Watches, Stories, & Gear: How to Build a Log Cabin, the Brutalist Trailer, and the Best Countries for American Expats

“Watches, Stories, and Gear” is a roundup of our favorite content, watch or otherwise, from around the internet. Here, we support other creators, explore interesting content that inspires us, and put a spotlight on causes we believe in. Oh, and any gear we happen to be digging on this week. We love gear.

Share your story ideas or interesting finds with us by emailing [email protected].

The Vasque Hiking Brand, Shuttered 

Earlier this month came news that Vasque, the iconic maker of world class hiking boots, was shutting down for good. In an announcement from Red Wing, the brand’s parent company, it was explained that due to a changing market and shifting expectations from consumers, the brand just didn’t have a viable path forward. Many in the community, including Ben Bowers over at Gear Patrol, met the news with genuine disappointment. This is a brand that has meant a lot to many people over the years. For outdoor enthusiasts, boots are a lot like the watches we wear – they hold memories of important milestones, and are objects that are once utilitarian but also extremely personal. The news likely doesn’t come as a shock to many who follow the outdoor gear space. Vasque has been in a perilous position for some time, and had recently discussed a “reset” of the brand that would take several years.

The Brutalist Gets a Trailer 

Since it hit the film festival circuit earlier this year, The Brutalist has perhaps the most discussed and least seen film of the year. The three and a half hour feature directed by Brady Corbet follows Adrien Brody as Hungarian-Jewish architect László Tóth in a story described by many as a new American epic in the same mold as The Godfather, There Will be Blood, and Once Upon a Time in America. The film finally got a trailer this week, and while it doesn’t really tell us much about the movie (a good thing, if you ask us) it certainly has us even more excited to see it. 

The Sidekick Pro by Clever Supply Hits Kickstarter 

Whether it’s a simple wrist shot or a full time career, watches and photography go together like peanut butter and jelly. As the cost of cameras (and watches) rise, making sure that your items stay safe, while also being accessible, is more important than ever, so we’re always looking for new products to do just that. A new sling, the Sidekick Pro, from Clever Supply Co, recently caught the eye of our photographer, Garrett Jones.

While Clever Supply Co. may have gotten their start with high-quality leather straps, they’re looking to make a name for themselves in the camera bag game now. Building upon the success of their first sling , they’ve launched a second sling designed to make carrying your EDC (Every Day Camera in this instance) a breeze. The Sidekick Pro has a similar design language to its bigger sibling, while only being one third the size (2 Liters). The Sidekick Pro is available in two materials: tan waxed canvas and black cordura, and features a removable insert, YKK zippers, and two external compression straps. After being launched last week, this project was fully funded within one hour, and 600% funded within two days. Full details of the sling and delivery timelines, along with a list of cameras that have been tested to fit, can be found on the Sidekick Pro Kickstarter page.

How to Build a Log Cabin 

Ever feel like you just need to escape to the woods? When the pressures of modern society bear down on us, there’s often an urge to retreat to the natural world, and the peace and quiet of rural Vermont certainly qualifies. For anyone who has ever wanted to escape to their own rustic, self-made structure, this recent piece in Outside Online is a solid read. Managing Editor Tasha Zemke chronicles how one family was able to build a log cabin in the Vermont wilderness for under $100,000 all-in in just about seven weeks. Truth be told, there are still some small details to work out (an outhouse has yet to be built…) but a lot was accomplished in just under two months in an intensely manual process that appears to be labor intensive, to say the least. This could be a useful guide for those so inclined, or just a bit of escapist entertainment for those of use who prefer indoor plumbing. 

Nine Countries Americans Can Move to Right Now

Then again, perhaps escaping to the woods isn’t enough? Maybe you feel like you have to escape to an entirely new country. If that’s the case, Architectural Digest has you covered. Here you’ll find a list of 9 particularly welcoming foreign countries that would-be expats might consider, as well as some useful practical advice and resources if you’re considering moving abroad. There are options, it turns out, in just about every corner of the world, including Panama, Spain, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, where more than 80% of the population is already made up of expats.