Best Gifts For Outdoorsy Women Who Camp, Hike, Rock Climb
Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts For the Outdoor Enthusiast
Your nature-loving friends may spend every weekend getting back to nature whether it be camping, hitting the slopes, or ascending mountains, but that doesn't mean they don't want a stylish gift to help them enjoy the outdoors. If you have a camper, hiker, or climber in your life, we've got the perfect gift for you to give. Whether it's hitting the trail, sleeping under the stars, or being the MacGyver of the wilderness, any of these award-winning items are bound to brighten the day of your outdoorsy friend.
For any girl that sleeps under the stars, The North Face Women's Superlight sleeping bag ($330-40) is a dream come true. The 650-fill goose-down bag will keep her toasty — even in 0ºF conditions. Made specifically to fit a woman's body, the bag's exterior is made from ripstop nylon for extreme durability.
Armed with a SteriPEN Water Purifier ($90), your friend will never have to worry about not having clean water during her next backpacking trip. In less than one minute, the device's UV light rays destroy 99.99% of protozoa (including Giardia and Cryptosporidia ), bacteria, and even viruses that are present in water. It also doubles as a flashlight for late-night trips to the river to stock up on water supplies.
When you play as hard as she does, hydration is key. Camelbaks usually allow for more water than a reusable bottle and are much easier to carry around and use: to get a drink of water, bite down on the end of the tube and suck. The CamelBak 2012 L.U.X.E. ($100) is especially great for the mountain biker or cyclist in your life; it holds 3 liters of water and there are spots for her helmet, spare tube, and a small bike pump.
Conditions can get harsh out there so make sure your gal is protected. The 800-fill goose-down insulation Patagonia Women's Downtown Loft Jacket ($249) will keep her safe from the elements without looking like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. And the coat's satin polyester shell is treated with a water-repellent finish to block out wind and moisture. Available in four colors.
Help your friend capture all those action shots with a freeze-, shock-, and waterproof camera like this Olympus Stylus Tough ($230).
If your friend doesn't have a Leatherman tool, now is the time to get them one. The Leatherman Juice XE6 ($66) packs 18 different tools into three inches, and you can even engrave it with a special message.
Just because she loves the great outdoors, doesn't mean she loves sleeping on twigs and rocks. Having a women's ProLite Therm-a-Rest ($100) will elevate a regular backpacking experience to four-star hotel status.
A little rain — or even a huge storm — is probably not going to stop your friend from hitting the trail. When it comes to waterproof gear, the Marmot PreCip Rain Jacket ($100) is the best option in its price range. And with 16 colors to choose from, it's also cute enough to wear off the trail too.
Whether she's running down a trail or descending down a mountain, she needs to see where she's going. And while a headlamp might seem dorky to you, for wilderness lovers, it's a must have. The versatility of the Petzl Tikka Plus² Adapt headlamp ($59) can't be beat: mount it to the elastic headband, a rigid surface (helmet, etc.), or simply clip to a belt or pocket. Choose from a white or red LED with a lasting power of 140 hours.
If MacGyver was a real-life dude, I'm pretty sure he'd always have a carabiner on him. The Black Diamond Rocklock Twistlock carabiner ($18) is a must-have tool when any sort of ropes are involved (think rock climbing, rappelling, or belaying), and, if nothing else, it also doubles as a cool key chain or bottle opener.
A good backpack is essential when you're hitting the trail or ascending up a mountain; the lightweight Black Diamond Speed 30 Pack ($140) is a great choice because of its durability, comfortable fit, and storage options.