The holidays are almost here—and that means winter has arrived as well. Chances are good that you’ve got several people on your list who don’t let the colder weather stop them from enjoying the outdoors. Whether it’s snowshoeing, sledding, skiing, cycling, ice skating—or even sipping hot chocolate at an outdoor bazaar— having the right gear makes time outside much more enjoyable.
So prepare yourself and your loved ones for the elements with these 10 gifts for people who love the outdoors, each designed to keep warm during adventures. From layers to boots to cold-weather blankets, these are some of the best, most reliable pieces of gear for making the most of winter. While you’re making a list and checking it twice, here are adventurer gift ideas to get your favorite year-round outdoor enthusiast this holiday season.
1. Mambe Hooded Blanket
Falling temperatures are no reason to stay indoors. So prepare for the elements with a Mambe Hooded Blanket, designed for frigid weather where it’s important to keep warm and maintain body heat. Whether you’re in the stands at a football game or huddled up around a wintertime campfire, you’ll appreciate Mambe’s unique waterproof and windproof blanket, which sports warm fleece on one side and soft nylon on the other. The blanket also has big fleece lined pockets and a hood to keep out the cold. It comes in four sizes and multiple color combinations to fit your style.
2. Merrell Moab 2: Mother of all Boots
Keep the dirt, mud, and debris out—all while staying warm—with the durable Moab 2 from Merrell (for men and women). The waterproof mid-length boot uses tough leather, a breathable mesh lining, and a closed-cell foam tongue to keep mud and water out—along with M-Select Dry technology to wick away sweat and keep you comfortable.
3. North Face Venture 2 Rain Jacket
The North Face Venture 2 rain jacket isn't just the outdoor enthusiast’s favorite winter companion—it holds up to the elements all year long. Its innovative features make this classic jacket something to keep handy on most trips outdoors. Available for men and women, the Venture 2 sports a DryVent 2.5-layer waterproof breathable laminate to stay dry, pit zips for ventilation, a strong nylon material for durability, and adjustable components to suit the conditions.
4. Smartwool Merino 150 Long Underwear
Whether your dog wakes you up for a walk at 3 a.m. or you're spending all day on the slopes, you'll be glad to have Smartwool Merino 150 Base Layer bottoms to keep you warm through it all. The base layer—available for men and women—features a combination of Merino wool (87 percent) and a spun nylon (13 percent) for a perfect combination of insulation and comfort. The wool helps keep warmth in while still maintaining its superior breathability, while the spun nylon core means the base layer has a soft next-to-skin feel and stands up to whatever winter conditions are thrown its way. The flatlock seams guard against chafing on those marathon snowshoe trips.
5. Moshi Digits Touchscreen Gloves
Most touchscreen gloves sacrifice performance for warmth, or vice versa. Fortunately, Moshi Digits Touchscreen Gloves don’t make you choose. Each fingertip sports a conductive fiber that enables accurate, responsive tapping and swiping on your mobile device, along with a GripTrak pattern inside each glove for a comfortable, sturdy grip— yes, even for you left-handers. A soft microfleece inner lining keeps you warm and comfortable, and the glove comes in two sizes to ensure you’re not left out in the cold this winter.
6. Arc’teryx Covert Cardigan Fleece
Performance or style? With the Covert Cardigan Fleece from Arc'teryx, you can enjoy both. The casual, yet durable fleece (available for men and women) offers superior comfort in a variety of conditions, whether as a layer under your windbreaker or as a stylish jacket for a night on the town. The fleece is constructed with a quick-drying material that allows moisture to escape, and its supportive-yet-slim fit makes it a stylish complement to your winter wardrobe.
7. Grabber Hand Warmers
It doesn’t matter whether you’re spending a day on the slopes or snowshoeing through the backcountry: Even with high-quality gloves, your hands are bound to get cold.
Fortunately, Grabber Hand Warmers offer a quick and easy fix: Simply open the packet, filled with environmentally safe, non-toxic ingredients, and let the hand warmers work their magic. Each air-activated packet heats up to 156 degrees and stays heated for up to seven hours.
8. Arc’teryx Norvan LD GTX Shoes
You don’t want to let a little moisture stop your trail running routine, do you? Fortunately, with the Arc'teryx Norvan LD GTX, you don’t have to. Available for men and women, the waterproof, breathable shoe uses Gore-Tex technology to stand up to whatever wet, wintry weather you may be running through. The shoe delivers a comfortable fit, and a Vibram Megagrip outsole provides superior traction in slippery conditions.
9. Outdoor Research Interstellar Jacket
No layering system is complete without an outer hard-shell, so go with one of the industry’s most beloved in the Outdoor Research Interstellar Jacket (for men and women). It blends the comfort of a soft shell with the durability and performance of a hard-shell. Rain? Snow? Wind? The jacket’s waterproof, windproof, breathable, and lightweight build stands up to the most grueling workouts. And its stretchy design (buoyed by dynamic reach underarm panels) means the Interstellar Jacket won’t slow you down.
10. Castelli Nano Flex+ Arm Warmer
Winter cyclists need a comfortable, supportive arm warmer for staying in shape through the dreary winter months—and the Castelli Nano Flex+ Arm Warmer (for men and women) is beloved by riders for good reason. The newly upgraded Nano Flex+ now incorporates a Nano Light fabric into the build, which improves flexibility and assists in bending around a rider's elbow or knee. Not just that, but the water-resistant fabric sports a thermal, breathable design to keep cyclists warm in the face of whipping winds.
Written by Matt Wastradowski for RootsRated Media in partnership with Mambe Blankets.
