The Adventure Blog’s Very Last Minute Outdoor Gear Gift Guide 2018

Okay, so if you haven’t checked the calendar recently you may not have noticed that we are now just five days away from Christmas. That means your time for finding the perfect gift is quickly running out, although there is still some time to find the right gift for the outdoor enthusiast on your list. If you’re still hunting for just the right item, we have a few last minute suggestions that might help.

Pelican iPhone Cases (Prices vary by model – $30-$50)
There are a lot of cases made for the iPhone but most of them don’t provide sufficient protection for use on our outdoor expeditions and activities. That’s not the case with the latest case options from Pelican, which offers a complete line of protective shells for the iPhone X, XS, XS Max, and XR. Both the Ambassador and Adventurer cases provide dual-layer impact protection to ensure your beautiful, and pricey, smartphone survives even in the toughest of conditions.

Catalyst Special Edition AirPod Case ($30)
The iPhone isn’t the only device that deserves a great case. Apple’s AirPods are one of the best true-wireless headsets around, but if you’re taking them with you when you travel a case can come in handy there too. Fortunately, Catalyst makes a waterproof case (IP67) for the earbuds and right now they have special edition models available from Apple.com. These cases come in unique colors and are made from a soft, neoprene that will help keep your AirPods safe while on the go. I have this case, it’s one of my favorite accessories, and I use it constantly in my travel.

Eddie Bauer Microtherm Stretch Down Jacket ($125)
If you have an active outdoor enthusiasts on your list who insists on heading out for trail runs, snowshoeing, hiking, or other activities in the winter, than a good jacket is needed to keep them warm. Eddie Bauer’s Microtherm Stretch Down is a great choice, providing protection from the cold without inhibiting motion in any way. Insulated with 800-fill down and wrapped in a DWR-coated outer shell, this is a great jacket to have for those who don’t let little things like snow and cold keep them inside all winter.

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RavPower USB-C Portable Battery Pack ($55)
As I mentioned recently, USB-C is starting to take over the world, so having a battery pack that supports it is a very good thing. RavPower makes some of the best and it’s new 20100 mAh option is fast, powerful, durable, and lightweight. In other words, everything you want from a portable battery pack, and then some. Frequent travelers will be very happy to find this in their stocking this year.

Suunto 9 GPS Fitness Watch ($599)
Outdoor athletes will absolutely love the Suunto 9 GPS fitness watch. This device not only tracks speed, distance, and duration for dozens of different activities, it also has outstanding battery life, and connects to a smartphone for notifications, alerts, and text messages. Suunto even upgraded it’s onboard operation system making it much more intuitive and functional, which only makes this watch easier to recommend. Runners, cyclists, skiers, mountain bikers, hikers, and just about everyone else will love having the Suunto 9 on their wrist.

MSR EVO Snowshoe Kit ($200)
Anyone looking to stay active during the winter or get started with snowshoeing will love the MSR EVO Snowshoe Kit. It comes with everything you need to hit the trail, including a set of EVO Trail Snowshoes, MSR’s Dynalock Trail Poles, and a handy carrying pack. This kit is great for beginners, but also offers enough performance and versatility that more experience snowshoers will enjoy it too. The price is hard to beat as well, providing an entire snowshoe gear set-up for just $200.

Gregory Packs Miwok 24 Daypack ($115)
For a small and lightweight daypack, the new Gregory Miwok 24 sure comes with a lot of features, particularly for the price. Built for use for day hikes, the Miwok offers 24 liters of storage, a comfortable suspension system, a surprisingly large main compartment, and a nice array of other pockets and storage areas. It is hydration ready, includes storage pockets on its hip belt, and tips the scales at just 1.5 pounds. Best of all, it is versatile enough to be used in a variety of trail sports, including mountain biking, light trail running, or even adventure travel.

Night Trek Shoe Lights ($50)
When it comes to staying visible out on the road or trail, not to mention finding your way in the dark, the Night Trek Shoe Lights can be a real godsend. They allow me to continue to run safely in the shorter days of winter by helping oncoming vehicles and pedestrians to see me coming. They are a real eye-catcher, which is exactly what you need during those after-dark workouts. They also happen to be quite the conversation starter with other runners too.

REI Gift Cards (Varies)
Still stumped as to what to get the outdoor enthusiast on your list? Why not let them choose instead? Gift cards are always a great option and REI offers options for purchasing them online, making it easier than ever to get your holiday shopping done, while still providing your loved ones with something they will truly appreciate. With the gear retailer’s massive online catalog to choose from, they’ll probably have a tough time deciding what to buy as well.

Kraig Becker