Looking for practical gifts for people who love the outdoors? Here is a gift guide for you
The key to successful holiday shopping for people who love the outdoors is to buy them something that they will actually use. Unfortunately, people who never spend time outdoors typically buy horrible gifts.
I know, because I have a closet filled with junk: imitation wooden decoys of ducks that don’t actually exist; hunting knives so cheaply made that I can’t sharpen them; and an assortment of hats and T-shirts that I’m embarrassed to wear except when the gift-giver visits me.
The good news is there are many new or improved products that boaters, anglers, hikers and hunters will be thrilled to receive.
Miami-based Hook & Tackle was a pioneer in offering UPF 50+ sun protection button-down fishing shirts and T-shirts. The company has several new long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirts that can be worn for any outdoor activity as well as around town.
The long-sleeve Coastline is made from a new, extremely lightweight microfiber stretch material that feels great against your skin. The moisture-wicking mesh lining and vented back keep you cool on the water. The lightweight, durable short-sleeve shirts also have 50+ UPF protection. Prices for the button-down shirts range from $55 to $65 at hookandtackle.com.
Those who love the water can always use a pair of quality polarized sunglasses. Revo glasses were created in 1985 by a NASA engineer who thought that the coatings used to protect satellites from space radiation could be applied to sunglasses.
Revo sunglasses come in a variety of styles, lens colors, lens materials and vision options. You can get a pair of Revos with glass lenses; lenses made from a lightweight, impact-resistant nylon called Serilum; polycarbonate photochromic lenses that lighten and darken in changing light conditions; and single or progressive prescription lenses.
The revo.com website lists all the styles and suggested activities for the different lens colors. The Jasper is a wraparound that comes with blue or green glass lenses that are the sharpest and clearest I have ever worn and ideal for fishing. Most items on the Revo website range from $199 to $299, with additional costs for prescription lenses.
The Coalatree Trailhead Pants, which I have worn hiking through the woods and on the beach in cooler, windy weather, are made from durable, breathable ripstop nylon that is water resistant and stain-proof. The four-way stretch pants have deep front pockets, so your valuables aren’t going to fall out while you’re fishing or hiking in the Big Cypress National Preserve.
The elastic waistband has tie strings as do the cuffs, so you can raise up the legs and tie them if you encounter wet or muddy conditions. The Trailhead pants, which come in seven colors, sell for $99 at coalatree.com.
Protalus insoles can help you hike or fish all day. The T-100 Elite insoles replace the ones that come with your boots and boat shoes. They have a deep heel cup that guides your heels and ankles into the proper alignment, which results in pain relief and less muscle fatigue. The comfortable insoles come in a variety of shoe sizes and have a suggested retail price of $64.95. Visit protalus.com.
The RUX waterproof bag is ideal for anglers, divers, kayakers, beach-goers, campers and anyone else who needs to prevent everything from wallets, cellphones, electronics, clothing, towels and snacks from getting wet.
The roomy RUX bag comes in five different colors as well as clear. It has handles and a comfortable, removable shoulder strap to carry like a tote. I’ve filled it with bags of plastic worms, boxes of lures, pliers and spools of line. Inside the nylon bag is a roll-top that folds out so you can roll it down and secure it with a snap closure to make the RUX completely waterproof, which is perfect for kayakers. The bag retails for $135 at rux.life.
If you’re like me, whenever you go to the woods or you’re bouncing in a boat around fishing hooks and spiny lobsters, you invariably end up with scrapes, cuts and bug bites. Unlike most first aid creams, Active Skin Repair has hypochlorous acid, or HOCl, and no toxic chemicals, synthetic antibiotics or petroleum.
HOCl is produced by the body’s white blood cells to promote healing. I used the Active Skin antimicrobial hydrogel on cuts on my arm and hand and scrapes on my leg and was impressed by how quickly those wounds healed. The company also has a skin repair spray, a kid spray and a baby spray. The gel is $34.97 and the spray is $29.97 on the www.bldgactive.com website.
Licenses are needed for ages 16-64 to fish, catch lobsters and hunt in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering discounted licenses for residents through Jan. 3. Annual and five-year Gold Sportsman licenses are half-price and an annual freshwater/saltwater fishing combination license is only $5. The regular price is $32.50. Visit myfwc.com/license/recreational/saltwater-fishing.