Looking for something else?

Unique Backpacking Christmas Gift Ideas For Backpackers

by Nomadrick Chapo

Christmas gift ideas can be hard to come by. If you’re buying for a backpacker, here are a few unique backpacking gift ideas.

Okay, I’ll be the first one to admit publicly that buying gifts for the holidays can be a pain in derriere. When it comes right down to it, who knows if a gift will be a hit or a dud. If you’re shopping for a backpacking enthusiast, your task is going to be much easier.

Unique Backpacking Gifts

Despite the relative simplicity of backpacking, there are lots of items you can give as gifts to backpackers. Here are a few that will be a big hit.

Trekking Poles – Backpackers tend to go in two directions – forward and up. Regardless of the direction, they are going to be hoofing a heavy backpack from here to there. Trekking poles are very popular with backpackers because they let them use their arms to support part of the weight. Think of Gandolf in Lord of the Rings, but with a backpack on and a smaller beard! Black Diamond and Leki are good brands, but you can expect to pay a little over $100 for them.
Digital Handheld GPS – Yep, even backpacking has gone digital. Who would’ve thunk it? Digital handheld GPS units are a recent phenomenon and popular with backpackers. Regardless, backpackers use the units to make sure they know where they are at all times and not get lost. The Garmin brand is solid and you can expect to pay $120 to as much as you can spend.
Hydration Waist Packs – Backpackers consistently face the threat of getting dehydrated while hoofing it around God’s green earth. Hydration packs help prevent this by letting the backpacker carry water comfortably. You’ll have a choice of waist, shoulder and full on backpack systems. The waist packs are the best. You can expect to spend in the $30 to $45 range and Amphipod is a good brand.
Nomad Backpacking Journals – A little self-promotion here. Nomad Backpacking Journals are compact writing journals that let backpackers keep notes and diaries of their hikes. They can record whom they hiked with, the route, weather conditions and funny little events occurring during the trip. You can click the link at the bottom of this article to see them and expect to pay between $10 and $25 depending on the size.

If you’re looking for gifts for backpackers, consider yourself lucky. The equipment tends to be inexpensive and last a very long time.

About the Author: Rick Chapo is with www.nomadjournals.com - makers of writing journals for hiking, backpacking and camping. Writing journals are great Christmas gifts for him or her. Visit www.nomadjournaltrips.com for more backpacking articles and stories. Source: www.isnare.com

Other articles you may find interesting:

Why Orienteering Is Hot!

by Chuck Fitzgerald

So, you didn’t know it was hot did you? Do you even know what Orienteering is? It is one of the most thrilling activities available for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and here’s the good news – it’s inexpensive. If you enjoy spending time out of doors and you are looking to break out of your regular routine, Orienteering may be the challenge you’ve been hoping for. Thousands of men, women and children around the country are addicted to the mental and physical rush of Orienteering. Let’s find out why.

First off, what is Orienteering? Orienteering is an outdoor sport where you use a map and
Read this article in full

My Perfect Campsite

by Chuck Fitzgerald

It's the time of year to beat the heat and head for higher elevation. For many people that means loading up the RV, grabbing the boat and finding a campground by the lake. My idea for the perfect getaway means loading the truck with our camping gear and our two Labrador Retrievers and getting as far away from the pavement as we can get. While these two styles are quite different, they are both perfect. Let's take a look at what makes a campsite perfect for me-and perhaps for you.

To start with, there are two general types of campsites, the first being established campsites. These campgrounds
Read this article in full

What You Need To Know About - Camping Vacations

by Mansi Gupta

Camping is a delightful and adventurous way to spend your vacations. Camping basically means living in tents that are pitched on specific grounds. The biggest advantage of camping is the cost saving. You can have a good vacation within your budget. For you will have to spend least on accommodation. While if you go for stay in hotels, a large chunk of your money is gone in paying for per day rent of your room. On the top of it camping is not associated with troubles like what type and class of room to take, how much will be too
Read this article in full

New Jersey Camping & You: Perfect Together

by Eric Stephenson

Why the heck would I want to go camping in New Jersey?

I get asked that question just about every single day and I'm pretty tired of it after all these years. So I'm going to answer that question right here for the last time.

There are literally hundreds of reasons to go camping in New Jersey, but there is one large, and I mean really large, reason:

Where else in the country can you drive less then 3 hours and go from the mountains, to the shore, to the marshlands, to 3 different major metropolitan areas to several major
Read this article in full

Get the Most Out of Your Hike

by Chuck Fitzgerald

Hiking is one of life's great joys. Fresh air, nature, exercise and good friends. It's difficult to imagine anything better - if you're prepared. When you're not prepared properly, it's difficult to imagine anything worse. If you hike a few hundred yards around your neighborhood or a few hundred miles around the backcountry, use these tips to get the most enjoyment out of your hiking experience.

Plan your trip. You can plan too little but it's tough to plan too much.
Get in Shape. Put yourself in the best possible position to enjoy your sport.
Check the weather forecast. Any weather different than you expect can turn a good hike into a
Read this article in full