With the Holidays approaching, here are 5 great gifts for Campermamas everywhere!
Cozy Vest
Not just for camping, the MEC Uplink hoodie is perfect for any chilly morning or cool evening! Blessed with flattering design lines and elasticated thread which helps it to hug the body, this vest offers the warmth of a puffy down vest, without the ‘Michelin’ bulk. Lightweight, this vest also packs up small, making it handy for stuffing into your purse, or pack, when you’re out and about. The Uplink is $99 and comes in this lovely ‘turkish blue’ or in classic black.
Night Vision
The Petzl Tikka RXP Headlamp also made my list because I love headlamps! Not only are they wonderful for camping, you can also use them for night snowshoeing or running on dark mornings and evenings. Headlamps are lightweight (this one weighs 115g) and comfortable but this particular model has a nice design to help it stay in place when moving at a pace. The Tikka RXP is my choice because it uses a rechargable Lithium battery and comes with a USB cable whcih makes it easier to charge when you’re camping. (It will also take a standard battery if you’re out and don’t have access to power) It’s most impressive feature is that besides the constant light of most headlamps it also has a very cool light sensor, or ‘reactive mode’ that decides whether you need a wider beam for distance or a focused beam for close up. This sounds perfect for camping as I go from fishing out my toothbrush and toothpaste to trekking to the bathroom and often have wait for my eyes to adjust to the difference in the light so that I don’t trip over a tree en route! The Tikka also has a red light option so that you don’t have to blind yourself if you need to find your watch in the middle of the night!
It might seem pricey at $99 but it’s the gadget that you’ll really appreciate when camping and if you enjoy getting out and about all year round then the Tikka RXP is a great choice!
Awesome Socks
Happy feet can make all the difference to an activity and these Darn Tough Micro Crew Cushion socks are sure to please! Made of sustainable, fine gauge merino wool that won’t itch, rub or cause hot spots; pulling these socks on is like wearing slippers (that don’t slouch or bunch at the toes!) I love the colours of this particular style as it functions as a technical hiking sock but looks just as good peeking out of my UGG boots around the camp fire! Merino wool is a great choice for camping as it’s warm, anti microbial (won’t stink) and it retains heat even when wet (wonderful for those moments when you reach your foot down into what you think is a dry boot but which turns out to be full of dew! This is a premium sock that comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee so the $23 price tag is really quite reasonable. Beware though – these socks are addictive – one pair is never enough!
Solar Power
If you’re camping, chances are you still have your phone with you – Aside from using the camera function it’s a great tool for checking weather reports, hiking trail maps and peace of mind safety! We are rather attached to them these days and plugging them in to an outlet in the washroom isn’t always an option. Here’s the solution – the Eton Boost Solar 5000! At $105 you’ll get a gadget to power your gadgets over and over again and a great sustainable energy solution! The battery pack can charge a smartphone twice over and it can then be re-charged thanks to the solar panel! (The battery can also be charged via a USB port ) At only 6″ sq – this baby is compact and easy to stash so no problem finding a spot in the light to charge it up! At $105 it’s the gift that will keep giving – one that you’ll be grateful for when your tablet or smartphone dies and you’re only on day 2 of your getaway!
Layer up
Great layering pieces for camping share pretty much the same characteristics with running tops. You want a top that will breathe, dry quickly and which looks great worn on it’s own, as well as being comfortable to wear under a heavier sweater or fleece. My pick is the Oiselle Drop Top Mesh, for $78 you get style that you’ll feel happy showing off and the technical features you need to keep you warm, dry and comfortable – including thummies! This cute top will have many uses and makes a great gift as it’s sure to become a fav!
Campermamas 