by Tribune Content Agency and Eileen Ogintz, Taking The Kids, June 8, 2017
Maybe he's an avid camper. Maybe he's a fisherman or sailor, a hiker, golfer or biker.
However the dads in your life enjoy the outdoors, there is plenty of new gear to enhance their experience -- just in time for Father's Day.
That's if you were planning on a gift. According to survey from DealNews.com, a leading shopping comparison site, significantly more people planned to buy gifts for their moms for Mother's Day than for their Dads -- 46 percent vs. just 30 percent for dad.
Certainly it was a lot easier when all you had to do was buy a tie or some handkerchiefs, but you've still got time to show the dads in your life how much you love them -- without busting the budget.
Perhaps a mildly subversive America Strikes Back T-shirt for those politically-minded dads who don't support President Trump to wear on the hiking trail? Perhaps a moisture-wicking shirt that has built in UV protection (those from Coolibar offer UPF 50+ protection and block 98 percent of UVA/UVB rays, they promise).
If the Dad in your life has always wanted to learn to scuba dive, a gift certificate for the PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) e-learning program ($179) would be appreciated. He could complete the first steps of his dive certification process online and get certified at a resort later.
Here are 10 other guaranteed to please gift ideas:
SUNGLASSES that are lightweight, sturdy, look good and don't cost a fortune. Check out the line from REKS Optics that combine the highest quality shatter-resistant polycarbonate lenses with stylish, unbreakable frames for just $50 or less. Under Armour Eyewear promises enhanced vision in a lens that's up to 10 times stronger than traditional polycarbonate lenses, are designed for active pursuits and cost less than $100. And for those who wear glasses, perhaps a gift certificate for Zenni Optical with new eyewear styles that come with magnetic snap-on shades that, depending on your prescription, can be had for just $50.
A NEW BEVERAGE BOTTLE from Tiger that's stainless steel, lightweight and promises to keep beverages hot or cold for eight hours. It's just $25 to $30. Throw in a 10-pack of Kuju Coffee (less than $25), an innovative new coffee product developed by two Eagle Scout brothers. The filter fits right onto your cup and enables Dad to make good coffee just by pouring over hot water.
A BACKPACK COOLER from Engel Coolers that's easy to carry and proven to keep food cold for about three days and has room for two-dozen cans of beer or soft drinks. There's a padded pocket for sunglasses, phones, etc., and you can carry it with a handle or as a backpack -- great for a day hike with a picnic or on a boat! $129.
MOISTURE-WICKING UNDIES like the new Sol Cool Cooling Underwear from ExOfficio (www.exofficio.com) that feels like cotton but wicks moisture and adapts to your body temperature ($38 to $46). Columbia, meanwhile, has diamond mesh trunks for men that wick away moisture and are antimicrobial, keeping you dry and comfortable even on the steamiest days. They're available from Amazon for $34 for two.
WASH THE WET AND DIRTY TRAIL CLOTHES in a Scrubba wash bag, which is a lot more hygienic than washing in a dirty sink or bucket. Think of it as a flexible washboard in a lightweight bag. All you need to do is add cleaning liquid, water, rub for a couple of minutes, and then hang to dry, $55.
A PORTABLE BATTERY BOOSTER that also protects your guy's phone, from mophie -- delivers up to 100 percent extra battery with enough power to extend the life of your iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. (It's $99, though you might find it elsewhere for less.) Weego portable jump starters (starting at $69) are powered by a battery and can charge or jumpstart virtually anything on the road or on water, including phones, mobile devices, laptops and any device that uses a car charger or USB port.
A SMARTER FITNESS TRACKER from TOMTOM, including the TomTom Adventurer (under $300), equipped with a barometer and compass that tracks distance, altitude, descent and speed. Upload 15 trails and also enjoy an integrated music player with Bluetooth speakers. (For golfers, there's the TomTom Golfer 2 with automatic shot detection that allows you to see how far you've hit each ball. It also updates you on more than 40,000 courses around the world.
A credit card-sized multi-tool from Lever Gear called The Toolcard -- 40 tools in one that would be appreciated at any campsite or boat. It can even be used to fix a flat tire! There are screwdrivers, bottle openers, cord cutters, wrenches, and more. Personalize with dad's name. It's TSA compliant and less than $50.
CLOTHING THAT REPELS BUGS -- hats, pants, shirts, hoodies, neckerchiefs. My husband was skeptical too but they really do work. Find "no fly" options from L.L. Bean or "DeBug" styles from Toad & Co. also www.rei.com, among others. They continue to provide protection even after many washings.
FOR THE SHUTTERBUG DAD, from Polaroid, there's a new small Cube+WI-FI Lifestyle Action Camera ($149.99 from Amazon.com). With a magnet on the bottom, this camera can mount just about anywhere, including on a bike, for video or photos.
Time to start shopping?
(The 2nd edition of Eileen's Kid's Guide to Washington, D.C., has just been released. For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow "taking the kids" on www.twitter.com, where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.)
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