The Obtainer - 4/3/24, Wednesday

Valet.
The Obtainer

Wednesday,
April 3rd Edition

Cory Ohlendorf

Happy hump day gang. Let’s get into it about workouts and upgrading your underwear, shall we?

- Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief ⋯ @coryohlendorf

 

Good/Better/Best

Workout Mats for Men

Whether you’re looking for something to take to yoga or something to make your at-home bodyweight workout a little more comfortable, you want the best possible mat you can afford. But to choose the right mat for your specific needs, you'll need to consider the type of workout you'll be doing most often. Some workouts require different support, cushioning, traction, and stability levels. If you're doing high-impact exercises or cardio, you'll want a mat with more cushioning to protect your joints. For yoga or suspension training, you might prioritize a mat with more grip and stability for holding poses.

One thing we often found when testing out mats though is that some options were too short, so we're only presenting mats that are at least 72 inches long. This way, you've got plenty of room to stretch out or utilize equipment like slam balls or dumbbells. But thickness is more a matter of taste and environment. For example, if you're exercising on hardwood floors or concrete, consider a squishier mat, but if the surface is carpet or grass, a thinner, non-slip mat with a bit of weight is probably more ideal for stability and support. So who makes the best mat for your money? We stretched and sweated on a handful and narrowed them down to these three best options, in a range of price points.

*** Good/Better/Best ***
 
Good 

The Thick Mat

+ Made of a dense NBR foam that's soft, squishy and supportive

+ 25 mm thick and 72 inches long

+ Carrying strap included

+ Lighter in weight, but tends to move slightly on the floor

Solana mat,
$39.99 by Retrospec

 
 
Better 

The Durable Mat

+ Made from durable PVC with a water-resistant surface to help you hold positions

+ 5 mm thick and 72 inches long

+ Marked with graduated line measurements to help make you aware of your angles for bodyweight training

+ Comes with a six-year warranty, as well as a free trial of the TRX Training Club app

Suspension training mat,
$69.99 by TRX

 
 
Best 

The Non-Slip Mat

+ Made from high-density foam that feels substantial, but isn’t stiff and offers maximum cushioning

+ 9 mm thick and 72 inches long

+ Lightweight, adjustable carrying strap included

+ The textured underside keeps the mat from slipping, even during intense HIIT workouts

Training mat 2.0,
$75 by Nike

 
*** Display Unit 1 ***
 
*** Yellow Span - Headlines ***

Stuff We Swear by

The Ideal Hybrid Underwear

 

*** Yellow Span - Making the Case ***

Allow me to get a little intimate for a moment. I'm going to talk about my underwear. But we're all adults here, right? You can handle it. Because the whole point of this column is to share the items that our team uses and swears by. And I found some underwear that blows all my others out of the water—and it's from a time-tested and respected designer brand. So that feels like something I should tell you about.

I needed some new boxer briefs but I wanted something a little, well, sportier. I wasn't exactly looking to pull on some Under Armour compression shorts on the regular, but I wanted something comfortable and that I could easily wear to work and later to workout. I decided on these trunks after giving them a once-over at a department store. They were soft and stretchy—cut from a silky soft microfiber that allows for both comfort and enhanced movement. A pair of black Calvin Klein boxer briefs is a classic, cool and sexy look, but it was when I pulled them on that I realized just how good this new iteration really was. They're sewn with a supportive pouch with contoured seams to keep everything in place. A seamless backside is both comfortable and keeps your ass looking nice while moisture-wicking fabric technology keeps you cool and dry all day and night.

 
 
 

The legs don't ride up the way longer boxer briefs do and the waistband stays put no matter how much you move around. In short, I haven't found a more comfortable pair of boxers and after wearing them for about three months now, I can attest that they also hold up to regular washings. Which is good news, because these are now the only underwear I wear. Oh and if you're thinking about getting a pack, it's a great time to since they're on sale.

 

Micro-stretch trunk,
$89.50 / $71.60 (for a seven-pack) by Calvin Klein

 
Drop to Watch For
 
 
 

Blackstock & Weber is partnering with Schott NYC on a fresh leather jacket for Spring 2024. Founder Chris Echevarria has to be one of the busiest guys in menswear at the moment. On the heels of launching his apparel line, Academy, he's teaming up with the legendary leather brand to offer his interpretation of Schott's signature Perfecto biker jacket. It's cut from a supple caramel suede and is unlined for a more pared-down and relaxed vibe.

Available Friday, April 5 at 12 p.m. ET

 
*** Smart Buys ***
Smart Buys

The sales and discounts our team is currently watching.

 

A vintage-inspired tee made from a heavyweight 7.4-ounce cotton fabric that's more durable than your average shirt and cut in a relaxed, old-school fit.

$49.50 / $29.50
by J.Crew

 

Kiehl's is currently offering 35% off your online order with the code REFRESH. Which means it's a great time to invest in some quality skincare, like this highly-effective eye cream.

$40 / $26
(w/code REFRESH)
by Kiehl's

 

This knitted shirt already looks like one that costs three times as much. But, right now, you can get 35% off anything from Urban Outfitters, which means this is now only 41 bucks.

$59 / $41.30
by BDG

 

If someone asks if this shirt is BODE, maybe just change the subject. Cut from lightweight and breathable summer linen-blend fabric, it's finished with of-the-moment stitching.

$70 / $39.99 by
Abercrombie & Fitch

 

Le Specs sunglasses are already a great value, considering they're well-built, sturdy and fitted with full-coverage UV protective lenses. And now they're half-off.

$79 / $39.99 by
Le Specs

 

These lightweight cotton pants from Ralph Lauren are inspired by French workwear from the early 20th century and hand-distressed for an authentic vintage look.

$268 / $189.99 by
Polo Ralph Lauren

 

Want more?
See all 40 sales »

*** Mood Board ***
Mood Board

willhalbert

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Levi’s & Loafers. A fit that’s cheat-code levels of easy peasy.
 

Levi’s & Loafers. A fit that’s cheat-code levels of easy peasy.

 
 

3,716 likes

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March 17

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