It’s been said that a truck should come only in one of two forms: filthy and covered in mud, or totally spotless. Mud is a reminder of all the fun you had the other day, but holy crap it is hard to clean off the mud from your undercarriage (especially clay). And don’t get me started about your camping gear in the bed of your truck. It’s downright maddening trying to clean some of your gear when it gets covered in dirt and grime.

Inevitably someone comes up with the idea of wrapping their gear in black garbage bags, or to cover it in tarps with an inordinate amount of tie-downs to keep gear clean and dry. At best in that moment you look like a hillbilly headed to the county landfill. After a few miles the wind begins beating against your precious protective layer of garbage bag and tarp, suddenly a tie-down slips and your tarp begins flapping in the wind like an oversized super hero cape and starts fraying and falling apart. I know we all enjoy the idea of having a Superman cape that allows us to fly off to rescue Lois from the maniacal Lex Luthor, but your truck doesn’t need to look like a poor man’s homage to the Man of Steel with a tarp flapping in the wind.

No, I am not suggesting that you sacrifice valuable truck bed real estate by putting on a gaudy shell that makes you look like you wish you bought an SUV or (gasp) a family van instead of a manly man’s vehicle. No self-respecting man wants to look like that. He wants to throw his gear and motorcycle in back and ride in triumph down the street in glory with ladies turning their heads to behold his magnificence.

Enter the Tuff Truck Bag and ride with confidence knowing that your gear will stay dry and secure. The Tuff Truck Bag has solved all of those little annoying nuances associated with transporting your gear around while keeping it clean, dry, and out of view from prying eyes (for that day that you are hauling around a mountain of cash and don’t want anyone to know that you just robbed a bank).

I have been testing this bag all season to make sure I can weigh in properly and give an unbiased opinion on whether or not you should spend your hard earned cash on an enormous bag. And here are the highlights:

Hits
• All my gear stayed clean and dry.
• The bag has enough space to hold a large tent, a few sleeping bags, a stove, air mattress, lantern, and a couple small duffle bags.
• The zippers are sturdy and don’t feel like they will slip.
• PVC material is strong and didn’t rip when I threw a log on top.
• Strong corner D-rings allow for secure rigging.

Misses
• The opening is a little small and awkward to get my gear into. This was a bit frustrating when trying to push my gear to the back of the bag.
• The beige bag looks pretty dirty after a couple uses. More color options would be nice (real men want camo!).
• Rolling the bag up to store is frustrating as the included storage bag is small and flimsy.

Opportunities
• Create an additional opening on the opposite end for easier access.
• Provide a better storage bag that will stand up to abuse.
• Add a little more length to the bag to allow for more capacity.

Overall, I think this is a great idea that will keep my gear in great shape for years to come. The Tuff Truck Bag really stands up to its name and has withstood several beatings that my canvas truck bag would have failed on immediately. There are some opportunities for improvement on design, but the product is rock-solid and will serve you well for many seasons to come. Farewell Superman truck! Check them out for more information, or at least to watch what happens when a person climbs inside and goes through a car wash!

The post Dirt Don’t Hurt… But it is Nice to Keep it Off of Your Gear appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

If nature is your thing, there’s not many cities more impressive than Seattle. On a clear day, you can see the mighty Mount Rainier looming in the distance and can practically feel its power over the city. At 14,409 feet, it is the beast that greets you when arriving into Seattle. The great thing about the city is that it has got a bit of something for everyone. If museums are your thing, waste no time in heading to the incredibly complex and colorful Chihuly Garden and Glass museum that features eight rooms of blown-glass creations. Another fascinating museum worthy of a visit is The Museum of Flight, located just to the Southeast of the city.

A trip to Seattle is not compete without visiting the world famous Pike Place Market. Home to fishmongers tossing full-sized salmon across the countertops, beautiful views of the bay, and shoppers delight, this busy and bustling spot may be a tourist trap, but it’s still a must see. If you’re fortunate enough to have a place to do some cooking, be sure to pick up some of the freshest fish in the city. Straight off of the boat, and into the stalls for you to purchase!

Seattle is such a dynamic city, and with its rolling hills and abundance of lakes and waterways, the city is broken up into 13 distinct districts that range from hipster to chic, hippy to gritty, and college students to the richest of the rich. Take in an incredible view that will cost you nothing but gas money, and head up to Kerry Park to take in some brilliant views of the downtown area, and then go get your grub on in areas such as: Pioneer Square, Capitol Hill, and Ballard. Then of course, due to its large international population, it’s a must to make your way over to the International District to discover some incredibly delicious and authentic food from a variety of Asian cultures.

How can one visit Seattle and not think about coffee? After all, it’s the home to the gigantic Starbucks corporation, so as expected, you will find the green and white logos on many street corners throughout the city. However, be sure to branch out and discover some of the mom and pop types of establishments to get your daily dose of caffeine. Some recommended places to visit include: Seattle Coffee Works, Fremont Coffee Company, and Espresso Vivace.

Seattle and its surrounding areas are the ideal place for everyone from museum enthusiasts to mountain climbers. There’s no shortage of outdoor activities, so if you’re fortunate enough to visit during a time where the sun has graced you with its presence, it’s best to take advantage and get outside to do some exploring. When confronted with rain, it’s no issue because you can stop into an art museum, a coffee shop, or café and enjoy the splendid and majestic Emerald City.

The post It’s Rain or Shine in Seattle for the Modern Gentleman appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.