It’s that time of year again when many of us are faced with the daunting task of purchasing gifts for others. We’ll help you take the stress out of things with our curated list. Each of these pieces of gear has been tested by us out in the field for at least 6 months, if not longer. Keep reading to find out our top picks: A Gift Guide for the Outdoorsy Person in Your Life.
Camping Gear
Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 with Stand
This portable fire pit has been one of our favorite outdoor gear additions for us this year. It’s helped us have fun in cooler temps and is better than a typical fire pit because it has technology in it that keeps the smoke to a minimum. See our full review here. Check Price: Amazon
ENO DoubleNest Hammock
Lightweight, easy to use, and made for 1 to 2 people. It’s our favorite way to relax at camp. Check out our favorite places to hammock in Asheville, NC. Check Price: Amazon REI.com
BioLite AlpenGlow 250 Lumen Multicolor Lantern
Light up your camp and set the mood with this cool light that has not only a candle flicker mode but a multicolor mode as well. It has a hook to hang from the top of your tent and can withstand rain and splashing. Check price: Amazon
Black + Blum Meal Container
We’ve been trying to be more sustainable so we finally invested in these lunchbox totes that are made with stainless steel and have a bamboo lid which doubles as a cutting board. I love ’em because they look good, travel well, and they are plastic-free. Check price: Amazon
Fellow Atmos Vacuum Canister for Coffee
This airtight storage container does an awesome job of keeping my whole coffee beans fresh until I’m ready to grind them. I’ve put this canister to the test for the last year and I still enjoy using it every morning and getting that first strong whiff of coffee. Coffee enthusiasts will love this. Price check: Amazon
Sawyer Products Squeeze Water Filtration System
We first learned about Sawyer Products about two years ago and have been impressed by how they’ve made clean drinking water in the backcountry easier and safer. This is a must-have if you’ll be camping or backpacking and relying on streams or lakes or ponds for your water. Price check: Amazon REI.com
Coleman 1900 Collection Hard Cooler
This 20-quart steel belted cooler not only looks rad but keeps this food and drinks cold like no other. Check Price: Amazon
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500
Great for when you need to recharge cell phones, laptops, etc. and you’re off the grid. Quiet, powerful, and even works at home when you’ve lost power. See our full review here. Check price: Amazon
Coleman OneSource Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
Listen to your favorite songs or podcasts while at camp with this wireless speaker. There’s also a charging port for USB devices to recharge off. Check price: Amazon
GSI Outdoors Santoku Knife Set
We were given this set to test out two years ago and while it’s small, it’s mighty and travels with us everywhere. Caroline actually uses the smallest knife at home when we’re not at camp; she loves it that much! Check price: Amazon REI.com
Otterbox Performance Fast Charge Power Bank
This little device keeps your phone charged when you’re out in the field all day. It’s slim design fits neatly into a pack and is compatible with USB-A and USB-C devices. Price check: Amazon
Coleman Insulated Stainless Steel 20oz Brew Tumbler
This is my go-to coffee mug that doubles as my beer cup. It’s been dropped out of the van numerous times and is still going strong. Bonus: there’s a bottle opener on the bottom of it. Price check: Amazon
Leatherman Wave Multitool
I’ve been using and relying on a Leatherman just like this for over a decade. It’s built to last and if you keep it in your glove box, I guarantee it’ll come in handy more times than you can count. Price check: Amazon REI.com
Sunglasses
Costa Del Mar Sullivan Square Sunglasses
These polarized sunglasses are a must-have for days on the water or at the beach when you want to cut through the glare. They’re solidly built and are stylish enough for both the brewery and the boat. Check price: Amazon
Tifosi Optics Swank XL Sunglasses
Lightweight, durable, and selling at an affordable price point. These are our go-to sunglasses for all things outdoorsy including a 100-mile bike ride we did in the Florida Keys. Check price: Amazon REI.com
Footwear
Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot
Rain, snow, mud…doesn’t matter what you throw at this boot, your feet are going to stay dry. Check price: Amazon REI.com
Brooks Glycerin 19 Women’s Neutral Running Shoe
A solid trainer built for all the road running miles you can throw at it. This is my go-to running shoe. Check price: Amazon REI.com
Dansko Women’s Karmel Rain Boot
Lightweight, cute, and waterproof. Great for rainy day chores and dog walks. I wear ’em out to the brewery, too. Check price: Amazon
Brooks Cascadia 16 Women’s Trail Running Shoe
I’ve been trail running in the Cascadia’s since 2012. They’re my top pick for comfort over multi-surfaces and long days on the trail. Check price: Amazon REI.com
Gifts for Pets and Pet Owners
RUFFWEAR Front Range Dog Harness
Our dog never leaves home without this harness. It’s safe, durable, padded, reflective, and great for all day adventures. Plus, she looks cute in it. Check price: Amazon REI.com
Rhino Valley Chalk Bag
While this bag is designed for holding chalk for climbers, I use it to store an extra roll of dog poop bags and treats! It’s got an adjustable waist belt, is durable, and comes with a carabiner which you can clip to your leash. Check price: Amazon
Google Nest Security Cam – Wired
My dog has separation anxiety and turns out I have a little bit of it myself. So we got this little camera and set it up so we can see what she’s up to (and if she’s okay) when we’re not home. It works great and while there’s a monthly subscription you can opt into, we use the free version and it does just what we need it to. Check price: Amazon
RUFFWEAR Knot-a-Leash Dog Leash
The secure, locking carabiner gives me peace of mind that my dog won’t somehow get away from me. Plus the leash is comfortable and has an accessory loop for the poop bag to affix to. Check price: Amazon REI.com
RUFFWEAR Bivy Dog Bowl
If you can’t tell, we’re kind of obsessed with RUFFWEAR. We think their gear is just some of the best available. This bowl is lightweight, collapses, travels easy, and can be used for food or water. Maggie approves. Check price: Amazon REI.com
RC Pet Products Cascade Coat
It gets legit cold in Western North Carolina and though Maggie has a natural coat, we wanted to get her something for those days when it’s extra cold. Loving the reflective stripe on this one. Plus it’s easy to get into and out of. Check price: Amazon
Accessories
BUFF Adult Original Multifunctional Headwear and Face Mask
This is just one of the many different patterns that BUFF makes. Literally there are so many cool styles to choose from. I wear a BUFF during the winter around my neck to keep the chill away. I also wear them on runs around my head to keep the sweat and hair from getting into my eyes. Check price: Amazon REI.com
Kelty 5 Liter Sunny Waist Pack
We each have one of these fanny packs. It’s great for short hikes, trips into town, and even while running errands. It has plenty of space to hold two phones, two wallets, random stuff and even a couple beers. Check price: Amazon
Swiftwick Vision Six Impression Running Socks
I’ve been running in Swiftwick Running socks for about two years now and they’re my favorite. They’re thin and keep my feet dry, comfortable, and blister free no matter the distance. Check price: Amazon
Thread Wallet’s Elastic and Leather Vertical Wallet
I’ve never been one to lug around a huge wallet. I’ve been using the same Thread Wallet for about five years and it’s still going strong. It holds my license, credit cards, and cash when I have it. Check price: Amazon
Safety
Giro MIPS Mountain Biking Helmet
Does your helmet have the Multi-Directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) to redirect energy in a crash? If not, it may be time to upgrade. Price check: Amazon REI.com
3M Waterproof and Washable Reflective Stickers
We got a pack of these at a bike safety event and stuck them on our bikes so we’d be more visible at night. We’ve had them on for over a year and have not even begun to show signs of peeling off. Price check: Amazon
A Gift Guide for the Outdoorsy Person in Your Life Recap
Whether you’re buying a gift for someone special in your life, a co-worker, or even yourself, you can’t go wrong with these items we’ve handpicked. And if you find that in getting new gear, you’ve got no use for your old gear, we encourage you to re-home it rather than sending it to the landfill. Also, though we’re linking to Amazon and REI.com, when you’re able, we encourage you to shop local and keep your resources within your community.
What are your top gear picks this year? We’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.
