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Outdoor Gift Guide- Stocking Stuffers


Every year we struggle to buy presents for those outdoorsy people in our lives. You either have no idea what they actually do out in the wilderness, or they already have everything! What should you give?

Stocking stuffers should be unique, fun, small and not too expensive. Here are a few of my all-time favorite outdoor things under $30.


For the Survivalist
  1. Paracord Fire Starter Necklace by The Friendly Swede $11.99
  2. Emergency Bivvy by Survive Outdoors Longer $14.95 protects against rain and wind and reflects 80% of body heat
  3. Spool Tool Paracord Spool holds 100ft of paracord, with blade and lighter holder $16.50
  4. Luci EMRG Solar powered, inflatable and waterproof lantern with white setting and SOS red flash $14.95 
  5. Paracord Knife Survival Bracelet $14.86 

Because Everyone Needs to Eat
  1. Fozzils Bowls unsnap to lick clean and pack flat Set of two $9.95 
  2. MSR Alpine Pot Brush / Scraper $4.95 
  3. Sea to Summit X-Seal Go collapsing food container bowl with airtight lid holds leftovers $26 
  4. Light My Fire Titanium Spork- The classic Light My Fire Spork, in titanium so you'll never break it again 
  5. Titanium Long Handle Spoon keeps hands clean and away from hot liquids $9.95 
For the gearhead who has everything....
Help them make their gear last longer with products to clean, protect and rejuvenate outdoor clothing and equipment.

  1. Nikwax Tech Wash because detergent will ruin most waterproof clothing and down
  2. MiraZyme Odor Eliminator is a nearly magical concoction that will make your stinkiest clothes and shoes smell like absolutely nothing at all
  3. Nikwax Concentrated Tent & Gear Solar Proof Outdoor gear like tents and hammocks take a beating from UV light which breaks down nylon and polyester. This liquid protects gear from UV rays. 
  4. Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent Spray uses a compound from chrysanthemum flowers to keep insects away. Spray your clothes, let them dry, and you'll have 6 weeks of protection.
  5. Nikwax Down Proof Waterproofing rejuvenates down, gives down water repellency and rejuvenates water repellency of shell fabrics
  6. Gear Aid ReviveX Instant Waterproofing Spray renews waterproof finish of rain jackets, tents and sleeping bags

For the rock climber in your life:
  1. Arno Ilgner, the author of the classic “The Rock Warriors Way,” brings us “Espresso Lessons;” practical lessons for on and off the rock. $19.95
  2. Misty Mountain brings back the Bouldering Scratch Mat for the boulderer in your life. $9.95
  3. Some climbers go through climbing tape like you wouldn’t believe. Plus it doubles as medical tape. $3.95
  4. Keep them pumped out even in the off season with a Dynaflex Pro Gyro Hand Exerciser
  5. Make their favorite pair of shoes last longer with Five Ten’s Stealth Paint Repair Kit $16.99
  6. If all else fails, buy them some Super Chalk. Chalk is like Clif Bars, it’s always good to have a reserve.
  7. Does your climber play well with others? Chances are they climb well with them too. Black Diamond’s Gorilla Chalk Bag is big and flat bottomed, a communal chalk pot perfect for group bouldering sessions.


Endurance Athletes

Stocking Stuffers for Endurance Athletes
  1. Keep their noggin and ears warm on a run, ride, or paddle with a windproof Gore Bike wear helmet cap $25.95
  2. Chilly mornings often make for warmer afternoons. Help them transition without slowing down with Smartwool arm warmers $25
  3. If they run in Vibram Five Fingers, their toes may be a little chilly in colder temps. Keep their toes and legs warm with Injinji's new outdoor calf length merino wool toe socks $16
  4. Earbuds that fall out are annoying. Koss' Sport Clip Headphones won't fall out.
  5. Keep them amped, even while on the couch with Christopher McDougall's Born to Run $15
  6. Hard work on cold days often makes for sore muscles. Ease their pain with a Body Wrap from Carex.
  7. Keep their hands warm during 3 seasons with these Manzella Silkweight Windstopper Glove When it's just chilly, they block the wind without overheating. Add a liner glove for toasty hands on colder days.
  8. Fuel them to the finish line with Cliff Energy Shots. Compact enough for a back pocket, fast and easy to down on the go.
  9. L-Glutamine helps with protein synthesis, immune system support, cell hydration and has no known negative side effects. Get it from GNC for just $5.99
  10. There's nothing less refreshing than warm water after a workout. Polar Insulated Bottles keep drinks colder longer. $11.99
  11. Help them stay hydrated, without all the sugar. Elete electrolyte additive can be added to water to boost electrolyte levels without the performance zapping effects of sugar. $4.99
  12. It's hard to find a good skin protection that stays on when you sweat profusely. Sol Sunguard's MultiSport formula keeps skin protected from sun and wind even while sweating. This formula "breates" to let sweat out while retaining its protecting qualities.
  13. Bodyglide is a must-have for all types of endurance athletes from expedition kayakers to marathoners and cyclists. Sweat and friction combine to make for one uncomfortable experience in really awful places. Prevent it with Bodyglide.
  14. Cliff Shot Bloks provide simple and complex carb fuel in a pre-portioned package. Just need a little boost? Eat one or two from the pack. Need a kick in the rear? Eat the whole pack.


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Smuggler's Bay

On the 19th, we were invited to join the Smuggler's Bay trek. We start walking from the beachfront property toward the mountains. The trek is really challenging. To get to smuggler's bay, you hike up and then back down several mountains which are incredibly steep and covered in sharp scree (loose rock). One of the descents is so steep you feel like you're rock climbing. When you get to the top of the first mountain there is a beautiful view of the Daba port and the ocean.


Once you get to the top of that, you follow the back side of that mountain, which runs into another mountain, and then there is this really steep ascent. I was definitely the slowest hiker. Devan (our guide) does this trek several times a week and smoked all of us up the mountain. When you get to the top of that mountain, you can see smuggler's bay in the distance. There are clothes and empty bottles and all sorts of other things scattered around the entire way. When you round one corner, you can see across this very narrow and steep valley/crevasse to the actual trail the smuggler's use. We don't take this path because it isn't as direct and because we're more likely to see Iranians along the way.

Then there is a heinous descent- I got attacked by a couple of rocks. Eventually you end up in the bay. Its a huge relief to reach the sand.


The water here is slightly warmer than the other beaches, incredibly calm and clear. I brought my snorkel mask and did a little underwater investigating and saw a few fish and lots of coral and trash.


We had lunch at the beach before heading home. We returned on a different path. Imagine a stream filled with large boulders, running down the seam between two mountains, now take away the water. That was our path back. Lots of scrambling and big steps and balancing. We saw first hand the dangers of smuggling...

Then there was one last big mountain to summit before the descent back home. Will snapped a photo of me getting to the top.

We were all sore and tired by the time we got home, and went out for a well deserved plate of biriyani.
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