Bottles that barely seal.
Packs that pop loose.
Stoves that stop lighting.
Pants that don’t dry.
Seemingly pesky inconveniences turn into full-blown problems when the adventurous mad-man in your life is trekking through the wilderness and trying to complete simple tasks like hydrating, eating, and staying comfortable and dry.
Here’s a list of rock-solid gear any outdoorsy man will love.
The ideal compact hydration pack holding an impressive 100oz of water, supplying you with storage space, and weighing just 1.4lbs. This, plus its lightweight yet sturdy build has made it the go-to pack for bike rides, hikes, and nimble day treks.
The 1-Ply belt from Klik is the lightest weight the brand offers and it's remarkably strong for how thin it is.
Complete with the Fire Safe, Fire Starter, and Grill Kit, the Campfire Trio is everything you need to cook an amazing meal in the woods.
The three-inch drop point blade has very little curve in the belly, so it’s a sharp, slim piece that can tear up a cardboard box faster than you can say “allium.”
A tough, vacuum insulated stainless steel mug with a leak-proof cap. When you finally reach the summit, your ice-cold beer or piping-hot coffee will be the same temperature as when you poured it.
The Hamilton Khaki Field is beloved by the watch community because it's tough, reliable, and the price is right.
The Free Radikl Short is a capable option for anything from a day hike to a casual lunch downtown to an extreme, all-day trek.
Jerky Subscription's attractive price point and excellent customer service make them a top choice if you’re looking to get your jerky on, monthly.
This ultra durable wrist-mounted GPS features a sensitive navigation system that’s famously reliable and has been a favorite among athletes since 2004. It doesn’t have smart capabilities, and doesn’t have as many features as the 601.
Hikers, snowboarders, and a lot of the other people that rep hard for Darn Tough Vermont all have one thing in common: they put a high value on good gear. Do you?
Stylistically, the Bolinas Boot draws the sharp, minimal features of a Chelsea boot, but the thick, grippy outsole and rubber exterior give it the functionality of a working man’s boot.
Get a bottle with a water filter built in. This bottle filters water twice to remove bacteria, parasites, and any other unwanted substances, providing safe drinking water whenever you’re near a fresh source. The sustainable, lightweight, leak-proof bottle is just bonus points.
What makes these "Sport"? Delicate rubber nubbins on the bridge of the nose. It may seem small, but it'll make a huge difference on your next run.
These are the shorts you get if you want premium-level performance without such a prohibitive price tag. They're an excellent value pickup for the guy who gets into the gym most days but doesn't devote his whole life to building a better deadlift.
The do-it-all drink cooler. This pack keeps 24 beverages cool while supplying 6 liters of chilled water. Ditch the clunky plastic coolers on wheels and show your buddies a better way to bring water and drinks at the next beach day, BBQ, or fishing or camping trip.
Stop leaving the first-aid kit at home because it takes up too much space. This compact, 9.9 ounce kit is water-tight, made from military-grade aluminum, and holds 45 first-aid essentials inside.
A multi-award winning sleeping bag that’s plush, cozy, and weighs an astoundingly light 12 ounces (less than 1lb). This bag is constructed with lightweight, packable materials and comes in various models for 40°F, 28°F, 18°F, and 5°F weather.
A mineral-based sunscreen and moisturizer with a natural list of ingredients like black tea, beeswax, coffee bean, rosemary, and cacao butter. Sealed in a compact metal tin, this stuff will protect your face from the elements while keeping it soft and hydrated.
Quickly becoming the de facto adventure hat makers, Melin’s classic A-game hydro is a breathable, moisture-wicking hat that floats in water and will perform far better than your beat-up baseball cap on your next outing.
What you get from this blend is a material that has a cool, airy, lightweight stretch, but one that also doesn't feel like it would split open if you snagged the fabric on a rock or sharp object. It sits right in the middle of lightweight and strong.
Reservoirs are big, lightweight packs that hold much more water than a bottle, and typically weigh less, too. Camelbak’s Fusion™ 3L carries 100oz of water and features a waterproof zipper for easy filling. Toss this into any pack or use the built in hanger on any of Camelbak’s hydration-compatible packs.
Having warm yet breathable layers is essential when traveling through changing temperatures. Vuori’s waffle crew is constructed with a 4-way stretch knit fabric blend of cotton, modal, and elastane. Cut with an athletic fit, you can take this pretty much anywhere.
Made with 80% recycled polyester and 20% nylon, this microfiber towel is buttery soft and extremely absorbent. This towel weighs a micro 0.15lb and comes in a compact mesh storage pouch. You’ll forget you packed this, but be extra glad that you did.
The Outpulse is a worthy and functional hiking shoe that looks much more stylish than something you’d wear on the trails. Designed with a knobby rubber toe and outsole and ample foam cushioning, this will help you stay on the trail and bounce gently over it.
Stop buying fresh battery packs every time you spend the night outdoors. Barebone’s rechargeable LED camping lantern holds a great charge and can stand up on its own or be hung up from the carabiner on top. It projects anywhere from 30-220 lumens depending on the dimmable setting you set it to.
A compact, portable dinnerware kit for two that includes bowls, insulated mugs, and full cutlery sets. At a little under 1lb, this will make your campsite dinner much more enjoyable than eating with your hands.
Cooking food is one of the biggest hassles to plan for while camping or backpacking. Most small camp stoves require propane or butane, which mean lugging another canister with you. BioLite’s mini wood-burning camp stove is battery powered and uses electricity to create a smokeless wood flame that can cook food or boil water in minutes.
The 20L has the same build as the popular 30L, but it's just a bit smaller. In my opinion, this makes a better everyday bag and the 30L is your go-to for travel.
Get Him Equipped
The gear you lug with you can either make your adventure a breeze, or detract from your time to unplug and explore.
If the adventure man in your life only has bulky water bottles, start with one of Camelbak’s lightweight, time-tested hydration packs or reservoirs to be sure he has enough water on his trek. I recommend the M.U.L.E.® 12 Hydration Pack or the Fusion™ 3L Reservoir.
Then, consider smaller items like a compact first-aid kit, a hybrid facial moisturizer and sunscreen, and an insulated stainless steel mug.
Help him get out there and tackle the big, wide, wonderful world.
