Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

5 Great Gifts for that Manly Man You Call Dad

You spend all year taking dear ol’ dad for granted (which is absolutely shameful, you little pissant), so this June 21st, maybe you should take a moment and celebrate the man. Maybe you should even treat him to a gift; something thoughtful that will show him you really do care about and respect the guy.

What’s that you say? You can’t think of any thoughtful Father’s Day gifts? You can’t even think of one goddamn gift for the man who helped bring you the precious gift of life? Well don’t worry: at least you thought to stop by here and check out our list of great Father’s Day gift ideas! 2015 is the year your father finally gets a greatFather’s Day present, as long as you select said gift from The Manual’s list. (Genuinely thoughtful gifts are also acceptable, FYI.)

Related: The Colonel Can Caddie

Recommended Videos

Cigars – The Safe Route
A large cigar has long been a symbol of masculinity, and we’ll not bother delving into any underlying psychology that might help explain why. The point is, a man’s man loves a great stogie, and your dad is a man’s man, right? So for Father’s Day 2015, give the man the gift of some quality cigars, or better yet sign him up for a monthly shipment of Cohibas, Montecristos, and more! You can’t go wrong with the gift of cigars, unless your father doesn’t enjoy smoking cigars, in which case you can totally go wrong here.

Bison Bag – The Outdoorsman Dad
If your dad is an outdoorsy type, chances are by now his “kit” is complete. If he’s a fisherman, he’s likely acquired all the lures and lines he needs; if he’s a mountain climber, he sure has all necessary clamps and clasps. But no matter how avid a camper, hiker, or birdwatcher he is, he likely doesn’t have a Bison Bag! That’s because this unique sleeping bag/tent/hammock combination came out just last year. In one compact package, the Bison Bag provides warmth, shelter and privacy. And it provides a solution to the gift selection issue, too.

Leatherman – The Obvious Choice
A man knows how to get things done. From plunging the toilet to changing a tire to mowing the lawn to other wildly stereotypical examples, a man never finds problems; he only finds solutions. And the solution to every little problem along the way is that much easier when a man has a great multi tool on his belt. The Leatherman Rebar Multi Tool boasts more than a dozen different tools tucked into its rugged half-pound frame, so from stripping wire to screwing, um, screws, dad will do it all thanks to your gift.

Hemingway’s Stories – The Literary Man
If there is one human being about whose manliness debate is impossible, it is Ernest Hemingway. Say what you will about machine gunning sharks, big game hunting, war reporting, liquor drinking, and generally being an ornery sumbitch… the guy was manly. And he was also a great writer. So give your manly, literary father the gift of Hemingway’s prose in the form of “The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway.” Included are towering classics and obscure tales alike. In fact, all his short stories are included… didn’t you see the book’s title?

GoPro – The Splurge Gift
The GoPro HERO4 camera shoots crystal-clear HD video whether it’s careening down a mountain, 130 feet underwater, mounted on the dash of a speeding car, or just capturing a family BBQ. This little camera is both incredibly rugged but also remarkably simple to use, meaning it’s just right for most dads out there. (Rugged and simple: a fine approach to life, men.) Sure, this is a pricey gift, but it’s also a great gift whether your dad is an extreme sportsman or just a guy who wants to preserve some memories.

Topics
Steven John
Steven John is a writer and journalist living just outside New York City, by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, by way of…
David Lynch is getting tributes from all over Hollywood
The director is one of the most important of the 21st century.
David Lynch in The Fabelmans

The death of director David Lynch has led to an outpouring of gratitude from every corner of Hollywood. Lynch was one of the defining filmmakers of the 20th century, directing Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive and The Elephant Man among other films, and also co-creating the hugely influential Twin Peaks.

Following the news of his death at the age of 78, both his collaborators and his peers are remembering him both for his artistic accomplishments and for the ways he transformed Hollywood.

Read more
Need a laugh? Here are the best comedy shows streaming right now
From 30 Rock to Seinfeld, these are the best and funniest comedy shows ever made
Steve Carell in The Office.

Comedy has been a fixture of television since the medium was in its infancy. Making truly great TV comedy is no simple thing, though, and it's even harder to make a great TV comedy that endures. Comedy is always changing, and what is funny to one generation isn't always funny to the next.

In spite of that, these are the best comedy shows that have endured and gotten me through some of the hardest moments of my life. When you're looking for shows that will make you laugh and some that might make you cry just a little bit, we've got the perfect list for you. While I have a stronger attachment to some of these shows than others, the list as a whole is pretty undeniable. These are the best comedy shows ever made.

Read more
Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ movie is going to get a major IMAX release
The movie is set to hit theaters in November of 2026 and Netflix the next month.
Director Greta Gerwig on the set of Barbie.

Over the life of Netflix's movie-making business, the streamer has not put a high priority on making sure its movies are released in theaters. It seems that, at least for Greta Gerwig, they're willing to change that approach.

Variety is reporting that Gerwig's adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia will be screened in IMAX theaters across the country for two weeks before the film hits Netflix. The movie is currently set to open in IMAX on Thanksgiving of 2026, and will debut on Netflix on Christmas Day.

Read more