As we all know, a flashlight typically has at least a few fragile components. Therefore, often it is essential to take close care of your flashlight. That does not work for me because I treat my [...]]]>

Turn the light on...

Leatherman, known for their multi-tools, also produces an LED flashlight worth noting… the Serac S3.

As we all know, a flashlight typically has at least a few fragile components. Therefore, often it is essential to take close care of your flashlight. That does not work for me because I treat my flashlight just like any other piece of gear. And therefore, I was breaking a lot of flashlights. Thankfully, my Leatherman Serac S3 has held up very well to the many tests I’ve put it through, ie. hiking, boating, camping and road tripping.

The Serac S3 has three settings and can put out up to 100 Lumen on high. Granted, set that high a full battery will only last about an hour but, the high setting is great for signaling and other short uses. The medium setting pushes out 43 Lumen for four hours per battery and the low (normal) setting 7 Lumen for up to thirty-six hours. The low is plenty bright for most uses including map reading, hiking, setting up a tent, etc.

Also of note, the flashlight body is made of a hard-anodized aluminum, has a 10 year warranty and is resistant to humidity, corrosion and shock. Tough… as… hell.

Get the Leatherman Serac S3 Flashlight:
-at Cabela’s
-at Amazon

Every single [...]]]>

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.

First off, most of the downtown area and especially the “Arena District” is well organized, easy to navigate [...]]]>

Rivals...

Downtown Columbus, Ohio has a lot to offer for the guy who just loves to travel or the guy who is looking for a simple vacation with the big city feel but without the big city hassle.

First off, most of the downtown area and especially the “Arena District” is well organized, easy to navigate and densely populated with quality restaurants and bars. We ventured to Gordon Biersch Brewery, Frog Bear & Wild Boar Bar and Buca di Beppo’s. Of those three restaurants Buca di Beppo, a family Italian eatery, had the best food, Gordon Biersch Brewery had the best drinks and Frog Bear & Wild Boar Bar had the best atmosphere and was the perfect place to close out a night. All were quality establishments and are worth a visit.

The Arena District is so named for Nationwide Arena, home of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets have been in Columbus since 2000 and by the looks of it, they’ll make the playoffs this year for the first time in franchise history. Personally, I’m a Detroit Red Wings fan but, it’s always fun to catch a game in another city; especially if you can get tickets like we had… one row off the glass. Sitting that close you’ll better understand the speed and the grit that is the NHL. See the previous Black Rucksack article on the NHL experience and get tickets from StubHub!

More rivals...

Another feature in Columbus a few miles outside of downtown is the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium; one of the best zoos in the country. It’s a good place to relax and enjoy a sunny Spring afternoon. A zoo typically isn’t the place for a hardcore adventure (unless something escapes) but, a lot of the kids, girlfriends and wives you guys have will enjoy it.

This is just a taste of what downtown Columbus, Ohio offers… find a hotel and book it now!

Gordon Biersch Brewery – $$$
3.5 out of 5 Rucksacks
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Frog Bear & Wild Boar Bar – $$
4 out of 5 Rucksacks
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Buca di Beppo – $$$
4 out of 5 Rucksacks

My team is the Detroit Red Wings… they are electric skaters and an absolute blast to watch. And even [...]]]>

Up Close... On The Glass...

The rush of cool air… the sound of the boards rattling after a hard check… the blur of 10 players speeding down the ice… there aren’t many experiences like attending a National Hockey League (NHL) game.

My team is the Detroit Red Wings… they are electric skaters and an absolute blast to watch. And even though I’m a Wings fan, I still love the game of hockey more than I do any team. It is my Dad that instilled in me the importance of hockey; and how the sport has no room for the nervous.

One thing we at Black Rucksack suggest as an experience for every guy is an NHL game. While simply attending a game is a guaranteed good time, especially when the two teams are among the most exciting (like the Wings), there is more to this suggestion. To really get an understanding of the talent and speed in the game hockey, sit as near to the glass as you can. Catching a game three or four rows off the glass purifies the NHL experience.

To get good tickets, we suggest attending a game in pre-season or during the months of October or November; attendance is usually lower during those months.  Also, you may want to shoot for a weekday game as you’ll also have a better chance at getting good tickets.  StubHub.com is one of the most reputable sources to find tickets sold by other fans.

National Hockey League Game
$50 to $250 per ticket
StubHub.com

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‘ (  

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

The Waterman company [...]]]>

The Waterman Hemisphere

The Waterman Hemisphere pen is simple, elegant and contemporary.  It is the perfect pocket partner for day-to-day use and is a peerless projection of professionalism and confidence when signing large contracts.  We dare you not to look sophisticated when you use this pen.

The Waterman company has been producing pens since 1884 when it was established by Lewis Edson Waterman.  The Waterman I’ve owned have been very well crafted and high quality.  For the Hemisphere, I suggest a roller ball over a fountain pen.

You can find the Waterman Hemisphere starting at about $25 and run up to about $100 depending on the style one chooses.  If you’re new to the Waterman brand or the Hemisphere then we suggest starting with the Starlight or the standard stainless steel version.

Waterman Hemisphere Pen
$25 to $100