These Stylish, Affordable Summer Motorcycle Gloves Are Perfect for Hot Rides

Summer, is, of course, riding season. The warm weather brings clear skies and ideal roads: perfect conditions to hop on your motorcycle and go for a long ride to nowhere in particular. But while a little warmth is nice, when the temperature starts to climb, it’s tempting to start shedding layers.

Avoid this temptation. The last thing you should do is completely forgo a proper motorcycle jacket or riding pants, no matter how warm it is. There are plenty of options out there with ventilation in all the right places.

If you’re still struggling for ventilation, take a look at your gloves. Your hands are the first part of your body that hit the wind, so thick, solid gloves not only block air from cooling off your hands, they can stop air from flowing through your jacket for even more ventilation. What you need is a pair of gloves designed with hot weather in mind so you can keep cool, but still stay safe out on the road.

Roland Sands Wellington Gloves

Made from cowhide leather and featuring a touch screen-compatible index finger, the Wellington from Roland Sands offers genuine protection with an old-school work glove look. Crucially, the top of the glove — from the fingertips to the wrist — is perforated for maximum ventilation.

Icon Overlord Gloves

The Overlord Gloves by Icon are on the more tactical-looking side with carbon fiber knuckle guards, touchscreen-sensitive finger tips and a poly-mesh construction. However, it’s the mesh build that lets the airflow in to help cool you off.

Dainese Corbin Air Gloves

The Corban Air is definitely a classically styled glove, but underneath the oh-so-soft perforated goatskin are polyurethane protection guards on the knuckles and reinforced palms for modern abrasion resistance.

Alpinestars Crazy Eight Glove

Alpinestars struck a unique balance with the Crazy Eight Glove. Instead of bulky, hard plastics for protection, the neo-retro gloves use premium leather, a poly blend on the thumb and palm, and padding on the knuckles and the side of the palm. Accordion-style stitching and an ergonomic stretch insert between palm and thumb also mean the Crazy Eight is one of the most flexible gloves on the list.

Rev’It Sand 3 Gloves

Rev’It upped the level of protection for the Sand 3 glove, but didn’t compromise on cooling by any means. The outer shell is a combination of air stretch mesh, drum-dyed goatskin, PWR shell 500D and TPR flexible ventilated knuckle guards. So you can still get maximum airflow when bombing through dunes and navigating desert rocks, but rest easy when you get back up to speed on the highway.

7 Excellent Roof Racks for Hauling Gear

Long road trips and overlanding adventures are only done right when you pack until your vehicle is almost overflowing. But if you’re playing Tetris with bags and your truck is bursting at the welds, chances are you won’t be able to see anything out the rear window — and that’s not safe. Roof racks are great for spreading gear to the often unused and underutilized space on the roof, but also for storing gear that won’t fit in your car to begin with. Paddleboards, mountain bikes and kayaks should all ride topside, especially after a long weekend of hard use.

So to find out the best ways to attach gear to the outside of your ride, we spoke to Tom Henwood of Main Line Overland to see what the pros are using and what’s popular on today’s market.

“The best roof rack is the best design for a given application, rather than a particular brand,” Henwood said. “We help customers select racks and storage systems based on what they intend to carry on their travels, where they intend to go, etc. We look for componentry that maintains a low profile and low center of gravity for off-road driving, so we often choose aluminum roof racks to keep weight down up top.”

Why Use a Roof Rack?

Whether you have a sedan, a truck or SUV, the interior cargo space can always fill up quicker than you think. And while the average person doesn’t need a roof rack 24/7, much like winter tires, they can be a useful asset to have on hand — whether you’re overlanding, going on a long road trip, moving to a new house or just going up to the lake for a day.

So if you’re going to be strapping things to the roof of your car, do the job right; as per Hendwood’s philosphy above, it’s best to use solid, lightweight hardwear that’s designed to carry loads, not roped-together guesswork.

Buying Guide

Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform

Best All-Around Roof Rack:
Based on its versatility, strength and durability, it’s hard to beat the Pioneer Platform range. “The Rhino Rack is tried and true,” Henwood says. “We’re running Pioneer Platforms on our Defender 110 and third-gen Tacoma builds, and we have found their system to be durable, affordable, easy to assemble and highly adaptable to a range of uses.”

“We’ve loaded them with fat bikes, road bikes, camping cargo and with the Rhino Rack Batwing Awning set-up. They do what we ask of them with minimal added weight.”

Yakima Jetstream

Best Budget Roof Rack :
For the price, the Yakima Jetstream is hard to top. Made from lightweight aluminum, an aerodynamically-minded design to lower wind noise and drag and the ability to work with a range of mounts, the Jetstream has the highest bang-for-buck factor on this list. It’s also available in three sizes and colors.

Front Runner Outfitters Grab-On Slimline

Best Roof Rack For SUVs:
With such a high number of SUVs on the market, finding a one-size-fits-all roof rack is nearly impossible. But if there is one rack that towers above others in design and usability, it’s Front Runner Outfitters’ Grab-On Slimline.

“We’re really pushing towards Front Runner,” Henwood says. “We’ve installed several of these Slimline racks on late-model Land Rovers, and their clean, classy look seems well-suited to most SUVs.”

“Front Runner has a ton of bolt-on accessories as well, so you can carry your axe and shovel — or even a slide-out stainless prep table — in secure style,” he adds. Also, he says, “they’re a lot easier to put roof tents on due to their horizontal slat design.”

Yakima Round Bars

Best Roof Rack for Sedans:
Seeing a full-on roof rack bolted to the top of an overlander or SUV shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. On more modest sedans, however, they look a tad out of place —  which is why the Yakima Round Bars make a great alternative. You won’t be carrying fully stocked coolers, kayaks and mountain bikes all at once with your four-door anyway, so there’s no need to go overboard.

“We’ve been using Yakima Load Bars and Storage Boxes for years, both for ski and bike trips, and now even for rooftop storage on our Four Wheel Campers,” Henwood says. “The Yakima system is proven, classic and adaptable for smaller cars.”

Rhino Rack Hybrid Bike Carrier

Best Mountain Bike Hauler:
Getting a mountain bike secured safe and sound should be an easy and effortless task. Some systems require you to take off the front wheel, but that’s time spent not hitting the trails. “Rhino Rack’s Carrier is quick and easy to use … with a positive, lockable arm. [And you can keep] both wheels on the bike. The kit can be used with slim-shod roadies and gravel grinders, or the wider MTBs and fat bikes.”

Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Carrier

Best Roof Rack for Water Sports:
Kayaks are a little tougher to secure to the roof of a truck than mountain bikes. The Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Carrier uses cassette-like side loading system to turn what might be a two person job into a quick and easy activity.

“Our Four Wheel Pop-up Campers customers love the Thule Hullavator Pro Kayak Carrier for mounting kayaks, and they make life so much easier with vehicles with a tall roof,” Henwood says. “The system allows you to load from the side with less lifting and straining, which is key after a long day on the water.”

Aluminess Roof Rack

Most Outrageous Roof Rack:
If you’re looking for a serious overland adventure or #vanlife upgrade, the Aluminess Roof Rack is the way to go. It handles any gear and cargo you can think to throw up there. Moreover, outfits like Main Line Overland can customize it to fit A/C units, solar panels and satellite TV.

“A full-length Aluminess Mercedes Sprinter Roof Rack is highly customizable and provides a massive amount of storage capacity,” Henwood says. “The optional side ladder makes it easy to mount the walk-on roof for strapping on loads and enhancing your perspective at roadside stops. You could probably even host a Bushwick rooftop party on one of them.”

13 Wicked Gifts for Dads Who Like to Grill

The temperatures are higher, the days are longer and Dad’s out by the grill. This Father’s Day, gift your old man some tools (and toys) to make his grilling experience more enjoyable. From steak knives to gift-worthy grills, here’s your cheat sheet for gifting your grill-inclined Dad.

G&F Welder’s Gloves

A fact: oven mits are often not protective at temperatures beyond 400 to 500 degrees. Grills — both gas and charcoal — operate in excess of this threshold regularly. Designed for welders, these gloves will do the trick.

Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter

The Rapidfire is a better grilling sidekick than an ice-cold pilsner. This thing is a must-have for preparing charcoal, it’s designed to safely light and pour coals into the grill.

Lodge Cast-Iron Griddle

Leave it Lodge to make an affordable and great griddle for a grill. Throw it over burners or coals and you’ve made an outdoor diner.

Thermoworks ThermoPop

The thermometers built into the hoods of a grill, no matter how expensive the grill, are likely garbage. Thermoworks is the most trusted name in temperature tracking, and this is their most affordable probe.

Tramontina Porterhouse Steak Knives

Believe it or not, these are the knives used at quality steakhouses. The blades are made of high-carbon steel with a full-tang build and the handles are crafted from a polywood so you can throw these in the dishwasher without issue.

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair

ALPS Mountaineering made a foldable chair fit for the king (or queen) of the grill with a cup holder and side pocket to hold a motivational beer and other dad knick knacks.

Looftlighter

Screw lighter fluid — it adds a nasty taste and can be dangerous. The Looftlighter will set a fire faster than fluid and it can be used on briquettes, charcoal, pellets, wood and more.

Cohiba Black Robusto Crystal

Smoke while you smoke. Cohiba’s Robusto Crystal gives a smooth pull with flavors of rich dark chocolate, and isn’t nearly as pricey as the iconic brand’s full-sized sticks.

Ultimate Ears Boom 3

Despite being a couple years old, the UE Boom 3 is still one of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market. Ideal for blasting Journey for hours on end.

Grass Roots Farmer’s Collective Father’s Day Box

Grass Roots’ meat comes from a collection of farms across the southern and central US. All the meat is pasture-raised on regenerative farms, sans-hormones and antibiotics. Having cooked with it, it’s a significant taste upgrade from what’s available at grocery stores and doesn’t leave one with lingering moral dread.

Yeti Hopper Flip 8 Soft Cooler

Put all your cold beverages in the Yeti Hopper so you don’t need to go in and out of the house to grab them from the fridge. ColdCell will keep everything chilled for a long time, and the DryHide shell is built for tough environments — even if it’s just your patio.

Weber Performer Premium Charcoal Grill

Like the OG Weber kettle grills of old, but upgraded. Weber’s Performer is half charcoal grill, half prep table and 100 percent a solid charcoal grill for dad.

Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared Gas Grill

With a generous 420 square inches of grilling real estate, Char-Broil’s mid-sized, mid-priced gas grill offers up some of the highest temperatures in its class, thanks to an infrared burner not often found on gas grills outside the luxury class.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

10 Outdoor Products All City Dwellers Should Own

Versatility is one of the most coveted attributes of outdoor gear and apparel. If your backpack can’t transition from the office to the mountains, and your running shirt is too sporty to blend in at the local bar, you’re screwed. That’s what all the marketing lingo would have you think, anyway.

The problem is, that same flexibility too often comes at a detriment to technical specialization. Those sidewalk-friendly hiking boots probably aren’t suited to an eight-day thru-hike. That sleek, pared-down backpack has a laptop sleeve, but do you really need a laptop when you’re out in the forests and mountains?

Luckily, most outdoor gear is already multifunctional. If an item is optimized to be rugged, deal with harsh weather conditions, or be lightweight and packable, it’ll probably make life around town easier in the same way it would improve backcountry living. Getting your fancy camping gear to transcend the boundary of urban and wilderness utility just takes a little thinking outside the box — or, in this case, the product description.

1. Helinox Chair Zero Camp Chair

A great, stowable extra seat for the living room, this chair doubles as a comfy perch when you’re waiting in line to score concert tickets. (Hey, those days could come back… maybe!)

2. NEMO Equipment Puffin Luxury Camp Blanket

Your standard blanket is susceptible to stains from dirt and grass while also being a sand sponge. The extra-large outdoor blanket is built for those things and it’s cozy enough for the sofa or bed.

3. MIZU V7 22oz Water Bottle

City exploration consumes more energy than one might think and public water fountains are few and far between — bring your own water, and always be hydrated.

4. Primus Kamoto OpenFire Pit

A portable campfire that lets you grill sausages and roast marshmallows at the park, on the beach or in your backyard, if you’re lucky enough to have one.

5. Big Agnes Deep Creek Tarp

A lightweight, portable shelter from the sun — and the prying eyes of the hundreds of other people that have the same idea as you on a beautiful day.

6. Goal Zero Lighthouse Mini Lantern

It lasts up to 500 hours, dims for subtle mood lighting, and can charge any of your USB devices. Perfect for the next catastrophic city-wide blackout.

7. Kammock Roo Double Hammock

String it up in the park — or between two chimneys on your roof — for some gentle afternoon swaying.

8. BioLite SiteLight Mini Lights

Christmas lights are fine, but something more portable and versatile is ideal for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

9. YETI Hopper Flip 12 Cooler

Trips to the park or beach and weekends out of town are best complemented with a beverage, and those should always be cold.

10. Snow Peak Titanium Fork and Spoon Set

Stash these in your everday bag and you’ll never be without a utensil again — and you’ll cut down on single-use plastics too.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

Best Gifts for Men — 41 Ideas for Every Guy You Know

Birthdays. Anniversaries. Father’s Day. The calendar is chock-full of occasions for gifting, so coming up with the goods for your dad, best friend or significant other — nevermind, all three! — is easier said than done. To make your life easier, and his gift better, we’ve collected some of our most stood-behind products for a no-B.S. guide to gear he’s sure to love.

Sstill can’t find what you’re looking for? Check out some of our other gift guides here.

Rastal Teku Beer Glass

Rastal’s Teku glass is the original craft beer drinking vessel. Although it optimizes the aromas and flavors of craft beers, it also makes drinking a Bud Light a more pleasurable experience.

Crown & Buckle Spring Bar Tool

Even a casual watch lover needs a spring bar tool, and Crown & Buckle’s is the best — keep it handy to easily change a strap, adjust a bracelet and more.

Uniqlo U Crew Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt

The best $15 you’re likely to spend is probably gonna be on this T-shirt. The cotton is soft, but substantial and the fit is spot-on — neither too tight nor too relaxed. For the price, there’s no match.

Driftaway Coffee Subscription

Brooklyn-based Driftaway Coffee offers a coffee subscription that connects coffee drinks to the farmers to keep them caffeinated. The brand’s operations are carbon-neutral, and it pledges to support financial stability for its coffee farmers.

ShakeSphere Protein Shaker Bottle

We named the ShakeSphere one of 2019’s best fitness products for good reason: the internally seamless capsule employs centrifugal force to cleanly blend protein powder, water, milk and even some solids (like peanut butter and bananas) with vigorous shaking.

Gerber ComplEat Camp Cooking Tool

Combining a fork, spoon, dual-edge, spatula, bottle opener, can opener and veggie peeler into one compact format, the ComplEAT proves that it is indeed possible to get excited about campsite cutlery.

Knickerboker x Gear Patrol Overland Tee

We collaborated with New York-based fashion brand Knickerbocker on this soft, comfortable and versatile T-shirt. It’s an ode to timeless pursuits of all types, whether that’s getting outdoors or finding that pristine Land Rover Defender resto-mod.

Crown & Buckle Chevron Strap

These NATO/perlon hybrid straps are easy to adjust to a custom length, come in multiple sizes and colors and are purposefully overbuilt. In other words: they’re perfect for summer.

Blink Mini

This $35 smart home camera works is a great gift for anybody that uses Amazon Alexa. It has similar features as way more expensive smart home cameras. And, right now, every new Blink Mini owner gets a free trial of the company’s Plus subscription plan (grants the camera 60 days of rolling video storage) through the end of the year.

Trigger Point Grid Foam Roller

A great foam roller doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The durable Grid features a multi-density exterior to support superior myofascial release and aid muscle recovery — and the free online video library that comes with it ensures optimal use.

Wanderlust: A Hiker’s Companion

Everyone needs inspiration. For outdoor enthusiasts, this tome, which details hikes around the globe with key info as well as photos and maps, is it.

Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm

Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Body Balm is an all-natural miracle lotion that features a rich blend of natural nut oils and citris extracts to achieve max hydration and soft skin. The price might make you balk, but trust us — a little goes a long, long way.

Gear Patrol Annual Magazine Subscription

It’s everything you love about our award-winning product journalism, but in glorious print form.

Brush Hero Wheel Brush

The truth is in the details. Whether it’s keeping those fancy Porsche wheels pristine or sprucing up the patio furniture, the Brush Hero is the ideal, easy to use cleaning tool.

Yeti Rambler 26oz Bottle Chug Top

Yeti’s Rambler sets the standard for durable, daily-use water bottles.

Kalita Wave 185 Dripper

The defacto pour-over coffee brewer is affordable, durable, travel-ready and as beginner-friendly as a pour-over dripper gets.

Sega Genesis Mini

The Sega Genesis Mini is a miniature retro gaming console that plugs into your modern TV (via HDMI) and lets you play 40 classic Sega games, like Ecco the Dolphin, Sonic the Hedgehog, Earthworm Jim and Street Fighter 2.

Five Two Bamboo Cutting Board

Food52’s in-house line of products are co-designed by thousands of the site’s devotees. Its bamboo cutting board, which comes with deep juice grooves and a slot for your phone to stand up for easier recipe reading.

Tanner Goods Journeyman

It doesn’t get much simpler than Tanner Goods’ Journeyman card holder. It’s got a slim profile, perfect to stow in the front pocket, but enough slots to hold the essential cards and a few bills. Plus, the vegetable-tanned leather is sure to age beautifully.

Wahl Lithiom Ion + Trimmer

Used by professionals and DIY self-barbers alike, the Wahl Lithion Ion + Beard Trimmer is the ideal tool for sculpting your facial topiary. It’s cordless for better maneuverability, powerful enough to glide through the thickest hair and comes with all the right attachments to get you the cut you’re after.

Lululemon Metal Vent Tech Short Sleeve 2.0

It doesn’t matter whether you’re doing mountain climbers at the gym or climbing an actual mountain — having a breathable tee that wicks moisture and is comfy enough to wear on an off day is essential.

Tropic Dive Strap

Chances are if you were a diver in the 1960s, you owned a watch on a Tropic strap. The modern version is made from a new, vulcanized rubber formula that won’t fade from sunlight and is completely hypoallergenic.

Converse Chuck 70 Low

The Chuck 70 is Converse’s retro reintroduction of the modern Chuck Taylor. But it’s not just a blast from the past. Everything about it is upgraded, from the canvas to the rubber to the insoles and more, it’s completely worth the price jump.

Watches by Hodinkee

With sections on everything from dive watches to military watches to iconic watches and everything in between, this book is required reading for the serious (or casual) horophile.

Lego Creator Expert Set: Fiat 500

Legos’s Creator Expert series provides the ultimate challenge for ages 16-plus. This Fiat 500 kit will offer a taste of La Dolce Vita for the man who enjoys putting together 960-piece car models.

Sony WF-XB700 Wireless Earbuds

The WF-XB700 are one of Sony’s newest truly wireless earbuds and a great alternative to Apple AirPods. They’re easy to use and have an IPX4 water- and sweat-resistance rating. Plus, their battery life is excellent.

Taylor Stitch The Jack

The Jack is a modern upgrade on the everyday oxford that he’ll want to wear every single day.

Riley Home Percale Sheet Set

At under $100, Riley Home’s Percale Sheet Sets offer the best value, with long-staple combed cotton and an understated baratta stitch. The sheets will keep you cool in the summer and offer supreme softness comparable to sheets triple the price.

Innova Pro Code Scanner

Cars have become incredibly complex. Even the most experienced mechanic can struggle to diagnose problems by ear and intuition. When that dreaded check engine light comes on, save time and money with this Innova code reader.

Logitech MX Vertical Mouse

A traditional “horizontal” mouse can cause pronation (aka pressure or stress) of the wrist, which can be very uncomfortable. An ergonomic mouse, like Logitech’s the MX Vertical, can fix that. If you’re shopping for somebody that you know hates their mouse or even the trackpad on their laptop, this is the perfect workstation upgrade.

Sony SRS-XB23 Portable Speaker

The SRS-XB23 is one of Sony’s newest portable Bluetooth speakers. It’s completely waterproof (IP67-rated) and plays pretty loud despite its small size. It’s also Sony’s first portable speaker to charge via USB-C, which is a nice modern touch.

Hyperice Hypersphere Mini Vibrating Therapy Ball

This GP100 selection packs a ton of good vibes into a unit about the size of a lacrosse ball. The 10-watt motor delivers three speeds of percussive massage that can work wonders around sore necks, feet and other pain points.

Molequin Taupe Calfskin Strap

Molequin’s straps are some of the best on the market — with multiple sizes, several hardware options and even different spring bar choices, they’re semi-customizable, too. This Taupe color will look great with any watch.

Leatherman Free P2 Multi-tool

Leatherman made its plier-centric multi-tool more practical than ever, thanks to the integration of magnets that let you use each of its 19 tools with one hand.

Filson Rugged Twill Travel Kit

Filson’s burly twill has been the stuff of legend, carrying loads of precious EDC in its lineup of totes and briefcases. The same rugged materials go into its dopp kit, so you know your toiletries will be safe.

Reigning Champ Mid Weight Terry Sweatshirt

Reigning Champ’s Mid Weight Terry Sweatshirt is the brand’s bread and butter. Crafted in Canada, the sweatshirt boasts plush and durable cotton terry fabric, cut into a modern silhouette, and better construction than you’re used to seeing on a sweatshirt.

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite

The Paperwhite is the best e-reader for most people. It’s lightweight and waterproof, and it has a high-resolution screen and built-in Bluetooth (works great with Audible). Oh yea, it’s battery life is so great that it can also go weeks between charges.

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L

When it comes to versatile and rugged bags, it’s virtually impossible to beat Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffel. And being made with 100 percent recycled body fabric, lining and webbing is gravy on top.

The James Brand Carter

Think of the Carter as a gateway knife — it’ll provide a sense of what premium steel and an incredibly smooth opening mechanism are like at a fraction of the cost. Those same materials are low-maintenance too, so you can use this knife without fussing over it.

The Zeus: Powerbank and Jump Starter

This versatile portable power bank can charge your phone, jumpstart your car and serve as a lighter or flashlight. And, yes, it’s hard to find a cooler name than the Zeus.

TRX All-in-One Suspension Training System

Home fitness is huge right now, but you don’t need a full weight set or exercise bike to get a great workout. This compact system enables hundreds of body-blasting moves, and the included 30-day trial of the TRX app helps you learn them.

Everything But the Bottle. 10 Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Gifts for Father’s Day

Forget buying a bottle, most bourbon lovers will never eve get taste of Pappy Van Winkle. Hunting down a bottle is akin to for buried treasure without a map, and resellers are notorious for charging thousands of dollars for a bottle. Just because none of these gifts are actual Pappy doesn’t mean Dad won’t love them. From gear made by a new generation of Van Winkles to the glass you’d drink the stuff out of, here are 10 worthy gifts for the Pappy-obsessed dad — everything but the bottle.

The Glencairn Whiskey Glass

Expensive, weighty whiskey glasses are overhyped. All you need is an $8 Glencairn glass to drink your drams neat.

Bourbon Bottle Socks

A stocking-stuffer of a gift, these socks are a low-key way to flex one’s love of the juice.

Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrel Aged Pepper Sauce

This rich, smoky hot sauce made in collaboration with Midland Ghost proves that Pappy & Company is doing more than slapping the Pappy name on random things. The ghost pepper-based sauce was a finalist for the 2019 Good Food Awards.

W&P Design Peak Single Sphere Ice Mold

One might enjoy their Pappy neat, but a big, cold rock, like this one from Peak, will chill your drink without diluting it too much.

Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Nib Brittle

Olive & Sinclair, a Nashville artisan chocolate maker, ages organic cacao bean nibs in PVW bourbon barrels and blends them with caramelized brittle. A crowd-pleasing 67-percent chocolate layer rounds out the brittle for a delicious sweet snack.

Pappy & Company Bourbon Barrel Aged Coffee

Kentucky’s Good Folks Coffee used single-origin Guatemalan coffee beans aged in PVW bourbon barrels (noticing a trend?) to make a medium-to-dark roast coffee that’ll keep you going all morning until evening calls for a glass of bourbon.

Bourbon Needlepoint Ball Cap Hat

The notorious Pappy label is immediately recognizable on this minimal baseball cap, also known as the dad cap.

Pappy & Company Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup

Pappy & Co.’s maple syrup is probably the closest thing the brand makes to Pappy bourbon. Maple syrup is aged 6 months in Pappy Van Winkle 15-year barrels, and the final product is great on basically anything.

Bourbon Maple Biscuits

Callie’s Biscuits in Charleston, South Carolina, makes these delectable biscuits exclusively for Pappy & Company. They’re a great complement to the Pappy & Company Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup.

Pappy Van Winkle Barrel Fermented Cigars

Smoke like Pappy himself with a 10-pack of cigars from Drew Estate. The founder of Drew Estate made these cigars to pair well with any of Pappy’s bourbons, but they’re damn good on their own.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

15 Bottles of Whiskey You Can Actually Get Your Dad for Father’s Day

When considering gift-worthy brown, many start with bottles that necessitate a whiskey goose chase. Don’t bother with that. Here are 15 bottles of almost-always-available whiskey that are perfectly giftable for Father’s Day.

Booker’s Bourbon

Jim Beam Distillery’s Booker’s Bourbon is credited as one of the first American bourbons to establish itself as a truly premium product. “Batches” are released quarterly at cask strength, but it’s not difficult to track down. Drink over ice.

Price: $70
Proof: Varies

Lagavulin 16

What could rightfully be called the Old Reliable of Father’s Day whisk(e) gifting. Lagavulin 16’s reputation is unmatched, and it comes in a wrappable tube to boot.

Price: ~$90
Proof: 86

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit

Surprise: Wild Turkey makes much more than good old 101. Kentucky Spirit is the label’s single barrel line. With bourbon
legend Jimmy Russell picking barrels, it’s almost impossible to be wronged by this midshelf option.

Price: ~$55
Proof: 101

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof

A gentle giant. Elijah Craig’s Barrel Proof expression is aged a minimum of 12 years, bottled at barrel strength and frequently available on the upper-middle shelf at liquor stores. It’s won every award a whiskey can win.

Price: ~$65
Proof: Varies

Knob Creek 12-Year

Earlier this year, Knob Creek made waves when it announced the return of the 9-year age statement to its small batch bourbon. The brand also unveiled a new, mainline 12-year-old expression at the same time, and it kicks ass.

Price: ~$60
Proof: 100

Eagle Rare

The conceit of this guide if highly findable whiskey, so some may bristle at the inclusion of Buffalo Trace Distillery product (all of which are allocated, and the brand is frequently accused of uneven distribution). That’s fair, but Eagle Rare is not Blanton’s, Weller 12 or one of the many E.H. Taylor expressions. For about $40, you get a mid-proof, 10-year-old bourbon. In today’s market that is a very rare thing.

Price: ~$40
Proof: 90

Old Pulteney 12 Years Single Malt Scotch

One of our go-to budget-ish scotches. Available in most American markets, Old Pulteney’s 12-year-old bottle is a nice alternative for dads (and sons) that aren’t into peat-bombs.

Price: ~$45
Proof: 40

WhistlePig 10-Year-Old Straight Rye

Canadian whisky by way of Vermont, WhistlePig gets flak from whiskey purists who scorn brands that don’t distill and mature their own spirit. Who cares? It’s delicious, available everywhere and offers a rare glimpse into higher-end Canadian rye whisky.

Price: ~$75
Proof: 100

1792 Full Proof

Near the end of 2019, this bottle wouldn’t have made a list like this. Jim Murray had named it his Whiskey of the Year and the hoarders picked the shelves clean. Thankfully, it’s not overly rare stuff and stock seems to have recovered quickly.

Price: ~$50
Proof: Varies

Nikka From the Barrel

A one-time Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, Nikka’s From the Barrel was hugely popular in its home country for decades before arriving in America. If you want to try Japanese whisky but are discouraged by the high prices and rarity, this is an excellent consolation, if you can even call it that.

Price: ~$60
Proof: 102

Green Spot Whiskey

Incredibly rich, delicate and light Irish whiskey from a storied distiller. Green Spot is the middlepoint in the Spot Whiskey range, and it’s blend of 7- to 10-year-old spirit.

Price: ~$60
Proof: 80

Barrell Bourbon

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words.

Price: ~$90
Proof: Varies

Highland Park 18-Year-Old

Expensive? Certainly. Available? Thank goodness. Its another bottle that’s won all there is to win, and the sherry-infused oak casks its aged in combined with a long 18 year slumber in the wood lend it incredible delicate flavor.

Price: ~$170
Proof: 86

Redbreast 12-Year

What with bourbon being the way it is, Irish whiskey represents some of the best value on the shelf. If Redbreast 12-Year was an American whiskey it’d sell for twice its usually $50 ask.
Price: ~$50
Proof: 80

Hibiki Harmony

Harmony is Hibiki and Beam-Suntory’s answer to the Japanese whisky shortage. A reliable blend of various whiskies from the company’s array of distilleries and maturation warehouses across the country, it’s a light, sherry-rich taste of what made Japanese whisky popular in the first place.
Price: $TK
Proof: 86

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The 17 Best Father’s Day Gifts for Fitness-Loving Dads

Got a dad with a passion for pumping iron, pounding the pavement or pinning it on pedals? You’re in luck, as there are plenty of excellent fitness-oriented products out there at a range of price points. From socks, shirts and shorts to sunnies, supplements and suspension training systems, here are a few of our favorites.

1. Swiftwick Aspire Zero Sock

With a streamlined profile, light cushioning and moisture-wicking Olefin fiber, the Aspire will put a spring in any runner or cyclist’s step.

2. WOD Nation Speed Jump Rope

We’re moved far beyond cotton and plastic in the jump rope world. This updated version features ballistic nylon resin handles, liquid steel bearings and a kink-resistant nylon-covered steel cable guaranteed to raise Dad’s jumpin’ game.

3. ShakeSphere Tumbler

Seamless on the inside, the ShakeSphere uses centrifugal force to cleanly puree liquid and solid ingredients (even bananas, we tried). That made it an easy pick as one of the best fitness products of 2019 — and a fun Father’s Day gift too.

4. GU Energy Variety Pack

Any dad who is into endurance sports will love this combo box. Six flavors, four packets of each, and loads of tasty on-the-go energy when he needs it most.

5. Just Lift Curve Tee

We just love the message here, a great reminder of what it’s all about in the weight room. The brand was founded by totally jacked fitness influencer Simeon Panda, who practices what he preaches for some 6.6 million Instagram followers.

6. Vero Mastodon Iconic “Leg Day” Dry Fit Sports Shorts

Made of a comfortable, moisture-wicking cotton/poly blend, these shorts lend themselves to squats, lunges and step-ups while reminding Dad not to skip leg day.

7. Janji Transit Tech Cap 2.0

One run in this purpose-built cap and Dad will never go back to that cotton baseball one. A DWR finish, 4-way stretch, a UPF 50+ rating and a zippered side panel stash pocket combine to change his mind.

8. Ladder Sampler Bundle

This comprehensive package deal boasts six servings each of pre-workout formula and whey protein, three servings each of superfood greens and a hydration powder, plus a shaker bottle to kick any workout up a notch or two.

9. Floyd’s of Leadville CBD Sports Cream

Age may be just a number, but as that number gets bigger, post-workout recovery gets tougher. Ease Dad’s pain with this CBD-infused balm, which brings a little extra restorative magic to every muscle it touches.

10. Shimano Spark Cycling Sunglasses

Friends don’t let friends bike in lifestyle shades. Be a friend by gifting these aerodynamic specs, which feature a moisture-shedding hydrophobic coating, scratch-resistant treatment and a damn good price point.

11. Mack Weldon Ace Sweatpant

Those ratty sweats Dad’s had since the aughts have gotta go. Help Dad upgrade with this comfortable, stylish alternative, featuring micro-sanded French terry with just the right amount of stretch.

12. Rapha Core Lightweight Jersey

Rapha simply doesn’t make products that don’t rock. This full-zip, three-pocketed summer-weight jersey — constructed with a lightweight mesh front for breathability and a denser knit back for sun protection — is no exception.

13. Rhone 6-inch Fletcher Swim Trunks

With classic nautical styling, a rear zippered pocket and a power mesh brief liner, these nylon/spandex swim shorts are idea for everything from poolside lounging to body surfing to beach volleyball.

14. Thousand Heritage Bike Helmet

Don’t let the eye-catching form fool you; the Heritage packs function, too. Think: one-handed magnetic buckle, top and rear venting, integrated dial fit system and Thousand’s signature innovation — the Secret Poplock, a hidden channel that locks it securely to the bike.

15. Lululemon Active Jacket

Dad can do it all, even when it rains, in this slickly designed jacket. Standout features include a stowable hood, underarm vents, reflective accents, zipper pockets and a DWR coating to keep things warm and dry.

16. TRX All-in-One Suspension Training System

Invented by a Navy SEAL on an extended deployment, TRX has grown into a major force in the home fitness space. This best-selling kit also comes with a 30-day trial of the TRX app, which is packed with great workouts hitting the system’s seven foundational movements: Push, Pull, Plank, Squat, Lunge, Hinge and Rotate.

17. Therabody Theragun Mini

Sure, you could gift Dad a sports massage session, but Theragun is the gift that keeps on giving. With more than two hours of battery life, the Mini can beat the knots out at up 2,400 percussions per minute and boasts a quality its bigger brothers lack: pocket-sized portability.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

12 Great Gifts for Dads That Like to Grill

The temperatures are higher, the days are longer and Dad’s out by the grill. This Father’s Day, gift your old man some tools (and toys) to make his grilling experience more enjoyable. From steak knives to gift-worthy grills, here’s your cheat sheet for gifting your grill-inclined Dad.

G&F Welder’s Gloves

A fact: oven mits are often not protective at temperatures beyond 400 to 500 degrees. Grills — both gas and charcoal — operate in excess of this threshold regularly. Designed for welders, these gloves will do the trick.

Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter

The Rapidfire is a better grilling sidekick than an ice-cold pilsner. This thing is a must-have for preparing charcoal, it’s designed to safely light and pour coals into the grill.

Lodge Cast-Iron Griddle

Leave it Lodge to make an affordable and great griddle for a grill. Throw it over burners or coals and you’ve made an outdoor diner.

Thermoworks ThermoPop

The thermometers built into the hoods of a grill, no matter how expensive the grill, are likely garbage. Thermoworks is the most trusted name in temperature tracking, and this is their most affordable probe.

Tramontina Porterhouse Steak Knives

Believe it or not, these are the knives used at quality steakhouses. The blades are made of high-carbon steel with a full-tang build and the handles are crafted from a polywood so you can throw these in the dishwasher without issue.

ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Chair

ALPS Mountaineering made a foldable chair fit for the king (or queen) of the grill with a cup holder and side pocket to hold a motivational beer and other dad knick knacks.

Looftlighter

Screw lighter fluid — it adds a nasty taste and can be dangerous. The Looftlighter will set a fire faster than fluid and it can be used on briquettes, charcoal, pellets, wood and more.

Cohiba Black Robusto Crystal

Smoke while you smoke. Cohiba’s Robusto Crystal gives a smooth pull with flavors of rich dark chocolate, and isn’t nearly as pricey as the iconic brand’s full-sized sticks.

Ultimate Ears Boom 3

Despite being a couple years old, the UE Boom 3 is still one of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market. Ideal for blasting Journey for hours on end.

Yeti Hopper Flip 8 Soft Cooler

Put all your cold beverages in the Yeti Hopper so you don’t need to go in and out of the house to grab them from the fridge. ColdCell will keep everything chilled for a long time, and the DryHide shell is built for tough environments — even if it’s just your patio.

Weber Performer Premium Charcoal Grill

Like the OG Weber kettle grills of old, but upgraded. Weber’s Performer is half charcoal grill, half prep table and 100 percent a solid charcoal grill for dad.

Char-Broil Signature TRU-Infrared Gas Grill

With a generous 420 square inches of grilling real estate, Char-Broil’s mid-sized, mid-priced gas grill offers up some of the highest temperatures in its class, thanks to an infrared burner not often found on gas grills outside the luxury class.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

27 Great Gift Ideas for the College Grad in Your Life

Need the perfect gift for the college grad? We asked our team of gear obsessives to recommend their go-to products for grads planning a big trip, entering the workforce or moving into a new home. Here’s their list, starting at $15.

Duracell Emergency LED Road Flare

Breakdowns happen. Make sure your grad stays safe when they do with these LED road flares, which are far safer and more versatile than the real thing; these can clamp onto magnetic surfaces, work in all weather and run for 50 hours.

Barton Jetson NATO Style Watch Strap

Graduation is a festive occasion and a fun NATO strap will last years to come and be a personal reminder of this life achievement. Barton offers a ton of variations so it’s easy to match the personality and style of your graduate.

Trade Coffee Subscription

The largest collection of legitimately great coffee roasters on the internet delivered wherever, and on your own schedule. There isn’t a better coffee subscription available.

Yeti Custom Collegiate Drinkware

Let them show their school pride as an alumni every morning with a cup of coffee in some of the sturdiest travel mugs around.

Custom Leatherman Multi-Tool

Everyone can use a Leatherman, especially outside the confines of dorm life. A customized one is an elevated way to say, “Congrats.”

Feedback Sports Rakk Integrated Bicycle Stand

Transitioning from college means getting better at space management. This reliable stand eschews clumsily leaning bikes against a wall. The spring-loaded arm holds the front or rear wheel safely and securely, and it can handle all kinds of tires, from thin aeros to beefy MTBs.

Meguiar’s Ultimate Results Car Care Bundle

Now that your kid is on their own, they need to start taking care of their own car. And nothing says “I care about my ride” more than keeping it clean.

Mophie Powerstation Plus (W/ Lightning Connector)

A portable powerbank that includes the charging cord is one of the greatest inventions in the smartphone age, in my opinion. Get this for them (if they own an iPhone) and they’ll use it everyday.

Tojiro DP Gyutuo

This budget-friendly Japanese chef’s knife gets high marks for durability, performance and value, but it’s also the gateway into the world of Japanese knives.

Warby Parker Downing Sunglasses

A pair of quality sunglasses is a an easy way to turn up an outfit an extra notch. Plus, if your college grad isn’t really a hat person, a pair of shades will keep them eyes safe Their future is pretty bright, after all.

Grovemade Leather Desk Pad

Stepping into the professional world will require them having a professional-looking desk. Grovemade’s Leather Desk Pad will elevate any workspace to professional standards.

Hodinkee Canvas Watch Roll for Six Watches

Graduating from college calls for a more elegant solution to storing watches than a tube sock, such as this this rugged canvas watch roll from Hodinkee. Available in three colors, it’ll protect six watches up to 46mm in diameter, and look damn good doing it, too.

Drop Ibara Jeans

For a fresh college grad, why not a fresh pair of selvedge denim jeans for them to break in themselves? These made-in-Japan jeans from Drop have all the bells and whistles denimheads crave and then some, all at a price that’ll provoke double takes (in a good way).

Waterford Diamond Line Old Fashioned Glasses

Waterford is a “you made it” brand if there ever was one. Its famed crystal glass lines the best old school whiskey bars in the world. Whoever gifts a pair of its Old Fashioned glasses will have a drinking partner for life.

Brooks Brothers Oxford Shirt

Is there anything more classic than a Brooks Brothers Oxford cloth button-down shirt? It’s made stateside with every hallmark of a quality shirt: single needle stitching, mother-of-pearl buttons and a perfectly rakish collar roll. For interviews, first dates or just feeling good, this American icon can handle it all.

GiantMouse Ace Iona

A Swiss Army Knife is a great coming-of-age boyhood gift, but completing college calls for something more refined. The Iona’s sleek design understates its quality, which, thanks to the premium M390 steel that makes up its blade, will serve through many more pivotal moments.

Apple Watch Series 3

If the person you’re shopping for owns an iPhone and just wants a simple-to-use smartwatch to track their workouts and keep them connected, get them the Series 3. It’s a bargain.

Kammok Bobcat Trail Quilt

Like a sleeping bag, Kammok designed its trail quilt for the outdoors with cozy, lightweight insulation, but unlike a mummy-style sack, it’s versatile enough to fit in inside too. So whether the grad you know is moving into a fresh new apartment or a tent in the woods, the Bobcat makes a fitting gift.

Nemo Equipment Roamer Sleeping Pad

Camping implies a certain level of roughing it, but there’s no reason the sleeping part has to be. This relatively luxurious open cell foam, self-inflating mattress ensures sweet dreams. It can even double as a makeshift bed when a friend visits the new grad’s (cramped) new apartment.

Wolf Heritage Single Watch Winder

A watch winder is both a way to keep an automatic watch wound and ready for wearing, and a handsome storage solution for a beautiful timepiece. A new grad will surely appreciate this Wolf winder’s pro touches, such as directional settings and optional battery or power adaptor operation.

All-Clad 3-Quart Saute Pan

All-Clad’s superlative stainless steel cookware is hardwearing, high-performing and coveted around the world. It’s also pricey, which is why the 3-quart saute pan is the pan to get. It is the cook-everything pan — big enough to makes small stews and saucy meals, and small enough to toss veggies and stir fry.

Rev’It Marshal Boots

Good riding boots are important for motorcyclists, but adults need ones that look respectable, too. The Marshals are equally at-home on the bike as in the office.

Dims. x Gear Patrol Utility Cart

This versatile cart can be a lifetime fixture in all their grown-up homes to come.

Filson Original Briefcase

Tough as nails and better with use, that’s the kind of briefcase you want to carry indefinitely. Filson’s Original Briefcase hits both of those notes and has just the right amount of carry capacity for daily use.

Sony WH-1000XM3

You can’t really go wrong with the Sony WH-1000XM3. In terms of sound quality, noise-canceling abilities and overall features, they’re the total package.

Seiko Presage SRPB77

BLURB

Escort MAX 360c Radar and Laser Detector

So they’re a good driver but also a lead foot. Help them avoid speeding tickets with the best radar detector on the market.

The 8 Best Hiking Daypacks of 2020

Day hikes don’t call for a lot of gear. The shortest jaunts require a water bottle and a sturdy pair of shoes — in some cases, even everyday sneakers will do. More ambitious endeavors should be tackled with a more considered packing list: hiking boots, technical apparel, snacks, sunscreen, extra layers for the summit, a headlamp just in case. You’ll also want a backpack for lugging most of that gear.

As such, daypacks exist on a spectrum. Some everyday backpacks, like the ones you may have brought to school or carry to work, will do the trick, but there is a full range of very technical options explicitly designed for out-and-back hiking.

These aren’t as sizeable as the 60-liter-plus bags used for long-distance trekking, but they come with many of the same features that make walking in the wilderness with essential gear a more enjoyable experience. Here are our favorites.

Osprey Stratos 24

Best Overall Daypack

The Stratos is outfitted with all the pockets, compression straps and access points you’d expect from a backpack company — especially one with a golden reputation among long-distance thru-hikers — but the standout feature is its mesh back panel. It’s raised and tensioned away from the pack’s main vestibule, which provides a comfy trampoline-like feel and allows lots of air to flow between your back and the bag, which minimizes the sweaty back issue that often seems unavoidable. The mesh also integrates into the hipbelt, wrapping its arms around your lower torso for a fit that’s more comfortable than most other backpacks.

Volume: 24 liters
Weight: 2lbs 6oz
Number of Pockets: 8

Patagonia Nine Trails

Best Simple Daypack

The Nine Trails backpack is designed simply, with the essentials in mind: the pack uses one spacious main compartment that’s accessed through a large U-shaped zipper and features expandable stash pockets on the exterior for storage on the go. Patagonia also rigged it with a mono-mesh back panel that is the company’s most breathable yet. The Nine Trails isn’t entirely devoid of extras though; there are smaller stash pockets on the outside and inside as well as on the hipbelt, and a hydration pouch with a port for the hose. (Pro tip: the Viking Blue colorway is 50 percent off right now, just $80.)

Volume: 28 liters
Weight: 2lbs 3oz
Number of Pockets: 8

Camelbak Octane 25

Best New Design for a Daypack

The outside-the-box fusion of a hiker’s pack and a runner’s vest is what grabs our attention here. The Octane’s lightweight design provides access to three different hydration sources, keeping you fueled for all manner of outdoor activities. You can fill the vest pockets with soft flasks containing a hydration aid like Nuun or store energy bars, chews or gels there too. The adjustable sternum straps and hip belt ensure a customized fit, while loads of internal pockets — and a trekking pole attachment — keep all your gear organized and ready for action.

Volume: 22 liters plus 70 oz hydration reservoir
Weight: 1lb 2oz
Number of Pockets: 13

The North Face Chimera

Most Innovative Daypack

In rethinking what a daypack can do, The North Face created a new central control system called Dyno Cinch and built it into the Chimera. It works simply: pull the ripcord on the bag’s right shoulder and the entire strap system and front pocket cinches and self-balances for on-the-fly load management. Beyond that, the Chimera is lightweight, minimal and comfortable, with hydration compatibility and a pocket for small items, two stash pockets and a front sleeve in addition to its main compartment.

Volume: 18 or 24 liters
Weight: 1lb 2oz
Number of Pockets: 5

Mystery Ranch In and Out

Best Minimalist Daypack

Drawstring gym bags should never be used for hiking — we’re adamant about this fact. If you’re looking for a lightweight, collapsible and highly portable bag, then look to the In and Out. Mystery Ranch is better known for its full-featured trekking backpacks and the packs it supplies to the US military, but its most minimal hiking pack is just as reliable, for different reasons. The In and Out packs down into its front face pocket to be the size of a small pillow, but it isn’t basic. It’s made of 100-denier Cordura fabric for durability and has an aerospace mesh back panel for breathability. Additional features include a side water bottle pocket, multiple small essentials pockets, a hydration sleeve and even an ice axe loop.

Volume: 19 liters
Weight: 1lb
Number of Pockets: 4

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak

Best Ultralight Daypack

Mike St. Pierre founded his ultralight equipment company, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, on the sheer potential of Dyneema, a fabric that by weight is 15 times stronger than steel. That’s the main ingredient in the Daybreak, a pack created for day-long excursions. Most Hyperlite bags are spartan (it’s an ultralight thing), but the Daybreak includes features like multiple external sleeve pockets, a bungee-style lashing and a stow-away hipbelt. The whole thing weighs just a bit over a pound.

Volume: 17 liters
Weight: 1lb 3oz
Number of Pockets: 5

Topo Designs Mountain Pack

Best Lifestyle Daypack

The Mountain Pack has been a recurring staple in the Topo Designs stable of retro-looking backpacks. Versatility is where this bag shines — it has a breathable mesh back panel and all the daisy chains and gear loops needed for mountain exploits, but it also features a laptop sleeve and smaller organizing pockets for life around town.

Volume: 30 liters
Weight: 2lbs 2oz
Number of Pockets: 5

Black Diamond Trail Blitz 16

Best Rock Climbing Daypack

If you seek a super-streamlined sack to carry swiftly to the next wall you plan to scale, the Trail Blitz is your bag. It features Black Diamond’s trademark easy-access opening, plus a pocket for headlamp storage, one for securing your wallet and keys and sleeves on the sides for stashing your trekking poles when it’s time to climb. There are also four little loops on the back panel that allow you to connect this pack to a larger one, converting it into a quick-detachable side-quest pod. Oh, and it weighs just over half a pound. Need we say more?

Volume: 16 liters
Weight: 9oz
Number of Pockets: 2

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The 15 Best Indoor Plants for Every Kind of Person

Let’s talk about houseplants. Water them when the soil is dry. Don’t put them in front of air conditioners or heating units. Know how much sun each one wants. There, you’ve got almost everything you need to know.

The truth is, most houseplants sold at shops or online are extremely easy to keep alive. That’s why those shops sell them. The plants on our list do not run the spectrum of hard-to-keep to invincible because the vast majority of plants sold are not horticultural puzzles. They make your home look and feel better, and they do so without a whole lot of work from you.

Umbrella Plant

To Sit Next to the Window: There are many different types of Umbrella plants, but the gist is this: given a healthy dose of sunlight, ample watering and room to grow, this small-ish plant will fill out and take up as much space as needed. A bonus of this quick growth is the ability to guide its growth with frequent pruning, as any segments you shear from the body will be replaced in short order elsewhere.

Water: When top inch of soil is dry
Brightness: Full, direct or indirect

Bunny Ears Cactus

If You Want a Cactus: Treat these cacti (which also go by the name Angel Wings) properly and they’ll live as long as you do. As you might expect, infrequent watering and high, direct sunlight is preferred. Its spines don’t grow far from the pads, and it shouldn’t grow more than a couple of feet tall in a home environment.

Water: Every 2 to 3 weeks
Brightness: High, direct

Zebra Plant

For a Taste of the Jungle: This plant’s leaves can grow extremely large, and their zebra-printed pattern make a decorative addition to your window sill or the corner of a brightly lit room. Place the zebra in your bathroom where it’ll thrive off the heat and humidity of your shower. Another idea: buy a bunch and build a lush little jungle inside.

Water: Once a week
Brightness: Bright, direct or indirect

Snake Plant

For the Small Apartment: The mighty Snake, like the ZZ, is close to invincibility. It can grow in any and all light and brightness settings, requires infrequent watering and is generally a plant for the DGAF type of person. Another of its features often goes unmentioned — its spread. Its growth trajectory is upward, not outward, making it an ideal plant for lazy plant parents living in tiny apartments.

Water: Every 2 weeks
Brightness: Any

Peace Lily

If You Want Flowers: Full transparency: the huge white flowers of the Peace Lily are not technically flowers — they’re bracts (a modified leaf used to reproduce in the wild). However, they look like huge white flowers, and they bloom throughout the year (and a bit more frequently in the springtime). This coupled with the plant’s broad, deep green leaves and general toughness and you’ve got the ideal flowering plant for the plant newb. The plant is also great about telling you what it needs — if the leaves droop, water it; if its leaves begin to yellow, give it less sun.

Water: When leaves droop
Brightness: Medium, Indirect

ZZ Plant

For the Clueless Beginner: This plant is almost better off without your foolish hands touching it. Almost. Most notable for thriving in low light areas and with infrequent need for moisture, the ZZ plant is an aroid that evolved in much drier biomes than its cousin plants. This permits it to not give a damn about water for months on end, but you’re better off playing it safe and watering every couple weeks.

Water: Every 2 weeks
Brightness: Low, indirect

Money Tree

For a Gift: This is a plant shop staple, and in being a plant shop staple we can know one thing: it is resilient as hell. While you should give your Money tree a home with decent sun exposure and you should water it when the soil dries out, it’ll still be there for you after you forget about it for a month (or more). It’s also among the fast-growing plant group, so be sure to put it in a spot that gives it room to fill out a bit.

Water: When soil is dry
Brightness: Medium, indirect

Aloe Vera

For the Accident-Prone: Quit buying that jarred aloe vera goop and grow your own aloe vera plant. If you have a small cut or burn, break off a tip of the plant to access some of its cooling gel. Be careful though because the toothed edges can be quite sharp. Aloe vera is incredibly easy to maintain, so don’t worry if you lack a green thumb.

Water: When soil is dry
Brightness: Direct or indirect

Marble Queen Pothos

For the Impatient: By both the Internet and plant shop owners, the tough-as-nails Pothos vine is among the most-recommended house plants you’ll encounter. It requires intermittent watering (but won’t sulk if neglected), fair to middling sun and grows fast. If allowed to, a Pothos vine will conquer corners and side tables in a couple months. If you enjoy the drama of a good climbing vine, this is the place to start.

Water: When soil is dry
Brightness: Low to medium, indirect

Calathea

For the Color-Starved: Though green is what we’re all here for, it doesn’t hurt to throw in a contrast color or two. Calathea and their red-green leaves come in medallion (like the one linked here) and rattlesnake varieties, and they aren’t terribly picky about sunlight or water. They also happen to move around a lot.

Water: Weekly
Brightness: Medium, indirect

Monstera

For that Mid-Century Aesthetic: Monstera Deliciosa goes by many names. Whatever you call it, it’s beautiful, grows quickly and changes shape. The leaves of the Monstera will grow some, begin to develop holes, then completely open up into a wide slated leaf. Unfettered and in a proper environment, they also grow incredibly fast, so be prepared to pare back new growth to save the plants around it.

Water: Weekly
Brightness: Medium, Indirect

Ficus Little Fiddle

For Experienced Plant Parents: The ficus is a bit more complicated to take care for because of its fickle needs. It thrives in warm, humid climates, and it has to be watered fairly often to keep the soil moist. Plant experts will immediately recognize the ficus’ lettuce-like leaves, and it’s a bit of a flex if you can keep this plant in good condition. Heads up: don’t get this if you have pets as it can cause mouth irritation and a bad reaction if eaten.

Water: Once a week, or when soil is dry
Brightness: Bright

Ponytail Palm

For the Patient: The ponytail palm’s leaves grow out like a bundle of hair — hence “ponytail” in the name. The plant doesn’t require much upkeep, and it can tolerate being left alone for a bit. Don’t expect the palm to grow to extraordinary heights anytime soon — it’s a slow grower, but you’ll be happy with this little guy at any size.

Water: Every 2 weeks
Brightness: Bright, indirect or direct

Pencil Cactus

For the Childless and Pet-Less: As fun as this little guy looks, its sap is toxic when ingested. The pencil-like stems can be attractive to pets and kids, so make sure you keep the pencil cactus out of reach. These make a great gift to help someone add a pop of color to their living environment.

Water: When soil is dry
Brightness: Bright, direct

Prickly Pear Cactus

For a Taste of the Desert: There’s something fascinating about the way each paddle of the prickly pear cactus grows out of another paddle. The prickly pear cactus is a desert plant so it thrives in hot, dry climates. If you notice your little guy starting to wilt in the winter, don’t worry — it’ll rebound once spring hits.

Water: When soil is dry
Brightness: Bright, indirect or direct

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The Best Hiking Boots of 2020

Last updated April 2020: Our guide to the best hiking boots of 2020 provides information on eight hiking boots and nine hiking shoes and offers tips on how to buy them. We’ve recently updated it with new recommendations and the latest prices and links.

Hiking is an activity with a low barrier to entry; all one really needs to head out for a day in the woods is a pair of sturdy shoes and a mindset for walking. Both are equally important, but one is far easier to come by. And while it may be tempting to head out for a summit bid in a pair of well-worn running shoes, we strongly suggest you shod yourself with the appropriate footwear. Unlike concrete sidewalks and gravel paths, the trail calls for hardened and supportive footwear to combat dirt, mud, jagged rocks and streams. The answer is hiking boots and hiking shoes, and the ones below are the best available.

The Best Hiking Boots of 2020

Tecnica Forge

Editor’s Pick

The Forge is the first hiking boot from ski boot manufacturer Tecnica, and it’s also the first hiking boot that’s fully customizable. Every piece of the Forge is designed for customization, most notably the upper, which is available in both synthetic ripstop and nubuck leather. In addition, Tecnica equipped the Forge with all the indications of a solid hiking boot, including a Gore-Tex liner and Vibram rubber sole.

Because the Forge is a full-custom boot, buying options are limited to the brick-and-mortar stores that keep it and its boot-fitting robot in stock. The typical fit process that involves trying on multiple pairs of boots and walking up and down a ramp covered in fake rock doesn’t apply here because the boot feels remarkably different before and after molding. That process takes 20 to 30 minutes and involves two rounds of heating and molding, one for the Forge’s insoles and another for the uppers.

The result is about as good a fit as a hiking boot can achieve, and it doesn’t come with a rigorous break-in period either. That alone should make the Forge an attractive choice for many, but it’s not the only feature that makes it a great hiking boot. The Vibram sole is appropriately rugged, the wrap-around cuff is comfortable and supportive, and the upper is waterproof but breathable. For its first foray into a new category, Tecnica hit the mark.

Weight: 20.9 ounces (leather) 20.6 ounces (synthetic)
Waterproofing: Gore-Tex Extended Comfort
Upper: Nubuck leather or synthetic
Sole: Vibram Megagrip

Danner Mountain 600 Enduroweave

With a design that fuses Danner’s classic outdoor silhouette with modern materials, the Mountain 600 is Danner’s city-to-mountain hiking boot. It’s lightweight and comfortable out of the box thanks to a leather upper and a cushiony Vibram outsole. The case is much the same with the Mountain 600 EnduroWeave, but the upper has been reimagined with a new carbon-washed textile upper that’s lighter and more breathable than leather.

I’ve spent a lot of time in the leather version of the Mountain 600, mainly because it’s lightweight and elegant enough to wear in town but has plenty of grip and support for trail use too. It truly is the best of both worlds and is a great option for those who don’t want multiple pairs of boots for different settings.

The EnduroWeave version holds true to that standard. It was slightly uncomfortable at first, mostly where the cuff overlaps the tongue, but this broke in on the first hike around town. Afterwards, the boot is among the most comfortable on this list. A secondary trait of the EnduroWeave fabric: it has a strange, techy look to it, which is actually pretty stylish and unique.

If you are going to go with the Mountain 600 in either EnduroWeave or leather, supplement it with a new insole. Also, size down half a size for the best fit.

Weight: 17 ounces
Waterproofing: No
Upper: Synthetic
Sole: Vibram Fuga

Hoka One One Kaha GTX

Like Hoka’s super-plush running shoes, the Kaha features plenty of cushioning, the most of any boot on this list. That maximalism translates into a super comfy ride while walking trails, which is ideal for those who are more sensitive to impact and rough ground (or just want the cushiest platform possible). The thickness of the sole can feel strange at first, but you quickly get used to it, and Hoka helps out with the addition of a rockered bottom that helps naturally roll the boot from one step into the next.

Despite the size of the sole and the tall cuff, the Kaha remains relatively lightweight at 17.92 ounces. Its upper, which is made of leather, provides plenty of ankle support and includes a waterproof eVent sock liner. Hikers who favor more minimal boots might find the Kaha overkill and should look into hiking shoes or even trail running shoes, but if maximizing comfort and support is what you’re after, this option might be your best bet.

Weight: 17.9 ounces
Waterproofing: Gore-Tex
Upper: Leather
Sole: Vibram Megagrip

Keen Targhee Vent Mid

The Targhee is one of Keen’s best-selling hiking boots and also one of the most versatile and budget-friendly available. This year, Keen widened the Targhee offering with the Vent, a non-waterproof boot that features windows of mesh paneling for increased breathability in warmer weather. The rest of the boot is much like the original: water-resistant oiled nubuck leather, a supportive footbed design and a grippy rubber outsole with deep lugs are the key points.

The Targhee Vent Mid follows its predecessor in that it offers a slightly wider fit that’s felt most in the toe box, which has ample room for movement. Heel hold is still exceptional, and the boot is very supportive, even before using an aftermarket insole. That the cuff isn’t too tall makes the Targhee a great everyday boot, too.

We chose the Vent version for our list because waterproofing in hiking boots isn’t altogether necessary. If you’re hiking in a situation where your feet are going to get wet, such as a downpour or on a trail with river crossings, chances are they’ll get wet regardless of what boots you’re wearing. Additionally, waterproof linings can be excessively hot, causing your feet to sweat and get soggy anyway. The Vent accomplishes the goal of preventing this by providing breathability — my feet didn’t sweat once, even when I wore them in the city.

Weight: 16.6 ounces
Waterproofing: No
Upper: Leather and synthetic
Sole: Keen All-Terrain rubber

Vasque Saga GTX

The Saga GTX builds upon the successes of Vasque’s best-selling Breeze III GTX. The new boot adds a lightweight and breathable double-engineered mesh upper and a Vibram MegaGrip sole that’s designed for walking over the most rugged terrain. Protection and support are amplified in the boot with a molded TPU toe cap and heel that has windows of ventilation so that the boot doesn’t get too warm (as waterproof hikers are wont to do). Vasque also used that sturdy TPU to create a lace yolk that extends from the ankle toward the tongue; it provides midfoot support and helps to keep the heel locked in.

A full-featured hiking boot built for long-distance trekking implies a prolonged break-in period, but that’s not the case with the Saga GTX. The boot is remarkably comfortable right out of the box. The tongue is extra cushiony, which helps prevent pressure points from lacing, and the cuff provides a firm and supportive wrap that’s immediately flexible and only gets better with wear. Those who are looking for the most support might lean toward a heftier boot, but you certainly won’t be unhappy in the Saga. I, for one, tend to favor that trait over lightness, but I have been quite satisfied with this boot and plan to log plenty more miles in it. Some have noted durability issues with the laces (we haven’t), but you can always buy and use a different set.

Weight: 23 ounces
Waterproofing: Gore-Tex Extended Comfort
Upper: Synthetic
Sole: Vibram Megagrip

Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX

Salomon’s mid-weight X Ultra 3 is a best-seller among the company’s stock of hiking boots, mainly because it’s well-rounded for all types of use. The boot features a Contagrip rubber sole with an aggressive lug pattern that provides grip through varying surfaces and conditions and a Gore-Tex-lined synthetic upper.

The X Ultra 3 Mid has a full-sized cuff that provides ample ankle support and stability, but note that it isn’t as tall as some of the other hiking boots on this list. In a way, that helps this boot to be more versatile — it wouldn’t be out of place walking around town or worn daily as a go-to shoe.

Weight: 15.8 ounces
Waterproofing: Gore-Tex Performance Comfort
Upper: Synthetic
Sole: High Traction Contagrip

Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX

Scarpa’s Zodiac Plus GTX has found its way onto many “best of” lists and is recommended by professional mountain climbers — and rightly so. The boot is a tough and versatile option that’s suitable for both the trail behind your house and high-elevation climbs and approaches. The Zodiac Plus GTX is constructed with a suede upper and a heavy-duty Vibram sole.

Scarpa brought the Zodiac as close as it could to a mountaineering boot without crossing the line, and the result is a hiking boot packed with versatility. The boot is comfortable and cushioned right out of the box and very supportive. The laces extend further down the boot for precision fitting, and Scarpa has also added a pair of lace hooks on the top of the foot, which is lower than most companies place this type of hardware. Not only does this allow for easier in and out of the boot, but I found that it made controlling overall lace pressure more straightforward too.

The Zodiac may be sturdier than what more casual hikers are looking for but still manages to provide enough flex for low-angle and less-technical walking. If you do plan on getting into different types of terrain and potentially the rock or snow encountered at higher altitudes — even if just once a year — then it’s an awesome boot well-suited to the task.

Weight: 19.2 ounces
Waterproofing: Gore-Tex Performance Comfort
Upper: Suede
Sole: Vibram Drumlin

Adidas Terrex Free Hiker

The Terrex Free Hiker is Adidas’s first hiking boot to use the energy-returning Boost foam that’s present in many of its best-selling running shoes (like the Ultraboost). In those shoes, it serves as a comfortable platform but also rebounds to keep you moving without wasting energy. That’s precisely what it does in the Free Hiker, but that’s not the only technical feature that Adidas adapted from running in this hiking boot — there’s also a Primeknit upper for a close and breathable fit.

Comfort is the first thing to talk about in regards to the Free Hiker, as this is one of the most comfortable boots that we’ve tested yet. But this boot is unique in other ways too; for one, there’s a streetwear/sneaker style element that’s not present in other models. In many ways, the Free Hiker fits and walks more like a sneaker than a typical hiking boot, but it still provides plenty of traction (thanks to a lugged Continental rubber outsole) and more support than you’d expect from a knit upper. That said, the Free Hiker certainly isn’t the most supportive hiking boot on this list, but it wins points for being incredibly lightweight, which makes it a solid choice for those who prefer to move quickly. It also doesn’t look like a typical hiking boot, which makes it perfect for trips that include equal time exploring cities and trails. Note: Like with the Danner boot, I had to size down by half a size to get the right fit.

Weight: 13.5 ounces
Waterproofing: None
Upper: Primeknit textile upper with abrasion-resistant weldings
Sole: Continental Rubber

The Best Hiking Shoes of 2020

Tecnica Plasma

Editor’s Pick

A year after the release of the Forge, Tecnica brought its custom heat molding to the hiking shoe category with the low-cut Plasma. The process is entirely the same: there are two rounds of heat molding, one for the insole and a second for the upper. It uses the same machine, which is available at retailers where the shoes are sold, and takes less than 30 minutes. As with the Forge, the result is a hiking shoe that fits immediately — no break-in period.

The Plasma is on the more rugged end of the hiking shoe spectrum thanks to its stiff rubber outsole, but it’s still more flexible than many approach shoes and suitable to both long and short hikes, though maybe not walking around in a city all day. At first, I worried that the heat treatment wouldn’t be as effective in a shoe because there’s less material to mold, and I wondered if it would still create that tight, ski boot-reminiscent fit. These feelings were alleviated throughout an entire autumn hiking in the Northeast on trails of all types. I never experienced blisters (and I’m particularly prone to them), and my feet stayed comfortable on the longest days. Now my only problem is how to decide between these and the Forge before taking off on a hike.

Like the Forge, you can only get the Plasma in-store at a Tecnica retailer. (You can purchase a pair for in-store pickup through REI.)

Weight: 19.3 ounces
Waterproofing: Available in waterproof and non-waterproof versions
Upper: Synthetic
Sole: Vibram Plasma with Megagrip compound

Salewa Wildfire GTX

Our previous editor’s choice, Salewa’s Wildfire GTX, is a light and flexible approach shoe. It draws on the designs of rock climbing shoes in many ways but still provides a supportive ride that’s more than capable of handling miles on trails. The shoe delivers grip with a Pomoca sole that eases off the lugs around the toe, creating an area that can handle technical and precarious climbing moves. The upper is a Gore-Tex-lined synthetic mesh enhanced with a cage-like exoskeleton for improved stability.

I stumbled across the Wildfire GTX while searching for a go-everywhere shoe before spending four months traveling through South America. The goal was to bring one pair (in addition to flip-flops) that could handle everything from a six-day backpacking trek through Patagonia to full days of city exploration to a walk through a hot-as-hell equatorial jungle. The Wildfire GTX passed all these tests with flying colors.

Beyond the obvious qualities — lightness, good traction, comfort — the Wildfire GTX excels in fit. Like a climbing shoe, it wraps around the foot completely for a very snug feel. Those looking for a bigger toe box might not like this effect, but I found it ideal for making precision steps in technical terrain and didn’t mind it on less-ambitious days spent in town. The lace system has improved since I took that trip and added to the comfort by relieving some of the pressure points, making the Wildfire GTX even better.

For a hiking shoe that excels in many of the same ways as the Wildfire GTX but is even more climbing-oriented, check out Salewa’s Wildfire Edge. It’s a great approach shoe for rock climbers, but we ultimately decided not to include it on this list because of how specific it is to that activity.

Weight: 15.17
Waterproofing: Gore-Tex Extended Comfort
Upper: Synthetic
Sole: Pomoca Speed MTN

Salewa Dropline

The Dropline is new to Salewa’s footwear line, a very welcome addition that edges its approach shoes closer to true hiking shoes. Like the Wildfire, it’s a slightly more technical mountain shoe that has a close fit and uses a grippy Pomoca rubber outsole but has a different lug pattern that’s more suitable for regular hiking. As something of a mix between an approach shoe and a trail running shoe, it’s also slightly lighter and more flexible, which makes it ideal for hikers who like to move fast over technical terrain. We’ve found it handles mud and snow just fine, even on steep descents.

Weight: 12.9 ounces
Waterproofing: available with Gore-Tex
Upper: synthetic mesh
Sole: Pomoca rubber

La Sportiva TX4

Technically, La Sportiva’s TX4 is an approach shoe. Approach shoes, lightweight mountain footwear that rock climbers use to reach the base of a wall, typically feature a sticky rubber outsole to provide excellent grip, and the TX4 is no exception there. Its lug pattern and leather upper make it a great choice for full-time trail use, too, even if you have no intention of roping up and going vertical. Our tester praises its construction as “ideal for wet, muddy and loose rocky conditions,” which other approach shoes might not handle as well. Its low profile makes it ideal for use around town if you embrace the outdoorsy look. (And, if you do climb, this might be your new do-everything shoe.)

Weight: 13 ounces
Waterproofing: no
Upper: leather
Sole: Vibram Megagrip Traverse with Impact Brake System

Danner Trail 2650

Danner’s most iconic hiking boot is the Mountain Light, which, despite what its name might have you believe, is notably not lightweight (it is rugged as hell though). The Trail 2650, however, actually is light. Danner says that 24 ounces a pair, the shoe is its lightest piece of hiking footwear yet. To get there, Danner built its upper with a combination of leather and mesh and used a Vibram outsole for traction.

The Trail 2650 certainly feels light on the feet, too. It fits much like a trail running shoe (the last that Danner used is based on them), but the construction includes a TPU shank and a heel counter, so they’re sturdy and supportive enough hiking long miles on dirt and clambering over boulders. They also aren’t waterproof — a trait we like particularly for hiking shoes — and they’re comfortable enough to wear around town as an everyday shoe, too.

Weight: 12 ounces
Waterproofing: None
Upper: Leather, synthetic
Sole: Vibram 460

Arc’teryx Konseal FL

Arc’teryx isn’t as well-known for its footwear as it is for its technical apparel, but the Konseal FL lives up to the brand’s high standards for quality. And like its clothing, the shoe packs lots of functionality into a clean and minimalist profile. Colors are coordinated and subtle, and the different materials that are present blend into one another almost invisibly; even the laces are fully integrated into the design, using loops of webbing instead of eyelets.

The lacing system might be the best part about the Konseal FL. It extends all the way down to the toe so that the fit can be adjusted and fine-tuned as much as possible, which in turn contributes to a better overall hiking experience, especially in technical terrain. The integrated system adjusts smoothly, too, so there’s less tugging and pulling to get the comfortable fit you need.

The Konseal FL is minimalist in appearance but also somewhat in use. As an approach shoe, it provides plenty of protection with toe and heel caps and a raised midsole sidewall, which is ideal for use in rocky terrain. The shoes don’t have as much cushioning as others on this list though, so fast-hikers and fans of lightweight minimalism will find the most use here.

Weight: 10.6 ounces
Waterproofing: No
Upper: Synthetic
Sole: Vibram Megagrip

Naglev Unico Kevlar Hiker

The Unico comes from the birthplace of outdoor footwear (the Alps), and it’s a shoe designed to be a crossover between a hiking boot and a trail running shoe. Regardless of what it aims to be, it is an impressive piece of footwear, with an upper made of one single piece of Kevlar fabric. That durable exterior is lined with a sock-like wool liner that’s connected at the bottom of the shoe only so that it can “float” inside and better export moisture. The footbed is made of a blend of leather and coconut fibers.

The Unico is among the burliest hiking shoes to make our list, and that’s thanks to the materials that Naglev so carefully selected in its construction. The rubber outsole is stiff, and the Kevlar is borderline abrasive, but the Unico mitigates these factors with its interior wool liner and leather insole, both of which make the shoe far more comfortable than it looks. Unlike some of the lighter hiking shoes, it does require some break-in — if you’re looking for a more forgiving hiking shoe, check out some of our other picks — but the result is worth the process.

Weight: N/A
Waterproofing: Yes
Upper: Kevlar, TPU, wool liner
Sole: Natural rubber

Lowa Locarno GTX Lo

Take a pair of early 2000s Etnies or Vans, beef it up with more tread and support and you’d arrive at the Locarno GTX Lo. Of the hiking shoes on this list, the Locarno is by far the most casual in appearance, but it’s still reliably apt for trail use. It’s an interesting choice for Lowa, which has a long history as a core hiking brand that dates back to 1923.

The Locarno is designed as a multi-sport shoe, so it’ll be best for those who use it that way. It has a durable nubuck leather upper and a supportive midsole with ample traction underneath. It’s also equipped with Gore-Tex, which will keep your feet dry through mud and puddles. It’s the type of shoe that won’t excel at any one thing but is great at accomplishing many. If you’re the type of person who only wants to own one pair of shoes or is looking for a solid travel shoe that can be used for many tasks, this is it.

Weight: 14.5 ounces
Waterproofing: Gore-Tex S
Upper: Nubuck leather and fabric
Sole: Lowa Hybrid Trac

Merrell Chameleon 8 Stretch

Merrell’s Chameleon hiking shoe has been a ranking member in its collection for years, but the brand recently modified it with this lightweight breathable option. It’s not waterproof, but that feature is honestly less important in hiking shoes (water can easily enter from the cuff anyway) than in taller boots. It’s a fair trade for extra breathability and makes it a good shoe for warm weather and dry conditions.

The Chameleon 8 Stretch uses a speed-lacing system and an elastic bungee-like cord that makes getting them on and cinched very quick — no hooks to thread here. Once tightened, the plastic adjustment tab is fairly difficult and non-intuitive to loosen again, but these shoes can be put on and taken off without loosening the laces.

It’s another tongueless hiking shoe, which means it’s super comfortable, perhaps even the most comfortable on this list (at least straight out of the box). The cuff is soft and stretchy and provides a close-to-ankle fit that’ll keep larger-sized debris from getting down inside the shoe. This trait is a huge plus for a hiking shoe because, without a tall cuff, gravel and dirt can easily sneak in and make trouble for your feet.

Weight: 15 ounces
Waterproofing: No
Upper: Nubuck leather and synthetic mesh
Sole: Vibram XS Trek Evo

What to Consider Before You Buy Hiking Boots

About Fit

This guide is designed to be a resource that can help you find the best hiking boots available. Hours of research and wear-testing were undertaken to make sure that the hiking boots and shoes found here are actually pieces of high-quality footwear.

That being said, every person’s needs and walking habits are different, and more importantly, every person’s feet are different. What works for us may not work for you, and while we’ve provided as much variety here as we can, a review isn’t a substitute for trying a shoe on and making sure that it fits and feels comfortable.

Hiking Boots vs. Hiking Shoes

There are two types of footwear made for logging trail miles: hiking boots and hiking shoes. Hiking boots are full-sized footwear made with stability and support in mind. When you’re backpacking, or you’re just taking on black diamond terrain during a day hike, hiking boots are there to lend more ankle support and reinforced protection.

Hiking shoes don’t offer the same level of ankle support that a cuff provides; they’re designed to be lightweight for nimble mobility. Most hiking shoes still give more support than a running shoe, plus a durable rubber sole with lugs that will maintain grip through varying terrain. Hiking shoes are a good option for those who prefer short walks and don’t need the extra support, and they’re a great option for travel too.

Should You Buy an Aftermarket Insole?

The short answer is yes. Almost every hiking boot and hiking shoe comes with a foam insole that will wear out after very few uses. Some are better than others, and most will feel comfortable straight out of the box, but none will provide the long-term support of an aftermarket insole.

Superfeet makes a variety of affordable insoles that offer different volumes and levels of support. As with the boots themselves, it’s best to try these on at a store to find the most comfortable and best-fitting option. Bring your boots with you, because insoles can change the amount of space inside your shoe and affect the overall feel of its fit.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The Best Bike Locks for Every Cyclist

Cities are graveyards for stolen bikes, with bent wheels and ragged frames hanging off anything nailed to the ground, sometimes with a sawed-through bike lock lying in plain sight. The air is thick with the ghosts of bikes that were stolen completely — Fujis, Treks, Surlys. You can almost hear their cute little bells ringing, warning you to get the hell out of the bike lane. Estimates for stolen bikes in North America range from 800,000 to two million per year. Moreover, they’re challenging to get back because most people don’t write down serial numbers, register their bikes or even report a theft to police (and stolen bike recovery isn’t exactly law enforcement’s number one priority, either).

The good news is that with a serious bike lock, proper locking technique and the good sense to take the darn thing inside at night, you can prevent your bike from becoming a statistic. Remember that no lock is safe in all places — take into account where you’re leaving your bike, what type of lock you’re using and how long you’ll be gone for. Bike thieves are opportunists, and they’ll calculate quickly they can nab a bike against how valuable it looks. If your favorite beat-up commuter is firmly secured and there’s a nice-looking ride with a flimsy cable lock on the next rack over, chances are you’re safe.

Now, on to the bike locks.

Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini U-Lock

Best Overall Bike Lock

With its yellow and black vinyl coating, the Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Mini is as ubiquitous as it is battle-ready. The 18mm hardened steel shackle and oversized steel sleeve covering the crossbar are designed to thwart bolt cutters, and the small size makes prying with a lever downright tricky. Pair it with a secondary cable for additional security. The Fahgettaboudit comes with a theft-replacement guarantee of $5,000.

Material: 18mm hardened steel
Weight: 4.54 lbs

Abus U-Lock U-Mini 40

Best Budget Bike Lock

Like the Fuhgettaboutit, the Abus U-Lock U-Mini 40 is a short U-lock that’ll keep your bike close to the rack/sign/parking meter, which makes tampering with it more difficult for thieves. Unlike Kryptonite’s lock, this one costs half as much. Its steel is also slightly thinner in diameter, part of why it weighs less than half as much.

Material: 14mm hardened steel
Weight: 2.16 lbs

Ottolock Sidekick Bundle

Best Lightweight Lock

Ottolock’s cable tie-style bike lock is for those who require supreme lightness in a lock. The classic Otto cinch lock comes in three lengths: 18, 30 and 60 inches; and the shortest weighs only 120 grams (roughly four ounces). It’s also small enough to tuck under your bike seat, or even clip on to your belt loop. But if you’re worried about bike thieves with clippers, go for the bundle, which comes with Otto’s new Sidekick U-lock. Using two locks is a good way to deter thieves (especially if your bike is parked next to one with a single lock).

Materials: 12mm silicon-coated hardened steel (U-lock); non-marking plastic-coated Kevlar (cinch lock)
Weight: 1.65 lbs (U-lock); 0.39 lbs (cinch lock)

Abus Bordo Granit X Plus 6500

Best Folding Lock

German security company Abus is very interested in keeping thieves away from your goods: they make alarm systems, surveillance cameras, even fire extinguishers. So you can probably trust them with a bike, right? The Bordo GRANIT X Plus 6500 will cost a pretty penny, but it hits 15 on the company’s security rating scale, the highest level. The portable design of folding 5.5mm hardened steel bars includes a soft coating to prevent nicks and scratches to your ride.

Material: 5.5mm hardened steel
Weight: 3.48 lbs

Onguard Beast Chain Lock with X4 Padlock

Best Chain Lock

If you have a particularly bulky bike, like an e-bike or a cargo bike (or an e-cargo bike), the best protection you can get might just be a massive chain. The Beast is one such option, made of 14mm link titanium reinforced chain coupled with a short shackle u-lock. Its shortest available length is over three feet, which should be enough to wrap larger bikes. The main drawback with this lock, or any chain lock, is weigh; this one is around 15 pounds. The Beast comes with a theft-replacement guarantee of $5,000.

Material: 14mm titanium-reinforced steel
Weight: 15+ lbs

TiGr Bow Lock

Best Lock For Design Lovers

You’ve already invested in a beautiful piece of machinery and you’re not about to kill the look — sound like you? Consider the TiGr Lock, which looks like an avant-garde pair of tongs but is actually a titanium bow covered in clear PVC that, in it’s longer iterations, can lock around a bike frame and both wheels. The TiGr began as a Kickstarter, so you can thank crowd-funding for this beauty.

Material: titanium
Weight: 1.4-2 lbs

Pinhead Locks Locking Quick-Release Set

Best Lock Accessory

Think of Pinhead’s products less like locks and more as locking accessories. Instead of securing your bike to a post or rack, Pinhead’s skewers secure easily removed components like wheels, saddles, seatposts and headsets. The skewers lock with a coded nut recessed in a free-rotating housing. The construction means you have to have the same coded key to remove them, which means you’ll need to carry it around if you plan to remove anything or make adjustments. But that’s a small price to pay for extra security, and in our experience, most bike mechanics have ways of prizing them loose sans key, for better or worse.

Material: CrMo steel and aircraft aluminum alloy
Weight: n/a

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The Best Flower Delivery Services for Mother’s Day

Getting the perfect Mother’s Day flower arrangement no longer requires a mad dash to the florist after work or neglecting the bouquet altogether. Get a gorgeous bouquet sent to directly to your loved ones within a day or two (and at a very reasonable price) with these great delivery services. Just don’t delay — not all good things last forever, and that bouquet you know your mom loves will be out of stock sooner than you think.

Contribution by Tyler Chin and Caitlyn Shaw.

Urban Stems

Price Range: $35+
Delivery Options: Same-day delivery is available in New York City, D.C., Philadelphia, Austin and Baltimore. Next-day shipping is available in the lower 48 states.
The Basics: Urban Stems offers a range of gift boxes, plants and bouquets, all clearly marked with prices and delivery options before you get to the checkout page.
The Deal: Use promo code WCMomsDay for 15% off sitewide and free shipping.

ProFlowers

Price Range: $20+
Delivery Options: Next-day delivery is available nationwide, and same-day shipping is available in NYC, San Francisco and L.A.
The Basics: BloomThat offers an impressive range of floral arrangements, from plant-it-yourself kits to pale pinks surrounded by verdant greens bouquets.

Farmgirl Flowers

Price Range: $63+
Delivery Options: Anything within the lower 48.
The Basics: Farmgirl offers a variety of floral arrangements, snacks and gift boxes, all ethically sourced and beautifully packaged in burlap and ribbon. Just enter your zip code to see what’s available for a timely delivery in your area.

The Bouqs Company

Price Range: $40+
Delivery Options: Shipping is available in all 50 states, and is free with a (free) membership. Times vary per bouquet.
The Basics: The Bouqs Company’s bouquets are so beautiful that brides are known to order them for weddings. The service offers sustainably grown, farm-direct bouquets from local artisans, all clearly marked with a price and delivery date so there are no surprises at checkout.

Amazon

Price Range: $20+
Delivery Options: Free shipping for Prime members. Same-day delivery is available with the option to schedule delivery in certain locations.
The Basics: Amazon has a wide variety of fresh flowers available for two-day delivery, plus the ability to add on candy and other small gifts. Use it to order a bouquet, or order single flowers to make your own bouquet for an extra-personal touch.

1-800-Flowers

Price Range: $30+
Delivery Options: Same-day and next-day delivery options for most major US cities and select countries. Delivery is available in 195 countries worldwide.
The Basics: 1-800-Flowers is arguably the biggest flower delivery service on the internet with products ranging from the flower bouquets to fruit bouquets and teddy bears to pocket knives.

Floom

Price Range: $59+
Delivery Options: Same-day delivery is $20 and offered in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego and Houston. Floom also delivers to the UK.
The Basics: Floom works with local florists to provide fast and efficient flower deliveries in most major cities in the US and UK.

Home Depot

Price Range: $69+
Delivery Options: Free shipping, but no express delivery options.
The Basics: Home Depot’s in-store nursery is an underrated place to buy garden plants, flowers and more. Its website is filled with bouquets and flowers available for delivery that all ship for free. The home improvement store doesn’t offer express delivery, so factor in the shipping time before placing your order.

The Sill

Price Range: $5+
Delivery Options: No same-day delivery, but there are physical locations in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Plant Parent Club Members get free shipping on all orders
The Basics: The Sill doesn’t offer your typical bouquet, but it is a leading brand in potted plants, which make equally great gifts and can last exponentially longer than a bundle of roses. The Sill carries live and faux plants from desk-sized varieties to larger floor plants.

Florists’ Transworld Delivery

Price Range: $30+
Delivery Options: Monday through Friday, FTD offers free same-day delivery on orders placed before 2 p.m. FTD’s services are available in the US, Canada and over 150 countries. Delivery is available every day of the week, and prices start at $18.
The Basics: FTD has been around for 100 years, so you can be sure its flowers and bouquets have something to do with its longevity. Choose from a variety of gift baskets, bouquets and assorted gifts to fill all your loved ones’ hearts this Mother’s Day.

Teleflora

Price Range: $35+
Delivery Options: Same-day delivery on select arrangements for orders placed before 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and by noon on Saturday and Sunday.
The Basics: Teleflora’s wide array of floral arrangements and gifts will make the perfect Mother’s Day gift and the perfect pick-me up for any and all occasions.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The 9 Best Camping Blankets of 2020

When it comes to camp bedding, the sleeping bag reigns king. It makes sense — a sleeping bag’s mummy-style construction makes it adept at providing and maintaining warmth, even in sub-zero temperatures. But technical sleeping bags were designed with high alpine pursuits and extended backcountry jaunts in mind, and while they now come in a variety of shapes and temperature ratings, sleeping bags tend to be techy.

Enter the camp blanket. Often made using the same functional materials as sleeping bags — materials like water-repellent down insulation and ripstop nylon shells — camp blankets fulfill a similar function. They provide warmth away from the comforts of home, but beyond that, they offer more flexibility, and they do it with more style.

Without the restriction of a zipper, camp blankets are ideal for summer camping. And in true contemporary outdoor lifestyle fashion, technical camp blankets easily transition from the tent to the living room sofa, to the cabin, to the van without much fuss. They aren’t specialized for a single environment like a zero-degree down sleeping bag might be; they’re versatile and practical, which is ideal for outdoorsmen and weekend warriors alike.

Kammok Firebelly

Editor’s Choice

Kammok may be best known for its hang-anywhere hammocks, but the Austin, Texas-based outdoor brand hit a homer in expanding into camp bedding. The Firebelly — available in both down- and synthetic-insulated versions — is a lightweight, zipperless cover that’s fit to fill in for any sleeping bag in warmer weather.

Hidden in the side of the blanket’s hems are tiny pockets that conceal velcro tabs and loops that allow you to connect one side to the other. That feature, paired with cinching top and bottom hems, allow the Firebelly to close up almost entirely and become a virtual stand-in for a sleeping bag. Pro tip: use these features to create an enclosed foot box and sling it over the bottom of a sleeping pad so you, and the Firebelly, won’t slide off in the night.

Materials: Atmos nylon ripstop with DWR, Pinneco CC synthetic insulation (synthetic version)
Dimensions: 75 × 52 inches
Weight: 1.9 pounds (synthetic version)

Rumpl Nanoloft Puffy Blanket

Best Synthetic Blanket

No company has embraced the outdoor lifestyle trend of the technical blanket more than — and quite as successfully as — Rumpl has. The company recently developed its NanoLoft line, which uses 100 percent post-consumer recycled insulation to mimic the warm-keeping abilities of down. Rumpl constructed the quilt with many of the same materials found in premium backpacking sleeping bags too, including a water-repellent 30-denier ripstop polyester face fabric. The NanoLoft blankets pack down small enough to fit inside a backpack and come with Rumpl’s signature laidback styling, makes them fit for cabins and cars too.

Materials: 100% post-consumer recycled polyester
Dimensions: 52 x 75 inches (one-person); 80 x 85 inches (two-person)
Weight: 2.1 pounds

Nemo Equipment Puffin

Best Indoor/Outdoor Camp Blanket

If there’s one thing that most technical camp blankets can improve on, it’s looking and feeling less technical. Many of them still adhere to the aesthetic of a flatter, zipperless sleeping bag. One that walks the line strategically is NEMO Equipment’s Puffin. It is technical — the blanket is stuffed with plenty of synthetic insulation to keep you warm outdoors, it has a snap button “foot nook” — but its shape and wavy baffles allow it to traverse into the home as well. Its outer fabric, a water-repellent nylon micro-ripstop, prudently lacks that outdoorsy sheen of most technical fabrics, and it’s far less… swishy.

Materials: 40D ripstop nylon with DWR, synthetic insulation
Dimensions: 57 x 85 inches (one-person); 85 x 85 inches (two-person)
Weight: 2 pounds 6 ounces (one-person); 3 pounds 10 ounces (two-person)

Yeti Lowlands Blanket

Best for Tailgates and Outdoor Concerts

Have you ever sat down on a picnic blanket only to feel, like a slow-rising dread, the moisture of the ground you thought was dry soak into your pants? In a word, it’s uncomfortable. But it’s no surprise that Yeti, which makes all of its products impervious, made its Lowlands camp blanket waterproof on its bottom to prevent such unfortunate circumstances. The top is soft and lightly insulated, though, so the Lowlands is still plenty comfy. Plus, it’s pet-friendly and, should you spill food on it (or if a rude “friend” forgets to remove his or her shoes before sitting), it’s machine washable.

Materials: n/a
Dimensions: 55 x 78 inches
Weight: 5.8 pounds

Therm-a-Rest Vela Quilt

Best Blanket for Couples

Camp blankets are designed to dumb down the tech and make camping a more homey experience. Sleeping side-by-side in separate zippered sleeping bags is distinctively not homey, so Therm-a-Rest created the couple-friendly Vela. The Vela is a quilt, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t techy — Therm-a-Rest has learned a lot from making high-quality sleeping bags. The Vela is filled with 650-fill water-repellent down and has baffles that extend the length of its sides to help trap heat. Its footbox is also elasticized so that neither you or your partner’s feet will slip out during the night. The Vela also integrates with any other Therm-a-Rest products you already own (like sleeping pads) with side-mounted snaps and an included loop kit.

Materials: 20D Polyester Ripstop with DWR (shell), 20D Polyester Taffeta (liner), 650 Fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down
Dimensions: 72 x 84 inches
Weight: 2.2 pounds

Pendleton National Park Collection Blanket

Best for Instagram

For nearly a century, Pendleton has paid homage to United States National Parks with wool dyed in stripe, block and chevron. Its National Park Collection blankets, made of 100% pure virgin wool and made in the USA, have become rightfully iconic. These blankets are thick, heavy and warm — perfect for those more concerned with appearances than keeping to the latest tech. While the collection has grown, the Glacier National Park Blanket is still the most recognizable.

Materials: pure virgin wool
Dimensions: 66 x 90 inches (twin); 80 x 90 inches (full); 90 x 90 inches (queen)

SOL All Season Blanket

Best for Your First Aid Kit

Ok, yes, this is less of a camping blanket and more of a worst-case-scenario survival tool. But SOL — short for Survive Outdoors Longer — has beefed up the typical lightweight, foil-esque survival blanket for extreme versatility. It’s not something you’ll wrap up in on the couch when you aren’t out in the backcountry, but it can be used as a tent footprint, a makeshift shelter or a draggable, tarp-like hauler. And if you do decide to cocoon inside of the All Season Blanket, it’ll keep you nice and toasty.

Materials: polyethylene, vaporized aluminized coating
Dimensions: 6.5 x 2.4 x 11.25 inches (packed)
Weight: 1 pound

Filson Mackinaw Blanket

Best for Sleeping in the Car

Camping next to a car is one thing, but bedding down inside of it is something else altogether. Depending on how dedicated you are to #vanlife, a night in the car might mean sleeping on a platform in a truck bed or laying down the seats and making do in a wagon. In either case, cars offer ample shelter but little warmth. Many of these blankets will do in a car, but since you have the extra space, it can be worth it to go big. Filson’s heavy Mackinaw Blanket is 100 percent USA-sourced virgin Mackinaw wool, so it’ll provide plenty of warmth, even when damp. Like most Filson products it’s super durable, in this case thanks to a serged hem that won’t fray over time, which is handy because the Mackinaw Blanket will last for years.

Materials: 100% virgin Mackinaw wool
Dimensions: 72 x 90 inches
Weight: 5.5 pounds

Slowtide Chico Throw Blanket

Best for the Beach

While you technically could use many of the blankets on this list to hang at the beach, you shouldn’t. Sand is more invasive than dirt and dust, it gets on anything and once it does, it will stay there until the end of time. If you’re a dedicated beach-goer, it’s smart to have a dedicated beach blanket. Slowtide has nailed beach style with its line of printed towels and its blankets are up to snuff too. Made with Turkish-style chambray fabric, the Chico is big enough for a group outing, and it’ll beat that old sheet you were planning to use any day.

Materials: 100% cotton
Dimensions: 66 x 80 inches

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The 35 Best Gift Ideas for Every Kind of Mom

You don’t need a reason to show mom you love her, but birthdays and Mother’s Day are good excuses, nonetheless. Want to get her a present she’ll actually enjoy? Here are 35 ideas to get you started.

Patagonia Provisions Regenerative Organic Chile Mango

Mom is a healthy snack pro, but she may not be hip to the latest from the food branch of Patagonia: organic chile mango. There’s no guilt inside this bag; just organic mango, dried in a solar-powered dehydrator and tossed with lime juice and Argentinian chile powder.

Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1

Sometimes it’s the small things that count. And this incredible lip balm is something she’ll use every day.

Enkore Car Cup Holder Coasters

It’s as inevitable as the tides: a cupholder that gets used gets gunky. Plop one of these in the cupholder, though, and your mom need never worry about cleaning goop out of that hard-to-access spot again.

Juniper Ridge Incense

It’s time to change your mom’s notion that all incense smells like patchouli. Get her some sticks made with nothing more than sustainably harvested plants, sap and wood, and fill her home with the aroma of sweetgrass or douglas fir.

Lodge Cast-Iron Skillet

It’s rare you can spend $15 on a thing that will last 100 years. So long as they’re not tossed from the roof of a house or left to fend for themselves in a rain storm, Lodge’s frugal-as-hell cast-iron skillets will do just that.

PF Candle Co Geranium Candle

Made from domestic soy wax and scented with natural fragrance oils, this candle from PF Candle Co is a welcome addition to any home. It comes in a neutral terracotta pot that can be used as a planter after the candle is used up.

Hadley Roma Lizard Grain Leather Watch Strap

Want to help mom dress up that nice watch you got her for her birthday? (You did get her a nice watch for her birthday, right?) These 16mm lizard grain leather straps come in 14 different colors and feature a water-resistant lining and matching color stitching.

Final Straw 2.0

Part of being mom is being prepared for anything. Now that plastic straws are an endangered species — and paper ones no real substitute — she’ll want a reusable one to sub in. FinalStraw’s latest iteration is small enough for a purse and cleans in the dishwasher.

Macally Car Cup Holder Phone Mount

Moms can be just as bad about using their phones while driving as the rest of us. A cupholder phone mount keeps her smartphone from blocking the view or getting blasted by the vents, while still bringing it closer to her eyeline — making it safer to use.

Philips Hue White Filament A19

These are the latest filament bulbs by Philips Hue, the leader in smart lighting. The best thing about them isn’t their retro-cool looks, but the fact that they’re incredibly easy to install and use. No smart hub required.

San Francisco Bath Salt Company Sleep Lavender Bath Salts

This blend of fine-to-medium grain Pacific sea salts is scented with lavender essential oil to promote relaxation. The 10-pound bag will sooth muscle aches and encourage restful sleep for months to come.

Timex Weekender Watch

It may be the quintessential Millennial watch, but it’s also the perfect unisex everyday watch. With 30m of water resistance, an Indiglo back-lit face and myriad dial/strap combinations to choose from, she can wear it around the house, to the gym, and everywhere in between.

Kinto Travel Tumbler

As Miss P (whose full name is “Tashtins Lookin For Trouble”) famously set the bar for what a beagle could be, Kinto’s simple travel tumbler established the same for coffee on the go. It does the basics of keeping things hot as well as any, and its clever two-part lid ensures your mouth is never flooded with scalding coffee and you can from tumbler to cup with ease.

Hansel From Basel Plaid Sheer Crew Socks

Not every pair of socks has to be utilitarian. These Japanese-made socks have a sheer plaid pattern that is fun and fashionable.

TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller

This 13-inch roller features a multi-density exterior that supports muscle recovery, pain relief and improved flexibility. It also comes with access to TriggerPoint’s online video library, where experts show how to roll for optimal results.

Anker Roav Viva Amazon Alexa Add-On

Does your mom love the Alexa Echo Dot you got her last year? Bring the same functionality to her car with this easy-to-install gadget. Plug it into her 12-volt outlet and pair it with her phone, and she’ll be able to use voice commands to play music, control her smart appliances in the house, and play music, among many other features.

Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm

This hydrating body balm is blended with carrot and aloe vera to hydrate the skin. Formulated with geranium leaf and citrus extras, the scent alone is worth the price — this is one she won’t want to share.

Hydro Flask Trail Series 24 oz. Water Bottle

Hydro Flask meticulously tapered the walls of this bottle to shave weight while maintaining durability. At just 10 ounces, it might be the lightest one on the planet — that still keeps cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12.

Oxo Cold Brew Coffee Maker

The cold truth: you can make cold brew coffee in any vessel you please. A bowl, a large cup or a bucket all offer what’s needed to allow water and coffee to mingle for 12 to 24 hours. Oxo’s version does the basics while offering superior filtration (less coffee silt!) and the lid drips water over the grounds, blooming them as they would be brewed hot.

Casio Vintage Gold-Toned Watch

Maybe you can’t quite afford to get her that solid gold watch yet, but at least you can get her the look. This gold-toned digital Casio with matching bracelet features all sorts of stopwatches and calendar information as well as a backlit screen.

Trade Fresh Coffee Gift

Trade often touts itself as the “Netflix of coffee,” but it’s closer to the Tinder of coffee. You take a short quiz on how you like your coffee and you’re fed a healthy list of suggestions. Unlike Tinder, all Trade’s offerings are of good stock. The platform partners with some of the best coffee roasters in America and all purchases are roasted-to-order.

Echo Dot With a Clock

Think of this little speaker as a smart alarm clock. You can ask Alexa to wake you up and tell you the weather each morning. And no there’s no built-in camera, which should alleviate some of your privacy concerns.

The Sill Red Anthurium

Two things on buying your mother a plant: it better arrived potted and ready to display, and it better not be a goddamn snake plant. The red anthurium blooms longer than any other houseplant there is and doesn’t require special treatment.

Casio G-Shock GMD-S6900MC Watch

A trip to the gym necessitates a tough-as-nails watch, but that doesn’t mean the watch in question can’t be chic and fun. This G-Shock is replete with all the usual Casio robustness but has a gold-toned dial that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Awair Glow C

This is way cooler than your average smart plug. It works as an air quality monitor and a smart night light, as well, and can easily be integrated into an Alexa or a Google Assistant smart home.

Amazon Kindle

Amazon’s newest Kindle checks a bunch of boxes. It has built-in backlight so it’s easy to read inside and outside. It has built-in Bluetooth, in case you want to use wireless headphones and listen to audiobooks. And it’s under $100.

Everlane Cashmere Crew Sweater

This versatile sweater has a flattering and utilitarian silhouette, but it’s elevated with Grade-A cashmere from Inner Mongolia. Available in sizes XXS to XXL, it comes in 12 colors ranging from heather gray to cerulean to red.

Citizen Eco-Drive Date Watch

If you’re looking for a more refined gift for mom, you can’t go wrong with this classic, stainless steel Citizen watch with a matching bracelet. Its Eco-Drive movement means it charges via the dial and effectively never needs a battery replacement.

Casper Glow Lights

This is the kind of technology your mom will brag about to other moms. Set it on a bedside table and it gently dims as you drift off and brightens as you wake up, or you can manually adjust light levels by spinning it. Or you can flip it on its head and it will turn off. It’s intuitive, strangely fun and genuinely useful.

Moodo Air Diffuser

This smart aroma diffuser is pretty neat because it lets you switch between four different fragrances or mix a few of them together. You can also order different capsules and try out different scents. It’s basically the Keurig of aroma diffusers.

Ikea Fyrtur Power Blinds

These smart blinds are the newest pieces of smart home tech from Ikea. You can lower and raise them with the touch of a wireless remote or with your voice. And they’re compatible with all three smart ecosystems: Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.

Porsche Design Reading Tool

There’s no shame in it: as we get older, many of us wind up needing glasses to read. Luckily for the farsighted amongst us, Porsche Design’s reading glasses (sorry, “reading tools”) make having to don spectacles to peruse a magazine seem cool. Sure, you can grab reading glasses for less…but these are the Porsche of reading glasses.

Shinola Detrola Watch

You can’t go wrong with a fun, colorful watch that’s sure to turn heads when mom wears it around town. The Detrola from Detroit-based Shinola features a bright green dial with glossy pink case and orange silicone strap, giving it playful summer vibes and a unique look.

Theragun G3Pro

Theragun’s most advanced percussive device reaches 60 percent deeper than the average massager to soothe pain, release stress and stimulate recovery. With six easy-to-clean heads and an adjustable arm for full-body reach, it makes life-changing muscle treatment a reality. Also, it’s $150 off through May 4th.

AGV K6 Minimal Helmet

If your mom likes to hit the open road behind the handlebars, then Mother’s Day is the perfect time to show her you care — with a new helmet. This AGV combines the best of both sport and touring helmets into a lightweight carbon fiber lid that’s stylish and comfortable.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

These 9 Technical Shoes Are Secretly Perfect for Day Hikes

Most people fall into one of two camps when it comes to hiking footwear. You either prefer the support and protection of a full-on hiking boot or the comfort and flexibility of a trail runner. However, somewhere in the middle sits a class of technical mountain shoes only a few people outside the climbing world appreciate – the approach shoe.

Perhaps the most versatile class of mountain footwear, the approach shoe is a tough-as-nails, below-the-ankle blend of hiking boot, trail runner and climbing shoe. Their biggest advantage, the outsole, is made with sticky climbing shoe grade rubber, meaning they stick to rock like glue.

So, if you seek footwear that can nimbly navigate, say, the canyons of Moab — and seamlessly transition to a bar crawl in town (ah, remember those?) — look no further than the following nine tried-and-true approach shoes. The best part? Several just happen to be on sale right now.

Black Diamond Technician

For approaches that require more vertical than horizontal movement, behold this good-looking, technical approach shoe. Thanks to the ultra-sticky BlackLabel-Mountain rubber, you’ll push through 5th-class terrain fast with complete confidence. Underfoot, the low-profile keeps you close to the ground, ideal for precise foot placement on micro footholds and smearing on slabby rock. Just be sure to size way up, perhaps a full size, as they run small.

Outsole: BlackLabel-Mountain rubber
Weight: 10oz

Scarpa Crux Air

The Scarpa Crux Air may not have the durability of its tough-skinned sibling the Scarpa Crux, but what it lacks in durability it makes up in comfort. Made with a synthetic knit upper that’s more breathable than any other approach shoe tested, the Crux Air admittedly isn’t the best pure climber. However, it’s my favorite casual kicking around town shoe. If I could only pack one shoe for dual-duty mid-summer dry weather approaches and après festivities, this is the one for sure.

Outsole: Vibram Megagrip with Vibram Vertical Approach climbing zone
Weight: 12.2oz

La Sportiva TX4

For a good mix of support and comfort for heavy load approaches and hikes without the ultra bulky, stiff feel of a hiking boot, the TX4 is your go-to. The durable leather upper is partially wrapped with a thick band of rubber to help with torsional rigidity when the footing ahead is rocky and uneven. Underfoot, the outsole features La Sportiva’s Trail Bite Heel Braking Platform, a multi-directional deep lug pattern that’s ideal for wet, muddy and loose rocky conditions, making these the best approach shoe for the non-climber who wants more of a hiking shoe.

Outsole: Vibram Mega-Grip Traverse with Impact Brake System
Weight: 13oz

Black Diamond Session

Not all approaches include burly treks through rock ridden fields. These lace-up, easy slip-ons are designed for tamer, more concrete-oriented approaches like a trip to the local gym or urban boulder field. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable dual duty technical climber and street shoe. The stretchy sock-like bootie allows for easy on/off sporting a collapsible heel, yet they’re form-fitting and secure enough to climb and hike with confidence. Bottom-line: if you climb in a gym these are must own.

Outsole: BlackLabel-Mountain rubber
Weight: 10oz

Arc’teryx Konseal LT

At 9.5 ounces, this featherweight offers a minimalist feel while still providing support and protection for burly approaches through rugged terrain. The flexible Vibram Megagrip sole molds to shifting ground for a shoe that’s both surefooted and agile. The tough-skinned mesh upper is airy and comfortable, while the integrated lacing system anchors your foot firmly in the driver’s seat. The coolest feature – a collapsible heel for easy clog-like on and off – makes it perfect for kicking around your campsite or belaying.

Outsole: Vibram Mega-Grip
Weight: 9.5oz

Lowa Approach Pro GTX Low

Made by a leading German hiking boot maker, these Via Ferrata-inspired approach shoes are damn near indestructible, making them suitable for just about any dry or wet mountainous adventure. Their hiking boot level of stiffness and support gives them an edge on most approach shoes for long alpine days with a heavy pack, but less so as an everyday shoe. Causal outdoor enthusiasts should look elsewhere; these are made for experienced mountain goers. Consider going up by half a size, as the Euro sizing equivalent tends to run a little small.

Outsole: Vibram Rock Trac
Weight: 15.8oz

Five Ten Guide Tennie

Iff you spot someone wearing the Five Ten Tennie, it’s safe to assume they’re a rock climber. Why’s that? They’re hands down one of the best approach shoes for technical rock climbing. More of a performance lifestyle approach shoe that feels like a skate shoe, a long hike isn’t a strong suit of the Tennie. Still, if you’re sticking to shorter 5th class approaches that involve technical climbing, these are the shoes you’ll want.

Outsole: Five Ten Stealth S1
Weight: 11.5oz

Arc’teryx Konseal FL

Fast and light is how Arc’teryx classifies the Konseal FL, and I agree. With a weight that’s lighter than most trail runners, it’s made to move quickly and confidently over rocky terrain; so much so, they’re almost suitable for short stints of running if needed. The clean and minimalist upper looks sleek while adding a layer of protection from rock and moisture. Made with a straight last and smooth synching lacing system, it’s easy to get a snug secure fit, however, those with wide feet may want to look elsewhere, as they do run narrow.

Outsole: Vibram Mega-Grip
Weight: 10.6oz

Butora Wing

One of the lesser-known brands is South Korean climbing company Butora. The Wing fits into the performance lifestyle niche, rivaling the Five Ten Guide Tennie shoes with its technical rock climbing skills. It’s better suited as a short technical approach shoe where movement over rock is more vertical than horizontal. If you enjoy skateboard-like aesthetics with solid technical skills, check these out. Just make sure to go up half to a full size, as they run small.

Outsole: NEO Fuse with NEO Flat climbing zone
Weight: 16.6oz

Before You Buy…

Approach shoes are quickly gaining mainstream attraction for their killer mountain aesthetics and versatility on and off the trail. To help point you in the right direction here’s what you want to think about before buying.

More Hiking or Climbing?

While all approach shoes will excel over rocky terrain, there remains quite a bit of variability on ideal application. For non-climbers whose primary application is day hikes, I suggest leaning toward hiking-focused approach shoes such as the La Sportiva TX4, Scarpa Crux Air or Arc’teryx Konseal. Climbers need to be a bit more selective based on terrain.

“First figure out what you are going to use it for. Flat approaches? Burly switchbacks? Fourth class ridges?,” Francis Sanzaro, Rock and Ice magazine editor, suggests. “There are really two types of approach shoes — those for the crag, and the kind you want in the mountains. For the crag — I’m looking for comfort, easy on, easy off and good rubber,” such as the Five Ten Tennie or Butora Wing. “For the mountains, you need a workhorse, a real approach shoe. The rubber needs to be good and sticky in wet environments. The stitching and materials need to be very durable, for talus hopping and such. It also needs to climb and have cushion for heavy loads. If I can’t climb 5.7 in an approach shoe, it’s destined for the crag, not the mountains.” Think the Lowa GTX Pro or La Sportiva TX4.

Note the Outsole Pattern

A lot can be gleaned by looking at the bottom of approach shoes. First off, all approach shoes should have a smooth patch of rubber under the toes. If they don’t, they’re not true approach shoes. This area, which is often coined the “climbing zone,” helps with edging and smearing while climbing. Next, take note of the lug pattern. If it’s relatively flat, such as the small circular pattern seen in the Five Ten Tennie, they’re better suited for pure rock surfaces and kicking it around town. More surface area touching the ground means better grip on the rock, but less grip on loose gravel or dirt. If the lug pattern is toothier and more aggressive such as the La Sportiva TX4, it will make a great hiker over dirt and looser terrain.

Finding the Ideal Fit

Fit depends, again, largely on your intended use – climbing vs. hiking. As with any shoe, always wear your intended socks when trying on. If you’re primarily going to use them for day hikes and kicking around town, look for a fit like you would for a hiking boot or trail runner – leave some space to allow your feet to swell. A thumb-width space in the front is a good guide. If climbing performance is your goal, you’ll want a much tighter fit, your toes edging closer to the front of the shoe for better sensitivity when climbing vertically.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

35 Unique Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, Chosen by Gear Patrol Editors

You don’t need a holiday to show mom you love her, but it’s as good an excuse as any. Surprise your mom, grandma or wife with the products and gear she’ll actually like. Here are 35 Mother’s Day gift ideas to get you started.

Patagonia Provisions Regenerative Organic Chile Mango

Mom is a healthy snack pro, but she may not be hip to the latest from the food branch of Patagonia: organic chile mango. There’s no guilt inside this bag; just organic mango, dried in a solar-powered dehydrator and tossed with lime juice and Argentinian chile powder.

Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1

Sometimes it’s the small things that count. And this incredible lip balm is something she’ll use every day.

Enkore Car Cup Holder Coasters

It’s as inevitable as the tides: a cupholder that gets used gets gunky. Plop one of these in the cupholder, though, and your mom need never worry about cleaning goop out of that hard-to-access spot again.

Juniper Ridge Incense

It’s time to change your mom’s notion that all incense smells like patchouli. Get her some sticks made with nothing more than sustainably harvested plants, sap and wood, and fill her home with the aroma of sweetgrass or douglas fir.

Lodge Cast-Iron Skillet

It’s rare you can spend $15 on a thing that will last 100 years. So long as they’re not tossed from the roof of a house or left to fend for themselves in a rain storm, Lodge’s frugal-as-hell cast-iron skillets will do just that.

PF Candle Co Geranium Candle

Made from domestic soy wax and scented with natural fragrance oils, this candle from PF Candle Co is a welcome addition to any home. It comes in a neutral terracotta pot that can be used as a planter after the candle is used up.

Hadley Roma Lizard Grain Leather Watch Strap

Want to help mom dress up that nice watch you got her for her birthday? (You did get her a nice watch for her birthday, right?) These 16mm lizard grain leather straps come in 14 different colors and feature a water-resistant lining and matching color stitching.

Final Straw 2.0

Part of being mom is being prepared for anything. Now that plastic straws are an endangered species — and paper ones no real substitute — she’ll want a reusable one to sub in. FinalStraw’s latest iteration is small enough for a purse and cleans in the dishwasher.

Macally Car Cup Holder Phone Mount

Moms can be just as bad about using their phones while driving as the rest of us. A cupholder phone mount keeps her smartphone from blocking the view or getting blasted by the vents, while still bringing it closer to her eyeline — making it safer to use.

Philips Hue White Filament A19

These are the latest filament bulbs by Philips Hue, the leader in smart lighting. The best thing about them isn’t their retro-cool looks, but the fact that they’re incredibly easy to install and use. No smart hub required.

San Francisco Bath Salt Company Sleep Lavender Bath Salts

This blend of fine-to-medium grain Pacific sea salts is scented with lavender essential oil to promote relaxation. The 10-pound bag will sooth muscle aches and encourage restful sleep for months to come.

Timex Weekender Watch

It may be the quintessential Millennial watch, but it’s also the perfect unisex everyday watch. With 30m of water resistance, an Indiglo back-lit face and myriad dial/strap combinations to choose from, she can wear it around the house, to the gym, and everywhere in between.

Kinto Travel Tumbler

As Miss P (whose full name is “Tashtins Lookin For Trouble”) famously set the bar for what a beagle could be, Kinto’s simple travel tumbler established the same for coffee on the go. It does the basics of keeping things hot as well as any, and its clever two-part lid ensures your mouth is never flooded with scalding coffee and you can from tumbler to cup with ease.

Hansel From Basel Plaid Sheer Crew Socks

Not every pair of socks has to be utilitarian. These Japanese-made socks have a sheer plaid pattern that is fun and fashionable.

TriggerPoint Grid Foam Roller

This 13-inch roller features a multi-density exterior that supports muscle recovery, pain relief and improved flexibility. It also comes with access to TriggerPoint’s online video library, where experts show how to roll for optimal results.

Anker Roav Viva Amazon Alexa Add-On

Does your mom love the Alexa Echo Dot you got her last year? Bring the same functionality to her car with this easy-to-install gadget. Plug it into her 12-volt outlet and pair it with her phone, and she’ll be able to use voice commands to play music, control her smart appliances in the house, and play music, among many other features.

Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Balm

This hydrating body balm is blended with carrot and aloe vera to hydrate the skin. Formulated with geranium leaf and citrus extras, the scent alone is worth the price — this is one she won’t want to share.

Hydro Flask Trail Series 24 oz. Water Bottle

Hydro Flask meticulously tapered the walls of this bottle to shave weight while maintaining durability. At just 10 ounces, it might be the lightest one on the planet — that still keeps cold drinks cold for 24 hours and hot drinks hot for 12.

Oxo Cold Brew Coffee Maker

The cold truth: you can make cold brew coffee in any vessel you please. A bowl, a large cup or a bucket all offer what’s needed to allow water and coffee to mingle for 12 to 24 hours. Oxo’s version does the basics while offering superior filtration (less coffee silt!) and the lid drips water over the grounds, blooming them as they would be brewed hot.

Casio Vintage Gold-Toned Watch

Maybe you can’t quite afford to get her that solid gold watch yet, but at least you can get her the look. This gold-toned digital Casio with matching bracelet features all sorts of stopwatches and calendar information as well as a backlit screen.

Trade Fresh Coffee Gift

Trade often touts itself as the “Netflix of coffee,” but it’s closer to the Tinder of coffee. You take a short quiz on how you like your coffee and you’re fed a healthy list of suggestions. Unlike Tinder, all Trade’s offerings are of good stock. The platform partners with some of the best coffee roasters in America and all purchases are roasted-to-order.

Echo Dot With a Clock

Think of this little speaker as a smart alarm clock. You can ask Alexa to wake you up and tell you the weather each morning. And no there’s no built-in camera, which should alleviate some of your privacy concerns.

The Sill Red Anthurium

Two things on buying your mother a plant: it better arrived potted and ready to display, and it better not be a goddamn snake plant. The red anthurium blooms longer than any other houseplant there is and doesn’t require special treatment.

Casio G-Shock GMD-S6900MC Watch

A trip to the gym necessitates a tough-as-nails watch, but that doesn’t mean the watch in question can’t be chic and fun. This G-Shock is replete with all the usual Casio robustness but has a gold-toned dial that makes it stand out from the crowd.

Awair Glow C

This is way cooler than your average smart plug. It works as an air quality monitor and a smart night light, as well, and can easily be integrated into an Alexa or a Google Assistant smart home.

Amazon Kindle

Amazon’s newest Kindle checks a bunch of boxes. It has built-in backlight so it’s easy to read inside and outside. It has built-in Bluetooth, in case you want to use wireless headphones and listen to audiobooks. And it’s under $100.

Everlane Cashmere Crew Sweater

This versatile sweater has a flattering and utilitarian silhouette, but it’s elevated with Grade-A cashmere from Inner Mongolia. Available in sizes XXS to XXL, it comes in 12 colors ranging from heather gray to cerulean to red.

Citizen Eco-Drive Date Watch

If you’re looking for a more refined gift for mom, you can’t go wrong with this classic, stainless steel Citizen watch with a matching bracelet. Its Eco-Drive movement means it charges via the dial and effectively never needs a battery replacement.

Casper Glow Lights

This is the kind of technology your mom will brag about to other moms. Set it on a bedside table and it gently dims as you drift off and brightens as you wake up, or you can manually adjust light levels by spinning it. Or you can flip it on its head and it will turn off. It’s intuitive, strangely fun and genuinely useful.

Moodo Air Diffuser

This smart aroma diffuser is pretty neat because it lets you switch between four different fragrances or mix a few of them together. You can also order different capsules and try out different scents. It’s basically the Keurig of aroma diffusers.

Ikea Fyrtur Power Blinds

These smart blinds are the newest pieces of smart home tech from Ikea. You can lower and raise them with the touch of a wireless remote or with your voice. And they’re compatible with all three smart ecosystems: Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.

Porsche Design Reading Tool

There’s no shame in it: as we get older, many of us wind up needing glasses to read. Luckily for the farsighted amongst us, Porsche Design’s reading glasses (sorry, “reading tools”) make having to don spectacles to peruse a magazine seem cool. Sure, you can grab reading glasses for less…but these are the Porsche of reading glasses.

Shinola Detrola Watch

You can’t go wrong with a fun, colorful watch that’s sure to turn heads when mom wears it around town. The Detrola from Detroit-based Shinola features a bright green dial with glossy pink case and orange silicone strap, giving it playful summer vibes and a unique look.

Theragun G3Pro

Theragun’s most advanced percussive device reaches 60 percent deeper than the average massager to soothe pain, release stress and stimulate recovery. With six easy-to-clean heads and an adjustable arm for full-body reach, it makes life-changing muscle treatment a reality. Also, it’s $150 off through May 4th.

AGV K6 Minimal Helmet

If your mom likes to hit the open road behind the handlebars, then Mother’s Day is the perfect time to show her you care — with a new helmet. This AGV combines the best of both sport and touring helmets into a lightweight carbon fiber lid that’s stylish and comfortable.

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