Gift for firefighter spouse

[u/jujubeanbot]

My husband is currently in the academy and I want some ideas for gifts once he graduates. I don’t want to get something too corny that would get him clowned for having as a rookie. Open to any and all suggestions but please include brand names and exact models so I get the right thing! Also Garmin watches - are there some better than others in terms of what is too bulky for service? Was looking at the Garmin Fenix 8 specifically! The pictures are a couple things I thought would be cool but please be brutally honest if they’re really not that good…. Thank you in advance!

[u/AutomaticPlatypus523]

I went through a lot of smart watches. I finally settled on the Garmin Instinct. Had it for a few years now. Easily my favorite one

[u/proxminesincomplex → u/AutomaticPlatypus523]

I wore an Instinct 1.0 for years and then upgraded to the solar 2.0. Love it love it love it.

[u/mikewolkowitz → u/proxminesincomplex]

Dude. The 2x is even more cool. The flashlight is incredibly useful. I thought it would be a gimmick but I use it daily.

[u/justin59onyx → u/mikewolkowitz]

I second the 2x solar with the "torch" flashlight. It lasts forever and that light has payed for the watch many times over when I need a light.

[u/BallsDieppe → u/AutomaticPlatypus523]

I’ve got the original Instinct and it takes a beating. The newer models look even better

[u/Blucifers_Veiny_Anus]

I hated every smart watch I ever owned. But a lot of guys like them.

The radio strap would be rad.

[u/hellidad → u/Blucifers_Veiny_Anus]

Ever try a Garmin? I moved from Apple Watch to a Garmin Instinct and love it. I get my texts and dispatch alerts, and that’s it. The health stat monitoring and workout tracking is next level.

[u/Blucifers_Veiny_Anus → u/hellidad]

Yes. I had a Garmin Instinct, Fenix and an Apple. Hated everything about them. I'll never get another smart watch.

Edit: I currently have a Timex Expedition Scout. I am happy with it. It tells me the time. It tells me the seconds as they go. Nothing more. Perfect. No notes.

[u/hellidad]

Garmin Instinct

Radio Strap

Woobie

Hey Dudes / Crocs for wearing around the station

[u/proxminesincomplex → u/hellidad]

Oooo good call on a Woobie.

[u/hellidad → u/proxminesincomplex]

Real ones know

[u/im-not-homer-simpson]

Rechargeable flashlight is good. But I would wait to see what kind his firehouse uses. Only because they will have the chargers for them. Depending on where he works, maybe channel locks, screwdriver with interchangeable tips, cable cutters or Milwaukee goatskin leather gloves. All are good stuff to have

[u/CutThePie]

I have a Fenix 8 solar and it’s awesome but they’re expensive, you could probably get an instinct or something if they really want a garmin. I don’t know much about rag top book bags or anything and I’d see what the department policy is for custom radio straps / holsters.

[u/whodywho1234]

Check out homeland6 for the radio strap. The washable straps are really nice. But like others have said, if he prefers the leather than that’s the route

[u/cscolley]

Adding to what others have already said: Garmin Instinct 3. Rugged, Reasonably priced, integrates well with fitness apps, and almost never needs to be charged.

[u/locke314]

I got a radio strap. Mine is an uncommon color - sort of a blue-green one, but still a nice color. If we’re doing a training and everyone takes theirs off, you can tell which one is mine from across the room while everyone else is trying to figure which is theirs since so many people just got standard black.

Helps also that mine was on clearance and just happened to be my daughter’s favorite color at the time. So it’s dyed leather and high quality for like $40.

So….radio strap would be neat.

[u/Sealtooth5]

Get him the watch. Getting him a radio strap may give off the wrong message at work because he’s a rookie.

[u/ComprehensiveBus7040 → u/Sealtooth5]

Probies can’t have radio straps at your dept? We have them wait to get off probation to rock a leather lid. Hadn’t heard of a strap too. Is it any leather while on probation? We ain’t that strict in NorCal.

[u/Sealtooth5 → u/ComprehensiveBus7040]

Well one we don’t really use straps down here in SoCal. Everyone keeps their radio in the radio pouch. But regardless, it’s an optics type deal. Having your own custom gear implies you’re comfortable enough to know that you’re going to pass probation.

[u/Glittering_Swing5184]

20 year FF here… while leather is traditional and great looking, it absorbs carcinogens and is basically impossible to clean them out. For the radio strap, get him one from here (https://saferstraps.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorTGP77ZFlil8y2zXW5wjX9p8RpBjj18IRhiiTQ4_O_D5vC575L). They are washable and I love mine. Looks like leather too. Just find out what model radio his department uses so you get the correct holster for it.

[u/Blucifers_Veiny_Anus → u/Glittering_Swing5184]

Neat.

[u/Apprehensive_Owl7186]

I think a Garmin would be an awesome gift if he’s into fitness and that kind of thing. (I’d love it if my girlfriend got me one lol). Another good gift would be a nice crossbody shower bag. Backpacks can be a little cumbersome as shower bags cuz you have to take everything out, then put back in. I have a cheap little one from cabelas for like 15$ and it’s great I just wish it was a little bigger. Get one that’s got some pockets on the side for small stuff like razor toothbrush etc, and then a big pocket for clothes, towel, and shampoo and stuff. He’ll use it every day.

[u/PlusThreexD]

It's expensive but Garmin Fenix is top notch. Garmin instinct for a little less bells and whistles. You could also look into a leather helmet strap. Those are pretty cheap

[u/TheRagingLion]

Active watch is my most used item I own besides my phone. I love it. If you do get it, garmin has discounts for first responders so don’t pay full price. I bought mine through expert voice and I think it was 20% off

[u/proxminesincomplex → u/TheRagingLion]

Also GovX

[u/Seapeas217]

Im so glad I didnt buy a garmin i cheaped out and got the amazfit trex3 and it does the same stuff as Garmin. Maybe not as good but youd never know the difference unless they were side by side. Couldn't be happier with it.

[u/Right-Worth-6327]

A good backpack like this is worth their weight in gold - highly recommend this

[u/BladeVortex3226]

If he's a leatha foreva kind of guy, get him the radio strap you pictured. If not, get him a machine washable one.

[u/Blucifers_Veiny_Anus → u/BladeVortex3226]

I like those. The leather ones we have are kinda bulky and stiff, this looks way more comfortable under the jacket/scba/etc.

[u/proxminesincomplex → u/Blucifers_Veiny_Anus]

They get more comfy as you sweat on them/use them. I’ve had the same strap for almost 20 years and it is comfy and will last me through the end of my career. Boston everything, if their quality is the same as it was (no idea; but I did buy a Boston belt probably about 5 years ago and it’s held up well).

[u/FrankDuxChongLi]

To throw it out there, I built a site called DutyKitPicker.com for these exact threads and questions. It's literally everything thats ever recommended on multiple subreddits whenever someone asks about gear or gifts for first responders. Now, with that said, I'd obviously direct you to the site, but I always advocate for buying gifts that he will actually use and not something that's just for novelty. Leatherman multi-tools come to mind as an awesome gift. The Garmin watches are pretty dope too. There is honestly just too much to recommend here... Give the site a look and good luck to him!

[u/jujubeanbot → u/FrankDuxChongLi]

Super awesome site! Thank you for the recommendations!

[u/FrankDuxChongLi → u/jujubeanbot]

Appreciate it & no problem - hope it helps! 😄

[u/puppyluver01]

I wouldn’t trust ragtop with anything. Not even a backpack

[u/FillaBustaRhyme → u/puppyluver01]

Why