Posts Written by Vic Arkoff

Zippered VTAC Stackable Storage Cubes are a no-nonsense organizational system to store gear for camping, hunting, overlanding and emergency services. Made in conjunction with Viking Tactics — designers of low profile tactical garments and concealed carry bags — the hidden interlocking tab system allows the cubes to be neatly stacked together.

In celebration of 100 years of Disney animation, this keepsake box of collectibles holds postcards of 100 Disney and Pixar characters, from Mickey Mouse to the adventurers from Strange World. All the most memorable heroes, sidekicks, and villains are here, in full color, in still images from the original cartoons and film classics.

Summer is the season of the Spritz, which puts Amarena Fabbri Wild Cherries on the top of our shopping list. Made since 1915 with the same recipe, authentic Amarena cherries have a perfect balance of sweet and tart with oodles more flavor than maraschinos, earning the devotion of bartenders and pastry chefs alike.

You’ve got two feet — put ‘em to work multitasking as footwear and a handy bottle opener. Yep, beach-inspired sandal-maker Reef paired up with surf brand Faherty fwww.faherty.com for limited-edition flip-flops with a bottle opener ingeniously positioned on the bottom of the right sole.

After dropping iPhones into toilets and oceans, I’ve come to appreciate phones that don’t bankrupt me. The pre-paid TCL 40 XE 5G looks like a pricey smartphone and does a good job behaving like one too, but holey moley, the Android 13 phone is priced at $120, making it TCL’s most affordable 5G smartphone yet.

State Bicycle’s collaboration with The Beatles is our favorite thing from them since their National Parks collection. We love the limited-edition Beatles cycling apparel and eye-catching bikes: the 8-speed 4130 Road Bike with Brooks Saddle and cool Abbey Road design elements and a Klunker cruiser in a Yellow Submarine motif.

There’s something magical about nature guidebooks filled with illustrations and insights about the flora and fauna around us. From mountains to ocean shores, wetlands to deserts, How to Read the Wilderness: An Illustrated Guide to the Natural Wonders of North America blends art and science to reveal intimate details of wild places.

What d’ya mean, your shoes don’t match your ride? Can-Am debuted three new badass Ryker 3-wheelers, each with coordinated over-the-ankle riding shoes — all custom designed by LA-based Shoe Surgeon. Purpose-built for riding, the collaboration literally takes streetwear to the streets on vehicles that have never looked more stylish.

Produced in a state-of-the-art palenque in Axocopan, Puebla, Mexico, Del Maguey Vida Puebla adheres to Del Maguey’s tradition of “Single Village” expressions made by skilled mezcal craftsmen. Del Maguey knows their stuff, having introduced the category of traditional Mezcal in the USA 25 years ago.

Nite Ize came up with another bright idea: a smart alternative to headlamps. The Radiant 170 Rechargeable Clip Light clips onto hat brims, backpack straps, or clothing to create wearable, low-profile LED task lighting that tilts up to 180°. Its four modes include red and white light up to 170 lumens, with tech to reduce shadows.

A treasure trove of pirate puns comes to mind when Kraken Gold Spiced Rum entices ye hearties to drink until three sheets to the wind. With notes of cinnamon and vanilla, this smoky-sweet 70-proof gold rum (AKA amber) from the Dominican Republic is lighter in color and flavor than its darker cousin.

Get lit with the Carbon lighter, a high-performance collaboration between the Korean-American-owned accessories brand Vessel and Dissim. Designed to trigger ignition right side up or upside down, it has an angled flame port and adjustable low-temperature candle flame so you don’t get burned sparking up. Lifetime warranty. BYO butane.

We once spotted Katy Perry and hubby Orlando Bloom sneaking into an NCL cruise theater with a sake bottle… which appeared to not be their first of the night. Still, even superstars can’t imbibe 24/7, so we’re not surprised Perry co-founded De Soi non-alcoholic botanical drinks for sober occasions.

Keeping your phone dry during outdoor adventures — like kayaking, fishing, or reaching into a beer cooler — is easy with Chums’ Floating Phone Protectors. The detachable lanyard lets you carry it around your neck, and the bright colors make it easy to spot. Your phone slips inside where welded seams and a waterproof closure keeps it safe.

A margarita isn’t a margarita without a salt-rimmed glass to accent the citrus tartness. Think any salt will do? No way, Jose. Tanteo Jalapeño Salt combines grainy salt, sugar, and lime to tease the tongue with salty, sweet, and sour flavors, while a touch of jalapeño powder turns up the heat.

Can wayward pickleballs float? Asking for friends booked on AmaWaterways’ river voyages, where summer cruisers will be the first ever to play America’s fastest-growing sport while sailing past picturesque towns and castles along Europe’s gorgeous Danube river. AmaWaterways has plenty of extra balls stowed away in case of the occasional overboard slam/splash.