Holiday Gift Guide: By Activity

Gifts by Sport/Activity

   

For Climbers

Petzl Reverso 4 Belay Device- The Reverso 4 is an excellent lightweight belay device for the climber on your list, especially if he or she likes to climb multi-pitch trad, Alpine or ice routes. It features lightweight hot-forged aluminum construction, excellent braking due to its high-friction mode, as well as an intuitive Reverso mode for belaying a seconding climber off of an anchor. This is a do-it-all belay device and a great holiday gift! Adirondack Rock- The new edition of the Adirondack Rock guidebook contains information on 320 different cliffs composed of over 3,100 routes and variations! This comprehensive two-book set features detailed route and crag descriptions, as well as topos, photo diagrams and other visuals to help your favorite climber unlock the beauty of climbing in the Adirondack Mountains! Posiwire Quickpack- For climbers who are just starting to lead outside, or for the gear head who can never have enough climbing gear, the Black Diamond Posiwire Quickpack is a perfect gift. Containing six of Black Diamond's most popular quickdraws, this set is a great way to build a sport climbing rack or to replace old draws. Petzl Nomic Ice Tools- The Petzl Nomic has built a reputation as one of the best, most complete technical ice tools of the leashless era. Featuring a curved shaft for clearance on technical ice,  an adjustable ergonomic grip and a T-rated interchangeable pick, the Nomic is a complete ice tool for everything from waterfall ice to mixed climbing and Alpinism. If you are looking for a gift for an ice climber who has been using the same old straight shafted tools with leashes for decades, or if you want to buy a new ice climber his or her first set of new tools, the Nomics are an amazing gift. Climbing Rope- Most climbers can always use a new rope. This holiday season, get the avid climber on your list a new redpointing rope, a gym beater, or a nice dry-treated rope. If you are shopping for a newer climber, find a durable, easy handling rope that they can use for top roping and lead climbing. A new rope is a great holiday gift! Black Diamond Vapor Helmet- Some climbers hate wearing helmets, especially when sport climbing. The most common points of criticism are that helmets are cumbersome and obstruct movement during hard, technical moves, and that helmets get too hot during the summer. The Black Diamond Vapor helmet eliminates both of these issues, with an innovative, ultralight design and a number of large vents to allow excellent airflow. The Vapor is an excellent gift for the climber on your list who needs a new helmet!

For Skiers

OGE Ski Straps from Voile- These great ski straps are extremely versatile. They can do anything from holding your skis together when hiking, fix a skin attachment or pack strap, as well as lash a tool, shovel or poles to your pack. These particular Voile straps have the Outdoor Gear Exchange Logo on them. Fritschi Diamir Vipec 12 binding- The Vipec is a revolutionary new tech binding from Black Diamond and the first of its kind to feature a pre-defined release value similar to a traditional Alpine binding. Lightweight construction, multiple climbing modes, as well as a sliding heel piece for consistent heel pressure make the Vipec one of the best options for a touring binding on the market. If you have a skier on your list who needs a new set of touring bindings, the Vipec is a great gift!   Scarpa F1 Evo AT boots- The F1 Evo, Scarpa's revolutionary new lightweight AT boot, is undoubtedly the hottest ski boot of the season. The F1 Evo an innovative new walk mode that automatically engages when the heel is released from the binding for incredibly fast transitions. This tech binding compatible boot is super light, but stiff enough to provide great power transfer on the downhill. Additionally, the F1 Evo utilizes Boa technology and a buckle-strap for a dialed fit. Smith I/OX Goggles- With a massive field of vision, a robust anti-fog, spherical lens excellent helmet compatibility and a stylish look, the Smith I/OX is a great ski goggle for the avid skier on your list who wants a functional, yet great looking goggle. The I/OX goggle is versatile, with a quick release lens system and two included lenses. The Smith I/OX goggle is a holiday gift that is sure to be a hit with your favorite ski bum! Black Diamond Expedition Ski Poles- A new pair of ski poles are a great gift for the aspiring AT skier or for that friend who has been using the same old pair of beat-up poles for years. The Expedition ski poles from Black Diamond are a compact, lightweight 3 piece option and are easily adjustable with Double FlickLock Pro technology. These poles are a great gift for any skier!

For Paddlers

Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Bag- A paddler can never have too many dry bags! For the avid canoe camper, kayak tourer, or anyone else who loves to get out on the water, the Sea to Summit Hydraulic Dry Bag series are the perfect gift. These heavy-duty dry bags can take a serious beating and will keep your essential gear and clothing dry! Adirondack Paddler's Map- If you are shopping for a paddler in the Northeast,  the Adirondack Paddler's Map is an essential gift. This map is highly detailed, displaying portages, campsites, shelters and rapids information all in fully color and on waterproof material. Get your favorite paddler the Adirondack Paddler's Map to help them discover one of the gems of the Northeast: the waterways of the Adirondack park! Chaco Sandals- We love Chacos here at the OGE/GearX.com (in fact I'm wearing a pair as I write this) so it should come as no surprise that these incredible sandals are included on this gift guide. Chacos feature a supportive, comfortable footbed, grippy Vibram soles, and colorful webbing straps. They are the perfect sandals for spending time on the water or around the campsite. Get these for your favorite paddler, or just anyone special on your list! NRS Axiom Glove- Gloves are often an overlooked but useful paddling accessory. The Axiom glove from NRS provides much needed blister and friction protection, while also shielding against the sun's rays. Pick up a pair of Axiom gloves for the paddler on your list and they will thank you after a long day on the water!    

 

For Hikers

OGE Nalgene bottle- Support your friendly neighborhood gear shop with this classic Nalgene water bottle featuring the OGE/GearX.com logos! This BPA free, durable water bottle is always a perfect stocking stuffer or smaller gift. The hiker on your list will love this great water bottle. It's also a great eco-conscious gift for that person on your list who always drinks bottled water or wants to start reducing waste! Kahtoola Microspikes- For winter and cold weather hiking, Kahtoola's Microspikes are an essential piece of gear! With a durable elastomer upper that stretches over any boot and rugged 3/8" stainless steel spikes in an effective traction pattern on the forefoot and heel. These are great for trails on the Northeast, when the snow is not deep enough for snowshoes and full crampons would be overkill. They are also great for wearing around the yard or town when the ice and snow sets-in! Osprey Talon 33 Pack- Sometimes, a beloved, old piece of gear doesn't need to be replaced with something new and flashy, since the real technological advancements don't add up to true performance or comfort benefits. Yet sometimes, like with the Osprey Talon 33, a piece of gear is significantly lighter, more comfortable, and packed with more great features than that old trusty pack that the hiker on your list has insisted on using for the past 20 years. The Talon 33 is sure to be a new trusted, favorite piece of gear, with a comfortable, breathable backpanel and harness system, as well as a lightweight construction and minimalist features. Superfeet Insoles-Superfeet are amazing aftermarket insoles for everything from hiking boots to alpine ski boots to casual shoes. Superfeet insoles are available in a variety styles to accommodate different arch profiles and volumes, as well as specific designs for high-impact sports, winter boots, and minimalist shoes. For your hiker, buy the classic green (high profile) or blue (low profile) insoles for support over long miles on trail!

For Cyclists

OGE Inertia Designs Proton Wedge saddlebag- Even dedicated roadies like saddlebags! When you need just a bit more space to hold tools, a patch kit, extra tube, tire wrenches and a snack, the Inertia Designs Proton Wedge is a perfect addition to your bike. This great saddlebag also comes embroidered with a special OGE logo on the side, so you can rep your favorite gear shop when you are out on the road or trail! Light and Motion Urban 650 bike light-Every cyclist needs a good bike light! For the touring aficionado, dedicated commuter, college student, or hardcore mountain biker, the Light and Motion Urban 650 is a great gift! Featuring a bright 650 lumen beam, highly weather resistant casing and amazing visibility, the Urban 650 will help keep your favorite cyclist safe at night! Park Tool Vulcanizing Patch Kit- A patch kit is a perfect stocking stuffer for the cyclist on your list. When you spend a good deal of time on your bike, your are bound to get a few flats. The Park Tool Vulcanizing Patch Kit features six patches in two different sizes, self-vulcanizing fluid that creates a tight bond between patch and tube, as well as sandpaper and instructions. A patch kit is a great, useful gift!

For Everyone

GoPro Hero 4 Black- GoPro cameras are a perpetual holiday gift favorite, but excitement over the new Hero 4 has reached a new level. The Hero 4 is more powerful, shooting professional level 4K video, superfast 1080p video at 120 frames per second and 12 megapixel photos, all in the same rugged, water and weatherproof case. The Hero4 also features advanced night and low-light photo and video settings, as well as GoPro Protune software, which provides customizable control of camera settings. This is the best GoPro yet!

MSP WindBoiler Stove- MSR, a company know for their trustworthy liquid fuel stoves and lightweight backpacking stoves has entered the integrated cooking system market with the WindBoiler stove. Featuring an integrated pot and burner system, the WindBoiler is incredibly efficient and burns well even in high winds and cold weather. With this stove, MSR has once again risen to the top of another category of outdoor stoves! This is the perfect gift for the adventurer on your list!

SUUNTO Watch- Wearable technology is a growing element of outdoor sports, as tracking performance, progress, speed location and personal vitals has become essential for trail runners, mountaineers, cyclists, and other outdoor athletes. No company has consistently released high-end, high-performance outdoor watches like Suunto. Suunto watches, from the heart rate monitoring  M2 watch to the fully-featured Ambit 3 with its altimeter, compass, temperature and GPS tracking are amazing gifts for the outdoor athlete on your holiday list this season!

Benchmade Griptilian Series Knife- A good knife is an essential piece of gear for anyone who loves the outdoors, as well as a great holiday gift! Benchmade Griptilian series knives feature classic, single-blade, folding styling with a robust locking mechanism that is easy to use and extremely safe. Each Benchmade Griptilian knife has a sharp stainless steel blade and a comfortable grip. For the camper, hiker, hunter or general outdoor enthusiast on your list, a Benchmade Griptilian series knife is a perfect choice.

MSR Revo Trail Snowshoes- Snowshoes are a great way to get outside and enjoy winter! Whether you are taking them hiking in the mountains or just enjoying the fresh snow in your backyard, a pair of MSR Revo Trail snowshoes are a great choice and a perfect gift. With a full-length, durable traction system, lightweight and flexible deck, as well as an easy to use binding, the Revo Trail provides the float and grip that you need for hiking on steeps or deep snow.

Outdoor Tech Turtle Shell 2.0 Speakers- Want a speaker that you can bring with you on your winter hike to blast Christmas music in your lean-to? How about a speaker to attach to your bike handlebars so that you can let everyone on the road know how much you like Prince? Maybe a speaker that you can send adrift in your pool on a floaty to set the mood for your summer pool party with some Jimmy Buffet? The durable, weather resistant and Bluetooth enabled Turtle Shell 2.0 from Outdoor Tech will do all of these things. Pick-up this speaker for literally anyone on your list this year with the knowledge that they will love it.