20 Thoughtful and Eco-Friendly Gifts for Him
Is he obsessed with sneakers? Does he prefer carrying cash? Or does he rock boots like no one else? No matter who you’re shopping for, here’s how you can get him the best gift — and guarantee some smiles.
Men can be notoriously tough to shop for. What do you get the one in your life who has everything? Or the low-maintenance one who always says he wants nothing? To put this conundrum at ease, we’ve put together a foolproof gift guide that features classic men’s gifts like watches, shoes, and wallets, along with some thoughtful items that’ll even make the man who has everything feel filled with delight as he rips off the wrapping paper.
So without further ado, here’s where you can find the best sustainable and ethical gifts for him:
Note that the following guide includes affiliate links. As always, we feature brands and products that meet strict standards for sustainability that we love — and that we think you'll love too!
1. Basics by Asket
A sure-fire way of getting a successful yet safe gift is by looking at the things he may already have and giving them an upgrade. Case-in-point: Asket’s evergreen range of eco-minded essentials.
Known for: timeless essentials, low impact materials, recycle program
Price: $$-$$$
2. Sneakers by Veja
This pick is at the top of our list when it comes to fair trade gifts for him. There’s no style of footwear quite as democratic as the humble sneaker. And Veja’s sneakers put style and sustainability on equal footing.
Known for: minimalist design, sustainably-sourced and bio-based materials
Price: $$-$$$
3. Practical Accessories by Patagonia
Consider this your one-stop shop for the men who love hiking, camping, and the tirelessly active boys who love the great outdoors. Patagonia creates sustainably-minded outdoor gear and accessories that are built to last, and will be a treasure trove for finding ethical and sustainable gifts for him.
Known for: use of recycled materials, low environmental impact, repair and resale program
Price: $$
4. Wallets and Bags by Nisolo
This one is for the commuters or travelers in your life. Whether it's a sleek billfold wallet or a capacious throw-in-and-go weekender, Nisolo’s ethically-made bags are durable and long-wearing.
Known for: ethical production, quality products, use of waxed canvas and vegetable-tanned leather
Price: $$-$$$
5. Eco Comforters and Bedding by Buffy
There’s no better way to pamper the man in your life who values a good night’s sleep than by giving him a cozy comforter. He will be more than delighted to lie in the comforting embrace of these responsibly-crafted linens and blankets by Buffy.
Known for: use of thermo-regulating eco-responsible materials and natural dyes
Price: $$-$$$
6. Reusable Self-cleaning Bottles by LARQ
What do you gift the man who can easily be described as a tall drink of water? A bottle, of course! But bad jokes aside, LARQ’s innovative PureVis™ self-cleaning technology is one he is bound to appreciate and bring up in conversations by the water cooler.
Known for: self-cleaning and water purification system, using BPA-free, insulated stainless steel
Price: $$
7. Doubleshot Espresso Cup by The Bright Angle
For the arabica aficionado in your life, this porcelain cup will make for a lovely addition to your coffee lover’s cupboard. Grounds for a gifting cheer? You bet.
Known for: using a porcelain mix from natural materials and fair labor
Price: $$
8. Biodynamic Coffee by Holistic Roasters
Let him be the caffeine connoisseur that makes a difference with some regeneratively grown coffee. Biodynamic Coffee is made using regenerative farming practices that improve the natural environment.
Known for: regeneratively farmed coffee beans, compostable packaging
Price: $$
9. Recycled Copper Barware by Sertodo Copper
If his signature drink is a Moscow Mule, then look no further. The classic cocktail is known for being served in a copper cup to keep it frosty, and this gift set will have him showing it off at every dinner party he hosts.
Known for: using recycled copper, handcrafted by Mexican artisans
Price: $$$
10. Handcrafted Cast Iron Skillet by FINEX
Does he fancy himself a top chef? Made responsibly in Portland, this skillet is the perfect ethical present for him. If he's serious about cooking, a quality cast iron skillet ought to be in his kitchen arsenal. Each skillet is pre-seasoned with organic flaxseed oil and handmade by six craftspeople.
Known for: craftsmanship, durability
Price: $$$
11. Recycled Rubber Desk Mat by Slash Objects
If working from home has become the new norm for him then a slick desk mat is bound to make his workspace appear stylish.
Known for: using recycled rubber, fair labor
Price: $$
12. TENCEL™ Tree Loungers by Allbirds
Let him put his best foot forward in a comfortable pair of laceless, slip-ons. Practical and versatile, these Allbirds loungers are made using conscious materials with a low impact.
Known for: using natural, recycled, and bio-based materials
Price: $$$
13. Backpack by United by Blue
For the one on the move whose morning commutes are no less than an adventure, backpacks are a practical way to stuff essentials. That's why backpacks will always be on our sustainable gifts for him list. Just make sure it’s the hard-wearing and water-resistant kind like this one.
Known for: use of recycled polyester and nylon
Price: $$
14. Solar Powered Watches by Solios
Watches are to men what jewelry is to women. They add an undeniable touch of elegance and complete your look. And these solar-powered timepieces in particular offer unparalleled value and quality.
Known for: use of solar-powered batteries, recycled stainless steel, and eco-vegan leather
Price: $$$
15. Organic Cotton Pajama Sets by Desmond & Dempsey
Pajamas that make a statement, he might just mistake these stylish jammies for everyday separates. Feel free to throw in a robe or an eye mask while you’re at it and you’ll have him feeling like Cary Grant in no time.
Known for: being made in factories run on renewable energy and using organic cotton
Price: $$-$$$
16. Handcrafted Huaraches by Chamula
A modern twist on the Mexican sandal, these lace-up huaraches offer a contemporary and stylish touch to the traditional shoe. This pair by Chamula in particular will keep the compliments coming.
Known for: craftsmanship and use of vegetable-tanned leather
Price: $$$
17. Recycled Sherpa Blanket by Faherty
For the man that has a special place in his heart for a good cuddle, cozying up in this recycled blanket will feel like the closest thing to sleeping on a cloud.
Known for: use of organic cotton and recycled polyester, giving back to indigenous communities
Price: $$$
18. Organic Cotton Socks by Harvest & Mill
For the lazy boys who rarely get around to replacing their everyday essentials, these super soft socks will have them tossing their worn-out pairs with holes in no time.
Known for: low-impact production, use of organic cotton and natural dyes
Price: $$
19. Cork Dopp Kit by Tiradia Cork
An essential in every well-groomed man’s travel arsenal, a dopp kit is a perfect place to stash away their selection of personal products. And this cork wash bag is spacious enough to fit his shaving kit and then some.
Known for: being vegan, use of natural cork material and natural dyes, woman-owned company
Price: $$
20. Ethically-made Boots by Nisolo
Nisolo will be your go-to spot for finding ethical gifts for him. These boots that will help him get off on the right foot with hard-wearing styles that offer a refined take on the sturdy shoe type.
Known for: ethical production, take back scheme, using vegetable-tanned leather
Price: $$$
We hope you enjoyed this roundup of sustainable and ethical gifts for him! If you're looking for more guides, check these out:
BIPOC-Owned Businesses For Finding The Perfect Gift
Cover Image Credit: Solios
