Posts Written by Vic Arkoff

The popular DoubleNest Hammock from Eagle Nest Outfitters comes in its cheeriest print yet — Brave Trails — a blooming happy garden of smiling flowers, bugs, potted plants and watering cans. Roomy enough for two, the durable, triple-stitched 9’5″ hammock is essential equipment for camping, backyard lounging, or hangin’ anywhere you want.

Created nearly 140-years ago by Scotch Whisky pioneer James Buchanan, Buchanan’s whiskies helped establish the art of Scotch blending. The house of Buchanan’s is still at it, most recently blending their smoothest whiskies with the juicy pineapple. Buchanan’s Pineapple brings a touch of the tropics to the not-so-sunny land of the brave.

Tolkien fans know Gollum’s “precious” ring was made of precious metal. Enso Rings, however, makes a case for silicone with its Lord of the Rings collection. They’re flexible for comfort, with interior channels to keep fingers dry, and come in an array of designs inspired by peaceful life in the Shire and fierce battles against Sauron.

FIAT has stopped making grey cars. Why? Because they’re everywhere and that’s boring. As FIAT CEO Oliver Francois says, “Grey is not dolce vita,” alluding to the Italian way of living “the sweet life.” To prove he’s serious, Francois got into a 600e and had it dunked into an enormous can of orange paint.

Someone’s ice cream dreams will come true with with a customized Drumstick inspired vehicle. Fancy a car with a waffle cone steering wheel and an ice box in the glove box? Or motorcycle with a cone-shaped sidecar? It’s all up to the winner of The Great Drumstick Summer Road Trip contest who will get $25K to pimp their ride. Details here.

The Water Coast makes every water adventure awesomer. Pro surfer Mason Ho redesigned the bestselling waterproof shoes in a deep purple color with a subtle coral print, a nod to the tattoos that the Ho Surfing Dynasty champions all share. The non-slip soles, breathable mesh lining and perforated upper keep things nice and cool.

We love the bag collection for sophisticated city dwellers by Troubadour and London shirtmaker Thomas Pink, two British brands that exemplify quality materials and craftsmanship. Pink’s fastidious details — like matching shirt pouches — dress up four signature pieces: the Apex Backpack, Caboodle Tech Case, Embark Duffle, and Pathfinder Slim Briefcase.

There’s no dog left behind on hikes with Chums’ Trail Dawg Waist Pack. Made from durable rip-stop nylon with a water-resistant finish, it’s got dual water bottle holders for a dog and a human or two dogs, a collapsible dog bowl, a pocket for treats, and a transparent phone sleeve with touch screen functionality.

Add this secret ingredient to your arsenal for elevated cocktails, baked goodies, and meals. Osmo infused clay-based red sea salt with Four Roses small batch bourbon for a seasoning that combines bourbon spice with sweet notes of vanilla. Rim a Bloody Mary glass or add just a pinch to nearly any savory dish.

We can’t imagine summer without chiming ice cream trucks rolling up our street. Jiffy Lube noticed that rising operating costs threaten the century-old industry, so they’re offering free truck maintenance to ice cream truck drivers nationwide and are hosting free Good Humor ice cream socials at Jiffy Lube locations all summer. Pretty chill move.

Humanscale’s already-iconic Nova task light won an iF Design Award and is now even better with an optional wireless charging base with two USB ports. Nova’s bright, glare-free light has a touch-dimming control, high-efficiency LEDs that deliver 440 lumens, and smart-dimming tech that turns it off when you forget.

Every biker needs a good pair of pants to protect from road rash. Australian motorcycle apparel company SA1NT makes the world’s strongest single-layer denim jeans. Now, its stretch Engineered Collection has hip and knee armor and is 120% stronger than regular denim, providing CE AA accident protection against burns and abrasion. Straight fit or slim.

When it comes to cutting a range of heavy-duty materials – aluminum siding to soffit, fascia, gutters, tin, and more – the Fiskars PowerArc Easy Action Aluminum Tin Snips are the right tool for the job. The design of the curved blades give you 40% more power, and the ergonomic, spring-assisted handle reduces hand fatigue.

Rain or shine, the game must go on. Weatherman Umbrella makes cloudy golf days less soggy with the Arnold Palmer Collection, paying tribute to one of golf’s greatest stars with two designs in 40” and 57” widths. Both styles have fiberglass shafts and water-repellant vented canopies that can withstand winds up to 55 mph.

The world’s first carbon-neutral and fair trade certified rums by Flor de Caña are as exceptional as the distiller’s 130-year history as a family-run enterprise. Flor de Caña 12-Year Rum is naturally aged without sugar in white oak bourbon barrels sealed with plantain leaves, creating a premium rum with tropical notes.

Double-matured in Pedro Ximenez-seasoned wine casks, Lagavulin Distillers Edition delivers sweet, salty, smoky, and oaky flavors. It plays well with smoked meats, making it an ideal gift for drinkers who love firing up the grill. The Lagavulin Distillers Edition box from TheBar.com pairs a 750 ml bottle with premium leather and suede grilling gloves.