You’ve probably come to How to Grow a Moustache for one reason – helpful, pertinent information. And hopefully, you haven’t been disappointed!
Sites like this exist because, in the past, there was a void – a void in quality reading material that helped men hone the art-form of manliness. It seemed publications – both online and print – failed to take men’s needs seriously. After all, how many articles do you really need to read about the unattainable six pack and the top ten ways to get a women in bed?
Men need in-depth, applicable information about how to better themselves – whether they need advice about their career, travel, relationships, wardrobe, or health.
While websites like this are great, there is still a place in this word for print publications. If you are honestly interested in pursuing manliness, you’ll want to know which magazines are a bust and which are worth the time and effort you put into reading them.
We’ve reviewed several of the top publications. We evaluated the ratio of ads to content, quality of articles, and possibility of attaining the lifestyle they encourage. Here is what we found.
These Magazines are a Pass
We’re going to start with the magazines you don’t need to bother reading.
Honestly, this kind of seems like one of those magazines designed for twenty-somethings who only read magazines because it’s trendy or ironic. While there are a fewarticles here and there about interesting celebrities or musicians, the “quirky” formatting makes it difficult to keep track of what’s happening.
On the plus side, there appears to be some wardrobe selections that an everyday guy could maybe afford. But frankly they’re hidden behind bizarre fashion selections that you probably don’t want to be caught dead in. With all that and a lack of practical advice or articles, this one’s probably a pass.
In this magazine, there will obviously be a lot of health and fitness related articles. But the bad news is that they’re tiny and not overly-informative. So if you like tons of ads and shallow articles, you’ll probably like this magazine fine. For the rest of us though, it’s a pass.
All right. We all know this one. It seems to be solely geared toward frat guys and teenagers, what with the obviously photoshopped models in compromising positions and such. So the practical life-advice isn’t great.
The clothing ads aren’t much respite either unless you want to drop an obscene amount of money on a pair of jeans. Unless there are twenty dollar bills sewed into the inseam, you may want to pass on their fashion advice – and ultimately their subscription.
If you’re a younger man who likes “ironic” photos and $400 scarves, then you should check this magazine out (but you probably already have a subscription). Everyone else probably doesn’t need a dose of hipster this vehement outside a film class. We pass on this one (un-ironically).
Green-Lit Magazines
The following are four magazines that provide you with practical advice, valuable insight, or affordable fashion choices so that you can better your manly self.
With great advice, practical insights and in-depth articles, this magazine has a lot to offer. Of course the fashion choices are still on the ludicrous scale for affordability, but the ads aren’t obtrusive. For the readability of the articles alone, this one gets the green light.
For those of us who are well-traveled and sophisticated (or more honestly, those of us who want to be those things), there are plenty of interesting, intelligently-written articles in this magazine. They offer a valuable look into cars, sports, health, and travel.
The only downside to this one is that the lifestyle it promotes is so well-traveled and erudite it would be difficult for any man to maintain. Still though, it encourages you to better yourself, so it gets a green light from us.
This is one of those magazines that wants you to take it seriously, so there are plenty of great photos and oftentimes insightful articles. The fashion advice is usually on-point too, so you can look the part as well as act the part. With minimal ads, this one gets the green light, so go ahead and enjoy.
As far as taking their audience seriously, this magazine has it in spades. There are plenty of articles and advice for men in their 30’s and 40’s, and it covers a broad spectrum of article topics from weightlifting tips to protein powder recommendations. Green light means go for it.
If you’re going to spend the time and money to read a magazine, make sure it is worth the effort. Find a publication that helps you be a better man – not just a sex crazed gym rat. Of course the manliest pursuit of all is the journey to better one’s self, so congratulations on your first step to manning up!
Andrew Birkett works for Priority One Clearing Magazine, so he obviously has a lot of insight about magazines! He has read more than his fair share of printed publications and seems to have an opinion about them all. One of the best things about being employed by Priority One Clearing Magazine – a new company in Florida – is that he often gets to bring his “work” home with him!
About Douglas Smythe
