We asked our dads what they want for Father's Day. Here's what they said

CNN

4 days ago

We know all too well that shopping for dads can be tough. Ask any dad what they want this year, and nine out of ten times, they'll tell you they don't want anything.
So, this year, we asked the real experts — our own dads — what they actually want this Father's Day, from practical picks to thoughtful splurges. Whether you're shopping for a new dad, a seasoned pro, the 'cool dad' or a father figure who's always had your back, these gifts are guaranteed to get a smile.
Hedley & Bennett Grateful Dead Steal Your Face Chef's Knife
The easiest — and safest way — to shop for my dad is to get him anything and everything Grateful Dead-themed. He's always cooking something up, and this year, he asked for something to help him out in the kitchen. This knife is the perfect solution. Not only is it functional but it's also very on-brand. If you're shopping for a Dead-head chef, this is perfect gift for the foodie. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
Marmot Men's PreCip Eco Rain Jacket
My dad loves shoes and cycling gear, but this year, he's asking for a good rain jacket that's breathable and lightweight — something he can use in hot, tropical weather when he's out inspecting his shrimp farm. So, he's getting this rain jacket from Marmot. I own one myself, and it kept me dry when I was visiting Ireland a few years back. It's so lightweight you can actually fold it down to a size you can fit in your pocket, but its waterproofing is very effective too. — Michelle Rae Uy, testing and updates writer Read our review
Oakley Flak 2.0 XL Sunglasses
My dad has been a devoted Oakley sunglasses wearer for as long as I've been alive. He spends a ton of time outdoors in the bright Florida sun, so he asked for a new pair of polarized sunglasses to replace his older pair. He is not subtle by any means and sent me a photo of these exact ones. — Lindsey Smith, newsletter editor
Omaha Steaks 10-Ounce Ribeye Steaks, 4-Pack
When I asked my dad what he wanted for Father's Day, he gave a short and simple answer: 'A ginormous steak!' I always think gifting some sort of food or experience is better than a knickknack that will probably just sit in the closet for years, so this box of four ribeyes is a great choice. If you really want to go all-out, you could even splurge on a couple of dry-aged steaks, which my dad said would earn 'bonus points.' — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor
Bombas Men's Sunday Slippers
My dad is very particular about his house slippers. They have to be comfortable and warm but not too clunky. When I discovered Bombas had fuzzy slippers, I knew my dad would love these cushioned shoes. Plus, the thought of him wearing sherpa slippers is enough to sell me. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer Related article
The best beer subscription boxes in 2025Dogfish Head Grateful Dead Juicy Pale Ale
My dad is probably the biggest Grateful Dead fan of all time, so when he saw this beer collaboration with Dogfish, he knew he needed to try it. Once I got my hands on a case, he took one sip and absolutely loved it. I plan on getting him more for Father's Day since it will make the perfect addition to our summer BBQs. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder
My parents' house is practically a bird sanctuary at this point; it's outfitted with almost anything you can think of for giving birds a place to eat, drink and rest. That said, I was shocked to learn my stepdad has yet to add a smart bird feeder to their yard. I know he'll really enjoy seeing the birds that come to the feeder, and the camera attached to this option gives him quick access to see who's stopping by throughout the day. — Ellen McAlpine, updates writer Read our review
Chaco Customizable Men's Z/1 Sandals
My dad loves my dog, Stitch, and he loves comfy sandals. Now that the weather is getting warmer, he's been asking for sandals to wear outdoors, so what better way to combine his love for Stitch and his search for new shoes than with a customized pair of sandals. These Chaco sandals are comfortable, supportive and will be great for any trips to the beach this summer. You can personalize just about every part from the colors of the buckle and stitching to adding embroidery. — Stephanie Luna, editorial coordinator
Untuckit Beyond Shorts
My dad is not comfortable in the water, even though the rest of our family loves swimming and snorkeling. But we're going on a family tropical vacation and forcing him to get out of his comfort zone and join us on several boat trips and island-hopping tours. So, he needs a pair of swim shorts like these ones from Untuckit. These high-quality shorts boast a chafe-free liner and a quick-drying fabric, so he can at least stay comfortable even when he's exploring a tropic archipelagic paradise not having fun. — Michelle Rae Uy, testing and updates writer Related article
The 31 best hiking shorts for men and women, according to experienced hikersPatagonia Men's Better Sweater Fleece Jacket
Technically, my dad didn't ask for this gift. My mom put in this request, but she knows my father better than he knows himself, and she knows he's been wanting a warm, fleece jacket — specifically one with a zippered left-chest pocket. It's going to be a welcome addition to his sparse closet. Sometimes, the best gifts are the ones you didn't even know you needed. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer
Teton Highline Pet Blanket
My dad is big on taking road trips and always takes my dogs along. This Father's Day, he really wants something that can help them be more comfortable when we go camping or to the beach. I recently got this blanket, and my dogs love it. My dad said he wants to get another one since my dogs have been using this one at home to lounge out in the sun all day. It's made to rough it in the outdoors, but it's also very versatile and comfortable to use wherever and whenever. — Gabriella Triolo, social coordinator
'The Best American Short Stories 2025' Edited by Celeste Ng
Without fail, every time I ask my dad what he wants for any holiday, he always has two answers: books and more books. He's a true bibliophile at heart and loves to see his library expand. This year, I'm going to gift him the latest edition of 'The Best American Short Stories.' He gets a copy every year, and I know he'll love this thoughtful gift. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer
Homage X Starter Yankees Heavyweight Satin Jacket
I'm 99% sure my dad loves the New York Yankees more than anything else on the planet — including me. My brother is named after Graig Nettles, and he's had more than one pet named after a famous player. So, aside from lifetime home-plate season tickets, my dad wants this awesome retro-inspired satin jacket from the Homage x Starter collab. — Lindsey Smith, newsletter editor
ResortPass Gift Card
As a mom of two teenage boys, sometimes we just want some calm. This year, I'm gifting my husband a gift certificate to ResortPass, which lets us nab a daily pass to a hotel in our vicinity and bask in its upscale amenities. Not only can we lounge by the pool when the weather warms up but we can schedule spa services as well, like a massage or facial at the famously decadent Guerlin Spa at The Plaza Hotel. — Tobey Grumet Segal, former reviews editor Read our review
Vuori Strato Tech Polo
If there's one thing and one thing only I know about my dad, it's that he won't go clothes shopping for himself. Seriously, he's still wearing shirts someone (me) gifted him in the 2000s. He wants new clothes; he's just not going to get them himself. This Vuori polo is performance fabric, which I know he likes to wear during the summer when it's hot out, and is super soft and comfortable. — Ellen McAlpine, updates writer
Lorens NYC New York Medz Tee
There's nothing my dad loves more than a great T-shirt, especially one that pays homage to his Armenian and New York roots. I know he'll love this graphic tee: It's a fun play on words on an Armenian pun, in addition to featuring an eye-catching design. I can see him wearing it already. It's bright and hip, all without being outside my dad's comfort zone. — Carolina Gazal, associate testing writer We know you get tired of seeing the same gift ideas year after year, which is why Underscored editors carefully curate each gift guide to include a selection of products tailored to the person, hobby or event you're shopping for (though, if you're seeing some repeat products in our coverage, it probably just means we really love them). To make sure each gift you give is a hit, we include products hand-tested by our team, foolproof presents we've given to someone (or have been given), the newest products from our favorite brands and other trending items taking over our social feeds.
For this guide, associate testing writer Carolina Gazal asked our dedicated team of writers and editors to reach out to their dads to find out what gifts they truly want this Father's Day.