Santa’s running out of time and his reindeer and elves are running out of steam. If you’re looking for quick and easy holiday gifts for outdoorsy people, we’re volunteering to help Santa’s crew.
We scoured local sporting goods stores and outdoor shops for some neat ideas we hope you’ll enjoy.
ETZL SPATHA KNIFE
Why: It’s the simple of the simplest of knives. Lightweight, easy to open and there’s a place for a carabiner. Backpackers, boaters and climbers will like it.
Cost: $25.95.
Where to find it: Benchmark, 625 S. Vista Ave. in Boise, 338-1700.
REDLINE FLASHLIGHT
Why: Close your eyes. It puts out 220 lumens of light on three AAA batteries. It has a 50-percent turndown, 90-percent turndown, SOS and debilitator flash. It’s magnetic. There’s also a glow button so you can find it in the dark.
Cost: $34.95 (you can also buy a model to attach to your bike).
Where to find it: Benchmark, 625 S. Vista Ave. in Boise, 338-1700.
LED LENSER HEADLAMP
Why: It’s the ultimate of headlamps with zoom, floodlight, distress and debilitator settings. Great for backpacking, rafting, camping and just to have in your daypack or urban pack. You can get a bike light adapter. Operates on four AA batteries.
Cost: $150.
Where to find it: The Benchmark, 625 S. Vista Ave. in Boise, 338-1700.
CHOCOLATE AMMO
Why: No kidding. A fun gift for the sport shooter or hunter. It has 20 rounds of 50-caliber chocolate bullets.
It comes in a metal ammo box that you can use for real ammo.
Cost: $10.97 (also look for the full-size solid chocolate semi-auto pistol or the hollow chocolate grenade. Prices vary).
Where to find it: Boise Army-Navy, 4924 W. Chinden Blvd., Garden City, 322-0660.
SHOTSHELL INSULATED BOTTLE
Why: Well, it looks like a shotgun shell and it’s so unusual, nobody’s going to walk off with it by accident. It’s stainless steel and holds three cups.
Cost: Stansport bottle, $39.97.
Where to find it: Boise Army/Navy, 4924 W. Chinden Blvd. in Garden City, 322-0660.
DISC GOLF STARTER KIT
Why: It sure makes sense to buy everything for disc golf in one pack. The Deluxe Disc Golf Starter kit features two drivers, one mid-range disc, a putter and the bag.
Cost: $47.99.
Where to find it: Boise Disc Golf, 916 S. Vista Ave. in Boise, 703-4302.
GSI KITCHEN 23
Why: All your kitchen utensils are neatly put in one case for camping, rafting or picnicking.
Cost: $39.97.
Where to find it: Boise Army-Navy, 4924 W. Chinden Blvd. in Garden City, 322-0660.
TOUGHSTAKE
Why: These stakes have 10 times the holding force of other stakes You can get them for a tent, tarp or even to anchor your raft or boat to a sandy beach.
Cost: Four stakes for a tent are $24.99 (prices vary for other styles).
Where to find it: Cascade Outfitters, 604 E. 45th St. in Garden City, 322-4411.
SAND-FREE MULTI RUG
Why: The sand goes right through it. You won’t be tracking sand in your tent or RV when camping.
Cost: $53.99 for about 5 feet by 6.5 feet. (prices vary for other sizes).
Where to find it: Cascade Outfitters, 604 E. 45th St. in Garden City, 322-4411.
GSI FAIRSHARE MUG
Why: It’s lightweight and a mug for everything from morning coffee to cereal. It has measurements for cooking. It’s the only mug you’ll need for camping. It holds 28 ounces. It features a secure, no-spill lid.
Cost: $9.95.
Where to find it: Cascade Outfitters, 604 E. 45th St. in Garden City, 322-4411.
POCKET DISC
Why: It’s fun for indoors and outdoors, and it’s handcrafted and fair trade. Handy for backpacking, river trips or a bicycle picnic.
Cost: $15.99.
Where to find it: Cascade Outfitters, 604 E. 45th St. in Garden City, 322-4411.
BADLANDS BINOCULAR CASE
Why: You get quick, quiet access to your binoculars thanks to a magnetic clamshell seal that replaces a zipper. Your binoculars are protected from the weather and brush until you need them, and the case also has a comfortable shoulder and waist harness to take the weight off your neck and keep the binoculars from flopping around.
Cost: $70
Where to find it: High Mountain Outfitters, 50 N. 2nd St. in Eagle, 939-7777.
DURASEAL DOUBLE GONG TARGET
Why: No more setting up pop cans or other messy targets that break or tip over. This target is made of a self-healing material that will withstand hundreds of shots from anything from a .17 caliber to .50 caliber. The targets are about 5 inches wide, and the manufacturer recommends a minimum distance of 25 yards.
Cost: $30
Where to find it: The Sportsman’s Warehouse, 3797 E. Fairview in Meridian, 884-3000.
ICE FISHING SET
Why: Ice fishing is not only fun, it’s economical fun. You can get a whole setup including an ice auger, slush spoon, rod/reel combo and a sled to pull it in for less than $150.
Cost: $80 for auger, $15 for rod/reel, $2.29 for slush spoon and $25 for sled.
Where to find it: The Sportsman’s Warehouse, 3797 E. Fairview in Meridian, 884-3000
CANNON MINI TROLL DOWNRIGGER
Why: Sometimes you have to get deep to get to the fish. This downrigger gets your lure deep and the weight off your line so when you hook one, you get to fight the fish instead of the weight. It’s designed to clamp to the side any small boat, canoe, even a pontoon boat. It includes 100 feet of cable, a clutch and a depth counter.
Cost: $73
Where to find it: The Tackle Shack, 1800 N. Locust Grove Road in Meridian, 473-2380.
RUFF WEAR STOW AND GO LEASH
Why: Stow the leash inside the zippered compartment and the leash doesn’t tangle and hang up in your pocket, pack or purse, or pull the leash out and store empty poop bags or dog treats in the compartment.
Cost: $15
Where to find it: Sierra Trading Post, 530 E. Sonata Lane in Meridian, 898-0261.
SIMMS RIVERSHED WADING BOOTS
Why: Rugged, durable and comfortable aren’t words you typically use to describe a wading boot, but they all apply Simms’ Rivershed boots. They have a high-traction rubber sole and optional cleats. Do they grip as good felt soles? Nope, but they come close, and they are much better for hike-and-wade fishing and last much longer than felt-soled boots.
Cost: $180.
Where to find it: Anglers at W. Overland Road, Boise, 323-6768.
FLEA 2.0 BIKE LIGHT
Why: Being seen is being safe, and this light has settings for solid and blinking to keep you visible to motorists. For convenience, it also features a solar charger or USB plug to keep it charged and ready, as well a low-battery indicator.
Cost: $40 for light, solar and USB charger, $30 for light and USB charger.
Where to find it: Bob’s Bicycles, 6681 W. Fairview Ave. in Boise, 322-8042.
OUTDOOR RESEARCH SENSOR GLOVES
Why: The search for the perfect glove is a balance between warmth and dexterity, because you want to stay warm, but you don’t want to have to constantly take off your gloves to do things with your hands. These are fleece-lined with leather palms that react on a touch screen so you can use your touch-screen devices like smartphone, GPS and iPod.
Cost: $65
Where to find it: REI, 8300 W. Emerald St. in Boise, 322-1141.
AVERY HANDWARMER
Why: It’s tough to shoot a shotgun while wearing bulky gloves that you need to keep warm during winter waterfowl hunting. Shove your hands into this fleece-lined warmer with cuffs to keep the wind out. For extra warmth, add a chemical handwarmer. Warm hands mean better shotgun handling. It could also be used for ice fishing and other outdoor activities.
Cost: $25.
Where to find it: Cabela’s at 8109 W. Franklin Road in Boise, 672-7900.
BHEESTIE BAG
Why: Electronics and water don’t mix, but it’s common to dunk a cellphone, camera or other electronic gadget. If it happens, remove the battery and seal the electronic device in this bag, which draws the moisture out of it.
Cost: $20.
Where to find it: Online at bheestie.com or try other Internet retailers.
Things to do with the family this holiday
Ask Zimo: Christmas shopping for an outfitted fishing trip
Combine learning, nature experiences at three nearby outdoor adventures
Ask Zimo: The quest for an Idaho resident hunting-fishing license
Fall fishing favorites: These rivers give you a reason to postpone hunting and keep fishing
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