Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, people, and if you’re Googling “best gifts for boyfriends,” you may find yourself wading through pages and pages of middle-shelf brown liquors, various bottle openers and keychains, cushioned socks, and extremely swagless (but comfortable) sneakers. (So, namely, good gifts for, like, a disappointing father-in-law on Father’s Day?) This V-Day, we’re turning things up a notch, which is why we put together the latest installment of our best gift ideas series. After all, no matter the special occasion, whether it’s a Valentine’s Day present, graduation gift, birthday gift, an anniversary gift, or you simply want to make date night a little more meaningful, we have the perfect gift for your man.
The Best Gifts for Boyfriends, According to GQ
Looking for Something Specific?
Style
Merrell
Moab 3
The carabiner guy in your life will be practically beaming when he opens up his gorpy Moab 3s.
Alex Mill
“Miller” Zip Jacket
This is not a drill: It’s jacket season, folks. This handsome layer from Alex Mill has all the makings of a perfect future heirloom.
Banana Republic
Ribbed Bouclé Polo Cardigan
Do you want him to give rugged-soft-boy à la Paul Mescal? Well, this bouclé cardigan is not guaranteed to give him an Irish accent, but we can promise he’ll look that much more cuddly.
AYR
The Club Midweight Zippered Jacket
With this waxed cotton jacket from AYR, he can finally join the club—the club of cool jacket owners, that is.
Levi’s
568 Loose Straight Men’s Jeans
Was it Marcus Aurelius who once said “denim makes the man?” No? Well, if your man needs a serious upgrade in the jeans department, then go for these sub-$100 Levi’s that hearken back to the ’90s with a perfectly slouchy-cool cut.
Rhodes
Roper Zip Boot
Rhodes’ cowboy boots are comfy enough to rock as a daily shoe, but it also dresses up well enough to wear with a suit.
Miansai
Lennox Light Jasper Ring
There’s something about a signet ring that can take any ordinary man and turn him into the Duke of Swagfordshire. This jasper and sterling silver version has a streamlined sense of elegance for the modern man. Just make to sure pick his pinky size for some extra panache.
Lululemon
Built to Move Boxer 5″ (Two-Pack)
There’s probably some evolutionary reason why men wear their undies until they’re threadbare—it’s a mystery. Put a little pep back in his step with these ultra comfy boxer briefs. Made from sweat-wicking, low friction material, they’re perfect for the gym.
Banana Republic
Oversized Cotton Poplin Shirt
There’s something about a guy in an oversized button down that gets the blood flowing. This cotton poplin shirt is as much a gift for you as it is for him.
Diesel
C-Seymon Cap
Does he love a perfectly faded vintage cap? How about one that looks like it’s spent the last two decades on the dash of a long haul trucker minus the sweat stains and cigarette smoke? Wow him with this version from everyone’s favorite comeback brand, Diesel.
Nike
Nike Cortez Leather (black w gum sole)
The Cortez is the perennially slept-on member of the Nike family. Always on the edge of the zeitgeist (hello, Kendrick Lamar), but never falling victim to the played-out plague (sorry, all-white AF1’s and Panda Dunks). We dig these black and white versions that include a tasteful gum sole.
Les Tien
Heavyweight Zip Hoodie
Seiko
Rectangular Watch
That’s the last time he wears his Apple Watch to date night dinners. (While this Seiko can’t make phone calls, it looks much cooler.)
Warby Parker
“Harris” Sunglasses
Bombas
Men’s Performance Compression Socks
Pro travelers know that if you’re taking a long flight, compression socks are an important way to make sure blood is circulating and nothing goes sideways healthwise. We love the feel of these high quality ones from the sock GOATs at Bombas.
Whalebone
Clean Up Polo
This unbelievably comfortable shirt from Whalebone is a great gift for the cozy guy in your life. It has a relaxed fit and is available in two colorways.
Uniqlo
HEATTECH Lined Gloves
Is he the “oh, it’s not that cold out” even though it’s in the single digits type? Change his mind with these classy, suede-look gloves that are lined with Uniqlo’s signature cold-busting ‘HEATTECH’ tech fabric.
Grooming
Aesop
Virēre Eau de Parfum
One spritz of this spicy, citrusy scent from Aesop and he’ll be even more irresistible than before.
Laurel Bath House
Cuffed Bodywash
This body wash will have your man smelling divine—just listen to the scent description. “Sun bleached leather. Tobacco. Raspberry.” Not exactly an award-winning smoothie combination, but it sure smells good.
Philips Norelco
Multigroomer All-in-One Trimmer Series 7000
The subtle hint your boyfriend needs to trim down that bush growing on his face. And chest. Oh, and everywhere else.
The Art of Shaving
GilletteLabs Heated Razor
If his idea of self-care is the monthly hot towel and shave at his barber, remind him these earthly delights can be available to him daily with this ingeniously heated razor that’ll give him a comfortingly close shave.
Tech
Fluance
RT81 Elite High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable
The diamond-tipped stylus on this record player tracks grooves with greater precision for high-quality audio. Play that funky music, boyfriend.
Theragun
Mini
Let them work out their kinks with this mini massager from industry standard Therabody.
Bose
QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
Bose’s latest headphones are by far the brand’s most comfortable and quiet, almost like Bose knew what it was doing when it named the damn thing.
GoPro
HERO12 Black Waterproof Action Camera
GoPro has come a long way since its first action cameras, and the latest has some of the best quality video you’d ever expect from a device that’s as small as your palm.
UltimateEars
Epic Boom Bluetooth Speaker
A hefty 360-degree speaker with crystal clear sound quality for blaring a podcast in the kitchen, your dad’s smooth jazz, or mom’s daily meditations.
Sonos
Pro-Ject T1 Phono SB Turntable
This high-quality turntable is the gift that keeps on giving: For all subsequent gifting occasions, you can just get him a new record or two for his collection. Just be careful that he doesn’t become too obsessed with this thing.
Panasonic
Swipe Right Compact Shaver
Forgetting your shaver and having to make due with a hotel razor is a surefire way to get nicks and cuts. Make sure he’s always fresh on the road with this palm-size travel shaver he can leave it in his travel kit and never be without it.
Kodak
Mobile Film Scanner
Does he love shooting film but hate dropping a bag to get it developed? The film OG’s at Kodak have cooked a modern solution with this clever film scanner that lets you view your negatives through your phone and connects with an app to scan the ones he wants to keep (i.e. post to Instagram).
Kitchen
Diletta
Bello Espresso Machine
If you’ve noticed his brower search history has him diving through the coffee subreddits, you might want to give him the gift of excellent espresso in this stainless steel machine from Bello. Better if you pull the shots for him.
Gozney
Arc Pizza Oven
If he’s already one pizza pie away from opening his own store, upgrade his culinary arsenal with this Arc oven from Gozney, which can churn out a delicious pizza in just 60 seconds.
Del Maguey
Vida Clasico Mezcal
Ditch the bottom shelf tequila for a smoky mezcal, which he’ll end up using as a sub for all of his favorite cocktails. (Trust us: a mezcal negroni is the move of the holidays.)
Yeti
Rambler Cocktail Shaker
Your at-home bartender can mix up drinks even when you two are on the road.
Ninja
Luxe Café Premier Series Espresso Machine Drip Coffee Maker & Cold Brew Machine
This ultimate do-it-all coffee/cold brew/espresso machine from Ninja is literally like gifting him an unlimited gift card to his favorite cafe—except the only person he’ll need to tip is himself (and maybe you).
Mysa
Natural Wine Club
Bottles of natural wine delivered to your door? This is the future we were promised. (Ideally he’s sharing his wine with you.)
by Colu Henry
‘Easy Fancy Food’
This new-ish cookbook from New York Times Cooking contributor, Colu Henry, is filled with cheats for making weeknight dinners more gourmet.
Fellow
Opus Coffee Grinder
You don’t get his coffee obsession (or why he spends hours a day on a coffee subreddit) but you love him anyway. This is a coffee nerd’s dream grinder—and also extremely aesthetic.
Home
OSEA
Glow to Sleep Starter Set
Wake up to your fresh-faced boyfriend, courtesy of one of the best natural beauty brands around.
Twemco
Flip Clock
A retro clock to remind him that your love for is neverending—and to make sure he’s on time for the function, for once. Delightfully analog with German engineering, this easy-to-read clock will look perfect on his nightstand.
Aer
Gym Duffel 3
Partners don’t let boyfriends walk to the gym looking like a schlub. This gym bag will hold all his gear, including shoes, jump ropes, weightlifting belts, wraps, straps, sleeves—the list goes on.
Goshi
Exfoliating Shower Towel
Bang & Olufsen
Beolit 20 Bluetooth Speaker
Not only is this one of the most impressive speakers around, but it also includes a built-in wireless charger so the tunes can be bopping all day.
Giro
Fixture Mips II Bike Helmet
He’s too cool for a bike helmet until the eighths of a second that one ends up saving his life. Even if it just sits in the storage closet, at least you can say you tried.
One of These Days
Cowboy Hat Incense Holder
For your rootin,’ tootin’ cowboy.
Laundry Day
Stainless Steel Ashtray
High, ahem, art for his coffee table.
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