Commonly and colloquially applied to regions in California, Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, and even Colorado, the concept of a high desert is fairly straightforward: a desert ecosystem that exists at a higher-than-normal elevation. However, if you’ve ever had the fortune of visiting one, you might realize that these ill-defined locales are actually quite different from their sand-and-cacti counterparts. In fact, they look a bit more like a prairie than the traditional concept of a desert. That includes an abundance of interesting plant and animal life — like juniper trees, prairie falcons, wheatgrass, mule deer, buckwheat, coyotes, lilies, and jackrabbits (to name a small few). These regions are also not quite as brown as one might expect — boasting sometimes vibrant flora and geological features (like Oregon’s famous Painted Hills). These unique regions have inspired this week’s everyday carry pocket dump — a collection of tough-as-nails gear that also looks quite beautiful with the right context and understanding.
Armatus Vita Kydex EDC Wallet
Made entirely from mil-spec materials — including its snap-button closure and, of course, the Kydex exterior — Armatus’ Vita EDC Wallet stands out from the rest of the minimalist wallet crowd as being both handsome and remarkably tough. It’s also capacious, with an 8-card capacity, as well as being waterproof and lightweight at just 1.6 ounces. As an added bonus, it’s also made in the USA.
WESN Quick Release Titanium Keychain
For those who keep tools of any kind on their keychain, a quick-release can be a major boon — allowing you to separate those tools on-the-fly for much easier operation. And, as far as keychain quick releases go, this one from WESN is amongst the best. It’s machined from solid titanium, is ultralight, and was built to last a lifetime.
TOPS Knives Tac-Raze 2 Folding Knife
Don’t let its appearance fool you — the Tac-Raze 2 folder is not actually a straight razor. Rather, it’s a hard-use everyday carry knife that was inspired by straight razors. Designed by TOPS showrunner Leo Espinoza, this unique friction folder boasts a Micarta handle scales mated to a 1095 steel hatchet-style blade. Best of all (and like all TOPS offerings), it’s made in the USA.
Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Auto Watch
A novel take on what might be Hamilton’s most historically-significant and recognizable timepiece, this version of the Khaki Field Watch benefits from a super-sturdy and lightweight titanium case. It still features a clean 3-hand format, an automatic self-winding movement, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and a comfy and handsome premium leather strap.
