Father’s Day Gear: Trail
Kit up, then get out
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Twelve of our favorite products for running, hiking, and biking this summer.
Want more ideas? Check out the complete Topo Designs Klettersack ($170)
Leather lash tabs and a boxy design give this bag an old-school look, but it also comes with modern amenities like a laptop sleeve, making it great for commuting. Stitched from 1000-denier Cordura fabric, Topo offers 15 different color choices.
Icebreaker MerinoLoft Ellipse Long Sleeve Half Zip Hood Jacket ($230)
This is the ultimate midlayer, with thick anti-stink merino fabric on the arms paired with a wool insulation over the core. We used it hiking, biking, and camping, and then layered it under a shell when winter returned.
Mountain Standard Backpacking Meals (From $5)
If Dad plans to spend the night on the trail, save his taste buds from the traditional freeze-dried food options and pick him up a few of Mountain Standard's new flavors. In particular, we love the Carrot Cake pancakes which rival those of your favorite brunch joint. Or, for a special pre-dinner snack, try the Black Bean and Mango salsa which comes to life with just a cup of water.
Electric Knoxville S Sunglasses (From $120)
The Knoxville S sunglasses are the perfect mix of style and performance. They're svelte enough to work on smaller faces, while the Grilamid plastic frames can take an absolute pounding. We also like the extra grippy nose bridge and temple tips that kept the glasses from sliding off during sweaty adventures.
Mountain Hardwear Supercharger Shell Jacket ($225)
The Supercharger weighs a scant 6.1 ounces and compresses to the size of an orange, but it'll keep you dry when it rains, with its 2.5-layer Dry Q fabric. Perfect for day hikes or weekend backpacking trips.
Canon PowerShot G5 X Camera ($700)
Point-and-shoot cameras have had to up their game recently. Case in point: the G5 X, which weighs less than a pound but still has a high definition electronic viewfinder, a 4.2 optical zoom, and captures crisp 20.2-megapixel stills and full HD video at up to 60 fps.
Buck Knives Small Folding Selkirk ($50)
The wood-grain handle on this knife is made of micarta, which provides grip even when wet. It also comes with a 420HC steel blade, which holds an edge as well as those on knives that cost twice as much.
Bigtruck OG Sublimated Mountain Peak Trucker Hat ($35)
Up your trucker-hat game without looking like you're trying too hard. Bigtruck's Mountain Peaks hat has a curved brim that isn’t as bold as a flat one, and a subtle wilderness graphic doesn’t scream “wannabe” on the trail.
Mammut Seon Transporter Pack ($140)
A climbing bag-cum-commuter pack? Believe it. This moisture-shedding, 26-liter model has a compartment with a padded laptop sleeve for business and a ventilated shoe pocket for performance.
Yeti Rambler 18-Ounce Bottle ($40)
Yeti now builds bomber water bottles to match their coolers. Made from double-walled, vacuum-insulated stainless steel, it’s nearly indestructible and will keep water cold for a ridiculously long time. Bonus points for the wide, easy-pour mouth.
Lululemon Bowline Shorts ($78)
Made from water repellent, two-way stretch fabric, the eight-inch Bowline shorts are perfect for hiking or casual days on the water. The stretch waist makes them super comfy for all-day wear and the clean khaki look is nice enough to wear with a polo.
Voormi Short Sleeve Merino Tech Tee ($70)
Most of us know Voormi for their winter gear. But it now makes great summer kit, too. This tee is our go-to for summer hikes, with a two-layer construction that’s soft on the skin and wicks moisture at the speed of sweat.
Nike LunarEpic Flyknit Shield Running Shoe ($155)
These kicks have a woven sleeve that wraps over the ankle to give them a custom-like fit. Other cool tech includes Flywire, which threads thin strands of a rigid fiber through the shoe's body to reduce weight while increasing stability, and a laser-siped sole for pillowy landings.
Crank Brothers M19 Bike Tool ($35)
If dad rides a bike, he needs this tool. It has 19 different gadgets, weighs just six ounces, and comes with textured metal grips for plenty of purchase when he’s wrenching.