It’s funny, we’ve had some awful weather this summer (can we really call it a summer?)…and yet the moment that I decide to write about the build-up to Christmas, the weather clears up and the ducks sigh. (Don’t be sad ducks, it will rain again!).
Outdoor People Love their Gear
We at the CheapTents.com blog, love the outdoors, and for me personally, gear is a big deal. Some of us are even self-proclaimed “gear snobs”, as they only ever use the best outdoor equipment out there!
Outdoor sports are typically low in regards to outlay, i.e. once you’ve paid for the gear, it will last you for a long time, as the top brands will design them for endurance, build-quality and a range of technical features that make you happy you own it for many years to come.
My Favourite Bits of Gear (hints for presents!)
Without meaning to sound like I’m putting out hints for particular Christmas presents to anyone reading this post (but secretly I am), here’s a few of my favourite bits of gear.
For hiking, I know I should be saying walking boots are the best bit of my kit, but really my favourite bit of gear are my socks – and one of my all time weaknesses is buying new socks! Sad I know.
For riding and most other sports though, it has to be baselayers (or ‘base layers’). They’re the bit of kit that I found most versatile and control my body temperature most effectively.
It’s winter now though, so my favourite bit of gear might well be proper wooly hats, with a fleece lining. Have you ever had that thing when your running in the cold and the top of your heads feels like it’s frozen and is about to fall off? I get that sometimes, but a nice selction of hats to match all my running gear sorts that! …only kidding!!!
What are your favourite bits of gear? And, most importantly, what’s on your wishlist for this Christmas?!
5:54 pm on November 7th, 2008
Ben, I thought you’d never ask!
I could do with a new head torch and a spork, please.
What I would also like is Mountain Craft and Leadership by Eric Langmuir. Its a must have book but for some reason I have never quite got round to buying myself a copy.
My personal opinion when writing a wish list or when buying presents for others is that its good to get those things that you really want but can never justify buying. A hydration pack is good example of this type of thing, if you have a water bottle you don’t really need a hydration pack because you can drink from your water bottle. So you think I’ll save some money and won’t bother getting a hydration pack. But a hydration pack makes life so much easier so it is a great gift idea.
2:11 pm on November 10th, 2008
Good tip Daniel! Thanks for chipping in your ideas!
3:18 pm on January 3rd, 2009
Hi,and Happy New Year everyone. I know it’s after Chrismas but I thought I would start my 2009 Christmas wish list early. I live in Vancouver, BC, and it has been unseasonally cold this year. It’s snowing as I write this (very rare here) and I hate it! However, this cold weather has got me looking around for warm clothes and I found something that amazed me. Did you know that you can get jackets that are wired like electric blankets? They run on batteries. Can you imagine walking around in the freezing weather being wrapped in an electric blanket. How cool is that? What ever will they think of next? Has anyone hear if these jackets are a great as they sound?
12:30 pm on January 13th, 2009
Hi Vicki,
Sorry for the slow reply – been on holiday!
I hear it’s cold in those parts this time of year so can certainly see the benefit, although I’m unaware of anyone that stocks such electric jackets.
I’m not sure whether they would take off as I can imagine the (what I imagine to be flimsy) circuitry not dealing with the rigors of various outdoor activities. And nothing beats the simplicity of down in my mind, or even synthetic insulation!
Thanks for making us aware of it though, and thanks for commenting!
Ben