This year, I have put together four gift guides to help you sort out what to give others and what to ask for yourself. Today’s list is for anyone who enjoys keeping fit and/or being outdoors. My other guides include self care and well-being, active and adventure travel and fun sweatshirts. Please keep in mind, any product with a * I was given to review and feel it is an excellent product to recommend. Others were suggested to me but sound like something I would find useful. Hopefully this gives you a little inspiration on what you might want to ask Santa for this year.
Chrome Industries merino cobra hoodie 2.0– You know I love merino. Put it in hoodie form and you have a winner. Run, walk, hike, ski anything is possible with this warm layer from Chrome Industries that will help regulate your body temperature and is resistant to becoming stinky. It is straight cut to allow for freedom of movement no matter what activity you are doing, along with a high collar and zipper back pocket.
KEEN Innate x Sherpa hiking boot– Tackle the outdoors in these limited edition hiking boots. With both brands sharing an affinity to take action, give back and create a better future for communities in a meaningful and immediate way, values are woven into the soul of this unique collaboration, with €15 being donated from the sale of every shoe to charity Room to Read®. Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. These boot have some pretty cool design features, such as a distinctive endless knot embossed into the upper and subtle signature Nepalese flag detail to the heel loop, which pays homage to the Sherpa climbers and unsung heroes of the Himalayas. Constructed in premium, environmentally preferred Better Leather from a Leather Working Group (LWG) tannery, a PFC free Durable Water Repellent system and featuring Eco Odor Control, the KEEN Innate x Sherpa Adventure Gear looks good, feels good and does good. A PU midsole provides lightweight durability whilst KEEN’s trusted S3 technology and stability shank deliver reliable suspension and support when negotiating varied terrains. A KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane gives all seasons protection, with an EVA footbed providing step in comfort and superb arch support. Ready to explore any destination, a KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN outsole offers rugged traction, with KEEN’s secure fit lace system with robust aluminium eyelets ensuring a precise and supportive feel. Think of all the hills and mountains you can explore in these!
On Cloud hoodie*– I got this hoodie in the spring and have been living in it ever since. The cut is boxy and therefore offers loads of room when I want to snuggle in front of a campfire or am cooling down after a long run. A cowl neck with asymmetrical zipper is a unique design choice which I use to keep me warm or to release some heat. There are also other design details, such as thumb holes, zippered pockets, rear vents, and a very unique color called beluga (the marine biologist in me loves this!). This hoodie is a must for rest days.
Zone 3 Aspire wetsuit– I wanted to get into open water swimming this winter but seem to have chickened out so far. A good wetsuit can make all the difference when you are swimming outside. The Aspire is one of the highest rated wetsuits of the last decade. With a new integrated one-piece shoulder and chest panel design, flexibility is increased as is distance per stroke. The Aspire features new aerodrome buoyancy panels on the legs and hips to allow for 30% more buoyancy than standard neoprene. It is designed for a fast, smooth and natural feel swim with different areas ranging from 4-5mm.
Canyon Pathlite fitness bike (I tried this bike but was not given one to keep)- Don’t let the name confuse you. Canyon calls their hybrid bikes a fitness range. In June, I was able to try this bike out in Richmond Park and and enjoyable the relaxes posturing and ease of riding on varied terrain. These bike have an adjustable air suspension, Shimano gears, comfortable hand grips and disc brakes. Cycling is one of the best cardio and endurance workouts you can get, and Canyon’s fitness bikes (there is a road bike version too) offer a great workout wherever you are, whether that’s on the road or off the beaten track. With Canyon, you can leave the ordinary behind and ride your workout.
Darn Tough socks* – See above (and many previous blog posts) about how I love merino wool. These socks have been added to my winter rotation, as I was given thicker hiking socks rather than something from their fitness range. James received a few pairs for cycling and he is enjoying them on his chilly morning commutes. The bonus is that this is an American company based in New England. They have 100’s of different styles and colors, all of which will keep you warm in winter and cool in the summer.
Mammut Broad Peak light jacket– What can I say? I want everyone to stay warm this Christmas! This jacket offers perfect insulation. The Broad Peak Light Jacket features an extremely soft, lightweight, wind- and water-repellent Pertex® Quantum material, which is complemented by a down and feather filling. This makes the jacket not only weather-resistant but also warm. It packs down small (into a side pocket) so you can store it away if you need to when on the mountain. It also means it won’t take up more room in your flat.
Ultimate Performance reflective gloves and hat- “Safety first” is one of my motto’s. It is incredibly frustrating when I see runners and cyclists out in the dark, dressed in black and with headphones on. Come on people! Ask for these matching reflective hat and gloves and stay safe while you train this winter. The back of the gloves are covered with an ultra-reflective and multi-colour print that reflects light, keeping you visible to others so you won’t be missed. The breathable fabric is abrasion resistant and doesn’t bobble, with high moisture diffusion and drying ability to keep you dry and comfortable during wear. The gloves even have touch pad index fingers, allowing you to keep your gloves on when using your phone and the silicon grip pattern on the palms and fingers provide a non-slip surface so that you can hold your devices with confidence.
SmellWell odor eliminator pouches– These i found on the Vibram website. Living in England, my shoes are often wet. Add some bacteria in there and you can smell my shoes a mile away! These pouches claim to remove the odor so I would love to see these in my stocking. Plus, the available patterns are a hoot.
SOS ear buds– These wireless ear buds are rechargeable and much more affordable that AirPods. Running without wires can be freeing so why not give these a try? They offer a super deep bass sound experience; single multi-function button to answer/end/reject a call, music play/pause/skip and last number redial; can support 3D Game Mode, low latency to 60ms; have a microphone. In addition, they are compatible with Bluetooth, are waterproof, and noise cancelling. Small and light-weight, you can keep these handy no matter where you are.
Smith Optics Ruckus sunglasses*- Smith Optics knows what they are doing when it comes to eye wear (hence the name). I have had a few pairs of Smiths and love what they offer. The Chroma Pop makes my view of the world more vibrant. Larger lenses provide excellent eye protection, not just from the sun, but from sand, wind, and dirt too. Each set comes with two set of lenses so you are prepared for the changing conditions. The raised brow design increases peripheral vision in the riding position, and top bar venting and two-position nose pads provide proper fit to help minimize fogging and maximize comfort. If having a clear view of what is in front of you while out exploring, ask Santa for a pair of these.
Two Bare Feet bamboo skateboard- Did you know that Two Bare Feet not only make SUP boards, but they also make skateboards and scooters? What not bring back your childhood memories of skating down the street by treating yourself to this bamboo longboard “The Deacon”? Forty inches long with clear spray on grip tape, you will certainly turn heads as you glide by. It comes with orange wheels but Two Bare Feet offers a range of colors if you dare to be different.
Those are just a few ideas from me. What is on your Christmas list this year? Were you naughty or nice?
Recent Comments