Buying a gift for dad used to be simple. Whether it was a Christmas gift for dad or a birthday gift for dad, it was culturally appropriate to just pick out socks, ties, or acoffee mug stamped with a clever phrase and call it a day. Times have changed, for the better. The best gift ideas for dads are meaningful, and will sucker-punch him right in the heart when he tears open the wrapping paper.
And while finding a gift for dad isnt difficult, per se, it does require some thought because its a gift and all gifts should have sentiment behind them. We know: A lot of dads are tough to shop for. This trope holds up. They either say they dont want anything or give you no direction. But thats why, just like good old dad, were here for you. We spelunked deep into the world of mens gifts, vetting hundreds of items to assemble this list. From comfy sneakers and kitchen tools to teched-out headphones and hand-crafted essentials, this list has exactly what dad wants even if he swears he doesnt want anything. Trust us, we know.
This gorgeously weathered leather bag will keep electronics organized when dads traveling for work or play.
This organizer corrals his cables, pens, and tools, as well as a phone, passports, and even SD cards. The more use it gets, the better the leather looks. It ages well. Just like dad. Tell him that at least.
For the dad who loves workouts and superheroes, get him this stunner of a smartwatch
This Garmin smartwatch hasblue, silver and brown leather elements and a brushed stainless steel bezel modeled after Captain Americas shield. It has adisplay resolution is 260 x 260 pixels, and the display size is 1.3 inches in diameter. But most of all, it looks truly dope and thecase back of the watch is emblazoned with Captain Americas saying, I can do this all day. Yup.
This is the ultimate solution to organize all of dads cords and tech gear.
This tech pouch, made of weatherproof 200D nylon, has enough pockets to fit every single thing dad might need or want to have on hand. We particularly like the cable organization with pass-through for charging devices on the go.
For the dad who'd rather be hitting the slopes, arm him with these glorious insulated gloves.
These gloves are no joke. Theyre pre-curved and made fromNordic elk leather and insulated with Primaloft Gold synthetic insulation. His hands will feel like theyre encased in down.
If dad would prefer to eat his Christmas feast over an open fire, get him this do-it-all multi-tool.
This titanium tool is everything he needs when hes pitching a tent: Its a can opener, a spork, a serrated butter knife, a can opener, a bottle opener, a fire flint, a core cutter, and a screwdriver. The list goes on, but were sure you get it.
So dad is into stargazing? He'll see the Big Dipper with this ingenious portable travel telescope that he can take on his outdoor adventures.
Astronomy has never looked this good, thanks to the handy Celestron portable scope.You get fully-coated glass optics, a powerful 70mm objective lens, a lightweight frame, and a custom backpack to carry it all around.
When it's frigid outside, keep his dogs warm with these luxe wool slippers.
These Danish slippers have a wool upper, a rubber sole, and the kind of thoughtful construction that keep his feet warm, but never overheated or sweaty.
If dad loves his home-improvement and DIY projects, he'll be wowed by this personalized hammer, featuring a laser-engraved saying your choice.
This is a full-sized hammer with a steel head. You figure out a quote, or dates, that mean something to dad, and have it engraved on the front side of the hammer. Because this is laser engraving, its permanent and will never rub off.
There are great pocketknives, and then there are great pocketknives that have extra meaning. This is the latter.
Two great gifts in one: A Tac-Force Speedster knife with an assisted opening, partially serrated, 3CR13 stainless steel blade. Plus, two lines of engraved text on the wood handle. The knife also hasa glass breaker, flip-out rope cutter, and can opener. It weighs five ounces.
These crystal clear wireless headphones are the best ones for audiophiles.
Hard to believe but these Bluetooth headphones sound even better than they look. Nice features abound, including three different app-controlled, noise-canceling modes so users can select to have some, less, and no ambient noise filter in. In other words, theyre great for dads who want to listen to something but need to keep an ear out for kid chaos. When he does need to take them off, they automatically pause, resuming music when he puts them back on.
This is the watch for dads who like to hike, bike, and run on trails.
Ideal for the dad who likes to go off the grid or just look like he does the Garmin smartwatchs crystal-like glass also acts as a solar panel, extending the life of the device when exposed to the sun. When acting as a smartwatch, it boosts battery life from 21 days to 24; when used as a GPS device that goes down to about 15 hours. A built-in Power Manager allows users to check in and monitor battery life while also seeing how app usage affects it all.
Every dad needs an awesome phone case that prevents overheating and extends battery life.
This phone case not only keeps his phone from overheating in the sun, butis water-resistant, splash-proof, and it floats if dropped in the water.
This multitool fits all the tools you could ever need for a camping excursion in one stunning package.
The Leatherman is a classic, must-have multi-tool that has stuck around for 30+ years for a reason. The tools are portable, handsome, and, above all else, super useful. The Leatherman Wave Plus is no exception. This tool features a nifty one-handed design and features 17 tools including pliers, replaceable wire cutters, wire strippers, plain and serrated knives, a saw, spring-action scissors, a ruler, files, and screwdrivers.
Spicy and substantial, Four Roses Small Batch Select is a welcome addition to the brands core line up. Bottled at 104 proof, Small Batch Select is a fruit forward whiskey with notes of chocolate and nuts balancing a substantial spice. One things for certain: this will sell quickly. So keep your eyes peeled and stock up.
This handsome dopp kit has a water-resistant lining for an easy wipe down.
And dad can keep all his essentials organized in this dopp kit. The toiletry bag is water-resistant and can hold everything from cologne and shaving tools to trimmers and toothbrushes, so no more leaks or exploding shampoos.
Bad hair day? Never, not with this ruggedly good-looking Carhartt beanie.
This hat, so simple yet so perfect, combines waffle-knit and 3M Thinsulate lining to keep his noggin warm, no matter how gnarly the weather is.
This thing is so simple, it's brilliant: A paper plane dad controls from his phone.
A simple plane turns into a remote-control flying beast that can go up to 180 feet,and he controls the plane with his smartphone through the app.
Of course dad needs to smell great when he's on the road, so arm him with this on-point, non-greasy solid cologne that fits in his pocket.
No dude wants to smell like he just walked into an Axe pit. This solid cologne is understated and minimalist,with notes of bergamot, jasmine, Japanese grapefruit and a dash of peppermint.
Not only do these offer superior fit, whether he's taking calls or running on the treadmill, but they give 22 hours of listening time.
For the dad who goes hard on his headphones, get him the new Master and Dynamic earbuds that have quick pairing technology and a 30 meter/100 feet connectivity range, so hes never out of touch.
You'll never find a more impressive travel bag for dad than this Filson one, made of ballistic nylon.
Not only is this wheeled carry-on bag durable enough to withstand the zombie apocalypse, because its made of 100-denier ballistic nylon, but its also eminently practical. It has a full-zip opening with zippered separation panels. And it only weighs six pounds.
This top-notch anti-aging travel kit will help dad keeping young beyond his years.
If dad never put much thought into his balms and after-shave, this kit is for him. , this set features shave cream, face wash, face lotion, after-shave balm, shampoo, deodorant, lip balm, sleep mask, ear plugs and travel bag. His skin will thank you and so will the TSA agents who dont have to rifle through another bag: all of the products are travel sized.
For the dad who loves himself a good ski trip, or just reading a book in front of an open fire, help him stay warm with this pure virgin wool and cotton throw blanket.
Fun fact: Camp blankets much like this one were originally used by shepherds to brave the brutal elements of the Pacific Northwest. And this wool and cotton blanket is ideal for outdoorsmen.
This wallet has it all and comes in a slim package.
For the dad who prides himself on carrying only the barest of necessities, this minimal aluminum wallet has enough space for cash and cards and features a built-in notepad and pen so he can take notes wherever and whenever.
There's a time and a place for minimalist wallets, but if dad needs something a tad bigger, go with this beauty that's slim yet roomy.
We dig everything about this wallet, from its vegetable-tanned leather to its durability to its surprising roominess. It holds unfolded bills in a full-length pocket, has six card slots, and features an international currency pocket.
Easy to pack and easy on the ears, these headphones are a foolproof workout companion.
These genius workout earbuds are the diameter of a nickel, and fit snugly in ear. They come with attachable, rubber mini grips in small, medium, and large, so users can adjust as needed. The wireless buds also boast a not-too-shabby 16 hour battery life.
This is simply the best-looking sandwich box for the modern brown bagger.
Packing your lunch is a simple way to eat healthier, control your portions, and save money. Youd be hard pressed to find a better take-to-work food container. Durable and tight sealing, it fits a good portion of food and, best yet, its bamboo lid doubles as a cutting board.
This is the most high-tech meat thermometer you can buy.
This wireless meat thermometer sends data to your phone from up to 165 feet away so dad can sit on the deck without pawing at the estimates cooking times, so everything comes out at the same time, but it has dual temperature sensors that can monitor internal meat temperature and external temperature to ensure flawless results.
Sure, this branding iron is a gimmick, but one dadll use over and over.
With these personalized branding iron, he can leave his mark on chickens, steaks, burgers, or pork chops. Even quesadillas. Theyre just over one inch tall and easy to use.
This year, Glenmorangie updated its venerable Quinta Ruban expression. Previously a 12 year finished in port wine casks, the new iteration receives two additional years of aging. Those additional 730 days give the whisky added complexity and deeper, distinct notes of orange, chocolate and apple that compliment the juicy berry and rich nuttiness imparted by the the port finish.
This camping cook gear set is compact and handsome as hell.
Opinels beloved kitchen and folding knives are no secret to foodies. And we dig this foray into outdoor eating; this set includes a folding knife, a corkscrew knife, a peeler, a cutting board, and a cleaning cloth.
A VR measuring tool might sound like a high-tech gimmick, but this will fast become the go-to gear for every home improvement project.
The Cubit uses augmented reality to measure and design with scale and context and then plots the points on your wall where hes going to be drilling holes or hanging up shelves. That means no more crooked pictures, or crawling around on hands and knees.
For the dad who'd rather be chopping wood, it's a folding cleaver in a pocket knife's body.
This stunning cleaver knife has a badass cleaver blade, a textured aluminum handle and a sturdy folding frame lock design, plus a nicely textured handle.
Mavic makes the worlds best small drones with cameras, and this one, with 27 minutes of flight time, is no exception.
Go small, or go home. The Mavic 2 Pro drone is beloved for many reasons: Its size, its ability to stay airborne for nearly 30 minutes, and the crisp quality of its picture thanks to the attached Hasselblad camera. You can fly it using simple commands, and yes, it takes a perfect selfie.
Because dads love Star Wars toys just as much as the kids.
What makes this new Kylo Ren lightsaber, which just launched, stand out? It contains crystal activators that split the plasma stream into three channels. Unlike their cheaper brethren, Force FX lightsabers have a real metal hilt, plus they light up and make movie-inspired lightsaber sounds.
The ultimate super-sized kickball set for the dad who likes to let it rip.
You could get a ball. Or you get a ball thats twice the size of his head. This massive kickball set includes one oversized ball, three bases, one home plate, one pump, and hours of remorseless good times.
The most powerful Nerf on the market, for the dad who feels the need to shoot darts an astounding 120 feet.
The Ultra One is the first blaster to use Nerfs brand-new Nerf Ultra darts, the farthest flying Nerf darts ever. The new design features an innovative flight tip, lightweight foam construction, and aerofin technology, basically a grooved surface that decreases wind resistance.
For the gamer dad, here's a less expensive but equally entertaining take on the wildly successful console thats now insanely portable.
Where the original Switch could be plugged into a TV, the Switch Lite cannot. Its a purely handheld gaming machine, which means its not compatible with Nintendo Switch games that dont support that gaming style, and its perfect for gaming on the go.
Give him the best shave possible with this beautiful safety razor.
He gets a customized shave with this razor, which has six fully adjustable settings thanks to the different plates he can swap out. They work on every skin type and every beard length. Oh, and the razor looks damn fine, too.
For the dad who digs retro photos, get him the Polaroid Lab that converts digital pics on his phone to real Polaroid prints through the app.
The Polaroid Lab projects the photo from his phone, exposing it onto Polaroid film. Its low-fi and moody, but it produces a vintage result difficult to match with filters and other modern hacks. And hell wind up with very dope-looking keepsakes.
This impressive field watch, from one of our favorite brands, was inspired by the classic timepieces issued to U.S. military servicemen.
Both stunning and stunningly rugged, the Filson field watch is easy to read in any light condition, be it day, night, fog, or blinding sun. It has a stainless steel case, a scratch-proof and antireflective sapphire crystal, and a 100-meter water-resistant rating. In summary, everything dad needs. And nothing extraneous.
This rich, earthy scent is perfect for the dad who likes to smell great, but in a very understated way.
This scent is captivating. But its also subtle. Its most like a fall stroll through the woods, and each bottle is made from 90 percent recycled glass.
These classic shades have a rounded silhouette and keyhole bridge that is stylish without going overboard.
Each pair of these sunglasses takes nearly two hours to make, by hand. The end result: A modern classic that flatters everyone. They have wood inlays, five barrel German hinges, and of course, 100 percent UVA/UVB protection.
A journal is an essential for all dads this leather one looks the part.
Its all in the details. This leather journal has a brass stud closure, and includes one custom five by eight memo pad. The inside pocket fits extra documents and includes a pen/pencil slot.
If he's into casual comfort, he'll love these super-chill slip-ons. He gets a shoe upper with a sandal bottom. The washed canvas shoe goes with anything, too.
Torn between a sneaker or a sandal? Get him two for one with this pair of Sanuk slip-ons, which are so comfortable hell forget hes wearing footwear. We particularly like the nicely distressed visible seams.
From hikes to the beach, this is the ultimate weekending backpack.
If dad is lugging around his travel gear, or merely stuff to the office, hell appreciate this new Osprey backpack. It has a breathable back panel, a soft harness, and an adjustable sternum strap making it ideal for long day hikes. And of course, theres room for all his tech, plus mesh side pockets to he an access everything he needs. Oh, right, and it weighs just over one pound.
Technically, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon doesnt release until September 2, in commemoration of Brown-Forman founder George Garvin Browns birthday. But we want to remind you to start making nice with your liquor store owner now on the off chance you can charm your way into getting them to set one aside for you. We tasted a small, early sample, and the 2019 Birthday is has notes of dark fruit and maple as well as seasonedoak and some mint and pepper. Its a hell of a bottle.
This best-in-class LED is a must for all cyclist dads.
You cant get more powerful than this 65-lumen Cree LED light, which can be spotted from more than two kilometers away at night. It has two daytime visibility modes and two nighttime modes. And he uses a USB cable to recharge it.
No, a pen is not the most unique of gifts, but how about one that converts into a screwdriver, bottle opener, and phone stand?
Handy dad gets a ballpoint pen, stylus, bottle opener, mini flat-head, Phillips screwdriver, metric and inch ruler, plus a phone stand.
Dad might not be an avid bikepacker yet, but hell thank you for his next adventurous obsession when you get him this insanely cool biking tent. It packs down to a bike-friendly size and has its own sack that straps to his bars.
When unpacked, this tent is a roomy 17 feet in size. Its made of water-resistant, 45-denier nylon with three mesh panels for ventilation and is fully waterproof. Instead of using poles, the Bikamper uses the bikes front wheel to maintain its shape.
These hardcore sports sunglasses will help dad protect his eyes when he's at the beach, on hikes, or when he's on a boat.
These workhorse outdoors sunglasses have it all: They block outUVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light up to 400mm. The lenses are made of ultra lightweight Plutonite, so they wont crack or break. And he gets killer clarity at every angle.
They're chic, comfortable, and something dad will wear all day, every day.
These are, without question, the perfect work boots.Theyre made of 2.5-millimeter-thick weather-proof leather, have a shock protection system, and a removable Cambrelle footbed that wicks moisture away.
The release of Michters 10 Year Rye (as well as their bourbon) is always cause to celebrate. Its always a special bottle we are keen to add to the bar and this years edition is particularly delightful, not only because its delicious but its also the first release newly-minted Master Distiller Dan McKee. Supple vanilla rolls around the palate, while caramel and touch of salt play off the peppery rye spice.
The perfect sweater, this one feel ridiculously soft, like dad is wearing a warm hug.
Both deliciously lightweight and yet decadently luxurious, this is a winter wardrobe staple. The sweater, made from soft baby yak wool, works just as well under a leather jacket as it does paired with jeans and sneakers.
For dad who loves to dive, get him this outstanding diving watch, which is water resistant to 660 feet.
For the recreational scuba diver, this is the watch to get, full stop. It can handle 660 foot long dives, and has a black PU strap with stainless steel signature buckle.
Every dad needs a classic, no-frills black leather belt in his clothing arsenal.
You dont use a belt to hoist your pants up. You use it to complete your look and make it streamlined. This belt, made from one solid piece of full-grain leather, is that essential accessory.
Every dad needs a timeless pair of white kicks, and these Stan Smith sneakers fully capture the clean style of the '70s original and never look dated.
Think tennis icons like Jimmy Connors orJohn McEnroe. Those dudes inspired this Stan Smith classic, which features a sleek upper with three perforated stripes for breathability. They have a full grain leather upper with a soft moisture-wicking lining, so his feet wont stink (much). Hey, even Kanye and Alexander Skarsgrd have worn them.
No, its not entirely whiskey, but the Basil Hayden Caribbean Reserve Rye is none the less delicious. A blend of Kentucky rye and Canadian rye, plus a touch of black strap Caribbean rum. The result is a mouthwatering glass of hooch. That small portion of rum goes a long way, giving the juice strong notes of burnt sugar and rum spice, that plays nicely with the ryes vanilla and oak.
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