1. Apple TV. Be discerning with your time-wasting.
2. Non-stock earbuds are pretty key. Escape into your favorite tunes with something that cancels noise (you could use it) and offers decent bass response. At $70, you won’t cry too hard if your kid drops these in their milk.
3. My grandfather gave me this Pentax ME camera. I have photos of me taken as a baby with it. 35mm f/1.7 kit lens. Easy to operate for a film camera. Cheap on eBay.
4. Tragically hip? Maybe. But, this discrete Makr Key Bottle Opener is one of the less douchey ways to crack open your favorite beverage. Even if it is a microbrew.
5. Cart around diapers and toys, as well as your man essentials in moderate style with this Filson Tote. This thing looks just as good full of Cheerios as it does full of shot.
6. i+w Hencye Utility Pant. A tailored work pant is very hard, if not impossible, to find. Not anymore.
7. Take a vigorous hike in the Siskiyou Mountains of the Pacific Northwest in the 10 minutes it takes you to shower with this Juniper Ridge soap. As a dad, this might be the only vacation you’ll get.
8. Chemex Coffee Maker. It tastes better, and looks much better on your countertop than a Bunn. Plus, it was invented by a chemist.
9. Real cane sugar instead of HFCS, plus the “1 Litro” glass bottle. With how good this tastes, you’d think I was talking about another kind of Mexican Coke.
10. Still made in the USA and just as essential as ever. Every man should have this Leatherman Wave tool.
11. “On The Road: The Original Scroll” by Jack Kerouac. Get all your crazy out vicariously. Certainly a poor husband and father, but Neil does wonders for your appreciation of the now. “Dig” that.
12. Alone In The Wilderness. Inspire what little manhood it is possible to have in 2012. You might even download iHandy Level for your iPhone. Compared to Proenneke, we’re a bunch of wussies.
13. Pendleton Blanket. The problem is choosing which one. The Glacier National Park blanket is always a good bet.
14. Eno Hammock. Set up one of the more comfortable ways to relax in 2 minutes flat. It’s also small and light enough that it’s great for picnics and park visits.
15. Peanut Toffee Buzz Clif Bars are my favorite. These things are perfect for a tasty, relatively healthy protein-packed on-the-go treat. Plus, the company is rad.
16. Anonymousism Socks. Thank you Japan for making socks I want people to see. It’s got me wanting to bring back the Birkenstocks-with-socks trend east of the Mississippi.
17. Quoddy Grizzly Moc. Make your feet feel nice and satisfy your need for slipper superiority. The only thing that suffers a bit is your pocketbook.
18. Subaru Forester. Good for the kids. The illusion of rugged. AWD and a PSEV Engine. Space for stuff but not at the expense of decent MPG. True NPR-dad talk. Case in point.
