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12.11.2023

Gift Ideas For Active People

I hope that everyone had a great weekend and is getting in the holiday spirit! I made a wreath for my door; it looks like a five year old made it, but it smells so good! The weekend was a little chilly here; it was in the 30s in the Bay Area and it snowed about a foot or so in the Sierra last week. I guess winter is here. Personally, I like a white Christmas, but since this year Christmas is on a Monday and I have to drive home to work on Tuesday, I don't want it to snow too much because that means I may have to drive it it. Ideally it would snow on Sunday, be white until Monday morning and then melt off just in time for me to leave. 

Even though most of you have probably already done your shopping (right?), I thought I would give you some ideas in case you have an active friend in your life for whom you have no idea what to get. Never fear, here are ten ideas for you, in no particular order, based on some of my favorite things I use very often, and have tried and tested*! 

Solomon Hydration Pack ($140) - It took me a long time to get one of these, as it is a little expensive, but it really is the best one that I have had. I like it so much that I have actually rebought it three times now. The only thing I would say I don't like is that I had to rebuy it three times, mostly due to stretching of the netting/pockets. However, I would say each one lasts me about 2-3 years and I get a lot of mileage out of them! 

Altra Lone Peak Trail Runner ($90) - This shoe is good for hiking or trail running and has a nice wide toe for people with Flintstone feet like mine. It has a zero drop, which may take a little getting used to, but is very comfortable once you do. It is also very lightweight, which is good for use and also for traveling! 

Stance Socks ($15) - I also use these for both running and hiking; for running I like the ankle sock, but for hiking the crew is better. They have a compression function so are a little hard to get off and on sometimes, but they are really comfortable and I get no blisters! They are pretty expensive for a sock, but for that reason are a good gift! 

Socks!

Patagonia Houdini Windbreaker ($100) - This is a very lightweight windbreaker and it zips into its own pocket so that when folded up it is perhaps about as big of a deck of cards. I usually just keep it in my hiking pack just in case and it has come in handy on unexpectedly cold days. 

Yaktrax ($25) - These are little snow chains you put over your sneakers in the winter for added traction. Full disclosure --> they do not work as well on ice; they are better for softer snow, but there are some that have more spiky bottoms which are a bit more grippy. If you are going to really be in ice and/or climbing, microspikes or crampons may be a better bet. 

Snacks! ($5- $10) - When running, I usually eat squeezy applesauce, protein bars and dried fruit. When hiking, I will eat the two latter items, and some other great hiking snack ideas for your favorite person include beef sticks and jerky (these no sugar ones by Tillamook are my favorite), TJs dried mangos and coconut, TJs salted almonds and Think bars. Many hikers also swear by Snickers and peanut M&Ms! 

Fanny pack ($35) - I used to make fun of my Dad for wearing a fanny pack in the 80s and now he makes fun of me! Actually he doesn't but isn't it funny how things come back around? I got a fanny pack as swag for a race and I put it in a drawer with a sneer, until a few years later I needed it for something and I put it on and I was hooked. I gushed so much that broski and Dr. G had to get one for themselves too. When hiking or biking, it is so handy to have all of your things within reach: phone, sunscreen, bug goop, TP...it makes things so much better. Sorry Dad; you were right! 

Goodr sunglasses ($20) - My friend K's sister loved these and recommended them to me, as they are grippy plastic/rubber and they don't bounce when you are running. K decided to buy us both a pair and although I laughed when I saw the ones that she got me (they are pretty obnoxious colors), I really do love them. They come in various (obnoxious) themes and colors so you can really show your style, like maybe Nessie's Midnight Orgy or Donkey Goggles. 

Bright, eh? These are called "Everglades."

Hand Warmers ($1) - these are a great stocking stuffer and we actually used to use them for skiing, on both our hands and our feet. They are inexpensive and are a nice treat to have in your pocket when hiking on a chilly day. I gave one to my coworker and he used it at work one day when they had the AC up too high! I guess they are good for a lot of places! 

*I am not sponsored by any of these companies, but if any of them want to sponsor me, I would be happy to oblige! 

Have you tried any of these items and if so what do you think? What is on your Christmas wish list? What must have item would you recommend to me? 

24 comments:

  1. Rechargeable hand warmers are great, too. I have two (one for each pocket) and they are crucial for dog walking in the cold! I have OCOOPA hand warmers.

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    1. I have never seen those before; what a great idea! However, they seem maybe a little bulky for running and/or long distance hiking...I can't really tell how big they are exactly. They look kind of like they are the size of a computer mouse?

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  2. My parents buy us smartwool socks nearly every Christmas. That is my favorite brand of socks. I am always cold so I wear the heck out of them for 6 months of the year. I also love my running belt which is sort of fanny pack-ish but it's pretty small/slim so not quite a fanny pack. It only holds my iphone and keys but that's all I usually need when I am using it!

    My MIL is the only person that shops for me, besides the socks I get from my parents. This year I asked for a new sweatshirt. This will be my 3rd color of the same sweatshirt. She bought me a reddish one last year, I bought a navy one in 2015, and now I"ll get a gray one this year. The material is very soft and cozy. I wear the heck out of it so need one every 2-3 years.

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    1. I love cozy indoor socks too! However, it is sometimes hard to find an active sock that doesn't wear out really fast or is not too thin or too thick. I tried those toe socks once and I hated them, although many people swear by them. Not only did I find them uncomfortable, but they were a pain to put on! I have never tried smartwool, but maybe that will be my next gift request! As you know I have a few hoodies, but I mostly wear my really old, really comfy (really stained) ones from HS!! I only have one or two I wear out in public, and they are usually black! I probably replace them every 5-7 year or when the zippers fail, which is usually the first thing to go.

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  3. Yes it is annoying to have to replace the hydration pack but for what you get out of them, it sure beats the alternative. I guess they're like running shoes that can only take so many miles.

    2023 was the year that I switched from a purse to a fanny pack. My regular purse was just to heavy to carry around when I'm traveling and it was too much work to figure out what I needed from my purse when I bike, so I downsized. That is one trend that I never expected to come back and I am so happy that it did. Now mind you I never wear it on my waist except when biking or hiking but I like having the option.

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    1. I have noticed that the new trend is to wear them cross body now, but I am going full 80s, mmm-kay, and I wear it around my waist so I can be part of the cool 80s Dads club! Now I just need to grow a porn stache and I will be good to go. I actually wear a backpack on my bike commute, as I have my lunch and my book and stuff too, so I do move my small wallet from fanny pack to back pack depending on the manner of travel. Although sometimes I just put the FP inside the backpack and then I have a bag inside a bag!

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  4. So much of this list are my favourite things too. Stance socks are amazing and hold up so well! Also I never thought of yak trax as a gift before however they are awesome and would come in handy for so many people. I ask think it’s funny that the Fanny pack is back!! Thanks for sharing this list :) -RachelinWales

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    1. You are welcome! I have a pair of Stance that I have used hiking for probably about five years and they have suffered some abuse! They got holes in the toes after a few years and I darned them (YES, I did), and they have lasted another couple of years. They are starting to get holes in the heels and I am wondering...should I darn them again? Maybe so!

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  5. I have Goodr glasses, i like them for the colors, the glass gets dirty quickly so now I got a different pair. I don't have anything on my wish list, maybe more lululemon? I just love them. how do you carry applesauce when running? i find them too heavy to carry.

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    1. I agree re Goodr; my first pair got scratched pretty fast, but I got a new one and I have been keeping it in the bag it comes with and that has helped! I carry the baby food squeeze pouches in my hydration vest (see above! :) The good thing about the vest is that it fits close to the body so it does not bounce around! Plus I do longer runs and often in places with no water so I usually carry water too.

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  6. Thank you for this post! All those are wonderful ideas. My wish list only has two items: a gift card to Airbnb and a gift card to Nordstroms. :) Or, a plane ticket to Tokyo ;)

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    1. An AirBnB gift card would be great! I should put that on my wish list; I have so many places that I want to go and I often use AirBnB when I travel. Plane ticket to Tokyo also sounds good, but I definitely do not need to buy anything else from Nordstrom in my life (I worked there for 8 years and amassed quite a collection).

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  7. A few years ago my husband bought me heated mittens - they come with a charge cord and were absolute life changing when I lived in Calgary. I also had these little spikes like yaktrax, but not the same - they would go on my boots and were little spikes, and they were also life-changing!

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    1. I think Yaktrax now makes some with spikes too, although when I first bought mine, they were only the tire chain version, which are not as good for hard packed or icy snow. However, that did not stop me from trying to use them in these conditions, although spikes would have been way better.

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    2. Guess where I bought those spikes? COSTCO. $20 for two pair! Is that an on-brand Nicole purchase or what. Funny story, one time I put them on my boots and I was like, wow, is my gait off? One of these boots is not working. I was so irritated, that it didn't even last a season. One of my feet was sliding on the ice. I had put one on INSIDE OUT. Luckily my boot sole wasn't wrecked!

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    3. Haha! Dork alert!! Once I put two contacts in one eye and I wondered if I was going insane...how did I forget which eye I put the first one in? Why did I not look at the little R or L on the container?? What is wrong with me!?

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  8. I can totally see the appeal to the fanny pack now that I'm older!! I actually found an old one in a box of some old play/kids dress up clothes that we had in the basement recently! I was going to toss it because I thought, I don't think I need this. But then I realized it was a nice plain black, and it would work perfectly for carrying doggie waste bags or my phone, etc. on dog walks now! That way my hands are free... well right now it's cold, so I usually have pockets, but when we first got Charlie I was walking him more with just a sweatshirt on (no pockets). So the fanny pack came in handy! Great ideas on this list!

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    1. Yes, it is great for dog walking!! I bought one for my friend K, her sister and her Mom and they all laughed at me, but they have not tried it yet, but once they do, they will finally realize how convenient they are! K is the one who has a Charlie (her Charlie is called Jelly) and she was carrying a purse thingy at first with all of the dog stuff. I don't want to push the fanny pack on her, but she just doesn't know what she is missing! :)

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  9. Running socks definitely make a great gift! I've asked for them before! I know that the purse belt is wildly popular and I can totally understand why. I also appreciate that someone styled it as a cross body and I think if I had one I would wear it that way but I generally need a bigger bag, or maybe not even need but I carry a larger bag. I think this is the best example of how things do come back around again! I really should pick up a pair of Goodr sunglasses. I don't wear glasses when I run b/c they tend to push sweat into my eyes and it's super uncomfortable. I also don't wear hats b/c I sweat way too much! I tried a sweatband but it was pointless. I have started running with my hair in a bun instead of just a ponytail and yesterday when I ran with a ponytail I realized why I had made that switch, sorry rabbit hole. Handwarmers are definitely a useful item!!! These are all great gift ideas!

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    1. I am team bun all the way; I cannot stand the swinging ponytail or any hairs on my face or in my eyes. This means I usually also wear a hat, even when it is not sunny. I am not a fan of the sweatband or headband or any of those circular things, as they tend to ride back as I run, but once in a while I will wear a buff, although I feel like that looks dorkier than a fanny pack!

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  10. KYRIA! Your book arrived today!!! Thank you so much! I'm so excited to read it- that was really, really thoughtful. (Shoutout in tomorrow's blog post.)
    For your items- the only one I've tried are the Goodrs (and I like them.) One of these days I will wear those Lone Peaks! I think I would really love them- I'm just afraid to go to zero drop with all the issues I've had with my feet.
    Oh, I do have a fanny pack that I use when I travel! I'm glad they're coming back in style, although I also don't really care if I look dorky.
    Thank you again!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Jenny, you are very welcome. I know that you have already gotten up to a certain mileage but maybe you will still find some helpful hints! The fanny pack does look a bit dorky, but the good thing about being older is...I DON'T CARE. And yes, even my 40 and 50something friends make fun of me, but that is okay! Function over form, I say!

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  11. I always appreciate a list with great gift ideas (any time of the year) and I am definitely taking recommendations for active people from you (because you're an active person!) :)

    That windbreaker sounds amazing (I need something like that) and I should really get some sun glasses - I always run without glasses (I don't wear sun glasses a lot in general, even less so when I work out).

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    1. The windbreaker is great; I got the Patagonia one as swag from a race! I also have a Mountain Hardware Ghost Lite, which is good too but the Patagonia is more roomy, which I like because it can be put on top of all kinds of layers. I have to always wear glasses! I don't know how you can go outside without them!

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