Princeton Tec Helix Backcountry Rechargeable Lantern
When it comes to camping light, the days of smoky kerosene lanterns or drippy wax candles are long gone. Even big battery-sucking electric lamps are things of the past. Camp lighting today means rechargeable LED lanterns, and the one any camping dad would love to receive as a gift is the newly revised Princeton Tec Helix Backcountry Rechargeable.
This compact lantern puts out a whopping 300 lumens as full power and runs for more than 6 hours at top output – turn it down to a low glow and it will stay illuminated for something like 110 hours (we weren’t able to test that – we literally ran out of time!)
In addition to the standard bright white light, the Helix also has a red-light option so campers can use it while preserving their night vision. This setting proved especially useful while stargazing from remote camps. When not in use, the Helix compresses down to a compact bundle for easy storage and transport. The unit sports a top loop for hanging, and slotted foldable legs it can be positioned on tables, hung from lines or branches, or even clipped onto pack straps.
The Princeton Tec Helix Backcountry Rechargeable proved to be the most efficient and versatile camp light we’ve used to date. $55. Buy Now.
Princeton Tec Snap Solo Headlamp
While any father would love the gift of the Helix lantern for camp lighting, truly adventurous dads need lighting while out hiking, fishing, hunting, or playing hide-and-seek with the kids. For these dads, the perfect gift is the Princeton Tec Snap Solo headlamp.
This unique handlamp boasts a magnetic head unit that can be popped off its headband base to use as a traditional mini flashlight. But there’s nothing mini about its illumination as it throws out 300 lumens of light and runs for up to 150 hours. The magnetic connector also lets users lock the light onto steel surfaces for targeted lighting. We found this incredibly useful when attached to the open top of our camp stove, or to the side of our truck when changing out of wet fishing gear after getting back to the rig after dark. $35. Buy Now
High Camp Highball Shaker
Sometimes, families fall into the habit of buying ‘dad’ gifts that are really for the kids. If that’s been the case, the High Camp Shaker is the perfect gift just for dad.
This three-in-one cocktail tool lets you chill and mix the perfect cocktail – shaken, not stirred – then strain out the ice and serve. And if you don’t have a cocktail glass, the shaker base serves as a highball tumbler. You can even seal the shaker up and safely pack your cocktail for later enjoyment. The 20-ounce vacuum-insulated unit will keep your beverage chilled for hours – though dad will likely prefer to mix-and-drink in a much shorter time frame than that! $79. Buy now.
High Camp Torch Shot Glass 2-Pack
If dead old dad isn’t into cocktails, and prefers his whisky* neat, High Camp offers another great gift: the Torch Shot Glass set. Packaged in a soft wool-felt roll case, these two insulated stainless-steel glasses are perfect for sharing a dram of good Scotch at riverside after a day of fishing, or around the fire in camp. Each glass holds 3 ounces of liquid – so a hearty offering of the good stuff – and features a grooved exterior to keep the glass firmly in hand with no slippage.
High Camp designers refer to these shot glasses as “Whiskey Sipping Tumblers” and that’s an accurate description. Any dad who loves brown liquor served neat will love these glasses. $39. Buy now.
Arc’Teryx Beta Jacket
No one likes to be drenched in a rainstorm, even during warm summer days. So, any hiking dad would love to receive a new featherweight rain shell like the Arc’Teryx Beta Jacket. This sleek jacket features Gore-Tex technology lined with Gore C-knit backer for next-to-skin comfort. The shell is cut for a close fit over minimal layers, making it incredibly effective during 3-season use.
The jacket design includes minimal frills – a couple of deep side pockets, a slim inside pocket, and a streamlined hood round out the features. But minimal frills help improve performance. The jacket’s clean profile sheds water easily, and it dries quickly so you can move it in and out of a pack as needed without worrying about transferring a lot of water into your pack after a squall.
The Beta Jacket is sleek, attractive, and incredibly efficient in keeping out moisture. $400. Buy now.
Patagonia Swiftcurrent Wet Wading Pant
Angling dads know that the summer months mean ditching the waders and getting wet. Patagonia also understands this and offers a great gift idea for fly fishing fathers: the Swiftcurrent Wet Wading Pant.
Designed to be worn into the river, the relaxed fit of these pants offers good freedom of movement while fighting strong river currents. But the recycled nylon material also dries incredibly fast, so when you leave the river, you won’t be bogged down by soggy fabric as you move on to the next hole.
The design boasts a couple of secure pockets, a deep cargo pocket for gear, and a slim ‘trash-keeper’ pocket so anglers can stash old tippets and leaders until they can get to a waste receptacle.
The Swiftcurrent Wet Wading Pants are the perfect summer angling wear for fly fishing fathers everywhere. $99. Buy now.
MSR LowDown Remote Stove Adapter
Dads love anything that makes life easier, and the new MSR LowDown Remote Stove Adapter does just that. This unique tool lets backpackers turn any canister-top butane stoves into freestanding stoves, making them more versatile and efficient.
The LowDown features fold-out legs stable enough for a tiny stove like the MSR Pocket Rocket 2, or something a bit heavier. By moving the stove off the top of the fuel canister, the LowDown creates a more stable cooking surface for when you need to heat up larger pans or cook for crowds. The LowDown includes a smooth-operating fuel valve that lets you precisely control the flame intensity and because the valve is remote from the stove base, it’s safer to operate with the larger pans.
The LowDown Remote Stove Adaptor weighs just 6.2 ounces. $50. Buy Now.
