17 Perfect Gifts for the Outdoorsman

Picking a gift for the outdoorsman in your life can be extraordinarily difficult. They always have the latest and greatest gear and are often very particular about it. Pick the wrong brand and what was poised to be the gift of the century can fall flat and get tossed aside into the return pile along with scratchy sweaters and knockoff Roombas — but that scenario doesn’t have to rear its ugly head this holiday season. This guide covers gifts for everyone from the hunter, to the fisher, to the backpacker, to the day hiker. Rest assured that any astute outdoorsman will be chomping at the bit to get this gear out there in the wild and put it to the test.

Mystery Ranch Big Mountain Pack

Mystery Ranch‘s Big Mountain is a 65-liter mid-size hiking backpack that combines good looks, great performance and supreme comfort. Its front vertical zipper allows easy access to all of your belongings without you having to tear through everything to get to the bottom. The Big Mountain also features a lightweight, durable frame to add support where needed and is also compatible with a hydration bladder.

Redington Zero Fly Reel

For the angler, Redington’s Zero fly reel is the lightest in its class, making it an ideal addition to a backcountry fishing kit. The Zero is also unique in that it is made using a die-cast system as opposed to being CNC’d. Regardless of whether you are lefty or righty, the Zero easily adjusts to retrieve on either side.

Best Made Co. Takedown Skillet

When it comes to camp cookware, iron reigns supreme. The downside to packing an iron skillet, however, is that its handle is awkward to put in a backpack and takes up space unnecessarily. Best Made tackles this problem head-on by making their cast iron skillet’s handle removable. Two wing nuts attach and detach the handle in seconds, making it a no-brainer in any camp cookware kit.

The Gear Patrol Magazine

The best gift is something that the recipient wants but wouldn’t buy for himself. A basket of pears? No thanks. A trip around the world? Now you’re on to something. While we won’t be bankrolling a trip, we can get you close with Issue #1 of the Gear Patrol magazine, a journey from Wyoming to Chile to Norway and more, including product guides and an interview with mountaineer Conrad Anker. Seriously, put down that fruit basket.

Snow Peak BiPod Stove

Snow Peak is known for crafting good-looking camp gear that doesn’t sacrifice performance; the BiPod Stove is no exception. The BiPod stove uses two legs to keep sturdy while attaching to a white gas canister as a third point of stability. The result is a simple, lightweight stove that is perfect for car campers and backpackers alike.

Therm-a-Rest Treo Chair

After a long day on the trail, being comfortable in camp is crucial, and coming back to the Treo camp chair is the equivalent to kicking back in a La-Z-Boy. It features a sling made from Dyneema, a material normally reserved for rock-climbing equipment, to make the Treo ultra strong and durable. It is lightweight and packable, but still holds up to 250 pounds, making it perfect for just about anyone.

Browning DIY Butcher Kit

Browning’s DIY Butcher Kit comes with everything that you need to break down your latest trophy, including a 7.5-inch filet knife, 6.5-inch butcher knife, 5.5-inch boning knife, four-inch skinning knife and 3.25-inch folding lock-back drop-point knife. The kit also comes with a full-size sharpening steel, 3.5-inch game shears and an LED flashlight in case things take longer than expected.

Evrgrn Crash Sack

The Evrgrn Crash Sack is the perfect combination of puffy jacket, sleeping bag and snuggie. Crawling out of your tent in the morning and leaving the warmth of your sleeping bag behind to make breakfast or coffee can be devastating. This is no longer an issue with the Crash Sack. By unzipping the bottom, and sticking your arms out of the armholes, you are now able to move around and make breakfast without leaving the comfort of your sleeping bag.

Deeper Smart Portable Fish Finder

Not landing a fish when you’re out on the water is extremely frustrating. The Deeper Smart Portable Fish Finder helps you track down those bass and ups your chances of landing the big one. It syncs with a free app that includes a fish-activity calendar, weather forecasts, a diary, maps and sharing functions.

Askov Finlayson × Gear Patrol Wool Knit Hat

When you’re adventuring out in the frigid cold this winter, make sure to keep your head nice and toasty. We paired up with Minneapolis purveyor of fine goods Askov Finlayson to design a warm, 100 percent wool beanie with a touch of orange suede.

Filson Down Cruiser Jacket

Just because you’re outside playing in the woods and dirt doesn’t mean that you have to look like a hobo while doing it. Filson’s Down Cruiser jacket is rugged enough to take quail hunting, but doesn’t look out of place walking down the streets of New York City. Goose down insulation will keep you warm when the temps dip below freezing, while the jacket’s water-repellent shoulders bead moisture to keep you dry.

Wolverine 1000 Mile Men’s Evans Boot

Wolverine’s Evans boot follows a strict formula of rugged durability that doesn’t sacrifice style. They feature Goodyear welt construction paired with a Horween leather upper that gets better with age — just like the person wearing them.

Smartwool Cosy Flip Grip Gloves

Smartwool’s Cozy Flip Grip gloves meld the best properties of a fingerless glove, a mitten and a regular glove into one. They feature Smartwool’s impeccable merino wool as well as a leather palm for added grip and durability. While the thumb doesn’t offer a fingerless conversion, it does have built-in touch capability so your texts and emails are readily accessible at all times.

DSPTCH × Gear Patrol Heavy Camera Strap

Never worry about dropping your camera while on your next outdoor adventure again. We’ve brought back our collaboration with DSPTCH: a high-strength and lightweight orange paracord to keep your camera secure and never slow you down.

Old Town Next Canoe Kayak

The Old Town Next Canoe Kayak is exactly that, a canoe-kayak hybrid. It’s versatile; you can use it for everything from angling to floating down the river with a beer in hand. Its removable seat allows it to be paddled from the knees, making for a nice alternative. However you choose to paddle it or wherever you choose to take it, the Next Canoe Kayak is an absolute blast.

Berghaus Baffin Island Jacket

Berghaus’s Baffin Island Jacket utilizes their Hydroshell Elite Pro for the ultimate in lightweight waterproofing. The jacket also features Hydroshell air technology with four-way stretch in areas where you are prone to overheating, allowing for better temperature and moisture management where you need it most, as well as unmatched mobility.

The Splurge

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It’s always worth asking, right?

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High Camp Trailers: High Camp Trailers are the ultimate in off-road camping luxury. Each trailer features a galley kitchen complete with an ice chest, as well as a luxurious cabin with full-size bed, a ventilation fan, lamp, hideaway cup holders and plenty of storage.

Further Reading

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More guides and gear to fill out your list

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