With the Holiday Season fully upon us, it’s time to grant loved ones their gear wishes. Our team of gear guru’s recently put together a list of their favorite stocking stuffer ideas for the outdoor enthusiast in your life. Now our team has gone one step further and provided a thorough list of all the gotta-get-it items for seriously savvy outdoor fanatics. All gumption tested, gumption approved.
Osprey Talon 22
The trail gives you a mind-restoring freedom unlike anything else in life, and the Osprey Talon 22 Backpack ensures you don’t venture into the wild world without a vital piece of gear or clothing. With plenty of space for all-day hikes into the canyon or to a summer summit, the Talon 22 goes heavy on the comfort without the extra weight. AirScape ventilated back panel keeps the sweat off your back while keeping the load balanced and an external hydration compartment allows you to access your water reservoir without having to go through the main compartment (water reservoir not included). For the trail hound… this is the gift that keeps on giving.
(Available in various color options and sizes at www.ospreypacks.com Price: $99)
Leatherman Charge AL
With handles made of aircraft-grade aluminum, and veritable cornicopia of tools, the Leatherman Charge AL Multi-Tool is the jack of all trades and the master of a few more. Whether you find yourself stuck on deserted island, or spend your weekends blitzing down singletrack, this multi-tool puts the solution to all your on-trail SNAFU’s right in the palm of your hand (or hanging on your belt).
(More information available at http://www.leatherman.com/. Price $120)
Helly Hansen H2Flow Jacket
Every so often you come across a piece of gear that makes everything in your gear closet look antiquated and out of date. With a technology that puts you in control of your own comfort while never losing site of fit of style, the H2 Flow jacket from Helly Hansen is that kind of product. It’s the new staple in your outdoor game and the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast. Gumption tested, gumption approved.
(Available in men’s and women’s sizing at http://www.hellyhansen.com Price: $180)
Newton Terra Momentum
You don’t have to leave your beloved lightweight Newtons in the garage when you hit the trails. Whether your running takes you over gravel strewn trails, through muddy single tracks or on paved roads the Terra Momentum, a neutral all-terrain trainer by Newton, is designed to handle urban running and light to medium mountain trails. With the protection and comfort provided by a closed-mesh upper and Newton’s patented Tuned Action/ReactionTM technology in the midfoot and heel your feet will be well protected from the elements and ready to take on nature’s challenges.
(Available in mens and womens sizes at http://www.newtonrunning.com . Price $149.95)
Ashmei 2-in-1 Running Short
Not all running shorts are made the same. The 2-in-1 running shorts from ashmei, a UK-based company, features a compression inner short made from merino wool and bespoke fabric for performance and comfort. The outer short is lightweight and breathable which helps you get the performance you need without sacrificing the stylish look you want. Gumption tested, gumption approved.
(Available at www.ashmei.com Price: ~$120)
Trainer Road
Spending hours on a indoor bicycle trainer during the winter months doesn’t have to be a mind-numbing experience. Trainer Road is an easy to install, simple to use software program that works in combination with your existing trainer and ANT+ devices The program records and converts your data along with your trainer’s known resistance curve into virtual power. All this is displayed in an eye-friendly format in real-time. In addition, Trainer Road includes a slew of features like pre-made workouts and workout plans, or if you prefer you can simply ride to your plan. So, whether or not you have a power meter you can train and reap the benefits of using a power meter without shelling out the $1000+ for one.
(Available at www.trainerroad.com Price: $10/month)
Columbia Triple Trail II Shell
For those looking to bridge the gap between waterproof hardshells and highly breathable fleeces, the Triple Trail II Shell from Columbia might be the perfect answer. Columbia loaded this shell with design features and outdoorsy intuition that will keep you comfortable and dry. Imagine a jacket that that fits like a glove without constricting, stretches fluidly with the body without resisting, and allows moisture to escape from inside without letting it penetrate from outside. Add in Columbia’s techy features like Omni-heat reflective technology and you’ve got a shell that’s tough enough to handle Nature’s worst, but smart enough to know who calls the shots.
(Available in Women’s and Men’s sizes at www.columbia.com rice $325)
Stanley 100th Anniversary Vacuum Bottle
Back in 1913, in the town of Great Barrington, MA, William Stanley Jr. created the all-steel vacuum bottle. Year after year, the bottle was used, abused and became a favorite amongst workers and outdoorsmen. Now, to celebrate its 100th birthday, Stanley—celebrated manufacturer of insulated mugs and bottles used around the world—is giving you a present. Whatever food or drink you’re packing, whether you poured it in hot or cold, the 100th Anniversary Vacuum Bottle from Stanley will keep it that way. It’s the gift that will last generations.
(Available at http://www.shopstanley-pmi.com/ Price: 1.1QT $40, 1.4QT $44)
Vasque SnowJunkie
Built for winter ambles, snowshoe rambles and cold-weather commutes, the Snow Junkie UltraDry from Vasque is ready for all your winter adventures. 200 grams of 3M™ Thinsulate™ Ultra provide warmth without adding weight. An UltraDry waterproofing membrane is there to keep moisture out while a coated nylon diamond rip stop fabric is there to make sure this winter trail blazer lives up to the Vasque heritage of durability.
(Available at: www.vasque.com Price: $130)
I/O Merino
Layering your clothing is a tried-and-true way to ensure comfort (and warmth) during those days where the mercury drops and your breath hangs in the air around you mid-sentence. Whether hitting the slopes this winter or going for a trail run in the spring, I/O Merino has a line-up of garments ready to serve as the ideal partner in your layering system. Whether you need a baselayer to keep you warm and comfortable as you sprint up the trail-head or rip turns down the slopes, or you just need the casual comfort of their Track Jacket, I/O Merino is soft, durable, athletic and versatile. I/O Merino… it’s Australian for awesome.
(Available at www.io-merino.com Prices vary by product)
Sports Optical: Prescription Athletic Sunglasses and Eyewear
Finding the right pair of prescription eyewear for your athletic adventures can be challenging, especially for those who have specific requirements. Sports Optical offers a wide selection of athletic frames and lenses and they have also developed their own proprietary “Direct Lens Technology” to put lenses into close fit and wrap frames with no inserts, flip-ups or adapters required. The quality of their craftsmanship, the clarity of their lenses and their selection of frames and lenses are second to none. They also offer solid selection of non-athletic eyewear.
(Available at: http://www.sportsoptical.com Price: varies depending on your individual requirements).
Zing Toys…
Simply put, Zing Toys is in the business of fun. Designing and creating innovative, high-performance products that make anytime play time for kids of all ages. Zing Toys designs all of their toys to support their mission: Get children off the couch (and their smartphones!), spark the imagination, and promote physical coordination and play! How can you be assured Zing Toys are up to par? Zartz Arrows have been flying around the Gumption HQ for months. Get your play on!
(Available at http://zingtoys.com/)
*Gumption Gear Review received these items from the manufacturer at no cost and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The items featured are provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.