If it wasn’t for my dad, who knows if I would enjoy the outdoors as much as I do! My parents took me and my sister camping, backpacking, and hiking before we could walk, so I was lucky to grow up with a special bond with the great outdoors. If you have an outdoorsy dad, too, celebrate him with something he’ll not only love but be able to put to good use (so no ties this year, OK?). Check out our top 10 gifts for outdoorsy dads and, for even more ideas (and because we think all outdoor gear is gender-neutral) take a look at our list for Mother’s Day, too! You never know what you might find!
1. REI Co-op Membership
An REI Membership only costs $20 and it means he gets to pick out his own gifts. Plus, he’ll get to participate in the twice-annual REI Garage Sales (the next one is June 8!), receive 20% discounts during special sales throughout the year, and earn 10% back on every purchase. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
2. Camp Espresso Maker
My dad could swallow gritty cowboy coffee and be happy about it, but if you think your dad should up his campfire coffee game, get him this individual espresso maker. He’ll never go back to instant again. This is one of those gifts for outdoorsy dads he’ll use again and again (because it works just as well in the kitchen as the campsite).
3. Wet/Dry Backpack
Why yes, he can use this roll-top wet/dry backpack to commute on his bike on a rainy day or to store valuables on a river rafting trip. Or at the beach. Or on a misty morning day hike. Take your pick. And what hip dad wouldn’t love the modern colors?
4. Teva Sandals
If you’ve been trying to get dad to ditch whatever backless, old man sandals he loves so much, get him a pair of Tevas to replace them. They’re way more hip and he can even wear them with socks in a pinch. Most of Teva’s sandal offerings are vegan, but we like the Hurricane XLT 2 for the hearty sole that’s good for off-pavement adventures.
5. Hydration Reservoir
Don’t let your dad drink out of a water bottle like a sucker when he’s hiking! Get him a hydration pack like this one so he can stay hydrated hands-free. We like the 2-Liter, but there’s a 3-Liter too if he can really suck it down. Don’t forget the cleaning kit!
6. Hammock
We recommend hammocks frequently, but this one is especially giftable. Made by our boys (and girls) Kammock in our beloved Austin, this bundle contains everything dad needs to relax in the backyard or the backcountry: a quality hammock, killer straps, and a bug net to keep out those pesky mosquitoes.
7. Ultralight Camp Chair
Those big ‘ol folding camp chairs are for newbs. Get him one that weighs less than two pounds so he can take it camping, hiking, or backpacking (or just to family movies in the park). This one from REI folds up small and is surprisingly comfy.
8. Buff Headwear
No list of gifts for outdoorsy dads would be complete without some sort of head covering. Sure a trusty old handkerchief is great, but can it do everything a Buff can do? Make it a hat, a neck wrap, a face mask, you name it. And this one offers a UPF rating of 50 and is made out of recycled water bottles. Just make sure not to pick up the wool version by mistake.
9. Camp Games
Don’t let dad get bored sitting around the fire. When the smores have been toasted and the sun’s gone down and there’s nothing to do until bedtime, break out the games. We like this Don’t Die Out There deck of cards that combines survival tips with car games, but if he’s less of a poker man and more of a get-up-and-move kinda guy, go for a lightweight ring flying disc that he can toss in the back of the car or clip onto the outside of his pack.
10. The Gift of Knowledge
Think he could brush up on his navigational skills or wilderness first aid? Register him for a class at your local REI (members get discounts, so why not pair it with an REI membership?). If there’s not one nearby, there’s lots of online education available at AIM Adventure U.
For even more great gift ideas, check out our other gift guides! Happy Father’s Day and wander on!
**This post may contain affiliate links. We receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from our links, which means we might make enough to buy a can of fuel for our Pocket Rocket!**
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