Gifts Gone Wild
For the adventurers on your list—you included— we’ve got 23 gift ideas to inspire that long push through the winter season. Whether for traveling, trekking, or toasting next to a roaring fire, consider these hot items, handpicked by the Women’s Adventure team. By Karina Evertsen
Playthings
Give the gift of a good time. This smattering of fun-filled toys will add joy to your holiday season— and your party.
Left to Right: Tarma opener, Gibbon Funline, Geomate Jr., Smartwool scarf, Pistil beanie, Nau hoodie, Point6 socks
Tarma Designs Cairn Opener
When playtime is over, crack a cold one with this handy stainless steel bottle opener manufactured from 60 percent post-consumer waste. A dozen designs feature either outdoor sports or profiles of your favorite peaks. Half Dome, Grand Teton, or Rainier? That’s a tougher choice than lager or stout. $23; www.tarmadesigns.com
Gibbon Funline
The stiffer, less stretchy webbing of Gibbon’s newest Funline offers more stability for novices and kids. Sticky graphics help little feet stay put, and setup is super easy. Sling it between two trees and you’re ready to start practicing balance and strengthening your core. $100; www.gibbonslacklines.com
Geomate.jr
Get the kids outside for their very own adventure. This child-friendly GPS operates with one button and comes loaded with over 250,000 geocache locations all across the U.S. $70; www.mygeomate.com
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Cozy Up
Staying warm entails more than just layering up and blocking wind. These gift-worthy pieces are hot and will stay that way all season— they’ll help stave off hypothermia, too.
Smartwool Reversible NTS Scarf
Soft and warm, this stylish, 100 percent merino wool scarf—we like the blue-green loden stripe—is breathable, reversible, and a great addition to on-thetown or trailside attire for the chillier months ahead. $45; www.smartwool.com
Pistil Tate Brimmed Beanie
Cozy up with this cute little lid on cold days or after hours on the slopes. Another sassy beanie from Oregon-based Pistil Designs, the chunky Tate is one of this year’s new styles and is hand-knit in Argentina. The pom-pom topped, cableknit cap combines a subtle, flexible brim with a warm and low-maintenance acrylic yarn in our favorite color for this year. $28; www.pistildesigns.com
Nau Profile Fleece Hoody
Urban chic meets outdoor performance in the Profile Fleece Hoody. Edgy lines are cut from recycled polyester with a durable waterresistant finish and Polartec and Wind Pro to keep the elements at bay. $195; www.nau.com
Point6 Light Cushion OTC
Nothing’s more satisfying than pulling on a new pair of ski socks at the beginning of the season. These merino blend beauties are designed with protection pads on the Achilles and shins but without performance-zapping foot pads to interfere with custom-fit boots. $20; www.point6.com
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On the Go
Active all year long? We compiled this set of gifts with you in mind. They’re practical, versatile, and meant to keep pace with your lifestyle.
Left to Right: Zeal Orbs, REI membership, Athlete
Zeal Orb
Who doesn’t love a sassy pair of shades? The Orb adds the perfect touch to your wardrobe, and the polarized lenses keep your eyes nice and protected to boot. $110; www.zealoptics.com
REI Lifetime Membership
This gift is money well spent for the constant adventurer. For only $20, you get access to rental and service discounts, annual dividends, and invites to membersonly garage sales stocked with killer deals on returned merchandise. If you’re not already a wilderness diva, check out REI’s free and reasonably priced classes and clinics—they’re great intros to the outdoors. $20; www.rei.com
The Athlete’s Pocket Guide To Yoga by Sage Rountree (VeloPress, 2009)
Stretching out after activity is key to avoiding injury. Look no further for great tips on how to do exactly that. This spiral-bound book has 50 routines varying from warmups, standing poses, core exercises, and breath work to increase your flexibility. $16; www.velopress.com
Osprey Kode 30
If you’ll head to a ski resort or off into the backcountry this winter, the Kode 30 should make your wish list. This pack has the essential bells and whistles: room for a hydration pack, space to carry your board or skis, and a comfortable harness design. $139; www.ospreypacks.com
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Tech Smart
You’ve got gadgets and gizmos aplenty? Puh-leeze. For some of us, there’s no such thing as too many high-tech goods.
Sony High Definition Handycam Camcorder
Scrapbooking is for sissies— move into the 21st century of documenting friends and family with this ultralight camcorder. Measuring just 5 inches tall, 2 inches wide, the Handycam is probably smaller than your first cell phone, but it doesn’t sacrifice a thing. Features include optical zoom, a Carl Zeiss Vaio-Tessar lens, 1920 x 1080 HD video capability, a 4 megapixel still image capture, and built-in GPS for super-simple geotagging. $1,000; www.sony.com
Suunto Lumi Florette
To call this a watch is doing it a disservice. The easily navigable Lumi Florette has a long list of functions, including altimeter, barometer, compass, and sunrise and sunset schedules. Stay aware of impending storms, note your elevation, and use the calendar to keep track of hot dates. Accessory packs let it dangle from a carabiner or necklace. $399; www.suunto.com
Sacred Rides MTB Skills Camp
Five days of riding advice from professional coaches alongside a pack of superstoked riders on some of North America’s most beautiful trails: a surefire recipe for honing fat-tire skills you can take home to local trails. Weekend, weeklong, all-women, and coed camps in Fernie, British Columbia, are run with a sustainabletourism ethic and your enjoyment in mind. From $295; www.sacredrides.com
Nikwax Tech Wash
This non-detergent soap cleans technical clothing and fabrics without stripping the durable water-repellent finishes. Nikwax has a long list of technical washes, products, and advice to extend the life of your favorite gear. $9–$12; www.nikwax.com
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Luxe
A little luxury goes a long way. Whether you prefer touches of elegance on the trail or extravagances large and small, these gifts offer a certain je ne sais quoi that’ll enhance holiday cheer.
Left to Right: Kelty Forcast sleeping bag, Waderlust Travel, Body Deli Creme de la Rose, PlatyPreserve wine bladder
Kelty Forcast 20Ëš
You’ll sleep well in this affordable, women’s-specific mummy bag made of recycled polyester and filled with Climashield Green. A fitted hood helps retain heat, while a zippered foot vent allows air to circulate around warm sleepers’ toes. $150; www.kelty.com;
Wanderlust and Lipstick
Whether you prefer snapping pictures in Bhutan, cooking noodles in Southeast Asia, or creating a custom Indian adventure, Wanderlust and Lipstick’s owner and founder, Beth Whitman, has the trip for you. A seasoned traveler, writer, publisher, and all-around adventurer, she has devised a menu of delicious experiences for anyone with a travel budget. From $1,560; www.wanderlustandlipstick.com
The Body Deli Crème de la Rose
After a long, cold day on the slopes, salvage your skin with The Body Deli Crème de la Rose. This handmade organic moisturizer blends essential fatty acids like organic macadamia nut oil with food-based micro-algaes, super greens, probiotics, enzymes, and peptides for the ultimate in cellular nutrition. $75; www.thebodydeli.com
Platypus PlatyPreserve
If you like wine under the stars, this flexible, lightweight wine bladder should be in your stocking this year. Simply transfer your wine, squeeze out remaining air, and voilà — your vino is preserved and more packable than a glass bottle. $10-$13; www.cascadedesigns.com
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Holiday fun doesn’t end where the fur begins. We’ve never seen so many playful—and useful—toys for our four-legged friends. These ideas will make life merrier for your whole pack.
Left to Right: Blue Dog Treats, Walk-e-Woo Collars, Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Bulb Creature Comforts
Blue Dog Bakery Cookies
Let’s face it, everyone loves holiday treats, and dogs are no exception. Blue Dog cookies contain no animal by-products, and you can actually pronounce the words in the concise ingredients list. Go with the animal-shaped peanut butter originals, or try softies for dogs with sensitive teeth. From $5 per box; www.bluedogbakery.com
Walk-e-Woo Dog Collar
Such a fun departure from everyday collars— you can’t help but smile when dressing the pooch in brightly colored polka dots. Maybe your dog doesn’t need a new collar, but who said anything about need? $20–24; www.walkewoo.com
Ruff Wear Bivy Bowl
A staple in the Ruff Wear line since 1994, this newly designed travel bowl is a musthave for the dog in your life. Lightweight enough for backpacking and easy to toss in your car so Fido has something to lap from while you sip latte. $20; www.ruffwear.com
Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Bulb With Treat Spot
If you’re lucky, this holiday-themed, recyclable toy will keep Fido distracted from the lights on your tree. If the minty taste isn’t enough to keep him interested, stuff a treat inside this durable shell for a tail-wagging good time. $11; www.planetdog.com
