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31 Cool Gifts for Dads That Every Father Will Appreciate

These gifts are way more creative than ties.

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VerifiedReviewed by Senior Gear and Reviews Editor
Thoughtful and unique gifts for dad

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FINDING A GIFT for dad can be a daunting task in the countdown to Father’s Day. If you have siblings, you especially know what we mean—there's an unspoken competition to see who can impress dad the most.

What makes a cool gift for dad these days? Well, on top of balancing a fine line between trendy and functional, new and nostalgic, the gifts we've curated are sure to answer a certain calling or scratch an itch he's had for some time. We've gathered an array of remarkable gifts for men, from adjustable (and affordable) kettlebells to a scoreboard ticker to a cozy bathrobe.

This list is dynamic because that's exactly what fathers are. And it's varied too, also just like all those old men out there. We've got running shoes for jogging dads, gadgets for DIY dads, literature for bookworm dads, and excellent food for hungry dads. He's sure to unwrap something that he will spend a lot of quality time with, right out of the gate.

A big tub of salt is perfect for grilling, but also serves his needs for brining, pickling, curing, and whatever other odd culinary pastime he may have picked up recently. Saltverk is harvested from Iceland and is used in world-renowned restaurants across the globe. Even if he’s just into a simple steak, he’s sure to enjoy this tub.

They don’t have to be a renowned angler to appreciate a good fishing shirt: They’re stretchy, quick drying, and moisture wicking. Huckberry made this elevated version that can go from the boat to the bar using a lightweight nylon fabric. The double pockets and western yoke are subtle nods to heritage workwear.

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This handwoven hammock chair beats his favorite lawn chair by a mile. The acrylic yarn won’t fade, mold, or rot, and the colors stay vibrant without fading. More than a chair, there’s plenty of room to sprawl out for a midday nap or to catch up on a book. Spring for the stand, and they can take this chair anywhere.

Elegant Writing Utensil

Lamy 2000 ballpoint pen

2000 ballpoint pen
Elegant Writing Utensil

Lamy 2000 ballpoint pen

Every childhood memory I have of my dad coming home from work includes a pen—he had at least two in the chest pocket of his button-up shirt—and he still keeps one strapped to his wrist today. A reliable pen may seem novel in an increasingly digital world, but that’s what makes it (even more) gift-worthy. The Lamy 2000 has a satisfying click, good looks, and a smooth ballpoint for all his notes and scribbles.

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The Pacebreakers are an excellent do-everything pair of shorts: he can work out, chill out, even swim in them if he’s in a pinch. They come in a bunch of different colors and are available in 5-, 7-, and 9-inch inseams. Hard to find a better pair of active shorts out there.

A reliable pocket knife comes in handy more often than you think. While he may have his go-to, the Benchmade Bugout is sure to impress with its attention to detail and American-made craftsmanship. The Grivory handle is lightweight and grippy, and the drop point blade has excellent edge retention. It’s a slick addition to the old man’s EDC.

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“Give them something they’ll actually use”—a good starting point when thinking of what to gift a picky dad. Now think about how many times he uses the bathroom. You see where we’re going with this? The Tushy Wave is the brand's most elevated non-electric attachment, and it’ll keep the old man fresh. It’s a snap to set up, easy to use, and will save him money on toilet paper.

The garage is a sacred place for dads where they can have everything, particularly in or out of place, as they want. These Payloader boxes from Decked will have his tools, gear, and seasonal needs all organized and protected. They’re extremely durable, feature a snap-lock lid, and are made in the U.S.A.

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What dad doesn’t love a big screen? The MoGo 4 projector delivers a crisp 1080p display so he can project movies, matches, and shows anywhere he pleases. Auto-adjust features make it easy to use, and onboard Google TV, Netflix, and YouTube makes streaming seamless. The projector itself is about the size of a coffee tumbler for easy storage, and onboard speakers mean he doesn’t have to hassle with an external set.

For Any and All Getaways

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

Black Hole Duffel

Patagonia’s Black Hole bags are widely popular for good reason—they’re durable, weather-resistant, and look cool. The nylon fabric resists tears and abrasions, and the multiple pockets hold everything he may need. It can double as a large gym bag as easily as it can take him on a weekend getaway. The Black Hole duffle comes in various sizes and colors to suit exactly what he wants.

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For the dad who loves making drinks at home and wants to impress his friends, this cult-favorite book from Death & Co. is packed with more than 500 cocktail recipes, bartending tips, and insider tricks from one of NYC’s most famous bars. His home bar setup will instantly feel a whole lot cooler.

Many speakers can go outside, but Turtlebox is built for it. The Ranger is a fully waterproof speaker that is loud enough to fill the entire backyard. It doesn’t just turn up to the loudest possible decibel, though; it actually sounds good with a deep base and no tinny noises on the high end.

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Nothing beats lazing around in a plushy bathrobe, but the summer months call for something a little more breezy. Brooklinen took its ultra-popular bathrobe and shortened it to let some air in on those legs. Even if he already has a bathrobe, consider this his summer style.

Laser Measure
Now 35% Off

DIY projects are not just a game of inches; they can come down to millimeters and more. Give dad some exactness with this great laser measure. It looks ultra-modern and will make his crafty work all the more, according to plan. It has a range of more than 90 feet and connects right to an app for real-time figures.

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Check the Scoreboard

Panelfi Glance LED Ticker

Glance LED Ticker

If Dad's always on his phone checking scores, there's a better way. Gift him this cool LED ticker, featuring a pixelated scoreboard built around his top squads. It's like a Lite-Brite set for the sports enthusiast. We've found it's great beyond just tailgating season, too, as you can get news blurbs and weather info, among other things.

We love a good adjustable gym tool. This kettlebell can evolve with his workouts, spanning a weight range of 32 pounds and effectively replacing six individual weights. There's even an associated app with workouts if dad needs a nudge of inspiration to really get going.

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If He Prioritizes Recovery as Much as Workouts

Chirp Halo Muscle Stimulator

Halo Muscle Stimulator
If He Prioritizes Recovery as Much as Workouts

Chirp Halo Muscle Stimulator

Now 20% Off

Honestly, we were a bit skeptical of this muscle and nerve stimulator. Until we tried it out, and fell for the multiple settings and massage-like treatments that can target very specific areas. There's a precision to the Halo, and it makes recovery all the more enjoyable, not to mention rejuvenating.

A Lesson from the Pros

Masterclass

Masterclass
A Lesson from the Pros

Masterclass

Dad taught you all those things; why not return the favor? Go with the wisdom of a real pro, whether it's a culinary figure, an actor, a scientist, or some other notable person. He'll love being a student again. And the number of teachers just keeps growing, in both numbers and professions.

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If he's going to cook that meat, set him up with a proper thermometer. Digital is the way to go, as it's more accurate and much easier to deal with. Plus, that'll make less risk of undercooking anything. Even dad can use an assist on the grill from time-to-time. This one won us over by freeing up valuable time as the app will essentially babysit you cooking proteins for you.

Read More: Best Kitchen Gadgets

Add to His Outdoor Kitchen

Solo Stove Solo Pi Prime

Solo Pi Prime
Add to His Outdoor Kitchen

Solo Stove Solo Pi Prime

Let us generalize a bit here. Dads like fires and they also like DIY. Well, this might be the perfect scratch for those itches, a pizza maker from Solo Stove. He can make his own pies and experience the reward of baking them in a fire-filled pizza oven. Win-win, people. So far here at MH we haven't met a Solo Stove product we didn't like, and this pizza oven is no different.

More Great Gift Ideas

Best Golf Gifts | Best Tech Gifts | Best Fitness Gifts | Best Christmas Gifts | Best Grooming Gifts | Best Gifts for Teen Boys | Best Stocking Stuffers | Best Gifts for Men

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Danny Perez
Reviews Editor

Danny Perez is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.

Lettermark

Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon who covers food, drink, travel, culture, outdoors, gear, and tech. He's formally trained in journalism but stumbled into the wine industry just when it was getting good and can't seem to fully let it go. His outlets are many, from Men's Health, Women's Health, and The Manual to Vinepair, SevenFifty Daily, Sip Northwest, and others He's a devout soccer fan and thinks about Iceland daily.

Headshot of Ryan  Brower
Reviewed byRyan Brower
Senior Gear and Reviews Editor

Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up. He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.

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