Concrete is one of the fundamental building blocks of humanity. In the United States alone, it’s estimated that more than 80% of the population lives in urban areas, which explains the bevy of sprawling concrete jungles that punctuate our nation. Despite its ubiquitousness, it’s easy to forget how concrete literally shapes our lives as it serves as the bedrock of our infrastructure. Simple in nature yet strong and long-lasting in practice, we used this essential building material as inspiration for a quartet of gray, rugged, and reliable everyday carry picks that you can sport while navigating the concrete jungle in which you live.
Nomad Sport Case
Whether the city’s your backyard or a vacation destination, your smartphone is one of the best navigation tools you can use, making it all the more important to invest in a proper phone case to protect it. Touted as “the minimalist’s everyday case,” Nomad’s lunar gray Sport Case features a grip bumper, metal buttons, and a high-gloss backing. Even better, it boasts drop protection up to six feet, which is sure to come in handy for when you inevitably send your phone tumbling onto some actual concrete.
Kershaw Cryo II
If everyday carry knife brands had a Mount Rushmore, Kershaw would indubitably be on it. The brand’s classic Cryo II in matte gray exemplifies the quality of excellence that made Kershaw the icon it is today. Equal parts functional, durable, and accessible, the Cryo II was designed in collaboration with acclaimed knifemaker Rick Hinderer and features an 8Cr13MoV stainless steel drop point blade that keeps its edge and resists corrosion. The 3.25″ blade is mated to a stainless steel handle and boasts Kershaw’s SpeedSafe Assisted Opening mechanism for effortless one-handed opening.
Dango A10 Adapt Wallet
If you’re traveling around the city, or really anywhere, a bulky wallet is going to be the bane of your existence. Thankfully, the folks over at Dango created the magnificently minimalistic A10 Adapt Wallet to simplify your wallet woes. This wallet has a six-card capacity and a chassis made of 6061 aerospace-grade CNC-machined aluminum to make it one of the most durable and longest-lasting wallets on the market. What’s more, the A10 Adapt Wallet sports an innovative rail system with a quick-release sliding back-plate that glides effortlessly for easy access.
Bell & Ross BR 05 Horolum
Inspired by the minerality of concrete and the stripping down of contemporary architecture, the Bell & Ross BR 05 Horolum is the ultimate timepiece for the city traveler. This limited-edition watch’s handsome matte gray dial sports Super-LumiNova filled hands and indices for supreme visual contrast and enhanced visibility in the dark. Moreover, the BR 05 Horolum sports a micro-blasted steel case construction, a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and a water-resistance rating of 100 meters. What better watch to wear while exploring the concrete jungle than a watch inspired by concrete itself?
