High Twist

Ben Brooks & Bruce Layman
  • 4.3 (9)
  • FASHION & BEAUTY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Where dressing well, isn't only dressing up.

  1. 021 - Justifying the Upgrade: Adventures in Overthinking Stuff

    06/24/2025

    021 - Justifying the Upgrade: Adventures in Overthinking Stuff

    Bruce and Ben plunge into the irresistible world of gear rabbit holes—where the quest for "just right" quickly morphs into "way too deep." From ultralight tent debates and cycling minimalism to high-end kitchen knives and slick blazers, they break down the obsessive, hilarious, and sometimes unnecessary lengths we go to research, buy, and justify our gear. Along the way, they dish hard-won truths: when to trust the hype, when to let go, and how to know when "good enough" really is. If you love sweating the details (or just want to know why your buddy suddenly cares about zipper pulls and moonlight modes on flashlights), this one's for you.   Brands & Products Mentioned (With Links) Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 2p Tent NEMO Equipment | REI Big Agnes 3-Person Tents Official Big Agnes | REI 3-person selection Sid Mashburn Ghost Blazer Shop Mashburn | Brooks Review Article Filson Tote Bags Filson Collection G-Shock Watches Best Sellers | Beginner Guide J.Crew Linen Blazer Men's Linen Blazers at J.Crew Global Chef's Knife Global Classic G-2 8" Chef's Knife | Amazon Bradford Knives MagnaCut Paring Knife Bradford Knives - Culinary Range | DLT Trading Montana Knife Company MagnaCut Knives MKC Official Spyderco Super Blue Chef Knife KnifeCenter Mykita Sunglasses MYKITA Sunglasses Roka Sunglasses Roka Official Zeal Optics Auto Sun Cycling Sunglasses Zeal Auto Sun JB Prince/Gray Kunz Spoons (Koons) JB Prince Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon Tojiro Gyuto (Japanese Chef Knife) Tojiro DP 8.25" Gyuto Surefire Flashlights Surefire Flashlights HDS Rotary Flashlights HDS Systems Rotary Chris Reeve Small Sebenza Chris Reeve Knives – Small Sebenza Vera (Wera) Tools / Allen Key Sets Amazon Wera Hex Key Sets Wiha Micro Bit Driver Set Wiha Micro Bit sets Kozy 2700K (Kelvin) Flashlights Kōsen finder Nikon L & Canon L (professional camera lenses) Nikon Lenses | Canon L Glass Some links above may be affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, the hosts may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support helps keep the show running!

    59 min
  2. 020 Fit for Anything: The High Twist $3K Clothing Gauntlet

    06/10/2025

    020 Fit for Anything: The High Twist $3K Clothing Gauntlet

    Bruce and Ben challenge each other to rebuild their entire wardrobes from scratch with a $3,000 budget, and the result has to handle both camping weekends and weddings. They get granular about every choice—from suiting and shirting to outerwear, shoes, and accessories—with price tags and web sources for every item. What do they splurge on? What gets cut to meet the budget? Which pieces create real happiness, and which ones simply fill a gap? Plus: sharp commentary on sales, resale, and when it actually makes sense to "pay up" for quality. Episode highlights: Why Navy suits are the crossroad of formality and flexibility The relentless quest for the perfect chino (spoiler: Ben says RRL Officer's Chino or nothing) Debating "buy nice or buy twice" theories on everything from shirts to outerwear Bruce's unapologetic preference for outerwear, even in Texas The pain and logic of sacrificing footwear in favor of tailoring and jackets Real-world shopping strategies: sales, measurements, compromises! A deep dive into cult-favorite and underrated brands, with links and prices Secondhand buying: what's worth it and what's a minefield Reflections on what makes you genuinely happy wearing—and how quality versus quantity plays out over time Listener Question: If you had to start over with $3,000 (or less), what's your non-negotiable wardrobe item?   Bruce's Picks Tops: J Press Blue Zephyr OCBD ($98) J Press Blue Stripe Zephyr OCBD ($98) J Press White Oxford Spread Collar Shirt ($98) J Crew Broken In White T Shirt ($20 x2) Columbia Skien Valley LS Shirt ($67) Bottoms: Levi's 501 Lightweight White ($98) J Crew Classic Chino Pant ($98) Uniqlo Linen Blend Easy Shorts 5" ($30) Uniqlo Ultra Stretch Active Shorts 5" ($20) Outerwear: Mashburn Kincaid No. 2 Navy Plainweave Suit ($995) Wallace & Barnes Twill Chore Jacket Bill's Blue ($137) Barbour x J Crew Barn Jacket ($425) J Crew Navy Cashmere Crewneck ($158) Shoes: Meermin Brown Softcalf Loafers ($215) Nike Juniper Trail 3 ($63) Converse Chuck 70 ($90) Accessories: Mashburn White Linen Pocket Square ($30) Mashburn Silk Grosso Grenadine Tie ($135) Tory Leather Spur Belt ($53) LL Bean Boat & Tote Zip Top ($50) Ben's Picks RRL Officer's Chino Khaki ($248) Buck Mason Graduate Blazer Navy 3-Season ($498) Buck Mason Graduate Pants Navy 3-Season ($248) Meermin Chelsea Snuff Waxy Kudu ($265) Meermin Brown Silkcalf Loafers ($230) Proper Cloth OCBD ($130 for MTM) Proper Cloth Upgrade Shirt ($130 for MTM) Nike Trail Runners ($140) Amundsen Linen Safari ($148) Levi 501s Selvedge ($80) Thrifted Silk Knit Tie, Navy ($50) Sid Mashburn White Linen Square ($50) Filson Dry Tin Cloth 5-Pockets Whiskey ($150) Filson Alaskan Guide Flannel ($140) Fjallraven Greenland Winter Jacket ($300) Shetland Wool Sweater ($150) 2x White T-Shirts ($40) Other brands/items discussed Running/Performance: Norda 001 Shoes Fingers Crossed Socks Outlier New Way 5 Five Shorts Patagonia Baggies Shorts Tracksmith Van Cortlandt Polo Observer Collection Hats Rugged/Outdoors/Utility: GORUCK Rough Runners GORUCK MACV-1 Boots GORUCK Jungle Boots Nike Pegasus Trail Shoes Socks/Underwear: Sunspel Underwear ROTOTO Socks Some links above may be affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, the hosts may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support helps keep the show running!

    53 min
  3. 019 - Beat the Heat: Rain Jackets, Linen, and the Eternal Search for the Right Shorts

    05/20/2025

    019 - Beat the Heat: Rain Jackets, Linen, and the Eternal Search for the Right Shorts

    We kick things off with the obligatory "what are you wearing?" and a little weather envy—rainy and gray in Boulder, humid and sauna-like in Austin. From there, we tumble into our usual rabbit hole of summer travel style, comparing notes on everything from rain jackets that refuse to age, to linen shirts that are better engineered than some spacecraft. We argue (passionately) about shorts, try to figure out why every technical piece looks too pristine out of the box, and share some trade secrets for scoring sales and coping with the wild world of international sizing. Along the way, we diagnose the retail experiences of every outdoor brand store we know (spoiler: if you've ever been lost in a Montbell, it's not just you), share our grievances with Boulder's Patagonia monoculture, and demonstrate proper Leica battery changes—because who doesn't want to feel like John Wick on vacation? Naturally, we close it all out with hot takes on approach shoes, unsolicited life advice on field snorkeling, and a solemn promise to deliver more style, more rants, and more questionable summer shopping choices next week.   Apparel & Footwear: Levi's 501 Jeans Triple Aught Design Overland Shirt (French twill) Filson Short Lined Tin Cloth Cruiser Vollebak Planet Earth Lightweight Jacket (discontinued) Amundsen Sports Ditch Hiker Collection Amundsen Traveler Collection – Linen Lady White & Co. T-Shirts Drake's Chinos Patagonia Baggies Shorts Outlier New Way Shorts Outlier Injected Linen Pants Outlier Dreamweight T-shirt Outlier Ramie/Three Bar Cap Sunspel Riviera Polo Fjällräven Stiksen Hats Hard Graft Shoes Astroflex Penny Loafer Mocha Flex Crockett & Jones Harvard II Loafer Nike City 1 (C1TY) Nike Trail/ACG/Mountain Fly North Face Cliff Approach Shoe Danner x Huckberry N45 Vans Observer Collection (Hat) Fingers Crossed Socks ROTOTO Socks Disclaimer: Some links in our show notes and on our website are affiliate links. This means we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase—at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and brands we genuinely like and use.

    49 min
  4. 018 - Make It Last: The Joys and Traps of "Buy It for Life"

    05/13/2025

    018 - Make It Last: The Joys and Traps of "Buy It for Life"

    In this episode of High Twist, Ben and Bruce tackle the paradoxes of "buy it for life" in an era where everything seems to be getting more expensive—and more complicated. From cast iron skillets that outlast generations to luxury watches and titanium mugs, the hosts dig into the appeal of owning things built to endure. But as their drawers fill with pocket knives and their closets rack up linen pants and Filson jackets, they ask: does buying for life really make sense, or just make for great stories and excellent patina? Mixing practical wisdom with personal anecdotes from Boulder to Austin, Ben and Bruce explore what it means to use and truly enjoy high-quality gear, from cameras that get brassed in the wild to sweatpants-disguised-as-trousers that push the limits of "easy" style. Along the way, they share favorite brands, discuss the art of repair, and remind us that a life well lived is better than a shelf well stocked. If you love great gear—or just want a fresh take on how to enjoy the things you have—this episode is for you. Brands & Product Mentions List Spear & McKay — Seersucker kit Sid Mashburn — Shirts, microcellulare/airtex Proper Cloth — Custom shirts Filson — Bags/jackets, repairs, legendary tin cloth Levi's 501 — Jeans Crockett & Jones — Harvard 2 loafers Smithey Ironware — Cast iron & carbon steel cookware Wagner cast iron — Vintage cast iron Victorinox / Swiss Army Knife — Knives Chris Reeve Knives — EDC knives, fixed blades Rolex, Seiko 5, Casio G-Shock — Watches Leica Camera — Q2, special editions Snow Peak — Titanium mugs Patrick James — Linen drawstring pants Outlier — Injected linen pants, Ramie cloth shirts Gramicci — Ridge shorts and fatigue pants Disclaimer: Some links in our show notes and on our website are affiliate links. This means we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase—at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and brands we genuinely like and use.

    43 min

  5. 05/06/2025

    017 - Return of High Twist: New Denim, Drake's Obsessions, & the Bag That Won Bruce Over

    Bruce (in Austin) and Ben (in Boulder) return after a hiatus prompted by weather (and, realistically, life and work). They catch up on significant changes in their wardrobes and deep-dive into recent menswear acquisitions, focusing on denim, chinos, outerwear, and bags. They dive into how climate and lifestyle changes have nudged both toward new clothing staples—from denim and workwear to tailored pieces and innovative summer fabrics—and compare notes on quality, value, and design across contemporary menswear. The episode also explores their ever-expanding bag collections and favorite new accessories as they prep for spring and summer. Product List Filson: Dry Tin 5 Pocket Pants, Mackinaw Cruiser, Medium Field Bag, Small Carry On "The 240", Forestry Cloth Cruiser, 24 Hour/72 Hour Briefcase Levi's: 501, premium and selvege lines Gustin: 75 Okayama Standard Fjällräven: Skog flannel, Singi 28 backpack Taylor Stitch: Suede Chelsea boots Drake's: Plain flat front chinos, rugbys The Armory: City Hunter II jacket, spread collar polo Frizmworks: Back satin fatigue pants O'Connells: Flat front pants RRL** Officer Chinos Sid Mashburn: Ghost Blazer, Ghost Trousers Margaret Howell: Sweatshirt Stock Tank Supply: HD Work Shirt Barbour: White Mountaineering collaboration jacket J. Mueser: Waverly Suit Bleu de Chauffe: Business Musette, reflective strap (discontinued) **Canoe Club (store):** Mentioned as source for Frizmworks and Gramicci [Gramicci: Packable Tote](https://gramicci.com/collections/bags/products/nylon-packable-explorer-tote), Ridge Shorts Hyperlite Mountain Gear: Daybreak pack Epperson Mountaineering: Large Climb Pack Pioneer Carry: Savant backpack Alpha One Niner: Evade 1.0/2.0, Whitley En Passant: EP3 Reader's Jacket Proper Cloth: Jackson Slub Twill shirts Outlier: Injected Linen Pants, New Way 55 shorts Hard Graft: Taupe roughout/leather sneaker The North Face: Clyffe Approach shoe Danner: N45 sneaker/hiking shoe, Mountain 600s GORUCK: MACV-1 boots, Rucker Nike: SFB Diemme: Cornaro Due Gomma, Roccia Vets Salomon: XT6 (referenced), other trail runners Viberg: Mentioned in connection with Aaron Levine collaboration boots Tracksmith: Run polos and Twilight tees Disclaimer: Some links in our show notes and on our website are affiliate links. This means we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase—at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and brands we genuinely like and use.

    1h 14m
  6. 016 - Beyond Pockets: Exploring the World of Modern EDC

    09/03/2024

    016 - Beyond Pockets: Exploring the World of Modern EDC

    In this episode of High Twist, Ben and Bruce dive deep into the world of everyday carry (EDC), discussing the essential items they always have on hand. They explore the practicality and personal preferences behind carrying items like knives, flashlights, and various accessories, sharing insights on their favorite brands and products. The hosts debate the merits of different EDC choices, from the unexpected usefulness of breath strips to the timeless elegance of calling cards. Throughout the conversation, they offer listeners valuable tips on optimizing their own EDC setups, balancing functionality with style in today's ever-changing landscape.   Items Mentioned:  Coggins on Carrying Cash Filson Zip Tote Matador Flatpack Bottle Peak Design Packable Tote Shemagh Victorinox Travel Nail Card Amazon Umbrella Nerdwax Secretly Nerdy Collection Nerdwax Jinkies Gondek Hanks Observer Whisky Wallet Listerine Breath Strips Corter Leather Wallet Chris Reeves Knives Small Sebenza 31 Rovyvon E5 Angel Eyes Dawson Machinecraft Montana Knife Company Blackfoot 2.0 Hoban Cards Snow Peak Chop Sticks Snow Peak Aurora Bottle Snow Peak Sake Bottle Snow Peak Foon Bruce Layman is the author of A Well Worn Dispatch, a newsletter about giving a damn and feeling good in the clothes you're wearing. Ben Brooks has been writing about bags, gear, clothes and more on The Brooks Review since 2010. Note: This podcast makes use of affiliate links where and when possible. These links may earn this site money when utilized.

    50 min
  7. 015 - Jorts On Demand - The Hot Take Episode

    08/27/2024

    015 - Jorts On Demand - The Hot Take Episode

    In this episode of High Twist Show, Ben and Bruce dive into a series of fashion "hot takes," starting with a critique of disgraced former congressman George Santos' controversial layering technique. They discuss their opinions on various clothing items and styles, including the merits of blue jeans, the futility of "nice" t-shirts, the impracticality of all-black outfits, and the questionable appeal of "fun" socks. The hosts also debate the pros and cons of boat shoes, Apple Watches, leather jackets, and creative dress codes for events. The episode concludes with a reminder that while clothing choices can influence initial perceptions, they should not be used to judge a person's character or worth.   George Santos's Fashion Crime Derek Guy on the King of Spain's Suit Fitting Derek Guy on the Carlos Fitz-James Stuart 19th Duke of Alba (scroll about halfway down the thread) From goldmines to sex appeal: The evolution of denim Bruce Layman is the author of [A Well Worn Dispatch](https://wellworndispatch.substack.com/, a newsletter about giving a damn and feeling good in the clothes you're wearing. Ben Brooks has been writing about bags, gear, clothes and more on The Brooks Review since 2010. Note: This podcast makes use of affiliate links where and when possible. These links may earn this site money when utilized.

    53 min
  8. 014 - Touch Grass: Balancing Performance and Aesthetics on the Trail

    08/20/2024

    014 - Touch Grass: Balancing Performance and Aesthetics on the Trail

    In this episode of High Twist, Ben and Bruce discuss hiking attire, focusing on the balance between performance and style for day hikes and short overnight trips. They explore various clothing options, from pants and shirts to shoes and hats, sharing their personal preferences and experiences. The hosts dive into the pros and cons of different materials, particularly comparing cotton to synthetic fabrics, and discuss the importance of fit and functionality in outdoor gear. They also touch on the challenges of finding stylish yet practical hiking clothes and offer suggestions for brands and items that have worked well for them. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of comfort and versatility in hiking wear, while also considering aesthetics for those who want to look good on the trail.   Items: Drake's Tropical Wool Trouser Mashburn MTM Shirt Mashburn Ghost Blazer Vollebak Off Grid Lightweight Pants Vollebak Off Grid Shirt Wearing Hair - Articles of Interest American Space Cowboys - Die! Workwear Arc'teryx Hiking Pants Fjällräven Hiking Pants Kuiu Sun Hoodie Triple Aught Design Atlas Hoodie Filson Washed Feather Cloth Shirt Mountain Hardware Canyon Shirt Nike Zegama Nike SFB Carbon Diemme Roccia Vet Paraboot Avioraz Danner Jag Tilly Hat Filson Summer Packet Hat Filson Insulated Packet Hat Filson Tin Cloth Bush Hat     Bruce Layman is the author of A Well Worn Dispatch, a newsletter about giving a damn and feeling good in the clothes you're wearing. Ben Brooks has been writing about bags, gear, clothes and more on The Brooks Review since 2010. Note: This podcast makes use of affiliate links where and when possible. These links may earn this site money when utilized.

    54 min
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4.3
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Where dressing well, isn't only dressing up.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Brooks & Bruce Layman
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    High Twist