ToolRider GSR Suspension Rig - Review

There are two main factions in the tool belt world; the leathers and the nylons. It's sort of like the carpenter version of the Sharks and the Jets. Us? We usually dodge the question by opting for the simple nail pouch with a separate hammer loop. Our quasi-supervisory role at work doesn't allow us to spend too many days fully tooled up. But on those days when we're forced to do it, we go for the old leather belt that we have. In our opinion, there's something about them that just feels more...well...authentic. But we don't have anything against the nylon belts, it's just that we've never really found one that we've been all that into. They seem a little too modern and futuristic for us.

But we're open-minded folks so we jumped at the chance to review the the nylon ToolRider GSR Suspension Rig when Rooster (also makers of McGuire-Nicholas rigs) offered to send one on.

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Red Wings 606 - Day One

If you read this site with any regularity, you might know about our recent search for a new pair of boots. We ended up getting a pair of Red Wings...the 606 model. We chose these because they are nothing more than a boot. No insulation, no fancy grommets, no waterproof baggie in the lining, no steel toe. Just high-quality, seemingly well made boots.

We just got through our first work day in them and are pretty damn happy about our decision (dropping $150 on anything tends to make us nervous). They're extremely comfortable and the fact that they're going to break in, leaves us convinced that they're going to fit like a second skin in about a week. We'll likely give more updates as time goes by (because we know you're extremely interested in our footwear selection), but if the first day is any signal, we may be on the Red Wing wagon for a long, long time.

Red Wing 606s at Red Wing

Chippewas or Red Wings?

So here's the deal: Chippewa used to make these great basic work boots. They weren't winter-lined and they weren't water-proof. They just protected our feet and gave us great traction on bad surfaces. We loved these boots and went through about three pairs. Then we found out that Chippewa discontinued the boots in favor of other models with all sorts of bells and whistles. We can't stand bells and whistles in our work boots, but we had driven all the way to the store and figured a pair of Chippewas 'new and improved' water proof, lined boots couldn't be that bad. It's now about four months later and the things are falling apart. The grommets tear the laces, the lining boils our feet, making them sweat and then the waterproofing (aka the bag in the boot) seems to prohibit any breathability, so now the boots have a stench that could kill someone at fifty paces. All we want is a pair of basic boots. We now wear our old ones when we can, but that's less and less often because they're really on their last legs. We've asked a lot of them and we keep asking for more.

So what do you guys say? We're probably going to make the switch to Red Wings, but it's kind of a Ford/Chevy thing so we thought we'd solicit your advice first. What boots do you wear and do you like them? Like we said, we're looking for the basic boot. Nothing fancy.

We also spent a year chewing through a pair of $15 Wal-Mart boots every three months. Not worth it, so please don't tell us to do that.

Sound off in the comments section. We'll randomly pick one at the end of the week and send out some tool we have cluttering up the workbench.

Red Wings at Red Wings and Amazon

Chippewas at Chippewa and Amazon

Summer '09 Baseball Hat: Dead-On Tools

Every summer, we burn through a baseball hat. We don't wear it every day, but it's a nice item to have in the truck for keeping the sun off our face, the sweat out of our eyes, and the rain off our noggin. This summer's fashion selection is the blue cap from Dead On tools.

It's good because not only are we spreading the word about a tool company that we really like, we're also walking around with the American Flag/Skull and Crossbones combo on our forehead. Can't beat that.

We would also like to note that we never wear the hat backwards, and we never, never never hip-hop it off to the side like Michael Phelps does.

These hats are currently only $8 which is a great price for a nice hat from a cool company. You only have to pass on coffee break for three or four days and you'll be able to budget for one. It's a good way to support a little independent company without shelling out $40 for their Annihilator Wrecking Bar.

At Dead On

Check out our review of the Dead On Annihilator here.

Carhartt Coat

When it starts to get Chilly up here in the Northeast, we head straight for the old Carhartt coat. We got this thing about five years ago and for the rest of our lives, we'll never stray from the brand. It is, without question, the warmest, most durable thing we've ever worn. It doesn't look like much anymore, and in fact it sort of makes us look like we're homeless. But we don't care at all about that because it keeps us warm and after five years of abuse, there isn't a single tear in the thing. At this point, we're thinking we'll be able to get at least another 4-5 years out of it. Maybe more.

The pockets are deep, the zipper is indestructible, there are snaps for a hood (if you're into that, we're not), and like we said, the quilt lining is very warm.

It takes a while for them to really break in and get that nice faded look, so for a while you just have to deal with looking like the guy with the brand new Carhart coat, sort of like the kid on the playground with the brand new white sneakers. But once the coat starts relaxing, it really starts taking on character. We can still see the original color of ours under the pocket flaps.

At Amazon

DeWalt Sells Shoes?

Looks like DeWalt is into the footwear market. We knew that they sold reference guides, but until this morning, we had no idea that they sold boots too. We're not sure what the deal is; if DeWalt actually designed them or if they're a name brand that's been co-branded. Either way, the boots look nice and range from sneaker-style to big old traditional leather work boots.

At Amazon.com