Great ideas for what to get your mom for Mother’s Day
Opinel Surf and Turf
Joseph Opinel built his first folding knife in 1890 while working for his father in France. That knife, still offered today (Opinel #8) created a brand that offers great vintage knives at reasonable prices. And the ones that are affordable, not ‘cheap’ – I still own and still use a vintage #8 folder Me, I was a teenager at the time, got it as a Christmas present in 1980!
Opinel’s latest offering makes a great gift, and outdoor moms will love the Surf and Turf blade set. This set includes a #08 Mushroom rolling knife and a #09 Oyster rolling knife! The Oyster knife has a Padouk wood handle – padouk is a water-resistant hardwood that can withstand the rigors of saltwater use. The blade on the Oyster knife sports a blunt tip to keep your hand safe while working the blade into the oyster shell.
The ‘turf’ side of the kit features a curved edge on the edge of the blade to allow it to ‘hook’ around the ‘stem of the shroom. At the bottom of the beechwood handle is a small boars-hair bristle brush to gently clean your harvest of forest debris. $52 for a two knife kit. Buy now.
REI Flash 22 Pack
Sometimes, less is more. When traveling, weight and space are important. So anything that helps you save on one or both makes sense. Enter the Flash 22 pack. This ultrapack daypack has proven itself to be the perfect personal item for domestic and international travel. It’s compact enough to easily slide under airplane seats, while leaving room for your feet when you stretch out. It has enough room to swallow an emergency change of clothes (in case your carry-on bag gets lost) as well as a pad or laptop, headphones, study materials, a water bottle, and other essentials. And it’s comfortable enough with decent luggage to be usable as a trail pack for long hikes in rough terrain.
We’ve used the Flash 22 extensively on the road, in airports, and even on river rafting trips. It has proven to be a strong, efficient pack that performs very well. $60. Buy now.
Kuma Outdoor Gear Lazy Bear Heated Chair
Regardless of the season, mountain camps can get chilly in the evenings. And even if a campfire warms your front, most camping chairs don’t provide any way to cover your back. Enter the Kuma Lazy Bear Heated Chair.
This cushy camping chair offers a well-padded seat and backrest that protects against the cool night air. But built into that seat protector is a heated insert that, using a rechargeable power pack, provides hours of adjustable heat for your seat.
The heating element can be connected via Bluetooth to a simple app on your phone to allow convenient access to the heating controls.
The folding chair is weatherproof so you can stay warm even when it’s snowing or raining. $250. Buy now.
In the Super Bear Den Deluxe Gazebo
Another way to make camping more comfortable for mom is to help her avoid bugs. The new Kuma Super Bear Den Deluxe Gazebo does just that, with minimal effort.
The pop-up shelter takes no more than a minute to set up, and at approximately 10 x 12 feet, it offers ample screened-in space for a table and seating for 6, as well as a cooktop and work area. The shelter is strong and durable and weighs only 32 pounds. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors while keeping the bugs away.
$635. Buy now.