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Still one of the best backpacks I’ve used.
I first reviewed the Journeyman in May of 2021, and I followed up again in June of 2023 to tell you how it’s my favorite backpack. Now, I want to talk about how that same bag has aged, held up, and where it stands after much more use two years later.
The short version: the Filson Journeyman is a really great backpack, and I am a huge fan. I use this bag a ton and it’s not going to be sold any time soon.
A very long chat about my two styles of clothing, and some very good outfit options.
When you find the perfect hiking pants in the store, only to then see the internet disagrees.
Over the summer, my wife was on the search for a pair of hiking pants long enough for her legs. This search landed us at the Fjallraven store in Boulder, checking out their vast array of hiking pants. I was enamored with the pants, and started trying on pants myself — when the salesperson suggested that I try the Singi-X based on what it sounded like I wanted. I hadn’t read about this model at all, as other lines are far more popular than these (Vidda and Absiko), but after trying them on I was sold.
What’s wild about these is that they don’t review well online, and yet everyone working at the store told me that these were by far their favorite pants from the brand (it’s a very chatty store, I love it). These are more of a shoulder season pant — not quite warm enough in the dead of winter, and not the most breathable in the midst of summer heat, but any other time they strike a perfect balance.
The internet gets these pants wrong, as I’ve found they are fantastic — perhaps the best hiking pants I own. Certainly my favorites.
Some really great apps you can self-host and own your data and reliability with.
Surprisingly good knife, but it’s so long that it’s hard to carry with you.
I’ve had this knife for a while, having snagged it second hand (they are decently annoying to buy new, as they are in high demand). This is a small, and very lightweight, fixed blade knife — designed for processing game (such as birds and fish). It’s made to the same quality and standards of all Chris Reeve blades, and it’s completely unexpected when you have it in hand.
It’s likely to be a polarizing knife, so let’s dive in.
A great looking hiking style boot that you can comfortably wear all day in the city, and still jump on a trail with.
Note: this item was sent for review.
As I mentioned in my First Look of these boots, I was not sure what to expect when I received Meermin’s new Hiking Boots. Will these be nothing more than a fashion statement, not able to handle the grime that comes with being in the muck — or would they be more like an outdoor boot? In the end, they walk a fine line right in the middle of the two worlds. A well made, and good looking boot, with the everyday comfort of a sneaker, and the ability to step on a trail if the urge arises.
I’m a big fan of these boots, and they’ve become one of my most worn pair of boots since receiving them.
Great article, and I am a fan of cotton for the outdoors.
Cotton has been forgotten—even vilified—by the outdoor industry. Growing up, we all heard the phrase “Cotton Kills” in the outdoors, because it gets wet and stays wet, leaving you cold. But the more we questioned this adage, the less it made sense as an absolute truth. Yes, cotton can get wet and make you cold if it’s next to your skin, but it’s also extremely breathable, durable, and organic. Was there an opportunity to reimagine cotton’s utility as an outer shell—one that wasn’t noisy or plastic and didn’t break down after a few seasons?
Cotton is overlooked for outdoors use. Vollebak knows this among other forward thinking brands, including Amundsen. I have a pair of wool pants from Amundsen and they are frankly amazing. I hiked all summer in 100% cotton shirts from Vollebak, and had no regrets. In the winter we wear cotton Flannel shirts to stay warm, and we don’t seem to die. Filson knows this too.
There’s a time and place for plastic clothing, but more and more, I think the best place for it is wadded up in the bottom of a bag as an emergency item.
How to spend your money where it will have a big impact and avoid upgrading with little upside. Maybe.
This is easily the best shoulder bag I own, or have owned.
Note: this item was provided for review.
I have used, owned, and tested/reviewed loads of bags which fall into the general category of a ‘do it all day-to-day’ bag. Something large enough to take to the office, or to travel with, but also small enough you can generally take it anywhere with you. That’s a recipe which is ripe for compromise, and while I’ve liked a lot of the bags I have tried in this category, they tend to not stick very well over time — the compromises are almost always too great.
And then I got the Bleu de Chauffe Business Musette in khaki. If you read my preview of the bag then you likely can already guess how good I think this bag is. But it’s so good, that it made the Best List for 2024 as the best all around bag, and that was with only a couple weeks of use. Sometimes you know, and with this bag, I can tell you with certainty: nothing else in this class comes close.
It’s that good.
Filson sale continues with great gear adds.
Some excellent gear on sale at Filson, notable items which just made 2024’s Best List:
Happy shopping!
Best shit of 2024.
I have published my 2024 Best List for members, check it out here. If you don’t have a membership the past lists are free to view!
Here are the only items you actually need.
This week: the only things you need list.
