Best Gifts $100-$200: 2019 Holiday Gift Guide Round Two
Welcome to our 4th Annual Backcountry Skiing Canada Holiday Gift Guide. We're going to start things off easy with the under $50 category, then build up speed to the $50-$100 range, followed by the $100-$200 gifts before we culminate with the $200+ gift ideas. No matter what price range your spending preferences land in we're sure you'll find the perfect gift for that adventurer on your holiday gift list.
Top Gifts $100-$200
We've listed the Best Gifts $100-$200 below but there is also our round one list of the Best Gifts $100-$200 over here so be sure to check those out as well. If you've got more to spend, well then hold on as the $200+ gift ideas will be announced next.
Hestra Ergo Grip Active
While technically a Cross Country glove, Hestra’s Ergo Grip Active makes an ideal backcountry ski touring glove as well. Its Ergo Grip construction creates pre-curved fingers with minimal excess material and has seams positioned for optimal grip. Durable goat leather is used on the palms with the upper section made of windproof and breathable Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper Breeze. Warm and breathable in one, the ideal glove for those active winter loved ones on your gift list.
Price: $145.00CAN / US
Materials: Proofed aniline goat leather with Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper Breeze and breathable. 100% polyester.
Colours: Eight options
Cotopaxi Kusa Blanket 160
Cotopaxi’s new Kusa Blanket 160 is an added-insulation version of their versatile, indoor/outdoor Kusa Blanket. This new 160 version uses a highly packable llama-poly insulation which is also breathable and super warm. A DWR-finish was added to the nylon ripstop shell fabric to help it stand up to light rain. The Kusa 160 comes in two sizes, the traditional Full (52 x 70in) and Queen (80 x 80in). Give as a gift or pick one up for movie nights at home or under the stars.
Price: $150CAN / $150US
Sizes: Full 132 x 178cm / 52 x 70in, Queen 203 x 203cm / 80 x 80in
Colours: Black Sea, Festival, Astro, Sherbert
DUER No Sweat Pant
DUER’s No Sweat Pant comes in a slim or relaxed fit, both with impressive stretch and comfort. The aesthetic is that of a modern pant with their 30% power stretch, moisture-wicking, and anti-bacterial fabric but the feel is pure comfort and relaxed. A great pair of pants to wind down after a big ski day or cruise around town from coffee shop to coffee shop. The one pair of pants you can wear for days no matter the weather or activity. Try a pair and you won’t want to take them off.
Price: $139CAN / $129US
Sizes: 20-40
Lengths: 30, 32, 32
Colours: Black, Navy, Army Green, Gull, Tobacco, Light Khaki
Fabric: 62% Cotton, 34% TENCEL Lyocell, 3% COOLMAX Polyester, 1% Lycra® Spandex
Scott Riot 16 2 part ski pole
Scott has been making ski poles for decades and the Riot series is evidence of this. The “16-2” is a lightweight, backcountry-specific model that comes with the SRS (strap release system). This system is great for people who like to ski with straps but don’t want their arm torn off by a tree branch or avalanche. If you do lose a pole, take comfort knowing that this one’s bright orange colour will make it easy to find.
Price: $129.95CAN / $99.95US
Sizes: 100-125cm, 115-140cm
Colour: Orange
Weight: 257g / 9.1g
Material: Aluminium alloy with carbide tip.
OROS Endeavor Glove
Aerogel is at the heart of these space-age gloves but OROS calls their proprietary version Solarcore Insulation, which its the same material that NASA uses to insulate space suits so you know this stuff is warm. It is the least thermal conductive solid known to man and unlike down and synthetic insulation materials, SOLARCORE does not rely on loft to retain heat. The Endeavor Glove offers unmatched warmth and protection into a thin and flexible glove that does not sacrifice dexterity. The perfect gift for those of you who get cold hands while skiing and adventuring in the dead of winter, or just walking the dog.
Price: $119.76CAN / $90US
Colours: Black, Teak
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Fabrics: Shell - 42% Nylon / 40% Leather / 15% Polyester / 3% Elastane; Lining - 100% Polyester; Insert - 100% Polyurethane (waterproofing), Insulation - 100% Solarcore
Weight: 170g / 6oz (Size M)
Icebreaker Men’s Bodyfitzone 260 Long Sleeve Half Zip Hood and Legless Bottoms
We love Icebreaker kit, as will whoever you choose to bestow this upon. The Bodyfitzone concept means there are some sections of this top and bottom combo made out of lycra and some made out of merino wool. My former issue with merino tops is that they tend to run sweaty under the arms—no longer the case here. And… there’s no turning back from legless. With a pair of knee socks, legless bottoms eliminate bunching and generally fit great. Giving these two pieces together will definitely make someone’s holiday.
Price: Top - $180CAN / $150US, Bottoms - $145CAN / $115US
Sizes: Top and Bottom - S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colours: Top – Two-tone Black, Two-tone Blue. Bottoms – Two-tone Black, Two-tone Blue, Two-tone Red
Weight: Top - 356g / 12.5oz (Size large), Bottoms - 215g / 7.58oz (Size large)
Material: merino wool, lycra
Arc’teryx Cormac pants
Sweatpants 2.0 here…The Cormacs are form-fitting, no-frills and super comfortable. Simple two-pocket design and a light, but cozy, fabric make the Cormacs a great pant for chilling in a backcountry hut, going for a jog in cold weather, or as athleisure air- travel wear. Share the indulgence and get a set of these for someone this season.
Price: $130CAN / $129US
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Colours: Two-tone Black, Two-tone Blue, Two-tone Red
Weight: 290 g / 10.2 oz
Material: Nahlin, polyester interlock fabric
True North Couloir 36L and 22L Packs
This Park City-based company has hit the backcountry touring pack market with two packs that have a 'best in class' weight to volume ratio and use eco-friendly and carbon compensated design and manufacturing. The Couloir 36L and 22L Touring Packs are comfortable and secure while shouldering your gear for a slack country lap or full-day tour out of bounds. These fully featured packs have a separate avalanche tool compartment along with a long list of other features, all at a very fair price. Keep those you care about prepared and safe with the gear they need to venture out.
Price: Couloir 36L - $265CAN / $195US; Couloir 22L - $195CAN / $145US
Weight: Couloir 36L - 1.05kg / 2lb. 3oz; Couloir 22L - 1.05kg / 2lb. 3oz
Dimensions: Couloir 36L - 22.44 x 12.20 x 7.87″ / 57 x 31 x 20cm; Couloir 22L - 22.44 x 12.20 x 7.87″ / 57 x 31 x 20cm
DÆHLIE Airnet Wool Long Sleeve & Bottoms
Airnet Wool is a DÆHLIE innovation, it's where strategically placed mesh fabric is placed in merino/nylon fabric. This zonal construction base layer consists of a long sleeve and bottom which are ideal for cold weather activities such as ski touring. Merino wool ensures optimal insulation during low-intensity training and effectively evaporates excess moisture during high-intensity activity and is further helped by the mesh areas in key location.
Prices: Airnet Long Sleeve - $120CAN / $100US; Airnet Bottoms - $120CAN / $100US
Fabrics: 80% merino wool and 20% nylon
Colours: Grey, Blue
Sizes: S, M, L, XL. XXL
Leatherman FREE K4
Leatherman’s FREE K4 knife has all the features of their popular K2 with the addition of spring-action scissors. Tools include the 420HC Knife, Spring-action Scissors, Pry Tool, Package Opener, Awl, Bottle Opener, Phillips Screwdriver, Medium Screwdriver, and Extra-small Screwdriver. All of these tools can be operated one-hand and lock into position with magnetic opening and closing. There is also a removable pocket clip handy for attaching it on your belt or pack. An ideal gift for the adventurer in your life.
Price: $116.94CAN / $89.95US
Weight: 155.9g / 5.5oz
Blade Length: 8.4cm / 3.3in
Dimensions: 11.5 x 3.2 x 1.8cm / 4.5 x 1.3 x .72”
Material: 420HC Stainless Steel
Stio Basin XT Duffel 55L
Stio’s Basin XT is one tough duffel. It uses ultra-tough Cordura 600 and 900D ripstop fabric which sheds weather and withstands wear. The wide-mouth opening makes packing easy and finding a specific piece of gear or clothing a snap. At 55L it has lots of space for all your stuff and is still sized to fit within most carry-on restrictions. Wether you need a gift for a world traveller or an adventure junky, this one will make them smile.
Price: $184.13CAN / $139US
Weight: 1.134kg / 40oz
Colours: Black
Materials: 600- and 900-denier Cordura EcoMade
Dimensions: 57 x 36 x 22cm / 22.5 x 14.25 x 8.75”
Outdoor Research Inception Aerogel Gloves
The secret sauce of Outdoor Research’s Inception Aerogel Gloves, you guessed it—Aerogel. This stuff is truly space-age since it was originally used to insulate NASA space-suits. Primaloft Aerogel in found in the palms and fingers of the Inception Gloves and is a malleable solid which is made of more than 98% air with incredibly low density and thermal conductivity. This means Aerogel won’t compress the way traditional insulation does and thus provides better warmth. The Inception Aerogel Gloves use a four-way stretchy softshell construction for maximum mobility of your digits and breathability when things heat up. A space-age gift for those hardcore adventurers you know.
Price: $135 CAN / $99US
Colour: Black, Saddle/Black
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Weight: 157g / 5.5oz
Fabrics: Shell - 4-way Stretch 3L Soft Shell 86% Nylon, 14% spandex, Synthetic Abrasion-Resistant Palm; Lining - Grid Fleece 100% Polyester; Insulation - PrimaLoft Aerogel 1.5mm Palm and Fingers
Zeal Optics Hemisphere Goggles
Zeal Optics used a spherical frame design with upper and lower ventilation and triple-layer face foam in their Hemisphere Goggles. This traditional goggle is a workhorse for lapping the resort or putting in lines in the backcountry. The Photochromic lenses provide 100% UV protection and are polarized with an ever clear anti-fog treatment. They’re available in new monochromatic colours and prints and would make any skier on your gift-giving list smile.
Price: $159CAN / $129US
Colours: Greybird, Dark Night, Picasso
Warranty: Two Years
Ridge Merino Convict Hoodie
This 1/2 Zip Pullover Hoodie is constructed with Polartec Power Wool which uses a grid construction to deliver impressive breathability that helps regulate body temperature during start-stop adventures. The fabric's built-in air pockets provide warmth when you are idle and breathe while you are working hard. This highly breathable and lightweight mid-layer was designed with backcountry travel in mind.
Price: $199CAN / $149US
Colours: Magnet /Thyme
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Fabric: Polartec Power Wool 170g/m, 54% Polyester, 38% Wool, 8% Spandex
On a budget? Then check out our “Best Gifts Under $50" or our Best Gifts in the $50-$100 price range. If you want to spend a little more then there is always the Best Gifts $200 price ranges as well. Happy Shopping.