Tag: Health

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

There’s no shortage of gear hitting the market at any given moment. New boots, new tools, new tech, new blades—the product pipeline never slows down. Every week we test, carry, wear, ride, and otherwise put a bunch of new gear through their paces across hiking trails, farms, workshops, and rural roads. Most gear is fine, some of it is good. A small percentage is genuinely worth your money and attention—and an even smaller portion earns a permanent place in our gear loadouts.

Once a month, we take a step back from the week-to-week gear grind and pick out what actually stood out over the last four weeks. It’s usually not the flashiest new release or the most expensive item that landed on our front porches—it’s the products that proved themselves in the field over multiple uses. The ones that helped solve a real problem, performed better than expected, or simply represented the best (so far) version of what a piece of gear can be.

What you’ll find here isn’t sponsored content or a regurgitation of press releases. It’s the honest result of real-world use by editors and contributors who spend an unreasonable amount of time thinking about what makes gear worth owning—and keeping. If something made this month’s list, it earned it.

One of our top picks is Polk MagniFi Mini AX soundbar—it isn’t invisible, but at only 15 inches long, it’s about 60 percent smaller most bars and it has five drivers paired with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to create a sense of sound moving around and above you. For those eager to get back to lawn care duties, the Milwaukee’s M18 Brushless Blower works really well for small yards, apartment living, quick spot cleans—it’s relatively quietly, lightweight, well-balanced and requires far less maintenance than gas blowers. And if you’re itching to lose that winter scruff, the Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night Special Edition Shaver is worth a look with self-sharpening nanotech blades and built-in beard trimmer.

Polk Magnifi Mini AX Soundbar

When you install a TV with an art mode, one of the fastest ways to ruin the illusion is to put a big slab of glossy black hardware in front of it. Whether you’re displaying “Starry Night” or not, a soundbar is a necessary evil with most flat screens, but more isn’t always better. The Polk MagniFi Mini AX isn’t invisible, but at roughly 15 inches long, it’s about 60 percent smaller than my previous bar—and I don’t miss the extra bulk.

Setup is quick, and the package includes a wireless subwoofer and an intuitive remote. You can spend more, but for casual streaming, it’s hard to argue you’ll get more meaningful results. Inside are five drivers—three midrange and two tweeters angled to spread sound—paired with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to create a sense of sound moving around and above you. The system also analyzes your room and pushes audio toward its edges to mimic a wider setup than its size suggests. My previous soundbar relied on docking, battery-powered rear speakers I rarely bothered to place, and the Polk gets surprisingly close to that layered effect with a single bar.

Engineers also include a genuinely useful feature: adjustable dialogue enhancement from the remote that makes voices clearer without cranking the volume. In back, connections cover the essentials—HDMI eARC, optical, an old-school 3.5mm aux input, and USB-A for firmware updates (no over-the-air support). The subwoofer hits harder than you’d expect from something roughly the size of a child’s small backpack, but placement matters. I set the speaker too close to a wall with the rear port facing it. The airflow created a loud slapping noise where the wall meets the ceiling—I initially thought I had a raccoon in the attic. Before I prepared to battle the masked intruder, I figured out the problem. Turning the subwoofer 90 degrees was the fix. Streaming a YouTube subwoofer test track is a quick way to check placement (and will probably spook the dog).

Streaming is straightforward over Wi-Fi via Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, or Spotify, as well as Bluetooth 5.0. The black cloth wrap is a welcome break from glossy plastic, and the top-mounted controls are easy to read and use. I don’t see myself going back to a larger bar anytime soon, not when my room gets everything it needs from a speaker that’s about the size of the one I take to the beach. —Sal Vaglica, contributor

[$499; polkaudio.com]

Antigravity ATZ10 Re-Start Battery

One of the many major adjustments required to move from a life with mostly cars to a growing obsession with motorcycles inevitably involves a few experiences adjusting to smaller batteries. Little lead-acid and AGM batteries for motorcycles can run out of juice much, much quicker than typical car, truck, or SUV batteries. Smaller batteries fit into motorbikes better, though, and contribute less to overall mass. But this means everyone who takes up motorcycling, either at a young age or as a midlife crisis like me, will quickly learn to turn off their bikes’ ignition immediately at the end of every ride. 

To help combat my ingrained behavior when I first started converting a 2002 Honda CBR954RR into a street-legal track build, one of the very first items I researched was a potential lithium-ion battery conversion. Little did I know that there’s no conversion necessary. And in the end, I wound up selecting the ATZ-10 Re-Start from Antigravity for a number of varying reasons.

First of all, lithium batteries shave a lot of weight. This ATZ-10 Re-Start with a beefy 360 cold-cranking amps only tips the scales at a svelte 2.6 pounds. Compare that to the average lead-acid battery for the CBR954RR at over 7 pounds, and I found a quick savings of 65-70 percent (which sounds silly, but this little change represents about 1 percent of the bike’s full weight). That mass tucks right under the seat, too, which allows for easy access but detracts from ideal weight distribution.

While choosing the Antigravity, I considered a similar battery from Shorai after a solid experience with one that the previous owner installed in my 2006 Ducati Monster S2R 1000. Shorai enjoys a good reputation, but the wiring and unique trickle charger connections cause me regular frustrations. Given the fact that the bike is, after all, a Ducati, I want to keep it on a trickle charger at all times. But Shorai’s incomprehensible plug connectors come apart far too easily, the charge box’s form factor looks downright prehistoric, and the power cables lack the length to stretch across my garage floor without an extension cord.

Antigravity makes installation easy, since despite weighing so much less, the battery occupies the same dimensions. This meant I could skip using any plastic or foam bracings. There’s no liquid inside, either, so no need to worry about spilling or leakage. And Antigravity decided to install terminals at all four corners to make wiring easier for a wider variety of motorcycles. 

I do keep the Antigravity on a lithium-specific trickle charger from CTEK, even though lithium-ion chemistry allows Antigravity to claim twice the service lifespan versus a lead-acid battery, because I’m always juggling a few loaner cars and bikes at any given time so my own collection frequently gets neglected. Wiring up the CTEK’s pigtail only took a few extra seconds while installing the ATZ-10. An onboard battery management system can help to prevent self-discharge. But I still learned that the battery will die if drawn down due to user error. 

How, you ask? Well, enter one of my main reasons for selecting the ATZ-10 Re-Start. As the name suggests, this battery can self-jump itself. The self-jumping feature became a priority  for me after I left my CBR outside overnight in sub-freezing temps before my first track day at Chuckwalla. In the morning, the battery simply would not crank the inline-four over despite showing just under 12 volts on a voltmeter. I needed to find a jump pack to use, which took away time from typical track prep. 

With the Antigravity, I only killed the state of charge enough to keep the bike from firing up once—while changing the oil before my next track day, which took so much longer than expected that I wound up working well into nighttime. My garage and overhead lights being under construction at the time, I used a headlamp and also kept the bike’s headlight to help visibility in my work area. This drew enough juice that by morning, when I tried to load up into my truck, the engine wouldn’t crank.

Obviously, that’s not Antigravity’s fault. And nor is the fact that my Honda requires an allen wrench to get under the seat (unlike the Ducati’s vastly superior engineering, which pops up the seat just with the key). But once I got under the Honda’s seat, I pushed the Re-Start button on the battery and the bike fired right up. I let it idle for a few minutes while strapping down my gear, and when I got to the track, the motor turned over no problem once more.

Antigravity’s lithium-ion batteries might cost a bit more than other options available, but are worth every dollar given that the ATZ-10 Re-Start saves weight, fits well, installs easily, and can become a lifesaver if I mess up and kill the battery. After all, I’m never going to carry a jump pack on a motorcycle—and now I’ll never need to. —Michael Teo Van Runkle, contributor

[From $130; antigravitybatteries.com]

Milwaukee M18 Brushless Blower

For some, it’s a slow adoption. I know it was for me. But battery-powered yard tools are here to stay. With spring cleaning in full effect, I had the chance to test Milwaukee’s M18 Brushless Blower and I was impressed by how handy it turned out to be.

It’s important not to ignore the limitations that come with an electric blower, especially when it comes to battery life. On higher-tier batteries, you’re looking at just under half an hour of use. That works really well for small yards, apartment living, quick spot cleans and even blowing snow off your car. I would argue that’s exactly who this model is for. It runs relatively quietly so you’re not bothering your neighbours, it’s lightweight, well-balanced and requires far less maintenance. 

If you’re dealing with larger properties or heavier workloads, you’ll likely need an extra battery or be comfortable working in shorter bursts. That might sound inconvenient but it’s actually quite manageable. With a Super Charger, you can be back up and running in about 45 minutes and depending on what other work you’re doing this type of rotation can work just fine for some folks. 

In terms of utility, the blowing power is capable of tackling all your typical jobs. It clears leaves from gutters, pushes dust out of the garage and driveway, cleans off walkways and handles typical spring leaf cleanup without any issues.

Overall, this blower does exactly what it’s meant to do. The real question is how much of a workhorse you need it to be. From there, it’s just a matter of deciding whether one battery is enough. If you already own M18 batteries, this blower sits at a really nice price range that makes going electric a lot more enticing. —Peter Matlashewski, contributor

[$149 (tool only); homedepot.com]

akley Drop In D3O Full Impact Shirt

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tended to skew more toward cautiousness in my outdoor endeavours. Whether mountain biking, motorcycling, e-scootering, etc.—pretty much anything that has you zipping along a high speeds with numerous bone-breaking and shoulder-skinning obstacles all around. The one problem with adding more protection to an aging body is the amount of heat it can generate. And as a profuse sweater, that often deters me from throwing on my armored-up leather motorcycle jacket in the midst of a North Carolina heat wave, or putting on clunky armored shirt for dirt biking or mountain biking in summer temps. Which means I won’t ride as much because I’m not getting out and after it without proper protection.

Enter the Oakley Drop In D3O Full Impact Shirt, and a genuine change of habit. The headline feature is D3O Ghost technology, and if you haven’t encountered D3O before, the short version is this: it’s a polymer that stays soft and flexible under normal conditions but stiffens dramatically on impact, absorbing and dispersing energy before it reaches your body. Oakley integrates D3O ghost pads at the chest, back, and shoulders—the areas that tend to take the most punishment when things go sideways. EVA foam handles rib protection. All of it exceeds EN 1621-1:2012 Level 1 certification, which is the baseline for this category of protective gear.

What sets this shirt apart is how little you notice it once it’s on. The body heat activation is real—the pads warm up quickly and conform to your torso, which eliminates that stiff, bulky feeling that kills most armor setups. The stretch mesh construction breathes genuinely well for a shirt with this much going on inside it. After several hours on the trail or track, including some extended climbs and intense forest riding, heat buildup was minimal. The inner silicone grip keeps everything in place through roots, rocks, and rough chatter without constant readjustment.

Getting it on and off is handled by a lateral zip on the left side—a detail that sounds minor until you’ve wrestled a sweaty protective shirt over your shoulders post-ride. The pads are also removable and the whole thing is machine washable, which matters more than most gear marketing suggests.

The shoulder pads sit a touch flat for my taste rather than contoured to the natural shoulder shape, which is a minor ergonomic miss. And at this price point, Level 2 protection would be a welcome option. —Adam Bible, Gear Editor

[$240; oakley.com]

Philips Norelco i9000 Electric Shaver

As someone who has a perceptual beard in various states of thickness, I’ve always been a little suspicious of high-end electric razors. As a 21-year-old man in 2002, I remember thinking Pierce Brosnan’s Philips Philishave Sensotec in Die Another Day was cool, but I wondered if it really could knock out that massive Jesus beard he’d had at the beginning of the movie. Fast-forward to 2026, and Ryan Gosling has a similar beard at the start of Project Hail Mary, and Philips is once again in the game of promoting an electric shaver connected to a cool guy doing cool stuff in a big movie. I loved Project Hail Mary, and I love Gosling’s look in the movie, so when Philips asked me to test out a Philips Norelco i9000 Prestige Ultra Day & Night Special Edition Shaver, which was connected to the movie, I said yes. 

The first thing I’ll say about this razor is that if you’re someone who shaves every day, this will be your go-to razor for the rest of time. But, if, like me, you often have some kind of beard in various states of growth, this is great, too. In addition to the self-sharpening nano-tech blades, there’s also an attachment that just functions as a beard trimmer. Compared to my last very cheap beard trimmer, this was amazing. 

But the Philips Norelco i9000 isn’t built just for touching up your beard. This is a serious razor, and so, after trimming my beard, I decided to go all the way. As beard-owners know, going totally clean-shaven can be traumatic, especially if you haven’t done it in a while. (Again, the Project Hail Mary parallel is clear.) But what I love about this razor is that it didn’t hurt at all, despite the fact that I was getting rid of a pretty sizable beard, and when I was done, I didn’t have razor burn at all. 

It has several settings, but I defaulted to the “sensitive” setting, which I found worked the best with my skin and complexion. I’m told by the people at Philips that the Norelco i9000 has blades constructed of the same steel as used in the aerospace industry, which is both comforting and terrifying, hence my default to the sensitive setting. 

But I came out unscathed with the Norelco i9000, and one of the best features about it is that it’s basically self-cleaning. It comes with some pretty serious cleaning solutions, but a simple rinse is almost all it really needs. The charging station for the razor looks like something off of a spaceship, which means you’ll never lose it or confuse it with a different charger for another device. The instruction booklet also tells me this can shave my head, and as I’m gearing up for my summer buzz, that’s my next adventure with this shaver.

If you’re someone who shaves often, and you want a smooth, no-fuss razor, the Philips Norelco i9000 is a solid choice. It may not enable you to save dying stars or invent an algorithm for talking to an alien, but it will make you feel like you could. —Ryan Britt, Entertainment Writer

[$500; amazon.com]

Therabody SmartGoggles Gen 2

Not all smart goggles are built for immersion and sometimes a more sensible innovation can be to simply block everything out. After a few months with Therabody’s SmartGoggles Gen 2, I can say they have firmly surpassed my expectations when it comes to experiencing something new. We spend most of our day bouncing between screens, notifications and distractions. Slipping these goggles on at the end of the day has become a reminder that a mandatory slowdown is a healthy habit to build on. 

Once you put them on, you are met with total darkness, followed by a sequence of compression, heat and vibration that works across your temples, forehead and brow area. Quite frankly, I’ve never felt anything like it before.

A surprising feature to come across was the biometric ensor, which tracks your heart rate and adjusts the rhythm of the session to drop below that threshold in order to help you calm down. These SmartGoggles also have Bluetooth and app integration, allowing you to explore guided audio sessions, meditation programs and sleep aid cycles. It’s also meant to accompany you on the road with its compact carry case and foldable design. Whether you’re bringing it on a work trip or using it on a plane, this device is quite easy to toss in your luggage. These Gen 2 goggles charge via USB-C and deliver about two hours of relaxation before needing to be charged.

The wellness space can feel saturated, with many products promising more than they deliver. Very few provide results you can genuinely notice, but these Gen 2 SmartGoggles actually do. Whether you’re into wellness gadgets yourself or shopping for someone special in your life, these relaxation goggles make for a great investment. —Peter Matlashewski, contributor

[$220; therabody.com]

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

In This Story

Why We Love This Deal

There is currently a whole host of Ray-Ban deals over at Nordstrom Rack, with savings reaching well over the 50% mark. The most popular deal is for the JFK-esque Wayfarers, but those who want to look suavely smart while keeping the sun out of their eyes need to check out the Ray-Ban’s classic browline Clubmasters, now under $100.

The Ray-Ban 52mm Polarized Square Clubmaster Sunglasses are $90 right now in both their classic Havana brown and straight black styles. You can also get a black pair with a gold-tone metal, a la Mr. Orange in Reservoir Dogs, at $100, thanks to a 47% discount.

Ray-Ban 52mm Polarized Square Clubmaster Sunglasses, $90 (was $215) at Nordstrom Rack

What Shoppers Should Know

• Sizing: 52mm lens width; 19mm bridge width; 145mm temple width
• Color Options: Havana brown print, black, black/gold
• Style: Browline
• UV Protection: 100%
• Frame Material: Acetate
• Best Use Case: This is a pair of sunglasses for the smart yet tough guy that lives inside of you.

While Wayfarers are built for the everyman, a pair of Clubmasters knows exactly who it is going for, and it’s got the history to prove it. Evolving from AO Sirmont sunglasses, worn throughout the ‘50s by leaders like Lyndon B. Johnson and Malcolm X, the Clubmaster uses a browline style that accents the eyes. The result is a smart, even sharp look that never approaches nerdy.

This particular variation of Ray-Ban’s Clubmaster is done with an acetate frame, bringing colors richly to life while also staying lightweight and comfortable on the face. The Havana brown colorway’s lenses, which provide 100% UV protection, have a slight gradient to them and look a bit more playful than the straight black colorway.

Related: Birkenstock’s Ergonomic Shinjuku Sandals Are Nearly 60% Off Right Now

What Shoppers Are Saying

One shopper pointed out something pretty cool about the lenses on the Havana brown glasses. “The brown color of the lenses is only the top half; the bottom half is more clear/neutral, so they are perfect for driving,” they said.

Meanwhile, another shopper put on the straight black glasses and said, “They look classy and make me feel like a million bucks.” And that’s the exact way you should feel in Clubmasters.

The Ray-Ban 52mm Polarized Square Clubmaster Sunglasses are $90 right now, a great deal for any Ray-Ban glasses. But if you want more, check out these other popular options at similar prices.

Shop More Deals

• Ray-Ban 64mm Aviator Sunglasses, $100 (was $194) at Nordstrom Rack
• Ray-Ban 59mm Polarized Navigator Sunglasses, $90 (was $215) at Nordstrom Rack
• Ray-Ban 60mm C-DBL Navigator Sunglasses, $90 (was $215) at Nordstrom Rack

Like automotive fuel, jet fuel prices have skyrocketed since US and Israeli missles landed in Iran two months ago. With the Strait of Hormuz still effectively shut despite ongoing talks, prices are set to go nowhere but up. Travelers, though, don’t seem to care. A CNBC report shows airlines forecasting high profits in the second quarter of the year despite high prices for aviation fuel (or Avgas). Airlines have been passing costs on to consumers, but ticket sales show no signs of slowing.

The price spike comes at a time when prices for fuel are already trending upwards. Warm weather in the northern hemisphere and the arrival of spring always mean more people on the road and in the sky, looking to shake off the winter chill. In March, travel-agency ticket sales rose 12 percent from a year ago. Domestic economy ticket prices are up too, 21% from a year prior. The cheap seats aren’t the only ones getting more expensive, either. Premium seats like Business and First Class tickets rose by 17% per trip. “… bookings have remained resilient amidst these changes, which is an encouraging sign,” JetBlue Airways
CEO Joanna Geraghty said on an earnings call.

Jet Blue and Amewrican Airlines sais revenue would rise 11% and 16.5% in the second quarter, respectively. This is in spite of what Geraghty said was the second largest disruption to air travel since the pandemic. “It’s possible especially given air ticket prices have grown well below general inflation since COVID” that fares stay high, saidUBS airline analyst Atul Maheswari. “As such, we think there is room for airfares to go up and stay higher. This could drive significant earnings growth and margin expansion for airlines in 2027 should jet fuel prices moderate. That said, we think demand would need to hold steady for airlines to maintain pricing next year.”

What this means for travelers is simple: airlines will continue to raise costs and blame fuel prices, even after prices have come down. The end result will be price increases on economy seats most of all, as premium seats tend to already have wide margins airlines can lean on. Budget airlines, like Spirit, can flounder as a result of smaller margins on cheap flights, leaving many budget travelers without options.

Video games take inspiration from other titles all the time, even if fans don’t see it in plain sight. Sometimes, the most unlikely predecessor paves a path for something even greater, and that’s exactly what happened with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

The 2023 Switch game is now considered one of the best in the series and an all-time entry in Nintendo’s canon. It was everything Breath of the Wild was, but with an even more fleshed-out and advanced world.

The creation tools that allow players to build vehicles to their hearts’ desire are one of the first things that come to mind when thinking about the game, but this is a mechanic that was actually popularized by a cult classic Xbox 360 game, not appreciated by the public.

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts didn’t go over well with series fans when it came out in 2008. Developer Rare’s move from Nintendo consoles to Microsoft hardware meant that the game was developed with a different audience in mind.

Instead of traditional 3D platforming like on the Nintendo 64, the game utilized a build-and-operate approach that turned Banjo’s world into a playground for crafting motorized vehicles and completing different objectives that were made easier or more difficult depending on what you were driving.

With almost 20 years in the rearview mirror, some fans on social media are now crediting the density of the building mechanics. Some even think that The Legend of Zelda’s vehicle gameplay is inspired by Nuts & Bolts, but it doesn’t live up to the Xbox 360 title.

TOTK has an amazingly powerful creation toolset that’s utterly let down by a game design that barely incentives engagement with it on any meaningful level.

Nuts & Bolts integrated its build system into the actual gameplay 10 times better. https://t.co/7BbIwAYjId

— André (@AndreSegers) April 30, 2026

This fan bemoans that TOTK doesn’t meld the vehicles with the world design as well as Banjo-Kazooie did. Another person thinks that Nuts & Bolts still reigns far superior and believes TOTK has no other legacy beyond the crafting elements.

Kinda funny that it took them 12 years to make this game and its only legacy is the part they ripped off from nuts and bolts https://t.co/9K7UXhu2hG

— Bring Back Banjo (@BringBackBanjoK) April 30, 2026

Both of these games are controversial in their own ways. Tears of the Kingdom is still one of the most critically acclaimed games on the Switch, despite some detractors. Nuts & Bolts is now viewed in a more favorable light than in 2008, but Banjo-Kazooie fans wish for there to be a true sequel to Banjo-Tooie.

Regardless of the opinion on these games, it’s wonderful to see such different game universes collide, emulate, and inspire one another even decades after their creation.

An AP Newsreport found a few Americans are saving money on gas in a creative new way: by visiting Native American reservations. Exempt from gas taxes, stations on “the rez” are cheaper than those even just 30 minutes away. At the Tulalip Market on the Tulalip reservation in Washington, gas is $4.84 per gallon, less than what Junelle Lewis is paying just 30 minutes away in the Seattle metro area.

“I purposely drove here just for the gas,” she said. For some, it’s a long way to go for gas, but in states like California, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, and Washington state, there are dozens of tribally owned fuel stations exempt from state fuel taxes. Gas prices have skyrocketed since American missiles fell on Iran, sending the national average to $4.15 per gallon as of publication. At the Chukchansi Crossing Fuel Station & Travel Center near Yosemite National Park, gas is 60 cents less than at nearby stations. In New Mexico and New York, two fuel stations fall as low as $3.79 and $3.65 per gallon, respectively.

Ordinarily, tribes pay a federal fuel tax – 18.4 cents per gallon of gas and 24.3 cents per gallon of diesel. Like many other stations, this gets figured into what tribal stations charge for gas. State tax exemptions mean the rest is down to the individual station. US law holds that states don’t have the authority to collect taxes from Native Americans on their land. The precedent is one of the longest-standing in an otherwise long history of walkbacks and violations of Native American sovereignty on reservations. “They’re cheaper here than anywhere else,” Todd Hall of Paden, Oklahoma, told AP News. He likes the “way the tribe operates,” and says the Citizen Potawatomi Nation gas station saves him about $5 a week on gas.

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services.  If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

Over the last 15 years, finding a bottle of Blanton’s Bourbon for sale at a reasonable price has seemed like winning the lottery. 

So I have some extremely exciting news: Starting on April 29, and running through Tuesday, May 5, the Men’s Journal Spirits Shop is offering one bottle of the incredibly rare Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel Bourbon each day for just one cent. Yes, really—one cent. At some point every day for a week, the price will drop from its standard price of $212 to a single penny.

How do you claim this insane deal? It’s simple. You need to keep checking the Men’s Journal Spirits Shop. While you’re there, I suggest you browse our great deals, as well as our selection of splurge-worthy top-shelf unicorns. 

What’s the big deal about Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel? The whiskey isn’t cut down with any water. The barrel is literally emptied and the bourbon is bottled at cask strength, which is usually around 130 proof. (By comparison, the standard Blanton’s Bourbon is bottled at 93 proof.) At this alcohol level, you get the purest expression of the whiskey’s flavor, which includes huge vanilla and wood notes. It’s truly a special whiskey that’s worth jumping through hoops.

Good luck! May the odds be in your favor.

Why Is Blanton’s Bourbon So Popular?

Blanton’s Bourbon was created by legendary distiller Elmer T. Lee in 1984. His genius idea was to showcase the natural differences between the whiskey in each barrel, which is caused by the location of the cask in the warehouse and its age. Most whiskey brands empty many barrels at a time and blend the whiskey together, which allows them to create a consistent house style. Lee would dump one barrel at a time, which means that Blanton’s can taste different from one bottle to another. 

The brand is named after Colonel Albert Blanton, who worked for decades at the George T. Stagg distillery, which we now call Buffalo Trace. Blanton’s Bourbon was first a huge success in Japan and over the last 15 years has really caught fire in the U.S. Its popularity helped kick off the rebirth of American whiskey.

Ford’s latest recall for the Bronco SUV is double jeopardy. The automaker says it needs to go and correct a repair that was previously made to a small number of Broncos to prevent transmission damage. Ford says 4,922 Bronco SUVs may have misaligned transmissions and transfer cases – a major mechanical fault that could cause serious damage.

“On affected vehicles, the transmission-to-transfer case joint may be misaligned due to an incorrectly performed previous repair, which could lead to premature wear of the transmission output shaft splines and transfer case input splines,” reads Ford’s recall report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall covers 2021 to 2025 Bronco SUVs, and states that if the splines wear, vehicles could fail to engage in forward gears, or the parking brake function may not work. In both cases, the likelihood of a crash is increased.

Ford found out about the botched repairs in November, and after two months of investigation, determined misalignment between the transmission and transfer case to be the source of the problem. The brand hopes updated repair materials will help “ensure that the transmission and transfer case are properly aligned when they are reassembled during service repairs.”  25 warranty claims have been filed related to the misalignment issue. Ford says it will have technicians inspect vehicles for misaligned joints or wear on transmission splines, which will require quite a lot of downtime for owners – getting to the car’s transmission and transfer case requires a good deal of disassembly. Any found with evidence of misalignment or damage will need a new transmission and a new transfer case.

Ford leads automakers in recalls so far this year, with 34 recalls active as of publication. Not only is it more than any other automaker, but it also creates a litany of issues for owners down the line, affecting resale values, shaking trust in the brand, and hurting dealer sales. Ford is due a huge $1.3 billion chargeback from tariffs this year, and hopefully, that money will go to improving quality control rather than paying CEO Jim Farley another multi-million-dollar pay package.

Men’s Journal aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission. Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing.

Hybrid athletes, this one’s for you. When your training days don’t look the same from one day to the next, finding workout gear that can actually keep up with your pace is no easy feat. One day you’re lifting heavy weights in the gym, other days you’re logging miles on a Zone 2 run, and somewhere in between you’re probably prepping for your first Hyrox competition. Under such circumstances, it’s helpful to have a pair of workout shorts that are built to withstand whatever you put them through.

The LSKD Challenger Performance Shorts are one of those rare pairs that seem to adapt, no matter what your workout calls for that day. Thanks to their versatility, they stood out during our testing as the best workout shorts for all-around training in the 2026 Fitness Awards. It won’t matter if you’re in the weight room, hitting pavement, or hitting burpees on turf because these workout shorts are built for anything. Read on for our full review.

Related: We Sweat-Tested the Best Workout Shorts. These Go the Distance Round After Round

Best Workout Short for All-Around Training: LSKD Challenger 6” Performance Short

At the end of the day, workout shorts don’t need to do a lot. In fact, the best training shorts are defined by what they don’t do. The fabric shouldn’t chafe against your skin or restrict your range of motion. The waistband shouldn’t bunch or flip. And, of course, your shorts shouldn’t give up before you do. In this regard, LSKD’s Challenger Performance Short does the least, and that’s why we love it.

When you put these shorts on, the first thing you’ll notice is the premium feel of the fabric—satisfyingly soft to the touch and super stretchy in every direction. And as soon as the sweat starts flowing, you’ll appreciate how quick-drying they are. Two zippered pockets offer stealthy storage, and if you prefer your shorts with a built-in liner, LSKD offers a lined option with an integrated phone pouch and grippy nodes along the inner hem.

Key Product Features

• Materials: Polyester, elastane
• Inseam: 6 inches
• Waist: Elastic, drawstring
• Liner: Compression liner or unlined

Why You Should Trust Us

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Related: We Compared the Most Advanced Gym Shorts on the Market. This ASRV Pair Is in a League of Its Own

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In This Story

Why We Love This Deal

New Balance’s RC42 traces its lineage back to the brand’s ’70s training and racing shoes, an era of athletic footwear built around low-profile designs and stripped-back construction. It’s one of many recent novelty lifestyle drops from the 100-year-old brand, debuting in 2024 during Junya Watanabe’s S/S 2024 Paris Fashion Week show, capitalizing on the hype around retro running shoes. And while the trend may be here to stay, at least for right now, this shoe might not be.

The $110 New Balance RC42 Sneakers are on mega sale during Joe’s New Balance Outlet’s Extra 30% off event. They have an initial discount to $70, and the extra 30% off brings the price down to $52. This sale is only for the white and blue colorway, but all sizes (except for 14) are in stock. The sale lasts through May 3, so get a pair while you still can.

New Balance RC42 Sneakers, $52 (was $110) at Joe’s New Balance Outlet

What Shoppers Should Know

• Upper: Suede and mesh
• Insole: Removable padded insole
• Outsole: Rubber
• Best For: Everyday wear, running-inspired streetwear, minimalist looks, Samba alternative

The RC42 is about as uncluttered as a New Balance shoe gets because it’s low to the ground, has minimal paneling, and a suede-mesh upper that’s clean and breathable. That low-profile design gives it the versatility that chunkier heritage runners can’t deliver, and a look that’s easier to style with. If the 480s are the understated classic, the RC42s are for those who want something even cleaner. 

Speaking of the 480s, they’re also on sale for about $50 at the moment, so it’s worth comparing the two. The 480s have more history and that New Balance look, while the RC42s are a little more niche and something other fashion-minded people will appreciate. 

Related: New Balance’s ‘Cool’ and ‘Comfortable’ 480 Sneakers Are on Sale for Only $49

What Shoppers Are Saying

There’s only one review at JNBO (which is five stars), but there are many more on New Balance’s site. One helpful reviewer said, “Never expected that it would be this stylish yet very comfortable.” A second shopper wrote they were even comfortable “after walking around 9 hours every day.”

Adidas’ iconic Sambas likely played a part in this inspiration for the RC42s, and some even prefer the latter: “I like the sleeker look of these and IMO are better looking on than a Samba.” This same shopper also wrote, “If you’re looking for something Samba-like that isn’t being worn by everyone, you’re on the right track.”

The New Balance RC42 Sneakers can be yours for $52, but the brand’s lifestyle silhouettes sell out quite fast on the outlet, so now’s the time to get a pair before sizes run out.

Shop More Deals

• New Balance 574, $45 (was $100) at Joe’s New Balance Outlet
• New Balance 740, $56 (was $115) at Joe’s New Balance Outlet
• New Balance 471, $51 (was $110) at Joe’s New Balance Outlet

If your hamstrings constantly feel tight, you’re probably doing what most people do—stretching them more. You feel tension in the back of your legs, so you assume the muscle is shortened and needs to be lengthened, right? But if that tightness keeps returning no matter how often you stretch, there’s a good chance you’re treating the symptom rather than the cause.

As a weightlifter and long-distance runner, I can relate. Over the years, I’ve dealt with chronically tight hamstrings, assuming that if I kept stretching them, they’d loosen up. But it never seemed to work, and I couldn’t figure out why.

According to physical therapists, the term “tight” hamstrings is a bit of a misnomer. Oftentimes, the muscle isn’t actually shortened at all. Instead, it’s overworked and under constant tension because it’s compensating for other weaknesses in your body.

“In reality, many people with ‘tight’ hamstrings actually have hamstrings that are over-lengthened and overworked, not shortened,” says Wendie Green, LPTA, Clinic Director at Bethesda Physical Therapy. “That tight, grabby feeling could be your hamstrings doing more than their fair share of the work to stabilize the pelvis.”

To fix the issue, you need to look beyond the hamstrings themselves. Here’s what’s actually causing that tight feeling—and what to do about it.

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Why Your Hamstrings Feel Tight in the First Place

Your hamstrings are part of a larger system that includes your glutes, hips, and core, all of which need to work together to help your body move and stay active. When that system functions like a well-oiled engine, your hamstrings help out with movement and force production. But when certain muscles aren’t doing their job, research says your hamstrings step in to compensate, taking on a stabilizing role they aren’t designed to handle on their own.

One of the main reasons your hamstrings feel tight could be sitting too much. “Prolonged sitting is becoming an increasingly common cause [of tight hamstrings],” says Adam Fujita, PT, DPT, CAFS. “Sitting in the same position for long periods can lead to the tightening or shortening of muscles, and over time, even atrophy. Failing to regularly move risks reducing strength, balance, and even stability in key lower body muscles, increasing the likelihood of suffering from discomfort in the hamstrings as they become overworked.”

Additionally, weak glutes and tight hips can make your hamstrings feel tight. When your glutes aren’t firing properly during movements like hinging, running, or lifting, your hamstrings are forced to take over as the primary driver of hip extension. The result is a tightness, even though the muscles may already be lengthened.

Related: How to Do the “World’s Greatest Stretch,” the Single Best Dynamic Warmup

Why Stretching Won’t Fix the Problem

Your hamstrings feel tight, so it’s natural to want to stretch them. But while stretching can help reduce stiffness and improve range of motion in the short term, it doesn’t address the reasons why your hamstrings are under constant tension.

“Dynamic stretches (active movements) are generally better before workouts, while static stretches (slower, sustained movements) are best saved for cooldowns or recovery sessions,” explains Fujita. “More importantly, focusing exclusively on the hamstrings ignores the role of surrounding muscles. If the glutes, hips, and core remain weak or inactive, the hamstrings will continue to pick up the slack, and the tightness will keep returning.

How to Relieve Hamstring Tightness

To remedy tight hamstrings, shift your focus from the muscle itself to the system it operates within. Instead of trying to stretch and lengthen your hamstrings, your goal should be to restore balance and improve how your body moves as a whole.

Fujita recommends incorporating dynamic movement-based exercises into your routine that help improve mobility and coordination. Specifically, he recommends spinal rotations, roll-downs, and windmills.

“These three stretches can help tackle tension that builds from long hours of sitting or intense training, especially in the hamstrings and lower back,” says Fujita. “They can help your body feel less stiff, lighter, and more balanced over time.” These movements are effective because they don’t isolate the hamstrings—they train the body to move more efficiently across multiple joints.

In my experience, taking two to three days off from exercises that heavily engage the hamstrings—like running, deadlifts, and squats—and adding yoga and Pilates to my routine has helped ease my chronic hamstring tightness and improved how I feel and move.

Related: Strength and Conditioning Specialist Shares 5 Simple Stretches to Instantly Reduce Sitting-Induced Tightness

The Long-Term Fix Most People Overlook

When the muscles surrounding your hamstrings are doing their job, your hamstrings no longer need to act as the main stabilizing muscles. As a result, the constant tension that creates the sensation of tightness begins to fade away, allowing you to move better and feel your best.

If your hamstrings always feel tight, it’s worth rethinking your workout routine and habits. In most cases, the issue isn’t that the hamstrings need more stretching; it’s that they’re doing too much work in a system that isn’t functioning properly. Fix that system by giving your hamstrings time to rest and incorporating dynamic movements that strengthen the surrounding muscles—and the tightness will resolve itself.