Father’s Day is June 21, and what better way to show Dad some love than with new gear to heighten his enjoyment outside?
We’ve rounded up quality gear, from EDC items to essentials for weekends in the woods. Give the gift of gear that can help create great outdoor memories or improve his setup for years to come.
And we recognize outdoor dads appreciate a little flair around the home, so there are some lifestyle options, too.
2026 Father’s Day Gift Guide
SABRE 7.9 oz. Bear Spray & Mountain Lion Spray With Belt Holster: $50
Fly fishermen and hikers tend to be bear-aware, yet some outdoorsmen scoff at bringing along this one piece of safety gear outside of known bear country. Yet bear spray isn’t just a level of protection for the backcountry. During summer heat, bears tend to bed down in the shade and stick close to water.
Bear activity is unpredictable, and environmental pressures can drive them into new areas in search of food, including campsites. And yes, this applies to mountain lions, too.
Frontiersman MAX is the only EPA-registered spray approved for both bears and mountain lions, combining the maximum strength allowed by the EPA. (2.0% major capsaicinoids) with an industry-leading 40-foot (12 m) range that gives you more time and space to react. That’s nearly double the range of most other bear sprays.
Still need convincing? You can read one angler’s encounter and learn why his emptied canister holds a hallowed space on his bookshelf. Don’t give Dad an excuse and buy it for him.
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Outdoor Research Deviator Wind Jacket: $145
Unlike its original midlayer design, the updated Deviator Hoodie is now the Wind Jacket, a stop-and-go, hybrid-mapped softshell that protects your chest, arms, and shoulders from the wind with extra breathable insulation in the back to release the sweaty demands of winter running or biking.
Built for trail running, this jacket is a great fit for shoulder-season runs. Our review found it works well for hikes, light biking, and winter runs with the right baselayer. It provides a great warmth-to-weight ratio and packs down to stash in a hydration vest when you don’t need it.
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Coast WPH10R Headlamp: $40
This headlamp is powerful enough to illuminate trails at night, has an amazing red light for around camp, and clips onto a hat for those dads who always wear one. The WPH10R also works as a magnetic task light for work around a vehicle or the home. In other words, this headlamp is extremely versatile and the kind of gift that may supplant other lighting options Dad already has.
The WPH10R’s 1,000-lumen Bulls-Eye spot beam allows for maximum visibility at range while its medium setting throws a consistent 100-lumen light that lasts up to 9 hours. Our editor praised “the exceptionally strong red-light mode, which provides clear visibility up to 20 meters while preserving night vision,” something missing from most clip-on-style lights.
This light’s trail-ready performance and versatility as a headlamp and clip-on landed it on our list of the best headlamps. Its rugged build and waterproof rating of IP67 (submersible) are also a plus.
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CRKT Squid XM (Frame Lock): $60
Simply one of the best damn pocket knives money can buy. The Squid XM blew us away when it launched a few years ago (our tester lauded it as the best CRKT pocket knife ever), and despite the influx of higher-end steels and handle materials, the Squid XM continues to hold up beautifully.
Its snappy, satisfying action remains unparalleled, and its size strikes a perfect balance between ample and discreet. And at $60, it undercuts virtually all the heavy hitters. Dad will not be disappointed.
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Dometic Unrestricted 17L Cooler Backpack: $200
Here’s a backpack with an insulated payload, not a cooler with straps. That’s an important design distinction, as the Unrestricted Small Backpack has padded shoulder straps, adjustable side pockets, exterior storage, and MOLLE straps for attaching other items. It even has a dedicated 16-inch laptop sleeve.
The pack’s 100% recycled PrimaLoft Gold insulation delivers the pack’s cold retention. The backpack’s 17L capacity holds up to 28 cans in its cooler compartment, which has a seam-sealed, rugged TPU liner to make it leakproof.
We’re not saying Dad will use this as an everyday commuter bag, but this backpack makes it easy to carry cold drinks and food along with EDC items. We also see utility in the insulated interior for isolating wet gear, like swim trunks, after a dip.
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LUNO AIR Pro Vehicle Mattress: $350
If the dad in your life car camps for road trips, hunts, or just to get a jumpstart at the trailhead, consider an upgrade to this plush car bedding. The LUNO AIR Pro is sized to fit vehicle interiors around wheel wells, and we really like the bridge attachment system that creates a stable support over seat gaps. Comfort, design, and an easy setup and breakdown are why we named it the best car camping mattress.
We also like that the mattress has two sections, so half unzips to use as a single bed if Dad is on a solo mission. That frees up half of the trunk or truck bed for other gear. Setup is easy, too. The mattress partially self-inflates and comes with a 12V pump to finish it off. Its durable TPU-coated base held up to some abuse through our testing, which is covered in our review.
Luno also makes a more deluxe AIR+FOAMPro vehicle mattress ($500) for serious car campers.
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Backcountry Tahoe Sun Polo: $69
This technical polo can help Dad look cool during sunny days on the trail, links, or around town. It’s made from a quick-drying fabric with a breezy construction that still offers UPF 50+ sun protection. The polo fabric stretches for an unconstrained fit, while the underarm gussets allow for a good range of motion. The snap-up collar even has a loop to hold sunglasses.
The Backcountry Tahoe Sun Polo also makes a great travel top for summer family trips. If Dad isn’t a fan of polos, check out the Tahoe Sun Short-Sleeve Crew.
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Ombraz Azzurro: $195
If your Dad spends a lot of time on the water, on snow, or generally in sunny outdoor settings with lots of glare, he needs a pair of bomber sunglasses to protect his eyes. Ombraz’s latest snazzy shades might be the perfect pair.
Inspired by river guide frames and Euro-style alpine racing glasses, the Azzuro offers exceptional peripheral protection and is very comfortable to wear. They also come in several different lenses and frame options. Best of all?
Like all of Ombraz’s sunglasses, these are armless, instead using a cinch cord that wraps around your head and holds them gently, comfortably, and very securely on your face. Take a tumble off a paddleboard or jump into a river or lake, and Ombraz will stay on your face.
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Roark Layover Pro Traveler Pants: $110
Our favorite budget travel pants saw a solid update without a major price hike. Travelers will appreciate the security of zippered front and back pockets as well as the large smartphone pocket to keep it concealed yet accessible.
A ventilated back panel helps with airflow during long sits on a plane or trail. While they are made for travel, the pants have a rugged build and offer a great range of motion you’ll appreciate on hikes as well.
The update tweaked some things, like making the belt loops larger, but the bigger story is the stretchier new pants fabric. Roark shifted to a certified organic cotton-based (59%) fabric called Embarq Dura-Stretch Twill Fabric, which mixes in 30% polyamide for durability and structure, and 11% elastane for impressive stretch. Read our full Layover Pro Traveler Pants review for more details.
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Thule OutPace 2-Bike Hitch Rack: $600
The OutPace 2-Bike Hitch Rack is a solution for those who can’t dedicate a hitch to a bike rack full-time or don’t have storage space for a rack when it’s off the hitch. While the Thule Verse is our favorite bike rack, we’re highlighting the OutPace for its simple design, competitive price tag, and stowability.
As a bike rack, it can hold up to 110 pounds on its two trays (55 pounds each), holds 16”-19” wheels without an adapter, and fits both common hitch sizes. The rack design lets you unload bikes in any order, and it tilts down to allow for rear hatch access.
What really impressed our editors was that the rack packs down and rolls away like a large suitcase at a weight of just 29 pounds. That compact size means the rack can fit in a closet or even under a bed for those who don’t have a garage to store a rack.
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‘Mountain Gazette’ 1-Year Subscription: $89
This semi-annual coffee table magazine has 160 pages of award-nominated outdoor content and large-format (11″x17″) photography. That’s enough to keep Dad returning to it for months. Note: the subscription starts with the fall issue later this year, but you can add this spring’s issue (Mountain Gazette 205) to the subscription if you want a tangible gift in the meantime.
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White Duck Boat Shape Canvas Firewood Log Carriers: $35
Help the man in your life haul firewood with this overbuilt waxed canvas log carrier. It has an oily finish to shed water, reinforced web handles, and a Velcro closure. It’s a simple solution that makes it easier to carry the differently sized twigs, kindling, and logs needed for a fire.
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Nocs Provisions Long View 85mm Spotting Scope: $600
If a father in your life has embraced birding but is struggling to check off shorebirds on his life list, here’s a huge help. Spotting scopes unlock a world of wary and reclusive birds, especially when viewing across a lake or field, when the powers of binoculars fall short.
We like the budget-friendly Nocs Long View scope for its clear optics, grippy exterior, and unique body-tube zoom. Read our full review to learn why this is a great first scope for observing nature at a distance. One caveat: it’s best to pair a spotting scope with a tripod. If Dad doesn’t already have one, the Nocs Tripod is more than serviceable.
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Oyster Tempo Cooler Bundle: $495
Here’s a cooler that brags about how thin its walls are because that translates to more room inside. Oyster’s patented ThinWall, lightweight aluminum build means the cooler weighs just over 12 pounds. However, skipping the need for a 2:1 ice ratio, the Tempo boasts a 23L capacity (enough for 36 cans and two ice packs).
It’s also a throwback to keeping drinks cold and portable for those less prone to bear raids. As our Oyster Tempo review notes, you can use ice inside; just note the lack of a drain plug. But hey, even meltwater keeps things cold.
REI currently sells the cooler as part of a bundle, which includes two ice packs and a carry strap to really get the most from it.
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Arcade Aero Magnet Belt: $50
For more than a year now, we’ve loved the simplicity and low profile of Arcade’s Atlas Belt for casual days, hikes, and travel. The brand has since improved upon that design with a new magnetic buckle that tension locks into place yet can be used with one hand. It also made the belt’s webbing more robust and with a firmer hold while using recycled fibers.
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Exped Mega Pump: $80
Dad may already have the Exped MegaMat or Duo Mat. If so, the Mega Pump is a no-brainer gift for easier inflating and deflating those or other sleeping pads. Many Exped pads can self-inflate, but this pump quickly helps top them off.
But the biggest selling point for this pump is the quick deflation when it’s time to pack up. Its 1-minute deflation time is not only faster than rolling the air out yourself, but it’s also easier on your knees.
It recharges via USB-C and lasts for hours, which should mean a season of use. The Mega Pump comes with a Universal Valve Adapter to work with various mats and inflatables.
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Alpine Sea Co. Cove Bag 11L: $95
This handmade sling bag caught our eye for its town-to-trail design. Even when packed for a day out on the trail, the bag maintains a sleek style and can be carried at the waist to avoid a sweaty back.
The Cove Bag 11L has an exterior slip pocket for a water bottle and a roomy interior that fits a rain shell. We’ve hiked with it several times and appreciate how it mostly stays in place while keeping things like a monocular or snack within reach. The interior also has a key clip and a front zip pocket for stashing a phone. Its recycled fabric includes durable UltraGrid nylon and gets a water-shedding boost from a responsible DWR.
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Jetboil Flash Java 1.0L Fast Boil System: $145
The updated Flash 1.0L won praise from our tester. “Jetboil’s new generation of stoves looks even more reliable than the previous one, correcting my few complaints about the original design,” he wrote. “The igniter is not only sturdier, but the new valve also means you can get the stove going with a simple half-turn of a circular knob.”
To be clear, the Flash Java 1.0L is the Flash cookstove plus a silicone coffee press that stows away inside when not in use. It’s a cookstove for coffee lovers, so if that sounds like the dad in your life, this may be a welcome camp kit upgrade.
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Nite Ize CamJam Ratchet Strap: $35
Chances are, the Dad in your life has a few ratchet straps, and decent odds he hates using them. The Nite Ize CamJam Ratchet Strap stands out because it skips the standard hooks and uses looped webbing ends. It lets you get the strap closer to where you need it before you even begin ratcheting. It is strong, reliable, and far less frustrating to release when you are done — a serious upgrade.
The price tag is well above that of ubiquitous straps at the hardware store, and that’s because the CamJam design shares the load better, which helps it last longer (3,000-pound break strength). It presents a choice of quality over quantity.
Note: There’s a learning curve here, and thus an opportunity for your amusement. You can learn to use it first and then teach (or mansplain to) Dad how to use it.
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Oka Recovery Slide: $50
Recovery slides are great for soft support after hikes, runs, or just long days on your feet. They’ve become must-pack items for relaxing at a hotel or around the campfire. The newly released Oka Recovery slides quickly caught our attention and praise for their fit and sustainable creation.
Oka builds its slides atop a 35mm-thick recovery foam platform, which is noticeably softer than most competing slides. The footbed is textured to promote blood flow, has a deep heel and arch support, and a lip around the toe box to keep toes from curling over the edge. Both the toe box and the upper are wider than most slides to aid natural foot splay and a more natural fit. A dozen vents in those straps allow airflow.
Oka’s recovery footwear is made in the United States, in its HEYLO zero-waste, circular manufacturing plant. That means the slides are 100% recyclable.
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Ibex Men’s Natural Long Boxer Brief: $60
A longer take on its merino boxers, Ibex uses Pro Tech Lite fabric, its lightest-weight textile. The form-fitting boxer brief has a touch of nylon and elastane to add flex and recovery. Since it’s wool, the Natural boxer wicks sweat and resists odor buildup. Dad will also enjoy the two-way fly, flat seam construction, and no-slip elastic waistband.
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Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 Original Chair: $65
Crazy Creek’s most packable and lightweight chair rolls up to 4 inches in diameter and clips onto the back of your pack. The Hex 2.0 uses carbon fiber stays for structure and support, and coated ripstop nylon for a durable (and water-shedding) body. Inside, the chair has 8 mm of closed-cell EVA foam for insulation and cushioning. See where it ranks among our favorite backpacking chairs.
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