Canada and Japan are two of my country crushes right now (ok they probably always will be). Each country’s abundance of natural wilderness areas means men and women of all ages embody a certain awareness of, hunger for and skills in exploring and recreating in the great outdoors. And ofcourse you need the right gear to expose yourself to the elements, and designers and makers in both these regions continue to produce some of the best looking hybrid gear for downpours and snow, regardless if Black Bears or neon lights are staring at you.

A recent publication that profiles the cultures and places from where these people and products emerge from, is Inventory Magazine. Based in that waterlogged gateway city of Vancouver, the mag is two years young and is an easy, diverse read.

My only grouch is the astronomical prices which seem to swing off these products making them fit for only the models who grace each page.

Oh and the bushy beard. It’s become such a brand in its own right it’s starting to lose it’s surprise.

From www.onitblog.com.au