Gear Up For Life’s Obstacles
There are so many things in the world that it’s hard to choose which things are the things for you. Yeah, guys like things. Here are our top 12 things you should have by now if you’re in your mid to late twenties. We will list an item as well as three different price points. You will see a “*” next to our recommendations.
1. A Pocket Knife
Knives aren’t just for stabbing, people. You never know when you are going to be in a situation where one will come in handy. If you’re a serious knife guy then you’ll want one that’ll last a long time. We love products Made in America, which is why our top pick for a knife is from Emerson Knives.
$- CRKT Squid Folding Knife
$$- Kershaw CQC-6K
$$$- Emerson Knives Mini CQC-15*
2. A Quality Wallet
We’re not talking about that canvas/Velcro wallet that you’ve had since middle school. By now you should have a decent leather wallet that will make you look like you have your life together. Even if it’s just a cardholder.
$- Herschel Roy RFID Wallet
$$- Fossil Derrick Flip Bifold RFID*
$$$- Tanner Goods Utility Bifold
3. A Nice Watch
Just because a watch is nice doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. There are lots of decent wristwatches available that’ll look sophisticated and trendy but won’t cost you an arm and a leg (You’ll need that arm to wear the watch!). Fossil is our favorite watch brand, but Nixon recently launched a Disney collab that isn’t half bad!
$- Timex Unisex Waterbury-*
$$- Fossil Chase Timer Chronograph
$$$- Nixon Sentry SS- Disney Edition
4. A Trusty Bag
There’s nothing wrong with a guy having a “man” purse. Most guys in their 20’s who have a full-time job know that sometimes you have to carry more than you can hold in your pockets. With a good bag, you’ll be able to carry anything you might need throughout your day. Incase is our go-to brand, but there are tons of affordable options out there.
$- Carhartt Legacy Backpack
$$- Fjallraven Ovik Shoulder Bag
$$$- Incase Icon Slim Backpack*
5. A Pair of Boots for Work and Play
You don’t have to be a construction worker to be allowed to wear boots to work. Sometimes you don’t want to mess up your daily sneakers or trendy kicks while at the office. You’ll also be standing out from the sneaker-heads with their Yeezy’s as “fancy” shoes. To be honest, it’s hard to pick a favorite out of these choices:
$- Doc Marten’s Cabrillo Chukka Boots*
$$- Clarks Bushacre 2 Chukka Boots
$$$- Clarks Original Desert Boots
6. An Attractive Cologne
Finding a signature scent can be a difficult task but once you have found it, you’ll want to make it part of your personality. But don’t let the designer brands fool you into thinking they smell good. Here’s a pro-tip: Just two spritz on your wrists and one on the neck. The trick is to apply it straight to the skin. Don’t overdo it. Here are our favorite scents:
$- Curve by Liz Claiborne
$$- Kiehl’s Original Musk*
$$$- Clarks Original Desert Boots
7. Something to Take Notes In
Yeah, I know that our smartphones have a ‘Notes’ app, but who really uses it? I know I don’t Sometimes you need to do things the old-fashioned way and carry a small pocket journal.
$- Field Notes*
$$- Moleskin 4.5″ Notebook
$$$- MOO Journal
8. A Meaningful Book
Women are attracted to smart, well-read men. So why not invest in a few books that’ll round you out as a person and hopefully make you a better man. If you’re not a reader, then I suggest downloading the Audible app by Amazon. Listening to a book is much easier than reading it. Here are some fun reads:
9. A Savings Account
This one is a no-brainer. If you don’t have a savings account by now, it’s not too late. Everyone knows that a telltale sign of a responsible adult is that they regularly add to their savings. Pro-tip: We suggest opening an online savings account separate from your bank. It’ll steer you away from being able to easily transfer money to your checking account. Our pick:
10. A Handy Multi-Tool
Different from a pocket knife, a multi-tool comes in handy when a random job comes up. Is your license plate frame loose? Break out that multi-tool from your glove box and tighten those screws! The better the quality, the longer they’ll last.
$- Gerber Dime Multi-Tool
$$- Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Multi-Tool*
$$$-Leatherman Surge Multi-Tool
11. A Wool Blanket
Whether you keep it in your car, home or just have one available for guests, a nice wool blanket always comes in handy. We recommend keeping one in the trunk of your car for those spontaneous nights at the beach or a random picnic with your lady. It’s just a blanket, so don’t overthink (or overpay) it!
$- El Paso Mexican Throw*
$$- Ruth&Boaz Outdoor
$$$- Pendleton Motor Robe
12. A Jean Jacket
Lastly, get a great quality denim jacket. They’re back in style and you can pretty much wear them with anything. So many companies are making them now so you don’t have to opt for Levi’s.
$- Uniqlo Men’s Denim Jacket
$- Denim Sherpa Jacket*
$$$- Roark Revival Enfield
Aaron is a writer from So Cal who has about fifty jackets of which he only wears two. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
