Every year, people strive to better themselves physically by getting in better shape. You can accomplish this without just buying a gym membership. It can be very fun getting into shape by engaging in sports and outdoor activities, especially with your friends and family.
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2017 Sports and Outdoors Gift Guide
Many men and women take New Year’s Day as their signal to start a new fitness regimen. Giving them some sort of sports and outdoors item as a gift for Christmas is a perfect idea! Below is our Sports and Outdoors Gift Guide.
Cycling and Skating Gifts
One of the most popular means of being active among kids today is by going cycling or skating. Both require a significant amount of physical effort and provide the added bonus of acting as a means of transportation, especially in suburban areas.
Bicycles
Likely the easiest to learn and the most common is the bicycle. Many people learned to ride bikes when they were children. Even if you didn’t, it’s not hard at all to pick up. It’s a very efficient way to get around if you don’t have a car or need to walk around outside.
First, you want to make sure you select the right bike for the person you’re buying for. If they’re mostly going around on pavement, they’ll want some kind of road bike like the popular Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike Shimano 21 Speed 700c lightweight option.
However, if they’re doing any off-roading, they’ll want some kind of mountain bike. The Roadmaster 26″ Men’s Granite Peak Men’s Bike is known for its incredible suspension and easy maneuvering.
Skateboards
Another very popular kind of transportation, especially for teenagers, is skateboarding. Skateboards are more compact and easily transportable than bikes and are usually a lot cheaper. However, they may be a little bit more difficult to learn.
For people who solely use their skateboard for commuting, they might consider trying out a penny board. Penny boards are extremely compact and meant more for beginners. Something like the Penny Classic Complete skateboard might be a great gift to consider.
However, if they intend to get more into skating, they might find a longboard to be more preferable. Longboards are also a bit more versatile than penny boards, which are only really good on pavement.
One of the most impressive boards you can give as a gift this year is the Quest Skateboards Best 44″ Bamboo Super Cruiser Longboard Skateboard. It’s a beautiful hardwood maple design that will wow the person you’re buying for.
Skates
Another less popular, but equally fun option is skates. There are two main kinds of skates: roller skates and inline skates. Both are fine for indoor and outdoor use, though you can go a bit faster using inline skates.
Once you get it down, it can be a fast, exercise-intensive form of transportation. There are skates available for people of all ages on your gift list – from toddlers up through adults.
No matter the product you choose, you’re going to want to get the basic safety gear to avoid injuries. The most important piece of safety gear is a helmet. Falling on your head can result in extremely serious injuries. Make sure the person always wears a helmet and be sure you buy the right size.
Additionally, you should get them elbow & knee pads, and wrist guards. This will help guard against to make sure they don’t cause serious damage to any of their most important joints.
Hunting and Fishing Gifts
Many people, especially older men, enjoy spending their time outdoors hunting or fishing. There are many items that can make the perfect Christmas gifts. It’s a skill that can be passed on through generations. Some consider it a rite of passage to becoming an adult. Whether your family is experienced or you’re brand new to the idea, hunting and fishing can be enjoyed by all.
Fishing
Fishing is a bit easier for beginners to get into, as well as a bit more casual. If you’re buying for someone who is new to fishing, you need to get them a rod and a reel. You can either choose to buy these separately or in a bundle combo (recommended for beginners). A good option to consider is the PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combo, perfect for either freshwater or saltwater.
Once they have the reel and the rod, they need the fishing line. Fishing line can be bought in various lengths and weight limits depending on what they plan to catch. If they’re going deep sea fishing, they’ll want to get a longer line with higher weight limits. However, if they’re just at their local lake catching bass, you can get them a shorter line with lower weight limits. Just keep in mind, that the wider the line is, the more noticeable it is to the fish. So try to get the smallest line for the fishing area.
For more serious fishermen, electronic fishing gadgets such as a Garmin 010-01550-00 Striker 4 Built-in GPS Fish Finder would make a great gift. This takes the guesswork out of the sport and ensures that your gift recipient comes home happy!
Hunting
If they don’t live near a good place to fish or just prefer the woods over the water, then hunting might be more their speed. Hunting usually involves spending long days out in the woods. So making sure they have everything they’ll need for a day away from civilization is important.
This means having the right clothes, the right equipment, and the right safety measures. You should get them clothing that’s very comfortable but also works well with their environment.
For camouflage, the Red Rock Gear Ghillie Suit is a big hit. It is available in a variety of color options, including desert, greenery, and even snow! This is a gift that a dedicated hunter will appreciate.
If they’re hunting in late fall in a cold area, be sure to get something that can keep them warm all day. But if they’re hunting in the arid deserts of Arizona, something breathable and comfortable is a better option.
Whatever you get them, make sure it’s durable and appropriate for outdoor use. It’s worth looking into getting them a good first aid kit as well. If something happens while they’re out in the deep woods, it can be difficult for help to get there. They need to know how to treat injuries that may occur while they’re in the outdoors. This could include such things as bites, scratches, scrapes, and stings. A little bit of knowledge can prevent a scratch from getting infected and turning into a much larger problem.
There are all sorts of accessories you can get for hunters. Bags, belts, knives, and eyewear. Even bigger ticket items like tree stands and blinds that are more permanent options.
Golf Gadgets and Gifts
Golf is a classic sport, but today more young people are becoming interested in learning how to play. Certain golf items make a great gift for any generation. It is a great game that just about anyone can pick up. Especially if they’re willing to invest a bit of time to learn the proper rules and form.
Clubs
The first thing they’ll need, obviously, is the clubs. They can either start off with a single basic driver just to get their form down or you can get them a complete set if they’re really passionate about it. The Paragon Golf Youth Golf Club Set would make a great starter set.
When they’re just starting off, don’t get one of the overly expensive clubs just yet. It won’t make them much better until they’ve mastered the basic clubs. Basic clubs can also be a bit more forgiving, and the recipient won’t worry so much about messing them up if they do something wrong.
If they already have clubs, then you might consider getting them some items they can use for practice. Most people find it easier to head out to their nearest driving range. Ranges will typically rent out bags or buckets of golf balls to people.
Tees
If they’re going out to a driving range, they’re going to have to bring some things with them. First off, they’re going to need tees. Tees are fairly cheap and often disposable, but you can get higher quality multiple use ones if you’d like – and maybe use these as stocking stuffers.
The disposable ones will usually be made out of wood and can break easily if you make contact with them on your swing. The multiple use tees can be made out of rubber or plastic, so they don’t crack when they’re hit.
Gadgets
If they want to be able to practice but don’t want to spend the time and money going out to the driving range every few days, you can get them training equipment to practice in their own backyard.
One of the most common forms of training is hitting into a large net with a bit of flex to it. The net catches the balls but allows them to get the full experience of the swing and the hit. One of the bestselling ones is the Rukket 10x7ft Haack Golf Net.
Alternatively, you can get them sticks that simulate the swing of a golf club fully, but don’t even require a ball to hit. This means they can do it anywhere that they have the free space – whether it’s a large, empty room or part of their yard.
These golf training sticks like the MECO Golf Gesture Swing Trainer Training Aid allow them to work on the tempo and feel of swinging their club. It makes a good training tool for new players and a good practice tool for seasoned players.
And don’t forget the short game. A practice putting green like the Putt-A-Bout Grassroots Par Three Putting Green will help them shave their score down quickly and easily!
Team Sports and Collectable Gifts
Almost everyone at one point in their life has played a team sport, whether it be for high school, college, or any other team. Team sports are a great way to not only get in shape but also to form new friendships with other players on the team. If you know someone on a team, you can get gifts for them this holiday season.
Whether they actively play sports to this day or simply enjoy watching them, there are plenty of products available for the sports enthusiasts out there. In the United States, three sports remain the most popular: baseball, basketball, and football.
They’re on TV all the time, and people go absolutely crazy for them. There are so many items you can buy for the sports fans in your life. They range from collectible cards to jerseys, bobbleheads, helmets and more!
Basketball
While it’s fun to sit and watch pro sports with friends, it’s even more enjoyable to go out and play some of the sports yourself. Basketball is probably the easiest of those three to go and pick up and play with some friends.
Basketball hoops can vary in how advanced they are, but if it’s just a backyard court, you can just get one of the barebones hoops for someone on your list. Consider getting one like the Lifetime 1269 Pro Court Height-Adjustable Portable Basketball System.
You can get hoops that extend and vary in height, allowing both kids and adults to play on it. Once they have the hoop set up, all they really need from there is the basketball itself.
Official-sized basketballs are an inexpensive gift to give when you buy from trusted brands such as the Spalding NBA Street Basketball.
Football
Football can be played fairly casually as long as you have a large open field, but the person you are buying for may want to bring along a few accessories to make it a bit more official.
First, of course, they need a football. The Wilson NFL Super Grip Football is a great choice.
Maybe you can buy a set like the KLZ 10-Man Flag Football Deluxe Set W/ Flags and Cones to play a game.
Baseball
Baseball can be played just about anywhere, but there are a few things that a player may need.
For example, you can get them some bases fairly easily, so they don’t have to use some random object to mark bases. You’ll also want to get them baseball bats and gloves.
Bats can get a bit pricey if you buy alloy ones that are meant for real games. If you’re only playing recreationally, a wooden one will be just fine. For gloves, adult-sized ones will cost you around $50, but for kids, they’ll only be about $15-$30.
For those that are serious about the game, you may want to consider buying them a Varo ARC Bat Training Weight that will help to improve their batting speed and mechanics.
Soccer
For many people outside the United States, soccer, or football as it’s commonly known among them, is the most popular sport, hands down. Soccer is a fairly easy game to pick up, much like basketball.
As long as you can establish two goal areas, you can play wherever there’s enough space. You can get the sports enthusiast on your list a Wilson Traditional Soccer Ball, and you’ll want to get them a pump to keep it aired up.
Once they have the basic equipment, you can get a bit fancier if you want by buying them collapsible goals and nets, or even soccer cleats and shoes. Soccer cleats make it much easier to play outside and on turf. If they plan on playing indoor soccer, don’t go for the cleats.
Camping and Hiking Gifts
Camping and hiking are great ways to bond with your family and friends, relax by yourself, or get in touch with nature and there are many products that make fabulous gifts for the people on your lift.
There are plenty of wonderful places to go hike or camp, no matter where you are in the world. Even if the person you’re buying for is in a very urban area, a nice hiking trail is usually within driving distance. You may want to buy them a hiking book for the area they live or someplace they want to visit.
Hiking
The time they spend and the difficulty of the hikes can vary greatly, from spending a day out on a trail as a beginner or spending weeks out on one of the massive trails as an expert.
Either way, you’re going to want to make sure the person is properly prepared with the right equipment. The most important thing you can have on a hike is the right shoes and socks. The Timberland White Ledge Men’s Waterproof Boot is the most popular brand of hiking shoes for men. They also have a Timberland White Ledge Women’s Waterproof Boot.
Without the right support and protection for their feet, the hike can go from fun to miserable very quickly. If there’s one item you don’t want to skimp out on as a gift giver, it’s the shoes. Get them some high-quality hiking boots or shoes that provide good traction on just about any surface, which prevents unnecessary slips and falls. Also, a good pair of socks is needed. The Merino Wool Hiking & Trekking Socks are available for men and women.
Also, it is important to have a reliable source of water. The worst thing they can possibly do is not bring enough water on their camping or hiking trip. They need to bring at least two liters of water per person per day. You can get them Nalgene water bottles at a very fair price, like the Nalgene Tritan 32oz Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle. These are some of the most durable bottles on the market. You might even consider getting them one of those water bladders that hold around 2 liters and can fit in their bag.
Camping
If they decide they want to go camping, a good waterproof tent and a sleeping bag are must-haves. If they have a sleeping bag that’s too thin or too small, they’ll be very cold when night hits. You can get them different sleeping bags that work better in different temperatures.
Finally, if they’re staying out camping for multiple nights, they’re going to want some source of food. Freeze-dried foods such as the ones from Mountain House are quick, easy, and delicious. They come in tons of different flavors for all meals of the day, all they need to do is heat up some water. They can heat up some drinking water in a camping cook set, and bring along a small portable stove for the heat source.
Seasonal Sports Gear and Gifts
Seasonal sports are great ways to have more fun on vacations and during breaks. If you have people on your list that like to participate in them, there are some wonderful, thoughtful gifts you can consider.
Water sports are of course best during the warmer months, while winter sports are better during the colder months. They can be safe if done right, fun, and a great way to exercise.
Swimming
Water sports are a bit more common because you can partake in them anywhere there’s a body of water large enough. One of the easiest and definitely the most common water sports is simply swimming. A set of goggles will start them off. Swimming caps are useful for those that do a lot of swimming. Also, a set of flippers is a nice gift.
They can make swimming a bit more exciting in natural areas such as oceans by adding the element of snorkeling. All they need to go snorkeling is a good set of goggles that will cover their nose and eyes and the snorkel itself. You can either get them a full face mask that lets them see all around them or the traditional goggles. Once they have that, they can appreciate the beauty of the ocean in full. Consider a very popular gift of the TOMSHOO Snorkel Mask with Action Camera mount!
Kayaking
Another fun and easy water sport is kayaking. Kayaks can be a bit pricey, but it’s definitely worth giving it as a gift if they get into it. They can start off by renting one to see if they like it. If they do, then consider getting them their own as a big gift to stand beside the tree on Christmas morning.
The Sea Eagle SE370K_P Inflatable Kayak with Pro Package has everything they’ll need. If you buy a different one, you’ll want to get a good paddle and the right safety gear and accessories to go with it. For example, a life vest is a must-have, especially if they get flipped over.
Skiing
For winter sports, they may end up having to travel a bit to get to a place where they can engage in them. Depending on where they live, it is worth it once they do. Since they’re going out somewhere cold, you need to be sure they have enough winter sports clothing to keep them warm.
Multiple layers are highly recommended, both for pants and for jackets. One of the most popular winter sports is skiing. Skiing is almost always done at a resort. Typically resorts will rent skis, they make sure they fit properly, and that everything is set to go.
But some people who go regularly buy their own skis. One brand that sells well is the 2017 Atomic Vantage 100 CTI 188cm Skis. You can get a great set for the person on your list.
They might like to bring their own skiing goggles and helmet to make sure they’re comfortable in them.
Ice Skating
Another good winter sport that you can do almost year-round is ice skating. Many places keep ice skating rinks operating at all times of the year, so it doesn’t have to be winter for the person to enjoy it. You can either choose to get normal figure skating ice skates or adjustable skates if they plan on playing sports such as ice hockey.
Hopefully, this Sports and Outdoors Gift Guide has helped to give you ideas for all the special people on your Christmas list.
