While many outdoor activities require little or no equipment, or items you can easily rent or borrow, sometimes it is nice to have your own gear, especially if you plan to do these things more often. There are of course the big items such as a bicycle, canoe, kayak, stand-up paddle board or skis. These are easily rented and sometimes difficult to store, but frequent users may want to have their own. There are too many options to adequately list here and many things to consider when choosing a specific model. Each of these also has accessories (paddles, helmets, lifejackets, locks, etc.) that are standard as well as many extras…

The number of gadgets seems to be endless. While many of these are not necessary, some of them can make things easier and/or more fun. Some you may need infrequently, but be glad you have when the need arises. When spending extended time outdoors, such as when camping, having a couple toys around can certainly make things more fun (and can keep the kids busy if the adults have tasks to tend to or simply want some time to relax or converse with other adults). You can find these things and more while wandering the camping aisle of many department stores or on collections of shelves and racks in outdoor…

Though many don’t think of clothes as being particularly exciting gifts, pieces designed to wear while exploring the outdoors may be the exception. There are specialized clothing options for any outdoor activity. Though these items are not generally necessary to enjoy these activities, they are designed to improve performance and comfort and may be a worthwhile investment for someone  regularly engaging in these pursuits. Since many of these are made of technologically-advanced fabrics to increase mobility, some of these can be pricey and perhaps something people won’t buy for themselves. High-tech fabrics and layering An almost universal benefit to clothing worn while exploring the outdoors is breathability. Wicking fabric, which…