The public relations industrial machine never stops, with almost every holiday — real, created by marketers or influencers, or the stupid ones on social media — requiring some kind of gift, monetary expenditure or trip to a restaurant. Thankfully, Father’s Day gifts exist for a real holiday.
Forget about these things: lawn care products, grills, ties, socks, hair care products (really?) or CBD stuff (dated, meh). I love the marketing for Father’s Day gifts versus Mother’s Day gifts. It’s easy to see, right? The latter: get her something nice, take her out to lunch, cater to whims, hail to the queen! The former: Here’s a grill, go cook us meat and dinner! New lawnmower, get to work in the yard! Here’s a new tie and socks for the four occasions to wear them during the year (That’s tongue in cheek, so all you wonderful ladies out there don’t get a bee in your Buff.)
Our son asked me what I wanted and my reply was, “A hug, a six-pack of Fractal Guava Mango Sour and a watermelon.” I always like a hug, the award-winning Guava Mango Sour is one of my top three faves for summer, and who doesn’t love watermelon? Those may be perfect ideas for your guy, too, or they may not be even on the same radar pattern.
That’s why I’m offering some other ideas you can find locally. These Father’s Day gifts suggestions are for runners, bikers and outdoors guys. These also will be available after the holiday. If ol’ daddio likes something, he can go buy a dozen of them (like we men do) before the company changes it (and often ruins it).
Enzo’s Buttonhole Chamois Cream
Summer temperatures, humidity, sweat, running and saddle time can lead to chafed skin. This includes armpits, legs, thighs, nipples and manparts. Chafing is painful and damned sure not fun. Raw nipples on a 25K, a hotspot under an arm or in the groin area … it’s terribly uncomfortable. And then you get home, shower and it’s worse. The first time I was badly chafed, I realized why babies cry and how important a good cream is.
A couple of years ago I found Enzo’s Buttonhole Cream at Bicycle Cove in Hampton Cove. This was before I did the Heel & Crank duathlon, my first, when I knew nothing about the event. But I knew riding 14 or however many miles would, or could, likely chafe my booty. I bought the Enzo’s and gobbed it on. I’ve since used it for other trail runs, especially in summer. It works. It comes with a bit of menthol or non-mentholated. I know some folks like Body Glide and Squirrel’s Nut Butter, and I’m sure they’re good. But I stick with the Enzo’s. If dad’s a runner or biker, he might like it, too.
5.11 Tactical Shorts
The shorts I used to wear for roads and trails still are usable, but they have no pockets or helpful protection for chafing (see above). Last year I started wearing the 9.5-inch Trail Short from 5.11 Tactical, which recently opened a store in Huntsville on the corner of University and the Parkway.
I prefer these shorts for several reasons. The shorts have ample pockets including zipper-protected pockets on the thighs (sides) and rear. The front pockets are deep; I’ve run with my truck keys and no fear of them falling out (though usually I tuck them into a zipper side pocket). The shorts are 87 percent polyester and 13 percent Elastane, so they stretch and flex. I’ve crammed multiple packs of Spring Energy Awesome Sauce and Honey Stinger waffles into the pockets. Bags of Honey Stinger Energy Chews (orange blossom is best IMO), and good ol’ gummi worms. All that trash goes into a zippered pocket to toss later. And should you need to carry anything for self-protection, the pockets work for that, too.
I learned, however, that I need a belt. Otherwise, the sweaty shorts will sag. I know that sounds like a PITA but there is no drawstring like with regular running shorts. It’s a tradeoff, for me. I’d rather have the pockets and comfort. Besides, I’m not a speedgoat like some of the flatbellies on the trails. I like this 5.11 belt, which is adjustable, lightweight and could be used, in a pinch, to carry something or as a sling. My only wish is that 5.11 make these in a 7.5 inch version.
Should you need a backpack or bag, I highly recommend the Rush backpack series and the Overwatch Messenger bag. The Rush LBD Lima and X-Ray are great duffels, carry-on, travel and “whatever you need” bags. The 5.11 team tests all this stuff, gets feedback and then retools as needed. I love their bags for casual, work and tougher travel.
Küat Transfer V2 Rack
After fiddling around with my prior bike racks, seeing one part break away and disappear (still haven’t found it) and having another part that wouldn’t work, I threw up my hands. Cursed a bit. Then I went to Bicycle Cove to buy a Küat Transfer V2 rack, shown above. This came on the recommendation of a handful of good folks, including one in Arkansas who worked briefly for a bike shop, and another in Wisconsin. When multiple people with experience say the same things — “great … rock solid … no vibrations … incredibly easy to use … tough as nails” — it gives me tingles.
I did my homework on the Küat site on the different racks and settled on the Transfer V2. I can carry my Hudski Doggler and my wife’s Trek, or my Doggler and 26-year-old old Gary Fisher that’s tough as nails. The rack folds up for travel, lays flat for carrying, slants a bit if I need to drop the tailgate, and is easily removable for storage. My truck’s backup camera still works with it on, so that’s good. The cost for a Küat 2-bike rack is about $450 or more, which is an investment but a smart one that will last for years.
Buff Gaiter
The simple Buff neck gaiter is a wonderful accessory for winter or spring. In winter, even a thin fleece model can provide warmth around the neck. Combine with a beanie and hike it up like a mask, and you’re even more protected. In summer, doing the same can shield you from the sun’s harmful UV rays. You can soak it in ice water to help keep cool. Put it over your head like a bandanna. Wipe your bum in an emergency. You have lots of options.
I have several Buff gaiters. I mostly use them in winter for running, biking and hunting, and in chilly spring or autumn conditions. Summer, eh, I sweat like a plow mule and don’t want anything around my neck. But I know some folks love them, and the ice-water trick at the aid station definitely helps.
frogg toggs Cooling Wraps
Similar to the gaiter but better in some ways is the frogg toggs cooling wraps, like the Chilly Pad, Chilly Pad PRO and Chilly Mini. These are stalwarts in the company lineup; I’ve used them for years fishing and after yard work. Soak either in ice water, shake and drape.
They work. They’re durable, tough and easily transported. If you’re doing something like Strollin’ Jim or LAHOTS or the last event of the summer Wild Thangs series dropping into McKay Hollow, you probably would enjoy having one of these cooling pads. Even better, they’re made by an Alabama company just down the road in Marshall County. This, and other frogg toggs products, make excellent Father’s Day gifts.
Gift Cards
Ah, yes. Gift Cards. These to me are the most “I give up, I don’t care, I don’t know what to do and didn’t listen to you talking this year about cool things you like so I took the easy way out” gift of the Father’s Day gifts world. These are in the Socks & Ties category. I mean, truly, just listen to your spouse or partner or friend throughout the year and remember that they said “I really loveeee this” or “That thing is verrrryyy cool” and buy that for them.
However … I get that some people are virtually impossible to buy gifts for. They don’t want or need anything. If they do, they buy it themselves (often in multiples). If the shoes they love are great, they may buy two or three more pair and sock them away. I do that. I’m hard to buy for. I don’t, at this point in my life, need anything else.
So, the gift card is perfect in this situation for That Hard To Shop For Dad. That’s fine. It works. Get a nice amount on the card and that way he can spend it how he wants. Every shop has them for biking, running and swimming gear, or other stuff. Just ask, and ye shall receive.
Amphipod FreeForm
Some road and trail runners don’t take water, some wear vests and some use hand-held bottles. I’ve done all three, depending on the length of the run, although I have to admit that I hate having something in my hand. A belt or vest solves this problem, but then you have a secondary issue (for some folks) of something around your waist or torso and sloshing bottles. But if you go with nothing, and it’s hotter than crazy, you need some water or fluids.
The Amphipod FreeForm handheld holds 17 ounces of fluids and has a Jett-Lock top so you don’t get the sloshies. The strap is adjustable and feels fine when you’re running. My older model has a zippered pocket on the strap that can hold a key, money, gel packs or pepper spray. The Amphipod Hydraform Jet Lite Thermal has the pocket on the strap and also holds 20 ounces of fluids. Bigger bottle but the tradeoff is another gobble of water when you’re hot. Buy a couple.
Father’s Day gifts don’t always have to be expensive or massive. Sometimes small things coupled with good intent and love mean the most. Find something cool for daddio and have a great weekend.
