Father’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Essential Gear For Summer Adventures

Mar 26, 2023

NOCS Field Issue 32mm

Nocs Field Issue 32mm

Nocs makes a range of compact binoculars that are rugged, waterproof, and have a ridged grip that makes them easy to hold onto and hard to drop (admittedly, the neck strap is a bonus). These are lightweight, do-it-all binoculars and what has made them a standout is their high quality/ low price ratio. You can stash these binoculars in your carry-on, backpack or glove compartment for birding and adventuring. Their new Field Issue 32mm binocular is the next evolution. They’ve integrated premium optical technology from the brand's Pro Issue model while maintaining the same compact ruggedness and grip that people love about the original Standard Issue waterproof binoculars. They have an oversized focus wheel and pro issue optics housed in the standard issue size, utilizing medical-grade, ultra-rugged thermoplastic frame to accommodate the optical system. Fog proof and waterproof, the multi-stop twist-up eyecup mechanism provides three distinct positions to optimize viewing. The new Field Issue comes in two sizes: 8x32 and 10x32, and a variety of colors. The 8x magnification allows for a wider field of view, while the 10x is for those wanting to narrow in on the finer details. Weighing in at only 11.8oz, like all Nocs products, it comes with the brand's "No Matter What" lifetime warranty. MSRP: $175

EC Ranger Xe Backpack 26L

EC Ranger Xe Backpack 26L

Eagle Creek has long been one of my go-to brands and this is a new, lighter-weight backpack ideal for travelers looking to save every ounce. The Eagle Creek Ranger Xe Backpack 26L has a ventilated back panel, shoulder straps, and a trolley sleeve that attaches to the handle of any rolling bag. A dedicated pocket and hose ports integrate with a bladder (not included) for hydration, a removable hip belt, and 100 percent recycled fabrics. It has a quick-access zip pocket, a front stash pocket, and a wide-opening primary compartment access. The backpack is covered by Eagle Creek's No Matter What® Warranty. $99

Gregory Border Traveler 30L

Gregory Border Traveler 30L

Gregory makes some of my favorite backpacks and hardshell rollaboards. Their new Border Traveler 30L is something else, a 30L split-case design that can handle a massive amount of gear, enough that it's all you might need for a long weekend adventure trip. One side of the bag has an ActiveShield compartment with Polygiene® Stays Fresh treatment for wet or dirty clothes to inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria. The other side is well organized to take all your other travel essentials. Both sides have mesh pockets. There is also quick access to the external laptop pocket. The pack has a side mesh water bottle pocket with a zippered tuck-away panel, a padded front pocket with an internal mesh zippered pocket and key clip, a padded air mesh shoulder harness with sternum strap, dual-density padded foam back panel with breathable air mesh and luggage handle pass-through. There's a tubular webbing haul handle and soft-molded custom zipper puller. $149.95

Rogue Unisex Open-Toe Sandal

Rogue Unisex Open-Toe Sandal

Having worn through my share of Teva sandals, I was happily surprised to discover the Forsake Rogue Sandal. It was instantly comfortable and has excellent arch support, with a recycled upper, a BLOOM® Midsole, and a slip-Resistant BLOOM® Outsole. It has recycled air mesh linings with anti-odor treatment. The straps are adjustable, and an elastic band holds excess straps after you fit them. It's also easy to take on and off, ideal for water pursuits. Unsurprisingly, its name was inspired by the Rogue River in Oregon, one of the country's most famous rafting rivers—$ 85.

KÜHL Response Lite Shirt

KÜHL Response Lite Shirt

KÜHL's Response Lite Shirt is gossamer thin, super lightweight, and a real contender for one of the best summer adventure shirts. Ideal for humid conditions, it's quick-drying, moisture-managing, and odor resistant. It has a good amount of stretch and provides UPF 30+ sun protection. Easy to stash, Dad can wear it day after day on the trail. $89

OR Astroman Shirt

OR Astroman Shirt

OR makes some of the best outdoor clothing, hands down, and every Dad heading out for an adventurous day, weekend, or longer might want to consider an Astroman Shirt. This is OR's best-selling men's shirt. It's super soft, super lightweight, with an incredible amount of stretch. It is also highly durable and offers a range of 30 to 50 + UPF, depending on the pattern chosen. Named after the legendary route in Yosemite Valley, the Astroman was built for climbing but worked equally for hiking, paddling, backpacking, or any other activity when you're headed out in the sun. It has a left-welt chest snap pocket, tonal ring snap front closure, and AirVent™ inner back yoke. It also has those indispensable qualities: it's both wicking and quick-drying. $110

Salt Life H20 Long Sleeve Woven Performance Fishing Shirt

Salt Life H20 Long Sleeve Woven Performance Fishing Shirt

Salt Life products suddenly seem to be everywhere. They’re well-made and incredibly affordable. Witness the H20 Long Sleeve Woven Performance Fishing Shirt, which got me through a long trip to Australia last fall. This performance fishing shirt is treated for UPF30 sun protection, and while I didn't fish, I spent plenty of time under the searing Australian sun. The shirt was equally at home on a boat on the Great Barrier Reef and at a restaurant in Sydney's CBD, comfortable, protective and fashionable at the same time. The shirt features a vented back yoke with mesh breathability. I had to fly halfway around the world to discover that it was the ideal travel shirt. $76

Brilliant L Train

Brilliant L Train

Let's hear it for urban adventures. Priority is famed for its belt drive bicycles designed for city streets and were created for the streets of New York City. The Brilliant L Train is a collaboration with New York-made Hudson Whiskey, a co-branded limited edition. The bike is nimble and offers a more extensive gear range to help you handle a leisure ride or turning Dad's daily commute into an adventure. Weighing in at 27 pounds, it features a Gates Carbon Drive belt and Shimano Nexus 7-speed shifting on a steel frame and fork. A percentage of all proceeds will benefit Transportation Alternatives, a leading non-profit organization celebrating 50 years of reclaiming New York City's streets from cars and" transforming them into safe, sustainable, and equitable places to walk, bike, take transit, gather, and thrive." $ 650.