As your gear ages its performance decreases. Face it: your bag could be in tatters and your earplugs could be sporting more wax than a candle. That’s why we’ve put together this list of some range accessories just in time for Father’s Day. Make them get you what you really want: a nice quiet day of honing your killing skills with some great new range gear.

1. Hackett Equipment Standard Issue Double Rifle Case

It can hold two rifles and two pistols in its well-padded sleeves. And all the extras that your guns deserve are there: lockable zippers, buckle lockdowns, 600D polyester and PVC coating, and, of course, velcro patches.

Buy Hackett Equipment Standard Issue Double Rifle Case, $75.

2. Wiley X Saber Advanced Shooting Glasses

EyePro is one of your most essential range items. Wiley and Saber make the perfect pair of shooting glasses for frequent use. They have three sets of lenses, temple adjustments, and polarization. And all that comes at a price that won’t make you wince if you sit on them.

Buy Wiley X Saber Advanced Shooting Glasses, $66.

3. Leatherman Super Tool 300 EOD

All the utility of a good Leatherman, plus replaceable fuse-wire cutters, cap crimper, C4 punch, and cutout handles that are easy to grip while wearing gloves. Even if you’re not doing bomb disposal, it is the perfect tool for fiddling and fixes on the range.

Buy Leatherman Super Tool 300 EOD, $90.

4. Beretta Off Shot Active Ear Plugs

Don’t skimp on ear protection. Beretta makes a quality pair of active earplugs, with automatic digital suppression for covering gunshots and explosions and nothing else. Charging them for one hour gives you 25 hours of battery. So you can pop them in first thing and not take them out till you’re home.

Buy Beretta Off Shot Active Ear Plugs, $459.

5. Genuine Ammo Can

It held ammo once, and it can do it again. If you don’t have .30 or .50 caliber on-hand, you can use the stainless steel can for just about anything on the range, in the garage, or elsewhere.

Buy genuine ammo can, $28.

6. Velocity Systems Special Threat Ceramic Plate

You’ve probably got a tactical vest. But only a ceramic plate will catch a stray round. Velocity Systems’ ceramic plate is rated to withstand a ricochet from a 7.62 or 5.56 round, and is capable of withstanding multiple hits (when things get more serious). Plus, it only weighs six pounds.

Buy Velocity Systems Special Threat Ceramic Plate, $335.

7. Filson Heritage Sportsman Bag

Ditch the dirty gym bag. Filson’s Sportsman Bag is a no-bullshit, made-in-the-U.S. bag that’s perfect for the range. It’s got a weather-resistant exterior, shoulder strap, five outer pockets, and internal dividers. Its rugged cotton twill, oil finish tin cloth, and U.S.A.-tanned bridle leather should last long enough to pass it on to your kids. It comes in blaze orange and otter green (our preference), making it as useful for sporting clays as it is for a day at the CQB course.

Buy Filson Heritage Sportsman Bag, $395.

8. 5.11 Tactical EMS Pants

5.11 makes pants for the FBI Training Academy. If you want trousers that are built tactical, these are the ones. They have multiple cargo pockets, knee pad slots, and a design-friendly to holsters and pouches. But what about the BBQ sauce you spill on them after your range day? No problem — they’re coated with Teflon.

Buy 5.11 Tactical EMS Pants now, $60.

9. MEC 100E Sporter Electric Clays Trap

Sometimes a range day is more than putting pin-holes in paper targets. Sometimes you want to blast clays with your favorite break-barrel to hone your aim for duck season. But, enough with the old hand-thrower. You want to get serious? Upgrade to this wheeled beast, which holds a standard box of clays and throws 85 yards no problem. And its tilt mode helps with every presentation you can imagine. Your friends will envy you and the birds will wish you were never born.

Buy the MEC 100E Sporter Electric Clays Trap now, $1,650.

10. Ammo!

Nothing beats brass, my friend. Natchez is a buyer’s market for every type of round you could ever dream of. They carry every brand and their prices are tough to beat.

Shop Natchez Ammo now.

Sightline Media Group, LLC writes about products and services to help our readers navigate when shopping online. Sightline Media Group, LLC may receive a share of revenue from our affiliate partners if you purchase products or contract services through our links.

Illinois-based Tyrant Designs is one of those accessory companies that hardcore AR and handgun owners already know.

Their finely-tuned CNC-machined extras for your Glock or AR can turn an otherwise stock blaster into a custom personal protection machine with the simple twist of a screw or MLOK nut.

And needless to say, there’s no cheapo polymer molding here, just well-shaped and smooth aluminum accessories that pay as much attention to their form as they do their function.

Long known for its Glock 19/17 magazine extensions and compensators, Tyrant is set to release magazine extensions for the ever-popular, high-cap Glock 43X and Glock 48 carry pistols.

[BUY NOW: Tyrant Designs Glock 43X and Glock 48 magazine extension]

Utilizing our magazine extension technology the Tyrant Designs Glock 43x & 48 magazine extension is the fastest and easiest installing mag extension ever! Adds 4 rounds to your factory magazine AND includes a 10% power spring. Drop your mags faster, and grab them easily with their machined inlay!

We use our retention plunger technology that allows the magazine extension to easily slide onto the bottom of your magazine! The entire install happens in 10 seconds or less and with no tools!

Just push the plunger down and slide the magazine base plate off!

Our magazine base pads are CNC machined from aerospace grade aluminum. This gives any operator the added weight needed for your base pad to drop free and fast. Our mag extensions instantly add 4 rounds to your 9mm Glock 43x/48.

With an added knurl our Glock 43x & 48 mag extension is easy to grasp in any condition, making reloads faster than our competitors.

As always, our products are manufactured in the USA and have a flawless finish. There is no easier and quicker way to add the much needed capacity to your Glock 43x & 48 than with our Glock magazine extension.

Whether you are an avid concealed carrier, an active competitive shooter or anything in-between, our Glock 43x & 48 Magazine Extension is the solution!

There’s been some criticism of the 10+1 G48 and 43X that the mags only fit those platforms. But with Tyrant looking to service carriers who use those platforms (like us) the company is clearly targeting a market with high demand for “standard” Glock capacity — even for a slim line carry pistol.

And for all of you Mil/LE types out there, Tyrant is offering a 5% discount through GearScout using leo5.

Red dot sights for pistols are becoming widely accepted and one of the hottest topics in the industry.

Experts once called them a gaming toy never to be used on the street or for duty, but those days are long gone. Considered all but mandatory on rifles these days, it’s a far cry from “iron sights rule.”

Irons are great, you should learn on and practice with them, but denying yourself the ability to better aim and get hits on a threat or target is kind of ridiculous.

It was only a matter of time before pistols would see the same progression.

As Mini Red Dot Sights get smaller, stronger and easier to see, shooters are starting to recognize the advantages. Just like rifles it’s easier to aim and get hits in a number of conditions. Optics-ready pistols are becoming the norm rather than the exception, with new models regularly coming to the market.

It begs the question, are they for me, and if so which one?

Let’s bust a myth or two and provide some honest direction.

Red dot tip: Pistol optics are tough as a hammer

Over 40 years of shooting I have had front and rear sights fall off, dots come out and every conceivable level of pistol fail from fantastic plastic to works of machining art.

It’s mechanical, failure is inevitable and indestructible is a marketing ploy not reality. Red dot sights are no exception, and just like their rifle predecessors, they failed a bunch to start and have improved considerably.

Perfect? Nope.

But getting close, and sights exist to fit most needs. Not everyone needs an RDS that can be dropped from a helicopter, run over by a tank then submersed at 33 feet for an hour without losing zero.

Some do, or at least think so. Avoid getting sucked into the idea your equipment is not usable unless you can smack it with a sledge hammer and keep on trucking.

Red dot tip: Pistol optics (generally) make you faster

It’s pretty simple, accuracy and speed at close range are about position, natural point of aim, stability and a good trigger press. It’s not the dot, blade or glow stick on the front. Any difference will be negligible inside seven yards, maybe even 10 yards.

The better you were before the RDS the less the difference.

The fastest shooters on planet Earth use red dot sights, have for years, but few did so to hit an ISPC target faster at 10 yards. Many are faster without sights than us mere mortals with them.

But move things out farther and that all changes almost without regard to your skill level.

Fist sized groups on a six inch steel at 50 yards is the norm for me using an RDS. At 25 yards from a supported position they are clustered together. Even from offhand it’s not hard to stay inside that fists distance at 25 yards.

Even hitting a silhouette at 100 yards is possible without much difficulty. If you can hold the dot reasonably steady you can get hits and it’s a ton easier to do it with an RDS than a front sight, especially as you age.

And that is another advantage. The older you get the harder it is for most to focus on that front sight or even see it. Picking up that red dot is a ton easier. Add movement and it gets even better.

Hold the dot on target and press, no need to “align” a rear sight. Using solid basics, recoil and muzzle control and proper training you will be more accurate, faster, and have better repeat shots using a dot in most every situation.

Red dot tip: Don’t chase the dot

The “trick” to using a pistol red dot is simple — don’t chase the dot.

If you are an experienced shooter do what you’ve always done, build and maintain solid basics. Bring the pistol to target the same way you always have, and there will be a dot there — generally before the front sight.

Don’t chase it, just see it, don’t change your stance, grip, or anything else, it’s a sight not anything magic and basics win the day. For many new shooters it’s even easier because its easier to see the sight, just like it is on a rifle.

Stay focused on that dot, just like your front sight there is just no need to align the rear, if the dots on target you are too. Keep the dot on target and press away with a smooth straight trigger pull disturbing that dot as little as you can.

Toughest pistol red dots

If you feel like your sight must survive punishment there are a few proven examples, or at least mostly proven. Trijicon’s type 2 RMR is the big dog in that hunt.

[BUY NOW: Trijicon RMR pistol red dot]

Designed to withstand as much punishment as an MRDS can they are about as rugged as it gets, proven in testing and during duty and military use.

Leupold’s Delta Point PRO is next with quite a bit of testing under pretty harsh conditions.

Aimpoint’s new ACRO looks to fit this category as well, it’s just new.

[BUY NOW: The new Aimpoint ACRO pistol red dot]

Same goes for the Sig Sauer Romeo 1 Pro model and the Trijicon SRO.

[BUY NOW: Trijicon SRO pistol red dot]

Military-issue pistol red dots

Both the Delta Point Pro and Trijicon’s RMR / SRS have secured military contracts making them solid and proven choices. Given time, testing, and an ever increasing demand, those choices will increase.

Carry sights need to be strong and hold up to daily use, but can be smaller and easier to conceal fitting on smaller pistols.

Concealed carry pistol red dots

Shield Sights makes several including the RMS-C (Compact), one of the most popular. Their new RMS-W is water proof and uses a harder glass screen.

Sig Sauer Electro Optics’ latest Romeo Zero is a great example of a compact sight designed around their Sig P365 XL pistol.

[BUY NOW: Sig Sauer Romeo Zero pistol red dot]

With new sights hitting the market almost monthly there are a ton of choices that are excellent for most. Vortex has offered several sights for years, Crimson Trace has jumped into this market with a vengeance.

Budget pistol red dots

Holosun has really started to catch on and offer a full line of quality sights. If it’s truly just for fun or on a rimfire, many of the less expensive imports are fine and just plain fun.

[BUY NOW: Holosun Reflex pistol red dot sight]

It’s really all about what you are going to do with the pistol it’s on, not everything is best served by spending more on the sight than the pistol.

Best pistol red dot mounts

One of the more daunting and honestly irritating issues with a pistol RDS is mounting them on your pistol.

The two most common mounting patterns are the Trijicon RMR and Leupold Delta Point Pro along with the Shield Sights for the smaller pistols.

It seems as if everyone else is doing their own thing.

[BUY NOW: Reptilia pistol red dot mount for Trijicon RMR]

Sig Sauer’s P320 is fit for their Romeo 1 Pro, it will work with a Delta Point Pro but is not really designed for it.

Everyone seems to put their locking pins in a different spot. Many factory pistols will offer plates that fit into their slide that let you use several of them.

FN America’s 509 is a great example as is Glock’s MOS line. Others have slides cut to fit one pattern — the Sig P365 XL and new Springfield Armory Hellcat are good examples. Both use the Shield RMSc pattern, perfect for their size.

Universal seems to be the thing for factory offerings, but custom CNC machining is available for just about anything. Ultimately the fit at the front and rear of the RDS in the cut the less it beats up the sight.

Red dot tip: Install backup iron sights

My personal preference and recommendation is that carry or duty pistols have back up iron sights that can be co-witnessed if possible. Whether the rear is in front or behind the RDS is personal preference, or dictated by space on the slide.

Many newer RDS have built in rear sights that line up with the front and that’s fine, especially with smaller pistols. It’s just not acceptable (to me) to end up with no visible sighting mechanism on a carry pistol and iron sights insure that.

Red Dots break, all of them, and you need sights in a fight. Until these new RDS are “perfect,” better to have and not necessarily need than the reverse.

Competitive shooters seldom have iron sights on their RDS equipped pistols. Given their time on the trigger, they are practiced at indexing through the screen. Besides, no one’s life depends on what they do at a match.

Just like on a rifle, it does remove any distractions and with practice is incredibly fast. Same could be true with a range pistol — one that is never carried. Some will practice with no iron sight on a range or game pistol and carry the same kind of pistol with iron sights.

It does make it easy to get dialed in on the dot while still providing a basic system for fighting.

Red dot tip: Get with the program and buy one

Consumer demand drives improvement and the industry is catching up.

Perfect? Not by a long shot.

But pistol red dots are getting better with no end in sight to their capabilities. None are magic wands making you lightning fast but they offer serious improvements for many.

Each has its own strengths and weaknesses depending on who they were designed for. As they become smaller, more rugged and better proven, they will only increase in use. Make sure to get some training, don’t just shoot a magazine and call it good.

If you are going to use it in a fight, step up and use one that’s combat proven.

Above all, practice, because all an RDS does is help you aim, not shoot — and that is only made better through practice.

Sightline Media Group, LLC writes about products and services to help our readers navigate when shopping online. Sightline Media Group, LLC may receive a share of revenue from our affiliate partners if you purchase products or contract services through our links.

If you’ve been following the news, COVID-19 has been dominating it. You’re worried, understandably, and are wondering how to get through this without you or your family getting sick – or worse.

Here’s the thing, you can get through it, and it isn’t hard to be prepared in case you need to shelter in place for a couple of weeks. It takes a few simple steps.

The first step is: Don’t panic. This means no freaking out, no selling off your stocks or cashing in your 401(k), no running to your local FFL to stock up on ammo or to get the baddest-looking rifle you can get, and no running for the hills.

Instead, just stay calm, keep a level head, and you’re ahead of the game.

After you have vanquished and banished panic, your next step is to keep clean. Sanitation is one of the biggest factors in limiting the spread of disease, be it COVID-19, the flu, or just a common cold.

Wash your hands, avoid touching things as much as possible (including your face). Have plenty of cleaning supplies on hand: Cleaning sprays, paper towels, toilet paper, and Clorox wipes, among other things.

Also, think about items for personal hygiene: Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and soap.

Food for Sheltering in Place

After making sure you can keep things clean, the next step is to be sure to have plenty of food on hand. Now, on some level, you want stuff that can last.

While there are excellent freeze-dried food options, and you can also buy civilian MREs, both of which are good choices, the most cost-effective approach is to simply get more of the non-perishable food you already are eating.

[BUY NOW: Survival Food Kits From Wise, Legacy and Mountain House]

If you like canned pasta, get it. A few extra cans of your favorite soup won’t take up too much space, either. Like SPAM (the meat, that is…)? Buy some extra. Your kids like tuna? Get a few extra cans.

Even canned beef, turkey and chicken are excellent sources of protein when you’re sheltering in place.

Don’t forget to stock up on the snacks, too. Also, pick up some drink mixes like Tang, lemonade, or Kool-Aid, just so you can mix it up.

Do not forget coffee or tea for those who can’t get through the day without it.

Non-perishable food will last a while. Plus, when the crisis is over, if you just get extra stuff you normally eat anyhow, you’re not stuck with stuff you won’t eat.

The same is true for the non-human members of your family. Whether it’s a cat, dog, fish, rabbit, or guinea pig, make sure they can get through the crisis with a full stomach.

First Aid and Emergency Kits

Then, look towards getting a good supply of over-the-counter medicine to handle the minor illnesses that will still hit. Have on hand pain relievers, cough drops, cough syrup, and even a first aid kit. This will help you minimize the need to go to spaces where you may be at a greater risk of infection.

[BUY NOW: First Aid Kits and Emergency Medical Supplies]

Make sure you have plenty of your prescription medications, too. If you can, get a 90-day supply, and get refills. Again, the same is also true for your pets. Have their medication – prescription or non-prescription.

Power and Communications

After that is done, you will want to keep your communications up. Have your cell phone fully charged, get some portable external batteries, and get some of solar-powered portable chargers.

[BUY NOW: Goal Zero Solar Off-Grid Power Station with 50 Watt Panel]

A full gas tank in your car can also give you a means to charge cell phones and tablets. Also have plenty of alkaline batteries for flashlights and portable radios.

If you can, get something like a MiFi to be a backup wireless network so that you can watch Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime to occupy your mind. A good wireless connection can also help you keep up with work or keep in touch with family elsewhere in the country.

Water Supply

Then, of course, there is water. Have a good supply of bottled water, one gallon per person per day. For a two-week supply, bottled water can be the best option, especially if you can supplement with things like soda, fruit juice, or Gatorade.

[BUY NOW: 5-Gallon Collapsible Water Storage Container]

If the crisis goes longer, you will want to have the means to filter and purify water. A few filters can go a long way, and you can also use bleach.

[BUY NOW: Survival Filter Pro Portable Water Filter Pump]

The fact is, it is easy to have the supplies to not just get by, but to thrive (in a relative sense), through something like COVID-19. You don’t need to be prepared for a zombie apocalypse – you just need to use a little common sense.

Sightline Media Group, LLC writes about products and services to help our readers navigate when shopping online. Sightline Media Group, LLC may receive a share of revenue from our affiliate partners if you purchase products or contract services through our links.

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times.

“Hydrate or die.”

(Isn’t that a slogan for some company somewhere?)

And it’s true. The human body is 60 percent water. You stop drinking, you’ve got about 10 days before your body turns off — no food, and you’ve got more than a week.

So drink up and drink often.

But what’s even worse is that your body will dehydrate itself if you drink contaminated water. Getting Giardiasis or E-Coli from water pulled out of a stream or puddle can result in serious intestinal problems that can kill.

So if the SHTF or you’re out in the field on an op, how do you fill up your hydration bladder or bottle with the water around you and be assured it’s safe?

You can go old school and drop some bleach into your water. You can carry heavy bottles with purified water. Or you can use an off-the-shelf filtration system that’s light, durable and functional on just about any patch of pond scum you come upon.

That’s where companies like Survival Filter come in.

The technology for portable, and long-term reusable water filters has progressed immensely over the years. The sheer number of gallons of water they can treat, the reusability of the filters and the direct-to-mouth versatility make this crucial survival tool cheap and easy to buy and carry.

We tested out the Survival Filter Squeeze water filter and Filter Bottle at this year’s SHOT Show in Las Vegas and used a sample of the Filter Bottle for a week afterward and came away pretty impressed.

Specifications:

Active Filtration bottle —

• 99.99% filtration removal of bacteria, parasites, VOC (volatile organic compounds) and toxic chemicals, heavy metals, unpleasant taste and odors
• Squeeze 900mL of clean water in 30 seconds
• Replaces 426 single-use disposable water bottles
• 100 gal / 575 refills capacity when filtering tap water or 25 gal / 145 refills capacity when filtering lakes, rivers, streams and natural bodies of water

Squeeze Water Filter —

• Removal 99.999% of Protozoa (Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Parasites) Log 5
• Removal 99.999% of tested virus (Phi X-174), Staph and bacteria
• 99.5% Mercury and 93% lead removal
• Flow Rate of 400ml (13.5oz) per minute

Luckily, Survival Filter options are affordable and easy to purchase on their website at just about $40 for either the Squeeze filter or Active Filtration bottle. So, you can easily stock up your EDC kit, bug out bags and survival stash.

Make sure you always have an option to hydrate no matter where you are — because we’re all basically made of water, right? Click “Buy Now” below if you want to have clean water wherever.

Sightline Media Group, LLC writes about products and services to help our readers navigate when shopping online. Sightline Media Group, LLC may receive a share of revenue from our affiliate partners if you purchase products or contract services through our links.

What do you think of when the phrase military history is mentioned? The Civil War? World War II? Cavemen fighting over who got the best mammoth hunting grounds? The topic is epic in its scope across space and time, with battles ranging from Thermopylae to Khe Sanh. Let’s face it, there isn’t a library big enough to hold all the books – and you don’t have the time to read them all, assuming you have an idea of where to start.

Thankfully, you do have a military history book that hits the high points – showing the crucial weapons that changed the nature of war over the centuries. Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare provides a comprehensive overview of the most important weapons, vehicles, hardware, and equipment from the past. Whether that weapon is a simple Viking ax or the highly-advanced Su-27 Flanker, this book can give you the rundown on the most consequential weapons used throughout the ages. From the first flint arrowheads used in prehistoric times to today’s modern drones, the advances that changed the art of war are depicted with stunningly detailed illustrations and photographs.

Are your kids curious about that drone you bought? Do they ask what plane the Red Baron is flying while watching a Charlie Brown cartoon? Maybe a friend asked about the helmet you’re wearing in that picture of you on deployment in Iraq. With this book, you can answer their questions.

Writing a paper and need to trace the evolution of body armor? This book describes Ancient Rome’s iron plates, the bamboo shields used by Aztec warriors in Mexico, the iron and leather armor of Japanese samurai, the Kevlar helmets used by the United States in the Global War on Terror, and more.

It’s not just about the gear, though. This book can also take you through important events and battles, like the conquest of Mexico by Spain in the 1520s. The people who made the biggest marks in military history, from Alexander the Great to Dwight D. Eisenhower, are also covered in this work.

Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare is available on Amazon.com for $22.26 for the paperback. A hardcover edition is also on sale for $39.17. It is a perfect holiday gift to introduce someone to military history without boring them with a ton of dry dates and facts.

It’s one of those days – you’re on watch, you didn’t get much sleep, and you just want to catch 30 winks.

The problem is, you’re not going to be relieved for at least three hours. Your buddies are counting on you to stay not just awake, but alert to potential danger. Or maybe that meeting ran long, you’re feeling drowsy but you still need to get home.

Well, there is a solution for the problem – and it won the U.S. Military’s “Greatest Invention of the Year” award in 2005. That solution is Military Energy Gum. Introduced to the military in 2004, it proved its reliability over the years in combat theaters and eventually entered the civilian market in 2012.

Military Energy Gum was designed for use in sustained or continuous military operations when troops typically don’t get enough sleep. This makes an excellent gift for those working long hours, like a doctor, nurse, or first responder, who may need that life-saving edge.

Do you need to stay alert for an all-nighter at work or a last-minute cram session? Are you a long-haul truck driver making a rush delivery? Do you need a little more pep to get a good workout in?

If you said yes to any of these questions, Military Energy Gum should be your first resort for a fast-acting, long-lasting boost of energy to enhance physical performance and cognitive function.

Take one piece, chew it for five minutes, and it’s like having a cup of coffee minus the spill risk. Only it’s better: Military Energy Gum delivers 100 milligrams of caffeine five times faster than coffee or energy drinks, making sure you get the figurative shot in the arm you need exactly when you need it. Furthermore, Military Energy Gum has been developed and tested by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, and is still in the rations issued to grunts. Over five million packs of this gum have been sold to the Department of Defense.

Military Energy Gum comes in three flavors: Arctic Mint, Spearmint, and Cinnamon, and it is made in the United States of America. You can get a box of 24 five-packs for $28.00 on Amazon.com.

Looking for a watch you can give an outdoor enthusiast, or someone who has to spend a lot of time outdoors?

Maybe you know a hiker, climber, or biker who is tired of seeing planned outings get ruined due to a storm the forecast didn’t predict.

Or perhaps, you’re a person who doesn’t want just any old watch.

The Suunto Core military watch is the multi-function timepiece you need for real outdoors adventures, no matter if you are hunting ISIS terrorists or that monster buck; whether you’re on a week-long camping trip or a one-year deployment to Afghanistan.

This is not just a military watch, it is a weather station you can take with you anywhere on land or water — a useful thing when you consider how unpredictable life can be.

Equipped with an altimeter (accurate from 1,600 feet to 29,500 feet), a barometer, a digital compass, a thermometer, and sunrise/sunset times for over 400 locations around the world, the Suunto Core will help you be ready for anything that the local weather forecasters miss (no offense – or apology – to meteorologists).

When you don’t have a signal to watch the local news, this military watch can pinch-hit and give you plenty of warning about approaching meteorological unpleasantness with an intelligent “Storm Alert” feature that will give you time to get to shelter.

The Suunto Core also has features used on most digital watches, including a stopwatch, alarms, dual-time display (useful for knowing when to Skype back home while taking part in a COBRA GOLD exercise in Thailand), a countdown timer, a date display, and a depth meter good to 30 feet. It is water-resistant to 100 feet and can function in four languages.

We would be remiss if we failed to note that this watch will not come with some of the OPSEC concerns that fitness trackers have, since it doesn’t upload any location data to the internet. This will give you and your battle buddies peace of mind.

This military watch comes with a two-year warranty, is available in eight colors (black, aluminum black, light black, black orange, aluminum brown, light green, black yellow, and steel), and costs $123.80 at Amazon.com.

It’s game night, and you’re just not in the mood for the same old party games. Or maybe you’re stuck in barracks. Or you’re deployed and hundreds – if not thousands – of miles away from the nearest watering hole.

Maybe you just happen to feel SOL when it comes to a good gift idea for the holidays. Perhaps you just want to find a way to bring deployed troops some cheer.

No matter what your situation is, you don’t have to resign yourself to face either boredom, the shame of giving your battle buddy a crappy gift or the stress of sending the wrong size socks to a grunt somewhere far from home.

That’s because Disgruntled Decks: The Original Military Party Card Game for Veterans is well past IOC and is now widely deployed.

Disgruntled Decks is a card game created for combat veterans by combat veterans who have experienced the monotony that can come with military life – at least until the shooting starts.

With over 400 cards that will have you alternating between side-splitting laughter and absolute mortification in the midst of some awkward moments worse than any family gathering, anywhere from four (a typical fire team) to fourteen players (a reinforced Marine squad) can play.

In addition to the original Disgruntled Decks, there are some service-specific versions – one each for the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. There is also an Army-themed expansion pack. You can even slum it by adding Cards Against Humanity. (In all fairness, we should note the creators of Cards Against Humanity did work with the creators of Disgruntled Decks so as to avoid litigation, and that Disgruntled Decks is considered an unofficial expansion of Cards Against Humanity).

Disgruntled Decks is available on Amazon.com, and costs $30.00 plus tax. Be sure you are ready to prevent boredom by having this game locked and loaded!

Sightline Media Group, LLC writes about products and services to help our readers navigate when shopping online. Sightline Media Group, LLC may receive a share of revenue from our affiliate partners if you purchase products or contract services through our links.

Oftentimes, with footwear, you have to pick function or comfort, and when you pick one, you give up the other.

It’s a sucky choice, but Indestructible Shoes has a line of kicks that may help you avoid having to make that choice in the first place.

The Ryder Green shoes are a solution for just about every need a guy could have. Think of these as the only shoes you need for work and play. Whether you’re taking a long hike on a local trail, you’re working in a warehouse moving stuff around, or you are running errands, the Ryder Green can handle it all.

These shoes are tough enough, thanks to military-grade Kevlar, and also have a European-style steel toe – for those times when some idiot decides your foot is the perfect thing for their shopping cart to run over. The sole is also tough enough for those times you run over a bed of nails that somebody forgot to pick up after making some range improvements.

If you’re thinking all this ruggedness adds up to a shoe that’s not very comfortable, you’d be wrong. For starters, this toughness is not heavy. In fact, it comes in at under one pound. It’s also flexible. How flexible? You can twist it in your hands.

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The shoe’s flexibility distributes your body weight across the entire foot. This shoe also has a cushioning midsole, helping to create a roomy toe box for all-day comfort.

But the most important comfort feature in the Ryder Green is the breathable flymesh which helps cool your feet, avoiding the awkward moment where you manage to gross out everyone with sweaty, smelly feet when you take the shoes off.

Finally, these shoes also offer convenience. They come with an incredible time-saver: No-tie laces, thanks to an optional add-on. This is all for the price of $79. The Ryder line of shoes also come in black and gray for men, while the Ryder Pink is available for women.

Check out the Ryder collection at IndestructibleShoes.com to get a pair while they are still on sale!