New Style from Lugz for the Summer

We’re big fans of Lugz shoes, like the canvas shoes we reviewed last year. So we were happy to try out the new Changover Perf style that comes in white with black trim. The shoes have the look and feel of sneakers with super-soft leather and subtle but distinctive styling. The perforated leather on the sides with the four side-stripes give the shoes a high-end look. The shoes are super-comfortable with a padded tongue & collar and cushioned insole, and the soles are thick with traction grooves cutting across the sole for a jagged look.

These won’t replace your cross-training sneakers but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more comfortable shoe for walking, making them a great option for everyday use. They’re great for the summer as they fit well with a wide variety of shorts or jeans. With Father’s Day coming up, the new Changeover Perf can make a great gift for dad.

  

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Champion’s Double-Dry T-shirts and Shorts

With summer here it’s a great time to stock on on new athletic gear, and the new Double-Dry T-shirts and Shorts from Champion offer a great option. They’re incredibly comfortable and they look great. The moisture-wicking, built-in systems keeps you cool and dry and the soft, ultra-light fabric feels as good as it looks with a silky smooth interior and a mesh textured exterior.

The Men’s Champion’s Double-Dry T-shirt features sleek ergonomic seams provide a more streamlined fit. They’re triple-stitched for strength and flat-locked for non-chafe softness. We were impressed with this feature in particular as the shirts are much more comfortable than previous Double-Dry versions. They’re just as comfortable as a premium cotton shirt. The tag-free fabric-taped neck also keeps its shape, wash after wash, and the easy raglan sleeves allow flexible range of motion.

The shorts feature mesh side panels provide ventilation for added cooling power and the sleek ergonomic seams and Four-needle elastic waist ensure maximum ease of movement. You can follow Champion of Facebook for more information on their products.

This line is engineered to make you comfortable while working out, but you’ll also look great as well. With Father’s Day coming up these would also make a great gift for the dad who still likes to get out there and play some hoops or work out, or for the dad who needs a subtle hint!

  

Crevo shoes for the summer

It’s summertime, so you’re going to need some casual shoes to go with shorts or slacks that you can comfortably wear without socks. Flip flops are great in the summer but you can’t wear them everywhere, and the leather sandals just aren’t in style any more. We tried several new styles from Crevo including the Boone Dock shoes pictured above, and both were incredibly comfortable and looked great.

The Boone Docks have a unique feel with the fleece lining. It’s a little warm sometimes but the comfort level is fantastic. The shoes feature a cow suede upper, padded collar for extra comfort and fit and a cushioned EVA footbed, along with a lightweight and flexible non-slip rubber outsole. I love the look of this pair and they dress up your look while keeping it casual.

I tried out the Crevo Nepal in black and also loved this super-casual shoe. It’s super light and comfortable and great for everyday use when it’s warm. Slipping this pair on and off is super easy. They also look great with the white bottom sole that is becoming popular with casual shoes so they’ll definitely upgrade your style over your sneakers. The garment-dyed twill provides a well-worn and washed-out style and the shoes are ultra light.

You don’t need to toss your sneakers and sandals, but you can update your summer look considerably with the new Crevo styles. Check out the website for more selections, and keep them in mind as a gift idea with Father’s Day coming up soon.

  

New sneakers from Recon

There are so many sneaker styles out there, but we’re always on the lookout for truly unique designs. Recon is a new, under-the-radar brand, and they sent us a sample of their new line of sneakers which come in three color styles. The Recon line is described as a “new category of covert footwear for the true, ever-changing athlete” and you can see that they’ve come up with an innovative and distinctive design.

Recon marries traditional styling, strong colors and functional athletic design for a versatile sneaker you can wear on the court and out on the town. They’re very comfortable, and better yet, the sneakers are very affordable as well. Check them out online along with Recon’s equally stylish t-shirts at ReconBrand.com, or you can find them exclusively at FinishLine stores nationwide. FinishLine operates more than 660 stores in 47 states, connecting to young, fashion-conscious individuals through a premium brand experience featuring the best selection of authentic, sport inspired products.

Celebrities like Jay Z, Sean Combs, Kellan Lutz and Jerry Ferrara have already nabbed a pair of the initial introductory styles of the Global Hi-Artist Series. The three unique styles were created in collaboration with renowned graffiti artists Stash, Wane and Futura.

If you’re looking for something new, you should definitely check these out. Also, with Father’s Day around the corner, you should consider these sneakers for the fashion-conscious dad.

  

More Spirits for the Holidays

Booze is always an essential part of the holidays. People want to have fun this time of year, so naturally we love to enjoy some drinks and holiday cheer. Forbes recently did a survey on the subject and the results were pretty interesting.

Heavy Holiday Spender: More than three quarters of male respondents estimated that they spend more than $1,000 on alcohol during the holiday season!

Food or Booze? Holiday Indulgence Priorities: More than 70% of respondents revealed that if they had to cut down on either their holiday food or alcohol consumption, food would be the first to go.

Get the picture? People take their booze seriously this time of year, especially guys. That’s why we always include some liquor suggestions in our holiday gift guide in the “Guy Stuff” section.

If you’re throwing a party, the booze is critical. If you’re going to a party, you better not arrive empty handed. There’s nothing like a nice bottle of good stuff to make everyone happy. Also keep in mind that it’s always a great idea to have some special cocktails ready for a party, and you can get some great ideas, including holiday drinks, from our Drink of the Week series.

Here we’ve added some more suggestions for gift ideas and to stock a holiday party bar.

Smirnoff Whipped Cream and Fluffed Marshmallow

The first thing to consider is DON’T FORGET THE LADIES! Women like to drink as well, so make sure you have some special drinks available for them, particularly if you’re throwing your own party. One thing to consider is flavored vodka. Women love this stuff and you can make all sorts of cool cocktails. Smirnoff has come out with two very sweet options with their Whipped Cream and Fluffed Marshmallow flavors (see image to the right). This stuff tastes so good that you can easily drink it straight on the rocks. Pair them up with orange juice or orange pop and you’ll have a creamsicle for adults.

The key to your booze selection for a party is to have something for everyone, and these flavored vodkas are a great addition to any party.

Ron Abuelo’s Aged Rums

Everyone appreciates a good rum. It makes the setting even nicer when you’re partying in the tropics, and it makes a cold winter night a little warmer when you’re partying up north. Ron Abuelo rum produced entirely from estate-grown sugar cane in Panama by the family-owned Varela Hermanos. The company dates back to 1908 when Don José Varela established the first sugar mill in the recently-formed Republic of Panama, the San Isidro Sugar Mill. Almost 30 years later, Varela began the distillation of alcohol from their sugar cane crop in 1936. Currently run by the third generation, Varela Hermanos has approximately 1000 hectares of land devoted exclusively to the cultivation of sugar cane. Today, the range is composed of four authentic dark oak-aged rums: Añejo, 7 Años, 12 Años and the limited edition Ron Abuelo Centuria.

We tried the 7 Años rum with a nice cigar and loved it. Sip it straight or make up some killer cocktails. Either way this stuff is a great addition to you holiday bar.

Van Gogh BLUE

Everyone loves a good Martini, especially the ladies. So check out our article on Classic Drinks Every Guy Should Know How to Make and then pick up some Van Gogh BLUE vodka.

This is the world’s first vodka made from three international wheat sources (central France, southern Germany and Zeeland in Holland). Hand-crafted in Holland, this triple distilled, triple wheat vodka has an exceptionally smooth, polished taste with a neutral flavor full of subtle nuances from the three European grains. It’s a great gift idea for vodka lovers and it’s naturally a great addition to your holiday bar. The bottle also looks very cool and everyone will wan to try it! You’ll find vodka at every party, but it’s always cool to bring something new and interesting, so people will appreciate trying a new and interesting alternative.

So drink up, be safe and enjoy the holidays!