News — Gear

Many discussions revolving around survival supplies are focused on efficiency, finding something that can do the job better, do it lighter and do it longer, or finding multi-purpose solutions that can radically reduce the amount of room or carrying capacity you must devote to your supply cache. This is definitely a smart approach most of the time, but as with all things it is possible to become too zealous in the pursuit of a singular goal. Taking that ideology regarding survival supplies to its logical zenith means you will have adopted an approach to choosing survival gear that often eliminates...

And while they have a reputation as a wintertime staple, the best flannel sheets can be used year-round. If you’re never bought flannel before but are ready to take the plunge, there’s a few things you need to know. Unlike traditional cotton sheets, flannel is sold by weight not thread count. Simply put, the heavier the fabric, the more durable the sheets. We’ve found the best flannel sheet sets on the market — ones that are soft and attractive but also wear well over time and won’t bust your budget. Sweet dreams. Best Flannel Sheets Pointehaven Heavy Weight Printed Flannel...

And if you want your children to learn good brushing habits early, arm them with a great kids’ electric toothbrush. Of course it’s possible to brush your teeth effectively with a manual toothbrush. However, an electric toothbrush can be a great alternative to an old-school toothbrush, especially if you’re dealing with conditions that make it difficult to brush well. Like having a kid who’s not all that coordinated and maybe not really paying attention to his or her pearly whites. Electric toothbrushes are especially ideal for folks who have trouble holding brushes correctly, like children. An electric toothbrush’s bristle movement...

To do Star Wars is to play Star Wars, and that means you need Star Wars toys. And what are the best Star Wars toys? Lightsabers, of course. We’re talking about toy lightsabers. Since the late ’70s, people have wanted the best toy lightsabers, and we should all feel lucky we don’t live in the late ’70s anymore. Vintage Star Wars junk is, for the most part, rad. But old school lightsaber toys actually suck. The renaissance of the best lightsaber toys and props is exactly right now. Congrats. You live in the best time to buy a more elegant weapon...

And why wouldn’t we? With their forgiving waistline and so, so soft fabrics, the sweatpants men want are both alluring and forbidding. Are they, as minds as diverse and Seinfeld and Karl Lagerfeld, said, “a sign of defeat”? Or are they a liberating cry that we, men, deserve a little bit of comfort in our lives? First, a little clarification. Sweatpants are defined as loose, comfy pants with an elastic or drawstring waist, filed under leisurewear. Just like an armchair, a pair of sweatpants is both an admission and a celebration of reaching peak fatherhood. But it doesn’t mean you must retreat into your...