The sun is out, the temperature is getting hotter and the days are getting longer. Yes summer season has officially started, and the longest break of the year is just a few weeks away.
For the seasoned traveler, you know that the lack of proper preparation can ruin an entire trip. Besides a carefully planned itinerary, having the right, and more importantly, durable gear with you is crucial especially if you’re going on a more outdoor or extreme adventure this time around
So we went around the metro and found a shop that exclusively sells bags which would last you a lifetime, audio devices to get the party started, and cases that turns your smartphone into an underwater camera. The shop is called URGe ,which stands for Urban Rugged Gear. It carries several international brands known for their quality and designed for the urban adventurer.
WEATHER PROOF BAGS
“It’s the only bag you’ll ever need in your lifetime,” was how URGe Founder Jay Tengco, described the bags from Mission Workshop. Not only because of its quality materials and durable build but it is also one, if not the only brand that has a Lifetime Guarantee. Mission Workshop originated in the US and was initially made for the urban bikers. They have backpacks which are designed to evenly distribute weight so as not to disrupt the balance of the biker, comes in several sizes (Sanction, Fitzroy, Vandal)and fabrics (Cordura, wax leather and VX Cordura) which makes it weatherproof and waterproof. For mountaineers and serious cyclists, do check out their Arkiv Modular Backpacks which allows you to add and remove compartments depending on the gear you intend to bring. So the next time you hear someone saying #WalangForever, tell them there is—if you’ve got a Mission Workshop bag.
URGe is also the exclusively distributor of a couple of other bag brands, namely Ethnotek and Drifter. Ethnotek is a brand that brings together quality, style and cultural diversity in its laptop and travel bags and are made of handmade textiles from artisan villages in Ghana, Guatamela, India, Indonesia and Vietnam. So when you purchase one of their bags, know that you will also help sustain the employment of these artisans.
Lastly there is Drifter, another US brand which initially started in the business of making parachutes. Using their expertise in the parachute making business, each Drifter bag is made of the same fabric they use for parachutes making it very lightweight.
PORTABLE SPEAKERS
For the true audiophiles, there is only one name when it comes to audio equipment—Bang and Olufsen. Their newest brand B&O Play delivers portable products that are intuitive to use, easy to integrate into your daily life, and deliver excellent high-quality experiences. Perfect for those camping or glamping trips is the B&O Play A1, an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker that you can bring anywhere since it is dust and splash resistant. It is small enough to sit in the palm of your hand, weighs only 600g, and features ambient True 360 sound so you don’t have to huddle round it to enjoy your music. URGe is also the exclusive distributor of B&O so you can also experience other speakers such as the BEOLit and A2 at the URGe Shop. For those who want a personal listening experience, there’s the B&O Play H2, H3, H5 and H8 depending on your preference.
UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY
Underwater shots are amazing PERIOD. But buying an underwater camera can be a bit expensive. But if you already own an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy phone however, all you need is a Watershot case and you can take your smartphone beyond the shoreline and deep underwater. Watershot is built to withstand rocks, reefs, salt, sand and extreme pressure and it also features a full suspension system that “floats” your iPhone inside the housing for maximum protection.
“Backed by the latest technology and world-class standards, URGe brings you innovative products that are designed to take your active lifestyle to greater heights,” says Tengco. URGe brings innovation, style and convenience in one destination to cater to the needs of people who live an active and diverse urban lifestyle.
“So whether you have a demanding job that takes you out of the comforts of your office, a road warrior who is always out working on the field, or a weekend wanderer in search of a new adventure URGe has the perfect products that best suits and protects your precious gadgets.”
Want to get up close and personal with their products? Visit the URGe showrooms at the 2nd Floor, Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center, Makati City and 2nd Floor, Theater Mall, Greenhills Shopping Center or check out their website at www.urge.ph.
SMART PROTECTION
If you’ve ever had an iPhone and value it as much as its price tag, then you’ve probably owned an Otterbox Case. One of the first, and probably the most imitated, Otterbox cases protect your phone from shocks and accidental drops while some models also make it waterproof. Whether you choose the stylish Achiever and Symmetry series or the tough Commuter and Defender series, you can be sure that your precious phone is protected at all times—that is if you get the authentic ones available at URGe.