Hiking Forward 2015 Holiday Gift Guide

Yes...It's that time of year again. Seems like yesterday It was 107 degrees in Hells Canyon and the furthest thing from mine or my cohorts minds was gift giving or the now impending holiday season. 

Never Fear! Hiking Forward is here with an awesome list of gear and non-gear items to help you find that perfect gift for that special outdoorsy and overly technical person on your shopping list this season. Don't take the easy road and just get them a gift card to their favorite outdoor retailer! Show them that you did your homework and care enough to make a real honest to goodness purchase.

I guarantee they will love you for going the extra mile. Get it? Hiker Humor!

Okay... Here we go!

Hike & Draw

So, the person you are buying for is a tough cookie. They love the outdoors, they love gear yet you have no idea what any of that stuff is in the gear closet or strewn about their garage. 

No worries. Something all outdoorsy types love are maps and or images of our favorite national parks or locations we all journey too. 

Introducing Hike & Draw "the" location where National Park Art and Maps come together in many beautiful prints, and at reasonable prices. 

A map or park print will make the person you are buying for remember their experiences or wonder what they will be like when they finally  journey to that spot each time they look at the print. 

Shop Hike & Draw

Tribe Provisions Adventure Hammock

Shop Tribe Provisions

Click here to read the Adventure Hammock Review

At $29.99 a piece you can afford to buy everyone on your list hammock. There is nothing more relaxing then laying in a hammock. 

The Tribe Provisions Adventure Hammock can be used as a casual hammock for the park or can be used to sleep in overnight on your friend or family members next adventure. 

While you may think your just giving a hammock as a gift, your truly giving them the gift of adventure and relaxation. That, is the gift that keeps on giving. 

Most hammocks require other items like straps or carabiners. Rest easy with this purchase everything you need to use this hammock comes with it. 

Stanley 64oz Growler

We all have a beer lover on our list. Whether they are an outdoor nut or not this is a great gift to allow that special someone to carry that special brew home from their local brewery.

This vacuum sealed growler holds 64 oz. of liquid appeasement and will keep it cold as it came out of the tap for 24 hours. 

YES 24 hours! 

You're going to buy one for you now too, aren't yeah?

I understand. I love mine! 

​

Shop Stanley

Goal Zero Venture 30 Recharger

Shop Goal Zero

Who doesn't need a little extra power from time to time? No matter if your special someone is an avid hiker who uses a lot of technology to capture their adventures or is a busy traveler in need of extra juice during layovers... this is the solution for both.

This waterproof charger answers the mail to all sorts of power requirements no matter the environment.  

You can plug the Venture 30 into a outlet to charge it or use a Goal Zero solar panel to recharge it from the sun. 

TurboPup Complete K9 Meal Bars

If your like me you Dog gets gifts at the holidays too. This gift is just as much for mans best friend as it for their master. 

Turbopup is a great product for that family on the go who brings their dog along for the ride. Turbopup is not a dog treat or snack but a true K9 meal replacement. These bars are an honest to goodness way to feed your dog while on the go. 

No matter if your out on a hike, out backpacking, camping or just at the kids soccer tournament, Turbopup will fill your pup just like if they ate at home. 

My best bud "Boston" loves Turbopup and I know your special four legged friend will love them too this holiday season.

Shop TurboPup

Click here to read the Turbopup Review

Point6 Socks

Shop Point6

Every year my Mom goes up to LL Bean and buys me hiking socks. It's predictable, safe and awesome all at the same time. You can never have enough pairs of socks for hiking, backpacking or just laying around the house on one of those super cold winter weekends. 

Man I love those oversized cozy warm socks! Thanks Mom!

Socks are great on the budget for the shopper. With a wide array of styles and prices you can do a lot with a little bit of dough or go hog wild with a decent amount of money if you know your special someone's specific outdoor interests. 

FYI... It's good to know their shoe size too!

Hiking Guidebooks

Is your special someone a novice outdoorsman or woman? Are they just getting started in the outdoor camping and or backpacking arena?

A new site Hiking Guidebooks is reviewing and showcasing the best of the best of the hiking and backpacking books along with destination specific books. 

Given they have already done the work for you the guess work is gone. Hence you know you are buying a great reference book as a gift. Because who needs more stress this time of year? Right?

Shop Hiking Guidebooks

Yaktrax

Shop Yaktrax

Okay... So you need to start paying attention to shoe sizes for these gifts. If you live in the majority of the country that gets a decent amount of snow fall and or ice accumulation, Yaktrax are the way to stay on your feet this winter.

No matter if you are a runner and are determined to keep training this season, a hiker who loves hiking in the winter wonderland or just want to be sure footed while shoveling the drive... Yaktrax has the style for each person on your list.

VSSL

The ultimate stocking stuffer and the ultimate gift from Moms. VSSL offers a wide array of devices that offer everything from survival gear to a shelter and first aid items. 

And for that Zombie Apocalypse prepper in the family they have you covered too, with a Zombie VSSL. 

These are great for the car, a boat or an rv. Having a VSSL around ensure you have what you need to survive almost any situation.

Shop VSSL

Teton Sports Talus 2700 Backpack

Shop Teton Sports

When checking out on the TETON Sports store use the promo code ScottGauvin you'll get a 15 percent discount off your order and a portion of your purchase will go to fund Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Giveback now

As a gearhead, I will say that you can never have enough backpacks. However, your special someone may not want another after you give them this one as a gift this season. 

Teton Sports just released the Talus 2700 as a part of their new Blackout series of backpacks. 

This pack is perfect for day-hiking and tough enough to handle what ever is thrown at it. In addition to the pack itself, it comes with an emergency tarp/shelter/poncho. 

Because who likes getting stuck in the rain? Yeah. Nobody!

Going to purchase this pack or something else from Teton Sports? Use the information to the left to save 15% and help the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. It is the season of giving after all!