If you’re looking to make your adventures more enjoyable and exciting or just need a gift idea for an outdoor lover (you?), here are a handful of my favorite pieces of gear from this year that are worth buying!

-Electric Blanket: Pair a 12v electric blanket with a battery pack and it’s a great way to take the edge off of the cold for you or, like we did earlier this month down in Moab, make a nice warm bed for our new puppy.

-Stove: Two options here, if you want one that is ultralight and mostly used for backpacking or occasional cooking, go with something light like the Jetboil Stash. I have been using this for the past couple of years and it has been awesome. This summer we used it every day on our Tour Du Mont Blanc hike in Europe, along with many other camping trips.

If you have a little more space and want to make amazing meals, a Jetboil Genesis Basecamp stove system is an excellent option. Unlike the typical style stove that isn’t very compact and doesn’t come with a pot, pan or lid, this thing comes with all three and stores compactly in a zip-up bag so it doesn’t rattle around. I’ve only been using this for about a couple of months but I am loving it. The pot/combo + the lid makes it capable of cooking anything you can think of and it runs off of the cheap green propane bottles that you can buy anywhere.

Battery Pack: If you have things you need to charge like cameras, phones or laptops or you just want to run a heater or something, a battery bank is a game changer. We have been using and abusing ours for the past 4 years and it has been traveling + working so much easier. These have a pure sine-wave inverter which makes them safe for expensive electronics. We’ve never had a problem with either of ours. You can recharge them from your 12v outlet in your car, a wall outlet, or a solar panel.

Water filter: After using Sawyer filters for years, I finally made the switch to a new one that I like significantly better. This thing is super compact, filters quickly, and is cheap insurance in case you run out of water. I rarely go far from the car without one in my bag.

A Good Cooler: This one is not always necessary, but it can be super useful for storing groceries while traveling so you can save time & money on food. We use one year-round, in the winter we just don't add any ice. It helps keep a steady low temp throughout the day. Also, unlike many, these are made in the US, right here in Idaho. They also double as a good camp chair or table.

Headlamp: Phone lights are great but a good headlamp is hard to replace, and this one weighs next to nothing and is very compact. I’ve used it for the past 4 years and have been very impressed. It’s rechargeable too!

-Recovery Gear: If you go offroad into anywhere that you could get stuck and you're by yourself, bring something to get you unstuck. A shovel, a come-along + straps, and traction boards are a good start. With straps, you can connect a come-along to anything and give your rig a boost. Traction boards go on the ground in front of your tire to give it a grippy, solid surface to climb out with.

Saw: If you go places where you may have a campfire or you may come across down trees or branches on the road, having a way to deal with them can prevent having to reroute your trip or, worse, getting stuck behind one on your way out. Snow loading and wind cause trees to fall often and your pocket knife might take a while to carve your way out. I carry a saw and axe most of the time. If you have space, a little battery saw like this one is wonderful for little jobs. If you don’t have space or want one that you can take backpacking, a Silky Saw is hard to beat and incredibly capable.

Axe: An axe is always great for chopping firewood, clearing brush, or using it as a hammer for various needs while camping. It’s also a decent self-defense piece. A small one like this is convenient to carry while camping and a bigger one like this is great for anything vehicle-based and works a lot better.

Headlamp: I have repeatedly mentioned this thing because it has been so awesome. I have used it on many trips around the world and have not been let down. It’s super light and rechargeable. Worth it.

Dutch Oven: if you’re not in a hurry and want to cook up some open-fire meals and feel like a real mountain man, get one of these. Sadie and I got this as a wedding gift and it might be one of my favorites. I’ve been using it a lot recently to cook steak, potatoes, soup + more and it is quite rewarding. It holds nice, even heat because of its thickness & weight and is indestructible.

-Satellite Phone: Again, something that I’ve talked about before but can’t recommend it highly enough. If you are alone or in an area where you have no cell service, these things can change the outcome of even a small issue that otherwise could leave you stranded. I’ve carried one ever since I slipped and fell down a rock face on a solo trip once many miles from my truck out of cell service. I would have been screwed if I had been injured. New iPhones have an SOS feature but that doesn't help you phone a friend if something non-life threatening happens.

Coffee Kit: If you’re like me and love a good cup of joe, here are a few great options.

If you want to keep it cheap and light, get these Pour-over filters with arms hanging on your camp cup. I love these because you can use them with any coffee and they are ultralight, great for backpacking. We used them on our Tour Du Mont Blanc hike this past summer and were very happy with them.

If you want a top-notch cup of Coffee, get a great Grinder and an Aeropress go. I’ve been using this setup daily for the past two years and have not been let down. Use your jetboil to warm up some water, and grind away to make a delicious mountain brew. This combo is easy to clean and compact, a great setup for truck camping or even backpacking if you’re a pack mule.

A Camp Knife: This one is expensive, I know, but if you have money or have a good friend like me to gift one to you then you won't regret it. My Benchmade Meat Carver is better than any of our knives at home and maybe that’s why I’ve started to love camp cooking so much. Just be careful or you'll chop your fingers off to become squirl food. I also carry a little pocket knife from the same brand and it takes some serious abuse without fail.

-Gas: If you are short on cash or time, spend it here first. You can get by with a pair of tennis shoes, a sandwich, and a decent sleeping bag. Time off work and a full tank are two of best things you can get.

THE GEAR:

Electric Blanket: https://amzn.to/3Tsvcui

Camp Stove: https://amzn.to/3RmFJpv

Backpacking Stove: https://amzn.to/3SPjWYw

Saw: https://amzn.to/46Z6swH

Hand Saw: https://bit.ly/481IVN8

Axe: https://bit.ly/48ldPj0

Small Axe: https://bit.ly/4ajdwqN

Dutch Oven: https://amzn.to/3GImobQ

Water Filter: https://amzn.to/3RHs38A

Satellite Texting Phone: https://amzn.to/3TJpjJp

Headlamp: https://amzn.to/47W7bQD