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Our favorite gifts for dads, hand-picked by our team of reviewers
Everything from recovery sandals to travel accessories … basically just cool things we use all the time
To all the dads out there
Buy some stuff … or else.
This whole enterprise is pretty much run by dads. Thomas is a dad to two boys. I’m a dad to two boys. Karl is just a baddie daddy. But we all run and we all know what runners like. Which is why we hand curated this selection of the best gifts for the running dad, with contributions from several other reviewers as well.
Now, we mostly review running shoes and gear around here– that’s 95% of this website, in case you haven’t noticed. However, as with most people, running isn’t the only thing in our lives. We also enjoy camping and hiking and playing pickleball and grilling in New Balance 990v6. We like looking good and feeling good, both on and off the run.
Which is why we put together a gift guide of some of our favorite things from some of our favorite brands out there. Maybe it’s running related, maybe it’s running adjacent. Either way, it’ll make for a good gift for that dad in your life. Now go and get yourself something to celebrate fatherhood, because everyone knows material things are the only fill that void in your life, something family could never replace.
Summer Style
$98
We love Path Projects here at Believe in the Run, mostly for their excellent quality and attention to detail, but also because they keep us looking relatively stylish as we progress through mid- and late-stage paternalism. That’s where the James Peak shines, a performance button up that’s lightweight and highly breathable but comes with a built-in stretch, making it perfect for pretty much everything. The leaf pattern gives off summer coast vibes and we’re here for all of it. – Robbe
Relax Mode
$99
Most of us dads are pretty simple guys. That’s why I love the Patagonia Terrebone Joggers. They are a very simple pair of pants that are comfortable, functional, and, you guessed it, simple. A light DWR coating ensures them to be doubly practical. The moderately relaxed fit and lightweight construction makes the Terrebone Joggers a pair of pants that I wouldn’t hesitate to run, be active with my fam, or go on a date in. Talk about ticking all of the boxes. – Taylor
Cap, No Cap
If you’ve been running for any time at all, then you hopefully know about Ciele and their always excellent running caps. The go-to is the GOCap, a five-panel hat designed for running in all seasons. This cap features top panels for targeted breathability and airflow, while the lightweight ripstop fabric aid in durability. The pre-curved brim allows for easy packability. UV protection is all around you, while reflective elements enhance visibility in low-light conditions. All of this makes it pretty much the best hat that money can buy. – Chad
Seeing Stars
I’m going to be honest, these aren’t good running sunglasses. But off the run, they are the best sunglasses I’ve ever owned. Made in Italy and France, there’s no cheap plastic here– the vision is crystal clear thanks to the mineral glass lenses (like, real, actual glass). The frames are made of acetate and feature vintage hook temples for a secure fit. Plus, it’s Vuarnet– do your part in making the early nineties cool again. – Robbe
Slim Style
$80
The counter-reaction to the chunky shoe is already in full swing, so you may as well catch it on its arc upwards. Sure, everybody has the Samba, but if you really want to be ahead of things, then you need to spring for the eternally classic Puma Palermo. With a leather upper and classic T-toe construction, this is a versatile shoe that works for anything outside of running. – Robbe
Sandal Would
$60
Many have tried to copy the Oofos formula, none have succeeded. The Oofoam footbed is supremely comfortable without sinking into softness. It strikes the right balance of comfort and durability. It’s also a great sandal for those days at the beach– spray it off in a second and you’re good to go. This is the best recovery sandal money can buy. – Austin
Modern Classic
$150
This is the hottest shoe in running at the moment, so it only make sense that it would be on this list. It’s lightweight, versatile, and quite possibly one of the best rides … ever. The colorways keep getting better and better and this is a perfect silhouette for summer. – Robbe
Water World
$100
Look, if we’re gonna be dads, we kind of need to lean into it sometimes. Teva allows you to do that and more, with this hybrid sandal/shoe combo. It comes in all variations, but we’re a fan of the closed-toe version, which features a sticky Spider Rubber outsole and a comfortable EVA midsole with a contoured footbed and arch support. I recently wore these all day at a music festival and they did great; wear them on the water and they’ll do even greater. – Robbe
Sweet Sweater
$135
A summer sweater seems like an oxymoron, but for those living in places like Colorado where the temps range from 40F to 80F in the span of a single morning, this thing will be your go-to outer layer all year round. Made from alpaca wool (which I’m calling the new Merino), this sweater is hand-made (and hand signed!) by women in Peru, who are supported by Paka’s excellent business ethics. – Robbe
Under Armor
$55
If you’re looking for that perfect pair of undergarment briefs, then this is what you should invest in. Made of Merino wool, these briefs are both soft and stretchy, with flat-lock seams and a no-slip waistband. The anti-microbial properties of Merino are the icing on the cake. – Robbe
Performance Socks
$29 / pair
Designed in California and made in Colombia, these performance socks feature graduated compression and an anatomical fit with a “sun roof” style, meaning a lighter weight fabrication on top of the toes for better airflow and breathability.
Waterproof Luxury
$450
Ultralight, actually breathable, durable, packable, and great fitting, this PFAS-free Gore-Tex rain jacket checks every single box you can find and some you didn’t even know about. You can actually wear it running thanks to its articulated construction, but it also looks great as a casual jacket when things are wet. Plus, wrist watch windows let you see your run metrics on the go. – Sam
Keep It Cold
$65
Is it a flex to own Yeti? Yes. Will you ever regret it? No. Most of us don’t need to keep things cool for three days on end, but if you want a few silver bullets for a post-trail run excursion, then look no further than this cooler disguised as a lunch box. Featuring Coldcell Flex Insulation and an internal pocket for ice packs (as well as stays for shoulder strap compatibility), this is the perfect companion for adult sno-cones. Or, you know, lunch (lame).
Stow Away Storage
$335
This 35L travel pack is perfect for the weekend race or a one bag for any adventure. I’ve been using it the past couple months for all my travel, and it holds just the right amount of clothes, with a ton of storage options and internal laptop sleeve. My favorite part? Stash your race day shoes in the outer mesh pocket so you can ensure they’re with you at all times. – Robbe
Bike Buddy
$95
I’ve been using this the past couple months for all my bike commuting needs and it’s one of my favorite accessories right now. Its front magnetic closure allows for easy access, while the roll top design gives you the iconic waterproof quality that Ortlieb is known for. Pop it off and use the included shoulder strap to convert into a sling bag. It also comes with add-on daisy chains for attaching to other bags/luggage. Made in Germany, designed for world travels. – Robbe
Waisted Utility
$149
A few years ago, I switched to running belts for my trail runs. That change has come with some ups and downs, but I can confidently say that the Raide LF 2L Running belt is, by far, the most functional belt available. It can carry all of your run necessities and then some in a comfortable, no-bounce fashion. I love that it’s made of durable materials, has thoughtful pocket placement, and a light simplistic design. It is a little on the $$$ side, but that’s exactly why it’s a perfect gift to spoil pops on Father’s day. – Taylor
Crystal Clear
$50
If you’re going off-grid, or you just want to filter your water when traveling, then look no further than the Epic Water Filter. Made in the USA, it comes with its own custom Nalgene bottle, and includes two filter cartridges: one for tap water and one for outdoor water/international travel. I legit dipped this into a creek on a trail run, drank a whole bottle of it, and I can tell you straight up that it did its job properly. This will be my go-to filtration device for any future adventures. – Robbe
Candy Crush
$28 / 4-pack
I’m an absolute sucker for Nerds Gummy Clusters, but what if you could get all that goodness without all the artificial dyes and garbage ingredients? That’s where Rotten comes in, with their Creepy Crawlers meets Garbage Pail Kids branding. Their stuff is made with 1/3 of the sugar of normal candy and comes with prebiotic fiber and protein (2g, I guess better than nothing). The taste though? Very rotten, in the best way possible. – Robbe
Quick Coffee
$17 / 4-pack
Just about every dad feels indefinitely short on time. Whether you’re racing to fit your run in before the rest of the family wakes up, or trying to get those last few parts of the project together before picking up the kids, you never have to sacrifice taste for speed with this instant coffees. Just add hot water and mix. Use less water for an espresso-like concentration and mix with ice and milk for a quick and dirty iced latte hack. They’re perfect for camping and backpacking too. – Sam
Stay Salty
$45 / 30-pack
Man, I didn’t think LMNT could get any better and then they go and drop a Lemonade Salt on us, just in time for summer. It’s my favorite flavor yet and truly a life saver when it comes to replenishing my salt levels after a long run. No more headaches or dreaded post-run crash. I also love mixing and matching with other flavors like Raspberry Salt, or even ice tea for a nice alternative on an Arnold Palmer. Summer GRIT is approaching fast, so stock up! – Austin
Two Way Talking
$220 / pair
As a dad, this is one of my favorite piece of equipment. With 5 miles of range (dependent on structure), my wife and I can go to dinner in the neighborhood and communicate with our kids in case of emergency. Also great for amusement parks or hiking when the kids want to run ahead. They’re walkie talkies, so just having them around brings out the kids in us. The carabiner is a nice touch as well. – Robbe
Cross Training
$220 / pair
Cross training is a key part of running, so whether that’s power lifting, cycling, or pickleball, we try to sprinkle in some other to work those other muscle groups. Also, we runners like carbon fiber, so what better than the Hype X Pro paddle, featuring a carbon fiber face and honeycomb core with a patented power frame. It’s light and packs a powerful punch in the sweet spot. – Robbe
Keep Time
$339
You can’t wear your Garmin everywhere, or at least you shouldn’t. For those times where you have to wear something nicer than running shorts, this watch features a tough and light brushed titanium case. The movement on its 24-hour sundial face is powered by a Japan Miyota 8217 automatic mechanism. It’s also water resistant to 200 meters and has a comfortable nylon strap, so if you simply had to run (or swim) with it it’ll be up to the task. It’s offered in a whole range of colors, and would look really nice paired with that last 100 mile belt buckle you earned. – Sam
Sound Mind
$180 (on sale)
This heavy duty Bluetooth speaker is an absolute beast for beats, featuring stereo sound in a transportable package thanks to the fender guitar strap. It combines Teufel’s German-engineered audio with the timeless design of a Fender amp and is also rated IPX5, making it splash-proof and resistant to impact. At $180 (on sale) it’s not much more than the JBL Flip 6, but with exponentially better sound and battery life. – Robbe
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Robbe is the senior editor of Believe in the Run. He loves going on weird routes through Baltimore, finding trash on the ground, and running with the Faster Bastards. At home in the city, but country at heart. Loves his two boys more than anything. Has the weakest ankles in the game.
More from Robbe
Taylor Bodin is a trail and ultra runner living in Estes Park, Colo., with his wife and daughters. As the head of the Dirt Division at Believe in the Run, trail running is pretty much the only hobby he can manage right now and loves it. Every so often, he will pop off a race or FKT attempt because competition is pure and the original motivator for him getting into running anyway.
More from Taylor
Sam lives in Baltimore with his wife and two kids and spends his days fixing espresso machines for Ceremony Coffee Roasters. He runs with the Faster Bastards when he can, races ultras, and has been working on completing the AT section by section. He thinks the best days are made of long miles on nasty trails, but that a good surf session, a really stunning book, or a day of board games are pretty all right too.
All-time favorite shoes: Saucony Xodus Ultra, Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3, Altra Lone Peak
More from Sam
Austin, who lives north of Atlanta, is a stay-at-home father and running store part-timer (year eleven). Based on his inability to provide a 10K or 5K personal record, he should probably race those distances more. It’s rare to not see a party size bag of peanut M&Ms in his pantry and a pair of Shokz on his ears during a run.
All-time favorite shoes: OG Altra Escalante, Saucony Kinvara 3, Nike ZoomX Vaporfly NEXT%
More from Austin
An attorney by day, Chad lives in Central Pennsylvania with his wife and three kids. Never much for running growing up, Chad began running as a way to improve his physical health. He went from his first 5k in 2015 to running the Paris Marathon in 2016. Given his larger physical build, Chad is the resident Clydesdale runner, providing shoe and gear insights for those with a bigger build and taller stature.
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