Sure, Father’s Day may have been cooked up in a marketing meeting somewhere between necktie season and backyard BBQ weather—but hey, just because it’s a “Hallmark holiday” doesn’t mean it’s not worth celebrating. After all, dads (and dad-figures) are the unsung heroes of bad jokes, solid advice, and late-night life lessons. Whether he’s the guy who taught you how to change a tire or just how to change the channel during commercials, taking a day to appreciate him isn’t just tradition—it’s a small, well-deserved tribute to a big presence in our lives.

Here’s a gift guide on “traditional” dad things with a design twist.

Playforever - UFO Colomba ($59.50)

For the new dads — or the ones that never grew up — Playforever offers iconic car shapes of the past, interpreted in a mid-century pop design. The cars are made from high-quality ABS plastic with rubber wheels, designed to last a lifetime. Once the kids are done making memories with it, fathers can keep these on their desks as a thoughtfully designed keepsake (and/or play with it). Check it!

New Balance - 9060 ($149.99)

The quintessential “dad” shoe, New Balance has refreshed its street-cred recently through multiple collaborations with KITH, Action Bronson, Tokyo Design Studio, Aime Leon Dore, and Stone Island, to name a few. What used to be kind of dorky, is suddenly cool, and I’m here for it.

Based on the 99X chassis, the 9060 channels Y2K vibes with a modern-future aesthetic. Notable features include an ABZORB and SBS cushioning, with pod out-soles connected with struts. Check it!

Varsity Headwear Caps ($55 - $270)

Dad has to pair his dad shoes with a proper “dad hat.” Varsity headwear ups the ante with a plethora of textiles — ranging from traditional cotton to technical Schoeller fabrics (they even have llama wool and camel hair!). Check it!

CountyComm - 12” Titanium Adjustable Wrench ($349.95)

One of the most iconic tools that a dad can have. Upgrade your father’s adjustable wrench with a titanium version — which will be easier on his wrists in those awkward spaces. Countycomm offers them in various sizes ranging from 6” to 18”. Check it!

Stilletto - 10oz Trimbone Hammer (~$246)

Staying on topic of titanium tools, upgrade your dad’s hammer with the final-form over level-9000 version. This 10oz hammer from Stilletto is 45% lighter than comparable steel, but hits the same. It also features swappable steel faces — extending the life of the hammer indefinitely.

SKXMOD - Casio F-105w DIY Modding Kit (~$200)

For the watch enthusiast or DIY horologist, SKXMOD offers build kits to completely deck out Casio models. They offer everything from modules to cases and bracelets. While some may balk at the idea of customizing a $20 Casio, I’d argue that the act of customizing and putting together something personal is worth every penny. Check it!

Sennheiser - BTD 600 Bluetooth Hi-Def USB Dongle ($60)

Upgrade Dad’s listening experience with a high-resolution USB dongle. It supports aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive for streaming quality up to 24-bit / 96kHz, which isn’t available on iPhones, Macs, and many older devices. It also features USB-C or USB-A connection and Auracast; allowing multiple connections on the same device. Check it!

Belkin - Charging Case for Nintendo Switch 2 ($70)

Jumping on the recent release of the Nintendo Switch 2, Belkin combined console protection with on-the-go charging. The removable 10mAh battery (with power readout) is capable of charging the Nintendo Switch 2 up to 1.5x faster. It also features 12 game slots, hidden AirTag pocket, and kickstand grooves for tabletop play while charging in the case. Check it!

Dometic Recon Series Coolers ($224.99 - $424.99)

Dometic created this series of coolers from the outside in. That is, they’re designed to stack on top of each other to efficiently fit in trunks, racks, and truck beds. The coolers also feature a top that can be opened from either side or taken off all together for a party bucket. They’re also 30% lighter than rotomolded variants and feature spigots for maximum versatility. Check it!

Dad tips of the week:

Who doesn’t love a good bowie knife? And that Hobo Tac pen tip for speed-hole pokes is next level. dthcrw on Reddit

"Having kids is like turning on hard mode in the video game of life—dads just make it look easy."

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