The best gifts for outdoorsmen and women don’t have to be expensive. Why? Because we all need those small items, like gloves, headtorches and warm socks just as much as we need the more costly things like down jackets, sleeping bags and tents.
So we’ve put our heads together here at Outdoors Magic to select our favourite gear items, accessories and gadgets that come in at under £30. You could say that they’d all make great stocking fillers for outdoor enthusiasts, but that description just won’t do justice to how useful they are. These are certainly much handier than that naff autobiography, that DVD boxset or tin of Pilchards.
Lifeventure OS Map Towel – £22.99
A microfibre towel is pretty much an essential part of a backpacker or weekend camper’s kit list these days, so this is a useful present in itself – you could say that the iconic OS mapping is just a nice added bonus. It’s available from Lifeventure in 1:25,000 scale prints of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, Snowdon, Pen y Fan, High Peak and London. Yes, it might not be the thing to be using a compass with to navigate through a storm, but it’s perfect for those evenings sat outside the tent.
Stance Little Lace Outdoor Socks – £15.99
Stance make a sock for every season, sport, style and more. Go take a look at their collection – it’s gigantic. From our experience, these are some of the comfiest hiking socks out there. You know that new sock feeling? That pretty much comes with every wear of these. It’s all down to the anatomical shaping Stance go for as well as the quality merino wool used.
Black Diamond Ion – £27
Even though this is Black Diamond’s lightest and most compact headtorch in their range, it still packs a punch in terms of brightness, with its 100 lumen bulb giving a decent range of 38m. Running off 2 AA batteries, it has a 6-hour burn time on its highest setting, and a whopping 180-hour burn time on its lowest. Oh and it’s waterproof as well.
Hydro Flask 21oz Flask – £25.95
Simple but effective. We’re big fans of Hydro Flask here in the Outdoors Magic offices. Whether you want to keep your goulash piping hot to have as a hill picnic, or you want an ice cold refreshing drink in the summer, these flasks will do either job mightily effectively. What’s more, they’ll last a lifetime.
Primus Trailbreak Vacuum Mug Flask – £22
OK we know we’ve already included an insulated flask in this list, but we just simply can’t leave this option from Primus out. Much like the Hydro Flask featured above, it’s a highly efficient insulator, and there are nice touches like the click-close lid that’s easy to sip from and pours like a dream as well, plus the tapered shape that gives a comfortable and secure grip even when you’re wearing gloves.
Related: Best Gifts For Outdoorsy Types
Related: Best Gifts For Hikers
Sherpa Sanjay Bobble Hat – £25
This isn’t just any old bobble hat. It’s a bobble hat made right at the heart of the Himalayas through a scheme in Kathmandu that gives meaningful employment to women within the city. What’s more, for every product sold by Sherpa, a small donation is made to provide scholarships to children who grow up in remote Himalayan villages.
Fjällräven Canvas Brass Belt – £25
This is just a simple canvas webbing belt with a military-style buckle, that’s all really. But it’s from a brand we trust and one that carries some excellent messages in regards to sustainability and environmental impact.
OS or Harvey Maps – £8 to £20
There’s something special about gifting a map to someone. It’s almost as if you’re giving the gift of adventure, unlocking new possibilities and new horizons for them. A map is so much more than just a big sheet of paper, that’s for sure. Harvey’s and OS tend to be a very safe bet.
Ultimate Performance Ultimate Laces – £5
Do away with annoying laces on your trail run by switching them for these elastic options from Ultimate Performance. Perfect for all styles or running shoe, trainer of casual lace-up, they feature a spring-loaded lock that’s gives quick and easy tightening or loosening, and there’s high-vis reflective detailing to help you stand out on those evening road runs.
Rab Merino 160 Glove Liners – £18
These are designed to either be worn as a sweat-wicking and odour controlling lining under thicker gloves in winter, or as a standalone option during any brisk days over spring and summer. Rab have gone for a nice blend of merino wool and polyester to offer temperature regulation as well as a fast drying time.
Magazine Subscriptions
Given some of the challenges faced by print media these days, you could say it’s rather surprising that the number of outdoor adventure titles on the shelves seems to be increasing. Older favourites like The Great Outdoors and Trail Magazine are now joined by beautifully crafted coffee table mags like Sidetracked, Another Escape and Rucksack. Keep an eye out for seasonal subscription promotions and grab a bargain.
