Once again, we’ve scoured the outdoor industry to find the best gear for outdoor enthusiasts to gift their family and adventure-loving friends. The following items are sure fire winners in your gift shopping.
Rux Packing System Mesh Bundle
There are a number of ‘packing solutions’ out there, but the new Rux Packing System products are the best we’ve seen. Mesh bags and cubes are strong, lightweight, and highly compressible. The bundle includes a 20 liter bag, a 10 liter cube, and a 2 liter ‘pack’. These are perfect for organizing things like socks and underwear (2-liter), shirts and baselayers (10 liters,) and pants, jackets, and sweaters (20 liters). Breathable mesh walls keep your clothes fresh and improve compression. This is a great gift for active travelers. $100. Buy now.
Rux Cube Cooler
Some of us grew up with colorful lunch boxes. It’s hard to beat the classic Scooby-Do lunch box. But the Rux Cube Cooler comes close. This compact 5-liter insulated cooler is perfect for kids who need to take lunch to school, or hikers who want to keep their charcuterie meals cold during a trip to the desert. The Cube Cooler is constructed of RF-welded TPU material that is tough, durable, and stain-resistant. The cooler has a roll-top that seals out water and has enough space for lunch for two, or one lunch with a bottle or two drinks. $64. Buy now.
Grayl 24oz GeoPress Ti Purifier
One of the most important issues for backpackers is hydration. Successful, safe backcountry travel requires proper drainage. But water weighs a lot – 2 kilograms per quarter. Therefore, any system that allows climbers to ‘harvest’ water in the field would be a huge benefit. The Grayl GeoPress Purifier System puts a water purification filter in your bottle. And the titanium version reduces the weight to 20 ounces in a 24-ounce container. The filter system is a very good design. Simply fill the outer shell from any water source. Press into the inner shell (with the included filter) and drink.
The titanium outer shell also doubles as a cooking pot, thus eliminating the dreaded term ‘single-purpose gear’ (for backpacking efficiency – and health – see multi-purpose gear). So, in addition to a kilo of pack weight, you get a water filtration system, a water bottle, and a cooking pot. $176. Buy now.
Grayl Mission Tote 45L
Gear storage and transportation have long been a problem for outdoor enthusiasts. A variety of plastic totes, Cordura duffels, and various storage bags have been tried and largely rejected as suitable solutions.
The new Grayl Mission Tote system proved to be one of the best options for both storing and transporting random outdoor gear. The 45-gallon tote has earned our favorite name as a great choice for our fly fishing gear. It ate our pack of fly fishing slings, our waders rolled up, and an assortment of jackets, sandals, paddle shoes, and other gear. After a fishing trip, my wife and I would dry our gear and store it in our Mission Totes. When it was time to hit the river again, we just grabbed our toys and left without delay.
Totes also work well with Grayl Accessory Pods, but we love them with Rux packs (see above). For those who need more storage, the tote is also offered in a 58-litre option, as well as a smaller 32-litre version. $125. Buy now.
Coros Apex 4 smart watch
Modern technology has changed the world of watches, especially for foreign travelers. The ancient chronometer gave way to technical clocks that measure time, altitude, direction, and distance. However, modern smartwatches do so much more, and the new Coros Apex 4 highlights the best of modern innovation.
This ‘watch’ provides the perfect tool for adventure whether you are a runner, ranger, climber, skier, or mountain biker. Apex 4 has amazing battery life – up to 65 hours with all features fully functional. I used it on a week-long support trip without recharging using simplified GPS settings. It also has some of the best mapping functions I’ve seen on a watch. The user interface is also incredibly clean and intuitive, with few side buttons and dial controls.
The Apex 4 features fast, efficient GPS, a heart rate monitor, a sleep monitor, and a host of other features that come with health-focused smartwatches. But the Coros Apex does each job as well or better than the competition.
Apex 4 comes in two sizes: 46 mm face and 42 mm face. 46 mm is suitable for almost everyone. The 42mm is best for those with very thin wrists or who are extremely weight conscious. The 46mm weighs just 64 grams with the silicone strap. $479, Buy now.
Park Hoodie
Hooded clothing has become a trend this decade, but the Paka Hoodie sets a new standard that other sweaters won’t meet. The Paka Hoodie has a unique blend of alpaca wool (65 percent) and recycled nylon fibers (35 percent). The Hoodie is light and breathable, but also warm and cozy. The design features a comfortable neck opening and a smooth hood that holds the head without constriction or bulk. The perfect fit is smooth without stiffness.
The Hoodie, available in men’s and women’s sizes, is the best mid-size hoodie we’ve ever worn. $149. Buy now.
Paka Women’s Aire Base Layer
Women in our test group often complain about baselayers. Arms can be too long, muscles too short, necks too strong – or too skinny. Paka Aire, however, gained worldwide fame for its fit and comfort. One women’s long-sleeved shirt features a soft, light blend of alpaca wool and Tencel – a fiber found in hemp.
The Aire, while incredibly light, proved warm and cozy whether worn alone or as a baselayer under other hiking clothing. The Aire’s cut provided enough torso coverage to fit into the pants – and long enough to not ride up under the packs. Overall, the fit was smooth without being too tight or difficult. The opening of the neck has especially won praise for being roomy without sagging. $75. Buy now.
adidas Skychaser AX5
The newest addition to the acclaimed collection of adidas Terrex shoes, the Skychaser AX5, could be their best hiker yet. Skychase AX5 Gore-Tex provides waterproof support on the roughest mountain trails. We roamed the Cascades and Olympic ranges in Washington for months and found a lot to love about the shoes. The fit is comfortable in the heel but roomy in the toebox. There is great support underfoot without being overly stiff or constricting. The heel cup, although supportive, is also well fitted and comfortable, so when you run on uneven ground, there is no heel pressure or injury.
Priced under $100, the adidas Skychasers are sure to please any avid hiker looking for support and comfort without the bulk and weight. $90. Buy now.
High Camp Parkside Wine Flask
High Camp has established itself as a leader in offering desert-friendly flasks (see their original Firelight Flask in this review package and this one).
One of their new offerings goes from whiskey to fine wine flasks. The Parkside Wine Flask, offered in a limited edition Sundown, is the perfect carry for your favorite wine. The sealed metal container holds a full 750ml bottle of wine and includes two insulated wine glasses.
The tough 18/8 steel construction withstands the worst abuse you can throw at it. And as a bonus. $25. Buy now.