LOOKING FOR GIFT IDEAS? WE HAVE YOU COVERED!
We go through it every year. We’re asked for ideas of what we want for gifts, we ask others what they want, and there’s a collective, “I don’t know” from everyone. It can be mind-numbingly frustrating.
In hopes of reducing at least some of the stress during the holiday season, we scoured countless websites and compiled a list of gift recommendations that are well suited to those who enjoy the sorts of content we provide here at AOGB. If nothing else, you’ll probably get a few ideas of what to put on your own wish list.
TOOLS
A small hobby knife is a great addition to the workbench, allowing you to do some very detailed work. But far too many of the ones on the market now are cheaply made and don’t last. The Ti Grip Precision Hobby Knife ($29.95, CountyComm.com) is made of titanium and is built to last. The textured grip keeps it secure in your fingers and it has a screw on/off cap to keep the blade protected.
How many times have you been working on a small project and needed a third hand to hold something? The DIY Hobby Hand Kit ($19.95, CountyComm.com) is a tabletop vise that is perfect for gluing, soldering, and similar tasks. It comes with five arm extensions, so you can put your project exactly where you need it while you work.
Hex bits are easy to carry in a small EDC kit so you have multiple options for screwdrivers and such. However, a lot of the available hex bit drivers are uncomfortable, awkward, or just don’t work well. The Hex Bit Driver Tool from CRKT ($26.00, CRKT.com) is a cut above the rest. The ball-bearing spinner keeps it turning smoothly and a magnet in the tip keeps the bit secure.
CAMPING
We all love the outdoors, right? Spending time out in Mother Nature, breathing fresh air and looking up at the stars at night can be a powerful salve for the soul. At the same time, doing that while sitting on a log for hours on end isn’t good for anyone. Enter the Chair Zero ($129.95, Helinox.com). This packable chair weighs a mere 17 ounces, but will support up to about 265 pounds with immeasurable comfort.
Of course, when the temperature drops in the fall and winter, sitting outside in a fabric chair can be a bit chilly. Enter the Backside Heated Seat Pad ($79.99, Ignik.com). Running off any USB-C power bank or 12V power supply, it will provide 20W of heat, keeping you warm and cozy for hours.
Just because you’re miles from civilization doesn’t mean you need to stick with trail mix and freeze-dried pouches for dinner. With the Dine O Max Camp Kitchen ($399.95, SylvanSport.com), you can easily prepare full meals just like if you were home. There are two large bamboo work surfaces, with plenty of storage space underneath. It even comes with windscreens to keep everything from blowing away.
While you’re at it, consider picking up the Campcraft Field Cookbook ($14.99, CampcraftOutdoors.com). It is packed from cover to cover with a huge range of recipes that go far beyond hot dogs or foil-wrapped dinners. We’re talking pawpaw bread, apple dumplings, coyote chili, and possum fricassee.
No camping trip is complete without coffee in the morning, and there’s nothing better than fresh ground. The JAVA Coffee Grinder ($160.00, VSSLGear.com) takes about a minute of manual turning to produce a cup’s worth of grounds. Stainless steel bearings keep everything working smoothly, without the wobble you’ll find with other grinders.
When it comes to packing food for the trip, you’ll want something that will keep it cold for the duration. The Classic Mini soft-sided cooler ($59.99, Icemule.com) works great in that regard. While this line of coolers comes in a range of sizes, the Mini is perfect for a few cans of adult beverages along with some sandwiches and other goodies. It has a 9-liter capacity and comes with a handy carrying strap.
TOOLS
Every outdoorsman and outdoorswoman needs a good quality knife. Fortunately, there are several great blades out there. The Carbon Stealth ($229.00, ArgaliOutdoors.com) is thin and light enough to carry all day long, but strong enough to handle anything you throw at it. If you’re looking for something a bit larger, the Bravo 1.25 ($299.96, DLTTrading.com) from Bark River Knives might be just the ticket. The 3V steel will last a lifetime and more.
Another excellent option is the Comanche ($270.00, SmithAndSonsKnives.com). It hits that sweet middle ground where it is long enough to do anything you’ll need a knife to do while remaining short enough not to scare coworkers and neighbors.
For those looking for something a little more discreet that could be used in a tight situation, the SOE Lapel Dagger ($55.00, Stati9n.com) might be perfect.
Of course, it is important to keep all of your knives razor sharp, which can be hard to do in the field. The Kodiak Belt ($74.99, ArgaliOutdoors.com) combines a field belt and knife sharpener in one. With it, you can sharpen and hone any knife, hook, or broadhead anywhere you go.
APPAREL
Merino wool is an amazing material, great in warm and cold weather. The Ziler Merino Longsleeve Tee ($53.00, Kitsbow.com) is a lightweight layer that’s perfect for winter wear as well as summer trips. It comes in either black or gray.
The AG-Tee ($92.00, AppalachianGearCompany.com) is made of a blend of 80% alpaca fleece and 20% Tencel that outperforms synthetics over a wider range of climates and environments. Combining the quick-drying, breathable, and thermo-regulating qualities of alpaca fleece with the softness and durability of Tencel produces a technical fabric that delivers incredible performance without the use of petroleum-based synthetics like polyester and nylon.
For outerwear, the Helium Rain Jacket ($79.50, OutdoorResearch.com) is a great addition to the wardrobe. It packs down to about the size of your palm, but this is no disposable poncho. The hood adjusts front and back for the perfect fit, and there’s a drawstring waist to cinch it up as needed. It comes in nine different colors, too.
ACCESSORIES
A nice watch makes a great gift, for yourself or for someone else. I’m partial to the Outpost Chrono Watch ($125.00, 511Tactical.com) as it looks great no matter where you’re headed and works beautifully. Another very nice option is the A-2A Golden Field ($145.00, UltimateFieldWatch.com). It is stylish as well as functional.
The Leather Admin Pouch ($129.00, NutSac.com) makes a bold statement at the office. It is absolutely gorgeous, but that’s not all. It is a great way to carry all manner of small items, from pens and knives to earbuds and charging cables.
Briefcases went out of style some time ago. Check out the Minuteman Haversack ($149.99, YellowBirchOutfitters.com). It is just large enough to carry what you need throughout the day without being cumbersome. Plus, it looks great whether you’re headed to the office or to the cabin.
REFERENCE MATERIALS
One of the greatest gifts you could ever give or receive is knowledge. To that end, consider books and other reference materials that can pass on skills and information.
The “Ultimate Self-Sufficiency Manual” ($17.99, Amazon.com) is packed with close to 300 tips and tricks on everything from raising chickens to treating a gunshot wound. Lavishly illustrated with full-color photos and diagrams, this book will teach you a ton about preparedness, first aid, raising food, and so much more.
For those who prefer to learn visually, there’s the No Nonsense Bug Out DVD set ($19.99, GrayBeardedGreenBeret.com). Joshua Enyart is a world-class instructor and a former Green Beret as well as Army Ranger. All told, the series runs 270 minutes.
FOR THE BUDDING NATURALIST
If you have a youngster on your shopping list, you could do far worse than giving them a copy of “The Secret Signs of Nature: How to Uncover Hidden Clues in the Sky, Water, Plants, Animals, and Weather” by Craig Caudill ($20.99, Amazon.com). From cover to cover, he shares over 200 ways to read nature in fun and engaging ways. From nighttime constellations to what you can find in a mud puddle, kids of all ages will learn how to see what’s going on in the world around them.
ADDITIONAL SHOPPING RECOMMENDATIONS
If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect gift, here are a few websites you might want to check out.
Survival Resources | www.SurvivalResources.com
John McCann is a highly respected authority on survival and emergency preparedness. He personally tests every product before it goes up on his site. If it won’t meet his standards, he won’t sell it.
Nature Reliance | www.NatureReliance.org
Craig Caudill and his staff offer a wide range of classes, from tracking to wilderness survival and more. If gifting a class isn’t feasible, check out their store for apparel and other great presents.
ITS Tactical | www.ITSTactical.com
This disabled-veteran-owned business offers a ton of different types of lockpicking gear, as well as first-aid kits and some survival gear.
Shomer-Tec | www.Shomer-Tec.com
If you have someone on your list who favors hidden gadgets and other spycraft gear, this is the place to go. It has everything from coins with tools hidden inside to hideaway handcuff keys.
DLT Trading | www.DLTTrading.com
This is your one-stop-shop for knives and other bladed implements. It carries hundreds of brands and are adding more all the time. Plus, its customer service cannot be matched.