Christmas Gift Ideas For Outdoorsy Dads

Christmas is around the corner, and chances are that the gift ideas for the adventurous and/or outdoorsy guy in your life might be limited. This is for a couple reasons: One is that if he’s a gear snob he might already have their gear closet pretty dialed. Or, they are modest and humble and spend all their time working and doing things for their family that a Christmas list isn’t high on their priorities.

Whatever the reason is, fear not, as I have put together some of my favorite items for outdoorsy dads, and really just guys in general. I focus on dads because I’m hoping that’s what you’re searching to hit the algorithm, but also because dads in particular need a bit of extra attention sometimes. Most of us are just working hard behind the scenes doing what we can to provide for our families, and even if we aren’t making tons of money for the family, we are showing our love in other ways.

So, here is a list of Different items that should suit the dad in your life, based on the hundreds of items I’ve tested over the past couple years. I’ve broken it down to Stocking Stuffers, Apparel, and Footwear. Hopefully this list can help you show your dad, husband, son, friend, or coworker who happens to be a dad just how much you think they are doing a great job.

Stocking Stuffers for Outdoorsy Dads

Here are a list of smaller items that produce big results outside:

Exped MegaPump

This might be a generalization, but I’ll say it anyway. Pumping up the air mattresses and sleeping pads is usually the dad’s chore in a family campout. Which is fine, and it’s gotta be done, but why not make that chore a bit faster? Exped’s MegaPump makes it all the more easy with a small electric jet pump. It charges by USB-C, and is able to inflate and deflate many times over before needing another charge. Of course, this depends on the size, but I was able to use it on Exped’s Megamat for at least five sessions of inflating and deflating on a single charge.

You don’t need an Exped mat either. The pump includes adapters to use for all different valves. It’s even small enough to take backpacking. It’ll be one of those innovations where it’ll be hard to imagine life before it.

Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit X

Every outdoorsy dad should have a multi tool. They come in handy almost every day. What I like about the Victorinox Swiss Tool, from the same people who give you the Swiss Army Knife, is that it screams quality through and through. The stainless steel is of top quality, and the blades and tools provided all have real-world practical uses. Plus, the bowed design not only has a modern look, but it also adds to strength when using the pliers.

Born Outdoor Mud Mat

This item is quite unassuming, however will come in handy more and more, the more often you use it. It’s a simple mat intended for helping you change outside your car, or anywhere that the ground may not be suited for changing your clothes or shoes. It’s called the Mud Mat, and will change the way you approach the trailhead, parking lot, and anywhere else where a costume change is better suited out of the car. I use it all the time now and am surprised I didn’t have anything before this that served a similar purpose. It’s made from recycled materials and is waterproof, durable, and folds up nice and out of the way when not in use. For something so unassuming, the practicality will have whomever receives it be thanking you perhaps not initially, but certianly once they incorporate it into their routine.

Voile Ski Strap

Ski straps started out to tie skis together, but the uses for them are virtually unlimited. I always have a few in the bag as it allows me to bundle stuff together and add tension easily, and it buckles into place in a quick pull of the strap. Thanks to the small amount of elasticity, you can pull it tight and it’ll stay tight. Voile has been in the game for a long time so they have perfected their ski strap well. The aluminum buckle is definitely a bit more long-lasting than their plastic version. I’ve used these to help split injuries, Bundle stuff together, and much more. It really is as limited as your own imagination to what you can do with these. Plus, the price is right to where you can get a few of them. They last forever and really do come in handy far beyond tying skis together.

Anker 737 Power Bank

It’s pretty much impossible to avoid technology in this day and age. Love it or hate it, it’s hard to leave home without it. Some devices can be life saving on an adventure. Having a power bank onhand will extend the life of your devices enough to get an extra charge, whether that be in an emergency or simply to stay off the grid away from a power source just a bit longer. The 737 Power bank is small enough to go onto an airplane, falling just under the max limit in watt hours for what is acceptable. I can even charge my Macbook pro laptop, and your average smartphone will usually get 4-5 charges on it.

Outdoor Apparel For Outdoorsy Dads

Here are a few options for good outerwear that isn’t necessarily technical, but looks and feels great. This is based on my experience, and is not scientific by any means, however I feel that I’ve tested a lot and can speak to the quality in these items quite well.

Duer Tech Fleece Denim

Jeans haven’t had huge innovations over the years, except for the fact that maybe they went from working class function to hipster style in less than 100 years. But Du/er has created a line of clothing that looks great, and performs well in the outdoors. Their Tech Fleece Denim is right up there for the most comfortable jeans i’ve ever worn, and they also perform well outside. The DWR coating keeps water off, although won’t protect you from a downpour. But the secret sauce is in the fleece underlayer. It provides warmth and comfort and is a joy to put on. The dash of spandex in it makes the pants stretch just enough to allow for some activity, as well. Bottom line is that these aren’t cheap, but well worth it in comfort and warmth which many dads will love.

Roark Axeman Jacket

There are tons of technical jackets out there, so let’s spare those for a second. The Axeman is just a simple heavy jacket that is comfortable to wear. I’m a fan of bulk when it comes to a winter jacket, and this one has a bit extra on it. It’s made from mostly polyester with just enough wool in it to have a more natural feel, yet won’t break the bank. It’s got a classic look yet still has some modern comfort like a zipper, or you can opt for just buttoning it up. It’s just a nice, cozy jacket to wear without looking pretentious. Sure it has some extra weight, but for a lot of us, feeling some weight on your shoulders in the winter months is a nice addition.

Arcade Stretch Belt

Belts always come in handy, but are often made with a more formal intent than for outdoor adventures. Arcade has made a stretch belt that has a wide array of good looks, but also is a big win in the function department. The stretchy material means you can move all around at your heart’s content without the belt holding back any movement. I also find the seatbelt-style buckle an easy way to get the belt on and off when outside. While the plastic in the buckel doesn’t scream elegance, it makes for using in the winter possible where metal buckles will become a frost magnet. I like the Protect Our Winters version as it has some nice mountain artwork thanks to artist Joseph Toney, as well as 10% of the sales going to support the POW organization’s effort to combat anti climate change legislation.

Footwear Gift Ideas For Dad

There are a million kinds of footwear out there, and I’ve tested literally hundreds of pairs of both casual and active footwear the past couple years. Here are some of my favorites, based on both fit and feel, as well as function.

Oboz Bangtail Mid

A good winter boot will make adventures outside bearable in the months where people don’t want to do much outside. Even for those who do, it’s hard to find a boot that is nimble yet sturdy and warm, and not to mention truly waterproof. Oboz knocked it out of the park with the Bangtail Mid, an incredible piece of footwear that is great for hiking, snowshoeing, or simply cruising around anywhere in snow and bad weather. The high cuff lets you tromp around in the snow, and the Vibram Arctic Grip soles provide second-to-none protection. I could list all the features and sound like a marketing person, but the reality is that these are some of the most comfortable hiking boots I’ve worn in any season, and the fact that they are insulated with great traction just give so many options that it’s worth checking out.

Plus, Oboz is a B Corporation, meaning they go through a stringent selection process to make sure that they not only put sustainability at the forefront, but they treat their employees and suppliers well while also doing good with the profits they receive. All in all, it’s a great reason to invest in these boots which will make the winter months much more fun.

Glerups “The Boot”

Slippers are great. They allow you to have comfort at home without getting all the disgusting crap that kids leave on the floor onto your feet. Wool is one of the gold standards of comfort, and Glerups makes a wool felt slipper that is right up there with the best of them when it comes to comfort. Where these shine is in the rubber sole, allowing you to take them outside and have a little jaunt around town if necessary. But the simplicity is definitely the genius of them, and they have become a go-to for at home wear but also has been out on errands just because, why not?

Sanuk Puffy Chiller Mid

I’ve been a fan of Sanuk’s footwear long before reviewing gear for a living. When I got to sample their Puffy Chiller collection, I thought it was an interesting mix of both lightweight and soft, and seemed pretty unique. But when trying it on, my whole spirit lifted up. I don’t say this lightly, and it’s without hyperbole, but these are the most comfortable shoes I’ve tested. They aren’t high-peformance by any means, but they feel like walking and a cloud. They are lightweight, yet still warm. It’s like having a sleeping bag on your feet.

They will wear out if they are daily users, but for a nice jaunt around town or even to use around the house/cabin, they are excellent. Just be weary of keeping them close to the heater, as I found out when the sole delaminated. But that was my fault and I’m not using that as a strike against the shoe, more just as a caution so others don’t do it. They also have a low cut version as well for warmer climates, and a POW tribute as well, but the mid length I found to be a perfect for comfortable casual slip-on cold weather comfort.

In Summary…

Hopefully this page gave you a few ideas for what to share with your outdoorsy dad. I’m also happy to share more recommendations based on my Gear Reviews from other sites, including The Inertia and GearJunkie, and more will be coming to this site as we roll out more reviews for gear, and share some tips for traveling well with families and helping people leave a better mark on the planet. If you want to stay in touch, please contact us and help make the site better through collaboration.

See you out there!