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The Best Infrared Thermometer
Thermoworks Hi-Temp Industrial IR w/Circle Laser
A Water Bottle Like the Pros Use
Personalized Gatorade Gx NFL Bottle
Bagging Your Limit
Tom Bihn Aeronaut
A Super Versatile Wool Hoodie
Ibex Indie Hoodie
Your dad probably isn’t going to complain about any gift you give him. For better or worse, social norms that have wide-ranging and more serious implications dictate that most modern dads don’t get hung up on presents. You know the meme of the older bearded gentleman with a goofy smile opening a shirt just like the one he has on? There’s a lot of truth to that. In fact, WIRED has gone a few years without even having a guide to gifts for dads. No one complained; it’s possible no one even noticed.
However, I am not only a dad and a gear reviewer but someone who has a very specific philosophy about what makes a good gift for middle-aged men like me. You’ll notice some threads running through this manifesto helpful guide: the best gifts for a dad are things that not only are relevant to his interests but which can be fairly described as “overkill.” Dads really tend to like things that are overbuilt but useful. I’m sure some dads like to be “pampered” but this is not me or the dads I know, who all physically cringed reading this sentence.
I’ve got lots of ideas below, but if you take away one idea I hope it’s that when it comes to a gift for a dad, you can rarely go wrong giving the best-but-spendy version of a thing we use anyway. We especially like things that win the admiration of our peers—nothing that makes a dad happier than having another dad-aged dude take note of his stupidly expensive tire pressure gauge and then saying “Oh yeah my kid got me that—they’re a little pricey but I gotta say, always works great.”
Check out the rest of our gift guides, including Gifts for Moms, Tech Gifts for Kids, and Gifts for Outdoorsy People.
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Photograph: Thermoworks
The Best Infrared Thermometer
Thermoworks Hi-Temp Industrial IR w/Circle Laser
There are many good infrared thermometers that are much cheaper than this ThermoWorks model. Truth be told, your dad probably doesn’t need the nearly 1,500 degrees of range and wide targeting laser with eight measurement points to grill burgers. But, having received this very tool for Christmas, and having subsequently used it to make many backyard pizzas and smoked meats, I can confirm that it’s a great gift. Having a wider circle to read from makes the results much more reliable than the cheaper temp guns. It’s rugged; I’ve dropped it a few times without any issues. Though mainly used for culinary applications, this is a serious tool that will come in handy if your dad is trying to track down a leak in the attic insulation that’s causing him to burn up a Brontosaurus every damned day.
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Photograph: Gatorade
A Water Bottle Like the Pros Use
Personalized Gatorade Gx NFL Bottle
If your dad is an NFL fan, he’s probably noticed the new Gatorade bottles on the sidelines this year. The bottles not only have the team’s logo on them but are personalized with every player’s name, a delightful detail noted by Chiefs WR Richie James in a viral video. Your dad is probably not a professional athlete who makes a million bucks a year running routes next to Taylor Swift’s boyfriend and catching passes from a two-time MVP, but if someone with that resume can have his day made by a bottle with his name on it, imagine how stoked a simpler man will be.
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Photograph: Tom Bihn
Bagging Your Limit
Tom Bihn Aeronaut
If there’s one thing most dads agree on, it’s the appeal of beating a system designed to swindle them. Thus the appeal of a maximum allowable carry-on bag. Airlines are always trying to chisel you, and this bag by Tom Bihn grants you every last square inch of promised space in the overhead bins on a typical domestic carrier. But this Seattle-made bag does a lot more than max out your free luggage allotment, it’s also made of incredibly sturdy 1050 denier ballistic nylon with bombproof YKK zippers and has both hidden backpack straps and the most comfortable cross-body strap I’ve ever used. This is a bag that excels at being tossed around and lugged down rough streets and through crowds where roller bags are a liability. I own two of these and have had the first one for more than a decade. I don’t fly without it and neither will your pops.
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Photograph: Ibex
A Super Versatile Wool Hoodie
Ibex Indie Hoodie
I’ve been wearing this midweight wool hoodie several days out of a week since getting it and it’s quickly become one of my absolute favourite pieces of clothing. The cut is sporty but definitely dadbod friendly. The thumb loops, zippable tall neck, and hood make it a lot more versatile than a typical wool long-sleeve shirt. Because it’s wool you can wear it many times without washing it, meaning your dad can use it as a layer throughout the winter whether he’s doing yardwork, biking, or tossing a football around in the park. (I’ve worn it while doing all three.) For more picks, check out our guide to the best wool clothing by a fellow dad.
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Photograph: Patagonia
The First and Best Fleece
Patagonia’s Synchilla Snap-T
I’m sure I’ve owned 50 fleeces over my lifetime, spending multiple years swaddled in napped polyester. Patagonia’s Synchilla Snap-T is not just the first and oldest fleece, but the best—which makes it a timeless gift for your dad. This iconic fleece sweater, an alternative to wool mountaineering wear first made as a collaboration with Polartec, features a loose, boxy cut. The default midweight is the best, but there are endless options. The colorways change seasonally, but the older ones age gracefully—I get constant compliments on my brown Synchilla with teal trim from fall 2012. Pick a seasonal pattern that’s a little offbeat if you’re giving this as a gift.
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Photograph: Atlas Coffee
A Fresh Cup Every Day
Atlas Coffee Club
Your dad probably drinks coffee. He probably likes it when that coffee is delicious. If he likes variety—I’m an extremist on this and rarely buy the same bag twice—he’ll love a subscription to Atlas, which ships beans from all over the world in every style of roast and grind you can imagine. I am especially fond of the half-bag batches which mean I’m getting new flavors midway through the week.
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Photograph: Amazon
A Professional Grade Food Processor
Robot Coupe R101B
You may have noticed that “professional grade” is a very powerful marketing term in the dudeosphere. Even men in white-collar fields want to drive the truck the guy who hung their drywall drives, which seems to be the entire marketing philosophy behind trucks. The Robot Coupe is one of those things. This brand of French food processor is ubiquitous in professional kitchens and coveted by people who want that same performance at home. If you’re looking to julienne carrots and cucumbers for salad rolls or whip up a big batch of buttery smooth hummus, you’re not going to get there with a food processor from Target. The Robot Coupe takes up about as much room as a KitchenAid mixer but is very sturdy with sharp steel blades designed to keep their edge for years. The motor’s power is measured in horsepower. I bought mine used from a man who sold it because his wife said it took up too much space. When I asked him what he liked to make with it, he got a faraway look in his eye. It was understood that the appeal of the device extends beyond the practical; you want a Robot Coupe because it’s what the pros use. When I posted a picture of it to my Instagram, multiple dads messaged me to express envy or support. Your dad could be that dad.
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Photograph: REI
The Most Comfy Camp Chair
Nemo Stargaze
I’ve sat on a lot of camp chairs in my lifetime. Maybe this is my Archie Bunker moment, but there is only one camp chair I have strong positive feelings about, and this is it. The Nemo Stargaze is as much a hybrid hammock as it is a chair, with a seat that swings between the heavy duty aluminum support posts. As the name implies, it reclines so that dad can lean his head back on the integrated pillow and stare up at the starry night sky (or fall asleep with a flask by the fire!) by adjusting a bevy of nylon straps. Thanks to a low center of gravity it’s easy to get into and out of and you never worry about tipping over on sand or loose gravel.
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Photograph: Amazon
Peace of Mind
Apple AirTags (4-Pack)
Over the summer I had what I can only describe as a harrowing moment in fatherhood: I couldn’t find my keys while on a road trip with my 8-year-old daughter 500 miles from home. It turns out I had a hole in the pocket of my shorts (dads are always wearing old clothing past the failure point) and to make it a true nightmare, I’d just been walking for a few miles on a path along the Mississippi River. I got lucky and found my keys in the parking lot, then bought an AirTag and a keychain holder for it. Dads often feel deep personal responsibility and shame connected to things like losing their keys. A set of AirTags will help assuage that anxiety, plus allow him to low-key LoJack his bike or a vehicle (your dad knows what this means) and maybe even something like his tackle box.
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Photograph: OffCourt
A Next-Gen Deodorant
Off Court deodorant
I am generally opposed to giving dads gifts that relate to hygiene or grooming—would you give mom Crest White Strips to help her smile more? This aluminum-free aerosol deodorant won me over with its fresh scent and impressive effectiveness. Off Court is one of a new generation of deodorants that aim to make you stank less via prebiotics which alter the microbiome of the skin to make it less friendly to smelly bacteria. It’s supposed to leave you smelling better for 48 hours, and I found it worked well two days later even after I showered in between. I’m most fond of the citron and driftwood scent.
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Photograph: L.L. Bean
A Do Anything Flannel
LL Bean Katahdin shirt
Depending on the age of your dad, it’s possible he’s been waiting patiently for decades for the triumphant return of flannel. Happily, it has arrived. This flannel from LL Bean is the best I’ve ever worn and I think your dad will agree. It’s a poly-wool blend which feels rich and soft but also very durable. I wouldn’t hesitate to curl up by a firepit in this, nor to chop up a cord of firewood. The slightly fitted cut is flattering for me and probably looks even better on a dad who hits the gym regularly.
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Photograph: Amazon
Versatile and Cheap Leather Mittens
Kinco Axeman gloves
These leather mittens are ostensibly meant for chopping logs deep in the Maine woods, but if you’re familiar with them it’s probably because of their popularity within the snow sports community where they enjoy a cult following. With a bake-in leather treatment (a fun little Saturday morning project!) and an hour of time the Axeman can match the durability, warmth, and water-resistance of any mitts on the market. Even better, they soften and develop richer color with time, making them one of those rare products that will properly reward your dad’s loyalty and frugality. I’ve used them for two winters now both on the slopes and in the yard, and I can hardly wait for this season’s first snow.
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Photograph: Nite Ize
A Tactical Flashlight
Inova T4R Long Throw
I’m working on a new guide to the best flashlights and have more to test, but so far this is the clear standout. The T4R is a mid-sized but heavy-duty rechargeable 1220-lumen light that’s crushproof, water resistant, and built to military spec. It’s basically a pocket-sized spotlight. The beam goes about 3,000 yards, meaning you could shine it across the Golden Gate Bridge. It comes with a charging cradle and adapters for charging in your car and overseas. I don’t think I needed this flashlight to take my daughter trick-or-treating but I wasn’t sad about it. Your dad won’t be either.
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Photograph: Goal Zero
A Mega Light
Goal Zero Yeti Skylight
Yes, there are only 15 items on this list and two are extravagantly expensive forms of lighting. Trust me, this is what dads want. We like really seeing stuff at night. The Skylight is a new device from Goal Zero, makers of some of our favorite portable power stations, which can light an entire backyard, garage, or campsite. It has six adjustable LED panels putting out 6,000 lumens attached to a retractable pole that will soar up to 12 feet high to give you coverage for a 300-foot area. It’s all rated for IPX4 water resistance so you can leave it outside all night without worry. I’ve used it in the basement where it illuminated corners I forgot existed and in my backyard where it allowed me to grill into the evening without a headlamp. Finding new uses for it is half the fun of owning it.
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Photograph: Hydragun
The Bee’s Knees
Hydragun Heatpulse Knee Massager
Last December, I injured my left knee … cleaning. Yes, that’s what happens when you’re dad age. It was an extremely large and ambitious cleaning project but, nevertheless, the injury left me feeling very old indeed. That knee injury has lingered for 11 months and only improved significantly in the two months since I got this miracle device from Hydragun. The Heatpulse straps directly onto your knee and is powered by a rechargeable pack that connects via USB-C. It heats up to a maximum setting of 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit) and has various massage speed settings. I just crank both up to the top and let it go until it shuts off and this is probably what your dad will do, too. The Heatpulse has made a marked difference in how good my knee feels.
