Being a father myself—and someone who gets paid to evaluate gadgets for a living—I’ve come to realize that I am an absolute nightmare to shop for. It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s true. I’m picky, I already own a lot of gear, and the last thing I want is another novelty mug or a pair of socks with a funny saying on them. What I really want are things that make my life easier, more organized, or just a little more fun—but that’s hard to communicate when someone asks, “So what do you actually want for your birthday?” And I know I’m not alone. Most of my friends have the same problem when they try to buy a gift for their own dad. Group chats start filling up with panicked questions: “What did you get your dad last year?” “Is a tool set too boring?” “Does he even want a new gadget?” It’s a familiar cycle, and it usually ends with a last-minute gift card or something that gets regifted in January. Fear not, though. I’m here to make gifting a little easier this year, or at the very least to contribute to the brainstorm. Below are some of the best WIRED-tested gifts for the dad or father figure in your life, including travel gadgets, dad-approved apparel, and best-in-class earbuds. I’ve personally gifted a few of these to my own dad, and they were hits. And this year, I completely overhauled the guide with 27 new picks, covering everything from tech accessories and headphones to fitness gear and clothing that won’t make him look like he gave up on style.
For the dad who loves to travel, the right gear can make all the difference between a stressful trip and a smooth one. That’s why the first pick is my all-time favorite power bank: the Anker Nano Power Bank with Instacord. I’m not exaggerating when I say this thing goes with me almost everywhere—traveling, camping, commuting, even just heading into the office for a busy day. The reason? It has a built-in, retractable USB-C cord that is always there when you need it, and completely out of the way when you don’t. No more digging through your bag for a tangled cable. No more realizing you left your charger at home. It’s compact enough to slip into any bag, and light enough that I honestly forget it’s there, which is exactly what you want from a travel accessory. On top of that, it has an extra USB-A port and another USB-C port built right into the unit, so you can charge multiple devices at the same time: your phone, your earbuds, your smartwatch, whatever. It’s the kind of thing that doesn’t seem exciting on paper, but the first time your phone hits 10 percent in an airport and you realize you have a reliable, fast, built-in solution at hand, you’ll understand. It’s practical, it’s durable, and it’s the kind of gift that a dad will actually use—not just store in a drawer.
Another gift in the travel category that might not make his heart race when he unwraps it, but will absolutely earn your gratitude later, is the Apple AirTag in its second generation. I’ve lost count of how many times my own AirTag has saved me from a minor panic attack. My keys? Found in seconds. My luggage? Tracked across three layovers. My backpack? Located before I even start to panic. That little white disc is like a safety net for the forgetful, and it’s the epitome of useful and practical. The best part is that it just works, quietly and reliably, through the Find My app on iPhones. The only real caveat is that the dad in your life needs to be an iPhone user, because the whole experience is designed around Apple’s ecosystem. If he is, then this is one of those gifts that keeps giving all year long. It’s not the most thrilling present under the tree, but it’s the one that will keep reminding him of you every time he avoids a full-blown scavenger hunt for his wallet or checks the location of his bag on a carousel. And honestly, isn’t that what a good gift is all about? It’s not the flashiest object—it’s the quiet one that makes daily life better. Plus, you can pair it with a small keychain holder or a luggage tag to make it feel more like a complete present.
If your dad is the kind of person who appreciates durability and timeless design, then the GoRuck Huckberry X GoRuck GR1 Slick Backpack in the 26-liter size is worth serious consideration. Our operations manager and outdoor expert, Scott Gilbertson, who is also a dad himself, has said that if he could only have one bag for the rest of his life, the 26L version of the GoRuck GR1 would be his pick. That’s a pretty bold statement, but it’s backed up by the bag’s construction. It’s built with ultra-durable, water-resistant 1000D Cordura, which is the same stuff used in military gear, and it was originally designed for rucking—essentially walking with a weighted pack, which is literally what US Army Special Forces do for training. In other words, this is a bag that can handle whatever you throw at it. Travel, commuting, hiking, hauling groceries, carrying a laptop and a change of clothes for an overnight trip—it does all of that without breaking a sweat. It’s absolutely in buy-it-for-life territory. That’s not a phrase I use lightly, but with a bag this well-constructed, it’s earned. One of my favorite things about this particular Huckberry version is that it omits the exterior MOLLE webbing that you see on the standard military-style packs, which gives it a much sleeker, more understated look. It’s still rugged on the inside, but on the outside, it looks like a sophisticated everyday backpack that fits in at a coffee shop or an airport lounge just as easily as on a hiking trail.
For the dad who wants to travel in style, the Rimowa Original Cabin suitcase is the best aluminum carry-on you can buy, and it’s the kind of purchase that feels like a true investment. Aluminum luggage has a unique appeal—it’s sleek, it’s durable, and it has a shell that actually looks better over time as it collects little dents and dings. Unlike polycarbonate luggage, which can crack or look worn after a rough trip, aluminum develops a patina that tells a story. It’s the sort of thing that makes you look like a seasoned traveler, even if you’re just flying from New York to Chicago for a long weekend. The material itself is recyclable, and the construction is repairable, which means this is a suitcase that can last for decades rather than a few seasons. One of the biggest advantages is the closure system: Rimowa uses clamps instead of a typical zipper, and those clamps are less likely to fail or break when the bag gets tossed around by baggage handlers. A zipper can snag, split, or burst—a clamp just holds fast. Rimowa is obviously the “it” brand when it comes to this style of luggage, and it carries a premium price, but you can find similar options from brands like Away and Level8 for well under half the price. So if you’re not ready to drop the full Rimowa amount, those alternatives still give you that same aluminum look and much of the same durability, without the designer name.
At the end of the day, the best gifts for a dad are the ones that make his everyday life a little easier, a little more organized, and a little more enjoyable. Whether he’s a frequent flyer who needs a reliable power bank and a trackable suitcase, or a more practical guy who just wants a bag that will outlast everything else he owns, the key is to pay attention to how he actually lives. The travel dad on your list probably doesn’t want another tie or a bottle of cologne—he wants the peace of mind that comes from knowing his phone is charged, his bags are accounted for, and his gear won’t fall apart halfway through the trip. The beauty of this category is that it’s not about flashy status symbols; it’s about thoughtful problem-solving. And when you give a dad a gift that solves a problem he didn’t even realize he had, you become the favorite child, the favorite sibling, or just the incredibly thoughtful person who actually gets him. So this year, skip the generic categories and think about what he does every day. Does he travel for work? Is he always misplacing his keys? Does he complain about luggage that falls apart? There’s a perfect item out there, and it doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. This list is just the starting point—a springboard for your own brainstorming. Use it, adapt it, and remember that the true gift is showing him you see him, you listen to him, and you understand what he needs. That’s worth more than any gadget, no matter how well-reviewed it is.
