Outdoor Features

Ten Of The Best Outdoor Stocking Fillers

In our last Christmas feature, following our first and second ten of the best outdoor Christmas gift guides and our money-no-object top ten, we take a look at the best outdoor products to fill your stocking under £15.

There’s a whole lot out there including little balls that can dry your walking boots in a matter of hours as well as little magnetic men who keep your keys safe.

We also have a couple of clever lights that can attach to pretty much anything as well as some extra-traction clip-on devices for your shoes to help prevent any unfortunate slips on the ice.

We’ve ordered all the outdoor stocking fillers in terms of price from lowest to highest and if you can think of any other cheap and cheerful Christmas gifts then let us know in the forum below.

Vango Eye Light

Price: £3

What a clever little thing this is – a single LED light that can extend up to 40cm, rotate its head 360 degrees and will attach itself to just about anything, all for just three quid! Brilliant for a spot of night time reading and available in five snazzy colours.

For more information on the Eye Light or for any other Vango product go to www.vango.co.uk.

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Light My Fire Grandpa’s FireFork

Price: £9

No, it’s not a device to prod a member of your family with but it is incredibly useful for piercing a nice fat Cumberland on the camp fire. Naked flames can get a little hairy at times so this is a perfect way to keep your distance if you can find a solid branch or twig. We love it.

For more information on the Grandpa’s FireFork or for any other Light My Fire product go to www.lightmyfire.com.

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Luckies Key Pete

Price: £10

Okay, little Pete isn’t exactly an outdoors purchase but nevertheless a majority of us have keys and I’m assuming a large number misplace them every now and then. Well, with this magnetic fella holding on to them, while also grabbing on to some metallic surface, there’s no need to worry. Just remember to hand him your keys.

For more information on Key Pete or for any other Luckies product go to www.luckiesoflondon.co.uk.

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Kikkerland Climber Tea Infuser

Price: £10

Another very likeable little character is the stainless steel cliff climbing tea infuser who hooks over the side of your cup and rests in your tea, giving you the perfect cuppa. And don’t worry he’s very easy to clean and avoids rust well.

For more information on the Climber Tea Infuser or any other Kikkerland product go to www.kikkerland.com.

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Regular Buff

Price: £14

No stocking filler gift guide is complete without the timeless and incredibly useful Buff – a bit of stretchy Polyester microfibre that can be turned into pretty much anything for warming your head. Our personal favourites are the balaclava and the beanie and don’t forget there are loads of different colours and patterns to choose from.

For more information on the Regular Buff of for any other Buff product visit www.buffwear.co.uk.

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Nite Ize BugLit LED

Price: £13

Another little bit of genius is this insect-like portable light that looks a whole load of fun, and it is, but it’s also extremely useful. The BugLit features a powerful Inova Microlight that travels 50ft and can be set to four different settings, including strobe and signal, while also having these super flexible legs that attach to anything.

For more information on the BugLit LED or any other Nite Ize product visit www.niteize.com.

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Trekmates Absorba Balls

Price: £14

We haven’t tested these yet but they seem like a blooming good idea. Each Absorba Ball contains crystals designed to absorb any sort of moisture from your outdoor gear to prevent damp, mould and odour build up. We’re not saying swim through a river and expect everything to be bone dry in a few minutes but these could save you a lot of hassle with smelly wet boots.

For more information on the Absorba Balls or for any other product from Trekmates go to www.trekmates.co.uk.

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Whitby Hand Warmer

Price: £15

This may well look like an incredibly unsafe holey zippo lighter but in fact it’s a rather canny piece of kit. The familiar outside metallic casing contains a catalytic element which safely burns lighter fluid without a flame which you then put your mits over to warm them up, without getting burnt.

For more information on the Hand Warmer or any other Whitby product go to www.whitbyandco.co.uk.

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Kikkerland 5oz Canteen Compass Flask

Price: £15

Not much to say about this 150ml, 13 x 3 x 10cm, 12g flask other than it looks pretty darn cool. Hip flasks are all a bit expensive these days and to be honest they all look the same, so why not buy something a little different for that ‘spirits connoisseur’ in your life.

For more information on the 5oz Canteen Compass Flask or for any other Kikkerland product visit www.kikkerlandstore.com.

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Yaktrax Walker

Price: £15

Icey pavements and snowy driveways, depending on where you live, are common hazards this time of year so why buy super expensive traction winter boots when you can get a bit of clip-on grip for 15 quid? These extra traction devices use a skid lock coil system instead of spikes for easier and safer use and it’ll mean there’s less chance of looking like a fool this winter.

For more information on the Yaktrax Walker or any other Yaktrax product visit www.yaktrax.com.

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