Introducing our 2021 Hiker Gift Guide! Over the next couple weeks, we'll be adding our top 10 picks for gifts for hikers and adventurers of all types on your list! Shop our full gift guide, or check out each item below.
The last day to place an order for Christmas shipping is December 16.
Need to do some last minute shopping and local to WNC? Beginning on December 14, we'll be offering local delivery on orders over $100! If you're within Asheville city limits, delivery is free. In Buncombe County, delivery is $10. If you're outside Buncombe County, give us a call to discuss delivery details.
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bag
When we sat down to put together our Holiday Gift Guide for this year, a Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bag was an obvious choice! Western Mountaineering has been making sleeping bags for over 50 years. The Alpinlite is rated to 20-degrees, weighs in right at 2lb, and has 5” of loft, making it one of their most popular bags. The Astralite Quilt is rated to 26-degrees and weighs in at 17 - 19oz (depending on the length), making it an ultralighters dream. Both are made in the USA from responsibly-sourced down, and in stock ready to ship!
Western Mountaineering Alpinlight Sleeping Bag, $570 - $585
Western Mountaineering Astralight Quilt, $435 - $450
Western Mountaineering Tioga Silk Sleeping Bag Liner, $80 - $83
Six Moon Designs Minimalist Pack
Inspired by running vests, the Six Moon Designs Minimalist Pack with Vest Harness has a secure, comfortable fit. The pack has an adjustable torso length and interchangeable shoulder straps and hipbelts, so it can truly be custom fit for each hiker. The main compartment holds 40L plus a 9L extension collar and large exterior pockets; plenty of capacity for anything from a weekend trip to a thru-hike! Plus, large hipbelt pockets keep snacks, maps, and electronics easy to reach.
Six Moon Designs Minimalist Pack, $235
Trekking Umbrellas
If you’ve followed us for long, you know how much we love a trekking umbrella! They’re great in the rain (and more breathable than a rain jacket!) and equally useful in the sun (helps to protect you from sunburn!). They’re quick and easy to pull out of your pack and super lightweight at only 6.8oz. Add a Hands-Free Umbrella Kit and you can still use your trekking poles, too! Plus, they make a great around-town umbrella when you’re not on trail.
Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Carbon Umbrella, $40
Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Mini Umbrella, $35
Astral Hiking Shoes
Astral’s hiking shoes are a long-time favorite of our guides and Jennifer Pharr Davis alike! The Women’s TR1 Loop and Men’s TR1 Junction are built with trail-ready tread and super breathable, fast drying uppers. The sticky G-Rubber grips on rocks when wet, making it the perfect shoe for the rainy climate in the southeast! The partial nylon shank provides impact protection and ankle support so you can use them for anything from day hiking to backpacking. Studies show that taking 1lb off your feet is equivalent to taking 5lb out of your pack; their light weight means you can hike longer and farther with less fatigue. Pair with a good wool hiking sock (we love Farm to Feet) and hit the trail!
Astral Women's TR1 Loop, $125
Astral Men's TR1 Junction, $120
Stained Glass from Mountain Magic Glass
Want to keep a reminder of your adventures in your home to admire when you’re not on trail? The one-of-a-kind stained glass pieces from Mountain Magic Glass are the solution! Handmade right here in Asheville by one of our guides, these suncatchers, ornaments, and earrings are inspired by the beauty of the mountains that surround us. They’re a perfect gift for any hiker or art lover in your life.
NC Blue Ridge Mountains Suncatcher, $120
AT Symbol Ornament, $45
Stained Glass Earrings, $30
Appalachian Gear Co Beanies
These 100% Alpaca wool beanies from Appalachian Gear Co are warm, lightweight, and super cozy. Alpaca wool wicks moisture away from your skin and keeps you warm even when it’s wet, making it a versatile piece of winter gear, no matter what the weather brings. These hats are sustainably made in Kings Mountain, NC from imported Peruvian wool
They’re our new favorite winter hat. And they’ll soon be your favorite, too!
Appalachian Gear Co All-Paca Beanies, $35
Field Guide & Nature Journal
We’ve had a blast this year with our nature journal practice (Wildflower Wednesday and Wild Bird Wednesday!). Nature journaling is one of the best ways to learn to identify what you’re seeing on trail. Look at the plant or animal, sketch or paint what you see, and check your field guide to learn the keys for identification. We’ve put together trail-ready colored pencil and watercolor field guide kits. Pair them with a field guide and hit the trail to see what you find!
Wildflowers of the Carolinas Field Guide, $16.95
Nature Journal Kit, $25 - $45
Trips
There’s no better gift for yourself or your loved ones than time spent together - especially time spent together in nature! Gift the gift of adventure with one of our trips. Whether you’re looking for an easy day hike or a 6-day epic backpacking trip, we have the perfect experience for you! You can book trips for 2022 on our website now, or give a gift certificate and let the recipient schedule their own trip.
Full Day Hike Gift Certificate, $290+
Half Day Hike Gift Certificate, $190+
Trip Booking Calendar
Sawyer Squeeze & CNOC Vecto
Whether you’re an occasional day hiker, a weekend warrior, or heading out for a thru-hike, you need reliable, clean drinking water. Enter Sawyer! The Squeeze Micro is lightweight and compact enough to keep in your daypack for emergencies, but reliable enough for daily use in the backcountry. And it won’t break the bank. Pair it with the CNOC Vecto 2L water bag and you’re ready for anything the trail brings.
Sawyer Squeeze Micro Water Filter, $28.95
CNOC Vecto 2L, $20.99
Author Signed Books
We’re all inspired by stories of the hikers that came before us. We connect with these stories of challenge and triumph and humanity and people discovering themselves. And we often see pieces of ourselves in the storytellers. Find your new favorite book among our selection of adventure memoirs. Most of our books ship signed by the author!
Puzzles
We all spend a little more time indoors in the winter, especially around the holidays. A puzzle is a great way to pass that time! We have puzzles in stock featuring designs inspired by some of our favorite places - the AT, PCT, CDT, Great Smoky Mountains - and some of our favorite things - birds, trees, and long trails!
