Best Gifts for Dad: Great Gear for Your Old Man
Whether the outdoorsman in your life loves camping, hiking, running, or cooking, we found the best gifts for dad at various price points.
From slippers to whiskey to fire pits, here are a few little somethings to wow all the dads and outdoorsmen out there.
Best Gifts for Dad
Maven C.3 Binoculars
One of the lightest full-sized binoculars in its category, the C.3 features a larger objective lens to grasp every last bit of critical light.
An optic built for hunters, birders, and wildlife viewers who require performance in dimly lit situations, the Maven C.3 is tripod compatible and is water- and fog-proof. It weighs in at 28 ounces making it a friendly companion for anyone heading outside.
Our team loves the Maven C.3 and even chose it as one of the Best Binoculars of the year.
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Osprey Poco LT Child Carrier
The “LT” is the latest addition to the Poco family. A lighter and smaller version of the Poco and Poco Plus packs, it has everything you need to keep your little one (and yourself) happy on the trail.
A zippered compartment holds snacks, layers, diapers, etc. Plus, it has a deployable sunshade to keep kids cool. Moreover, the back panel adjusts quickly, so it’s easy to pass the pack to a person of a different height and size when it’s their turn.
A new parent on staff has been testing both the Poco LT and Poco Plus for months. While both are stellar child carriers, he prefers the Poco LT for its relative comfort, weight, and packability.
The Poco LT feels a bit more like a regular backpack due to the smaller size, yet it still carried comfortably in his tests with kids from 17 to 25 pounds. He also found it easier to lift and get onto his back than the larger model. Best of all, his daughter loves it since she is up high and can see her surroundings.
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Work Sharp Ken Onion Edition Knife & Tool Sharpener
Bring a new edge to hunting knives, even serrated ones as well as tools like axes, pruners, and even your kitchen scissor. This Ken Onion edition brings a boost of power and control to its bestselling Knife and Tool Sharpener.
More importantly, the set comes with adjustable belts with grains from Extra Coarse to Extra Fine able to grind at angles for 15 degrees to 30 degrees.
Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie
Fishing hoodies have become a staple piece of gear for anglers around the world. Like all good fishing hoodies, this one offers sun protection (UPF 20) and elastic thumb holes to keep hands from getting burned.
This take from Free Fly mixes bamboo viscose and polyester fabric to help wick moisture on hot days and to help sleeves dry after handling fish. It comes in nine colors, so you’re sure to find something that’ll work. If you’re looking for something a little heavier and warmer, look at the Bamboo Crossover Hoodie.
One of our testers has been using this lightweight hoodie for spring fly fishing and loves the color and feel. The fabric is incredibly soft, and it feels great all day.
He can attest to the lightweight fabric keeping him cool and dry while hiking stream banks and fishing from a kayak. Plus, the crossover hood design fits tightly around the neck to keep the sun and bugs at bay.
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YETI Rambler 20 Ounce Tumbler
This is the last coffee cup he’ll ever need. Well, unless he loses it, or maybe shoots it with a .22.
Say what you will about YETI, but these Ramblers ($35) will last forever and work great. Our tester has had one Rambler in everyday use for about 6 years now and it works as well today as the day it was new. So, if Pop needs a coffee cup upgrade, this one will last forever.
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Saxx Hot Shot Boxer Briefs
Here’s a little secret: Pretty much everyone wants another pair of nice underwear. And Saxx makes darned comfortable undies.
The men on our staff have been wearing and loving these for a few years now, and we’re confident the man in your life will like them, too. The 85% recycled polyester/15% elastane blend fabric is soft, quick-drying, and durable.
Grab a pair for Dad and he’ll be grabbing these as one of his favorite pairs of drawers in his drawer.
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Leatherman Wave
Speaking of gifts that last forever, how about a Leatherman multitool? Leatherman is the original pliers-based multitool, and it still leads the multitool market. And if anyone who ventures into the outdoors (or garage, or workshop, etc.) will value the vast utility of these nifty little tools.
The Wave ($109) is among Leatherman’s best-selling multitools for good reason. Its 18 tools will do most anything most folks need. There are many other good Leatherman tools on the market, but if you don’t know where to being, this is a great option for a fair price.
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Patagonia Fisherman’s Rolled Beanie
A nice beanie is a winter staple, and pretty much everyone would love a new one each year. Your father is probably no different, especially if he lives in a cool climate.
The Patagonia Fisherman’s Rolled Beanie ($39) is a well-made hat that uses 100% recycled polyester. It hits the wallet for under $40 and should give your loved one years of use.
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Argali Kodiak Belt
Most folks have a belt or two in their wardrobe. But very few have a belt like the Argali Kodiak Belt. This clever belt is a huge upgrade for those who carry backpacks and even loads in a few neat features.
First, the smart, simple design allows the belt to sit totally flat underneath a backpack hip belt. So when you carry a heavy backpack, you won’t feel this belt as you do many others.
Our team tested it in depth this year and loved how well it sits under a backpack. Plus, the buckle has a built-in knife, fish hook, and arrow sharpener, plus a leather strop for fine-tuning your sharp tools in the field.
This is one of the best belts on the market now for those who carry packs and may want to sharpen a knife or other tool in the field.
Sitka Fanatic Hoody
Sitka has added lifestyle options to its apparel line, including this versatile hoodie ($199). A body-mapped grid and microgram fleece work together to regulate body temp and keep you comfortable.
Flipover mitts and a built-in breathable mesh facemask make it great for long winter days. It’s a great layer and comes in your outdoor fanatic’s choice of solid or camo coloring.
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icebreaker Hike Lite Crew Socks
Wool socks are a must for hiking and backpacking. Gift a pair of these do-all wool wonders and keep your loved one’s feet happy on the trail.
The wool blend keeps odor at bay and provides all-day comfort. And the flat seams make for blister-free hiking. Bottom line: These are awesome socks on the trail and off.
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LIVSN Flex Canvas Pants
These pants ($119) are designed to be highly durable and functional without the typical bulky appearance of tactical pants. They were our favorite pants of 2020, and you can check out the full review.
The pants have many useful features like reinforced stress points, zippered security pockets, a roll-up leg system, articulated knees, and more. The canvas fabric is a blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex for breathability, stretch, and durability.
The brand suggests sizing up if you’re between sizes.
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Solo Stove Bonfire
“White rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits” — try as you might, mumbling this chant won’t magically make campfire smoke disappear. So Texas-based Solo Stove set out to create a nearly smokeless bonfire for a white-rabbit-free experience.
How did the brand do it? Solo Stove uses its Signature 360 Airflow Design to pull in air from vent holes along the base to help fuel the fire. That preheated air is then drawn to the top vent holes, creating a secondary burn, fueling the flame, and reducing smoke.
This secondary combustion also allows the fire to burn even hotter, creating a cozy environment even at a distance. The Solo Stove Bonfire weighs 20 pounds. It comes with a robust portable bag, making it a go-to option for your backyard patio, neighborhood picnic, or next beach adventure.
Our tester admits to being initially skeptical about the Solo Stove and its hefty price tag, but all it took was one fire to convert her. Sitting around the bonfire with no one playing musical chairs felt so lovely! It’s nice to have people over on chillier spring evenings and know guests will be nice and toasty, even outside.
Check out our full review here.
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High Camp Firelight 375 Flask
A flask may be a tried and true gift for the whiskey lover. But High Camp has elevated the flask to a work of functional art.
The Firelight 375 ($85) is a gorgeous flask with a built-on highball tumbler. The tumbler attaches via a magnetic closure. Double-wall stainless steel construction keeps your drink at a steady temp. If your loved one likes a nice sipping drink at the end of a long adventure, they’ll love this flask.
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Bertucci A-2T Field Watch
Watches make great gifts. But let’s face it, many good watches are really expensive. Not so with the Bertucci A-2T Field Watch. This wonderfully functional titanium field watch hits a great price at about $150.
But with a heavy-duty nylon strap, Swiss Super Luminosity, and Japanese quartz movement, this watch punches way above its weight class.
Benchmade Bugout
This might be the single best lightweight, EDC knife on the market today. Available with a variety of steel and handle configurations, the Benchmade Bugout delivers exactly what most people need in a pocket knife and nothing more.
To us, a great-value configuration is S30V steel with a drop-point blade. The glass-filled nylon handle works great (we’ve been using this setup for a couple of years every day), but for a nice step up, a G10 handle adds $60 to the price.
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