The Father's Day Gear Gift Guide: Something for Every Kind of Outdoor Dad
Father's Day has a gift problem. Novelty socks, a mug that says "World's Best Dad," another tie he'll wear once. If your dad's happiest with dirt on his boots or brewing his morning coffee with a view of the high country, you've actually got it easy this year — he's told you exactly what he wants, he just hasn't said it out loud. We've broken the outdoor dads we know into a few familiar types and pulled together some ideas for each, all stuff we actually stock and would happily point a customer toward in-store. No rankings, no "best gift ever" claims — just a starting point so you're not standing in the aisle guessing.
The Day-Hike Dad (Home in Time for Dinner)
He's not chasing multi-day epics — he's out the door at 6am for a loop trail and back before the footy starts, insisting the whole way that it was "just a little walk." This dad doesn't need much, but the small stuff makes a real difference to how much he enjoys those regular outings.
- A proper headlamp — something like the new BioLite Range 400 is the upgrade every dad pretends he doesn't need until his phone torch dies on the way back to the car in winter light.
- Decent merino hiking socks — a pair of Smartwool Hike Full Cushion Crews or Bridgedale Hike Midweight Merino socks sounds like a boring gift until you've worn out a pair on a regular trail and felt the difference.
- A trekking pole or two — if he's never used them, he'll be suspicious. If he has, he already knows how much they save the knees on the way down. Worth a browse through our trekking pole range for something that suits his height and the trails he does.
- A proper trail shoe — if he's still doing day hikes in old runners, the new Topo Ultraventure 5 or Topo Traverse trail shoes are a genuine step up in grip and comfort, with Topo's wider toe box being a common relief for anyone who's dealt with sore feet on longer walks.
The Dad Who's Already Planning the Next One
This is the dad who's barely unpacked from the last multi-day trip before he's got maps open for the next one. He's usually the one in the group chat asking if anyone's free in October. Gear for this dad needs to earn its place in the pack — nothing bought just to look good sitting in the shed.
- A lightweight water filter — the Sawyer Squeeze, Katadyn BeFree, or a Lifestraw Peak Solo are all solid, packable options that take the guesswork out of refilling from creeks and tanks on longer routes.
- Something from our ultralight pack range — if he's still carrying the same pack from a decade ago, it might be time. Worth checking what he's currently running before you commit, since fit matters more than most gifts.
- A shelter or sleep system upgrade — the new Sea to Summit Sentinel tent range is worth a look if he's after something light and weatherproof for longer routes, or have a browse through our Enlightened Equipment range if a quilt makes more sense for a genuine weight saving over a traditional sleeping bag. Not a cheap gift either way, but a genuinely appreciated one if he's serious about multi-day trips.
- A hammock setup — if he's ever mentioned wanting to try hammock camping instead of a tent, the new Leleka hammocks are worth showing him. Lighter than most tent setups and a genuinely different way to sleep on trail.
The Dad With More Camp Furniture Than Your Lounge Room
Car camping is his love language. The car boot looks like a display shelf, there's a chair for every family member plus two spares, and he'll die on the hill that a proper camp setup means not roughing it. This dad doesn't need convincing to spend a night outdoors — he needs the gear that makes it feel like a home away from home.
- A camp chair worth fighting over — the Helinox Chair One Highback, Nemo Moonlite Reclining Chair, or Big Agnes Big Six are all a step up from the fold-out special that's been living in the garage since 2015.
- A solar lantern — something like the LuminAid Packlite Nova means less faffing with headlamps and batteries once the tarp's up and dinner's on.
- Anything from our camp accessories range — this is genuinely the category where the small, slightly indulgent stuff (a decent camp table, a better cutlery set) gets the most use per dollar. Worth a browse if you're after stocking-filler-style ideas.
- A proper duffel for the boot — the new Sea to Summit Meridian or Talus Duffle beats the mismatched pile of bags that usually ends up in the back of the car, and makes packing up camp a lot less of a scramble.
The Dad Who Refuses to Drink Instant Coffee on Principle
He'll happily sleep on the ground, but he will not, under any circumstances, start the day with instant coffee. This is the dad who's worked out exactly how to get a proper brew out of a pack that weighs next to nothing, and he has opinions about it.
- An AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press — about as close as you'll get to a café-quality brew from a bag, and it's become something of a cult favourite for exactly this reason.
- The Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible Pour Over — for the dad who's already ultralight-obsessed and wants his coffee kit to match the rest of his pack list.
- Trail Mate or Paradise Coffee drip bags — a genuinely handy stocking-filler-style option for the dad who wants good coffee without carrying any extra kit at all.
- NoNormal Coffee Paste — if he's the type who's always keen to try something a bit different, this is a genuinely interesting alternative to instant that's worth a mention even if it's not for everyone.
The Dad Whose Camera Bag Is More Important Than His Tent
If he's sunk real money into lenses and bodies, or travels for work with gear he genuinely can't afford to have knocked around, a bag built specifically for that job matters more than it might seem. This isn't about needing something flashy — it's about not trusting years of camera gear to a bag that was never designed to protect it in the first place.
- The Peak Design Everyday Zip 20L Backpack — purpose-built for carrying camera gear, with a weatherproof zip that seals the whole bag and padded organisation designed to actually protect what's inside, not just hold it.
- The Peak Design Outdoor 45L Backpack — for the dad who needs one bag that works for a multi-day trip and still keeps his gear safe along the way, with an adjustable harness built to carry a genuinely heavy, awkward load properly.
Not Sure Which Dad You've Got?
Most dads are a bit of all four, honestly — smashing out a day hike before lunchtime, while also owning three camp chairs and a coffee setup more elaborate than the one in your kitchen. To make the decision easier we've put all of our favourite items together in one collection for you to browse.
If you're still not sure what to grab, a gift card lets him make the call himself, which is sometimes the safest option of all. Browse the full range at Backpacking Light, and sign up to our newsletter for more gear guides like this one.
