The goal of the perfect Father’s Day present is to try to find something they never knew existed, and then can’t imaging not having in their lives. Call it the north star of gift-giving. These fit the bill, with everything from a beautifully superfluous way to cook pizza over open flame (or lots of well-tended red-hot coals) to a fun spin on the traditional gift of a new pair of socks.
1. Snow Peak Field Oven, $299; 2. Leatherman Juice CS3, $30; 3. Ledlenser SEO 5, $50; 4. Mountain Hardwear AP Pants, $90; 5. Alpha Industries Revival Field Coat, $165; 6. Nau Stretch Motil 5PKT Shorts, $98; 7. Sock It To Me Monthly Subscription, From $22/month.
Main photo by NadyaEugene/Shutterstock
Nathan Borchelt is a gear-obsessed travel writer and adventurer whose collection of shoes, backpacks, jackets, bags, and other “essential” detritus has long-outgrown his one-bedroom apartment (and his wife’s patience).
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Snow Peak Field Oven
For the culinary fathers who've long-ago perfected making the perfect pizza, this epic device comes with a ceramic backing sheet for even cooking, a pizza stone case and straps, and an oven rack—meaning you can do more than just cook amazing pizza on an open fire. Though it's designed to be used with Snow Peak's portable fireplace and their Large Grill Bridge, we're banking that an industrious dad can figure out a way to make an open fire service the oven on its own. Just be sure to stack a few hot coals on the top for even heating.
Photo courtesy of Snow Peak
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Leatherman Juice CS3
This device gives them all the tools to open pretty much anything, including spring-action scissors, can and bottle openers, and a corkscrew. Better still, it's TSA-compatible. And if he's already got his go-to multi-tool, consider the Skeletool KB , a high-performance knife and bottle opener that weighs in at just 1.5 ounces for a modest $25.
Photo courtesy of Leatherman
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Ledlenser SEO 5
Of all the flashlights and headlamps in Ledlenser's extensive line, the SEO 5 hits the sweet spot, with 180 lumens of light but no need for a bulky battery pack on the strap; it runs on three AAAs nestled into the light housing. You can swap between high- and low-power modes, as well as signal and a red light modes. Their signature focus system also lets the wearer swap between a wide beam for close-up work, or a powerful spot light for longer distances.
Photo courtesy of Led Lenser
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Mountain Hardwear AP Pants
Time to upgrade your father's outdoor apparel (despite protests to the contrary) with the AG Pants. These pants will suit any active pursuit—hiking, climbing, urban cycling, traveling—as well as copious après beers. Made of a canvas fabric that blends cotton, nylon, and elastane, the pants are durable and stretchy, with a trim overall fit and articulated knees for freedom of movement. The pant legs also roll up and can be secured via snaps, revealing modest reflective details to keep him visible in dim light.
Photo courtesy of Mountain Hardwear
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Alpha Industries Revival Field Coat
This coat's timeless design—inspired by the M-65 field coats first issued to the U.S. military in 1965—makes this the perfect brisk weather retreat for anyone, from a new father to great granddads. Made with the same military specs that Alpha Industries has produced for decades, the jacket includes a nylon-and-cotton sateen combo that's both durable and water-repellent, with covered zipper and snap-close front pockets, a stow-away hood, and a Velcro cuff designed to attach to a pair of gloves.
Photo courtesy of Alpha Industries
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Nau Stretch Motil 5PKT Shorts
Why drop almost $100 on a pair of shorts? Because they hit at the perfect length (just at the knees), come with the right number of pockets (four standard, plus another one sewn into the right hand pocket), and deliver a svelte profile with the right touch of stretch (three percent Spandex) to keep things looking slick without constricted movement. The mix of cotton and poly also boasts PFC-free water-repellency to help shrug off the unexpected squall.
Photo courtesy of Nau
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Sock It To Me Monthly Subscription
Forget ties—fun and funky socks are the new statement piece these days, and the playful designs from Sock It To Me will make it easy for your dad to up his sartorial game. They'll get two pairs of socks per month, designs that aren't offered in stores or even on their website, and will also include a handful of exclusive "extras" that will likely be just as playful as the sock designs.
Photo courtesy of Sock It to Me