8 Gear Upgrades Your Dad Needs, But Is Too Stubborn to Ask For

Heirloom-quality outdoor gear is as good as it gets, but even the hardiest piece of equipment can come due for an update from time to time. For the discriminating outdoorsman in your life, the right upgrade will not only be appreciated but enjoyed and taken care of for years to come. Whether you’re looking for something for the data-driven athlete, gear-hoarding camper or gram-counting backpacker, we’ve got the gifts to help dad update his outdoor kit, even if he’s too stubborn to admit he needs it.

Garmin Fenix 6

Sure, the watch on his wrist just keeps on ticking. But for navigating in the wilderness and living a rich life of action, he needs more. Garmin’s fenix 6 — tested to military standards for thermal, shock and water resistance — is our choice. Dad can rely on it to stay in tip-top health, tracking calories burned, steps taken, water glugged, hours slept and even his stress level. A Pulse Ox sensor shines light beams at his wrist to gauge how well he absorbs oxygen with changes in altitude. But he’ll appreciate the fenix 6 even more deeply during workouts. Built for the multisport enthusiast, Dad will have more cycling, run, and hiking data at his fingertips than he ever thought possible. Don’t be surprised when he casually crushes your KOM on the next family bike ride.

Dad’s pup tent from his days in the scouts or that aborted Appalachian Trail attempt in the 1970s is probably still going strong. But for backpacking and multi-night camping trips, shaving some weight will mean a more comfortable time on the trail. Nemo’s new Firefly backpacking tent is a sure bet. It’s affordable, roomy and easy to set up — even with a well-earned cold one in-hand. Large doors and two vestibules offer plenty of space to stretch out, while the pre-bent aluminum poles allow extra headspace.

Patagonia

For some dads, the notion of a new camping blanket will seem frivolous. Isn’t the plaid one that’s been stuffed in his trunk since 1983 good enough? Patagonia’s new Macro Puff Quilt might initially be a hard sell for that traditional wool-blanket-loving-trail-curmudgeon in your life, but one chilly trailside cookout or post-fly-fishing tailgate and he will be hooked. It stays warm even when wet, packs down to nearly nothing and has a phenomenal warmth-to-weight ratio. You’ll probably want one for yourself, too.

Finding the right hiking boots can be a long, winding journey. You’ve got to find the right last, and just as importantly, the right style. Vasque’s Clarion 88 hiking boot takes the guesswork out of styling (and comfort). Vasque recreated the original Clarion from 1988, but updated it with a modern Vibram rubber sole and Gore-Tex liner. The result is a boot that was made for rugged excursions from the Presidential Range to the Sierras. It’s perfect for the serious and amateur hiker alike.

That tired, old external frame pack that dad has been hiking with since before you were born doesn’t owe anyone anything by now. Spring for a model that shaves pounds and ounces to keep him on the trail for more years to come. Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s Southwest line is built for serious excursions in gnarly terrain (though it works just fine on more mellow hikes too). The ultralight Dyneema fabric stands up to dense underbrush, abrasive sandstone and everything in between. At 1.9 pounds empty, it’s the lightest pack of its size on the market.

Dad’s bulky old wool sweater is an awesome heritage piece, but today’s merino is a far cry from that 1960s-era scratchy wool. Black Diamond’s new Solution Wool is an excellent update that can pull 4-season duty with ease. It utilizes core-spinning technology, which combines the benefits of nylon and merino by spinning merino fibers around a nylon core. The result is a soft hoody that wicks sweat better than a synthetic, is warmer than wool on its own and is at home on the trail or at the pub after. You’ll definitely earn some bonus style points with this one.