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.

  • Reversible design with a different Pendleton pattern on each side

  • Luxuriously soft 100% polyester for year-round comfort

  • Faux suede binding for a clean, premium finish

  • 600 GSM weight gives it a nice, hefty feel without overheating

  • Dimensions: 50″ × 70″, big enough for naps or the couch

  • 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

  • Every-season comfort. Warm enough for winter, light enough for summer nights.

  • Kid and pet proof. Polyester means no dry cleaning. Wash it, dry it, move on.

  • Heritage design. Classic Pendleton patterns that look good anywhere.

  • Costco pricing. Style and quality without the markup.

A Few Honest Caveats

  • It’s not wool, so don’t expect heirloom quality.

  • Made in China, not Pendleton’s Oregon mills.

  • 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:

  • Military-grade build: 600D tactical polyester with MOLLE webbing and serious durability.

  • Built for dad frames: Adjustable shoulder straps and waistband that fit broad shoulders and bigger builds.

  • Storage that makes sense: Front MOLLE panel for wipes, bottles, or the snack stash you pretend is for the baby.

  • 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

  • It’s ironic but stylish — perfect balance of dad humor and streetwear credibility.

  • Comfort-first design (that fleece lining) nods to functionality.

  • 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.

Hunting for the perfect garage gym setup? Coop from Garage Gym Reviews shares his list of the Top 10 Home Gym Essentials, and it’s everything a dad needs to train smarter, not fancier.

Coop’s gear picks cut through the noise. No influencer flexing, no gimmicky machines. Just the tools that actually get used.

Why It’s Dad Day Approved

Real training, real life. Coop’s list nails that balance between budget, function, and the kind of gear that doesn’t need a tech manual. Whether you’ve got a full garage or a corner of the basement, this is how you build a setup that lasts.

Coop’s Top 10 Essentials (Quick Breakdown)

  1. Barbell – The foundation of any good gym. Most efficient, most versatile, best ROI.

  2. Weight Plates – Mandatory for your barbell, but also great for standalone exercises.

  3. Squat Rack / Power Rack – Your gym’s central hub. Adds safety, versatility, and attachment options.

  4. Weight Bench – Flat or adjustable, it’s your base for pressing, step-ups, and everything in between.

  5. Adjustable Dumbbells – Save space, still get the range. Ideal for small setups.

  6. Kettlebells – The ultimate hybrid tool. Strength, conditioning, and movement in one.

  7. Pull-Up Bar or Gymnastics Rings – Cheap, effective, and endlessly useful.

  8. Conditioning Device – Think rower, sled, or air bike — not the treadmill graveyard.

  9. Proper Flooring – Horse stall mats > foam tiles. Period.

  10. Leaf Blower – The secret weapon of garage gym dads. Clean space = consistent workouts.

Dad Day Takeaway

Forget $3,000 smart racks. The best home gyms are built one solid piece at a time, gear that’s used, not just owned.

Start simple: barbell, plates, and a rack. Add as you go. The goal isn’t to build the perfect gym, it’s to build the habit.

Watch the full video from Garage Gym Reviews
→ Garage Gym Reviews on YouTube

“Every kid remembers their first real bike. Every dad remembers the crash right after.” – Dad

Full Disclosure: We’re a Little Biased

We’ll admit it. We’re partial to REI. Not just because their staff actually knows what they’re talking about, but because of their trade-in and used gear programs. It’s one of the few places where you can upgrade your kid’s bike without emptying your wallet. When they outgrow it (and they will), you can trade it in, grab store credit, and move up to the next size. And no, REI doesn’t pay us for saying that. (Would be cool if they did.)

Still, we’ve tested and seen plenty of good options from Amazon, Guardian, Woom, and Specialized, too. This list blends quality, value, and real-world dad insight to help you find the best kids bikes of 2025.

Why Finding the Right Bike Matters

Buying your kid a bike isn’t just about two wheels and a helmet. It’s about giving them freedom, confidence, and that first real taste of independence. But shopping for kids’ bikes can feel like buying a used car with training wheels. Balance bikes, BMX, mountain, 14-inch, 16-inch, 20-inch — it’s a lot.

So here’s a guide to the best kids bikes in 2025, organized by age and riding style. From first balance bikes to mini mountain rigs, we’ve got your family covered.

Best Balance Bikes for Toddlers (Ages 2–4)

1. Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike
The gold standard for learning balance. Lightweight, adjustable, and almost indestructible.
Find it on Amazon | REI

Dad Tip: No pedals means no fear. Most kids go from this to a real pedal bike in months, not years.

2. Woom 1 Balance Bike
Premium price, premium ride. A feather-light aluminum frame and real rubber tires make it feel like a “real” bike for toddlers.
Find it on Amazon | Woom

Best First Pedal Bikes (Ages 4–6)

3. Guardian 16” Ethos Bike
Guardian’s “SureStop” braking system is genius. One lever controls both brakes, reducing crash risk for new riders.
Find it on Amazon | Guardian Bikes

Dad Tip: Ideal for kids ready to ditch training wheels but still working on coordination.

4. Prevelo Alpha Two
Lightweight and well-built, the Prevelo Alpha Two gives small riders confidence. Great ergonomics and quality components.
Find it on Amazon | Prevelo

Best Bikes for Kids Ages 6–9

5. Woom 4 Pedal Bike (20”)
Smooth gearing, low weight, and an easy riding position make this bike perfect for growing riders.
Find it on Amazon | Woom

Dad Tip: Great for neighborhood rides and early trail adventures.

6. Trek Precaliber 20
A classic kids’ bike from a trusted brand. Solid, reliable, and rides light for its size.
Find it on Amazon | REI

Best Trail Bikes for Kids (Ages 9–12)

7. Co-op Cycles REV 24 Plus
REI’s in-house brand nails it with this one. Grippy tires, simple gearing, and built to handle dirt, gravel, or the ride to school.
Find it on REI

8. Specialized Riprock 24
Wide tires, strong suspension, and serious trail chops. A mini mountain bike that actually performs.
Find it on Specialized | REI

Best Bikes for Teenagers and Early Independence

9. Cannondale Quick 24
A fast, reliable hybrid that’s perfect for school commutes or neighborhood rides. Lightweight and low-maintenance.
Find it on REI

10. Marin Bayview Trail 24”
Durable, confident, and ready for bigger rides. A perfect bridge from “kid bike” to “real bike.”
Find it on REI

How to Pick the Right Size Kids Bike

A quick guide to wheel size and fit:

  • 12-inch: Ages 2–3 (up to 38″ tall)

  • 16-inch: Ages 4–6 (39–46″)

  • 20-inch: Ages 6–9 (47–53″)

  • 24-inch: Ages 9–12 (54–61″)

  • 26-inch and up: Teens and early independence

Always prioritize comfort and control. A bike that fits well helps kids ride longer, crash less, and actually enjoy it.

The Dad Takeaway

The best kids bike isn’t the flashiest one. It’s the one your kid actually rides. Focus on fit, comfort, and confidence over brand or features. These bikes earn their keep by creating adventures, teaching independence, and maybe even bringing back your own childhood memories.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Dad Day earns from qualifying purchases. It helps keep the coffee strong and maybe one day fund that REI habit.

“If your gym shirt smells like regret before you even start your warm-up, it’s time for an intervention.”

The Problem

You’re not dirty. You’re dedicated. But those synthetic workout shirts and compression shorts? They hold onto odor like a toddler clings to your leg on Monday morning. Regular detergent doesn’t cut it. Fabric softener makes it worse. And that “sports detergent” you bought once smells like Axe in a blender.

Good news: You can absolutely de-funk your gear without replacing your whole drawer or living in fear of locker-room judgment.

1. Stop the Funk Before It Starts

Don’t let sweaty clothes stew in the hamper. Bacteria love moisture.

  • Air it out: Hang gear right after workouts. Garage, porch, anywhere but the gym bag.

  • Quick rinse: Even a 30-second rinse in the sink keeps odors from setting.

Think of it like dishes, easier to clean if you don’t let them crust over.

2. Use the Right Detergent (and Less of It)

More soap doesn’t mean more clean. Too much detergent traps residue, which traps stink.

  • Use a sports-specific detergent (HEX, Rockin’ Green, or Nathan Sport Wash all work).

  • Or add ½ cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.

If your washer has a “cold wash” setting, skip it. Warm water breaks down sweat oil better.

3. No Fabric Softener. Ever.

Fabric softener coats your clothes with a film that locks in odor. That’s why your “clean” shirt starts smelling funky halfway through your next run. Use dryer balls instead. They soften fabric without trapping stink.

4. Deep Clean Every Few Weeks

Once a month, give your gear a detox:

  1. Fill a tub with warm water, 1 cup vinegar, and 1 tablespoon baking soda.

  2. Soak for 30–45 minutes.

  3. Rinse and wash normally.

It’s basically a spa day for your shorts.

5. Don’t Bake the Stench In

High heat cooks bacteria into your clothes. Air-dry or tumble on low. Your gear and your wallet will last longer.

6. Clean the Source: Your Washer

If your washer smells like a locker room, so will your clothes. Run an empty hot cycle with vinegar once a month to nuke the buildup.

Dad Bonus: The Prevention Kit

Keep this in your gym bag:

  • A mini spray bottle with diluted white vinegar (odor killer on the go).

  • A mesh bag for sweaty gear so it can breathe.

  • A small drying rack in your garage or mudroom for post-workout hang-ups.

The Dad Takeaway

Workout gear doesn’t have to smell like your high-school football bag. Treat your clothes like the tools they are: clean them right, dry them fast, skip the shortcuts. You’ll smell better, your gear will last longer, and your family won’t start staging interventions every time you walk in from the garage.

The Dad-Approved Laundry Kit

A few tools that actually keep your gym gear from smelling like middle-school locker rooms.

1. HEX Performance Laundry Detergent
Designed for synthetic fabrics — cuts through sweat and odor without wrecking elasticity. Get it here.

2. Rockin’ Green Active Wear Detergent
Natural enzyme cleaner made for athletic gear and compression fabrics. Works great for running shorts and base layers. Get it here.

3. Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls
Skip the fabric softener. These reusable dryer balls keep clothes soft and breathable — no residue, no stink trap. Get it here.

4. Distilled White Vinegar (Any Brand)
The unsung hero of laundry. Add half a cup to the rinse cycle to neutralize odor and bacteria. Get it here.

5. Joom Tripd Drying Rack
Air-drying keeps fabrics alive longer. Get it here.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Dad Day earns from qualifying purchases. It helps keep the coffee strong and the gear honest.

“A good cologne doesn’t just smell great. It tells the world you showered, slept, and maybe even have your act together.”

Why It Matters

A scent is a dad’s secret handshake. It’s quiet confidence — a reminder that style isn’t about flash, it’s about intention. Whether you’re dressing up for date night or hitting a soccer game smelling better than the sidelines, the right fragrance makes a difference.

Here are ten standout colognes that hit that sweet spot between timeless and modern — the ones that say responsible adult with just enough swagger.

1. Tom Ford Bois Pacifique

Woody, spicy, serene — $180–$270
Sophisticated but relaxed, like a beach house with a whiskey shelf. Perfect for dads who want to smell expensive without announcing it.

2. Dior Sauvage Elixir

Intense, aromatic — $160–$347
Still the alpha scent of the decade. Bold, long-lasting, and refined. Wear it to work, date night, or anywhere you need to feel like the main character.

3. Bleu de Chanel Parfum

Fresh, citrus, woody — $165–$235
The “if you could only own one” scent. Clean enough for daytime, smooth enough for night. Universally liked — like dad jokes, if they were sexy.

4. Versace Eros Eau de Toilette

Mint, green apple, vanilla — $108–$195
Loud in all the right ways. Energetic, youthful, and slightly flirtatious. The gym bag cologne that says, “Yeah, I still got it.”

5. Prada Luna Rossa Ocean

Aquatic, clean, contemporary — $98–$135
Fresh, modern, and easy to wear. Smells like a productive Saturday — errands done, haircut tight, grill fired up by noon.

6. Creed Aventus Cologne

Fruity, smoky, woody — $270–$1,300
The legend. Pricey, yes. But it’s power in a bottle — confidence, success, and “my kid’s tuition is already covered” energy.

7. YSL Y Eau de Parfum

Fresh, spicy, aromatic — $99–$175
The everyday MVP. Not too loud, not too soft. Ideal for the dad who wears crisp white sneakers and actually irons his shirts.

8. Paco Rabanne 1 Million

Spicy, leathery, bold — $96–$172
Fun, loud, and unapologetically confident. The night-out scent that feels like 2010 in the best possible way.

9. Valentino Uomo Born in Roma

Woody, aromatic, ginger — $110–$180
Modern and warm with a hit of spice. Think “Italian dad on vacation” energy — effortless, romantic, and well-dressed.

10. Azzaro The Most Wanted

Warm, spicy, woody — $120–$135
Loud enough to get compliments, smooth enough for daily wear. A solid pick if you want something bold but approachable.

Bonus: Bvlgari Man in Black

Rum, spices, leather — $115–$175
Dark, masculine, and made for evenings. Smells like fireplaces, confidence, and mystery — all things in short supply once you have kids.

Key Dad Trends for 2025

  • Woody and spicy scents are still king, but fresher citrus and aquatic notes keep things balanced.

  • Legacy brands (Tom Ford, Chanel, Dior, Creed) continue to dominate — they just refine, never reinvent.

  • Modern upstarts like Valentino are bridging the gap, offering fresher takes that still feel grown up.

The Dad Takeaway

Your scent is part of your signature. It’s not vanity — it’s self-respect. Find one that fits your vibe, and make it your thing.

Data sourced and adapted from Real Men Real Style and Fragrance Market (2025). Recommendations written and reimagined by Dad Day.