If you know someone who has already broken out the snowmobile or skis or just came off a summer of fishing, hiking, cycling, and watersports, this is the holiday gift guide for you. Anyone who loves the great outdoors will appreciate these gifts for adventurers.
Top Picks (sponsored & Editor’s Pick)
1. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra Smartwatch
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra was introduced a year ago but it remains the best rugged smartwatch option for Samsung Galaxy phone users. Made from a Titanium Grade 437 frame with 10ATM water resistance, it’s also rated to be used at a wider range of altitudes, from 500 meters below sea level to 9,000 meters high. You can track all types of workouts, including multi-course workouts using the new Multi-sports tile. Functional Threshold Power (FTP) for cycling accurately measures maximum cycling power in four minutes with AI-powered FTP metrics to unlock full potential based on indicators unique to you. With Personalized HR Zone, you can run at optimal intensity levels based on your physical capabilities. Meanwhile, the new Quick Button can be used to instantly initiate and control workouts and map other functions. Activate an Emergency Siren for safety, a useful feature for ladies who go trail running in the early morning or late-night hours. Post-workout, check stats at-a-glance with dedicated watch faces for Galaxy Watch Ultra, which automatically switch to Night Mode for optimal readability in the dark. In direct sunlight, meanwhile, you’ll have no issue thanks to the impressive peak brightness of 3,000 nits. It lasts up to 100 hours (four days) in Power Saving mode and 48 hours in Exercise Power Saving mode. With the new One UI 8 Watch update, you can unlock new features like Running Coach, Vascular Load, Antioxidant Index, and the Now Bar. Measuring 47mm size, making it ideally suited to larger wrists (or those who like bulky watches), it comes in Titanium Gray, Titanium White, and Titanium Silver and sells for $880.
2. Apple Watch Ultra 3 Smartwatch
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is the latest edition of Apple’s smartwatch for adventurers, adding features like emergency SOS via satellite, an extra-large display, longer 42-hour battery life (up to 72 hours in Low Power mode), and new health insights. You can text emergency services, message friends and family, and share your location, all while off the grid. Get accurate GPS and notifications for signs of chronic high blood pressure (hypertension) using data from the optical heart sensor to analyze how your blood vessels respond to the beats of the heart. With the hypertension feature having received Health Canada approval, Canadians can leverage this feature from the jump. There’s also sleep score, and the integration of Workout Buddy for personalized fitness motivation provided by Apple Intelligence. The watch is also thinner with more active screen area. With watchOS 26, you get the Liquid Glass look, Smart Stack hints, and a new one-handed wrist flick gesture to dismiss notifications. Get it in Natural or Black Titanium starting at $1,099 with a three-month trial to Apple Fitness+ and Apple Music.
3. JBL RallyBar Vehicle Soundbar
Yes, this is a soundbar for your car. The JBL RallyBar is a water-resistant Bluetooth soundbar with a 150W rms amplifier and dynamic LED lights. It’s ideal for strapping to a golf cart, boat, or other vehicles, like your truck or RV while parked at the campsite or trailer park.
Use it on its own or connect it to others using built-in broadcast mode for an epic campground party with neighbors. The patent-pending mounting kit offers multiple position options and Bluetooth, USB disk, and Aux-in players are all supported. Hi-Res Audio is even supported for Aux-in input sources.
At $1,500, it’s a great investment for RV owners and outdoor enthusiasts. Get it in Canada through Erikson Consumer.
Other Gift Ideas
DJI Osmo Nano Wearable Action Camera
The DJI Osmo Nano wearable action camera can be mounted a variety of ways, from on your helmet to a pet collar, thanks to the dual-sided magnetic design. As the smallest DJI action camera yet, you can capture plenty of footage as you bike, run, hike, fly, swim, explore, and engage in all types of activities. It’s waterproof down to 10 metres and you can control shots remotely using the built-in OLED HD touchscreen on the Multifunctional Vision Dock (it boasts an IPX4 rating). Capture videos up to 4K at 60 fps, slow motion, an ultra-wide field-of-view, low light video, you name it, all while remaining hands-free. When fully charged, it can record up to 200 minutes of 1,080p video or an hour in 4K, and the Dock recharges it as well. The DJI Osmo Nano starts at US$309.
Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro Smartwatch
If you’re looking for a smartwatch that is brand-agnostic, the Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro smartwatch is an ultra-rugged smartwatch is designed for trail runners, endurance athletes, and outdoor adventurers, and it works with both iPhone and Android devices. It builds on its predecessor with upgraded materials, enhanced mapping, integrated flashlight, built-in speaker and mic, a sapphire glass screen, and more. The scratch-resistant sapphire glass screen is complemented by a bezel and buttons made from Grade 5 titanium alloy, a material harder than stainless steel and more durable than standard titanium. Available in 48 mm and 44 mm case sizes, both are engineered for durability in any environment: the watch can operate in temperatures as low as -30°C. Equipped with a dual-colour LED flashlight, the watch provides visibility in low-light conditions, including a boost mode for added brightness, red light for low-interference visibility, SOS flash, and safety alerts. The AMOLED display comes in a 1.5″ (48 mm case) and 1.32″ (44 mm case) size and delivers up to 3,000 nits peak brightness for optimal visibility, even in harsh sunlight. A built-in speaker and microphone enable Bluetooth calling and hands-free communication via Zepp Flow for connection without pulling out a phone. You get up to 25 days of battery life on the 48 mm model and 17 days on the 44 mm. There’s dual-band GPS and support for six satellite systems to ensure precise location tracking even in challenging terrain. Offline maps feature turn-by-turn directions, smart rerouting, route creation, and points of interest search. Ski maps provide resort data, slope colour codes, and lift locations. The watch comes with over 180 sport modes, include trail running, recreational scuba diving, strength training with auto rep detection, and official HYROX training and race modes. The exclusive BioCharge energy monitoring system provides a dynamic score based on workouts, recovery, and stress. Grab it for US$399 in Tactical Black or Black Gold for the 48mm and Gold and Gray for the 44mm version.
Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station
Get power on the go and off the grid with the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 portable power station, designed for outdoor adventure, home power backup, and everyday off-grid use. Building on the success of its predecessor, the C1000 Gen 2 combines fast charging with a compact, rugged design. HyperFlash technology delivers a full recharge in just 49 minutes via a standard wall outlet when UltraFast Charge Mode is enabled in the app. The 2000W output is capable of powering everything from laptops to refrigerators while 3000W peak output serves sudden power demands. Its advanced LFP (LiFePO4) battery chemistry supports over 4,000 charging cycles. Lightweight and portable, it’s ideal for car camping, van life, outdoor tailgating, and home power backup. Its low-noise operation and clean energy output make it suitable for use in national parks and quiet residential settings as well. You can control the power station from the Anker app, and access remote monitoring and firmware updates. Get it for $799.
HOVERAir X1 Pro Max Self-Flying Camera
The HOVERAir X1 Pro Max Self-Flying Camera is small enough to fit in the pocket, yet it can capture 8K videos. It’s fully autonomous, requires no FAA registration, and is designed for effortless use right out of the box. Unfold it, launch it, and let it capture aerial shots while automatically avoiding obstacles and tracking movement with precision. Along with 8K footage, you can also capture slow motion at 4K and 120 fps. It’s lightweight at just 192 grams and cruises at 26 mph, in bursts up to 36 mph. Take one-click hero shots, too. It requires no learning curve, so it’s perfect for beginners. Get it for $699.
H20 Audio Tri 2 Pro Multi-Sport Headphones
The H20 Tri 2 Pro multi-sport headphones come with Playlist+, a feature that lets you record audio directly to it for offline listening. Manage everything in the H20 Audio app where you can create folders, add songs to your personal Playlist+, and get updates. They employ a bone conduction design with a neck band and come with earplugs as well to reduce water noise. Thanks to the enhanced speakers, you can listen even while swimming underwater. Yes, they are 100% waterproof! They have 8GB memory but you can also connect a device via Bluetooth and listen out of the water, or in it if your phone is within range (once you get underwater, however, you’ll likely have to rely on stored tunes). They can run for up to nine hours per charge. I haven’t reviewed these headphones but I did review the previous generation H20 Audio Tri Pro multi-sport headphones, and loved them for underwater listening. These ones sell for US$285.
Hedgehog Drive Portable Gear Dryer for Shoes, Boots & Gloves
Ever wonder what to get that adventurer who seemingly has everything? We found it for you. The Hedgehog Drive ultra-portable gear dryer is the tech they didn’t know they needed but will probably use daily after their outdoor winter adventures. The product was created by Bjørn Holte, a native New Yorker who moved to Hemsedal, Norway after his wife died of cancer and he became a single parent to three kids, aged 1, 3, and 5. He built the tool he needed to keep their wet boots and soggy mittens from stinking up the house and remaining saturated by the next morning. Designed for shoes, boots, and gloves, the travel-friendly dryer takes just 30 minutes to fully dry your gear, keeping it from smelling like wet dog. It’s so small, you can even tuck it into a glove box or travel bag. Yet it delivers professional grade drying. It can plug in via both AC and DC power sources, so use it in the car, too, so you don’t arrive home with soaking wet feet to annoy the wife. It boasts 80W of drying power with a 13,000RPM motor, packed into a two-unit, 12V portable design. Think hunters, skiers, snowboarders, and virtually anyone who enjoys winter or water sports that require foot or handwear and moisture. Got caught in the rain at your son’s soccer game? This will work for that, too, and if he happens to have especially sweaty feet. It’s available for just $79.
Magic Eagle EagleCam Trail Camera
Perfect for nature lovers, the Magic Eagle EagleCam 5 is a smart, AI-powered trail camera designed for hunters, wildlife observers, wildlife managers, and land owners. It’s rugged and boasts intelligent software to ensure a good camera signal, long battery life, and reduce instances of false triggers and camera theft. SignalSync 4G Connectivity means there’s no SIM card needed: the camera auto-connects to the strongest local signal, no matter how remote. It captures images with its 5MP sensor as well as clear HD video so you get those critical details needed to better identify and track game. It is designed to filter out branches and squirrels, only tagging the animals you care about. Anti-theft features include GPS tracking, motion detection, and geofence alerts, even if powered off. With real-time streaming, you can watch live from the field through the app without a delay. There’s a 0.3-second trigger time so you don’t miss anything. The 13,000mAh battery and solar panel give you months of hands-free operation. It sells for US$150.
OnePlus 15 Smartphone
If you are looking for a phone that can withstand all the elements while you partake in outdoor adventures, the OnePlus 15 is a good option. It not only meets an IP68 dust- and water-resistant rating, but also IP69 and IP69K. This means in addition to being submergible in water for a period of time, it can also handle high-pressure water jets from far and close range. It can also operate in extreme temperatures. The massive 7,300mAh Silicon NanoStack battery supports 80W SUPERVOOC wired charging and 50W AIRVOOC wireless charging, so it can last for long outdoor adventures when you can’t get to a power outlet. The cameras can capture wonderful photos with great zoom capabilities, and can capture Android 4K, 120fps Dolby Vision recording. Thanks to integrated AI via OnePlus AI and Google Gemini, you can ask the phone about the world around you while on adventures, whether that’s for directions, details about nearby venues, or information about the plants or animals in front of you. Starting at $1,300, this is a solid phone choice for outdoorsy folks.
Segway Ninebot Max G2 Electric Scooter
Regularly $1,400 but on sale at the time of this writing for $800, the Segway Ninebot Max G2 electric scooter is designed especially for long distance travel. It boasts a max speed of 35 mph (check local regulation) and can travel about 70 km per charge. With 1,000W max power, you get a smooth and stable ride thanks to the dual suspension system. The advanced traction control ensures good handling when riding on uneven terrain, preventing skidding. It works with Apple Find My technology in the event that it’s lost or stolen. Ideal for those who live in urban settings but still love to get outdoors and enjoy riding on local trails, it’s also great to take up to the cottage. Get it now while it’s on sale.