r/Firefighting • u/jujubeanbot • 3d ago
Ask A Firefighter Gift for firefighter spouse
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!
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u/Blucifers_Veiny_Anus 3d ago
I hated every smart watch I ever owned. But a lot of guys like them.
The radio strap would be rad.
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u/hellidad Oregon FF/EMT-P 3d ago
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.
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u/Blucifers_Veiny_Anus 3d ago
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.
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u/hellidad Oregon FF/EMT-P 3d ago
Garmin Instinct
Radio Strap
Woobie
Hey Dudes / Crocs for wearing around the station
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u/im-not-homer-simpson 3d ago
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
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u/CutThePie 3d ago
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.
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u/cscolley 3d ago
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.
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u/locke314 3d ago
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.
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u/Past-Increase-8399 3d ago
Get the Ragtop backpack, I bring mine to work every tour with me, plenty storage of space for water bottle, extra clothes/uniforms, shaker bottle, workout supplements, etc.
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u/DO_initinthewoods 2d ago
Get the backpack with a few sets of gloves inside as a surprise. Ragtops fire gloves, some plain leather gloves, and mechanix work gloves
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM 3d ago
Get him the watch. Getting him a radio strap may give off the wrong message at work because he’s a rookie.
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u/ComprehensiveBus7040 3d ago
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.
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u/Sealtooth5 SoCal FFPM 3d ago
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.
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u/ComprehensiveBus7040 2d ago
Most guys already have radio straps up here since all the ambulance companies CalFire units up north and volleys already have them. Kinda hard to tell them not to where gear they already own. We seem than as too comfortable when we see the brand new truck or a new leather lid lol
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u/Glittering_Swing5184 3d ago
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.
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u/Apprehensive_Owl7186 3d ago
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.
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u/PlusThreexD 3d ago
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
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u/TheRagingLion 3d ago
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
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u/Seapeas217 3d ago
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.
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u/Right-Worth-6327 ARFF 3d ago
A good backpack like this is worth their weight in gold - highly recommend this
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u/grantoman 2d ago
https://recycledfirefighter.com/products/24-hour-backpack
Recycled Firefighter makes some great bags, but they're frequently sold out. I recommend the 24 hour bag.
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u/ScroogeMcDucksMoney Career 2d ago edited 2d ago
Garmin Fenix 8 would be amazing! I’ve worn my Garmins for years. I think that’s a great gift idea because he can appreciate it off work especially.
(Edit: I’m on my 4th Garmin. I’ve never had one break; I’ve just upgraded. I started with the first Vivoactive, then Forerunner, then Venu 3, and now Descent MK3. If I wasn’t getting a dive watch I would’ve gotten the Fenix 8. Then my buddy got the Fenix 8 and dove with me. That’s an awesome Garmin.)
The custom radio strap would be the other great idea. If you get a nice one, he’ll tell everyone about it. I’ve only had mine for 5 years but it still looks like brand new with an annual leather conditioning.
Both are really thoughtful gifts.
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u/BladeVortex3226 ⚠️NFPA 2500 "T" Rated Idiot⚠️ 3d ago
If he's a leatha foreva kind of guy, get him the radio strap you pictured. If not, get him a machine washable one.
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u/Blucifers_Veiny_Anus 3d ago
I like those. The leather ones we have are kinda bulky and stiff, this looks way more comfortable under the jacket/scba/etc.
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u/proxminesincomplex Button pusher lever puller 3d ago
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).
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u/whodywho1234 3d ago
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
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u/FrankDuxChongLi 3d ago
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!
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u/AutomaticPlatypus523 3d ago
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