Gift Guide 2024 – Gift Ideas for Outdoorsy Folks

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I usually don’t love gift “guides.” Retailers sell placements to brands as a form of marketing revenue. Most influencers use monetized links. Brands push items based on sales plans, profit margins, and available inventory. It’s not about helping you find a thoughtful gift. It’s about capturing your sale when you’re burnt out on shopping, at a total loss of what to get for your uncle and shopping last minute when you’re running out of time.

So here we are in year number 4. I write this because I like gifting, I like writing, and I like gear. There are no kickbacks or affiliate links. Just a genuine desire to make your holiday shopping easier. This year, I’ll start with the new additions, and then feature items that got the most clicks last year (I assume they’re the most desired gifts):

Big Dumb Fleece: The hottest outdoor lifestyle trend for this year is silly-yet-kinda-practical fleece. Fleece overalls are the big story. They take athleisure and make it even more comfortable by nixing the waistband, and add warmth by insulating the whole core, together. But novelty fleece pants and fleece onesies are supporting players.

  • I’m listing all the fleece overalls just to prove my point on the trend: the Synchilla Jumpsuit is great (if you can find it in stock). Passenger Clothing’s Ace Overalls or the Kavu Pocatello Overall are a little easier to find and even Target’s JoyLab line has a pair. You can also choose from the Stoic Burrdee, Stoic Chelesea, Backcountry Wander, Toad & Co Campo, and Free People Salopette in solid and print. For men, there’s only the Kavu Freeforall.
  • Fleece pants are also an option (especially for men, who aren’t offered many overalls). To really be on trend, they’ve either got a novelty pattern or reinforced woven knee patches (or both). The Kavu Tamworth (women) and Teannastay (men) would be my top rec since they have zipper pockets and a lot of men want a back pocket for their wallets. The men’s Patagonia Synchilla also checks those boxes (women’s Micro D also cuts costs by nixing the zippers). Backcountry’s Wander line has cool woven reinforcement patches, while Old Navy offers a lower cost version. And the best prints come from Parks Project, Mountain Hardwear, and the Burton Cinder.
  • Fleece onesies rarely look like something I’d wear out of the house, but the Mountain Hardwear Microchill One Piece and its cinched waist look just casual enough to run errands on your way to the campsite.
  • Fleece shirt jackets, fleece trucker hats, and fleece bucket hats are all part of this “utilitarian styles, but fleece” trend. If your recipient already has a handful fleece jackets and quarter zips, or other winter hats, these really don’t offer any new functionality. The only exception I should mention is a fleece trapper hat with the bill and ear flaps. You get warmth and a way to keep snow and sun off your face. And definitely skip fleece belt bags or totes. Fleeces are knit while most bags are wovens. Wovens are really durable and repel water, stains, and dirt. Those sherpa and boucle bags are going to look worn and dirty really quickly.

All-season Travel Shirt: A good travel shirt is really versatile – it hikes in national parks, bikes through a city, visits museums, catches a concert, and naps on your long-haul flight back home. It’s cool in hot weather but works well with warm layers. The styling’s subtle enough to work across seasons and geographies. And ideally, it’s got some sun protection, odor resistance, and washes easily in your hotel sink.

Power Bank / Handwarmer Combo: These little heaters have so many uses. I keep one in my internal zipper pocket on cold ski days, like a low-budget heated vest. Pre-heat your ski boots en route to the mountains. Skip the lodge food and pop one in an insulated lunch box with any food you’re trying to keep warm. Make sure to get one with an out-charging port. Then it can also power a phone or an InReach if you get in a pickle.

  • Zippo makes a trustworthy product, but there’s an Amazon dupe for everything. Just make sure you nab one that can charge other items, since most of them don’t.

Camp Loveseat: Great for couples, but even better for folks who camp with their dog. Kelty makes the OG, but there are budget alternatives.

Recovery Gear: Is your gift recipient over the age of 30? Do they clock more than 10-12 miles on their typical day hike or trail run? They could probably benefit from a recovery strategy.

  • Deep Muscle Stimulators like Theragun increase blood flow (which reduces muscle soreness) and works out knots. There are a lot of knockoffs. My partner and I tried one that went back immediately. Before I describe the difference, I acknowledge that this sounds a little filthy. A high-quality massager has more “amplitude” or how far the knob at the end thrusts back and forth. The OG Theragun has 10mm of amplitude, there’s 12mm on the Mini, and top end Pro Plus has 16mm. Pro tip: use your HSA and save on tax.
  • Compression socks make a great stocking stuffer. Stick to 8-15mmHg for comfortable socks (like Comrad’s Slipper Compression Socks) or 15-20mmHg for more performance (like these bird ones from Duluth Trading Company). Or, if they’re already a compression sock enthusiast, a compression machine might be a worthy upgrade, like the Recovery Air Prime or Hyperice Normatec 3.

EVA Slip On Shoes: They could be Crocs. They could be Birkenstocks. They could be Oofos recovery slides. I was a Crocs hater for more than a decade until I was gifted a pair of knockoffs as a dog-sitting thank you. They’re versatile shoes that every outdoorsy / active person needs in their lives. EVA’s soft-yet-supportive, which makes it the perfect post-adventure footwear choice. It’s non-porous and dries quickly, making it a good choice for water activities or fording creeks on trail. And a good pair is “sock compatible” for 3-season camp shoe use.

  • Crocs OG clogs are the most popular for a reason. They protect the toe but are still ventilated. The back strap puts them in “sport mode.” They’ve got decent traction. A friend forgot her approach shoes for a ski-camp trip with a 7-mile approach and got the job done in Crocs, which is a pretty nice feature for a camp/commute shoe.
  • EVA Birkenstocks are a nice alternative for the fashion-conscious among us. If you’re looking for darker colors (and willing to compromise a bit on quality), there’s a dupe for that.
  • Recovery slides like Oofos OOahh or Hoka Ora also fit this list. Are the proven to hasten recovery? No. Are they really comfy to put on after a long day on your feet? Absolutely.

A Bike Light, but not just for bikers: They work great for skiers who do after work uphill laps or go night skiing (particularly if they want to pop into some unlit zones). Lezyne makes helmet lights with 1000 or 1200 lumens compared to ~250-500 from your typical headlamp. And if they city bike, mountain bike, or fat bike, a handlebar mount works great too.

New Ski Boot Liners: If your loved one has gotten 100-200 days out of their ski boot liners, they probably need a new pair (and may not even realize it). If you aren’t totally sure what they need, set them up with a local boot fitter. But for cost purposes, Intuitions are best in class for foam liners. (You can also find them under deep discount with K2 branding). And Zipfit uses cork in their liners, making them incredibly durable (they’ll outlast your boot shells), but it comes at a pretty penny.

Warm Insoles: On the budget side, a sheepskin insole makes a nice stocking stuffer and can add a layer of insulation to snow boots, hiking boots, or running shoes (just make sure you’ve got a little bit of space to spare for the extra height). Or upgrade to a heated insole from Hotronic or Therm-ic for ski boots where a precise fit is paramount. The heating system works with all types of insoles, so you don’t have to choose between toasty toes and your custom footbed.

Hopping in to your most clicked gift ideas from last year:

Winter Skin & Haircare: This was the most clicked gifting category last year. Am I in my beauty guru era? But seriously, winter weather is brutal for our skin and hair. Cold, windy air is very dry and strips moisture out of our hair and skin. Helmets add friction and breakage to our hair. Here are a few items to toss in a stocking or bundle together for a gift basket:

  • An occlusive moisturizing balm helps the skin retain moisture, like a chapstick for your face. Go premium with a Hanni Moisture Stick, mid-range with L’Occitane and Dr. Bronner’s, or budget with Trader Joe’s (only $3.99 in store!) or Aquaphor.
  • A balm sunscreen offers similar skin protection with SPF. Supergoop’s Cloud 9 would be a premium option while Dermatone’s Classic Tin’s more budget friendly.
  • A recovery sheet mask is so nice after a long ski day. I’m loyal to the Neutrogena Hydro Boost one (we keep a 10 pack in the fridge). My partner likes them. My mom likes them. They’re especially great for a laid back, lazy Christmas morning. And they hydrate incredibly well.
  • A vial of hair oil keeps hair healthy. Cold air lifts the hair cuticle, making it more susceptible to breakage. Hair oils keep the cuticle down and reduces friction and breakage. BondiBoost’s a high end option, Verb for mid-range, and Aussie as a basic stocking stuffer.

Puffy Gear: Y’all clicked on pieces that were warm, comfy, and a little bit silly (because who’s really giving “sexy” in 20 sub-freezing temperatures).

  • Full Zip Down Pants (like the Feathered Friends Helios) are the most practical for ice climbers and snow campers who want a weight and space-conscious layer. The Mountain Hardwear Compressor (50% off for women, but full price for men) is a Primaloft Gold option that adds 8oz.
  • For more casual activities, non-zip puffer pants and overalls are great for winter bonfires and apres ski. For overalls, get the Backcountry Stansbury for women or the Cotopaxi Fuego for men. For down pants, the Backcountry Waas for men and women, or for a budget-friendly option, the unisex Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Jogger trades down for a more conservative price. Synthetics? Stoic Puffer Jogger for men and women.
  • Puffer Skirts are a surprisingly functional piece of gear, since they turn any jacket into a long parka and provide modesty for sheer base layers. Go for one with a full zipper for easy on and off. Pockets are also nice if a skirt layer covers your pant pockets (or you’re wearing over base layers that lack them) There are synthetic and down fill options, but most down options are 450-650 fill and aren’t any lighter / more packable. These come up on Poshmark all the time in gently worn condition. For new, I like the Backcountry Stansbury Allied Down Skirt or Columbia Powder Lite III synthetic skirt for a warm, low intensity layer or the Swix Infinity if you plan to wear it for cardio.
  • A full coverage puffer onesie is a great call for your coldest friends. I do a lot of RV lot camping through ski season, and I’m either in my downhill gear or a Selk Bag (size up, it runs really short). They also just launched a new version called the Swytch that zips at the waist for more versatility. I’d also look into the Stoic Bivy Suit, which comes with a longer warranty and longer length.

Gloves: I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again: hats as gifts are very popular but lack utility. You can wear the same low-profile skull cap to go running, biking, downhill skiing, touring, or ice climbing. There’s not a lot of friction applied to hats, so they don’t wear out quickly. And hats go right up against people’s faces, so you’ve got to nail the color. Instead, give gloves. Gloves get holes. The insulation packs out. They get wet and take forever to dry. Every sport comes with it’s own specific glove. Buy gloves like:

  • You can never have enough liner gloves. I’m partial to the Burton Touch-N-Go since mine are on their 3rd year of daily wear. (There’s also a basic grey colorway for $12 here). The fabric’s a woven instead of a knit, so it’s not quite as stretchy as the usual liner, but it makes them far more weather resistant and durable.
  • For people running, walking, or cycling at night, reflective gloves like Craft’s Lumen Glove, Mitt/Glove Hybrid, and the Siberian Glow Glove are the most reflective options I’ve seen on the market.
  • For ski mittens, I love the Black Diamond Spark mitts. They’ve only got 60g of insulation but keep my Reynaud’s hands nice and cozy down to ~10 degrees. I also like the Black Diamond Mercury mitts or Outdoor Research Alti mitt for colder days.
  • Down mittens like the Outdoor Research Cold Front stay in my winter packs for emergencies. They’re not the most durable or weather-proof, but they pack down small. I love knowing that I’ve got an bonus warm, dry pair of mittens on me for emergencies.

Boot Dryer: The DryGuy Force Dry DX dries 4 items (can be boots or gloves) at once. It uses forced air but also has heat settings so you can speed up drying or protect heat-moldable liners. Gear can dry in less than 3 hours. DryGuy also sells a Travel version that takes a little longer (up to 5 hours), but currently costs under $30.

Insulated Booties: There are 2 main types of insulated booties: Puffy slip-on “UGGs” with a burlier traction sole or “camp booties” that are more compressive and packable in a backpack or duffle. If they’re skiers looking for a boot for snow-day commutes and après drinks, pick the former with a Line Après Bootie (especially since they’re on sale). I got a pair for my boyfriend last year, which I immediately hijacked for myself until a pair of my own could come in. They’re perfect for ski day drives or quick chores in snowy weather. If they’re in the latter camp, pick up a pair of Feathered Friends Down Booties or save with synthetic Bloch Warm Up Booties.

A Trail-to-Town Base Layer: Ski travel involves so much stuff, but one of my favorite ways to save space is a casual-looking base layer. Wear it on the plane. Pair it with a scarf or a vest for a dinner (or two). Then get a day of skiing in it before popping it in the dirty pile. Prints are fun, but simple really dials up the versatility. Bonus points if it’s merino or has an anti-odor treatment

For women (left to right / top row first): 1 – Duckworth Polaris, 2 – Mons Royale Yotei High Neck, 3 – Icebreaker Vertex, 4 – Smartwool Hoodie, 5 – Wild Rye Evie Raglan Lite, 6 – Smartwool Thermal Turtleneck, 7 – Mons Royale Bella, 8 – Sweaty Betty Zebra Jacquard Crew, 9 – Kari Traa Silja Half Zip, 10 – Kari Traa Juliane Crew.

For men (left to right): 1- Duckworth Polaris, 2 – Smartwool Classic Thermal Crew, 3 – Burton Roadie Tech Tee, 4 – Tracksmith Fells Turtleneck, 5 – Tracksmith Brighton.    

Backcountry Repair Kit: This kit solves all sorts of backcountry problems, ranging from minor inconveniences like wet, sticky skins, to day-ruiners like busted bindings. I have one, and it saved the day during my best tour of the season last year. Worth the money and the weight.

A Tote: A big tote (30-40L) is a workhorse piece of gear. They can serve as a weekender bag, a vessel for your camp kitchen or camp pantry. I’m partial to the 40L Orvis Adventure Tote since it’s a sharp price point and zips closed. But I also like the square design and cinch-top of the REI Trailgate 45. And the REI Pack-Away 12 is a nice option for an insulated tote for cold bevies.   

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  1. Pingback: Ski Season Skin and Hair Care – FemiGnarly

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