A rugged jacket for adventuring...

You know that spring or summer rainstorm/monsoon/torrent that we all inevitably end up in at the most unexpected and inopportune time?   Say, when you need to fill the gas tank or just as you arrive at the campsite but haven’t yet setup?  ”Infrequent” may describe how often these scenarios occur, still, they happen. Good news… there is a jacket that you can rough up and will still keep your top half dry. The Craghoppers Bandero Jacket…

There is something you should know about the Craghoppers company before getting to the details of the Bandero Jacket.  Simply, they have a passion for gear.  For 45 years they’ve been producing quality outdoor gear in the United Kingdom, all started by a dream to summit Mt. Everest.  Craghoppers is a company based on a quintessential adventure and because of that, they succeed perfectly in creating worthy gear.

Craghoppers also works with Bear Grylls to create clothing specifically for the extreme conditions Bear will encounter.  While we don’t know for sure whether or not the Craghoppers Bandero Jacket was influenced by Bear, we are pretty sure it would qualify for one of his adventures.

The jacket itself is a thing of beauty… stylish, et al.  Even if Craghoppers didn’t already have a great reputation for creating quality gear, I would recommend this jacket solely on its reliability.  It’s comfortable and the fit is perfect. I am 5′ 10″ with broad shoulders and the large jacket fits like a glove.  All the pockets, flaps, zippers, seams and buttons are NOT flimsy like they can be on many other jackets.  This jacket keeps the bulk down but truly feels rugged.   A side benefit of the Craghoppers Bandero Jacket is that it could be worn in a variety of conditions: hiking, fishing, hunting, a night on the town, urban, rural, treasure hunting, fall, winter, spring and possibly even in the summer.

Specifications:
-23oz. (660g)
-Roll-away hood
-2 zipped hand pockets and inner pocket plus concealed map pocket
-Chin guard and waterproof storm flap
-AquaDry polyester fabric with water-repellent finish
-Lifetime Guarantee!

Bottom Line:
One of the best multi-use jackets at an absolutely great price.

Stand-up to the wind...

Editor’s Note: Welcome back to Black Rucksack! We took a hiatus and we’re back now; we’re moving on down the trail.

Attention adventurers!  Attention hikers!  Attention trail runners!  Attention bikers! Remember that hot, muggy summer day that suddenly turned into a cool (almost cold), muggy summer night?  Remember starting your dune climb in a blistering heat at the bottom and then upon arrival at an overlook for the ocean or a Great Lake, getting hit with a cool from-the-water wind?  Well, say goodbye to not having an easily packable piece of wind gear to protect from cool nights and lake or ocean breezes.  Meet the GoLite Dakota Wind Shirt…

This shirt has three stand-out features.  First off, this “GoLite” product really is lite; it’s only 4 ounces (103 grams) and packs down into its own (apple sized) pouch.  That makes it convenient for bringing along on any outdoor exploit or stowing in the car with other emergency gear.  Second, the stretch nylon side panels allow for maximum mobility; you’ll be able to climb, paddle and adventure with ease.  Third, the Dakota Wind Shirt’s fabric perfectly blends durability and breathability.  It’s tough enough to be worn through a trail ride spill and it won’t cause you to overheat even when you’re at 110%.  That is a rare combination, indeed.

Really, there is only one slight con to this jacket, and it’s based on a personal preference… the 3/4 zip should simply be a full zip.  A full zip would improve mobility and allow for quick, hassle-less on and off.  All in all though, we recommend this jacket.

Bottom Line:
Worthy of howling back at the wind!

Specifications:
-4 oz. (103 grams)
-3/4 Zip
-Recycled, anti-static fabric
-Stretch Nylon side panels for improved fit
-Self-stowing lower back pocket
-Reflective logos

Get the GoLite Dakota Wind Shirt:
-at Amazon.com

Shoe perfection? Close.

The Little Manistee River in northern Michigan serves as a gauntlet for any water shoe. This river has many different types of difficult to navigate riverbeds including: small and loose pebbles, soft sand, slippery clay and large boulders. The Teva Sunkosi 2 water shoe is made to conquer exactly these types of riverbed challenges.

Teva, Hebrew for nature, created an outsole for the Sunkosi 2 that is made of a durable, high friction rubber for much needed grip in the river. Teva refers to this rubber compound as “Spider Rubber”, rightfully so; the outsole is great in the water or on land.  Available in two colors, gunmetal and stone grey, and weighing in at only 10.6 ounces / 605 grams, a pair Sunkosi 2’s are comfortable and meant for freestyle canoeing or kayaking, whitewater rafting or a day of workin’ on the boat at the dock.

Teva Sunkosi 2 water shoes are built to perfection for a day on any river, including the Little Manistee.

Get the Teva Sunkosi 2 Water Shoe:
- at Amazon.com
- at REI.com

A stunning entry into the wallet world...

Verbosity has its time and its place. For instance, when I’m checking for hockey scores and highlights in the morning, I don’t want to read an entire article to get to marrow of the game. I want to keep verbosity out of that morning pleasantry. However, when I am roving for information on new gear or getting ready to purchase said gear, verbosity is welcome; thank you J. Peterman and Braithwaite Wallets, Inc.

Before you read the rest of this article on Braithwaite Wallets, take a moment to visit the Braithwaite Wallets, Inc. website… I’ll wait. … … The elegance of the site speaks to the elegance and creative eyes that influence every wallet design. The verbosity of the writing tells us that details are cared for. The design of the five wallets, Cypress, Orpheus, Raptured, The Sunrise and The Vagabond, is impeccable, flavorful and rich with fervor.

The Vagabond is described as being “designed for the man for whom wanderlust isn’t an affliction, but a choice.” Brilliant. If the name “The Vagabond” is enough to capture your attention then that description will sell you on the wallet without an iota more information. The Vagabond is large enough to hold a passport, currency (both plastic and paper) and even a Moleskine notebook. Its measurements are a hearty 7 1/8″ x 4 1/4″ and it’s made from dependable leather. Check our previous article on Moleskine notebooks entitled, Anything That Interests.

There is a true difference in the Braithwaite Wallet. Comparatively, many other wallets are shameful in design and aren’t nearly as durable. The Braithwaite style is unique and well-tailored while not being overzealous. The Vagabond is stunning. Trust us… your inner jacket pocket or your back pants pocket will thank you for filling it with a Braithwaite Wallet.

Stay dry... stay warm...

I’ve been in two violent thunderstorms while driving across Nebraska on Interstate 80 (I-80) between California and Michigan, the first was in February of 2007. Days earlier I installed new windshield wipers on my Escape, and of that I was thankful. During that storm, even though many cars and trucks pulled off the road, my Dad and I were able to keep heading toward California.

The second storm was in April of 2007 and of course, mid-storm one of those wipers decided to partially detach, leaving me looking through an opaque windshield. I immediately pulled over on the right side of the road and started to think, “do I have a poncho in here?”

The answer was no, I did not have a poncho. Thankfully, I had the next best thing, a Marmot jacket. And during the time it took to fix the wiper, I was kept remarkably dry. For spring 2009, Marmot has another weatherproof jacket… the Marmot Aegis Jacket.

This jacket is well-designed from top to bottom, from collar to zipper. The Marmot material known as MemBrain Strata serves as the main material for the jacket and is incredibly lightweight, breathable and of course, waterproof. Zippers on the jacket are water resistant and the seams are taped. In addition to that, there are useful pockets including hand warmer pockets and a sleeve pocket. The jacket also as a hood that rolls into the collar.

All in all, this is one good jacket. Buy one now and you’ll have it for the next decade.

Doc Martens… they’re like a vacation for your feet. I don’t consider Doc Martens the quintessential footwear but they do make a lot of choice gear. And one such piece of gear that is perfect for this summer season is their Robson Ringo Open Toe Sandal.

Every single pair of Docs I’ve owned have been durable beyond that of any other brand. These open toe sandals are no exception to that rule. The stitching is tough, the footbed is very comfortable and the fit is ideal.

A constant problem that I’ve had with sandals is that they are unwearable for an entire day, especially if there was a lot walking or hiking to do. On the rock, these sandals perform better than expected. On sand, cement and underwater they perform well enough to be worn every day.

I have a water dog (1/2 Labrador Retriever, 1/2 Rhodesian Ridgeback) and these shoes are perfect for taking her into the nearby Bear Lake for a swim.

Ducati is a prominent brand of high performance motorcycles and likewise, they hock quality apparel and gear. As an Italian manufacturer typically associated with racing bikes, they’ve also achieved notoriety for their sport/street bikes.

The Ducati Meccanica Hooded Sweatshirt is one of the many faultless ways to show your affinity for the brand. It’s one of the nine items in the Meccanica apparel line and is embroidered with the Ducati logo and  Ducati Meccanica in writing.

The sweatshirt is stylish and the perfect weight for an outside layer in cool and warm weather or an insider layer in cold weather.

You can find this hooded sweatshirt and the rest of the Ducati offered gear at the Ducati website.  And if you have time, be sure to check out the bikes too… not just the apparel.

Ducati Meccanica Hooded Sweatshirt
$114

Rugged... resilient...

The Filson company has a long, reputable history among “hunters and fishermen, engineers and explorers, mariners and miners” alike. Their gear is well-known as being among the toughest gear for the outdoorsman; the Filson Shelter Cloth Packer Coat is no exception.

This coat has several features that make it ideal for most day-to-day outdoor work and travel. It is made of a ’shelter cloth’ which is named after military shelter tents due to its durability. The oil finish and is paraffin treated to aid in repelling water. There are pockets-a-plenty on this jacket as well; perfect for tools, knives, or any impromptu item you may need to carry.

Critical to any jackets performance is its hardware. The zipper, grommets and snaps on this coat are damn high quality and will themselves last longer than the coat. With all of the above features and a moleskin-lined collar, this coat will always keep you well-protected and comfortable!

Filson Shelter Cloth Packer Coat
$275

Black hooded...

As we described in a previous article, Armani Exchange (A|X) is the trendy, accessible off-the-peg brand from Armani. A|X features stylish, branded gear such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans and jackets. One sweatshirt that is really emblematic of the uniqueness of A|X is the Zip Neck Hoody.

In jet black, the Zip Neck Hoody features a hood that folds easily into the collar. Although, you may find, like I did, that you like the hood out a whole lot better.

The sweatshirt is a medium weight and perfect for an outdoor rock concert in a Midwestern state during spring or fall.  Or, it’s good for that early fall tailgate and football game.

Armani Exchange Zip Neck Hoody
$115

Photo by: jpeterman.com

The first item I ever owned by The J. Peterman Company was a t-shirt. I didn’t know much about the brand… only that it was well regarded by a few friends of mine. A t-shirt seemed to me the perfect way to test that notion. I went with the aptly named Father of All T-Shirts and to this day it provides the best comfort and fit of any undershirt I own.

I opted for the original navy blue mostly due to the first sentence in the shirts description within the J. Peterman Owner’s Manual: “The T-shirt first appears on American radar just before WWI, when the U.S. Navy introduced it as an undershirt.” Navy blue just seemed to be the obvious choice. When the t-shirt finally arrived I threw it on and was immediately pleased with the fit. It’s perfect for guys with an average or athletic physique.

The writing in the J. Peterman Owner’s Manual is one of its differentiating and defining features. Often, you’ll be transported to another world in another time through the descriptions of their products. Take this bit:

“The idea seemed laughable to most people back in ancient 1964, but not to Swiss archaeologist Charles Bonnet.

He packed his steamer trunks, headed for Nubia in the Sudan, uncovered an entire culture including larger-than-life statues of the Black Pharaohs who once ruled Egypt up north.

The man is astute about where to dig; and he’s also astute (to get to the immediate point) about what to wear when he’s digging.”

Every single product is written about in such an evocative way. We at Black Rucksack suggest you first look over the J. Peterman website… take your time… read and enjoy the experience. Then, start looking for the few pieces of clothing or unique items from J. Peterman that will transform you.

The J. Peterman Company – Father of All T-Shirts
$29

Photo by: merchco-online.com

Pnatrul… sure, they spell it strange… but they can get away with it because they of the quality gear they hock. Worn by drummers, rockers and thrashers everywhere, Pnatrul is based in southern California. The Pnatrul logo is based on a crescent-shaped pendant worn by Navajo and other Native American tribes called a “naja”, the Navajo word for crescent. The brand also casts themselves as “eco-friendly”.

They carry a range of t-shirts, hoodies and other gear. The shirt we suggest is the most unique in their online store… the Blizzard.

Pnatrul Blizzard
$66

Unique, bold and stylish.

Editor’s Note: This is Black Rucksack post 10. We’ve brought you a diverse set of gear thus far and we have a lot more lined up! Onward and upward…

While Armani is best known for their made-to-measure designer suits, they also dabble in prêt-à-porter. The brand ‘Armani Exchange‘ (A|X) is their answer for getting men into branded, off-the-peg t-shirts, polos, jeans and jackets.

The A|X logo’d gear is undeniably choice. The style of Armani is noticeable; it’ll attract (wanted) attention almost anywhere.

The Colorblock Track Jacket is an affordable, unique alternative to the generic track jackets seen on university campuses everywhere come Spring. This jacket will keep you warm and lookin’ relaxed.

Armani Exchange – Colorblock Track Jacket
$98

Photo by: cabelas.com

Adventure… a guy must have it. It may be the thrill of a hunt or perhaps just setting out on a drive or hike without a specific landing-place. Or maybe, it’s traveling around the world with a black rucksack and letting the locals in each new destination discovery guide you to the next. However you define it, you’ll need a shirt for it. For my adventuring, I choose the Cabela’s Serengeti Safari Shirt.

This shirt has five pockets, epaulets, features 6-ounce-per-square-yard 100% cotton canvas and is highly durable and comfortable. It’ll outlast your boots, your pants and probably a lot of your other gear.

As you button this shirt up you begin to transform… you become not just an adventurer but the adventurer… the man of many talents.

Along the road you may find your transformed-self becoming permanent… that’s perfect. That is what you wanted… the true adventurer to come through for a good, long time.

Perhaps a fedora is in order…?

Cabela’s Serengeti Safari Shirt
$32

Photo by: oakley.com

If you need a hooded jacket for heading downtown (or your next intelligence op) then reach for the Oakley Disestablishment Jacket.  Oakley gear is tough as nails and stylish; good for any high impact night you might have in mind.  Whether you’re walking into the club wearing this jacket or running out of it to meet a contact, you’ll be comfortable.

The hood is removable if need be and this jacket comes in three colors: New Olive, Black and New Khaki.  We here at the Black Rucksack would opt for the black Disestablishment Jacket over the new olive or new khaki.  After all, black is the only color in which one can stand out or blend in.  This jacket runs for $125.00 and is found online and at brick and mortar stores that carry Oakley apparel.

Oakley Disestablishment Jacket
$125

Photo By: stormykromer.com

All of us here at the Black Rucksack are experienced travelers. One thing that every traveler and more specifically every hiker knows is that when the weather changes, the gear you carry needs to still be suitable. A Fall day in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula can easily start in the 70’s and end up in the 20’s. For those days we have the perfect solution for your head: The Stormy Kromer.

I can’t even count the number of times that I have pulled down the flaps on my Kromer. Yes, a few times it may have been just for the impression it gives at a local bar, but in most cases I’ve wanted to keep my ears from freezing! I also have to thank my brother, D. W., for giving me one of these hats as a gift.  It has certainly served it purpose!  Keep in mind, that the Stormy Kromer is not just a baseball cap, it’s a legend. On a cold morning in 1903 the warmth of ear flaps and the functionality of a baseball cap combined to give us the perfect hat to handle the fluctuations of nature.

The creativity, focus on fit and quality craftsmanship behind this hat are well-known to hunters and woodsmen alike. One thing is for sure, if you’re out catching some big Brook Trout and the wind picks up… you’ll be happy we told you about the Stormy Kromer.

Stormy Kromer Cap
$30