Let’s hear it for the man who plays “Dad” opposite your “Mom.” He rubbed your swollen pregnant feet (well, he better have), put together your complicated stroller, and told you that you looked absolutely beautiful even when you were stuffing your face with french fries and hysterically crying during a particularly bad rage of your pregnancy hormones.

He’s probably your best friend. And if he isn’t now, he will be after he receives any one of these thoughtful and amazing gifts for dads this holiday season.

The best gifts for men are obviously subjective, so we’ve gathered up our greatest finds for all kinds–the dad in need of a wardrobe upgrade, the tech-obsessed, the resident grill master, you name it.

Looking for more gift ideas? Check out all of our holiday gift guides!

Our favorite gifts for dad

courant mag 2

Courant

Mag 2

Plugging in allll the things takes effort. How about just tossing them on top of this instead? The Courant Mag 2 can juice up his iPhone and AirPods at the same time and let’s face it—looks way cooler than that tangle of cords he’s rocking. It’s also perfect for a home office since you can use it while you take a video call.  (Or watch some game highlights. We’re not here to judge.) Prices start at $100.

 

Cometeer Coffee

Cometeer

$69

Cometeer Coffee Pods

Whether he’s a coffee connoisseur or just wants it fast and hot, Cometeer delivers.  Unlike other single use coffee pods, with Cometeer the pod is all you need–no gadget necessary. Instead, each capsule is filled with expertly extracted 10x concentrated coffee from award-winning small batch roasters (like Durham-based Counter Culture and Equator Coffee in San Francisco) which is immediately flash frozen at -321 ºF via a shower of liquid nitrogen. The result? Some of the best coffee on the planet in his cup and ready to drink in less than a minute. Price is for a 32-capsule supply.

Purrgo Car Air Freshener

Purrgo

$25.99

Car Air Freshener

Between pets, gym bags and (let’s be honest) the kids, keeping his car smelling fresh isn’t the easiest task. Masking with air freshener isn’t always great either. Instead, this minimalist odor eliminator can be hung from the back of the headrest to absorb whatever stink he might be driving around. And because it’s powered by activated charcoal, it actually lasts up to an entire year.

Nomadix Bandanna Towel

Nomadix

$24.95

Bandanna Towel

As a parent and an adventurer, he knows just how often a bandana can come in handy–  but this one from Nomadix takes the cake. Like their towels, it’s made from a super absorbent recycled microSuede fabric that’s soft, fast-drying and ultra durable. Tie it on to keep the sun off his neck, use it to dry off after an impromptu swim or save the day when the kid spills an entire Nalgene in the backseat. The possibilities are endless!

Vuori Sunday Jogger

Vuori

$98

Sunday Performance Jogger

Listen. It’s almost 2024. There is legit no longer an excuse for dumpy sweatpants. With countless stylish comfy pant options out there nowadays, there is no room for the baggy, stained abominations he may be clinging to. Use them to start a backyard bonfire and stick a pair of these under the tree as a replacement. The Vuori Sunday Performance Joggers are a best-seller because of their sporty and fresh look that’s ideal for everything from travel to Sunday afternoon football.

Brass Monkey Goods Misunderstood Songs Game

Brass Monkey Goods

$18

Misunderstood Songs Game

While sweet dreams can be made of cheese, that’s not exactly what the Eurythmics were singing about. If he’s the type of guy who can’t help but make up his own lyrics (is that not the most dad-like habit ever?), he’ll crush at this party game that asks you to identify popular songs via hilariously incorrect lyrics. Played competitively or casually with friends or just the two of you, it’s guaranteed to bring out the laughs.

Brooklinen Super Plush Robe

Brooklinen

$99

Super Plush Robe

If he’s not already a robe convert, he will be after opening this one! The Super-Plush Robe from Brooklinen is made from 100% Turkish cotton that brings the spa vibes every time he wraps himself up.

FinaMill Pepper Mill & Spice Grinder

FinaMill

$44.99

Pepper Mill & Spice Grinder

Home chef foodies will adore this sleek gadget that grinds spices on demand. Just fill the reusable FinaMill pods with your spice of choice, pop onto the battery-operated grinder and have fresh ground spices in an instant! We can already see him pretending he’s waiting tables at the Olive Garden as he offers fresh cracked pepper on your pasta.

Fulton Roark The Essentials Motherly

Fulton & Roark

$95

The Essentials

He doesn’t even have to be a cologne kind of guy to appreciate Fulton & Roark. The American fine fragrance company crafts some of the most evocative and intoxicating solid scents and delivers them in a badass (and portable!) metal container that can be refilled over and over. Add in their gorgeously packaged aluminum-free deodorant and a triple-milled bar of soap and this gift set may just unlock his inner product junkie.

Rumpl Nanoloft Flame Blanket Crimson

Rumpl

$130

Nanoloft Flame Blanket Crimson

Kids who won’t leave the house without a blanket in tow are really onto something. Consider the blankets from Rumpl the grown up version. Designed for every kind of outdoor adventure, the clever, packable design is water and fire-resistant so it can go practically anywhere. (And not suffer from jumping bonfire embers!) Is he a camping fanatic? For those chilly nights under the stars, snaps along the edge convert it into a wearable cloak or even a sleeping bag. Ready to pack up and go home? Just stuff it back into the stuff sack (which is about the size of a water bottle) and be on your merry way. Seriously, even Linus would be jealous of this blanket.

Spy Optic Flynn

Spy

$230

Flynn Glasses

Make the world a happier place–or at least make it look that way–with the Happy Boost lenses from Spy. These therapeutic sunglasses keep his eyes safe from harmful rays while also boosting mood and alertness by enhancing the color and contrast of the world around him. The visually-stunning polarization also helps cut glare whether he’s working on his golf swing or reeling in the catch of the day.

Outerknown Blanket Shirt

Outerknown

$168

Blanket Shirt

You know how dudes can have a tendency to wear the same thing over and over and over until it’s threadbare and in tatters because they love it so much? Well what if I told you there’s a shirt out there they can love and wear that much but it will still look super hot? Meet the iconic Outerknown Blanket Shirt. The durable, woven design rocks a laid back but still put together aesthetic and it’s versatile enough to wear for almost any occasion. It comes in over 20 different patterns which is great because it’s likely he’ll want a whole collection.

Carhartt Knit Beanie

Carhartt

$19.99

Knit Beanie

Can a dad ever really have enough beanies? The simple knit from Carhartt has over 115K five-star ratings and comes in a ton of different colors. A guaranteed hit!

dryrobe Advance Long Sleeve

dryrobe

$195

Advance Long Sleeve

No matter his outdoor interests, dryrobe is the piece of gear he never knew he needed. Part wind-breaking parka, part cozy robe, it’s designed to dry him off and keep him warm no matter the elements. The oversize construction makes it possible to do a quick change underneath while keeping your core temperature up (and without flashing everyone around!) Surfer dads, camping enthusiasts, cold plunge aficionados, swimmers–we can’t think of an adventurer who wouldn’t think this is the coolest gift ever. And on the rare occasions he’s on the sidelines? It’s the perfect thing for winter sport spectating.

Hatch Restore 2

Hatch

$199.99

Restore 2 Alarm Clock & Sound Machine

This gift is perfect for dads who have young kids because it’s like having a personal care assistant that you plug in. Do you need an alarm? This clock has you covered. Soothing sounds? Wind-down time? Meditative lighting? A gentle “sunrise alarm” that won’t give you a heart attack in the morning? Well, here you go.

The best part is, you’ll both benefit from this gadget gift!

Patagonia Black Hole MLC

Patagonia

$239

Black Hole MLC

I recently bought this bag as a birthday gift to replace my husband’s 25 year old Black Hole bag. The 90’s version would still be going strong if it hadn’t lost a fight with the luggage belt at JFK and come out in shreds. (Even the mighty have weaknesses, I suppose.) It’s so well designed, there was no need to shop around. The clamshell construction makes it easy to keep all your clothes and essentials organized and easy to find without digging while the multiple carry options make it a dream to transport. And since it’s Patagonia you can rest assured it’s a good for the planet as it is for his adventures.

Fly By Jing Holiday Triple Threat

Fly By Jing

$45

Holiday Triple Threat

Blow his hot sauce loving mind with this trio from Fly By Jing. Inspired by the flavors of Jing founder’s favorite Chengdu restaurants, these spicy-but-addicting Sichuan sauces are made to electrify your tastebuds. Drizzle the Sichuan Chili Crisp over everything from chicken wings to pumpkin soup. Punch up stir frys with the sweet and tangy Zhong Sauce and add and instant oh-la-la to practically anything with the Mala Spice Mix. Clear permanent space on the pantry shelves because this trio is about to become a staple.

Screen Shot 2021 11 05 at 2.48.53 PM Motherly

BioLite

$359.82

Firepit Cooking Kit

Outdoor fire pits are the best part about cold weather, right? Well, now you can upgrade the entire fire pit experience by firing up some delicious outdoor meals. You can grill, sauté, or simply warm up your favorite foods. It’s the perfect kit for an outdoor dad gathering!

apple-air-tag

Apple

$29

AirTag

From keeping tabs on his mountain bike to ensuring he never misplaces his wallet again, Apple AirTags help keep track of all the important things. One-tap set up pairs them with his iPhone or iPad so he can track their whereabouts no matter where they wander off to.

Tilit Wrinkle Free Chef Apron

Tilit

$75

Wrinkle Free Chef Apron

This is perfect for the chef in your life. The classic cook’s aprons from NYC-based Tilit cover enough clothing to keep them from getting stained, plus have deep enough pockets theycan hold a dishtowel or a phone. If Dad wants to whip up some Sunday morning pancakes, this is the way to do it.

Oura Ring

Oura

$299

Oura Ring Generation 3

The innovative and hyper-informative Ōura ring isn’t just for health-minded tech nerds. As one of the most accurate wearables currently on the market, it’s ideal for any dad who wants to better understand their body and patterns to optimize everything from sleep to workouts. With 24/7 heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen sensing and seven temperature sensors, this durable little ring provides a mind-blowing amount of data that’s served up in their app via three daily scores–sleep, activity and readiness. Armed with that info he can take actionable steps to stay active and improve his overall health. It’s also got a leg up on the competition as it’s super comfortable to wear 24/7 and the charge lasts up to a full week.

man in black vest

Buck Mason

$275

Cascade Down Expedition Vest

Buck Mason’s timeless looks are always on point, so IMHO you can’t go wrong with anything. (And trust me, I’ve spent an embarrassing amount of time shopping on their site because well, look at their models. Come ON.) I’ve picked out a few things for my guy but my current favorite is the Cascade Down Expedition Vest which is not only super warm thanks to a genuine down fill, but goes with practically everything in his closet.

retrospec olive snow shoes

Retrospec

$64.99

Drifter Snow Shoes

Maybe he’s an action sports guy that needs a little less action now and then. Or maybe you’re looking for a way to beat the winter doldrums in the great outdoors without testing the limits of your health insurance. Either way, a pair of snow shoes makes an awesome gift. This pair from Retrospec are easy to take on and off and perfect for beginners. (Don’t forget the poles!)

Stanley Quencher

Stanley

$50

The Quencher H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler

There’s no doubt the Stanley tumbler is the trendiest cup out there these days. And even though keeping up with the latest TikTok trends might not be on his short list of things to care about, he will appreciate the function. The oversize tumblers are a great design, holding 40 oz of liquid but still fitting in a standard cup holder. Also, the cleverly constructed lid features a rotating top that lets you drink from a straw, sip from the wide-mouth opening or close it when not in use. See? Fashion and function.

Atoms Model 000

Atoms

$145

Model 000

An everyday sneaker he’ll never want to take off. The NYC-based (and HONY profiled) Atoms sneakers are engineered to not only offer the perfect fit right out of the box, but contour perfectly to your feet as you wear them. Made from a lightweight and flexible polyurethane-coated knit yarn and a cushy proprietary foam midsole, the true magic is in their revolutionary sizing structure. Since 60% of people do not have identically sized feet, Atoms offers their styles in quarter-size increments which can be mixed and matched. (How brilliant is that?!) Add an insole that features antimicrobial copper thread to keep them fresh and he may never go back to wearing anything else.

Yeti Soft Backpack Cooler

Yeti

$325

M20 Soft Backpack Cooler

Before becoming dads, did dads like coolers? We’ll never really know. But this we do know: Dads don’t just like coolers, they love them. Yeti, the granddaddy of luxe coolers makes some of the greatest on the market. Of course you can’t go wrong with a traditional style, but we love the flexibility of the soft sided backpack style. It’s roomy enough to pack a day’s worth of snacks and drinks, is super easy to schlep, and can go practically anywhere.

big blanket co red plaid blanket

Big Blanket Co.

$159

Original Stretch Blanket

As a 5′ 2″ woman, I have to admit I never really thought about the throw blanket struggles tall people suffer from. However, I do take snuggling VERY seriously, so when I learned about Big Blanket Co. they had all of my attention. At 10 x 10 their best-selling signature blankets are 50% bigger than a king size quilt–a must-have for movie night but double as the ultimate fort builder. (Because you’re never too old for that.)

meater

Meater

$99.95

Meater Plus

Sure, he might pride himself on his grill prowess and instinct for taking that ribeye off at just the right time, but it’s 2021. There’s an app for that. MEATER, the cleverly named Bluetooth-enabled wireless meat thermometer is the upgrade he never knew he needed. The dual sensor probe monitors both internal and external temperatures to take the guesswork out of cooking allllll the meat, indoors and out.

Thousand Traveler Magnetic Bike Lights

Thousand

$70

Traveler Magnetic Bike Lights

Now that the sun sets at 4:30, his bike commute home might be a bit dim. Keep him safe with the USB rechargeable bike lights from Thousand. The clever magnetic design means he can easily take them along when he locks up his bike and three light modes make them even more versatile.

Olukai mea ola sandal

Olukai

$129.95

Moloa Slipper

Even if he doesn’t think he’s a slipper guy, Olukai is bound to convince him otherwise. Designed with their signature fold-down heel, these leather indoor/outdoor slip ons are lined with sheepskin to keep his feet warm and toasty without getting sweaty. Apologies in advance if he starts wearing them out of the house.

the-dad-hoodie

The Dad Hoodie

$98

The Dad Hoodie

Not convinced on the diaper bag front? That’s fine. Try the Dad Hoodie instead. It’s like what MacGyver would wear if he had to hotwire a car with a paperclip while also carting a tot around. Interior mesh pockets provide a place for everything without adding bulk or necessitating a bag that slows him down.

RadWagon4

Rad Power Bikes

$1899

RadWagon 4

From hauling kids to groceries, Rad Power Bikes cargo bikes make a great case for ditching that second car. Strong, versatile and super customizable, the RadWagon 4 can go up to 45+ miles per charge, tackling hills and bumps like a total champ. And with add ons like child seats, heavy-duty panniers and deck pads, everyone and everything can ride with ease.

Bern Watts 2.0 Winter Helmet with Compass Fit

Bern

$170

Watts 2.0 Winter Helmet with Compass Fit

You’d never let your kiddos hop on their bike or snowboard without their helmet—and dad shouldn’t either. The visor-style Winter Watts helmet from Bern is a top choice for its stylish profile, impressive MIPS tech and all-season wearability when paired with Bern’s summer liner.

ibex-gaitor

Ibex

$42

Indie Quick Link

The truth is, neck gaitors are a truly undervalued accessory. The lightweight wool gaiters from the base-layer experts at Ibex are ideal for keeping necks warm or free of sun and perfect for keeping your face covered on busy or blustery trails.

weatherman umbrella

Weatherman

$89

Windproof Golf Umbrella

From the golf course to the elementary school soccer field, a tough umbrella can be a total lifesaver. The ones that turn inside out with a strong gust? Not so much. This bad boy is designed to withstand 55 mph winds and is guaranteed to make Al Roker jealous.

A version of this article was published November 12, 2021. It has been updated.