21 Gifts for Dads Who Don't Need Anything

First a caveat: If your dad is a big rule-follower and casual walkie-talkie user, I'd recommend getting him the standard Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio (8/10 WIRED Recommends) since you technically need a GMRS license to use these powerful walkie-talkies, which boast up to 35 miles of range. I misplaced my license, but have been using them anyway. With a five-day battery life, integrated weather report channels, and rugged construction, these are great for dads who like to go off-grid or just play at being off-grid.

Our AV team tests a lot of Bluetooth speakers, and has a lot of recommendations. I personally love this one because of its booming volume, optional microphone attachment, and massive 30-hour battery. The Tribit comes with two 6.35 mm inputs for wired microphones, which means dad can give a toast at the party, or karaoke along to some dad rock. Because of the long battery life and IP67 water resistance rating, this is a speaker you don't have to think too much about, which makes it a great gift.

Not only do I love this chair—I’ve sat on a lot of camp chairs in my lifetime, and this is the undisputed champion—but my daughter loves it. I recently gifted myself a second one, because when I only had one, I had zero anytime she got to it first. Now I have two of these, which means I have one. (All dads can relate here.)

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 by adjusting a bevy of nylon straps 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). 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.

Full disclosure: I have not spent a lot of time slicing stuff with this gorgeous wood-handled pocketknife. It turns out I don't have that many things that need to be cut by an American-made high-carbon steel (I do sometimes open Amazon packages with it).

However, I rarely go a day without touching it because I like having it on my desk, flipping it open using the little nub that sticks out from the handle, and locking and unlocking it. This is a very nice knife that's likely to make any knife guy happy while also being a handsome addition to a desk or EDC lineup.

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 Coffee Club, 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 means I’m getting new flavors midway through the week. As with other subscription gifts, this is great because Dad gets a little gift from you every few weeks throughout the year.

You know what Dad definitely doesn't need? More stuff to do. While I do love a meat subscription box, it's Father's Day—give dad a break and get a Salt Lick barbecue box. It's already cooked, so all Dad has to do is heat it up for a bit on a grill. And this isn't just any brisket, it's—one of the best I've ever had, certainly the best that's ever graced my grill, even if it was just on there to reheat. I know it sounds like a Mitch Hedberg bit, FedExing some brisket to your door, but it works. I ordered the Family Style Dinner and everything arrived quickly, nice and cold, and ready to go. I followed the reheating instructions the next day and had a fabulous feast. Nothing could be easier. —Scott Gilbertson

There are many good cheap infrared thermometers other than this ThermoWorks model. 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 tool as a Christmas gift, and having subsequently used it to make many backyard pizzas and smoked meats, I can confirm that it makes for a great gift. Having a wider circle to read from makes the results much more reliable than the cheaper temp guns. It’s rugged too. 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.

I've got a Yeti and an RTIC cooler—they're nice! But I've been coveting the gorgeous aluminum Oyster Tempo cooler since reading my colleague Mike Calore's review blurb a few years back. When I finally cracked the Oyster, it didn't disappoint. The Norwegian company's novel design mimics the double-walled construction of your favorite travel mug and offers extreme efficiency. I was able to stretch one 7-pound bag of gas station ice through three days on a recent trip to Colorado.

The Oyster cooler is heavier than I expected (12 pounds) and not cheap ($450), but it looks as good as a Rimowa suitcase and your dad is unlikely to ever want to replace it.

One of our former writers recommended these slippers in our guide to the best, and as a diehard Ugg fan I was a little skeptical. However, they've become my favorites over the past two years thanks to the supple wool that fits a little like a sock. The calfskin sole is soft and pliable and feels great sliding across my hardwood floors. A pair of slippers is a classic gift for a dad at the holidays and these are my favorites of the moment.

For whatever reason, dads like paying attention to the weather. The discussion goes beyond “really needing” that recent rain and digs into useless precision. That’s why they’ll love the Ambient Weather ecosystem recommended by WIRED senior editor Parker Hall. It lets you know everything from daily rainfall to the current UV index via several weather-measuring doohickeys, accessories, and screens.

The Ambient Weather WS-2902 includes a rain collector and two instruments to measure wind, but it's just one of many tools that can be combined. Building this system out will cover you on gift ideas for at least two to three gifting occasions. Even better, Ambient Weather keeps releasing new products. This is a boon for hard-to-shop-for fathers or nerdy types everywhere. Hall’s dad got his first Ambient Weather device last year, has now installed others in two locations, and is considering adding a third at the family vacation home. The rest of the Hall family is set on gifting ideas for years.

As silly as it may sound, I have been on the hunt for the best pepper grinder for about two years. Männkitchen’s Pepper Cannon ended that search. This (admittedly expensive) anodized aluminum grinder is sturdy enough to pound a nail into a wall, and it has a finely tuned grinder mechanism that efficiently and precisely crushes peppercorns at more than 50 different mesh sizes. I’ve been working to find the perfect grind for the pepper portion of the rub on my smoked ribs and found it at about 12 clicks from the coarsest setting on this grinder. Well-calibrated gears and burrs made from high-carbon stainless steel make it easy to smoothly power through a pile of peppercorns, and the integrated cup on the bottom stores the pepper until you're ready to apply it. If your dad is a home cook who’s making lots of barbecue or steak, this grinder will up his game.

You may have noticed that "professional grade" is a powerful marketing term in the Dudeosphere. Even men in white-collar fields want to drive the same truck the guy who hung their drywall drives (which seems to be the entire marketing philosophy behind trucks). The Robot Coupe is along those same lines. 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 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.

A belt is one of those classic gifts for dads and this is a very stylish choice. Zilker belts are handmade in Buenos Aires with rugged leather that softens slowly—mine feels like it did out of the box even after a month of near-daily wear. There are a variety of hand-stitched patterns, including this one which uses white nylon thread against black Argentinian leather. There are a couple dozen different color combos to choose from if you want to pick Dad's favorite.

A couple summers ago 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 then-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. I immediately 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.

Our pick for the best flashlight after many hours of walking around in the dark testing, the O-Light Arkfeld Pro is great because of its versatility. On its most powerful setting, you can light up something a football field away, but it also has a green laser beam for pointing to things and a UV light for spotting stains. This is a light that your dad can use around the garage or camping.

Yes, there are only about two dozen items on this list, and two are expensive forms of lighting. Trust me, this is what dads want. We like 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.

We have a guide to the best tote bags which includes the big brother to this mid-sized Topo Designs tote. I get compliments on my Topo totes everywhere I, uh, tote them. Ask your dad (or any other dude) and he'll tell you how rare compliments are for men. So think of this bag as not only a way for your dad to stylishly and ruggedly haul groceries from the farmer's market or a picnic lunch but also a way to have strangers and acquaintances compliment his good taste. The tote has handles plus a padded shoulder strap and two rows of nylon loops for hanging stuff off the side.

We're working on a full guide to merino T-shirts, and this Huckberry Proof shirt is one of our top picks. It's soft, comfortable, and looks good. (I like the classic fit, though there is a slim fit if your dad prefers the sporty look.) The best part is that you can wear this, as the name suggests, for 72 hours and because it's merino wool it won't smell or show many signs of wear. It's also never itchy and offers 30+ UPF sun protection for hot summer day on the shore. —Scott Gilbertson

Fjällräven's hiking pants—er, sorry, trousers—are legendary, and having now spent most of spring in a pair of these Abisko Trail trousers, I understand why. If Dad is a hiker, or spends any time at all outdoors, these are a great gift.

They're light but surprisingly warm and especially good at blocking the wind. The G-1000 Lite Stretch recycled fabric gives you nice, stretchy freedom of movement, and having had Lyme disease already, the ability to cinch down the leg cuffs and keep things out is invaluable. (I've also put a good bit of repellent on the fabric with no staining or other damage.) I also like that the G-1000 can be waxed to refurbish the waterproofness (though I haven't had to do this yet).

If you want to go the shorts route, try these Kuhl Silencr Kargo Shorts ($79). They're “stealth” cargo shorts in that they have a lot of pockets, but they don't look like it. No need to make Dad back into the ’90s grunge rocker he once was if you don't have to. —Scott Gilbertson