Pack Less, Shred More with the Minimalist Snowboard Carry System
Wish there was an easier way to carry your board while you trek up the hill? Check out this ultralight, ultra-durable strap system from Function.
Keep Your Melon Warm on Frigid Days with Bolle Osmoz
If you don’t count mountain climbing, snowsports like skiing and snowboarding are probably the most gear-heavy hobbies you can have. You’ve got boards, skis, poles, boots, socks, pants, gloves, hats, helmets, and goggles – and if you’re unfortunate enough to forget any one of these items before you head up to the hill, you’re screwed. […]
Swill: Drinking Beer from Concentrate, For Science
Beer made from concentrate sounds like a horrible idea. So we tried it (for science!) and now we're here to report back and share the experience with you guys. Hit the jump to hear how it went!
Swill: Meet Calvados, Cider’s Extra-Boozy Cousin
Swill is our bi-monthly column dedicated to liquor, wine, beer, and every other delicious dram that falls under the broader umbrella of booze. But it’s more than just tasting notes scribbled on a cocktail napkin — Swill is about getting outside of your comfort zone, trying new things, and exploring the big, wide world of […]
Chimichurri Steak: An Open-Ended Recipe
Chimichurri steak is basically just grilled steak with a badass Argentinian green sauce on top. It's totally different than what you're probably used to putting on steak -- so if you haven't had the pleasure of sampling it before, ditch that bottle of A1, grab yourself a blender, and get ready to have your mind blown.
Just for Kicks: Introducing the Bab from Greats
If you haven’t already caught wind of the up-and-coming Brooklyn-based footwear company Greats, it’s time you took notice. The company has been absolutely killing it lately with it’s Warby Parker-eqsue direct-to-consumer business model and line of high-quality kicks. Fresh off a major infusion of capital a couple months ago, they’ve just released a new sneaker. […]
Swill: Ardbeg’s 200th Anniversary Single Malt Islay Scotch
For the big 200, the company made a scotch designed to showcase its past, present, and future. To do this, the distillery's head "Whisky Creator" drew inspiration from the different styles of whisky his predecessors had created over the last 200 years -- and the result is some damn fine scotch.
Oliver Sweeney Tattooed Leather Goods
Even if you’re not down with getting one on your skin, you’ve got to admit that tattoos on your leather shoes is a pretty badass idea. A few years back, UK footwear company Oliver Sweeney thought it’d be cool to offer bespoke tattoo designs on top of their leather products, so they teamed up with […]
Swill: Elephant Gin does London Dry with a Unique African Twist
Elephant Gin is a bit of an oddity. It's a London Dry gin that's made in Germany with a bunch of African ingredients -- and it's probably one of the most interesting gins I've ever tasted.
The Martin P12 Jetpack
No joke, the Martin Aircraft Company plans to bring jetpacks to the consumer market in late 2014. Check out their first model, the P12, after the jump!
Tenkara Rod Co. | A Simpler Way To Fish
If you really want to, you can easily drop thousands of dollars on fishing equipment without breaking a sweat. If you spring for all the top-of-the-line gear –high-tension graphite rods, anodized aluminum reels, invisible flourocarbon lines, and a different lure for every day of the year– it’s fairly easy to sink an entire paycheck into […]
The Car Gadget Every Guy Should Own
It doesn't matter if you're a full-on gearhead or you're completely car-clueless; you could probably use an OBD2 dongle.
Criquet reinforced button-downs are designed for opening beer bottles
Criquet button downs are designed with an extra layer of fabric in the front tails, ensuring that you won't shred them up when you use them to open bottles
Brew Backcountry Espresso with Handpresso Wild
Hit the jump to check out an ultra portable espresso machine that you can take practically anywhere and use at a moment's notice.
Bottled Sunshine: Peared Creation Industrial Style Lighting
Give your living space some prohibition-era flair with these unique bottle lights from Peared Creations
Partly Cloudy: infographic weather for your iPhone
Hands down the most gorgeous, well-designed weather app we've ever seen, Partly Cloudy is a must-have for iPhone weatherheads.
Apparently, Whiskey Aged in Space Tastes Different than the Earth-Aged Variety
Swill is our bi-monthly column dedicated to liquor, wine, beer, and every other delicious dram that falls under the broader umbrella of booze. But it’s more than just tasting notes scribbled on a cocktail napkin — Swill is about getting outside of your comfort zone, trying new things, and exploring the big, wide world of […]
Barnaby Black’s Hard-Milled Soaps
Based in NYC, Barnaby Black Field Accoutrements & Supplies makes a line of hard-milled hand soaps that won't offend your manly, hair-filled nostrils.
Swill: Everything You Need to Know About Barleywine
Chances are you've heard of it before, but if you're like most causal beer enthusiasts, you probably only have a foggy idea of what the hell barleywine actually is. For this reason, we felt compelled to demystify this lovely and under-appreciated subcategory of the craft beer genre.
The Voice-Controlled Grill of the Future
Now that sensors have become so small and cheap, just about everything is becoming "smarter."And now, thanks to a company called Lynx, that includes grills.
NeverWet: The $20 Superhydrophobic Spray-on Waterproofer
Need to waterproof your gear? Check out this nano-engineered hydrophobic spray that can make virtually anything repel water.
The Manual’s 2014 Tech Guide for Fall
Transitioning from sun-soaked summer months into the dreary, depressing fall is never fun — you have to stop wearing sandals, you can’t grill in your backyard whenever you want, and the lack of sunlight inevitably starts to wear down your spirits. The right assortment of tech, however, can make this transition far less painful. So to help […]
You’re Hanging Your Sweaters Wrong. Here’s How To Do it Correctly
sweaters are heavier and more elastic than most other articles of clothing you've got in your closet, so when you toss them on a hanger, they tend to sag and stretch out around the shoulder area. But not to worry; we've got the lowdown on a handy trick that allows you to hang a sweater without stretching it
Sutterheim teamed up with Volvo to make this sexy car cover
Holy Swedish collab, Batman! Sutterheim, purveyor of some of the finest raincoats on the planet, has teamed up with automaker Volvo to produce a high-quality, handmade cover for three of its new concept cars. Following the premiere of Volvo’s Concept Coupe and Concept XC, the upcoming long-body coupe (dubbed the Concept Estate) further proves the […]
Flint Laces: Shoestrings for the Survivalist
If you ever find yourself stranded in the middle of the forest without a zippo, these shoelaces, with encased flint, might just be lifesavers.
The Manual’s Top 9 Beers from the Portland International Brewfest
We brought our notebooks to the Portland International Brewfest and took tasting notes until we were too wasted to use a pen. Hit the jump to see our favorites.
How To Turn an Old Washing Machine Drum Into a Fire Pit
Now that the weather's starting to warm up, it'll soon be prime season for all manner of fireside shenanigans. That means you'll need a fire pit of some sort, and if you don't already have one, we've got the perfect DIY project to help you make one without spending a bunch of money
How to Wear a Tie Clip Properly
Curious how to wear a tie clip correctly? Wondering about proper placement, size, and other sartorial subtleties? Check out this quick-reference guide
Osom: The Bastard Son of Craigslist and Instagram
Osom has all the marketplace features of Craigslist, but with the aesthetically-pleasing, photo-forward design of Instagram. Hit the jump to check it out!
Swill: Greenhook’s Ridiculously-Flavorful Vapor-Distilled Gin
Swill is our bi-monthly column dedicated to liquor, wine, beer, and every other delicious dram that falls under the broader umbrella of booze. But it’s more than just tasting notes scribbled on a cocktail napkin — Swill is about getting outside of your comfort zone, trying new things, and exploring the big, wide world of […]
Osprey Xenith Backpacks
Osprey's new Xenith line is incredibly versatile and insanely comfortable - a must have for all your summer backpacking trips this season.
Entering the Void: Isolation Floats in Portland
Right smack in the middle of Portland’s Hawthorne District, at the foothills of a dormant volcano, there is a portal. It won’t take you to some exotic place in the far reaches of outer space, but where you’ll go is just as cool. Step into one, and within an hour you can reach the deepest […]
Finally, a Glass Designed Specifically for Top-Shelf Whiskey
Unfortunately, purpose-built, drink-specific glassware is still mostly confined to the realm of craft beer and wine. Nobody has really ventured too deep into the world of glassware that's scientifically optimized for craft spirits -- until now, that is.
Footwork: Oliberté Boots bring jobs to Africa
Before I get into how ridiculously awesome these African-made boots are, I need you to recall a few things. First, you know Toms Shoes? The California-based company that donates a pair of shoes to an impoverished country for every pair they sell in the developed world? It’s a pretty amazing company – the world needs […]
Betabrand’s Bike to Work Collection
A small SF-based clothing company known as Betabrand makes a collection of britches and shirts that straddle the line between safe and stylish.
Swill: Gin Made With Dead Wood Ants Tastes Way Better Than It Sounds
According to the description, each bottle of Anty Gin contains the essence of "approximately sixty-two wood ants" -- along with a blend of wood avens, nettle, alexanders seed, and the obligatory juniper berry.
Clear Creek Distillery’s Pear-in-Bottle Eau De Vie
Hidden amongst Portland's thicket of microbreweries lies Clear Creek Distillery - purveyor of some of the finest eau de vie on the planet.
Get High and Watch Movies in PDX
If you happen to find yourself in Portland this summer, searching for something fun to do with a lady friend, don’t think too hard – we’ve got the perfect event for you. Each year during the peak of summer, when the sun doesn’t dip below the westward horizon until your watch reaches double digits, the […]
Frameri’s Interchangeable Eyewear lets you Rock Different Frames on the Same Lenses
If you thought Warby Parker’s stylish frames and low prices were cool, just wait until you check out Frameri. This new startup (which officially launched just yesterday) is poised to take the industry by storm with something completely new and different: an interchangeable lens system. That might not sound particularly groundbreaking at first, but trust […]
Keep Your Feet Happy with Muji’s Right Angle Socks
The socks you're wearing right now probably aren't uncomfortable by any means, but once you slip on a pair of Muji's ingenious Right Angle Socks, you'll notice the difference.
Archer: Air Superiority
Tired of all the hyper-feminine flowerbomb fragrances that dominate the air freshener aisle? Us too, which is why we started using Archer Air Superiority.
QLOCKTWO tells you the time with text
If you couldn’t tell from our previous posts in the fashion section, we’ve got a soft spot for watches. Ever since cell phones happened, it seems that watchmakers have become more concerned with style and aesthetics than pure utility. The device that once straddled the line between fashion and function has increasingly drifted toward the […]
Behind the Goods at Shwood’s Shop in PDX
We caught up with Shwood execs Ryan Kirkpatrick and Eric Singer to get a tour of their shop and talk about innovation and inspiration
Swill: Gin Aged In Old Bourbon Barrels Is Far Tastier Than It Sounds
if you haven't charged headfirst into the wild new frontier of barrel aged gin, now is the perfect time to do so. Aging gin in old bourbon barrels is the hottest new trend among craft distillers -- and there's a good reason for it!
The Manual’s Food & Drink Gift Guide: Part II
Hit the jump to check out some of the coolest gear and grub you can get your hands on this holiday season.
Magic Touch: Beartek Bluetooth-Enabled Gloves
Let’s say you’re blasting down the freeway on your Ducati, weaving through traffic as you pretend you’re a hybrid of James Dean and Ryan Gosling’s character in Drive – you know, your typical commute. Suddenly somebody calls you. At 120 mph, you realize that fishing your phone out of those skin-tight leather pants will probably […]
A Sleeping Bag for Knocking Boots in Nature
We’ve all been there – you’re out in the middle of nowhere with your significant other, far away from roommates, thin walls, and complaining neighbors. After the fire dies down, there’s only one logical way to stay warm: crazy wilderness sex that rips the tent stakes from the Earth and wakes up all the woodland […]
Cue: Your Schedule, Simplified
Cue is a simple iPhone app that scans your calendar, contacts, and cloud services to generate a smart timeline of your day
Magnetuck Magnetic Shirt Stays: Go Tuck Yourself
While our ranks remain somewhat divided here at The Manual on the subject of tucking versus untucking, we definitely all agree that when you do tuck, there’s nothing worse than gradually coming untucked. You know what we’re talking about — over the course of the day, as you lift your arms, sit down, bend over, and move […]