Another bride, another June, another sunny honeymoon, another season, another reason …
For kayaking in Canada, trekking in Nepal or hiking in Yellowstone.
At a time when more couples are making a marriage of outdoor sports and honeymoon getaways, registering for gifts that fit an adventurous lifestyle is gaining attention.
Retailers are noticing the trend. A survey for the outdoor industry by the Western WATS Market Research Co. polled more than 800 adults who participated in sports such as cycling, hiking and camping.
According to the survey, 69 percent of women and 59 percent of men say they like to spend time with my significant other when participating in outdoor activities. In addition, 51 percent of women and 47 percent of men say outdoor activities are a great way to build romantic relationships.
If youre a couple whose wedded bliss will have firm footing in a shared love of the great outdoors, there are plenty of options and you wont need a compass to find them.
With many retailers expanding their services in recent years to include wedding registries, brides and grooms can sign-up for everything from tents at Target to sleeping bags at Sears. And dedicated outdoor enthusiasts will definitely want to register with outdoor specialists REI.
Launched last spring, the integrated online, phone and in-store gift registry garnered 6,000 gift lists nationally in just eight weeks.
The registry can be used for any event, but the majority of the new lists are for upcoming weddings of couples who enjoy skiing, hiking, climbing, camping and cycling together. It gives online purchasers the option to have the gear gift-boxed and delivered to a registry address, have the gift shipped to them or pick it up at an REI store.
According to the Seattle-based retailer, favorite outdoor gifts include gender-specific backpacks, tents, cookware and portable global positioning systems. For more information, see www.rei.com or call (800) 426-4840.
GIFT BASICS
High-quality weatherproof outerwear is an essential for any outdoor his-and-her activity such as hiking, camping, fishing or cycling. Moonstone Mountain Equipment makes the Storm Flight Jacket and the Storm Flight Pant in men and womens sizes.
The jackets are waterproof and breathable, sealed with matching seam tapes, and have an adjustable hood that stows into the collar, extra-long underarm zippers, two large hand pockets and single-hand adjustable draw cords. The pants are also waterproof, breathable and sealed with matching seam tape, and have zippered back pockets, an elastic waistband, full-length two-way side leg zippers and Cordura reinforced scuff guards.
Jacket: $120. Pant: $100. For the nearest retailer, see www.moonstone.com.
While cycling together, a bride and groom on their bicycles can light up the night with the Aurora Bike Light headlamp from Princeton Tec.
The light has an electronically-controlled switch system that provides easy switching between three levels of light output that offer burn times from 50 to 160 hours. Two blinking/emergency signaling modes are for those times when a cyclist needs increased visibility. The headlamp offers extreme versatility with an accessory package consisting of handlebar and helmet attachment devices and a head strap. Powered by three AAA batteries, the headlamp is compact, water resistant and weighs less than 3 ounces.
Aurora Bike Light: $29.95. For the nearest retailer, see www.princetontec.com
What could be more romantic than a tent for two under the stars? The Seige 2 tent from Coleman is an excellent option for anyone wanting comfort and space in a lightweight shelter. The tent has good ventilation and condensation is avoided due to an oversized door, large roof vent and lower vent in the canopy. Without its rain fly, the door and roof vent provide a great view of the surrounding scenery or nighttime sky. The oversized vestibule with view-out window has more than enough room for gear storage and has dual zippers on the door for high-low venting and easy access. The three-pole structure is very sturdy in the wind, and it has four internal storage pockets to keep essentials within reach.
Seige 2 tent: $160. For the nearest retailer, see www.coleman.com.
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