What Can I give an adventure seeker for Christmas?

Question

My boyfriend loves to mountain climbing and the outdoors. What can I get him that's inexpensive, but also leaning towards his other love in life?

Answer 1

I would suggest some nice safety gear - something people don't usually buy for themselves but it will show you care:

a good pair of glacier sunglasses ($70), a nice superlight goretex shell (Marmot, Sierra Designs, $100), a nice climbing helmet (Petzl, $60), a couple of locking carabiners (Petzl, Black Diamond, $25 ea), a light rapel rope (30m, $50), a small first aid kit ($25), a real headlamp (Petzl, $40), or an emergency headlamp (LED, $30).

Good Luck

Answer 2

You could get him a good compass for 45 euro. Silva make the best. Something I hate about presents is when a person gets me something cheap that's a big thing but low quality, like a bad digital camera, when I'd really prefer something small that's good quality. So don't go buying something random in an outdoor shop that's on sale or cheap. You could get him a cool design chalk bag if he rock climbs. You could get him a pocket rocket camping stove, by MSR(they are cool). You could pick up a bouldering mat with a cool design if you're looking to spend in the region of 100 euro. You should really give a price range. I mean what's inexpensive when it comes to your boyfriend. You might be a working professional or a broke student for all anyone knows.

Answer 3

I agree with the others...a compass. While I do have a high-end GPS with digital maps and compass, I still carry a paper topo map and compass (I have an old Silva Ranger with clinometer that I used to use in geology field camp).

Other things might be a titanium cook set (around $40 to $50), a light weight stove (I use a butane stove - around $40 - $50), trekking poles ($100), ice ax (starting at $60), or a water filter ($60 or so).

Answer 4

Garion took the answer right out of my mouth, a compass!

GPS is swell and all that, but nothing is better than a nice compass! and if he does not know how to use one, get him a book or DVD to go along with it that will show him how to use it.
I own a few types, but one that is functional and bombproof is the order of the day. Look at these.

http://www.thecompassstore.com/explorerpro.html (I have a more than one of these and they are quite reliable)

http://www.thecompassstore.com/51m3dl.html

http://www.thecompassstore.com/dakar.html

these are all pretty basic, you could get more technical and use specific if the need be.

a few more links for kicks.
http://www.thecompassstore.com/
http://www.rei.com/booksmaps

If that is not up you alley, get him a nice knife.