Palmer's Picks: 2025 Land Lover Holiday Gift Guide

If you're shopping for someone who finds joy in Colorado's mountains, trails, and open spaces, you're in the right place. Palmer's Picks is a staff tradition where our team shares the gear that helps us connect with the landscapes we work to protect. We asked our staff to share the gear that helps them enjoy time outside. Below are their top picks and favorite gear. We've organized our recommendations by budget to make your holiday shopping easier. And if you're searching for something truly meaningful? Consider giving the gift of conservation itself.

Give the Gift of Forever-Protected Places

Not sure what to give the land lover who has everything? Consider making a donation to Palmer Land Conservancy in honor of someone special. Your gift protects forever-wild views, essential land and water resources for local food, and access to local open spaces, ensuring future generations can enjoy what makes Colorado so special. It's a meaningful, lasting present that keeps on giving—preserving the places we all love. Make a gift in honor of a loved one today and give something that lasts forever.

Budget-Friendly Picks (Under $50)

Yeti Rambler Travel Mug

Top Pick by Carrie Supino, Community Engagement Manager

"My Yeti travel thermos is an absolute must for my winter hikes! I fill it with hot cider, cocoa, coffee, or even soup before heading out on the trail, and am able to enjoy a piping hot beverage in the middle of a snowy landscape many hours later."

There's something magical about pausing mid-hike on a crisp winter morning, unscrewing your thermos, and being greeted by steam rising from coffee that's still hot hours after you left the trailhead. Carrie's Yeti Rambler delivers that small luxury reliably, keeping drinks hot (or cold) for hours thanks to double-wall vacuum insulation. Whether you're filling it with hot cider for a sunrise hike or soup for a family snowshoe adventure, this durable, leak-proof mug is built to last through countless Colorado winters.

Carrie enjoys a hot drink on a winter hike in Lost Creek Wilderness.

REI Flash Gaiters

Top Pick by Nissa Steinhour, Chief Operating Officer

"Often on our tree harvesting outings, we leave the dry land in the valley and discover knee-deep snow in our tree collection area. Nothing can ruin an outing faster than kids having cold, wet feet!"

Gaiters are simple but game-changing; they wrap around your boots and lower legs, creating a seal that keeps snow, water, and trail debris from sneaking into your boots. For families heading into the high country to cut their Christmas tree (check out our Christmas Tree Cutting Guide for tips!), gaiters mean kids stay comfortable and happy longer, turning what could be a soggy ordeal into a joyful memory. Affordable and easy to use, they're an essential piece of gear for extending outdoor fun in every season.

Outdoor Research Fairbanks Fingerless Gloves

Top Pick by Dillon O'Hare, Senior Conservation Manager

"These gloves are like a vest for your hands! You get all the benefits of merino wool and warmth with extra finger dexterity, too!"

Dillon's comparison is spot-on: just like a vest keeps your core warm while leaving your arms free to move, these fingerless gloves deliver merino wool warmth while preserving the finger precision you need for fiddly tasks. Whether you're adjusting camera settings to capture a sunrise, fumbling with carabiners on a climbing route, or simply checking your phone without exposing your hands to the cold, these gloves strike the perfect balance. Merino wool naturally regulates temperature and resists odor, making them ideal for multi-day adventures or everyday use.

Patagonia Terravia Mini Hip Pack

Top Pick by Astrid Monar, Philanthropy & Donor Relations Manager

"Whoever said fanny packs weren't cool never tried the Patagonia Terravia Mini Hip Pack. This compact, hands-free essential is made for movement—hikes, climbs, or farmers market strolls."

Astrid makes a compelling case for the return of the hip pack—and this isn't your dad's fanny pack. The Patagonia Terravia Mini is sleek, functional, and ethically made, embodying the durability and environmental responsibility that align with Palmer's conservation values. Sized perfectly for your phone, wallet, keys, and a couple of snacks, it keeps essentials close without the bulk of a backpack. Whether you're browsing the farmers market for locally grown produce, or setting out for a walk on the Palmer-protected Tutor Trail and Greenway, this versatile pack delivers hands-free freedom with effortless style.

Astrid sports her Patagonia Terravia during her 19-mile ride during Grassroots Gravel.

Mid-Range Picks ($50-$150)

Petzl Swift RL Headlamp

Top Pick by Ally O'Neill, Project Associate

"I wouldn't be able to get outside in the winter without my headlamp! I went all in on the Petzl Swift RL Headlamp, because it's powerful, lightweight, and almost impossible to kill (even on long winter outings)."

Don't let Ally's modest introduction fool you—this headlamp is a winter essential. With 1,100 lumens of brightness, the Petzl Swift RL is “bright enough to make technical terrain feel manageable, and honestly, so bright that friends who forgot their own headlamps can just mooch off my light!"

But the real test came during an unexpected wildlife encounter: "I'm extra grateful I had it during a close mountain lion encounter last year, as I wouldn't have noticed two cat eyes staring back at me without the 1,100 lumens!" Whether you're squeezing in early morning trail runs before work, skinning up for dawn patrol in the backcountry, or navigating your way back to the trailhead after sunset, this lightweight, rechargeable headlamp won't let you down.

On a trip to Torres del Paine National Park, Allie relied on her headlamp for several pre-dawn hikes.

Shokz OpenRun Bone Conduction Headphones

Top Pick by Wesley Trimble, Communications Manager

"These have revolutionized my running experience more than any other piece of gear in over 12 years of running. I enjoy listening to audiobooks, podcasts, and music while running, and these help me stay alert and aware of my surroundings since they don't block the ear canal."

For runners, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts who love a soundtrack to their adventures but don't want to sacrifice safety, bone conduction technology is a revelation. Unlike traditional earbuds, Shokz OpenRun headphones rest on your cheekbones and transmit sound through vibrations, leaving your ear canals completely open. The result? You stay aware of approaching mountain bikers, wildlife rustling in the brush, and trail runners coming up behind you.

But Wesley's favorite feature goes beyond safety: "Listening to music with these also creates a unique audio experience as the sounds of birds, running water, and nature merge with my trail tunes." Whether he's running his favorite routes in Pike National Forest or exploring Palmer-protected Santa Fe Open Space, these headphones enhance rather than isolate him from the landscape. He uses them year-round, in all conditions, and even wears them in the office and while doing chores around the house. After six years of testing various bone conduction models, these remain his top choice.

Pro tip: Check out Wesley's guide on choosing snow and ice traction devices to keep your footing secure on icy trails.

Wrap Up Your Holiday Shopping

From keeping little feet dry on Christmas tree-cutting adventures to lighting up technical terrain after dark, these Palmer staff favorites are tested in the field and trusted through Colorado's toughest conditions. We hope this guide helps you find the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiasts in your life—or inspires you to treat yourself to gear that'll get you outside more often this winter.

However you choose to celebrate, we wish you safe adventures, warm memories, and plenty of time on the trails.

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Disclaimer: Palmer Land Conservancy assumes no responsibility for injuries to persons or damage to property caused by any actions taken based on the information provided herein. Links to external websites are provided for convenience and do not imply endorsement. Palmer Land Conservancy is not responsible for the accuracy, reliability, or content of third-party websites. Use of the information herein is at your own risk, and Palmer Land Conservancy will not be liable for any damages arising from its use.