March 17, 2021February 17, 2021 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Make This Everlane Chore Shirt Your Go-To Layer This Spring

A workwear-inspired shirt jacket that can go the distance this spring.

Shed those bulky layers, put away that shearling leather jacket or that suede bomber jacket, and get ready to welcome spring in style. The bells are ringing out (figuratively) as the thermostat slowly but surely climbs across much of the country, so how best to herald a new season? It’s simple, really: With one of the best men’s shirt jackets, one that happens to be durable, stylish and responsibly made — all at once. That’d be the Everlane Chore Shirt Jacket, yet another much-welcomed men’s style essential from the San Francisco-based brand. You might recall we talked about the seriously cool Everlane Sherpa Trucker Jacket for winter, so consider this a sort of antidote to cold-weather style. Now, you hopefully recall Everlane from my guide to the best gear to buy for the new year from the brand, and it’s always worth keeping an eye on the latest and greatest from California. In this case, the rugged, versatile Everlane Chore Shirt Jacket features a 100 percent cotton twill build, making it the perfect layer to throw on quickly over your favorite T-shirt or a thermal henley on a particularly breezy spring morning. That’s hardly the end of it though, folks.

SHOP: The Everlane Chore Shirt Jacket

The second of two cool colorways in which you can score your new favorite shirt jacket for spring.

For one of the best shirt jackets for men, you’re also looking at a standout price. We’re talking $78 at Everlane, making this one of the most affordable shirt jackets on the market, too. Would you expect anything less from a brand focused on transparency and quality? Everlane famously cuts out the middleman in the process, selling picks like this rugged shirt jacket right to stylish customers like yourself.

That makes ’em a winner in my book. Front-button chest pockets and two hip patch pockets provide that critical room for your everyday carry essentials, and it goes without saying that both the Ochre color and the handsome shade of Pine shown above will pair up nicely with everything from Everlane light wash denim to black workwear pants, T-shirts and perhaps even a classic crewneck sweatshirt if you want unique spring layering. Point being, whether you wear it as a blazer substitute on a Zoom call or throw it on to grab to-go beers, the Everlane Chore Shirt Jacket is, quite simply, your go-to spring layer.

SHOP: The Everlane Chore Shirt Jacket

March 10, 2021August 10, 2022 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: These Olivers Apparel Pants are the Best Men’s Pants for Spring

Compass Pants: Men's Activewear Pants With Ripstop Nylon – Olivers

As the calendar turns into March — March 2021, although it feels like it can’t possibly be — it’s crucial that you focus on the task at hand: Updating your wardrobe with the best spring style essentials from your favorite brands, including the likes of Olivers Apparel. That means you’re going to need some of the best men’s pants for spring: The Olivers Apparel Compass Pants, which the brand calls “adventure pants with style.” It’s tough to argue with that assessment, seeing as they’re made with the brand’s proprietary Compass Ripstop Nylon to resist tears. There’s plenty more where that came from, so keep on scrolling.

Olivers Apparel reliably makes some of the most versatile menswear out there, the kind you can wear for long road trips, quick jaunts around town or days spent working at home (it’s got to be the durable stretch fabric). Of course, Olivers also designs some of the best workout gear for men — like the Olivers All Over Shorts — but these pieces work just fine for more laidback days at home, too. Again, the stretch fabric and durable designs are the kicker here, and that’s where the Olivers Apparel Compass Pants are going to put in plenty of work this season, on the road or at home.

SHOP: The Olivers Apparel Compass Pants

These days, the best men’s pants for spring have to be able to do multiple things well, and that includes handling days at home or days on the road (plus, a potential return to the office). The durable ripstop nylon Compass fabric is truly what helps the Olivers Apparel Compass Pants outshine other casual options in your wardrobe (even your favorite sweatpants). Plus, the water-resistant coating is another major bonus. You also can’t go wrong with sharp and easily wearable color options, like Military Olive or Blue Steel. Each can be paired right out of the box with spring style picks like an Olivers Apparel T-shirt, or else a classic Oxford shirt and your favorite spring boots for more polished style.

The best part is, no one will be any the wiser that you’ve got a comfortable elastic waistband versus a more traditional belt. That touch makes the Olivers Apparel Compass Pants yet another perfect pair of work-from-home pants, and if you do have to go to the office — or else get out of the house for a weekend coffee — they’re also a safe, stylish bet. The fit looks to be tailored without being overly tight, yet another crucial, comfortable touch. In fact, they could be the best pants to wear on a spring road trip, if you feel so inclined. Wherever this spring takes you (even if it’s just from your fridge to the patio, cold beer in hand!), make the Olivers Apparel Compass Pants your spring go-to pair.

SHOP: The Olivers Apparel Compass Pants

March 3, 2021January 27, 2024 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The HELM Boots Ryder Boots are the Best Boots for Early Spring

Your new favorite pair of rugged leather boots.

Is it hard to believe we’re now back in (gulp) March, a year on from pandemic life and still on the lookout for the best boots for men? It sure is, but that’s not why we’re here today. We’re here instead to talk about the best boots for men for early spring, a decidedly much more fun topic that’ll get you off your feet and looking towards the future (and new seasonal adventures, of course).

The boots in question would be the HELM Boots Ryder Boots, a pair of rugged leather boots from the Austin-based HELM Boots team that’ll have you planning to go off-trail and off-road in a hurry this season. They certainly look like an updated take on the best hiking boots, but just know that you need ’em in your life either way.

Of course, it’s a major benefit that you can get $50 off when you order your first pair from the brand. HELM Boots says that these are a pair of “contemporary boots for all adventures,” and based on what I know about the brand — I’ve published a HELM Boots review in the past, after all — it’s very hard to argue with that logic.

These are quite simply some of the best men’s leather boots, what with bountiful craftsmanship and attention to detail. HELM makes some of the best men’s Chelsea boots and the best plain toe boots, too, but the HELM Ryder Boots are a different breed (in a great way, that is).

SHOP: The HELM Boots Ryder Boots

These tough leather boots are ready to go just about anywhere this season.

The versatility and craftsmanship of the HELM Boots Ryder Boots starts from the ground up with HELM’s Stavos rubber sole for maximum traction and durability. The Blake Rapid Stitch construction sews the upper to the top of the sole for more flexibility and a smooth ride, and the D-ring lacing gives them that hiking boot feel. For even more comfort, they’re lined in smooth black leather.

These are rugged leather boots you can wear plenty of different places this spring, be it to an outdoor beer garden or for a park stroll (to name but a few favorite spring pursuits). The HELM Boots Ryder Boots, especially in the handsome Dark Natural Babbo leather, should pair well with everything from classic light wash denim to olive chinos and more. Up top, these dependable, classic leather boots are practically begging to be teamed with essentials like your favorite T-shirt or a timeless chambray shirt. Wear ’em casually or team the HELM Boots Ryder Boots with a white Oxford shirt and tan chinos, for starters. The end result is nothing less than your new favorite pair of boots for your spring wardrobe. Let me know on Twitter if you do lace ’em up.

February 24, 2021January 23, 2021 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Wolverine BLVD Cap Toe Boots are the Best Boots to Wear Now — and Into Spring

A durable-yet-dressy addition to the Wolverine line of stylish men’s boots.

Have you ever come across a pair of rugged leather boots that seem to fit in with your lifestyle so well, you’ve got to have ’em in your wardrobe and on your feet instantly? The Wolverine BLVD Cap Toe Boots could certainly be the next pair of boots to fill that void in your collection, and having tested them out myself since the launch of the Wolverine BLVD Collection, I wholeheartedly agree with that sentiment. Think of the Wolverine BLVD Collection as a more refined and yet no less versatile and rugged offering than Wolverine‘s main line, particularly the much-loved Wolverine 1000 Mile Collection. You also likely know and love Wolverine leather sneakers, so it should come as no shock that the brand can really do it all.

These durable leather boots are ever-so-slightly more dressy and more easily wearable with, say, wool trousers or classic chinos, yet there’s no denying they carry on the Wolverine pedigree quite handsomely. And here’s the thing about the Wolverine BLVD Cap Toe Boots: They’re the type of rugged yet easily wearable boots you can throw on now (with classic dark denim and a shawl cardigan) and keep wearing on into spring (when you should pair them with your favorite light wash denim and one of the best men’s T-shirts). Don’t believe me? You best try ’em out yourself. Oh, and here’s another kicker — among many that we’ll cover shortly — you can get free shipping on orders of $120 at Wolverine right now. Sounds pretty great, yes?

SHOP: The Wolverine BLVD Cap Toe Boots

One of seven stylish colorways in which you can pick up the BLVD Cap Toe Boots from Wolverine.

The Wolverine BLVD Cap Toe Boots — priced quite nicely at $199 via Wolverine — carry on that same tradition and commitment to quality, starting with the fact that these timeless leather boots feature a relatively sleek profile and hand-burnished leather. These Wolverine men’s boots also feature a sheepskin lining for maximum comfort and just enough warmth on cold winter days — these boots won’t leave your feet out in the cold. The rubber outsole is toned-down and not overly bulky, yet still provides excellent grip on slippery streets. And the Wolverine BLVD Cap Toe Boots are also built with Goodyear welt construction, meaning they can be resoled after plenty of wear. Throw in the fact that seven leather colorways are up for grabs, and you just might want to get more than one pair (I personally love the Tan option shown here). Wear ’em with slim blue jeans and a refined winter topcoat for outdoor dining or a safe seasonal road trip, then keep the Wolverine BLVD Cap Toe Boots handy come spring — you won’t regret it.

SHOP: The Wolverine BLVD Cap Toe Boots

February 17, 2021January 19, 2021 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Filson Scout Shirt is the Perfect Shirt for Casual Winter Style

One of the more durable, stylish men’s shirts you can wear this winter.

Well, here we are: Past mid-February on the calendar, and yet with the long slog of the rest of winter still in front of us. What’s a guy to do? Why, that’s easy. Check out today’s See Now, Buy Now entry to stock up on one of the best men’s shirts for winter and beyond — the Filson Scout Shirt. It’s the kind you can wear in casually rugged fashion for the rest of this season and on into spring, to say the least. Plus, the brown-and-gold plaid color shown above is seasonally friendly and classic. Now, if you read the blog on the regular, you know that the Pacific Northwest heritage outfitters at Filson routinely come up with some of the best gear for men, period, from the classic Filson Tin Cloth Jacket to the unstoppably cool Filson Moleskin Shirt we talked about earlier this winter. On that note, the Filson Scout Shirt really does pass muster.

And as luck would have it, the Filson Scout Shirt carries on the same tradition of quality and rugged style (plus performance) that you’d expect from a brand that’s been around more than a century. How does that all work out, exactly? Reader, I’m glad you asked. Of course, the brand starts with a lightweight-yet-durable and easy-to-layer cotton twill for maximum versatility (think neither too burly or too lightweight on the fabric front). It only gets better from there as far as one of the best men’s winter shirts is concerned.

SHOP: The Filson Scout Shirt

One of three rugged and essential colorways as far as this durable men’s shirt is concerned.

We previously talked about the versatility of the F ilson Scout Shirt here on the blog for the warmer months, but believe me when I say it’s got plenty going for it as far as cold-weather layering is concerned. The cotton twill fabric of this rugged men’s shirt means you can wear it easily atop a classic Filson henley or a Filson thermal shirt for cold winter days in the yard or the garage, and you can even layer that combination beneath a waxed Filson jacket for maximum warmth. The military-grade buttons ensure years of durability, and the yarn-dyed fabric is made to resist fading over time.

The fit should prove easy to move around in and layer without being too baggy or too tight, either. Any day of the week (even for a Zoom call when worn atop a Filson pocket T-shirt), the Filson Scout Shirt simply comes through in the clutch. One last styling tip: Wear it with Filson men’s jeans for the ultimate in all-day style, including a coffee run, a park stroll and brewery to-go beers. I’d call that one of the best men’s winter shirts, wouldn’t you?

SHOP: The Filson Scout Shirt

February 10, 2021January 15, 2021 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Everlane Fleece Denim Trucker is the Perfect Casual Winter Coat

A rugged, classic denim trucker jacket to wear all winter long.

Let’s get right into it today. If you read the blog, you know that San Francisco-based Everlane delivers on some of the best men’s style essentials across the board, be it a classic cardigan for men or a rugged flannel shirt. Add another item to that list today however, because the Everlane Fleece-Lined Denim Trucker Jacket is, as the headline so wisely points out, quite possibly your new favorite casual winter jacket.

That’s a lofty title to claim, to be sure, but as with all things Everlane, it sseems to live up to that billing. Keep in mind that this rugged fleece denim jacket is nearly sold out, so you’d better act quickly if you hope to scoop it up, but know that other Everlane men’s denim jackets are just as ready for winter layering — perhaps even atop your favorite hooded sweatshirt). The point is, this classic denim jacket amps things up a notch from the typical silhouette for the winter months, what with its warm polyester fleece lining, and that makes it a worthy change of pace from, say, your classic navy peacoat from time to time.

SHOP: The Everlane Fleece-Lined Denim Trucker Jacket

A seriously cool, tough denim jacket to wear the rest of winter.

The Everlane Fleece-Lined Denim Trucker Jacket is every bit as well-constructed as your standard issue denim jacket, featuring a rich blue 100 percent organic cotton exterior and classic trucker jacket styling. Contrast stitching and hardware make this jacket decidedly more casual than, say, an all-black denim jacket, but that’s not a bad thing. The warm fleece lining also means you can wear it as your sole outer layer, whereas an unlined indigo denim jacket might work more as a mid-layer (again, perhaps underneath your classic navy peacoat).

But yet again, the Everlane Fleece-Lined Denim Trucker Jacket comes through in the clutch, giving you the kind of layering ability other jackets only dream about. Wear this atop a rugged thermal henley with black Everlane jeans and tan boots for a rugged change of pace, or go just a bit dressier by teaming the Everlane Fleece-Lined Denim Trucker Jacket with your favorite chambray shirt and grey cotton chinos. The best casual winter jackets for men have plenty of special qualities that elevate them above the everday, and this classic denim trucker jacket certainly checks all the right boxes. With that in mind, go ahead and shop accordingly, folks.

SHOP: The Everlane Fleece-Lined Denim Trucker Jacket

February 3, 2021June 28, 2021 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: GREATS Is Now Making Some of the Best Men’s Boots for Winter

A new take on hiking boots from one of your favorite sneaker brands.

If at first you’re confused by the headline — how can Brooklyn-based sneaker brand GREATS be making rugged hiking boots, after all? — well, I’d urge you to bear with me as we dive into the latest and *greatest* See Now, Buy Now entry covering some of the best men’s boot, period, and the best boots for winter, and just in the nick of time. That’s because the GREATS Dante Hiking Boots take every bit of the same DNA that makes GREATS men’s sneakers so, well, great, and amps it up to another level via a highly versatile, exceptionally rugged silhouette. Just when you might have thought you had your rotation of the best men’s winter boots all figured out, this pair enters the fray with the sort of quality you can only get from a brand that blends Portugese leather with sustainable practices. It’s the best of both worlds, seeing as the leather for the GREATS Dante Hiking Boots is tanned with 20 percent less water than traditional leather. You’re still getting a classic pair of brown leather boots, yet with far less waste.

SHOP: The GREATS Dante Hiking Boots

The best details set these newly iconic hiking boots apart from the pack this season.

Call ’em the best leather hiking boots for men or call ’em your new favorite pair, but just know that they can pack a punch when it comes to dealing with inclement winter weather. A sidewall welt sits atop a durable and rugged sole, one that so happens to be made in part with recycled rubber for comfort and sustainability. The contrasting blue laces on this particular pair are a nice pop against drab winter weather, while the silhouette is fairly sleek and not overly clunky. In my view, that means you can team them with looks that include tailored wool trousers, a classic Oxford shirt and a cashmere cardigan.

Of course, you can rock the GREATS Dante Hiking Boots with dark selvedge denim and your favorite henley with ease, too. Again, think of these like a versatile pair of dress boots as much as a pair of snow-ready hiking boots, especially on snowy city streets and outdoor brewery beer gardens. It’s also rare to find a great pair of boots under $300, yet the GREATS Dante Hiking Boots clock in at $250. Score ’em right now, wear the heck out of ’em this season, and reap the rewards all the while.

SHOP: The GREATS Dante Hiking Boots

January 27, 2021December 29, 2020 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Freemans Sporting Club Thermal Shirt is the Best Winter Base Layer

A rugged, classic thermal shirt to keep you warm on winter’s coldest days.

As we reach the end of the first month of 2021, I’d implore you to consider how your menswear rotation is looking right now, and then I’d implore you to upgrade it in a crucial way with the latest entry in this site’s See Now, Buy Now series. How about it? Specifically, let’s talk about one of the best thermal shirts for winter, the sort you can wear all on its own, layered beneath a shawl cardigan or throw on underneath your favorite flannel shirt (for starters, that is). The Freemans Sporting Club Homespun Thermal Tee is the answer to all your winter layering needs, no questions asked.

If you read the blog regularly, you’ll recall that we’ve talked about how New York City’s Freemans Sporting Club makes everything from one of the best pocket tees to one of the best chore coats, but what about when the thermostat plummets and you need something reliable on blustery winter nights? Enter the Freemans Sporting Club Homespun Thermal Tee, the kind you can wear day after day after day. Whether you call it one of the best men’s thermal shirts or just a critical base layer, you’ve gotta have it (keep scrolling for more).

SHOP: The Freemans Sporting Club Homespun Thermal Tee

Sturdy construction and a tailored-but-not-too-tight fit make this an ideal base layer or solo long-sleeve thermal tee.

The specs really are what set this rugged thermal shirt apart, including the fact that it’s made with pre-washed, 100 percent waffle knit cotton (ideal for layering with breathability at the forefront). The Freemans Sporting Club Homespun Thermal Tee is also made in Vancouver, Canada, home of other respected, classic athletic goods makers like Reigning Champ, so you can be sure it’s up to snuff. The Indigo color is highly versatile, whether worn with tan chinos and a grey flannel shirt or on its own with grey denim and your favorite pair of leather boots. The bottom line is that if it’s sold by Freemans Sporting Club, it’s more than good enough to earn a spot in your winter wardrobe. And with cold winter nights on the way, you assuredly need one of the best thermal shirts for men — kind of like this one, in fact. Happy shopping, folks.

SHOP: The Freemans Sporting Club Homespun Thermal Tee

January 20, 2021December 27, 2020 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Western Rise AirLoft Shirt Jacket is the Best Winter Shirt Jacket

A durable shirt jacket that blends modern reliability with dependeable style.

When you start to think of winter menswear, what do you conjure up first? Perhaps a rugged parka or a burly flannel shirt, right? Perhaps, and those winter style staples are all well and good, but what if I told you that there was a way to get winter warmth with lightweight layering via one of the best men’s shirt jackets — how about that, ehh? Enter the ever-reliable, technically savvy and seriously cool Western Rise AirLoft Shirt Jacket, and make it your new go-to layer for winter. This rugged shirt jacket carries on the Western Rise tradition of blending technical fabrics and modern innovation with tried-and-true silhouettes — if you read the blog, you’ll recognize the Western Rise Evolution Pants and the Western Rise AirLight Shirt, for starters. Luckily, the Western Rise AirLoft Shirt Jacket carries forward the same blend of technical performance and cool style, starting with the water-resistant, four-way stretch fabric, ideal for all your winter adventures when layered atop a thermal shirt or a classic flannel. But wait… there’s more! Much more, folks.

SHOP: The Western Rise AirLoft Shirt Jacket

It’s the four-way stretch fabric and durable construction that sets this shirt jacket apart from the pack.

One of the best shirt jackets for men, as you might expect, breaks out all the proper bells and whistles when it comes to the performance you need in cold weather. This shirt jacket is made to regulate your temperature and features more streamlined insulation than other bulkier shirt jackets or parkas (I should know — I’ve been testing it out, courtesy of the brand!).

The Western Rise AirLoft Shirt Jacket gets technical with the use of Toray’s 40g 3DeFX+® hollow-core, 4-way stretch insulation, an in-depth way of saying this insulation is like no other on the market. Three zip pockets, including two zip pockets at the hip, provide space for your everyday carry essentials, and the clean fit means this shirt jacket won’t slow you down on or off the trail. Throw it on atop a tee when you need to clean up for a Zoom call, or pair it with a rugged flannel shirt for even more warmth. However you slice it, the Western Rise AirLoft Shirt Jacket is your new favorite winter layer.

SHOP: The Western Rise AirLoft Shirt Jacket

January 13, 2021December 16, 2020 by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: Add to Your Everyday Carry This Winter with the WESN Allman Knife

The WESN Allman Knife is one of the coolest knives to add to your everyday carry, and that’s just a fact.

As we talk all things men’s style upgrades through the new year, perhaps you’re realizing you’re always one key item short on winter excursions, camping trips or days handling yard work: You’re missing one of the best everyday carry essentials around. That is to say, you might not realize you need the WESN Allman Knife until, well, you need it. And that’s the sort of style upgrade I can get onboard with — simple but significant, ready and able, seriously well-made. Not familiar with WESN? Well, you just might have found your new favorite accessories brand.

I say accessories because the Detroit-based company also makes everything from carabiners to leather sheaths to T-shirts, all with some serious style, attitude and quality in mind — would you expect anything less from the Motor City, after all? I certainly wouldn’t, and that’s what makes the WESN Allman Knife so welcome and, well, essential when it comes to the gear you count on day in and day out. Heck, even the brand’s name means “West, East South, North” — these gear picks sure can go anywhere. It’s one of the best compact knives on the market, made to fit in your hand and crafted from stainless steel hardware with a tough steel blade.

SHOP: The WESN Allman Knife

One of the faster-selling colorways of the WESN Allman Knife.

This thing isn’t messing around, that much is true. The WESN Allman Knife performs under pressure, with the sort of durability and unique build that other knives can’t quite live up to. Perhaps that’s because the focus is simply on the blade and the build (although it’s always handy to have a great multi-tool as part of your kit). However, this rugged compact knife goes above and beyond what you might expect, delivering a sleek design, a range of colorways to satisfy any palette, and a lifetime warranty that you can be sure will last (and last, and last). When you want a simple, yet endlessly useful, product you can count on, you want the WESN Allman Knife.