Visiting The Lake District with Wolverine

When you think about it I'm actually pretty lucky in terms of location. Sure, my town isn't one of the nicest looking (by far) but in terms of location it's pretty well connected. Three hours north and I'm anywhere in Scotland, three hours the opposite way and I'll find myself grabbing an overpriced Americano somewhere near Spitalfields Market. People say "life is grim up north", but it is what you make it - just 45 minute's drive from our place and you can be in the middle of one of the most beautiful and serene parts of the UK.

One chilly Sunday morning earlier this month, myself, Photographer Adam Booth and my friends from Wolverine packed our hiking bags and headed up to the town of Coniston, in the southern part of the Lake District National Park. It was a perfect day for it - the start of Autumn's crisps snap, with a bit of classic Northern drizzle thrown in. Perfect weather to test of a pair of Wolverine's signature style, the 1000 Mile Boot. A tremendously sturdy boot, there's not mistaking it. More of these soon.

A wonder around Coniston Water and hike up the hills was followed by a pint of locally brewed ale, fish finger sandwiches + a cone of chips. Try doing that in London.

Photography by Adam Booth. 

Thanks for visiting,
Mat

Wearing - 55DLS Jacket | Uniqlo Shirt | Reiss Sweatshirt | Albam Jeans  | 1000 Mile Boots c/o Wolverine | '47 Brand Baseball Cap | Socks c/o Albam

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Home of Millican

 In order - Les the Cooler bag, James the Duffle bag, Keith the Writer's bag, Rob the Traveler bag, 

Ryan the Domepack, Peter the Doctor's washbag

I've been itching to post about Millican's latest offering for a couple of weeks now so here goes. The Millican story began not too long ago in 2008 when the now married couple of Jorrit & Nicky met while backpacking around in South America. Their friendship grew on their love for travel, discovery and design; the pair moved to Keswick in the Lake District, soon set up a HQ (the shed) and started to produce a range of organic bags and travel goods.

The brand took its name from the legendary outdoorsman and self-styled "Professor of Adventure" Millican Dalton. Dalton left his life in the city and moved up to the Lake District in the early 1900s, to be entirely self-sufficient and live off the land. His life and values rang true with the pair and the Millican brand was born.

For their latest shoot they didn't have to look far for a suitable location, the above shots were taken in an abandoned pencil factory in Keswick (home to the UK's first graphite pencil, first produced in 1832 none-the-less!), just down the road from their offices. The wannabe Urban Explorer in me is mentally bookmarking this place for a trip in the future. Every piece in the collection is made with functionality in mind; using organic canvases, recycled polyester, tanned leathers and locally sourced wools. Each bag has been named after local friends who live in the Lake District, as a little tribute to the area. That's a pretty nice touch isn't it?

For such a young brand Millican have a real sense of identity and direction, taking inspiration Dalton's alternative lifestyle and turning that into products fit for the modern day. I just wish I got to venture out in the countryside more.

For more information on the brand and their products visit Millican.

Have you entered the Urbanears Giveaway yet? It closes on 25th September.