38 Pieces of Outdoor Gear Experts Swear By

These electric hand warmers hold about 16 hours of steady warmth. What's cool is they stick together via a magnet for easy storage so you'll never lose one and be without it.Read More: My Favorite Pieces of Hiking GearThe Lifestraw Peak Series will eliminate approximately 99.999 percent of bacteria, parasites, microplastics, sand, and dirt. Gift this personal water filter as a stocking stuffer, or buy multiple and pass them out to all of the outdoorsmen in your life.Read More: Best Trail RunnersAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowNike blew us away with the release of this trail running shoe. Don’t be fooled by the low profile, because while sleek, this shoe is grippy, grounded, and up for just about any terrain you throw at it. We liked the extra toe room as well as how the sole functions more like shock absorbers than the base of a shoe, taking bump after bump while keeping your feet plenty comfortable. Whether you’re barreling down a hill or zig-zagging up a steep slope, these shoes will give you an added boost and keep you both cool and stable.Ah, the rancher jacket. It’s a double-sided gem, one that both looks the part but delivers even in the most rugged conditions. This fine option from Flint and Tinder is flannel lined to fend off the chilly bite, as well as quilted and stuffed with insulation for good measure. That means even the nastiest of winds won’t bother him while he’s out chopping wood for the campfire. The roomy build means he can layer appropriately underneath and the fact that it shows a little age with a nice patina over time is a big plus. He’ll be way ready for winter with his jacket.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowThe best of the outdoors is usually an off-the-grid sort of thing but a little tech can help you enjoy remote areas even more. Take the latest from Garmin, part of an esteemed line of communication devices that can go deep, deep into the brush. If that outdoorsy someone on your list likes the backcountry, this is a vital addition to his setup. Fit with a digital touchscreen and able to send messages (text and voice) and SOS notes without any service, it’s all about location and safety. The Mini 3 can even send images, use voice commands in various languages, pair up with your smartphone, and send emergency notes 24/7. Oh, and it’s tough as nails, has a strong battery, and can even set you up with the weather forecast.Read More: Best Garmin WatchesA big part of nailing the marks in the outdoor apparel realm is conquering both flexibility and insulation. You know, like this stretchy number from Mountain Hardwear. It’s plenty warm, packs down like a charm, and moves with your natural motions, never pulling or tugging. It helps that it looks sharp and touts elastic cuff bindings to lock in the warmth on those chilly evenings and mornings. This one is a great gift for all types of outdoorsmen, from campers and hikers to anglers and skiers. We found that the climbers here at MH especially liked this one, drawn to the agile design.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowCamp Snap brings a bit of that retro joy to your outdoor adventures. A screen-free device, it makes you wait (in gleeful anticipation) to see the results of your photographic eye. It also comes in cool, earthy color tones and packs well with all of his other adventuring gear. The latest model is 15% thinner, making it even more portable and can knock out 500 images in a single charge. There’s even a kid-friendly setting and don’t worry, you can still access six different filters to get that perfect filter you’re after. With that screen-free business, he really will enjoy his surroundings more and focus less on that instant gratification (while still documenting treks with great pictures).No, you’re not saying he’s old with this gift. Rather, you’re rewarding his intrepid spirit and encouraging him to venture even deeper into those topsy-turvy trails. The best way to do so is with a proper pair of trekking poles, which essentially afford an extra set of legs as you navigate harsh terrain. With three sections per pole linked by an internal cord, the design is smart as they fold and the tungsten carbide tips dig into the trail like a pair of eagle talons. Portable, lightweight, and strong, you can pull these puppies out of your pack and deploy them in an instant with a single button press.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowTake all the bear-, weather-, and bomb-proofness of Yeti’s Loadout GoBox (and coolers) and shrink it down to a 1-liter case that’s perfect for phones, wallets, watches, AirPods, protein bars, or anything for your EDC. Strappable through an integrated tether strap, it can attach and lock to just about anything you can think of. I've used it so far on camping trips to go screen-free, as well as a few canoe rides where I still wanted to have my phone around (but avoid it getting wet).Now, this is a cool adventure gift. The Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker brings you top-quality coffee wherever you go. Just bring your favorite coffee grounds, add hot water, and this little machine does the rest. As you pump, the pressure is made, and thus, so is your drink. And at smaller than the size of a thermos, you can fit this just about anywhere. Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowHere’s a pair for the trail-running novice and seasoned vet alike. The shoe combines comfort, support, durability, and a decidedly stylish look that has no trouble gobbling up mile after mile on the dusty (or muddy, or rocky) trail. On the surface, you get some serious colorways and a toothy but not over-the-top look. Under the hood, an improved midsole that rebounds like an NBA-level power forward and dual mid-foot webbing reinforcements to assist those active feet. And the details add up, from the padded collar to the stay-in-place tongue wings, making for a smooth trek even way, way down (or up) the trail.What takes a hoodie into the high-performance echelon and helps it excel there? Extremely breathable and temperature-regulating fleece, genuine ripstop shell fabric, and a pair of warming pockets. Oh, and the raglan sleeves and elastic ends keep things comfortable and secure the warmth. It’s an added bonus that the fit is just about perfect, the hood wears brilliantly, and the whole thing can fend off even the thickest brush and snags. As Marmot rightfully claims, this one breathes like a feather and feels like a fleece. Usually it’s one or the other but not here. Gift this one to that restless outdoorsy soul who stays active year-round.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowCredit: Courtesy of RetailerThis will come in handy for spontaneous adventurers. It’s a handy, pocket-sized kit that has 48 tools useful in almost any outdoor survival situation. Plus, it looks like a freakin' grenade. How gift-worthy is that?Taking the enhanced vision category into the unexpected realm of cool, Nocs is up to good work. The latest binocular set fits the bill, with powerful lenses and a textured design that’s easy to carry (and even easier on the eyes). Waterproof, they can accompany any trek, on land or water, in summer or winter, and that goes for all types of outdoors enthusiasts, from casual birders and hikers to backcountry pros and road trippers who like to hit the pullouts and take it all in. Compact with full-size clarity, these binocs do what many twice their size try to do, so store ‘em in a small pack or wear ‘em over your neck with ease.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowFlannels are a staple in an outdoorsman's wardrobe. If he has yet to try Outerknown's Blanket Shirt, now is the time to gift him one. They come in a ton of colors and are woven in a way that has just the right warmth and softness, without ever going too extreme. Call it the Goldilocks flannel.We love this new book from Max Humphrey, a real celebration of all things Yellowstone. Unlike many coffee table books, this one makes you feel like you’re actually sharing a car with the author and touring the Park, taking in great panoramas of lodges, bison jams, mountain vistas, and more. Perhaps that’s the attention to details and fresh perspective you get from an interior designer like Humphrey. If you like this one, consider his other book on the Great Smoky Mountains.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowIf they're a runner, they're going to need a few things to continue that before-or-after-work pursuit during the winter months. A headlamp is one of those items, as dark runs need light. The latest offering from BioLite is super light at 2.6 ounces, has a comfortable strap, and holds a ton of charge at 200 hours of run time. And the best part? I haven't had it shaking or bouncing on me once yet. Read More: Best Gifts for CampingEven if he's a man of the woods, AllTrails is a great app to gift him. The Plus membership provides offline maps (more than 450,000 trails around the world), 3D trail previews, and wrong turn alerts. Plus, there's the community aspect of the app where he can log hikes live and earn badges.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhen it comes to hard coolers, there are few that do it better than RTIC. The brand's 52-quart wheeled version is a lightweight, uncompromising hauler that can house 78 cans and keep contents cold for up to five days. The all-terrain, puncture-proof tires ensure that his camp meals and drinks know no bounds.The Topo Designs iconic Klettersack pack has finally returned, and with a couple of upgrades. You still get the tough 1000D Cordura exterior and the cinch closure, but now it's got a TSA-friendly, zippered and padded external laptop sleeve that makes it friendly for travel just as much for the trail.Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear, tech, running shoes, and more. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He holds a B.A. in Sport Management and is a Certified Beer Server, having previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon who covers food, drink, travel, culture, outdoors, gear, and tech. He's formally trained in journalism but stumbled into the wine industry just when it was getting good and can't seem to fully let it go. His outlets are many, from Men's Health, Women's Health, and The Manual to Vinepair, SevenFifty Daily, Sip Northwest, and others He's a devout soccer fan and thinks about Iceland daily.