GoKawiilWhat's better than reading in a beach chair in the shade? Reading on a beach chair in the shade using the Kobo Libra Colour (8/10 WIRED Reccomends), which is waterproof, has color e-ink, and has a mode for doodling down ideas with a stylus. Compared to Kindles, this device feels more like a productivity tool, as it's easy to import articles to read and draw up ideas and lists.
Photograph: Martin Cizmar Save to wishlist Save to wishlist OluKai Mea Ola Nu'u Men's Leather Sandals $160 Amazon Men’s sandals are a hot-button topic, but I have no qualms about this leather pair from California brand OluKai. The shoes get more comfortable with every wear. Photograph: Martin Cizmar Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Fjällräven Vardag Foldsack $140 Fjallraven I'm naming this the Official Backpack of Pool Days 2026. Swedish brand Fjällräven is known for its retro-styled backpacks, which I've always found a little fussy. But this bag is so practically designed for stuffing gear and securing it all with a zipper that I have become a huge fan. The padded straps are comfortable, and a zippered side pocket is perfect for holding pool passes and credit cards.
For the Car Dad
Photograph: Martin Cizmar
Photograph: Martin Cizmar Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Nokian Surpass AS01 $221 $160 (28% off) Walmart
The Nokian Surpass AS01's are some of the best-reviewed tires on the road, drawing praise from the automotive press as well as on message boards. I've only put about 100 miles on my set, but I’ll already add myself to the list of fans. These tires are grippy, quiet, and ride with supreme confidence. They also come with a 55,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is not typical for an ultra-high-performance tire like this. Nokian is a Finnish tiremaker known for its winter shoes. This model features the highest proportion of silica the brand has ever used, providing the benefits of the compound, which is better for braking distance, longevity, and grip in wet conditions. (The downsides of a silica-heavy tire compound are faster wear in hot weather and higher cost). If your dad has been making noise about needing new tires, head him off at the pass this Father's Day and have a stack of four new tires delivered—most shops will be happy to mount them if you leave on the stickers.
Photograph: Martin Cizmar
Photograph: Martin Cizmar
Courtesy of Amazon Chevron Chevron Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Noco Boost+Air AX65 $300 Amazon
Portable tire inflators and jump starters are both great things to have, and I have both. The AX65 from Noco is a high-powered combination of the two, and the best version of either I've encountered. The tire inflator is extremely quick—as fast as a gas station air compressor in my testing—and advertises that it'll take a tire from flat to 40 pounds per square inch (psi) in two minutes. It holds 2,150 amp-hours of power, enough to jump a regular passenger car multiple times. It jumped my Dieselgate-era Jetta with ease (I've had the device for a month and already needed to jump my car thanks to its lack of alarm when you leave on the lights—VW was apparently dedicating its software engineering resources to other projects at the time). It'll also recharge a phone or laptop via a 60-watt USB-C port, so it's not just taking up dead space on road trips until disaster strikes.
... continue reading