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Saturday, 23 May 2026

I Wore REI's $42 Sun Hoodie, and Now I'm Never Hiking Without It

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REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie, $42 (was $60)

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I hike, bike, fish, and play sports all over the Southwest and, on occasion, some spots in the Northeast, and for years, I've been on the quest for the best sun hoodie. I've tried several: I really enjoy Free Fly's Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie for hot days and Prana's Sol Shade Hoodie for cooler ones, but I recently got to test REI's core sun hoodie, and it may be my favorite.

The REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie is another one of these UPF 50+ sun-blocking hoodies that keep popping up, and it really works. I recently spent a day hiking various trails in Vermont, and everything from head to neck, my arms, and even my hands were burn-free. Best of all, now might be the perfect time to get one: During REI's Anniversary Sale, all colors are just $42, but it appears that pricing ends on May 25.

REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie, $42 (was $60) at REI

The REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie in Black Heather.

Courtesy of REI

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Pros

Lightweight but not too light that the wind will send a chill down your spine
The thumbholes allow you to keep the sleeves down in intense sunlight
High neck and oversized hood mean both the front and back of your neck are protected
Doesn't shrink in the wash
The cord loop on the back of the neck allows you to hang without snagging the fabric
Fair price

Cons

Polyester fabric retains odor

This hoodie is part of REI Co-op's Sahara collection, which features styles specifically designed to breathe, shield skin from the sun, and keep you comfortable in warm temperatures.

It's available in seven colors and comes in sizes small through 3XL, with options for tall sizes. The construction is typical, polyester and spandex, which many will find useful outside.

Design-wise, there's nothing really new here. It has thumbholes, a high neck, and a nice loose-but-not-too-loose fit. One thing that does differ here is the hidden drawstring in the front, though that may or may not be useful, depending on what you're doing.

My Honest Thoughts

This is a fantastic sun hoodie. While I do appreciate merino wool for its odor-fighting properties, I think the polyester fabric in this hoodie makes a difference, maintaining optimal ventilation, wicking away sweat, and stretching in all directions for an enhanced range of motion. I have worn this as my sole top when stepping out, and even on a full-day excursion, I felt mobile, shaded but not cold, and dry at the same time, even when sweating.

The three-panel hood easily fits over a cap, and I used the thumbholes to keep the sleeves comfortably over my hands so they didn't burn, and it worked. I also found that the sleeves scrunched up easily and didn't fall.

The hoodie definitely stinks after a full day of sweaty adventure, but it washes up nicely and doesn't retain odors. I also didn't find the drawstring the first few wears, and so while I think it's neat that REI was able to offer that, I don't think it's totally necessary, save for some who may be experiencing heavy splashing or wind.

If you're poised to hit the outdoors this summer, it's worth picking up a Sahara Shade Hoodie, especially while they're on sale.

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Fans Vote 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' as the Greatest Action Movie of All Time

The action movie genre has produced several iconic and truly beloved movies like Die Hard, The Matrix, Predator, Gladiator, and more. With so many epic films that thrill viewers produced throughout film history, the competition to be considered the greatest of all time is fierce. That is why it is so fascinating that fans named Terminator 2: Judgment Day the best action movie ever.

Who Named 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' the Best Action Movie Ever Made?'

A shot of Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator holding a massive gun from Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

Photo by CBS via Getty Images

In October 2025, Ranker updated its article that allows film fans to weigh in on what the "best action movie ever made" is. According to the ranking, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is the best action film of all time with 7,578 upvotes and 2,979 downvotes. Unsurprisingly, Die Hard was ranked second, but it only received 1,271 upvotes and 420 downvotes, meaning T2 was in first place with a comfortable lead in the thousands.

Ranker's article detailed several reasons why Terminator 2: Judgment Day topped the list. The outlet credited the beloved film for showcasing "groundbreaking visual effects," an "intense storyline," "epic chase scenes", and "thrilling showdowns between cyborgs." Those are only some of the reasons why the film is an all-time classic that has passed the test of time and defines the action genre for many.

Truly a masterpiece, Terminator 2: Judgment Day features everything you could want in an action movie and more. For example, simply mentioning that it features "epic chase scenes" doesn't go nearly far enough. After all, that implies two cars driving down a roadway. In actuality, T2 features a helicopter performing dangerous low-to-the-ground stunts as it chases an armored truck and fires upon the people inside. It also showcases a transport truck and motorcycle chase that includes both vehicles performing dangerous jumps. Of course, the movie also arguably showcases the most impressive running ever captured on film, which leads to the T-1000 chasing after a car.

More than just a chase movie, Terminator 2: Judgment Day's unforgettable scene of Arnold Schwarzenegger using a minigun to rain down bullets from a building is incredible to watch. All of that is to say nothing about the T-800 and T-1000 battles and the fact that all of the action matters because the movie really makes viewers care about the characters. For all those reasons and more, it is very easy to see why James Cameron'sTerminator 2: Judgment Day deserves this accolade from fans.

Next: 2015 Sequel Named ‘Best Action Movie of All Time’

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Friday, 22 May 2026

I Bought a $160 Window AC Last Year. It Kept My 140-Year-Old House Cool All Summer

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Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Small Window Air Conditioner, $160 (was $180)

Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Small Window Air Conditioner, &dollar;160 (was &dollar;180)

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Why We Love This Deal

Summer hasn’t officially begun, but we’re already talking about the heat. First, it was the West Coast that was sweltering, then the Northeast got baked, and then nearly the whole East Coast was under a heat advisory. What does this all mean? It’s time to get your home’s air conditioning ready to go, and if (like me) you don’t have central air, that means scouting portable air conditioners. I bought two from a brand called Midea off Amazon last year, and if you don't want to spend too much to cool your home, it's absolutely worth checking out.

The window ACs I got were the Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool, and Amazon currently has them on sale for $160. It's a marginal discount, but it comes just as vast portions of the U.S. are experiencing the first real heat of summer—in other words, now’s the time to grab one of these affordable units. Better yet, it’s available with free shipping, so the price you see is exactly what you’ll pay (many discounted AC units have hidden shipping costs). Finally, I can personally vouch for its performance. My two Midea units worked great, keeping my 140-year-old house cool and comfortable all last summer.

Midea 5,000 BTU EasyCool Small Window Air Conditioner, $160 (was $180) on Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Pros

Easy to use and effective
Also dehumidifies your space
Not overly loud

Cons

A single 5000 BTU AC may struggle to cool larger rooms (must opt for more power)

The Basics

The Midea EasyCool AC is about as basic as you can get for a window unit, but I think that’s part of its appeal. You set the cooling level and fan speed using simple twist knobs (and there’s also a setting to just run the fan if all you need is a breeze).

The unit has a mesh filter that slides in and out; just rinse it in the sink to clean off dust, let it dry, and slide it back in. Adjustable vanes at the top of the unit let you send the cool air in the direction you want. The EasyCool has a CEER rating (a measure of energy efficiency) of 11, which is on the lower end for a window unit but still respectable. It also comes with a one-year warranty, so you know you’re getting a quality product from a reputable brand.

While the 5,000 BTU output is among the smallest available for a window unit, it’s ideal for small rooms. Running a larger unit in a small room is actually a bad idea: A bigger machine will cool the air before it can remove the excess humidity, leaving your space clammy and uncomfortable.

My Honest Thoughts

I purchased my Midea EasyCool ACs after inheriting a U-shaped Midea from my aunt. That machine worked well, so I figured I’d try the brand’s other offerings for upstairs bedrooms in my house. I’m glad I did: The EasyCool units are compact and fit perfectly in my somewhat narrow bedroom windows, and the installation was a breeze (no pun intended). All the hardware is included, and the foam strips help you get a good seal around the unit when installed. Setup took me about 15 minutes.

Once in use, the machines easily cooled two small upstairs bedrooms. I could turn them on in the evening and instantly feel the temperature dropping. While the EasyCool isn’t silent, I didn’t find it overly loud—I slept right next to mine, and it never bothered me.

Both units worked all summer long and into the fall, and removing them for storage was just as easy as installing them. And you don’t just have to take my word for it: This machine has over 800 five-star reviews from Amazon shoppers.

Late May is an unusual time to find discounts on air conditioners, but this top-rated Midea unit is an absolute steal at just $160. Scoop yours ASAP before Amazon runs out of inventory.

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Thursday, 21 May 2026

'House of the Dragon' Showrunner Ryan Condal Has Strong Message for Fans

Ryan Condal, the co-creator, showrunner, writer, and executive producer of the Game of Thronesprequel spin-off House of the Dragon, is giving his two cents. Those in the fandom will surely recall the divisiveness in its infancy, particularly with the pitting of the show's younger actors against their older counterparts.

Condal's comments appear in Variety's in-depth feature on Supergirl star Milly Alcock, who played young Rhaenyra Targaryen in seven episodes of House of the Dragon. Emma D'Arcy has been portraying adult Rhaenyra in the series since Season 1, Episode 6. (The third season is slated to debut this summer.)

The toxicity on platforms like Reddit and X (Twitter) not only made its way back to Alcock, which "broke" her heart, but Condal also caught wind of it. He said to Variety:

"It's an unfortunate by-product of the internet rage machine — we have so turned against ourselves in fandom. This kind of fandom used to be the happy place to go, where people who liked different things within the same world could just find common ground.

And I thought it was horrible! And it's horrible for all these young performers that did a great thing, and kind of did an impossible thing. Everybody should have just been celebrating the success and reception of that show. And people should find something else to do with their time, frankly."

In addition to D'Arcy, the massive main cast includes Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Rhys Ifans, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, Matthew Needham, James Norton, Tom Bennett, Kieran Bew, Kurt Egyiawan, Freddie Fox, Clinton Liberty, Gayle Rankin, Abubakar Salim, Tom Cullen, Tommy Flanagan, Dan Fogler, Joplin Sibtain, and Barry Sloane.

House of the Dragon Season 3 premieres on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and HBO Max. New episodes will air weekly until the season finale on Aug. 9.

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Wednesday, 20 May 2026

Huckberry's 'Clean' Merino Wool Tech Chinos That Are Ideal for Travel Are 40% Off Right Now

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.

Why We Love This Deal

Tech pants have taken some market share away from regular khaki pants for their ability to handle work, dates, and travel with immense comfort. One of the best examples of this, and one from a brand that's flying way under the radar, is Huckberry's house brand Proof. Proof gear operates in that gray area between work and adventure, and that's seen in its 72-Hour pants. The good news? You can snag a pair for a rare 40% off right now.

The Proof 72-Hour Merino Chinos are on sale at Huckberry for $95, a 40% drop from their regular price of $158. These pants were built to take on the office, travel, dates, and unexpected weather thanks to superior design and hardy merino wool-blend fabric. They’re available in two fits, three colors, and almost all sizes, for now.

Proof 72-Hour Merino Chinos, $95 (was $158) at Huckberry

Courtesy of Huckberry

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What Shoppers Should Know

Style: Performance chinos
Colors: Black, navy, olive
Waist Sizes: 29 to 38
Lengths: 30 to 34
Materials: 47% Merino Wool, 33% Nylon, 14% Polyester, 6% Elastane (247 gsm)
Water-Resistance: PFC-Free DWR coating
Fits: Straight, athletic tapered
Best For: Office, travel, commuting, business casual, date nights

These Proof chinos are for guys who like to get the most out of their clothes before having to rewash them (which also helps extend their lifespan), and that's directly due to the merino wool-blend fabric that's made the 72-hour collection pop among Huckberry fans. The fabric wicks moisture, resists odors (up to 72 hours), and can help regulate temperatures.

With these, you get ample mobility with plenty of stretch, a DWR finish, timeless looks (in two different fits), and even a zippered back pocket. These hybrid pants are clean enough for the office, tough enough for travel days, and can take a beating on long walks, flights, and in crummy weather.

These pants are available in two fits: HB Straight and HB Athletic Tapered. The straights are your regular-fitting pants with a straight silhouette through the hip and thigh, with just a touch of taper—a more classic shape. The athletic cut has more room in the rear and thighs with a sharper taper below the knees and down—ideal for guys who don’t skip leg days.

What Shoppers Are Saying

While there are only a handful of reviews, those who left remarks were pleased with how these chinos performed. One shopper who was really digging them grabbed them in both black and navy colors, and said the fit was “perfect," and that it provided "enough room in the seat and upper thigh.” They also noted they can be dressed up or down, which made them their “travel favorite.”

“Nice fit, looks clean and casual, yet sharp enough” for business casual Friday in the office, said another. A third even said they don't wrinkle easily, which is clutch for people constantly on the go.

If you just want a good pair of pants that can keep up with your busy life, Proof's 72-Hour Chinos are worth a try. Grab ‘em in your favorite color(s) before they sell out (because they will).

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The Dallas Cowboys Are Not 'America's Team,' New Data Reveals

For nearly five decades, the Dallas Cowboys have embraced the self-proclaimed title as "America's Team."

For a period in the 1990s, the Cowboys were arguably "America's Team," though the San Francisco 49ers would probably beg to differ. In any event, the moniker is one that the Cowboys and their fan base protect, which is why they might have something to say about new data that reveals the Cowboys are not "America's Team."

The Cowboys Rank ...

Matt Forrest, an author and geographer who works with spatial data and boasts nearly 35,000 followers on Instagram, conducted a survey that received nearly 19,000 responses.

Forrest scored every NFL team based on four different metrics:

Total number of responses, number of counties with the most popular team, total number of states with at least one fan base in that state, and the percent of counties more than 500 miles from their home stadium.

Based on those metrics, the Dallas Cowboys ranked 8th.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 15: A general view as Dallas Cowboys players run onto the field prior to the game at AT&T Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Who Is 'America's Team?'

Based on Forrest's findings, the honor belongs to the Green Bay Packers, who are the favorite team in 92 counties.

Forrest says that the Bears are "the biggest paradox in the data," with the second-highest volume in the NFL with 690 responses, but only 12 states with a county win.

The findings are fascinating, and fans can still take part in the survey if they choose to participate. Fans who are only interested in viewing the NFL fan map can do so here.

Ronika Stone, wife of Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers, poses for a photo prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on September 07, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

(Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Interestingly enough, Forrest tells Men's Journal that the backlash has not been as intense, especially from ardent Cowboys fans, adding that there was "a bit" of blowback, "but nothing too crazy, mostly in the comments just saying that it was historically their title."

Forrest added, "Most of the [feedback] was from Bears fans since the Packers came out on top."

Da Bears, clearly, weren't having it.

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Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Oldest Red Lobster in the U.S. Closes Unexpectedly in Tallahassee After 56 Years

The oldest Red Lobster in the restaurant is closing its doors after 56 years.

The news was confirmed by the Tallahassee Democrat, the major newspaper where the closing restaurant is located. The restaurant in Tallahassee is the "chain's oldest continuously-operating location," the newspaper reported. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, the restaurant tried a "grand re-opening" to stay afloat, but it didn't work.

Red Lobster has been shrinking its footprint nationwide for the last few years due to financial issues. “I have cooked over a hundred meals a day, sometimes 150,” grillmaster Horace Williams told the Democrat. “I take pride in the food. I cook it to make it look presentable. Like I could go out and eat it myself.”

In March, the chain reported recovery signs nationwide with increased sales and a fresh menu.

The Tallahassee Red Lobster Restaurant Will Close Its Doors for Good on May 24

In this photo illustration, a cooked lobster is displayed on a plate at a Red Lobster restaurant.

(Photo Illustration by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

The restaurant won't be open much longer.

"The final day of operation of the restaurant on North Monroe Street is Sunday, May 24," the Tallahassee Democrat wrote, adding that the restaurant's manager confirmed the closure news.

Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun told The Wall Street Journal last February that the chain “needed to get smaller."

In a 2024 court filing in a bankruptcy action, Red Lobster said, "the Debtors currently operate more than 530 casual seafood restaurants primarily located across the United States and Canada with nearly 36,000 employees." The motion revealed the chain was planning to close 23 more locations.

In June 2025, a federal judge approved the chain's reorganization plan, according to CBS News. When Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy, several reasons were cited. The filing came "following years of mounting losses and dwindling customers while it struggled to keep up with competitors," noted CBS News. According to CBS, around that time, the chain's ownership decided to reduce its footprint to "simplify the business."

As of August 2024, TODAY wrote, "Red Lobster closed 83 locations earlier this year, bringing its total shuttered stores to 106 now." According to the Tallahassee Democrat, that year, "In 2024, "17 storefronts in Florida were among the 126 that closed nationwide."

The chain still lists 32 Florida locations on its locator map.

A Man Named Bill Darden Opened the 1st Red Lobster Restaurant in 1968 in Lakeland, FL

Red Lobster describes its Florida origin story on its website. "Before there was Red Lobster, there was Bill Darden, a man passionate about making delicious, high-quality seafood available and affordable to everyone, including people who lived far from the coast and regardless of race, gender, religion or economic means," the chain wrote. "What was once a single, family-owned restaurant in Lakeland, Florida, now has over 500 locations around the world."

In 1968, "Bill Darden opens the first Red Lobster in Lakeland, Florida," the chain noted. Two years later, "Red Lobster catches the attention of General Mills. Backed by their resources, Red Lobster restaurants rapidly multiply from coast to coast."

In 1974, Red Lobster debuted popcorn shrimp. By 1983, the chain had expanded to Canada. The iconic Cheddar Bay Biscuits debuted in 1992. In 2014, "We begin charting a new course as an independent company," Red Lobster wrote. In 2015, the chain added salmon to its menu.

Related:

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