If you have an outdoors enthusiast on your gift list, you need help. This is an unusual breed with strange ideas of what makes a good gift.
After months of poring over catalogs, testing out demo units and prodding countless products on store racks and shelves from Seattle to Salt Lake City, we've zeroed in on these suggestions for peak-experience gift-giving:
Tarma Designs jewelry, $19-$30
Jewelry is always a popular gift — with men or women — and now outdoors lovers have a new option: recycled stainless-steel pendants, earrings and bracelets in outdoor-specific designs. Tarma Designs, founded by outdoor industry veterans Sky and Stephanie George, offers "wearable art" that represents the places, philosophies and activities outdoors enthusiasts love. Our testers, men and women alike, loved all the items, but the activity-specific pieces were especially appreciated by those who enjoyed the sports represented in the jewelry line: mountain biking, running, skiing, snowboarding, hiking and climbing. Bear paws and cairn symbols were well appreciated by the men in the test group, while women loved the leaf earrings and the lotus design pendant. www.tarmadesigns.com [1].
Highgear altimeter watch, $300
Highgear burst on the scene a few years back and quickly established itself as the brand that offered great quality at half the price of the other popular altimeter watch brand. The newest Highgear product, the Altis TI, proves that Highgear can go top shelf, too. With the same fantastic functionality and intuitive use as the core products in its line, the Altis TI adds a titanium case, a huge range on its altimeter (minus 2,300 feet to 29,520 feet) with a logbook function and an altitude alarm. Add in a digital barometer, a thermometer, ski chronometer (to log your daily ski runs in number and total vertical feet skied) and of course, the standard watch functions: time, date, dual alarms, and standard chronometer. The Highgear Altis TI is sleek, and stylish with a rounded rectangular shape and integrated nylon band: a nice change from the big round beasts you usually expect when you seek out an altimeter watch. www.highgear.com [2]
REI compact binoculars, $80
Every hiker — at one time or another — has wished he or she had packed along a pair of compact binoculars to better view some distant peak, valley, bear, mountain goat or other wild critter. Too often, though, the expense of quality optics prevented hikers from picking up a pair of binocs. Of course, there are still some very low-quality optics being sold (sometimes for a lot of money), but the new REI line of binoculars truly are a good low-cost option for folks who don't want to invest in the high-end products from Brunton, Leica or Swarovski. The REI XR 8x25 binoculars features a sharp and clear image well out to the edges of the viewing range and they transmit plenty of light. Compared with other optics in this price category (and most that cost twice as much), these lightweight glasses are the absolute best bet for hikers who would otherwise forego carrying binoculars. www.rei.com [3]
OR Revo sweater, $95
Using a wool-polyester blend, Outdoor Research created a pullover sweater that's warm, fits comfortably and doesn't bunch or bind even when worn under other layers. The wool, a natural thermal regulator, ensures you stay warm without overheating through a wide range of temperatures. The polyester gives the sweater durability and helps move moisture away from your body. The Revo's outer face feels like natural merino wool, while inside a smooth microfiber face is cozy against your skin. That inner face also helps "pull" moisture away from your skin and push it out to the outer layers of your clothing. The shoulder pocket is a nice addition that works perfectly for keeping cameras (and their batteries) warm, secure and dry on cold autumn hikes. Men's sizes S-XL. www.orgear.com [4].
Hot Chillys
women's baselayers ($25-$32.50)
Let Victoria keep her secret: All you need to know is that women love the Pepper Skins underwear from Hot Chillys. These spicy garments keep you warm no matter how cool the day (or night) gets. The Pepper Skins effectively manage sweat moisture while sealing in body heat. The fit of the base garments is somewhat athletic, providing a snug against-the-skin fit that is the hallmark of any good active-sports baselayer. This next-to-skin fit is essential for proper moisture transfer. At the same time, the garments don't bind, thanks to a bit of natural stretch in the fabric and the well-designed cut. And for those who do want a bit of sex appeal in their underwear: The Pepper Skins come in a variety of stylish prints, ranging from small to extra large. www.hotchillys.com [5]
Ibex Clive and Alyx jackets, $225
Wool teetered on the edge of oblivion in the technical outdoor market in face of increased competition from high-performance synthetic fabrics. But wool is rebounding, in large part because Ibex — and a few other like-minded apparel makers — found ways to make the classic fiber better. Ibex combines natural wool with synthetic fibers to create Climawool soft-shell fabric, a product that has the natural insulation, odor control and thermal regulation of wool with the durability and strength of synthetics. The Ibex Clive jackets for men and Alyx for women use the Climawool fabric in stylish yet functional designs. The jackets' smooth outerface sheds rain and snow like the best rainshell, yet flexes and moves like the best stretchy fleece. Deep handwarmer pockets, pit zips and a relaxed fit to accommodate layers round out the design features. Men's sizes S-XL, Women's XS-XL. www.ibexwear.com [6]
Freelancer Dan A. Nelson, of Puyallup, is a regular contributor to Backpacker magazine, and an author of outdoor guides with The Mountaineers Books. For the purpose of review, gear manufacturers lend products, which are returned after a typical use of four to six weeks. There is no payment from manufacturers and they have no control over the content of reviews. Contact Dan with gear-related questions at gearguy@adventuresnw.net [7].
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