FFinding the perfect Father’s Day gift can be tricky. Each year, I spend some time immersing myself in my dad’s hobbies, knowing that many of the things he would really want, he already has. The trick, I’ve found, is to look for small improvements that provide better comfort or solve a problem you may not have known you could fix.
Father’s Day Gift Guide for Dads Outside
If your dad – like me – loves hiking and the outdoors, I’ve put together a handy guide for you to use when thinking about a gift he’ll want to use.
Shady Rays Classic Sunglasses – $59
Sunglasses are the backbone of the trail, but they easily fall off the rocks or are left to rest. Shady Rays addresses this concern with aggressive lost or broken replacement policy. You can give him sharp, anti-glare lenses that protect his eyes in open spaces, supported by great peace of mind: if he loses them or steps on them in the camp, he is burdened.
FarOut Guide: Appalachian Trail | Pacific Crest Trail | Continental Divide Trail – $50-$75
Paper maps are great, but they don’t show real-time, crowd-sourced alerts from other hikers about dry streams, washouts, or recent bear activity. Buy a specific map pack for your next bucket list route or your next family trip. It allows him to extract elevation profiles and water sources while giving everyone peace of mind that they are on the right track, even miles away from cell service. Additionally, if you are going for a walk, give him peace of mind so he can follow you from home.
Garmin Forerunner 70 – $250+
Keeping track of exertion levels, real-time heart rate, and elevation gain is critical to mobility and recovery as a hiker ages. Whether he’s using a breadcrumb trail to find his way back to the car or tracking his steps with biometrics, it’s a powerful, data-rich tool he’ll use every day. Plus, you’ll see all the texts you send him immediately (this is a reminder to text your Dad today).
Altra Experience Wild 3 – $165.00
Heavy, tough leather boots create hot spots and exhaust the hiker’s legs. Experience Wild 3 gives his toes room to spread naturally, preventing blisters while providing a deep grip on loose debris and rocks. If he wants the legendary comfort of a modern trail running shoe but prefers a touch more structure and natural heel-to-toe movement than zero-gravity models, this shoe will make his miles feel effortless.
Gossamer Gear Loris 25 – $135
Most daypacks are heavy and overbuilt with unnecessary frames, or flimsy school bags that dig into your shoulders when loaded with water. This pack reduces fat to give him what he needs. It has plenty of room for his layers, lunch, and first aid kit, as well as accessible mesh pockets so he can take his water or snacks on the go without having to take the pack out.
Solid Black Socks – $25+
Dads are notorious for wearing socks until they shine. Cotton socks trap sweat and cause painful blisters, while merino wool glides over the foot, breathes easily, and is naturally odor-resistant. Appeal directly to his inner pragmatist. When he inevitably puts a hole in these after hundreds of miles, he can mail them in for a new pair — free, forever.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter – $60
Backcountry water filters naturally slow down and clog over years of heavy use. No one enjoys spending 20 minutes forcing water through a broken filter into the stream. The new Sawyer Squeeze restores a lightning-fast flow rate to its filter setup, ensuring that its drainage system remains safe, seamless, and stress-free.
FarPointe Sun Cruiser – $105
Breaking into oily sun skin every two hours on a hot road is annoying. A dedicated, high-performance sun hoodie that provides full coverage, dries quickly, and keeps the sun off your neck and ears. Made from an incredibly lightweight, breathable fabric, the Sun Cruiser will keep you cool, protected from the elements, and look sharp without the sticky coating of standard sunblock.
The best gift you can give an expat dad is something that shows you are aware of his interests. You don’t need to completely replace his favorite backpack or find a hidden piece of gear he’s never heard of. Instead, look for those smart, high-quality enhancements that elevate his time out on the track.
Pick something that best suits his hiking style, wrap it up in a handwritten note, and if you really want to top it, offer to join him on his next trip. Happy Father’s Day to all trail loving dads out there!
Included photo: Photo by Toomas Tartes on Unsplash
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