🎁🎅🎄🕎🎁 THE 2025 TWR GIFT GUIDE 🎁🕎🎄🎅🎁
I done paid so many dues, I never lose my cool / Just the other day, my lil' cousin call me from school and said / You deserve it!
Tis the season for gifts! This time of year means showering your loved ones with something special to show your gratitude, or picking up a little something for yourself. For Real Soldiers, it probably means both. We put out a call to the Clothing Commandos to see what they’re into and what they might be giving to that special someone. Shout out to everyone that answered the call. Let em know if you pick up some of their recommendations!
🎁THE 2025 TWR GIFT GUIDE🎁
Tommy Barker
Say goodbye to the Gen-X pro models
Earlier this year I swore off wearing anything branded by Gen-X pros. Naturally, the following week a pair of Gino Asics landed in my lap, and before I could pump the brakes the Koston Air Maxes showed up at my door. (Yes, I know I’m lucky to get free product, it’s basically the last remaining perk of working in skateboarding.)
I’ve been running the navy Koston Air Maxes and honestly loving them, so consider them my final send-off to the Gen-X pro model era. From here on out, I’m only backing products from skateboarders at the top of their game — not aging dad influencers.
If you care about the future of skateboarding, join me in the great Gen-X boycott. Skateboarding belongs to the youth.
Al Brown
Brown Pants
One thing a Soldier needs to keep in mind? Get There While You Can. This soldier remembers the time they missed out on the perfect pair of brown pants. Anyway, not important. What is important is that you stock up on a version of these pants when you can. Even better? Gift them.
Brown (chocolate, preferably; tobacco accepted) pants ARE the move anytime of year and a classic during the holiday season. Go ahead and step out in that Fraser fir fit.
The PM001 PANT by Last Resort and Independent Built to Grind Utility Pants (Chocolate) are readily available for any Soldier or loved one of a Soldier to pick up at a skate shop. Last week’s Report cued us into the MOLESKINE fabric. If you want to flaunt the success of your battles, the Arpenteur Lux Pant, Tobacco, will do exactly that. The Carhartt WIP Simple Pant in Palisander would also be a welcome member of the arsenal.
Look, all we’re saying is, if the ledge is waxed, skate it. If the pants are in stock, buy now.
Ian Browning
568 Loose Straight Jeans by Levi’s
You can imagine my horror when one of the teenagers I know showed up to the sesh in one of those Krew Terry Kennedy-ass zip up hoodies where the teeth go all the way to the top of the hood. If you’re reading this, I’m pretty sure you’re old enough to remember them from the first time around.
The year is 2008: I have recently acquiesced to sizing up from a 7.75” to an 8” deck. I’m skating in non-sb Campuses and for some reason, APC new standards. They were too slim, had zero flexibility, and generally were not great to skate in. Except to fall. If you skidded out on your ass powersliding down Eldora Street on Mission Hill in Boston, they held up without ripping.
As the aughts boomerang swings back in our faces, the Levi’s 568 provide enough flexibility to duck and dodge it before it goes too far. They’re 100% cotton and you can tell — no cheap stretchy feel. Baggy jeans look better on Tiago and TJ than on you, and these are tastefully loose, with a pretty good range of motion in spite of the things I just mentioned. Light denim had a real moment there. But at the end of the day, skinny, baggy or bootcut, raw denim is classic. At least every 20 years.
Mike Burrill
Italian Garden Clogs in Black by Gardenheir
‘Code switching’ is the act of alternating between two or more languages, dialects, sociolects, or, at least by my definition, footwear styles. What makes sense in one context – walking down the street to get a bagel, likely running into friends / acquaintances / former roommates / romantic partners / roommates who were your romantic partners – can come off as goofy (see this amazing definition of this term) in others, such as picking up your kid from daycare.
Sartorial code switching is nothing new, but as time goes on and social conventions around how one dresses blur (in 2025 all occasions seem simultaneously appropriate and inappropriate for the wearing of a suit), an incredibly nuanced, pro level code switch has emerged.
Enter, if you will, the Moc Swap®. Merrell mocs – you probably have these or something like these, are great for the aforementioned bagel run. They easily slip on and off, they’re supportive, they’re sporty, and if you happen to end up upstate trudging through brambles to hit a trout stream – you’re set!
However, given the high stakes of daycare pickup (the ultimate swag off between dads), you’re going to need a little extra heat. Prada wingtips for pickup? Ummm, you’re trying a little too hard, bud. So, let me let you in on a little secret, just between kings: the Gardenheir Italian Garden Clogs basically ARE the Merrell mocs - they slip on and off easily, they’re surprisingly supportive, they’re quite durable, yet their appearance is several times more refined than it is sporty. Also, they wipe clean if you do end up ankle deep in the Beaverkill.
Let it be known: slipping ‘my bro’ and ‘father dearest’ is as easy as slipping out of one clog and into another.
Alex Fazekas-Boone
Gel Nimbus 10.1 by Asics
I have to admit I was a bit of a slow adopter of the wild dad shoe, but I’m here to tell you I’m a changed man. Not because I had a kid or anything, but because I like being comfy. I first dipped my toes into the dad shoe game with various New Balance models like 574, 991, and 996. Those shoes are all classics, and they opened the door for me to really feel comfy being comfy.
Earlier this year I was sent a few pairs of Asics (thank you guys) which TBH, is a brand that I had never messed with before. What I thought was nice is that they didn’t just hook up skate stuff, they also sent a couple pairs of runners in my box, and as a filmer being on my feet all day, that was a major plug. Ever since that box arrived, my pair of Gel Nimbus 10.1 has lived right next to my door and been the shoe I find myself grabbing whenever I step out and I’m not skating. At this point, they’re looking pretty beat, but idgaf they’re still super comfy. I know for some, the shoe might be a bit too spicy, it is peak dadding if I’m being honest, but rest assured, that shit is fully acceptable, in fact you might even say just fully sick in 2025.
So, with all that background, my pick to gift a TWR soldier in 2025 is pure comfort, via the Asics Gel Nimbus 10.1! Now we gotta figure out how to get Santa to drop some Asics boxes to all the homies…
Chris Giamarino, PhD
Beach Pant by Stussy
Ahead of your indulgent sea-sonal spread, these 100% elastic cotton twill pants are an ideal holiday gift for the street skater in your life who enjoys manuals, ledge tricks, or dashing through the sand. Imported from Turkey, these big pants feature a subtle Stüssy logo below the left pocket and a drawstring waist that can be adjusted based on how much turkey, goose, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, gingerbread cookies, and eggnog you consume. Additional accoutrements include two side pockets, one right-side rear pocket, and a fake fly. The pants come in three colors: black, navy blue, and bone (off-white). True to Stüssy size, they run bigger and longer, so you may need to cuff or hem them. True to premium pants pricing, they will cost you $140, so keep that in mind while working, strolling, and skating in them, as they will wear down the more spills you take. To get free shipping from Irvine, you’ll need to reach the $200 minimum; a belt, mug set, welcome mat, large tote, backpack, crossbody bag, or a couple of pairs of tees, socks, or boxers will get you there. You’ll be spreading ollie-day cheer this sea-son because life’s a Stüssy Beach Pant.
Stephen Horrocks
Mike Anderson Loose Fit Work Pants by Dickies
Gifting a garm to a soldier?! In this economy? Absolutely and we should do it more often. I went to Denver in October and hit up 303 on Colfax whilst there and it was here that I encountered (and purchased) my favorite garment of 2025- the Dickies Skate Mike Anderson Loose Fit Work Pant in olive. The dude working said, “they’re really baggy, man” and while they are a baggy fit, it’s not overly so. And the material used for the pant feels more substantial than a regular pair of Dickies, and the waist has a little stretch to fit far more comfortably than any other Dickies you’ll put on. In fact, everything has a seemingly leveled up quality to it, from the buttons and zipper to the way the pocket lining feels. Even my wife thought they looked nice, which is HUGE in this General’s HQ. Soldiers, a gift of the Dickies Mike Anderson pant is a boon both from a sartorial AND comfort perspective. Patrol never looked and felt so nice.
Patrick Kigongo
Narrow Check Cashmere Scarf by Burberry
Dressing for cooler temperatures is far more challenging than you think. Will it be a dry cold? Will there be precipitation? Rain, sleet, hail, snow?
Ahhhh, that’s where scarves come in handy. A good scarf can serve multiple purposes. It can be a piece of flair, it can signal political solidarity or your allegiance to a football club, it can be used to discreetly wipe a runny nose in bitter cold temperatures. Most importantly a scarf is portable. It can be tucked into your jacket or balled up into a tote bag or knapsack.
Burberry have been purveyors of fine dry goods since 1856 - 169 years of sartorial dopeness. The Burberry nova check pattern, which has existed since the 1920s, represents very different things to different people. I could easily devote several pages to the early 2000s class controversy around this particular pattern, but Dazed did a far better job than I ever could. I say all that to say this: a wool Burberry check scarf is the ideal addition to your arsenal. A new one might set you back a few hundred dollars, but never fear. Consignment shops, eBay, Depop, and Grailed have plenty of these scarves at far more reasonable prices.
The British Empire has been dead for a hot one. (Rest in piss). British heavy manufacturing is in such a sorry state that it makes the USA look like peak 1980s Japan by comparison. But the British still make exceptional clothes and they should be applauded (with restraint) for their centuries-long commitment to the drip.
Jamie Macdonald
House Socks by Dana Lee Brown
This cold weather kit pick is mine, there are many others like it, but this one is mine. There are wars and rumours of wars in your life from seemingly all fronts. Winter is unlike all of them. Powerful temperatures, wind storms, and frozen conditions will challenge the soldier physically and mentally. You may experience exhaustion, fear, but the enemy of fear is preparation. Physical Readiness. Sharpen up, Soldier. The cold climate is an adversary that demands respect if we are to learn to adapt.
Standard issue – of deadly importance - every infantryman is given a pair. Socks. Calibers of socks vary depending on the textile, shape, thickness, and insulation. Luckily your Superiors have done the work to guarantee your God given feet are protected for the bitter months to come. Our special operations unit has uncovered intel that Canadian patternmaker, clothing designer, and all around legend has fashioned a pair of full-height Alpaca x Wool x Cotton blend House Socks that are undyed, cushioned for maximum warmth and comfort, and sourced from ethical, ecologically managed North American farms. Survival comes foot first. Ensure cold-weather victory is won. Hell, Private, get two pairs.
Charlie Mertens
Omega Backpack by Solepack
While on a 10 day east coast skate trip a few years back I had my backpack completely give out on day three. Thankfully it was the day I was visiting Kinetic Skateboarding and upon entering the shop a bag immediately caught my eye. That bag was none other than the Cream by Eighty x Solepack Omega backpack.
The Omega was originally designed as a basketball/sneaker bag but over the past four years has been the best skate bag I’ve ever owned. The inner compartment fits all of my camera gear and spare clothes, and the top and side pockets have been great for storing everything from spot repair gear to snacks and bevs. There’s also a bottom compartment that is perfect for stashing sweaty clothes or a soaked towel after drying a spot up for the ride home after the sesh.
I’m on my second Omega (currently rocking it with camo SP-1 side packs) after bringing my first one on countless skate missions, and can’t see myself ever switching up my skate bag in the future. A dang near perfect product.
Scott Morton
College Shirt by Cal Skate
Buying clothing for a homie is incredibly difficult when your homies have such diverse styles, but the gift that always feels personal is the skateshop t-shirt. I would specifically pick the Skate College shirt from Cal’s Skate right now. They only print one color at a time and when it’s gone they pick a new color. Right now they have green and it looks great. The blue looks good too but it’s gone, which means if I see someone in a blue one I’m going to be jealous. That level of exclusivity only increases the value. The shop tee is especially great for long distance relationships because it is unique from the giver. There is a good chance you will be the only person in the entire state of Minnesota wearing a skateshop tee from Portland, Oregon. It is a great way to feel connected to friends in other cities and let everyone know you’re worldwide with it. A shop tee is also the easiest way to directly support your skateshop (they make as much off one shirt as like, five boards.) So not only is it a gift to the homie but is a gift to your local skateshop.
Coal
All my homies are filthy with it and this year they absolutely were at the top of the naughty list. Santa did not need to check his shit twice because all year these mf’s were stacking clips, making art, hosting community events, organizing the opening of skate spots, lacquering ledges, bondo-ing cracks, and generally causing a ruckus in the streets. The best gift is getting to share space with all these freaks so for this christmas everybody is getting a big lump of coal in their stocking.
Mike Munzenrider
US GI Wool Watch Cap
Beanie, stocking cap, toque, toboggan, there are many names for the hat but only one tops them all: watchcap. It’s an Army thing, or more accurately a U.S. Department of Defense thing, according to the tag on the freshie I have in my drawer. It’s 100% wool and its MSRP is $12.99. I bought it at a dodgy Army surplus store in a dodgy St. Paul, MN, suburb and it remains the most high-performing headcovering I’ve ever owned (I’ve owned many).
Acrylic winter caps are a crime. Work up a lather in one of those and prepare to stew in your own sweat, if the stewing process meant a lack of wicking while getting colder and colder. Name-brand wools – Merino or even cashmere – are grand, but the price and the preciousness that follows can’t surpass my no-name cap.
It may have a name. Rothko sells a similar one, same price and colors, though the hat drawer hat, still with its tag, reveals no branding. Someone once told me their watchcap was too itchy, and maybe that’ll be true for some. But its texture, its roughness and toughness belies just how serious the best beanie in the world should be.
Will Takahashi
Sweatproof Slim Fit Undershirt by Thompson
Alright, this isn’t necessarily the most “fresh” thing out there but hear me out. This is for the soldiers working behind the frontlines: the intelligence division. This undergarment will save any soldier from pit stains, saving them an extra wash on the shirt. I’ve been running the same button down shirt for work and these undershirts let me rewear it since the pits stay dry.
The slim fit hugs the body and the v-neck won’t show underneath. Either a gray or beige will help the shirt stay covert under a white shirt. I did notice the sleeves were a bit damp after the dryer so I would give it another round or hang it to completely dry.
Whether you have a fellow comrade in the intelligence division or you have a favorite garm you want to keep running on the frontlines, then this undershirt is the perfect gift.
Tip: these undershirts will regularly go on sale so sign up for their emails to save up to 30%!!
Nando Yiv
OG Hood by Furnace Skate Shop
They say cold ain’t really cold out here in southern California, but thanks to the wonderful phenomenon known as acclimatization, any out-of-state soldier that’s in town for a week will eventually feel the frosty sub 60s chill urging them to put on something a little more substantial.
That’s when the OG Furnace Hoodie that I gifted them would come in clutch to brave the chilly greater LA area nights.
Coming up on 30 years strong, Furnace has laid the foundation for three generations of local skaters from OC, SELA, and all over the world to this day.
In fact, Joseph Licas and the young homies proudly rocking Furnace gear put out a video with Ace Trucks this week where you can see how the shop continues to empower the scene and its many crews to this day. We’re talking an age gap of literally 35+ years from the youngest skater in the video to the oldest. That’s a testament to how OG Furnace skateshop really is.
So once we’re wrapping up a little parking lot flatground sesh and you’re ready to admit that it is getting kinda cold, just know I have a Furnace hoodie on deck, with 30 years of service time in these streets, to bless you with.
🎁
You’re now up to speed on the latest from the battlefield. Use this intel wisely and pass it on to others who may need our guidance. We can’t win the war unless we’re in it together.
buy me all of them challenge