Topic: The Best Gifts for Hikers of 2022 (Read 43 times)
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This is a game-changer for every trip I am on. The 2-ounce weight is negligible, so there is actually no excuse not to carry this. It provides a barrier between your butt and the ground—key for me when taking a break during a XC ski or snowshoe trip. It not only provides co*fort, but some warmth.
When you can’t carry one of the best camping chairs, this portable option is convenient to bring anywhere. It folds like an accordion and opens up to a 13 x 16-inch seat. I use this when sitting on snow, wet ground, hard ground, alpine tundra covered with berries, at a picnic table, at a concert or sporting event, kneeling on the ground doing gardening work, and so much more. It can also be a great addition to your first aid kit as a splint or a bit more cushion under your sleeping pad. When I am guiding clients on a hiking adventure, I bring one for them.
There is an option to buy it with ThermaCapture, which has some heating properties by reflecting your body heat back up to you, which I use for winter activities. Have I convinced you yet? —Justin La Vigne, Best Camping Gadgets
This two-pot set from MSR is both great to cook in—a true non-stick surface—and a breeze to clean up afterward. While virtually every other pot I looked at in my test of the best camping cookware needed some elbow grease to clean, all of the food in the MSR Ceramic peeled right off and left almost no residue behind. Despite its robust appearance, the aluminum construction of this set means it has some give when pressure is applied, especially co*pared to the stainless steel pots in my test. But this slight tradeoff in durability is more than co*pensated for by its weight. This set is so light that I wouldn’t hesitate to take it on short backpacking trips where I’m planning to do some real cooking.
If the hiker on your shopping list has been using the same ceramic camping mug for so many years that it’s more chips than mug, then they’ll appreciate this upgrade. Not only was the OtterBox Elevation an excellent insulator, it also has a unique lid that sets it apart from the co*petition.
The centimeter-tall rim makes it easier to take a slow first sip, when you’re really just checking to see if it’s safe to drink your coffee yet, as the outside air has longer to cool the hot coffee before it hits your mouth.
Help keep your loved ones outside in the colder months with this top-performing hand warmer. In my test, the Grabbers stayed warmer longer than all the other hand warmers in this style, emitting heat as soon as the package is opened up, and lasting for 12 hours.
It works when the outside air, specifically the oxygen in the air, kickstarts the oxidation of the iron powder inside the wrapping, which produces heat as the iron begins to rust. The secret sauce for most of these packets is in how they control the heating process, so that the heat is released continuously and at co*fortable temperatures.
Outdoor gear struggles to deco*pose once it’s tossed into a landfill. By making a proper long-term repair instead of throwing out ripped gear, you can give it new life and get the most from your favorite pieces. Not to mention, make a style statement with these artfully designed patches. Using duct tape to cover a rip co*promises the structural integrity of your garment and can make things worse. These easy peel and stick repair patches are a permanent solution to prolong your already pricey gear investments. Noso’s mission is to patch the planet starting with one ripped puffy at a time. Any outdoor person can customize and save their gear with these attractive and practical patches.
Darn Tough’s hiking sock has been the standard bearer for the best hiking socks for years, and they are still at the top of my list. The balance of merino wool—which both retains heat and wicks away moisture—with nylon’s durability, keeps my feet hot-spot free and co*fortable on day hikes and thru-hikes alike. Since wool contains lanolin, a natural antimicrobial, the stink factor stays down on trips where even creekside rinses aren’t an option. The Lycra spandex provides just enough stretchiness to keep these socks from slipping down on high-mileage days.
I’ve worn these socks everywhere from the San Juans of Colorado to the Mojave in California to the temperate rainforest of Olympic National Park, and it performs equally well in all conditions. And when they did eventually blow a hole in the back heel after a thousand miles or so of use, Darn Tough’s Lifetime Warranty means you’re always covered.
If I’m heading out into the backcountry, where the only “laundry” I’ll be doing is dunking my layers in a stream during the heat of midday, there is only one fiber I want against my skin: merino wool. Whereas synthetic fibers start to feel clammy and sweaty by the end of the second day—if you’re lucky—I’ve gone up to nine days without washing a merino wool top and was still co*pletely happy to put it on in the morning. You can’t have too much merino wool in an article of clothing in my books, and this shirt from Icebreaker agrees. It’s 100 percent merino wool.
Of course, there are some trade-offs here. This shirt wasn’t as soft as many of the synthetic shirts in my test of the best hiking shirts. It also held onto moisture longer than expected during the drying test (wool is hydrophilic, after all). Finally, it’s plenty expensive. But for sheer co*fort, this one is worth the price.
While there are several all-in-one, lightweight options available that prioritize either the solar part of solar chargers or the charger (power bank) part, the best way to maximize your available power in the backcountry is to purchase the solar panel and power bank separately.
Goal Zero products are great for hikers, backpackers, and backpack hunters because they offer a wide range of power capabilities, everything from a single 5W Nomad 5 solar panel (12.7 ounces) and lipstick-tube-sized 12Wh Flip 12 charger (2.5 ounces) up to the 20W Nomad 20 (2.3 pounds) and 71Wh Venture 75 (20.4 ounces). But my favorite co*bo is the 10W