Here are my favorite products, tools, and gear from this year. Every item in this gift guide has been used personally or comes highly recommended by trusted sources. There are no paid placements—just reliable products I believe you and your family will enjoy.
The list is organized by category so you can jump to the sections that interest you most.
Tools
GoJak – A pneumatic jack I first saw at SEMA. It impressed me with its speed and ease of use, and the company behind it is excellent.
Bosch Cordless Miter Saw – Known for durability and accuracy, Bosch’s axial-glide system lets you position the saw close to a wall. Now available in an 18V cordless model.
Reekon M1 Caliber – A digital measuring tool that pairs with your miter saw for fast, accurate measurements on every cut.
Milwaukee 3/8″ Impact Wrench – My most-used garage power tool. Not built for breaking lug nuts, but ideal for a wide range of vehicle fasteners thanks to its compact size and power.
Diablo Demon – I switched to Diablo Demon blades for all my saws; they cut faster, last longer, and reduce tearout.
Stihl Pressure Washer – After trying many electric washers, this one stands out for build quality and useful accessories.
Crescent Impact Bit Holder – A dependable bit holder with a magnetic tip that securely holds bits; I’ve never broken one.
Home
Berkey Water Filter – The best countertop water filter I’ve used. Filling it takes a minute, but the benefit of clean tasting water is worth it.
Clopay Avante Garage Door – One of our best home investments. The door looks great, and many visitors ask who made it.
Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-breeze Mattress – Designed to keep you cool when you get into bed and through the night. If you sleep hot, it can feel up to 8° cooler. After a year, we’re very happy; just note it’s heavy when changing sheets.
Powermate Generator – A reliable portable generator is essential nowadays. Our Powermate runs flawlessly and shows solid build quality.
Peloton – The hype is real. After switching from a Schwinn, the original Peloton Bike remains the best piece of exercise equipment we own and gets frequent use.
Solo Stove Bonfire – A stainless-steel, compact fire pit that’s become a backyard staple. It’s near-smokeless and portable enough for beach or campsite trips.
360 Misting Tower – Attaches to a garden hose and quickly cools an area—fun for kids and effective on hot days.
Outdoors/Travel
Yeti Luggage – Yeti’s new luggage line hits the sweet spot for everyday travel: rugged yet practical for weekend trips and commuting, without the overbuilt features of their expedition gear.
iKamper Disco Series – iKamper makes top-tier rooftop tents and outdoor gear. Their removable-top skottle cooking kit adapts to different pots and pans, making it a versatile camp kitchen.
Gazelle Tent – Durable, roomy, and fast to deploy—Gazelle tents are ideal for quick setup at camp or the festival grounds.
Lifestraw Go – A dependable filtered water bottle that makes it safer to drink from a variety of natural sources while hiking or traveling.
Luno Car Camping Bundle – A compact bundle for car campers and overlanders that covers sleeping and basic camp needs for short trips or longer excursions.
Primus Kamoto Fire Pit – A durable, fold-flat fire pit useful for primitive camping; it cooks and packs down small for easy transport.
Apparel
Beyond A5 Stretch Alpha Jacket – Lightweight, functional, and stylish. The A5 Stretch Alpha is perfect for cool California evenings or cold nights in the mountains.
5.11 Ridge Pants – A reliable tactical pant with great fit and useful pocket placement at a fair price.
Vasque Sunsetter – Offers the classic Sundowner style with modern technical features. I wear these boots everywhere.
Gear
Benchmade Bugout – A top everyday-carry knife known for its lightweight design and reliable performance in varied conditions.
Bug Assault – Far more fun than a traditional fly swatter and a playful way to handle annoying bugs.
Maven Binoculars – A solid pair of binoculars is essential for hiking and birding; Maven offers models for a range of users and budgets.
Armbar Slim Drive – A minimalist multi-tool focused on the essentials: cutting, driving, and everyday tasks.
Auto
OnX OffRoad – A planning tool for off-road trips. I use it to map routes, identify landowners, and stay aware of wildfire areas.
Lightforce Venom Driving Lights – Professional-grade lights from Australia. The Venom line offers great performance at a reasonable price and can be installed at home.
Nextbase Dashcam – A dashcam is invaluable for capturing unsafe driving and protecting yourself on the road.
Mountain Hatch – My tailgate table upgrade for the Land Cruiser. It replaces worn carpet with a food-safe surface useful for cooking, serving, or standing on to reach roof racks.
Roam Adventure Box – A favorite storage box with practical gas struts to keep the lid open and a variety of sizes to fit different needs.
Front Runner Awning – A perfect complement to a roof rack: quick shade and shelter for desert camping or any spot where shade is scarce.
Kids
Yoto Audio Player – A screen-free audio player for kids that uses physical cards to play stories, music, and learning content. It empowers children to use tech in a focused, imaginative way.
Burton Gore-Tex Kids Gloves – Waterproof gloves are essential to keep little hands dry and warm during cold-weather play.
Matchbox Airport – A great toy set for open-ended play; combining cars and airplanes is a big hit with young kids.
Sylvania Mosaic LED Strip Lights – Easy-to-install, dimmable LED strips with multiple color options that instantly transform a room.
Weller Woodburning Kit – A starter kit for pyrography, a creative hobby that’s great for older kids with supervision.
Flybar Bumper Car – A crash-friendly ride-on car that delivers hours of fun and safe excitement for kids.