What Our Gear Guy Is Getting His Family for Christmas

Why should you care what I am getting my loved ones for Christmas? Ive built my career on giving the best advice I can on what gear people should buy. With the exception of my daughters gift, I kept my presents under $70 this year and bumped up the thoughtfulness. Here are my choices this holiday season.

Wife: Nike Swim Vapor Goggles ($35)

GG Christmas Gifts
(Photo: Sarah Jackson)

My wife, Sarah, and I share most of our sportsexcept swimming. While I still dont understand the draw, I am extremely proud of the discipline she shows ripping laps and dodging water aerobics enthusiasts at our local pool. I got her the Nike Swim Vapor Gogglesbecause of their fantastic 180-degrees of peripheral vision (to help her avoid flailing limbs in the lanes). That extra field of vision wont come at a drag disadvantage because of how obsessively Nike minimized the profile of these gogglesthey claim the Vapors are their most hydrodynamic goggle yet.

buy now


Daughter: TNF Nuptse One Piece ($160)

GG Christmas Gifts
(Photo: Sarah Jackson)

The the Nuptse One Piece is significantly more expensive than any other item on this list. But I would sell a kidney for my only child if it could buy her happiness. Plus, its also kind of for me. The ample amount of 700-fill down and the DWR finish means I wont hesitate to bring her on a ski tour or snowman-building session in all but the wettest, coldest conditions. Knowing she will be safe, dry, and warm means I can take her on snowy adventures all winterbetter for the both of us.

buy now


Mom: Patagonia Fjord Flannel Patchwork Scarf ($45)

GG Christmas Gifts
(Photo: Sarah Jackson)

Im a lot like my mom so I get her things I want myself. Similar to me, she prefers to look polished but is also practical about what she wears. The Fjord Flannel Scarf is solidly built from the same 100-percent organic cotton that Patagonia makes my favorite heavy duty flannel shirts out of. Its also extremelysoft on your skin, while its patched style give it nice color pops without being flashy.

buy now


Dad: Adventure Journal Notebooks ($13)

GG Christmas Gifts
(Photo: Sarah Jackson)

My pops is an idea guy. When he's on fire, particularly when talking business, he has so many that he can be tough to keep up with. I want to make sure he doesnt lose them with these rad topo-map exterior notebooks from The Adventure Journal (AJ). While any pocket-sized notebook and pen can catch ideas on the fly, AJs extra layer of intention in these notebooksfrom the mountains featured on the front to the tree they plant for every three pack soldwill help my dad generate some of his best ideas.

buy now


Brother: Onnit 15-pound Steel Club ($40)

GG Christmas Gifts
(Photo: Sarah Jackson)

My older brother is a solid five inches taller than me and has always been a lot stronger. It seems fitting that my behemoth big bro should swing around a 15-pound mini bat in his garage to strengthen his arms and wrists. On top of easily fitting into a home workout kit, theyre a novel way to change up a routine previously dominated by kettlebells and running.

buy now


Sister-in-Law: Corkcicle Coffee Mug ($25)

GG Christmas Gifts
(Photo: Sarah Jackson)

A traditional coffee mug or an insulated drinking vessel are pretty standard gifts. But the refined exterior of Corkcicle's Coffee Mug says: I know you have style. I want to drink coffee with you while our families camp together this summer. Also, coffee is happiness and it can't hurt to be associated with it.

buy now


Father-in-Law: Tasc Legacy III Shorts ($78)

GG Christmas Gifts
(Photo: Sarah Jackson)

Last time I visited my father-in-law he athletically ran me into the ground. While struggling to keep up with him, I noticed that he rarely wore athletic shorts or shirts. Jack is not flashy about what he works out in: hed prefer to sweat through a white Haines undershirt than stress about hydrophobic properties. The Legacy shorts are perfect for him because they look like a classic black workout pair but hide amazing comfort and stretch details in their cotton, bamboo, and spandex weave. Solid performance in a subtle package.

buy now


Mother-in-Law: Noso Patches ($6 and up)

GG Christmas Gifts
(Photo: Sarah Jackson)

My mother-in-law Debbie is extremely involved with her local animal rescue and has a reputation for adopting animals that no one else can handle. As a result, she has a decidedly motley crew of cats. My wife and I got her a nice Big Agnes puffy jacket years ago that has had its ass kicked by their claws. Noso patches adhere to her jacket more firmly with each dryer cycle and add significantly more style to a jacket than duct tape.

buy now