By Steve Waters
If you don’t spend time outdoors, you probably find it challenging to purchase holiday gifts that will be used by the anglers, boaters, kayakers and hikers on your shopping list. Here are products that people who spend time outdoors will be thrilled with:
Rēvo sunglasses
People who love the water can always use a pair of quality polarized sunglasses. Rēvo glasses were created in 1985 by a NASA engineer who thought that the coatings used to protect satellites from space radiation could be applied to sunglasses.
Rēvo sunglasses come in a variety of styles, lens colors, lens materials and vision options.
The revo.com website lists all the styles and suggested activities for the different lens colors. The lightweight Dune is available in graphite, blue or green lenses and has wide side-shield frames for glare protection on the water.
The wraparound Jasper, which has blue or green glass lenses, also is recommended for fishing. Most items on the Rēvo website range from $199 to $299, with additional costs for prescription lenses.
Revant replacement lenses
If you have sunglass frames you like but the lenses are scratched or broken, Revant offers replacement sunglass lenses for a wide variety of makes, including Rēvo, Oakley, Ray-Ban, Costa and Maui Jim. Lenses are available in a variety of colors. Most nonpolarized lenses are $24.99; polarized are $34.99 to $39.99. Visit revantoptics.com.
Rux waterproof bag
This bag is ideal for anglers, divers, kayakers, beachgoers, campers and anyone else who needs to prevent everything from wallets, cellphones and electronics to clothing, towels and snacks from getting wet.
The roomy Rux bag comes in five colors as well as clear. It has handles and a comfortable, removable shoulder strap. It has a compression strap that hooks to a loop across the top of the bag to keep the contents under control if needed.
Inside the nylon bag is a roll-top that folds out so you can roll it down and secure it with a snap closure to make the Rux completely waterproof, which is perfect for kayakers.
I bring my gear-filled Rux on boats and take it with me when fishing from shore. The waterproof bag retails for $135 and is available at rux.life.
Hook & Tackle shirts
Miami-based Hook & Tackle was a pioneer in offering UPF 50-plus sun protection button-down and T-shirt fishing shirts. The company — which also makes shorts, pants, swim trunks and fishing hoodies for men and women — has several new long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirts that can be worn for any outdoor activity as well as around town.
The long-sleeve Coastline is made from a new, extremely lightweight microfiber stretch material that feels great against your skin. It has snap-secured chest pockets as well as an inner zippered pocket. The moisture-wicking mesh lining and vented back keep you cool on the water.
The lightweight, durable short-sleeve shirts also have UPF 50-plus protection, stretch fabric, rear air vents and secured chest pockets. Prices for all the shirts range from $55 to $65 at hookandtackle.com.
Coalatree Trailhead pants
I’ve worn these hiking through the woods and on the beach in cool, windy weather. They are made from durable, breathable ripstop nylon that is water resistant and stain-proof. The four-way-stretch pants have deep front pockets, so your valuables won’t fall out while you’re fishing or hiking.
There are two back pockets, one of them with a secure closure. The elastic waistband has tie strings as do the cuffs, so you can raise them up in wet or muddy conditions. The Trailhead pants, which come in seven colors, sell for $99 at coalatree.com.
Outset trousers
This model by Nomatic is a dressier option that you can wear while exploring the outdoors or a nice restaurant’s menu. The wrinkle-free pants are made from a soft, stretchy polyester that is coated to repel water and stains. Among the thoughtful features are a dedicated phone pocket, a hidden zippered pocket inside one of the back pockets, a gusseted crotch and a stretchable waist. Available in classic and slim fits, the Outset pants cost $129.99 at www.nomatic.com.
Protalus insoles
Protalus insoles can help you hike or fish all day. The T-100 Elite insoles replace the ones that come with your boots and shoes, offering a more secure fit. They have a deep heel cup that guides your heels and ankles into the proper alignment, which results in pain relief and less muscle fatigue. Go to protalus.com/collections/shop.
Active Skin Repair
If you’re like me, whenever you go to the woods or you’re bouncing in a boat around fishing hooks and spiny lobsters, you invariably end up with scrapes, cuts, blisters, bug bites and sunburns.
Unlike typical first aid creams, Active Skin Repair has hypochlorous acid, or HOCl, and no toxic chemicals, synthetic antibiotics or petroleum. HOCl is produced by the body’s white blood cells to promote healing.
I used the antimicrobial hydrogel on cuts on my arm and hand and scrapes on my leg and was impressed by how quickly those wounds healed.
The company also has a skin repair spray, a kid spray and a baby spray. The gel is $34.97 and the spray is $29.97 on the bldgactive.com website, and a bundle package of a gel and a spray is $59.97.
Licenses to fish, hunt
Licenses are needed for ages 16-64 to fish, catch lobsters and hunt in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is offering discounted licenses for residents through Jan. 3. Annual and five-year Gold Sportsman licenses are half-price and an annual freshwater/saltwater fishing combination license is only $5 plus applicable fees. The regular price is $32.50. Licenses can be purchased at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com and at tax collector offices.
Outdoors writer Steve Waters can be reached at steve33324@aol.com.
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