We’ve had our eyes on a few great gifts for Father’s Day this year, including portable tech and skin care. Here’s our annual round-up of gifting ideas for your Dad.
BOSE QuietComfort® 20 Headphones
Sure, there’s a ton of wireless headphones on the market these days, but what if you’d like to plug into your iPad, iPod or iPhone 6/6s (or earlier) devices? BOSE has a portable option for keeping out the noise — and letting in great audio and video.
The QuietComfort 20 headphones shown here are made for Apple devices (there’s also a Samsung and Android version available).
[What’s in the box]
The headphones sport an handy inline mic and remote for easy switching between calls and functions such as answering/holding/ending phone calls, Siri and Google search, volume and Aware mode. This last option is ideal for letting in some of the background noise without having to remove the QC20s.
These headphones are super comfortable too, thanks to BOSE’s own StayHear®+ tips (in three sizes; all included). They fit securely in your ears with a cone shape to allow even contact across the ear. Additionally, their design forms a gentle seal to get full noise reduction. We love the crisp, full sound these little headphones provide, whether in town or on flights.
Even if your Dad’s already got a pair of the larger over-the-ear headphones, he’ll likely appreciate a more compact, high-quality set using Active EQ and TriPort® technology.
Other features include a clothing clip, zippered soft case and 30.5 cm (just over 12 in.) USB charging cable. Charging time is two hours with 16 hours of battery life per charge. Available at BOSE online and in boutiques across North America. CAD/USD $329.99
Belkin Pocket Power 10K Power Bank
Belkin’s got a portable Pocket Power Bank in two versions, the 10K and 15K, great for charging up his smart phone multiple times.
The Power Bank will also charge smart watches, fitness bands, headphones, small drones, speakers, action cameras, pretty much any small device that can connect to a USB cable (a separate Lightning to USB cable is necessary to charge devices with a Lightning port).
Stay charged up on the go with 10,000 mAh (charges a phone up to 3x) or 15,000 mAh (charges a phone up to 5x); both models have been tested on an iPhone 7 running iOS 10. Both offer dual USB-port charging. They’re also built with durable plastic casing to keep the polymer battery pack safe.
And here’s two more great reasons for your Dad to have one of these in his life:
Belkin batteries include sensors that monitor heat, voltage and circuitry so the Power Bank won’t overheat or harm your devices. Excess heat, voltage fluctuation or circuit flaws activate an override that shuts the battery down immediately for ultimate safety.
Both Pocket Power 10K and15K are protected by a Belkin Connected Equipment Warranty. If your device is damaged by an electrical charge while properly connected to the charger, Belkin will repair or replace it up to a value of $2,500.
The charger is available in silver, black and rose gold and ships with a 6-inch micro USB cable.
Weight
– Pocket Power 10K: 222 g/7.8 oz.
– Pocket Power 15K: 340 g/0.75 lbs.
The Power 10K Power Bank retails for CAD $59.99/USD $39.99 and the 15K Power Bank for CAD $69.99/USD $49.99.
Belkin MIXIT↑™ DuraTek™DuraTek Lighting to USB Cable
Belkin’s DuraTek Lighting to USB cable (Honoree of a CES 2018 Best of Innovation Awards) is built with durability in mind, using Kevlar® fibers. This added strength keeps the cable going strong, able to withstand many years of use.
Kevlar is the same fiber used in bullet-resistant vests, crash helmets, surfboards and extreme sports gear. Kevlar strands are built into the cable to allow the cable to flex without stretching.
Added to that is an 18mm strain relief where the cable joins the connector head, adding more bend cycles to the product. Flexible TPE adds stress-absorbing; the cable has been tested to withstand 5000+ cycles of 180-degree cable bending. It’s also more environmentally-friendly than standard PVC.
Part of Belkin’s MIXIT↑™ collection, the DuraTek cable comes with a 5-year limited warranty, is made for both iPhone and iPad, and comes in black, rose gold, gold and silver. Both are sold at Best Buy and The Source as well as Belkin online. CAD $34.99/USD $29.99
Roam Mobility SIM Card
If you know your Dad will be headed to the US this summer, consider getting him a Roam Mobility SIM card. We’ve used these on many occasions and it’s easy to use. Just check out Roam online and view their coverage map.
Once you know how many days and what type of coverage you’d like (Talk+Text, Talk+Text+Data, Text Only), you purchase a plan based on your needs. Buy the SIM card online and switch out your Canadian SIM once you land. Users can get 512MB of 4G LTE per day for the duration of each plan.
It’s also easy to both prepay and top up once you’re on the go, so you’ll avoid overage changes and hidden fees. Check out Roam online for all the details.
L’Occitane Cade Complete Care Moisturizer
L’Occitane’s created Cade Complete Care Moisturizer, a rich, creamy 5-in-1 men’s moisturizer able to hydrate, nourish, fortify, soothe and protect the skin.
This product is packed with lots of natural extracts. Both Grape Seed and Cade essential oils hydrate, nourish and protect the skin from irritation and environment. Added to this are Oak, Beachwood and Birch extracts for soothing and firming the skin as well as increasing regenerative activity and minimizing the appearance of wrinkles.
This easily absorbed formula can be applied right after shaving and can be used both morning and evening.
L’Occitane’s tested this product and discovered that using it for a month decreases skin sensitivity by 47% as well as leaves skin smoother and firmer. It also absorbs quickly without shine or stickiness. 50 ml; CAD $64
L’Occitane Cedrat Shower Gel
A handy two-in-one cleanser with a fresh, woodsy scent, Cedrat Shower Gel is formulated with organic Corsican cedrat extract to help energize and awaken the skin, leaving it feeling nice and soft, according to my husband. It does double duty by adding shine and softness to the hair and foams up nicely too. 250 ml; CAD $22
