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 and gadgets for the seriously savvy outdoor fanatics.
Salomon Super Halo Hoodie
Flash meets substance in the Salomon Super Hoodie Down Jacket. That eye-catching exterior doesn’t just look high-tech; it’s the bomber Pertex Quantum GL fabric that is featherlight and has a strength-to-weight ratio worthy of Mars landing type technology. It is also completely windproof, waterproof and impenetrable by down. Speaking of down, the Super Halo features HyperDRY Down, so it won’t hold water from sweat or humidity. In other words, you stay light, fast, dry and protected. Game. Set. Match.
salomonsports.com; MSRP $375
Backcountry Access BC Link
Shredding, snowshoeing and general revelry in the backcountry is one of the great joys of winter. But it also comes with the potential risk of avalanche related accidents. Inspired by research that determined a lack of proper communication is a major cause of avalanche related accidents, the BC Link communication system lets you stay in constant contact with your adventure buddies. 2.5 miles line-of-sight range and the Smark Mic user interface ensures communication is always at your fingertips.
backcountryaccess.com; MSRP $149
Helly Hansen HH Warm Flow FZ Hoodie
The Helly Hansen HH Warm Flow FZ Hoodie takes the comfort of your favorite hoody and combines it with the functionality and technology needed for cold weather action. Featuring a 2-layer construction combining Lifa® Stay Dry Technology and 100% pure merino wool, this Hoodie is the only layer they’ll need this season. Unique Lifa Flow technology allows the interior open weave to funnel moisture away from skin—visibly faster than any other baselayer technology—and into the long sleeve’s merino outer layer. It’s the perfect gift for the adventurous guy or gal on your list.
hellyhansen.com; MSRP $140
Outdoor Tech Big Turtle Shell Portable Speaker
Give them the gift of the party starter. Bigger. Better. Badder. The Big Turtle Shell will take their wireless audio experience to the next level. Utilizing Bluetooth 4.0 the Big Turtle Shell connects to most audio devices, bringing them 110 decibels of auditory bliss. Portable, rugged and water-resistant, the Bluetooth-enabled Outdoor Tech Big Turtle Shell Portable Speaker is not only ready for a little tough love, but it also pulls double duty as a power bank for their other devices.
outdoortechnology.com; MSRP $229
Alite Designs Ochiba Pack
Help them manage their complex life—or escape it—with the Alite Designs Ochiba Pack. Whether navigating the city streets, or getting out of Dodge for the weekend, the Ochiba is Alite Designs quintessential day pack with plenty of storage space and organizational pockets to keep everything in order. Add in a padded laptop sleeve, contrast color interior so they can easily find their stuff, and a vertical luggage style handle for easy carry and it’s also the quintessential multi-use gift.
alitedesigns.com; MSRP $105
MSR Papa Hubba NX
Whether they are setting up base camp in spring, or car camping in summer, the new Papa Hubba NX has the versatility and space to accommodate both family campers and summit seekers alike. Bomber construction, top-shelf materials, and large, thoughtfully designed layout with two large vestibules and doors lend you and your crew the peace of mind you need to sleep through any night in the great outdoors.
msrgear.com; MSRP $599.95
Salomon Kaïpo CS
Let go of the belief that winter kicks need to be as bleak as the wintery conditions outside. The Kaïpo CS kicks it with a confident cool look equally at home around town as on the trail. ClimaShield provides durable waterproofing while ClimaTherm insulation keeps feet warm in subzero temps. The lining provides breathability as well as abrasion resistance, and the ContaGrip sole uses hard Ice Grip rubber for extra traction on slippery surfaces.
salomonsports.com; MSRP $140
Eagle Creek Docking Duffel
Make their get-aways that much easier with the Eagle Creek Docking Duffel. This duffel stows away all your gear including pads, helmets, extra layers, and boots and carries easy thanks to a padded shoulder strap or top-carry option. Add in the fact that the end of the bag zips off to become a day bag or a separate compartment for dirty shoes or socks and you’ve got a winning gift.
eaglecreek.com; MSRP $155
SUUNTO Ambit3 Family
The new Suunto Connected Family offers a complete package for anyone who wants to get the most out of their sports and adventures. Suunto’s first Bluetooth Smart compatible product family consists of a new Suunto Movescount App, Suunto Ambit3 Peak and Suunto Ambit3 Sport GPS watches, and the Suunto Smart Sensor for heart rate monitoring. They’ll easily be able to track their sports, adventures and everyday moves with the watches, and now, with the free Suunto Movescount App in their smartphone, they can upload their exercises, change watch settings, get notifications, enrich, relive and share their sports moments and adventures wirelessly while on the go. BOOM. You just took their adventures to the next level.
suunto.com; Ambit3 Sport $400/$450; Ambit3 Peak $500/$550
ICEdot Crash Sensor
Consider ICEdot the gift of ‘peace of mind.’ ICEdot is taking personal safety for action sports to a new level with the ICEdot Crash Sensor. Attach the device to any helmet and pair it with a companion app running on your smart phone over Low Energy Bluetooth. When it detects critical forces the Crash Sensor triggers your phone to sound an alarm and if not disabled, alert your pre-specified emergency contacts over SMS text message and include a link to your current GPS coordinates if available. ICEdot Crash Sensor automatically notifies the person you designate in the case of an emergency.
icedot.org; ICEdot Crash Sensor; $119
Innate Gear Craft Beer Growler
Quality adventures deserve quality beer, and now Innate ensures there is a vessel worthy of their beloved craft brewed golden goodness. The new 32 and 64 ounce Craft Growlers from Innate Gear feature doubled-walled technology to prevent condensation and keep their beloved brew at optimal serving temperature. Unique two fingered carry or pour handle makes for easy carry while an extra wide mouth makes for easy filling, and more importantly, effortless sharing. No wonder it was editor’s choice in our recent Growler Guide.
innate-gear.com; $49.95
Tubbs Flex VRT Snowshoe
For those on your list who yearn for days of tackling steep and variable terrain in the winter wonderland, the Tubbs FLEX VRT (FLEX Vertical)Snowshoe delivers premium performance for backcountry exploration. The Flex VRT features Tubbs’ revolutionary Dynamic Fit binding, which integrates full-foot wrapping EVA foam with a Boa, click-of-the-dial closure system. The result is a precise fit with even pressure distribution and optimized control.
tubbssnowshoes.com; MSRP $249.95