The Sonoran Desert. 120,000 square miles that range from a sun-blasted wasteland, to jagged peaks and expanses of vegetation so thick that it’s nearly impossible to see over, much less walk through. In other words, it was the perfect place for our crew to put the V-Lite Sphike through the paces.
Hikers are a particularly demanding bunch; the repetitive motion of logging lots of miles over varied terrain means they are perpetually on the hunt for gear that can stand the test of time – and doesn’t cut the corner on performance and durability. Following is our list of top five gift choices for the day-hiking guy and gal on your list that live for a life on the trail.
It’s the eternal holiday dilemma: you want to get great gifts for the outdoor enthusiast in your life, but you can’t afford much beyond homemade cookies and a trail map. Fear not my friend, our annual Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide has got you covered with a list of prime gear gifts. Each rings in at under $60 and is sure to please the outdoor enthusiast in your life.
On days when the mercury goes into hiding, or there’s a nip in the air and you need to travel fast and light, the Thermostatic Jacket from Mountain Hardwear is designed to give you you maximum warmth in a minimalist design.
Sierra Designs made the Flash 2-Person Tent to be spacious yet lightweight, stable, and durable for three-season excursions on our blue-green paradise. Add in the smart ExoFusion™ tent technology and you’ve got a tent that offers bomber, high mountain protection with refined features you’ll appreciate.
The Sierra Nevada is the mountain range in California. There are many other beautiful ranges in the state, but none come close to the awesome grandeur of the Sierra Nevada. Much in the same way, the Sierra Plus Long Sleeve from Icebreaker might just be the mid-weight layer you’ve been looking for when out getting back to some elemental discoveries about yourself and where you fit into Nature’s grand design. Count it as a mandatory addition for your gear stash.
Versatility, utility, and straight-up power. The Solite 250 from Light and Motion will light your way whether you are pushing through the night to catch a sunrise summit, setting up camp after dark, or pounding the pavement before the rooster crows.
When pursuing your outdoor passions, the only constant is change — changing weather, changing light conditions and changing terrain. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could change your lenses as quick as Mother Nature changes moods? Enter Switch Vision glasses. Constructed on a the first ever magnetic interchange system, these sunglasses are out to ensure that no matter the light conditions, you’ll have optimum clarity and definition.
“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.” ― Edward Abbey
Escaping into the great outdoors is a great way to get back into nature, challenge yourself and revitalize the spirit. But if you don’t come prepared, you may actually be putting yourself and your colleagues at risk. The First Aid Rollup Kit from 12 Survivors ensures that your equipped with a variety of medical essentials in one affordable, organized package.
On Performance and Design…
It’s an unfortunate fact of life that your adventures can take a turn for the worse. If that does happen, your ability to stabilize an injury becomes crucial, and you need to have the tools to do it.
The First Aid Rollup Kit from 12 Survivors is not only packed with first aid basics for trail scraps and bruises (ie burns, blisters, and sprains) —but is also equipped with medical essentials for more severe incidents. All told, you’ve got an array of tools for treating a wide range of medical issues that might arise while away from the comforts of civilization.
Designed with accessibility in mind, the 12 Survivors first-aid kit unrolls to reveal securely zipped pouches for organized storage. The 12 Survivors design team includes do-it-yourself velcro labels so you can label the sections by instrument and type of injury.
First-Aid Kit Supplies Include…
• Emergency blanket
• BZK antiseptic swabs
• Alcohol prep pads
• Pair of PVC gloves
• Pair of tweezers
• Wet cleaning wipes
• Adhesive band-aids
• Elastic bandages
• Tourniquet band
• Zinc oxide adhesive tape
• Sterile non-woven gauze pads
• Breath mask for mouth to mouth
• 2 Pairs of scissors
• Rain poncho
Notes from the Field…
The roll-up design makes for quick and easy access to all the equipment you need. The downside of the design is that it takes up significant space (measures 16 x 3.5 x 6.5 inches), and weighing in at 2.2 pounds it likely won’t fit the needs of weight conscious packers and hikers. So if you’re dayhiker who likes to go light and fast, or a minimalist minded backpacker, this one likely won’t fit the bill. However, for family campers or car campers this is a great option to have on hand.
Our field team also suggested that rather than the do-it-yourself labels, our team suggested factory labeled sections made with reflective lettering to make the sections highly visible and easy to find in low-light conditions.
Bottom Line…
The outdoors is beautiful, but not always friendly. For those who want to be absolutely prepared, and don’t mind a little extra bulk, the First Aid Rollup Kit from 12 Survivors is here to help.
*Gumption Gear Review received the items featured in this review from 12 Survivors at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The items featured were provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.
There are those who argue that the minimalist hiking experience sacrifices the support and protection of traditional hiking boots, for a more nimble feel and natural biomechanics. Low to the ground, light, and stable, KEEN’s Depart WP CNX is the counter to that argument, offering sure-footed flight without abandoning the protection and durability you’ve come to expect from KEEN.