In preparation for Father’s Day this Sunday, we’ve spent the entire week here at the Gear Institute offering up suggestions for great gift ideas for dad. On Monday, we took a look at some outstanding knives and multitools for instance, and then on Tuesday, we followed that up with some suggestions for camping and hiking gear as well. On Wednesday we shifted our focus to the best gifts for a dad who runs, and yesterday we did the same for cyclists. Now, we’ll round out the week with a collection of tech and travel gear that is sure to put a smile on your dad’s face.
Olympus Stylus TG-4 Rugged Camera
Thanks to smartphones, point and shoot cameras aren’t nearly as popular as they once were, but they certainly still have their place when traveling. Take the Olympus Stylus TG-4 for instance. This rugged little camera is meant to be taken on adventures, and is designed to survive just about everything you throw at it. Not only does it come with a 16MP sensor and the ability to capture video in resolutions up to 1080p, but it it’s tough housing is dust, shock, freeze, and waterproof too. The camera has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities for sharing images, and onboard GPS allows photos to be geotagged too. All of these features make the TG-4 an equally great choice for weekend escapes into the backcountry, or traveling to the far side of the planet to explore a far-off land. ($380)
Goal Zero Venture 30 Portable Power Pack
Keeping your personal electronics powered while traveling is always a challenge, but thankfully there are some lightweight and durable portable power packs available that can help. Take for instance the Venture 30 from Goal Zero, a compact and lightweight option for power on the go. This waterproof charger has a built-in battery capable of storing 7800 mAh, which is enough juice to recharge most smartphones up to three times, or a small tablet once. The Venture 30’s case is also rugged and waterproof, delivering a level of durability that you don’t always find in these kinds of portable chargers. The device features two built-in USB ports for powering multiple devices at once, and it even has an integrated flashlight as well. ($100)
Clothing Arts Travel Shirt
The right clothing can make all the difference when dad hits the road. Staying comfortable is of the utmost importance, and it doesn’t hurt if the clothes look good too. The Clothing Arts Travel Shirt meets all of that criteria, and than some. At first glance, this shirt looks like any other that you might see a traveler wearing on the streets of Kathmandu or Johannesburg. It is good looking in a classic sort of way that gives it a bit of a timeless feel. But upon closer inspection you’ll find that the Travel Shirt has a few tricks up its sleeve so to speak. For instance, the two chest pockets have hidden zippered pockets tucked away inside of them. These secret pockets are perfect for keeping valuables safe and out of sight, while providing a nice sense of security both while traveling at home, or abroad. This helps to set the Travel Shirt apart from competitors, and is something that any traveler can appreciate. ($70)
Clothing Arts also makes a line of Pick-Pocket Proof Pants that are excellent as well. ($110)
Apple Watch
The Apple Watch finally began appearing in stores earlier this week, making it much easier to get your hands on Apple’s hot new gadget. The Watch puts a host of functionality right on dad’s wrist, including reminders, notifications, and text messages. It can also assit in navigaiton, give weather updates, and control his music too. But it is the fitness capabilities of the watch that really make it shine, allowing users to track distances run or cycled, number of calories burned, and amount of time spent exercising. The device’s built-in heart rate monitor will help athletes track performance, while setting goals to improve their workouts over time too. It’ll even remind you to stand up every once in awhile, promiting more movement out of dad even when he isn’t at the gym. (Starts at $350)
Granite Gear Cross-Trek 26″ Duffel
If normal luggage simply doesn’t cut it for your dad, than take a look at the Cross-Trek Duffel from Granite Gear. This bag can convert from a standard wheeled suitcase to a backpack in a matter of seconds, making it an excellent choice no matter where he wanders. The 26″ Duffel offers plenty of room for carrying all of dad’s important gear, and it has numerous pockets, compartments, and chambers to help keep it all organized too. Durable and versatile, this is the type of bag that can be used on a weekend escape to the country, or a big journey to far-flung corners of the planet. ($190)
Bose QuietComfort 20i Noise Cancelling Earphones
If dad enjoys listening to his favorite music, audio books, and podcasts while on a long flight, than a pair of nose-cancelling earphones will be a welcome addition to his to his travel gear. The Bose QuietComfort 20i earbuds are not only very comfortable, but they provide outstanding sound too. But they also have an active noise cancelling system built-in which manages to block a great deal of ambient sounds like airplane engines, voices, and general background noise. Best of all, they are lightweight, compact, and easy to carry with you anywhere. ($250)
