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The Phone Case Gift Guide
For the Eternal Bachelor A cell phone is essentially a modern-day black book, right? This case will accordingly mark that bachelor’s phone. Just don’t let the girls see it. TAVIK Digits Little Black Book Phone Case, $34.95 at shop.tavik.com. For the Man Who Likes the Finer Things in Life At $230, this phone case isn’t […] -
Iron Man’s Acura NSX Roadster will be real
When we saw Robert Downy Jr. turn up to the Avengers movie premier in the spring of 2012 piloting an Acura NSX convertible, we were convinced it was a one-off stunt to promote Iron Man’s new supercar. Turns out, though, Acura was giving us a glimpse at a drop-top variant of its forthcoming hybrid supercar. […] -
Feel Good Friday- Shinola Kicks off Makers Monday
The Shinola brand sure has come a long way in a year. They went from ‘Who’s That?’ to superstars of the Made in America movement. We thank them for that (and their quality product) and were pleased to hear about their latest endeavor ‘Makers Monday’. Starting on Monday December 2nd, Shinola is encouraging all consumers […] -
Poc’s Newest Ski Goggles are the Epitome of Steez
Looking to gear up for slope season? Peep game on Poc’s latest line of snow goggles. Notice anything strange? That’s right – no frames, playboy! Know what that means? It means if you strap a pair of these suckers to your dome, you’ll have an an absolutely massive field of vision as you fly down […] -
Feel Good Friday- Cole Haan & Friends
With Black Friday just a week away, it’s time to get shopping for the season and nothing makes us feel better about letting those Benjamin’s fly than when there is a good cause and craftsmanship involved. Cole Haan partnered with up-and-coming fresh faces of today who are making good things happen to highlight what they are giving, […] -
Feel Good Friday – Kentucky for Kentucky
Attention every marketing firm in the United States, take notice of Kentucky. Now. Yeah, it’s been the shizzle for several years because all things Southern have been exploding in deep fried hipness as of late but KY has a little extra renegade up their overalls. Three friends, Kent Carmichael, Griffin Vanmeter and Whit Hiler came […] -
Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Volvo Truck Ads are kickin’
Dodge recently conscripted the infamous Ron Burgundy to pimp its Durango SUV. Since the hilarious set of ads started running back in October, Dodge has seen a more than 40-percent increase in Durango sales. This, to me, proves two things: 1. Americans are gullible idiots. And 2. Well-executed, celebrity-based vehicle ads can really pay off. […] -
Skip Songs, Not Class with DJ Scratch Academy
DJ’s…they’re everyone and everywhere these days (hey, Paris Hilton). But here is the good news – you don’t have to be a celebrity child to get in on the fun. You too can become the next Mark Ronson, Samantha Ronson, Connor Cruise, Steve Aoki (ok maybe having famous parents can help), at Scratch DJ Academy. […] -
Pack Less, Shred More with the Minimalist Snowboard Carry System
So it’s not quite ski season yet, and despite the fact that most resorts aren’t open at this point, there’s plenty of pre-season powder runs to be had in the backcountry right now. You’ve just got to be willing to trek out to find them. Getting some early turns in means that one way or […] -
KEF M500 Headphones
Forget about Dre. Beats are for people who care more about the brand names than sound quality. If you’re going to drop 300 bucks on a pair of headphones, we recommend you skip the overhyped swag-cans and spring for a set of hi-fi boomers that sound just as good as they look – like KEF’s […] -
The Manual’s Top Five Lifestyle Journals Right Now
The paper vs. digital argument is by now, a very tired one. But in the spirit of resurrecting pages, we are quite excited to find ourselves amidst the age of the journal. Unlike a magazine, this crop of specialist publications is predominantly produced on the finest paper, with staggeringly sharp photography and insightful and creatively […] -
Wander & Trade Launches (and offers us an enticement!)
With the whole ‘buy local’ craze sweeping the nation we forget it doesn’t just mean buying from your home town or even home country or continent. We appreciate anything that is well crafted no matter where it is from. But it is often hard to find such treasures, especially when we are glued to our […] -
Feel Good Friday- Bongo Bamboo Speaker
We at The Manual are always pleased to see people helping people. Otis & Eleanor is a great example. The company is comprised of a bevy of friends located in various cities around the world, who are always looking for products to travel with. They are also committed to finding things that are well built […] -
Skully P1 HUD Motorcycle Helmet
All you nerds out there counting down the days until the official release of Google Glass – take a break from your Dungeons & Dragons match and peep game on some headgear that doesn’t make you look like a dweeb. Introducing the Skully P1: a fully-functional motorcycle helmet that just so happens to have some […] -
Feel Good Friday- Movember!
Razors Up! Shave Cream Out! Start Shaving! Today is the first day of a month proudly dedicated to us MEN. And we don’t have to feel even the tad bit apologetic about celebrating everything awesome about our sex. Why? Because it is all for a good cause. November 1st kicks off a month of charity […] -
The Reboot Buggy drives and spits fire … and that’s about it
Think of a manly car. What do you picture, a Porsche, Ferrari, or maybe a jacked-up truck? All good choices, but you would be wrong. No, I contend the manliest car on the planet is the four-wheeled hunk of steel you see above. It’s called the Reboot Buggy and it has been designed not to […] -
Get Your E-Cig Fix: The Henley Vaporium Opens
When Talia Eisenberg wanted to kick her smoking habit a few years ago, she discovered a device — the e-cigarette — in Europe that would allow her to get that nicotine fix (nicotine is just as safe as caffeine, in case you didn’t know) without inhaling all those toxic carcinogens that come with smoking the […] -
Pass the Parcel: An Interview with Svbscription CEO Andrew Apostola
Since June 2012, Svbscription have been altering the modern man’s experience of collecting the post. Every three months, the banality of receiving bills and pizza menus has been replaced with a child-like anticipation as the Svbscription package is set to arrive. Taking curation to the next level, the luxury subscription service has based each of […] -
Feel Good Fridays – Levi’s WasteLess
We have mentioned Waste<Less in the past, but never profiled the company as a whole. After attending Levi’s press preview last week in New York City, we really got a deeper understanding of the line and thought it a worthwhile topic on which to focus. The idea stemmed from Levi’s Water<Less jeans they launched in […] -
Carbon is for suckers. Real men get silver-covered cars
Carbon fiber is played out. There was a time – not too long ago – when this rigid, lightweight material was quite rare and choice and adorning your high-end luxury or sports car with carbon fiber was all the rage. Now, however, it’s everywhere. For example, both the McLaren P1 supercar and the BMW i8 […] -
Inside the Nike+ Fuelband SE and Nike+ Fuelband App
Keeping in shape is a struggle. Life gets in the way, and suddenly, that gym visit we planned gets pushed aside for work, or a date, or even happy hour. Discipline is tough. The newly launched Nike+ Fuelband SE and Nike+ Fuelband App helps keep you on track with your daily physical activity. The newest […] -
Feel Good Friday – The People’s MOVMT
In keeping with our profile on Joshua Katcher on Wednesday, we aren’t hopping off the eco train just yet! For today’s column we are featuring The People’s MOVMT, a sweet looking shoe and accessory line that is made with natural, organic and upcycled materials from plastic bags found in Bali and California. Five percent of […] -
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG outside Willow Springs
I recently had the opportunity to drive all of the Mercedes-Benz AMG models out on Willow Springs racetrack outside LA. I don’t mean a few of the AMGs – I mean all of them. You name it: CLA45 AMG, C63 AMG 507 Edition, SLS AMG Black, and the hulking monster itself, the G63 AMG. Of […] -
This Furniture Collection is Mighty Cool
As human beings, there is a constant struggle between animalistic instinct and societal norms, whether we notice it or not. Many would say the novel that captures this fight best is Hermann Hesse’s Der Steppenwolf. Inspired by this tale of juxtaposition and human nature, furniture designer Stefan Rurak designed a collection to illustrate the conflict. What you […] -
Xtracycle’s EdgeRunner: The Range Rover of the Bike World
feel like you have too much cargo and not enough bike? The EdgeRunner from Xtracycle will take care of that. This handy bicycle combines the functionality of a baby seat with the practicality of a baby seat and a passenger seat, and on top of that, there’s a built-in bike rack as well! Referred to […] -
Set the Scene with the New Cask Candle
Want to impress a date with a romantic candlelit evening? We’ve found a candle we love that not only sets the scene, but also fills the air with an aroma you’ll both enjoy. The new Cask Candle offers up a floral-whiskey scent highlighted with patchouli, cedar woods and vanilla. It’s also crafted from soy wax, […] -
Feel Good Fridays – Sperry’s The Sea Project
All this do-goodery in the menswear world is making us very happy at The Manual, hence our weekly spotlight on brands making a difference. But we always like to see companies who think out of the box when it comes to giving back. More than just giving a percentage of profits or a ‘pair for […] -
The Porsche Panamera: face of a 911, the body of a beluga
I recently found myself out in the Oregon wine country behind the wheel of the 2014 Porsche Panamera. And while I knew the wine would be good – I enjoyed wine in the evening and the car during the day, so don’t send any angry drinking and driving letters – I didn’t know how I’d […] -
Light Up Your Home With FerroWatt
Let’s shine a light for a moment on the type of person who likes a little extra detail in his or her life. Everyday items can become mundane – but by rethinking the essentials, we can add some excitement into the mix. These light bulbs by FerroWatt are a great example of this. Each light bulb […] -
Getting Around with Martone Cycling
Riding in the city can be intimidating, even if you’ve been biking for years. Cars swerving, people getting in the way, cab drivers honking – it’s not always a pretty picture. So when Lorenzo Martone was looking for a better way to ride, he utilized his fashion background to create bicycles that are both stylish […] -
Boo Ya Britain:The Pop Up Flea Hits London
Any man who has been fortunate enough to be in New York for one of the Pop up Fleas created by ACL founder Michael Williams and his bud Randy Goldberg has had a taste of what heaven is probably like. Started in 2009 there are heritage brands, vintage goods, new designers crafting quality products, booze, […] -
Cool Crafted Fireplace Screens
It’s about that time for the ultimate winter man task in every home, building a fire! This is also the time of year when carpets get burnt, animals get singed and kids have to be seat belted into the sofa so as not to get near said fire. One way to reduce risks in all […] -
Feel Good Friday – (Belvedere) RED
Shake it! Stir it! Swill it! Today is National Vodka Day. So what better day to celebrate Belvedere Vodka’s third year partnering with (RED) with a special edition bottle. Fifty percent of profits from the global sale of the (BELVEDERE)RED bottle will contribute to the Global Fund, one of the world’s leading financiers of programs […] -
Baxter x RetaW Car Air Freshener
We know, we know, you can’t believe we are covering a dangling car freshener. We never thought something like this would pass muster for us either. But we love Baxter and knew this wouldn’t smell like a truck stop. After carrying products from the Japanese brand RetaW in the Baxter Finley barber & shop for […] -
The Martin P12 Jetpack
No matter how ridiculously advanced technology becomes, it still never quite feels like we’re living in the future. We have supercomputers in our pockets, autonomous robotic vacuums, and can control our surroundings with nothing more than our brainwaves – but in spite of all these incredible advances, I still don’t feel like I’m living in […] -
The Lamborghini Urus could resurrect Hunter S. Thompson
If you are one of the three people that want a Gallardo SUV or a more flamboyant Porsche Cayenne then you are in luck because the Lamborghini Urus is actually going to be produced. The name may sound like the part of your body that gets urinary infections, and it may be styled to look […] -
Apartment Envy: City Modern Home Tours
If you live in a big city, you know how difficult it can be to make the most of a small space. How can you think about decorating when quarters are so close, your oven doubles as a nightstand? But if you’re a fan of Dwell, you know a tiny apartment is no excuse for […] -
Step Up Your Kitchen Game with Ceramic Knives
You probably already know a thing or two about good steel, but if you want to stay on the *cutting edge* of cutlery, it’s time to step up your game and snag some ceramic kitchen knives. Thanks to advances in materials engineering, it’s becoming increasingly common for blademakers to make knives out of zirconium dioxide […] -
Paddle Your Way to Masonboro Island
Ever wondered how explorers felt looking out a coastline completely free of signs of human life? You can still have that experience when you venture to Masonboro Island on the North Carolina coast, not far from Wilmington. It’s the largest undisturbed barrier island on the southern part of the N.C. coast. Grab a kayak, canoe, […] -
Urban Electric Celebrates 10 Years
In this age of mass manufacturing overseas and the recent building collapses in Bangladesh, killing thousands of workers who slave away for Gap and Walmart, it’s thoroughly refreshing to hear about an American based company who takes care of their employees. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Urban Electric is celebrating their 10th anniversary this year. […] -
Stowaway Sailboat: the B Yachts B30
Big boats be damned – if you’re looking for a jaw-dropping sailboat you can tuck away in your garage during the off-season, look no further than the B30 by B-Yachts. This boat is all about minimalism, in every sense of the word. For starters, it’s been shrunk down to just over 30 feet – a […] -
HEKK: The No-Nonsense Hookah
Hookahs are the bomb. Smoking the Middle Eastern pipes is a fun group activity, and they provide a pleasant taste. They’re just a pain in the ass to carry around. That’s the problem that Indrek Kuusk ran into when he came for the idea for HEKK Hookah. “I had dragged my big Egyptian-style hookah to […] -
Getting a Competitive Edge With Rolfing
“I can take someone who is healthy and make them healthier,” says Nathan Boniske, a Certified Advanced Rolfer in North Carolina. Many athletes who want to boost their performance seek his rolfing expertise. He’s worked on triathletes, world-class mountain bikers, and Olympic cyclists. Participants often come to him before competing in events like Leadville. Boniske […] -
Munitio Tactical 9mm Headphones
Ditch your boring old earbuds and pop in a pair of Munitio Nines -
The Projecteo Makes for Easy Instagram Viewing
Depending on your age, you just might remember the good old days when you used to view slides on your living room wall. Benjamin Redford came up with a clever little contraption that has updated that old slide projector for the digital era: The Projecteo, a tiny projector made especially for Instagram. Redford had the […] -
Feel Good Fridays – Sea Bags
Summer is wrapping up but we can be reminded of our salty sailing expeditions all year round when we tote around bags from Sea Bags. The company has been creating bags and accessories from reclaimed sailcloth in the historic Old Port district of Portland, Maine since 1999. Today they have a wide assortment of not […] -
Live like Nick Cage during the post-apocalypse with the Brabus B63S 700 6×6
I spend a lot of time thinking about the apocalypse. I’ve fantasized about it for many years – long before it became fashionable. Despite the horrific scenes of The Walking Dead, I still think of the apocalypse favorably. That’s because – despite my more logical mind – I imagine myself occupying a mountain top villa […] -
Change Your Jump Shot with the EVO ONE Basketball
The first thing to go is your jump shot. This is a common piece of knowledge for anyone who has ever played basketball. When you step back on the court for a pick up game, you can usually still handle the ball, pass, drive and make lay-ups, but shooting that open jumper can be tough. […] -
Feel Good Friday: Farm to Feet
This column is usually reserved for companies who work with charities making the world a better place. But this week we are taking a little exception. Farm to Feet is a new line of socks made entirely in the U.S.A. And we know how badly Americans and American farmers need work these days, therefore they […] -
Archer: Air Superiority
I’ve you’ve ever taken a stroll down the air freshener aisle at your local department store, you’ve undoubtedly noticed the shelves are dominated by an ominous phalanx of lace-curtian lady-scents sporting names like flowerbomb daydream, lovebubble fruit blossom, and other hilariously hyper-feminine titles. You might find one like Clean Linen if you comb through each […]
