Great Outdoor Related Gift Ideas

I have compiled a list of gift ideas that are always a welcome addition to my gear stash, partly in hope that my family reads this and gets the stuff but also as a means to guide those of you searching for that perfect gift for the outdoorsy person in your life. Socks: This old stand by is always welcome I tear through my socks constantly so these are always welcome. Usually I wear cycling socks because they are funky or when the weather cools I switch to Smartwool or like hiking socks. Camera: There are some really great cameras designed for the abuse of the outdoors and fortunately the prices have been dropping. I got an Olympus 790SW about a year ago and absolutely love it, but the 1050sw would be a nice upgrade!! These cameras are bomber, they can be dropped from 6ft, take underwater pics, work in freezing conditions and they shoot decent videos. Books or Magazine Subscription:

• Think about local guide books: whether it be hiking or cycling or climbing these guides are invaluable. I have found such great information about my local area that I would have never thought about had I not grabbed one of these.

• How to books. Remember you can never know it all. And there are so many different perspectives on who what why and when that any outdoors person should be eager to learn as much as they can!

• Great adventure book always sets me right when I cannot get away. Some of my favorites are:

1. Stranger in the Forest by Eric Hansen
2. Motoring with Mohammed by Eric Hansen
3. Skeletons of the Zahara by Dean King
4. Endurance by Alfred Lansing
5. Into The Wild Jon Krakauer
6. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
7. Deep Survival by Laurence Gonzales

• Adventure, Backpacker, Dirtrag, Climbing... you name the activity and there is a specialized magazine out there. Be sure a research in your local book store first. Bicycling is dedicated to road riding while Bike is dedicated to mountain biking!

Stove or cook system: As technology changes often a stove or cook system is the last to be upgraded, you should consider if your outdoors person is likely to travel to other countries or stay local. These things matter when considering how you fuel a stove. One great newer product is the Jetboil Backcountry Gourmet Set. However you cannot fly with canisters and most stoves have to be completely purged of all fuel prior to traveling. So a multi-fuel stove that is simple to clean and repair is pretty high on my list! Check out the MSR WhisperLite Internationale Backpacking Stove if worldly travel is on your list. Clothing: With this category you need to think about abuse. Choose clothing that is tough and stylish. Face it everyone is style conscious on some level so keep that in mind. A jacket is usually a safe bet. But with any clothing remember to check out the fabric and features. Look for ventilation, compressibility, is the fabric breathable, waterproof, will it serve it purpose for more than a season? Check out the Mountain Hardwear Synchro Jacket for an excellent all around jacket or The North Face Paramount Convertible Pants for a great all around adventure pant. Also take into account that often we layer our clothes so the outer layers may need to be bigger than what you are accustom to buying. For this category be prepared to dig deep some of the best quality often holds a steep price tag. Classes: Check your local college or gear shop and see what classes they offer. I teach a variety of classes ranging from, Skiing to Mountain Biking to survival and everything in between. Utilize your local resources to find something to either open a new door or to hone current skills. One class I would really recommend is a wilderness first aid, first responder class. Everyone that steps foot in the backcountry should have the basic skills taught in these classes. Gear In General: WOW this is an endless category. There are so many things out there that I would love to have but they are not in my budget. If you have some one new to the outdoors they will need a basic set up of a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, cook set, and the ten essentials. Start slow with a few car camping trips then as you discover that the like or dislike the idea you can make upgrades. but there is no sense in spending a grand for one night of miserable sleeping. Another suggestion is to rent gear before you purchase so you know what you are getting yourself into. Other than that you can go from a simple bag of chalk like the Metolius Eco Ball for the climber, to a new head lamp like the Petzl Myo XP, or even a great compass like the Suunto MC-2G Navigator. No gear item is perfect but the great thing is you can never go wrong with gear! If you are really stumped go for a gift certificate. I would say stay away from cash because it is easily spent on burgers and beers instead of something that will last a bit longer. If you are having trouble decided go to your local gear shop and ask the employees, they are more than likely outdoor nuts as well and will know just what to get.