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Yes, you read that correctly. If, like us, you have lost all sense of time and space, here’s a reminder: Father’s Day is quickly approaching.
As with Mother’s Day and all subsequent holidays for the next year, Father’s Day might not be the laid-back, family BBQ-type celebration we all typically envision. But that’s no excuse to forego the festivities altogether, and it’s certainly no reason to forego getting your father, uncle, brother, dad-like figure a thoughtful, possibly too-expensive gift.
Below, we’ve rounded up the essentials, from dad-approved clothes and accessories to outdoor gear to the latest gadgets and more. We also totally don’t mind if you are a dad and simply choose to forward this along to your kids, which you undoubtedly should.
For His Closet
Todd Snyder Bandana Print Camp Collar Short Sleeve Shirt
Your father’s summer wardrobe will thank you for the addition of this bandana-print short-sleeve by Todd Snyder. It’s just out there enough to nudge him out of his comfort zone, while the navy color keeps it from being too overwhelming for a dad’s sartorial sensibilities.
Filson Smokejumper Wallet
Filson’s Smokejumper wallet was designed at the request of firefighters, which means this hardy wallet can take a serious beating. Made of rugged, oil-finish Tin Cloth and lightweight nylon, the fold-over wallet is simple, sturdy and super convenient.
Made in U.S.] 990v5
It’s only fitting to gift your dad the official dad sneaker, New Balance’s US 990v5. Just be sure to give him some pointers on how to style them beforehand so he doesn’t look too much like a dork (or a dad).
Warby Parker Landy Sunglasses
We’re begging all dads to please retire whatever pair of sunglasses they happened to pick up while at the gas station or grocery store in favor of an actual pair of shades that won’t embarrass them (or the entire family). These Landy sunglasses from Warby Parker are probably a different silhouette than what your father’s used to, but the change will do him good. Just be sure to emphasize that he absolutely cannot lose this pair.
Patagonia Baggies Short
Dads deserve to relax in style, too. The iconic Patagonia Baggies (preferably in the 5’ length) will be a welcome addition to any father’s weekend wardrobe (and will pair nicely with those aforementioned New Balances).
Etch Cuff, Matte Gold
The time has come to get not only men but specifically dads to start earnestly wearing jewelry. We’re not talking about the requisite wedding band, but jewelry worn for jewelry’s sake, like this matte gold cuff by Miansai. Your dad might express some reservations at first, but this cuff (not bracelet) is understated and sleek enough that by the time he slips it on, he won’t even know it’s there. And if his preference in metals leans in the other direction, it’s available in silver too.
ALD Leather Card Holder
God knows what poor, battered wallet your dad has been toting all his important cards and belongings around in for the past decade. Do him a favor this Father’s Day and give him the gift of a wallet he’ll actually be proud to carry (and use in the presence of others), like this sleek, sophisticated leather card holder from Aime Leon Dore. It’s small enough so that he’ll have to carry only what he absolutely needs, eliminating any unwanted bulk.
Nike Sportswear Bucket Hat
Not only is the bucket hat the “it” accessory of the summer, but they do a pretty damn good job of keeping those rays away from your face. And this sportswear bucket hat from Nike is primed for all-day outdoor wear, with mesh side panels for added airflow and a lined hatband for comfortable wear.
3 Color Stripe Knit Tie
Sure, your dad has a ton of ties, but does he have an Italian-made, 100% silk knit one from Ivy League clothier J. Press? If not, he should, and you should gift him one.
Birkenstock Arizona Sandals
Because everyone needs a pair of Birks, including dads.
For His Health
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v10
One of the “foamiest” shoes on the market. Which is a good thing — all that extra cushioning will help divert the impact of logging long miles on wobbly knees. If he’s never taken to running, this is also a great entry-point: we can say from experience that 1080v10’s take all of one half-mile to break in.
Theragun mini
Just released last month, the mini is a compact, ultra-portable, percussive therapy machine, at a third of the price of the Theragun PRO. Thanks to the brand’s new brushless motor technology, the mini is also a far quieter device, without sacrificing any treatment quality. We’re guessing your dad’s back hurts — this will help.
Tracksmith Horizon Tee
A recent drop from the Boston-based kings of heritage running gear. The Horizon Tee mixes handsome looks (check those stripes) with high-performance materials (drirelease dries four times quicker than cotton), and because the sleeves sit high on the arm, is as adept for strength training or tennis as a jog around town.
Essentials Bundle — Ladder
A supplements starter pack from LeBron James’s protein powder brand, which has counted UNC scientists, Nike running coaches and Arnold Schwarzenegger among its advisors over the years. This bundle includes Ladder’s signature double-walled stainless steel shaker, pre-workout, protein, superfood greens and a hydration pack.
Rhone Performance Ankle Sock
These nylon no-shows are anti-microbial, built with the same expensive materials Rhone uses to make quarter-zips and polos, and feature a clever silicone pad at the back, to make sure that the heel won’t chafe. This is the rare time giving socks won’t be met with groans.
The Reversible Mat 5mm
Since he’s probably not actually going to the gym right now, he’s had to move his fitness regimen into the home, where this 5mm reversible mat from Lululemon will aid in all sorts of floor-based movements.
Vuori Banks Short
These things tick pretty much every box imaginable when it comes to gym shorts: they’re breathable, stretchy, quick-drying, and they won’t stink too much. They’re also made from recycled water bottles and feature a clean, tailored look to ensure no one will mistake them for pajamas.
Withings Body+ Body Composition Smart Wi-Fi Scale
Any seasoned athlete or health-conscious adult knows that one’s simple bodyweight measurement only tells a fraction of the story. This well-regarded smart scale offers the ability to track much more: water weight, body mass, fat mass, heart rate and much more, all monitored via a powerful web app.
Forerunner® 645 Music
Garmin’s fitness watches have grown so powerful in the past bunch of years that almost any of them would serve the everyday athlete well, the middle-of-the-road 645 included. The one major improvement they’ve made recently, though, is adding the ability to download up to 500 songs onto the watch itself. Once he syncs up his bluetooth headphones, he’ll be on his way — sans phone if he so chooses.
Reebok Nano x Men’s Training Shoes
The newest version of Reebok’s hugely popular training shoe is the best one yet, offering more cushion than previous versions, without destabilizing the base — which is to say you’ll be comfortable running errands in it when you finish working out.
For His Gadget Collection
Courant Catch:3 Charger
Dad’s ideal desk companion: It’s a sleek wireless charging dock and valet tray, crafted from premium pebble-grain Italian leather.
Clearaudio Concept Turntable
At $1,800 it may seem crazy to say that the Clearaudio Concept is a great value, but it is. With the Concept, you get serious industrial German design, near plug-and-play ease of use, and sound quality that far outperforms anything in the price range with its bright and responsive moving coil cartridge.
Rachio
Help dad set up this smart sprinkler system and lawn maintenance becomes something as easy as clicking on your smartphone.
Google Nest Hub
Digital photo frames are a great gift. But Google’s variation goes further, adjusting the pics to the light in the room and doubling as a Google Assistant smart device that can help dad control his home.
Evercade
A retro game console that works either as a handheld device or plugs into your TV. This version comes with 20 classic Atari games, but Sega and NES titles are also available.
Apple 10.2″ iPad
He doesn’t need an expensive iPad Pro — the 2019 consumer model of the iPad features an updated, beautiful Retina display, and the whole device’ll look even better when you wrap it in a cowhide leather case from Texas’s Mission Leather.
AudioQuest Dragonfly Cobalt USB DAC
Don’t know what a DAC is? Well, it stands for “digital to analog converter,” and everything from your phone to your laptop has a really shitty one built in. Plugged into the USB port of a computer, or into his phone, via an adapter, the Dragonfly Cobalt will bring music to life in a way he won’t believe. We’ve had one hooked up to our computer for three months, and we don’t know how we ever lived without it.
Sony MDR-7506 Headphones
Many of the headphones we recommend around here are of the bluetooth variety, and thus praised more for their features than their sound — and those features will cost you an arm and a leg. These ever-reliable wired headphones, which can be found in pretty much every recording studio in the world, will serve as a reminder that if you’re only concerned with sound and not noise-cancelling or app-controlled EQ, a single Benjamin goes a very, very long way.
Qobuz Yearly Subscription
As dedicated as we are to vinyl and the many, many products one needs to properly enjoy it, we’ve got to say, we’ve been pretty enamored of Qobuz lately. It’s a streaming platform like Spotify or Apple Music, but with high-res, 24-bit audio files. Once he’s got the Dragonfly Cobalt and the 7506s above, a year subscription to Qobuz will be the final piece of his audiophile puzzle.
Nest Learning Thermostat
Dads love thermostats. Well, they love yelling at their kids for touching the thermostat (because money doesn’t grow on trees ya know). But with the Google Nest Learning Thermostat dad can set a different temperature in each room, adjust the thermostat from his phone, and most importantly, save energy.
For the Great Outdoors
Take! Renewed Bamboo Chair Long
Whether he has a predilection for the mountains or beach, or maybe just enjoys chilling in his own backyard, let this easily portable bamboo and canvas chair from Snow Peak be your father’s new throne.
Ivanhoe Duffle 24 Cooler
We know what you’re thinking: This looks like a sexy, well-crafted duffel bag, but golly, I wish it could hold and keep 24 cans of beer (or 12 cans and 4 wine bottles) ice-y cold. Well, do we have some good news for you because Corkcicle’s Ivanhoe Duffle does exactly that.
YETI Rambler 30 Oz Tumbler with Magslider Lid
Get the OG an OG. The durable YETI Rambler 30 Oz Tumblr keeps drinks hot and cold all day long thanks to YETI’s tried-and-true double-wall vacuum insulation.
Lightweight Circular Concrete Gas Fire Pit
This sleek, gas-burning, rounded-fire pit is super lightweight and features a faux stone exterior designed to discreetly hide the propane tank, making it a real eye-catching piece for any outdoor setting.
SIM Max Driver
For all the advancements in technology over the years, average driving distance among amateur golfers hasn’t changed very much at all, regardless of what the all the new marketing materials promise every year. What has improved, though? Distance on off-center hits, which is where the new SIM from Taylor Made excels. It’s also a variation on what a huge number of pros are currently bagging (yes, including Tiger), so if nothing else, dad will at least look the part.
Traeger Pro 780 Wood Pellet Grill Black
A wood-fired powerhouse you can use for grilling, smoking, roasting, braising, and even baking — pricey, yes, but so sturdy and capable it’ll change his whole approach to outdoor cooking.
Woven Bistro Bar Cart
This insanely good-looking, all-natural, rattan bar cart has storage for bottles and room for all drink-mixing essentials. And the wheeled construction makes it super easy to move with the party.
Falcon Expert
Whether your dad’s a fishing pro (or just acts like one), he needs the best fishing rod in the game. Meet Falcon Expert — an extremely lightweight rod made with state-of-the-art Japanese carbon whose multi-layer, cross-directional fibers increase strength while requiring less material and resin. All of this just means he’ll have a way better chance at catching those fish.
Estwing Sportsman’s Axe
When it comes to the hatchet, it’s best to go with a one-piece construction — a low maintenance tool for low maintenance jobs. Add the criteria of being made in America and there’s a clear winner: Estwing. Their Sportsman’s Axe features a leather grip and sheath, and will work just as well at the campsite as next to the wood pile at home.
REI Co-op Kingdom 6 Tent
The Kingdom 6 offers a ton of livable space and 75 inches of height throughout most of the tent. It’s also designed with lots of interior storage, a divider for separate rooms, and two large doors with four zipper sliders. He’ll camp like a king.
For His Home
Greatest Athletics Plays – Slate Coasters
Memorialize his favorite plays from his favorite team and avoid residue stains with this 4-set of slate coasters from Playbook Products.
Linen Full Apron
Whether he’s manning the stove or the grill, this linen apron from Fog Linen will keep his duds safe from any spills or mishaps.
Small-Batch Quarterly Hot Sauce Subscription
Broaden your dad’s culinary horizons (and test his capacity for handling heat) with this hot sauce subscription from Fuego Box. The subscription includes four quarterly shipments for a total of 12 hot sauces over the course of a year. And don’t worry — these sauces are more about the taste and the heat, so there’s no risk of sending your father to the emergency room.
BLK & Bold World’s Best Dad Coffee Care Package
Blk & Bold specializes in specialty coffee and loose teas — and have put together a special care package for your dad. Each gift comes with two bags of your choice and a cute, personalized note card. And with every purchase, the brand will donate one Steeped Coffee bag to hospitals, first responders, and essential workers.
Santoku Knife
The 7 Inch, nitrogen-treated stainless steel Santoku Knife from Made In is the multi-kitchen tool he needs in his cooking arsenal, guaranteed to finely slice, dice and chop all the meat, fish, vegetables and fruit he can handle.
Bonded Ash 4 Pc. Grill Set
Don’t let him use whatever crap he picked up from that one weird aisle in the supermarket. Instead, get him this handsome set of grill tools, featuring a spatula, tongs, a basting brush and a fork, all made of polished wood handles and stainless steel. And it comes in a nice wooden case for storage when not in use.
Waffle Robe
Let him relax in Parachute’s lightweight, 100% Turkish cotton waffle robe, inspired by only the finest worldly spas.
Breville Barista Express
After social distancing all spring, he’s gotten really into making coffee at home, and he’s thinking it’s time to invest in a really good espresso machine. You can drop thousands on these things, of course, but consensus among coffee dorks is that this is the best option under $1,000.
Smithey Cast Iron Cookware Collection
He’s already got a Lodge, right? Or maybe he’s already had a few Lodges and tossed ‘em in the garbage because he’s kind of an idiot and never cared for them the way they need to be cared for. We recommend gifting him a high-end cast-iron pan like these from Smithey, which look great and perform even better. Plus, when he realizes how much you spent on it, he’ll definitely take care of it.
Father’s Day Wagyu Tomahawk Chop + Sirloin Bundle
Now that he’s got new grill tools, you should probably get him some meat to test them out on. And what could be more impressive than a Wagyu Tomahawk? Don’t know what a tomahawk steak is? Well it’s just a massive ribeye, but with the full bone left in to make everyone involved feel really, really awesome. As part of the bundle, you also get four 8-oz sirloin steaks which may not have quite the same visual impact but will be delicious regardless.
We've put in the work researching, reviewing and rounding up all the shirts, jackets, shoes and accessories you'll need this season, whether it's for yourself of for gifting purposes. Sign up here for weekly style inspo direct to your inbox.