Father's Day is just around the corner, and if you're shopping for an active dad who appreciates everything the world has to offer, we put together some of our favorite gift ideas for frequent travelers, outdoor lovers, adventurous cooks, and lifelong learners.
For the Dad Who Can't Wait to Travel Again
Travelzoo is currently offering a variety of hotel getaway vouchers, many of which can be redeemed through 2021. And if Dad's plans change and he isn't able to take the trip, they're fully refundable.
Whether Dad spends a ton of time on planes, or just needs to find some peace and quiet at home, a good pair of noise canceling headphones will be his favorite gift of the year. Sony's legendary WH1000XM3s can't be beat, but Anker's Soundcore Life Q20s are our favorite option under $100.
Speaking of headphones, Dad probably already owns wireless headphones, but how would he go about using them with the seatback screen on an airplane? Twelve South's AirFly elegantly bridges the gap.
Spring for the Duo model, which features improved battery life, USB-C charging, and the ability to stream to two pairs of headphones at once.
Trtl Pillow Plus, $60
TRTL took a unique approach to travel pillows with the Trtl Pillow Plus, and we absolutely love how it turned out. Its neck wrap design supports your head better than any other pillow we've tried, and a pair of adjustment knobs make it easy to find the right fit.
Away Luggage, From $225
Away luggage isn't just slick commercials and beautiful product photography; they actually make a really great bag, and one that's built to last. Treat dad to a Carry-On, or really treat him to the stunning Aluminum Carry-On.
Gravel Explorer Toiletry Bag, From $49
Update: All of Gravel's gear is 20% off for our readers with promo code THEDISCOVERER.
Luggage gets all the attention, but a good toiletry bag is arguably just as important for a smooth travel experience. In our humble opinion, Gravel's rugged, water resistant, and cleverly designed Explorer dopp kits are the peak of the form.
Anker PowerCore Fusion PD, $50
Anker's PowerCore Fusion has long been our favorite travel charger, because it can act as both a traditional USB wall charger, as well as a portable battery pack. The new version even includes a faster USB-C port that can charge small laptops.
For the Dad That Loves to Cook
Cookbooks From Around the World
Dad can tackle new types of cuisine with some of our favorite cookbooks from around the world. Some of our favorites can transport a kitchen from India, to Mexico, to China, to the shores of Maine.
Sous-vide isn't just the easiest and most foolproof way to cook a variety of foods; in many cases, it's also the best. A sous-vide circulator like Anova's Precision Cooker Nano or Monoprice's basic-but-affordable alternative clips onto a stockpot that your dad already owns, and makes it easy to cook food to an extremely precise temperature.
OXO Cold Brew Coffee Maker, $50
When you think about it, cold brew is basically the sous-vide of coffee. Easier than traditional methods, and also objectively better. OXO's brewer is our favorite way to make it without making a mess. Throw in a subscription to one of our favorite coffee delivery services, as a treat.
Pizza Steel, $75
The heat transfering properties of a pizza stone great, but they're enhanced and improved with a thick baking steel. Short of buying Dad a 900 degree outdoor pizza oven, this is the best pizza accessory you can get him.
True Cubes, $40
A dad who knows how to make a mean cocktail is a good dad, indeed. True Cubes lets him make huge, clear-as-glass cubes just like you'd get from a fancy cocktail bar.
For the Outdoor Loving Dad
Gravel Layover Travel Blanket, $129
Update: All of Gravel's gear is 20% off for our readers with promo code THEDISCOVERER.
Gravel's Layover isn't the only packable, lightweight outdoor blanket out there, but it's arguably the most versatile. Featuring clever pockets, neck snaps for upright napping, and a spillproof coating, it's just as useful on a plane as it is in the park.
Nite Ize Raddog, $32
If Dad likes taking the dog out to an off-leash park, the Nite Ize Raddog is essentially a collar with a retractable leash built in, allowing him to quickly take control if a less-than-friendly dog gets too close.
Forsake Sneakerboots, From $100
Forsake sneakerboots offer all-weather protection and rugged soles, but with the styling of a standard sneaker, allowing Dad to go from peak to pavement in style. They're also ideal for adventurous travelers who might not have room for a set of hiking boots in their carry-on.
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles, $36
A good set of trekking poles can help Dad hike further while staying safe, and TrailBuddy's affordable, adjustable poles are some of our favorites. You can even get them in your dad's favorite color.
BioLite CampStove2, $150 | BioLite FirePit, $250
All dads love fire, right? BioLite's CampStove 2 is a wood-burning camp stove that can boil a liter of water in under five minutes thanks to its battery-powered air jets. Its real magic trick though is using the heat from the flame to charge its own battery pack, which includes a USB port for charging your phone in the backwoods.
For campouts closer to home, the larger BioLife FirePit uses the same electric airflow tech to stoke a roaring campfire (or hibachi grill, with the included attachment), with much less smoke than a traditional fire pit.
LuminAID Lanterns, From $25
LuminAID's inflatable lanterns barely take up any space when they're collapsed. But with just a few puffs of air, they transform into an ingenious, solar-powered camp lighting solution. Larger models can even turn that solar energy into some extra battery for Dad's phone.
For the Curious Dad
LEGO Architecture Sets, From $50
Who says LEGOs are just for kids? The toy company's beautiful architecture sets are a great way for adults to learn about the world's greatest cities, and have fun while doing it.
Ghost Paper Notebook, $25
If Dad likes to collect his thoughts in an old-fashioned notebook, let him take Ghost Paper for a spin. The unique notebook features slightly beveled lines on the paper to promote better handwriting, as well as an all-around more tactile writing experience.
Online Photography Lessons, 25% off with code summerschool25
Moment doesn't just make some of our favorite photography accessories; they also curate online courses with professional photographers and videographers to help you take better photos, learn to fly drones, improve your editing skills, or just tell better stories with the images you create. This month, you can save 25% on any course of your choice with promo code summerschool25, or save 30% when you buy two courses with code summerschool30.
Moment Mobile Telephoto Lens, $120
Speaking of Moment, the brand is best known for its remarkably great smartphone camera lens attachments. Each lens they sell can give Dad's phone a new super power, like a longer zoom, or a fisheye lens. The 2x telephoto lens is our favorite, but they'd all make great gifts.
Dodow, $60
Dad having trouble sleeping? The travel friendly Dodow is one of the most unique gadgets we've ever seen, and actually train you to doze off faster. It projects a dim blue light onto the ceiling of a bedroom (or tent, or hotel room, or wherever Dad's having trouble sleeping). As the circle of light slowly grows in size and intensity, you slowly breathe in to match. After a pause, it'll start dimming and shrinking even more slowly, signaling that it’s time to calmly empty your lungs. It's loosely based on a U.S. military technique, and it really does work (though there's a 100 night trial if it's not right for Dad).
Babbel Language Learning Membership, From $7 Per Month
If Dad's always talked about learning a new language, getting him a subscription to Babbel's language learning software might be the push he needs to actually get started. The membership includes unlimited access to over a dozen languages, and lessons can be completed in as little as 15 minutes.
MasterClass, $180
Masterclass offers over 80 video courses from household names in various fields. We're talking cooking classes from Gordon Ramsay. Tennis lessons from Serena Williams. Chess advice from Garry Kasparov. Architecture and design fundamentals from Frank Gehry. Get Dad a full year of access so he has time to learn from all the greats.
For the Fashionable Dad
Cole Haan Trainers, From $60
Cole Haan's All-Day Trainers are some of our favorite shoes for travelers, but really, they excel in almost any situation. Get a pair starting at $60, or opt for the newer Zerogrand Global Trainer, which offers a bit more structure, as well as different styles.
Bellroy Travel Wallet, $119
The oversized leather Bellroy Travel Wallet is designed to hold a passport in addition to all of Dad's bills and cards. It even includes a travel pin that clips to the inside. It's not the cheapest way to carry around a passport, but it's certainly one of the best looking.
KeySmart Pro, $50
A disorganized keychain is a universal dad accessory, but you can help get your dad's keys under control with KeySmart Pro. In addition to organizing keys, it includes built-in Tile gadget tracking, so your Dad will never lose them again, as well as tools like a bottle opener and a flashlight.
