Do you have an adventure traveler or avid outdoor enthusiast on your list this holiday season? Are you struggling to figure out what you should get for them? I’ve got more than a few suggestions for the best gear for hiking, backpacking, climbing, or just plain having fun around home. So, without further ado, I present The Adventure Blog’s 2015 Holiday Shopper’s Guide (Part1).
Ex Officio Storm Logic Vest ($125)
It’s hard to find a more versatile piece of outerwear than the Storm Logic Vest from Ex Officio. Not is it comfortable to wear, and will keep your core plenty warm, but it comes equipped with seven interior pockets, each designed for a specific purpose like keeping your smartphone close at hand, protecting your passport, or storing your sunglasses. If that wasn’t enough, the vest even transforms into a travel pillow for use on those long flights to your next destination.
Limefuel Rugged Portable Battery Pack ($85)
Need portable power to keep your smartphone and tablet running in the backcountry? Than checkout the Limefuel Rugged, a battery pack that is built to survive in the worst of conditions. This waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof product has a built-in battery that packs a whopping 15,000 mAh of power. That’s enough to recharge your iPhone nearly eight times over. With dual-USB ports you can charge multiple devices at once, and the Rugged is even capable of powering a full-sized tablet. Just the think for the modern adventurer on the go.
Sugoi Zap Run Jacket ($170)
Have a runner on your list? Want to keep them warm, dry, and safe on their winter workouts? Than the Sugoi Zap Run Jacket is the way to go. Made from water resistant fabrics, this jacket reflects light on an insane level, making the wearer highly visible, even on very dark nights. It also comes with two hand pockets, a chest pocket, and a headphone management system built right into the collar. Sugoi’s signature quality is a given of course.
Holiday Clif Bars ($15 box 12)
Clif bars are a staple of in the diet of many outdoor adventurers, and it is easy to see why. They’re good for you, easy to carry, and provide a burst of much needed energy at times too. Plus, with so many flavors to choose from, everyone will find at least a few that they like. But during the holiday season, Clif Bar always introduces some special seasonal flavors that are only available for a limited-time. This year those flavors include hot chocolate, iced gingerbread, and spiced pumpkin pie. Get ’em while you can.
Cold Weather Buff ($20-$25)
I’ve been a big proponent of Buffs for years because they have so many uses while traveling or on an outdoor adventure. The super-versatile headwear can be worn around the neck, as a hat, balaclava, face mask, and more, and really should be a part of everyone’s wardrobe. Better yet, the company has a line of Buffs specifically designed for use in colder weather, providing extra warmth for our favorite outdoor winter activities. Available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, this makes a great stocking stuffer too.
Mountain Khakis’ Original Mountain Pants ($85)
Looking for a pair of pants that you can wear on hike, traveling the globe, or to the office? The Original Mountain Pant from Mountain Khakis can fill that role, and than some. This is the article of clothing that put the company on the map, and has continued to be one of their most popular products for years. Comfortable, packable, and easy to keep clean, these pants are ready for adventure.
Eddie Bauer Kara Koram 0º Storm Down Sleeping Bag ($549)
When you’re camping, backpacking, or traveling in remote settings where the temperature can drop surprisingly low, having a good sleeping bag is the key to staying comfortable. The Kara Koram 0º bag from Eddie Bauer isn’t just good however, it’s great. Packed with 850 fill water resistant Storm Down from DownTek, this bag is ready for the worst of conditions. Warm, comfortable, and lightweight, this sleeping bag is perfect for backpacking, climbing, and cold weather camping. It is also available in 20º and -30º version too.
Skins A400 Starlight Running Tights ($160)
Keep the runner in your life warm on those winter workouts with these running tights from Skins. Form-fitting, yet very comfortable, the A400 Starlight tights are designed to help the wearer perform better and recover faster, while also staying highly visible in low light conditions. The reflective power of the fabrics used in these tights is very impressive, and will increase safety out on the road too.
Suunto Traverse GPS Watch ($450)
The Traverse is the latest GPS watch from Suunto, delivering all of the features you would expect in such a timepiece, in a new, thinner form factor. The watch features improved navigational capabilities that make it easier than ever to find your way, its barometric sensors will alert the wearer of changing weather patterns too, giving them an alert on incoming storms, as well as data on sunrise and sunset times across the globe. Connect it to a smartphone to receive notifications, or use it as a fitness tracker. With a battery life of over 100 hours with GPS activated, this is truly a versatile watch designed for the outdoor adventure lifestyle.
Lorpen Hiking Socks (Varies)
Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Socks are a terrible gift that are often the butt of holiday jokes. But Lorpen makes great technical socks that are perfect for the outdoors, including their T3 Light Hiker ($17.99), which is made from a blend of three fabrics designed to keep the foot comfortable on long walks. For those who require a bit more from their performance socks, the Trekking & Expedition Polartec/Primaloft ($69.99) model is the way to go. Billed as the “ultimate sock for high altitude expedition use” this is a highly technical sock to be worn inside mountaineering boots in rigorous alpine environments. Whether you’re buying for a trail runner, hiker, backpacker, skier, or all of the above, Lorpen has a sock that can meet their needs, and make their feet very happy in the process.
That’s all for part 1 of my holiday gift buying guide. I’ll be back tomorrow with even more suggestions.
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