Finding the perfect gift for the outdoors junkie in your life can be frustrating.
Everything they want either costs an arm and a leg, or is so obscure, you can only find buy it at a single store on a back alley in a Bavarian mountain village.
You could just throw your hands up and get the gear freak on your Christmas list a pair of wool socks and a lovely set of polypropylene long johns. But there are a few things out there novel or useful enough that even the most jaded extreme sports nut will be happy to find one under the tree.
Best of all, a lot of them are pretty cheap.
Nalgene bottles are like baby pacifiers – you can never have enough and you never have one when you need it. I like the one-liter Lexan models with the wide mouth. Many water filters screw right onto the top, too.
It’s titanium. It’s a spork. If you don’t understand the simple beauty of that formula, you are not a guy.
They don’t look like much, but Pack Towls rock. They soak up water like a sponge, you can wring them out until they’re nearly dry and they air-dry quickly on their own. You don’t need a big one; this 10-by-30-inch size is plenty for drying off, or washing the dishes, or both.
This teensy little headlamp is so small that you won’t mind bringing it on every trip. It’s so light that you might forget your wearing it and wander around all day like a dork with your headlamp on.
It’s not the world’s greatest watch, but you can clip it to a PFD, a backpack or the outside of a jacket, any of which is more convenient than a wristwatch if you’re kayaking, hiking or skiing.
Here in the Puget Sound area, where even our undies are made from waterproof, breathable fabric, most of us could stand to spend a little more time maintaining all that pricey clothing. Nikwax offers wash-in and spray-on formulas that will clean your stuff and restore its water repellency.
I’ve been hiking in the Cascades since I was 6, and I’ve seen a total of two bears. Of course, I know people who have seen six bears in two hours in those same mountains. Carrying bear spray – it’s really just a big, bear-sized can of pepper spray – is a sensible precaution. You can use it on two-legged predators, too.
How much of a medical kit to bring on hikes is always a tough decision. No one wants to carry more than they have to, but emergency supplies are not a good place to scrimp.
Adventure Medical’s Day Tripper kit has the basics and a few extras that should see you through blisters, burns and the usual cuts and scrapes.
Snowsports helmets don’t have to cost an arm or a leg to be effective. If your loved one is still hitting the mountain without some cushioning on his noggin, it’s time to get a bucket on that brain.
A little backcountry luxury is always nice. This 10- by 14-inch camping pillow squashes into a built-in stuff sack with the pull of a cord and provides a place to lay a weary head on the road or trail.
Do you need all of this for a day trip? Well, no, but it’s fun to have. Cooking a gourmet meal in the middle of nowhere is one of life’s great pleasures. The kit includes cooking and eating utensils and containers for oil, butter and seasonings.
Backcountry skiers and snowshoers know they need to bring a shovel for emergencies, but this lightweight Lexan shovel can be a lot of fun in the frontcountry, too. Build a ski jump, or go for an igloo.
After one of those wicked, windy, whiteout days on the ski slopes, you’ll understand why you can never have too much hat.
A waterproof case for a radio (or cell phone) with a plug for an ear piece. Because electronics work better when they’re dry.
A really nice pair of Gore-Tex gloves will warm the heart of any snow lover. These even have that snot panel on the thumb, which is kind of gross, but less so than some of the alternatives.
It protects the melon, keeps the ears warm and changes color from green to blue depending on the angle you look at it. Nifty.
Taking some weight off the ol’ knees is a good idea, especially on backpacking trips. These collapsible trekking poles have shock absorbers built into the grips. They can even double as tent poles for ultralight types.
Battery-powered heated socks have been around for a long time, but these heated footbeds fit better into ski boots. They also have multiple heat settings so skiers won’t burn their little piggies off.
With a 70-ounce reservoir and 500 cubic inches of room for stuff, this pack will keep you on the go. I especially like the drinking tube, which is hidden inside one of the shoulder straps.
Reporter Andrew Wineke:
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