Vacation Darts Community Blog
Going on vacation. Enjoy the world's inside joke.
Why is this the world's inside joke? This whole thing started at a cliffside winery in Santorini. We had just ordered a charcuterie board and a couple bottles of crispy white wine. If you're like me, the thought of a dart back home is unappealing, but when you step off a plane in a foreign country, the air smells different and the sun hits your face. Something overcomes you and the thought of indulging in a vacation dart takes over. So I pulled out my pack and lit another vacation dart. My wife looked over at me, slightly curious, and said "again!?!" As I took my first puff, I had a big grin on my face and said "They don't count on vacation" As those words left my lips, the table next to us looked over and said - "We say that too, we love to smoke on vacation!" When then combined our tables, told stories of vacations past, and made a connection and lasting memory. As we continued our travels from island to island, from country to country, people kept saying that this was their inside joke too. Strangers from countries I had never visited, with languages I didn't speak, so many of them also like to smoke vacation darts. I thought this was epic, never had I made so many friends on vacation over such a simple little habit, a fun little tradition. When I got home, I was sitting my in my buddies backyard, reminiscing about the trip. I mentioned that I think starting an Instagram account about Vacation Darts would be funny, but must already be taken. To my surprise and delight, it wasn't. So I immediately snagged up all of the @vacationdarts handles I could find. X, FB, Tiktok, Youtube, Reddit a website...all this and I didn't really even know what I was going to do with them. I started by commenting on friends pictures as a "vacation dart" saying "hey so nice chilling with you!" or "Can't wait to see you again"! people thought it was funny which was great. Then, one day in Toronto I was walking down Queen St. passed a t-shirt printing store and thought, would it be funny to make a logo inspired by a famous brand and write "vacation darts" on it. So that's what I did. When I left the store, within 5 minutes somebody looked at me smiled and said "that's awesome". Within the next 5 minutes somebody literally said "Vacation darts don't count dude!" I knew I was on to something. I met up with my buddies at the bar with my new hat on and everybody loved it. Somebody offered me $50 for it on the spot. I declined but thought, I want my friends to feel what I'm feeling, this main character energy where people are urged to come interact with me because I'm giving off the right vibe. So I decided to use the website I had created and sell a sample run of 50 hats 50 shirts and 50 bags. I thought, ok it will be cool to sell this so people like me can really enjoy themselves. The first few days, all my friends who wanted to buy the hats didn't, so I was left with this stock and failed idea. I thought, ok since I know people out there love to smoke vacation darts, let me start making memes about smoking vacation darts on my instagram and show those people the products I made. So I remixed a couple of reels and posted some funny captions about smoking darts on vacation. Suddenly I had 1000 followers...then a couple days later 2000 followers...days later 5000 followers. I was amazed but not surprised, people love vacation darts. With that traffic I introduced them to Vacation Darts headwear and apparel. A few days later, all the inventory was gone. Ok sick, this was fun...but it didn't stop there. I was getting dozens of DMs asking for a restock. People reached out to tell me that this was their family's inside joke for the last 20 years, the response and support from the community was insane. So I went and got more inventory, introduced more colors and designs, made more memes. Now I have a full suite of products from hoodies to q-zips, dad hats to trucker hats and hats custom made for performance. So many great options for you to feel what I have felt and continue to feel. To become that main character you know you are. When I go out wearing the hat now, I still get questions about it. Now people say, "hey I think I saw you on instagram" which is so incredibly cool. This is a vibe I think everyone should experience so we made it easy for you to join the community with our incredible bundles built for value. Each bundle also meets the shipping threshold so you can get it sent to you for free. All of our orders come with a special Vacation Darts sticker, a hand written thank you note from me, and a custom box. The shipping times are incredibly fast too, we have tons of reviews telling us how great it is. So if you've read this far, check out our website, see thousands of people across 16 countries are fussin' about. So why is vacation darts the world's inside joke? Because we have thousands of orders from 16 countries. The joke resonates with so many because it's not just me and my friends joke, it's the worlds joke.
Learn more
Top Fashion Trends for 2026: Why Your Online Personality is Going IRL
We just took an inside joke on a Mediterranean patio way too far. But as we look at the top fashion trends for 2026, it’s clear that the world is craving exactly what we’ve been building in our garage. It’s about community. It’s about quality. It’s about not taking life too seriously while making sure your outfit looks five-star. Whether you’re on
Learn more
The Top 10 Vacation Darts: In no particular order....
Looking for the definitive power rankings of the world’s most iconic vacation darts? Our Top 10 Vacation Darts list is the "First Take" of travel culture. It is fluid, vibe-heavy, and subject to change based on the energy of the moment. Whether you are chasing an Ibiza sunrise or a Sunday session in Narooma, we break down the most enjoyable darts for those who always say yes to a good time.
Learn more
New Year Travel Goals 2026: How to Plan Your Best Adventure Year Yet
Set achievable travel goals for 2026 with this complete guide. Learn how to plan your dream trips, create a travel fund, and turn wanderlust into real adventures this year.
Learn more
Best Valentine's Day Gifts 2026: Unique Presents That Show You Care
Discover 10 unforgettable Valentine's Day gifts that prove you truly know your partner. From premium vacation-inspired apparel to conversation-starting accessories, find the perfect gift they'll love.
Learn more
Vintage Style Trucker Hats: Why This East Van Brand is Selling Out
Discover why quality matters even for a "joke" brand. Explore the Trucker Hat Renaissance, the story behind our East Vancouver garage-born gear, and why our 5-star hats are a global favorite from Whistler to Ibiza.
Learn more
What is a Vacation Personality?
A few years ago I somehow ended up on stage during a cruise ship karaoke night. I did not plan it. Someone handed me a drink and the next thing I knew the opening riff of Come Together by The Beatles was blasting and I was holding a microphone. By the second chorus, the entire ship was on its feet singing with me. Total strangers. Total chaos. Total magic. That moment reminded me what vacation personality is all about. A place where confidence comes easy, fun feels natural, and people connect without overthinking it. And honestly, that same energy is what built Vacation Darts. Embrace your “Vacation Personality”: Why We Act Differently When We Are Away Search any group chat after a trip and you will see it. “I was a menace last night.”“I've never been this hungover.”“How did I learn Portuguese so quickly?” We joke about it, but psychology has a lot to say about this so called vacation personality and why people act different on vacation. Your identity is more flexible than you think Psychologists talk about a working self concept the version of you that is active in a specific context and situation. Research on habit disruption shows that when your usual routines and environment are interrupted, your sense of identity becomes more flexible and open to change. Condé Nast Traveler+1 Travel is the ultimate habit disruptor. No commute. No office. No familiar faces. No one who knows your backstory.Take away those anchors and it becomes much easier to try on a different version of yourself. Clinical and social psychologists who study travel note that our behavior is shaped not just by personality traits, but by mood, context and what the people around us are doing. On holiday, all of those variables tilt toward novelty, exploration and loosened rules. The Travel Psychologist+1 In other words, the “you” that shows up in an all inclusive in Mexico is responding to a different script than the “you” at a Monday morning meeting. Less judgment, more freedom One of the big reasons we feel bolder on vacation is simple We feel less judged. Studies on tourist identity and self disclosure show that when people see themselves in a “tourist” role, they feel more anonymous and are more willing to open up and share personal things, especially in online reviews and social spaces. ScienceDirect+1 Writers studying what they call “suitcase psychology” put it bluntlyTravel strips away familiar social constraints and creates a space where people feel they have more moral and social latitude to experiment with how they show up. Medium Back home, you might worry what colleagues or family think if you suddenly act different. In Barcelona or Bali, you can always shrug and say“It doesn't count on vacation.” That psychological distance makes it safer to be playful, expressive, even a bit chaotic. Novelty rewires your brain (in a good way) There is also brain chemistry involved. Travel researchers and social psychologists like Adam Galinsky have shown that exposure to new cultures and environments literally changes how we think, making us more flexible, creative and open. Travel Bug Tonic+1 New places flood the brain with dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked to reward and curiosity. Recent work on travel bravery points out that simply walking unfamiliar streets can prime your brain to seek reward and take small risks, because novelty lights up your reward circuitry. Condé Nast Traveler+1 Stack that with a couple of drinks, a sunset and a group of strangers who will probably never meet your boss, and of course you feel bolder. That is vacation psychology in action. Behavioral disinhibition: when the brakes come off Researchers who study travel psychology also talk about behavioral disinhibition the tendency to behave with less restraint when usual social controls and routines are removed. yvex+1 That does not automatically mean reckless behavior. It can look like Talking to people you would normally be too shy to approach Wearing outfits that feel “too much” for home Saying yes to adventures you would usually overthink Letting yourself rest without guilt Travel creates a temporary bubble where your internal rules relax. You give yourself permission to experiment, because you quietly believe the “real you” starts again when you get home. Vacation personality is not fake. It is a real part of you. Here is the interesting twist. Studies on living abroad and travel show that time away from home can actually clarify your sense of self over the long term, not blur it. People who immerse in other cultures report greater self concept clarity, because they are forced to ask which parts of them are truly “them” and which parts were just habits of their old environment. willmaddux.web.unc.edu+1 Tourism research also suggests that many people travel partly for identity reasons they want to explore who they are, or who they could be, in a different setting. Academia+1 So that “vacation personality” is not fake. It is one version of you that finally gets enough space to come out. Where Vacation Darts fits into all this This is exactly the space Vacation Darts lives in. The brand started from a single joke on a balcony.“They do not count on vacation.”One line that captured the way people bend their own rules when they give themselves permission to feel free. Our take on vacation personality is simple Humor is the gateway Quality is the foundation Connection is the outcome The hats, tanks and hoodies are built to be a signal A wink across a bar.A nod in an airport security line.A “you are my kind of person” on a chairlift or at an all inclusive. On the surface, it is funny.Underneath, it is doing something seriousReminding you that the relaxed, confident, open version of you is not fake.It is part of you. And you do not actually have to be on vacation to access it. That is the power of vacation psychology and the rise of the vacation personalityFor a few days, your environment changes and your behavior follows.The real opportunity is figuring out how to bring a little bit of that feeling back home. If a logo, a hat, or a phrase like “vacation darts” helps you remember that life is allowed to feel lighter sometimes, then the vacation version of you is not an escape. It is a preview.
Learn more
Vacation Darts. A brand built on vibes but delivering on quality.
In a world where every brand is shouting louder, spending more, and trying to out optimize each other with the same marketing formulas, the brands that are actually winning culture are doing something far simpler. They are making people laugh. Humor has become one of the most effective and underestimated tools in modern branding. The truth is that people want to feel good. They want to smile at their phones instead of being yelled at by ads. They want to feel like a brand gets them rather than trying to sell to them. Humor breaks through the noise in a way money cannot. And the proof is everywhere. The Rise of Funny Brands in Serious Markets Look at the recent success of Garage Beer or Happy Dad. On paper they are selling one of the most saturated products in the world. But they built their momentum not by spending more than their competitors, but by being cheeky, self aware, and culturally tapped in. They made people laugh. They did not posture. They did not pretend to be elite. They did not try to create an aura of exclusivity. They built community through humor and personality. And they backed it up with products that deliver. Another great example is Seth Rogen. Most people know him as one of the most iconic comedic voices of the last twenty years. He built his career on humor. But walk into a Houseplant showroom and you will realize something important. His pottery, design work, and home goods are not a joke at all. They are world class. His humor gets people in the door. His craftsmanship keeps them there. That balance is the blueprint. Humor Without Quality Is Just a Gimmick. Quality Without Humor Is Easy to Ignore. This is exactly where Vacation Darts lives. We hook people with humor, with a wink, with the “they do not count on vacation” mentality. It is a release valve from the constant constraints of daily life. It is an inside joke that half the world immediately understands without explanation. But the humor would mean nothing if the product was not excellent. Our hats are small batch. Our tanks and hoodies are premium materials. Our screen printing is done by hand. Our packaging is thoughtful and personal. The humor draws people in. The quality earns their loyalty. The community sustains the brand. Even the Biggest Brands in the World Use Humor Without Admitting It Think about Louis Vuitton. They do not present themselves as a humorous brand. They are luxury, heritage, prestige. Yet they brought on Pharrell Williams as Creative Director. Why? Because personality sells, individuality sells, human energy sells. Pharrell brings a playfulness and cultural wink that the brand needs to stay relevant. Or take Johnny Depp in the Sauvage ads for Chanel. Objectively, those commercials border on comedy. The desert. The guitar riff. The wolf. The mysticism. Everyone on the internet jokes about it. But that is the point. Humor creates cultural conversation. Conversation creates brand permanence. Even the biggest brands benefit from the same principle: If people enjoy you, they remember you. If they remember you, they buy from you. Why Humor Works Humor creates emotional resonance. Humor humanizes brands. Humor builds instant connection. Humor disarms skepticism. Humor makes people want to share your content without being asked. Most importantly: Humor makes people feel something. And in a world where attention is the most valuable currency, the brands that make you feel something win every time. Why Vacation Darts Takes Humor Seriously At the core of Vacation Darts is a simple belief. Life is heavy enough. We do not need more pressure. We need moments that remind us that fun is allowed. That freedom still matters. That joy counts. Even if the darts do not. We give people a humorous release from everyday responsibility. We give them apparel that sparks connection and compliments. And we deliver quality that proves the brand is not just a joke. It started as humor. It grew because of quality. It thrives because of community. That is what humor driven branding looks like when done right.
Learn more
Best Golf Hats for 2026
Why a Good Golf Hat Makes a Huge Difference on the Course When most golfers think about improving their performance, they focus on swing mechanics, grip pressure, ball choice, or maybe even a new driver promising an extra twenty yards. But one of the most underrated pieces of golf gear is something far simpler. A good golf hat. A high quality hat is much more than a style accessory. It is a performance tool that affects your comfort, your confidence, and surprisingly, your scorecard. Whether you are playing under the blazing sun of Arizona, the coastal breeze of California, the humidity of Florida, or the crisp early morning air in the Northeast, the right hat can change the way you play and the way you feel from the first tee to the final putt. Here is exactly why a proper golf hat makes such a huge difference out on the course. 1. The Obvious Benefits: Shade, Sight and Sun Protection Golf happens outdoors for hours at a time. A great hat shields your face from harsh sunlight, reduces squinting, and helps you focus on both the fairway and the flagstick with more clarity. That shading effect alone can improve your alignment, depth perception, and overall concentration. The added sun protection is non negotiable. Whether you are golfing in the intense desert heat or out for a casual weekend round with friends, ultraviolet exposure adds up quickly. A hat creates a necessary barrier between your skin and the sun. Less distraction, less discomfort, and more time playing your best golf. But the real magic of a good hat goes far beyond the functional benefits. 2. Look Good Feel Good Play Good: The Psychological Edge Golf is one of the most mental sports ever created. You can have the perfect swing on the range and still struggle when the pressure rises. Confidence is everything, and few things boost confidence more than looking the part. A good golf hat elevates your entire presence on the course. When you step up to the tee feeling sharp, stylish, and composed, your swing follows. It is the look good feel good play good effect, and every golfer has experienced it. Feeling confident helps you • Swing bigger• Commit fully• Stay mentally balanced• Carry momentum through rough stretches• Sink the putts you usually overthink Golfers spend plenty of money on lessons trying to unlock confidence. Sometimes confidence starts with what is on your head. A great hat that makes you feel like you belong on the leaderboard can shift your mindset in a measurable way. 3. A Structured Hat Keeps Your Head in the Game A premium golf hat boosts performance by keeping you comfortable, cool, and focused. Lightweight materials, ventilation, moisture friendly fabrics, and a reliable fit all work together to eliminate distractions. Nothing ruins a shot like sweat dripping into your eyes, wind catching the brim, or constantly adjusting a floppy hat that does not stay put. The correct hat solves all of those issues instantly. That brings us to the best option for your next round. 4. Why the St. John's Golf Hat Is the One You Want on the Course If you want a golf hat that blends high performance with undeniable personality, the St. John's Golf Hat is the one golfers are talking about. It is lightweight, breathable, and built for long days under the sun, but stylish enough to wear straight to the clubhouse or right into après. The perforated back panel keeps air moving. The structured shape stays crisp from the first swing to the last green. The fit gives you a clean and confident look that makes you feel ready to go low. And while it cannot promise a lower handicap, golfers who wear it consistently report feeling higher than ever on their successes even when the round is not perfect. The St. John's Golf Hat gives you confidence.Confidence gives you better swings.Better swings give you better shots.And better shots are the reason we play this game. 5. Elevate Your Round Before You Even Swing If you want to remove distractions, look your best, and lock in the mindset to play your best golf, start with what is on your head. A good golf hat sets the tone for your entire round. On hot days it keeps you cool.On windy days it keeps you steady.On all days it reminds you to play boldly and enjoy every moment. Whether you are chasing a personal record, trying to win the local skins match, or simply enjoying time with friends, the right hat is an essential part of the experience. And if you want a hat that delivers functionality, confidence, and pure good vibes in one package, the St. John's Golf Hat is the ideal choice. Want options for the rest of the foursome? Browse all of our golf hats, or round out the bag with the golf collection.
Learn more
