14 Groovy Gifts for Green-Minded Dads
Sierra’s 2022 Father’s Day gift guide
Is a dad or father figure the reason for your love for alfresco adventure? On June 19, you’ll have your chance to pay that appreciation back. Whether you’ve got a grizzled old man who can solo-survive on a mountain or a dude-like dad who just digs chilling in the backyard, we think you’ll find something fitting for him here.
Be the first to try out gadgety new gear: MXXY has innovated the first pack featuring a dual-chamber hydration bladder. This nifty, unassuming vessel ($199) allows running/cycling/hiking dads to tote a combined 2.25 liters of both water and electrolyte-fortified hydration supplement along on the trail—a dial lets them choose between or mix their beverages on the fly. Consumption-conscious dads will also appreciate that every MXXY pack comes with a free year of repairs: If the pack malfunctions, the company will repair it and ship it back to him at no cost (thus creating no extra waste).
Have you ever yearned to go camping in a portable treehouse? The architect behind Tentsile—once a young boy enchanted by the Ewok tree village portrayed in Return of the Jedi—did too. Designed to be suspended over the ground—thus offering increased protection from snakes and bugs, and sparing campers restless nights on wet, bumpy grounds—Tentsile tents combine the versatility of hammocks with the security of multiperson-occupancy tents. This month, for World Oceans Day, the brand upped the ante and introduced the Ocean UNA tent ($349) and Ocean Hammock ($90), both developed from—you guessed it—reclaimed ocean plastic. Dad will have to wait a few weeks to get his hands on this awesomely conscientious gift, but he’ll love knowing that for every Tentsile Ocean product purchased, the brand will remove an additional two pounds of plastic from the ocean.
Most dads are in agreement: Summertime is alfresco sippin’ season. What better gift for a whiskey- or sake-loving outdoorsman than a fetching pair of stainless-steel, insulated, BPA- and phthalate-free tumblers? This rugged set ($49) from High Country Flasks comes with a wool felt carrying case (perfect for toting on camping trips), is easy on the eyes, and can be personalized with Dad’s engraved name or initials. Cheers!
Some dads do their sipping in the backcountry—and others prefer a back-porch swing. If your dad’s been really good this year, why not spring for the gift that is the Vineyard Adirondack 48-inch swing ($329) from Polywood? Built out of recycled plastic milk jugs, it has proved to withstand the hot sun, snowy winters, and strong coastal winds, and it cleans easily with soap and water. What’s more, it was born in the USA in a 99-percent-landfill-free facility.
New from the drinking vessel mavens at Miir, the Halendid Collection features an aerial photo of glacial sediment running through a frozen landscape as seen from a small Cessna in the Icelandic Highlands, taken by adventure photographer Chris Burkard. Offered in a 12-ounce camp cup ($30), 16-ounce tumbler ($30), and 32-ounce bottle (pictured, $45), the transporting collection is meant to encourage us to consider our relationship with wild places while pursuing our daily routines. Dad will love that $5 from each product will be donated to Outdoor Outreach, a nonprofit that connects youths to the transformative power of the outdoors.
Could your dad’s pack use an upgrade? Even we were blown away by the eco bona fides of the 22-liter Terraventure ($160) from Jack Wolfskin. Featuring 100 percent recycled polyester from post-consumer plastic water bottles as well as foam padding made from sustainable algae, this piece of gear delivers the works: sleek aesthetics, great airflow and ventilation, comfy waist belt, built-in rainfly, outer attachment loop for trekking pools, handy interior and exterior pockets, and plenty of room for a hydration system, extra layers, lunch, water bottles, and assorted other treasures.
Fact: Outdoorsy dads could always use another five-gallon bucket. So why not spring for the Cadillac of buckets this Father’s Day? The Huck Performance Bucket ($100) was engineered with bells and whistles including non-skid feet, user-friendly finger indents, “spaghetti pot” side handles, and a stay-put main handle system with trusty finger indents.
Any cyclista of a dad out there is bound to appreciate thermoregulating technology that helps to manage his core temperature. Trek’s Circuit LTD Cycling Jersey ($90), made with 37.5 Technology (which, after all, is the body’s core temperature) works its magic by diffusing water vapor out from the skin before it can condense into liquid sweat, thereby creating a cooling effect. The idea is to enable stronger rides. This striking shirt also comes outfitted with 50+ UV protection, a full-length ventilating zipper, loads of handy pockets, and active-particle fabric technology. Oh, and it’ll make your pops look . . . surprisingly European.
Kids may grumble about sock gifts, but we promise they’re always a hit with hiking and trail-running dads. The sock mavens behind Farm to Feet have partnered with outdoor equity organization Black Folks Camp Too to create the limited-edition “Unity Blaze” lightweight three-quarter crew pair ($25). The logo means “Treat Everyone, Everywhere, Equally,” and this naturally odor-resistant and temperature-regulating merino wool-knit sock is sourced entirely from US ranchers, and offers great ventilation and targeted cushioning. What’s more, a portion of proceeds from the sale of the sock will benefit BFCT.
Make sure that no matter how far his adventures take him, Dad is never more than a few minutes away from his morning espresso. This rugged little stainless-steel stovetop espresso maker ($50) from GSI Outdoors packs down small yet brews four double-shot servings within minutes. There’s no gift, after all, like the gift of a robust wakeup in the backcountry.
Could your old man use some help keeping organized on his adventures? Check out Eagle Creek's new and modified Pack-It bag set organizers ($55 each). Made from 100 percent recycled fabrics, they’ll stash everything Dad might want to pack, from shorts to camping gear and from dirty shoes to toiletries.
There are mountain dads, and then there are ocean dads. If your old man falls into the latter category, check out Hawaii photographer Clark Little’s new book from Ten Speed Press, The Art of Waves ($40). This hardcover coffee-table number features more than 150 transporting photos of waves and ocean life—from Hawai‘i, Southern California, French Polynesia, Tonga, and the Galápagos—along with essays from the likes of surfer-writer Jamie Brisick and a foreword by 11-time world surfing champ Kelly Slater.
For the dad who’s ever been a teensy bit jealous of his forest preschool–attending kids or grandkids, may we suggest Forest School for GrownUps ($25), from Chronicle Books? From starting a fire and making a bird feeder to foraging food and building a nail-free treehouse, this almanac celebrates the spirit-lifting benefits of playing outside—and continuing to do so for a lifetime.
Since 2012, the entrepreneurs behind Oru Kayak have been making paddling more accessible, thanks to their unique, origami-inspired boats, which are made from corrugated plastic and fold down to fit inside duffels for easy carrying. This season, Oru launched its simplest, lightest, and most affordable kayak yet—the beginner-friendly “Lake” ($549) assembles in under a minute and fits easily in a backseat, trunk, or even a plane for all Dad’s adventures. It won’t be ready until September 2022, so this present will give dad the gift not only of paddling but also of anticipation.