Dads are notoriously hard to buy gifts for. They’re 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’s Day, we badgered the dads at Outside to tell us what’s on their wish list, great gifts they’ve received and really appreciated, and dad essentials they swear by.
If the dad in your life isn’t into “stuff,” 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’s day is to spend the day doing what they love, whether that’s 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
$88 at Jack’s Surfboards $88 at Free Fly
As a dad, I spend a lot of time outside (watching a variety of sporting events, dragging kids on hikes, etc.) so I’ve come to love Free Fly’s 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’ve already worn it on paddle board trips on the French Broad River near my home, and I can’t wait to break it out during our annual family surf trip later in the summer. Just be sure to order a size up—the Pinnacle is tight fitting and gets tighter when it’s wet, so give yourself a little extra breathing room. —Graham Averill, Outside gear and travel columnist
Lumi HD Smart Projector
$249 at Lumi (projector) $19 at Lumi (screen)
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’m 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’t have its own battery, but it works well with portable systems like the Goal Zero 500. Add the 100” roll up screen ($19), which is easy to hang in front of your garage door, or from the roof rack on your car. —G.A.
Hydro Flask 12oz Cooler Cup
$25 at Hydro Flask $25 at Amazon
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’s the wiser. —Ryan Dionne, Outside digital video producer
Igloo ECOCOOL Latitude 52-Qt Cooler
$60 at REI $70 at Igloo
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’t keep contents cold for as long as some of the more premium coolers out there, it’s a good value compromise. —Joe Jackson, Outside gear columnist
Read more: The 6 Best Coolers of 2025
Gregory Alpaca Gear Garage Envy
$350 at Gregory
If there’s 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’s 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’ve definitely thought to myself, “Huh, we could use another four or five of these.” Enter the aptly named “Garage Envy” bundle—a 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, shop here.) —Drew Zieff, Outside gear contributor
Big Agnes Big Six Armchair
$149 at REI from $157 at Amazon
The Big Six Armchair beats other camp chairs out there because it checks all the boxes: it’s 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. —J.J.
Read more: The Best Camp Chairs of 2025
Kane Revive Active Recovery Shoe
$80 at Kane $80 at Dicks
I’ve 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’s 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. —J.J.
Simple Modern Kona Travel Mug with Locking Flip Lid
$19 at Simple Modern $19 at Amazon
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 grande) 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—up to eight hours, according to the Outside Lab, and for six hours even when out in 39 degree weather. —Jonathan Beverly, Outside senior gear editor
Minus 33 Lightweight Algonquin Men’s T-Shirt Crew
$70 at Minus 33 $70 at Amazon
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—what dad wouldn’t want that? —J.B.
Insta 360 Ace Pro 2 Action Camera
$340 at B&H $340 at Amazon
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’ll love this camera. —Jakob Schiller, Outside gear columnist
42 Birds Cork Lightweight Yoga Mat And Massage Balls Bundle
$94 at 42 Birds
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’s 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’t 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 “namaste.” —D.Z.
Ombraz Viale Sunglasses
$160 at Ombraz $160 at Sporteyes
If you’re unfamiliar with Ombraz’s 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’t fall off or snap mid-adventure. When you’re 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 “indestructible” frame are top-tier polarized lenses from Zeiss, one of the sunglasses industry’s biggest names, and Ombraz’s optics are unsurprisingly solid. —D.Z.
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Monument Grills Eminence 405
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Searching for that perfect Father’s Day gift? Level up dad’s outdoor cooking game with the heavy-duty, high-end Eminence 405 from Monument Grills. The ClearView®️ 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
$285 at Coleman $275 at REI
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’ by 9’) mean there’s also plenty of room for plush camping mattresses, pack-n-plays, and other family gear. —J.J.
Don’t miss: The Best Tents for Car Camping
Nestout Power Bank 15000mAh
$65 at Amazon $65 at Nestout
Nestout’s Power Bank 15000 mAh looks a bit like a military canteen, and it’s as tough as one, too. The portable power source’s 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’t enough, the bank boasts an integrated tripod mount and is compatible with Nestout’s 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. —D.Z.
Kids Ride Shotgun Seat
$110 at REI $110 at Amazon
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). —Frederick Dreier, Outside Articles Editor
Paka Trail Socks
$20 at Paka
Unwrapping a fresh pair of socks for Father’s Day will never get old, and that’s especially true when it comes to these Paka Trail Socks. I’ve been loving everything I’ve 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. —D.Z.
Outerknown Apex Evolution Boardshorts
$168 at Outerknown
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—though thin, soft, and lightweight—wasn’t the most durable.
The new Evolution isn’t 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’s good enough for Kelly Slater, it’s good enough for the wave-chasing dad on your list. —D.Z.
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