So, our last gift list, Shopping for Dads, featured gift ideas that ranged in price from $54 up to a mortgage payment…or even two, depending on your interest rate.
For those looking for options in a more manageable range, here are gift ideas for Dad that top out at $50. OK, that’s pre-tax so technically speaking these might go over $50, but that’s entirely the government’s fault.
Let’s jump right in, because there’s no better time to start spending money than right now.
5.11 Wyatt Print Short Sleeve Shirt
5.11’s Wyatt Print Short Sleeve Shirt is a lightweight 60% cotton/40% polyester poplin, 3.1 oz. everyday button down collared shirt. Its features include left chest on-seam pocket, center front RapiDraw™ placket with 5.11 [+]® logo metal snaps, double layer yokes, and shirt tail hem. What that all means, I don’t exactly know. What I do know is that I have a 5.11 short sleeve shirt and it fits great and is super comfortable, so I don’t think you can go wrong with one of these for Dad.
This shirt comes in sizes small to 2XL and in Storm Scorpion Print, Sage Green Earth Stripe, Pacific Navy Earth Stripe and Overcast Grey Earth Stripe. My pick would be the Sage Green. MSRP on this shirt is $50.00.
NEXTORCH K30 High Performance LED Penlight
The K30 High Performance LED Penlight from NEXTORCH is a small, everyday flashlight. It’s pen-like form factor makes it easy to carry at 5.6” long and a weight of just 1.2 oz (without battery). It is powered by a dual fuel system of an included rechargeable 10880 Li-ion battery with USB-C convenience, or two standard AAA batteries.
The dual power system offers four modes of output – low, medium, high or strobe – with a maximum output of 850 lumens, and a runtime of up to 12 hours. The K30 is also IPX7 waterproof rated, meaning it can be submerged in 1m of water for up to 30 minutes without permanent damage. MSRP is $49.99.
BRISK 2.0 Zytel 4 1/2″ Sideliner
Dad might not want to carry around a ‘Stabby McStabby’ for, you know, just in case. But who are we kidding? Of course he does. So the BRISK™ 2.0 Zytel® 4 1/2″ Sideliner from Bear Edge might be what you’re looking for.
The BRISK 2.0 features 3-1/8″ modified drop point blade made of 440 high-carbon stainless steel with a black finish. The Zytel® handle is lightweight and features jimping for added control. Each model has ambidextrous thumb studs, a sideliner lock, and a reversible pocket clip. The overall length is 7-3/4″ and the weight is just 3.4 oz. Choose from four TrueTimber® finishes: Midnight Black (61552), Rift Blue (61553), Strata (61554), and Viper White (61555). MSRP is $40.99.
Real Avid Bore Boss
We’re going to assume Dad is a shooter, otherwise why would you be reading The Outdoor Wire, right? As a shooter, Dad can never have enough cleaning supplies in his range bag, and that’s why the Bore Boss® from Real Avid makes for a perfect gift.
This self-contained cleaning system is lightweight, super convenient and comes in 12 options covering 17 Cal to 12 GA. The design of the Bore Boss is kind of ingenious. You can watch their video which explains how to use it, but in a nutshell the process is flip open the polycarbonate flex case, feed the dual-action cable with phosphor bronze brush and braided mop, clip it to the ergonomic handle, pull the coated stainless steel cable through the barrel and Bob's your uncle.
When you’re done you just wrap the cable back around the handle and flip close. The best part about the Bore Boss might be its price. At just $12.99 you can get one for Dad’s three favorite guns and still be under the $50 limit.
MOJO Pocket Pick Stick
If Dad is a shotgunner, or shotgun hunter (think dove), then he’s probably going to want a MOJO® Pocket Pick Stick. This collapsible Pick Stick features double shock cord snaps so it can collapse into 10 1/2″ sections. It comes with a mesh bag and fits in the pocket, your blind bag, or range bag.
The beauty of this piece of gear is that its magnetic adjustable shaft is specially designed to cause empty shotgun hulls to “walk” up the side and thus allow one to pick. In case you’re wondering, Dad don’t wanna bend down and pick up all his empties, so do him a favor and give him one of these this Father’s Day. MSRP is only $29.99.
VIKTOS Gloves
I have two pairs of VIKTOS Gloves, and I quite like them. Peter Churchbourne, the NRA’s hunting guru extraordinaire, recommended them to me and he was on point with the recommendation.
VIKTOS has several different versions of their gloves that are currently on clearance. In stock sizes and colorways are limited, in some cases very limited, but it’s worth searching through the options if you can find a pair that fits Dad.
The VIKTOS gloves on clearance are: Operatus Glove ($12.00), LEO Half-Finger Glove ($9.00), LEO Riot Glove ($40.00), Kadre Glove Kit ($30.00), Range Trainer Glove ($20.00), Wartorn Vented Glove ($15.00), Wartorn Glove ($15.00), and Shortshot Glove ($35.00).
Steelhead Outdoors Keepers
If Dad has a gun safe or metal gun cabinet, Steelhead Outdoors has exactly what you need to help him organize his stuff. The Bow Keeper attaches magnetically to the upper corner of your gun safe and has a steel powder-coated bracket with a rubber protection edge on the elongated metal hook. This allows you to hang on to most cams and bow limbs, holding up to a maximum of 30 lbs.
The Case Keeper attaches magnetically to the upper corner of your gun safe and has eight hooks you can slide along the hanging rod. The overall length is just over 17 inches so it will fit on all safes 17.5 inches or deeper. The Compact Case Keeper comes with six hooks, can hold a maximum of 30 lbs, and is just over 14 inches long to fit safes 14.5 inches or deeper.
Bow Keeper is $35.00, the Case Keeper is $49.99 and the Compact Case Keeper is $44.00. Best of all, these can also be attached to that fridge/freezer in the garage where Dad stores his wild game meat…and beer.
GOVIEW CLOSR - Smartphone Adapter
The CLOSR - Smartphone Adapter is designed to work with their ZOOMR products but thanks to three universal adapter rings that come with the CLOSR, it’s compatible with many other optics products.
The CLOSR allows you to attach your smartphone – it fits almost all popular smartphones – to your binoculars, a monocular or even a spotting scope, though certainly not all. Once attached you can capture images and video, making it ideal for scouting hunting locations, spotting wildlife, and stakeouts…assuming Dad’s side hustle is as a hard-boiled P.I. The CLOSR goes for $25.00.
Gerber Prybrid Utility Clip
The Prybrid Utility Clip from Gerber is a hybrid tool. It weighs a scant 3.1 oz and is only 4.25 inches in length and 1.25 inches wide. It’s the kind of pocket tool that Dad will carry, if he fancies himself a bit of a MacGyver. And spoiler alert, he absolutely does.
The Prybrid combines several light-use tools in one package: an exchangeable standard utility blade, cord cut notch, bottle opener (the most important tool to Dad), pry bar, large flat head driver, small flat head driver, nail puller, and wire stripper.
The Prybrid is designed to eliminate the need for a sheath. Dad can clip it to his pocket, throw it in the glovebox of the car/truck, or add it to a keychain. It’s on sale for Father’s Day and will set you back between $15.00 to $23.99 depending on which of the three colors you select. Choose from Burnt Orange or Urban Blue (glass filled nylon handles) or OD Green (G-10 handle).
— Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network