
Save 30% on One of the Best Compact Umbrellas You Can Buy
Made in New Zealand, this umbrella can withstand winds of 55 mph.

John Zientek has worked on Gear Patrol’s editorial staff since 2015. His passion for manufacturing, design, and the creative process has taken him from remote towns to major cities worldwide to tell stories about the people, places, and cultures that shape superlative products. When not helping guide Gear Patrol’s editorial strategy, he enjoys loud music indoors, soft music outdoors, and life’s natural song when there’s no music at all. You can often find him cooking outdoors or walking near large bodies of water in Northern California.

Made in New Zealand, this umbrella can withstand winds of 55 mph.
By John Zientek

This strat-inspired guitar features custom pickups and modern updates for playability.
By John Zientek

Steel-bar closure and an adjustable strap.
By John Zientek

Vegetable-tanned leather and a Riri zipper.
By John Zientek

Durable water-resistant denim with four-way stretch.
By John Zientek

Handsewn moccasin construction.
By John Zientek

Three hand design with quartz movement and an Indiglo night light.
By John Zientek

A suede upper, a rubber sole and Goodyear welt construction.
By John Zientek


The man behind the Lost Explorer shares his perspectives on consumerism and nature.
By John Zientek

Moisturizing soap, exfoliating soap and shaving cream.
By John Zientek

The Voyager Jacket and the Wainwright Coat.
By John Zientek

A leather upper, dual side goring and a grip sole.
By John Zientek


Windproof, insulated and reversible.
By John Zientek

A reverb, a delay, an overdrive, a distortion, a compression and a buffer.
By John Zientek

Henry Lefens wants to bring technical fabrics into the accessories market.
By John Zientek

Italian knit fabric with stretch and two zippered pockets.
By John Zientek

American-made professional footwear.
By John Zientek

A durable Hill sole, a Comfortforce footbed and stitchdown construction.
By John Zientek