25 Father's Day gifts for the outdoorsy dad - that he doesn't have yet

Owen BurkeMay 31, 2019, 23:06 IST

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YETI

There's an endless number of outdoor gifts to give Dad this Father's Day, but there's no need to get overwhelmed. After having testing a good bit of these gifts ourselves, we've got a list of gear and gadgets to adorn most any outdoorsy dad, from the itinerant wave junky to the venerable beach bum and the alpine adventurer to the campfire cook. Whatever Dad's into, we've got something for just about any expedition, big or small.

But if the garage is full, or your dad is already too kitted out with coolers, kayaks, and everything in between, maybe a $20 lifetime membership to REI's Co-op initiative is in order - 70% of proceeds go to protecting the future of the great outdoors. After all, what could make him happier than to have a little more piece of mind that it will be there for future family members to enjoy?

Looking for more gift ideas? Find even more cool and unique Father's Day gifts here. For the interesting and out-of-the-ordinary, try one of these personalized gifts. If there's a new dad in your life, he'll appreciate these useful gifts geared for new fatherhood. And good, old-fashioned flowers are never a bad choice.

See 25 Father's Day gifts for the outdoorsy dad - that he doesn't have yet >>

A two-in-one koozie and cooler cup.

Hydro Flask 12 oz Insulated Cooler Cup, available at Hydro Flask, $24.95

Because plastic Solo cups are, once and for all, out, Dad.

A waterproof, drop-proof, and dirt-proof case for his iPhone.

Lifeproof FRĒ Series Waterproof Case for iPhone X, available at Amazon, $44.15

Whether he's starting to get clumsy or he always has been, this might save him a few hundred dollars or more for a phone replacement.

A lightweight, bounce-free, and rechargeable headlamp.

BioLite HeadLamp 330, available at BioLite, $49.95

This is the headlamp I use for almost everything, especially outdoors activities where the weight of a battery pack in front becomes painfully burdensome. Also, he can finally ditch the AA batteries.

A waterproof, roll-top backpack fit for the fly-fishing expedition of his dreams.

Grundéns Gage Tech Rum Runner Backpack, available at Amazon, $84.97

This will take Dad and his most precious of possessions (save for, like, you) from the high seas to the High Sierra and back, dry as can be. I like this one because, if he's a thrifty enough packer, he can latch a sleeping bag, tent, and mess kit to it for a longer overnight trek.

A new take on an ancient, but refined reel-free fly rod.

Patagonia Simple Fly Fishing Tenkara Fly Rod 10'6", available at Patagonia, $225 Patagonia Simple Fly Fishing Kit for 10'6" and 11'6" Rods, available at Patagonia, $75

Fly fishing is an expensive habit. Help Dad scale things back a little with this simplistic, if spartan, little kit.

A stainless-steel pocket knife with a rosewood handle and corkscrew.

FlyingColors Laguiole Folding Pocket Knife, available at Amazon, $16.99

Help him keep it classy in the field.

A bouquet of salami to take along on the trail.

Olympia Provisions 6-Stem Salami Bouquet, available at Amazon, $95

Meeeeaaaaat. 'Nuff said.

A chart-plotting, way-finding GPS marine watch for the aquatic dad on the move.

Garmin Quatix 5, 1.2 Inches, available at Amazon, $399.99

Lest he get lost.

An inflatable, stand-up paddle board.

Tower Paddle Boards Adventurer Inflatable SUP, 9'10", available at Amazon, $679

If he's getting a little lazy in retirement, try tricking him into staying spry. All the kids are doing it.

A lightweight, folding kayak.

Oru Beach LT Folding Kayak, available at Amazon, $1,299

Now that he doesn't have to heave a 45-pound boat onto the roof of his car, he's got no excuses.

A regenerative, organic sun paste that'll keep him looking young.

Manda Organic Sun Paste, available at Amazon, $28

It's probably not skin cancer that'll get him, but one or two less wrinkles wouldn't have Mom complaining. With restorative Burmese thanaka, this is the best of the best for his face.

A stainless-steel, vacuum-sealed mug with a magnetic lid.

Yeti Rambler 20 oz Tumbler with MagSlider Lid, available at Amazon, $29.99

Whether he's on or off the juice or joe, this will serve him well wherever he may roam.

A small but powerful waterproof Bluetooth speaker.

UE Wonderboom Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker, available at Amazon, $58.99

We'd like to see him try and trash this one. What is it with dads and tech, anyhow?

A brand-new, 21-tool Leatherman.

Leatherman Free P4, available at Leatherman, $139.95

It's only so often that Leatherman updates its arsenal, and when it does, consider it high time to tell Pops to chuck that rusty old thing on the shelf for a new and improved one, your treat.

A packable, quick-drying microfiber towel.

PackTowl Personal Microfiber Towel, available at Amazon, $9.50-$49.95 (prices vary by size)

Lightweight, packable, and easy to wash, clean, hang and dry. No more moldy towels coming home with him after three-day camping trips.

A soft-sided cooler backpack.

YETI Hopper BackFlip 24 Soft Sided Cooler/Backpack, available at Amazon, $299.99

There are many great backpack coolers out there that do everything the YETI Hopper does and more, but this one is, in our experience, the most likely to survive an arduous trek.