The best expert-recommended Father’s Day gifts for outdoor dads

Sure, Dad would never need a firestarter, thanks to all the survival tricks up his sleeve, but just in case, these fire plugs make a pretty nifty gift. 

“A reliable firestarter is one of the most important tools you can have outdoors,” outdoor adventurer Marusya Shiklina told us. “I always carry Black Beard Fire Plugs with me because they make it fast and easy to start a fire, even in wet or difficult conditions. They ignite from a small spark, burn for a long time, and help catch both dry and damp wood without wasting energy.” 

It’s hard to have a good day on the trail without a solid eight hours behind you, and this sleeping back from Sea to Summit is here to help Dad get his ZZZs in. 

“Good sleep is essential when you’re camping, especially if you want to feel strong and energized the next day,” Shiklina told us. “The Sea to Summit Spark Down Sleeping Bag offers an excellent balance of warmth and lightweight design thanks to its premium down insulation and a mummy shape that traps heat efficiently.”

This go-anywhere backpack will be the only one Dad takes on the trail, thanks to its array of smart features, PFAS-free rain protection, and versatile size. It’s so good, in fact, that it’s used for wildlife expeditions by guides in Australia. 

“I'm a big fan of the Osprey Talon 26 for Australian wildlife expeditions,” said John Daw, executive officer of Australian Wildlife Journeys, who gave it his vote for best men’s hiking backpack. “It's perfectly sized and versatile for the diverse terrain Australian wildlife tours demand, from boat-based reef expeditions to rainforest walks to coastal birdwatching. The DWR rain protection (made without PFAS) handles sudden tropical downpours in the Daintree while wildlife spotting.”

If the Osprey isn’t quite extreme enough for Dad’s adventures, upgrade his pack to Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s Southwest 55, which definitely lives up to the brand’s name at just 31 ounces. 

James Stover, the owner of Colorado-based outdoor tour company Grand Junction Adventures, has taken this backpack with him on hiking trips and other adventures where stability and balance are key. (Think ice climbing in No Thoroughfare Canyon in the Colorado National Monument and rock climbing in western Colorado’s Unaweep Canyon.)

 “I like that the backpack is lightweight and can be used for big climbing trips in wet and dry climates,” he told us. Plus, “it can hold a lot of gear which is great for those big days or overnight trips.”