2015 Holiday Gift Guide: Guy Stuff

Guys are pretty easy to shop for. Most of the time, you can just get stuff you’d buy for yourself. Yet sometimes, when you’re shopping for your dad, brother or any other guy on your shopping list, you have to cast a wider net, because tastes obviously vary. Still, at least you can pick up some stuff for yourself while you’re browsing.

Click the links within the write-ups to purchase each product online, and for more gift ideas, check out the other categories in our Holiday Gift Guide.

George Foreman Camp & Tailgate Grill

Just when we thought George Foreman had fully exhausted every possible variation of his lean, mean grilling machine, it turns out he still had a trick up his sleeve. The fully portable Camp and Tailgate Grill is a nice addition to the ever expanding product line. Whether serving up a horde of fellow tailgaters or revitalizing a troop of weary hikers, this grill boasts 200 square inches of space to cook up 12 servings of food at one time. But despite the size, it’s surprisingly light and easy to carry around. It even comes with an attachable shoulder strap for easy transport to someone’s house or camp site. We found that the grill lights up and heats up quickly, and the reversible cooking surface added a welcome touch of adaptability. From burgers and brats, to pancakes and eggs, this grill does it all. We measured success, however, not by the plethora of handy product features, but by the quality of the finished meal. The empty plates and looks of satisfaction convinced us that George Foreman remains king of grills.

FOREO LUNA for Men Ultimate Grooming Collection

Just because guys don’t talk about it as much doesn’t mean that skincare isn’t still important, and this limited edition grooming set from FOREO features everything you’ll need to leave your skin feeling invigorated and refreshed, including their award-winning LUNA for Men facial brush and Daily Revitalizing Gel Cleanser, as well as a trio of PRORASO shaving products. The centerpiece of the collection is the LUNA facial brush, which channels T-Sonic pulsations through its silicone touch-points, gently removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores of dirt and oil. This preps the skin for a more comfortable shave and helps prevent razor burn. If you’re worried about wrinkles, there’s also an Anti-Aging mode that utilizes lower-frequency pulsations that, when applied to certain areas on the face (like around the eyes), leaves the skin looking younger and more energized. The LUNA is completely waterproof and features eight different speed settings, but the one thing that really sets it apart from other devices on the market is the fact that it’s made from silicone, so it doesn’t require replacement brush heads, which can get expensive over time. Though this isn’t something that most men would buy on their own, once they experience the effects first hand, they won’t be able to start their day without it.

Cadence Raw Denim

Cadence may technically be a lifestyle apparel brand targeted towards cyclists, but the San Francisco-based company’s raw denim will appeal to a wider range of consumers. Made in the USA, the jeans are untreated, which means they’ll only get better with age and wear, and contain 2% Lycra for a slight elasticity that improves your range of motion. These are great for people who are constantly on the move and still want to be stylish, because despite the numerous bike-friendly features – like a patented seat reinforcement to prevent saddle wear, double-layered back pockets and a reflective back patch – they look like a typical pair of designer jeans. The denim’s tapered fit takes some getting used to for those who prefer a little more room around their hips and thighs, but they’re not nearly as restrictive as they initially seem. (The company has since released a relaxed fit version that wasn’t available at the time of review.) Though these are primarily intended for bike messengers and other active lifestyles, Cadence’s raw denim would be a great addition to any guy’s wardrobe.

Makers & Riders AeroDri Origin Wool Pant

Designed as a hybrid of traditional denim and refined trouser elements, this four-season wool pant is ideal for businessmen who commute to work on a bike. The fabric is comprised of 46% wool, 51% recycled polyester made from used plastic bottles (which gives it a softer feel) and 3% spandex, and it’s also wrinkle-resistant and can be machine-washed, eliminating the need for dry cleaning. Additionally, the AeroDri Origin features tapered leg openings to prevent your cuffs from getting caught in the bike sprocket, a rubber grip waistband that keeps your shirt tucked in, and a gull wing gusseted crotch for greater freedom of movement. More importantly, however, the pants look and feel really good, with a modern, slim-fitting style guaranteed to turn heads. Though we wish there were more colors to choose from beyond the available Coal Heather, the darkish gray tone actually pairs well with most solid-colored shirts and jackets, making it the perfect go-to pant no matter what the weather or occasion may be.

Dare 2b St. Alban Jacket

Dare 2b has been making gear designed for outdoor enthusiasts for over a decade, and the St. Alban jacket is just one of the many items in the company’s product range that looks as good as it performs. Blending everyday street styling with the most effective technologies and materials, the St. Alban is made using waterproof and breathable ARED 5000 coated nylon fabric, and boasts taped seams to keep the rain out, as well as a water repellent finish to ensure you stay dry under the toughest conditions. It also includes underarm ventilation eyelets for enhanced breathability, adjustable cuffs, three zipped pockets on the front and a zipped stow pocket on the lower back, and 360-degree reflective detail for added visibility. Better yet, the jacket is LED compatible, making it ideal for low-light running or commutes on your bike. Though it’s a little strange that Dare 2b hasn’t created an online storefront for consumers in the U.S., there are numerous shops across the country that carry the line for those that don’t mind doing their shopping the old-fashioned way.

SprezzaBox

Subscription boxes have exploded in popularity over the past few years, covering a wide range of themes like beauty, grooming, food, pets and more. But while there are almost too many to choose from, you can’t go wrong with SprezzaBox. Not only is it one of the less expensive subscription box services available, especially for the quality included, but it’s a smartly curated collection of products that most men use on a daily basis. The typical box includes four fashion items (like a tie, socks, pocket square and accessory) that have been coordinated to wear as part of a complete outfit, as well as one grooming item. Of course, if you don’t like the surprise factor of the subscription option, you can also buy premade, one-time boxes so you’ll know exactly what’s inside, or purchase items individually to create your own customized box. Either way, it’s win-win for whatever lucky guy is on the receiving end.

Southern Cigar Co.

If you’re looking for a gift for a cigar lover, then check out the service provided by the Southern Cigar Co. They hand-select cigars each month for delivery, offering the convenience of receiving quality cigars right to your doorstep. It’s a great way to discover and enjoy some of the most extraordinary cigars available around the world. You’ll get four new cigars each month selected by flavor, size, shape, strength, origin, manufacturer, etc. along with an information card displaying everything you need to know about the cigars you are receiving. Your first box will include a triple torch lighter, a v-cut/guillotine combo cutter, four new cigars packed with a Boveda humidity pack, as well as different smoking goodies each month. Packages include one, three and six months along with a one-year package. The cigar aficionado on your list will love this!

ManCan 128 Portable Keg

In a world full of growlers, ManCan 128 is king. This lightweight, stainless steel keg houses a deceptive amount of beer. It’s initially hard to believe that its capacity is truly 128 ounces (or around 11 bottles), but our doubts were quickly laid to rest after a controlled test. Simply take the ManCan to your local bar, brewery or growler shop and request a fill of your favorite craft brew. But unlike your typical glass growler, the ManCan comes with a CO2 regulator system. This upgrade not only ensures your beer stays carbonated all night long, but preserves any unfinished beer until you’re ready for round 2. No more spoiled beer! The only weakness in the system resides in the CO2 regulator device. The initial concept has no gauge to indicate the interior pressure, making it easy to over-carbonate the beer and pour a foamy glass. Thankfully, ManCan just released a second edition regulator called the Perfect Pour that eliminates the guesswork and now ships with every new unit. Easy to clean and simple to use, this little keg brings about the brewer in all of us, and that’s something you can celebrate weeks later with your still perfectly carbonated beer.