Gifting the Great Outdoors

12 ideas for the outdoorsy person in your life

If you live in northern Michigan, there’s a good chance that someone (or multiple someones) on your gift recipient roster just wants to build a cabin in the woods, wear a bunch of flannel, and be one with the great outdoors. Or, at the very least, they want to take a hike on a sunny winter day.

Whether you’re shopping for a nature novitiate, an intermediate weekender, or an old-hand in the out-of-doors, our gift guide has the perfect seasonal suggestions that are sure to make your favorite outsider feel all warm inside.

Be Prepared

Be a good Boy Scout to your burgeoning nature lover and help them be prepared with a few outdoor basics. Items that focus on hydration, safety, and utility can be great options for friends or family just entering their outdoor exploration era.

1. “One indispensable item that anyone getting into outdoor recreation shouldn’t be without is a decent headlamp,” says Cory Smith, manager at Backcountry North of Traverse City. “My personal favorite is the Black Diamond Storm 500-R,” he says ($74.95).

Featuring flood and spot light modes, as well as red, green, and blue modes for nighttime navigation, the Storm 500-R does it all, is waterproof, and has a built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery. And while black may be the go-to color, Smith hints at opting for a brighter choice: “A bright [think white, or neon] colored headlamp is far easier to find in the bottom of a dark pack after the sun goes down,”

2. Say “cheers!” and buy your novice nature enthusiast a drink! “Hydration is still one of the easiest gifts to give,” says Emily Keen, buyer and merchandiser for The Outfitter of Harbor Springs. “Water bottles, tumblers, anything stainless steel and reusable. Sustainability is still a big story with gifting. It’s an easy outdoor-adjacent gift that is giveable to a lot of different people.”

Keen recommends the Hydro Flask Sip Set ($49.95) of two tumblers. “They come in fun colors that are more limited edition” says Keen.

3. “Another item that we see a lot of people gifting are knives,” says Keen. A popular and useful tool while afield, Keen suggests opting for a Deejo knife ($90) to make your steel standout. “It’s a ‘tattooed’ stainless steel, and they’re really pretty. They have a lot of different themes across the tattoo on the blade,” she says. “Whether the person’s into fishing or hiking, or just being outdoors, there’s a theme that can be associated with it. It’s an easy gift that feels a little more personal.”

Level Up

The avid outdoors-person probably has a decent grasp on their basic items but may be looking for something to upgrade gear, expand their kit, and enhance their experience outside.

4. One of the best ways to extend your stay outside in the colder weather is with quality insulation.

“If you’re looking for the best baselayer, [for women, check out] the brand Kari Traa,” (starting at $62) says Casey Buckleitner, partner at White Birch Outfitters in Gaylord. Founded by the Norwegian pro-skier of the same name, Kari Traa is a women-owned, women-focused clothing company, specializing in base and thermal layers. Referencing the popularity of the brand, Buckleitner notes “A wool base layer from Kari Traa, that’s the hot stuff.”

5. Confronting the reality of shifting and milder winters in northern Michigan, there are still some great options for those who spend a decent amount of time outside. Smith points to a set of MSR Snowshoes ($139-$389) that are designed specifically with traction in mind.

“Their flagship model the Lightning has aggressive serrated traction bars and all metal brake bars that make ascending or descending rough terrain in snow or icy conditions a breeze,” says Smith. Focused on traction over “float,” these snowshoes make for a great option even in a milder Midwest winter.

6. For a novel experience with an intermediate entry level, Keen points to a set of Altai shortened back-country skis ($250). “It lands somewhere in between a snowshoe and a ski,” says Keen, “I think of it as a step up from a snowshoe, but you don’t have to get straight into the full backcountry ski set-up.”

The skis are made with a mohair skin bottom to ascend hills, a waist (width) akin to a downhill ski, and available with a binding compatible with any snow boot. Keen notes that users can tour up and cruise down hills, combining elements of cross country skiing, downhill, and a hint of backcountry adventure.

Go Pro

Perhaps the most difficult of all to shop for, the experienced nature enthusiast is often chronically outside and usually has the totes full of gear in the garage to show for it. But even for these notorious equipment lovers (hoarders?), our outdoor provisioners still have a few options that may surprise.

7. For those seeking to take their outerwear upgrade to the next level, Keen points to the clothing brand Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Jacket ($549). “It’s a Norwegian brand that makes really high quality outerwear,” says Keen. “That person that has everything maybe spends a little more money and investment on their gear.”

The jacket has full waterproof capabilities, while maintaining warmth with a synthetic insulation that is more breathable than standard insulation or down. Keen notes that its temperature regulating quality makes it ideal for going up the chairlift, adding to a backcountry set-up, or a significant upgrade or replacement for an existing ski jacket.

8. For the proven pioneer that has it all, both Buckleitner and Smith point to a new must-have: Nocs Provision Company Binoculars ($95).

“Binoculars are usually either big, bulky, and expensive or small, fragile and of inferior quality,” says Smith. Nocs succeed in finding the sweet spot of optics that are compact, powerful, and yet durable enough to withstand the elements. In addition to construction, the color schemes and ergonomics make them really stand out.

Buckner adds, “They’re colored and shaped differently than most binoculars. When you see them you’re going to say ‘wow!’ I want to grab those and look through them!’ They’re just a really cool, different kind of binocular with high-quality insides [components], and really durable.”

9. And for those looking to go big for their beloved gear junkie? “A snowboard is always the best gift you can give somebody,” says Buckleitner.

White Birch is now offering Lib Tech snowboards, a cutting-edge American-made brand that are wildly popular. Buckleitner also points to the Michigan-based ski brand, Shaggy Skis and bindings for the powderhound who has it all. Along with a full line up skis for purchase, White Birch also offers a demo fleet of Shaggys available for test drive before you buy.

Stocking Stuffers

10. Check out the Pigeon River State Forest Map and Nick Adams Stories Combo ($30). Available at White Birch Outfitters, the detailed map is a popular item highlighting little known areas of the expansive State Forest, which is often scant on reliable cell service.

11. Socks! A staple highlighted by each outdoor retailer, you can choose from a variety of options available including Darn Tough (starting at $22 at The Outfitter and Backcountry North) and East Jordan brand Socks Kick (starting at $12.50). “You always get the right size” says Buckleitner when it comes to socks.

12. White Birch partnered with aspiring local disc golfer Levi Irish to create a line of disc golf discs (starting at $20). Shop a variety of styles to support an all-ages outdoor activity when Mother Nature opts for milder conditions.

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