Christmas Gift Guide 2019: Our Top Picks

From handmade woolen beanies to classic leather watches, this collection of Christmas gifts is the perfect guide to gifts for the adventure-inclined.

28th November 2019 | Words by Jack Hart @ WildBounds HQ


Balancing finding the perfect gift for the outdoor adventurer in your life with not sending your wallet into cardiac arrest is an annual challenge we all undertake, willingly or not. Because when it comes to gifting to adventure lovers, there’s no one shop that will tick all their boxes: high-quality goods, designed by people who know their sh*t and made with sustainability in mind. Well, there wasn’t. You see, we’ve gathered together the highlights from the brands we partner with - independent brands who live for the outdoors and design carefully considered goods, like Australian slimline leather wallets and cycling backpacks handmade in Yorkshire. So you can be sure that there’s something in this collection to put a smile on the face of the outdoor adventurer in your life.

#1 Black & Blue 1871 | Rugby Shirt

Crafted from heavy slub cotton by master Portuguese craftsmen, the long-sleeve shirts from Black & Blue 1871 are a throwback to the amateur days of rugby, when a rugby shirt was designed not just for Saturday afternoons but for everyday wear. Heavyweight and durable, these classic rugby shirts are perfect for dog-walking, firewood-chopping and local team-supporting alike.SHOP NOW

Black & Blue 1871 Rugby Shirts


#2 The James Brand | The Ellis

Designed in the States and crafted from exceptional quality stainless steel, The Ellis is a lightweight, multi-tool pocketknife that’s perfect for camping trips but will come into its own in everyday use. It features a stainless steel, partially serrated blade, a screwdriver-bottle opener combo tool, an “all things scraper” and pry bar, and a loop for your keyring - basically, everything you need for everyday adventuring and nothing else. The James Brand have designed The Ellis for use in your workshop, for quick fixes out on the move and to be a versatile tool when camping. Essentially, the ideal gift for practical outdoors people. SHOP NOW

The James Brand | The Ellis


#3 Armogan | Spirit of St Louis

The Spirit of St Louis was the first airplane to fly across the Atlantic in 1927, piloted by Charles Lindbergh. Belgian watchmakers Armogan have created this leather watch inspired by that pioneering spirit, which is reflected in the cockpit-esque chronograph sub dials and the cross-stitched suede leather strap. This men’s watch isn’t fixed in the past, though - Armogan have utilised a stainless steel case and Japanese quartz chronograph movement to ensure that this Spirit of St Louis is perfectly tuned for modern adventures, from weekend exploring to navigating office politics.

Armogan - Spirit of St Louis watch


#4 Bellroy | Travel Wallet RFID

Hailing from the trendy urban sprawl of Fitzroy, Melbourne, the Australian craftsmen and women at Bellroy create everyday carry items that perfectly fuse practical use with an easy, casual style. Everything about the Travel Wallet RFID smacks of considered design based on experience with lesser products. It comes with a built in micro travel pen for filling out forms and a space for a spare SIM card, for use in foreign countries. There’s a hidden compartment for cash alongside the dedicated spaces for your passport and cards, which themselves are protected from nefarious skimming devices by advanced RFID technology. SHOP NOW

Bellroy Travel Wallet - RFID


#5 GIBBON | Classic Line Treewear Set

Slacklining isn’t just for death-defying feats of balance above roiling waves - in fact, it’s mostly undertaken in local parks and gardens, used to learn a new skill while getting outside at the same time. GIBBON have created this Classic Line Treewear Set with beginners in mind, using an anti-slip print for extra grip and a firmer construction to help you find your feet. It also features tree protection pads, to make sure your fun has no impact on the environment around you. This is an ideal gift for anyone interested in getting outdoors on a regular, casual basis.SHOP NOW

GIBBON | Classic Line Treewear Set


#6 Ojbro Vantfabrik | Skogen Gloves

Sure, getting gloves for Christmas isn’t usually all that exciting - these expertly knitted wool mitts from Swedish brand Ojbro Vantfabrik are a different story, however. Inspired by traditional Sami patterns, they feature an attractive geometric design that’ll spark wanderlust every time you pull them on, whether you’re boarding a sleeper train to Fort William or queuing for a morning brew at Starbucks. The Skogen gloves have a four-layer insulation system to guarantee warmth in the depths of winter and feather leather lining on the fingers and palm, so you can use your smartphone without taking them off. SHOP NOW

Ojbro Vantfabrik | Skogen Gloves


#7 Powertraveller | Harrier 25

Outdoor adventure of any stripe is an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life and free ourselves of social media for a short time - despite that, keeping your personal tech charged is a wise move. Powertraveller have created the Harrier for that very purpose. It holds enough juice to recharge a smartphone two to three times and, even more crucially, charges wirelessly, with a chunky elastic strap to keep your device in place. Its waterproof exterior makes the Harrier ideal for rough-and-ready camping trips, though it’s just as suited to midweek commuting. SHOP NOW

Powertraveller | Harrier 25


#8 Skinners

Skinners’ revolutionary sock-shoe hybrid fuse go-anywhere functionality with put-your-feet-up comfort for the ultimate outdoor slipper. These barefoot socks are perfect for camping, hiking, walking up to the crag, the gym, water sports, short runs - anything. With an anti-odour fabric and waterproof underside, these sock-shoes allow you to move without limits. It’s no wonder Skinners was the most funded footwear project in crowdfunding history. SHOP NOW

Skinners


#9 VSSL | Camp Supplies

This Canadian brand’s survival canisters aren’t just for emergencies, though we’d always recommend having one in your pack - the VSSL Camp Supplies doubles as a high-powered LED torch with a precision engineered compass at the other end. Its contents include tools that are useful on any camping expedition, not just when the going gets tough. A fishing kit, beeswax candle, wire saw, adventure tape, first aid kit and plenty more pack into this sleek aluminium canister. SHOP NOW

VSSL | Camp Supplies


#10 &SONS | Blue Bolt Chore Jacket

With a classic workwear silhouette and authentic worn-in patina, the Blue Bolt Chore Jacket from British brand &SONS is a throwback to the classic French blue work jacket, though with some notable upgrades for the 21st century. Fashioned from soft, heavy cotton twill with a dash of elastane, this jacket is far comfier than its continental ancestors and allows a greater range of movement. Those large pockets stitched onto the front aren’t just for show, though - this jacket has been designed with practical, creative work in mind. SHOP NOW

&SONS | Blue Bolt Chore Jacket


#11 The Level Collective | Nomad Sweatshirt

Hand-printed in Sheffield, this unisex sweatshirt from British brand The Level Collective is perfect for everyday wear, from hiking in the Peak District to strolling to your local pub. It features a simple motif designed to inspire its wearer to pursue adventure in the everyday and its soft, comfortable fit will move with you every step of the way. The Level Collective source their 100% organic cotton from eco-friendly factories, too, so your purchase helps to protect the wild landscapes you’ll be exploring while wearing it.

The Level Collective | Nomad Sweatshirt


#12 Restrap | Sub Backpack

Restrap is a collective of designers, artisans and cyclists building high-quality bags and panniers for adventures on two wheels, whether that’s a multi-day bikepacking expedition or your commute to work. Designed and handmade in Yorkshire, each bag is built from hard-wearing, waterproof materials and feature innovative details like a padded laptop sleeve and Fidlock magnetic chest strap. These are bags made by cyclists, for cyclists, so you can be sure it’s fit for purpose. SHOP NOW

Restrap | Sub Backpack


#13 United By Blue | Soy Wax Candles

If you want the smell of fresh sea air, your best bet is to get outside and head to the coast - your next best option, though, is this soy wax candle from pioneering brand United By Blue. This US outfit clean one pound of rubbish from the ocean for each product they sell. Each of these refreshing candles is hand-poured in their hometown of Philadelphia and features an authentic hand-drawn label. If you can’t get outdoors, bring the outdoors to your home.

Soy Wax Out-of-Doors Candles


#14 BBCo | Cabin Beanie

British brand BBCo have manufactured this fishermans beanie from 100% Merino wool to guarantee warding against the cold, no matter the weather outside. It’s been crafted in the UK and features a brass Union Jack logo to reflect that heritage. Whether you’re headed to the windswept coast for a winter walk or commuting to the office, this rustic beanie will make sure you enjoy the outdoors in comfort. SHOP NOW

BBCo | Cabin Beanie


#15 Netherton Foundry | 12” Barbecue Chapa

Christmas dinner is probably the only meal we’d agree is best cooked indoors - for everything else, Netherton Foundry’s range of outdoors-ready, spun iron pots and pans will immeasurably improve your cuisine. All their cookware, including this 12” Barbecue Chapa griddle plate, is crafted by hand in their rural Shropshire workshop using materials sourced locally. They treat their products with natural flax oil for a non-stick, easy-to-clean finish, too. SHOP NOW

Netherton Foundry | 12” Barbecue Chapa


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