Author: Ben Brooks

I don’t talk about cars too often here, but I love cars. I love to drive, and I love everything silly about cars. I had hoped that when I leased my last car (2019 BMW 540i) by the time I would get my next car, EVs would be viable. They were not, at least not for me, and I think not for many people — they are certainly at a turning point, perhaps next cycle.

So instead of an EV I got one of the most non-EV cars out there: a 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71 with 6.2L V8. Yeah.

Thing is, this is one of my favorite cars I have ever owned, and I want to share with you why.

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Note: Mystery Ranch provided this backpack for review.

I’ve had the Blitz 30 for quite some time now, and I’ve used it in a wide variety of scenarios. It’s a bag which really surprised me for how versatile it can be. While this is a new offering it is along the same lines of the popular 2 Day Assault — which means it has many of the lessons Mystery Ranch has learned in all its various military bags, but distilled into a more affordable offering for those not going to literal war zones.

I really like a lot of things about this bag, but there are nuances and caveats here. Like the 2 Day Assault, you’ll need to first be good with the military vibes, but if you are, then you are left with a really nice bag and one which more easily spans a wide gambit of use than the 2 Day Assault.

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It’s no secret I love Filson gear, I’ve been buying and reviewing their stuff for years now. Current Filson gear has two lines these days, and one of those lines is the Dryden lineup of bags/accessories. These are Filson designs made overseas, and primarily with Nylon materials and only small touches of the classic Filson materials.

They are less expensive, but in the same way the the entry level Porsche is less expensive — factually correct, practically not worth being the reason alone to purchase. Here, I have been testing a Filson Dryden Backpack which I picked up in great condition second hand.

I’m torn on this bag. It’s quite good, even very nice in many ways, and yet at the same time it is not at all for me. This is a quick look as I didn’t spend extended time with this bag, but publishing because it is worth considering for some.

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I had an older Preon (P2) for years, and it was one of those lights that I never really loved, never really hated, but always found useful. I snagged the current Preon P1 mkIII in HAIII Black to check out with the goal of trying to find something which walks a fine line: small, tail switch, and nice to carry. That’s not as easy to find as you might think, but this light might have perfected it.

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This is a special edition version of the Terrain 365 Caiman Slipjoint, done in partnership with the SPD part of Prometheus Design Werx, here’s the product page. I’ve always thought these were cool knives, and I snagged this knife second hand to try out.

The big thing about these knives is that the blade isn’t steel. It’s cobalt. And it, well the marketing is a lot, this is my first go with something like this. Let’s talk about it all.

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This is an amazing pouch — I don’t normally start reviews like that, but I feel like it needs to be said, since I’ve generally not loved a lot of the stuff Evergoods produces. But this pouch? This is my favorite pouch. I am not sure I can even accurately encapsulate why this pouch is so good, but I shall try.

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I’ve always hated wearing safety goggles, even when I worked out in the field doing construction-type-things — ugh.

Luckily my eyes had no major impact that I know of from lack of wearing safety glasses. However, a couple events recently led to me start taking safety goggles seriously, and to start wearing, using, and staging them in emergency gear.

Allow me to dive in…

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My last review of the famed Chris Reeve Small Sebenza was in 2013 and I reviewed the ‘21’ edition of the knife. In the intervening 9 years since I wrote that, well not a lot has changed, and yet if you ask enthusiasts a bunch has changed about the Small Sebenza with the introduction of the 31.

Over those years, though, I kept giving the Small Sebenza different top spots on my best lists, and many rightfully have been asking for me to update my article on the knife — it’s been a while. Luckily I still have that same Small Sebenza 21, and a couple years ago I nabbed a Small Sebenza 31 as well. Let’s talk about the absolute best all around pocket knife money can buy, shall we? We shall.

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I saw this brand advertised all over my feeds, and the bag looks to have a lot of neat little touches — so I said screw it and ordered this small 17L backpack. To be honest, I didn’t really read much of the description about it, I thought it looked cool, might make for a neat daypack, and hit order.

I have mixed feelings, and I have only used this bag a little (but doubt I will use it more), so this is more of a quick look than in-depth review.

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Of the more iconic duffle bags on the market, Filson is probably the most prominent with the Rugged Twill Duffle Bag line up (three sizes). Once you note the design details on this bag, you’ll see it all over media and generally everywhere. Being a bag nut, I’ve always wanted one, and my wife surprised me with this Small Rugged Twill Duffle Bag in Otter Green over the holidays.

It’s fantastic.

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