Calyx Institute Membership + Alcatel LTE Hotspot
Whether you work remotely or just like to have access to the internet while you travel, the Calyx institute has one of the most affordable solutions out there. By becoming a member at the contributor level ($500/first year, $400/year after), you’ll receive a 4G hotspot device (5G is also an option but will cost $750/year) with a year of unlimited data/internet access on the Sprint/T-Mobile cell network.
With our membership, we opted for the Linkzone 2 hotspot from Alcatel (included in the total membership price), which has a 4400 milli-amp battery that provides up to 24 hours of battery life (48 hours in standby). It supports up to 16 device connections, can function as a power bank to charge other USB devices, can be tethered to your computer with a USB-C cable, and has a theoretical maximum data transfer speed of 150 Mbps down/50 Mbps up.
$500/year | Calyx Institute
Wacaco Picopresso
Wacaco, makers of functional and compact portable coffee gear, have a new palm-sized espresso maker called the Picopresso. If it’s anything like its larger brother, the Nanopresso, I have high expectations for what this little machine will do.
At just 10.5 centimeters tall and weighing less than a pound, the Pico is so tiny that you can always find room for it on camping trips. It comes standard with a 52-millimeter coffee basket, the same size as commercial espresso machines, which allows you to pack in up to 18 grams of espresso and pull a true double espresso shot. The Pico comes with a naked portafilter, allowing you to witness the creamy golden goodness of your espresso shot as it is produced.
$100 | Wacaco
Lava Linens Travel Towels
Micro-fiber travel towels are compact and light, but unfortunately, they are made from plastic, which means that on a long enough timeline, they will deteriorate and enter the environment as microplastics. Lava Linens are out to replace the plastic.
These eco-friendly travel towels are made from premium French linen, a natural fiber that can eventually be composted at the end of its usable life cycle. In many ways, Lava Towels are superior to plastic-based micro-fiber towels. The Classic size absorbs up to 22 ounces of water, 50% more than the equivalent-sized micro-fiber towel. Linen also has natural anti-microbial properties, helping avoid that funky towel smell.
The Classic weighs 17-ounces, and when rolled, its footprint is about the size of a 32-ounce water bottle (think Nalgene).
$98 | Lava Linens
Dynaplug Carbon Ultralite Tubeless Tire Repair Kit
Running tubeless on your motorcycle, scooter, or ATV and have a flat on the trail? The Dynaplug Carbon Ultralite repair kit has you covered. This 1.2-ounce glass-filled nylon plugging solution takes up minimal space in your kit and it can plug and repair punctures in tires with a maximum thickness of 1 1/8 inches and a minimum thickness of 3/16 of an inch at the point of puncture. This Dynaplug product comes with a limited lifetime warranty and is made in the USA.
$22 | Dynaplug
BioLite Solar Home 620+
The Solar Home 620+ is an interesting setup that can provide lighting, USB charging, and entertainment for off-grid spaces like vans, tents, or even small homes.
Included in the kit is a tiny 6-watt solar panel, a 23-watt-hour control box, and three hanging overhead lights (one with a motion sensor). The hanging lights have remote switches which can be wall-mounted, and the control box has an integrated radio and MP3 player.
The included lights can be daisy-chained together with their 18-foot cables, allowing for multi-room lighting (if you are using it in a house or multi-room tent). The base station powers the whole setup, plays music, and offers charging for multiple USB devices.
$150| BioLite
And for Father’s Day, here are some gift ideas from our Moto Editor, Heather Lea
Hex Ranger Crossbody Camera Bag
If dad’s a photographer, he might like this stylish, compact camera bag ideal for urban riders and overland adventurers. Though it’s too small for large DSLR camera bodies with lenses, the Ranger Crossbody will hold smaller cameras and accessories.
EVA padded and fleece-lined, the Crossbody will also safely stow batteries, phones, wallets, pens, and notepads. Point-and-shoot, GoPro, and small digital cameras are what this “go anywhere” bag was designed for. You’ll find conveniently placed zippered and magnetic pockets and compartments both inside and out. Each strap is made from surplus-grade nylon webbing and expedition-style buckles. The bag itself is made from premium Cordura and ballistic nylon exteriors.
$50 | Hex Brand
Tenkile Tech Pouch
Is your dad a tech guy? Does he have electronic items and charging cables strewn all over the car or inside a backpack? If you think he’d appreciate being more organized, the Tenkile Tech Pouch might be the perfect Father’s Day gift. With adjustable storage compartments, a wide zipper for full opening, and a ruggedness for all adventures, the Tenkile can be mounted in any vehicle, or attached to luggage and bags.
This pouch holds chargers, cables, memory cards, hard drives, and microphones, along with wallets, keys, phones, etc. The pouches are sold out at the time of writing, but a message on the company website says they’re busy getting more products ready.
$65 | Step 22
Maxtrax Kinetic Recovery Rope
After seeing too many close calls between people and flying recovery gear, MaxTrax set out to design a safer system. With up to 30 percent elongation for smoother, safer vehicle recoveries, the Maxtrax Kinetic Rope is a great addition to dad’s recovery gear. All metal components are bomb-proof and have a 5-tonne safety margin. As the MaxTrax fuse shackle is designed to be the expected point of failure, the shackle must be included in the MaxTrax Recovery System.
You can choose from 2-, 3-, 5-, and 10-meter ropes, which will have varying weights. However, all ropes have an MBS rating of 12,000 kilograms/26,455 pounds. The Recovery System can be combined with a 3-meter static rope for tree protection and a load-spreading extension rope, along with a winch rope without any metal for use as a 30-meter winch extension strap.
*Maxtrax Recovery Systems products are only tested with other MaxTrax products.
$100+ | Maxtrax
Antigravity Micro-Start XP-1 Power Supply
The world’s smallest jump-starter is the perfect backup for dad. Not only will it jump a dead motorcycle battery, but the Micro-Start will also start any vehicle: cars, trucks, or powersport toys. Dad could save the day for stranded motorists, but where it might see the most use, is as a charging unit for electronic devices—a dead cell phone or camera battery, for example. You can even take the Micro-Start hiking or in a bicycle pack, and the jumper has a built-in flashlight with S.O.S. patterns.
The Extreme Power lithium battery can hold a charge for up to one year, so dad is unlikely to ever run out of battery on any device or vehicle while out adventuring. Mini jumper clamps are included, along with adaptors to fit most laptop charging ports, universal cables for DVD players, and other 12-volt accessories. The unit can be charged with a vehicle’s auxiliary 12-volt outlet or a 120-volt wall outlet. Please note, the Micro-Start does not work with Apple laptops.
$150| Antigravity
Monimoto Smart GPS Tracker
Designed for the urban motorcyclist, this stand-alone GPS/GSM tracking device may be useful to both long-distance or round-the-world-riding dads. The GPS tracker gives peace of mind by detecting movement away from the key fob—i.e., if someone’s trying to steal dad’s bike—and calls the assigned cell phone in 50 seconds or less, providing updated GPS coordinates until the motorcycle is recovered.
The tracker is rugged and waterproof. Affixing it under the seat of a motorcycle is easy with zip ties included in the box. An international SIM card is provided with two free months of international service ($3.50 per month afterward), or a personal SIM card can be used. The Monimoto is powered by two long-life batteries; even if the bike has a dead battery, the GPS will continue to work. There are no wires for thieves to find and disconnect.
The tracker can be swapped between bikes, is automatically armed when you leave, and disarms when you return (provided you have the key fob). You can control settings with a smartphone app that is compatible with both iPhones or Android. Please note the tracker does not work in Canada.
$199 | Monimoto
