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  • Nicholas Italiano in Gear

Gear Up: Desk to Dawn

Gear for the hustle, and the outdoors

Grinding through a full week at the office or jobsite can wear anyone down, especially when you’re trying to stay motivated for long weekends in the wild. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the A/C, kicking back by the pool, or cracking open a cold one when the workweek ends — you’ve earned it. But don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Those 40-plus hours pay for something more: the freedom to pack up and get out there. We’ve put together a collection of gear to make the daily grind a little easier and help stoke your excitement for that next escape the moment you break away from the blacktop and return to real ground.

Ramsingh Watch Company Jakkal

NOTES 

When you think of a hard-use or tactical watch, the first thing your mind’s eye conjures is probably something big and clunky. In reality, when you look at the men and women out in the field getting after it, you’ll often spot something much lower profile and more streamlined. The Jakkal takes inspiration from classic field watches of the 1950s through the 1970s, more specifically, those worn during the Rhodesian Bush Wars. Its tenacious 38mm PVD-coated case is made from 316L stainless steel for corrosion resistance and all-around resilience.

A screw-down crown ensures the entire package stays watertight. With a smaller case size, legibility becomes even more important, and the domed sapphire crystal delivers; it's incredibly clear and nearly impossible to scratch. If you’re putting your gear through daily punishment on the job, you need a watch that stands up to recoil, impact, altitude, and submersion. That’s where quartz shines. When missing your mark isn’t an option, reliability matters. For that reason, the Swiss Ronda 713 quartz movement was chosen. Built for high-stress environments and trusted for its durability, the 713 feels right at home inside the Jakkal.

County Comm BIG – Industrial Strength Survival Food Grade Tin and Kydex Belt Holster

NOTES

You can’t go wrong by starting with a topo design on the cover of your survival gear. Great for minimalist hiking or as an urban survival tin, the BIG Industrial Strength Survival Food Grade Tin is perfectly sized to keep your packing focused on what you need, not what you want. Use it as an escape and evasion kit, a fire-starting kit, a small ouch pouch, or just a Skittles stash. The crush-proof construction offers peace of mind, knowing your gear stays safe during rough travel or over rugged terrain.

Because it’s made with food-grade materials, you can store a compact cache of calorie-dense food or, in a pinch, boil small amounts of water for survival. One of our favorite field hacks is to drop in a couple of tea candles and use it to create a bit of warmth under a poncho while leaning against a tree on cold, rainy nights. The 4x4x2-inch tin fits securely in a handmade Kydex Belt Holster, which comes with a 1.5-inch removable belt clip. It’s simple, sturdy, and built with just the right amount of space to do the job without overcomplicating it.

AeroPress Go

NOTES

We know. The coffee at work tastes like burnt garbage. But short of hauling in your own coffee pot from home, what are you supposed to do about it? You’re going to take our advice and get yourself an AeroPress Go. The AeroPress Go is about the size of a standard 12- to 15-ounce coffee mug and is completely self-contained inside its own cup, capped with a lid. Under that lid, you’ll find a scoop, a folding stir stick, paper filters in a clamshell case, the chamber, plunger, and cup.

All you need to provide is your favorite coffee and some hot water. This compact setup is perfect for brewing American or espresso-style coffee, and it can even handle cold brew. No more bitter, burnt-tasting sludge. You can now make great coffee one cup at a time, wherever you are. After a stretch of rigorous (and highly caffeinated) testing, we found that the quality of the brew led to a 30-percent reduction in our usual coffee intake, while keeping focus, energy, and morale high. Turns out, better coffee really does mean better performance.

Benchmade Mini Bugout 533SL-10

NOTES 

Anthony Bourdain once said something along the lines of, “You don’t need a big knife, just a sharp one.” That’s exactly what you’re getting with the Mini Bugout 533SL-10. A sleek Woodland Green anodized aluminum handle is paired with a tight-fitting black oxide deep-carry ambi-pocket clip to always keep this trusty sidekick close. With an overall length of 6.49 inches and a blade length of 2.82 inches, you’ve got just enough real estate to stay in control during detailed tasks.

The Mini Bugout shines indoors for daily cutting jobs and holds its own outdoors making kindling, field dressing small game or fish, and handling carving work. Weighing just 2 ounces, it earns its name as a true lightweight companion. The CPM S90V clip-point blade offers plenty of utility across a range of tasks, though you won’t be striking a ferro rod with it — the Crushed Silver Cerakote coating prevents that. Benchmade offers the Mini Bugout in a variety of colors and handle materials, with prices ranging from $180 for the Grivory composite models to $320 for the premium carbon-fiber version.

Halfbreed Blades Large Bush Knife (LBK) Gen-2

NOTES

This Australian import is packed with features you’d expect from a proper “do-it-all” bush knife. With an overall length of 11.22 inches, this thing is an absolute beast. Once your fingers wrap around the G10 grip scales, you’ll feel like you could kill a tank with it. The CPM 3V blade includes a generous amount of jimping, smartly placed at the thumb ramp and at both the top and bottom of the heel for added friction in a reverse grip. Halfbreed added a sizable fuller to help reduce blade friction and lighten the overall weight — a smart move, considering the LBK Gen-2 comes in at 17.46 ounces.

It rides in a Kydex sheath that can be worn either in a scout (parallel) or traditional (perpendicular) carry. It ships with two MOLLE clips to accommodate various mounting setups. The included ferro rod is noticeably small for a blade this size but stays tucked out of the way when you're deep in the bush. After extended use in the field, we haven’t found the LBK Gen-2 to be lacking in any department. Cheers, mate!

Crazy Creek The Pack Table

NOTES

Designed and manufactured from recycled materials in Montana, the Pack Table is a versatile addition to round out your pack loadout. We’ve found it does its best work fireside, keeping card games and meals out of the dirt and mud. Made from rugged polypropylene, the tabletop features a textured cement gray finish and is held together with a shock cord system like how tent poles are strung. Independently adjustable blaze orange legs move in 1-inch increments from 5 to 8 inches.

With stability in mind, Crazy Creek added a spring-assisted opening system to keep the legs locked open when under load. That means you’ll always have a stable surface for your late-night drinks or early morning coffee. To save space and weight, the table packs down to just 6 by 6 by 2 inches and tips the scale at only 19 ounces. For something so small, it pulls a lot of weight. You’ll have no trouble justifying its place in your kit.

Grayl 24-ounce GeoPress

  • FILTRATION RATE: 24 ounces per minute
  • MSRP: $100
  • URL: grayl.com

NOTES

Staying hydrated during strenuous activity is crucial, but so is ensuring your water is safe. The Grayl system makes this easy with a smart, streamlined design. Scoop water with the outer cup, keeping the lid and mouthpiece clean. The 24-ounce inner cup, fitted with a base filter, slides in. Just loosen the cap, press down, and clean water is ready in seconds.

It’s effective for everything from rivers to sketchy tap water, making it great for travel, backcountry trips, or emergency kits. Each filter lasts about 350 uses or 65 gallons.

LuminAID PackLite Titan 2-in-1

NOTES 

LuminAID delivered big with their incredibly well-designed collapsible LED lantern. You can charge it via solar or plug it into the wall to make sure it’s ready when needed. The Titan uses air pressure to keep the package both collapsed and upright — a surprisingly clever design. The body of the lantern twists 90 degrees to either expand or collapse. To start the process, just pull the airtight, tethered plug on the bottom. This allows air to quickly fill the lens. Once inflated, replace the plug to keep the light standing.

To collapse it, simply reverse the process. Did we mention this device will also charge your phone? The Titan houses an extra-large 4000mAh battery capable of charging most phones two to three times. If your priority is seeing in the dark, you’re covered. The Titan runs up to 100 hours and pushes out as much as 300 lumens. It also features both red and white light modes, depending on your needs. Best of all, it holds a charge on the shelf for over two years, making it a solid option for everything from backpacking trips to blackout kits.

18 Series Bags The Charlie Load-Out Bag

NOTES

Built to meet the demands of the 18 Charlie — U.S. Special Forces Engineer Sergeants — this bag is ready for changing missions and tough conditions. The Charlie Load-Out Bag lays flat when opened, with loop Velcro throughout the interior to secure the included four 9×10-inch and two 15×7-inch hook-backed, windowed pouches.

It works well as checked luggage, for a shoot house class, or anything in between. At roughly 30 inches tall, 18 inches wide, and 16 inches deep, it holds a serious load, made manageable by integrated rollers. A removable admin pouch tops it off, ideal for small essentials. Available in Black, Coyote, and Multicam.

MAD Gear Contingency Planner

NOTES

In the heat of a tragic event, you don’t want to be scrambling to come up with a potentially life-saving course of action. When the game is for all the marbles, you want a solid plan already in place and rehearsed. M.A.D. Gear has designed a well-thought-out Contingency Planner to help you think through multiple scenarios before they unfold. The planner walks you through building an exfil (escape) plan, using an authentication table, card of the day, cipher table, and other helpful references and checklists.

The pages are made from a proprietary synthetic material that’s extremely durable, waterproof, and easy to write, draw, or glue on. Not using a traditional three-ring binder — or worse, a spiral binding — is a smart move on M.A.D. Gear’s part. Three-ring binders tend to break, and spirals get crushed or make turning pages a pain. Instead, the pages are loose and held together with dual ring clips, making it easy to reorganize or remove what you need. These aren’t fragile sheets; they're not even paper. They’re built to withstand use in the field when failure isn’t an option.

StopBox Pro

NOTES

To keep your pistol out of the hands of people who shouldn’t have access, you could go with a giant safe if you wanted. But, in my opinion, the best place to store your handgun is in its holster and on your person. When that’s not ideal, especially when hanging around the house, I favor the StopBox. No batteries to die, no beeping to give you away, and no fumbling with keys or spinning dials while under stress. The StopBox uses a mechanical locking system operated by a combination of five ergonomically placed buttons, keeping curious fingers out while still giving you fast access.

The criteria for a good safe are simple: it needs to offer quick, repeatable access while keeping the contents secure. The StopBox checks both boxes. It's built from a high-impact resistant, glass-reinforced polycarbonate-ABS blend and reinforced with steel where it counts. Lightweight, portable, and completely mechanical, the StopBox is a smart option when you want fast access without relying on electronics. Perfect for home, travel, or anywhere you might temporarily stage your handgun when it’s not riding on your belt.

Riton 5 Primal

NOTES

It’s getting to be that time of year again. Time to hit the hillsides and open spaces to do a little scouting for your fall game of choice. Sure, you can glass with a solid pair of binoculars — and I often do — but for my money, nothing beats a quality angled spotting scope. Riton delivers the performance of larger, heavier scopes in a package that’s much lighter than you’d expect. Measuring approximately 12.7 inches in length and weighing just 2.75 pounds, this is an optic you won’t leave behind.

The adjustable zoom eyepiece provides solid eye relief, even at extended distances, and the focus stays steady as you increase magnification. The tripod mount uses a standard threaded base, the same commonly found on optics and cameras. That opens the door to a wide variety of mounting options, especially when paired with a conversion base. And when the sun threatens to cook you out of your perfect glassing spot, you won’t be out of luck. The 5 Primal comes with a built-in, twist-out sunshade that extends or retracts with ease. This is a well-balanced scope that’s ready to work when you are.

Tuff Possum Gear Multipurpose Sit Pad

NOTES

No matter how long you’ve been spending time in the field, you’re never going to enjoy sitting on cold, wet, or scorching ground. Taking a knee to start a fire or knock out a camp task is always better when you’ve got a little extra comfort. Tuff Possum delivered just that in a lightweight, waterproof, and rugged package. The Multipurpose Sit Pad (MSP) weighs only 4 ounces, including the closed-cell foam insert. With a surface area of 17.5 by 11 inches, and a half inch of thickness, the MSP offers just enough cushion to get the job done.

It doesn’t just keep you dry while sitting or kneeling, it also insulates against hot or cold surfaces. In a pinch, you could lay on it and keep your core off the ground, minimizing thermal loss. A Velcro closure seals the pad inside, but you can pull it out and use the cover as a stash bag, or stuff it with local vegetation to create a makeshift pillow. Every version includes a blaze orange panel on one side for signaling. Available in solid colors and patterns like Multicam, Nemesis Woodland Wolf, Ranger Green, and more.

Rab Equipment Incline Pants

NOTES

Lightweight, flexible, breathable, wind-resistant, and quick to dry, the Incline Pants by Rab check all the right boxes. Built from midweight Matrix softshell fabric, they're deceptively tough. We’ve put in long days wearing these in the field, doing hard work, and, so far, not a single rip or tear. All pockets are zippered with internal mesh to speed up drying. A long-gusseted crotch runs from knee to knee, helping you stay mobile, and drawstring cuffs let you cinch things down when the wind kicks up or when ticks are an issue.

Six belt loops spaced around the waistband accept belts up to 1.5 inches wide, just in case you forgot you’re not lounging in pajamas. The Inclines come in five solid colors: Army, Beluga, Deep Ink, Olive, and Tempest Blue. And thanks to a generous amount of built-in stretch, you don’t need to stress about a perfect fit. Available in sizes from small to XXL and three inseam options: short, regular, and long. They're built to work, but comfortable enough to live in.

WETWRX Combat Hoodie

NOTES

Over the course of the cold months, you got used to the comfort and utility of a hoodie. Just because the mercury is on the rise doesn’t mean that cozy feeling must come to an end. WETWRX has just released their Summer Combat Hoodie (SCH). It’s made from 250D polyester mesh, meaning the SCH holds in zero body heat, absorbs no water, and helps wick away moisture. In fact, the SCH is meant to be added over the top of a wicking system to keep you cool, while also keeping your skin covered, camouflaged, protected from biting insects, and shielded from UV exposure.

While the mesh grid is wide enough to provide plenty of air circulation, we also found it shines as the base for an impromptu ghillie suit by weaving in local vegetation or some jute if you’ve got it on hand. Since 250D poly mesh is tough enough to belly crawl across the forest floor, there is no stretch to this material. Make sure you order your sizing appropriately. At launch, WETWRX is offering the SCH in Coyote, Multicam, and Ranger Green. It's a hoodie built for summer, not sweating.

OPE Gear Pack Husk

NOTES

But I don’t have any reason to camouflage my pack, you might be thinking. Well, think again. More people are carrying backpacks in public places. We’ve found scrims come in especially handy when needing to enter small, locally owned stores that don’t allow backpacks due to theft concerns. It’s easy to duck off somewhere, pull the scrim from your pack, cover it, and stash it in nearby vegetation, keeping it out of sight from passersby. In more rural settings, the Pack Husk does more than mute colors.

It breaks up the outline and shape of your pack and conceals those uniquely human forms that catch the eye, reducing your visual signature. OPE Gear laser-cuts 500D Cordura for their scrim products, making them tear-proof, uniform, lightweight, and tough. OPE Gear’s material is also NIR compliant, anti-glare and shine, UV resistant, and resistant to mold and water. The Pack Husk fits pack sizes from 10 to 30 liters, with a shock cord drawstring to keep things snug. Available in a dozen different camouflage patterns and three solid colors. Simple concept, clever execution.

Combat Flip Flops Shadow Ban High Top

NOTES

“Bad for running. Worse for fighting.” That’s been the motto of Combat Flip Flops since day one, until now. The Shadow Ban breaks that mold. Don’t let the low-profile design fool you. These aren’t just lifestyle sneakers. They’re front-line capable footwear disguised as everyday lace-ups. What looks like an ordinary pair of casual high-tops is actually duty-grade workwear with attitude. It all starts with the proprietary “Sticky AF” outsole, delivering serious traction. That’s backed by a custom EVA midsole offering real arch support and lasting comfort. A reinforced leather toe cap and tongue give you the protection you need on the job or in the field. And the rugged canvas upper pulls it all together.

This is a door-kicker that doesn’t back down and doesn’t quit. Eight eyelets stretch from the forefoot to above the malleolus, creating a snug, even fit from top to bottom. It’s only available in whole sizes, but the updated design gives you extra room where it counts, especially in the toe box. If you're between sizes, go up. You won’t regret it. A lifetime warranty backs the quality you’d expect from CFF. Right now, they’re only offered in black — just the way we like it.

Top Picks

As summer starts to wind down across much of the U.S., we can expect large swings in daily temperatures. With that in mind, we chose the Rab Incline Pants and WETWRX Summer Combat Hoodie as our two standout products. When it comes to spending long days outside, it’s critical to shield yourself from the elements and stay comfortable while doing it.

Rab’s Incline Pants are lightweight and highly functional. Just as comfortable navigating a crowded airport as they are moving along a ridgeline, they’re a versatile addition to any wardrobe or kit.
The WETWRX Summer Combat Hoodie is equally impressive. Built from durable 250D mesh, it allows airflow to keep you cool while keeping the sun and biting insects off your skin. It doesn’t hold moisture, making it ideal for high-output activity. Its utility goes beyond personal wear — it can double as camouflage or be used to conceal gear from view. We've even tested it as the base for an improvised ghillie suit.

At the time the photos were taken for our “Top Two,” temps hit 93 degrees F with 67-percent humidity. The gear kept us comfortable and dry and, notably, bite-free. These two earn their place in the field.

Read More From Issue 69

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Editor's Note: This article has been modified from its original version for the web.

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