The sun is out. It’s officially time to start planning a summer that takes advantage of the season’s coolest stuff, greatest gear, and smartest tech. Whether you’re spending the next three months road-tripping through the desert or mixing drinks for the patio, we’ve found the must-haves ready to kick-start some memories. And just in time for Father’s Day, too. You’d be wise to start dropping hints to your loved ones — or just gift these things to yourself.
STAHL FIRE PIT
You could channel your caveman ancestors and dig your own fire pit in your backyard. Or you could embrace progress and get this minimalist aluminum fire pit that can be assembled and disassembled within minutes — no tools necessary. It’s constructed with A36 hot-rolled steel, which develops a handsome patina over time. It’s evolution, baby.
$1,220, STAHLFIREPIT.COM
AIRSTREAM NEST CAMPER
By swapping aluminum for breglass, Airstream transformed its iconic summer camper trailer into something akin to a futuristic spacecraft. Inside, a kitchen, dinette, full bathroom and queen-sized bed deliver a comfortable home away from home.
FROM $45,900 USD, AIRSTREAM.COM
TRAK 2 KAYAK
Leave it to a Canadian company to build a kayak in the most diplomatic way possible. Unsatisfied with its original release — already among the top portable watercrafts out there — Trak surveyed the kayaking community on its wants and needs. The result was this, the holy grail of touring kayaks.
$4,500, TRAKKAYAKS.COM
TIFFANY’S DRAFTING TOOLS
What do you get for the architect who has everything? This set of handsome silver-and-walnut drafting tools by Tiffany’s, which are the very embodiment of form meeting function.
FROM $540, TIFFANY.CA
NODI ARMCHAIRS
It’s time to ditch the rustic Muskoka chairs for something more contemporary. Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, Tribu’s new outdoor seating collection adopts slim, angular lines of stainless steel to achieve an edgy sophistication. Interlaced weather-resistant rope acts as a comfortable backrest.
$1,790, TRIBU.COM
HERMAN MILLER COSM
The Berlin design team at Studio 7.5 equipped this next-gen desk chair with a frame and suspension that adapt to your weight and posture automatically — no fiddling with levers necessary. They call the feature “Auto-Harmonic Tilt.” We call it the next best thing to a corner office.
PRICE UPON REQUEST, HERMANMILLER.COM
BLUESOUND PULSE SOUNDBAR
The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar is the world’s first hi-res audio soundbar, which means that, when installed under your TV, you get fully immersive, highly detailed audio — whether you’re watching soccer or Spongebob.
$1,200, BLUESOUND.COM
RBW X TIMBERLAND BEAVER TAIL HIKER
The highlight of the collaboration between outerwear giant Timberland and Montreal-based streetwear label Raised by Wolves has to be the “Beaver Tail” hiker. Made in black waterproof Helcor, it’s both incredibly capable and incredibly stylish (especially with those optional bright yellow laces).
$180, RAISEDBYWOLVES.US
DYSON PURE COOL TOWER
The second generation of Dyson’s air purifier adds an LED display to clue you into exactly how many pollutants are in your air and track the machine’s progress. In the summer, it doubles as a refreshing cooling fan.
$650, DYSONCANADA.CA
NIKON COOLPIX W300 CAMERA
Even the most extreme of weekend warriors will have a hard time abusing Nikon’s heavy-duty point-and-shoot. Waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof, and dustproof, the 16-megapixel powerhouse is ready to withstand all aspects of your whitewater rafting trip.
$500, NIKON.CA
JAQUET DROZ SIGNING MACHINE
The famed watchmaker Jaquet Droz turned 280 this year, and to celebrate, they rereleased one of their most complicated complications: the signing machine. Made of 585 parts and assembled by hand, the machine can accurately replicate your signature down to the very movement of the pen.
$367,500 USD, JAQUET-DROZ.COM
BANG & OLUFSEN BEOSOUND 1
Long known for designing audio speakers that look as timeless as a finely crafted classical instrument, Danish manufacturer Bang & Olufsen has outdone itself with its latest: a special edition of its conical BeoSound 1 that has been polished and anodized several times for a glossy, piano-black finish.
$2,180, BANG-OLUFSEN.COM
VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY KNIFE
Ever wondered what they do with all those Nespresso pods you’ve been dutifully recycling? Another Swiss company has the answer. The casing of this Victorinox knife, here in Dharkan dark blue, is made from 100 per cent recycled aluminum, to complement the 100 per cent recycled steel of the blades.
$72, SWISSARMY.COM
PAX 3 VAPORIZER
Cannabis consumption’s come a long way from Up in Smoke — nowadays, even Willie Nelson uses a vaporizer. Every pull on the Pax 3 is clean, cough-free, and flavourful. It also looks much cooler than the hastily rolled joint you’re hiding in your wallet.
$320, PAXVAPOR.COM
ALFA FORNO CIAO OUTDOOR PIZZA OVEN
Until now, the only way to make a perfectly charred pie at home has been with a backyard stonework requiring inordinate amounts of effort and dough (the other kind). This portable steel unit achieves the same result by using patented Forninox technology to heat up to 570 degrees in just 10 minutes. As wood-fired ovens go, this is the pizza de résistance.
$3,020, ALFAPIZZA.IT
BEEFER GRILL
Some like it hot, and some like it 815 degrees Celcius–level hot. That’s how scorching this German-designed gas-powered outdoor appliance gets in its quest to sear meat to steakhouse-level perfection. The best part: it comes apart for easy cleaning in your dishwasher.
$900 USD, BEEFER.COM
STELTON NORMAN FOSTER COLLECTION
Upgrade your coffee-service game with this tableware collection by the legendary British architect Norman Foster and the Danish design house Stelton. The complete set includes tumblers, a carafe, a sugar bowl, and a tray, all in mirrored stainless steel or white porcelain.
PRICE UPON REQUEST, STELTON.COM
BEST MADE DETTE FLY BOX
Fly fishing is the ultimate gentleman’s sport, and it deserves suitably gentlemanly equipment. This kit features a collection of time-tested flies, housed in an anodized aluminum case emblazoned with the experienced fly fisher’s ageless credo: “Be optimistic.”
$800 USD, BESTMADE.CO
HAY TOOL BOX
Get your desk in order with this minimalist plastic crate. Stash your stapler and reading glasses in the large central storage compartment and keep favourite writing utensils within easy reach in the side and top niches carved into the organizer’s handle.
$50, HAY.DK