10 Great Gift Ideas For Hikers, Campers, and Outdoor Lovers

Many innovations have been made in the hiking industry in the last five years leaving many shoppers wondering which product to buy. This can be a daunting task, especially if the person buying the gift is a non-gear savvy individual. By interviewing several outfitters and hikers and using our own input coming from years in the field, we have compiled a list of 10 items any hiker would love.

1.SteriPEN - This lightweight portable water purifier uses UV light to destroying bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. The Steripen is quick and light in that it can purify up to a liter of water in as little as 48 seconds and weighs only 4 ounces (including batteries). This is a great gift for hikers and emergency personnel. Retail Price $99.

2. Subscription to Backpacker Magazine. This magazine is a great source of information from reviews on new gear to instructions helping hikers develop new skills. Backpacker Magazine includes articles keeping you up to date on issues related to conservation and the environment. Retail Price $15.95

3. Merino Wool Socks - Bygone are the days of itchy wool socks and sweaty feet with the introduction of Merino Wool socks. While SmartWool is known for popularizing this product and has the largest selection, there are alternatives for the savvy shopper. A great place to look is the Sock Shop in Sweetwater, TN which offers three pair of high quality Head brand Merino Wool trekking socks for $7.99.

4. Petzl Tikka Plus LED Headlamp - Known not only for its great illumination, but also for its comfort, efficiency, and weight, or lack of it that is. The Petzl Tikka has five settings, low, medium, high, bright, and strobe. This water resistant headlamp is 80% brighter than the original Petzl headlamp. Retail $35

5. Nalgene Everyday OTG Tritan Bottle - While there are several new products on the market, this product has been time tested and continues to receive high ratings. Unlike many of the new products, this product does not retain flavors or odors. The 22 ounce container is dishwasher safe and is suitable for both warm and cold beverages. Retail $10

6. Tool Logic SL Pro 2 Folding Knife - On the trail it is nice to have everything organized. This knife does just that by offering not only a knife, but also a magnesium alloy fire starter, a LED flashlight, and an emergency whistle. Weight 4 ounces. Retail $59

7. Jetboil Personal Cooking System - Stoves are one of the items that you should discuss with the individual before buying as a gift. Some people want quick, easy, and lightweight, while others want to be able to prepare a gourmet meal. While the Jetboil is not as light as some of its competitors, it has an incredibly fast boil time, works great in inclement weather, and stores easily. The fuel canister and stove are designed to fit snugly into the mug. 15.25 ounces including fuel canister. Retail $99

8. Nite Ize Flashflight Disc - While this isn't technically hiking gear, this flying disc is amazing and fun to have around camp. It is a welcomed addition to sitting around the campfire all night. While illuminated disc have been around for years, this product is the most realistic and feels the most like the non-illuminated disc we are all used to.

9. Olympus Stylus 720 SW - This rugged 7.1 Megapixel point and shoot digital camera is designed to withstand drops up to five feet and shoot underwater down to 10 feet. Equipped with Bright Capture Technology it shows dramatic improvement shooting in low light conditions. This is a fun camera to use around mountain streams and waterfalls and takes high quality pictures and descent videos for the price. It is rare that I head out on the hiking trail or go mountain biking without it. Retail $239

10. Hiker First Aid Kit - First Aid Kits unfortunately are a necessity, yet too many hikers omit buying them which is what makes it the perfect gift. There are several on the market most of which are very similar, just make sure you pick a kit with an instruction manual, antihistamines, hand wipes, gauze bandages, antibiotic ointment, and pain relievers. Look for kits that are 1-2 lbs or less. These kits range from $25 to $50.

Kevin Downs
Lifetime outdoorsman with extensive experience on hiking gear, ideas, and locations.
http://hiking411.blogspot.com/
http://timeoutdoors.blogspot.com/

FEATURES INCLUDE: #&174 night-light;100-hour chronograph; 27-lap memory; 100-hour countdown timer; Alarm with 5 min back up;Water resistant to 50m; 3.5 Year Battery;Target zones; Zone trainer; Average heart rate;Time in zone; Calories burned; Recovery timer;Max heart rate; Digital transmission;Data Recorder compatible.


Digital Timex Watches

Designer Jewelry Patterns - Evolution Over Time

The history of mankind has undergone a series of changes and upheavals in the past. These changes and events have totally transformed the face of human history. It is also quite interesting to know the way these changes reflect themselves in the patterns of the modern designer jewelry.

For instance, it is a well-known fact that the jewelry designers have always tried to depict the dropping of the atom bomb in the shape of starbursts and multiple sprays of diamonds. Overall, it is quite accurate to say that the modern day jewelry is reflective of the events that in some way or the other have helped shape our destiny.

Time of Use

Experts on the subject also indicate that the time of the day you wear your jewelry in can also make a difference to the other aspects. For those jewelry lovers who are interested to wear gold ornaments in the daytime, the modern designer jewelry range has a lot to offer. These include Florentine and mesh finishes, foxtail chains and the like. Talking of the significance of history in shaping the jewelry patterns, it is a famous fact that a delicate-looking string of cultured pearls was the trademark signature style of the rich and famous throughout all of the fifties.

Moving On

Meanwhile, the sixties witnessed a dramatic change in the patterns of the modern designer jewelry. The likes of the hybrid jewelry items gained immense popularity and women started accepting unconventional pieces made of silver, gemstones and geode crystals, moving on from the typical diamonds, gold and platinum.

The seventies saw a yet another metamorphosis in the designer jewelry patterns for women. With the dawn of feminism and women's movement, the fashion jewelry for women took on a new face altogether. The materials used changed to interesting and innovative metals like wood, ivory, rock crystals and coral.

Meanwhile, with the arrival of eighties and early nineties, when people gained more affluence, the style of jewelry further moved on to the glamorous and glitzy styles. It was from this moment that a new trend was started which goes on even till date. Modern designer jewelry seems to be made from hybrid as well as non-precious metals, while new techniques are being extensively used in order to design multicolored diamonds and pearl jewelry. Another popular addition to the series is the Precious Metal Clay or PMC, which is being widely used along with gemstones, making the modern designs all the more unique.

Ernst Ralborg often pens web pages on news similar to tiffanys jewelry. Sharing his passion in documents on tiffany engagement ring and tiffany engagement rings the writer showed his depth of understanding on the topic.

The new Timex SL Series takes its cues from the Company's heritage as a sports brand, focusing on the latest trend of stylish fashion watches that have a distinctive sports feel while being elegantly formal. With contemporary details and the first IP (Ionic Plating) bracelets in the Timex range, this collection is the perfect addition to the Timex family. 38 Jewel Automatic movement with exhibition window at 6 o'clock, Fly back date hand at 9 o'clock, 40 hour power reserve indicator at 2 o'clock, Stainless Steel case with enamel top ring, Genuine White Leather strap, Screw down crown, White Dial, Water resistance: 100m, One year limited manufacturer warranty
Customer Review: Delighted
This is an unusual watch from Timex. Most of their watches are battery operated quartz movements. This is a Chinese made mechanical movement and the attention to detail and quality is extraordinary for the price. If you didn't know it was a Timex you would think it cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars more. It is also unusual for its white highlighted case and white leather band in a man's watch, particularly for such a large face watch. On top of its quality look and feel, it keeps very accurate time and the power reserve is as specified. All in all and outstanding watch for the money. If there is any criticism it would only be that the box that it is shipped in and the instructions are standard Timex, and not in the same class as the watch itself. The box is definitely not a real "keeper".


Timex 1440 Watch

Timex Sports Luxury Series Automatic Mens Watch T2M513

The new Timex SL Series takes its cues from the Company's heritage as a sports brand, focusing on the latest trend of stylish fashion watches that have a distinctive sports feel while being elegantly formal. With contemporary details and the first IP (Ionic Plating) bracelets in the Timex range, this collection is the perfect addition to the Timex family. New May 2007. 38 Jewel Automatic movement with exhibition window at 6 o'clock, Fly back date hand at 9 o'clock, 40 hour power reserve indicator at 2 o'clock, Stainless Steel case with enamel top ring, Genuine Black Leather strap, Screw down crown, Black Dial, Water resistance: 100m, One year limited manufacturer warranty


Timex 1440 Watch

Timex Men's Ironman 50-Lap Combo Analog Digital Dress Watch #T5E371

The Timex T5E371 blends its signature Ironman Triathlon multi-function, performance sport digital watch with an analog read-out. The dual-tech feature enables you to turn the digital screen off for just an analog watch display, with its luminous hands and blue seconds hand. The large, rounded watch case has a dark gray resin body with a silver stainless steel top ring with 10-minute marks printed on the bezel. It offers a top pusher for easy access to lap and split times, 100-hour chronograph with lap or split option, 50-lap memory recall, 99-lap counter, 24-hour countdown timer with countdown/stop and countdown/repeat functions. It also features built-in reminder settings, forward/backward setting, and water resistance to 100 meters (330 feet).

The Indiglo night-light uniformly lights the surface of the watch dial using patented blue electroluminescent lighting technology. It uses less battery power than most other watch illumination systems, enabling your watch battery to last longer. The Night Mode feature allows you to illuminate the Indiglo night-light for 3 seconds with any button press, regardless of the mode or function.
Customer Review: Great Watch!
This is a great watch. I have abused this watch over the last several years and it has held up great. It has been under water, covered in mud, scraped on rocks, etc. and keeps on tickin'! I finally broke the band so I am buying another one. The analog and digital do not sync but I have had no problem with either keeping good time as indicated in the other review. If you experience that, I'd send it in to Timex as it s/b covered under warranty.
Customer Review: Nice, but sync problem
Nice watch, but Timex should have made it so that the analog and digital sections stay synchronized together. You have to reset one or the other every few days if you want them in sync. I have a Casio watch that was half the price that keeps analog and digital in sync automatically.


Timex 1440 Watch