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Father’s Day is June 16 this year! Not sure what to get for your outdoorsy dad (or dad-figure)? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We tested a whole bunch of gear and think these 10 gifts for outdoorsy dads will get him (or them) totally stoked to head outside to play whether they love camping, kayaking, hiking, backpacking, or anything in between. Bonus: these are sustainable outdoor gifts you can both feel good about.
*Side note: No. No, Josh is not a dad…
10 Father’s Day Gifts for Outdoorsy Dads
Cotopaxi Sumaco Short-Sleeve Shirt
Whether dad loves getting out on the water for a nice long paddle, bagging peaks, or just chasing after the kids in the backyard, the collared Cotopaxi Sumac shirt will keep him cool and comfy. The fabric is soft, flexibly, and stretchy and wicks moisture like a boss, the chest pocket is large enough for a big phone, the mesh back vents help keep the air moving through on humid days, and it’s got that classic square cut and hem, which seems to be all the rage these days. It dries super fast, is available in a handful of colors (most are more muted than typical Cotopaxi style), and comes in a long-sleeve version, too if you prefer extra sun protection (the shirts are 50+ UPF). It’s even made of recycled nylon (93%–the last 7% is spandex).
Stio Skycrest Insulated Snap Shirt
Don’t get dad just any jacket, get him one he actually wants to wear. And not just to the campground, but to the brewery or grocery store, too. Enter the Stio Skycrest Insulated Snap Shirt. As the name implies, it’s styled more like a shirt with front snaps than a zip-up jacket, but that’s what we love about it. That and its soft, pliable fabric, easy packability, and plenty of pockets. Plus, thanks to the Thermore insulation made from recycled PET bottles (which also doesn’t shift or clump), it’s way cozier than you think it should be, plus cuts a pretty sleek and stylish silhouette. We dig that there’s no hood, so it can be worn in more casual setting and layers well, the snap pockets (hand and chest) are functional, and there are several colors and patterns available. The jacket is also weather resistant but still PFAS-free. Looking cool and staying warm on cool evenings all at the same time? Win.
Outerknown All Time Scallop Trunk
If there’s a pair of board shorts that’ll make him go “Oooooh…” it’s the All Time Scallop Trunks from sustainably-minded brand Outerknown. They’re super lightweight, breathable, fast-drying, not too tight or too loose, and even have a zippered back pocket to keep a few small items safe and secure whether he’s playing beach volleyball, goofing off in the pool, or hiking to an alpine lake. They promise to stay put thanks to a hook-and-loop fly closure paired with a waist tie, are made of recycled polyester, and thanks to a bit of Spandex (including some that’s recycled), they’re nice and stretchy, too, so he can really move. Don’t forget the sunscreen!
Grayl GeoPress Ti Filter + Purifier Bottle
We recently reviewed the Grayl GeoPress Ti and think it would make a great gift for any parent who likes to explore outdoors in any capacity. What makes it so great? For starters, all Grayl bottles filter AND purify water you collect. That means they remove bacteria, protozoa, AND viruses, which most standard water filters don’t do. That means they’re not only perfect for backcountry trips where they might be collecting and drinking water from natural sources, but also for international travel to places with non-potable tap water. But the Ti (as opposed to Gray’s plastic bottles) is also multifunctional: the outer cup is fashioned with foldable handles and is made out of titanium, so you can also use it on its own to boil water over a fire or camp stove!
Ignik Gas Growler 3.8
For those who camp often and are passionate about sustainability, there may be no more useful gift (that they’ll also really love). This refillable propane tank hooks up to just about everything that requires propane: dad’s backyard grill, the Ignik Firecan you got him last year, and his trusty camp stove. But the best thing about this baby is that it negates the need to purchase those green Coleman canisters, which aren’t just expensive, but aren’t recyclable or refillable either, meaning they’re just piling up in a landfill somewhere. In fact, the Gas Growler 3.8 (pound) holds as much gas as 4 of those canisters while still being super portable. We’ve also tested the larger 5 lb model, but for most road trips and weekend campouts, the 3.8 is more than enough and takes up less room in the trunk or trailer. It’ll also save him tons of money in the long run: we paid about $2.50 to fill it up. Compare that to those $10/piece green canisters…
MSR Titan Titanium Cook Set
Have a parent who loves to cook when they’re in the outdoors but doesn’t want to be weighed down by heavy, bulky cookware? Check out the MSR Titan titanium lineup! There’s a spacious 1400ml kettle for dads cooking for two or three people, a 900ml pot for dads boiling water for just one or two (both with secure lids), and a stove-top ready ultralight camp mug with a silicone rim protector so he doesn’t burn his lips on hot metal. All three have fold-away handles for easy storage AND they all nestle into one another! Too easy. Plus: Ultralight!
Nikwax Footwear Care
No list of gifts for outdoorsy dads (at least one on Terradrift) would be complete without the necessary tools to help dad take care of his gear so it lasts for a good long time. Enter Nikwax Footwear Cleaning Gel and Fabric and Leather Proof, which is totally PFAS-free AND carbon balanced. Honestly, when we don’t have a bottle of each on hand, we panic. ‘Cause our hiking boots and trail shoes get dirty. And Dirty boots mean less waterproof boots and boots that don’t tend to last as long. So help him keep his gear in tip top shape with a bottle of each (and learn how to use them in this post). Then, what the heck, go ahead and offer to clean his boots for him! That way they’ll be good to go the next time you invite him on an impromptu hike.
Tensile Trillium Giant 3-Person Camping Hammock
If you’re ready to splurge a little, and dad likes to (literally) hang out in the back yard or kick it hard at the campground, consider this: a giant lay-flat hammock from Tentsile. What makes it so special? For starters, it’s a triangle, so it hangs between three trees instead of two, which means not only is there plenty of room for a parent or two, but you can hop up there too! Bonus: the shape and design allows loungers to lay flat! So no getting wrapped up like a burrito, no crushing each other when you try to fit more than one person in the hammock, and no tipping out like those silly hammocks with “stability” bars on the ends are always threatening to do to you.
MODL Outdoors Infinity Tool
If there’s one small piece of outdoor gear we like at least as much as our trusty red whips, it’s the MODL Infinity Tool, which is kinda like a bungee, but so much better (check out our short video about it here). The stretchy, strong, durable Infinity Tool comes in multiple lengths, which can be connected to make them even longer them with the included StudLinks, and can be used for everything from securing dad’s sleeping pad to his backpack, strapping down farmers market purchases to the rear rack on his bike, attaching an umbrella to his backpack…the options are endless (or…infinite…)! Just don’t forget to get him some functional accessories to go with the tools, like the HookStuds and StackStuds that extend the usefulness even more! Use code TERRADRIFT for 15% off. Bonus: they’re budget-friendly.
Big Agnes Circle Back Sleeping Pad
A comfortable, quiet, packable sleeping pad that’s ALSO circular?! Dad’s gonna love it. What does “circular” mean? It’s not only made OF recycled materials, but can also be recycled at the end of its life (which will be a long time from now since Big Agnes will repair the pad for free if it gets any leaks or tears you can’t patch yourself)! Circularity means less stuff ends up in landfills, which is a win. The inflatable pad itself is made of a semi-stretchy TPU, which adds a bit more give and comfort than other materials, plus comes with a synthetically-insulated pad cover that not only boosts the R-value to 4.7, but makes it super soft and comfy (and yes, the cover is easily washable). That’s especially nice if he prefers sleeping with an open-backed quilt instead of a traditional sleeping bag. It’s more for camping than backpacking since it’s a bit bulkier and heavier than some other pads, but honestly, we wouldn’t balk at someone carrying this into the backcountry. And it’s plenty roomy since it comes in regular and long (both wide). Watch our video review HERE.
Bottom Line: Gifts for Outdoorsy Dads
Need more Father’s Day gift ideas for your outdoorsy dad (or any parent, for that matter)? Check out our Mother’s Day gift guide (because great gifts make great gifts no matter the gender). Then shop responsibly, consider buying used, and help show dad how to make gear last. Then get outside and wander on. Ideally together.
Alisha is a freelance outdoor journalist and photographer based in Ogden, UT. She loves backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and snowboarding (even though she’s terrible at it). She’s also pretty sure she’s addicted to coffee. alishamcdarris.com