Purchasing the perfect Christmas present for your friends and family can be difficult, especially if they’re an outdoor enthusiast who appears to have it all. But don’t fret – our adventurous #PaddyStaffers have come to the rescue. With all different types of outdoor passions, staff from Paddy’s stores across the country are here to give you some inspiration with the items that are at the top of their list this year. Our expert team has selected gifts at a range of price points, whether you need a budget-friendly Secret Santa or are going all-out to wow your partner. Hikers, mountaineers, watersports, climbers – whatever they’re into, find a great gift for the adventure lover in your life this Christmas.

 

For the Travelling Hikers

Sean from our Fortitude Valley store loves mountain biking and camping, but his ultimate love is hiking. One of his most incredible adventures was hiking for 6 weeks in Nepal, walking the Manaslu Circuit through the Tsum Valley and continuing on to Annapurna.   

Paddy Pallin staffer Sean enjoying his time hiking in Nepal

Sean enjoying his time hiking in Nepal

Sean’s Picks 

$$: For a mid-range present that they’re sure to use on every adventure, Sean recommends the Osprey Men’s Talon 22L or Women’s Tempest 20L. The Talon/Tempest range are incredibly versatile daypacks that don’t skimp on features. This pack includes a wide hip-belt with pockets, space for your hydration pack and even trekking-pole attachments. For those traveling, an appealing feature of the Talon is its simple frame which is capable of being completely flattened for storage. This means it can be easily stowed away in a larger bag when you’re in transit. 

$$$: If you want to spend a little more, Sean suggests the Patagonia Nano-Air Hoodie (men and women). Weighing in at only 318g, the Nano Air is an incredibly versatile piece of kit that they can use across all seasons and environments. It can function as both an outer layer in milder conditions or a mid-layer for high output activities in cold conditions. Using synthetic insulation, it’s perfect for those who need warmth during their activities. Unlike down feathers (which clump when in contact with moisture), synthetic insulation stays warm even when wet, meaning that this jacket continues to perform under the harshest of conditions.

 

For those who love Mountain Adventures 

An avid ski-tourer and trail runner, Mark from our Sydney store won’t miss an opportunity to gain some elevation. One of his proudest touring accomplishments is climbing and skiing Mount Rainier. With a summit elevation of over 4,000m, Mount Rainier is one of the highest mountains in the United States and offers one of the most glaciated peaks for those who reach the summit.

 

Mark’s Picks

$: Mark’s budget pick is the Smartwool Targeted Cushion Ankle Socks (men and women) for general use and trail-running. Smartwool socks use a synthetic-merino blend with ventilation zones for enhanced moisture management on the trail. Merino socks are the perfect companion for mountain adventures, with their superior breathability, odour resistance, and ability to retain warmth even when wet.

$$$: The Arc’teryx Beta AR (men and women) is Mark’s dream Christmas gift this year. The Beta features a GORE-TEX Pro membrane, with an incredible waterproof rating of 28,000mm, and superior breathability when compared with other GORE-TEX membranes. This durable jacket is the perfect shell for those looking to stay comfortable and protected during alpine adventures.

 

 

For the Kayakers 

For John from the Canberra Store, there was no uncertainty when it came to selecting his favourite way to spend time in the outdoors. Kayaking is his passion and it has taken him across the world in pursuit of the best white water. From working as a paddle instructor in Norway to completing the first descent of the Gungarlin River in Kosciuszko National Park, John chooses the water as his medium for adventure. 

Paddy Pallin staff member John kayaking the whitewater in India

John taking on the whitewater in India

John’s Picks

$: On the lower end of the spending-scale, John loves the lightweight comfort of the Helinox Chair One. Coming in at 960g (with case), the lightweight chair is built with durable DAC aluminium poles to withstand whatever you throw at it. After a long day of paddling in the wilderness, there’s no better way to make your friends a little envious than by pulling out your Helinox chair whilst they pull up a rock.

$$$: For his big-ticket item, John picked the Mont Helium 450 Sleeping Bag (men and women). John likes his gear to be multifunctional so he can take it across a range of conditions. The Mont Helium is one of few sleeping bags that offers a full-zipper on an ultralight mummy bag. So while it provides -7ºC comfort (-1ºC for women) zipped and cinched in the winter, it can be opened up to work as a cosy blanket in the warmer months. The Helium’s impressive compressibility allows it to be easily stowed away in a kayak’s limited storage space. Pair it with Sea to Summit’s Compression Dry Sacks to keep the bag dry and secure on the water.

 

For the Snow Campers 

Robbie from the Parramatta store loves to spend nights camping high in the alpine region. His favourite activity is backcountry skiing, and he recently skied down the south face of Mount Sentinel off the Main Range in Kosciusko.

Paddy Pallin staffer Robbie snowshoeing in Kosciuszko National Park

Robbie snowshoeing to South Ramshead in Kosciuszko National Park

Robbie’s Picks

$: Robbie picked out the Black Diamond Spot 400 head torch for his Christmas stocking. Perfect for shedding some light after sundown and early rises, a head torch is an essential in every camper’s kit. Providing 400 lumens of bright light for only 72g of weight, the Spot is ideal for serious alpinists who are counting every gram. This model also includes a Brightness Memory function which means it will turn on at a chosen brightness and not waste power by reverting back to full-power.

$$: Robbie loves a classic fleece for layering, so naturally he selected the Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla  Snap-T Pullover (men and women) as a mid-range option. It serves as both a technical insulator, and has that signature Patagonia design for extra backcountry style points. Plus, the jumper is made from 100% recycled materials and is Fair-Trade certified as part of Patagonia’s commitment to producing high-quality ethical gear – making it a great option for your eco-conscious loved ones.

 

 

For the Climbers 

Whether it’s climbing, biking, hiking or caving, Evie from our Melbourne store simply loves being outdoors. Her favourite way to be in the elements is climbing beautiful rocks. The physical demands of outdoor climbing allow her to push her physical limits, balanced with the serenity of the wilderness around her. Evie proudly reflected on overcoming the physical challenges she experienced on an epic 15 hour day canyoning in the Blue Mountains.

Paddy Pallin staffer Evie finishing up her outdoor climb

Evie topping out on some beautiful rock

Evie’s Picks

$: Evie would love a set of Black Diamond Stoppers in her Christmas stocking. These classic accessories are an essential component for those building a trad climbing or anchor-building rack. The stoppers’ transverse taper allows them to slot easily into a variety of rock configurations. With a large range of sizes, a set of these stoppers will help any climber get up a variety of rock walls. 

$$: After a year of limited access to climbing, Evie is in need of a durable rope for gym climbing to resume her training. With its large rope diameter, the Tendon Ambition 10.2 Climbing Rope is perfect for indoor climbing. As a thicker rope it provides increased durability against the harsh synthetic surfaces of the gym and repeated falling as you test your limits. The Ambition rope also features Tendon’s patented TeFIX technology that binds the rope sheath to the inner core. This offers high safety and a much longer lifespan for those who work their gear hard.

 

For the Thru-Hikers 

Andy from our Hobart store perhaps put it best when asked about his favourite outdoor activities. Hitting the nail on the head for most outdoor enthusiasts, Andy’s favourite activity was, quite simply: exploring. This fascination with the outdoors led Andy to complete a traverse of Tasmania in 2018. Beginning in the south east corner of Tasmania, he traversed the southern state’s mountain ranges to finish in Cape Grim in the Tarkine. The 84 days he spent on the trail is one of his proudest outdoor experiences.

Paddy's staffer Andy climbing up the trail in Tasmania

A creative use of kitchen gloves as Andy takes on the wet on the trail

Andy’s Picks

$: When you spend many days on the trail, comfort is key. For that reason, the Arcade Ranger Adventure Belt is at the top of Andy’s budget list. With a low profile design, the belt sits comfortably underneath a backpack hip-belt under heavy loads. This comfortable stretch fit belt comes in at under 100g, making it the perfect accessory for long adventures.

$$$: The importance of keeping your backpack light is often aligned with how long you intend to spend on the trail. This year, Andy has asked Santa for the Western Mountaineering Ultralite sleeping bag as his ultimate Christmas present. This versatile bag sits at a mere 820g (standard length) for an impressive -10ºC temperature rating, with 850+ fill power down and a draft collar. It works in warmer conditions too, with a continuous horizontal baffle design to shift insulation and a full length zipper to allow venting. This makes the bag a perfect all-rounder for explorers who want to stay comfortable across a range of conditions.

 

Choosing the right gift for the adventurer in your life doesn’t have to be a chore. Those who spend so much time on the trail are constantly evolving and redeveloping their gear to stay comfortable – adding, removing and reconfiguring our kit is all part of the fun of being out in the wilderness. Understanding the kind of adventure your loved one enjoys will help guide you to choose a gift that they’ll use for many adventures to come.

Still looking for more inspiration? Check out our full gift guide.

 

About The Author

admin

Some 80 years ago, a young bushwalker's dissatisfaction with the limited and heavy bushwalking equipment available prompted him to design and make his own. Before long, word spread, and Paddy Pallin's lightweight, functional designs were soon in demand among fellow bushwalkers. From its early days the company has concentrated on supplying bushwalkers, travellers and adventurers with the highest quality and most advanced products and knowledge. Since 1930 the company has grown to become Australia's leading supplier of specialist outdoor and travel gear. The company, still owned by the Pallin family, now has thirteen stores throughout Australia as well as online, mail order and corporate sales divisions. We are using our vast wealth of knowledge, and experience, to build an online community where we can share our stories, reviews and tech tips to help you research and plan your next adventure.

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