There’s plenty of debate as to the best season for menswear and gear, but for our money’s worth — for the layering potential, for the rugged appeal and for go-anywhere versatility — fall takes the cake, ascending to the summit as menswear’s best season. It’s largely because of brands like Topo Designs, companies that build tough-yet-stylish gear with a sense of adventure in mind.
It’s hard not to enjoy the laidback, warm climes of summer, to be sure, but there’s also nothing like hitting the trail on a crisp, cool fall day, outfitted accordingly. Fall brings with it plenty of prime opportunities to shake up how you get dressed in the process of trekking from point A to point B. Gone are lighter fabrics like linen, replaced with durable materials like ripstop and cotton blends, all the better to move seamlessly through your world (I.E. Out on the trail and back to the brewery).
So, if you’ve been putting off upgrading your fall wardrobe as of yet, allow us to point you in the right direction: Towards brands like Topo Designs
There’s a plethora of chances to get the best fall gear, from jackets and shirt jackets to classic Oxford shirts, tough pants, hats and more. Topo Designs is but one brand that’ll help you fill out all of those categories in your own wardrobe. Based in Colorado, you’ll find Topo Designs gear onstage with indie rockers (bands like The National and Local Natives are fans of the brand), and you’ll of course find plenty of Topo pieces, in every category imaginable, being used in the great wide open.
What’s more, the Topo Designs Fall 2021 Collection is as solid as it gets, packed with innovative materials, functional silhouettes and plenty of added style points for good measure.
So, if you’ve been putting off upgrading your fall wardrobe as of yet, allow us to point you in the right direction: Towards brands like Topo Designs, to go along with our other favorite seasonal gear picks. Some of our top selections are broken out by category below, and while it was tough to narrow it down to just two favorites each, well, that’s what we did. You’re bound to find something you love. Happy shopping and happy exploring, folks.
The Best Fall Style Gear to Buy Right Now from Topo Designs, By Category
Jackets
Topo Designs Mountain Parka
Made from wateproof nylon with fully taped seams to keep out moisture, this durable parka wears more like a streamlined field jacket than a bulky parka, and that’s great news if you like your menswear with mobility and performance top of mind. External zip pockets provide space for your everyday carry, and you can’t go wrong with a versatile shade of black.
Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket
Filson’s durable and iconic Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket is the stuff of legend, revered for its warmth and even its modern style these days. Look closely enough the next time you visit a mountain town, and you’ll see that brands like Filson and Topo Designs deliver quality function and form for days. This burly jacket is ideal when you want a thicker outer layer atop a thermal shirt.
Shirts
Topo Designs Mountain Shirt
Here’s another offering we love from the standout Fall 2021 Collection from Topo Designs. The aptly named Mountain Shirt has been in the brand’s rotation for a number of years, but here, it gets a seasonally friendly plaid design update in a neat blend of retro colors. Organic cotton twill flannel construction (ideal for layering over your favorite henley) meets Western detailing in a fall-ready style that’s fit for work, day hikes, brewery beers and more.
Todd Snyder x L.L. Bean Chamois Shirt
Famed menswear designer Todd Snyder is back with another edition of his fall-focused collaboration with L.L. Bean, which takes classic style staples and updates them in ways both throwback-inspired and modern. This chamois shirt uses a sleek, city-inspired take on black plaid, and adds subtle details more commonly found in Snyder’s runway pieces. The result is a warm, innovative fall shirt to be worn on and off the trail.
Pants
Topo Designs Mountain Pants
Topo Designs surely has the market cornered when you consider companies that blend technical apparel with real-world style. The fittingly named Mountain Pants, with their tough ripstop fabrication, are built to move and fit for hiking days aplenty (especially when you consider the webbed belt and elastic waistband). But vibrant, unique colors make them an interesting choice to wear around town, too. It’s a two-for-one deal, to say the least.
Taylor Stitch Democratic Jeans in 18-Month Selvage
Now, you could surely wear the above Topo Designs pants in casual style situations, including post-hike beers, but you could also make the argument that every guy needs a great pair of jeans in his wardrobe. Taylor Stitch delivers on all fronts here, with a washing process designed to replicate 18 months of wear, not to mention a do-anything, tailored-straight fit.
Bags from Topo Designs and More
Topo Designs Classic Daypack
No fall excursion is complete without the proper bag to haul your gear. Even if you think you might not need a ton of essentials at the ready for a day trip, allow us to remind that, well, yes you will, and preparation is key. Topo Designs makes preparation, storage and transport that much easier with its nicely sized Daypack, crafted from recycled nylon and featuring enough space to store your laptop, too.
Satchel & Page Pilot’s Bag
If it’s more space you require for fall weekend road trips, then a handsome leather bag is also a solid addition to your daily haul. Better still, take the Topo Designs Daypack along for the ride and use this heirloom-worthy leather travel bag to haul larger items (like, say, some rugged leather boots for your next hike).
Hats
Topo Designs 5-Panel Nylon Camp Hat
Top it all off, literally, with a well-designed hat that’ll shield your face from dust and sun on the trail while looking pretty darn great all the while. The lightweight nylon construction should prove breathable, while the very fact that it’s so lightweight ensures you can pack it up with ease in your Daypack.
Deso Supply Co. Finding Nowhere Cap
This hat checks off all the boxes when you’re searching for a cap that goes above and beyond your typical athletic logo ballcap. From the vintage-inspired threaded brim detailing to the subtle Woodland Camo print, it’s about as unique as can be in the headwear department. Use it to finish off a classic seasonal ensemble (like a thermal henley, a waxed jacket and faded jeans).
