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Not all dads are built the same. While some are contented to lounge on the couch, lord over the grill or lay back by the pool, the proverbial call of the wild may well have a hold on good old dad (yes, we’re talking about you). Adventure-seeking dads are becoming increasingly commonplace, and the old canon of Father’s Day gifts — you know, the shaving kit, the slippers — just aren’t going to cut it.
If the trails feel as much like home as…well, home does, a special subset of gifting is required to really wow. We’re talking rugged, hardwearing and generally badass gear to conquer the backcountry and backyard alike. There’s an abundance of gear out there, and we’ve found some of the best by the likes of YETI, REI and Leatherman.
We’ve rounded up ten tested and approved gems for the outdoorsy dad. Some work by the pool, others are ready for a ten-mile trek, but every single piece of gear below will blow his mind. Shop the best outdoorsy gifts below.
Yeti Hondo Base Camp Chair
Built for any campsite, tailgate parking lot or the sidelines of a child’s soccer game, Yeti’s sturdy, dependable and wondrously comfy camp chair is a must-have for the dad who loves to park his behind and enjoy a drink literally anywhere outside.
Leatherman Skeletool KBx Folding Knife
A sleek little number, don’t let the Leatherman Skeletool’s slight size fool you; its 1.3oz frame is still more than enough for any outdoor adventure, thanks to a locking design and 420HC stainless steel blade.
Nocs Provisions Zoom Tube 8 x 32 Monocular Telescope
We tested Nocs Provisions’ fun-sized monocular telescope last year and, TLDR, we fell in love with it. We found its no-frills design helped forge a better relationship between us and the outdoors, and it’s why we’d recommend it to any nature enthusiast.
Outdoor Voices Rectrek Pant
Versatile is an understatement. These pants can take you from the office to the trails and then finish the evening at the bar. Made with long-lasting, elements-resistant TerraStretch fabric, OV’s top-rated pant offers comfort, mobility and a relaxed, slightly cropped fit.
BUG BITE thing Removal Tool
We’ve been quite impressed with this Shark Tank-funded tool designed to abolish pesky, itchy bug bites. And while it sounds like a total gimmick, it actually works. The exceedingly simple tool extracts insect saliva from beneath the skin, so rather than slathering on creams and lotions meant to cover up your bug bite symptoms, you’re removing the very thing that causes them in the first place.
REI Co-op Flash 22 Pack
REI’s Flash Pack is an optimal combination of lightweight recycled construction and a bevy of space and features (removable back, waist strap and hydration pack, to name a few), making it ideal no matter his preparation inclinations.
Columbia Bora Bora Hat
Enjoy sunburn-free skin wherever life takes you with Columbia’s Bora Bora Hat. A tight nylon Omni-Shade weave blocks UVA and UVB rays to help prevent sunburns and long-term skin damage; it doesn’t hurt that the “dadcore” look is in right now, either.
VSSL Camp Supplies Mini Kit
VSSL’s premise is as genius as it is simple: pack everything you need for a given situation (in this case, camping out with the kids) into a portable, seal-tight and virtually indestructible container. Complete with weather-resistant firestarter kit, rope & razor kit, sewing kit and a small first aid kit, it has everything you need for some fatherly peace of mind.
Hoka Anacapa Mid GXT Hiking Boot
When we reviewed Hoka’s Gore-Tex Anacapa Hiking Boot, we weren’t sure what to expect; after all, the brand is notorious for cushy walking shoes, not all-terain sloggers. We’re happy to report that the versatile silhouette aced every test we put it through.
GoPro HERO10 Action Camera
Wondering how GoPro packs 5.3K video capacity, GP2 processor and HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization into a palm-of-your-hand device is a fool’s errand. They do, and it’s awesome.
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