I recently went camping again after at least a decade long absence and let me tell you, it was a bit of a culture shock. As much as you might think you’re prepared for spending an extended period of time being one with the outdoors, let me assure you that you have grossly underestimated Mother Nature. She is a fickle creature, one minute creating a sweltering hot summer day and the next drenching you with nonstop rain. If you’re going camping, you’d better arm yourself to the teeth.
The Wearable Tent (Hammacher Schlemmer, $249.95) is the epitome of skillful camping because you’re basically wearing your sleeping arrangements. There’s no need to waste time setting up your tent for later because you can just pull the shelter over your head to form a wedge that protects you from the elements when you’re ready to call it a night. A sleeping bag pulls down from the jacket and features a mosquito net to deter hungry insects. Each of these features is stowed in separate zippered pouches within the waterproof jacket, making it easy to access them at a moment’s notice. Now, I’m not saying that you’ll be able to withstand a snowstorm or anything on that participatory level, but this three-season shelter is high on the list of essentials.
You know what else you don’t want to forget on a camping trip? A can opener. Do you have any idea how hard it is to bash a can of beans open without one? I’ll tell you, it’s pretty hard.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Weight: 3.5 lbs
-Jacket converts to wearable sleeping bag and shelter
-Sleeping bag and shelter stowed in separate zippered pouches within jacket
-Three season sleeping bag and shelter
-Attached mosquito net
-Zippered underarm vents
-Integrated hood and collar
-Storm flaps over pockets and zippers
-Available in small, medium, large, and extra large
-Waterproof
I have a friend who is a serious watch collector. It doesn’t matter how many watches he already owns, he’s always on the lookout for something newer, something better to put on his wrist. I’m actually sort of surprised that he doesn’t have a whole “days of the week” situation going on with his watches (or maybe he does and I just don’t know about it).
If you want the latest and greatest in time-telling technology, then the Faceless Watch (Hammacher Schlemmer, $129.95) is a perfect match for you. What looks like an ordinary watch band is actually a digital watch with a built-in liquid crystal display. The display is made up of four disguised LCDs that can only be seen when the time is illuminated by pressing a button the side of the band. Once the button is pressed, the time can be seen in glowing red numbers, hours on top and minutes on bottom. The press of another button on the band allows the user to switch between time and date, with the month illuminated on top and the day on bottom.
Check out the look on your dad’s face when you give him this technological wonder for Father’s Day. He’ll be the coolest dad on the block!
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Fits wrists up to 7.25 in circumference
-Liquid crystal display built into the band
-Four LCDs illuminate time
-Press button to illuminate time
-Press button to switch from time to date
-Stainless steel links
-Includes two additional 1/2″ W links
-Links to be adjusted by a professional
I can’t stand being unprepared. The problem is, you never really know when you might need something and it’s not like you can carry all your possessions with you at all times. At the very least, it would be comforting to know that if you needed to access say an important document or even some hot beats, you could without going to too much trouble.
The 1GB Leather Bracelet USB Flash Drive (Convenient Gadgets & Gifts, $18.95) lets you keep all your pertinent information close to you – and it’s stylish, to boot! What looks like an ordinary leather bracelet is actually a wearable USB flash drive that can hold up to 1GB of data. The bracelet is available in black or brown (you could even get one of each to go with everything in your closet) and has a minimum of 10 years data retention. It’s the perfect alternative to carrying around a thumb drive or even *gasp* a CD to store your information on.
Remember floppy disks? We’ve come a long way, baby. I mean, imagine trying to wear one of those on your wrist.
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 7.75″ x .75″ x .35″
-Capacity: 1GB
-Transfer rate: High speed USB 2.0 USB 1.1 compatible
-Leather bracelet with built in USB flash drive
-PC or Notebook with USB interface compatible
-10 years minimum data retention
-Available in black or brown
-Imprint surface leather
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Besides eating some tasty tacos, most people are out enjoying an adult beverage or two in honor of the holiday. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little imbibing as long as it’s done responsibly. This of course means not having too much to drink and not drinking while driving, but it also applies to safe beer holding. Are you practicing safe beer holding? Are you sure?
The Beer Pouch Sweatshirt with Hood (Vat19, $29.95) nestles your beer close to you while leaving your hands free to, um, hold things (like tacos). You could certainly just hold your beer, but there are a lot of dangerous factors involved in beer holding. Did you know that you could get frostbite from a super chilled beer? I didn’t either (probably because it’s not true), but if you want to err on the side of caution, you can stash your beer in the conveniently insulated beer pocket of this sweatshirt. The pocket also boasts an elastic band at the top to keep your beverage snugly burrowed inside. I’m not saying it’ll protect your brew from a gang of ninjas or a rogue cartwheel, but it’s pretty close.
If you’re not a big alcohol drinker, don’t fret. It’s not like this pouch can sense nonalcoholic beverages (wouldn’t that be awesome though?). You can just as easily use the insulated pocket for soda, water, or even a cup of soup. Whatever floats your boat, man.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 5.5″ x 6″ (pouch)
-Sweatshirt features drink pouch
-Elastic band on top of pouch
-Insulated liner inside pouch
-Available in M, L, XL, and XXL
-Only available in grey
-Made of 90% cotton/10% polyester
I’m not advocating sneaking liquor into your favorite location, but if you need to do it then the Bootlegger Mini Liquor Bottle Ankle Concealer (Kegworks, $12.95) is a perfectly viable option. The pros of using this device are that hardly anybody is gonna be checking your ankles for hidden booze, it fits just about anyone, and it makes for easy drink access. However, its options are kind of limiting: you can only wear loose-fitting pants (it would be a little obvious with skinny jeans or a skirt), it only holds miniature liquor bottles (those things are hideously marked up), and the liquor bottles aren’t included. Ok, so that last one is really more of a quibble.
If you’re hiding booze on your ankle, perhaps you need to rethink your priorities.
.
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3 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Size: one size fits most
-Capacity: 6 miniature liquor bottles
-Fits snugly around the ankle
-Ideal for sporting events, concerts, beach, etc
-Liquor bottles not included
-Made of spandex and elastic
