Dapper Scout – A lifestyle web magazine for men

Falling asleep behind the wheel may result in something that we’d consider less than desirable (i.e. death), and so when it comes to your personal well-being, staying alert and wearing a seat belt is generally recommended.  The Sling by Inghua Ting (available at Branch for $744), which is made entirely out of unused and reclaimed nylon seat belt webbing, also provides you with security (while being suspended in mid air), except in this case, being relaxed and drowsy is highly encouraged, with the end result likely being an al fresco nap.  Designed with the environment and outdoor elements in mind, the Sling is an eco-conscious and weather-resistant hammock that comes in an array of five bright colors—it’s a welcome addition to any backyard and you can rest easy knowing that it’s barely leaving behind a carbon footprint.

Going green, Loft, Outdoors

Our short-term memory these days is pretty much shot (if we don’t write our thoughts down, they immediately get forgotten).  But for some reason, that last rain storm is one we just can’t seem to shake (and it probably wasn’t such a great idea to go out in it wearing a pair of our favorite Jack Purcell sneakers).  While our feet immediately got soaked, we watched in envy as a fellow NYer was nonchalantly walking by with his jeans smartly tucked into a pair of L.L.Bean Signature Waxed Canvas Maine Hunting Shoes (available at L.L.Bean for $130).  With its flexible rubber sole, steel shank for lateral and arch support, and canvas upper, the Signature Waxed Canvas Maine Hunting Shoes are the highly practical yet ruggedly dapper footwear that can take you from duck hunting season right into the urban fray (inclement weather is not a prerequisite either).

Accessories, Outdoors, Shoes, Style

Designed for versatility, the COCO Chair by Loll (available at Loll for $350) is as much at home on your outdoor deck as it is inside the house (or wherever you think it belongs).  Made from 160 recycled milk jugs, the COCO Chair is a year-round weatherproof lounger that you can leave outside without any thought to loss of color or the need for refinishing.  And with its contoured slats, compact design, and availability in six colors, the COCO is also the ideal indoor side chair.  Wherever it goes, there’s no doubt it will look the part with modern style and an eco-friendly disposition.

Chair, Furniture, Going green, Loft, Outdoors

The editors at DS often get asked for a good watch recommendation at a reasonable price.  Though we feel this market continues to be underserved, there are a handful of watch brands that manage to deliver both quality and design without becoming the one outlier of a credit card charge on your billing statement.  We’ve always been fans of Timex with their history of producing durable and dependable watches, and with the launch of the TX line in particular, they’ve further enhanced the styling and engineering behind their timepieces without unreasonably elevating their price point.  And with the two Timex watches below, you could probably buy one with the cash in your pocket, while the other would be on par with the cost of your bar tab from a couple weekend’s worth of shenanigans.

Item A.

Timex Camper (available at Timex for $35): with a nylon strap, luminescent hands/markers and water resistance up to 30 meters, the Timex Camper is direct, rugged, takes a licking, and keeps on…you get the picture.

Item B.

TX 730 Series Classic Fly-Back Chronograph (available at Timex for $550): on somewhat of the opposite end of the design spectrum, the TX 730 Series features multifunctional movement with a compass, tachymeter, date and four-hour fly-back chronograph functionality, housed in a slick aviation-inspired case (and the fact that it’s blacked out certainly doesn’t hurt either). 

Adventure, Gear, Outdoors, Watches

The hat trick.  The trifecta.  The trinity.  There’s always been something sublime and utterly complete about things that come in threes.  With the Suunto Elementum (price TBA), you’re able to choose from three separate watch lines that equip you to handle the elements while exploring: Aqua (for diving), Terra (for outdoor expedition) and Ventus (for sailing).  All three share a ruggedly modern aesthetic and a bevy of features specifically designed to ensure your safety and survival, whether measuring dive depth, reading barometric pressure and trend, or providing 3D compass directions.  In addition, every Elementum is made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel and has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating, while being water resistant from 100m to 200m, depending on the model.  You can also choose from steel, leather, and rubber straps in various colors, allowing you to personalize your Elementum to fit your sense of style while roughing it in the great outdoors.

Adventure, Gear, Outdoors, Watches

If you’re anything like us, you probably don’t have the greenest of thumbs.  The last houseplant we received as a gift was inadvertently dropped off the windowsill (cracking the pot it came in), left outside for some sun on another occasion, where it was then promptly snatched up by some neighborhood plant thief.  Time to switch it up and instead of accidentally sending your plant to an early demise, get one that does the dispatching for you (at least when it comes to the local insect population) with the California Carnivores Venus Flytraps (available at California Carnivores starting from $8).  With a varied collection including different forms and colors (editor’s choice: Dionaea muscipula ‘Red Piranha’), you’re sure to find one that will enhance any outdoor garden area with a carnivorous bite that no houseplant could ever hope to match.

Garden, Loft, Outdoors

For those of you who consider every meal yet another opportunity to dine al fresco, the Chillchaser Poseidon Patio Heater (available for pre-order at Chillchaser for $1,405) is the ideal patio companion with a modern design to satisfy your outdoor heating needs.  Standing at 6.5 feet tall and covered with an all-weather paint finish, the Chillchaser Poseidon uses Far Infrared carbon fiber heating to provide a focused source of heat that produces less CO2 emissions and is more cost effective than a gas heater.  The Poseidon also features a four position adjustable head that includes a weatherproof media player (with a high resolution LCD screen and audio speakers) and a PIR infrared sensor that detects people’s movements to optimize energy usage.  And should your outdoor activities result in the Poseidon getting accidentally knocked over, it even boasts a safety feature that automatically turns the heating off when tipped over.

Gear, Loft, Outdoors, Patio

Whenever asked at restaurants to choose from sparkling or still water, the editors at DS always request a glass of New York’s finest (tap water).  The Vapur Anti-Bottle (available at Vapur for $9) is just one more simple way to limit bottled water usage while actually making life that much easier for you as well.  The 16 ounce Anti-Bottle is incredibly portable as you can easily roll it up and compactly store it when not in use.  Made from an FDA-approved, BPA-free polymer with an inner layer that’s odor, taste and stain-resistant, the Vapur Anti-Bottle is not only dishwasher safe, but also can be safely frozen.  And with each Vapur purchase, your support helps further water-related environmental causes as Vapur participates in 1% For The Planet, among other environmentally conscious measures.

Gear, Going green, Outdoors, Water Bottle

Weighing in at a svelte 55 grams, the Topeak Micro Rocket CB (available at Amazon.com starting from $33) is the ideal bicycle pump for riders interested in minimizing excess weight and unnecessary accessories while managing to remain style savvy.  The Micro Rocket CB is compact and slick with its locking carbon handle and barrel sheath, yet highly functional with a single action design that fits Presta valves and pumps to 160 psi.  You’ll barely even know you’ve brought the Micro Rocket CB along for the ride, but will be glad it’s there when you need it.

Related Item:
Topeak Bikamper Bicycle Tent

Bicycle, Cycling, Gear, Outdoors

If you think the city is a tough place to live in, you should try riding your bicycle on the streets during rush hour.  Between buses and yellow cabs weaving their way through traffic with reckless abandon, you never quite know who’s going to stay in which lane.  It’s a good thing the Dutch have accounted for this with the VANMOOF Bicycle by Sjoerd Smit (available at Areaware for $600).  The VANMOOF is a light urban cruiser weighing just under 28 lbs that allows you to ride quickly and deftly, both crucial aspects of urban biking and survival.  The powder-coated, rustproof aluminum frame directly incorporates a unique solar-powered two LED light system, ensuring your safety and visibility at all times.  Moreover, being a single speed bicycle with a rear coaster brake to eliminate the complexity of wiring, and quality components such as Schwalbe Road Cruiser tires and a Brooks saddle, the VANMOOF is all about efficient and effective simplicity with just a touch design elegance.

Bicycle, Gear, Outdoors