11 perfect outdoors picks for Father’s Day gifts

Dad’s big day is coming up soon, and you’re still wondering what to get the outdoor lover of the family?
I’ve got 11 can’t be beat Father’s Day gifts to keep him happy on the next summer camping, hiking, fishing or outdoor trek:
Dad always needs a compact, but yet complete cook and eat system for the food he prepares at the backcountry camp site, and the MSR Quick 2{trade} System Fast and Light Cookware ($99.95) is the perfect solution. The insulated mugs and DeepDish{trade} plates combine with both nonstick and uncoated hard-anodized aluminum for the ultimate in lightweight, cooking gear. The cookware is available at any REI store or Outdoor & More, 510 Westlake Ave. N. in Seattle or www.rei.com or www.mountaingear.com or www.backcountrygear.com.
The family owned 85-year-old matriarch of Columbia Sportswear Gert Boyle knows high quality and value are key to their products.
Take the Columbia Sportswear Mid Omni-Tech Boots ($90) for example, which can handle the most rugged days on the trail or the wettest of days out on the fishing boat.
The boots are made of a waterproof breathable material to keep you protected from the elements, yet allows perspiration to escape so you stay dry. You can purchase them at the Columbia Sportswear Store, 290 Pine St. in Seattle (206-443-7639) or www.zappos.com.
The REI Halo Plus-25 Sleeping Bag ($179) is almost as light as a feather, and you won’t even know you’re carrying this on a long backpacking trek.
The goose down insulated sleeping bag was presented the 2009 Best of Adventure Gear Award by National Geographic Adventure, and was honestly rated to sleep comfortably down to 25 degrees. Details: www.rei.com or visit any REI store.
The ecoSensitive{trade} REI Lookout 40 Daypack ($89.50) is made from 100-percent recycled post-consumer recycled PET polyester fabric, and each pack keeps 26 16-ounce plastic bottles out of landfills.
The durable daypack has plenty of pockets for gear, and a free-flow egg crate foam back panel designed to improve comfort, with channels for air circulation to keep your back cool and dry. Details: www.rei.com or visit any REI store.
The Mountain Hardwear Typhoon Jacket ($200) is the perfect jacket to beat all the elements. It is made with Gore-Tex(r) PacLite(r), which is engineered specifically to be light, packable and more breathable. An attached, rollaway hood wicks off the wetness. Details: www.rei.com or visit any REI store.
The Le Towele ($12.99, includes free shipping) is a must have for fishermen who needs their towel right at their side to wipe off your hands after baiting a line. The 14″ x 16″ microfiber towel attaches to a retractable cord which draws back into a clip-on waistband device. Details: www.argeecorp.com/HTML/letowele.htm.
The Gerber Crucial Tool ($44.95) is a stylish compact, lightweight knife that is crammed with essential features like the Multi-plier, wire-cutters, flat head screwdriver, half serrated and half fine edge blade, a blunt knife tip for prying and scraping, cross head screwdriver, bottle opener and carabiner. It also folds to a compact size of 3.5 inches. Details: www.gerbergear.com.
Have you ever found yourself looking for a must have item in your backpack? The Coghlan’s Camper’s Kit in a Bottle ($13) is jam packed with everything you need to take on your next camping trip. It includes a 1-liter shatter resistant polycarbonate bottle (carabineer attached); a camper’s multi-tool; a sheath; flashlight; first aid kit pack with first aid guide, multi sized bandages, gauze pads, alcohol pad, moleskin, travel towel and steel needle; and a poncho. Details: www.coghlans.com.
When the sun goes down there are two ways to keep things lit up in your campsite or hiking trail. The Energizer Trailfinder Series 6 LED Headlight ($14.99-$17.99) offers a bright white, spotlight and flood light for maximum lighting, plus a red LED for lowlight conditions. Those looking for even more power can check out the Energizer Ultimate Lithium Headlight ($54.99) that packs 80 to 100 lumens of light boosted to 140 lumens for a short period of time. The Trailfinder Series Headlights are available at Wal-Mart, and the Ultimate Lithium Headlight is available at Target. Details: www.energizer.com.
A must have item on your next family outdoor trip are the Motorola Talkabout MR350R two-way radios ($79.99). With a coverage range of 35 miles, NOAA weather alerts, hand-free operation, an emergency alert button and even flexible charging from the car, PC or desktop or backup AA batteries do the job make these the perfect gift for fathers to share with everyone. The radio also has a built-in LED flashlight, and boasts 22 channels, each with 121 privacy codes for 2,662 combinations of clear, uninterrupted connections. Details: www.hellomoto.com.
___


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.