'Tis the season for outdoor gifts

Updated: December 21, 2005, 7:41 PM ET

'Tis the season for outdoor gifts

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By Paul Mchugh
San Francisco Chronicle — Dec. 21, 2005

The time is now to drop some coin so you can bring smiles to the faces of others.

But before you add a cash register's ka-ching! to the famed holiday silver bells, consider focusing your efforts on a few savvy purchases of outdoor gear. These gifts continue to give, because they empower outdoor experiences.

But, come to think of it, there's no reason why you should not maneuver to be a happy recipient of some of these goodies. Do friends and relations sound stuck on what to get you? Suggestions follow. Simply clip out, and tuck under one of their refrigerator magnets.

Helly Hansen Virtue jacket — Softshell jackets, mixing insulating fleece with a weather-resistant outer layer, convinced gearmakers a new breed of shells would sell if they were supple. Now, that technology flows back into single-layer shells — most successfully in this new, high-end model by Helly Hansen.

The base fabric is Tech XP, stretchy, breathable polyester with a polyurethane film. Instead of bulky stitching and gluing, seams are sealed by an ultra-sound welding technique that keeps this garment ultra sleek and flexible. Assembly takes place on a 3-D form (like a shoe last) that builds in ergonomic curves.

Value is enhanced by clever special features: a port for headphone wires; a clear pocket for lift tickets; pit vents that each have two zipper pulls for infinite fine tuning, plus a mesh panel to keep said vents from flapping; unobtrusive hood and waist adjustments.

The Virtue could be this year's showpiece on the slopes. It also should perform well for mountaineering and trekking, though it lacks the customary abrasion patches (Cordura reinforcement swatches at wear points). But it's quite light and packs small. Available in charcoal, apple green and hot orange. Weight: 20 ounces. $400. For information: www.hellyhansen.com.

Mother pack — "Crossover gear" is a big buzz word in the outdoors world. Usually, it refers to multi-use garments. But now there's a technical backpack designed for bird hunters that's quite functional for other uses.

The stiff foam frame, broad shoulder straps and belt, plus a low sternum strap set it up for toting a sizable load. I carried a 40-pound load with it quite comfortably.

The pockets, sleeves and pouches will not only accommodate a shotgun, shells and upland game harvest, but — with equal facility — a fly rod case, hiking sticks, a tightly rolled sleeping bag, a water bladder, and any number of accessories.

Mother (yes, the logo does bear the legend, "The Necessity of Invention") was started by outdoorsman Marty Garbijas, and last year's line of four basic packs will soon expand to 26 models, including items for archers and turkey hunters.

Models should find double functions with day hikers or weekend fast-packers. Available in blaze orange and khaki now; other colors to come. Weight: 30 ounces. $89-$109 (depending on your body size). Found in sportsmen's catalogs, sporting good shops and at www.mothertech.net.

Swiss Bob sled — Snow play has always been fine family fun. Now it's also a fast-growing segment of winter sport because it's so cheap and easy. Just drive to a trailhead, check for a safe run-out, and let fly. Tubes, saucers, sleds and toboggans have all served the need. Last year, 3PlayInc introduced a small, hard plastic sled that outperforms many other options.

Measuring just 16 by 15 inches, with a molded seat and two handles, the Swiss Bob secret is its five directional runners and four deep channels on the base. These make it easy to steer and stop; which is fortunate, because it's also very fast. Available in red and blue for $24 at www.3playinc.com.

REI Flash UL pack — REI brings the original concept of the day pack home by unleashing modern technology on a stuff sack with straps. It weighs just 10 ounces, and rolls up small enough to stick in a coat pocket. But unfurl the thing, and you can cram it with more than 1,000 cubic inches of gear. An internal storage sleeve isolates key items, including your hydration bladder.

Other items can be lashed to an exterior daisy chain. Silicon-treated nylon gives the fabric water-resistance. This low-profile, low-key pack is perfect for carrying extra clothing, accessories, safety items and snacks for skiing or snowboarding.

Available in platinum (cream) and sage (green) for just $25. If you want more capacity, check out its big sisters in the UL (ultra-light) line: the UL 45, with 2,745 cubic-inch capacity, for $110; and the UL 30, with 2,000 cubic inches for $80. Both the latter items have yoke-mounted shoulder straps and a one-pull cinch cord for compressing the load. Available at REI stores and www.rei.com.

Kokatat Sea02 PFD — Northern California's premier paddle equipment supplier had everyone salivating in fall of 2004 when Kokatat displayed prototypes of a new type of hybrid PFD ("personal flotation device" or life vest). After much testing, the production model has finally been shipped to stores. This Class V vest combines 7.5 pounds of firm foam flotation with 23 pounds of CO2 gas flotation that's swiftly available after you yank on a lanyard.

A mouth-tube provides a redundant inflation method. The net result is the best of both worlds: a low-profile, low-bulk safety device that allows plenty of freedom of movement, but also provides lots of buoyancy when needed to cope with an emergency. Sailors, anglers, and paddlers should check this out. The PFD itself weighs just 28 ounces. Two large gear pockets. Available in red, blue and yellow, for $174. (800) 225-9749, or www.kokatat.com.

Pelilock 1506TSA — Extra security measures at U.S. airports mean, if you lock your checked bags, those locks can be broken at will by representatives of the Transportation Security Administration (www.tsa.gov/public) should they need to inspect contents. A way to deal with that is securing those bags with a TSA-approved lock that can be opened by officials.

So, a new luggage lock made by Pelican is a cool stocking-stuffer for travelers. Slightly larger than an ordinary lock, weighing just two ounces, the 1506TSA lets you set a three-digit number code to secure the bag yourself, as well as a keyhole so TSA officials can conduct their business, then relock your bag. Available for $11.95 from outdoor and travel stores, or www.pelican.com.

Insulmat Max-Thermo air mattress — What's desirable in a camp/backpack mat is comfort, warmth and pack-ability. Done, done and done in this creative design from Pacific Outdoor Equipment. The durable, coated nylon tubes inflate to a bouncy 2.5 inches. The compressible, synthetic fill inside helps it retain heat. And after you squeeze air out through the light valve, it rolls up into a tight little tube of fabric.

Although it's inflated by breath, an anti-fungal treatment keeps moisture from growing little fellow-travelers inside. A pouch inside the stuff sack holds a small repair kit. Add it up, and you can see why this mat won a Backpacker Magazine editors award in 2004. Length, 78 inches; width, 20 inches; weight, 22 ounces. Comes in red only, for $57. At outdoor stores. Info: www.pacoutdoor.com/2005/index.cfm.

Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.