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Welcome to InsideHook’s Staff Picks, a compendium of what our editors are digging recently. This week, we’ve compiled our favorite game-watching essentials, because between the Stanley Cup Finals, the NBA Finals and the Champion’s League Final, we’re envisioning a whole lot of time cozied up on a couch this weekend.
YETI Rambler Insulated Tumbler
At one home I drink everything out of one vessel — this one. It keeps hot drinks hot, cool drinks cool, it doesn’t pick up smells or flavors from previous drinks (I mix and match a lot) and with the lid on, I never worry about spills. It’s the perfect size for homemade Old Fashioneds (with one large ice sphere) and its diminutive stature keeps my rampant soda consumption in check. What I’m saying is I drink a lot when I watch sports on TV — might as well do it as efficiently as possible. Which is why I intend to skip all long-commitment sports watching this weekend — yes, even the PBA Bowling playoffs — and pick up highlights on SportsCenter. — Kirk Miller, Nation Editor/Managing Editor
Citizenry Peruvian Alpaca Throw
I tend to roll out of bed and onto the couch to watch soccer at ungodly hours Saturday and Sunday mornings, and I do not have time for pants. Fortunately, I always have a seasonally appropriate throw blanket in reach for swaddling my legs. This fair-trade option shipped direct from the Andes is a good option for warmer months. –Walker Loetscher, Editor in Chief
Samsung Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer
They say that scent is the strongest sense tied to memory but when I think about my favorite sports moments, it’s what I hear: cracking bats, screaming fans, announcers loosing their shit. So when I’m getting into a game at home, it makes sense to me (no pun intended) to crank up the volume on my TV. This Samsung sound bar has done the trick over the years: it’s loud, especially with the wireless subwoofer, and has yet to blow out on me, plus it’s black and sleek and blends in with my TV and surrounding gadgets. But, possibly best of all, if everything goes to hell and the Yankees don’t completely annihilate the Red Sox this weekend, then the sound bar’s bluetooth connectivity will make drowning out my angry screams with music from my phone as painless for my neighbors as possible. — Ariel Scotti, Senior Editor
Clean Up NY Yankees Baseball Cap
As someone who has never willingly watched a sporting event, I actually had no idea this was a “big sports weekend” until this week’s Staff Picks theme was announced. When I asked my sister about it, she replied, “What’s sporty about this weekend? Is it the Super Bowl again or something?” As a recent NYC transplant, however, I did recently purchase this Yankees cap (in athleisure-friendly light grey) with the sole purpose of annoying my lifelong New Englander of a father. I will almost definitely not be wearing this hat while watching whatever sports happen this weekend, but I may wear it while taking a few pics for Instagram and sending my father to an early grave in Massachusetts soil. — Kayla Kibbe, Editorial Assistant
Lululemon City Sweat Jogger
Are joggers the worst named menswear item? There’s no chance I’m going on a run in anything described as “cozy,” which is why I only wear them during one activity: watching TV all day. But because we’re always going to need more beer/ice/Honey Dijon Kettle Brand Potato Chips, I have to wear a pair I won’t be embarrassed stepping out the front door in. Enter Lululemon’s City Sweat: cozy as hell, tailored enough, and available in colors so good I’ll eventually end up will all four. What game I’ll be watching: Whatever my friends want (I just bring the guac). — Alex Lauer, Senior Editor
New York Giants Super Bowl XLVI Champions Koozie
Eli Manning’s New York Giants beat Tom Brady’s New England Patriots twice in the Super Bowl and I remind myself of that fact whenever I need an extra rep on the bench press. This koozie makes me happy, brings good luck, and is my go-to for sipping a cold one or three while watching the game. This weekend, we got a whole lotta them. I’ll be rooting for A) the Warriors or Raptors (KD’s coming to the Knicks either way so I don’t care who wins), B) the Blues, because 13-year-olds in Boston have gotten more days off school for parades than snowstorms, C) Tottenham because Liverpool dives and D) the most successful organization in the history of American sports. For the 93ish% of you who are fans of other teams, find a koozie with your team’s colors and insignia at FansEdge. — Tanner Garrity, Associate Editor
[Editor’s note from actual soccer watcher and admittedly biased Arsenal supporter: Tottenham have been booked more for diving than any team in the Prem this season. #YNWA]
Operation Hat Trick Hoodie
During the NHL’s regular season, you watch hockey with a hoodie on because it’s cold out. During the Stanley Cup playoffs, you watch hockey with a hoodie on because you’re a superstitious weirdo who also happens to crank the AC like a mofo. As for the hoodie itself, this one from ‘47 is a good choice because it’s comfortable, lucky and, thanks to Operation Hat Trick, raises money for organizations that support services members and veterans who return home from war with traumas, visible and otherwise. If hoodies or the Bruins aren’t for you, there are plenty of other teams (Notre Dame, Clemson) and items (T-shirts, socks) on offer. — Evan Bleier, Senior Editor
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