Escaping from the beaten path for a sacred communion between man and nature is one of life’s greatest joys (now more than ever). A close second? Receiving the kit to make it possible. From the Rolls-Royce of sleeping bags and a moreish dram of Glen Moray single malt whisky to a trusty felling axe — here are 16 Christmas gift ideas for the outdoorsman in your life.
Depending on how devout this off-grid operator is, they may already be set with the basics. But there’s always room for improvement. We’re talking top-rated essentials like Hoka Kaha 2 GTX Trail Shoes ($430) and Arc’teryx’s Beta Jacket ($650) featuring the brand’s most versatile GORE-TEX mountain shell. It’s high-performance, durable, proofed for the elements, and perfect for trekking.
An easy-to-carry Yeti Hopper M12 Soft Backpack Cooler ($400) wouldn’t go amiss, either.
For the journey away from all the hustle and bustle, we recommend Patagonia’s Black Hole Duffel ($250). This 55-litre workhorse of a bag not only organises all your gear, but also comes with removable ergonomic shoulder straps for when you get tired of lugging it around one-handed.
Of course, nothing says “adventure-ready” like R.M.Williams’ Traveller Hat by Akubra ($320).
Made by hand out of the finest rabbit fur, the soft conforming structure ensures it’ll spring back into shape no matter what you do to it — though don’t take that as a challenge. We dare say this will be the most stylish accessory you’ll don out in the red dirt (or simply under the open sky).
When it comes to sleeping bags, look no further than Sea To Summit’s Spark Down (from $500). Available in four temperature ratings ranging from 7°C to -18°C while still maintaining breathability, this extremely packable 363g performance sleeping bag is ideal for ultralight backpacking.
If the outdoorsman in your life gravitates towards the frostier corners of the world, he might appreciate Pendleton’s Yakima Camp Blanket with Carrier Oxford ($390), which has been woven with heathered yarns of 100% virgin wool for cosy insulation like no other.
Both will fit nicely inside the equally handy The North Face Assault 2 FUTURELIGHT Tent (from $1,700).
When they’re out of smartwatch satellite range, keeping track of daylight is best done with a reliable automatic watch and the Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition ($1,600) is one of the best in the business. With 100m of water resistance and a hard-wearing NATO strap, it’ll handle anything they’re up to, while 80 hours of power reserve means they won’t need to worry about it missing a beat.
Once said tent’s been pitched, it’s time to settle in for a campfire cook-up. Collecting wood and kindling will be a breeze with the ever-reliable Gransfors Bruk American Felling Axe ($359) and delightfully vintage-passing Puebco Firewood Carrier ($80).
But if it’s more of a gas vibe, simply fire up the Camp Chef Mountain Series Everest 2X Portable Stove ($350). Engineered for “maximum food output” and featuring two 20,000 BTU burners, it guarantees quick and matchless ignition no matter where you are.
All that’s left to do after that is to break out the Staub Round Cocotte ($480) in basil green or graphite to get a hearty stew going, perhaps seasoned using the Gewürzhaus Fire & Smoke Gift Pack ($60) — bold spice blends that’ll be sure to add depth and excitement to whatever you’ve got going.
Nothing pairs better with a campfire yarn than a bottle of Glen Moray Sherry Cask Whisky ($66).
Crafted using only the finest Oloroso casks to mature this extraordinary Speyside single malt, the Elgin Classic’s unmistakable vanilla and light oak are married with vibrant dried fruits and — as alluded to by its very name — earthy, nutty notes of the sherry for a multi-faceted finish.
And for the outdoorsman who has it all, buy them freedom like never before with a Hobie Mirage Adventure Island Sailing Kayak ($8,990). With a roller-furling, vertically battened mainsail providing lift and a retractable centreboard preventing lateral slip, they’ll be able to ride the wind for several days at a time without a care in the world.
Check out our other themed Christmas gift guides for 2024 below:
This article features some sponsored inclusions from brands who have supported Boss Hunting throughout 2024.
