Shopping for Father’s Day can be tough, but if the guy on your list is an outdoorsman we can help. There are a number of products that will help dad enjoy his time outdoors even more, and we’ve compiled a gift guide aka short list of the must-have gear items that we know he’ll love. How do we know? Because this is what we would buy ourselves. And please, no more rotating tie racks.
Browning Footwear Glenwood Trail Shoes
The summer is great time to be outdoors, and the new Glenwood Trail series shoes from Browning are ideal footwear for this time of year. With high-density foam construction, suede overlays and an EVA footbed with arch support they are designed with the features you’ll find on top-rated trail running shoes, and the Glenwood’s more athletic profile makes it much lighter and more comfortable to wear when working in the hot summer months than traditional hiking boots. Whether you’re checking trail cameras or running trail races these shoes are the ideal mix of comfort and durability. Best of all, prices start at just $49.95, a real bargain in outdoor footwear. There are a number of color options including ATACS FG (shown here) and AU camo. spgoutdoors.com
Work Sharp Combo Knife Sharpener
Everyone hates a dull knife, but Work Sharp has the perfect tool to help dad keep his blade keen year-round. The Combo Knife Sharpener is powered by a 120V motor and it both features flexible abrasive belts to produce a convex cutting edge on just about any type of knife dad owns (including serrated blades) as well as an angle-guided ceramic rod for manual sharpening. Simply plug the unit in and begin sharpening. This compact, easy-to-store sharpener is backed by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty and costs just $59.99. www.worksharptools.com
Camp Chef Pro 60X
If dad brought home some fresh game meat last year he’ll need a high-quality grill to create culinary masterpieces, and Camp Chef Pro 60X offers just what he is looking for. This grill features two cast aluminum 30,000 BTU burners, adjustable heat dials for precise temperature control, matchless ignition and a three-sided windscreen. The legs and side tables fold making it portable, and the adjustable leg levelers allow you to use this grill on uneven ground. There’s a convenient steel handle on the back of the grill for easy transport and the 448 square inch cooking surface offers plenty of space and is compatible with Camp Chef’s 14-inch cooking accessories. Price is $229.99. www.campchef.com
Buck Knives 75th Anniversary Edition 119 Special
Hoyt Buck produced his very first fixed-blade knife in 1902. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, when the U.S. government requested blade donations, Buck began churning out the iconic 119 model by hand in the basement of a church. That knife became an American icon and now, after 75 years of service, a special limited anniversary edition 119 Special is being offered with a custom medallion in the grip, a special 75th anniversary blade stamp and a commemorative leather sheath. Dad will probably appreciate the collector value of this knife, but if he chooses to use it in the field the 119 is certainly up to the task. It is, after all, a Buck. MSRP is $96-$136. www.buckknives.com
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Canyon Coolers Scout
With summer just around the corner it will soon be time for grill-outs and fishing trips, and the Canyon Coolers Scout is the perfect summer accessory. This 22-quart cooler is compact enough to carry easily yet the heavy-duty walls keep your drinks and food at a consistent internal temperature. The rubber feet keep the cooler from sliding—perfect for taking along in a boat—and the Dura-Latch closures and aluminum hinges ensure that this cooler will last for years and years. There are 14 marine-grade tie-down points, so you can easily secure this cooler in your truck, on your boat or on your ATV. $169.99. www.canyoncoolers.com
Zeiss Victory Pocket Binoculars
Zeiss has managed to pack high-quality features like FL-Lenses, a magnesium housing and robust hardware into one of the lightest, clearest set of pocket binoculars on the market. Weighing in at just 10 ounces, these pocket binos offer a wide field of view (390 feet at 1,000 yards for the 8x model) and superb optical clarity with minimal color fringing even in low-light conditions. They’re great for summer scouting or bird watching and they are an excellent addition to any hunting pack. There are two models (8×25 and 10×25) that carry an MSRP of $749.99 and $799.99, respectively. www.zeiss.com
Wrangler Pro Gear Shooter Shirt
Wrangler is best known for their denim products, but the company’s new Pro Gear Shooter Shirt is a great gift for fathers who are active outdoorsmen because they offer a comfortable fit, functional details and the durability required to stand up against the elements. This 100% cotton button-up shirt is light enough to wear during the summer and makes a great layering shirt for year-round hunting. The fabric features Realtee Xtra accents and a shooting patch on the right shoulder, making this a great shirt to wear to the range. MSRP is $37.00. www.wrangler.com
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Spypoint Xcel HD2 Hunt Action Camera
One of the greatest elements of being in the woods is the memories that we create while we are hunting, and you can help dad relive those memories and share them with friends and family with the Spypoint Xcel HD2 Hunt Action Camera. With its waterproof camo housing and multiple mounting setups the Spypoints acts as dad’s own personal camera crew by allowing him to film the hunt using a hands-free remote. This compact, durable camera offers a 4x zoom range and has three separate modes that allow you to record still, video, or time-lapse images. Additionally, the ultra wide-angle lens allows you to catch all of the action in the field. The camera is available from Cabela’s and other outdoor stores for $299.99. www.spypoint.com
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By Brad Fitzpatrick | GetZone.com Contributor
