The typical way to unload Father’s Day merchandise is to speak to kids and wives and suggest something the old man would like. But we don’t have that kind of time or money, do we?

Dads, we need to take things into our own hands this year.

Sure, your wife and kids need space to make their own mistakes, to find their own way in the world, to build confidence. No doubt. But do you really want to take a chance like that when it comes to Fathers’ Day? No, we didn’t think so.

So send ‘em a link to this page, and increase their allowance if you must. Here are two special Pop Kits from Field Notes that’ll save them some cash, and more importantly save you from pretending to like whatever goofy thing they’ll probably buy you if you don’t give them a little, ahem, fatherly advice.

THE “COLLECTOR DAD” KIT

The “COLLECTOR DAD” kit is perfect for any father looking to turn take a mild obsession with FIELD NOTES to the next level. His COLORS subscription will start with two copies of our current “America the Beautiful” 3-Packs (with water-transfer decals), and two Kraft-cover 3-Packs (Graph and Mixed.) The first shipment will also include our Space Pen (black or chrome!), one Steno book, 6 woodgrain #2 pencils, and our handsome wooden Archival Box to store his growing collection. All that will be followed with three more quarterly shipments* featuring two 3-Packs of future COLORS limited editions and assorted other goodies. That adds up to 10 3-Packs (30 books!) plus the box, Steno, Space Pen, and pencils, which should keep any dad busy for a while. It costs just $149.95, saving you more than $20.

* Order the COLLECTOR DAD kit with your name and address, we’ll email you right away to confirm the recipient’s shipping address and contact info. The first shipment will include a card explaining the gift and outlining the subscription plan.

THE “GAP POP FLY” PACK

The “GAP POP FLY” pack features a signed copy of Kevin Guilfoile’s A Drive into the Gap, a true story about his own father and the mystery surrounding the bat used for Roberto Clemente’s 3000th (and final) hit. The author will custom-inscribe a message to your father,** and we’ll add in a Mixed 3-Pack of FIELD NOTES, one Steno pad, and 6 pencils. Perfect for fans of baseball and fatherhood, or anyone who loves a true tale, well told. All this in a handsome burlap bag for $23.95, almost eight bucks cheaper than ordering separately.

** Order the POP FLY pack with your name/address, you’ll get an email asking for your custom inscription info and the recipient’s shipping address and contact info.

Check out more great gifts for any budget in our online shop!

“My next expedition. I’m planning to set out to complete Captain Scott’s ill-fated Terra Nova Antarctic expedition for the first time. At 1,800 miles and nearly four months long, it will be the longest unsupported polar journey in history, and it’s the biggest challenge I’ve ever taken on.” Gear Patrol interviews Ben Saunders. We’re totally psyched to be a part of Ben Saunders and his crew, and their attempt to mount The Scott Expedition, an 1,800-mile expedition to complete Captain Scott’s ill-fated journey to the South Pole from 100 years ago.

If you ordered the new COLORS limited edition, you may want to watch this video about your “America the Beautiful” water transfer decal. It’s not difficult to apply, but it’s important to follow the directions carefully:

If you didn’t order the new COLORS limited edition, it’s not too late to pick up a couple 3-Packs, or to start a COLORS subscription.

Spring is here, and along with warmer weather comes the 18th limited edition FIELD NOTES COLORS notebooks. “America the Beautiful” features three full-color covers: “Spacious Skies,” “Amber Waves,” and “Mountain Majesty,” printed on meaty 15pt coated-one-side Tango cover stock with 1960s imprecision. Inside is Finch Fine “Soft White” paper ruled in “looseleaf blue.” Each pack includes a vibrant water-transfer decal. Read more about it, and see our new film here, then head to to stock up, while they last. Better yet, subscribe to COLORS and never miss an edition, or at least get on our mailing list (enter your email in the form to your left) so you can find out about stuff like this before anyone else!

“This had become an absolutely vital part of my Every Day Carry.” Adam Savage, of Mythbusters fame, empties his pockets on the latest episode of the Tested.com video podcast and describes what he keeps with him at all times. Check at the four-minute mark where he reveals he’s currently rocking the National Crop Edition “Hay” memo-book and the Matte Black Field Notes Space Pen. Thanks a million for that. Here’s the tested.com site. Bookmark that, it’s always full of cool stuff.

Thanks to Lawrence Kids for a lovely shout-out on p28-29 of their Spring 2013 issue. They write “Our kids use them just as much as we do,” which is great, and certainly true on our end of the supply chain too.

Roberto Clemente is the central figure in Field Notes Brand Books first release, A Drive into the Gap.. The book’s author, Kevin Guilfoile, tells us why the real hero of the book is Pittsburgh father and fan, Lou Schmitt, who recently passed away.

Field Notes is proud to be a sponsor of the Ninth Annual Tournament of Books over at The Morning News.

Our pocket-sized memo books are perfect for recording notes, quotes and sketches while you make your way through all 16 books. They also serve as a handy way to keep track of your Rooster picks during all five rounds of matches.

Buy anything in the Field Notes Shop while the tourney is on and be sure to enter coupon code ROOSTER before you check out (Coupon expires April 1, 2013). Doing so will score you a special red, letterpressed memo book stamped with the ToB Rooster and bound with our heavy duty Field Notes Band of Rubber.

We hope you enjoy the 2013 Tournament of Books!

We’ve been working hard to get our Field Notes into shops all over the world and sometimes we are lucky to meet people who “get” Field Notes and our philosophy immediately. We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with the great folks at Hightide to increase our presence in the Japanese market. Yuu from Hightide took the time to visit us at Field Notes Midwest HQ and we spent a nice afternoon chatting about how we could work together. We’re excited to be partnering with such a smart and influential brand. Onwards!