As more and more people discover the joys of outdoor recreation, they also learn about products and accessories that can help maximize that enjoyment. While our RECREATIONiD.com website is chock full of products, it may not always be easy to decide on a holiday gift for those recreation-minded people on your shopping list. That’s where this gift guide comes in. Read on to discover our Top 10 picks for this year. And keep in mind that some of our selections work just as well for giftees who are not necessarily the outdoors type!
1. Sleeping Bags
For campers who like to sleep under the stars, a cozy sleeping bag keeps them warm no matter how cold the nighttime temperatures get. As a gift, we like this Mummy Sleeping Bag from Klymit. It’s rated to keep you warm down to zero degrees F, yet it weighs less than 4 lb. It’s available in both L and XL sizes, and the included compression bag packs it down to a size of only 9.5” x 16.5”, making it easy to store and carry.
2. Shelter Tents
Let’s face it: spending time out of doors can be great, but you still need to deal with minor annoyances like blazing hot sun, brief rain showers, and pesky insects. Here’s a product that helps defend against all three: the Eureka NoBugZone 3-in-1 Shelter. Not all tents are for overnights, as this tent is just as useful for day use. Here is a product that is light (16.5 lb.), packs down small (11” x 31”) yet provides ample floor space (9’ x 12’). Double zipper doors provide easy ingress and egress while still providing comfort for those inside.
3. Cooler Tote Bags
Sometimes, a full-size fiberglass cooler is overkill, especially if there are only two people on an outdoor adventure. A cooler tote bag is more easily carried by one person and makes an ideal alternative to a bulky cooler. Take a look at this cooler tote bag from Picnic Time, which can hold up to 24 cans of your favorite beverages. It’s available in a variety of colors, and can also double as a way to keep cold groceries cold when you’re food shopping!
4. First Aid Kit
Medical emergencies, no matter how minor, can crop up anywhere. It’s one thing to be home near a well-stocked medicine cabinet, but it’s another thing to be out in the wild, potentially miles from anything resembling civilization. That’s why portable first-aid kits are so important. This kit from AAA is billed as a Commuter First Aid Kit but truth be told, it is an excellent assortment to take with you on any outdoor adventure. There are a total of 85 pieces within, including a variety of bandages, gauze pads, and towelettes, along with appropriate tools such as scissors, tweezers, and even an emergency whistle. This first aid kit is an excellent holiday gift for just about anyone.
5. Backpacks
Spending time outdoors shouldn’t mean traveling without life’s necessities. While “roughing it” means different things to different people, carrying minimum supplies of sustenance, protective clothing, and survival tools doesn’t have to be a hardship. A backpack is an ideal outside accessory, freeing up one’s hands and allowing the back to support the weight of what’s being carried. This Alpine Stars backpack is constructed of tough 600D polyester, and includes a front zipper pocket, inner organizer pockets, and mesh water bottle pockets. The back panel and shoulder straps are padded, and it has a generous 13.6L capacity. Choose between black and military green.
6. LED Lamps
Multi-day trips away from home require 24-hour-a-day preparedness, and that means dealing with the brightest days and the darkest nights. Good reliable lighting is an absolute requirement, as you’re no longer sitting in the recliner in your den where a light switch is a short reach away. Count on this LED light from Lumen, with 3 different levels of brightness plus a flashing mode. Its rechargeable battery can run the light for up to 100 hours, and the included USB charger helps ensure that the light is always ready when you need it.
7. Picnic Baskets
All this discussion about camping might be making you hungry, and if you’re in the woods, you’re not exactly going to jump in your car and drive to the nearest fast-food place. You have provisions with you, and a well-equipped picnic basket can add to the dining experience. We really like this model from Picnic Time, which features a sturdy wicker exterior as well as a complete set of tableware including ceramic plates, stainless steel flatware, and a set of wine glasses. Traveling with this set-up will make you question the definition of “roughing it”!
8. Trekking Poles
If your idea of quality outdoor time involves a lot of walking or hiking, give these trekking poles your consideration. Popular opinion has shifted: in the past, poles such as these were thought of as something for the elderly or infirm. But once they were experienced by more experienced hikers, their advantages became better known. Poles provide additional security and support on rough or uneven terrain, and can actually help increase your walking speed. These Advanced Trekking Poles from Yukon Charlie's are fashioned from lightweight but strong aluminum, are adjustable for length, weigh only 1.1 lb. for the pair, and are supplied with two sets of tips: one for hiking and one for use in snow.
9. Stainless Steel Tumblers
A well-made, insulated drink holder is an accessory that every outdoorsy person should have. Many drink holders on the market are made of plastic, which has its advantages. However, for both longevity and better insulating properties, a stainless steel product works better. We like this 16 oz. tumbler from Autogold. Its double-walled construction keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold, and even with its generous capacity, the tumbler is sized to fit cupholders or backpack holders. A twist-on lid helps avoid spills. This gift works as well for the commuter in your life as it does for the hiker.
10. Sunglasses
Whether the outdoor temperatures are 20 degrees F or 90 degrees F, bright sun can inhibit one’s enjoyment of a chosen recreational activity. The obvious answer is sunglasses, but your giftee deserves better than those cheap throwaways that can be picked up for pocket change. The best sunglasses for the camper, hiker, or biker will have shatter-resistant lenses that won’t fog up, and have the right amount of tint to shield the eyes. Look no further than these Bobster ‘Capone’ sunglasses. Their polycarbonate lenses are resistant to shattering, and are treated with an anti-fog coating. The glasses are lightweight and are shaped to comfortably fit most faces.
Bonus Gift Idea: A RECREATIONiD Gift Card
Still can’t decide? There is always the RECREATIONiD E-gift card, the one present guaranteed to please the most indecisive family member or friend. Available in your choice of denomination, our E-gift card never expires, so let the recipient take their time and browse the entire RECREATIONiD site, as well as our related websites as shown below.
We trust that you found this holiday shopping guide helpful, and remember that you can always access RECREATIONiD.com from the device of your choice, whether that is PC, tablet, or smart phone, and scroll through the thousands of brands and products we offer. You might even find something for yourself! We wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.