The Obtainer - 1/22/24, Monday
↦ Who Makes the Best Rugged Gloves?
Monday, January 22nd Edition
It’s too cold out there not to be wearing gloves. Do yourself a favor and buy one really good pair and know that you’ve just set yourself up for countless future winters.
- Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Good/Better/Best
Rugged Leather Gloves
If you've been getting by with a below-average pair of gloves—or God forbid, no gloves—then it’s time to upgrade and protect your digits. And while there are countless styles out there, we think that if a man’s going to have one pair of gloves, it should be a rugged leather pair. Why? Because they can do it all. Would you trust some dainty cashmere mittens to keep your hands protected while carrying firewood or shredding down the slopes? No way. Would you want to pull on some sporty ski gloves when you’re just heading to drinks downtown? Again, nope. But a pair of hard-wearing natural leather gloves? They look good with any color and coat combination. They’re comfortable, warm and will wear like iron. Meaning you buy a good pair and they’ll last you for life. But who makes the best pairs? We tested a few to bring you a solid selection to suit anyone’s budget.- Leon Hedgepeth
Unlined design cut from medium-weight elk leather
Crafted by Geier Gloves in Washington
No lining, so cooler on the skin
The leather is thicker than deerskin, so it is not as dexterous, but it is thick and extremely durable
Elkskin glove, $65 by Danner
Cut from chrome-tanned deerskin, designed for maximum comfort and dexterity
Features a Thinsulate lining for extra protection from cold
Patched palm allows you to grip items like you’re barehanded
Can take a good amount of abuse and not show much wear
Lined buckskin leather glove, $94.99 by Red Wing
Made from a soft, supple deerskin leather
Fleece lining and polyester insulation (Primaloft Gold) make these extremely warm
Ribbed wool cuff ensures air doesn’t creep in by your wrist
Pre-curved fit and "half piqué seam" along the top of the fingers makes for a natural fit
Tore glove, $160 / $128 by Hestra
The internet's favorite cookware is heating up. Just in time to celebrate the Lunar New Year and the year of the dragon, Our Place teamed up with Fly By Jing, the condiment company you know (and love) from its crunchy chili crisp. Together, they created a handsome 12-inch wok ($170) made from premium pre-seasoned carbon steel. The set comes with a glass lid, beechwood spatula, handwoven steamer insert, cooking chopsticks and 10 steamer liners so you can make batch after batch of dumplings for all your friends.
Test Drive
The Smartest Toilet Seat on the Market
I don’t know what it’s like where you are, but temperatures in Chicago have been brutally cold, so I have to start off this review by praising the Tushy Ace bidet’s heated seat. One of those small luxuries you absolutely do not need but really does change the game—the bathroom equivalent of a car’s seat warmer.
You see, I’d been wanting a Tushy ever since I got back from Tokyo—where the country’s smart toilets can be found everywhere from park restrooms to the bathrooms on the skinkansen bullet trains. Tushy is the leading brand, so I knew I should go with them. My only concern was the installation process. I’m no plumber, but it is surprisingly easy, requiring nothing more than a screwdriver and a small extension hose to my tank (which was procured in 24 hours thanks to Amazon Prime). All in all, it took less than 20 minutes thanks to a simple illustrated instruction book.
Then I just needed to wait for nature to call. Using the Ace brought me back to the refreshing and clean feeling I got after every Japanese deuce. The seat and bidet are completely customizable to your taste. The seat and water temperatures, the angle and strength of the bidet stream, and the drying function (yes, there’s a little fan that will evaporate any residual water) are all adjustable and controlled via remote control, which also comes with a handy magnetic wall mount for easy access. The end result is incredibly high-end looking and feeling.
Is it worth the $399 price tag? I guess that’s entirely up to you. Unlike the classic models which will run you a very reasonable $99, the Ace features an internal coiled heating system that warms water on the fly, meaning you’ll never have to rinse with cold water (unless you want to) again. If your throne doesn’t need all the bells and whistles, then you might be okay going with the classic. But once you try a true smart toilet seat, you find it very hard to go back to anything less.
Ace electric bidet, $599 / $399 by Tushy
The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.
This classic crewneck is made from a soft fleece, making it an excellent layering option. Plus, the color is versatile.
$60 / $42by Nike
These baggy workwear pants are crafted from elastic canvas fabric with a boxy silhouette. The carpenter-style details give these an authentic workwear look.
$100 / $80 byAbercrombie & Fitch
A mock neck sweater knit from a durable wool blend with a vintage-inspired honeycomb stitch to give a sumptuous feel.
$94.99 / $71.25 byBanana Republic
This puffer vest includes Primaloft for extra warm insulation, and the quilted shell protects against outdoor adventures.
$165 / $119by Tecovas
A high-end take on a flannel. This wool-flannel camp collar shirt is constructed from brush organic cotton for a soft hand feel.
$215 / $86 byNorse Projects
Madewell's weather-resistant bomber jacket is fleece-lined for added warmth so you can layer under it now and wear it solo come spring.
$148 / $82.99by Madewell
The three best stories from around the web.
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I think my style has gotten a lot more confident in its simplicity.”
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In 2023, his business surpassed $300 million in annual sales, making it a rare American menswear label to achieve legitimate commercial scale in recent years.”
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A style that directly connects the lifestyle, customs inherited from ancestors, and clothing.”
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Travel With Morris - COPENHAGENFeaturing @rubenhughes
November 22
