While most of your holiday gift list is happy unwrapping a crocheted pot-holder, your adventure-seeker is a harder cookie to crumble.
We’ve put together a list of this year’s top gear and apparel for military men and women to make your holiday shopping even easier! Many of the companies featured are either vet-owned and/or dedicated to giving back to their servicemen and women through proceeds and donations.
These Bullets to Bandages bottle openers don’t just look hardcore - they are actually made from 100% recycled spent military ammunition. A single bottle opener starts at $17.99, but we recommend customizing each piece with your favorite veteran’s name, unit number, or quote for that extra special holiday touch. The best part? 15% of the profits go to support Veteran-centered charities!
2. Galaxi 3P Tent
Outdoor adventurers worship NEMO Equipment for its high-quality gear, innovative designs, and unparalleled durability. We’re happy to report that the new Galaxi 3P tent doesn’t disappoint. Lightweight, hardy, and easy to set up, this 3-person tent is the ultimate gift for any backpacking junkie -- plus, it’s on sale right now for $224.98 (that’s $70 off!). Trust us, the mesh fabric construction makes for one hell of a view.
3. Classic Zippo Lighter
Our inner rebel without a cause goes crazy every time he hears the satisfying click of a classic Zippo lighter. We have a hunch your vet’s does too. Get your favorite James Dean a Zippo of his own: For just $20.95, this retro chrome classic comes in an eco-friendly gift box with a lifetime guarantee. You can customize the lighter with a name, date, unit number, or favorite quote for a gift they’ll cherish forever.
4. Exotac nanoSTRIKER Ferrocerium Fire Starter
The world changed when man discovered fire. Your world will change when you can make fire from your keychain. With up to 1000 fire-starting strikes, this USA-made collapsible self-contained waterproof fire starter is a survivalist essential. At $29.99, this ultra-portable fire starter offers some of the most bang for your buck -- or fuel for your flame, if you will -- on the market.
5. Pikes Peak Pro Socks
Can you believe getting socks for Christmas was ever considered a let-down? Nowadays these Wigwam socks are at the top of every survivalist’s holiday wish list. Nylon and merino wool mean extra stretch and added warmth, while blister-blocking technology and lightweight construction make these bad boys ideal for hiking, backpacking, and trail-blazing. $16 a pop is all it costs to make some feet seriously happy this holiday season.
6. Steripen Freedom Water Purifier
As it turns out, you actually need to drink water to survive. That’s why this water purifier is the perfect gift for outdoor enthusiasts adventuring in areas with questionable water quality. It’s designed to be carried in your pocket or purse -- kind of incredible considering it can treat 40 half liters of water on one charge, eliminating over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and other icky things that grow in sketchy places. This award-winning tool is on sale for $55.99.
The $99 lightweight 2-sleeper Kammok Roo hammock is constructed from the brand’s proprietary diamond ripstop LunarWave nylon fabric, meaning it’s both tear-resistant and breathable. The brand claims that this hammock shrinks down to "the size of an angry puffer fish" when not in use, so we think it’s safe to assume that this gift will go over well with backpackers and marine-enthusiasts alike.
8. Brass .50 caliber money clip
This handsome clip has a heartwarming backstory. After serving 8 years in the U.S. Army, disabled veteran Sgt. Shanna Rodeberg began making jewelry out of spent ammunition as a way to cope with the return to civilian life. Her therapeutic hobby blossomed into a thriving small business, with this $79 handmade brass money clip as one of her best sellers. This piece makes a stunning addition to any menswear collection -- plus 10% of the profits go to veterans charities!
9. Opinel No. 12 Explore Knife
Opinel has been making knives for a while -- well, since 1890, to be exact. So we were pretty shocked and excited to hear that the classic folding knife was getting an upgrade. At $49, the No. 12 Explore is a fantastic value for a solid, dependable survival knife. With a fire starter, 4-in blade, whistle, and hook blade, the Explore is ready for anything
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We love Minutemen watches for a lot of reasons -- *cough* five-year warranty *cough* free battery replacement -- but top of our list is the company’s dedication to our service men & women: 25% of their net annual profits are given away to organizations that assist veterans and their families. The made-in-the-USA MM01 makes a wonderful gift for your military man. With its durable construction and handsome leather strap, this bad boy is guaranteed to make its recipient very, very happy. On sale right now for $345. Worth every patriotic penny!
