Even the most outdoorsy among us may live in an urban environment or at least enjoy an urban adventure from time to time. So while crampons or a new pair of skis under the tree might be great, here are ten urban friendly yet outdoor inspired items that would make a fabulous gift for any female (or in some cases male) on your list.
UCO Original Candle Lantern ($20): This old school candle lantern sits on my desk to give my office a cozy, winter feel at night. Anyone who appreciates the warm glow of a real candle, whether inside the house or outdoors, would love this small lantern–it’s great to have around in case of emergency, too. At less than $20, the lantern makes the perfect stocking stuffer.
Pendleton Blanket ($249): When it’s nuking snow outside or blowing sideways rain, light a fire, grab a glass of wine, and curl up under this wonderfully warm blanket. While I was given this one from Yakima (thanks Yakima!), check out the national park collection–each blanket comes with a Pendleton label signifying their authenticity and a special woven label with the park name and image of an important natural feature. All the Pendleton blankets are made from 100% wool and woven in the company’s Northwest woolen mill.
Mountain Khakis Peaks Flannel Shirt ($100): Nothing says “I’m outdoorsy” like a good flannel shirt. The Mountain Kkakis Peaks Flannel comes nicely tailored to fit the female form and feels super soft against your skin. Not to mention the great choice of colors. Available for men, too.
Columbia Women’s Traverse Watch Cap ($25): Slouchy hats are a must for any urban environment and I currently love this one from Columbia. Confession: I cut off the top pom to turn it into a true slouchy hat–but you can rock the pom if you want.
Revo Vision Over Visibility Apollo ($249): For the new sunglasses collection, Revo teamed up with U2 lead singer, Bono, and the Brien Holden Vision Institute to help prevent blindness and vision impairment in developing countries. For each pair of Revo sunglasses sold, $10 goes to support this cause. The Apollo is one of the limited edition styles created in conjunction with Bono and comes with an LMS lens that blocks 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC light.
Kierin Cut Jeans ($107): If you have a woman on your list that rides bikes or heads to the Crossfit gym each morning, she will love these jeans tailored made to fit athletic thighs. You no longer have to worry about buying jeans a few sizes too big just to fit your legs, only to find a huge gap in the waist. These jeans are available for those big thigh guys as well.
Lifefactory Glass Mug with Cafe Cap ($27): All mornings start with a good cup of coffee and not a minute before. Drink your 16-ounce triple shot latte out of this durable glass mug with an insulated sleeve to protect your hands. The spill-proof cafe cap is easy to open and close with one hand. When you get home, simply throw everything in the dishwasher for cleaning.
Timbuk2 Maya ($100): Handbags are a bit of a necessary evil when exploring an urban environment. Timbuk2 lets you customize the Maya shoulder bag and it’s big enough to fit a water bottle, umbrella, notepad or guidebook, iPad, wallet, snacks, and even an extra layer in a pinch. The front zipper pocket provides the perfect place to store your cell phone.
Chaco Barbary Boots ($150): These incredibly cute boots are made from a combination of wool and waterproof leather to keep your feet warm and dry this winter. The pigskin-lined LUVSEAT footbed paired with an injection-molded nylon shank helps absorb the harsh impact of pounding the cement all day when exploring a city, while the EcoTread rubber grips wet or snowy sidewalks. Available in 5 color combinations.
ReCharge Ultrathin USB Charger: No bigger than your phone itself, this ultrathin 5000 mAh battery lets you charge your phone or other USB devices up to 3 times while on the go. Sadly this one seems to only ship to UK customers at the moment but I found it’s extremely similar to the Goal Zero Flip 20 Recharger ($40).