12 Practical Stocking Stuffers for Outdoorsmen in 2021
For a lot of folks, it’s that time of year again for coming together with those we love and hold dear to our hearts.
A time when we gather to enjoy each others company, catch up on what is new in each other’s lives, and partake in the retelling of old stories.
Some of my most fond memories come from the holidays. It has always been a time when I get to see all of the family that I never get to see during the hustle and bustle of the rest of the year.
There is always a sense of joy and happiness in the air and I get a little reminder to count my blessings and remember everything that I am thankful for.
There are many traditions tied to the yuletide holiday season and one of the oldest of those is the hanging of stockings by the fire. There are popular legends that attempt to tell the history of this Christmas tradition.
One such legend has several variations, but goes on to tell the story of St. Nicholas who would never accept compensation, but wanted to help people. So he did so in secret by placing gold in their stockings at night while they dried by the fire. These were usually the stockings of folks in need. This act of kindness would over time become the legend of Ole St. Nick, or Santa Claus.
These days you never know what you’re going to get in your stocking and you just hope you haven’t been bad enough to get an old lump of coal.
So, if you’re having trouble trying to figure out what to stuff in the stocking of the Rugged Man in your life, we aim to give you a little help with these 12 Practical Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Outdoorsmen.
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12 Practical Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Outdoorsmen
Atwood Parapocalypse Paracord
I’m delighted by this advancement in the world of paracord utility. I have never used this stuff, but I have to throw it on the list today because it just seems amazing!
Not only do you get all the benefits of paracord, you also get high-end practical survival tools.
With a waxed-jute strand, you can easily start fires with little effort. Use the 10lb fishing line to catch your dinner. Use the 900F heat-resistant cord for campfire rotisserie cooking, friction saws, or suspending a hot broken muffler.
Lastly, you have the almighty Dyna X cord with super strength, ultra low-stretch and perfect for emergency sutures, dental floss or animal snares.
For more ideas on optimizing the things you carry every day and general tactical and preparedness items and topics, check out
Zippo's All-in-one kit has all the essentials needed to operate your lighter. This kit includes a Zippo Street Chrome lighter, flint dispenser (6 flints), and a 4 ounce can of Zippo lighter fluid.
The ever-satisfying, globally-recognized "Zippo click" is one of the more distinctive sounds you'll hear, and this classic lighter brings it to you in an elegant and refined matte chrome finish. The all-in-one kit also includes four ounces of lighter fluid and six replacement flints with an installation tool. Made in the USA, all Zippo lighters feature sturdy construction and a wind-proof flame.
For more ideas on optimizing the things you carry every day, check out
A tool like no other, The Geekey Multi-tool is a solid chunk of 420 Stainless Steel made by Metal Injection Molding (MIM), heat treated to H900, and featuring over 16+ tool functions that each provide multiple uses. Geekey's durability and ultra compact design allow it to be an easy companion for your every day carry.
FEATURES & SPECS:
Smoking Pipe
3.2/3.3mm Bike Spoke KeyS
Screw Driver tip that will fit a #2/3 Slotted, #2 Square Drive, #2/3 Phillips, and #2/3 Combinations (Phillips/Slotted or Phillips/Square) screw all in one bit
Imperial and Metric Closed Wrench
¼” Open Wrench
¼” Bit Driver
Scoring Tip
Serrated Edge
Can Opener
Wire Stripper
File
Imperial and Metric Ruler
Protractor
Bottle Opener
Multi-head fit Driver
Lanyard Hole
For more ideas on optimizing the things you carry every day, check out
If you’ve ever been way out, with no choice but to walk if you’re going to get back, and have to do that with blisters on your feet, you will put it at the top of your list as well. A good pair of socks are sometimes the difference between blisters or no blisters.
They have an extra heavy terry loop cushioning surrounding the entire foot and entire leg for maximum warmth. Over-the-calf, terry rib knit for custom fit, custom shrink treated Merino wool, and reinforced heel and toe. Elastic support at the arch along with ring toe construction provide a comfortable, invisible seam. These socks are ideal for extremely cold weather.
For more ways to keep your feet warm check out ESSENTIAL CONTENTS FOR A GET HOME BAG: A COMPLETE 2021 CHECKLIST
I carry at least three pairs of gloves in my GHB. One pair is for absolute warmth to be worn over top of a utilitarian glove liner that can double as it’s own durable glove that makes for easy handling, and finally the third pair, the tactical pair.
This brings us to the Edelweiss S-Grip Glove. This is my tactical glove that takes the beating and does the heavy lifting if needed along the way. These are synthetic gloves made with an anti-slip silicone synthetic leather palm, stretch fabric, and neoprene. Two half-fingers and two full fingers are for dexterity.
When I’m done with the rough stuff, these go back to the pack and I break out my Hestra Deerskin Wool Tricot again for trekking. It’s a system that works for me and keeps my gear working and functional for a very long time.
For more gloves and preparedness items check out ESSENTIAL CONTENTS FOR A GET HOME BAG: A COMPLETE 2021 CHECKLIST
I have one of these around everywhere I go. Once you have them primed, you can drink water straight from the source in some pretty questionable and surprising scenarios.
Now, I wouldn’t go around sucking water through one of these things from some kind of fuel or chemical spill, but it will filter out a surprising amount of bacteria. This, of course is a last ditch scenario. All else must fail before this is how I will get my water. However, it’s great to know this is always in my pack and has my back.
FEATURES & SPECS:
Award-winning LifeStraw has been used by millions around the globe since 2005
Removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria (>LOG 6 reduction) and surpasses EPA standards for water filters
Removes minimum 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites (>LOG 3 reduction) and filters to an amazing 0.2 microns
Filters up to 1000 liters of contaminated water WITHOUT iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals
Comes in a sealed bag, perfect for storing for emergencies
For more information on disaster survival and how to be best prepared for it. Check out these three in-depth articles that cover the bases in three distinct scenarios…
BUG OUT BAG ESSENTIALS LIST: A 72-HOUR EMERGENCY KIT
THE BEST FIRST AID KIT FOR A BUG OUT BAG IN 2021
ESSENTIAL CONTENTS FOR A GET HOME BAG: A COMPLETE 2021 CHECKLIST
Having a small durable saw can do anything from removing debris off of a roadway or essential path, to sawing up firewood, or to even saw up limbs big enough that, when combined with some good strong paracord, can make one HELL of a shelter if you had no choice but to hunker down for a day or three.
The Silky Pocketboy is a compact folding saw that will take up very little room in a pocket or backpack. It features a rust-resistant, hard chrome-plated, taper-ground blade with an impulse-hardened non-set tooth design for greater cutting efficiency.
The blade locks securely into one of two open positions, in line with the handle and flush cutting. It comes with a clear thick plastic flip-lock carrying case with belt clip. One of the handiest tools I own.
For tons more gift ideas for the survivalist or bushcrafter, have yourself a sit down over at 23 GIFT IDEAS FOR BUSHCRAFTERS & OUTDOORSMEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Small, water resistant and lightweight, The Solo First Aid Kit fits perfectly in most backpacks and it's even safe for carry-on wherever you fly.
The two buttoned molle straps on the back of the Solo bag are also perfect for attaching this Kit to your GHB. My Medic has created this bag to give you quick access to your First Aid Supplies. This flat-fold design makes it easy to see what you need, when you need it.
Also check out THE BEST FIRST AID KIT FOR A BUG OUT BAG IN 2021
The Blizzard GTX Mitten is a beast of a glove made of rugged waterproof material on the outside to protect your hands from rain and snow. It has a removable insulated liner to deliver warmth in frigid conditions.
By not separating the fingers, these mittens allow the fingers to remain together underneath the Gore-Tex laminate shell for added warmth. The shell and liner can also be worn independent of each other to adapt to the fluid conditions of big game pursuits in late-season conditions.
Pittarrd Oiltac leather palms provide tactile sensitivity in the most adverse conditions, allowing you to glass through rain, sleet and snow.
These gloves are crucial to keep your hands warm and protected whether you’re actively trekking or sitting for long periods of time in harsh conditions.
FEATURES & SPECS:
GORE OPTIFADE Concealment Open Country is scientifically optimized for engagement ranges of 50 yards and beyond at ground level in rocky terrain above the timber line
Weight: 18.4 oz. / Size: L
Waterproof 3-layer GORE-TEX Shell
Synthetic Leather Palm
PrimaLoft Gold Insulated Liner
GORE-TEX 3-Layer Laminate
100 % Waterproof and Breathable
Removable Insulated Liner
Pittard's Oiltac High-Grip Leather Palm gives you complete control of your weapon
PrimaLoft Technology
For more gift ideas like this, check out our previous post, THE BEST COLD WEATHER HUNTING GEAR: A COMPLETE CHECKLIST
They say dynamite comes in small packages and that certainly applies to the Streamlight ProTac 88052 HL USB Rechargeable Tactical Flashlight. This little beast is amazing and if taken care of, should last for many years to come.
With 850 lumens, I’ve even used the Streamlight ProTac 88052 to look under the fender well of vehicles not only in broad daylight, but on extremely bright sunny days, you can still shine this thing in the shadows and illuminate everything! It’s one of the handiest and important everyday carry items I own.
With Li Ion Rechargeable Battery & USB Cord, this high lumen tactical light is USB rechargeable, so you can charge on-the-go using almost any USB source, and without taking the battery out.
The Streamlight ProTac HL USB Flashlight features a tail cap switch for momentary or constant on operation, three different user selectable programs and a pocket clip for convenience. The aircraft aluminum housing with Type II Military Spec anodizing helps make the light extremely durable and abrasion resistant.
An absolute asset for any preparedness minded individual, the ProTac HL USB is a versatile tactical light that can charge from multiple sources and use three battery types; Streamlight rechargeable lithium ion battery, two CR123A batteries, or commercially available Rechargeable Li Ion cells.
This light will charge from a laptop or most USB wall chargers. Multi battery versatility means you can always use primary disposable cells to power the light when a charging source is not available.
FEATURES & SPECS:
USB Rechargeable
Dual 100,000 hour lifetime high intensity LED solid state bulbs
Run time: 750 continuous hours
3-1/4 Inch long by 1 inch wide
IPX4 water-resistant
1 meter impact resistance tested
Gasket sealed glass lens
Durable aircraft aluminum construction with Type II MIL-Spec anodized finish
For more EDC type items for the prepared individual, check out our detailed list at THE ULTIMATE EDC ESSENTIALS LIST FOR 2021
Headlamps are really nice to have while in the backcountry. Those of us who live in towns or cities forget how much light we are constantly flooded with, until we get out into the wilds.
It helps around camp at night to have a headlamp. They free your hands for use and are generally fairly comfortable to wear. A good headlamp allows you to find your way and work in the dark if need be.
Black Diamond has been one of the best headlamp manufacturers for a while now and the REVOLT 350 HEADLAMP delivers on quality that won’t break the bank.
Cranking out 350 lumens on max, this headlamp comes with a BD 1800 rechargeable mAh lithium-ion battery, or you can get it in standard AAA if you’re old school like me. The rechargeable battery will save you money in the long run.
The BLACK DIAMOND REVOLT 350 HEADLAMP headlamp is rain and sleet tested to ensure performance in any element, and would be a great addition to any adventurer’s expedition pack.
FEATURES & SPECS:
● BD 1800 rechargeable mAh lithium-ion battery included
● AAA battery model available
● Beam: 82m on high (AAA alkaline)
● Brightness memory for turning on and off without continually adjusting
● IPX4 Storm Proof: tested to withstand rain and sleet from any angle
● Max brightness setting = 350 lumens
For tons more gift ideas for the survivalist or bushcrafter, have yourself a sit down over at 23 GIFT IDEAS FOR BUSHCRAFTERS & OUTDOORSMEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
No question that an easy way to strike sparks into tinder is invaluable in a bushcraft or backcountry scenario. Fire is a morale lifter whether your spirits are up or down, it provides warmth at night, and the ability to cook food.
We all know fire is a likely part of the equation if you're doing serious backcountry excursions, so it goes without saying you need to pick up a ferro rod and keep it in your pack or wherever it will be most handy.
Practice with your ferro rod so that you are not attempting to use it the first time during a situation where you really need to be successful.
The UBERLEBEN ZUNDEN FIRE STARTER is one of the most popular ferro rods on the market and it’s because they make a quality ferro rod.
The UBERLEBEN ZUNDEN FIRE STARTER rig comes with a striker so you do not have to wear and tear your blade to utilize this striker. They come in 5/16ths, 3/8ths, and Half Inch increments.
I recommend the half inch as it will withstand more strikes and last you longer.
FEATURES & SPECS:
● Uberleben’s Sanftkorr ferrocerium is a trademarked blend that is durable and produces a 5,500 degree spark
● Handcrafted hardwood handle
● Available in varying sizes from 5/16 to ½
● Lanyard for neck carry
● Uberleben ensures every product by offering 100% free repair and replacement if you’re not satisfied
More bushcraft items can be found at 23 GIFT IDEAS FOR BUSHCRAFTERS & OUTDOORSMEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”
― Bob Hope
However you celebrate the holidays, we here at Rugged Man wish you the happiest of holidays and hope you have a high spirited and heart-felt Christmas.
We hope our 12 Practical Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Outdoorsmen got you pointed in the right direction and helped you opt out of giving him that lump of coal this year, even if he has been a little rotten.
Remember to love one another and take this time of the year to focus on the things that you are thankful for and shower those you cherish with goodness and light.
Let the ugliness in this world continue to feed on itself. While staying prepared and keeping a watchful eye, we do not have to give ourselves over to it.
Take care of you and yours and remind them that all is well. Feed your mind and spirit with joy and happiness this holiday season and every other day of the year, for that matter.
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