Holiday Gift Guide: Top gifts $50-$100
The present-giving aspect of the holidays for some is more than half the fun. They think of what special little item to give waaay in advance. We here at Backcountry Skiing Canada are not those people. We tend to procrastinate and scramble at the last minute—hoping that the presents we buy for our loved ones will be appreciated. We are also all about giving, and getting, gear. And the occasional book.
It’s in the spirit of this procrastination (and holiday giving, of course) that we provide you with our first-ever Holiday Gift Guide. We’ll break it into three categories. Less than $50, between $50 and $100 and more than $100. We’ll roll it out over a few days.
Top Gifts $50-$100
This grouping includes gifts requiring a slightly more significant investment. Think mother or father, for example. Maybe save up a little more for you girl or boyfriend. At this level you can assume that the recipient has the gear-basics covered. Here are a few more esoteric options to consider for under the tree (or whatever you put your holidays presents).
Smartwool Merino 250 Baselayer 1/4 Zip & 250 Baselayer Bottoms
Smartwool is all about the merino base layers and it'll be the perfect gift for that special person on your list. The 250 Baselayer 1/4 Zip Top & Bottoms are Smartwool’s best selling, and warmest, baselayers, they have a covered elastic waistband and flatlock seam construction on the bottoms and improved fit; chafe-free seam construction on the 1/4 Zip. Both are made from 100% Merino Wool so you know they’ll keep you warm when it’s cold and stink free over the long term.
Find out more here and here.
Price: 1/4 Zip - $100 US / $129.99 CAN. Bottoms - $95 US / $114.99 CAN
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colours: 1/4 Zip - Deep Navy, Charcoal Heather, Olive Heather, Taupe Heather, Light Grey Heather, Black, Moab Rust Heather, Dark Blue Steel Heather. Bottoms - Deep Navy, Black, Taupe Heather, Charcoal Heather
Rab Nucleus Pull-on
Know someone who’s in need of more than a base layer this holiday season? The Rab Nucleus Pull-on is a light-weight, two-tone fleece with a high-stretch double knit fabric. It’s the perfect mid-layer in colder conditions and the Polygiene STAY FRESH odour control treatment will ensure they don’t smell things up when it gets warmer. A super deep venting chest zip lets you dump heat when you need to, so it works for cold winter day and cool fall nights. You know you want it.
Find out more here.
Price: $99.95 US / $114.99 CAN
Weight: 305g / 10.8oz
Outdoor Research Lodestar Sensor Gloves
3DFit and touch-screen compatibility makes the Lodestar Sensor Gloves one technical pair of gloves. They are built for being active in the mountains when you need warmth as well as breathability. Ideal for the ski touring buff, snow shoer, climbers or cross country skier on your gift list. The gloves use Polartec Power Shield High Loft fabric on the back for warmth. This is a synthetic insulation but it has the wicking properties of fleece. On the palm, the exterior is goat leather and the interior is a grid micro-fleece lining so they are warm but not too warm. Winter enthusiast will love this gift.
Find out more here.
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Colours: Pewter/Black/LemonGrass
Weight: 130g / 4.6oz
Alpine Labratories Pulse Camera Remote
Stills. Videos. Time lapse. This is the ultimate camera remote for the tech geek you have to buy for. Pulse gives you remote control over your camera wirelessly from your smartphone. It works with over sixty DSLR cameras and adds functionality that you otherwise wouldn’t have. Camera buffs and tech geeks alike will love this gift.
Find out more here.
Price: $99 US
Weight: 42g / 1.5oz
Compatibility: 60+ Cameras, iOS & Android
Size: 40 x 60 x 17.5mm / 1.5 x 2.36 x .7”
MSR PocketRocket Stove Kit
Coming in just under the $100 mark, the PocketRocket Stove Kit is the bubushka doll of cooking systems. It includes everything you need for two people (apart from your fuel). This is the kind of thing you might give to a hiking partner and then you both can use it. Sneaky, eh? Includes 2 bowls, two mugs, 2 sporks and the cult-followed PocketRocket stove--which’ll boil a litre of water in 3.5 minutes.
(Available 2017)
Price: $99.95 US
Weight: 705g / 24.9oz
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colours: Red, Blue, Black, Lemon
Ruff Wear Approach Pack
Even Rover needs a holiday gift to enjoy. The Ruff Wear Approach Pack is light and durable and suitable for any adventurous dog. It’s comfortable for man’s best friend with strategic padding and a harness frame which provides load stability and weight distribution. It’s a great everyday pack for day hikes, overnight adventures and even ski touring into a hut or day shelter. Now your canine friend can carry his/her own treats and perhaps some of yours too.
Find out more here.
Colours: Blue, Orange
Sizes: XS/S, M, L/XL
Helly Hansen Women’s Sunna HT Mitt
If you are like me, there are plenty of women on your shop-for list. The women in my life tend to get cold hands--which can be a day breaker. For all but the most frigid of days, the Sunna will do the trick. Made with goat leather palms, 3M Thinsulate insulation and a waterproof/breathable liner, you know these will make her smile when she shreds open your lousy wrapping job.
Find out more here.
Colours: Black, blue/white
Katadyn Base Camp Pro 10L
Get the gift for the camper on your list who has everything. The Katadyn Base Camp Pro 10L is a foldable water filtration and storage system that doesn’t require any pumping. Hang it up and let gravity do the work. With 2 litres/min flow rate you’ll have all the water you need within minutes. The filter will treat up to 1,500 litres of water and the unit can also be used with a shower add-on. Clean, hydrated campers are happy campers.
Find out more here.
Dimensions: 26.7 x 6.9 x 14.8cm / 10.53 x 2.73 x 5.85”
Output: 2 litres/min / 2.11 quart/min
Weight: 350g / 12.35oz
Ibex Women’s Woolies 1 Bottoms
Full disclosure: I am wearing a pair of the Woolies as I type. The women's version is bound to be a crowd pleaser. Super cozy, slightly fuzzy, warm (but not too), wicking and stink free. They also feature a wide band across the belly; kinda like yoga pants. They are suitable under a skirt, under denim and/or under Gore-Tex. Get a pair and be an instant hero. Get a pair for yourself too. Go on.
Find out more here.
Price: $85 US
Colours: Black, green, red
Women’s sizes: XS ,S, M, L, XL
Garment source: Canada (!)
GSI Pinnacle 4 Season Stove
If you’ve got a person on your list that’s a gear geek obsessed with weight then this is a gift for them. The GSI Pinnacle 4 Season Stove is made of stainless steel and aluminum and weighs only 164 grams. You read that right. With it’s diminutive size it still packs a fiery punch with 9,820 BTU’s of cooking power. It provides all-season performance and it’s compact design won’t take up much space in your pack. Gear geeks rejoice.
Find out more here.
Output: 9820 BTU/h / 2.87 kw
Dimensions: 51 x 46 x 81mm / 2.0 x 1.8 x 3.2"
Weight: 164 g / 5.8oz
Royal Robins Merinolux Go Everywhere 1/4 Zip
Everyone loves merino wool for its anti-microbial odour control properties, so what skier wouldn’t want to receive the new Royal Robins Merinolux Go Everywhere 1/4 Zip? It has the benefits of merino, combined with renewable Sorona fibres for increased softness and durability. It’s also great at temperature-regulation and moisture wicking, the wrinkle-resistance fabric also offers up UPF 50+ protection. What more do you want from a base layer? Oh, it also looks great to just wear out and about.
Find out more here.
Price: $70 US
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colours: Slate, Spanish Moss, Jet Black, Phoenix Blue, Dark Paprika, Dark Olive
Fabric: 68% Sorona, 32% Merino Wool
Helinox Chair One
Big Agnes is responsible for the Helinox Chair One which is a folding camp chair like no other. It weighs only 850g and packs down smaller than the Sunday Times. The anodized DAC aluminum poles supports up to 320 lbs. Ideal for enjoying the campfire, picnic, or outdoor concert. This is the gift that any outdoor enthusiast would get excited about.
Find out more here.
Weight: 850g / 1.9lb
Packed Size: 35 x 10 x 12cm / 14 x 4 x 5"
Load Capacity: 145kg / 320lb
Colours: Cloud Burt Grey, Meadow Green, Palm Leaves Print, Rhubarb, Swedish Blue, Black, Multicam, Blue Tiger Camo
For gift on a slightly leaner budget, click on over here to see our top holiday gifts under $50, or click here for gifts $100+.