The month of pure, unadulterated shopping madness has arrived. To reflect this, we’ve put together one of the biggest Proper Picks in the history of the series – stuffed full of jackets, trainers, hats and boots. This, at times, stressful period can lead people to purchase lots of stuff that they don’t need, that’s why we’ve been cautious to only recommend things in this list that you absolutely do need.
Obviously, we’re joking, you probably don’t need any of this gear – but if you are on the lookout for some Christmas gifting inspiration, hopefully, there’s something in here that might be of use…
And if not, you can just read our ever-so-mildly amusing descriptions to help pass the time at work – you’re welcome.
Klattermüsen Lödyn Hooded Primaloft Jacket
As it’s December, we’re obviously going to start our picks for the month with a big coat. This one from our friends at the climbing mouse company is filled full of Primaloft and couldn’t be any better for the damp, dreary English weather we’re sure to encounter in December (and January) (and February) (and March) (and April) (and May)
KEEN x Mountain Research Pyrenees Boots
Great pair of boots these, courtesy of KEEN & Mountain Research. Those yellow laces paired with the chocolate brown suede really gets the endorphins going
Montbell Climaplus 100 Lite Sweatshirt
Purple will be the colour of 2025, mark our words. Get ahead of the curve by purchasing this fine fleece sweatshirt from Montbell.
and Wander 2.5L Hiker Rain Jacket
The ultimate chuck-in-your-bag waterproof that can then be smugly pulled out when the weather decides to turn.
KESTIN Harris Mock Neck
KESTIN produced some of the finest knitwear we’ve seen in a while earlier this year, and for us, this is the pick of the bunch. Just look at the tasteful thickness of the collar – sensational.
Western Hydrodynamic Research Mesh Nylon Promo Cap
Western Hydrodynamic Research is slowly becoming one of our favourite headwear manufacturers, and from looking at the cap next to this text, it should be easy to see why.
PUMA King Indoor Sneakers
We documented our love for the newly re-released PUMA King Indoor earlier this month, and unsurprisingly, our stance on them hasn’t changed – they’re still mega.
KAVU Port Pullover
This thing looks uber cosy, we’re envisioning wearing it on the 26th of December as a kind of stylistic hangover cure.
Topologie Reversible Bucket Bag
We were going to say that Topologie are like the Ferrari of bags, but that’s not strictly true, in reality, they’re like the Land Rover of bags. Which is more up our street anyway if we’re being honest.
Mountain Style Book
Do you own a coffee table? Or any kind of surface where you can put a book for that matter? If you answered yes, you need this book.
BEAMS PLUS Work Trousers
Even though these are called Work Trousers, we reckon they’re probably suitable for when you’re not working too. After all, sending emails isn’t that testing to clothing.
Klattermüsen Root T-shirt
A nice T-shirt in a nice colour. Made from organic cotton and has a nice embroidered logo, everything you need from a T-shirt really.
Scarpa Rove GORE-TEX
These have just the right amount of geography teacher steeze about them. Currently one of our favourite footwear offerings from Outsiders Store.
Norda x Cimoro RunShelter Jacket
We’re left with little choice but to take our short-peaked, mesh side-panel running hats off to Norda & Cimoro for this one. They’ve only gone and produced the world’s strongest, lightest and most breathable waterproof jacket.
KAVU Side Bar T-shirt
The wash of this T-shirt is beautiful, and the faded look of the chest logo patch is even better.
Gramicci Canyon Jacket
Something quite early 2000’s Patagonia about this, and if you know your stuff, you know that’s a big compliment.
USKEES Canvas Vest with Patch Pockets
Wouldn’t look out of place in a Wes Anderson film, this.
Stan Ray Coverall Jacket Heavy Stone Wash Denim
Stan Ray producing a nice work jacket is as certain as the sun coming up in the morning, the sun setting in the evening, and a typo occurring somewhere in these descriptions.
Altra Olympus 6 MAN
Trail running is a bit of a thing at the minute, or so we’re told. Now, we’re not all that clued up on much that involves moving any faster than 3mph, but we are clued up on nice trainers, so you best believe if we were going on a trail run, these would be coming with us.
KAVU Brudenell Jacket
The name of this jacket is a tribute to the 7th Earl of Cardigan, James Brudenell. No, we’re not even joking – it seems KAVU shares the same sense of humour as us.
Somewhere Outside Hiking Company Technical Zip Wind Jacket
Somewhere Outside Hiking Company is one of the newer brands on our fully comprehensive nice-outdoor-clothing-manufacturer radar, and this Wind Jacket from them is just one of many pieces of outerwear they offer that has caught our eye.
Orslow Dad Fit Painter Pant
I think calling these trousers a Dad Fit is doing them an injustice – my dad’s trousers rarely ever have a fit this good.
and Wander Coffee Tumbler
With December (usually) being the coldest month of the calendar year, this means that it should also be the month that you consume the most hot beverages. So, in order to prepare you for that, we’re recommending this and Wander Coffee Tumbler.
Vagabond Steven Loafer
These loafers from Vagabond are very nice, but beware, they will increase the chances of the words ‘now go home and get your shinebox‘ coming out of your mouth by 34%.
Marmot Better Mammoth GORE-TEX Vest
Just seeing GORE-TEX in that font, in that colour is enough to cement this as a fantastic piece of outerwear, and that’s without even talking about the pockets…
Service Works Canvas Coverall Jacket
Nothing out of the ordinary here, just Service Works delivering a highly wearable piece of outerwear – business as usual.
PUMA Arizona Nylon
Quite possibly one of the best soles of any PUMA shoe ever, just look at that ripple. The upper is pretty good as well.
Finisterre Mora Knit Jumper.
The month of December brings with it two types of knitwear enjoyers – the sensible type, which would wear something like this lovely Finisterre knit, and the unruly type, which would wear something garish that has some kind of stupid ‘I’m sexy and I snow it’-esque slogan on it. Which one are you?
Gramicci Long Sleeve Pigment Dyed Pocket Tee
Wearing a pigment-dyed T-shirt is like when you had your first taste of full-fat Coke as a child, you’re left wondering how you ever managed with the diet stuff in the first place. In this analogy, Diet Coke is regular non-garment dyed T-shirts.
RRL Harrison Jacket Green Camo
Some camouflage garments have a tendency to be a bit garish, and not all that wearable. But not this one – this is properly nice, as you’d expect from RRL, really.
ROA Sella Sneaker
These are named after the Sella massif that exists in our favourite-sounding mountain range in the world – The Dolomites. But they’re not just on this list because of that, they’re also a very nice looking pair of trabs.
Carhartt WIP Script Pulltap Corkscrew
Let’s not lie to ourselves, having clothing branded household items ignites a child-like joy in all of us. You’d be buzzing if you found this in your stocking.
Gramicci Berklay Cap
The perfect cap if you’re going somewhere very cold. Or, you just like looking like the mutt’s nuts.
Norse Projects 3L Waterproof Shell Jacket
Something a bit Return of the Jedi about this waterproof, and it’s definitely influenced by that dual zip system.
New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v8
One of the best trail running models that New Balance has put out in a hot minute, we reckon. Actually, upon reflection, one of the best trail running models that any brand has put out in a hot minute, we reckon.
