5 Things Backpacker’s Editor-in-Chief Actually Wants for Father’s Day

There are times, in my heart of hearts, when I wonder if my coworkers are getting sick of hearing about my kids. My two young sons are a constant presence on my trips—it’s pretty rare these days for me to backpack or paddle without at least one of them tagging alone—which means that they pop up constantly in both the stories I tell the other Backpacker editors and the ones I write for this site. But that’s part and parcel of being a dad, the most bizarre, labor-intensive, and rewarding volunteer gig I’ve ever had.

With Father’s Day coming up fast, I’ve taken it upon myself as Backpacker’s Dad-in-Chief to collect my best ideas for what to get the dad in your life this year. I’ve steered away from core backpacking gear—everyone needs a tent, but I’m going to assume your giftee already has one—in favor of accessories that will help make his trips more comfortable, memorable, and better-tasting. The picks on this list range from $14 to $250, so you can mix and match them as your budget allows.

Nicer Instant Coffee

Verve Streetlevel Instant Coffee: $16 at Amazon

Caffeine has been an essential ingredient in my parental journey, especially in the early years when six hours of sleep a night were not always guaranteed. I’m not picky about where I get it—Cafe Bustelo is my usual instant coffee—but an upgrade is always welcome. Sourced directly from farmers in Honduras and Guatemala, Verve’s Streetlevel blend tastes more like a hand-brewed cup than instant, with fruity overtones to its smooth medium roast.

Better Backpacking Meals

Luxefly Chile Relleno: $20 at Garage Grown Gear

Parents of small kids often find our menu dictated by what our children will and won’t eat. There’s no reason the parade of mac-and-cheese and other kids-menu fare has to extend into trail time, though: Through some alchemy I can only pretend to understand, Luxefly managed to freeze-dry an entire burrata-stuffed chile relleno without losing its melty, tender texture. (Like instant coffee, this gift has the extra benefit of not requiring storage after you’re done with it.)

A Big Waist Pack

Mountainsmith Trippin: $20 (34 percent off) at REI

Why are fanny packs such an omnipresent part of parent fashion? To put it bluntly: When you have kids, you have to carry a lot of shit. From diapers to snacks to kid-friendly sunscreen, hiking with children means toting more odds and ends than can fit in anything but the most spaciously-pocketed cargo shorts, and that’s a depth I’m not prepared to sink to quite yet. Thanks to its retro styling and 5-liter capacity, the Trippin can hold it all without looking hopelessly dorky. It’s a feasible substitute for a backpack on short dayhikes when you may be carrying a mini on your back, and, thanks to its wide and shallow design, doesn’t flap around while you walk. The 610-denier Cordura construction is bulletproof: Mine survived dunks in the ocean, use as a camp pillow, and years of daily carry without a scratch.

A Versatile Camp Blanket

Rumpl Backcountry Puffy 2-Person Blanket: $250 at Rumpl

A puffy blanket isn’t exactly essential backpacking gear, but it can level up your time in camp by keeping you cozy around the fire, adding insulation to light-duty bags, and even serving as a sleeping-bag substitute on warm summer trips. Rumpl’s 2-person backcountry blanket weighs a reasonable 2.4 pounds and comes finished with a PFAS-free DWR to keep off light precip. At 84 inches wide, it’s also roomy enough to share with partners, dogs, or, yes, your minis.

Fun Marshmallows

Hammond’s Marshmallows: $14 at Hammond’s

Adding kids to your backpacking trips definitely ups the difficulty level—try getting a 4-year-old whose bedtime is 6 p.m. to go to sleep when the sun is still up—but it also adds a whole new universe of reward. So, even if Father’s Day is technically about Dad, gifting something that the youngest members of the crew will enjoy is one of the best choices you can make. Hammond’s Denver factory turns out gourmet marshmallow flavors ranging from classics like vanilla bean to off-the-wall creations like pumpkin caramel and birthday cake. Bust out the bag over the campfire or camp stove for a memory Dad will treasure long after the ‘mallows are gone.