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SXSW Packing Essentials

By Cator Sparks Published August 6, 2021

It’s about that time to head down to America’s favorite music throw down, SXSW. The event involves a lot of running around, food trucks and most likely a hot down and dirty dance-a-thon. To be sure you have what you need, The Manual has provided some essentials we bring to make the trip a breeze and of course make us look good.

Let us know what your favorite part of the festival is in the comment section below.

Wolverine’s Orville in Blue

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Known for their superior work and outdoor boots, Wolverine has recently launched the No.1883 line. This desert boot is the perfect kick to run around Austin in since it is stylish yet has that Wolverine durability.

Prism Copenhagen Sunglasses

Prism has been the talk of every cool town for the last couple of seasons so it’s time to start the buzz in Austin. Hand crafted in Italy they feature graded brown lenses with 100% UV protection, much needed in the Texas sun.

Dockers Alpha Khaki in Dark Pebble

The Alpha is Dockers golden pant. The slim fit, 100% cotton pant has revived the brand and is a favorite nation wide. They are comfortable enough to wear for days at a time (we know this will happen at SXSW, party man) and dark enough to hide the dust, beer stains and general festival wear and tear.

Goorins Blues Straw Hat

There is most likely major sun and heat during your sojourn South so to avoid a harsh burn and possible overheating bring along this crushable ribbon straw Fedora. The wider brim is necessary for that Texas sun.

Amico Blue Alloy Mini LED Flashlight

There are countless reasons to bring a flashlight on any trip but especially a festival as busy as this one. You never know when you may need to ‘find a contact’ at a concert, read a karaoke list, sneak out of a hotel room or dig deep in your bag for an ID. Just bring it, you will thank us.

Platypus Platy Bottle

For various reasons we are not getting into, you will need mucho hydration from the flight to the drive to the nights out to the mornings after. This collapsable 100% BPA and taste free bottle can be rolled up into your duffle or even your coat pocket.

Fjällräven Duffle

Heavy zippers, reinforced bottom and outside pockets make this Swedish duffle the perfect carry on to bring along. The heavy waxed G-1000 fabric can standup to the elements and a wild road trip if such things ensue.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…

Fashion & Style

Patrick Dempsey becomes face of Tag Heuer eyewear in expanded ambassador role

From watches to eyewear: Dempsey extends tag heuer partnership into new territory

Patrick dempsey for tag heuer eyewear

Dempsey has been a brand ambassador for over a decade. His dual career as an actor and a professional racing driver, including a podium finish at the 24 Hours of Le Mans-fits the brand’s focus on performance, precision, and lasting style.
Dempsey’s expanded role comes with Tag Heuer’s latest eyewear launch. The collection was made in collaboration with Thélios, LVMH’s eyewear division. The campaign features Dempsey wearing two key models: the Jack Heuer and Mini Vingt-Sept lines.
One campaign image stands out. Dempsey recreates a well-known portrait of Jack Heuer holding a chronograph. This visual connects the brand’s heritage with its future. The timing is fitting, following Dempsey’s role as racing legend Piero Taruffi in the 2024 film “Ferrari.” This nods to Jack Heuer’s partnership with an Italian automaker in 1971.
The 2025 eyewear collection has three lines. The Jack Heuer frames are inspired by 1960s pilots and use Japanese titanium and ChromaFade lenses. The Mini Vingt-Sept line updates the brand’s technical eyewear with steel hinges and bio-nylon temples. The Shield Pro line is focused on performance, offering flexible frames and interchangeable lenses.
Dempsey’s involvement with Tag Heuer has always been hands-on. He’s attended events like the Monaco Grand Prix and boutique openings. In 2019, he received the “Spirit of Le Mans” award for his contributions to endurance racing.
This eyewear collaboration is a natural next step for both Dempsey and Tag Heuer, continuing a shared story of racing, design, and innovation in the luxury world.

Fashion & Style

H. Moser makes rose gold rival to Rolex’s Rainbow Daytona

60 baguette sapphires and a flying tourbillon: moser's new rainbow streamliner

H Moser Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton Rainbow

H. Moser & Cie. has introduced its most ornate Streamliner so far with the new Tourbillon Skeleton Rainbow edition. This watch directly competes with Rolex’s Rainbow Daytona in the very expensive sports watch category.
Available in rose gold (CHF 175,000) or stainless steel (CHF 125,000), the 40mm watch is a showcase of both watchmaking and jewelry skills. The bezel is set with 60 carefully selected baguette-cut colored sapphires.
The Streamliner’s cushion-shaped case created unique challenges for gem-setters. Each sapphire had to be chosen for its color to create a rainbow gradient around the bezel, and each one also had to be cut to a different size to fit the case design.
At the center of this watch is Moser’s skeletonized HMC 814 automatic movement, visible through the open dial. The large one-minute flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock serves as both a technical feature and a visual focal point.
A look at the back of the watch reveals similar attention to detail. The Moser-branded rose gold rotor is skeletonized, exposing the gears, wheels, bridges, and springs of the movement underneath.
Production numbers will be limited, not by a set amount, but by the time and complexity required to make each one. This highlights the skill involved in crafting every piece.
The Rainbow Streamliner stands apart from Moser’s usual simple design, which is known for its fumé dials and minimalist approach. Still, it maintains the brand’s focus on independent watchmaking, while entering a category associated with brands like Rolex and its Rainbow Daytona watch that has become highly sought after on the resale market.
With its integrated bracelet, movement finishing, and elaborate gem-setting, the Streamliner Tourbillon Skeleton Rainbow is a contender in the growing group of high-jewelry sports watches. These timepieces combine technical expertise with unmistakable luxury.

Fashion & Style

Pink pelagos joins Tudor collection for giro d’italia

Tudor's new chronograph rides with the giro: pink pelagos limited to 300 pieces

Tudor's pink pelagos

Tudor has released a new chronograph, the Pelagos FXD Chrono Pink, as part of the Pelagos line. This limited edition was created for Tudor’s partnership with the Giro d’Italia, the famous cycling race in Italy.
Only 300 pieces will be made, with a price of £4,650 (about $5,000 plus tax). The watch pays tribute to the Maglia Rosa, the pink jersey worn by the race leader during the three-week event. Pink-accented Tudor watches aren’t new-last year, the brand introduced a pink-dialed Black Bay Chrono in partnership with Inter Miami, the soccer club partly owned by Tudor ambassador David Beckham. However, the new Pelagos FXD Chrono Pink uses pink as an accent rather than covering the entire dial.
A notable feature is the tachymeter scale, which is calibrated for cycling speeds instead of the automotive speeds usually found on chronographs. This cycling-specific scale wraps around the dial, showing Tudor’s commitment as the official timekeeper of the Giro d’Italia, a partnership that began in 2023.
The watch measures 43mm and uses a black carbon composite case, making it lightweight and technical qualities important for sports watches. The crown and chronograph pushers are made of titanium for added durability and lightness. The case is 13.2mm thick.
Inside is the Calibre MT5813, based on the Breitling 01 chronograph movement. This COSC-certified calibre offers accuracy within 2/+4 seconds per day and has a 70-hour power reserve, so it can run for nearly three days without rewinding.
The watch features a solid caseback with special engravings, including the limited edition number (from 0/300 to 300/300) and an image of cyclists in action, emphasizing its connection to the race. It comes on a fabric strap with pink accents to match the dial, blending Tudor’s heritage-inspired design with modern materials and construction suitable for sports use.