Weighted vests have been creeping into more of my workouts lately. Morning runs. Garage circuits. Even quick backyard laps with the kids. It is an easy way to crank up the intensity without adding more time, which is a win for any dad trying to fit fitness into real life.
But here’s the thing. I didn’t want to spend $140 on a top-tier weighted vest before I even knew if I would stick with it. I just needed something simple to get the rhythm down. Something that would let me test the waters before committing to a legit Ruck (we see you GoRuck).
That is what led me to the Cross101 20lb Weighted Vest. Current price: about $36. And honestly, it surprised me.
First Impressions
The vest showed up fast, and the setup took seconds. No weird adjustments. No over-engineered buckles. Just a straightforward vest that fits well, feels stable, and does exactly what it is supposed to do.
The weight is fixed, which makes it ideal for anyone who just wants a grab-and-go vest for runs or quick conditioning sessions.
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How It Performs
For a budget piece of gear, it checks every box:
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Comfortable enough for shorter runs and metcons.
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Doesn’t bounce more than expected.
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Sturdy stitching that feels like it will last.
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No hot spots or rubbing that makes you want to toss it mid-workout.
If you are starting out with weighted training, twenty pounds is a sweet spot. Enough resistance to make basic movements harder, but not something that wrecks your body on day one.
The Best Part
There is really nothing bad to say about it. At thirty-six bucks, the Cross101 vest delivers ridiculous value. It is the perfect starter vest for dads who want to build some extra grit into their workouts without committing to the higher-end stuff right away.
When you are ready to level up and spend more, go for it. But if you want something that lets you start today, this is the move.
Who This Vest Is For
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Dads getting into weighted vest training.
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Runners who want a simple way to increase load.
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Anyone building a garage gym on a budget.
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Beginners who do not want to overthink it.
Final Takeaway
If you are looking for the most cost-effective way to add a weighted vest to your routine, the Cross101 20lb vest is a no-brainer. It is simple, comfortable, and crazy affordable. For dads building momentum in their fitness, this vest is the perfect first step.
If you want more dad-tested gear reviews, sign up for Dad Day and follow along as we build stronger dads in real life.
If you’re a dad, you know the universal truth. At some point, everything in your garage will need to be cleaned. Leaves. Sawdust. Goldfish crackers that somehow made it into the toolbox. All of it ends up on the floor. So a good shop vac becomes less of a want and more of a survival tool.
We recently tested the Vacmaster Professional Beast, a budget friendly shop vac that promises serious power without taking up half your garage. This was a quick, real world test. No lab environment. Just a dad, a messy workspace, and a vac that claims to be a beast.
Spoiler. It actually is.
What We Liked
Strong suction without the noise tax
This thing moves debris with zero hesitation. For the price point, the suction power hits above its weight.
Built like it plans to stick around
Thick plastic. Solid wheels. Sturdy hose. It feels durable in the way dad gear should feel. You don’t want to baby a shop vac. You want to drag it across the garage and keep going.
Simple setup
Five minutes out of the box and you’re rolling. No head scratching or extra pieces hiding in the packaging.
Budget friendly performance
If you want commercial power without spending commercial cash, the Beast gets it done. It handles wet messes, dry messes, and the “I’ll get to that later” messes we all pretend aren’t there.
What Could Be Better
The smallest attachment could use a slightly wider opening. It gets the job done, but the narrow design makes it a little slower on tight cleanup jobs. Other than that, for ninety-nine bucks, it’s hard to complain. We dig it.
Final Dad Day Takeaway
The Vacmaster Beast is a legit pick for any dad who wants a tough, reliable shop vac that doesn’t drain the budget. Strong enough for DIY projects. Simple enough for everyday cleanup. Tough enough for whatever your kids spill next. Get it here.
If you want a quick look at how it performs, check out our short review below.
Curated from: We Got an Exclusive Look Inside Red Wing’s American Boot Factory | Behind The Brand: Red Wing by Huckberry
For more than a century, Red Wing Shoes has built boots tough enough for the mines, mills, and main streets of America. In this Behind the Brand feature from Huckberry, we get an inside look at how they still do it: the old-school way, by hand, in Red Wing, Minnesota.
Watch the Video
Video courtesy of Huckberry and Red Wing Shoes.
The Breakdown
If America had an official boot, it’d be a Red Wing.
Since 1905, this Minnesota-based brand has been cranking out footwear built to take a beating and keep looking better with age. The story starts with Charles Beckman, a small-town shoe merchant who got tired of seeing workers ruin their feet on the job. His solution: build something that could handle a lifetime of hard use.
Over a century later, the company still makes its boots in the same town, under the same ethos: tough leather, honest work, and craftsmanship you can feel every time you lace up.
The Big Idea
Red Wing’s factory tour, shot by the team at Huckberry, isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about process — the kind of slow, deliberate craftsmanship that’s all but extinct in the age of fast fashion.
The company owns its own tannery, grades every hide by hand, and still uses Goodyear welt construction so their boots can be resoled and rebuilt for decades. Every step, from leather cutting to final polish, is done by people who actually care what their name stands for.
That’s what makes Red Wing special: it’s not a brand chasing trends. It’s a brand protecting a legacy.
The Process
1. Leather to Last a Lifetime
Red Wing controls its own leather from start to finish, ensuring consistency, character, and quality you can’t fake.
2. Built by Hand, Backed by Pride
Each pair is cut, stitched, and inspected by skilled craftspeople inside Red Wing’s Plant 2 — a living museum of American manufacturing.
3. Repair, Don’t Replace
Through its heritage repair service, Red Wing cobblers rebuild worn-out boots and send them back into the world for another decade of work.
The Takeaway
Red Wing doesn’t just make boots. It makes heirlooms. Every scuff tells a story. Every resole is a second life. And every stitch ties back to a century-old promise: build it right, build it to last.
If there’s a better metaphor for fatherhood and craftsmanship, we haven’t found it yet.
Originally featured in Huckberry’s “Behind the Brand: Red Wing”. All footage and photography courtesy of Huckberry and Red Wing Shoes.
There was a time when vinyl lived in your dad’s basement next to a dusty receiver and a milk crate full of Zeppelin. Now it’s back in a real way. Kids are rediscovering it. Record stores are alive again. Turntables are selling out. And if you’re a dad, this is your moment to pass on the good stuff.
Vinyl isn’t nostalgia. It’s a ritual. A vibe. A way to show your kids music is something you feel, not something an algorithm serves to you.
Here’s the upgraded, deeper, crate-digging guide.
Why Vinyl Is So Back
Kids live in a world of infinite scroll. Vinyl hits them with a rhythm their phones can’t touch. You pick a record, drop the needle, and everybody listens. No skipping. No tapping. No distractions.
It’s analog attention. And kids crave it more than they realize.
What To Tell Your Kids
1. “This is how albums used to be experienced.”
Teach them that music wasn’t always microwave content. Vinyl forces you to sit with a full story.
2. “Vinyl isn’t perfect. That’s why it’s magic.”
The warmth, the crackle, the flaws. Imperfections make it feel alive.
3. “Record stores are treasure hunts.”
Let them dig. Let them discover. Let them buy something weird.
4. “Take care of your gear.”
Brush the needle. Sleeve the record. Put it back upright. Vinyl teaches responsibility without feeling like a chore.
5. “Good music outlives trends.”
You’re not just showing them albums. You’re showing them longevity.
What You Need To Get Started
Simple setup. No need to turn your house into a listening lounge.
Turntables
Speakers
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Edifier R1280T
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Klipsch R 41PM
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Audioengine A2+
Cleaning kit
Carbon brush, microfiber cloth.
Storage
Upright. Tight. A cube shelf works great.
Vinyl Stuff You Should Know (The Dad Cheat Sheet)
Keep this list in your back pocket. It makes you sound smart without going full music nerd.
Mastering
How the final sound gets tuned for vinyl. Good mastering means warmth, punch, and emotion.
Pressings
Different batches of the same album. Some plants make better ones. Early pressings or high quality plants tend to sound best.
Weight
180 gram feels solid, but weight alone doesn’t make it sound better.
Source
“From the original tapes” or “all analog” usually means richer sound. Digital can sound great too if well done.
Plants to trust
QRP, RTI, Pallas, Optimal.
Names to trust
Kevin Gray, Bernie Grundman, Chris Bellman.
Red flags
Cheap novelty colors, budget represses, or anything designed for Instagram walls more than speakers.
Deep Cut Vinyl Starter Crate For Dads And Kids
A curated list of albums that sound incredible on vinyl and teach taste along the way.
Rock and Alternative
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The War on Drugs — Lost in the Dream
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Dire Straits — Making Movies
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The Replacements — Let It Be
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Television — Marquee Moon
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Faces — A Nod Is As Good As a Wink
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Blue Öyster Cult — Spectres
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Tom Petty — Wildflowers
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The Cars — Self Titled
Soul, Funk, and Groove
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Bill Withers — Still Bill
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Curtis Mayfield — Super Fly
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Shuggie Otis — Inspiration Information
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Gil Scott Heron — Pieces of a Man
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The Meters — Rejuvenation
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Bobby Womack — The Poet
Jazz
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Herbie Hancock — Head Hunters
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Grant Green — Idle Moments
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Donald Byrd — Places and Spaces
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Art Blakey — Moanin
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Miles Davis — In a Silent Way
Indie Essentials
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Bon Iver — For Emma, Forever Ago
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The National — Boxer
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Arcade Fire — Funeral
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Tame Impala — Lonerism
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Iron and Wine — The Creek Drank the Cradle
Soundtracks That Slap
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Tron Legacy
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O Brother, Where Art Thou
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Blade Runner — Vangelis
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The Big Chill
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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1
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Heat
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Lost in Translation
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The Last of the Mohicans
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Inception
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Cowboy Bebop
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The Crow
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Drive
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Amélie
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The Social Network
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Top Gun Maverick
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Halo 2
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Zelda Breath of the Wild
Where To Shop
Let them see the culture in real life.
Local record stores
Nothing beats a human recommending something to your kid.
Discogs
The vinyl internet. Great for rare finds.
Flea markets and thrift stores
Cheap, chaotic, magical.
Amazon
Solid for new pressings and quick buys.
Record Store Day
Twice a year. Feels like a festival.
How To Level Up Your Dad DJ Status
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Create a family listening night
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Teach them how to drop the needle
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Build a shared crate
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Let them DJ side B
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Talk about the album art
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Introduce them to hidden tracks and deep cuts
The Takeaway
Vinyl is back because families want real experiences again. As a dad, you get to be the guide. Drop the needle, turn it up, and show your kids how to listen with intention.
The music is great. The memories are better.
When the weather drops and the kids are finally in bed, there’s nothing better than sinking into the couch and pulling up a solid blanket. Not your old college fleece. Not your kid’s Spider-Man throw. A real blanket that looks as good as it feels.
Enter the Costco x Pendleton Reversible Throw, a collab we didn’t see coming but are glad exists.
The Build: Comfort Meets Design
This throw hits the balance between comfort and style.
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Reversible design with a different Pendleton pattern on each side
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Luxuriously soft 100% polyester for year-round comfort
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Faux suede binding for a clean, premium finish
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600 GSM weight gives it a nice, hefty feel without overheating
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Dimensions: 50″ × 70″, big enough for naps or the couch
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Care: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
According to Costco’s official listing, the blanket is made in China as part of the brand’s collaboration line, keeping the Pendleton look at a wallet-friendly price.
Style Meets Legacy
Pendleton has been in the blanket game for over 150 years, known for bold patterns and heirloom-quality wool. Their classic wool versions sell for $200–$300 at Pendleton USA.
The Costco collab swaps wool for soft, durable polyester, making it easier to use every day. As one Reddit dad put it:
“They’re big and cozy. And super inexpensive.” — r/Costco
You’re not buying a museum piece. You’re buying a blanket that can handle real life.
Why It Works for Dads
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Every-season comfort. Warm enough for winter, light enough for summer nights.
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Kid and pet proof. Polyester means no dry cleaning. Wash it, dry it, move on.
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Heritage design. Classic Pendleton patterns that look good anywhere.
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Costco pricing. Style and quality without the markup.
A Few Honest Caveats
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It’s not wool, so don’t expect heirloom quality.
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Made in China, not Pendleton’s Oregon mills.
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Limited drops. These blankets sell out fast, so grab one when you can (Costco Fan Blog).
The Dad Verdict
If you like comfort with a little class, this is a solid buy. It looks good, feels great, and won’t make you panic if the toddler spills juice on it.
Price: Around $24.99 at Costco. Deliverly available.
Bottom line: The Costco x Pendleton Throw is practical, stylish, and built to survive actual family life.
YETI just dropped a Can Crusher, and it’s already sold out. At $125, this all-metal beast promises to outlive your grill, your garage, and probably your grandkids. Here’s why dads everywhere are hitting “Notify Me” instead of laughing it off.
The Big Idea
You know that moment at the end of a backyard beer session when the recycling bin is overflowing, cans are stacked like Jenga pieces, and you’re thinking, “There has to be a better way.” YETI heard you. The new YETI Can Crusher isn’t just a gadget. It’s a flex. Made of cast aluminum, branded clean and bold, and engineered to crush cans with the kind of overbuilt precision you’d expect from a company that builds coolers tougher than a grizzly’s jaw.
They call it “YETI-exclusive.” Translation: you won’t find it next to the $12 versions that bend after two weeks. This is the kind of tool that belongs next to your smoker, not buried in a junk drawer.
Curated screenshots from Yeti.com
The Process
1. The Design
Minimalist, industrial, and unapologetically YETI. Brushed aluminum finish, ergonomic handle, and that iconic YETI logo dead center because even your recycling setup should look premium.
2. The Build
All-metal construction. Wall-mounted. Built for one-handed crushing and lifetime bragging rights. You’re not just pressing aluminum. You’re asserting dominance over waste management.
3. The Price
Yeah, it’s $125. But so was your first YETI tumbler collection, remember? It’s not just a crusher. It’s a statement piece.
The Sauce
YETI didn’t over-engineer this because they had to. They did it because they could. It’s that classic YETI philosophy: take something ordinary, make it absurdly durable, then dare you not to want it.
“A can crusher that looks like it belongs on a battleship, because why settle for less?”
Dad Day Takeaway
Is $125 a lot for a can crusher? Absolutely. But for dads who believe anything worth doing is worth overdoing, this is the only one worth waiting for.
YETI Can Crusher. Built for dads who don’t do flimsy.
**Curated screenshots from Yeti.com
In Maplewood, New Jersey, John Garbarino took a 400-square-foot garage and turned it into something more than storage — he built a garage bar that became his family’s happy place.
What started as a wine fridge and a kegerator slowly evolved into a full-blown pub — complete with a Victorian mirror, wool rug, and bar he built himself in 2011. Think old-school American tavern meets Irish charm, all tucked behind a garage door.
Now, it’s the center of gravity for friends and family. Parties, traditions, late-night conversations — everything happens in the GarBar. The main house? Basically obsolete.
Garbarino uses MyQ technology to manage access and deliveries — unlocking and closing the garage remotely when people drop by or borrow gear. It’s a 1920s-style pub powered by 2020s tech.
Since the pandemic, garage bars like his have blown up, giving people a way to gather safely, creatively, and locally. Garbarino’s version struck a nerve — turning him into “the guy with the garage bar” and inspiring thousands of other dads to reclaim their own spaces.
Why It’s Dad Day Approved
Old wood, cold beer, and a spot built for connection. That’s modern fatherhood done right. Craft, community, and a touch of clever tech.
At some point, every dad faces a moment of truth. You can either fight the minivan or embrace it.
Mark Wahlberg, the same guy who once out-ran explosions and out-bench-pressed half of Hollywood, has chosen the latter. And honestly? Respect.
During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Wahlberg laughed about his ride of choice: a Toyota Sienna.
“I like my car because it’s very unassuming,” he said. “It’s got rims, DirecTV, and tinted windows.”
The man turned a family hauler into a stealth luxury lounge on wheels. He even called it “the ultimate family ride,” adding that his kids love it.
The Dad Van Era
There was a time when buying a minivan felt like giving up. Now it’s a quiet kind of flex. You don’t need gull-wing doors or 700 horsepower. You need sliding doors, working Wi-Fi, and the ability to handle a meltdown in the back seat while parallel parking.
So yeah, Wahlberg might still train like a Marine and sell protein shakes, but when he’s behind the wheel of that Sienna, he’s one of us.
The Takeaway
Real confidence isn’t loud. Sometimes it’s leather seats, Goldfish crumbs, and DirecTV streaming Bluey in the third row. Wahlberg didn’t lose his edge. He just found a better way to transport it.
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There’s a moment every new dad hits. You’re holding your baby in one arm, a coffee in the other, and you realize something. You need backup.
Enter the baby carrier. The most underrated piece of dad gear on the planet. It’s your ticket to being hands-free, mobile, and still in control of the chaos. But not every dad wants to walk around in a pastel wrap that looks borrowed from Etsy. You want something that’s tough, practical, and built for the way you move.
Good news. It exists.
The #1 Dad Pick: Tactical Baby Gear™ Deployer Baby Carrier
If Batman had a baby carrier, this would be it.
The Tactical Baby Gear Deployer is dad-engineered. It was designed by real dads who wanted to carry their kids without sacrificing comfort or their dignity.
Why it’s our top pick:
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Military-grade build: 600D tactical polyester with MOLLE webbing and serious durability.
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Built for dad frames: Adjustable shoulder straps and waistband that fit broad shoulders and bigger builds.
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Storage that makes sense: Front MOLLE panel for wipes, bottles, or the snack stash you pretend is for the baby.
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Comfort that lasts: Padded, breathable mesh keeps you cool on long walks, airports, and meltdown missions.
This carrier looks like it belongs next to your tool chest, not in a yoga studio.
👉 Check out Tactical Baby Gear here.
Other Solid Dad-Approved Carriers
If full tactical isn’t your vibe, these carriers are still dad-worthy.
Ergobaby Omni Breeze
The Swiss Army knife of carriers. Works for front, back, or hip carries and has top-tier lumbar support. You’ll see a lot of dads rocking this one at airports for a reason.
BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One
A classic that doesn’t overthink it. Clean, minimal, and fits most body types. Easy to strap on solo when your partner is already asleep.
Colugo Carrier
Modern and simple with a bit of style. Colugo nailed the dad aesthetic. More like a sleek backpack than a baby sling.
What to Look for in a Baby Carrier for Dads
Here’s your quick checklist before you buy:
- Support: Wide straps, lumbar padding, and adjustable waistbands save your back.
- Durability: Heavy-duty fabric that can take drool, spit-up, and a beating.
- Ease of use: You should be able to strap it on with one hand while the baby loses it.
- Washability: If it’s not machine washable, skip it.
- Style: It should look like gear, not a costume. You’re a dad, not a doula.
The Dad Verdict
If you like gear that works and looks the part, go with the Tactical Baby Gear Deployer. It’s rugged, practical, and unapologetically dad.
Carrying your kid shouldn’t mean giving up your style or your spine.
In short:
- Comfort for baby.
- Confidence for dad.
- Cool factor for both.
👉 See the full Tactical Baby Gear lineup here.
Sneaker collaborations have jumped the shark more times than we can count, but this one? It’s borderline dad genius. Nike is teaming up with Costco — yes, that Costco — for a special Kirkland Signature x SB Dunk Low, and the result looks way better than it has any right to. The Dunk started life in the 1980s as a basketball shoe before becoming the uniform of skaters everywhere by the early 2000s. Decades later, it’s evolved again, this time trading grip tape grit for bulk-pack charm.
Instead of the usual leather, Nike wrapped this Dunk in a heather gray material that looks straight out of your favorite warehouse hoodie. Inside? A fuzzy fleece lining that screams Saturday errands and free sample runs. You’ll even find Kirkland’s iconic script stitched on the heel tab and tongue — a loud and proud flex for the dad who organizes his garage with labeled bins.
Each pair comes with an insole stamped with the Kirkland logo and a hangtag designed like a Costco membership card. At $130, the shoes cost exactly what you’d expect from other SB Dunks. No, you’re not getting bulk pricing — but you are getting bragging rights as the first dad at the barbecue wearing “wholesale chic.”
It’s equal parts absurd and amazing — a collaboration that captures everything modern dad style should be: self-aware, comfortable, and ready for a warehouse run or a skatepark drop-in.
Why It Works for Modern Dads
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It’s ironic but stylish — perfect balance of dad humor and streetwear credibility.
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Comfort-first design (that fleece lining) nods to functionality.
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Costco as lifestyle — the dad brand we didn’t know could go premium.
Want more drops that blend dad life and design? Sign up for our weekly newsletter — where Costco meets craftsmanship and Dunks meet dad jokes.