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Treats for under the tree
Find the perfect gift for the outdoorsman in your life
By Scott Richardson
srichardson@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON -- Nothing is more nerve-racking during the holidays than deciding what to get the person on your list who loves the outdoors.

That's especially true if you don't share their passion for fishing, hunting, hiking, cycling or whatever hobby or pastime they do.

Where to start? A complete list of gift ideas could be as long as a Bass Pro catalog. But here are a few ideas to bring smiles on Christmas morning;

For anyone

Don't spend a lot of money to give someone a gift that could prove invaluable. How's $8 sound for a 4 Function Sport Tool that includes a compass, thermometer, magnifying glass and loud safety whistle? It comes in a compact, lightweight package suspended by a lanyard. A perfect stocking-stuffer for anyone, including kayakers, and it floats.

Swiss Army Knives make terrific presents. Styles are made for specific needs. For $25, the Hiker model has two blades, a Phillips screwdriver, can opener with screwdriver, bottle opener with screwdriver, a wire striper, wood saw and more. For $110, climbers can have a variety of blades and other tools plus a digital altimeter good to 18,000 feet and a digital thermometer. 

They're available at WildCountry, 203 S. Linden St., Normal or you check www.wildcountryonline.com. 

For cyclists/runners

Doug Oehler at Vitesse Cycle Shop/Often Running at 206 S. Linden St., Normal, was quoting someone else when he was asked what to buy for people who ride bikes, run or do other exercising outdoors;

"There's no bad weather, there's just bad clothing," he said.

Oehler suggests Mizuno socks made of a material that traps body heat. As you warm, so do your feet and they stay that way. Originally designed for speed skaters, the socks are being designed for cyclists for the first time this year. Cost is $15 a pair. The material also is used in hats and gloves. (There's a B-N connection -- the Mizuno family includes two graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University).

Nike has warm cycling jackets for $95.

Keep your cyclist safe with a Trek Ion 6 front light for $40. The beam can be set to be steady or to give an attention-getting strobe effect.

Planet Bike offers a very bright red rear light that can be set to remain on or flash. Cost is $15.

Along that same order, Illinois Cycle in Bloomington offers Uvex helmets that have a unique accessory -- small lights can be mounted on top to increase visibility. Cost is about $100 depending on how many lights you add.

Too cold to be outside? Mount a bike on a Trek/Cyclops fluid trainer, which sells for $339 at Vitesse, and ride indoors.

To avoid body odor from clinging to clothes when you're working up a sweat, try Win Sports Soap, a concentrated laundry detergent, for $8.99.

For hikers

Take a hike with the MSR Pocket Rocket Stove for $40 at WildCountry. A favorite of Backpacker magazine, the stove fits in your palm and weighs just 3 ounces. No priming, pressurizing or maintenance. Have boiling water in less than 4 minutes.

Water, water everywhere

Divers, waterskiers, skiers, snowboarders canoeists, kayakers -- make that anyone who can get wet --  will appreciate the Sea Life Ecoshot water sports camera at Midwest Diving Specialists for only $279.95. The radically new designed digital camera is rated to 75 feet. 

If you know someone who can't live without tunes, satisfy their need with a Fusion DMP Waterproof MP3 Player. It's submergible, waterproof and shockproof, perfect for swimming, wakeboarding, snowboarding or skiing. The headset delivers great sound even underwater. A USB cable is included. Cost is $160.

How 'bout a tent?

Timberline is a name that brings confidence in when it comes to tents. They're freestanding, lightweight and feature aluminum A-frames. A hooded fly front and rear allows windows to be partially open during rain for ventilation. Shock-corded eaves increase stability and absorb wind stress. WildCountry's price is $120. Add a sports chair by Pico. It folds down to the size of a laptop computer. Cost is $124.95

Bass Pro at www.basspro.com offers a dome tent specifically designed for kids spending the night in the backyard or in the woods. Price is $24.99. Add a kid-sized hooded sleeping bag for just $9.99.

Kayaker alert

The sport of kayaking is big and getting bigger. For $329 at WildCountry, the Perception Swifty 9.5 is a recreational kayak designed for stability and paddling ease. Great for ponds, lakes and not-so-swift rivers. It has a high-back rest and seat pad for comfort.

For kids

Bass Pro Shops have several neat gifts for children on your list. The TinyLite Spincast Rod and Reel Combo is a great way to start them fishing and sells for $14.99. The "Fun With Nature" book teaches about birds, plants, flowers, rocks and more for $16.95. The Trophy Bass 2007 video game for PC or Xbox sells for $19.95. WildCountry has the perfect thing for sledding. A little red luge from Zipfy like the one used at Prairie Thunder games at the U.S Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington is only $39.95 

For hunters

For people in search of game, staying concealed is what it's all about. The API Terra XL has 360-degree camo mesh windows that eliminate all blind spots. Price is $299.99 at Bass Pro. The RedHead Deluxe Gear Bag is made of thick, heavy-duty water-resistant coated nylon and has room for all your hunting needs. Three sizes range in price from $29.95 to $49.95.

The Rocky BUZZ OFF Seven-Button Mesh Shirt is made of a cool mesh fabric for comfort during warm-weather hunts and contains invisible, odorless insect protection bonded to the fabric. It's $70 at www.llbean.com

Gift cards, certificates

Still unsure? Gift cards are great. Always the right size and the color is right. The list of places that might be good includes, but certainly isn't limited to, WildCountry, Vitesse, Illinois Cycle, Wilson's Cycle, Dick's Sporting Goods, Smiley's Sport Shop and Guns 'n Stuff all in the Twin Cities; Russell's in Washington for bikes and bike supplies; Big R's in Pontiac and various Wal-Marts throughout the area.

Take a look
Swiss Army knives from Wild Country, start at prices of $25.
Keep warm in a Northface fleece hoodie from Wild Country, price is $55. The PICO arm chair folds up to the size of a laptop computer, price is $129.95. Croc's shoes now come in your favorite pro football team color, price is $29.95. (Pantagraph/DAVID PROEBER)
Mizuno socks and hat at top. Trek Ion 6 front light below.
The Trek/Cyclops fluid trainer will turn your bike into a high tech exercise machine. It sells for $339 at Vitesse -- you supply the bike.
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