by Jacob Gordon.
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and that means it’s time to direct all of our attention toward the gift giving holidays of December. No matter what you celebrate — Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, Festivus, HumanLight, or any other gift-giving holiday — it’s time to think about what to get for those special people in your life.
For the next few weeks, our Five on Friday series will be dedicated to offering you holiday gift suggestions. This week, we’ll focus on the big items. You know, those headlining gifts that you ensure they open last. The gifts that really have that *WOW* factor.
1. Missing/New Piece For Their Winter Ride
 Ski Goggles |
 Snowboarding Helmets |
 Nordica Ski Boots
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You know the skier or rider in your life will be spending much of what’s left of winter outside in the snow, so why not grab some gear that they’re sure to love. Whether your skier or rider needs an upgrade or a whole new system, we have what they’re looking for. From alpine and cross country skiing to snowboarding, we have something within everyone’s price range. And if your loved one has been extra good this year or you’re feeling super generous and looking to get your skier or rider a whole new setup, we include free mountings for each ski or snowboard package bought through us (note: a package includes skies or snowboard, boots, and bindings).
Gransfors Bruks Axe
If you’re looking for a quality axe for the mountain man or woman in your life, look no further than Gransfors Bruks. Each axe is hand-crafted by a master craftsman in the small Swedish village of Gransfors. Whether you’re looking for a new hatchet for a backcountry adventure, a splitting axe for firewood, or just a new family heirloom to pass down from generation to generation, you won’t find a finer axe than Gransfors Bruks.
There is one caveat: Gransfors has started limiting the amount of axes they ship to the US, meaning these axes can be hard to find. So if you’re looking for a new axe and see one on our site, do not hesitate to pull the trigger. When we receive a new shipment, these tend to go like hotcakes.
3. Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket
Down Sweater Jacket
Arguably, one of the most popular Patagonia products on the market is the Down Sweater Jacket. Filled with 800-fill power Traceable down, the Down Sweater Jacket keeps you toasty warm without the gloom and doom of conventional down; Patagonia ensures all of their down is responsibly sources, so you know you’re getting a quality product. The large baffling plays wonderfully with Patagonia’s unique color combination, ensuring you won’t be shy about wearing this jacket around town. The best part? Patagonia offers the Down Sweater Jacket for the entire family: Mom, Dad, and the kids! (Sorry Fido. Nothing for you…yet)
4. Gregory Baltoro 75 or Diva 60 Pack
 Diva 75 |
 Diva 60 |
If the backpacker in your life is in need of a new pack, you might want to consider Gregory’s Baltoro 75 Backpack for men or the Diva 60 Backpack for women. Both packs are designed with a gender-specific Response AFS Suspension system that helps distribute wait for a more comfortable experience. They also feature the Auto-cant harness and Auto-fit waistbelt technologies, which allow the packs to automatically adjust with each stride, so the pack contours and moves with the body, eliminating hot spots on the shoulders and waist. The quickdraw opening system allows for easy access to the main compartment, while the DWR finish helps repel sudden precipitation.
Ambit2 Watch
Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but the Ambit2 Watch from Suunto comes loaded with an array of features perfect for anyone who is incredibly active outdoors. The Ambit2 goes above and beyond telling time, offering a fully functional GPS system that plans routes, provides a location in multiple coordinate systems, and features a Track Back system that records the current path in case your loved one gets a bit turned around. The weather features of the Ambit2 help predict incoming storms, so your athlete won’t find him or herself caught unawares. There are even running and cycling features to help track the training of your athlete. And if that’s not enough, there are over 1,000 free apps, allowing for total customization. That’s right. This watch comes with apps! In fact, it might just be best to consider the Ambit2 more of a wristcomputer than a wristwatch.