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Contributed By: Carolyn SmithWhen the mince pies are on the shelves, it’s time to dust off the decorations, untangle the lights and start planning some Christmas adventures (and shopping for presents!).
Luckily, if your partner/friend/relative is the adventurous hiking type, you will never be stuck for things to buy. The challenge will be choosing from the wonderful array of items all hikers love and need! If you are not an adventurer yourself, hopefully, my compiled Christmas wish list below will give you some ideas. Otherwise, come see us in-store and we can help you find the perfect pressie!
Shelter: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Ultralight 2-Person Hiking Tent
Weighing in for the trail at 1.22kg, this little tent is an absolute gem and would be wonderfully received as an upgrade for someone looking to lighten their pack weight or for someone starting out on multi-day adventures. As a 3-season tent, it is highly versatile and you will see this tent from the Overland Track in Tassie to the sandy sites of the Yuraygir Coastal Walk in northern NSW.
One of the awesome features of this tent, with the help of clever double zippers, is to open up the vestibules into awnings using your hiking poles. Great specs all around, it’s free-standing, can be fast-fly set up with the footprint (sold separately), has plenty of storage inside and holds up in all conditions.
Useful: Matador Refillable Toothpaste Tubes - 2 Pack
What a smashing stocking filler! If you’ve ever seen your friend's gear flat-lay before a trip and they are taking the smallest toothbrush you’ve ever seen - this gift is for them. A handy 2-pack that comes with 2-week and 1-week adventure sizes. Super lightweight and refillable, the choice of toothpaste is yours. They eliminate a trip to the store to purchase a ‘travel-size’ toothpaste that can be cleaned in the dishwasher and is BPA/PVC free. At 7.3g/6.7g respectively, a very lightweight, usable and practical gift!
Luxury: Nemo Moonlite Elite Reclining Backpacking Chair
This little beauty of a chair will bring a smile to any hiker's face at the end of a long day and the envy of all the fellow campers. Featuring a recline mode and a carrying case that doubles as a platform for sandy campsites (no sinking here!) At only 617g (less if you leave the platform at home) this ‘luxury item’ is definitely worth the carry! Rated to 110kg, this chair was designed to eliminate the excuse of leaving comfort behind when you hit the trail. This one is definitely finding its way into my Santa stocking.
Necessity: Black Diamond Storm 500 Lumen Rechargeable Headlamp
On outdoor adventures, whether it be overnight or longer day walks, having a reliable headlamp is an essential item. After experiencing days where things definitely haven’t gone to plan and/or the weather hasn’t behaved as expected, I now always have a headlamp in my pack. This headlamp is rechargeable, has been tested to operate underwater for 30 minutes, has multiple functions and brightness, is easy to use, and being in Christmas colours is easy to spot and won’t get left behind! It weighs in at 100g, has a handy battery meter, charges up in 2h, and has a great overall use time when using various brightness levels.
Sleep Worthy: Nemo Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad
One of the best ways to introduce someone to multi-day hiking and enlist adventure buddies is to ensure they have a good night's sleep! Warm, comfortable and quick to inflate after a long day on your feet, the Nemo Tensor All-Season delivers. Rated with a 5.4 R-value, this mat will be suitable for all conditions from the Larapinta to the Te Araroa to the Cooloola Great Walk. It has a very clever design with floating insulation to eliminate the dreaded ‘chip-packet’ crinkle with every wriggle. Great for side sleepers with 3.5 inches (9cm) of cushioning, and only 620g for the Wide version and a very packable size. It also comes in regular and long for taller humans. Come in-store and try it out, you might end up buying one for yourself as well!
Comfort: Sea To Summit Aeros Premium Pillow - Large
Whilst a bundle of clothes or a rolled-up puffer can make a fairly decent pillow when needed, at 113g this is a wonderful pillow that packs up small and ensures sweet dreams are had. It doubles as a travel pillow and is a great size to fit into a stocking!
Practical: Nikwax Twin Tech Wash/TX Direct Duo-Pack - 300ml
After recently learning that technical gear needed to be washed and dried correctly to maintain/revive waterproofing, this little duo is also on my wish list. Finding out on day 3 of your 7-day hike that your waterproof jacket is in fact not as waterproof as it once was is not advisable. You would have wished you had received this very practical duo for Christmas!
Inspiring: Australian Alps Walking Track Guidebook
I find there is no better way to plan a trip than with an old-school physical book, information and maps. The Australian Alps Walking Track is a 660km route that can be completed in 10 weeks or broken up with smaller sections walked from Melbourne to Canberra. This book by Chapman and Siseman includes full track notes and is an essential companion for anyone intending to walk the track. You can also find a wide range of books, guides and magazines here.
Survival: Garmin InReach Mini 2 Satellite Communicator
Do you worry about your adventurers when they go out adventuring? The Garmin InReach is the gift for both of you - allowing two-way messaging so text messages and locations can be shared whilst in the field. Having always hired my satellite emergency device this little safety item is high on my Christmas list. Coming in at 100g, impact and water resistant, has loads of features and is one of the top essential items when heading out on adventures. Whilst a satellite subscription is needed, this can be month-to-month to line up with trips/adventures.
Stuck on Secret Santa Ideas? Check out these stocking stuffers!
$20 Secret Santa
$15 Secret Santa
$10 Secret Santa
If you need any further help, don't hesitate to come in-store to chat with our experts or shoot us a message online if you have any questions! We’ll see you outdoors. Share your adventures with us on Instagram at @wildearthaustralia and use the hashtag #MyWildEarth to be featured.
About the contributor:
Carolyn is on the Retail floor at Burleigh Wild Earth and enjoys getting out into the hinterland or in the ocean at every opportunity. Having lived in Tasmania and Japan, Carolyn loves witnessing the seasons and getting out in all of the weather. If you want to talk hiking in Tassie, come see her in store. If you are walking the Overland Track in January, she may even be there to greet you as Waterfall Valley hut caretaker!
