These sneakers from Teva really stuck with me when I visited Westerlind’s showroom earlier this year and they’re finally released for FW16. Nope, no velcro straps to be found here that you probably associate with the brand’s iconic sandals which have been in production since 1984. The Arrowood come in a low and chukka-height shape as well as Lux edition that features a full leather upper- both feature Teva’s lightweight and waterproof FloatLite sole. I’m partial to the speckled midsoles, scoop up a pair here.
Bee Keeper Co
Beekeeper Co is a cap line by Cole Maness produced by fellow Californian and sewer Yanco Customs. The bee keeper cap was inspired by a one Edmund Hillary wore on his 1953 expedition of Everest, as seen in the film Beyond The Edge. Perfect for adventures with ample sun exposure and if stripes aren’t your thing a Safari khaki is currently being offered.
Golf Country
The Mk II Golf has been a longtime favorite chassis but the Country model is one that I don’t recall coming across at any East Coast Volkswagen show I’ve been to. Offroad features included front and rear guards, improved clearance, skid plate, and of course four-wheel Syncro drive. Fittingly pictured in these marketing photos in the classic ‘Montana Green’ paint. It might not be the adventuremobile a Syncro Westy may be but it still looks like a lot of fun to me.
Suggested reading: The Harlequin Golf, Small World
Filed under motor
North Coast Collection
Bay Area brands Mission Workshop and Taylor Stitch join forces for a ten-piece collection of co-branded apparel (and quite likely a bag?) releasing two to three pieces at a time each Thursday in May. With each weekly drop the pieces are made available for pre-sale at a near 20% discount then shipping a couple months after the funding window is complete. Two weeks into the month and the collection is shaping up to be a solid union of Mission Workshop’s technical practicality and Taylor Stitch’s every day casual cool. Take the Loch Shorts for instance- an inseam that’s a good few inches shorter than most baggies but not without convenient zipping side pockets or water-resistant 4-way stretch fabric. Keep a lookout for every new piece here.
Paul Smith’s Cycling Scrapbook
If you’re interested in cycling and fashion there’s a good chance you’re already aware that British menswear designer Paul Smith is a cycling enthusiast and collector. Smith dives into his archive of jersey’s, photographs, bikes, and all sorts of memorabilia for his new book “Paul Smith’s Cycling Scrapbook” published by Thames & Hudson which will be available mid next month. Thanks for the heads up Tracko! I’m definitely going to be picking up a copy for myself.
Rapha City
Rapha’s city collection has always been the highlight for me season after season amongst their classic, pro team, and various other collections that the line is divided up into. I am always impressed with the understated design of their on-bike apparel and accessories but there’s something about their ability to bring the same design sensibilities to casual wear that gets me every time. Few cycling brands put as much consideration into their off-bike line of apparel (brand logos slapped onto t-shirts and sweatshirts) but Rapha is constantly pushing their city collection into new territory. The top pick for me has to be the merino zip through– an update of the merino track top I myself own and love from a few seasons back, however the update loses its high collar.
Filed under bike, Uncategorized, wear
Ritchey Retro Blue
Nice to see my favorite component company getting together with Endo Customs in Los Angeles to produce some good lookin kit. The design is a new take on what Thomas Frischknecht raced in for Ritchey during the 90’s with much more blue, I like how they staggered the horizontal blocking from the original jersey. Grab the kit directly from Ritchey here, and be sure to check out some great snaps of Frischknecht raing in that original Ritchey here over at Cyclephotos!
*bottom photo by Balint Hamvas
Filed under bike
Insulated
Admirable insulated options from Crescent Down Works, Giro, and Topo Designs. The vest has been a go-to on rides at about 40°F and below as well as a layer on freezing morning commutes. Packs down into its own interior pocket and sports some hidden jersey pockets- I’m a big fan.
Filed under wear