Everyone else is throwing their Christmas list about so it’d be remiss, rude and downright reckless if we didn’t indulge ourselves too. If you’re looking for some inspiration for the person who has almost everything, maybe a little scroll down this list will provide a spark.
RC Outdoor Supply Trail Sacoche Bag
The offshoot brand from Florida-born, England-raised designer Reese Cooper, this gear appeared on our radar last year and has remained a permanent fixture on it ever since. This bag looks great, bring a functional element to your ‘fit and comes from a brand that as yet hasn’t fully established itself in the UK. get one before everyone else does.
Montbell Climaplus Ear Warmer Cap
You need to be a certain type of human being to carry off a look topped off with this hat, but you know what? You’re that person. Plus it’s Christmas. With pubs teeming with people wearing comedy jumpers, this lovely Montbell number will elevate you above the wallies,
Goodhood Weirdos, Stylers, Outsiders, Punks Mug
Let’s start the list like we start the day, with a nice brew. What you put in it is up to you. You can just place it on your desk with pens and paperclips in it if you like. Just don’t try and drink them.
Mr Maria Smiley Bundle of Light Lamp
Lovel Smiley and Mr Maria must have sold loads of these great lamps, in a multitude of colours. Not only are they just a fun item, they add an element of Nordic Hygge to any living room setting. This new version is priced nicely for gifting purposes.
Malin + Goetz Fragrance Discovery Kit
New year, new you? Treat yourself to this variety pack of Malin + Goetz smells, try each one out to see which suits you best, then invest in a bigger bottle of your fave. Or don’t. Maybe just keep buying these and let the mood take you.
Oh this is very much a bit of us. Having sadly never made it over to Japan, its allure continues to swell, so anything that looks like it could only be from Japan will alert our radar. This is that.
Speaking of Japan, RoToTo made some lovely socks. You already knew that didn’t you? If there’s a time to prioritise luxury hosiery, now is that time.
Hikerdelic x Messy Weekend Anthony Sunglasses
Even if you’re not lucky enough to have some imminent winter sun on the way, this collab between Denmark’s Messy Weekend and our very own Hikerdelic provides quality eyewear that’ll fit most face shapes.
Honestly, we have one of these in the office and it’s currently draped around my shoulders because the heating is taking its time warming the place up. This blanket is what happens when a hug meets a rug. It is neither yet somehow possesses many of their properties.
Just as we’ve said elsewhere regarding good socks, the same can be pointed at a good quality pair of undies. Do people call them undies anymore? They probably shouldn’t, it makes them seem frivolous and daft. Pockies make seriously smart basics and more besides. Check them out.
Laboratory Perfumes Discovery Set
These gift sets make for an ideal present at this time of the year, even if it’s from you, to you.
A Rover made out of concrete? What? Why?
Why not?
Imagine this on that shelf you house your nicknacks on and try and tell us it won’t be improved by the addition of something like this.
Carhart WIP Foundation Bookends
Audiobooks are great for when you’re on the move and all that, but let’s have it right, actual books always win. One way books can be better is if they’re displayed in an OCD manner with one of this duo of workers minding things don’t fall over at each end.
Try and find us a more impressive pair of gloves in such a vibrant shade of blue and you’ll struggle. Elmer have always made beautful gloves and this pair offer a pop of colour to your muted navys and khaki colourways.
Try saying ‘Metalwood Camo Cap Keychain’ when you’re a couple of hours into your Xmas do and if you can manage it, one of these will magically appear, attached to your belt loop. Works as a keychain and may also provide a moment of levity when you place it atop the head of your Guinea Pig.
Festive fun in sock form, through our own Hikerdelic we’ve created this exclusive seasonal packaging for our ‘socks in a box’ offering. You can get three pairs for £30 and they come in this fun festive packaging. Not bad.
Wooden Sun Celestial Bloom Lipa Duffle Bag
Our Southern Hemisphere buddies know how to make nice product, but this multifaceted bag is amongst the most adaptable we’ve seen.
Acid Running ‘I’ve never heard of Acid Running’ cap
Irreverent and ironic slogans on caps remain something we’re throwing our weight behind and this is that.
While we’re talking about black caps with white slogans, here’s another fine example, this time from Cafe Mountain.
This is the sort of thing you’d put on a shelf to show you’re into football culture but not in that banteriffic way Sky seem to push these days, with their know-nowt ‘fanalysts’ and the horrific yet somehow fun Baller League. This is a more refined take on things and we’re very much here for it.
I never carry any type of wallet. Not sure why. Never have. But when I eventually grow up this is precisely the type of thing I’ll own.
Inter Miami might be making all the football noise stateside these days but anyone with any idea about real football culture knows The Cosmos were the originators of American so-called ‘Soccer’ cool. Admiral have paired up to release these shirts originally donned by Pele and co.
You know that feeling when you’ve worn something for a while but it’s not really ready for the wash? But you wash it anyway because otherwise you’d feel like a scruff? This is for those occasions. It’ll neutralise bacteria and keep your clothes clean.
As we stagger over the line marked ’50’, it’s important to remember we do all this stuff in print, too. Get our latest issue before it is replaced by another latest issue.
Quite a few brands have tried their hand at this type of hat of late, but few have managed to do as good a job as Uppervoid. The slightly crazy logo and the fact this is Merino Wool elevates it above the rest.
Snow Peak Titanium Fork and Spoon Set
Now we’re talking. This is the sort of thing you could take on a round-the-world trek and be so glad you’ve got. You might just use it for your occasional camping trip but who cares, it’s a lovely gift.
Mountain Research SFMO T-Shirt
A t-shirt costing 160 euros isn’t for everyone’s budget but if your pockets are deep, A Young Hiker is ideal.
A visual scrapbook with a fanzine feel, this is essential for any culturally aware coffee table. Curated by journalist James Brown (founder of Loaded Magazine and erstwhile helper of Proper Magazine), this book features his extensive archive from his music journalism career, including photos, fanzines, setlists, and personal items from his NME, Loaded, and GQ days, celebrating indie music, 80s/90s culture, and his beginnings as a Leeds fanzine writer.
BEAMS Outdoor Expedition Book 99
Yep, this was included in last month’s Proper Picks but we like it so much it earns a place on our Festive Gift Guide too. We like to think of ourselves as big coat enthusiasts – but our knowledge pales beside that of BEAMS Plus’s chief buyer, Shigeru Kaneko. He knows (and owns) just about every big jacket on the planet, and in this book, he shares his thoughts on them all.
When we’re not beavering away on this here publication in all its forms, we like to inject time and ideas into Hikerdelic, and this is one such example. From the recent collab with the Smiley brand, this is an essential addition to your record player or decks.
In a world where health and wellness seem to be further up the agenda than ever, what’s a man to do when all that yoga/5-aside/ozempic has rendered half of his wardrobe redundant due to decreasing girth? This is where the belt comes in, especially one like this, where the entire belt itself allows for adjustability, rather than however many of those little holes you’ve had punched in it.
Even if you’re not of an age to remember the long-running, future-predicting BBC magazine show, a quite browse of clips on YouTube will quickly tell you why it was such an iconic programme. A big yellow sweatshirt showing your appreciation for it is fitting.
Pop Trading Company Checked Oracle Jacket
Pop are always worth a look, even if you’re not into skateboarding. They don’t discriminate, anyone can wear their stuff. Very good jacket for the money too, this.
Another thing to show off with, whether slurping snowballs from it or just placing it on a shelf.
Beams Japan Kanji Number Wrist Watch
Nobody uses watches to tell the time anymore do they? Unless you’ve got no signal. But who cares, watches are well nice. This is an affordable option for those of you who would rather have a massive holiday than throw four figures at a timepiece.
This is the first item I think of whenever I think of Kavu. As a non-cap wearer the strap cap that made the brand’s name plays second string to this. Yep, that’s a rope pun.
Druthers Organic Cotton Shibori Clouds Boxers
Underwear will always be a safe bet if you’re throwing gifts at people this time of year. These mad pattern pants are made in Portugal and they’re a more wise investment than those cheap ones you got from a French pharmacy after a holiday emergency.
This modernist masterpiece will make everything you drink out of it taste 14% nicer.
As another genius once said, to paraphrase… It might not be the best book you’ll ever read but it’s in the top one.
Paying respects to the start of the scene, Patagonia published this book, documenting the early climbers who risked their lives in pioneering pursuit of the buzz.
End x Umbro Milano Football Shirt
Despite the rising use of the word ‘jersey’ for a football shirt, we’re still very much into them, and Umbro remain the kings of the genre. Their link up with End sees them produce a shirt in tribute to each city they have a store in. This Milan version is our fave.
Nike 3-Pack Essential Micro Boxers
Underwear such as this may not be the most glamorous Xmas gift but few items are more practical. This trio of Nike efforts will be gratefully received by pretty much anyone, unless they’re ungrateful and picky.
A longstanding fave for us here at Proper. Saw someone with one yesterday and it reminded us how much we love it. Just a really nice looking product that has function at its heart. Send us one, Adsum.
Uppervoid Hover Insulated Mule
Your friend who only wears the most entry-level three striped footwear and pointy shoes at work sees you wearing these after an arduous hike and he can’t contain his mirth. Good. Because nothing cool was ever liked by the mainstream, until of course it was. These shoes scream comfort.
Picture that mad Uncle you’ve got, sitting on an emergency chair this Christmas dinner. He didn’t RSVP his attendance early enough so not only is he on a deckchair, he’s using this as his cutlery.
But seriously, Tritensil make exceptionally adaptable and compact cutlery such as this, so whether you’re out in the hills, picking at a salad in the office or yes, in need of supplementary items for an errant family member they’re here for you.
Another entry from the football wizards at Futsol, via a stocking filler that’s the right price and really nice.
