Roanoke Outside 2022 Gift Guide
When you purchase outdoor gear at businesses in the Roanoke Region, not only does that money support our local economy, but it supports real, live outdoor professionals making a living in the outdoors.
Doesn’t that sound good?
The next best thing about shopping from businesses in the Roanoke Region? We know them! So we asked them what gifts would make an outdoor-lover’s holiday season the brightest–and they did not disappoint with their recommendations.
Read on for the Roanoke Outside Gift Guide 2022!
Jenn & Bobbie at Fleet Feet Roanoke choose Goodrs and the Garmin Forerunner 55.
Jenn: Goodr sunglasses are stylish, fun, functional and affordable shades that you can exercise in. They do not slip, bounce, and they are polarized. Making them the best running sunglasses ever invented.
I picked these because these are my daily necessity. Regardless of the amount of sunshine, if it’s daytime I got to have my Goodrs. Running, walking, or just hanging out I wear them constantly because they are comfortable I can’t even feel them on my face. Goodr is constantly introducing fun colors and new styles. Oh and the price…. I hate losing sunglasses but at least now I’m upset because I lost a good friend, not because I lost a small fortune.
Bobbie: Garmin Forerunner 55 is an easy-to-use GPS smartwatch designed for people of all skill levels to track their stats and chase their fitness goals. The ease of operation and wear allows the device to be practical for even the newest of users.
This product has allowed me to understand the basics of my body’s metrics while exercising and how to improve them. It sends me workout suggestions, pace goals, tracks sleep and stress – many things that guide and effect performance. Perfect for this running newbie!!
Shop Garmin Forerunner 55 from Fleet Feet
Karen and Whit at Cardinal Bikes pick Retul Bike Sizing and Adjustable Kids Bikes.
Karen: It’s a common misconception that numb or tingly hands, knee pain, and saddle discomfort are just a part of cycling. Thanks to Retul Bike Fitting technology and Cardinal’s highly-trained fitting staff, cyclists can prevent injuries, increase efficiency, and improve performance and comfort. A custom Retul fit uses 3D video and precise data, taken while you ride, to accurately measure every degree of movement and millimeter of distance, which provide the fitter with data to make the best choices for your equipment and body mechanics.
Beside being Cardinal’s head fitting specialist, Karen is a competitive cyclist who within the last year has raced in the USAC Marathon MTB Nationals, at the elite level in UCI Cyclocross, completed the Trans-Sylvania Epic Multiday stage race, and the VBR Ironman. As a cycling and triathlon coach and multi-discipline athlete, Karen understands just how crucial a proper bike fit is for your longevity and performance. She’s also witnessed first hand just how much fitting can help cyclists meet their goals.
Shop fittings at Cardinal Bikes
Whit: Kids move fast, and grow faster – which is why Specialized developed a children’s bike that has multiple adjustable features that grow alongside your child. This means one bike that will last years’ longer than an ordinary bike. The Jett Multispeed features adjustable handlebar, 2-hole position cranks, and a seat tube almost double the standard length.
As a parent you’re always trying to maximize value when it comes things you buy your kids. They truly thought of everything when designing the Specialized Jett 24, so you don’t have to worry if you got the safest, most comfortable, and best valued product on the market. BONUS: The Jett 24 and most kid bikes are one sale through the holidays!
Shop Specialized Jett 24 at Cardinal Bikes
Ashley and Andrew from Walkabout Outfitter suggest the Ultra-Sil Nano Pack and Rumpl.
Ashley: Rumpls are the perfect gift item! Rumpls are sleeping bag blankets, they are compactable and super warm! Rumpl is one of those items you didn’t know you needed until you got it as a gift. I got mine as a gift and it lives in my backseat as an emergency/park/campfire blanket and I have an extra for my couch and one for my bed! I love Rumpl and so do my cats 🙂
Rumpls are sleeping bag blankets that can be taken anywhere! Rumpl uses performance materials typically found in premium outdoor gear and activewear to modernize a dated and boring blanket category. They have a DWR finish for stain and water resistance and are machine washable.
Andrew: These bags are light and durable, being made of ultra-sil ripstop. They are perfect for short 2-4 mile walks with pets, festivals, and amusement parks.
The Sea to Summit stuffable nano pack is perfect for thru-hikers and day hikers who are trying to keep things light. These packs hold 18 liters at capacity, stuff down smaller than an egg, and weigh less than 2 ounces.
Shop Sea to Summit at Walkabout
Rick and Matt from Blue Ridge Overland Gear pick the Triple Run Bum Bag, Small First Aid Kit, and the Velcro Headrest Panel.
Rick: Our Triple Run Bum Bag is the classic fanny pack distilled to its most basic components. It’s sized to hold those items that clutter your pockets or sink to the bottom of your backpack in a small convenient package. The optional First Aid Wallet and Velcro Elastic Keeper allow the end user to customize how they organize the items in the Bum Bag. I carry mine in town, at the shop, and on the trail. It usually holds a flashlight, a notebook, pens, and whatever else I’m packing around for the day.
Shop for the Triple Run Bum Bag at Blue Ridge Overland
Matt: Our Small First Aid Kit and Velcro Headrest Panel are perfect for overlanders, but they’re also really useful for anyone who has a first aid kit in their vehicle. This combo allows the driver, passenger, and rear seat occupants to access first aid while still wearing their seat belts. Even though it’s our smallest first aid bag, it holds plenty of supplies to address everything from small cuts and scrapes to emergency situations. If you have to search for your first aid kit, you’re losing valuable time in an emergency situation.
Shop for the Small First Aid Kit and the Velcro Headrest Panel at Blue Ridge Overland
Hanna (& Nugget) from Outdoor Trails chooses Blundstone Boots and an outfit from Toad & Co.
Hanna: These authentic leather boots are made in Australia and built to go wherever life takes you, whether in urban cityscapes or off-road in the outdoors. We have a vast selection of colors and styles for men and women.
Hanna’s outfit is all from Toad & Co. The Merino Heartfelt Hoodie is a cold-weather essential that is moisture wicking while providing tons of warmth without the weight. The beautiful color combos are simply timeless. The Piru Mockneck Long Sleeve Tee is made from recycled polyester and hemp, which are good for you and Mother Earth. The hemp is tough yet soft, and the polyester wicks away moisture to keep you dry. Layer under overall or pair with a shirt and let the seasonal vibes carry you away. The Cottonwood Overall is timeless to the core. These overalls are durably built from soft and sustainable organic cotton and polyester twill that are just as tough as the outdoor adventures you take.
Shop Blundstone and Toad & Co at Outdoor Trails at 28 Kingston Dr in Daleville.
Ally from Run About Sports picks Gloves and Hydration.
Ally: We try to be outside for several hours a day with our kids no matter what the weather, so it’s essential to have gear that supports all-weather activity. During the winter, I like to have a spare set of gloves in my car and in my purse so there are no excuses that we get outside no matter what! Gloves are also a great practical gift, so you can’t go wrong buying more gloves. I’ve also been a fan of LMNT no-sugar hydration for a long time and love all the fruit flavors.
Versatile comfort and moisture-wicking warmth is found in both the Craft Running Lumen Hybrid Glove and the Oiselle Head and Hands double watch hole glove. Both options feature tech-touch fingertips! The premium Craft option features a 2-in-1 glove/mitten for maximum warmth, and the Oiselle option comes in three beautiful colors. Pair these with year-round flavorful no-sugar electrolyte hydration from LMNT.
Shop Craft and Oiselle at Run About Sports at 3635 Franklin Rd SW in Roanoke.
Tim at Wilderness Adventure picks Summer Adventure Camp.
Tim: By giving the gift of adventure camp for the holidays, you can give your kids the opportunity to build confidence, leadership, and teamwork skills through exciting adventure activities and lasting friendships.
Give the gift of outdoor adventure and personal growth to a child this summer! WA offers 1-3 week trips for children ages 9-17. During their time with us, your child will be introduced to new outdoor skills such as kayaking, canoeing, caving, rock climbing and outdoor living skills. More importantly, however, your child will explore our beautiful area of Virginia while backpacking to new campsites each night, spend countless hours laughing around their hand-crafted campfire each night, and ultimately leave us as a more confident individual!
Shop 1, 2, or 3-week Adventure Camps at Wilderness Adventure
Stratton at the Black Bibs picks the Ultimate Bib Tights.
Stratton: I am a big fan of the Ultimate Tights because they keep me riding outside and off the trainer in the colder months. The side pockets are a game changer if you like taking pictures on your rides because it makes your phone much easier to access
The Black Tights have a snug compressive fit to keep you comfortable and warm all winter long. Behind each lower leg is a reflective tab for extra visibility and side pockets on the outer thigh to keep necessities in an easy-to-access location.
(Also available for women’s fit.)
Shop the Ultimate Bib Tights at The Black Bibs
TMac and Don from Orvis choose the Horseshoe Hills Quarter-Zip and the Tech Chambray Western Shirt.
TMac: Just such a versatile piece! Warm for the weight, perfect under a jacket or vest. Available in lots of colors, and a hooded version too.
The fleeced back’s air pockets trap heat and wick moisture to keep you warm and dry. Raglan sleeves ensure a comfortable range of motion, while the smooth exterior (no side seams) helps reduce chafing when you’re at your most active. Shaped back hem provides full coverage; quarter-zip neck allows you control the temperature as you please. Zip vertical pocket for securing valuables or phone. Active fit.
Shop the Horseshoe Hills Quarter-Zip at Orvis
Don: It’s classic! Western yoke and mother of pearl snaps. What’s not to like
Technical performance with a Western twist. Our customer-favorite Tech Chambray Work Shirt gets its spurs with a pearl snap button-front, Western-style pockets, and a front and back yoke that are worthy of life on the range. Except it comes with high-tech features cowboys never had: UPF 30 sun protection in a lightweight, quick-drying, and wicking fabric with mechanical stretch for all-day comfort. And even during a long day in the saddle, this shirt won’t wrinkle. Our signature sunglasses cleaner is hidden in the hem. Hidden button-down collar. Active fit.
Shop the Tech Chambray Western Shirt at Orvis
Eoinn and Charity from Roanoke Mountain Adventures pick the MountainSmith Trippin’ Fanny and the Kelty Bestie Blanket.
Eoinn: An 80s throwback retro-styled fanny pack, with modern design. Comfortable around the waist or as a cross-body sling, it keeps the essentials close without weighing down on the fun. Made from durable cordura fabric with two zippered accessory pockets and a large main pocket. Eoinn says it can fit a lot for a full day out with dividable storage and has awesome color selections with cool leather accents.
Charity: A packable and affordable quilted down blanket, perfect for concerts or around the campfire; easy to stow in the car and grab whenever you need a little extra warmth. Charity likes that it has several cute patterns, is packable and it is double-sided, with a soft side.
Shop for the MountainSmith Fanny or Kelty Bestie at Roanoke Mountain Adventures at 806 Wasena Ave in Roanoke.
Kim at Trek Roanoke picks the FX+ 2
Kim: The tech you get. A lightweight aluminum frame and fork, Trek’s proprietary pedal assist system with a hub motor (250W, 40Nm) that assists up to 20 mph and a 250Wh battery for a range of up to 35 miles per charge.
Shop the FX + 2 at Trek Bikes Roanoke
John and Mike from Mast General Store choose the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket and Darn Tough Socks.
John:I love this jacket! The Primaloft insulation is incredibly warm for the weight. It has a 100% polyester shell and lining and it’s great for all weather and dries quickly! I can layer it with a base layer or use it as a mid-layer in more extreme weather. It’s my everyday jacket for almost everything and great for bike riding in cooler temps.
Warm, windproof, water-resistant—the Nano Puff Jacket from Patagonia uses incredibly lightweight and highly compressible 60-g PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Eco 100% postconsumer recycled polyester with P.U.R.E.™ (Produced Using Reduced Emissions) technology, wrapped in a 100% recycled polyester shell and lining.
Shop the Nano Puff at Mast General Store
Mike: Merino wool socks are unmatched in performance! Darn Tough socks are unmatched in their durability and comfort. I would buy them without the warranty but knowing they’re guaranteed for life is just a bonus.
Darn Tough socks are purpose built premium Merino wool socks made in Vermont, USA. The socks are guaranteed for life to be the best fitting, most comfortable, and durable socks you’ve ever worn.
Shop Darn Tough at Mast General Store
Kait right here at the Roanoke Outside Foundation recommends a gift card to America’s Toughest Road Races.
Kait: America’s Toughest Road Races happen in our hometown. How inspiring is that? The course is beautiful, the community support is spectacular, and crossing that finish line after running over three mountains? It’s a lifetime achievement…and there’s a city-wide party to celebrate. These gift cards cover registration costs, and they are the perfect way to tell someone, “I believe in you.”
The Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon takes place on April 22, 2023 and features Mill Mountain, Roanoke Mountain, as well as sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Roanoke River Greenway, and beautiful South Roanoke.
Not looking to run 26.2 miles? There’s a half, a 10k, a team relay, a Family 1-Miler, and–if you’re crazy–a double marathon.
Shop Blue Ridge Marathon Gift Cards.
Well, there you have it! Gifts for virtually every person on your list. And you can get them all right here in the Roanoke region and feel great about your purchase going to support a lifestyle (and community) you love.
BONUS! Consider making a donation on behalf of a loved-one to Project Outside.
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