The Outdoor Dad: Fathers Day Gear Guide
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Fathers Day is coming up, and we all know dads can be hard to buy for. But most dads love gear, especially outdoor gear, and we think will like the items that are made our top ten list as gifts for outdoor dad.
1. Helinox Camp Chair, $100
We’ve all seen cheap camp chairs that fall apart within one season of use. Why not spoil dad with a more expensive, and high quality chair that he’ll love to use for years. This chair is portable, lightweight, and has a reclined seating position for all day relaxation. Comes with a carrying case and breathable mesh, he can take his chair anywhere.
2. HydroFlask growler, $55 and HydroFlask True Pint, $22
Fact: your dad is always thirsty for beer. No Father’s Day celebration is quite complete without a nice cold one, and the Hydro Flask is specially engineered and vacuum insulated to keep beer cold. The stainless steel interior doesn’t retain taste and washes clean. The glass is made specifically to have the feel of a traditional English pint glass. It keeps things cold for up to 24 hours.
3. Truck top tent, $1650
These are a splurge, but gear-head, camping-crazy dads will love this. Utilizing space on the top of a truck, SUV or trailer, these ultra tough tents set up fast, includes mesh windows, and a mattress strapped to the tent base to prevent shifting.
4. Victorinox Swisstool Spirit multitool, $100
Don’t let dad get caught unprepared. Get him one of these tools which will be super useful on his next camping or fishing trip. Our pick: the Victorinox Swisstool Spirit Multitool.
This product compares very impressively to other tools in it’s class. It’s all business, lacking the enamelled Swiss cross logo, no red grips and is purely stainless steel in colour. Tools like the Phillips driver, wiring cable insulation strippers, even a metal saw are important additions to your tool kit. This tool is impressively compact, measures only 3 and 1/4 inches in length, has 27 functions and is a top performer and recommended for personal and professional use, including backcountry travel, rescue and survival.
5. VSSL Flask, $72.50
This is one of the coolest pieces of gear we’ve seen lately. It’s a flashlight that holds your beverage of choice. It features two stainless steel collapsible shot glasses, a VSSL-branded bottle opener and an oil-filled compass. Want more details? Read our gear highlight.
6. Camelbak MULE Hydration Backpack, $108 -139
Give dad a place to store his water and stuff. This backpack is one of the best selling and longest running hydration backpacks. It has everything you need in one compact bag with nothing that you don’t need. It’s light and maneuverable so even when it’s fully loaded with water, food, tools and a jacket, it won’t feel big or bulky. It also has a built in rain cover. It’s a little on the expensive side but this is the only pack that dad will need.
7. BioLite PowerLight, $80
We’re liking the gear that Biolite is coming up with and we think your dad should have some of it too! The 450 lumen PowerLight is a base camp light that can charge your electronics. It fits in your pocket and has warm, powerful lighting.
8. Prana stretch Zion pant, $85
Dad will love these robust, weather proof and comfortable pants that can take all sorts of abuse, and stand up in the elements. Made of a stretch fabric, they have DWR finish to keep out the rain, and have hand, cargo and back pockets. They can also be converted to shorts using roll-up leg snaps.
9. The North Face Base Camp duffel bag $100 – 175
This Base Camp duffel bag comes in four different sizes, so choose the one you think dad would need the most. Not your average duffel bag, this bag is completely bomber. It can handle abuse at airports, inside helicopters, can be roughed around and is burly and waterproof. It has detachable shoulder straps, four compression straps and padded side handles.
10. Black Diamond Spot Headlamp, $40
Whether dad is a camper or not, he’ll appreciate the convenience of a headlamp. Digging around the garage or shed looking for gear will be a breeze. One of the best out there, best selling and one of our favourites is the Black Diamond Spot. You can read a review of this headlamp and our other two favourites.
Reminder: fathers day is Sunday, June 19 this year. Gifts are awesome, but what’s really important is to spend some quality time outdoors together.