Do you already have a Christmas gift for your outdoorsy adventurous girlfriend or wife stashed under the Christmas tree? Or are you still scratching your head wondering what you can get her so she’d finally forgive you for forgetting your anniversary? Maybe you just want to make up for your little booboo of setting her favorite backpack on fire? How that ever happened, we‘re kinda afraid to ask. The answer to the other questions is quite simple. Keep the missus happy by giving her the top backpacking gear for women this year.
Backpack
When you’re trying to list down the items you can possibly get your lady for Christmas, you could start with the basics. Since no backpacking would be possible without a backpack, you should consider getting her any of the top backpacks in the market right now.
The Osprey Women’s Ariel 65 and Aura 65 AG backpacks are considered by The Adventure Junkies as the top backpacks for the ladies so far this year. The latter, pictured above, is made durable nylon material and comes with a number of features that would certainly impress even the most veteran backpackers.
The company’s very own Anti-Gravity suspension system utilizes light mesh materials to provide better ventilation. The suspension system along with the Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt allows more comfort as the seamless back panel contours to the body while the latter can easily be adjusted to fit the torso perfectly.
The Aura 65 Ag also comes with a removable floating lid, dual zippered front panel pockets, side and internal compression straps, adjustable harness, and a Stow-On-The-Go system for your trekking pole.
Daypack/Hydration Backpack
If she already owns a top-of-the-line backpack, maybe you can gift her with a daypack instead. A daypack or hydration backpack will let her go on a short hike without having to bring her huge backpack. She can also use this when biking or running or even running errands on foot if she’s really that serious about getting some exercise.
The 18-liter daypack from Teton Sports is a popular choice among outdoor enthusiasts. It’s light and comfortable on the back even if you have 2 liters of water in its BPA-free hydration bladder. You also don’t need to take it off your back if you need a drink thanks to its kink-free sip tube with a cushioned push-lock bite valve. It even comes with a 2-inch opening in case you want to add some ice to your water.
The daypack is equipped with adjustable bands on your shoulder, chest and waist. The chest straps are made to absorb shock with the harness for optimal comfort. It also has a large pocket with hidden teeth zipper, a weather guard, butterfly opening, and a bungee cord system.
Handheld Navigator
Show her how much you miss her when she’s away by making sure she gets back home safe. Give her a handheld navigator for Christmas so she won’t get lost even if she wanders off the trail. Supposedly, there’s a study saying men are better at directions than women. However, even the most experienced backpackers, regardless of gender, can get lost. Avoid such nuisance by including a handheld navigator in your backpacking gear.
The Garmin Handheld Navigator has a sizeable 2.2-inch 65K color display that’s easy to read even in sunlight. It includes a preloaded worldwide basemap and has 3.7 GB of internal memory so there’s room for loading even more maps. It can pinpoint your exact location and altitude using a 3-axis tilt-compensated compass and a barometric altimeter.
Solar Charger
Keep sending those sweet text messages even if your significant other is out in the wilderness enjoying the great outdoors. If you want her to text back, make sure her phone has enough juice. Get your loved one a solar charger. This will also help a lot in keeping her safe while she’s out there.
The RAVPower solar charger is compatible with the newer versions of the iPhone and iPad. It also works with Samsung Galaxy S8, Note 8, and S9, among other devices. If her phone happens to be incompatible with the solar charger, just tell her you’re getting her a new one on her birthday.
Kidding aside, the RAVPower is a capable companion wherever you go. It’s lightweight and portable thanks to its folding design. The waterproof solar charger uses its signature 24W solar cells to increase the charging efficiency to 1.5 to 23.5 percent. The solar charger also features the iSmart Technology, which triggers the delivery of optimal charging current once a device is detected. When you use all three USB ports, the Smart IC frequency technology will automatically distribute the output current equally to the three devices.
Sports Headband with Wireless Headphones
This one is perfect for all the music-loving outdoor enthusiasts in your life. You can wear the sports headband as you’d usually do to keep the hair away from your face and the sweat from trickling down your eyes. What makes it different is that it comes with detachable high definition stereo speakers and mic.
Place the part where the speakers are over your ear and you can enjoy music or inspirational speeches (if that’s your thing) while backpacking, jogging, biking or hiking. And when you’re done for the day you can use the headband to cover your eyes and listen to soft music until you fall asleep.
Hammock
Whether you’re backpacking or simply want to spend some time away from the toxicity of modern life, you will want a hammock. When you’re in the wild, a hammock will let you rest or sleep without having to lie on the cold ground. This also helps keep the critters away.
The Camping for Foodies hammock measures 120 inches overall. The bed is 84 x 52 inches and can carry up to 300 pounds, though you don’t have to tell this to your partner so they won’t think you’re talking about their weight.
The hammock comes with a carrying bag, which proudly says, “I’m unplugging.” Of course, you can still use the hammock in your backyard while browsing through Instagram or swiping left on Tinder. Surely, everyone will welcome the idea of getting some quality time away from such devices.
Camping Stove
You don’t want your significant other, sister, mother or female friend to go hungry while o their backpacking adventure. Get them a portable camping stove so they can enjoy hot coffee and cooked meals.
The innovatively designed Jetboil MiniMo is capable of producing the finest simmer possible. It weighs only 12 ounces and measures 4 x 3 x 3 inches, which is a good reason to include it in your backpacking gear.
Minimalism is a movement that’s been gaining steam in the past few years. Apparently, it has inspired portable stove makers. The Esbit Titanium Stove is a favorite among light packers. It weighs an amazing 0.4 ounces and measures 3.3 x 1.1 inches. It is comes with three foldable “legs” and a small tablet tray in the middle for the Esbit solid fuel cubes.
Urination Device
Admit it or not, men have it better when it comes to relieving themselves. The guys can pee anywhere anytime even if they shouldn’t. For women, they may need to go somewhere more private, which could be quite difficult when you’re out backpacking or hiking, especially with other people with them. Plus, the thought of squatting in the wild can be a tad uncomfortable.
Of course, the best and correct option is to pee in the right place such as in a urinal or in a comfort room. But since those are rare in the wild, female backpackers will be relieved (pun intended) to know there is such a thing as a female urination device. The funnel-shaped GoGirl allows you to discreetly relieve yourself while in the upright position. This TSA-approved device will also do wonders when you’re at a concert or any outdoor event where portalets are rare.
Here’s a simple tip to make it easier for you to find the perfect backpacking gear for women: you really don’t need women-specific backpacking gear (well except for the female urination device). You can use any gear as long as it suits your needs and preference. Besides, the line between genders is getting thinner and thinner. The important thing here is that you’re thoughtful and generous enough to get the adventurous women in your life a great Christmas gift.
Watch out for more lists and gift guides here on The Gentleman Pirate. We will talk about more outdoor gear and other items you can give away this Christmas.
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