Dads are notoriously hard to buy gifts for. They’re usually not great about communicating what they want, and anything they want they just buy for themselves when the urge strikes. To help those scratching their heads about what to get dad for Father’s Day, we badgered the dads on the Outside staff to tell us what’s on their wish list, great gifts they’ve received and really appreciated, and dad essentials they swear by.

　　If the dad in your life isn’t into “stuff,” consider non-physical gifts like race entries, Airbnb credits for weekend getaways, or activity punch cards. After all, what outdoorsy dads likely want most for Father’s day is to spend the day doing what they love, whether that’s going for a bike ride, a trail run, or hitting the links (especially if they can share their passion with their kids).

　　If all else fails, you can never go wrong with a pair of socks.

　　At a Glance For Laid-Back Dads: Wellen Swim Trunks ($78) For Style Points: OLEU Boardshirt ($119) For Camping: Gerber Chef Knife ($45) Budget-Friendly: Stance Crew Socks ($15) For Runners: Ciele Athletics Running Cap ($55) For Bikers: Kids Ride Shotgun Seat ($110) For Caffeine Junkies: Yeti French Press ($110) For Backyard Fun: Flybold Slackline ($60) For RR: ENO Hammock ($75) For Family Fun: Body Glove Paddle Board ($520) Essential Dad Tool: Benchmade Bugout Knife ($180) For Hikers: Deuter Kid Carrier ($213) For New Dads: BabyBjörn Baby Carrier ($186) When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

　　For Laid-Back Dads Wellen Performance Lined Swim Trunks, 7 $78 at Huckberry

　　These shorts are labeled as swim trunks. However, thanks to a heavier, but still fast-drying outer fabric, they look great with a button down shirt and a pair of flip flops or low-cut shoes. During a recent vacation in Hawaii, I wore them down to the beach with my kids, out to lunch with my wife, back to the pool with the kids, and then to dinner with the entire family. An airy liner replaces underwear and cuts down on chafing—even when they’re wet—and a series of well-placed pockets held everything I needed throughout the day. —Jakob Schiller, Outside gear columnist 

　　For Style Points OLEU Neptune Boardshirt $119 at OLEU

　　It looks like your standard Hawaiian shirt, but the Neptune is made from boardshort material, which means you can surf in this thing and it’s dry about 30 minutes later. This snap-front layer offers UPF50 sun protection in a blend of poly made from ocean-bound plastic and spandex for plenty of stretch. I dig the rear zipper stash pocket, and the mesh liner on the shoulders for added comfort and breathability. It’s great for the beach, travel, backyard cookouts…whatever summer throws at you. —Graham Averill, Outside gear and travel columnist 

　　For Camping Gerber Compleat 8 Chef Knife $45 at Gerber 

　　I’m tired of using my pocket knife to chop vegetables and cut meat when I’m car camping, so I’ve added this 8” blade to my “go box.” It’s a full-sized chef knife made from 4116 German stainless steel that resists corrosion and stays sharp. It can handle anything I’m cooking at the campsite, from separating chicken wings to slicing peppers for my signature fireside pasta dish. The textured grip makes it easy to wield the blade and the included sheath keeps everyone safe when you toss it back into your cook-gear tub at the tend of the weekend. —GA

　　Budget-Friendly Stance Polyblend Crew Socks $15 at Stance 

　　All my husband wants for any gift-giving holiday is socks, preferably a pair he can wear running, hiking, biking, and everyday activities. He’s a big fan of Stance socks in general, and the brand’s polyblend options specifically. Made from a blend of polyester, nylon, cotton, and elastane, these crew socks feel light and buttery soft, offer medium cushioning, and a seamless toe closure that eliminates the potential for hot spots even during long days on the trail. Plus, he likes the fun color and pattern options. —Jenny Wiegand, Outside associate gear director

　　For Runners Ciele Athletics WMM Collection GOCap $55 at Ciele Athletics

　　No active dad can have too many hats, and this 5-panel running cap from Ciele will be an oft-used addition to dad’s collection. The fit is easily dialed in with a pull on the bungee-style adjustment cord, the polyester mesh is cool and breathable, the softly curved brim is both stylish and protective (with UPF+40 rating). This model will recall memories of Boston Marathon accomplishments, or choose from a variety of colors and logos. —Jonathan Beverly, Outside Senior Running Gear Editor  

　　For Bikers Kids Ride Shotgun Seat $110 at Kids Ride Shotgun

　　My wife and I learned early on that my daughter was not a big fan of long outdoor activities. The one outdoor activity she would tolerate, I eventually discovered, was bike rides with the Kids Ride Shotgun bicycle seat. My wife bought me the basic Shotgun seat attachment when my daughter was two-and-a-half, and the apparatus quickly revolutionized our relationship with the outdoors.

　　My daughter had a short tolerance for bike rides in the rear third-wheel seat, but came alive when she was allowed to sit up front. She could see the road, path, and trail ahead, and the fresh perspective produced a love of bike rides. Suddenly, biking became our favorite father-daughter activity. My daughter is almost five now, and shes added a few inches since we got the seat, but she still fits on the bike (just barely). —Frederick Dreier, Outside Articles Editor

　　For Caffeine Junkies Yeti Rambler 34-Ounce French Press $110 at REI $110 at Yeti

　　I currently use two french presses—one for everyday and one for camping. Both those presses are being replaced by Yeti’s new offering. Thanks to a ceramic lining, this press doesn’t affect the taste of the coffee, so it meets my high bar for morning joe. And with a double-wall, vacuum-insulated metal design, the press is durable enough to ride in the back of my truck during camping trips. I value simplicity and need good coffee, and Yeti has come through on both fronts. —JS

　　For Backyard Fun Flybold Slackline Kit $60 at Amazon

　　Working on balance (both literal and figurative) as a dad is a key component to staying healthy for all the years to come. A slackline like this is a great training tool and excuse to spend quality time outdoors with the kids. This 57-foot line comes in a complete kit with two training lines, two ratchets, tree protectors, and a carrying case. It’s also intuitive to set up, though like many lines, it gets slacked-out over time and requires tighter ratcheting. —Benjamin Dally, Outside Tech Lead 

　　For RR Eagles Nest Outfitter DoubleNest Hammock $75 at REI $85 at ENO

　　I love this two-person hammock that you can take anywhere for some needed RR. It’s made from a highly breathable, airy fabric that doesn’t make my back sweat. And though it stretches out to 9 feet 5 inches, it packs down to the size of a cantaloupe in its integrated stuff sack. As soon as I string it up, it becomes an invitation for outdoor snuggle time with my kids, which Im always on board for. Bonus: it’s strong and durable enough for my kids to wrap the other up and spin them around like a hot dog on a stick. —Ryan Dionne, Outside Digital Video Producer 

　　For Family Fun Body Glove Solo Paddle Board 10’ 4” $520 at Moosejaw $699 at Body Glove

　　Paddling has taken up an increasingly large part of my outdoor time since I became a father. It’s a great way to recreate with even minimally-mobile kids: slip a PFD on them, plop them on board, and off you go.

　　At 10 feet, 4 inches long and just shy of 3 feet wide at the waist, the Body Glove Solo is short and fat for its 320-pound weight capacity, making it both fairly maneuverable and extra-stable for novice paddlers nervous about keeping their balance with a little one on deck. —Adam Roy, Backpacker Editor in Chief 

　　Essential Dad Tool Benchmade Bugout Knife $180 at REI $190 at Benchmade 

　　You only realize how much you’ve come to rely on a tool when the absence of that tool leaves you padding your pockets. That’s the Benchmade Bugout, an everyday knife that’s hard to beat for its utilitarian design.

　　Looking for a way to easily open that box of diapers? Grab the Bugout Out. Dont have a flat head handy to open the battery box on your kids toy? Flip the knife and use the back to do the job. Benchmade are made right here in the USA and this version, the Bugout, is ultralight and easy to carry. Its even got a reversible pocket grip for added carry options. —BD

　　For Hikers Deuter Kid Comfort Active Carrier $270 at REI $213 at Amazon

　　Every parent on Outside’s staff agrees that a solid kid carrier is a must-have for active families, and our collective favorite is one the the Deuter Kids Comfort options. We own the Kid Comfort Active, at 5.91 pounds the lightest hiking-specific pack in the lineup.

　　My husband, the primary kid carrier in our household, loves how compact and manageable this pack feels, even when loaded with a 20-plus pound tot, baby essentials, and extra gear for him. It’s also designed to be unisex with high hip fins and adjustable shoulder straps, so dad and mom can easily and comfortably share the load. —JW

　　For New Dads BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Air $186 at Amazon $220 at BabyBjörn

　　Whether hiking mountain trails or walking city streets, this carrier will let you experience it all with your baby or toddler—in comfort and with hands-free convenience. The mesh fabric keeps both of you cool and the adjustable height and carry options (front or back) adapts for your childs growth and  your activity. This carrier was part of my daily uniform for years when my son was young, from a snuggly newborn to a two-year old who would get tired on the trail and fall asleep on my back. —JB