I don’t consider myself an expert by any means, but below are some HOTT recommendations and reviews of some great gift items for this holiday season.
*Apologies ahead of time if I stray–it is finally snowing outside and I find myself staring out the window like a giddy schoolgirl.
Item #1: kigo drive
I am already a devout kigo footwear follower. I have a pair of the flit and the curv and love love love them both. With the new release of their drive product, I really don’t think I could be happier with a minimalist shoe. These shoes are just wonderful, from the naturalness that I feel with the ground to the style to the way they fit my feet and improve my posture, these shoes are almost worth the $91 (I say almost because I have a hard time paying more than $50 for anything. Ever.) Of my three pairs of kigo shoes, the drive fit me the best and I can honestly do the most in them. They are great for hiking and double as a great water shoe, as long as you remove the insole first. Remember, they are also a GREAT green company. You can learn more about them here. Here’s a great quote from one of the founders of kigo footwear:
“It is hard to say who would be the ideal recipient of a pair of kigos,” said Jan Kuramoto, co-founder of kigo footwear. “For the travel enthusiast, five ounce shoes that pack totally flat are a staple; for the outdoor enthusiast, shoes that are durable and water resistant will keep them adventuring; for the athlete, shoes that improve balance and movement are like an extra jolt of performance. And what’s best, the styling coordinates with practically anything the recipient is wearing, from athletic shorts to a casual skirt, and the wearer can feel proud of what has gone into making their shoes.”
Gift to: a cool aunt or uncle, sibling, or avid runner/hiker
Cost: $91 (get FREE shipping when you use the code SHIPKIGO)
Buy here: kigo footwear online store
Item #2: Merrell Women’s Solo Origins
I am going to be honest and say that I had never considered Merrell as a shoe supplier for me. That’s mostly due to the fact that I had rarely seen their shoes and hardly ever heard their name. Maybe also because I didn’t want people to look at my feet and say, “I wonder if she’s going to the office or hitting the trails?” That changed when I went to the Outdoor Retailer show in August–Merrell had a booth across from ours and they had free beer, so of course I checked out their shoes! I picked up a pair of their Solo Origins hiking shoes. While this particular style doesn’t have a high ankle support, they are incredibly supportive of the rest of my foot. When I’m not trying to go barefoot (or minimalist), these shoes have been a great hiking shoe for me. There is an air cushion in the heel and the upper is made from lightweight suede and mesh. They have also made an effort to be kind to Mother Earth and used recycled materials. How nice!
Gift to: Mom, Dad (in men’s), avid hiker
Cost: $90
Buy here: Women’s Solo Origins by Merrell, Men’s Solo Origins by Merrell
Item #3: Kayak The New Frontier: The Animated Manual of Intermediate and Advanced Whitewater Technique by William Nealy
A world-famous cartoonist, William Nealy is best-known for his groundbreaking book Kayak, which combined expert paddling instruction as well as artful caricatures and parodies of the whitewater enthusiasts themselves. The quality of his work transcends its subject; his books spawned a host of imitators and made William a cult figure in the world of outdoor sports. This book, Kayak The New Frontier, contains detailed illustrations and explanations of important paddling techniques. Nealy uses humor to get his point across and his work couldn’t be more entertaining in addition to being actually helpful. This book, as well as his Whitewater River Map series (awesome poster-size drawings of whitewater rivers, includes detailed area descriptions) is a unique gift idea that will be sure to wow its recipient!
Gift to: whitewater enthusiast, paddling aficionado, total paddling newb
Cost & where to buy: Kayak The New Frontier $11.96, Whitewater River Maps $5.96
Item #4: SmartWool Liner Gloves / Hemp Hand Protector by The Body Shop
It’s officially cold out there! Winter is creeping up on us. Are your hands prepared? As a woman (or man), there are not many things worse than having dry, cracked hands all winter long. Save yourself and your loved ones with this duo gift for just $30 (I told you I like to save money!) SmartWool is awesome and now makes these great liner gloves that are sure to keep your hands toasty when braving the brisk outdoors. Non-itchy, moisture control, temperature regulation. Need I say more? And once you’re inside and warming your buns by the fire, rub on a little Hemp Hand Protector by The Body Shop. I have been using this stuff for 15 years. Seriously good stuff – and they use community trade hemp seed oil!
Gift to: Mom, Dad, sibling, really anyone who wants to be smart and moisturized! Or your pet alligator
Cost & where to buy: SmartWool Liner Gloves $20 (also available at your local REI), Hemp Hand Protector by The Body Shop $10
There are no excuses for gifting popsicle stick houses this year! Grab your hot cocoa, your credit card, and your holiday spirit and get to shopping!
