You know those hard-to-shop-for people who live and breathe the great outdoors. Fueled by fresh air, these adventure-seekers would rather spend a weekend—or an entire week—trekking a ridgeline trail, sleeping under the stars and making coffee at sunrise on a mountaintop. This holiday season, get them the gear that will warm their hearts and wind them up for their next car camping experience or backcountry trek. From a super-bright rechargeable headlamp to a gourmet java kit, here are our top picks to make their camping and hiking experiences better than ever.
MPOWERD Luci Outdoor Pro Inflatable Solar Lantern
MSRP: $35
Weight: 5.5 ounces
Dimensions: 5 x 4.25 inches (collapsed: 5 x 1.5 inches)
Max Light Output: 150 lumens
Charge Time: USB: 2 hours; solar: 14 hours
It’s a light. It’s a solar panel. It’s even a smartphone charger! Weighing next to nothing, this water- and dust-proof inflatable lantern collapses down to a compact size, making it perfect for illuminating backcountry campsites and car camping hangouts alike. It lasts for up to 50 hours, and then easily recharges via direct sunlight or from a power source with the included USB cable.
Leatherman Signal Topo Multi-Tool
MSRP: $110
Weight: 7.5 ounces
Closed Length: 4.5 inches
This REI Co-op exclusive multi-tool boasts a ferro fire starter, safety whistle and knife sharpener, making it a natural choice for all kinds of situations on the trail or in camp. Its stainless-steel knife blade is laser-etched with a distinctive topo-map design that’s sure to inspire outdoor longings. Designed to make any hike or camping trip easier, this full quiver of standard Leatherman tools also includes needle-nose and regular pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, a saw, awl and can/bottle opener.
Arc’teryx Zeta SL Rain Jacket
MSRP: $299
Weight: 9.5 ounces (Women’s); 10.9 ounces (Men’s)
Waterproofing: N20p GORE-TEX® PACLITE® Plus waterproof/breathable laminate
Anything that says “Arc’teryx” is going to turn hikers’ heads. This lightweight, durable and reliably waterproof/breathable jacket is no exception. It delivers the ultimate in dry comfort and protection from the elements when the weather makes things exciting—and it won’t weigh them down in the process. Featuring unlined 2-layer GORE-TEX PACLITE Plus fabric, a storm hood and a water-resistant zipper, this trail-worthy jacket is one backpackers and day-hikers will love to keep at the ready. And, through the end of 2018, it’s only available at REI.
Goal Zero Venture 70 Recharger
MSRP: $149.95
Weight: 1 pound
Dimensions: 6.4 x 3.7 x 0.9 inches
Capacity: 66.9 watt hours/17,700 mAh
Charge Time: USB: 8 hours; solar: 8–14 hours (solar panel sold separately)
Whether they’re about to section hike a long trail or sneak away to a cabin in the woods, every outdoor enthusiast needs a way to keep their devices up and running when they’re off the grid. This powerful, portable recharger breathes new life into phones, tablets and more. Plus, its weather- and dust-proof design keeps them connected, even after being dropped in a (small) puddle. On a full battery, the Venture 70 can charge a headlamp up to 20 times, a POV camera up to 10 times, a smartphone up to six times and a tablet up to two times.
Fenix HL60R Rechargeable Headlamp
MSRP: $74.95
Weight: 4.9 ounces (with batteries)
Maximum Light Output: 950 lumens
Maximum Beam Distance: 116 meters
When camping or hiking far from city lights, this waterproof and impact-resistant headlamp turns night to day with a blazing 950 lumens. Made with a rugged aircraft-aluminum body, it can be submerged up to two meters underwater or worn through a rainstorm and keep on shining. And, its regulated output means the light won’t dim as the battery drains. In Eco mode, the rechargeable battery lasts up to 100 hours on a single charge.
RovR Products RollR 60 Cooler
MSRP: $399
Weight: 49 pounds 7.9 ounces
Capacity: 56.78 liters (3,465 cubic inches)
Dimensions: 27 x 22 x 22 inches
Built to keep its contents cold for a week or more, this wheeled cooler makes it easy for campers to chill, even under the hot summer sun. A pop-out side table, all-terrain tires, bicycle tow-bar, wine rack and internal dry storage are among the bevy of features to help car campers whip up tasty meals in the backcountry.
Nite Ize BugLit LED Micro Flashlight
MSRP: $13
Dimensions: 6 x 2.5 x 0.5 inches
Small but mighty, this innovative little light is sure to bring comfort and joy on overnight adventures. A bright-white LED light illuminates the night with a 50-foot range. An integrated S-biner clip lets you attach it to zipper pulls, keychains and more, while the flexible legs can be twisted around a variety of outdoor objects—from camp chairs to carabiners—meaning there’s no reason not to bring it along. (Nalgene sold separately.)
NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad
MSRP: $49.95
Weight: 15 ounces
Dimensions: 72 x 20 x 0.9 inches
Packed Size: 20 x 5.5 x 5 inches
Made of light and durable closed-cell foam, this luxuriously comfortable sleeping pad stands up to night after night of rugged outdoor adventures and won’t add a lot of weight to a backpack. It warms things up with a heat-reflecting film that keeps campers and backpackers from feeling frosty—whether they’re sleeping in a tent or under the stars. Plus, the pad folds down to a compact size and is made with an efficient hexagonal nesting pattern, resulting in plush insulation and thickness that don’t add to its packed size.
Jetboil Flash Java Kit
MSRP: $109.95
Weight: 13.1 ounces
Dimensions: 4.1 x 7.1 inches
Compact and lightweight, this stove and coffee press combo boils two cups of water in a mere 100 seconds, making it as easy to enjoy delicious coffee in the wild as it is at home in the kitchen. The coffee press stows inside the cup to fit nicely in a pack. Working just like a French press, it sets up easily for a fast coffee fix on the trail or in camp. A push-button ignitor and color-change heat indicator add the convenience campers crave when they roll out of their sleeping bags.
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