The Brooks Review

The Best — 2023

Mostly the same format as 2022, but a few notes before you dive in:

  1. There are some pretty substantial changes in some categories which was a real struggle. I had to take into account not only my experience/use of the gear but also general experience. Which means: if I bought it today brand new, would it still hold. In a lot of cases, this was a no, and thus the item tumbled off the list. Far too many brands have degraded in quality in one way or another, or outright changed items enough that what I like is a mere figment of my backpack closet.
  2. Not every category this year has a runner up, I wanted to focus on highlighting the best and that’s it. If I wrote a runner up, it’s because it was a really close call and if I waited another day to publish I might have flipped the order.
  3. Some categories have an ‘Honorable Mention’ this is because there was either a budget item that punched far above it’s weight, or I felt compelled to tell you how good it was, despite it not quite making the top spot(s).
  4. The only gear you need, really is the tl;dr version of the list. It’s a different format this year.
  5. There’s clothes this year! A lot of time (and money) was spent in my overhaul of my wardrobe. And while we are getting Everyday Wear back up and going, this list should get you started on better clothing.
  6. If you like these lists, spreading the word on the membership is the best way to support the site. Affiliate links have been tumultuous of late, and thus not really a reliable part for the financial support for this site.
Contents show

The Only Things You Need

This is may favorite list to write. It provides me with a really easy way to tell the very few of you who don’t want to put thought into stuff, what you should go out and buy. I also love how many people disagree with me on these, but I stand by it. I changed the format for this year, and removed the less expensive selections, this was done because I do not have enough experience with them any more to recommend those (i.e. I wasn’t buying and using many budget picks this last year).

Here you go, these are the only things you actually need:

Best of the Randoms

Each year there are some truly amazing things I find, but they don’t really fit categories I review often. I still feel they are the best, and want to point them out to you, so here they are:

  • Nerdwax Magic Drops: these are lens cleaning drops for glasses/sunglasses and they are game changers. Drops sound more annoying than a classic mist, but they are much better. With mist you end up over spraying where you don’t want spray, it drips, it gets everywhere, and it’s hard to control getting the right amount. With Magic Drops: one drop on the lens to clean and done. Really stellar stuff, and I am a big fan. (Their secretly nerdy gear is stellar too.)
  • GIR Spatulas: I’ve actually had these for a long time, but never really talked about them. It came up in the Discord and I was surprised by how many people readily agreed with me — these silicone spatulas are fantastic. Easy to clean, use, and hold up exceedingly well.
  • Bradford Knives Paring Knife in Magnacut: do you need a paring knife in Magnacut? That’s a question you ask if you don’t have one, because yes you do. This little paring knife is a stupid price compared to more standard ones, but man does it hold an exceptional edge. And the ergonomics and handling are perfection.
  • White’s Perry Boots: probably my favorite boots to wear. They are extremely comfortable for all day wear and walking. They look great, and the build quality from White’s is outstanding. Then, selling all that at sub-$300 — ridiculous value.
  • Observer Collection Papa Notebook/Passport Case: I wrote a bit about how silly this item is, and yet how much I love it. The leather quality is tremendous. The layout is really clever. And generally this is the best small notebook cover money can buy, I am convinced of that.
  • Happy Hacking Keyboard Hybrid Type-S: it is unreal how good of a keyboard this is. I am a full convert to this. The layout is very nice, the key feel is excellent, and it feels unpretentious in a way most new mechanical keyboards do not feel.

If you want more oddballs, or have a specific question/item: join the Discord.

Best Backpack Overall

I am going to kick off the year with backpacks because that’s what I am known for after all these years. It was a tumultuous year of backpacks for me (really the last two years combined), but I got older and wiser this year and I settled in quite quickly and upended my own world with this one. The best overall backpack needs to be a jack of all trades, something you can use in the office, on vacation, on a hike and everything else.

The Best: Filson’s Journeyman.

(My review, a follow up, and purchase here.)

It looks amazing, it can blend in well in the woods, at the bar, at the office, or any place you travel. It’s oddly comfortable, even though it certainly doesn’t look like it should be. It holds an awesome amount of gear, while lacking structure so that you can go a little lower profile when exploring a city with it.

Functionally, the front pocket is an excellent quick stash pocket for the bag. The primary downsides of this bag are:

  1. Picking which color you want, they are all so good.
  2. Accepting the price.

That’s it, it is one of two backpacks I keep available for use at any time. That’s it: ONE OF TWO. Amazing bag. I’ve always struggled with this question: “If you could only have one backpack, which would it be?” I can now tell you: Filson’s Journeyman in Dark Tan. That’s my backpack.

Best Backpack for EDC

For your everyday needs, be the office, the gym, the zoo, or whatever else life tosses your way.

The Best: Filson Journeyman.

(My review, a follow up, and purchase here.)

It would be hard for me to pick anything else. Go read my soliloquy in the ‘Best Backpack Overall’ section to find out why. This is effectively the only backpack I use for EDC. Why this over some of the other bags like the Mystery Ranch gear: style. I don’t think the tactical styling plays well generally in the United States currently. It used to be something anyone wore, but since events it’s felt a bit more loaded to carry — and it made me self conscious.

You gotta love what you carry, and I love the Journeyman.

A note on the vaunted GR1: I’ve gotten a bunch for questions about my waning praise for the GR1. So I’ll address that here. It’s an amazing bag, especially if you can snag a pre-2021 model. I cannot say anything with any factual knowledge, but the current slate of the GR bags don’t feel up to the standard. The Nylon looks and feels different — cheaper somehow. The repair work I have seen has been of the nature I would not expect from the brand and the price point. GORUCK seem not to be making the bag they used to make. If you buy an older bag, used, you should be fine — it’s a great bag. But the new stuff, I’m super skeptical on it. And honestly, some of the responses I got when sharing my concerns over repair with GORUCK, have left me even less enamored. Anyways, that’s part of the reason, the other part is the tactical aesthetic concerns I have which I noted above.

Best Backpack for Outdoors

This is the backpack you toss on when you are hiking, when you are leaving tech behind to go bathe amongst the trees, the actively I would love to get to do more.

Best: Kifaru’s Echo.

(Purchase here.)

The bag looks great, is among the best constructed backpacks I have owned, and functionally is fantastic. So fantastic I tried to make this an office bag, but it’s simply not setup for tech. There’s a few standout features for hiking: large external water bottle pockets, excellent zippers, quick stash pocket on the front, and an expandable gusset for when the sun unexpectedly makes you shed layers. The harness is incredibly comfortable even without the back panel in the bag, and it’s a delight to wear and use.

Runner Up (tie): Mystery Ranch’s ASAP and 2 Day Assault Pack. Both of these bags are simply fantastic and offer a lot of what the Echo offers, but in a package with an even better harness. They came in tied for second simply because I don’t think people are hiking with enough weight over enough miles for the better harness to be a huge value add, and they don’t offer the expansion and other nice touches the Echo has. That said, if you are one to carry camera gear, either of these might be better suited as they can handle more weight with ease. They are tied with each other simply because you need to pick the size of bag you want, both are fantastic.

Best Office Briefcase

I feel like this year was a never ending rotation of different briefcases for me. I alternated between a briefcase and a backpack for the office. And I also alternated between different briefcases throughout the year — it was exhausting. Ultimately, I settled on a briefcase, but certainly not before I spent an absurd amount of money finding a great one.

The Best: Filson’s 24hr Tin Cloth Briefcase.

(My review here, purchase here.)

I prefer this in Otter Green myself, but the Dark Tan, Cinder, and Dark Navy variants I tried this year were also all excellent options. The reason this bag is by far the best — without even a runner up — is because of how versatile it is.

It’s both stylistically versatile: it can go from the forest to the oak of the boardroom. But the bag also can accommodate a wide range of methods and types of gear you carry. I’ve had mine loaded out with pouches of gear inside of it, and with few pouches being used — it works just as well with both. It’s light, it’s floppy, it’s unassuming, and it holds way more than it looks like it can hold. There’s not many dressy offices left, so this bag can pull the spectrum of whatever ‘business casual’ means today, all the way back down to blue jeans and t-shirts.

This is a very simple bag, made from excellent materials, which is absurdly easy to use.

That I kept buying this bag in different colors, and all in the same year, should tell you all you need to know about how highly I think of this bag. As of this writing, it’s all I am taking to the office anymore. Meaning: it is so good, it also kicked my backpacks out of rotation.

Best Shoulder Bag / Purse / Sling

This would be the bag I use when I am not heading into the office. It’s the bag I need for my camera, or odds and ends which helps keep my kids and travel companions happy.

The Best: Hardgraft’s H Small Messenger

(My review here, purchase here.)

The only downside to this bag is the size. But it walks that really fine line staying just above what would be considered too small for most people (and be in true classic purse size), while also staying small enough that it feels rather trivial to bring with you. That’s an important balance as I often find that too large of a bag feels like a burden, an intrusion on my life, to bring everywhere with me — but that’s not the case here.

With a small med kit, a packable tote bag, a snack, and my Q2 — this bag is dialed in to perfection. I’ve taken this bag all over with me now and I am fully convinced of the utility it offers.

Runner up: Filson’s Medium Field Bag (review) remains a gem in the Filson lineup. I took the Small Carryon 240 variant of this bag all over Italy with me this summer, and the Medium Field Bag has been all around the US with me. The size is really nice, as it holds a ton, while the style helps tamp things down and keeps them feeling nice, but rugged. Had Hardgraft not produced the H Small Messenger this year, the Medium Field Bag would have won out handily. It’s a really close call, but if you want something a touch larger, than the Hardgraft, this is it. This will likely be the bag I keep taking on tourist travel with the kids. The primary downside here is the brass buckles which take a lot of adjustment to be able to use them easily.

Best Duffle Bags

I am super mad at myself for this one, but the ‘best’ here is actually a tie. I’ve been being asked to pick between these bags from readers all year long, and I literally cannot. Just when I think “oh yeah, this one is better” I switch to the other bag to test my theory, and we are right back to square one. The truth is: there’s no wrong choice between these two. But it’s also true that I’d rather someone pick between them for me, than for me to have to pick between them. So we get the rare tie here.

The Best (tie): Filson’s Small Rugged Twill Duffle and Filson’s 48hr Tin Cloth Duffle.

(My Small Duffle review, 48hr review. Purchase the Small Duffle here, or the 48hr here.)

I will now make brief statements on both, and will not be taking questions at this time.

Small Rugged Twill Duffle: there’s something about the shape of this bag coupled with the Rugged Twill which makes it exceptional to use, despite the outward simplicity of the design itself. Yes, the straps and the handles are excellent. It’s more than that though. The shape isn’t round or square, and this somehow makes it feel a little like Mary Poppins’ bag for how much gear you can get into it. I love the unnecessary weather flap over the zipper, it provides a touch of flare for what could otherwise be an overly simple looking bag. The size is also perfect for me when packing for 4-5 days at the upper end. My only complaint (aside from the price) is that the zipper opening can be tight, especially as the bag fills up more, and thus it can be a tight squeeze if you pack with multiple larger packing cubes. It’s best to pack everything loose in the bag, and live carefree. Oh, and it looks tremendous. It doesn’t carry as well as the 48hr, but it does carry more than the 48hr.

48hr Tin Cloth Duffle: nearly a polar opposite, this very rectangular bag with two large (and I mean large) front rectangular pockets holds only as much as you visually think it would hold. The name rings true, this bag packs out well for 2-3 days of travel. It sits upright on its own perfectly, and is a gem to access gear in and out of while you are next to the bag (for those who dislike unpacking at destinations). The larger compartment has a zipper which opens wide and can swallow up any packing cubes you can fit. It carries extremely well as it orients a little closer in to the body. The primary downside: the two larger front pockets account for a lot of the bag capacity, and can be tricky to fully utilize with clothing alone. Where this bag shines is if you want to travel with only this bag, it makes that much easier than the small duffle, as the two front pockets can be easily utilized to quickly access gear.

Best Pouches

I have a love hate relationship with pouches. I love to buy them, and I even love the utopian vision of how one might use them. But I generally hate using pouches in practice, as most of them are a huge disappointment over time. That is, until I found the best ones on the market…

The Best: Hardgraft’s Content Cable Case (sizes: Medium & Small)

(My review here, purchase here.)

These are easily the best pouches on the market. Supremely well designed, and are ideally sized to fit in most bags while also actually fitting normal people’s shit in them. They are luxurious feeling too, both on the inside and outside. What makes these pouches so damned great is that they are agnostic about what and how you store gear in them. There’s no elastic loops which don’t fit most of the shit you actually carry. There’s no overly specific pockets which are either too small or too large for what you want to put in them. They have a couple open top pockets, and a big open space. They don’t open enough to spill things out, but they open enough that you can get at everything. They aren’t padded enough that they waste space, but they are padded enough to remove most of your worries.

Everyone I’ve sent to one of these pouches, has confirmed what I already knew: these are the best pouches. Each time I interact with them, I get happy. The Canvas faced Xpac is a killer fabric and the zippers are smooth as butter. Buy the medium if you want less depth for your bag, or the small if you are carrying a shorter bag and want to keep the pouch more compact. I have both, I use both, they are the best.

Best Flashlight Overall

If you are only going to buy one, you are more likely than not, going to want this to be versatile enough to cover every base. For most product categories, there are no real solutions. For flashlights there is. This needs to be bright, easy to use, durable, and still fit in your pocket. Something you never really think about, and yet it always works.

The Best: HDS Rotary w/ 519a NA52 emitter, and an 18350 battery tube.

(My review here, purchase here.)

Technically, there are 18350 battery tubes out there for sale, but practically you are unlikely to find one for sale. There was a very small run of them made. Luckily, all it gets you is a longer run time, and I’ve yet to run out of battery with the standard 16340 tube, so we can call that part of the pick optional. (In other words, get the CR123/16340 tube if you are buying direct.)

HDS is now selling this light with the 519a emitter, in the NA52 custom build variant — that is the one you want. That’s the only one you want.

This light is nearly indestructible, it has a superb low, and the type of interface that anyone can intuitively use: click to turn it on, twist to adjust the brightness. It’s easier to use than a Tesla glovebox. All of that on top of an excellent output, something small enough to carry in your pocket, but large enough to comfortably hold for long periods of time. You can hand this light to anyone, it’ll be fine, a toddler is more likely to break something with this light, than they are to break the light. There’s even a few tricks up its sleeves for more advanced users.

I have one HDS Rotary per person in my house, with a couple extras just in case. This is by far the best overal/all-around light you can own. That’s the single reason I have so many: it’s the best, and I own the best.

Best EDC Flashlight

You could EDC your HDS and be perfectly happy, I do this often during the week, but here at The Brooks Review I am all about making sure we have the best in each category. And if I am asking myself what the best light is for EDC, well it’s not the HDS Rotary — that’s a great EDC light, but not the best.

The Best: Laulima’s Ion Slim with the Dual Voltage driver.

(My review here, purchase here.)

Theres three aspects to a good EDC light: pocket carry, ease of use, and overall light utility. When you look at these, the Ion Slim nails them so well. The body shape and design is very easy and confident to hold in hand while activating the light quickly and easily. The forward clicky switch is trivial to use with one hand. The versatility of the batteries, both 14500 and AA being able to be used, mean that you are unlikely to run into an issue where you cannot get a battery and keep going anywhere in the world. The clip is stellar, and it has a clip. The weight with the Aluminum models is well balanced and easy to carry, giving you a light large enough to comfortably hold in your hand for longer stretches of time, while also helping it disappear in your pocket.

All of that means that you can carry this light easily in your pocket, quickly access it and turn it on, and be provided with a very useful beam. This light nails on all of these aspects. And then to top it all of, it has some of the best machining out there and looks stellar. Easily the best EDC light on the market today.

Best Tiny Flashlight

I know there is a larger portion of flashlight buyers who want the smallest possible light, which is still really good. They value pocket space, and a flashlight thus needs to remain quite small. In this category, there is tradeoff on top of tradeoff, as finding the best is a murky process at, erm, best. For those who don’t worry about pocket clutter, you can justify such a purchase as being good for your suit, or tuxedo flashlight, keeping your outfit lines clean and free from flashlight lumps. This light needs to be one handed useable, bright, and look sexy as hell. It should be able to securely clip, since small things tend to spill out of poorly designed pockets.

Best: Laulima Hoku Clicky in Aluminum.

(My review here, purchase here.)

This light is new for this year, and takes the well loved Hoku (a twisty activated light), and adds the practical tail switch to it. I picked this light up right away (I was in Italy and had to have a friend buy it for me, now that’s a good friend), and it is unreal to carry in a way where I legitimately wonder sometimes if it will eventually be my most carried light. It’s so lightweight that you forget it’s in your pocket, while at the same time outputting a tremendous amount of light when you activate it. The clip remains stellar as well as are most of Laulima’s clips. The only reason this cannot unseat the Ion Slim as the top EDC light overall, is because it has a limited run time with the 10440 cell size, and disappointingly uses a reverse clicky switch instead of the more gentlemanly forward clicky design. I really hope that there’s some capacity advances with 10440 cells, but even with that limitation this light is tremendous.

All in all, the machining and craftsmanship is sublime, and this light is a force to be reckoned with in the market. And it is my best looking light, and a near perfect size and weight in the pocket.

Best Outdoors Flashlight

What makes a good outdoor light is different than most categories of flashlights. This light, is the light you toss in your backpack, or pocket, when you go on a hike or camping. It should have good power, good durability, and be bright. But more than that, it should be easy to use, and give you the confidence that it’ll perform. It shouldn’t be overbearing with weight, but the runtime and durability cannot be sacrificed.

Best: Malkoff’s MDC with 14500 body.

(My review of the CR123 model, purchase here.)

The sizing, build quality, and overall performance of this light is tremendous. When I go out and ruck in the dark early morning hours, the light I take is the Bodyguard variant of this light — it is always going to perform and I never doubt it, while still being light enough not to bog down my pockets. When I know I am going to crawl around in the attic, or do some hard working gross tasks, the standard L-M-H variant is in my pocket, ready to work. I know it will survive it all. I thought the 14500 variant would not be as good as the CR123/16340 variant, but I was wrong. The 14500 is only slightly longer, while giving you more runtime from the light, and a better area for holding on to the light. It also makes the clip better. The clip here is nothing to write home about, but it is secure and robust.

Whether you are buying the SST-20 variant sold on the storefront (warm/neutral tint please), or a group buy with a 519a (that’s mine), this light is stellar. A little quirky, but it’s quickly become the light I rely on for these outdoor type of tasks. It’s an easy best pick for me here and when I don’t know what light to grab, this is the light I grab.

Best Watch Overall

It was a weird year for watches. After a solid two plus years of rabid watch fever, this year I watched (pun!) the market cool down and hot ticket watches become more available (still not easy, but possible). This is good for everyone, except maybe Omega who never had stock demand issues even during the pandemic. Anyways, an overall best watch needs to be a single watch. In watch circles, this is the one watch collection. The only one a person would ever need. The watch you could wear everyday for literally anything. It’s an easy pick.

The best: Rolex Datejust.

(My review here.)

My recommended selection is: 36mm, fluted bezel, jubilee bracelet, stainless steel, black dial, stick indices. You can go larger if your wrist is above the seven and quarter inch mark, otherwise trust me on sticking with the smaller case. Not only is this watch a classic, but it’s really all anyone needs.

It dressy enough to work with everything, and sporty enough to wear with your swim trunks at the beach. You’ll essentially never need to take if off if you don’t want to — assuming you are not scuba diving. The accuracy of a Rolex is impressive when you start to look at all the other mechanicals out there — even if on paper it might not seem that impressive, in practice they under promise and over deliver. This is an easy wearing watch, with a lot of subtle pop, but not being to over the top.

In a lot of ways it is among the most iconic of Rolex models, and most copied watch designs out there (obviously the Submariner is right there with it). And perhaps it is because of that, it flies a little more under the radar than other Rolex models. Either way, if I were to be forced to a single watch, this would be that watch.

Best EDC Watch

What makes for a good EDC watch? It’s the perfect watch to wear with jeans, the watch that has no fuss and still tells time. It doesn’t draw attention to itself, and is instead a tool. The entire genre of EDC is just that: tools. My pick here is unlikely to be the pick you see among other watch enthusiasts.

The Best: Weiss Standard Issue Field Watch 38mm.

(My review here, purchase here.)

The only problem with this watch is that I did not get this watch sooner. I will limit myself on the reasons why this watch is ideal for EDC. This is a well made, durable, legible, and thin watch. It’ll drop under the cuff of almost any shirt (including a sweatshirt) and stay out of the way no matter what you are doing. It’s manual wind, fewer moving parts, so no matter what you are doing this watch will be fine. It’s made to be in the field and to deal with the outdoors, but it will look plenty sharp for a date, an interview, or drinks at the bar. It doesn’t call attention to itself, but other enthusiasts will know it, and respect it. Yeah, it’s fantastic.

A lot of people like Field Watches as a style for EDC, as they strike the right balance of looks, bulk, and utility. The Weiss iteration in 38mm hand wind has seemingly perfected the field watch. It’s the best EDC watch out there.

Best Office Watch

A perfect office watch doesn’t draw too much attention; it’s classy but not flashy; it is versatile stylistically, and in the utility; and it can work with a suit and on down. That’s the perfect office watch. It needs to run a little more dressy, a little more serious — it shouldn’t look like your inspiration came from the last Marvel movie released, it should look like something expected. But if you’re reading this, it should also be the best.

The Best: Grand Seiko SBGM221.

(My review here.)

This is among my favorite watches, and absolutely the watch I wear to the office the most. It looks tremendously good on the OEM alligator strap, and sublime on the Veblenist smooth leather strap I often wear it on. Others dress it down with lighter suedes. No matter what you do, the cream dial is subtle and perfect. It’s shiny, but not overwhelming. The true GMT means you can use it when you hop from one office to the other office. Or to track coworkers around the globe. It excels at the understated elegance you should aim for in the office. When everyone else is running around in an Apple Watch, glancing at how many likes their latest social got — people know that you are serious when you look at your wrist. And then they wonder “damn, that’s nice, what is that?”

Wear this with a suit, or with jeans and a button down — it blends in no matter what. And it does all of this without screaming ‘expensive watch’ to everyone else in the room. Perfection.

Best Travel Watch

I will stand firm that a true travel watch is one which has a jumping local hour hand. Resetting the entire timing sequence of your watch is unnecessary, slow, and tedious. A jumping local hour hand, whether on a GMT or not (yes, they make these on non-GMT movements!), is the ideal for those moving through timezones. From there the watch needs to be accurate (not every country runs like Spirit Airlines), durable, ready for any task, and well heeled to wear with anything. Oh, and it shouldn’t be a Rolex — while some sites might have you think they are a perfect clandestine watch, a Rolex is far more likely to make you a target for theft than it will make you Sean Connery.

The best: Grand Seiko SBGE285 ‘Mistflake’.

(My review here.)

I am not sure where to start, so let’s start with the movement. Spring Drive, true GMT watch. You’ll never lose track of your home time, and quickly be able to flick the hour to the current local time. It’s dead on accurate — it’s more likely to be off because you were a touch lazy in setting it, than because of the lack of accuracy from the movement. Rolex and Omega blush at the accuracy of this watch. Or how about the case? It’s titanium and it weights next to nothing, with the EVO9 design perfectly turning down to your wrist to keep the watch comfortable and easy to wear. This case is specifically designed to have a low center of gravity to make it wear better, that’s something watch makers rarely talk about.

How about water resistance? Grand Seiko’s 100m rating states that you can dive with this, so long as you are doing so without a breathing apparatus — works for me.

How about the lume? It’s bright, and it is there to help you read your watch when you need to know if it’s time to get up or not. Or the dial? It’s subtle and from a distance looks like not much, but when you view it, it has hidden delight at every refraction of light. Then there’s the style, it’s elegant but sporty. It’s not yet-another-Rolex, no this is something else, something that most are unlikely to have seen.

And the polish on those hands and indexes is tremendous, giving you an easy to read watch without a lot of obvious visual contrast through colors. I mentioned titanium above, but you need to keep in mind just how light weight this watch is. I don’t know, this watch does the Explorer II better than the Explorer II could ever hope to do it.

God damn is this a fucking great watch.

Best Watch Straps

Most companies who sell watch straps fall into one of two categories: they want to sell a large quantity of generic stuff; or they are targeting the type of people who think that simply paying more will yield you the highest quality. There are only a handful of watch strap makers who are making extremely high quality products, with a very clear passion for catering to very persnickety watch lovers. Of those makers, there is one that is leaps and bounds better than the rest.

The best: Veblenist.

(My ‘review’ here.)

Between Veblenist and other companies it’s not even close. Why are Veblenist straps so good? It is absolutely because those behind the company are incredibly into what they do. Take this description of one of many brown leather straps they sell:

The rich brown hue of the Dark Cognac Shell Cordovan makes it a seamless match with watches of all types that have cream-colored dials. Fine American cordovan leather with a smooth texture and shiny finish makes it great for dress watches, but it can also add a discerning feel to field watches.

Most brands don’t bother to tell you what dial the strap might look good with, or how the finish and material might play with the overall watch style. Most brands don’t even seem to write specific descriptions for the different strap colors. Instead focusing on a particular model of strap — which is really insane when you think about it, as color and material are of equal importance when you buy a new strap.

These descriptions are not a one off either:

As with most sturdy canvas straps, the Lupo Grey doesn’t do dainty; this rugged selection wants to get out and explore the world with a diver, a GMT, or an active field watch. But note the strap’s cultivated coloring, a reserved hue that feels at ease with casual affairs, pairing well with cool blue dials and comfortable in almost any everyday setting.

I could read their copy all day. And then they add another little bit on the strap details: Feel. Here’s some of the descriptions they use for the feel of their straps:

  • Medium (Minimal Break-In Required)
  • Extra Soft (No Break-In Required)
  • Soft (No Break-In Required)

I loathe getting a watch strap in the mail only to find that it seems impossible to bend the strap around my wrist (ahem, Artem), but here Veblenist is trying to tell you exactly what to expect. And they are spot on — I have one in each of those feel ratings above, and I concur. Add to all this: the prices are very fair, and the quality is outstanding. By far the best watch straps you can buy.

Best EDC Pen

I didn’t write up most of the pens I tested so far this year, but there was a rotating buying spree happening with pens. This was mostly in the last third of the year, which is why I’ve not reviewed them yet.

The Best: Prometheus Alpha Executive Pen in Electroless Nickel.

(My review here.)

This pen seems to crush everything else out there that I try. It’s not the smallest, or even the best looking of the lot, but it nails everything else. It can take Montblanc refills, or (with an adapter) take Parker style — pick your pleasure. The cap screws on securely, but is quick and easy to remove. There’s nothing overly fussy about this pen. You can carry it however you want to, but if you like a good clip, this pen has the best pen clip I have encountered on any other pen and it’s not even close.

I know this pen beats out everything else, because each time I don’t want to think about which pen to carry, I instantly grab this one. I’ll keep testing others, but this is a very high bar. The one thing about how I think about EDC pens, is that they need to be good in the pocket, and I am not crazy enough to put a pen without a cap in my pocket.

There’s a lot of good twist/click/bolt pens out there, but they are not going in my pockets, and thus are not EDC considerations for me. That said, the honorable mention is amazing for those who EDC a pen without putting it in their pocket.

For those who do pocket cary, Prometheus Alpha Executive, all day long.

Honorable Mention: Tactile Turn Short Side Click Slim, Nitro edition. Specifically the Nitro here, as the cerakote on the pen body makes the already excellent Tactile Turn machining somehow feel even more excellent. It’s fantastic feeling and looking. The Short and Slim model will take Parker refills, and I stock mine with an OHTO Flash Dry. I use this pen a ton, but it stays planted in my Papa notebook — but it’s so good, I for sure have considering dropping it in my pocket before cooler heads prevail.

Best Overall Pocket Knife

In past years, I’ve had multiple knife categories for different types and classes. Not this year, this year I only have this category. The question is why? To start, there’s not been exciting enough knives being released which truly challenge anything and are thus worthy of another category. Second, I didn’t review much outside of this category, so I would be speaking out of my ass if I were to make up more categories. Here goes.

The Best: Tactile Knife Co. Bexar in Titanium.

(My review here.)

It was a close finish, but at the end of the day, I used this knife more than any other knife this year, and I was left for wanting nothing from it. I could pretend that I need one hand opening, or locking, but I don’t. This knife is as close to perfection as I have ever used in a knife. It has a nicely sized blade, a great handle, and it disappears in your pocket. On top of all of that, it has a lot of class. Whether from a design perspective, or from a non-knife person looking at it. It at once looks modern, with clear nods to history. My only ask would be for a variant a half inch shorter, because I think that could be killer.

Runner Up: Chris Reeve Small Sebenza 31. (Review here.) It’s close, as there’s a good argument to be made that a pocket knife needs to lock, and openable one handed, oh also it should have a pocket clip. If I didn’t work in an office, I bet I would like the Small Sebenza more than the Bexar by the same slight margin the Bexar beat the Small Sebenza out this year. But I do work in an office, I do go out in the world, and the reality is that the Bexar is easier to carry and not much lesser to use. The Small Sebenza is fantastic, it is the knife I take with me when I am bumming around the house or running errands. There’s nothing wrong with this knife, and it gets a lot very right. It’s just not the Bexar.

Best Everyday Pants

I really feel like covering some clothes this year, I double checked, and this is still my site — so clothes shall be covered. Let’s start with pants. The best everyday pants need to be lacking in fuss, able to be worn with a t-shirt, or to the office with a button down. They need to be at home during an impromptu nature walk, or an unexpected run in with someone you want to impress. They need to be easy, they need to be classic.

The Best: RRL Officer Chino in Olive.

(My review here.)

It’s not even close. I resisted these pants for so long, and that’s my only regret about them — that I didn’t buy them sooner. They are thick, but not too thick. They have classic lines, which should last through the next couple dozen fast fashion crazes and then some — they are cut in a way which works no matter the trends. They start to break down nicely, showing you some fray at the pockets and waist band, but not too much fray. Some lightening of color over time is welcomed and a nice reminder that synthetic pants lack character.

I wear these to the office, on the weekend with the kids — they are my standard pant now. They are easy, and they look great. I take them when I travel, and I toss them on when I don’t know what to wear. I have them in three colors, but Olive is the best of the lot.

Not even close, these are the best everyday pants.

Best Everyday Socks

You have to take care of your feet, always. Socks are one of the cheapest upgrades you can make to your wardrobe, which will also substantially improve your happiness. And no, I am not talking about wild-ass patterned goofy socks. I am talking about really quality socks. They need to be moisture wicking, have some solid padding, but not too much padding. They should be very well made, and they are for sure going to have a stupid price tag on them.

The Best: Rototo Hybrid Merino.

(Purchase here.)

I love Farm to Feet socks a lot, but I was wrong about them being the best. These Rototo socks (and honestly most of their offerings, but these are the best of the best) are next level socks. They are well made and incredibly comfortable. Just buy them, all of them, so very good.

The Hyrbid Merino strike a really nice balance where they are thick enough to wear with my boots, while being thin enough for loafers too. My only complaint here is that they don’t come in very many colors. But hey, they are clearly the best.

Best Everyday Shirt

Ok last clothing item we are going to cover (you can find more reviews on this from me here) is the best everyday shirt. And it is decidedly not a damned t-shirt. No, the best shirt is a proper shirt. Like the best everyday pants, this shirt should be at home no matter what you are doing or where you are wearing it. That’s a tough draw, but we can handle it. And look, I get it, you wear a t-shirt to the office and on dates and no one has ever said anything to you about it not being a good look. Well you can consider this me saying to you that it is not a good look. Anyways, on to the best.

The Best: Proper Cloth’s American Pima Oxford Cloth Button Down.

(Review here. Purchase here.)

First, this is a classically designed shirt, and for most men in America, it will cover everything short of maybe a court appearance — then again, you might still be better dressed than lawyers wearing this with a suit. Anyways, I digress, this shirt style is classic Ivy Style — perfection. Now the fabric, the American Pima is a perfect weight a great texture, and easy care. Wash it, dry it, wear it — good to go. Touch it up with a steamer, dresses it right up. The weave is perfect for this. The drape, stellar. I’ve worn these in Houston summers, and Seattle Winters. They hold up, and layer up well. They are not the lightest or most breathable, but damn are they good. I do not travel without one of these shirts — standard rule of mine now.

Last bit, buying from Proper Cloth means you are getting made to measure, so this shirt will fit you perfectly. A perfect fitting shirt is like magic: it feels fantastic, it makes you feel fantastic, and it’s that extra little unspoken touch that other people notice but can’t quite put their finger on. Yes, get this shirt, in blue melange to start.

Runner Up: Proper Cloth’s Stanton Navy Bengal Stripe. This is a close second, it’s not top because I think it requires a touch more care/fuss, maybe on order of single digit percentage more care, than the OCDB above. However, this shirt is damned great to wear. The navy Bengal Stripe goes with almost everything, and looks stellar. The Stanton fabric is smooth, classic, and thin for layering under a cashmere sweater, or for being breathable in heat. It wears so well, and of course is also made to measure. I wouldn’t blame you for liking this better, you probably should buy both come to think of it.

Best Wallets

I got to a point where I was angry about wallets. Why are they all so bad? Do people who make these wallets, actually use wallets? The thing about wallets is that you not only need to carry it with you, but other people will see your wallet, and you bet your ass they are going to judge you on that wallet. It’s great that you like what is effectively a nylon band marketed as minimal, but is that the image you want to portray on say a date? This is my issue with wallets. And then I found two wallets that snapped me right back to happiness. And it took most of the year to decide which of those two was actually the best. No fear though, I am confident this is the best wallet.

The Best: Observer Collection’s Whisky.

(Review here.)

For this wallet I was torn on whether I liked it when I got it, torn on whether it would have staying power when I reviewed it. Then I needed to carry a couple extra things so I switched back to it, and well I kept using it. It feels amazing, it looks really cool. It’s not trying to be too fancy, it’s like the fanciest it could be, while still offering tons of utility. And that’s the other thing, I’ve never met a wallet with the utility of this one. It can hold coins, cash, and cards. It could hold only cards. Maybe you want to carry some cash, a card, and an extra SD card? Maybe a spare key? This wallet can handle all of that and it does it with class.

The materials are amazing, this leather is outstanding. The touch of elastic shock cord and Xpac somehow doesn’t detract from the looks, but alludes to something more. It looks put together when you pull it out of your pocket, but it doesn’t look Costanza. It’s the perfect balance.

Dang, it’s a really good wallet, and it’s the best.

Best Brand

Each year I’ve found that a particular brand seems to really crush the year — maybe their products don’t get the Best billing in many/any categories, but damn does the brand crush it over the year on everything they offered. Sometimes it’s innovations, and other times it every release being something really great. Yet again, we have a clear winner.

The Best: Relwen.

(Reviews here.)

Prior to this year I referred to Relwen as “that wrinkly clothes brand” as they tend to have product shots of their clothing looking a wrinkled mess. After hearing some people in the Discord sing the praises of the gear Relwen put out, I gave it a try. And then I kept buying more and more from the brand. Not everything I have from Relwen is a runaway success, but nothing is below the above-average mark. All of it is quite good, and much of it is quite great. Some of it is my favorite clothing I own.

Their blazer cut is tremendously good, and the materials are stellar, then factor in the price you are even more impressed. Their Linen blazer I wore all summer, and the Flyweight Flex Blazer I travel with all over. The Heritage Trap, and the Dry Wax Blazer are two I’ve been wearing a ton in the colder weather. Even the Flyweight Flex Chinos and shorts replaced my Outlier pants. Yes, it’s all very good and I love this brand. Perhaps I can sum up why in bullet points:

  • There’s nothing fussy about any of the clothing they sell. It’s very easy to care for, and very easy to wear.
  • Everything they produce looks really good, and is along the lines of a relaxed Ivy Style, with a side of dressed up Americana work wear flair — something along those lines.
  • The pricing is not inexpensive, but it’s not even remotely expensive given the quality you get.
  • There’s a lot of hidden performance in the materials they choose, without things needing to strictly rely on nylon or merino wool to achieve it. Most of the clothing I have from them is cotton, but it’s smartly made and weighted to make the items feel as performant as anything else.

So yeah, give them a go. I think their chinos are a good place to start. They sell differing weights of those seasonally. Relwen, the best brand this year.

Best Online Shopping

I wanted to highlight the best web store I shop at, and I wanted to do so because it’s becoming rather rare to have a good experience shopping online (inclusive of Amazon). There is one store which consistently gets high marks from me, even if I don’t shop at it all the time.

The Best: Huckberry.

Not everything at Huckberry is universally good, but the selection is wide, and the pricing is solid enough. The collaborations and exclusives are quite good. Above all that, check out process is fast and easy, and the returns are equally easy. The shipping is solid, and all around buying from Huckberry is the best way to shop online.

Yeah, you like Amazon, but how can you know if what you are getting is authentic there? You can’t. With Huckberry you can. If the same item is sold directly from the manufacturer for the same price Huckberry sells it, I’ll buy from Huckberry.

And for that reason, they are the best online shopping this year.