December is now inside spitting distance so it’s time for my 2023 HikeBikeTravel out of doors lover’s vacation present information. I’ve received numerous ideas from experiences to distinctive hand heaters, tenting gear and a few cozy winter put on. All of those merchandise and experiences could be ordered on-line. I hope you discover some new concepts that family and friends alike would get pleasure from.
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What are some distinctive presents for 2023?
The older I get, the extra I really like presents which can be experiential – cue the present card to a restaurant or one thing I might by no means have considered doing by myself.
I’d extremely advocate a number of the experiences Viator presents – wherever you reside. In Canada try these ones or these ones in america.
In Alberta that may very well be a day journey up the Icefields Parkway and a go to to see the Abraham Lake Bubbles – so all it’s a must to so is get to Banff, and also you’re taken care of the remainder of the day. The Johnston Canyon night ice stroll could be one other enjoyable one – and never one thing many individuals have performed.
How a few strolling meals tour in Toronto? Whistler and the Sea to Sky Gondola Tour could be nice enjoyable for somebody you already know who’s planning to go to Vancouver. The underside line – the probabilities are infinite.
Vacation present suggestions that might are excellent for somebody who loves out of doors actions
Scout Tarp from MEC
In case you have a camper, paddler or hiker it’s essential purchase for, I extremely advocate MEC’s Scout Tarp. John and I put it to the take a look at over every week in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park. There are numerous issues that set it other than the heavier, blue Canadian Tire variations we’ve purchased up to now.
To begin with, it’s light-weight sufficient you could take it backpacking. The small one weighs simply over a pound. Different options embrace:
- Plenty of brass grommets across the edges – that don’t draw back from the tear resistant material.
- A bolstered bag system for the centre pole that retains the tarp excessive and tight.
- Set it up on an angle and get out of the wind.
- Simply stuffs again into the sack.
Buy the Scout Tarp right here for $119.95
Hydaway Camp Bowls
If you happen to’re into tenting – or you’ve gotten granddaughters like I do who don’t do effectively with bowls that break, then the reusable Hydaway insulated bowls are an ideal addition to your tenting package. They’re additionally helpful as ingesting bowls for canine, they usually make nice presents. Even the lid could be repurposed as a aspect dish once you’re consuming.
The bowls are available two sizes – 1.5 cups and 4 cups. They’re light-weight and since they’re collapsible, they don’t take up a lot room. These sturdy bowls include a stainless-steel rim and a leak proof lid that retains the contents heat till you’re able to eat. There’s additionally an insulated foam sleeve will preserve meals hotter longer. All components are dishwasher protected,
Buy the 1.5 cup bowls on Amazon in Canada in addition to the one quart bowl.
Within the US can order instantly from My Hydaway or by way of Amazon.
Fjällräven Snow Cardigan
Fjällräven’s Snow Cardigan is a deal with to put on on a fall day. I’ve had my share of wool sweaters through the years and with out fail, all have been itchy. This one is just not. It’s a jacquard-knitted cardigan made with comfortable lambswool, a renewable product that’s odour resistant and nice at wicking away moisture.
I really like this piece because it’s helpful for my way of life – winter walks with the canine, cross-country snowboarding and simply hanging out by a hearth. It’s a basic Scandinavian design, one thing I actually got here to understand after I was in Sweden climbing the Kunsgleden path in September 2023. The 2-way zipper is sweet for moderating temperatures.
It is a piece of clothes you’ll have till you’re sick of it as Fjällräven is thought for its high quality. You should buy instantly on-line from Fjällräven for $210. It is available in sizes XS to XL. I’m carrying a medium, and will in all probability get by with a small, however I desire free somewhat than form-fitting.
Microspikes
Microspikes won’t be probably the most thrilling present to obtain, however they certain are helpful for any kind of winter climbing the place ice is concerned. They forestall falls and all of the grief that goes together with a sprain or a break.
There are many microspikes in the marketplace. I like those made by Kahtoola and Hillsound, a Canadian firm. Simply make sure you buy a pair which can be giant sufficient to suit the winter boots you normally put on.
Inflatable seat cushions
An inflatable seat cushion ($29.95 at MEC) may seem to be a yawner of a present – however in a yr the place sensible gadgets are very a lot appreciated – I’d advocate one. John and I at all times have a seat cushion with us on hikes – whether or not or not it’s for wet days or chilly, snowy days. The cushion makes all of the distinction between being snug and heat once you cease for a break. On a 16-day hike to India’s Zanskar area it was one of many high three issues we have been blissful to have introduced with us.
Garmin InReach Mini 2
It took me years to pony up the cash for my Garmin InReach Mini2 ($399.99 till November twenty seventh, then the standard $539.99). They aren’t cheap and when you’ve bought one you continue to want a subscription plan – although these are affordable.
What the Garmin does for you is offer you and your loved ones piece of thoughts. If there’s an emergency, press a button. You hopefully by no means want it – but it surely’s there if you happen to do. If you happen to’re on distant multi-day journeys, you possibly can let family and friends know you’re protected every day. And in the future you might also find yourself serving to another person on the path that will get into bother.
Progressive or new merchandise for the 2023 holidays
Sizzling Poc hand heaters
Some of the attention-grabbing new merchandise to hit the market, that have been featured on Dragon’s Den are the Sizzling Poc hand heaters. They arrive in two sizes – small and huge.
When a steel disk contained in the Sizzling Poc is flipped inside out, it begins a response that immediately produces warmth. It’s means higher than something I’ve come throughout earlier than – although the warmth solely lasts an hour. The quantity of warmth they produce is surprising, so no matter physique half is chilly, will heat rapidly. Generally that’s all you want – not a full six hours of warmth. After they’ve produced warmth, you boil them for 5 minutes to get them again to their liquid state. They are often reused 100 occasions!!
I feel these hand heaters could be wonderful to maintain in your automobile’s emergency package. Anybody doing out of doors actions in winter would profit, whether or not you’re snowboarding, snowshoeing, climbing, skating, doing evening images or the rest exterior.
The corporate additionally makes a quilted cellular phone service that matches each a Sizzling Poc and your cellular phone. It should prolong the battery life as much as three hours.
The Unisex Sunday Afternoons Outback Storm Hat
The Sunday Afternoons Outback Storm hat – which was simply launched in September 2023, is a superb one if you’d like a water-resistant hat with a big brim. It’s received virtually 4 inches on the again and three inches on the entrance, so that you’ll get numerous solar or rain safety. It’s breathable however better of all is the very fact the hat packs flat AND retains its form. The chin strap is adjustable, so it is going to match everyone.
It’s received a +50 UPF solar score, weighs 150 grams – and must be hand washed.
If you happen to’re within the US you should purchase instantly from Sunday Afternoons. In Canada, you should buy the outback storm hat on Amazon. The hat is available in a medium and a big and retails for between $60 and $70 in Canada.
Hydroflask 32 ounce insulated French Press
In case you have a espresso aficionado in your vacation record, then I feel they’d love one of many latest merchandise accessible from Hydroflask – the 32 ounce insulated French Press. It’s thoughtfully designed – like all their merchandise but it surely’s additionally sturdy (no glass to fret about breaking), and it’s nice for house use or automobile tenting.
There’s double-walled insulation that retains your espresso scorching for a LONG time. I take advantage of medium floor espresso and I didn’t have any espresso grounds in my mug – due to a mesh filter. Different options embrace a press-in lid, an ergonomic deal with, and straightforward pouring.
You should buy the French Press from Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Canada for $81.95 – and delivery is free.
Hydroflask espresso mug
If you happen to a good friend or member of the family who loves espresso – however they by no means appear to complete a mug earlier than it goes chilly, then the Hydroflask espresso mug ($33.95) could be simply the present for them. It’s received double-walled insulation, so espresso stays scorching for hours. It’s simple to drink from the lid with out spilling. The one factor you possibly can’t do is throw it within the dishwasher – which received’t be an issue if you happen to use it as your tenting mug.
Last ideas
Easy is sweet. Not going into debt can be sensible. Maintaining with the Jones doesn’t must be a factor. Do what’s finest for you and your loved ones. Comfortable purchasing.
Enthusiastic about some winter getaways?
