Struggling to find a gift for the guy who has everything? Or perhaps you've been an exceptionally good boy this year, and you'd like to reward yourself. Either way, we rounded up a few of our favorite things, price be damned. A word of caution: while the list starts out on a (somewhat) practical note (vacuum sealer, custom-fit ski boots), it gets more absurd and starry-eyed the farther down you get (handmade wooden canoe, personal landing pad, Airstream, private plane). But what can we say—we love gear, and we've got big dreams.
JanSport Skip Yowell Collection Fort Hayes:Made for road trips and big living, this waxed cotton and leather bag holds gear in a hinge-top main compartment with two interior organizer pockets, including one just for shoes. Stash smaller items in front, quick-access zippered pockets or in dual roll-top side compartments. Throw it over your shoulder with an adjustable seat belt webbing strap. $300,jansport.com.
Wagner Custom Skis: Hand-built in Telluride, Colorado, Wagner skis take a scientific approach to creating a ski to perfectly meet your preferences. Owner Pete Wagner has cataloged the properties of every pair of boards on the market for the past ten years. He completes a full survey of your skis style and habits, as well as what you liked and didn't like about past planks, to build you a set of boards that will be your new best friend.$1750, .
Sidas/Salomon Black Boot Project: Of course, the only thing more important than custom skis is a pair of perfect-fitting boots. Everyone’s foot is different, which is why Sidas, a company that specializes in custom insoles, teamed up with Salomon to bring pro-level boot fit to anyone passionate enough to go through the process. They start with a high performance shell designed to be molded to your foot shape, then they foam inject a liner around your foot, locking in your ankle but leaving your forefoot free to move for highest performance and control whether you’re running gates or ripping groomers. $1200 for the boot—up to $700 for a fitting at an authorized dealer,
Mammut Ride ABS Pack: Anyone who travels in terrain that could slide should get an pack with an inflatable bladder—it’s the most effective way to make sure you’re not buried. Mammut’s Ride is the most flexible system, because the ABS mechanism can be easily zipped from day pack to weekend pack, which keeps cost down and saves space in the gear room. $680-$700,
Tyax Air Chilcotins Mountain Biking: There are a million guided MTB trips, but only one that’s float-plane supported into an easily accessible mountain range so infrequently visited that it’ll feel like a private refuge. Board a small plane at a dock in Whistler, and ride the Chilcotins with Tyax Air. They’ll shuttle your bags from lakeside to lakeside, where you stay in cabins or camp as you prefer. Choose two to seven days of riding, and decide if you want to be flown back to Whistler or Vancouver. Starting at $2280 for a week, .
Old Town Guide 16: Okay, now we're just straight-up picking the coolest things money (lots and lots of money) can buy. The stuff we would want if money were no object. Like this classic, low-profile wooden Maine guide canoe.Whether you’re sailing calm seas or choppy waters, the long flat floor has lots of cargo space and great initial stability, perfect for reeling in your catch, or just floating through a day on the nearest river lake or pond. Of course, it's also a stunning piece of craftsmenship you might just want to hang it from the ceiling.76 lbs, $7600-$7800,
Katal Landing Pad: Like Katal's Landing Pad. You think deep powder is soft? Miss a grab or flip, and the landing pad feels like a giant pillow. Rope tow to get you to the top not included. $25K-$39K,
Lisa Akoya: This one is the Cheech and Chong of pipe dreams. The two-seater Akoya is the first plane that can land on water as well as snow. It’s got a 1500 km range, can reach up to 250 km/hour, and the wings detach for easy storage in your garage. When you're constrained to more mundane landings, it can also land on tarmac. The price tag includes training for your pilot's license and aircraft-specific instruction. Think of the ski- and surf-trip possiblities, then look at the price tag. A guy can dream. $390K,
—Berne Broudy