With the Holiday Season fully upon us, it’s time to grant loved ones their gear wishes. Whether their passion of choice is hiking, ascending mountains, or just good ol’ fashioned outdoor revelry, we’ve got you covered. Following is our editors’ definitive holiday gift guide chock-full of do anything, go anywhere products for the seriously savvy outdoor fanatics.
Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler Duffels
Travel has transitioned from the formality of the 1950’s into a rough-and-tumble free-for-all. Today you need a burly bag you can haul up mountainsides, down rivers, and on the sketchiest airplanes you can find. Make sure you’re prepared with this incredibly light, but unbelievably burly duffel from Eagle Creek.
Made with an extra-durable, water-repellent coated Bi-Tech™ Armor Lite fabric, this gear hauler withstands a lifetime of abuse. Listen, when you’re trying to pick a new duffel, there’s no shortage of options available.Our choice is the Cargo Hauler Duffel because they are lighter, stronger, and pack away The Cargo Hauler is available in 45L, 60L. 90L and 120L sizes. Whichever size you pick, your Cargo Hauler Duffel is equipped with gear pockets, grab handles, backpack straps and tie-down daisy chains. Built resilient for big adventures, it’s just itching to hit the backroads. Carpe Diem.
Eaglecreek.com; MSRP $89, $99, & $109 respectively
Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody
For those aerobic start-stop missions when core warmth, stretch and breathability are key, the Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody Jacket reigns supreme. We’ve spent our fair share of time in an array of insulated jackets, and this beautifully thought out and well-designed offering (available in men’s and women’s) is an answer to gear needs you didn’t even know you had. Combining the best qualities of a fleece, a puffy and a softshell, this feathery light jacket packs small while still offering the technical, cutting-edge features of other brand’s beefier jackets.
The Nano-Air Hoody features Patagonia’s exclusive FullRange™ insulation that’s warm, stretchy and impressively breathable, making it the perfect partner for any dynamic outdoor activity. The secret to this insulation technology is a proprietary element that gives it added stability against fiber migration, and allows for great stretch and recovery. In other words, insulation stays put enabling the designers to open up the exterior and create space for vapor to exit the jacket. In other words, you get a super-breathable jacket with mechanical stretch that lets you move easily on the wall, the skin track, or the hiking trail. And trust us when we say, the warmth to weight ratio on this vest is off the charts.
Patagonia.com; MSRP $299
OXX COFFEEBOX
If you’ve been looking for that perfect gift for the family member that knows the value of a hard day’s work, reward them with a coffee brewing system that is as indestructible as their determination, and works just as hard as they does. The rugged OXX COFFEEBOX coffee maker is designed to survive on toughest job sites while remaining convenient and portable enough to take along on any camping, boating, tailgating or outdoor excursion.
Compatible with all K-cup style pods, the OXX COFFEEBOX has a 2.5L (84.5oz) water tank, which is 75 percent more water than the average household single serve brewer. It also offers three different brewing sizes for the perfect cup of soul-nourishing java. With a separate on-demand hot water line, there’s no coffee grounds that will find their way into Dad’s hot cocoa or ramen. And whether the day involves a trip to the ballpark, the Grand Canyon, or the lake for some fishing, six stainless steel tie-downs make it easy to strap the COFFEEBOXX into place, no matter what terrain he’s rolling over.
oxx.com; MSRP $249
MSR Freelite2 Tent
For those on your list afflicted with a serious case of wanderlust, you can’t go wrong with a performance oriented tent. Designed to lighten your pack load on multi-day and weekend backcountry trips, the FreeLite 2 saves you time and energy to pursue your outdoor activities. Whether you’re planning to pedal the Kokopelli Trail or climb a favorite route on an overnight backpacking trip, this ultralight, fully-featured double-wall tent lets you to perform at your highest level. Its unified freestanding frame sets up quickly and offers a roomy interior, lots of ventilation and two large doors for easy access—all the comfort, without all the weight.
cascadedesigns.com/msr; MSRP $439.95
LL Bean Overland Performance Flannel
There’s only one appropriate dress code for days on the trail, manning the tailgate grill, or while wielding an ax for firewood: a quality flannel shirt. Simply put, when it comes to trail-to-town versatility, this is the best flannel in our gear stash. In the Overland Performance Flannel, the crew at L.L. Bean took Flannel to new heights with special details and a touch of tech. Slightly fitted but with a bias-cut on the shoulders, this flannel wears like a dream. Ring snaps along with a smooth interior make this not only stylish, but the one piece you’ll never want to take off.
llbean.com; MSRP $69
MSR Windburner 1.8L
This portable cooker is ready to boil soup or water for you and two to four of your backcountry friends in a flash. MSR incorporated its Radiant burner, which is impervious to gusts and altitude, and put it in an enclosed windproof system that will quickly and efficiently boil water whether you’re sitting on a windy ridge or making hot drinks at a sheltered campsite.
The smart kids at MSR designed the WindBurner to stow away in the included pot and gave it a secure design that actually locks the system into place, so you don’t have to worry too much about the whole shebang toppling over when you wander off to find more coffee. MSR also made the stove compatible with an array of accessories, so you can add a coffee press or hanging kit to really sweeten the deal.
cascadedesigns.com/msr; MSRP $89.95
Merrell Waitsfield Sugarbush Waterproof
Cheers to heritage! The Merrell Waitsfield Sugarbush Boot (for men and women) carries Merrell’s legendary quality with premium protection from the elements and aggressive traction on the trail. Made with a sturdy full-grain leather upper, waterproof membrane, and stout Vibram sole, the Waitsfield transitions effortlessly between leisurely fall hikes through deciduous forests and mellow afternoons in town spent sipping coffee and poring over your favorite read. Merrell named the Waitsfield after the valley in Vermont where the company began back in 1981, so, as a result, the boot features a classic look and feel that’s reminiscent of hiking boots from the era.
merrell.com; MSRP $230
STANLEY Adventure Stacking Vacuum Pint
Let’s be honest, the cornerstone of any worthy gathering involves plenty of revelry and a few ice cold brews. To ensure your beverage of choice stays as cold as a mountain stream, the original inventors of Vacuum Insulation employ their reliable double-wall vacuum construction in these stacking tumblers. BPA free means it’s good for the body, and the Stainless Steel construction means less red cups in our landfills. Stack ‘em high to save space in your mess kit or kitchen cabinet, and go with the party pack to ensure everyone gets their own color version to keep track of their own drink. See… everyone wins!
stanley-pmi.com; MSRP $55 for the gift pack
Cannondale Catalyst 3
Looking for a versatile bike to satisfy your growing thirst for adventure? With its lightweight alloy frame, sporty riding position and wide-riding gearing, the Catalyst lets you confidently ride any trail you choose. Cannondale’s aluminum expertise delivers a light, refined, great feeling bike with the versatility to tackle virtually any terrain. A Smooth ride – The Save rear triangle features our proprietary flattened and sharpened seat and chain stays to absorb bumps and vibration. All told, the Catalyst 3 will stoke their love of cycling with a bike that’s ready for anything, from street to singletrack. And with a price point of under $500, it’s not going to break the Christmas bank.
Gerber Gear Center Drive
For the jack of all trades on your list, the Center Drive is a versatile multi-tool ready to tackle any job, anytime, anywhere. Gerber’s new multi-tool offers uncompromising performance through revolutionary design. The innovative center-axis driver opens to align like a real screw driver, yielding maximum torque and rotation. No productivity is sacrificed with the addition of a 30% longer outboard blade and one-thumb opening sliding jaws. Full size, real tools – the multi-tool just got a reality check.
gerbergear.com; MSRP $119
Klymit KSB 20˚ DOWN SLEEPING BAG
Sleeping inside a ring of fire is exciting, but kind of dangerous, so it’s probably a better idea to zip yourself up in the Klymit KSB 20˚ degree down Sleeping Bag instead. Lofty, warm and light, the KSB 20˚ down sleeping bag is designed for three-season backpacking. The 650 fill power down delivers exceptional warmth for its weight, is easily packed and provides years of use. A draft collar, over-stuffed foot box, insulated mummy hood and flexible baffles at the body’s core all work together to minimize heat loss for greater thermal efficiency. High tenacity fabrics are tough, light and comfortable for a better night’s sleep in the great outdoors.
klymit.com; MSRP $189.95
IO merino Velocity Jacket
If you’re looking for a sleek, sporty fit jacket that will keep you warm and comfortable while also providing all-season versatility, the Velocity Sports Jacket is for you. Available in both men’s and women’s sizes, this long-sleeve, lightweight jacket features an athletic fit to keep it close to your body when you move and a simple aesthetic so you look good around town. And because it’s Australian Merino you get the added benefits of natural odor resistance, thermal regulation, excessive moisture management, and a super soft feel that’s sure to last. If you’re looking to give the gift of awesome… this is your ticket.
iomerino.com; MSRP $260
Ice Mule Coolers
If holiday travels are taking you somewhere fun, then ice cold drinks are necessary. Enter IceMule Cooler, the world’s most portable high performance softshell cooler that combines the portability of a backpack with the performance of a hard cooler. An innovative drybag design with welded seams and a roll-top closure keeps ice for up to 24 hours, while a cross-body strap or set of ventilated backpack straps makes carrying a breeze. Added bonus – it floats, even when full. It comes in a variety of sizes, from 10L to a monster 40L (you can legitimately get 36 beers in it). The Pro version has ventilated backpack straps and features a heavy-duty tarpaulin exterior fabric.
Icemule.com; Sizes vary: $59.99 – $139.99