An Approach to Gifting for the Outdoors Person in your Life
We all want to give great gifts to those we care about. However, outdoorsy people can be difficult to buy for. They often have some very strong views on the equipment that they carry; and even the clothes they wear. You may hear them saying that they have been looking into “insert some unrememberable item” for some time but you cannot quite remember what it was, or even which one of the many it was. So if you are looking to get a small-ish gift for that outdoorsy person in your life, and you don’t want to ask them what they would like as a gift, then this article is for you!
When we get asked “what should I get the outdoorsy person in my life?” or similar such questions, we tend to direct them towards the concept of giving them something that enables their hobbies, preferably something consumable. The reason for this is that they will have opinions on equipment, and if you do get them equipment without their input there is a high probability that it will not be what they need and just sit unused. This is not great for the gift receiver, or the environment. If you get them consumables it will enable them to go do the activity they love, and even if it is not the exact one they normally use, it will still get used.
Advantages of giving consumables:
Allows them the experience of trying different consumables.
Saves them buying it themselves, so they can go do the hobby they enjoy.
Even if it is not their exact choosing, they will still likely use it.
A talking point with others they enjoy their hobby with.
So that’s the principle, but what you probably came here for was a list of items, so let's give you some ideas with a few worked examples. We are going to consider specific outdoor activities, and then give example consumables you may wish to consider. If the one you need a gift for is just generally outdoors for more than a day at a time, we have a section for that, and a section for gifts to avoid if you can too.
*Please note there are a few Amazon affiliate links in this post. They won’t cost you anymore, but they will provide us with a little commission to keep this website going.
For the Runner
A classic running consumable is the energy bar, gel, or recovery drink. Robert has got on well with the TORQ brand and would recommend the following:
Depending on how well you know the runner you may also want to get them a chafe stick. Both of us have found this one good. We now even carry a small one to formal events, because often smart clothes are not made for being on your feet all day. The one we are recommending is not cheap, but it lasts well and does not leave greasy stains on clothing.
For the Paddler
Those that go and get wet in rivers and streams can be difficult to buy for in this instance, as their hobby does not have many consumables. However there are a few things that can make their hobby a little easier.
When paddling in the UK the water can be quite cold, and it can be nice to have warm hands once you finish. Enter instant hand warmers, Some are disposable (not great), but the ones linked below are a reliable brand of reusable ones. Those who are cold-blooded (Katrina!) can never have enough. A nice trick is that when you stop for lunch, and need to take your gloves off, it can be nice to pop a hand warmer into them and it means that when it comes to putting them back on they are not cold.
Lifesystems Reusable Hand Warmers
There are water toys that are not designed specifically for padding, however we have found them a lot of fun and a great way to improve your manoeuvrability. These little balls float, bounce on water and we have had many a fun hour throwing them around.
For the Walker/Hiker
Blister are a way of life for the long distance walker. For this reason we would recommend Compeed blister plasters. For most people these are a quick and easy way of stopping blisters from getting any worse.
Compeed Mixed Size Blister Plasters
As a walker, one of their favourite items of equipment is likely to be their boots. We both often change our boot laces to make our boots stand out from others (helpful during group activities) If you know their favourite colour, then getting them a set of boot laces in this colour can be a thoughtful gift.
If they are walking regularly, then they are likely to have boots or shoes that will need cleaning and waterproofing. Nickwax makes great walking boot care items. We have been using their products for years. This will definitely be used by them at some point.
Nikwax Outdoor Complete Protection Kit
As with running, chafing can happen. Especially when it is wet. So depending on how well you know the walker you may also want to get them a chafe stick.
For the Mountain Biker
Taking a bike off road especially in the UK can be one of the muddiest outdoor activities out there. For this reason we recommend cleaning products. Robert has got on well with Muc-off. This stuff just works. They do a variety of products in helpful bundles of products that you are likely to use together at a range of price points from around £20 to over £90.
For the Climber
Don't worry if the climber in your life prefers to be indoors or outdoors, bouldering, top roping, sport or trad climbing. What they are going to need to do is be able to hold onto things. So we would recommend giving them climbing chalk, or hold cleaning brushes.
A classic climbing consumable is chalk. Climbers use chalk to dry out their hands, and enable a better grip. Chalk is put in fabric balls to keep it all together. You cannot go wrong with a simple chalk ball.
Psychi Ultimate Grip Chalk Ball
For the ecologically minded climber then you may want to consider getting them a refillable chalk ball instead.
Friction Labs Magic Refillable Chalk Sphere
Believe it or not chalk has also been brushed with technology. A liquid that you rub into your hands that reduces the amount of sweat. This is colloquially known as liquid chalk. This product is not only used by climbers but also weight lifters.
A cheeky little one that is good for the fidgety climber in your life. These do wear out so you could consider them to be a consumable. Robert has one of these in his desk drawer to play with while thinking.
YY Vertical Alien Finger Resistance Trainer
Not a consumable but maybe one for the climber who needs a mug.
For the Surfer
We are not surfers, but we have good friends who are. We asked them using this consumable gift idea what they would recommend for people who like to ride the waves. The two things that they suggested were high quality sun protection, and board wax. Here’s the ones they swear by.
For those who are Generally Outdoors or Camping
We thought it was probably easier to put all the items that are consumables for someone who spends multiple days outdoors or goes camping into a section of its own.
When it comes to spending multiple days outdoors we all need to eat and drink. We would recommend getting people freeze dried adventure food. This type of food has really come on in the last 10 to 15 years, so it is now not only edible, but actually tasty. We recommend freeze dried food for a couple of reasons. It has a longer shelf life (which can be over 10 years), so no worrying about when they are going to get to use it! They are also some of the lightest meals you can carry. They are pricey if you are going to eat them for a week, but for a treat they are quite nice. We would recommend the brands FIREPOT, Summit to Eat, and Mountain House.
FIREPOT Posh Pork and Beans - one of Robert’s preferred choices
Summit To Eat Beef Stew With Potato Big Pack - now you know when you have got on the outside of one of these!
Mountain House Pad Thai with Chicken - this is one of the best tasting ones we think we have ever had, or we were just that hungry at the time … we will let you decide.
Not all outdoor food and drink need to come from fancy shops. Some tasty packable treats can be found at your local supermarket. Here’s some places you can look:
Instant hot drinks - Especially around the holidays there are often interesting coffees, teas, and hot chocolate. Many of these are also packaged in ways that lend themselves to outdoor activities, being individually sealed in waterproof packaging.
Seasonal gifts - If you keep your eyes peeled you may find something like these little Nutella pots that Katrina was given, and were taken everywhere for a year.
Drinks - For those who like a tipple, miniature bottles and instant cocktails are all easily packable when doing outdoor activities.
Most outdoor types have waterproofs especially here in the UK. You can drastically increase the life of your waterproofs if you keep them clean and proofed. To keep our waterproofs in tip top condition we have used Nikwax for years. They produce a range of options for different fabrics and make lots of different sized bottles of goop:
When outdoors we all too commonly forget about our lips. These can easily get burnt or chapped. For this reason we have been using these Lifesystems lip balms for a while. They come with a SPF 30+, which is not bad for a lip balm and they don’t taste bad.
Lifesystems Mountain SPF30 Sun Protection Lip Balm
A little known product that we have had great fun with, and has got us out of a bind or two, are Fixits. These reusable fixing sticks are easy to use, even in the wilderness. They are a plastic that if you get them above 60°C become malleable. This means that you can heat them up in a cup of warm water, mould into the right shape, let cool, and you are done. Also for us, when we have got home we’ve heated the fix back up with warm water and removed the Fixit, so we could use other adhesives or patches to fix the item. Fixit have a range of products:
Another quirky product that we have had some real success with is Sugru. This is a multi-purpose mouldable glue that sets strong by turning into a durable, flexible silicone rubber. We have used this product to fix and modify not just outdoor gear, but also things around the house. The only limitation with this stuff is what you can think to use it on! Many years ago Robert first became aware of the product when he met the inventor Jane at the Gadget Show Live, but that's a different story. There are various colours and pack sizes available. They also now make a gift box that has a few ideas of what you could do with your Sugru, which is a nice introduction to the product.
Gifts to avoid
Manufacturers and retailers prey on those who don't know about outdoor equipment, buying stuff for people who are. Each year around the holiday period there will be an influx of “gift ideas'' from outdoor shops. Most of which is junk. Now to avoid buying someone something that they are never going to use, please stay away from the following items:
Cheap multi tools in gift boxes - They are likely of low quality, some to the point of being potentially dangerous and of little actual use. Most good multi tools do not come in a “gift box”.
Integrated knife fork spoon sets - They are unlikely to be used.
Any mug that has a carabiner handle - They are often of less use than a mug with a more comfortable handle (they pinch skin), the carabiner handles often break easily, and they can be difficult to clean.
In general any nick knacks around the tills, as these are often just junk.
Good luck gifting and happy holidays!