Tote’s small silhouette makes it sleek around the office and economical on a cramped train. But with 10.5-L storage capabilities – plus a padded laptop compartment, dual water bottle holders, and a quick-access exterior pocket – this is tailor-made for those on the go.

This post is presented by the Gear Patrol Store. Purchasing products from our store supports our editorial efforts.

For Orox Leather, Business Is a Family Matter

In the bustle of Portland’s Chinatown, Martin Martinez places the finishing touches on a rich leather shoulder bag. Beneath its refined, polished appearance lies a story that spans oceans, continents and four generations. It is the story of a family bound by a single craft; the story of Orox Leather.

For a limited time, get 30% off all Orox Leather Co. goods when you shop at the Gear Patrol Store.

The History

The tale begins in Oaxaca, Mexico with Don Felipe Martinez Audelo who was, among other things, a ballplayer. To keep his team equipped, Don Felipe developed custom-made baseball gloves and belts for his baseball team, Los Audelos. Over time, his sons grew up alongside Don Felipe, playing baseball and learning the craft of traditional leatherworking.

Don Felipe’s middle son, Pepe, grew the craft into a family business with the help of his brothers, and in so doing ingrained a love of leatherworking in his son José. By early adulthood, José’s prowess as a maker earned him an invitation to teach traditional Mexican leather crafting in Japan. José ended up spending six years in Japan, teaching his trade and learn traditional Japanese techniques. When José returned to Oaxaca, still fascinated with Japanese culture and its craft, he found his son Martin’s interest in craftsmanship was burgeoning.

Orox founder, creative leader, and master leather maker José Martinez

A New Generation

Having grown up surrounded by his family’s history of craftsmanship, Martin’s interest lay in entrepreneurship and he soon moved to the United States to study business at Portland State University. There, he decided to re-ignite the family trade, and over the course of a decade, he gathered his family together in Portland. There, Orox Leather was born. Combining Oregon (Or) with Oaxaca (ox), the Martinez family business was fully realized in America when they opened shop in Portland in 2012.

Martin Martinez, left, with his father and Orox founder José Martinez at their Portland store

Today, Orox Leather’s blend of heritage and craftsmanship produces a unique blend of techniques that feels at once classic, worldly and wholly new. Underpinned by tradition and a deep love for craftsmanship, Orox Leather is a promising fresh face in the world of American leather goods. We sat down with Martin Martinez to get his take on craftsmanship, leatherworking and to learn more about the brand.

Q: It seems now that those who love leather goods have more options than ever. How do you differentiate your products from similar brands?
A:We share the same core value — Made in America —with a focus on craftsmanship and durability. What we try to do is connect at a deeper level because each piece is unique and there’s a story behind it, a depth that comes with a multi-generational family business. My father would stop people wearing his sandals and bags and adjust them, tweak them to be more comfortable or look better. That’s how he operated: he still had a connection to that piece or pair of sandals and he was committed to ensuring the customer was getting the most out of it, no matter how long ago it was purchased from him. This attitude rolls down to all our employees and is the soul of our business.

The Ryoko Duffel, inspired by Japanese aesthetics

Q: Where do you draw inspiration for your products?
A:It starts with my father and grandfather. They were able to conceptualize patterns and silhouettes in their minds. He’s very much a trailblazer, my father. He’ll often meet with a client to get a rough idea and some details of what they’re looking for, and then he sketches it out in his mind. After a few iterations, he’ll have created a finished product. We also draw inspiration from Japanese, European and American brands. Onitsuka Tiger, Hardgraft and Filson come to mind, and being in Oregon, we’ve always been inspired by Nike in terms of the drive to innovate and focus on aesthetics. We’re also surrounded by a lot of shoe enthusiasts in Portland’s Chinatown. It’s a neighborhood that’s attracted a lot of makers and crafters because of cheaper rents, and really fostered a lot of creativity and created a sense of community.

Q: What makes a good bag?
A:Leather needs to age gracefully, transform over time and become unique to you. I like to experiment with different leathers; for example, testing hides with different levels of waxes and oils that act as natural protection. In a bag, space and functionality are key. For example, the Viator Tote is great for travel — I put my camera in there and it has a strap to serves both as a home for our logo and also to seamlessly attach to my suitcase- those are the kind of features that make me love using it. I also want a bag to be as light as a leather bag can be, and spacious.

The Viator Tote

Q: What is often overlooked by manufacturers?
A:Sometimes there are too many materials without stories, with not a lot of thought about how is it going to age, but rather how it looks on the shelf. There isn’t enough thought put to timelessness.

Q: What do you say to people who say your bags are too expensive?
A:I first speak to the materials — we source only the highest quality hardware and hides because that quality is passed on to the end user. I also emphasize the people behind the products. We pay fair wages and take care of our team. That cost of doing business well translates to higher price tags, but we know that it’s worth it. As a self-funded company, we appreciate each and every customer because, through their purchases, they are caring for and supporting our family and community. Maybe our goods are an expensive luxury, but then again, we see that patrons come away with so much more than just a bag.

Q: What are your favorite pieces?
A:The Nuntius X briefcase is one. When I first started building the business, I wanted something that looked professional to bring to meetings, but that would hold up to daily bike rides- my primary mode of transportation. It’s a product that has undergone countless design modifications and updates to evolve it into a perfect briefcase. I still use it today, along with the Viator Tote.

The Nantius X Messenger Bag

Q: What does the future hold for you?
A:We have big aspirations to become a leader in the leather accessories market by creating durable products that are timeless, iconic, and functional. We want to become a more socially responsible company by creating job opportunities in places and demographics in need like the ones in Oaxaca, Mexico. Our home town is full of talented individuals without opportunities to succeed. By creating jobs in those areas it prevents migration into the USA and the loss of culture. Preserving those trades at a good living wage is very important to us. Sourcing the best leathers is another ambition of ours. We want to be using the latest and most innovative leathers in the world, on the cutting edge of the material as it develops. We want to work hard on being at the vanguard of style and sustainability in our sourcing. Model companies like Patagonia are very influential in the direction we want to take with our small family business and we are excited to make it a reality.

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