When it comes to getting loads of new gear, outdoorsmen tend to look at Christmas the same way as children. I mean, it’s one of the few times of the year when it’s justifiable to spend money on things and not feel too guilty about it. That being said, this leaves many with outdoorsmen to shop for this holiday season, but few ideas of what to buy, especially if they don’t know much about the outdoors. To help you with this task, today you’ll find a list of great gear that any outdoorsman would love to find under the tree on Christmas morning.
The LED Lenser H7 headlamp ($60) is a great addition to anyone’s gear arsenal and makes a great stocking stuffer. The H7 has multiple focus settings, such as a 155 lumens tight beam, which allows you to light up the trail far ahead of you, or a soft 2.7 lumens in a wide circle that allows you to illuminate tasks right in front of your face. The headlamp is also light, comfortable, and water-resistant, which are great assets on the trail. It also has a battery life of nearly five hours on a single charge of its AAA batteries, which is plenty of juice to get you through a few nights before changing the batteries.
Multi-tools are always a welcome addition to any outdoorsman’s gear, and the OHT from Leatherman ($70) raises the bar. The OHT, which stands for “one-hand tool,” offers 16 individual tools packed into one multi-tool, all of which can be operated with one hand, which is very convenient when you’re performing multiple tasks around the campsite. The tool has solid weight, which is what you want in a reliable tool, but isn’t cumbersome or too bulky to handle easily.
The Osprey Talon 22 ($99.95) daypack is a great companion for light trail treks and it won’t break the bank. Redesigned to reduce weight without sacrificing performance, the Talon now offers mesh-lined shoulder straps and hipbelt to increase breathability and reduce overall weight, an adjustable torso to suit a variety of heights, ample storage to fit different types of gear, shoulder strap pockets, and a hydration sleeve.
For the true backcountry minimalist, the Life Straw Water Filter will be a great stocking stuffer this year! This handy straw weights only 2oz and the .2-micron filter sifts 99.99% of all bacteria and protozoa to allow you to use it to drink straight from a river or lake, worry-free. The straw lasts for up to 1,000 liters (264 gallons) and even includes a removable lanyard for convenient carrying.
The list above is but a sample of great gear options for the hiker/camper on your list this year, but they are safe solutions for even the pickiest of outdoorsmen. Other great ideas include gift cards, memberships to their favorite stores, or subscriptions to outdoors magazines. Good luck shopping and have a merry Christmas this year!
