Dads are notoriously hard to buy gifts for. They鈥檙e usually not great about communicating what they want, and anything they know they want they just buy for themselves when the urge strikes. To help those scratching their heads about what to get dad for Father鈥檚 Day, we badgered the dads at 国产吃瓜黑料 to tell us what鈥檚 on their wish list, great gifts they鈥檝e received and really appreciated, and dad essentials they swear by.
If the dad in your life isn鈥檛 into 鈥渟tuff,鈥 consider non-physical gifts like race entries, Airbnb credits for weekend getaways, or activity punch cards. After all, what outdoorsy dads likely want most for Father鈥檚 day is to spend the day doing what they love, whether that鈥檚 going for a bike ride, a trail run, or hitting the links (especially if they can share their passion with their kids).
If all else fails, you can never go wrong with a pair of socks.
Watch: Thank God for Weird, Wild, Outdoorsy Dads
Free Fly Pinnacle Rash Guard
As a dad, I spend a lot of time outside (watching a variety of sporting events, dragging kids on hikes, etc.) so I鈥檝e come to love Free Fly鈥檚 line of hooded sun shirts, which I wear almost constantly through summer. I was excited when they released the Pinnacle, a hooded rash guard that takes the sun shirt concept and applies it to water-based activities. It has chafe-free seams, and a built-in visor in the hood to help protect your face from the sun. I鈥檝e already worn it on paddle board trips on the French Broad River near my home, and I can鈥檛 wait to break it out during our annual family surf trip later in the summer. Just be sure to order a size up鈥攖he Pinnacle is tight fitting and gets tighter when it鈥檚 wet, so give yourself a little extra breathing room. 鈥Graham Averill, 国产吃瓜黑料 gear and travel columnist听
Lumi HD Smart Projector
Movie night is a staple in our house, and the addition of the Lumi HD Smart Projector means we can take our favorite media outside, whether I鈥檓 throwing up binge-worthy shows in the backyard or screening horror films at the campsite. The projector weighs under 3 pounds, and has wifi and built-in apps (from Prime to Netflix), so you can log into your streaming account and watch your favorite shows and movies on the big screen.
Or use the HDMI or USB ports to play content from your phone, streaming stick, or GoPro. It shoots a clear 1080P HD picture up to 200 inches big, and is Bluetooth compatible so you can hook up an auxiliary speaker if you want big sound. It doesn鈥檛 have its own battery, but it works well with portable systems like the Goal Zero 500. Add the 100鈥 roll up screen ($19), which is easy to hang in front of your garage door, or from the roof rack on your car. 鈥G.A.
Hydro Flask 12oz Cooler Cup
The HydroFlask 12oz Cooler Cup is my go-to beverage holder whether I’m in the backyard, at a concert in the park, or floating on an inflatable unicorn at the lake. The removable silicone bottom locks in a 12-ounce beverage can or bottle, and if you invest in a lid, the cup pulls triple duty as a coffee mug in the morning and a wine or marg holder at night. Just give it a quick wash and nobody鈥檚 the wiser. 鈥擱yan Dionne, 国产吃瓜黑料 digital video producer
Igloo ECOCOOL Latitude 52-Qt Cooler
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The ECOCOOL Latitude 52-Qt cooler proves that there is still space for a low-tech cooler in a market dominated by $400 options. For $60, the ECOCOOL keeps snacks and drinks reliably cold for weekend camping trips. It’s also solidly built, with sturdy plastic handles that don’t bend under 50-pound loads and robust clasps and hinges to secure the lid. As a bonus, the ECOCOOL is made from post-consumer recycled resin. While it won鈥檛 keep contents cold for as long as some of the more premium coolers out there, it鈥檚 a good value compromise. 鈥擩oe Jackson, 国产吃瓜黑料 gear columnist
Read more: The 6 Best Coolers of 2025
Gregory Alpaca Gear Garage Envy听
If there鈥檚 a dad on your list who needs to organize the garage or implement order to a chaotic gear closet, give a gift that might nudge him in the right direction. Gregory鈥檚 brawny Alpaca Gear Box 45L is perfect for both at-home organization and hauling camp supplies on the road. It features dual-sided hinges, allowing you to open it from either side or remove the lid entirely. The lid is see-through, too, so you can easily take stock of the contents. Last but not least, a gasket seal helps keep your gear dry and dust-free at camp.
I’ve been testing the Gear Box for a couple of years now on van life adventures and car camping trips. I’ve even used it to tame a (hypocritically) messy gear room. In that time, I鈥檝e definitely thought to myself, 鈥淗uh, we could use another four or five of these.鈥 Enter the aptly named 鈥淕arage Envy鈥 bundle鈥攁 collection of six of these mighty gear tubs. That adds up to 270 liters of packable volume. Just imagine the possibilities. (If one or two tubs is enough for you, .) 鈥Drew Zieff, 国产吃瓜黑料 gear contributor
Big Agnes Big Six Armchair
The Big Six Armchair beats other camp chairs out there because it checks all the boxes: it鈥檚 comfortable, stable, and very packable for a high-backed chair. Credit the 20-inch seat height, generous 20-inch back height, and the high-tenacity Robic nylon upper that stretches tightly against six connection points on the chair to provide firm upper back support. Bonus: the two-piece, sub-four-pound chair packs down small enough to fit into a 25-liter daypack. This would be a great chair even if it never left camp, but the beauty of the Big Six is that you can easily pack it up and hike short distances with it. 鈥擩.闯.
Read more: The Best Camp Chairs of 2025
Kane Revive Active Recovery Shoe
I鈥檝e tested a variety of recovery slides and sandals, but the Kane Revive shoes are one of my top picks for how versatile they are. While the footbed texture and smooth ride make them feel like a recovery shoe, plentiful heel support and a more streamlined silhouette make them my favorite for running errands and pretending to be the Loch Ness Monster at my kid鈥檚 playground without worrying about rolling my ankle. I highly recommend this shoe for active dads who have grown tired of using a lacrosse ball to treat their aching feet. 鈥擩.闯.
Simple Modern Kona Travel Mug with Locking Flip Lid
When I’m heading out for a long drive (with my son or going to visit my son), I like nothing better than a cup of hot coffee to sip on as the miles go by. What I don’t like is when it goes cold in 15 minutes and I’m left drinking a tepid, tasteless brew, or I spill it getting it to the vehicle, or I have to wrestle with a travel mug that’s too big or requires two hands to open. The Kona Travel Mug with Locking Flip Lid solves all these issues.
It’s seriously leak-proof when closed (I’ve turned it upside-down and not spilled a drop), the lid flips open with vigor at the push of a button, it’s just the right size (16 ounces, or a Starbucks 听grande)听for my three-shot, mocha pot-brewed “au lait” and it fits securely in about any cup holder as well as in my hand. Best of all, it keeps my coffee hot for hours鈥攗p to eight hours, according to the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab, and for six hours even when out in 39 degree weather. 鈥Jonathan Beverly, 国产吃瓜黑料 senior gear editor
Minus 33 Lightweight Algonquin Men’s T-Shirt Crew
As their name suggests, Minus 33 apparel is usually associated with frigid outings. But this lightweight short sleeve is ideal for high-output activities on cooler summer days, and for casual wear at any temps. Given the uber-soft feel and classy drape of the 100-percent merino jersey knit, I tend to reach for it first when I want to look good and feel comfortable in social settings, but have been impressed with its wicking, dry-time, and mobility on runs and hikes as well. And its odor-resistance is unparalleled: I wore it for three consecutive days on a road trip, then for a morning run on the fourth day, and it still smelled so fresh I felt funny putting it in the laundry. It also has proved more durable than other all-merino fabric, holding its new-like shape and texture after multiple washes. Comfortable, stylish, and low-maintenance鈥攚hat dad wouldn’t want that? 鈥擩.B.听
Insta 360 Ace Pro 2 Action Camera
GoPro and DJI have long dominated the action camera market, but Insta360 is making its mark with the Ace Pro 2. Co-engineered with Leica, the camera shoots ultra high-resolution footage, rich 4K slow-mo, and captures high-quality audio. It also has a laundry list of amazing features, including a dedicated chip to help with low-light shooting, a back screen that flips up for great selfie footage, and industry-leading stabilization. The total package makes it nearly impossible to shoot bad footage. If the dad in your life likes to shoot footie of his biking, skiing, or overlanding adventures, he鈥檒l love this camera. 鈥Jakob Schiller, 国产吃瓜黑料 gear columnist
42 Birds Cork Lightweight Yoga Mat And Massage Balls Bundle听
This Cork Yoga Mat from 42 Birds is a game-changer for yoga and home workout routines. Not only does the cushioned cork material grip well under sweaty hands and feet, but it鈥檚 also more sustainably sourced than conventional mat materials and free of harmful chemicals and compounds. Regardless, the tactile experience during a downward dog is downright lovely, to the point I won鈥檛 be returning to rubber anytime soon. This bundle comes with three cork-wrapped, fascia-blasting massage balls (two are the size of tennis balls, the other closer to a cherry tomato). Whether the dad on your list is a greenhorn yogi or a seasoned guru, this gift will have him saying 鈥渘amaste.鈥 鈥挤.窜.
Ombraz Viale Sunglasses听
If you鈥檙e unfamiliar with Ombraz鈥檚 armless sunglasses, they ditch the otherwise standard-issue, breakage-prone folding arms you see on every other pair of shades on the market. Instead, the shades utilize adjustable cords to cinch the sunglasses in place, resulting in a tighter, customizable fit that won鈥檛 fall off or snap mid-adventure. When you鈥檙e not wearing the shades, the cord acts like a retention strap, keeping the Ombraz safely around the neck and reducing the chances of losing your precious sunnies.
I’ve been testing the Viale this spring and digging it. It sports a gently curved, rounded frame, with a classic, notched keyhole nose bridge. The model offers outdoor dads both exceptional style and enough performance for hiking, camping, and daily life. Inset in the claimed 鈥渋ndestructible鈥 frame are top-tier polarized lenses from Zeiss, one of the sunglasses industry鈥檚 biggest names, and Ombraz鈥檚 optics are unsurprisingly solid. 鈥挤.窜.听
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Monument Grills Eminence 405
Searching for that perfect Father鈥檚 Day gift? Level up dad鈥檚 outdoor cooking game with the heavy-duty, high-end Eminence 405 from Monument Grills. The ClearView庐锔 lid makes it easy to see inside without lifting the lid, and everything from temperature and propane gas capacity to alerts and timer settings sync from the touch-panel LED screen right to the app. With side searing station, this smart grill brings the heat.
Coleman 8-Person Darkroom Skydome Tent
The Darkroom Skydome is a no-brainer for families who car camp. At $230, this eight-person tent costs less than half what other popular eight-person tents cost (like The North Face Wawona 8 and Big Agnes Bunk House 8). It also uses light-blocking fabric to keep the interior darker (and cooler) during the day, making it a great option for families with little kids who still take naps. Its massive interior (12鈥 by 9鈥) mean there鈥檚 also plenty of room for plush camping mattresses, pack-n-plays, and other family gear. 鈥擩.闯.
Don’t miss: The Best Tents for Car Camping
Nestout Power Bank 15000mAh听
Nestout鈥檚 Power Bank 15000 mAh looks a bit like a military canteen, and it鈥檚 as tough as one, too. The portable power source鈥檚 lithium battery is wrapped in a shock-absorbent liner, which is then encased in an overbuilt hard shell. Sealed screw top caps protect the input and output ports, resulting in a dust-, water-, and adventure-proof device. The bank features two USB-A ports and a faster USB-C PD port, so you can charge up your outdoor tech as quickly as possible. From empty, the Power Bank charges up in three and a half hours, and can charge an average smartphone three or four times before it needs to be topped up again. As if that weren鈥檛 enough, the bank boasts an integrated tripod mount and is compatible with Nestout鈥檚 line of camp lights. This is a gift that will be used day in and day out, especially for frequent travelers, outdoor photographers, and digital nomads. 鈥挤.窜.听
Kids Ride Shotgun Seat
My wife and I learned early on that my daughter was not a big fan of long outdoor activities. The one outdoor activity she would tolerate, I eventually discovered, was bike rides with the Kids Ride Shotgun bicycle seat. My wife bought me the basic Shotgun seat attachment when my daughter was two-and-a-half, and the apparatus quickly revolutionized our relationship with the outdoors.
My daughter had a short tolerance for bike rides in the rear third-wheel seat, but came alive when she was allowed to sit up front. She could see the road, path, and trail ahead, and the fresh perspective produced a love of bike rides. Suddenly, biking became our favorite father-daughter activity. My daughter is almost five now, and she’s added a few inches since we got the seat, but she still fits on the bike (just barely). 鈥Frederick Dreier, 国产吃瓜黑料 Articles Editor
Paka Trail Socks
Unwrapping a fresh pair of socks for Father鈥檚 Day will never get old, and that鈥檚 especially true when it comes to these Paka Trail Socks. I’ve been loving everything I鈥檝e tested from Peru-based Paka over the last year or two. As the brand name suggests, Paka focuses on the magic of the alpaca fiber, a lightweight yet resilient material with natural quick-drying, temperature-managing, and odor-combating properties. 鈥挤.窜.听
Outerknown Apex Evolution Boardshorts听
The Apex has been one of my favorite boardshorts for years now, so I was pleased when a heavily updated version, the Apex Evolution, debuted a couple of months ago. While the original Apex was a damn-near perfect boardie, the shorts’ stretchy fabric鈥攖hough thin, soft, and lightweight鈥攚asn’t the most durable.
The new Evolution isn鈥檛 quite as light or soft, but the new fabric, a four-way stretch material sourced from retired fishing nets, is much more rugged. An updated cut also makes it easier to sit comfortably while waiting for waves. The gusseted fly is less revealing than that of the previous model, and the braided drawcord and broad waistband ensure a comfortable, secure fit in heavy surf. Long story (board)short, if it鈥檚 good enough for Kelly Slater, it鈥檚 good enough for the wave-chasing dad on your list. 鈥挤.窜.听
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