I don't know what gen I have but I got some silicone cover things and they've been fantastic while running
That looks classy. I like it a lot. But I live in NJ and can go to jail for even looking at its picture.
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/clothing-mens/best-rain-jacket-men I have experience with some of these jackets. Fabric like what’s on the Outdoor Reaearch pertex jackets will wet out instead of beading up and rolling off, but they won’t wet through. If you want a jacket that’s light and sheds water (Goretex three layer fabric) it’ll be a little heavier. Then you’ll need pit zips so you don’t sweat like a hog. That adds more weight. Staying dry when it’s cool out requires very few compromises. When it’s hot, I haven’t found anything that’s just perfect. Recently I’ve been wearing a Sitka dew point and it packs down small but it’s pricey and I gave up pit zips in favor of something that packs down extra small.
The thought you put into your reviews and product knowledge that you've imparted on this board, across a seemingly endless list of categories, for the last 20yrs is admirable.
He gives so much more thought to every day things than I do. I don’t even think about whether my wallet or fleece is performing at 100%.
The operative word when discussing NJ Knife law is "nuanced", but not really. It's legal to carry a knife in the state as long as you can prove beyond any doubt you are carrying it for work, camping, hunting or fishing. Where does that leave a simple EDC if you work behind a desk with a screen all day and aren't any type of outdoorsman? If we're leaving it up to the cop looking to put a feather in his cap for taking a serial box tape and string murderer like me off the street, not in a very good place. And if you open it in an act of self defence?... wooo Jesus! That dude better have attacked me while I was in the act of breaking down a particularly sturdy water heater box because NJ is specific in its stance that self defence outside the home is an unlawful reason.
I don’t think I’m autistic but I’m just weird. I’ve travelled the world a lot for work and I’ve had things fail on me where REI, Lowe’s, and any semblance of convenience is not there. I don’t care how good a warranty is if my diagonal cutters fail in the middle of nowhere Taiwan and the nearest hardware store is an hour away. Same for some of the multi day hikes I’ve had where a failed rain shell almost cost me dearly. Now I’m old and fat and don’t travel as much any more. I still hyper focus and obsess about details but it’s more around creature comforts, photography, and lawn care these days. I have been in manufacturing for years though. I stare at plastic cutlery and note where the mold for the injection molding is about to fail and cause flashing. If I’m at a work dinner I look at glassware to see if it’s borosilicate versus soda lime because it’s easier than carrying on a boring conversation about work (why do they make is go through this?). I’ve spent an hour this morning figuring out which wheel bearing grease is best for a project I’m working on, but that led me to learning about how different grease products are made. The list goes on, but I just like knowing things for the sake of knowing them. I’m honestly just average at my job but if you’re ever on who wants to be a millionaire or trivia night I’m probably on the short list of people to call. (People don’t invite me to parties and I definitely agree with them.)
The New York Custom Knife Show I used to go to moved to NJ when laws in New York City made it illegal to even display knives there. During COVID they moved the NJ show to Nashville (and changed the name) because the hotel that hosted it was using the discount code that show participants used for a discounted rate as “evidence” that they may have other contraband. They were performing searches on rooms (with police officers) while people were downstairs at the show. You’re right to be paranoid. Most of my buddies in NJ carry a multitool like a Leatherman or a Victorinox just so it looks like it’s a work or hobby related “tool” rather than just a knife.
Yeah, I play with data all day for a large NJ school district. A cop passing through a school main office would just assume dive behind the principal's desk and gun me down if he saw me pull out an EDC to help a secretary open a box of copy paper. Yeah, I was using it at work but what I was doing wasn't technically part of my job (it's a custodian's) and why wouldn't I have used scissors if they were available in the secretaries desk? They'd argue the cop was justified and probably HIS wife was entitled to MY pension. (Only half joking)