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What’s In Your Bag – July 4th Weekend

By Tom Handley Published August 6, 2021

Tomorrow, or perhaps tonight, begins the ultimate July 4^th Weekend. Why ultimate you ask –for many people across the country, it’s a 4-day holiday weekend. So that means more activities or events to attend, fun to have, and yes, more to pack. With limited space, and maximum need, here are a few options to inspire your packing, and ensure you’re prepared for a great weekend.

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Filson – Since this isn’t your typical summer weekend, you might need a bit more room. The Pullman is ideal for the travel-savvy traveler that seeks efficiency–the two large compartments open fully and lay down flat for easy packing. It’s rough good looks are an additional benefit.

Gant – Slightly shorter in front, this tapered trim fit shirt is perfect to leave un-tucked, for a dinner out, or a BBQ at the neighbors. What’s for dinner?

Gitman Vintage – For over 70 years in Ashland, Pennsylvania, Gitman Bros. have been churning some of the coolest shirts and shorts in the U.S. These slim, but never tight, oxford relief shorts, fall just above the knee.

Jack Wills – This British classic brand is now a favorite on this side of the pond. The Barberry Slim Chino pant brings some color to the party.

G.H. Bass – It’s not summer without a pair of white bucs ! Whether fresh or scuffed, the Buckingham is a classic. They feature rich suede leather uppers with a lightweight rubber blended outsole for maximum comfort and flexibility.

L.L. Bean – They are sure becoming an authority on performance! This t-shirt featuring a pill-resistant exterior quickly disperses moisture so you stay dry. It’s perfect for the weekend.

Vilberquin – Started in the 1970’s, this Saint Tropez found brand is a favorite across the U.S. and around the world. The Okoa print transports anyone to a tropical paradise. The Tapa board short length is a great beach or pool attitude.

Brooks Brothers Red Fleece – With a more youth take on the classic Brooks style, this stripe is very on-trend. A flip-flop, made with a waterproof leather foot bed, is right, from beach to BBQ.

Coach – The fedora makes a comeback with texture. The timeless packable silhouette is accented with a pair of bold stripes, a bonus for packing.

Ray-Ban – The Ray-Ban Folding Aviator takes the original Aviator and dips it in luxury. The tubular metal temples have a hinged curve that allows you to fold your sunglasses into a compact Ray-Ban case. Here, smaller is better.

Champion – Reversible, yes, this tank means a different look for your run or playing softball every other day this weekend. DoubleDry^TM fabric finish wicks sweat, controls moisture buildup, and keeps you cool and dry.

Fila – Another reversible! The Essenza short is perfect for travel. Windowpane that reverses to a solid, this short provides 2 looks, meaning, less to pack.

Nike – Nike Free are different than traditional athletic shoes. They’re designed to let your feet move more freely and naturally, which means your muscles will be doing a bit more work than demanded of them in some other athletic shoes. Comfy too!

Adidas – With large compartment with drawstring closure complete with air mesh ventilation, the Alliance Sackpack has a front zippered valuables pocket. The two side mesh pockets are deep enough to fit water bottles. Perfect bag for the beach or pool, and day on your bike.

So no matter where you may be headed, or having a ‘stay-cation’, stay cool, have fun, and enjoy your long weekend!

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Tom Handley is a contributor for TheManual. As a professor of public relations and social media strategy at Parsons The New…

Health & Fitness

Recovery Footwear: What You Wear After Your Workout Matters

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We all want to get the most out of our workouts and most importantly be able to bounce back quickly after them. From protein powders and protein shakes to foam rollers, massage guns, compression gear, and other workout recovery tools, there is something out there for everyone to enhance performance. There are workout techniques and aids help ease muscle soreness, rebuild and repair muscles, and return the body to fighting form so that you are all ready to attack the next workout and get that much fitter and stronger.
In recent years, professional and amateur athletes alike have started to turn to recovery footwear to further enhance recovery and comfort after exercise. Runners, triathletes, tennis players, and even regular gym goers are some of the many athletes who are choosing specific footwear after exercise. After a long day on your feet you need shoes that provide stability, arch support, and relieve pain and tightness in the feet, ankles, and knees. If you find yourself needing to rub your aching feet after a long day or simply want to improve the health of your feet and lower legs to speed workout recovery, keep reading to learn how and why recovery footwear may help.

What Is Recovery Footwear?
Recovery footwear, which can be anything from sandals to slides to lightweight sneakers, aims to provide the ideal cushioning and support for the foot. Because the foot is the anchor point to the ground, by properly aligning the foot, recovery footwear also optimizes the alignment and biomechanics of the entire lower limb, including the ankles, knees, and hips. The toe box is generally wide, allowing the toes to fully spread into their natural positions, instead of being crammed and restricted in conventional sneakers and footwear. Most recovery footwear also provides ideal arch support and places a gentle stretch on the calf by lowering the heel relative to normal footwear—a position that mimics the natural, barefoot alignment.

Fashion & Style

Is blue light bad for your eyes? What you need to know

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Many of us have heard about the potentially harmful effects of blue light that comes from using electronic devices like our phones and laptops much of the day. In fact, Nielsen conducted a study in 2018 and found American adults spend more than 11 hours per day on their devices watching videos, responding to emails, reading articles, and scrolling through social media. It makes sense that there may be potential to harm our eyes in the process.

Given that today, most of us are even more dependent on our devices working from home during the pandemic, it's being given more consideration. In fact, many ophthalmologists are recommending lens with blue light filters to help block us from harmful light. But is blue light bad?

Fashion & Style

The Best Minimalist Bags to Wrangle Your EDC in the Time of Corona

From face masks to hand sanitizer to Tyvek biohazard bodysuits, the health-conscious among us are carrying more daily essentials now than ever. If you’re ready to graduate beyond a baseball-sized wallet and cargo shorts for your everyday carry (EDC), it’s time to invest in a compact carryall. Don't worry if you still have hang-ups about carrying a “murse” or an 80s-era fanny pack. We’ve graduated to fancier “slings” and “crossbody bags” now. Here are our favorite minimalist bags to wrangle your pandemic-related EDC in this time of corona.
Nomatic Navigator Sling 6L

We dig everything about Nomatic’s design ethos, where a great deal of thought goes into keeping things simple. From slings to messenger bags to backpacks, every one of the brand’s bags is made to pack only what you need and nothing you don’t. The new Navigator Sling 6L is perfect for your EDC, especially in the time of coronavirus. The main compartment features four pockets, including an RFID-safe one for stowing your passport and credit cards. Around back, an additional pocket is large enough for an 11-inch tablet, and a water bottle pocket stows away when not in use.