Last yearwe rounded up all the gear that our staffers wanted for Valentine’s Day. Spoiler:no one was interested inflowers or chocolates. That’s also true in 2021. We think the best Valentine’s Day gift is time spent together outdoors, and these ideas can help make thoseexperiences better.
Camping Gear for Two
Writer Johanna Flashman summed it up best when she wrotethat“camping can either be a romantic night out in nature or the worst date ever (think or ). We all prefer the former, but that takes the right equipment and a lot of planning.” Sheperfected her car-campingkit after years of testingandknows how to create“date-night-quality romance from the comfort of a tent in the Sierra.” In addition to providing helpful tips for organizingan awesometrip, she also included achecklist of gear she recommends. (Do yourself a favor and print it out before your next adventure.) And contributing editor Blair Braverman lent some advice on how to plan acamping trip for your non-outdoorsy partner.
For a specific product recommendation, check out the ($110), which associate gear editor Ariella Gintzlerdescribedas “one piece of car-camping gear that’s universally loved by almost everyone on staff. I’m not generally one for bringing luxury items into the woods, but somehow this camping couch is on my permanent list of things never to leave behind.”
A National Parks Pass
Recreating in our national parks continues tolook a little different this year, but they’re still worth visting if done safely—especially if the park is localٴ you. An . Check out this 2021Ի岹 we put together to help you decide the best time of year to go. (You can also visiton these days, whenentrance fees are waived.) Andconsider gifting some gear that celebrates America’s best idea,like Swiftwick’s of socks ($20), and apparel from , which donates to conservancies across the country.
Accessories for Your Partner’sNew Hobby or Sport
A lot of us picked up new hobbies overthe past year, from bikingٴ cross-country skiingٴ simplymoving more. Gifting an itemthat makes your partner’snew activity more fun can encourage them to get outside more often. Check out our gear page, where we highlight items that we’ve tested and turn tofor specific sports. If you’re having trouble finding something, know that you can’t go wrong with a bomber pair of socks. Our Gear Guy loves the for hiking. He called them “just damn comfy.”
Reservations for aFuture Trip
Planning a getawaygives you something to look forward to, even though there are a few new things to consider while traveling this year. “Before the pandemic, the thought of calling ahead to visit a national park or an outdoor mecca seemed preposterous,” wrote contributor Jen Murphy. “But reservation systems formerly in place at popular sites like Yosemite and Rocky Mountain have shown that a little planning isn’t all that painful, especially when it means fewer people on the trails.” Check out our travel page for more inspiration. Contributor Megan Michelson recently reported onthe best Airbnbs to stay in near Zion and Bryce Canyon—d.
Books That Will Get Them Stoked
We almost have too many books to recommend, so why not start here: columnist Graham Averill rounded up six classic adventure talesthat you’ll love revisiting again and again. If you’re looking for more contemporary reads, writer Heather Greenwood Davis compiled a list of what other authors think werethe best adventure books of last year. “These eight titles will keep your wanderlust fired up for when it’s safe to travel again,” shewrites.
OK, Maybe We Do Want aLittle Chocolate…
In 2020, we learned to be kind to ourselves, especially after going through tough emotional crises, like a breakup. As contributing editor Blair Braverman wrote, cooking or ordering your favorite meals can be a form of self-love, and we all deserve to treat ourselves—and our loved ones—every once in a while with something sweet.
Start with , based inPark City, Utah. Itsfeature various tasty thingsperfect for the chocolate connoisseur in your life. You can supercharge any boring trail mix with this from , located near Albany, New York. It’s filled with chocolate-covered organic nuts and dried fruits. And for a cozy après drink on Valentine’s Day weekend, whisk upa Mexican hot cocoa, a spicy-sweet concoction that calls for a dash of cayenne. It’s just one hot-chocolate recipe in this compilation, courtesy ofcolumnist ACShilton.
Gear Sales to Check Out
We’re always keeping an eye on sales that are worth your time. Here are some good bets for Valentine’s Day.
Patagonia
Sale dates:Now through February 16
Sale details:The brand is currently offering past-season apparel and gear.
Our pick: The ($129). We love the large the mesh outer pocket, which helps air out soaked clothes.
Backcountry
Sale dates: Now through February 28
Sale details:The siteis currently offering .
Our pick: The ($115).These were the warmest gloves in our 2021 Winter Buyer’s Guide test.
Huckberry
Sale dates: Ongoing
Sale details: We keep finding gems in , which features men’s apparel and gear up to 50 percent off.
Our pick: Any of these ($65 for set of 4), with their topographic impressions of various well-known mountains. We’ve recommended them before,but they make a killer gift.