Howdy Amigos,

Welcome to the next edition of JM’s Weekly Roundup. A quick hit of what’s new at La Matera and a few things that’ve popped up on my radar lately.

Feels like summer is starting to settle in down here in Texas. The calendar is filling up, the days are getting hotter, and I’m already thinking about anything that can handle a little more movement without looking too casual.

That’s a big reason I’m excited about what we’ve got coming.

TL;DR:

La Matera Highlight: The new Stretch Belt Collection is open for presale, with the first shipment expected to arrive in time for Father’s Day.

Worth a Read: Things Become Other Things by Craig Mod. A good reminder that walking, paying attention, and leaving room for the unexpected still matter.

Worth a Listen: Susto’s new album dropped today. We’re big fans around here, and it’s already earning a spot in the summer playlist.

Brand I’m Eyeing: Patagonia, Filson, and Red Wing Heritage. Three brands I keep coming back to when I think about products that hold up over time.

Weekend Wisdom: “Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.” A good one to sit with, especially when you’re trying to make something right.

1. La Matera Highlight: New Stretch Belt Collection

I could not be more excited about these new Stretch Belts. They’ve been surprisingly difficult to get across the finish line, mostly because we weren’t interested in launching just another stretch belt. If we were going to put the La Matera name on it, it had to feel right.

I’ve been wearing the samples almost every day for the last month and they’ve quickly earned a permanent spot in the rotation. They have the comfort and flexibility you’d expect from a stretch belt, but they still feel polished enough to wear to dinner, the office, or wherever else the day takes you.

Each belt is made with woven stretch fabric imported from Italy, finished with our signature cognac leather tabs, and assembled here in our factory up in Maine. The result feels a little more refined than most stretch belts I’ve come across, which was exactly what we were aiming for.

We’re opening up presale before the first shipment lands so folks can reserve one and have it in hand before Father’s Day. The collection includes six new styles: Corbina, Mendoza, El Cobre, El Jade, El Cobalto, and Bariloche.

If you’ve been wanting a belt that’s a little more comfortable for summer but still feels distinctly La Matera, I think you’re going to like these.

2. Worth a Read: Things Become Other Things by Craig Mod

I’ve got a stack of books by my nightstand that I’m working through this summer, and Things Become Other Things by Craig Mod is one that’s been grabbing my attention lately.

The book follows Craig as he walks Japan’s Kii Peninsula, but it’s really less about the destination and more about what happens when you slow down enough to pay attention. I’ve always appreciated people who can notice the small details most of us walk right past and then write about them without making it feel overly romantic or self-important.

There’s something about travel on foot that tends to produce better stories. You move slower, you notice more, and the journey starts becoming more interesting than whatever destination was circled on the map in the first place.

If you’re looking for a thoughtful summer read that might make you want to put your phone down and go explore somewhere, this one’s worth a look.

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3. Worth a Listen: Susto

It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of Susto over here at La Matera, so I couldn’t be more excited that their new album dropped today.

If you’ve been following these Roundups for a while, you’ve probably heard me mention Justin Osborne and the band before. Justin and I go way back, and it’s been incredibly cool watching what he’s built over the years. Every record feels a little different, but they all carry that same blend of storytelling, Southern grit, and just enough weirdness to keep things interesting.

I’ve only had a chance to start working through the new album, but it’s already shaping up to be one that’ll spend plenty of time in the rotation this summer.

Definitely worth a listen.

4. Brand I’m Eyeing: Brands built to last

Lately I’ve found myself paying more attention to the brands that have managed to stick around for decades. Not just survive, but remain relevant without constantly reinventing themselves every few years.

I keep coming back to brands like Patagonia, Filson, and Red Wing Heritage. They’re all very different businesses, but they seem to share a few things in common. They make products people genuinely use, they know who they are, and they don’t seem particularly interested in chasing every trend that comes along.

What I admire most is the patience. Patagonia spent decades building trust around what it believes in. Filson has stayed rooted in utility and the outdoors. Red Wing Heritage has managed to turn durability and everyday wear into something people are proud to own for years.

As someone who spends a lot of time thinking about products and brands, those are the kinds of companies I find myself studying. Products that don’t feel disposable. Brands that know exactly who they are. Businesses built with the expectation that they’ll still matter twenty years from now.

5. Weekend Wisdom: Aldo Gucci

“Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.” — Aldo Gucci

That one has been rattling around in my head lately. It’s easy to get pulled toward whatever is faster, cheaper, or newer. I’m certainly guilty of it myself. But when I look around at the things I’ve owned the longest and appreciated the most, almost none of them were impulse purchases.

The stuff that sticks tends to come from a different mindset. Take your time. Make it right. Buy things you’ll still be happy to own years from now.

Whether it’s a product, a business, or even a relationship, quality has a way of paying dividends long after the initial cost is forgotten.

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Alright, that’s it from me. It’s weekend time, get out there and enjoy yourself.

Appreciate y’all being here.

Cheers,

JM

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Jon-Mark Craddock

CEO

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Originally published in JM's Weekly Roundup on 2026-05-29.