Top Ten Gift Ideas for Outdoor Guys

His idea of a good weekend entails heavy packs, close calls and head butts with nature. Yep, it's the outdoor guy. He leaves the house as an organized, well maintained, high tech human and comes back looking like Grizzly Adams after a fight with mama bear. There are two things outdoor guys live for: gear and putting it to the test. It may be redolent of enabling, but here are the hottest gifts for guys who stay inside only when they have to.

1) Zeal Optics Maestro Sunglasses ($130)
These aren't for sitting pretty on the beach, these are performance shades. The sepia-polarized polycarbonate lenses with amber tint increase depth perception, intensify contrast, sharpen edges and work in any light condition. All that tech talk means when your outdoor guy is flying downhill faster than anyone should he'll be able to see in changing light conditions. The lenses curve around the face allowing for good peripheral vision (like in case a mountain lion is in pursuit). They'll also stay put with spring-loaded hinges that hug the head and won't slide off when adrenaline kicks in.

2) Vasque Blur Trail Runners ($85)
Trail runners, like your outdoor guy, can go from pavement to gravel to rocks with ease. Don't call them sneakers. These are shoes that turn civilized people into wild animals. The Vasque Blur fits snug with contours in all the right places eliminating flop and blisters. They are lightweight but padded in impact points just in case your outdoor guy stumbles unwillingly onto a man-made surface. The toes are stub-proof, the soles are sticky and reflective strips shine under a full moon. They are composed of a microfiber that doesn't mind getting wet and allows feet to breathe. Just add an outdoor guy and healthy lungs.

3) Arc'teryx Naos 55 Backpack ($429)
This pack is an outdoor luxury. Made from just two pieces of fabric it's comfortable, durable, waterproof and streamlined. It features an integrated harness-frame-pack design which keeps the load on the hips, not the shoulders allowing ease of carry and movement. It rides out rainstorms with a roll-top closure and sealed seams that make ducks envious. It even floats if the tide grabs it. It's been tested in the harshest conditions and emerged looking barely used which is usually rarely said about your outdoor guy.

4) Nikon D50 Digital Camera ($760)
They best part about being an outdoor guy is reliving the adventure. The Nikon D50 digital camera is the perfect accomplice on any adventure. This camera is easy going, doesn't complain and does it's job even if your outdoor guy thinks megapixels are something in an energy drink. It captures fast action and allows RAW format capabilities that don't limit post production. The ergonomic design and rubberized grip keep it with your outdoor guy. And it even works indoors.

5) Garmin GPSmap 60CSx ($500) and Garmin MapSource topo CDs ($100)
Although getting lost is kind of the idea, this GPS makes it a choice. This palm size unit lets your outside guy find his way to dangerous locations and the way back home. It's simple enough for novices but sophisticated enough for seasoned users. It weighs in at just 7oz but is loaded with memory, an ultra-fast processor, multiple screens, an altimeter and a compass. It's small but easily operated with one hand and allows use even with bulky gloves. The battery time is the best on the market and the digital mapping software is detailed and easy to navigate so your outdoor guy won't find himself stranded.

6) Sierra Designs Trade Wind Sleeping Bag ($330)
This bag combines the warmth of down with a waterproof exterior and has just enough wiggle room from shoulders to toes with a contoured footbox and roomy hood. It will keep your outdoor guy warm even when the thermometer dips below freezing. Sierra Designs is known for no gimmicks gear and they've gotten everything into this lightweight (2.8 lbs) bag at a competitive price without skimping. It stuffs beautifully and is even stylish with a colorful print liner.

7) Black Diamond Skylight Tent ($430)
Big, light and dry is what your outdoor guy wants in a tent. The Skylight from Black Diamond stays dry, in place and has plenty of room for stowing all the other gear in tow. It's roomy enough for three people but perfect for two and a trail dog. At just 4.2lbs, this tent is ultra-light, water resistant and well ventilated with well placed roof vents. A roll back fly allows for stargazing without commitment - it can be zipped up at the first scent of rain. It's the perfect home away from home for your outdoor guy.

8) REI Katadyn Vario Microfilter ($79.95)
If you want you outdoor guy home safe and bug free a water filter or purifier is a necessity. For most North American adventures, a filter is sufficient to remove unmentionables like crytopsporidia, giardia and bacteria from drinking water. This unit is just 1lb 2oz but cleans water at the rate of one quart per minute. It fits standard, wide-mouth bottles and accommodates hydration systems with a filling hose. It's easy to assemble, easy to use and comes with plenty of replacement parts to keep your outdoor guy hydrated on the move.

9) Highgear Summit Multi-Function Watch ($160)
This watch is so high tech it comes with an instructional DVD. It's barely there with a weight of just 2oz. It's 2" digital display tells elevation, direction and forecast. The altimeter reports elevation in feet or meters and stores accumulated and maximum values. It's water resistant up to 30 meters (99 feet). A built-in barometer gives insight to weather changes and the thermometer lets your outdoor guy know how cold it is in either Fahrenheit or Celsius. It also tells time, in 12 or 24 hour format in up to two time zones. It's easy to read and use and will make your outdoor guy feel adventurous around the clock.

10) The Best of Outside: The First 20 Years by the Editors of Outside Magazine ($14.95 Paperback)
The next best thing to an outside adventure is reading about one and this collection of essays has plenty of heart-pumping, death defying first hand accounts that will inspire your outdoor guy while daydreaming of his next big trip. Here, the editors of Outside magazine offer the best tales of worldwide adventure, nature perspectives and wilderness insights. You might think hardcover is a nicer gift, but the paperback version "stuffs" into a backpack better.