This piece was produced in partnership with Gregory Jewellers

It’s no secret that men are caring more and more about their appearance, with industries such as men’s grooming seeing exponential growth, but on an equal level, men’s jewellery is also seeing greater traction, with increasing numbers of guys turning to accessories to express their personal style.Of course, think of jewellery and you’ll either think of pieces that cost several thousand dollars, or those at the complete opposite end of the budget spectrum.Fortunately, for Australian men, Gregory Jewellers’ ‘Mr Gregory’ line of men’s jewellery provides the perfect middle ground, offering high-quality pieces you’ll want to be seen wearing, for prices that belie them.Gregory Jewellers has an esteemed history and reputation within the industry. That reputation has been created through the company’s passion and dedication to provide customers with the exact pieces they’re looking for without compromise.

When Gregory’s develop a new design, they don’t rest until it meets their high standards. If an initial model design doesn’t come out quite right, rather than make an adjustment to it, Gregory’s will in fact remake it from scratch so as to make sure that same ring is perfect, right down to the last detail. The co-founders of the company; brothers Lahdo and Christopher Gregory, still remain a vital part of the business, designing and perfecting new rings and jewellery collections each day, that will eventually make their way to the boutiques.It’s this dedication to perfection that sets Gregory Jewellers apart from other premium jewellers. The Mr Gregory collection takes this attitude and uses it to present a range of pieces that encompass rings, bracelets, necklaces and cufflinks which, in keeping with current trends for men’s jewellery, employ a mixture of silver and rose gold plating.The current range caters to various themes and styles, such as nautically-themed bracelets and necklaces with anchor motifs – such as this sterling silver anchor leather bracelet or sterling silver and black rhodium anchor necklace – to slightly more edgy pieces that make use of black rhodium skulls, like this sterling silver skull tag necklace.For jewellery traditionalists, Mr Gregory also has a selection of signet rings, both plain and patterned – such as this sterling silver eagle signet ring. What’s more, you can choose to have an engraving on either of their top discs to make them even more personal to you. The Mr Gregory signet rings are a perfect example of high-quality pieces for more than affordable price. The plain signet ring, for example, retails for $150. Walk into a decidedly more premium jeweller and you can expect to pay four to five times that amount, yet it will still be produced from sterling silver.

Every man should know that cufflinks are a vital piece of any formalwear puzzle. Whether you wear a dress shirt for the office or have one that is only let out for special occasions such as weddings, a pair of cufflinks not only serves a purpose in keeping the shirt cuff held together but offers a simple and subtle way to add some individuality to an outfit.In this regard, the Mr Gregory range has plenty to offer the style-conscious man who likes to show off, whether it be through a pair of sterling silver cufflinks with black rhodium skulls or a more simple and conventional pair such as this square pair with a single stripe of black agate. You’ll find several pairs will have matching necklaces, bracelets and rings, or a combination thereof.Best of all, the entire Mr Gregory is highly affordable, with the vast majority of pieces setting you back less than $500, with rings starting from $150, yet the quality is never compromised.Gregory Jewellers stocks its Mr Gregory range in all of its boutique and the entire range can also be found online. We’d always recommend visiting a boutique to gain a greater appreciation for the level of craftsmanship that goes into creating each piece.

The post Mr Gregory, Australia’s Affordable Jewellery & Ring Brand appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The 90s was a terrible time for the Japanese economy, but a truly fantastic time for the Japanese auto industry.The asset price bubble might have burst, causing stagnation and economic uncertainty, but the world’s leading car-making nation didn’t give up on making exciting cars. If anything, the Japanese doubled down, manufacturers releasing a slew of now-iconic models: the original Honda NSX, Mazda RX-7 FD, Toyota Supra Mk4, Subaru Impreza 22B STi, and the Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R…RELATED: Rare ‘Australian Godzilla’ Could Be Your Once In A Lifetime Chance To Own A Bathurst LegendBut the Japanese manufacturer who really shone in the 90s was Mitsubishi, which had a whole fleet of successful performance cars like the powerful 3000GT, stylish FTO and of course, the first five generations of the legendary Lancer Evolution (better known as simply the ‘Evo’).What you might not know is that the Lancer wasn’t the only car in Mitsubishi’s lineup to get a special performance edition. The diminutive Colt and Australian-made Magna both got Evo-inspired Ralliart editions, and the Japanese domestic market (JDM) exclusive RVR Hyper Sports Gear-R shared its running gear with the Evo III.But the only other car to officially get that coveted ‘Evolution’ badge was the Pajero – Mitsubishi’s ultra-successful 4×4 SUV. The Pajero Evolution is a rare, incredibly 90s off-road rocket that remains just as cool and capable as when it first hit Japan’s streets in 1997… And there’s a mint condition one being sold in Adelaide right now.

“The Pajero Evolution, known as PajEvo, was introduced in 1997 and built until 1999 as a special edition performance SUV,” Daniel Bell from Tokyo Prestige explains.

“Mitsubishi had to produce something in order to meet new regulations for the Paris-Dakar rally of the time, which meant entrants had to base their vehicles on a production model.”

“Around 2500 were made, based on the short wheelbase, three-door Pajero Evolution. It features a more muscular body with pumped wheel arches, a bulging bonnet with special vents, driving lights, and plenty of underbody protection compared with the regular Pajero. There’s also a crazy Sonic the Hedgehog-style rear wing apparatus to help guide dust when you’re flying along the desert.”“Under the bonnet sits a 3.5L naturally aspirated V6 engine producing 206kW and 348Nm [of torque] hooked up to either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Obviously, it’s four-wheel drive, with a locking centre diff and limited-slip diffs front and rear to help make it unstoppable on the rough stuff.”

Everything about this car screams 90s outrageousness. From the immaculate silver paint, insane bodywork and blindingly plastic, spartan interior to very Japanese touches like the left fender mirror and ‘JDM’ stickers above the cannon tailpipe, this ‘PajEvo’ is crazier than a bento box filled with cocaine.“When it comes to ultra-cool cars from the ‘80s and ‘90s, the Pajero Evo is regarded as one of the all-time greats,” Bell shares.“These things are so renowned for their performance that they are still used in off-road motorsport today. The fact that Mitsubishi made these road-legal is unbelievable and we doubt many mainstream carmakers out there today would dare build such a bespoke and focused vehicle.”“This example up for sale has just 96,905km on the clock and is in very good condition. It still has the factory Recaro bucket seats and the 3.5 V6 engine with the five-speed auto.”

While 206kW might not seem that impressive, consider that this Pajero is just as powerful as the Evo IV it would have sat alongside at Mitsubishi dealers back in the day. That said, power figures for both cars are somewhat dubious.All JDM cars until 2005 abided by a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ struck between Japanese carmakers that they wouldn’t make (or at least advertise) their cars as making more than 206kW. So officially, that’s what these cars make, but in reality, they probably make much more than that, especially with a tune and some decent petrol. For the record, no new Mitsubishi sold in Australia today makes even close to 206kW.Mitsubishi has fallen off since the glory days of the 90s: the tenth and last generation of the Lancer Evo ended production in 2016, and their modern vehicles are perhaps the most boring cars on the market. Even brands that have long had ‘snore-worthy’ reputations like Kia and Škoda make interesting, fun cars (not to mention their build quality is miles ahead of what Mitsubishi has to offer).Thankfully, there are still some 90s JDM survivors that remind us that Mitsubishi used to be cool. More than cool, even. Truly bonkers, like this PajEvo: a car so insane that it makes even Virgil Abloh’s G-Wagen look tame in comparison.Selling for a quite reasonable $41,980 in the Adelaide Hills, this rare beast isn’t going to sit around forever. Check it out on Tokyo Prestige’s website here.

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The post Pajero Evolution Is For Sale In Adelaide appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

There are political scandals, economic f*ck ups, then this: Virgin Australia has been sprung serving two-minute noodles to business class passengers.

Perth Now reports “a passenger took to social media to complain against the budget meal offering, which can cost less than $2 a serve, after shelling out $2500 for a ticket.”

“The tongue-in-cheek post read: Two course offering on VA today: Course 1 – Red Wine, Coke no sugar & Snack Bar. Course 2 – fantastic noodles.”

WT….??? #Virgin Australia https://t.co/lw2GlS50WY

— boringaccountant (@ildiko42749502) October 13, 2020

Other social media users chimed in too.

“Omg I thought this was a joke but then realised that’s actually on a plane.”

“I know it’s ‘first world problem’ but if you are paying for a premium product then you should receive a premium product.”

Frequent flyer expert and Flight Hacks founder Immanuel Debeer told DMARGE this is “appalling cost-cutting in VAs business class.”

“I think Bain is on a cost cutting spree and these days you can get away with almost anything in the name of Covid.”

“Virgin used to have (in my opinion) the world’s best domestic business class product in terms of food, service and seats. Now we’re seeing the (don’t take offense) ‘Americanisation’ of business class.”

“Aussies are used to getting better so it’s no wonder the Bain ‘budget carrier’ approach won’t go down well unless the prices of the tickets reflect the actual service.”

Adele Eliseo, founder of The Champagne Mile, told DMARGE, “With all Virgin Australia lounges closed indefinitely and economy grade hot meals served in Business class, unfortunately there’s [now] very little to differentiate between the Virgin Australia’s onboard business class experience and the economy cabin.”

According to The West Australian, some passengers even had to take their own snacks on-board after the beleaguered airline, which went into voluntary administration earlier this year, ran out of supplies.

RELATED: Business Class Passenger’s ‘Infuriating’ Complaint Sparks Crucial ‘New Normal’ Debate

Virgin has said the limited onboard service was part of its plan to minimise interactions between flight crew and passengers.

“As travel demand begins to increase we are exploring the possibilities for our onboard business class offering, whilst continuing to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew,” a spokesperson said.

“We are also re-imagining what our onboard catering offer will be longer-term, and are looking forward to developing a new experience to suit customer needs.”

Storm in a noodle cup? Part of 2020’s growing branch of absurd business class literature? Or reflective of a deeper issue set to plague Australian airlines in the years to come? You decide.

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• Why Returning Australians Are Being Pressured To Fly Home In Luxury

The post Virgin Australia 'Noodlegate' Sparks Concerns Over 'Americanisation Of Business Class' appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

2020’s been a tough time for airlines, as international tourism has ground to a halt thanks to COVID-19. Australian airlines have suffered even more than others, thanks to both domestic border closures and strict restrictions on overseas travel. Virgin Australia notably went into voluntary administration earlier this year, but Qantas – the national carrier and one of the world’s oldest airlines – has also been suffering.With only faint trickles of ticket sales and no clear end in sight to this pandemic, Qantas has explored other ways to stay afloat during these troublesome times. Necessity once again has proved to be the mother of invention, and Qantas has proved to be a plucky innovator. Not only have they been offering scenic ‘boomerang flights‘ and have the genius idea of selling off their old 747 business class bar carts, but now they’ve come out with an exclusive line of leisurewear that’s not only stylish but a great way for the adventure-starved to capture some of the glamour of air travel without having to leave lockdown.Leading Australian fashion designer Martin Grant has collaborated with Qantas on a limited-edition athleisure-wear capsule which showcases a mix of the airline’s vintage logos to mark the Flying Kangaroo’s centenary year, the brand announced this morning.The collection, which consists of luxurious cashmere sweaters and sweatshirts; t-shirts, a hoodie and a beach tote, feature old-school Qantas branding and the brand’s iconic red and navy palette as well as vivid wattle yellows. It’s a stylish collection many aspiring jet-setter will no doubt be keen to add to their wardrobes.

“This collection is all about classic shapes, comfortable styles and materials that are kind on the environment,” Grant says.

“But the hero of the designs are the iconic logos that evoke so many fond memories for Australians… The Qantas brand is embedded in the history of our country. I wanted this collection to be a nod to the past but also be a treasured piece for the future.”

The Melbourne-born, Paris-based fashion prodigy has previously designed uniforms for Qantas’ pilots, cabin crew and ground staff as well as pyjamas and amenity kits for the airline’s First Class customers.This capsule collection is a masterstroke for Qantas. The Qantas-branded pyjamas you get in business or first class (grey for the former and navy in the latter) have long been prized as the loungewear flex par excellence. Taking this trend to its logical conclusion by fusing Qantas’ classic iconography with premium materials makes a hell of a lot of sense.Furthermore, one of the breakout fashion trends of 2020 has been the move towards ‘quality basics’ and luxury athleisure or loungewear, which this capsule is sure to capitalise on.The collection is available for purchase exclusively from the Qantas Rewards Store, where you can use either Qantas Points or good old Australian dollars to snap them up – whatever takes your fancy.

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The post Qantas Clothing: Fashionable Way For Customers To Spend Frequent Flyer Points appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

If economy is a Thai jail cell (fistfights and all) then business class is a Hansel and Grettle prison (creature comforts and everything).

But mortifying? Other than some embarrassing bank statements, mortifying is not a word you typically associate with business class.

But the latest piece of pointy end news shows times really have changed, with an Australian traveller yesterday publishing a piece in The Guardian, wringing his hands over his business class experience, rather than boasting.

Lewis Jackson had been studying in Barcelona since September 2019. When Covid cases exploded in March he considered leaving, but due to not wanting to break his lease (which he shared at the time with his then-partner) and not wanting to have classes at 2am at night, he chose to remain in Spain.

By July, Jackson had finished his thesis and his lease, and – with no hope of work in Spain – booked a flight back to Australia.

RELATED: World Famous Strongman Struggles To Keep Fit In Australian Hotel Quarantine

However, the Australian federal government’s decision to cap arrivals to 4,000 people per week (now 6,000) caused the few airlines running long haul international flights to Australia to bump passengers, re-arrange flights, and prioritise business class ticket holders.

Jackson was caught up in this, finding himself in September squatting in someone’s spare room, with the flimsy promise of a make-up flight in November.

“With only 30 seats per flight sometimes, airlines started encouraging passengers to upgrade to business to guarantee a seat,” (The Guardian).

“My flight had been cancelled twice already. I got the message. So I steeled myself, drained my savings, and spent A$7,000 on an upgrade,” Jackson wrote in an article published by The Guardian.

Being the first time Jackson had flown anything but ‘promo economy,’ he dallied at the gate, describing the sinking feeling that struck as he realised he was the only business class passenger: “Too embarrassed to stand alone in the queue next to the long rows of impatient travellers, I settled for loitering nearby with the silver (really more of a grey) trimmed edge of my ticket exposed.”

“With my hand angled just right, I hoped the stewards might notice, and save me the humiliation of asking to board the plane before anyone else.”

Alas, “In the end, a bell chimed, some muffled words rang out, and I was spirited forward – completely alone – towards the gate. ‘Mr Jackson’ was murmured exactly eight times before I was lowered into a soft, almost comically large seat.”

It wasn’t all bad though, with a glass of pink champagne magically appearing next to him, and the cabin oozing soft edges and neat folds – features that would help most people forget about the plight of those in cattle class.

Our disgruntled passenger not so: caught up in a whirl of existential angst, Jackson looked out his “enormous porthole.”

“Inflight the stewards moved silently around the cabin, monitoring desire like a barometer… I received a heartfelt thank-you for each answer, as if I were resolving an issue that had been troubling them for some time. On the rare moments when I rang to order something, the stewards were apologetic, as if sorry for a failure of telepathy,” Jackson wrote.

“The drinks menu was campaign-length. The bathroom was enormous and always pristine, panelled in mahogany-toned faux wood. Scented moisturisers peeped out at me from little nooks, while I washed my hands under a surprisingly generous stream of warm water. When I got back, my chair had been transformed into a bed and I dozed off 35,000 feet over Turkey.”

Jackson’s final takeaway? Despite travel’s “mundane frustrations” having been stripped away, this blur of luxury only made him feel isolated: “You float isolated in a niceness so total it is almost oppressive, although not as oppressive as being unable to afford the privilege of coming home at all.”

“Luxury like business class sells a kind of separation,” Jackson added. “It differentiates you, while also affirming you as especially deserving; not only is life effortless, but it deserves to be (for you). It is incredibly seductive, both fulfilling and validating our desires.”

“For 24 hours, I was indulged in that primordial, incorrect, intuition we all have: the world, and everyone occupying it, exists primarily in relation to me.”

“I am grateful to be home, but I wish I had my seven grand back.”

On Twitter, Jackson’s sharing of his experience inspired various responses.

Interesting article Lewis. But where have you been since 1981? “Stewards” and “Portholes”? Really? Were you on an airliner (I’m guessing Qatar Airways) or the Titanic? Stewards have been Flight Attendants since 1981 and airliners have windows. That said I’m glad you’re back home.

— Close Encounters (@CloseEncounte14) October 12, 2020

“Hadn’t thought of this. Upgrading to business or first class, plus gear, might keep one safe enough to fly. May ski in Tahoe yet this year,” one user wrote.

“You felt isolated? Those of us living alone feel it every day during this lockdown. Stop the self-pity. You got home safely,” wrote another.

RELATED: Business Class Passengers Shocked By ‘Intense’ Treatment On Arrival In Australia

Passengers being forced to upgrade to business class, DMARGE understands, remains an issue, even as airlines get used to the new limits. Though the cap loosening has helped, Twitter remains replete with complaints and demands for it to be increased again.

No surprise to anyone @ScottMorrisonMP‘s flight caps (limited to 30 passengers/flight) are causing airlines to cancel routes to Australia as unviable. Worsening backlog of #strandedAussies #auspol #removethecaps https://t.co/rENZBta2NI

— Esther Rockett (@EstherRockett) October 8, 2020

Australia still has a long way to go though when it comes to safely re-connecting with the rest of the world, and balancing its social, health, and economic needs.

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The post Australian Man's Mortifying Business Class Moment Symbolises Larger Industry Problem appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It’s hard to tell whether Nicolas Cage is a genius or just very, very confused.

---

From his outfit choices, questionable romances and filmic exploits, Cage is one of the most enigmatic actors active in Hollywood. It’s often been said that ‘Nicolas Cage is very good at playing Nicolas Cage’ but it seems he’s taken that literally with his latest film project – playing himself in a subversive comedy called The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

The oddball 56-year-old actor was spotted on set in Cavtat, Croatia wearing perhaps the most ‘Nicolas Cage’ outfit yet – a striped shirt, big aviator sunglasses and a bright pink leather jacket emblazoned with patches and a huge Superman logo on the back. It just has to be seen to be believed.

Cage is known for his love of leather jackets, from the classic black biker’s jacket to wilder looks like this puffy white number he was spotted in last week. But this pink jacket? We can’t tell if he’s being ironic or he genuinely loves this shit. You just can’t tell with Nicolas Cage. Although evidence would suggest this might be the former as opposed to the latter…

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is set to star Cage as an exaggerated version of himself where, in need of some money and creatively unfulfilled, he begrudgingly accepts a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a Mexican billionaire super fan: things take a wild turn and Cage is then forced to become a version of some of his most iconic and beloved characters in order to extricate himself from an increasingly dangerous situation, Deadline reports.

With that in mind, perhaps the jacket is a pisstake. Or maybe he’s just really getting into character… As himself. In any case, we low key love it.

Part of what makes Nicolas Cage such a compelling actor – and person – is precisely because you’re never quite sure where the persona ends and the person begins. He definitely enjoys keeping people guessing, too. But both in his roles and out of them, he exudes this ‘I don’t give a fuck’ energy that’s just unparalleled.

And that’s why he’s the men’s fashion trailblazer we so desperately need: his irrepressible confidence and individuality is a breath of fresh air.

RELATED: A Dating Expert Reveals How Confidence Improves Your Attractiveness

It’s been said many times before, but the key to dressing well is confidence. You can have the best outfit in the world but if you don’t carry yourself with pride; back yourself – then you still won’t look good. Cage makes this jacket work because he has the confidence to pull it off. He’s arguably the only man alive who could pull it off (although we reckon Richard Biedul would have a red-hot go).

So we say bravo, Cage. Shine on you crazy diamond.

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The post Nicolas Cage In A Pink Leather Jacket Is Peak Nicolas Cage appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Forget The Bat Kiss; the US has had bat crazy year. From much-maligned Missouri pool parties to crazy Manhattan scenes (screw cake: let them drink Prosecco) to stock market madness the rest of the world could be forgiven for thinking America has lost the plot (if you were left in any doubt Matt Damon’s latest haircut recently pulled out the last straw).Apart from the societal upheaval centered around race-relations, polarised politics and Matt Damon’s mullet, there has also been a pandemic, which has left many US tourist attractions looking dystopian.In Times Square, this century’s most iconic 11,600 square feet of concrete, the usual billboards have taken a back seat to graffiti like: “Never, never give up” and “We are all in this together.”

 

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A post shared by •Fernelis•⑬ (@laj13) on Jul 9, 2020 at 4:49pm PDT

This has been reported as “a chilling reminder of the incredible struggle the city has endured over the past few months, having at one time been the global epicenter of the deadly pandemic.”

 

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Still trendy #WearAMask : @sincerelymaureen

A post shared by Times Square NYC (@timessquarenyc) on Oct 2, 2020 at 2:44pm PDT

Sports games are also illustrative of how things have changed. From NBA title celebrations like no other to carboard fans (as well as virtual reality ones) replacing real ones at baseball games, it’s been a big shift.

 

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No one is safe in Philadelphia. . . . #comedy #comedian #standupcomedy #joke #jokes #standup #humor #funny #lol #funnyasf #funnyjokes #funnyposts #memes #memesdaily #dailymemes #funnytextposts #funnypic #funnymemesdaily #funnytext #funnybuttrue #funnytweets #funnytweet #philadelphiamemes #philliesmemes #mlbmemes #cardboardfans #baseballmemes

A post shared by Derek Richards (@comedndrichards) on Jul 25, 2020 at 5:00pm PDT

Las Vegas has also re-opened, with the city of debauchery now operating under strict new rules. news.com.au reports that in famous casinos on the Strip, “some machines are out of play with social distancing and plastic safety shields separate players and dealers at the tables.”

“There’s been criticism about Vegas visitors flouting the rules — hopefully what happens in Vegas truly does stay in Vegas.”

Lavish Instagram posts by the likes of luxury resort and casino Bellagio also suggest the high end of the Las Vegas industry is now picking back up too, and is keen to emphasize its classy side.

 

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A post shared by Bellagio Las Vegas (@bellagio) on Sep 5, 2020 at 8:45am PDT

“Like in Australia, American businesses have struggled to stay afloat during the economic downturn and major retailers are no exception,” news.com.au reports. “Luxury department chain Neiman Marcus — a popular destination for tourists with spending money to burn — has shut down stores across the country after it filed for bankruptcy due to the pandemic. H&M is also shutting 250 American stores.”With major urban attractions, sports and shopping all radically different to the pre-Covid era, the US tourism industry could look quite different for quite some time.

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The post US Tourism: Photos Reveal Dystopian Impact Caused By Covid appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

It seems that the humble dive watch has truly solidified its place as the top dog in the watch world with more people purchasing and brands focusing their lines on them than ever before. The likes of Rolex, Tudor, Panerai, Omega and Glashütte Original as well as several other heavy hitters released new dive watches this year, even amongst a global pandemic. It seems that this love for the dive watch stems from their breadth of capabilities, whether you want to swim with it, wear it to the office or cruise down the road to get a coffee the dive watch can do it all. If you’re interested in dipping a toe into the world of divers, Rotate North’s Tempest might be the perfect place to start.

Featuring a rotating bezel, 300m water resistance and LumiNova on the dial, it really has the makings of any great dive watch. This is all packaged into a stainless steel case and is held onto your wrist with an obligatory rubber strap. The design is nothing groundbreaking nor revolutionary, but it is simple and unique, which is refreshing, in a world awash with ‘homage’ pieces and blatant rip offs. It’s powered by a 5-jewel quartz movement which you’ll be able to ‘set and forget’ as the ultra long life battery is expected to keep the Tempest powered for an astonishing 10 years.

Priced at $308, it has everything you’d expect from your first dive watch and much, much more. Take the plunge, you won’t regret it.

Buy Rotate North Tempest Dive Watch $308

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The post This $308 Dive Watch Is Affordable, Capable & Good Looking appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

I like to think myself the perfect Sydneysider. Sophisticated enough to dine at Hubert, down-to-earth enough to brave Coles, Dee Why, secure in myself enough to wear trackies, thongs and a beanie and not care if people think I’m from the Central Coast…Not to mention modest.But when I was invited to go bouldering in Nomad Annandale, I knew I was placing everything on the line for an hour of free coffee, exercise and beer. Why? After 25 years of building my reputation, I could be misconstrued as a hipster.Why? Bouldering is far removed from the castrating carabiners and hellish harnesses of the indoor climbing gyms of the ’90s. In fact, bouldering has pretty well freed itself from the need for most equipment (all you need is shoes and chalk) to become Sydney’s sport du jour.Bouldering’s journey from boy scout sport to hipster hook up zone (as far as I saw this is an exaggeration, but other writers have characterised bouldering as a “real-life Tinder-meets-yoga studio-meets-sober-nightclub“) has been well documented online, having been called everything from “the perfect counter culture workout” to the new surfing, with a magical kind of specialised lingo which both keeps newbies out (and thus draws them in), “providing boulderers with a sense of belonging (and maybe a little superiority).”Having recently been (virtually) flung into a cliff at Sydney’s scariest wave, I decided it was time to try something else, and took Nomad Annandale (an inner West suburb just next to Glebe) up on their offer.On arrival, I noticed three things: it’s a stone’s throw from a popular brewery, the coffee bar smells great, and it’s a million times nicer than Anytime Fitness.My first port of call is to change out of my Oliver Cabells into a pair of climbing shoes half a size too small. The logic? Wearing too-small shoes gives you the confidence to put all your weight on one toe to make that final lunge, 4 metres up in the air (something I later came to appreciate as I hesitated, despite rocking the perfect footwear, and found myself plunging to the floor).

After warming up on a few of the easier blue ‘colour-coded’ routes, I went for the orange (intermediate). This proved, not a big mistake, but a big challenge, with the advice of the Nomad staff helping me realise the further away from the wall you allow yourself to hang, the less energy you’ll use.RELATED: Weak As A Twig? Give Your Body Explosive Strength Like Rock Climber, Tom FarrellI noticed, too, if you are new to the sport you had better try the complicated climbs at the beginning of your session, because after about 20 minutes (in my case) the lactic acid proved too much and even going back to the blue walls left me stumped.I also learned Nomad Annandale is the largest bouldering gym in the Southern Hemisphere (with climbs for everyone from the total beginner to those that want to embrace their inner Touching The Void), and that there’s little chance of getting bored as the ‘boulders’ are changed every week or so.

The icing on the cake is there’s a gym and yoga room out back for members, and a dog-friendly brewery – Wayward – around the corner for some sneaky after session drinks.Lactic acid already flowing in anticipation? Here are my final insights.

The staff are not stereotypical climbing geeks

I don’t know where all these tropes have come from (I thought Alex Honnold was kind of cool), but for whatever reason many of the articles in recent years about bouldering have painted the staff (and patrons) as either annoying hipster influencers or reclusive geeks.As one put it: “The regulars, meanwhile, are the usual mix — those who wore Patagonia before it was cool, and after. The men on reception all have beards and film studies degrees, and are all called Joe. Maybe one Silas.”In my case, I found the staff friendly and welcoming (though to be fair I was there to review the place). Still: not a Patagonia jumper to be found (and not an Elon Musk fanboi in sight).

Unlocking your phone after the session may prove tricky

Expect your arm strength to disappear, especially if you ignore the proper technique of mostly using your legs. Oh and if you’re not a regular climber, beware of DOMS.

The social aspect is huge

In this era of unprecedented loneliness, where the average late 20s city slicker could easily find themselves in a hamster wheel of work, gym, microwave meal, repeat, I can see why bouldering is a godsend.Not only did I find it significantly more entertaining than doing 3 x 8 sets of leg press at the gym with the same playlist I’ve been listening to since 2015 blaring in my ears (probably trying to drown out reggaeton, or MTV), but I saw, despite being on my own, how other groups of people easily socialised without the pressure of a dinner date, or even drinks.You get to spend lots of recovery time on the crash mats between climbs, opening up opportunities to start conversations both with friends and strangers.It’s epic and the brewery next door (did I mention there was a brewery next door?) means you can either have a purely healthy social session or a totally debaucherous one too, if that’s how you’re feeling.

It can be a valuable mental health tool

I can see why people get addicted. As Vice explored in January this year, long working hours plus a lack of awareness about our own emotional needs can see late 20s city dwellers, as we drift beyond our university and school friend groups of our early 20s, get lonely.“A 2015 YouGov poll found that 12 percent of men over the age of 18 didn’t have a close friend they would discuss a serious life problem with. Climbing, with its space for conversation and the excuse it provides to meet up with a group of people every week, provides a valuable antidote to this.”Having dipped my toe (and hands) in the chalk, I can understand why.

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The post Sydney Bouldering: I Tried The Latest Hipster Exercise Trend. I’m A Convert appeared first on DMARGE Australia.