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27/07The Best Sailing ...
Read moreThe Best Sailing Gifts For Your Captain
Is your best friend incomplete without the sea breeze wafting through their hair? Here are the best sailing gifts for your captain.
Your best friend, your captain, has a special day coming up. You need the perfect gift.
You know they love the open water but, after struggling to make a decision, you just get them...another impersonal gift card, just like last year. If you're feeling uninspired when shopping for your captain, you've come to the right place.
We've got the best sailing gifts in all the seven seas - and something for every budget, too!
Keep It Cool
If you hear your buddy say "Buy Me A Boat", don't take that as a cue to take him literally.
Your captain might just have the hit song on his mind. If he's looking for a place to ice down his Silver Bullets, get him a Yeti 110, made famous by the country hit.
Nautical And Nice
Everyone wears at least one little thing that helps them express themselves.
There are those who cover themselves in giant gems and others who are good with a tiny charm on a thin gold bracelet. If your friend loves the open waters, why not get them something inspired by the sea?
Think things like an anchor necklace or a colorful rope bracelet tied up in nautical knots.
Grand On Land
Perhaps your captain can only go out boating on weekends and is landlocked during the workweek.
Great sailing gifts are those that keeps the ocean close by. It can be as simple as a lamp that looks like a canoe oar that they can keep on their desk.
They're sure to love anything that reminds them of their passion.
Make A Splash
When you're out on the waves, you have to make time to play.
The Manta Ray Abyss Board is perfect to take water sports to the next level. Unlike other water sports toys, the Abyss Boardrider is towed under the water.
It's completely safe and gives you the gift of flying - plus it looks really cool.
Sophisticated Sailing Gifts
Wristwatch sales have exploded in the last few years. It's safe to say they are among the most trendy and stylish sailing gifts you can get.
Spinakker watches are perfect on the water or on dry land.
Plus, you can dive up to 100 ATM with some models. Stylish, functional, and perfect for boating, your captain will wear his with pride.
Thirst For The High Seas
There's nothing worse than getting out on the water and realizing your beverage has gone lukewarm.
Keep your captain's drink disappointment at bay with a YETI Rambler Tumbler. Made of kitchen-grade stainless steel and double-walled to keep your drinks cold or hot, these make unbeatable sailing gifts.
Don't leave your friend high and dry; surprise them with a YETI tumbler.
Turkish Delight
Have you heard of Turkish towels? They're thinner than regular terrycloth which means they take up less space.
Plus they're super absorbent and dry out quickly. They're incredibly versatile, too. Think beyond just using them as a towel.
Turkish towels can become a cover-up, a table cloth, a sunshade, you name it. You'll want to get a few for your captain and treat yourself to one too!
Time Is Money
If you're not looking to drop a lot on sailing gifts, consider donating your time.
Help your captain fix up the boat. Clean it till it sparkles or, if you're handy, take care of any minor repairs. Another indispensable idea? Consider, if you're part of a crew, introducing new friends to the boating lifestyle.
That way if you're every indisposed, your captain might have someone new they can learn on.
Every friend you bring on board is another person that can help.
Pick Up The Tab
There are a lot of expenses for those that are into boating.
Why not consider picking up the tab on a few of them? Next time your captain and the crew decide to head out for a few hours, be the one who brings the brews and the buffet.
If you're competing in a race, pick up some of the registration or ticket purchases. Not all sailing gifts have to be physical. A little time and effort can make a big difference.
Sailing Sounds
Everyone likes listening to music while exercising. It's been proven to keep you motivated and engaged while working out.
Why should it be different in the water?
In the past, you couldn't bring your music with you if you were going to get wet. That's all changed thanks to new technology, like the NU Dolphin Lite MP3 player or the Molecule helmet.
The waterproof Molecule helmet protects your head without sacrificing sound. You can listen to your music through it or even hook it up to a walkie-talkie.
The NU Dolphin Lite looks incredibly futuristic. Plus it can store up to two gigs of your favorite music in its waterproof casing.
While these sailing gifts are great for one, if your captain wants to blast his favorite shanties from fore to aft, consider a waterproof Bluetooth speaker.
Take Your Captain Out
Your captain is in charge of his boat...but what if he maybe wants to take the day off?
Take charge for once and let your captain kick back. Your friend deserves some time to enjoy the actual ride and not have to constantly make decisions.
Spending some stress-free time together is one of the best sailing gifts anyone can receive.
Stylish Sea Legs
While barefoot is often best, nothing beats a solid pair of boating shoes.
Sperry Topsiders remain a stylish staple of many a captain's closet. Consider, also, The Kennedy design from New Balance, great for taking the nautical theme out on land.
If you've got the budget, Gucci has also come out with sailing-themed shoes.
Whether on sea or on land, a stylish pair of shoes are a great foundation to build on.
Bring The Ocean Inside
Want to redecorate your captain's pad from top to bottom with nautical inspired decor?
No problem! There are tons of great ways to bring the love of the sea inside. You can start small and easy, like furniture from DVELAS Living Sails.
DVELAS creates free-form furniture (think: beanbags, folding chairs) from their durable and sturdy sail material.
Or if you really want to go big, you can even buy an entire kitchen that looks like a boat.
Land And Sea In One
The Marecucina kitchen by Alno looks like a boat just sailed into the middle of your kitchen. The sails are the lights and the deck is the sink and the stove. It's eye-catching and sea-inspired.
No one can deny your friend is all about boats when they see these incredible sailing gifts!
One Gift, Many Uses
What's one of the handiest sailing gifts out there? A multitool.
Even if your buddy already has one, you can always upgrade it. Whatever the job may be, you'll find the perfect tool for it on a multitool.
You never want to be caught out on the water without one. They have so many uses, you'll be glad to have one on hand.
Made In The Shade
There's nothing more stylish for a sailor to wear than a classic pair of sunglasses.
You can stick to the always in style RayBan Wayfarers. These shades come in tons of different colors and styles but you can't go wrong with iconic black.
Some aviator mirrored sunglasses are a safe bet too. A polarized pair is best for taking the glare off the water.
Tech Touch-Ups
As our phones become essential on land, they're incredibly useful at sea, too.
From navigation to emergency calls, your captain needs his phone to work well and in various conditions. Some sailing gifts you can consider are a waterproof phone cover or a battery life extender.
They'll be grateful if they accidentally drop their phone in the drink or need that extra bit of battery to take a snapshot of their epic catch.
Dopp Kit
Cabin space is limited so it's important to pack efficiently.
Sailor Bag Dopp Kits are made out of sturdy sailcloth and help keep your toiletries separated and clean.
Plus, you can have them personalized!
Love Those Gloves
Pulling ropes and cranks all day in the unforgiving saltwater can make a mess of a man's hands.
Your boating buddy will be grateful if you include a sturdy pair of gloves in with his sailing gifts.
Reading Material
When your captain is ready to kick back and unwind, he might reach for a book or a magazine. There are tons of great subscriptions and picture books out there that capture amazing ocean life.
Consider a few boating books for your buddy.
Keep Current With Rugged XL
No matter what you go with, sailing gift central is undeniably Rugged XL.
Not only can you find items that can handle anything you throw at them, they're stylish, too. Your captain is in charge for a reason. Celebrate him with gifts that live up to his legendary status.
Which gifts are you going to get for your captain?
20/07Cool Camping Gear...
Read moreCool Camping Gear for Your Summer Trip
Heading down to your favorite campground soon? Check out this awesome list of cool camping gear you really shouldn't go without.
Nothing is stopping you from grabbing a backpack and some boots and heading off camping this summer.
But just think -- you don't want to be "that person" that doesn't bring the essentials and ends up sleeping under one tarp when it's pouring outside. Camping doesn't have to be an uncomfortable caveman experience -- in fact, it can be pretty amazing if you bring the right tools.
Here's the thing about camping: everyone needs the essentials. That's a no-brainer.
But did you know that there's tons of cool camping gear that can take your camping game to the next level? No pop-can stoves here -- this stuff is for people who want to take a summer camping trip and do it in style.
Does that sound good to you? Because it sounds awesome to us.
Let's talk about the coolest camping gear for your upcoming summer trip.
1. Cool Tents
For anyone who's been in a tiny little tent, you know this struggle. You only have a small amount of room to fit your gear and yourself. That's fine and all, but what if you have a partner with you? What if there are five of you?
Enter the communal tent.
Tents like the Gigwam or the POD Tent seek to solve this problem. Essentially, they're a series of tents connected by tubes, but they can become your house in the outdoors. There are even some that feature crazy things like a garage for your minivan!
People might think that these tents are kind of a gimmick, but rest assured: like many other regular tents, communal tents are made of high-strength, durable material, so you won't have to worry about them blowing away in the wind or ripping in the rain.
Plus, they're modular, meaning you can use two pods or five. It's all up to how big your crew is.
Maybe, though, you're looking for a customizable tent without all the antics of tunnels and wigwams. There's cool camping gear for that -- for instance, the Inti 2, which comes with a configurable alcove to expand the length of your tent. You can use it as a simple awning, or create more sleeping room underneath it.
When you don't need it, simply detach it and it's a smaller version of itself. Convenient! This is a great catch-all for when you're traveling alone, with a friend, or with your family. In hot environments, the awning gives you a respite from the sun and provides great shade for kids and pets alike.
2. The Camper Box
Sometimes you want to be a solitary camper. Get out on the road with just you, your car, and the wilderness.
If that describes you, you need a camper box.
Part of the problem with trailers and RVs is that they're so bulky and restrictive -- you can't go to certain places with them, and you're limited in terms of the amount of space you've got. With cool camping gear like camper boxes, they solve that issue by giving you your very own sleeping space on top of your car.
Now you don't have to worry about where you'll fit. As long as your car fits there, you've got a campsite. This is car camping, but supercharged. They usually come with comfortable mattresses so you're not just sprawled on the hard hood of your vehicle. Plus, depending on the size of your car, you can even take some friends along with you.
That also means that you can use your car to store all your gear. With storage pockets, overhead lights, and windows, you don't skimp on all the modern convenience of camping.
3. Eco-Stoves
If there's anything that will ruin a great summer trip, it's not having delicious food to eat. No one wants to eat camp slop every day for a week. That's why your cool camping gear collection needs to include cooking tools as well.
Take, for example, the Enki WILD stove, which turns any available biomass into fuel. They say it's made to last "forever," giving you an idea of its durability. Just put it down, add in whatever kind of biological material you can find, and bam -- you've got fire.
Worried about it running out of battery? While it does have a charging kit, the battery lasts for a solid 50 hours of cooking time.
Lots of stoves don't give you the power to really cook and grill, but the WILD is a serious camp stove for serious campers. This thing will give you the power to grill steaks, fish, and anything else you might find.
4. Gadgets for Fido
It's no secret: people love camping with their dogs. They even consider them family members. No family should be incomplete without their dog, but it can be tough to take your furry friends camping.
That's why we compiled some cool camping gear that's friendly for your dogs!
When you want your dog to stay put, look into tie-outs. Many of them are screw-shaped for easy installation and strong enough to withstand any breed of dog. These are great for keeping your dog close to a campground and making sure they don't run off.
There are tons of great travel bowls for dog food and water, like the Comsun collapsible dog bowl. They're made of durable plastic and rubber, safe for your pet to eat from. They even come with convenient touches like carabiner hooks and snap-on lids. No need to lug out heavy metal or ceramic bowls.
You also need some things to keep your pooch warm and protected at night. Whether it's pup tents, attachable dog sleeping bags, or even dog beds that transform into mini-enclosures, there are plenty of ways to keep your pal safe and sound.
Lastly, it's important to keep your dog healthy and safe, both from the environment and from bugs and ticks. Look into dog lifejackets and booties to keep them protected. You can also buy dog-friendly bug spray to keep any nasty visitors from hitching a ride on your pal.
5. Water and Beverages
While this is the fifth entry, it's probably the most important.
There are tons of stories about campers running out of water and drinking from streams or rivers from questionable origins. This is a horrible idea -- while you can become sick to your stomach or ingest inedible materials, you can also contract some pretty serious diseases if you're not careful.
With that being said, you need to make sure that your list of cool camping gear includes things to keep you (and your pals) hydrated and healthy.
First off, you need a way to get safe-to-drink water from potentially unsafe sources. Luckily, some companies have created cool camping gear to do just that, like the GRAYL, which is an automatic water-purifying water bottle. Just fill it up, press it down for 15 seconds, and go!
Once you have purified water, you need some serious room to keep all of it so you don't go without. With the YETI Rambler, you get a full gallon of purified water for the long day ahead of you. No condensation and it keeps your drink cold -- perfect.
What about for all the drinks you brought? You need to keep those beers, sodas, and waters frosty for your friends and family.
For serious campers with big families, you can invest in the YETI Tundra cooler, which sports an enormous capacity of 140 cans. Fill it up once and your whole trip is taken care of. Plus, it won't sweat like a lot of coolers, and there's no chance of it sliding around in your car.
Or, if you're more of a river enthusiast, YETI also offers a variety of seafoam coolers which are great for floating or boating. They're durable, offer a ton of carrying space, and are even bear resistant when you decide to go back to land. Who said cool camping gear wasn't tough-as-nails?
6. Last-Minute Cool Camping Gear
This last category is for things that aren't essentials but are too awesome to leave out. You might not use these on every trip, but they're sure to be useful when you need them.
That includes things like amazing collapsible hatchets, sleeping bag onesies for full mobility, or even all-in-one coolers that play tunes, blend drinks, and keep your beverages cool.
While hunting isn't for everyone, there's also tons of cool camping gear for people who want to get out there and bag some game.
And while it may not be the most glamorous thing in the world, you want to remember to pack the things you can't go without like toilet paper, tooth brushes and toothpaste, and showering materials. After all, camping doesn't mean you have to look and smell like a bear, you know.
Conclusion
From talking coolers to incredible ten-man tent cities, we've got you covered with all the cool camping gear you need to make your next summer trip a blast.
We're here to provide you with all the knowledge you need, plus our huge selection of insulated coolers and drink products.
Have an amazing camping invention we forgot? Drop us a comment and let us know.
14/07A Review of the Y...
Read moreA Review of the Yeti Roadie 20 and Other Yeti Coolers
Considering a Yeti Roadie 20? Check out this review! We'll compare the Roadie to other Yeti coolers just so you have a reference point.
The summer weather has begun to set in. The sweltering heat has many of us scrambling to put in our air conditioners and heading towards the nearest body of water for boating or swimming.
We can't get too carried away, though. While we're gathering the equipment for those boating trips, we need to go down our checklists.
Boat? Check. Life jackets? Yep. Cooler? Hmmm... Surely no one here was thinking of going without one.
Especially not with the Yeti Roadie 20 on the market.
Just how good, though, is this Yeti cooler people rave about? How well does it stack up to Yeti's other coolers?
Hang tight as we discuss the pros and cons of purchasing the Roadie 20 over some of Yeti's other coolers.
Yeti Roadie 20
As its name suggests, the Roadie 20 is a portable cooler. It is designed to be small and lightweight.
Despite its size, it is said to be built just like a Yeti Tundra, which is what the company calls its more stationary coolers. Any ice you place inside of the cooler stays colder for longer.
Not only that, but the cooler has a "No Sweat Design." This design prevents those pesky puddles of water which sometimes appear around coolers.
True to its name, the Roadie truly is tiny. The cooler weighs 15 pounds while empty, and can fit 14 cans of beer inside of it (because beer is meant to be enjoyed everywhere).
Those 14 cans, however, only fit if you adhere to the suggested "2:1 ice to beer ratio." As a matter of fact, the cooler only fits 20 pounds of ice.
The cooler comes in 3 colors: white, desert tan, and (fittingly) ice blue. Because Yeti's coolers are premium coolers, the Roadie 20 runs buyers $200 ($250 if you buy the seafoam limited edition).
All in all, it's worth the money consumers pay for. It's light enough to take on canoes and kayaks, and it keeps its contents cool as promised. We're willing to bet that's why it has such great ratings.
Yeti Tundra 35
The Yeti Tundra 35 is a slightly larger cooler than the Roadie. The Tundra 35, however, is the smallest cooler in the Tundra line and is still relatively portable.
The cooler boasts 3 inches of "PermaFrost Insulation" and a "FatWall Design," which means that it will keep its contents nice and icy. Further still, it is supposedly "bear-resistant," so it definitely belongs on your camping supplies list.
It weighs 20 pounds, just five more pounds than the Yeti Roadie, and fits 20 cans of beer inside. As in the case of the Roadie, though, you must adhere to the 2:1 ice to beer ratio to get 20 beers inside.
It comes in the same 3 colors as the Yeti Roadie. As a larger premium cooler than the Roadie, it is a bit more expensive. One Tundra 35 cooler costs $300.
So how does it compare to the Roadie overall?
It's slightly less portable and doesn't fit as snugly in your trunk as the Roadie. As we pointed out, it's also a bit more expensive. Despite that extra cost, it is more durable (i.e. bear-resistant).
Our overall assessment is that the Tundra 35 is a better bet for those of you who need something more durable. If you don't plan on running into any bears, though, you can stick with the Roadie.
Yeti Tundra 45
The Tundra 45 is even larger than the Yeti Roadie and the Tundra 35. It's significantly less portable than the Roadie 20.
This particular cooler is apparently a blend of "versatility and durability." It is infused with "Yeti Toughness," which is a "durable rotomolded construction and up to two inches of PermaFrost Insulation." It's also "UV-resistant."
The product weighs in at 23 pounds and fits 26 cans of beer (using the 2:1 ice to beer ration). The cooler makes up for this extra weight, though, with its "marine-grade polyester rope handles with textured grips." They make the cooler's lacking portability more manageable.
It costs slightly more than the Tundra 35. You'll pay 350 bucks for a Tundra 45, and it comes in all of the same colors as the previous two coolers.
All things considered, this cooler is much more durable than the Yeti Roadie 20. It's so durable that Yeti recommends it for those who wish to use off-road vehicles. It even has "tie-down slots" and non-slip feet.
It does, though, sacrifice a lot of portability for that durability. That said, don't choose this cooler if you want something that's easier to lug around.
Yeti Tundra 65
The next cooler on our list is the Yeti Tundra 65. This cooler is significantly larger than all of the previous coolers on the list. Its size makes it unlike the Yeti Roadie in several ways.
And we hope you're noticing a pattern with the numbers here.
Like the Tundra 35, the Tundra 65 has "up to 3 inches of PermaFrost Insulation." It also uses Yeti's "ColdLock Gasket."
One of the heaviest coolers on this list, the product weighs 29 pounds when empty. Its large size allows up to 39 cans of beer to be stored inside. It can also hold 56 pounds of ice.
It's good for holding game as well. It apparently holds " a quartered deer or keeper redfish."
Furthermore, it can serve as a "bay boat casting platform when secured." This feature makes this cooler perfect for fishermen who want a casting platform and need to keep fish fresh.
You'll spend $400 on a Tundra 65 cooler, and it is available in the same 3 colors as all of the other coolers we've mentioned thus far (another pattern).
This product is much heftier than the Yeti Roadie, so we doubt that you'd be at a loss as to which one to pick. If you're looking for the best of both worlds, though, you could just pick a slightly smaller model than the 65 and learn to pack coolers a bit more efficiently.
Yeti Tundra 210
Sometimes you have to go big or go home. People who buy Yeti Tundra 210s clearly like to go big, but we can't blame them.
The 210 obviously lacks portability, but it is Yeti's "deepest outdoor cooler with a smaller, cubed footprint." That small footprint takes up much less space in your vehicles.
This product holds so much alcohol and weighs so much that it'd be hard to call it a lightweight cooler. It holds 140 cans of beer, and it weighs 62 pounds.
Its size makes it great for large gatherings. We're sure that its size has gotten it on several people's tailgating gear checklist.
Unfortunately, however, this cooler is only available in white. It's the first cooler on our list that only comes in one color.
Still, the 210 is a heck of a cooler for those who plan on hosting large events. If they want to add this cooler to their stash, though, they'll need to shell out $800.
We don't think that's such a bad deal for a product that holds 140 cans and keeps its contents nice and cold.
Yeti Tundra 350
The Yeti Tundra 350 is the cooler for people who want to show up the people who go big with the 210. It's a monster of a cooler, and you'll probably never carry it farther than your backyard.
And, if you ever have to, we feel sorry for you.
While the 210 is Yeti's deepest cooler yet, the 350 is Yeti's largest cooler. It's so durable that Yeti claims that "it'll last a lifetime." It also keeps its contents cold with its "PermaFrost Insulation," has a "No Sweat Design," and has "self-stopping hinges."
It holds up to 82.4 gallons, which amounts to 222 cans of beer. It also weighs a whopping 89 pounds while empty.
This cooler is recommended for hunters above all else. It can hold "two freshly caught tuna or "up to three elk." Not only that, but it apparently keeps meat fresh for days, which makes it ideal for long hunting trips.
Similar to the 210, this cooler only comes in white. Even so, that lack of customization is not problematic when you consider the fact that the cooler holds 222 cans.
The price tag on this item is admittedly a bit scary. Anyone who wants a Tundra 350 must pay $1,300.
But, hey, look at the bright side: It's "FedEx shipping-friendly" despite its size.
In all seriousness, though, the 350 is worth every penny. There are, after all, times at which buying quality products just makes more sense than buying cheap substitutes. You'll most likely save more money in the long run with a 350.
The 350 is a far cry from the Yeti Roadie. They clearly have very different uses. That said, both coolers will keep their contents icy cold.
Conclusion
Who knew that coolers could get so big and....bigger? The 210 and 350 are sure to drop jaws in many circles.
Don't, however, forget about the little guy. The Yeti Roadie is still just as impressive as its much larger cousins.
It's so perfectly portable, and, if we're being honest, it's certainly a more practical option for those of us who won't be hosting any large gatherings in the near future.
Having said that, please drop a comment below. Tell us what your experience with the Yeti Roadie has been and offer some advice to people who are trying to choose between the various Yeti coolers.
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