This is a great time to be an outdoors enthusiast. Gear and clothing have never been better. Use these gift ideas from purveyors of outdoor goods to make your shopping easier.
This is a great time to be an outdoors enthusiast. Gear and clothing have never been better. Use these gift ideas from purveyors of outdoor goods to make your shopping easier.
For the man in your life, give the Wintergreen Du Nord vest. Made from 100 percent Melton wool, this vest is available with a polar fleece lining or unlined. Price, $148 unlined; $168 lined. Suggested by Wintergreen Northern Wear, 600 E. Superior St., Duluth, and 205 E. Sheridan St., Ely. ( wintergreennorthernwear.com )
For the Wintergreen women on your list, Wintergreen Northern Wear has updated its Classic Northwind Coat for a more classic tailored and timeless design. Made from 80 percent wool and 20 percent nylon fabric. Price, $350. Suggested by Wintergreen Northern Wear, 600 E. Superior St., Duluth, and 205 E. Sheridan St., Ely. ( wintergreennorthernwear.com )
Ditch your hand-held video recorder for the i-Kam Extreme Video Sunglasses, eyewear with a built-in mobile video recorder for hands-free video recording. Price, $129.99. Suggested by Gander Mountain, 4275 Haines Road, Duluth. ( gandermountain.com )
This tactical LED hand-held flashlight shines in red, white, green and blue, with an SOS flashing frequency, too. Weighs just 4.6 ounces. Price $69.99. Suggested by Gander Mountain, 4275 Haines Road, Duluth. ( gandermountain.com )
Give the gift of the great outdoors by giving Minnesota state parks gift cards. The cards can be redeemed for camping, overnight getaways, vehicle permits and more. Call (866) 857-2757 or shop online at www.stayatmnparks.com. Suggested by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. ( stayatmnparks.com )
Serfas makes its powerful LED bicycle headlights in 250 or 500 lumens with rechargeable lithium ion batteries. Comes with regular charger and USB-port charger. Suggested price, $130 and $140, respectively. Suggested by Twin Ports Cyclery, 2914 W. Third St., Duluth. ( twinportscyclery.com )
Bicyclists can be seen at night if they’re wearing the Planet Bike Superflash Turbo LED taillight. Clips on bike or clothing and flashes a 1-watt beam. Price, $26 to $29. Suggested by Twin Ports Cyclery, 2914 W. Third St., Duluth. ( twinportscyclery.com )
Wear Castle’s platform glove while you’re snowmobiling. Nylon shell, Fan-tex waterproof/breathable membrane with 6 ounces of insulation on top, 4 ounces in the palm. Price, $36.95. Suggested by Duluth Lawn and Sport, 4715 Grand Avenue. ( duluthlawnandsport.com
A two-pack of cotton John Deere T-shirts for the John Deere person on your list. Variety of colors. Price, $29.95. Suggested by Duluth Lawn and Sport, 4715 Grand Ave. ( duluthlawnandsport.com )
The Isle Royale series of Frost River packs spans the gap between canoe and trail pursuits. Designed tall and narrow with twin vertical pockets on the front. Choice of two sizes, $310 and $280. Made in Duluth. Suggested by Frost River, 1910 W. Superior St., Duluth. ( frostriver.com )
Go green with a waxed canvas lunch bag from Frost River. The rolled top with a leather strap works great to carry a sandwich from home. Reusable and sustainable. Price, $25. Suggested by Frost River, 1910 W. Superior St., Duluth. ( frostriver.com )
Duluth Pack’s hand warmer is made from 15-ounce canvas lined with Sherpa fleece. Nylon web belt allows you to wear it around your waist. Made in U.S.A. Price, $45. Add a Little Hottie chemical handwarmer inside, $1.50. Suggested by Duluth Pack, 365 Canal Park Drive, Duluth. ( duluthpack.com )
The Mini Game Pack is great for rainy days on canoe trips and lazy days at the cabin. Includes dozens of games and a folding cribbage board, five dice and a deck of cards. All in a 4-inch by 4-inch canvas pack. Price, $18. Suggested by Duluth Pack, 365 Canal Park Drive, Duluth. ( duluthpack.com )
The Boreal Shirt is made from 80 percent reprocessed wool and 20 percent nylon fibers. Full-coverage hood rides just high enough to cover your hat, but it still fits inside a shell. Huge front pocket warms your hands. Price, $185. Suggested by Empire Wool and Canvas, 4337 Tioga St., Duluth. ( empirecanvasworks.com )
The Jackpine Vest by Empire Wool and Canvas is an 80/20 wool/nylon blend with lots of uses. Made in Duluth with deep, zippered hand-warmer pockets and dual chest pockets. Plus two zippered, mesh-lined stash pockets on the rear panel. Price, $165. Suggested by Empire Wool and Canvas Co., 4337 Tioga St., Duluth. ( empirecanvasworks.com )
The Birchwood Casey metal resetting target is for .22-caliber handguns and rifles (also available in larger caliber sizes). It features solid steel re-setting targets, which eliminates walking to reset targets. Price, $34.99. Suggested by Superior Shooters Supply, 1705 Winter St., Superior. ( superiorshooterssupply.com )
Bulldog Vaults makes a personal, one-handgun safe for car or home. Includes mounting hardware and security cable. Price, $29.99. Suggested by Superior Shooters Supply, 1705 Winter St., Superior. ( superiorshooterssupply.com )
You’ll ride high on the snow with Crescent Moon snowshoes. Teardrop shape for a natural stride. Single-pull loop binding. Lifetime warranty. From $249 to $275. Suggested by Trailfitters, 600 E. Superior St., Duluth. ( trailfittersduluth.com )
Find traction on ice and snow with YakTrax or Ice Trekker traction devices that slip on over your boots. Great for winter dog walks, ice fishing and more. From $20 to $43. Suggested by Trailfitters, 600 E. Superior St., Duluth. ( trailfittersduluth.com )
The Fillo Pillow by NEMO packs small and weighs just 5.1 ounces. Super comfortable for camping. Topped with a soft microfiber. Use just the pillow or inflate air chamber for more cushion. Price, $39.95. Suggested by Piragis Northwoods Co., 105 N. Central Ave., Ely. ( boundarywaterscatalog.com )
You’ll sleep easy on the Cosmo Air Pad by NEMO, a 3-inch air pad that has an integrated foot pump. It inflates in less than a minute and rolls down to practically nothing for travel. Suggested by Piragis Northwoods Co., 105 N. Central Ave., Ely. ( boundarywaterscatalog.com )
You know them. You love them. Smartwool socks, in a variety from dress socks to running socks to those with lots of cushion. From $14.99 to $29.99, or try the Smartwool three-pack gift sets at $49.99. Suggested by Northwest Outlet, 1814 Belknap St., Superior. ( northwestoutlet.com )
Gear up for ice-fishing season with HT Ice Fishing Tip-Ups and Kits. From $9.99 to $19.99. Suggested by Northwest Outlet, 1814 Belknap St., Superior. ( northwestoutlet.com )
Ice scratchers keep your snow machine running cool and well lubricated on bare ice and crusty snow. Price, $43.95. Suggested by RJ Sport and Cycle, 4918 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth. ( rjsportandcycle.com )
If you ride a snowmobile, you know the story. Every part of your body is warm except that throttle thumb. No more. Give your rider the Hand and Thumb Warmer Combo Kit. Price, $129.95. Suggested by RJ Sport and Cycle, 4918 Miller Trunk Highway, Duluth. ( rjsportandcycle.com )
Dogbooties.com in Duluth has a cool combination for the holidays. It includes a nylon tote bag, along with a dog blanket that’s nylon with Thinsulate insulation. Blanket is about 3 feet by 5 feet. Several colors. Price, $25 for the combination. Suggested by dogbooties.com, 700 Garfield Ave., Duluth. ( dogbooties.com )
Winter campers use high-density plastic toboggans to haul their gear into the woods and across frozen lakes. Kits are less expensive than a completed toboggan. Prices, $128 for 7-footer; $148 for 9-footer; $168 for 11-footer. Suggested by Black River Sleds, 3303 E. County Road B, Foxboro. ( blackriversleds.com )
Damage Board Shop and Celtek have collaborated on a limited edition snowboard/skateboard glove, and only 40 pairs are left. It’s a thinner glove with grippy palms. Price, $39.95. Suggested by Damage Board Shop, 1904 W. Superior St., Duluth. ( damageboardshop.com )
MarCum’s new LX-7 Sonar unit offers real-time information, a 3-D footprint, 8-inch screen and summer/winter use. Price, $699.99. Suggested by Marine General Supply, 1501 E. London Road, Duluth. ( marinegeneralcatalog.com )
Aqua Vu’s new micro underwater camera fits in your pocket. It has a 3.5-inch LCD screen, color camera, infra-red light and auto light sensing. Includes rechargeable lithium-ion battery and carrying case. Price, $299.99. Suggested by Marine General Supply, 1501 E. London Road, Duluth. ( marinegeneralcatalog.com )
Whether you ski, snowboard or bicycle this winter, try the Giro Nine.10 helmet. This helmet has twist-dial fit adjustment, ventilation and meshes with your music system so you have tunes on the move. Price $99 (other Giros, $59 to $150). Suggested by the Ski Hut, 1032 E. Fourth St. and 5607 Grand Avenue, Duluth. ( theskihut.com )
The Buff is a versatile piece of head and neck wear that comes in fabrics for all seasons. Wear it as a hat, a neck warmer, a head band and much, much more. Price, $20 to $30 depending on fabric. Suggested by the Ski Hut, 1032 E. Fourth St. and 5607 Grand Avenue, Duluth. ( theskihut.com )
The Bending Branches ergonomic Viper double-bend wood canoe paddle takes efficiency and comfort to the next level. Fiberglass blade wrap protects the nine laminates of basswood and black willow. Price, $149.95. Suggested by The Canoeist, 701 Seventh Avenue, Two Harbors. ( thecanoeist.com )
Barrels have become popular as food containers for canoeists. Use Granite Gear’s Vapor Flatbed Barrel Harness to carry a barrel, large dry bag or other odd loads. Works with a 30-liter or 60-liter barrel. Price, $142.95. Barrel not included. Suggested by The Canoeist, 701 Seventh Ave., Two Harbors. ( thecanoeist.com )
Ace wears a blaze-orange waterproof, windproof and fleece-lined dog jacket made by Kondos Outdoors. Price, $26.95 in size large. Suggested by Kondos Outdoors, Ely. ( kondosoutdoors.com )
Kondos Outdoors offers its skijoring kits at $54.95 through the end of December. Includes lines for up to two dogs, but does not include harnesses (sold separately for $18.95). Suggested by Kondos Outdoors, Ely. ( kondosoutdoors.com )
The Finnish puukko (knife) is hand-made by Iisakki Jarvenpaa in Kauhava, Finland. Four-inch carbon steel blade. Handle made from curly birch, birchbark and reindeer antler. Price, $90. Suggested by Puukko Cutlery, 4521 E. Superior St., Duluth. ( superiorbeads.com )
Steger moosehide mukluks are warm and light. Made in the Northern Cree Indian style, they have durable, flexible, treaded rubber soles. The Arctic models, with canvas uppers, are available in wide and double wide sizes. Price, $179.95. Suggested by Steger Mukluks, Ely. ( mukluks.com )
Scientific Anglers has most of what you need in the Trout Fly Fishing Kit. Include 9-foot, 5-weight graphite rod, reel and box for flies. Price, $99.95. Suggested by Great Lakes Fly Co., 4426 Regent St., Duluth. ( greatlakesflys.com )
The Fishpond Gore Range Tech Pack, actually a vest, will hold all the essentials for fly fishing or steelhead fishing. Price, $139. Suggested by Great Lakes Fly Co., 4426 Regent St., Duluth. ( greatlakesflys.com )
Traditional and still practical, it’s the Original Wool Stormy Kromer Hat, handmade in Michigan from 80 percent wool, 20 percent nylon, with 100 percent cotton lining. Lots of colors. Price, $34.95. Suggested by Minnesota Surplus and Outfitters, 218 W. Superior St., Duluth.
Genuine leather chopper mittens, made in Canada by Klondike/Sterling. Infants, $19.95; youth, 3XS ($22.95) to youth XL ($24.95). All youth models cowhide. Adult models, genuine moosehide. Single-palm, $34.95; double-palm, $39.95. Suggested by Minnesota Surplus and Outfitters, 218 W. Superior St., Duluth.
Move over the snow on a pair of Tubbs Timberline 25 snowshoes. A women’s-specific line that feature lightweight aluminum frames and an ergonomically tapered frame. Steel toe and heel claws for traction. Price, $129.99. Suggested by Continental Ski and Bike, 1305 E. First St., Duluth. ( continentalski.com )
Stuff high-quality energy bars into the stockings of your outdoors enthusiasts. Tram Bars, Handle Bars and Grizzly Bars are all made by Kate’s Real Foods. Price, about $3 each. Suggested by Continental Ski and Bike, 1305 E. First St., Duluth. ( continentalski.com )
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