Outdoorsy dads and I have many things in common, such as the way we dress and an affinity Handcrafted leather gifts for dads for trip planning. But the biggest similarity is how we love to geek out on gear. And if you have an outdoorsy father figure in your life, it’s basically guaranteed that he would love some new gear, especially for Father’s Day.
Because navigating the digital aisles of REI can be overwhelming, I consulted dads who love to hike, fish, kayak, and camp about the things they think would make great gifts and included some gear that I’ve tested and can vouch for myself. (Then, for good measure, I combed our archives for any standout stuff that we’ve written about before.) From electronics, to tools and knives, to clothes and shoes, to plenty of supplies for camping and water sports, the products below are sure to delight any dad who spends time outside, whether he is a consummate camper, just learned how to pitch a tent, or is something in between. I found a Patagonia Hawaiian shirt for dads who like to spend time in the sun, a nifty USB-rechargeable lighter for firebug dads, and hiking sandals for dads hitting the trail this summer.
Garmin inReach Mini 2
If you’ve got a dad who likes to head out into the woods alone, here’s a way for him to keep in touch should he need to. A separate GPS rescue device “is a go-to standard these days for people in the backcountry,” Scott Wilkinson, communications director at the Pacific Crest Trail Association, tells us. The most advanced of these devices, like the Garmin inReach here, can pair with your dad’s phone and send a text message even if he doesn’t have cell service.
Rocky Talkie
These walkie-talkies work just as well for serious adventures (I use them to communicate with my rock-climbing partners when we’re at opposite ends of the rope) as they do for keeping in contact with other members of your hiking group.
GoPro Hero12 Black
Kevin Mooney, the owner and operator of the Mohicans, a tree-house resort in Ohio, recommends giving a GoPro because it will allow Dad to capture everything from mountain biking to working on an at-home building project. “Everybody should have a GoPro; it’s fantastic for shooting outdoor videos. The footage that we have shot with ours is phenomenal,” he promises.
GoPro Chesty Harness
If he already has a GoPro, outdoorsy dad David Stephan says that “a cool additional accessory” would be an affordable way to make it feel new again. This harness would allow Dad to mount a GoPro to his chest so he can record bike rides, trail runs, and other activities hands free.
Wahoo TICKR Heart-Rate Monitor
For dads who are tracking their fitness (outside or indoors), cyclist Chris Cosentino — who is also a chef, restaurateur, and dad — directed us to this heart-rate monitor that doubles as a calorie tracker. “The TICKR X is equipped with Bluetooth and will connect directly with your training apps,” he explains. “It has 50 hours of memory, so you can go for a run or ride your trainer indoors, and it’ll record and remember that activity.”
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro (Solar)
This solar-powered GPS watch can track almost any outdoor activity. If Dad spends any time on trails (either on foot or on two wheels), he’ll appreciate this upgrade.
Gaia GPS Annual Membership
For dads who plot their trails, writer and distance hiker Amiththan Sebarajah recommends high-powered GPS app Gaia, which is also a favorite of Death Cab for Cutie front man (and avid trail runner) Ben Gibbard. As the membership fee is steep, Dad will surely appreciate being gifted 12 months of maps.
Sightron 10×32 SII Binoculars
If your dad likes birding, hiking, or just seeing faraway sights, he’d get plenty of use out of some new binoculars. Robert DeCandido — who goes by Birding Bob and leads bird-watching tours of Central Park — told us about this lightweight, waterproof, and fogproof pair from Sightron that he says Dad can “wear all day” without feeling any strain on his neck. They’re not cheap, but these they with a case, neck strap, and lens cover — all things that make them more giftable. If you want to shop around, we heard about more expert-approved pairs when we asked birders about their go-to gear.
Netvue Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder With Camera
Or if he’d rather have the birds come to him, there’s this smart bird feeder — possibly the best gift I’ve ever gotten for my dad, who loves to bird-watch and spend time outside. It works like a Ring doorbell, giving you a livestream of the feeder and its visitors, but also auto-records any encounters, so your dad will never miss a visit from an avian friend.
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