The Outdoorsman

Does your guy prefer the scents of pine and leather to being shut up in the office? Does he enjoy hiking through the woods or casting a line?

What you’ll find here is a collection of gifts for the outdoorsy fellow in your life. These are some of my favorite things to use while I’m enjoying the fresh air.

Multi-tool

Probably one of the most valuable gifts I’ve received is my [easyazon_link asin=”B0002H49BW” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”diyoutdoorsman-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Leatherman[/easyazon_link]. I spend five months of the year fighting wildfires and it comes in handy almost every day. If I’m not using it to cut parachute cord, clean a chainsaw, or tighten a screw someone else on the crew is asking to borrow it. The leather pouch never leaves my belt and sits a few loops back and well out of my way.

There have been a couple of moments when I thought I’d lost it. My heart sank both times, not because it would be expensive to replace, but because I wouldn’t have the use of it and I’m attached to it. It’s my tool. I found it eventually both times and was incredibly relieved.

It’s by far the single most useful tool on the fireline or off.

Boots

My second-most prized piece of essential outdoor equipment is actually a pair. For hikes on my days off and working around the forge (I’m a blacksmith in my spare time) I go for comfort and durability. I always go for my classically-styled Danner [easyazon_link asin=”B005CTCS9A” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”diyoutdoorsman-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]hiking boots[/easyazon_link]. They keep my feet dry and the wood chips out with their double tongue and Gore-Tex lining.

For more intense hikes, I pick up my La Sportiva Glaciers. They’re extremely lightweight and firm enough to toe-in on steep pitches and stabilize the ankles walking through screes.

I’ve walked through the Alaskan tundra in them and worn them scrambling up mountains in Washington and Oregon.

Camp Cup

Something durable and packable is best. The MSR Titan Cup [easyazon_link asin=”B000FBYNI4″ locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”diyoutdoorsman-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]doubles as a cooking pot[/easyazon_link] if your guy packs a stove.

On some of the colder days on the fireline, I’d find a bed of coals and heat some water from a canteen in my Kathmandu camp cup. It’s made to withstand direct heat and at seven ounce it’s perfect for a quick shot of Medaglia D’Oro instant espresso.

Hatchet

If there’s a single thing I regret not remembering on our camping trips, it’s a hatchet. You can buy all sorts of super-fancy Gerbers and Fiskars hatchets, but my preference is for something simpler with classic lines. For our camping outings I’d grab the Estwing. They’re best-known for their hammers, but show the same dedication to quality with their [easyazon_link asin=”B0002JT0BO” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”diyoutdoorsman-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Sportsman’s Hatchet[/easyazon_link].

It’s awesome for splitting kindling and carefully pounding in tent stakes. It’s all steel shank and leather handle make it durable enough to last generations.

Knife

I know I just talked about super-fancy Gerbers, but they’re my choice for a small pocket knife. I carry a [easyazon_link asin=”B000VW64YS” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”diyoutdoorsman-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Gerber EVO Jr.[/easyazon_link] clipped in my right front pocket every day. It’s small and lightweight and easier to access than my Leatherman for quick cutting jobs.

Fixed-blade knives like Buck and Benchmade are handy, but they’re usually bulky and weigh a bit more. They don’t fit in a stocking quite as well either.

Flannel

Since we’ve talked about a variety of sharp gift ideas, let’s focus on something soft and warm. I live in them in the fall and winter. If I’m out splitting wood, it’s all I can stand to wear for the warmth.

Here in Oregon, [easyazon_link asin=”B00F9TJO8G” locale=”US” new_window=”default” nofollow=”default” tag=”diyoutdoorsman-20″ add_to_cart=”default” cloaking=”default” localization=”default” popups=”default”]Pendleton plaids[/easyazon_link] are extremely popular. They can be pricey, but they last forever. Their world famous heirloom-quality blankets do, too. Picture wrapping up your guy’s camp mug, multi-tool, and handkerchiefs in a super-soft woolen throw you can both use on chilly nights.