I feel like I’ve seen holiday gift guides popping up on blogs everywhere, but let’s be real: most of them are sponsored by one company or another. Amiright? I’m sure plenty of those gifts are still spectacular, sponsored or not, but I wanted to put together a quick gift guide for that outdoorsy woman in your life. No strings attached, no sponsored brands involved; this is all just stuff I love and recommend. Naturally, she’d love it if you bought her a new tent or sleeping bag, but let’s face it—that isn’t always in the budget! So, take a look at these suggestions for something to warm her little frostbitten feet without breaking into your piggybank.
Solar Blanket
You know, I’ve always called these things solar blankets, but apparently some call them space blankets (REI link where you can find them for $16.95). Regardless of the name, these are a clutch item for any outdoors enthusiast, but since women have a tendency to get chilly, they will especially enjoy this as a gift. The reinforced fabric blanket reflects ~80% of your body heat back on you which makes it awesome in emergency situations.
Not planning on getting stranded anytime soon? (Because, who really is?!) These also make great sleeping bag liners if you’re camping in wicked cold conditions. In fact, I wrote about this exact topic over at this week’s Sierra Trading Post blog, “Tips for Winter Backpacking.” Amy used this technique when we were packrafting in Alaska, and she kept herself cozy all week, regardless of the temperatures.
Hydroflask
Ok, I may be pushing the limit of my $20 cap with this one, but here’s proof that you can find them for $22 on Amazon. Having cleared up that one, go buy your girlfriend one of these water bottles!
I first encountered Hydroflask at Winter OR last year when they teamed up with Tubbs for a day of snowshoeing. I’ve tried approximately 475 million insulated water bottles from various companies ranging from Nalgene to Camelbak (which was the worst, by far!) and none have come close to the quality of Hydroflask. The double-wall vacuum insulated bottle truly keeps hot water hot and cold water cold! I love putting hot chocolate or soup inside for backpacking trips because there is nothing quite like a warm liquid to thaw off the internal chill!
Elemental Herbs All Good Tinted Lip Balm
I am obsessed with this chapstick! Will originally had a box of them sent to him as part of a PR swag bag and naturally, he gave the tinted lip balm to me. I threw it in a drawer for awhile and didn’t look at it since I already had dozens of other tubes. However, the time eventually came when I ran out of chapstick so I grabbed one of these before hitting the mountains…and fell in love.
The All Good lip balms are 80% organic, are made with zinc oxide, and have SPF 18 which is an absolute must if you’re playing in the mountains. Plus, each of the six tints has a slightly different-yet-natural color so you can find one that you think looks the best on you. I didn’t love Copper Canyon or Red Rocks (too orange for me) but I’ve worn the Maroon Creek on the majority of my backpacking trips this year. In fact, I think I’m wearing it in this photo:
Yes, I get that it’s fairly “girly” to love a chapstick because of its tint, but I don’t really care. It’s cheap ($4.99 each or all six colors for $25) and it looks cute which makes me feel better when I’ve been in the backcountry for seven days and am covered in filth. Maybe I can’t shower but I can have some color on my lips!
Savage Summit
If you’re searching for a gift for an avid reader, take a look at Savage Summit by Jennifer Jordan—I love this book. In it, she chronicles the first five women who summited K2, the second highest peak in the world. It details their trials and triumphs while climbing, as well as the various issues they encountered on the journey, including rampant sexism from the male climbing world. Ironically, all five of the women died, but the lives that they led were fascinating.
Outdoor Research Squadron Cap
In the spirit of full disclosure, I didn’t buy this hat; instead, I received it in a box last year that Outdoor Research sent to me as part of the OR Insight Lab. I’m no longer involved with that project and I love the hat, so I think it warrants inclusion. Side note: I don’t think the hat is for sale at REI or anything anymore, but you can find it on Amazon for $17.
It’s also the same hat from the above photo
Other than that, I don’t even know what else to say. I love this hat! I always, always, always wear a hat when I’m hiking, backpacking, camping, etc. Not only does it keep the brutally hot Colorado sun off my face, but it also keeps my dirty hair hidden when I’ve been in the woods for days. The fabric on the front of the hat makes it super cute and I can’t even tell you how many compliments I have received while wearing it.
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Do you have anything to add to the list?