With Mother’s Day not too far off, we’ve kept an eye out for gifts that fit in with our readers. Realizing that everyone has their own budget to work with, we’ve got suggestions for under $20, some for a couple hundred or more, and plenty in between.
Socks may not be the first thing on mom’s list, but we’re sure she’d appreciate a pair (or two) from Darn Tough. With models specific to outdoor sports like skiing and biking, activities such as running and hiking, and even a line of lifestyle socks, they’ve got her covered. A Merino wool blend, high-density stitching, and a seamless toe combine to make a comfortable and durable sock. So much that they guarantee it – if it’s not the most comfortable sock she’s worn, Darn Tough will offer an exchange or refund. And if they get worn out, they’ll replace them at no charge. www.darntough.com
Ultimate Direction offers hydration bottles, belts, waist packs and backpack-style hydration packs. One of our contributors picked the $99 Highline to review, pointing out that the large 2.8L reservoir is perfectly complemented by plenty of handy storage, including dual water bottle pockets. This allows her to carry nearly 3 liters of water, with room for snacks, her camera, phone, extra sunblock, and a small water bottle with an electrolyte mix. The mesh back panel and shoulder straps keep her cool. Look for a full review coming soon. In the meantime, you can see their full line at www.ultimatedirection.com.
If the mom on your list is serious about hiking and camping, have a look at Bergans of Norway’s Rask backpack. Boasting 50 liters of capacity, it incorporates their Hexagon Lite carrying system, which makes for a strong, yet lightweight system, suitable for the loads expected in a pack of this size. There are vertical steel stays paired with a hip belt to provide all day comfort, by transferring more weight from the back to the waist. And there’s some sizing flexibility as well, since it’s adjustable for different torso lengths, providing the best fit possible. The plum pack shown is the women-specific model, and has an MSRP of $249. www.bergans.com.
The next time you go camping, mom will be spoiled if you get her one of Eureka!’s Copper Canyon series tents. Each one is a cabin style tent with steep walls and a high ceiling. Perfect for car camping, these tents offer enough room for the whole family, and can accommodate up to twelve happy campers. They range in size from the 8’x8′ Copper Canyon 4, all the way up to the 14’x12′ Copper Canyon 12 with two rooms, or the 16’x10′ Copper Canyon 5. We’ll be testing the Copper Canyon 6 this weekend, so expect a full review shortly. Priced at $269, this 10’x10′ tent offers one hundred square feet of space, a seven foot ceiling, and plenty of thoughtful touches throughout. www.eurekatent.com
That’s just to get you started. Check back next week for more gift ideas, as well as a couple of reviews. And don’t forget to enter our Clif Bar giveaway. See yesterday’s Clif Builder’s review for full details.