Spend any amount of time surfing around on social media these days, and you’ll probably come across one person talking about “hot girl summer.” That’s clearly not me. Instead, what I’ve got for you today is what I’d like to call “cool dad summer.” Socks with sandals are optional. But whether you’re lounging in the backyard for some grilling action, chilling at the park, or melting in yet another heat wave, you can stay cool with some of this cool stuff for cool dads.
SmartBuyGlasses: Arise With Cool Shades
Granted, you may or may not see me as some sort of fashion icon. You may or may not think that I’m a trendsetter when it comes to the hottest looks this summer. But, you cannot deny just how sweet these sunglasses from SmartBuyGlasses look. In particular, what you’re looking at here is the Arise Collective Thiva C5. The design strikes the perfect balance between classic and modern.
Look carefully. The almost translucent plastic frame has a gradient going from turquoise on top to brown on the bottom. The lenses have the same gradient, but in reverse with brown on top and turquoise on the bottom. It looks cool, and it’s functional in how it shields you from the sun. Of course, you get full UV protection too. Cool dads need cool shades.
Depending on how the light hits, the durable lenses can appear slightly lighter or darker. It’s super comfortable and comes with a carrying case and cleaning cloth. The Arise Collective Thiva C5 currently lists for $79 Canadian. Browse the ShopBuyGlasses website for literally thousands of options, including top brands like Ray-Ban, Tom Ford, Nike, Oakley and even Gucci.
Heights Coffee: This Is a Triumph
By now, you probably know that I’m “fueled by caffeine and WiFi.” Satisfying the second part of that equation is Heights Coffee. Yes, that’s the same “Heights” as Burnaby Heights, my home turf. I was (am?) its champion, after all. The latest addition their collection is the Triumph blend. Like other blends from the company, Triumph is named after a street in our neighborhood.
If you’re like me and you lean toward bolder, more full-bodied coffee, then Triumph is for you. The Italian roast is “inspired by classic European espresso profiles.” I’ve been brewing it with my Bialetti Italian stovetop espresso maker (moka pot) to extract the richest flavor and aroma. It’s awesome with the Aeropress too and, given summer’s higher temperatures, Triumph works great as a cold brew too.
A 350 gram bag of Triumph sells for $19.50. While you’re picking up some Heights Coffee, I also recommend the Gilmore. It’s a single origin Guatemalan coffee that’s “a bit chocolatey and nutty.”
Meatsmith: Real Good Snacks for Carnivores
All parents know the importance of packing snacks. Whether you’re camping in the woods, on a long road trip, or just enjoying a picnic in the park, kids and grown-ups alike need quality fuel to keep going. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with packing granola bars and the like, but cool dads will want to keep a Meatsmith bar or three in their bag (or pocket) for occasions like these.
Positioned as “real craft protein,” these are 100 percent grass-fed sirloin beef bars. At first, I was expecting them to be like beef jerky. Or maybe like pepperoni. But, they’re not like those at all. They’re much more tender and, dare I say, juicier compared to jerky. It’s a satisfying, savory snack made from “premium 100% pasture-raised, sustainable, grass-fed Canadian sirloin beef.” And they come in some rather interesting flavors too.
There’s dill and horseradish; maple sriracha; sea salt and black pepper; and caramelized onion, cranberry and pumpkin seed. You get 10 grams of protein per 28 gram bar. Meatsmith bars are also gluten-free and nut-free. Grab a box of 10 bars for $34.95, a 12-bar variety pack for $44.95, or go all out with the Meatsmith Craft-Pantry box for $79.50.
A Wearable Neck Fan With LED Lights?!
In late May, the central air conditioning unit in our house broke. We called in the professionals, who ran some tests over the course of a few weeks. Around the end of June, they determined that a part had to be replaced. That part is backordered and will take at least a couple of weeks to get here from “back east.” It’s also grossly overpriced because of supply chain issues. Oh, and then we got hit with the hottest heat wave BC has seen in quite some time, topping out somewhere north of 40 degrees Celsius.
It was in that moment I decided we had to be better prepared. I also had to brace myself for a very hefty repair bill, so I couldn’t go spending extra money all willy-nilly on standalone air conditioning units either. Especially since AC units suddenly became hotter than BTS McNuggets sauce packages and people were flipping them for huge profits. All my ranting aside, I invested in this USB-rechargeable neck fan with RGB lights from Amazon.
This particular model is from ANYPOWK and comes in your choice of colors. I opted for this powder blue. You can also get it in red and black, pink, or white for about $22.99 Canadian. No, it may not be the same as repairing the central AC in our home. It’ll most certainly come in handy if we’re hit with another heat wave though.
Stanley: How Cool Dads Can Stay Chill
When it comes to “cool dads,” certain stereotypes often come into play. We like to grill (I don’t actually have a barbecue). We enjoy mowing the lawn (partly true). And we love enjoying an ice cold beer on a hot summer’s day. And there are few things that can ruin a perfectly good, super cold beer than when it goes all warm. We hate that. And that’s one of the reasons I really like the Classic Stay Chill Beer Pint from Stanley.
You get that awesome quality you’ve come to expect from Stanley products. That means this rough and tumble tumbler will stand up a good amount of abuse. With double-wall vacuum installation, your cold beverage of choice stays cold for up to four hours, pushing 17 hours if iced. You get a froth-friendly, wide mouth lid, perfect for all your stouts, ales and IPAs. There’s even a handy bottle opener built right into the lid. How convenient is that?
Of course, you can also use this 16-ounce Stay Chill cup for your sodas and iced coffees too. I like this signature Hammertone Green color from Stanley, myself. It’s also available in your choice of Polar (white), Nightfall (dark blue), Wine Red, and Matte Black for about $25 each.
Beat the Heat and Look Cool Doing It
Now, I’ve framed this collection of “cool stuff” that I think all the “cool dads” in the audience will enjoy and benefit from. That said, of course, everyone can rock some awesome new shades, indulge in a great cup of coffee, or chill out with a set of RGB fans around their necks. You do you as only you can. I’m still not completely certain how we’re going to navigate this second “pandemic summer,” if we’re being honest. But, at least I’ll have some cool stuff to endure these hotter months.
Disclosure: SmartBuyGlasses, Heights Coffee, Meatsmith and Stanley PMI provided their products at no cost to me. I purchased the neck fan with my own money from Amazon. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are my own.
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