Father’s Day: Last-minute gift ideas for the globetrotting dad

Shopping for dads isn’t always easy – if you’ve left it too late, here are a few gift ideas for travel that might just make him smile

Though they may like to pretend otherwise, dads love a thoughtful Father’s Day gift as much as moms do. They won’t supply you with a handy wish list, but dads not-so-secretly have strong opinions on everything from their drink of choice to their favourite crew neck tee. To spare yourself the head-scratching, check out our Father’s Day gift guide for the travel-loving dad, and pick something that’ll keep him entertained at home (for now) and when he globetrots next.

1. Sennheiser Momentum Wireless Earphones 3

Forget those last-century headphones your old man’s partial to – give his headset an upgrade with Sennheiser’s sleek new release. This beauty features a genuine soft leather earpad, superior sound and an impressive 17-hour battery life ideal for long-haul flights. Is your dad prone to losing his earphones around the house or while he’s travelling? The integrated Bluetooth tracker will help him locate it via the Tile app.

RM1,655, available online.

2. GoPro Hero 8

The GoPro Hero 8, which launched in October 2019, is jam-packed with features designed to capture impeccable travel shots. Noteworthy mentions include a lighter, frameless design with folding mounting fingers, a 12MP resolution, next-level video stabilisation, four digital lenses and the TimeWarp 2.0, its newest time-lapse feature. Bring it along for on your next post-MCO snorkelling vacation: this action camera is waterproof for up to 10 metres deep.

RM1,599, available online at selected GoPro retailers.

3. Lyre’s American Malt & Cola (non-alcoholic)

Lyre, an Australian-based spirits label which uses all-natural essences extracted from around the world, has a new alcohol-free concoction that looks, tastes and sashays around the palate just like its boozy counterparts. The smoky American Malt is a great bourbon substitute for a delicious DIY mocktail your pops will enjoy – like this American Malt & Cola recipe.

RM159, available online on Amazon.

4. Bose Home Speaker 300

For the dad looking to spruce up his home office, the portable BOSE Home Speaker 300 is elegant and features WiFi, Bluetooth and Apple Airplay 2 compatibility. In short, he can play his favourite vacation tunes from all his devices. He can also skip the hassle of any future gadget upgrades – this speaker has nifty software that lets you access and unlock any new features from Bose as soon as they roll out.

RM1,199, available in-store at Bose and online.

5. Samsonite Neoknit

Few brands can match the quality and ergonomics of a Samsonite suitcase. You can’t go wrong with the Cosmolite Spinner, the light but hardy classic design featuring a sleek and stylish shell case that will go the mile on dad’s upcoming travels; or the striking Neoknit duffel that makes for a perfect carry-on.

Starting from RM2,259, available in-store at Samsonite and online.

6. Tag Heuer Connected Golf Edition smartwatch

If you’re looking to splash out on a Father’s Day gift this year, here’s something that golfers will love. TAG Heuer has just released its newest smartwatch, the Connected Golf Edition. This third-generation Connected smartwatch features a built-in GPS and an even more luxurious design than its predecessors. Pairing it with the TAG Heuer sports app, wearers can access features like a 3D course mapping and more, designed to improve dad’s golf game.

RM9,950, available at TAG Heuer boutiques and online.

7. “Born in Malaysia”, by Kenny Loh

This photo book series is a treat for anyone who appreciates travel photography. Born in Malaysia is a beautifully curated series of portraits shot around Malaysia by local photographer Kenny Loh. As Malaysia’s borders open and interstate travel is (finally!) a possibility, it’s a great window into all the best sights and characters that make Malaysia so rich for exploration, even by locals.

RM64.90, available online and in select bookstores.

8. Organise a virtual weekend vacation

If you’ve really gone and left Father’s Day to the last minute, organise a quick virtual weekender to one of dad’s favourite holiday destinations. We’ve created a virtual day-trip series across various states in Malaysia. You can hit the beaches of Langkawi, take a Zoom tour through the UNESCO-listed caves of Gunung Mulung, recreate an award-winning chef’s meal courtesy of Dewakan in KL, soak up Penang’s rich cultural scene. The best part? All you’ll need is a screen, a half-decent internet connection, some tropical family vacation outfits for good measure and, of course, a sense of adventure.