Fitness
The Best Men’s Boots to Wear This Season
Published
3 years agoon
By
Terry Power
Unless you’re on the brink of a Margaritaville beach retirement—drink in hand, toes in the sand (wow, that does sound nice)—now’s the time to start prepping your cold weather wardrobe. Even those committed to toasting in the tropics year-round can’t deny the coziness of chillier climes. Crisp air and kaleidoscope foliage. Hot toddies by a crackling fireplace. Oh, and a steady rotation of kick-ass men’s boots to show winter who’s boss.
There are boots out there for every occasion. Hiking boots that can take you from the trail to the tailgate. Desert chukkas and badass work boots for the office (if you ever end up going back). Chelseas and jodhpurs for when you want to class it up at a warehouse art show or fancy eatery. The list goes on.
That said, there’s limited cash in your bank account and limited room on your shoe rack. (Ankle-high footwear takes up a ton of space; we get that.) When shopping for men’s boots, don’t focus on quantity. Instead, be strategic and invest in boots that’ll pay style dividends in the future. That means stocking up on pairs that are sturdy enough to outlast several winter seasons and timeless enough to outlive fleeting trends. Below, we’ve highlighted 11 boots across a range of styles that we’re adding to our post-September shoe portfolio.
The Best Men’s Boots
1. Clark’s Desert Boot
Did you know Clark’s most iconic boot actually has its roots in the desert? Founder Nathan Clark modeled his unfussy chukkas after a rough boot he spotted while strolling through Cario’s Old Bazaar way back in 1950. The minimalist design remains pretty much identical to the very first pair, though dozens of versions have been spawned in the following decades, including this leather-free suede style with a signature (and sustainable) crepe sole.
[$150; clarksusa.com]
2. Paul Stuart Mansfield Beetle Boot
Paul Stuart’s Mansfield Beetle Boot is super sleek, made in Italy, and comes with a sporty rubber sole in contrasting black and white. You’ll definitely turn heads ambling down the sidewalk in these souped-up Chelseas, but they’re also versatile enough to pair with anything from jeans to pleated wool trousers.
[$650; paulstuart.com]
3. Danner Free Spirit
Few brands have tackled the function-meets-fashion evolution of the hiking boot like Danner. With its retro laces and Saved by the Bell colorways, the Free Spirit looks like a relic from the late ‘80s, but these boots are upgraded with modern tech like a suede and abrasion-resistant nylon upper that’s breathable and waterproof (thanks to a Gore-Tex liner). The dual-density midsole is firmer around the edges for enhanced stability, and a Vibram outsole offers plenty of grip on slick streets.
[$200; danner.com]
4. Red Wing Roughneck
The Roughneck is one of Red Wing’s oldest shoe styles. It’s an offshoot of a boot originally worn by oil rig workers, whose notoriously perilous work earned them the nickname “roughnecks.” Your cushy desk job might not lend you much street cred, but this hard-wearing six-inch moc with a triple-stitched, Goodyear welt construction surely will.
[$280; redwingshoes.com]
5. Moncler Mon Corp Ankle Boots
Moncler, the French emperor of winter jet-set style, released the perfect shoe to cap off the après-ski look—and thankfully, it isn’t a snow boot. The oatmeal nubuck Mon Corp is an uber-fashionable ankle boot set on a glacier of a lugged sole. It comes complete with tricolor rope laces and a padded leather topline emblazoned with the Moncler logo.
[$725; kith.com]
6. Polo Ralph Lauren Bryson Suede Chelsea Boot
Who says “safe” is a bad thing? Polo Ralph Lauren’s Bryson Suede Chelsea is an affordable low-key classic that can do no wrong, as far as we’re concerned. The timeless, benchmade boot has oiled suede uppers with elasticated sides and a heel pull tab—making it a cinch to pull on and off—plus a cushioned footbed for all-day comfort.
[$195; ralphlauren.com]
7. G.H. Bass & Co. Camp Moc III Ranger Full-Grain Leather Boots
The Maine brand that invented the penny loafer also makes a damn good boot for any guy’s fall and winter wardrobe. Bass’s Camp Moc III Ranger is both smart-looking and solidly built with tumbled full-grain leather, classic moccasin stitching, antique eyelets woven with leather laces, and a comfy EVA sole.
[$235; mrporter.com]
8. Dr. Martens Vegan 101 Felix Boots
This classic utilitarian boot features all the signature aesthetic pops you’d expect from Dr. Martens—yellow-scripted pull loop and welt stitching, chunky air-cushioned sole, grooved sole edges—but it’s also 100-percent vegan. It’s made from a soft and supple synthetic leather called Felix Rub-Off.
[$140; drmartens.com]
9. Camper Ground Michelin
Camper’s lightweight Ground boot is crafted with suede sourced from a Gold Standard tannery certified by Leather Working Group, an NGO that assesses the environmental compliance of leather manufacturers. Fusing an industrial aesthetic with urban street style, the Spanish shoemaker partnered with Michelin to produce the chunky rubber outsoles on these boots: They use the same open tread pattern as Michelin e-bike tires for exceptional grip on any surface.
[$200; camper.com]
10. Diemme Verona Leather Chelsea Boots
Diemme draws on the rich shoemaking heritage of Italy’s Veneto region with its Verona boots. They’re made from premium all-Italian materials including a calf-leather lining and an extended lug sole with a decorative welt and tonal stitching.
[$430; saksfifthavenue.com]
11. To Boot New York Clarence Grey Suede
Marked by a low heel and buckled strap that fastens around the ankle, the jodhpur is an equestrian-inspired boot created as an alternative to knee-high riding boots. To Boot New York’s style-forward Clarence version is made of Italian calf suede jazzed up with a polished silver zip and side buckle.
[$398; toboot.com]
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
[$10.99 for a six-pack; deschutesbrewery.com]
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Fitness
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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Fitness
The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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