I remember a few years ago seeing a lot of flannels offered up from many different clothing companies while attending the Action Sports Retailer trade show in San Diego, CA. At that time, I had no idea the explosion of popularity that would transpire over the next few years. This fall season particular, I beg of you to notice the flannel’s comeback in a variety of bright colors. Don’t believe me, just look around.

With so many to choose from, where should you begin? For starters, you could run down to your local thrift shop and snag “grandpa’s used flannel.” If you’re lucky, it’ll be reasonably priced at $5 or less. I’ve noticed though that thrift shops have caught on to their popularity and marked them up higher than what they’re actually worth. So, if you’re looking for a new one, take a look at Insight’s offering at Karmaloop. (see below).

Insight’s – The Pervert, The Blunt Time and The New Wave Flannel

Available only at Karmaloop:

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With Nike’s premier SB (Skateboard) brand consistently doing well in the footwear space, it should come as no surprise that they have also been excelling in the apparel and accessories department. Many Nike SB dealers simply do not have the space in their crowded boutique shops to carry any SB products other than the shoes themselves. As a result, many are left to look to online vendors to find all things SB related. Below I’ve detailed some SB accessories I believe to be top-notch and well worth the purchase.

The Nike SB Dufflebag offers a unique military inspired Molle-Style Webbing along with Skate Straps on the bottom and a huge main compartment. Multiple side pouches are abundant, and it has a clean side compartment with tons of organizing options. Size: 24″ L x 14″ W x 12″ T.

The Eugene backpack combines versatility, functionality and style. Multiple points of access in the main compartment give tons of storage space, heavy duty zippers, and plenty of padding to protect whatever it is you’ll be carrying in this bright red pack. So stylish.

The ever trendy The North Face’s Headwall Jacket has nothing on this beauty. This Ripstop Zip Hoodie by SB was detailed with a fine tooth comb by it’s developers before it was released. The result, a warm yet extremely stylish lightweight jacket.

***Update, Eric Stricker was reported to have committed suicide.

Unfortunately, the skateboard industry has lost yet another great storyteller and friend to many. Eric Stricker, Editor of Transworld Skateboarding Magazine is reported to have passed away on Wednesday, September 24. No word yet as to what happened, though we suspect that the circumstances of his death may be silenced to allow his friends and family to mourn (as they should). We’ll keep you posted.

photo provided by willysantos.com

Willy Santos on the left, Stricker on the right.

For more on skateboarders who have passed away, check out an old article I wrote on Skateboarding and Partying: It’s Killing our Heros.