If you're like me, you love finding the right gift for the people you care about — something that shows you appreciate them, makes their life easier, or solves a problem they actually have. Overconsumption is a serious problem in our world, though, so if you're looking for a gift, it's worth finding something that will be used and will last for years to come.
A great way to shop sustainably this holiday season is to buy quality gear used. I've found some incredible items over the years at second-hand shops and thrift stores, and a few of them have made the best gifts I've given.
What Actually Gets Used
After enough seasons on the trail, the pattern is pretty clear. The gifts that get used are the ones that solve a specific, recurring annoyance — cold hands, wet feet, a slippery winter trail, a heavy pack, no way to call for help. The gifts that don't get used are the ones bought for the idea of an activity rather than the reality of it.
- Traction and warmth: microspikes, snowshoes, a genuinely warm beanie, liner gloves.
- Comfort that removes a barrier: broken-in boots, good socks, trekking poles, a real sleeping pad.
- Safety they'd never buy themselves: an emergency bivvy, a satellite communicator, a first aid kit.
- Small things that live in a pack forever: a foam seat pad, a Kula Cloth, a headlamp that holds a charge.
The Expanded Gift Guide
Rather than keep a short list from a few seasons ago on this page, everything now lives in one place. The Ultimate Outdoor Holiday Gift Guide is the expanded 2023 article, organized by who you're shopping for, with a note on each item about why it's on the list. Check current retailer prices, availability and specifications before buying.
If you'd rather just see what I carry, the gear page is my own kit — the things that come on trips with me, season after season.
The Gift of a Day Out
And one that isn't gear at all: what's better than the gift of experience and knowledge? A guided trip gives someone a day in the Rocky Mountains and the skills to keep going on their own — which is the point of all of this anyway. Get in touch and our team will help with the details.
See you on the trail! — Shelby
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