This Christmas gift guide for hikers and walkers is packed full of ideas to leave your loved one grinning from ear to ear. And fear not, we have something in there to suit all budgets!
1. Lowe Alpine Kulu Pack
RRP: €190 for 55-65L/ €200 for 65-75L
We love the versatility of the Kulu from Lowe Alpine. The perfect pack for long days on the hills, it’s also a great choice for travellers. Its no-nonsense design allows you to stash the hipbelt on the side of the pack when in transit to avoid damage while two padded grab handles on either side of the bag help with manoeuvrability. A travel cover ensures all the straps stay in place while a large zipped main compartment and additional lower entry point mean that your stuff is easy to access at all times.
Available from Jackson Sports.
2. Rab Valiance Jacket
RRP: €369.95
This jacket may come with a hefty price tag, but it’s justified. This is the ultimate when it comes to a warm and waterproof down jacket. Equipped with a durable waterproof outer, this jacket will provide protection from even the darkest mountain skies. Filled with 800-fill down, weather proof zips, a helmet compatible hood and adjustable cuffs and hem, this jacket is ready for whatever you or Mother Nature throws at it.
Available from Rab.
3. Duct Tape
RRP: €3.99
Ok so we admit this isn’t the most glamourous thing to give a loved one, but we promise it will be a welcome addition in any adventure-lover’s stocking. This extra strong, all-purpose tape offers a high grab adhesive and excellent water resistance. Duct tape can fix, bond, mount, repair, join, seal, reinforce and protect all sorts of things effectively.
Available from Great Outdoors and Hardware Stores nationwide.
4. Columbia Platinum Plus 860
RRP: €199
This 800-fill goose down jacket will be a hit with everyone. Very light and packing quite the punch in the warmth department, this jacket is water resistant, has zippered pockets and is equipped with reflective Omni Heat lining which makes it not only warmer but breathable too.
Available from Basecamp.
5. Darn Tough Heady Socks
RRP: €23.95
These lightweight cushion socks are the perfect companion for hikers. Made from merino wool they had a smooth fit to ensure there is no slipping and no dreaded blisters! The socks are breathable, fast drying and are pretty quirky looking to boot.
Available from or order through Basecamp.
6. Berghaus Berg Beanie
RRP: €25
This retro style beanie is a perfect stocking filler for all outdoor lovers. Featuring the Berghaus logo and big bobble, it will look as good on city streets as it will in the mountains.
Available from or order through Basecamp.
7. Meindl Philadelphia Men’s and Women’s
RRP: €179.99
A pair of Meindl boots is not just a gift for Christmas, it’s a gift for life, they are made to last. The Meindl Philadelphia is a really versatile shoe, perfect for those wandering on tracks and trails. A Gore-Tex lining will keep your feet dry on wet winter days.
Available from or order through The Great Outdoors.
8. Icebreaker Quantum Gloves
RRP: €29.99
For warmth that still lets you use your touchscreen device, the Quantum Gloves have a touchscreen fabric on the index finger and thumb. Made from 98% merino wool and 2% lycra, these gloves have all the benefits of merino wool (quick drying, breathable and warm) with a little bit of stretch so you can go about adventures in comfort. These are perfect either worn on their own or as glove liners when it gets really cold.
Available from Wild Side Sports.
9. Portwest Mask Padded Jacket
RRP: €60
This lightweight and water-resistant jacket is a great addition to any backpack for a bit of extra warmth when you need it. Durable and easy to clean it offers great bang for your buck.
Available from Portwest.
10. Salewa Mountain Trainer Mid Boots
RRP: €220.00
Once you’ve popped your feet into a pair of Salewa boots it’s pretty hard to go back to anything else. Supreme comfort, durability and performance are delivered to a very high standard. The Mountain Trainer Mid is great all-rounder It’s light and comes equipped with a robust upper and a waterproof membrane to keep the feet nice and dry.
Available from Great Outdoors.
11. Salewa Fanes Tirolwool Hooded Jacket
RRP: €200
This lightweight, warm and water-repellent hooded jacket is a firm favourite with Team Outsider. Salewa has substituted traditional down with TirolWool. A white fleece from Tirolean sheep that is well known for its outstanding warmth and breathability. The brand has combined this with an enhanced polyester material that reflects heat for additional warmth. The jacket is water-repellent but the wool does retain heat should you get caught in a downpour.
Available from Salewa.
12. Petzl Reactik+ headlamp
RRP: €110
The Petzl Reactik+ headlamp doesn’t come cheap but a tech-loving adventure junkie will definitely not be disappointed to receive it! The torch is equipped with Bluetooth which allows you to adjust the headlamp’s beam pattern, brightness and battery burn time from your smartphone. It also has a sensor which analyses the ambient light and adjusts the beam pattern and brightness automatically (reactive lighting mode).
Available from Great Outdoors.
13. Lowe Alpine Aleutian Gloves
RRP: €21.50
These warm and breathable fleece gloves are brilliantly versatile and will get used all year around (even in summer post chilly sea swims!!). The fingers and thumb flip over to create a cosy mitten when it’s cold yet giving you the freedom to work a smartphone or lock your bike without having to take them off! An elasticated wrist cuff further helps to keep the cold at bay.
Available from Cotswold Outdoor.
14. Barts Log Cabin Beanie
RRP: €24.99
This chunky hand knit beanie with a soft and cosy lining is a long-standing favourite of ours. We reckon it will be a hit in any stocking this Christmas.
Available from or to order through Great Outdoors.
15. Rab Downpour Jacket
RRP: €129.99
We hate to sound like pessimists, but it’s likely that we will have to endure the odd downpour this summer. But fear not, we won’t let a bit of rain dampen our spirits. Instead, we will be prepared.
The Downpour jacket is lightweight, durable and comes with everything you could possibly need from an ‘everyday’ waterproof jacket including pit zips, adjustable hood and cuffs and zippered pockets with storm flaps. It also packs down into its own pocket, making it the perfect layer to carry with you in case of unexpected showers.
Available from Cotswold Outdoor.
16. Black Diamond Flicklock Z Poles
RRP: €125
If you’ve not converted to walking poles yet we suggest you give them a try, and believe us, you’ll never go back! The Flicklock Z Poles from Black Diamond are a particular favourite – they are lightweight (you won’t even notice the additional weight in your pack), super easy to assemble and adjust and are pretty durable to boot. Other features include a light foam grip, moisture-wicking strap and interchangeable rubber tips.
Available from Great Outdoors.
17. Columbia Outdry Ex Gold Down Jacket
RRP: €260
A cosy down jacket is an absolute must for any camping trip or day in the hills. The only downside (excuse the pun) is that they cannot get wet at all. Thankfully the clever folks at Columbia have made a cosy 650-fill down jacket that will weather the worst of storms, keeping you 100% dry AND warm. This jacket is a firm favourite in Outsider Towers.
Available from Great Outdoors.
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