Happy 4th of July Roundup: Vasque, Ambler, Triple Aught Design, and Facial Hair
Trek Tech founder, editor, and redneck impersonator Billy Brown. Photo by Rosetta Borgic
Hey folks, it’s been a while, so I thought I’d poke in and say a proper “how do” to both of our favorite readers. You know who you are.
While I’m here, I thought it’d be to show y’all how to celebrate in style. Here are a couple of the best pieces I’ve used this summer, as seen above. Yeah, that’s a hot dog with pork rinds in it. I couldn’t find bacon.
Ambler Treeline Mesh Hat $34 amblermw.com, available March 2013
No actual outdoor function, just a sweet cap from a notable lid merchant. You can have one next year.
Vasque Taku GTX $170, 2lb, 8oz., vasque.com
A beefed-up version of Vasque’s Wasatch hiker, the Taku GTX hiking boot sports a tough all-leather exterior and the Vibram Day Hiker outsole, which sports a high-cushion midsole and semi-aggressive lugs to keep the weight down. These have stuck by me through a good portion of my slot canyoneering adventures in the Grand Canyon, and the combination of support and flexibility were a huge relief to my tired feet. Even though it’s touted as a dayhiker, it worked well on the multi-day trip, providing stability when walking over talus fields and effectively absorbing the weight of my 50-pound pack during the 12-hour hikes. And that leather upper? It fended off branches and thorns that penetrated my shins like they were made of jello. This beast came out of my leg a month after the trip. Foul.
I know. It’s gross. Sorry.
Triple Aught Design Force 10 Cargo Short $79, tripleaughtdesign.com
These are pretty much the best shorts you can get for hardcore hiking and general everyday use. They’re made up of super-tough NYCO ripstop fabric, which is soft against the skin, but tough as heck. The reinforced nylon/cotton blend is thick and durable enough to slide down a rock face without exposing your butt to any of the hikers behind you, and the double and triple stitching will keep it all together. I’ve taken these guys up and down trails all over Cali, and they’ve been tougher than some of my hiking partners. The one downside: all that beefy material takes a while to dry if you get it wet.
But here’s the kicker for me: The two welt pockets on the thighs and the D-rings below the belt loops give me a place for the two things that I always carry in the summer: my iPhone and my stunna shades. The welt pockets fit iPhones with no unsightly bulging and the D-ring is perfect for hanging a pair of sunnies when you walk inside. Because only d-bags and blind people wear their shades indoors. You heard me. Force 10′s help you avoid being a d-bag. You’re welcome.
The cell phone goes all the way in the pocket, BTW. It’s only out for display.
The Fu Manchu (aka “The Fuma”) Priceless, artofmanliness.com
Great for making people avoid eye contact.
Now grow your ‘stache and get a pork rind hot dog of your own! Happy Fourth of July!
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Tags: ambler, force 10 cargo shorts, fun stuff, headwear, shorts, taku gtx, treeline, triple aught design, vasque
Author: Billy Brown
July 4th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
Oh dear, I miss my Havasu friends
This made me laugh! Happy 4th!
July 4th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
I think that the Fuma might have to be a recurring character on Trek Tech from here on out.
August 7th, 2012 at 5:22 am
you crack me up!
August 9th, 2012 at 6:21 am
You gonna pass the Fuma around, or just hog it yourself?!
August 13th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
You should see the Fuma after the Alaska trip. It’s on steroids, and it is hulking out.
December 15th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Omg. Love this. Especially the facial hair, lol.