Weighted Blankets Burn Away Anxiety. Here Are the Best Ones

Sleep is an integral part of immunity, and yet, trouble sleeping is something we’re likely all struggling with. If your mind starts racing as soon as your head hits the pillow, a weighted blanket could be your solution. The calming effect of the weight will slow things down, comfort you while keeping cozy. They feel like a hug, so whether you can’t remember the last time you had human contact, or you’re getting sick of hugging your S.O., this blanket can help you.

What Are Weighted Blankets Good for?

For those who have insomnia, weighted blankets “can provide a beneficial calming effect,” according to a study published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine & Disorders. The study found that movement during sleep decreased, and participants subjectively liked sleeping with the blanket. If you enjoy the process of going to sleep, you’re more likely to sleep, basically.

In addition to helping you sleep, weighted blankets can also help decrease anxiety and stress. “Weighted blankets were first used for patients with an autism spectrum disorder, who found the weight of the blanket served as a grounding mechanism and helped them calm down,” Dr. Nina Vasan, MD, chief medical officer of Real and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford, says.

How Do Weighted Blankets Work?

The reason it works is found in the deep touch pressure effect. “Deep Touch Pressure, where firm touch is applied to the body either by the self or by a machine, has been shown to improve functioning and reduce symptoms of anxiety,” according to a study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice. It relaxes the nervous system and makes you feel calm, according to Dr. Vasan. If you have anxiety or stress, studies show that a weighted blanket can help.

Whether you have trouble falling asleep or feel stressed during the day, a weighted blanket can provide the relief you need to feel better.

What’s the Best Weight for a Weighted Blanket?

When shopping for a blanket, you’ll likely have to figure out what size. While some brands separate by your bed size (twin, full, queen, king), many provide just weights. Consensus says the blanket should be about 10 percent of your body weight, so for a 150-pound individual, 15-pounds is best. However, if you and your partner share a bed, it’s easier to get one that’s for a Queen or King bed, which more and more brands are creating to make it a no-brain decision as to what to buy.

Weighted blankets are intended to be heavy, and with that comes heat. It’s like being wrapped in a flannel sleeping bag — you might go to bed cold, but you’ll wake up sweating in the middle of the night. To prevent that, many brands offer materials that cool while compressing, but if you’re a hot sleeper, it’s worth trying a lighter weight.

The Best Weighted Blankets You Can Buy

Best Overall: Gravity Blanket

Weight Options: 15, 20, 25-pounds

Gravity weighs you down, so logically, a blanket with the same name is the heavyweight of this competition. It soft and plush and what we dream of wrapping ourselves in while we’re at work. A duvet-like cover with two types of internal clips means the weighted piece stays put, even if you go from your stomach to your side to your back all in one night. The external cover is machine washable, while the interior is hand-wash only.

Runner-Up: Layla Weighted Blanket

Weight Options: Twin, Queen, King

Layla dropped its weighted blanket in early 2019, and it quickly rose to the top of the charts thanks to its bonus touches. Instead of having 15, 20, and 25-pound blankets based on customers’ weight, Layla opted to go with the bed size instead: twin, queen and king. Being a mattress company first, the brand used those insights to inform its first weighted blanket design. Just like the mattresses, the blanket is reversible — one side is a soft mink-like fur, and the other is 300 thread-count 100% cotton that’s more smooth. Microglass beads weigh the blanket down, but don’t make any noise, which is a common complaint about weighted blankets. And best of all, Layla’s blanket is machine-washable.

Best Looking: Bearaby Tree Napper

Weight Options: 15, 20, 25-pounds

Whether you live in a studio apartment and your bed is in full view all day long, or you like having a dual-purpose blanket that doesn’t just live on your bed, the Bearaby Tree Napper is as chic as it is functional. A woven design looks like a more cozy (and less hot) afghan blanket. It’s like a chunky knit sweater with just the right amount of stretch and zero itch. The plant-based fabric, Tencel, is naturally weighted and hand-knit. Bonus: it’s machine-washable.

Best Cooling Blanket: YNM Cooling Weighted Blanket

Weight Options: 15, 20, 25-pounds

As someone who can’t sleep when hot, I’m especially appreciative of this YNM blanket. Made from 100 percent bamboo fabric, it’s cool to the touch and stays that way all night long. The glass beads are sandwiched between multiple breathable fabrics. You have to spot clean this one, and sadly there’s no laundry option.

Best Budget Buy: Luna Weighted Blanket

Weight Options: 5 to 30-pounds for Twin, Full, Queen and King

The lightest weight starts at 5-pounds for just $40, so you can keep your kids calm, too. The plethora of options for all bed types and weights are the most we found. Luna’s seven-layer blanket is washable, breathable and affordable.

Best for Athletes: Bedgear Hyper-Cotton Weighted Blanket

Weight Options: 15-pounds

Bedgear makes some of my favorite pillows — just the right amount of firm, somehow always cool and squish-proof. Dr. Lorenzo Turicchia, a sleep scientist, developed this blanket to eliminate the common problem areas: the weight moves (think when your duvet gets bunched in one corner), overheating, and inability to wash. There are no beads, so no noise and no bunching. A cover that unzips makes it easy to clean, and the silky Hyper-cotton is lightweight and breathable. If you treat sleep like it’s your job, this is the blanket for you.

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 Canned Cocktails Are Perfect for Camping — or Self Isolating

Spring’s here, and even amidst the current craziness, you can get away — or at least daydream about it. From the mountains to the forest to the beach, you can follow the trail where it leads and, at the end of a perfect day of hiking/swimming/fishing/being your rugged self, kick back at the campsite with a tasty tipple of something.

But what? Cocktails would be a surefire crowdpleaser, but glass bottles of liquor and mixers are heavy and a hassle. Solution? Canned and pre-mixed boozy drinks. You won’t have to reach for your headlamp to measure anything out or hunch over a wobbly table trying to slice a lime by campfire light.

And hey, even if you never leave town, you won’t have to make a socially distanced grocery store run for that one ingredient you lack to make the perfect mint julep. Just grab one of our six favorites from the cooler and you’re good to go…

Rita’s Pear-Orange Sangria Spritz

This canned cocktail seamlessly combines a citrusy bite and “just right” pear sweetness. Consider one of these carbonated bad boys your reward after ten miles of up-and-down terrain on your hike. Refreshing is the order of the day when it comes to Rita’s, and the Pear-Orange Sangria Spritz is not only a mouthful to say, but also a mouthful of refreshment.

Bon & Viv Spiked Seltzer: Black Cherry Rosemary

Remember that weird Super Bowl ad with the mermaids pitching to sharks? That was for Bon & Viv. They’re the OG of this spiked seltzer craze, which makes sense when you consider how popular LaCroix is. Bon & Viv’s beverages are also relatively healthy, coming in at 90 calories and zero grams of sugar. Among the plethora of flavors, Black Cherry Rosemary stands out for us.

Malibu Piña Colada

Malibu’s canned Piña Colada brings the beach party no matter where you’re camping. This canned 5% ABV version somehow nails that creamy, pineapple-y tropical flavor that’s been hardwired into your cerebellum since that college spring break trip to Cabo. Malibu’s seriously gone overboard with different flavors of pre-mixed cocktails, but this one is our tried-and-true favorite.

Old Forester Mint Julep

We get it, mint juleps are only for the Kentucky Derby. Or maybe not. While Old Forester’s pre-mixed concoction is the drink served to the masses at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday of May, there’s a place for it on a camping trip, too. What else are you looking for after a big day out in the woods beyond a refreshing kiss of mint, a little simple syrup and some delicious bourbon? Fill your camp coffee mug generously with ice, pour some of this stuff over and daydream about hitting the trifecta.

Cutwater Spirits Tequila Paloma

A summertime staple for camping trips of all stripes, Palomas come with that double edge of being too deliciously boozy for their own good. Cutwater’s Paloma delivers the grapefruit and tequila goodness without the excess. On a camping trip in Wisconsin, this one made me a believer in pre-mixed cocktails. Bonus: If you’re looking for a little hair of the dog after watching that campfire burn down low the night before, the brand also makes a mighty tasty Bloody Mary.

Narragansett Li’l Dinghy Vodka Lemondrop

New England’s legendary Narragansett Brewery launched Li’l Dinghy this spring in conjunction with Faber Spirits, which supplied the vodka. Weighing in at a muscular 9 percent, the Li’l Dinghy brings big flavor and a little more booze to the 12-ounce can than some of the others on this list. Take your time with this one, lest you crash your boat right into the dock.

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 Online Courses for Cooking, Staying in Shape and Learning New Skills at Home

Whether you want to take up photography, cook like a world-class chef or simply burn off those empty beer calories, there are online courses for just about everything these days. Here are the top free and paid sites offering an extensive array of online courses to help you pick up a new hobby or skill from the comfort of your home.

MasterClass

MasterClass is unique in that it has some of the top professionals in their respective fields teaching the courses. These masters run the gamut of actors, musicians, photographers, athletes. And for $15 a month (billed annually), you get access to all of them. Some standout courses include Massimo Bottura teaching mdoern Italian cooking, Annie Leibovitz teaching photography, David Sedaris teaching storytelling and Frank Gehry teaching design and architecture.

Coursera

Coursera was an early leader in offering online audits of courses from top universities. The online provider now collabortes with over 200 universities and companies to offer certification-level classes in nearly every subject field — data science, information technology and programming are a few of Coursera’s more popular subjects. While the audit versions of most courses are free (including Yale’s world-renowned The Science of Well-Being course), you’ll need to pay for individual courses or subscribe to Coursera Plus ($33 per month) or Coursera Specialization (starting at $49 per month) for credits and certifications.

ClassPass

If you’re used to working out at a gym or attending fitness classes, ClassPass is a great replacement option. The best thing is that a free account lets you access its vast library of on-demand classes. If you want to live stream classes, you can pay as you go (memberships with credits for classes start at $19 per month).

Editor’s Note: Because of the coronavirus, ClassPass will give 100 percent of its live-stream proceeds directly to studios until June 1st.

Udemy

Udemy has over 100,000 online classes ranging in a variety of topics from meditation to interior design to woodworking. Courses typically range from $20 to $200 and you have lifetime access to them, which is something most other platforms do not offer.

Linkedin Learning

Linkedin is one of the biggest professional hubs out there. As such, its Linkedin Learning platform provides ample opportunities to further your career. Courses center around three main subjects: business, technology and creative.

Lululemon

Lululemon has a darn good database of free online yoga classes but the fitness apparel brand also offers up a few other workout videos on its site and YouTube. They cover bodyweight training, meditation and kettlebell workouts.

CreativeLive

As its name states, CreativeLive classes cater to the creatives out there, with classes covering photography, illustration, typography, bass guitar and more. Each day, CreativeLive offers free classes through OnAir, which you can stream. All the other courses are individually priced, or you could also sign up for The Creator Pass ($299 per year).

Editor’s Note: The Creator Pass is half off right now. Get it for just $149 per year, which comes out to less than $13 per month (billed annually).

Find Your Trainer

Find Your Trainer previously operated as a platform in which you could book a personal trainer for an in-person session. This service was available in just about every state, and even more prevelant in larger cities. Now, the platform is offering virtual training sessions that start at $29 per session and can take place over Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts or Facebook Messenger.

Skillshare

Skillshare is one of the more interactive platforms out there with the ability to create projects with fellow students and teachers. It has a host of free classes, like how to brew amazing coffee with Micahel Phillips of Blue Bottle Coffee. The Skillshare Premium gets you offline access to all courses, as well as access to more than 20,000 Premium courses.

Editor’s Note: Right now, you can get two free months of Skillshare Premium for free.

Aaptiv

Aaptiv is a solid option if you have specific fitness goals because you can take programs tailored exactly to them. You start with a short fitness quiz and a free seven-day trial. From there, it costs $15 per month. It’s best if you’re someone who wants audio-based workouts you can take outdoors for runs.

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 6 Best Essential Oil Diffusers of 2020

Once you realize the humble oil diffuser is basically a safer, reloadable candle that can run indefinitely, you understand its charm. But not all diffusers are worth the upgrade. So what’s the difference between the hundreds of options available on Amazon? We tested a few — and then some — to find out.

Our Pick: Urpower 2nd Generation Aroma Diffuser

First, ignore the bright blue color — you can change that. This is the most affordable diffuser on this list by a country mile, but Urpower’s water chamber, looks and runtime all nearly match or surpass the more premium options out there.

Unlike other inexpensive options, the Urpower isn’t covered in faux-wood or strobe lights, and it’s markedly easier to clean than most others. Its stream of mist was also much stronger than other affordable options and only slightly weaker than our other, pricier picks. Point is, if you want an oil diffuser run for a couple hours every once in a while, you’re better off getting a cheap diffuser that performs like a $100 diffuser than to dive headfirst into more expensive waters.

What to Know About Oil Diffusers

Clean them.

Bad bacteria, mold and most awful things thrive in wet, warm environments, which is precisely what your oil diffusers will provide. Empty it out every few runs and clean out all the nooks and crannies with a couple cotton swabs, then run water with a bit of vinegar or dish soap for a few minutes.

You don’t need a lot of oil.

No matter what diffuser you’re using, you really only need to add a few drops of oil to the water for a noticeable change. Depending on the strength of your oil (avoid fillers at all costs), it should only take four to eight drops of oil.

They’re safer than candles.

The cheaper and older method of getting a space to smell nice involves flames and smoke. While it’s highly unlikely a candle will tumble off a table while you’re taking the trash out, accidents happen. Oil diffusers offer a more (albeit with slightly less ambiance) direct route to a nice-smelling home that doesn’t risk the home in the process.

Don’t believe the “wellness” hype.

Despite what the best efforts of a hundred wellness blogs, science does not support claims of any type of healing power beyond basic aromatherapy. Per <a href="http://Essential oils may have some therapeutic benefits but should not take the place of conventional, evidence-based medications and treatments, and they should never be ingested. Per UC Berkley’s Wellness site: “Essential oils may have some therapeutic benefits but should not take the place of conventional, evidence-based medications and treatments, and they should never be ingested.”

Other Great Oil Diffusers

Muji Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser

In the US, Muji’s diffusers might be its best-known product. Walk into any Muji store and you’ll find out why — the frosted white diffuser spews a much stronger stream of mist than any we tried and, even this slightly smaller size, works for hours with very little water and oil. It also sports Muji’s easy-to-use, plain aesthetic to a T.

Vitruvi Stone Aroma Diffuser

Vitruvi’s diffuser is one of few that doesn’t feel like cheap plastic. Instead, its body is a matte ceramic that comes in black, white or blush. Its mist strength is slightly weaker than that of the Muji option, but Vitruvi’s comes with a handy 7-hour intermittent diffuse setting. If you want your diffuser to sit in the middle of the room, this might be the play.

Muji Portable Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser

Another Muji diffuser, but for a completely different use. For one, it’s tiny enough to slide into your packet or dopp kit during travel. It also doesn’t require water to use — just a few drops of oil and a bit of charge via USB cable (there’s a rechargeable lithium ion battery onboard). After testing, I can safely say you shouldn’t expect to make a good-smelling impact on medium or large rooms, but even in large rooms the areas directly around this mini-diffuser is improved. What does this mean? This is the best portable, travel diffuser you can find. This is the anti-airport smell diffuser.

Asakuki Essential Oil Diffuser

With a slightly larger water capacity than the Urpower 2nd Generation Aroma Diffuser, the Asakuki can run continuously for 16 hours before needing to refill the water reservoir. The faux wood base might be a dealbreaker for some, but for the price and quality of mist stream, it can be easy to overlook.

Raindrop 2.0 Nebulizer

No, this isn’t a diffuser. Where diffusers vibrate water and oil and push out a misty, more subtle scent, nebulizers force compressed air through the oil and create a far more room-filling scent. They’re not as popular as diffusers because of cost and the sound they can produce. Raindrop’s nebulizer is both cheaper and far less noisy than its competitors. Get this if you don’t care as much for the mood a diffuser instills (there’s no plumes of misty vapor with nebulizers) and you’re just in it for the smell.

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 6 Best Rooftop Tents of 2020

Camping. American culture romanticized it long before it looked kind of macho in John Wayne westerns. But bedding down on the ground and sleeping on a thin air mattress isn’t everyone’s cup of bucolic brew. For one thing, it can be uncomfortable. For another, setup and breakdown is nearly always more time consuming than you guesstimate, especially because unless you’re a professional dirtbag, you’re always re-learning the process.

Rooftop tents — boxes that live above the car and readily deploy to create a dwelling you clamber up into via an included foldout ladder — provide a more convenient solution for a lot of would-be, kinda-sorta semi-into-nature types (a.k.a. your significant other who’s not as into pine-scented goodness as you are).

Think of rooftop tents as relatively expensive gateway drugs to the outdoors. Sure, they’ll set you back between $1,500 and $4,000, depending on the model, but once purchased, you’ve got an instant VRBO with you at all times.

Still, there’s some important fine print to understand. You need the right tent for your rig, and shorter-roofed compact cars cannot spread the weight of a heavy, 100-plus-pound shelter as far as the rails of a longer SUV; getting that wrong could damage your car or truck. So note our recommendations for matching the right tent to your car or SUV. You’ll need a friend to help with initial mounting, too.

Lastly, we’ve organized this guide around sophistication and price, and you should know that while softshell tents tend to be lighter and more affordable, they also require a cover when packed and, frequently, a rainfly for foul weather. Their soft surface is less sleek, so it creates more drag, too.

Yakima Skyrise HD

Best for Small Cars and Small(ish) Budgets

At just 101 pounds, the two-person Yakima Skyrise HD is light for this breed and is the most “tentlike” of rooftop units in this guide. Meaning, it has a domed shape that allows you to sit up comfortably once inside. The clever opening system — you use the ladder as a giant pry bar to unfurl the unit and get it set up — is the same as several other clamshell designs in this guide. It’s a slight chore to anchor the rainfly, but ultimately not that challenging. However, if you want to use the tent’s top window for stargazing or to stand up out of it (which is handy for getting dressed) you’ll have to remove the rainfly and gamble that no thunderheads roll in overnight.

Extras: 2.5-inch foam mattress
Open Dimensions: 84 x 48 x 42 (H) inches
Closed Dimensions: 48 x 42 x 16 (H) inches

Thule Tepui Low-Pro 2

Best for Cheating the Wind While Driving

With a closed height of just 8.5 inches, the Low-Pro is, as far as rooftop tents are concerned, low profile. That helps you save on gas while minimizing the lift-off effect a rooftop tent can have on a small car rolling down the interstate. Like Yakima’s Skyrise, Tepui’s tent is also relatively light at 105 pounds, and uses the same mechanism to transform its clamshell design into a fully deployed shelter — you pry it open by using the telescoping ladder. As for differences, it’s slightly less finicky to work with the rainfly, but the mattress is a thinner two inches.

Extras: 2-inch foam mattress
Open Dimensions: 84 x 50 x 44 (H) in
Closed Dimensions: 50 x 43 x 8.5 (H) in

iKamper Skycamp Mini

Best for Small Cars

While iKamper started by making four-person hardshell tents, this downsized model fits better on smaller cars, and at 125 pounds, it isn’t much heavier than softshell models (though it is more expensive). Advantages include a sleeker design and quick setup, and if you’re not running it on a compact car, more remaining roof real estate than other hardshell models allow. Also, a clamshell opening allows for a higher peak roof height of 45 inches.

Extras: 1.8-inch memory foam mattress
Open Dimensions: 82 x 57 x 45 (H) in
Closed Dimensions: 57 x 54 x 12.5 (H) in

Roofnest Condor

Best for Living Large on an SUV

The ultra-clever trick the Condor pulls is how it unfolds its “wings.” Like most hardshell designs, it pops up, but the lid forms one wall (very much like the iKamper Skycamp Mini). From that position, the tent unfurls like a soft clamshell design. This makes the Condor and Condor XL absolutely huge inside — over seven feet across when open. Interior height is also maxed-out at 50 inches, and the weight is reasonable too: 135 pounds for the smaller unit, and 160 pounds for the XL. Like the Yakima Skyrise HD (and unique for a hardshell), there’s also a zip-open skylight for stargazing. Another bonus is a hardshell lid that lets you rack other gear on top, like kayaks, bikes, or skis.

Extras: LED lighting; 2.3-inch memory foam mattress
Open Dimensions: 83 x 60 x 50 in (regular); 92 x 74 x 50 in (XL)
Closed Dimensions: 60 x 48 x12 (H); XL is 74 x 55 x 12 (H)

Thule Tepui Hybox

Best for Hauling Gear

One issue with rooftop tents is they eliminate the capacity for rooftop gear storage. The Hybox takes on both responsibilities, though, so you have a considerable gear locker with 23 cubic feet of capacity and can deploy the tent when you need it. Gas struts help lift the shell of the tent, which floats skyward in seconds. While the 177-pound weight means you need a truck or relatively large crossover or SUV to use the Hybox, the 51-by-81-inch sleeping dimensions are reasonably roomy. Negatives? The 37-inch ceiling height is a tad low compared to most other hardshell competitors.

Extras: gear storage; 3-inch foam mattress
Open Dimensions: 84 x 55 x 42.75 (H) in
Closed Dimensions: 84 x 55 x 12.75 (H) in

James Baroud Explorer

Best for Camping in the Heat

The nicest feature, besides the instant opening of this tent, is that it has wrap-around screen mesh windows that provide superb ventilation in addition to views from a raised vantage. Camping in a hot climate? A solar-powered fan pulls air from those side windows and sucks it out the top. Polyester walls are said to breathe better than the coated cotton other manufacturers use, too, and the mattress is a plush three inches thick. However, this mattress is shorter — just a hair over six feet — than other models offer, and it’s also not as wide as tents that unfurl. Still, it’s relatively tall inside for a direct-opening model, with 40 inches of height. You can rack gear to the top of the shell, too, but that feature is for smaller items, like camp chairs or a wetsuit bag; you’ll have to find another place to carry a SUP or bikes.

Extras: LED lighting; three-inch memory foam mattress
Open Dimensions: 78 x 55 x 41.5 in
Closed Dimensions: 78 x 55 x 13 in

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 10 Best Rain Jackets of 2020

Last updated May 2020: New jackets are included for 2020. Prices and links have been updated to reflect current availability.

We live in a Golden Age of water-repellency; before nylon shells and Gore-Tex membranes, humans devised hydrophobic clothing using vinyl, oiled canvas and, before that, cured seal and whale intestines. Now, (thankfully) waterproofing happens at a molecular level with advanced membranes that keep water droplets out but let body vapor (think sweat) through.

The advancements have allowed rain jackets to become lighter, more breathable, packable and no less rain-proof. Rain jacket technology keeps getting better too — today, companies are experimenting with new fabrics to make rain shells softer and more comfortable and adding stretch for increased mobility (and less of that trademark crinkly jacket sound). Style hasn’t fallen by the wayside either. The new class of rain jacket is light enough, durable enough, breathable enough and waterproof enough to handle multi-day treks through misting rain as well as the inevitable deluge during commuting hours.

Hill City Waterproof Hooded Shell

Editor’s Choice

Hill City, a new men’s brand by Gap that’s sort of the male parallel to Athleta, is off to a flying start. Among the brand’s line of activewear, everyday performance apparel, athleisure — whatever you want to call it — is a high quality technical rain layer. The Hooded Waterproof Shell is straightforward in more ways than just its name, but that’s a good thing. The jacket meets the core requirement of this list, i.e., it’s waterproof — we learned so firsthand during a rainy weekend of hiking in the Adirondack mountains of Upstate New York and in many storms since.

The Hooded Waterproof Shell is more outdoor-oriented than Hill City’s branding might have you think (when it was first released, it was called the Hooded Trail Shell), but it includes some features that make it stand out, even in that performance-oriented crowd. The fit is excellent, the cuffs use snaps instead of Velcro to cinch tighter, there’s a cape-style vent on the back to let in air (but not rain) where it’s most needed, and it’s very lightweight. The only thing some might find it lacks is an adjustable hem, but with all of these other features, we didn’t notice its absence.

Weight: 10 ounces
Membrane/Laminate: 2.5 layer Dermizax 3D membrane
Shell Material: nylon

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

Best Budget Rain Jacket

A quick Google search for “best rain jacket” will reveal various lists like this one, and Patagonia’s Torrentshell makes an appearance on nearly all of them. It’s the outdoor brand’s jack-of-all-trades rain shell, with a classic construction that includes hand pockets, an adjustable and stowable hood, and zippered underarm vents for when things get warm.

Patagonia made the latest iteration of the Torrentshell with a three-layer construction — the same that you find on ski outerwear — that includes a recycled nylon face fabric, a waterproof membrane and a soft interior lining. It’s an upgrade over the older 2.5-layer model and one that significantly ups the value ante as Patagonia stuck with its already-low $149 price. Patagonia’s Rainshadow rain jacket is similar, but comes at a lower weight and uses a stretchier fabric for $50 more.

Weight: 13.9 ounces
Membrane/Laminate: H2No
Shell Material: 3.3-oz 50-denier Econl 100% recycled nylon ripstop

The North Face Dryzzle FutureLight Jacket

Best Breathable Rain Jacket

When The North Face released its FutureLight waterproof fabric technology in late 2019, it only showed up in outerwear made for skiing, snowboarding and other mountain adventures. Now though, the brand is rapidly rolling the tech into everything from hiking footwear to tents. Like other waterproof membranes, FutureLight is impermeable, but thanks to a unique manufacturing process, it’s also remarkably breathable. That makes it the perfect material for a lightweight rain layer, like the new and improved Dryzzle.

Rain jackets tend to become clammy as soon as temperatures rise, so the additional breathability of FutureLight is a welcome upgrade to this TNF classic. We’ve worn the similar pullover version, the Arque Active Trail FutureLight Jacket ($229), through the New York City subway system, which becomes a sauna in the summertime, and had no sweaty issues.

The Dryzzle is a classic rain jacket with an adjustable hood and hem, an exterior chest pocket and two hand pockets.

Weight: 12 ounces
Membrane/Laminate: FutureLight
Shell Material: 100% recycled polyester

Arc’teryx Sawyer Coat

Best Rain Jacket for Cities

The sleuth detective in an outdoor-themed film noir flick might don the Sawyer. It’s defining characteristic is its clean style, which stems from a logo-less front and a longer sub-hips length. Even the inside is a gunmetal gray instead of the white that’s traditional in most technical rain jackets. It’s not entirely unbranded though, Arc’teryx’s trademark archaeopteryx fossil is perched on the left shoulder, and “Gore-Tex” falls on the right forearm, perhaps the only two visible markers of the tech supporting this jacket.

Drawing on Arc’teryx’s outdoor expertise, the Sawyer is completely waterproof, seam-sealed and lightweight given its length. It’s the perfect rain jacket for those who spend more time in urban environments than in the mountains.

Weight: 13 ounces
Membrane/Laminate: Gore-Tex 3 layer
Shell Material: nylon

Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Rain Shell

Best Stretch Rain Jacket

Stretch is one of the biggest trends in rain jackets at the moment, and it’s easy to write off as a feature only available on jackets at the upper end of the price spectrum. The Black Diamond Stormline Stretch shatters those preconceived notions. It’s impossibly stretchy, still offers 100-percent waterproofing that you’d expect in a high-end rain jacket and comes in at a price of just $149. Bring your lunch to work for a week or two and you’ll have saved up enough for it.

Beyond price, Black Diamond brings some serious performance to the table with its BD.Dry waterproof breathable membrane. It beads water on par with more expensive jackets on this list, and while other features beyond stretch are sparse, you get far more than you pay for.

Weight: 9.9 ounces
Membrane/Laminate: BD.dry
Shell Material: nylon

Mountain Hardwear Exposure/2 Gore-Tex Paclite Plus

Best Rain Jacket for Hiking

Like many of the jackets to make our list this year, Mountain Hardwear’s Exposure/2 Gore-Tex Paclite consists of a fabric that’s not only lightweight but also slightly stretchy. Also superseding older jackets is the Exposure/2’s packability. Mountain Hardwear employed Gore-Tex’s Paclite Plus fabric, which combines these qualities with high durability in a two-layer construction.

The Exposure/2 doesn’t come with underarm vents, but its two oversized hand pockets are lined with mesh on the interior and can be left open to allow heat to escape. The jacket also has an exterior chest pocket and an adjustable hood and hem. At only 9.6 ounces, it’s one of the lighter jackets on this list, and perfect for stashing in a backpack when the forecast isn’t confirmed. That factor, along with its durability, makes the Exposure/2 perfect for the trail.

Note: This is a new jacket for 2020 and will be available by mid-March.

Weight: 9.6 ounces
Membrane/Laminate: Gore-Tex
Shell Material: nylon

Patagonia Storm Racer

Best Rain Jacket for Trail Running

We don’t often reach for rain layers during a run — once our bodies warm up, even a little rain isn’t as uncomfortable as a clammy jacket — but in some scenarios, it’s best not to mess with foul weather. That’s why Patagonia made the Storm Racer, the centerpiece of its trail run-focused High Endurance kit. Built as an emergency layer that packs down small, the Storm Racer is unlike any other running shell.

The hallmark of its design is a dual diagonal zipper system that provides adjustable breathability. One zipper extends to the hem to help you get in and out of the jacket while the other goes just beneath the armpit. Unzip and roll the triangular panel downward to get a little extra breeze on your neck or chest — as well as access to a hydration vest (Patagonia makes one for the High Endurance kit, or you can use your own).

The Storm Racer isn’t an everyday rain layer (its lone pocket — in the hood — is for stuffing and storage). For that reason, if your runs don’t take you down long trails or far from a shelter at all, the Storm Racer might be more jacket than you need (or not enough). Overall though, the zippers and three-layer construction add up to a lightweight last-ditch layer that maximizes weather protection while minimizing annoying jacket flapping.

Weight: 7 ounces
Membrane/Laminate: H2No
Shell Material: 12-denier 100% recycled nylon ripstop

Columbia OutDry EX Reign

Most Innovative Rain Jacket

Compared to other rain jackets, Columbia’s OutDry EX Reign immediately looks different. That’s because OutDry Extreme, one of Columbia’s proprietary waterproofing technologies, is constructed differently than Gore-Tex, Dermizax or other commonly used barriers. Instead of layering the waterproof membrane between a liner and a shell, Columbia put it on the outside, where it’s exposed directly to the weather.

That construction has multiple consequences: the fabric-lined interior wicks and is left soft; the exterior feels more like a classic, slicker-style raincoat that won’t wet out (when a coat’s shell fabric gets saturated). It also means that the seams are taped on the outside, which adds to the jacket’s unique look. It also has two large pockets and underarm zips for venting. The OutDry EX Reign doesn’t follow the most recent trend in rain jackets — it doesn’t have any stretch — but it’s still comfortable, breathes quite well and is impenetrable to rain.

Weight: 22 ounces
Membrane/Laminate: OutDry Extreme
Shell Material: nylon

REI Stormbolt Jacket

Most Durable Rain Jacket

If you’re a serious outdoorsman, it can be easy to dismiss REI’s in-house brand as just that, an in-house brand. But much like Costco’s Kirkland brand, there’s a lot to love. For one, the Stormbolt is incredibly durable. I posit that you could rub it up against a rock face a few too many times and still come away with a jacket that looks and performs as if it were new. It brings a Gore-Tex three-layer construction to the table, which is the gold standard for waterproofing.

The fit allows for layering underneath, which adds to the jacket’s versatility and allows it to be used as a ski shell in winter. If you’re an REI member, there isn’t much of a reason to look elsewhere. Add to your dividend and save for something on your wish list.

Weight: 15 ounces
Membrane/Laminate: Gore-Tex
Shell Material: nylon

Houdini Daybreaker

Best Low-Chance Rain Layer

It’s easy to prep for a forecast that calls for a 100 percent chance of rain. It isn’t always that clear cut, though. Anything below a 50 percent chance becomes something of a toss-up, the result of which leaves us either feeling annoyingly overprepared or sopping at the end of the day. Then there’s drizzle, which might not warrant a full-on rain jacket either. For these days, Houdini’s Daybreaker is the ideal not-a-rain-jacket.

Made of a DWR-treated polyester blend, the Daybreaker is both wind- and water-resistant. It’s also comfortably stretchy, durable, and comes with a UPF 50+ sun protection certification, which makes it perfect for hiking and walking around town. We’ve worn it through heavy drizzle and can attest to its ability to ward off moderate precipitation. It doesn’t have a hood, so think of it like a technical overshirt rather than a rain jacket. (And maybe, depending on how much you trust the weather report, bring your umbrella, just in case).

Weight: 12.8 ounces
Membrane/Laminate: DWR
Shell Material: polyester

Rain Jackets 101

About Rain Jacket Materials

The outer textile of most three-layer shells is made of a rugged nylon or polyester that’s coated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR). The inner membrane is a microporous fabric, typically made of ePTFE or Polyurethane that acts as the shell’s primary waterproof and breathable layer. It’s the secret sauce. The backer textile is a thin layer, usually gauze, that’s laminated to the back of the membrane, which eliminates the need for a liner.

While the waterproof and breathable technologies are all generally related in the way they function, several brands have proprietary technologies, among them Gore-Tex, NeoShell, eVent, Schoeller and Dermizax NX. Discerning one technology from another can be difficult, in part because the technology is kept under lock and key, but also because the technology requires an understanding of terms like “phase change” and how things work on a molecular level. To repair a ripped rain jacket, head here.

DWR Explained

When you’re buying a rain jacket or any outerwear for that matter, you’ll often come across the initials DWR, which stand for durable water repellent. DWR is a coating applied to fabrics that lets them shed fluids, and it’s commonly used in conjunction with waterproof membranes. DWR works by making the surface of the exterior fabric spiky at a microscopic level, which forces water and other liquids into rounder, beaded forms. That helps them roll off the garment instead of saturating it. DWR isn’t permanent, but it can easily be revived. To re-waterproof your rain jacket, head here.

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 8 Best Fixed-Blade Knives Available

On September 19, 1827, a fight broke out on a Mississippi River sandbar. What started as a formal duel between two notable Louisiana families ended in a skirmish in which Jim Bowie, originally just a supporter on the sidelines, was shot and stabbed before drawing out a large knife and killing a man named Norris Wright. Bowie survived his injuries, took up the knife as his trademark weapon and became an American folk hero.

The fixed-blade knife has been steeped in hyperbole ever since. Large blades loom massive in pop culture — Rambo’s massive serrated spine knife and Crocodile Dundee’s giant clip-point are two notable examples. Such slabs of steel present a satisfying flash in front of a camera lens but don’t offer more in the way of utility. In fact, their unwieldiness probably makes them less adept at performing the simple, everyday tasks that a fixed blade is most commonly used for.

When used to its best purpose, a knife is a multipurpose tool. (Who really wants to be in a knife fight anyway? Bowie barely survived his first one). A sharp blade is near limitless in its functions, from filleting a freshly caught fish to making an emergency repair on a ripped tent.

The James Brand Hell Gap

Best Fixed Blade for Camping

The Hell Gap isn’t only one of our top choices for a fixed-blade knife, it’s one of the 10 best outdoor products to come out in 2019. At 7.8 inches with a 3.8-inch drop-point, full-tang blade, it’s the perfect length, maintaining just the right amount of edge and belly for any campsite task, from cutting cord to slicing veggies. It’s neither tactical nor survival-oriented, but some combination of both (plus a dash of kitchen knife), and its Crucible S35VN steel blade can take a beating, use after use.

Note: The James Brand plans to restock the Hell Gap in May 2020.

Overall Length: 7.8 inches
Blade Length: 3.8 inches
Blade Material: Crucible S35VN steel
Blade Type: drop point
Handle Material: micarta
Weight: 3.1 ounces

Morakniv Companion

Best Budget Fixed Blade

Typically, a price tag as low as $20 is a red flag and a marker of equally low quality. But somehow Morakniv manages to eke by with a budget blade that holds its own. The Companion is as basic as a fixed-blade knife gets, but for many, that’s wholly adequate. It has a 12C27 stainless steel blade that’s highly resistant to corrosion and wear, which is ideal for new knife users who don’t want to fuss over maintenance. Quality is hard to come by at this price, which is why the Companion also cracked our list of the best bushcraft knives.

Overall Length: 8.75 inches
Blade Length: 4.1 inches
Blade Material: 12C27 stainless steel
Blade Type: drop point
Handle Material: rubber
Weight: 4.1 ounces

Bubba Blades Multi-Flex Interchangeable Set

Best Fixed Blade for Fishing

The Bubba Blades version of preparedness on the water is a knife that comes with four blades instead of one. The interchangeable system includes seven-, eight- and nine-inch blades that offer a variety of stiffnesses, shapes and edge types. All of them are full-tang and lock securely into the handle with an easy-to-use system that’s bolstered by a magnetic insert. The handle becomes the core of this knife and provides plenty of utility with its grippy construction and a shape that includes oversized guards and a trigger-style finger hold.

Overall Length: 13-15 inches
Blade Length: 7-9 inches
Blade Material:
Blade Type: fillet
Handle Material:
Weight: XXX ounces

Grovemade Task Knife

Best Fixed Blade for the Office

The Task Knife’s most apparent differentiator is that it’s a solid hunk of metal. That’s what makes it perfect for the desk — its form is tasteful instead of tactical (and it comes with an optional accompanying wooden tray). The sharpened portion of the Task Knife is only 1.44 inches, but that’s plenty for routine office jobs like opening packages and letters. The knife is available in black, polished stainless steel and brass.

Overall Length: 4.75 inches
Blade Length: 1.44 inches
Blade Material: steel or brass
Blade Type: modified sheepsfoot
Handle Material: steel or brass
Weight: 2.7 ounces

Benchmade Hidden Canyon

Best Small Fixed Blade

With a construction that emphasizes strength over pocketability, fixed-blade knives tend to be on the larger side of the spectrum. But you can still find models that strike that optimal balance between utility and portability, like Benchmade’s Hidden Canyon. The knife is 6.3 inches long with a 2.67-inch blade and weighs just over three ounces, but it’s still large enough to be comfy in hand during use, thanks to an oversized guard that blends into the grip. What’s more, the Hidden Canyon uses premium-grade materials, including CPM-S30V stainless steel and either a G10 or Dymondwood handle.

Overall Length: 6.32 inches
Blade Length: 2.67 inches
Blade Material: CPM-S30V steel
Blade Type: drop point
Handle Material: G10 or Dymondwood
Weight: 3.53 ounces (G10), 3.19 ounces (Dymondwood)

Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Companion

Best Bushcraft Fixed Blade

Ka-Bar’s Becker BK2 Companion tops our list of the best bushcraft blades through strength. It’s a workhorse of a knife, with a blade large and strong enough to take care of firewood processing and shelter construction. Its steel is 1095 Cro-Van, a carbon variant infused with chrome and vanadium carbides that help bolster its resistance to inevitable wear and tear. This knife isn’t all brawn though; its drop-point blade shape can take on tasks that require more finesse too.

Overall Length: 10.5 inches
Blade Length: 5.25 inches
Blade Material: 1095 Cro-Van steel
Blade Type: drop point
Handle Material: Grivory
Weight: 16 ounces

Freeman Outdoor Gear 451 Neck Knife

Best Neck Knife

Neck knives are, as their name implies, knives that you wear around your neck with a piece of cord or chain. The benefits of doing so are quick access and discretion, among many others. Neck knives are almost always fixed blades and are typically very minimal, as is Freeman Outdoor Gear’s 451. It’s a skeletonized piece of high-quality CPM S35VN steel with a ceramic coating that, along with its Kydex sheath and chain, weighs four ounces (for a neck knife, the lighter, the better). While some swear by neck knives for everyday carry, their practicality for camping and backpacking is undeniable.

Overall Length: 6.1 inches
Blade Length: 2.6 inches
Blade Material: CPM S35VN steel
Blade Type: drop point
Handle Material: CPM S35VN steel
Weight: 4 ounces

Helle Utvær

Best Wood Handle Fixed Blade

Norwegian brothers Steinar and Sigmund Helle founded their forge on a straightforward yet oft-ignored concept in the age of large-scale production: “Quality craftsmanship is best preserved by quality craftsmen.” That idea holds for Helle to this day and is displayed in the four-inch Utvær. The company named the knife after the group of islands where Norway meets the North Sea and constructed it with a Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel blade and a gorgeous curly-birch handle.

Overall Length: 8.25 inches
Blade Length: 4 inches
Blade Material: Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel
Blade Type: drop point
Handle Material: curly birch
Weight: 5.64 ounces

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

9 Superb Watch Winders for the Budding Collector

Last Updated February, 2020: This post has been updated with new picks for 2020. Prices and links have also been updated.

You’ve caught the watch-collecting bug, so you’ve gone out and bought a fancy automatic watch. Or two. Or three. Or ten. But an automatic watch will only stay ticking so long as it’s on your wrist. If you don’t want to be shaking your watches and resetting the time every day you rotate to a new one, a good watch winder is in order. (Just be careful how you use one, and understand whether or not you need one.) And while there’s no shortage of options out there — from cheap single-watch winders under $50 to massive, custom-made vaults costing thousands — finding something that’s high in both quality and value can be a challenge. These are some of the best out there.

Versa Elite Single

Watch winders can get pricey, but you don’t need to spend a fortune on one, as something like the Versa Elite is a simple but tasteful option that’ll keep a single watch healthy and ready to be worn.

Barrington Single

The Barrington Single Watch Winder is the brand’s flagship product, and it’s got a striking design that’ll make it a nice, modern appointment for any home or office.

Wolf Heritage Double

As a specialist in handmade watch winders, safes, and other similar storage solutions, Wolf is a favorite that you’ll see on just about any list of great winders. Its Heritage Double is a relatively simple offering that accommodates two watches.

Orbita Sparta Bold

Orbita is another well-known player in the watch winder space. The Sparta Bold is a lightweight, two-watch option that runs on batteries which should last years with its extended-winding cycle option.

Wolf Meridian Triple

Wolf’s Meridian collection of watch winders features nicely finished glossy wood exteriors. This is a premium option and a classy way to keep up to three automatic watches wound and ready for the wrist.

Orbita Tourbillon

Watch winders should also ideally also function as chic appointments for whatever indoor space they adorn. The Tourbillon from Orbita does just that with an all-glass case and exposed circuitry for a striking visual impression. (And it’ll keep a watch wound, as well.)

Scatola del Tempo 7-RT

It shouldn’t be surprising that collectors of artisanal products like high-end mechanical watches would appreciate storage solutions exhibiting the same qualities. Scatola del Tempo is an Italian brand offering high-end winders such as the 7-RT, which winds three watches and stores another four.

Smythson Grosvenor Rotary

Made in Spain, Smythson is another high-end option that combines a double winder with storage for additional items like cufflinks. French calf leather gives it an appropriately luxurious feel.

Rapport London Paramount

Lord knows, watch collections can grow beyond all reasonable limits, and if you have a single automatic watch that needs to be kept wound, chances are you have more. The Rapport London Paramount will wind up to 12 watches and provides a fun way to appreciate them, even when off-wrist, as they hypnotically revolve behind a glass door.

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 10 Best Bushcraft Blades of 2020

The backcountry is seldom a forgiving place — weather changes in an instant, the terrain offers challenges unheard of in our modern lives. That’s why outdoor enthusiasts know the value of effective gear. A dry sleeping bag on a cold, wet night can mean the difference between waking up refreshed in the morning and… hypothermia.

A good knife can be just as important. Whether you’re cleaning game in the field or cutting wood to build an impromptu shelter, a reliable knife can be the deciding factor that makes your job easier or keeps you alive. When you’re miles from the nearest road, the last thing you want to think about is if your knife is capable of performing its job. When it comes to your blade, you need to trust it’ll get the job done.

Ka-Bar Becker BK2 Companion

Editor’s Choice

This is the big boy of the group, weighing in at a full pound. The BK2 Companion will hack the crap out of kindling and skin game with ease thanks to its 1095 Cro-Van carbon steel, which is infused with chrome/vanadium carbides for added strength and wear resistance. The black Grivory handle has front and rear guards for safety under hard use, and you can even remove the handle scales and use the full-tang blade as a spear attachment.

Blade Length: 5.25 inches
Blade Material: 1095 Cro-Van steel
Blade Type: plain edge, drop point, flat grind
Handle Material: Grivory
Weight: 16 ounces

Morakniv Companion

Best Budget Bushcraft Blade

Don’t let the simple construction of the Morakniv Companion fool you — this is one capable blade that can prep meat for dinner or cut tinder for the campfire. It’s made of Swedish stainless steel for a sharp, durable tool that’ll resist rust in whatever outdoor environment you find yourself in. A TPE rubber handle is soft yet creates a lot of friction for a solid grip. It comes with a polymer sheath featuring a clip that can attach to a pack or belt. Best of all, it’s less than $20.

Blade Length: 4.1 inches
Blade Material: 12C27 stainless steel
Blade Type: drop point, plain edge
Handle Material: rubber
Weight: 4.1 ounces

Cold Steel SRK SK-5

Best Beginner Blade

Cold Steel offers some of the best knives inspired by tactical uses. The SRK series is often used by Navy SEALS and tactical law enforcement personnel — but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a great first-time knife that anyone can rely on. Its carbon steel construction is tough and reliable, sacrificing neither quality or usability. The handle is robust, sturdy and easy to work with for beginners learning to handle a knife. Plus, at five ounces, it hardly weighs anything, so you can carry it all day and forget it’s there.

Blade Length: 5 inches
Blade Material: carbon steel with black Tuff-Ex finish
Blade Type: plain edge, clip point
Handle Material: Kray-Ex
Weight: 5.1 ounces

Ontario Knife Company Journeyman

Best Military-Inspired Blade

Reminiscent of a World War II-era pilot’s survival knife, this blade doesn’t just look the part — it does the job. The handle is leather-wrapped to offer superior grip even when your hands are grimy or wet. The blade is shorter and lighter than Ontario Knife Company’s pilot-specific Air Force Survival Knife, making it an easy blade to carry through the bush. It boasts a sheepsfoot blade with a serrated spine that’ll saw through whatever job you throw at it.

Blade Length: 4 inches
Blade Material: 55-57HRC high carbon steel
Blade Type: sheepsfoot, serrated, plain
Handle Material: leather
Weight: 8.9 ounces

CRKT Parascale

Best Folding Bushcraft Knife

Sometimes, the best blade is a folding one. Expert knife designer TJ Schwarz built a paracord-wrapped folding knife that enhances grip and functions like most folders you’ve come to know. Thanks to the CRKT’s Deadbolt locking mechanism, which employs steel bolts to lock the blade in place and one-button disengagement, the open blade is sturdy enough to take on rigorous bushcrafting tasks. With roughly four feet of paracord attached, it’s a unique tool you can rely on miles from your vehicle.

Blade Length: 3.19 inches
Blade Material: D2 steel
Blade Type: plain edge, drop point
Handle Material: glass-reinforced nylon
Weight: 5 ounces

Jeo-Tec No 18

Best Wooden Handle

Jeo-Tec produces knives for anglers, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts who need a sharp edge that’ll get the job done. Designers have taken great care to ensure their blades function under rough outdoor conditions, and the No 18 can handle them all. The blade is constructed of razor-sharp Sandvik steel for excellent performance and superior corrosion resistance. But this knife isn’t all about work — with an option for a handle wrapped in Cocobolo wood from Central America, it’s pretty enough for a display case too.

Blade Length: 4.5 inches
Blade Material: Sandvik 12c27 stainless steel
Blade Type: plain edge, drop point
Handle Material: micarta, cocobolo wood
Weight: 14.1 ounces

Fallkniven A1

Best Craftsmanship Blade

Some of the finest knives in the world come from Sweden, and the A1 is no exception. It surpasses international standards for security capabilities and strength, making it a beast in the backcountry. The full tang, laminated VG-10 steel blade can chop, cut and shave with the best of them. An option for a black coating made from CeraKote, a Teflon and ceramics paint used on military equipment, prevents reflection and corrosion.

Blade Length: 6.3 inches
Blade Material: VG-10 steel
Blade Type: drop point, plain edge
Handle Material: Kraton
Weight: 11.3 ounces

ESEE-5

Best Tactical Blade

Military SERE instructors designed the ESEE-5 as a downed pilot’s survival knife, so this tool is born to tackle gnarly situations. The ergonomic grip is made of micarta so that it’s durable and feels good in the hand for stabbing, cutting and slashing. The carbon steel blade is coated to prevent rusting, a must when you’re spending weeks  exposed to the elements. In other words, you can rest easy knowing you can rely on this blade when you need it most.

Blade Length: 5.25 inches
Blade Material: 1095 carbon steel
Blade Type: drop point, serrated, plain edge
Handle Material: canvas Micarta
Weight: 16 ounces

Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate

Best Survival Blade

Gerber partnered with Bear Grylls, one of the most well-known and capable survival experts in the world, to create a knife designed to keep you alive when things go awry in the backcountry. It’s got a full tang, high carbon stainless steel blade for longevity, a half-serrated edge for sawing and a durable rubber handle for a solid grip. Tacked on are several sweet bonus features. A whistle and a fire starter provision are attached to the handle, near a metal cap at the butt end, which allows the knife to be hammered. Plus, the sheath features a diamond stone so you can sharpen your knife if it gets dull after repeated use.

Blade Length: 4.8 inches
Blade Material: high carbon stainless steel
Blade Type: serrated, drop point, plain edge
Handle Material: rubber
Weight: 11.2 ounces

Buck Knives 119 Special

Best Large Blade

The 119 Special is one behemoth of a knife that is as solid as it looks. It’s constructed of 420HC steel for a long-lasting edge and, at 10.5 inches in total length, can tackle just about any task you come across. But the knife won’t weigh you down — at only 7.5 ounces, it’s an easy carrier, even on your belt. And if the fact that Buck Knives has been constructing quality blades in the United States for more than 100 years doesn’t earn your trust, this bushcraft knife’s lifetime warranty will.

Blade Length: 6 inches
Blade Material: 420HC high carbon steel
Blade Type: trailing point, plain edge
Handle Material: Phenolic
Weight: 7.5 ounces

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 12 Best Gym Shorts of 2020 for Every Kind of Workout

The right pair of workout shorts can inspire you to train longer, harder and more often. In this way, they’re a lot like your favorite playlist, or an ex you’re trying to win back.

On the flip side, the wrong pair of workout shorts — too baggy, too tight, too falling apart — can leave you feeling uninspired, lethargic and possibly wanting to stay home and eat ice cream rather than get to work.

As silly as it may sound, your workout shorts can have a big impact on how you train, and how you ultimately look and feel. So it’s important to — like that old guy said in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade — choose wisely.

With that in mind, here’s a 12-pack of shorts that will set you up for success no matter how you take your endorphin rush. From running to CrossFit to hoops to biking, these shorts will support and elevate your training, driving you forward to achieve your best. As a bonus, you’ll probably look a bit more stylish, too.

New Balance Accelerate 5 In Short

Best for Running

Just because you like to run doesn’t mean you necessarily want to look like Michael Cera in Juno. With a five-inch inseam, these shorts are short but not too short. They’re also lightweight and moisture-wicking thanks to NB DRY technology, so they won’t weigh you down on long runs. (For this reason, they’re a favorite of marathoners.) Plus, with hand pockets and drop-in pockets at the waist, you can keep your keys, money and energy gels secure.

Reebok CrossFit Austin II Shorts

Best for CrossFit

CrossFit workouts can be some of the toughest training sessions known to man, so if you’re going to partake in this particular brand of punishment/glory, you’ll need apparel to the task. These stretchy, ultra-lightweight shorts from Reebok — the CrossFit experts — are equipped with side slits at the hem to give you freedom of movement on CrossFit staples like burpees, lunges and bodyweight squats. Unfortunately, they still can’t do the WODs for you.

Vuori Kore Short

Best for Yoga

For poses like downward dog and warrior II, you want to keep things classy with a liner. These shorts, from laidback-California-cool brand Vuori, not only offer a breathable boxer-brief liner, but also they’re uber-comfortable thanks to four-way stretch fabric and a roomier fit. Quick-drying material means they’ll bounce back quickly from your Bikram sessions, and anti-odor properties make them great for post-yoga activities, too.

Lululemon Pace Breaker Short

Best for Wearing All Day Long

Made from lightweight fabric with just the right amount of stretch, these simple-yet-luxurious shorts can handle pretty much anything on your day’s docket: low-key jogs, tough HIIT sessions, dog walking, brunch. The supportive liner — more compression short than boxer brief — contains a clever pocket for your phone, but you never-liners out there can relax: they are also available without one.

Ten Thousand Interval Short

Best for Any Workout

Most of us don’t have the budget — or time — for 12 different pairs of shorts for 12 different activities. We’d prefer one pair of shorts we can wear for virtually every athletic pursuit. If that describes you, the Interval is probably up your alley. Featuring a thick no-pinch waistband, an ultra-wicking shell, and a few well-placed pockets, these shorts can assist you with kettlebell swings, med ball tosses, box jumps and bench presses. Also: tennis.

Jordan Jumpman Mixed Diamond

Best for Shooting Hoops

OK, so you might not be able to play like Mike, but you can still dress like him. Which should help in the inspiration department, if nothing else. The diamonds on the sides are a nod to MJ’s Bulls days, back when he was swishing fadeaways and posterizing opponents on a nightly basis. The zippered pockets are a good place to put your hands — when they aren’t mimicking the “I don’t know” shrug after draining too many 3s, that is.

Adidas Condivo 20 Shorts

Best for Coed Soccer

Named after the Italian word for flavor, the Condivos should add a little spice to your weekend kickarounds. Available in eight eye-catching colors, these lightweight shorts made from breathable AEROREADY fabric will have you zipping around the pitch like a young Roberto Baggio. In a pinch, they can work for other activities, too, like watching soccer and playing FIFA.

Patagonia Nine Trails Shorts

Best for Hiking

These classics from Patagonia are made of a recycled polyester/spandex fabric that wicks moisture and allows you to move with comfort on the trails (goodbye, chafing). A boxer-brief liner with odor control lets you focus on the hike and not on how you smell. Best of all, the logo on the left leg glows when illuminated, making you easier to spot when the sun sets.

Hylete Fuse Short

Best for Obstacle Course Racing

When you’re crawling under barbed wire and jumping through fire during an OCR, the last thing you need is constricting apparel. These smooth, stretchy shorts from Hylete offer a larger leg opening for added room and flexibility — so if you can’t get over that climbing wall, it’s on you. They also feature a ton of pockets, three different lengths and a waistband system that can make the drawstrings either interior or exterior. Thoughtful.

Rogue Black Ops Shorts

Best for Weightlifting

These no-nonsense training shorts are perfect for your no-B.S., all-out days in the weight room. The elastic waistband with mesh venting helps you keep cool while you’re tossing around iron, and the loose fit and 8-inch inseam allow for unrestricted mobility during squats, deadlifts and lunges. Yes, you can wear them for cardio, too.

Bontrager Quantum Fitness Short

Best for Biking

Consider these shorts the best of both worlds. The lightweight shell and padded liner will keep you comfy during long rides, but when you hop off the bike, you won’t look like a member of the Spandex Mafia. Two other nice touches: the padded liner is removable, and a zippered back pocket ensures your keys and cash don’t fall out mid-ride.

Under Armour MK-1 Shorts

Best Value

If these shorts were a sex position, they would be missionary. But you know what? People like missionary. And for $35, there is a lot to like here. The fit is streamlined but not too snug, and UA’s patented HeatGear fabric provides lightweight comfort that wicks sweat and dries fast. They’ve also got anti-odor technology similar to more expensive shorts, and they feature two mesh pockets — to hold all that money you’re saving.

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 8 Accessories Will Seriously Upgrade Your Bike Commute

The right gear can make your bike commute better. And we’re not just talking about the wheels and frame beneath you. Here are all the accessories you need to be safe, comfortable, and organized next time you ride to work — which will also help you stay motivated to keep on rolling. 

Thule Roundtrip Duffel

Missing the window to ride to work because you can’t find your lights, you forgot your shoes or you misplaced your rain jacket is annoying. This duffel organizes everything you need for riding in one spot. The duffel has a flexible accordion storage system with various size cubbies to hold clothes, shades, computer, snacks, socks, gloves, water bottles and more. Bigger sections separate and protect helmet, shoes and tools, as well as wet and stinky kit you want to seal away when you’re at work. You can wear the crossbody duffel on your back, and the strap clips out of the way when you want to leave it loaded but open in your mudroom or chucked in the trunk of your car.

Blackburn Big Switch Ratchet Multi Tool

When your bike seat is creaky and loose, your bottle cage is rattling, or a fender or rack mount has come undone, it often seems impossible to reach the bolt that needs tightening with a standard set of folding hex wrenches. Blackburn’s Switch Ratchet Multi is the perfect tool to angle into hard-to-reach places. The mini ratchet has nine interchangeable bits, including torque bits and screwdrivers, and it becomes the handle of a chain tool in case of a break. The chain tool head doubles as a disc pad spreader, Presta core tool and spoke wrench. Slide this minimalist bike repair powerhouse into your jacket or jersey pocket for commuting, cruising or riding the local crit. 

Spurcycle Bike Bell

With a classic brushed brass dome, anodized aluminum hammer, wire thumb lever and stainless steel mount, this USA-made bell is streamlined, stylish and loud. It mounts with a few quick turns of a 2.5mm hex wrench, so you can let ear-budded joggers, texting walkers, dogs, kids, cars and anyone else you encounter that you’re coming. Lots of bells draw attention because they’re big and ugly. This bell is minimalist and designed to complement your bike, not to distract from it. 

Giro Caden MIPS Urban Cycling Helmet

An integrated light in the back of this hardbody helmet helps cars see you, no matter the weather. With the rechargeable light on, the entire back of the helmet glows red. Inside, a MIPS liner reduces rotational impacts — the helmet is rated to the new speed e-bike safety standard — and 12 vents keep you cool when it’s hot out. An easy-to-adjust internal harness snugs the helmet to your head to keep it comfortably secure, and a magnetic chin clip keeps it on. For riders who like to leave their lid with the bike, a specific lock port in the dent- and ding-resistant shell accepts a chain or u-lock. 

Osprey Radial Bike Commuter Pack

The Radial is packed with commuter-friendly features. The pack frame includes an extra pole that functions as a kickstand, keeping it from tipping over when you set it down loaded. A helmet carry feeds through a helmet vent, so there aren’t awkward slings and straps to get caught. And the pack has five big pockets that hold a laptop, keep your clothes and shoes separate, and expand if you need more space. The ventilated, suspended back and removable hip belt are cool and comfortable whether you’re sprinting to the office or dashing to the gym. Reflective zips and prints increase your visibility, while a hi-viz rain cover keeps content dry in case of precipitation.

Hiplok Gold Wearable Chain Lock

Made from hardened steel with a 12mm shackle and 10mm chain, this is one of the most secure locks you can buy. It’s also one of the easiest to carry. The lock, which has a reflective and protective fabric sleeve, wraps around your waist and secures with a one-hand, quick-release belt closure when you’re riding. Dismount and the 33.5” chain loops around your bike and locks with a coded key. The lock, which fits waists up to 44 inches, has a lifetime warranty and a maximum level Gold security rating from Sold Secure. 

Cannondale Wheel Sensor

The most affordable ride computer out thee comes to life with Cannondale’s app, giving you data on speed, distance, time and calories burned, as well as also how much carbon you’re keeping out of the atmosphere by biking rather driving. Beyond the price, the best thing about this bike computer might be that you don’t have to remember to turn it on. The sensor records automatically when your wheels start spinning, saving up to 30 rides without syncing to the app. Beyond fitness applications, this unit also pings you when your bike needs a tune-up, and if you ride a bike with suspension, it saves those settings. 

DZR H2O

The main reason to wear a bike shoe instead of a sneaker is a stiffer sole, which makes pedaling more efficient. This full grain sheepskin leather option has a nylon shank for superb energy transfer to the pedals, yet it still feels normal to walk in. It’s fully seam-sealed, with a waterproof membrane over moisture-wicking mesh, so even if you’re forced into a puddle when you pedal, you won’t arrive at work with wet feet. Laces tuck away to keep them dry and out of your chainring, and a gum rubber sole offers excellent traction, even on polished office building steps. Run this shoe clipless or with flat pedals, and when you get to work, you won’t have to change; nothing about it looks like a bike shoe.

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 26 Best Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts to Buy on Amazon

This story is part of a larger series of Valentine’s Day gifts. Find more gift recommendations at different price points here!

Aesop Rosehip Seed Lip Cream

Price: $15
From: amazon.com

Nourish lips with this lip cream from Aesop, packed with vitamins C, E and botanical extracts.

Smith & Cult Nail Polish

Price: $18
From: amazon.com

Smith & Cult’s assortment of colors offers something for everyone.

Jade Roller

Price: $18
From: amazon.com

This affordable jade roller helps to remove puffiness from the face.

Leather Mouse Pad

Price: $19
From: amazon.com

Mouse pads are an underrated desk accessory, especially when they’re decked out in beautiful leather.

Bodum Brazil French Press

Price: $20
From: amazon.com

Get one of Bodum’s most popular products to make a better morning coffee.

Felt Coasters

Price: $20
From: amazon.com

Felt coasters prevent drinks from getting stuck to it, and they’re much cheaper than most other materials.

Brouk & Co. Travel Cord Roll

Price: $20
From: amazon.com

Tangled wires are a huge pain. Get this travel accessory to save yourself the stress,

The Cartiers

Price: $21
From: amazon.com

Lead up with the book on the Cartiers. Then finish with a Cartier watch.

Opinel No.10 Corkscrew Knife

Price: $30
From: amazon.com

This elegant pocket knife from Opinel has a built-in corkscrew for spontaneous picnics in the park.

Timex Weekender

Price: $31
From: amazon.com

Timex makes great watches for novices and aficionados.

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm

Price: $32
From: amazon.com

Aesop is known for its high quality grooming products, and this hand balm encapsulates everything that makes the brand great.

Moon Juice Dream Dust

Price: $38
From: amazon.com

Help your partner sleep better with this herbal supplement that promotes relaxation.

Minnetonka Pile Lined Hardsole Slipper

Price: $40+
From: amazon.com

Keep your feet cozy with these incredibly plush slippers from Minnetonka.

Miansai Singular Cuff Bracelet

Price: $75
From: amazon.com

This bracelet is for the person who doesn’t think they’re a jewelry person just yet.

SK-II Facial Treatment

Price: $78
From: amazon.com

Sure they’re expensive, but they’re a cult-favorite skincare product for a reason.

J.Crew Everyday Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

Price: $89
From: amazon.com

Anything cashmere makes a great gift, especially for Valentine’s Day.

Awair Glow C

Price: $89
From: amazon.com

It’s a three-in-one gift: a smart plug, an air quality monitor and a night light.

Kindle Paperwhite

Price: $94
From: amazon.com

Remember how revolutionary it was to carry your entire music library wherever you went? Now you can do the same with the actual library using the Kindle Paperwhite.

Manduka GRP Hot Yoga Mat

Price: $98
From: amazon.com

Manduka’s extra grippy mat has a charcoal-infused middle layer that absorbs moisture and fights odor.

Power Plate Roller

Price: $100
From: amazon.com

Speed up muscle recovery with this roller’s four vibration intensity settings.

Smith Guides Choice Sunglasses

Price: $105
From: amazon.com

Get 100 percent UV protection with these polarized sunglasses. Plus, you get HD-level visibility.

Jaybird Vista

Price: $180
From: amazon.com

Get the runner in your life the best running earbuds so they can take their music on the go.

GilletteLabs Heated Razor

Price: $256
From: amazon.com

The gift that keeps on giving, the GilletteLabs heated razor brings the barbershop experience into the home.

Theragun G3

Price: $399
From: amazon.com

There’s a reason why this massage gun is one of the best recovery tools money can buy. It has an ergonomic design, six interchangeable heads, two power levels and up to 2,400 percussions per minute.

Bose 700 Wireless Headphones

Price: $400
From: amazon.com

These are the best noise-canceling headphones out there for a reason. They’re comfortable, have great sound quality and excel at noise cancellation.

Dyson Airwrap

Price: $549
From: amazon.com

The Airwrap sold out when it was first released, and now that it’s back, give your partner the best hair styling tool around.

The 39 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts Over $100

This guide, compiled independently by our editors, is part of a larger series about Valentine’s Day. Find more gift recommendations here!

Power Plate Roller

Price: $100
From: amazon.com

This upgraded roller has four vibration intensity settings and will help tight, sore muscles recover faster.

Mophie Powerstation Plus

Price: $100
From: apple.com

Powerbanks that will keep our gadgets going all day long are a necessity. This one from Mophie also looks pretty good.

D.S. & Durga Cowboy Grass Eau de Parfum

Price: $101
From: walmart.com

Cowboy grass is a nice mix of rosewood, thyme and bergamot that will make him seem like a cowboy without the horse.

Smith Guides Choice Sunglasses

Price: $105
From: amazon.com

For the guy who spends a lot of time on the water, these polarized full-coverage shades provide 100 percent UV protection while adding HD-level visibility wherever he wears them.

Tracksmith Waffle Layer

Price: $108
From: tracksmith.com

A perfect cold-weather layer whether she’s running or just wanting to keep warm.

Lululemon City Sweat Pullover Hoodie Fleece

Price: $118
From: shop.lululemon.com

This performance fleece hoodie from Lululemon is just as comfortable as it looks.

Restoration Hardware Luxury Plush Robe

Price: $119
From: restorationhardware.com

The robe is one of the most cozy power moves anybody can make after getting out of the shower. Think of this one like a warm blanket you can wear.

New Balance Asym Jumpsuit

Price: $120
From: newbalance.com

This athletic jumpsuit from New Balance uses the athletic brand’s new NBSleek fabric for a smooth, flattering and incredibly comfortable fit that’ll allow her to stay comfy while being active.

VSSL Compact First Aid Kit

Price: $125
From: store.gearpatrol.com

VSSL’s Compact First Aid Kit is more like a survival kit. It’s compact and comes with handy extras like a whistle and an emergency light that any adventurer will appreciate.

Inventery Mechanical Pen with Stand

Price: $125
From: store.gearpatrol.com

Inventery’s Mechanical Pen with Stand is an elevated brass rod pen that can be handsomely dispalyed on any desk.

Shinola Ochre Leather Watch Strap for Apple Watch

Price: $125
From: shinola.com

Anyone with an Apple Watch can always use another strap or two. This leather one from Shinola is cut and sewn by hand for that extra bit of thought and care.

Kindle Paperwhite

Price: $130
From: amazon.com

Declutter their bookshelves with the ereader that’s a perfect companion wherever they go.

Catbird Gold Bracelet

Price: $134
From: net-a-porter.com

This lightweight chain braclet is handmade in Brookly using recycled, fair-mined gold and can be a versatile piece in her jewlery collection.

Nomad Base Station (Apple Watch Edition)

Price: $140
From: hellonomad.com

The Nomad Base Station is a sleek-looking charging pad that will even charge an Apple Watch or AirPods.

Orient Bambino Gen 2 Automatic

Price: $150
From: orientwatchusa.com

Orient makes some great timepieces at an affordable pricepoint. The Bambino Gen 2 Automatic is elegant enough for any taste.

Tinker 34mm Copper-Toned Watch with Strap

Price: $150
From: JCrew.com

This minimalist quartz watch is an easy one you don’t have to think too hard over.

Hodinkee Burgundy Suede Strap

Price: $155
From: hodinkee.com

Hodinkee’s straps are some of the swankiest around. This supple suede one is a great option to spruce up any timepiece.

Rent the Runway Gift Card

Price: $160
From: renttherunway.com

For $160 you can get her a free month of Rent the Runway so she can test-drive some new outfits.

TEKLA Organic Terry Bathrobe

Price: $165
From: needsupply.com

Luxury bathrooms are always a hit.

Cuyana Tech Carryall 13-inch

Price: $165
From: cuyana.com

A stylish carry-all to keep her tech and cords all organized is a gift that will keep on giving every single day on her commute.

Jaybird Vista

Price: $180
From: amazon.com

Our favorite wireless earbuds, the Jaybird Vistas are a no-brainer gift for any runner who enjoys listening to something while logging miles.

Nintendo Switch Lite

Price: $200
From: google.com

For anybody who wants to play the new Mario, Yoshi or Pokemon games on the go the Nintendo Switch Lite is a good bet.

GilletteLabs Heated Razor

Price: $200
From: amazon.com

Give him the gift of a premium barber shave right from his own bathroom.

Anglepoise Type 1228 Task Lamp

Price: $200
From: huckberry.com

This modern update of Sir Kenneth Grange’s masterpiece lamp belongs on everyone’s desk.

Nanoleaf Canvas Starter Kit

Price: $200
From: bestbuy.com

This smart light panel system can light up any room with whatever they can imagine.

Pendleton Harding Jacquard Blanket

Price: $265
From: huckberry.com

If they don’t own a Pendleton blanket, isn’t it about time they did?

Byredo Unnamed Fragrance

Price: $265
From: neimanmarcus.com

How you name this Breydo Unnamed Fragrance is entirely up to your olfactory organs.

Audioengine A2+ Speaker System

Price: $269
From: audioengineusa.com

THe Audioengine A2+ Speaker System is a great-sounding little setup that you can even stream music to from your smartphone via Bluetooth.

Mr Jones King of Hearts Watch

Price: $275
From: mrjoneswatches.com

Matching gifts can be risky. But this King of Hearts watch from Mr Jones would perfectly complement the Queen of Hearts counterpart on Valentine’s Day.

Holden Down Hybrid Pullover

Price: $300
From: backcountry.com

This down x fleece hybrid will guarantee her remaining winter (and future winters) will be cozy.

Authenticity50 Wool Duvet

Price: $339
From: authenticity50.com

Authenticity50’s new wool duvet can help regulate temperature and never needs to be washed thanks to wool’s natural insulating and anti-microbial properties.

Arc’teryx Gamma MX Hoody

Price: $349
From: arcteryx.com

This technical softshell jacket can handle everything winter can throw at it.

Theragun G3

Price: $399
From: amazon.com

If they’re serious about being active, they should be just as serious about recovery. And there’s not many recovery tools more important and effective than the Theragun G3.

Bose 700 Wireless Headphones

Price: $400
From: URL.com

Get them the the best noise-canceling headphones that money can buy.

SwissKubkiK StartBox Watch Winder

Price: $470
From: store.gearpatrol.com

These high-end watch winders are the perfect gift for the serious or casual watch collector.

Nebia Spa Shower 2.0

Price: $499
From: huckberry.com

Gifting an elevated showerhead can improve their mornings every single day.

Dyson Airwrap

Price: $549
From: amazon.com

Not many hair dryers are even close to this price range. While price should never be a lone indicator for quality, its the Dyson name that confirms this is one of the best hair care products ever built.

Dims. Composed Vanity

Price: $595
From: dimshome.com

We’re big fans of the minimalist approach Dims. takes to its smart furniture pieces. This collab vanity with designer Ladies & Gentlemen is another one of our favorites — and it’ll be one of her favorites, too.

Apple Watch Edition

Price: $1,299+
From: apple.com

Are they a luxury watch fan who loves tech? The Apple Watch Edition is the premium Apple Watch and something they’ll certainly appreciate.

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 27 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts Under $100

This story is part of a larger series of Valentine’s Day gifts. Find more gift recommendations at different price points here!

Casely Charging iPhone Case

Price: $55
From: getcasely.com

Charging cases are always great to have, but Apple’s first-party models are a bit unsightly. Casely’s power cases, on the other hand, have all sorts of designs they’ll love.

Sunski Dipseas

Price: $58
From: amazon.com

Sunski’s polarized Dipseas look nothing like the recycled plastic they’re made of. (They also could be mistaken for shades that are twice as expensive.)

Master & Dynamic Headphone Stand

Price: $59
From: masterdynamic.com

Anybody who takes pride in their headphones knows the value of a good headphone stand. This one by Master & Dynamic is one of the most minimal-yet-elegant option we’ve seen. It’s available in either black or silver.

Pioneer Carry Ion Wallet

Price: $59
From: store.gearpatrol.com

In an increasingly cashless world, trimming down your wallet to only the most essential cards has never been easier. Pioneer Carry uses a dense yet light 10XD ripstop nylon that repels dirt and water, keeping your cards safe and your back pocket happy.

Blacklock Cast-Iron Skillet

Price: $60
From: lodgemfg.com

Before its foundry burnt to the ground, Lodge was known as Blacklock. Lodge’s most premium cast-iron skillet is a call back to those roots. The Blacklock skillet, like cast-iron cookware used to be, is significantly thinner and lighter than the dumbells of today.

Casio Women’s BG169G-1 Baby G Black Watch

Price: $61
From: amazon.com

This Baby G from Casio has all the G-Shock goods with a cool pink gold look — 200m of water resistance, a stopwatch, a countdown timer, multiple alarms, and guards over the dial to prevent damage from bumps and falls.

Hodinkee Soft Leather Watch Pouch

Price: $65
From: shop.hodinkee.com

If you want to transport a watch but want something a bit more refined than nylon, this supple leather watch pouch from Hodinkee is just the ticket. Crafted in the USA and available in multiple colors, it’s sure to turn heads before you even take the watch out.

D.S. & Durga Big Sur After Rain Candle

Price: $65
From: net-a-porter.com

What D.S. & Durga gets more right than other fragrance and candle companies is the funk. Unafraid to lean into weirder scents allows them to build a product like Big Sur After Rain, which smells just as salty and lush as you’re imagining.

Milano Straps Red Leather Watch Strap

Price: $66
From: milanostraps.com

Available in multiple widths and featuring padded calf leather construction, this beautiful red leather strap is the perfect accessory to her favorite everyday watch.

Awair Glow C

Price: $69
From: amazon.com

This practical smart home gadget kills three birds with one stone. It’s a smart plug, and an air quality monitor and a night light

Headspace One-Year Subscription

Price: $70
From: headspace.com

Apparently, we’re all burnt out and could use a little quality time with ourselves. Headspace provides instruction for meditation rookies, no fancy studio necessary.

West Elm Mid-Century Jewelry Box

Price: $71
From: westelm.com

Your Valentine’s gonna need a place to store all those beautiful watches you’ve given her on previous Valentine’s Days. This box has handsome midcentury looks and a champagne lacquer finish for timeless style — and of course, it’ll fit plenty of watches.

Miansai Singular Cuff Bracelet

Price: $75
From: amazon.com

A simple brass cuff is more than just a simple brass cuff when it’s coming from you. Plus, it goes with every outfit.

Seiko 5 Field Watch SNK807

Price: $79
From: amazon.com

Not only is the Seiko 5 field watch famous among collectors for its high bang-for-buck value, it also comes in plenty of different iterations. Why no try the blue SNK807 version as a solid, affordable gift?

TROPIC Watch Strap

Price: $79
From: store.gearpatrol.com

TROPIC dive strap is a killer accessory for any adventurer watch wearer; the proprietary vulcanized rubber is hypoallergenic, and optimized for tensile strength, UV resistance, and is largely immune to adverse effects from extreme heat or cold.

Braun Large Analog Wall Clock

Price: $80
From: store.gearpatrol.com

Braun’s watch and clock designs are famous for their attractive simplicity. This large wall clock makes a great gift and will spruce up indoor any space with its modern but timeless look.

Swatch Polarmy

Price: $80
From: swatch.com

Always casual and fun, Swatch seems to offer endless variations of colorful, creative watch designs that you can’t really find anywhere else. This quartz Polarmy has an interesting color-changing effect when viewed from different angles, and it’s sure to make your Valentine smile.

Sega Genesis Mini

Price: $80
From: bestbuy.com

If they grew up playing a Sega Genesis, there’s a good chance they’ll fall and fast for this adorable retro console. The best part is that it has 42 games built-in, so they won’t need to purchase hard-to-find cartridges to play as Sonic or Earthworm Jim.

SK-II Facial Treatment

Price: $81
From: amazon.com

These cult-favorite sheet masks are worth every penny. If you know, you know.

J.Crew Everyday Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

Price: $86
From: amazon.com

Cashmere as nice as this at a price like this earns the right to be called an everyday sweater. That includes Valentine’s Day.

Prana Sky Canyon Jogger

Price: $89
From: prana.com

Joggers are in; cargo pants are in. Prana’s Sky Canyon makes a comfy double-whammy that works outside and in.

Herman Miller: A Way of Living

Price: $90
From: dwr.com

Do they drone on and on about MCM this and Noguchi that? Do they have the link to the Eames Lounge Chair favorited? Buy them Herman Miller’s history book.

Warby Parker Nellie Sunglasses

Price: $95
From: warbyparker.com

These stylish shades have round gradient lenses that are flattering on a range of face shapes.

Comme des Garcons Wallet

Price: $95
From: needsupply.com

This small zip wallet from a much-loved Japanese brand is perfect for coins, guitar picks or other small necessities.

Casio G-Shock DW5600SK-1

Price: $97
From: amazon.com

A G-Shock can be many things, but the DW5600SK-1 comes in the squarish shape that made these digital watches iconic, and a clear resin case gives it an edgy, urban retro-futuristic look. Ultra tough doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish at the same time.

Manduka GRP Hot Yoga Mat

Price: $98
From: amazon.com

You don’t need to do hot yoga to appreciate Manduka’s extra grippy mat, which has a charcoal-infused middle layer that absorbs moisture (sweat) and fights odor.

Made In Carbon Steel Wok

Price: $99
From: madeincookware.com

Like cast iron, but lighter and easier to care for, carbon steel cookware was traditionally a chef’s tool. Made In’s sturdy, balanced carbon steel cookware wants to change that.

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 50 Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Women

Whether you’re shopping for your significant other or yourself, our list of the best Valentine’s Day gifts for women includes products for every budget, independently selected by our editors. Find more gift recommendations here!

Best Home Gifts

Goodnow Farms Chocolate Bars

Price: $17
From: amazon.com

It’s okay to buy her chocolates for Valentine’s Day, just make it thoughtful. This is single-origin chocolate made with fresh cocoa butter. It’s on another level.

Society6 Prints

Price: $27+
From: society6.com

If she won’t like the abstract print, pick another from Society6’s hundred-page-long collection. They’re affordable and they’re not Ikea levels of ubiquitous.

Heart-Shaped Green Philodendron

Price: $35
From: thesill.com

A sublte, easy-going plant with crudely heart-shaped leaves? It’s an upgrade over roses that won’t fall to pieces in a week.

East Fork “The Mug”

Price: $36
From: eastfork.com

Set a calendar reminder for Tuesday at 11:55 a.m. and go to East Fork’s website. At noon, the company restocks Asheville-made internet-famous coffee mugs. Known as #TheMug on Instagram, it’s one hell of an interesting story.

D.S. & Durga Big Sur After Rain Candle

Price: $65
From: net-a-porter.com

What D.S. & Durga gets more right than other fragrance and candle companies is the funk. Unafraid to lean into weirder scents allows them to build a product like Big Sur After Rain, which smells just as salty and lush as you’re imagining.

Herman Miller: A Way of Living

Price: $90
From: dwr.com

Do they drone on and on about MCM this and Noguchi that? Do they have the link to the Eames Lounge Chair favorited? Buy them Herman Miller’s history book.

Made In Carbon Steel Wok

Price: $99
From: madeincookware.com

Like cast iron, but lighter and easier to care for, carbon steel cookware was traditionally a chef’s tool. Made In’s sturdy, balanced carbon steel cookware wants to change that.

Restoration Hardware Luxury Plush Robe

Price: $119
From: restorationhardware.com

RH’s robe is a cozy post-shower vibe that rivals even the best of blankets.

Authenticity50 Wool Duvet

Price: $339
From: authenticity50.com

Is she always cold? Are you always cold? Get Authenticity50’s new wool duvet, which sold out twice since becoming available. It’s all the advantages of down, without cleanliness problems.

Nebia Spa Shower 2.0

Price: $499
From: huckberry.com

Nebia’s second go at making a spray droplet showerhead saves water (and stupid money), looks slick and makes for a more relaxing shower experience. That’s a hard combo to beat.

Dims. Composed Vanity

Price: $595
From: dimshome. com

Not everybody is a furniture-for-Valentine’s-Day person, and that’s fine. For those that are, this original piece from Dims. and designer Ladies & Gentlemen is just about perfect.

Best Adventure Gifts

Opinel No.10 Corkscrew Knife

Price: $30
From: amazon.com

A gorgeous wood-handled pocket knife with a blade large enough for picnicking, and a corkscrew too? Yeah, that’ll do the trick.

Activist Raw Manuka Honey

Price: $32
From: activistmanuka.com

Immune support, digestive benefits and beauty applications. Whether you believe the claims or not, manuka honey is a tasty addition to granola or tea.

Yeti Rambler 26oz

Price: $40
From: amazon.com

Even Yeti’s water bottle isn’t too burly for Valentine’s Day.

Sunski Dipseas

Price: $58
From: amazon.com

Sunski’s polarized Dipseas look nothing like the recycled plastic they’re made of. (They also could be mistaken for shades that are twice as expensive.)

Headspace One-Year Subscription

Price: $70
From: headspace.com

Apparently, we’re all burnt out and could use a little quality time with ourselves. Headspace provides instruction for meditation rookies, no fancy studio necessary.

Prana Sky Canyon Jogger

Price: $89
From: prana.com

Joggers are in; cargo pants are in. Prana’s Sky Canyon makes a comfy double-whammy that works outside and in.

Manduka GRP Hot Yoga Mat

Price: $98
From: amazon.com

You don’t need to do hot yoga to appreciate Manduka’s extra grippy mat, which has a charcoal-infused middle layer that absorbs moisture (sweat) and fights odor.

Tracksmith Waffle Layer

Price: $108
From: tracksmith.com

Tracksmith’s cold-weather layer is comfortable — and stylish — enough to wear even when she’s not logging miles.

New Balance Asym Jumpsuit

Price: $120
From: newbalance.com

Tracksmith’s cold-weather layer is comfortable enough — and stylish enough — to wear even when she’s not logging miles.

Holden Down Hybrid Pullover

Price: $300
From: backcountry.com

Fleece meets down in one of the coziest layers we’ve seen this winter.

Best Style and Beauty Gifts

Aesop Rosehip Seed Lip Cream

Price: $15
From: amazon.com

This lightweight, hydrating cream is loaded with vitamins C, E and botanical extracts to nourish lips every day.

Smith & Cult Nail Polish

Price: $18
From: amazon.com

It’s hard to go wrong with Smith & Cult, and the brand’s color assortment is full of winners.

Jade Roller

Price: $20
From: amazon.com

This jade roller restores balance and removes puffiness from the face — and it’s actually affordable.

Moon Juice Dream Dust

Price: $38
From: amazon.com

This herbal supplement promotes relaxation and sleep, so your partner can feel their best all the time.

SK-II Facial Treatment

Price: $81
From: amazon.com

These cult-favorite sheet masks are worth every penny. If you know, you know.

Warby Parker Nellie Sunglasses

Price: $95
From: warbyparker.com

These stylish shades have round gradient lenses that are flattering on a range of face shapes.

Comme des Garcons Wallet

Price: $95
From: needsupply.com

This small zip wallet from a much-loved Japanese brand is perfect for coins, guitar picks or other small necessities.

Catbird Gold Bracelet

Price: $134
From: net-a-porter.com

Made with recycled, fair-mined gold, this lightweight chain bracelet will go with practically every wardrobe.

Rent the Runway Gift Card

Price: $160
From: renttherunway.com

Sometimes it’s hard to choose what to wear, so give the gift of test-driving a new wardrobe ($160 covers an unlimited month).

Byredo Unnamed Fragrance

Price: $265
From: neimanmarcus.com

Free of any name to create scent associations, you can label this luxury fragrance yourself, or let your partner name it according to how they feel.

Dyson Airwrap

Price: $549
From: amazon.com

When Dyson’s Airwrap curler came out, it sold out immediately and remained that way for months. There was a curling panic. It was, and is, one of the best haircare products ever made.

Best Tech Gifts

Brouk & Co. Travel Cord Roll

Price: $20
From: URL.com

Carrying around a bundle of wires is a curse of modern day life, but a lovely looking roll can make that more plesant than a bag ful of cables could ever be.

Personalized Yankee Candles

Price: $20+
From: URL.com

Candles are a go-to romantic gift, but if you opt for a more personalized variety — especially one with one of their favorite photographs — they’ll know you put some thought into it.

Lifx Candle Colour

Price: $45
From: URL.com

With billions of possible color combinations, this adorable smart bulb will literally light up their life.

Fujifim Instax Camera

Price: $49
From: URL.com

The only thing better than a keepsake Valentines Day gift is a gift that will generate its own keepsakes. The Instax is fun for shooters of all skill levels and stripes. Include an extra pack of film for the cherry on top.

Casely Charging iPhone Case

Price: $55
From: URL.com

Charging cases are always great to have, but Apple’s first-party models are a bit unsightly. Casely’s power cases, on the other hand, have all sorts of designs they’ll love.

Mophie Powerstation Plus

Price: $100
From: URL.com

Everyone needs a powerbank that will keep them going all day and then some. That it looks so nice is just the cherry on top.

Kindle Paperwhite

Price: $130
From: URL.com

Help them get off the bad screen and onto the good screen with an ereader. They’ll thank you as soon as their brain unfries.

Cuyana Tech Carryall 13-inch

Price: $165
From: URL.com

Commuting doesn’t have to mean carrying around an unsightly bag full of cables. This stylish carry-all will help them keep their necessary electronics organized, and help them look great doing it.

Nanoleaf Canvas Starter Kit

Price: $200
From: URL.com

If your partner is an artist of any stripe, or even just loves color, they’ll love the change to spruce up a room with the vibrant colors of this innovate smart light panel system.

Best Watch Gifts

Panatime Sky Blue Silicone Flat Diver Strap

Price: $20
From: panatime.com

When she’s in the water — or at the gym — a rubber dive strap ensures comfort and dries quickly. Panatime’s version is affordable and comes in several colors, but this sky blue color should work with plenty of watches.

The Cartiers

Price: $21
From: amazon.com

Maybe not everyone can own a Cartier watch, but just about anyone can read about the fascinating history behind this iconic Parisian jewelery dynasty. Careful, though: when she’s done reading it, your Valentine may insist upon a new watch.

Worn & Wound EDC Watch Pouch

Price: $49
From: windupwatchshop.com

Built from hardy 1000 Denier nylon and neoprene, this watch pouch from the Windup Watch Shop is the perfect way to transport a watch to, say, that tropical island getaway that you still owe here from last year.

Casio Women’s BG169G-1 Baby G Black Watch

Price: $61
From: amazon.com

This Baby G from Casio has all the G-Shock goods with a cool pink gold look — 200m of water resistance, a stopwatch, a countdown timer, multiple alarms, and guards over the dial to prevent damage from bumps and falls.

Hodinkee Soft Leather Watch Pouch

Price: $65
From: shop.hodinkee.com

If you want to transport a watch but want something a bit more refined than nylon, this supple leather watch pouch from Hodinkee is just the ticket. Crafted in the USA and available in multiple colors, it’s sure to turn heads before you even take the watch out.

Milano Straps Red Leather Watch Strap

Price: $66
From: milanostraps.com

Available in multiple widths and featuring padded calf leather construction, this beautiful red leather strap is the perfect accessory to her favorite everyday watch.

West Elm Mid-Century Jewelry Box

Price: $71
From: westelm.com

Your Valentine’s gonna need a place to store all those beautiful watches you’ve given her on previous Valentine’s Days. This box has handsome midcentury looks and a champagne laquer finish for timeless style — and of course, it’ll fit plenty of watches.

Shinola Ochre Leather Watch Strap for Apple Watch

Price: $125
From: shinola.com

One of the best things about the Apple Watch is the ease with which you can dress it up or down. Cut and sewn by hand, this Shinola leather strap is available in multiple sizes to fit different models of the world’s most famous smartwatch.

Tinker 34mm Copper-Toned Watch with Strap

Price: $150
From: JCrew.com

A cool watch doesn’t have to cost a ton of money — this copper-toned ticker features a day-date, quartz movement and multiple strap options. Best of all, the cool minimalist design means that you can wear it, 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.

The 54 Best Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Men

Whether you’re shopping for your significant other or yourself, our list of the best Valentine’s Day gifts for men includes products for every budget, independently selected by our editors. Find more gift recommendations here!

Best Home Gifts

Nippon Kodo Kayuragi Incense Sticks

Price: $12
From: amazon.com

The home may not be a temple, but it is a sacred place. These Japanese incense sticks are perfect for your sanctuary.

Bodum Brazil French Press

Price: $20
From: amazon.com

Bodum’s staple French presses work, are easy to clean and come nice and cheap.The Brazil line is a little better looking than the standard options.

Felt Coasters

Price: $20
From: amazon.com

Felt is the superior coaster material. It looks good, doesn’t get stuck to the bottom of a drink and doesn’t pick up weird wet stains. Plus, it comes cheap.

A.P.C. Fleur d’Oranger Candle

Price: $50
From: eastdane.com

Cue walking into your partner’s apartment. Cue feeling immediately comfortable. Cue the soft glow of A.P.C’s citrus-scented candle. Cue you buying it.

Hoya Heart Plant (Duo)

Price: $50
From: thesill.com

Hoyas are tropical succulent vines that happen to look like hearts. Think of it as a less cheesey rose bouquet without the wilting flower metaphor. Put it on a window sill with plenty of light and water weekly.

Blacklock Cast-Iron Skillet

Price: $60
From: lodgemfg.com

Before its foundry burnt to the ground, Lodge was known as Blacklock. Lodge’s most premium cast-iron skillet is a call back to those roots. The Blacklock skillet, like cast-iron cookware used to be, is significantly thinner and lighter than the dumbells of today.

Inventery Mechanical Pen with Stand

Price: $125
From: store.gearpatrol.com

The Mechanical Pen is precision machined from a single brass rod to achieve a unibody construction and a silent click. The accompanying Pen Stand is machined out of solid stock brass and fitted with a black plastic cap to prevent scratching.

Anglepoise Type 1228 Task Lamp

Price: $200
From: huckberry.com

This slightly more modern update to Sir Kenneth Grange’s masterpiece is only available at Huckberry and is begging to sit atop a lucky person’s desk.

Pendleton Harding Jacquard Blanket

Price: $265
From: huckberry.com

A flex in blanket form. A blanket is an investment in coziness at an apartment that isn’t your own, until it is.

Best Adventure Gifts

Wildsam Travel Guide

Price: $20
From: store.gearpatrol.com

A Wildsam isn’t just a travel guide. It’s a key that unlocks the soul of any city. It’s a special kind of traveling companion, a who’s who, what’s what digest, serving up unexpected and smartly written insights via interviews with locals, essays and relevant literary excerpts.

Le Bent Hike Light Socks

Price: $20+
From: amazon.com

Innovative foot mapping plus the perfect blend of bamboo rayon, merino wool, nylon and elastane equals some of the most comfortable socks ever constructed.

Patagonia Baggies

Price: $38+
From: patagonia.com

One of Patagonia’s most iconic products is made of quick-drying 100 percent recycled nylon, so it’s not only great for everything from hiking to swimming, but also Earth-friendly too.

Ciele Athletics Go Cap

Price: $40
From: jackrabbit.com

The perfect running hat from our favorite running hat maker: COOLwick fabric minimizes moisture, UPF +40 sun protection shields your dome and reflective detailing keeps you visible on after-dark jaunts.

Power Plate Roller

Price: $100
From: amazon.com

With four vibration intensity settings, this next-level roller promotes increased blood flow and fascia release to help tight, sore muscles recover faster.

Smith Guides Choice Sunglasses

Price: $100
From: amazon.com

The Chroma Pop polarized lenses on these full-coverage shades provide 100 percent UV protection while adding HD-level visibility to every river, tree and trail.

Lululemon City Sweat Pullover Hoodie Fleece

Price: $118
From: shop.lululemon.com

Constructed of polyester, wool and elastane, this performance fleece hoodie is the perfect weight for chilly-weather workouts and low-key hangs. Like everything Lululemon, it is uber-comfortable as well.

VSSL Compact First Aid Kit

Price: $125
From: store.gearpatrol.com

This isn’t your typical first aid kit; the compact 9-inch military grade aluminum cylinder is completely waterproof and houses a set of outdoor specific first aid components. Useful additions like an emergency light and whistle make VSSL a great piece of gear, whether you’re a thru-hiker or a day hiker.

Arc’teryx Gamma MX Hoody

Price: $349
From: arcteryx.com

Thanks to weather-resistant face fabric, a fleece lining and a trim but flexible fit, this softshell jacket is ideal for everything from high-mountain climbing to backcountry skiing.

Theragun G3

Price: $399
From: amazon.com

An ergonomic design, six interchangeable heads, two power levels and up to 2,400 percussions per minute combine into one of the most formidable therapeutic massage guns money can buy.

Best Style & Grooming Gifts

Tosaryu Hinoki Bath Flakes

Price: $9
From: needsupply.com

From the misty forests of Japan to the warm waters of his bathroom, these sustainably-harvested Japanese cypress flakes are perfect for winding down.

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm

Price: $37
From: amazon.com

He’ll never go back to the cheap stuff, thanks to you. And he’ll thank you for it.

Knickerbocker x Gear Patrol Overland Tee

Price: $38
From: store.gearpatrol.com

Made in Portugal of 100% pre-shrunk cotton, the Overland Tee features a mounted collar construction with double-needle cover stitch, and blind stitch sleeves and hem, giving it a refined and timeless look. A mid-weight shirt produced in ecru, this tee is soft, comfortable and versatile enough to look great on its own or under a jacket.

Minnetonka Pile Lined Hardsole Slipper

Price: $42+
From: amazon.com

If it’s not a foot massage, the next best thing is probably these furry house slippers.

Pioneer Carry Ion Wallet

Price: $59
From: store.gearpatrol.com

In an increasingly cashless world, trimming down your wallet to only the most essential cards has never been easier. Pioneer Carry uses a dense yet light 10XD ripstop nylon that repels dirt and water, keeping your cards safe and your back pocket happy.

Miansai Singular Cuff Bracelet

Price: $75
From: amazon.com

A simple brass cuff is more than just a simple brass cuff when it’s coming from you. Plus, it goes with every outfit.

J.Crew Everyday Cashmere Crewneck Sweater

Price: $86
From: amazon.com

Cashmere as nice as this at a price like this earns the right to be called an everyday sweater. That includes Valentine’s Day.

Warby Parker Beale Sunglasses

Price: $95
From: warbyparker.com

Nobody’s eyeballs are good enough to beat the sun. Why not dress up his eye protection with some slick design and premium acetate, while you’re at it?

D.S. & Durga Cowboy Grass Eau de Parfum

Price: $101
From: walmart.com

A perfect concoction of rosewood, thyme and bergamot that you both will love.

TEKLA Organic Terry Bathrobe

Price: $165
From: needsupply.com

If a luxury day spa gifted its VIP guests with bathrobes, it’d be these.

GilletteLabs Heated Razor

Price: $200
From: amazon.com

With a built-in heating element and a super-close shave, this razor is its own premium barber shop.

Best Tech Gifts

Ikea Tradfri Smart Light Bulbs

Price: $10/ea
From: ikea.com

Ikea’s smart bulbs are a pretty entry-level smart home gift because they’re affordable and compatible with most smart home ecosystems. Most importantly, these filament bulbs are beautiful, exuding a warm moody light.

Leather Mouse Pad

Price: $19
From: amazon.com

A full-grain leather mouse pad will never not have a place on somebody’s desk. It’s elegant, useful and will patina over time.

Master & Dynamic Headphone Stand

Price: $59
From: masterdynamic.com

Anybody who takes pride in their headphones knows the value of a good headphone stand. This one by Master & Dynamic is one of the most minimal-yet-elegant option we’ve seen. It’s available in either black or silver.

Awair Glow C

Price: $69
From: amazon.com

This practical smart home gadget kills three birds with one stone. It’s a smart plug, and an air quality monitor and a night light

Sega Genesis Mini

Price: $80
From: bestbuy.com

If they grew up playing a Sega Genesis, there’s a good chance they’ll fall and fast for this adorable retro console. The best part is that it has 42 games built-in, so they won’t need to purchase hard-to-find cartridges to play as Sonic or Earthworm Jim.

Nomad Base Station (Apple Watch Edition)

Price: $140
From: hellonomad.com

The best thing about this charging pad is its ability to charge an Apple Watch. Put it by a nightstand or on your desk and charge an iPhone and Apple Watch (and even your AirPods), all at the same time.

Jaybird Vista

Price: $180
From: amazon.com

For anybody that needs music while they run or work out, these are the favorite wireless earbuds we recommend. They’re dependable and durable, and the charging case is the most pocketable we’ve seen.

Nintendo Switch Lite

Price: $200
From: google.com

The Nintendo Switch Lite is a smaller, lighter, cheaper and handheld-only version of the original Nintendo Switch. It’s the perfect gift for anybody who wants to play the new Mario, Yoshi or Pokemon games on the go.

Audioengine A2+ Speaker System

Price: $269
From: audioengineusa.com

This little speaker system is great for small rooms and small apartments, and it can easily be paired with a turntable, computer or laptop. Maybe most importantly, the system has built-in Bluetooth which makes streaming music straight from your smartphone easy.

Bose 700 Wireless Headphones

Price: $400
From: URL.com

Quite simply, these are the best noise-canceling headphones that you can buy. They sound good, have excellent noise-canceling skills and they’re super comfortable.

Best Watch Gifts

Crown & Buckle Checker Melange Perlon Strap

Price: $16
From: crownandbuckle.com

Breathable Perlon is a great option for keeping cool, and it offers a unique look quite unlike other kinds of straps. Those from Crown & Buckle, like this Checker Melange example, have a refined feel that’ll look elegant on your Valentine’s favorite watch.

Casio A168W-1 Illuminator

Price: $15
From: amazon.com

A fun gift for those on a budget, Casio’s iconic digital watches fit a range of wrist sizes and offer s surprising amount of value for their price — they’re even considered quite stylish, we’re told.

Timex Weekender

Price: $31
From: amazon.com

Timex’s absolutely classic Weekender field watch is a great and inexpensive gift for someone who’s perhaps not accustomed to wearing watches. At 38mm wide, it’s versatile enough for all kinds of wrists.

Revolution Green Camo Leather Watch Pouch

Price: $45
From: revolution.com

In soft suede with a green camouflage pattern, this is an easy and downright tasteful way to pack or store a precious watch. It’s the pampered treatment a beloved watch deserves.

Seiko 5 Field Watch SNK807

Price: $79
From: amazon.com

Not only is the Seiko 5 field watch famous among collectors for its high bang-for-buck value, it also comes in plenty of different iterations. Why no try the blue SNK807 version as a solid, affordable gift?

TROPIC Watch Strap

Price: $79
From: store.gearpatrol.com

TROPIC dive strap is a killer accessory for any adventurer watch wearer; the proprietary vulcanized rubber is hypoallergenic, and optimized for tensile strength, UV resistance, and is largely immune to adverse effects from extreme heat or cold.

Braun Large Analog Wall Clock

Price: $80
From: store.gearpatrol.com

Braun’s watch and clock designs are famous for their attractive simplicity. This large wall clock makes a great gift and will spruce up indoor any space with its modern but timeless look.

Swatch Polarmy

Price: $80
From: swatch.com

Always casual and fun, Swatch seems to offer endless variations of colorful, creative watch designs that you can’t really find anywhere else. This quartz Polarmy has an interesting color-changing effect when viewed from different angles, and it’s sure to make your Valentine smile.

Casio G-Shock DW5600SK-1

Price: $97
From: amazon.com

A G-Shock can be many things, but the DW5600SK-1 comes in the squarish shape that made these digital watches iconic, and a clear resin case gives it an edgy, urban retro-futuristic look. Ultra tough doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish at the same time.

Orient Bambino Gen 2 Automatic

Price: $150
From: orientwatchusa.com

The Orient Bambino has long been known as just about the best formally styled automatic watcheyou can get at this price point. They’re attractive, come in a range of styles, and are sure to illicit an enthusastic reponse from your Valentine.

Hodinkee Burgundy Suede Strap

Price: $155
From: hodinkee.com

For watch lovers with expensive tastes and commensurately expensive watches, a nice strap is often a more manageable gift than a new watch. Hodinkee makes some of the swankiest straps around, and this soft suede example is sure to spiff up a beloved watch.

Mr Jones King of Hearts Watch

Price: $275
From: mrjoneswatches.com

British watch company Mr Jones has an artistic take on time telling. This King of Hearts watch is perfect for Valentines Day, and it even has a Queen of Hearts counterpart.

SwissKubkiK StartBox Watch Winder

Price: $470
From: store.gearpatrol.com

Designed, developed and assembled in Switzerland, SwissKubiK watch winders are essential for keeping automatic watches wound while not worn. Perfect for collectors and enthusiasts at all levels.

Apple Watch Edition

Price: $1,299+
From: apple.com

The Edition is the luxury version of the Apple Watch, meaning it comes comes in premium materials like titanium and ceramic. This is a gift almost anyone can appreciate and actually use, and it’s sure to make your Valentine swoon.

The Best Flower Delivery Services for Valentine’s Day

Getting the perfect Valentine’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 S.O. loves will be out of stock sooner than you think.

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.

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.

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 Valentine’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 Valentine’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.