Style -- 7 days ago
These are the best Christmas gifts for adventurers
From hardy outerwear to boots tailored to the great outdoors, this is what to buy the explorer in your life
- Words: Gentleman's Journal
Whether it’s a rugged hike through Scottish hills or a spontaneous quest along winding European roads, there’s always an appetite for adventure. For those who yearn for fresh trails and uncharted destinations, we’ve assembled a curated selection of gifts that combine purpose, craftsmanship and expedition-ready style. From outerwear built to weather the elements to luggage that travels as well as you do, these are pieces built for living well beyond the front door.
Give the gift of timeless jackets
When winter winds bite or early-morning dew lingers on a woodland path, only a proper coat will do, and these take the classic adventure spirit seriously. The Purdey Lancaster Range Coat brings a refined, heritage-inspired sensibility to countryside or city alike, while the classic Barbour Beaufort Waxed Jacket remains a fail-safe: water-resistant, rugged and ready to shrug off the elements. For those who prefer something with more heritage-camping gravitas, a Belstaff Trailmaster Jacket delivers an old-school ruggedness that feels at home settled beneath a canvas tent or standing beside a roaring campfire.
Light layers for changing weather
A sturdy outer shell solves half the battle, but adventure often calls for layering. Under the cold skies, the ThruDark Mountain Pro Fusion Jacket serves as a technical layer with enough versatility for a summer trek or a brisk autumn walk. If the recipient leans toward classic practicality, the Eminence Jacket from REAL offers an understated style ideal for woodland paths or travel days alike. And, for the man who prefers a bit of countryside polish with utility, the Schöffel Oakham Gilet slots in perfectly: a sleeveless piece to bridge the gap between warmth and mobility during crisp dawns or balmy evenings.
Luggage that moves as they do
Appropriate gear means very little if there’s nowhere to stow it, which is why hardy luggage deserves just as much thought. A Bennett Winch Suede Wash Bag brings a refined, travel-ready practicality to weekends away or longer trips, while the Cambridge Weekender from Swaine has the rugged elegance that feels equally at home by a hotel fireplace or beside a lakeside. For those chasing longer horizons, the Stubble & Co Travel Backpack is a dependable companion - roomy enough for essentials yet compact enough for day hikes and train journeys.
Footwear built for mud and miles
True adventure often starts at your feet, and a solid pair of boots (or shoes) will make all the difference. The On Cloudrock Mid Waterproof brings modern performance: cushioning, waterproofing and rugged soles make light of even damp, rocky paths. And the Tracksmith Eliot Range caters to those who like to move, whether it’s early-morning runs or spontaneous countryside dashes. And when nature calls for something more weather-defiant, the Tretorn Yllins Boot offers classic, practical resilience.
Accessories (subtle touches that complete the kit)
Adventure is often in the details: the little things that prove indispensable mid-journey. The Oakley Meta Vanguard delivers smart AI and high-performance eyewear built to handle glare and shifting light, essential whether you’re trekking, driving or capturing shots on the move. Secrid’s Cardprotector+ gives a sleek, minimal and secure way to carry cards and cash on the go, and the J.Lindeberg Solarcore Mittens ensure cold hands never derail a bold expedition. Cosy, compact and undeniably useful for the winter-bound traveller.
For those whose journey is the destination
For the adventurer whose ambitions extend beyond boots and backpacks, there are gifts that promise to transform the journey itself. The INEOS Grenadier - in its rugged Trialmaster Edition - is a vehicle built for testy terrain, narrow tracks and remote roads. The Ferrari Testa Rossa J from Hedley Studios speaks to those whose spirit craves speed and style even in an explorer’s heart. And for those who travel by air (or simply dream of global escapes) a membership with VistaJet’s VJ25 offers a taste of jet-set freedom that few other gifts can match.
Whether it’s a waxed jacket built for rain-lashed moors, a backpack meant for days on the road, or a set of wings to travel to the far-flung corners, the real gift lies in the stories the recipient will collect. Wrap one of these up, and you might just be handing them their next great journey.
Want more guidance? These are the 15 best men’s watches to gift this Christmas…
