Skip to main content

evrgrn: Savor Summer

It used to be that outdoor gear was built for the crazy climbers heading to Everest base camp, dirtbags camping along thru hiking trails, and general adrenaline junkies living out of the their vans. However, not all of us need that 800-fill zero degree mummy bag that is designed to stand up to typhoon force winds and a dozen inches of rain. Casual car campers and urban adventurers often have to settle for gear that is over built – and over priced. What’s worse, that ultralight backpacking stove or high tech GORE-TEX shell often looks like you’re preparing for an arctic expedition rather than just loading up your tent and dogs for a weekend at the lake.

With that in mind, industry titan REI pulled together a group of style conscious designers to get a new pulse on the outdoors. The result? The evrgrn collection. Gone are the days when vintage styling is dismissed as “hipster” or for the “extreme picnicking” set. If we had to describe the entire collection in one sentence, it’s, “we can get enough of it.” From the portable picnic table ($70) to the Downtime Hammock ($130) this casual camping line up is home where ever your weekend takes you, so long you get outside. So head out and savor the last few weeks of summer. You’ve earned it.

Backpack Cooler $75

With the ability to haul twenty-four of your favorite beers in a waterproof insert, this little pack will quickly become your go to accessory for the last few warm saturday afternoons of the year, to tailgating during football season. It’s got an integrated sleeve for the picnic table and can also haul the waterproof, abrasion resistant Center Stage Rug along for the ride, building a formidable package to take advantage of everything from city parks to off trail hikes.

Crash Sack $119

Outfit your lady friend with this warm sleeping bag on your next weekend outing and you won’t regret it. The sleeping bag bottom zips open and clips up, turning it into a full length puffy coat for around camp. Midnight trips to the bathroom and early morning coffee missions just got a whole lot easier. It’s rated to forty-five degrees, so you won’t be hauling it into the Rockies in the winter, but since it weighs in under three pounds, you won’t have an excuse not to bring it along for any warm weather adventure.

Austin Parker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Austin Parker is a former contributor at The Manual Parker is a powder skier and sport climber and is no stranger hauling…
The 12 best Connecticut cigars I’ve tried and tested in 2024
Best Connecticut cigars up close and personal

Connecticut cigars are the clear winner for smoking on a hot summer day, in the morning with some coffee, or when you just don't want a swift kick in the teeth (of pepper). There's no shortage of options, either. Connecticut shade wrappers are one of the most prevalent in the world of cigars, and it's certainly the most common natural shade. Maduro is also popular, but the two wrapper types couldn't be any more different. Connecticut wrappers, and by proxy Connecticut cigars, are typically mild to medium in strength and brimming with creamy, smooth flavors. They're composed of tobacco leaves grown in the Connecticut River Valley in the United States -- which is where the name Connecticut comes from. Consistent and flavorful, some of the best beginner-friendly cigars are Connecticut-wrapped, but you should never sell them short. A Connecticut shade cigar can be just as refined, elegant, and premium as any other. If you know where to look, you may even find some of your favorite blends in the category across a wide range of brands and cigar makers.

I'm about to take you on a magical, doughy, and delicious trek through the broad range of Connecticut cigars. In short, here are the best Connecticut cigars tried and tested by a genuine enthusiast of the craft: yours truly.
The best Connecticut cigars I've tried and tested
While the Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper is considered a Connecticut shade, I did my best to steer clear of recommending them for this list. They're better classified as a Maduro shade or darker cigar. That doesn't mean you should avoid them, quite the contrary. But for this list, I wanted to stick to smooth, relaxing smokes that are strong on flavor but not quite so strong on pepper and spice. I also tried not to choose a lot of repeats. If you see your favorite cigar missing, that might be because it was recommended on another list or it just didn't make the cut. If you have any recommendations of your own, I'm always available through social media or email. Without further ado, let's get this thing started.
Aganorsa Leaf Connecticut

Read more
This is when the Hulu, ESPN+, Disney+ password sharing crackdown starts
The Disney Plus sign-up menu is displayed

The era of password sharing is slowly but surely coming to an end. Netflix has already begun cracking down on people sharing passwords across households, and now, other streaming services are following suit. Before 2024 is over, Disney Plus password sharing will be a thing of the past.

Disney's streaming services are now preparing to crack down on those who are sharing passwords, and the consequences for doing so could be severe. Users across Hulu, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus will be warned about password sharing, and if they don't Disney CEO Bob Iger even laid out a timeline for when the crackdown will start, although he didn't get into too many specifics.
Bob Iger says Disney will start its password-sharing crackdown over the summer

Read more
Reacher season 3: Everything we know so far
Get up to date on Reacher season 3!
Alan Ritchson in Reacher.

The era of Jack Ryan may be over, but Reacher is carrying on as one of the best shows on Amazon Prime Video. This action thriller is based upon Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels, which previously featured Tom Cruise in the leading role of two different movies. But for Prime Video, Alan Ritchson has stepped into the role of Jack Reacher, a former member of the United States Army Military Police Corps who drifts from town to town and takes justice into his own hands when the local law enforcement isn't enough.

Prime Video didn't waste any time before renewing Reacher for a third season last year. And while new episodes are still several months away, we're sharing everything we know about Reacher season 3.
Which Reacher novel will season 3 be based on?

Read more