OAG Christmas gift ideas

Camp, Camping, Climb, Climbing equipment, Footwear, Gear, Hike, Hiking equipment, Jackets, News, Road Trips, Travel — By Outdoor Adventure Guide on December 18, 2013 at 6:47 pm

Just in case you’re having a last minute panic… here are some present ideas for male OAG types in the family. They may just help you look thoughtful and original in your Christmas gift selections.

Merrell, Adventure Rest Ridgeland Hoodie. RRP: £150

When is a Primaloft insulated hooded jacket not a jacket? When it’s a neck pillow of course. Better known for their footwear, Merrell have come up with a Christmas-crackering multi-functional jacket here.

This is a great design; the jacket’s warm and looks great, and when you’re stuck in departures it zips into a crescent-shaped neck pillow. Which puts it a step above the rest of the many, many padded jackets out there in my book.

The stuffing is 50% recycled material and the outer is water-repellent: tested by me and not found wanting. Sizing advice: I prefer a close fit on insulation layers so went with size L, despite being 6’2” and rangy – it fits perfectly. Try one on or if it’s a present, err on the side of snug.

Haynes Outdoor Survival book. RRP £12.99

The Outdoor Survival manual from Haynes. A Christmas gift idea.

Haynes are known best for publishing the world’s most comprehensive do-it-yourself car repair manuals. So they know how to explain things. This ‘manual’ is no exception but thankfully it’s not as fiendishly complicated as the workings of a motor.

Author Dave Pearce, who’s worked along side the ubiquitous Bear Grylls on his survival programmes, is a former Royal Marine and his book is an excellent, well-illustrated, easy to follow guide that will have every male from 8-50 years old, fancying they can survive almost anywhere.

A perfect present for grandsons, sons or dads who spend too much time surfing the Discovery Channels.

The ‘Scrubba’ wash bag. RRP £41

One for someone heading out on their travels. The Scrubba is a waterproof, roll-top bag that has a flexible panel of studs that enable
you to scrub your gear in it. A few minutes agitation with soap and
three litres of water and you have clean kit.

Sadly, they don’t yet make an inflatable mangle too, but this is a clever way to use old-fashioned methods to clean your gear on the move.

Being a sealed and waterproof bag means of course that you can stash your dirty clothes as you go. I shall be taking it to the Alps this winter to help keep the base layers under control.

Mint-Ease Soothing Cream, RRP £8.95 (Roll-on £6.85).

A stocking filler possibly. Minty creams and ointments have always been a winner for easing aches and pains. That strange combo of feeling cold going on then heating up the muscles and joints deep within.

I’ve used Mint-Ease and it certainly helps. It’s in both handy cream and roll-on versions so good for trips away or popped in the gym bag.

Snowline Chainsen Light crampons. RRP £58.

No snow yet but if it’s like the last few years, it’s coming. A set of Snowline’s Chainsen Light pull-on crampons will give you secure footing on even sheet ice as they have proper, but small, crampon peaks, rather than studs. They pull easily and securely over all footwear, but if you want them on snow boots, get a size larger.

They’re stored in a neat, small neoprene zipped pack, and could be a present for older relatives perhaps, or just as a safety measure in the car during the winter. During the summer you could always use them to aerate your lawn?

Pelican Travel Towel, RRP £28.

One more for the traveller, or to have on camping trips where space andfast drying are considerations.

Pelican’s travel towel is large, fast, drying and treated with an anti-bacterial protection – all good characteristics when travelling. Pelican make a range of cunning travel items including charging pack, socket adaptor, head torch and sleeping bag liner.