When it comes to gifts for those who love the great outdoors, this year there are lots of new things under the sun—and on the water and in the big woods. New brands you might have never heard of, heightened technology that will make sporting pursuits safer and more fun, and cool stuff that you could do without but why would you want to? It’s the holidays, after all, so sneak a few of these goodies under the tree. Or better yet, onto your own wish list.
Feet Treat
I own hunting boots like Imelda Marcos hoarded high heels, and I’m still always looking for the perfect pair. I think I’ve found them. The Meindl brand has been around in the Bavarian Alps since 1683 but has recently made big moves in the American market. The EuroLight Hunter Uninsulated boot comes with nine-inch waxed full-grain Nubuck leather uppers, a reinforced toe cap, a waterproof Gore-Tex liner, and a Meindl specialty: venting channels placed along the forefoot for breathability and flex. And they may be the easiest boots to put on I’ve ever worn. Ninety percent of the time, these are just right. $295; meindlusa.com
Baby on Board
Who wouldn’t want to have a little timeout gently rocking to the surf? With a cushioned seat and five-point safety harness, the Searock Baby Swing boat lounger fits kiddos from six to forty-eight months. Marine-grade ropes and corrosion-resistant carabiners will hang from T-Tops, Biminis, and towers, and it comes with a tabletop ready for a pile of Cheerios. The swing can also easily move between boats and docks, decks and homes. Sign me up if Searock ever makes an adult version. $180; babysearock.com
Counter Topper
Tired of duck legs and backstraps drooping over cutting boards? At 21-by-14 inches, the Big Easy board from NOLA Boards, a New Orleans–based maker of cutting boards, countertops, and furniture, is large enough for deer-sized cuts of meat. It’s made with a deep juice well and side handles, and the cherry-and-walnut layout is a stunner, with engraving or without. From $195; nolaboards.com
Hang Tight
A holster for hanging a break-action shotgun on your belt might seem a bit unusual, but I had a specific problem to solve: I was always needing to set my gun down on the ground while I took notes in the field. The Southern Trapper’s shotgun holster handled that conundrum with style. The rigid leather build supports the weight of a side-by-side or over-and-under by cradling the trigger guard, freeing your hands up to take a drink of water, snap a cell phone photo, yelp at a gobbler, or help a new shooter on the sporting clays range. The first time I used it, I was sold. $65; thesoutherntrapper.com
Solid Stick
One-piece fly rods punch above their weight class precisely because of what they’re missing: the ferrules that create weak spots in multi-piece rods. Without those connections, a one-piece provides greater lifting power and transfers energy more smoothly to the line, leader, and fly. Hardy’s Marksman Z is built with top-shelf components—from ceramic-lined, titanium-framed stripper guides to an updated mandrel design—in a shipping friendly 8-foot, 10-inch length. Available in line weights from 8 to 12, it’s a fast-action fly-launching platform and a perfect boat rod for anyone with a place at the beach or lake or who doesn’t have to break down rods to transport them. $1,050; hardyfishing.com
Guard Your Ears
It’s plain crazy to hunt without hearing protection, and the best devices these days offer not only suppression of harmful sounds but also augmentation of those you want to hear. Tetra Hearing’s Multi-Pursuit AlphaShield lets users choose between settings that isolate and enhance specific frequencies based on their hunting preferences. With a simple tap, you access programs in which, say, the frequencies of a turkey’s gobbles are goosed just a bit, or the crunch of leaves when heard from a tree stand. I’ve worn these on deer hunts, duck hunts, and upland bird hunts, and they’re the most comfortable hearing protection devices I’ve ever tried. $1,599; tetrahearing.com
Dry as Toast
There’s no such thing as “pretty dry.” That’s the thinking behind the new Simms ProDry suit. Based on an original design for competitive bass anglers, the system includes a jacket and bibs, made of three-layer Gore-Tex Pro laminate and with a bevy of hard-rain-is-gonna-fall upgrades. The jacket comes with a three-way adjustable hood, articulated sleeves, adjustable cuffs, and pockets galore. The bibs have abrasion-resistant materials on the knees and seat, more pockets, and a thigh-high zipper for get-it-on-now ease when the squalls are bearing down. The system isn’t inexpensive, but it sure makes those rough runs back from offshore and long days on the drift boat a lot more comfortable. $700 each for jacket and bibs; simmsfishing.com
Spartan Sling
I frequently remove a rifle or shotgun sling once I’m settled into a stand or blind. Those days may be over with the Heyday Bare Sling. A PVC-coated steel cable paired with hydraulicly pressed crimps and included swivels, the minimalist sling cuts down on weight, brush snagging, and the general get-in-the-way aggravation of other slings. It wouldn’t be my first choice to hump three miles into the backcountry, but for just about all my other hunting, it hits the sweet spot. And hint-hint: The Texas brand’s game straps are just as cool. $30; heydayoutdoor.com
Magnum Floatie
I could sink a boat will all the cheap surf-shop floaties I’ve purchased that rarely last more than a few trips to the beach or sandbar. Never more. BOTE’s inflatable Hangout Water Hammock 7 is barnacle-tough, built of the same military-grade PVC used in the company’s top-shelf inflatable paddleboards. The nearly eight-foot doughnut has a soft mesh bottom for lounging comfortably, and it comes with handy grab handles and folds down into a rolling travel bag. These are all the rage in my neck of Southern saltwater. $800; boteboard.com
Keep in Touch
Garmin’s InReach platform of satellite communication devices is a huge hit with the backcountry crowd. The inReach Messenger makes that technology easier to use, pairing seamlessly with a smartphone and with the option to add capability to share photographs and voice messages in addition to texts even when cell service isn’t available. The Messenger also includes Garmin’s lifesaving SOS functionality with real-time messaging with highly trained human support staff. For hunters, fishermen, and hikers who move in and out of cell range, it’s as close to a must-have as any item on this list. From $300; garmin.com
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