Hiking is probably the harshest, most challenging way of travelling, and doing it without proper equipment could have quite unpleasant consequences. One important thing you must know is that no hiking trip resembles another, so you should always pack accordingly.

First of all, make sure to do some research. Details such as type of terrain, altitude, environment and weather are crucial. They will help you figure out which items are vital and which useless. For instance, on humid or cooler hikes you will definitely need less water and insect repellant than on hot, arid hikes. So you should learn how to modify and adapt your hiking gear to the environment.

When you first start preparing for a hiking trip you will get the urge to pack EVERYTHING, especially if you are an inexperienced hiker. It is highly recommended that you fight that urge as much as possible. What you need to realize is that you will need to carry your bag the whole trip. There is no baggage claim when it comes to hiking trips. Only take what you absolutely need and keep in mind the fact that you can always improvise while on the road.

Since we’ve already established that less is more, try to keep it simple when it comes to your gear. Don’t go and buy expensive and complicated to use gear. Stick to the things you know and you have used before. Don’t waste your money on fancy looking headlamps, watches or gaiters. For instance, you will exclusively use your headlamp for lighting. Buying one with fifteen different intensities and a flashing mode will be a waste of money.

Now, if you ask me your essential gear should include a map and a compass, a fanny pack, a flashlight, a first aid kit, sunglasses and sunscreen as well as insect repellent, a knife and a whistle. Apart from this you will also need food and water. For longer trips it is essential that you also pack water purifying tablets and a water filter. Do not forget about matches and a backup fire starter.

Apart from these items, when it comes to clothing it is recommended that you wear adequate shoes (usually hiking boots), convertible nylon pants, polypropylene underwear, a long sleeved shirt, a hat, rain jacket and pants, a fleece jacket and gloves.

Do not forget to pack your ID and money. Plastic and resealable bags could also come in handy; so will toilet paper, lip balm, a bandanna, a watch, a repair kit and some nylon cord.

These are pretty much the essentials. Of course there are many more other things you could consider if you have some extra space in your backpack. But probably the most important non – essential item is a camera or smartphone, so you can document your awesome journey with pictures.

Well. Here’s the hard part of buying a present, and unfortunately there is no other way than to go get creative. Here are some helpful hints.

1. Look at his past. This isn’t too hard to do – maybe the person recently graduated from university, so buy him a frame and put up his degree for display. Relieve someone’s childhood could be a good strategy – buy him that old game console, along with a couple of collectible games he used to play. Or buy a couple of books he/she used to read as a child for nostalgia purposes.
2. Truly ask yourself what that person needs. I know what you’re thinking – this is so damn hard! But the key here, is widen your thinking. What does a stay at home mum need? More help around the house, probably. What does a businessman need? Time, probably. So get him efficiency products, or paid applications that might help him manage time better. The idea is to think more generally about that specific person.
3. Stalk the person. This is probably the creepiest but best way to get a personalised gift. Look through their Facebook history, online presence for clues. Many people have wish lists on major shopping sites, or large marketplaces like reddit and ebay. They would be surprised (in a good way) if you managed to pull out that information.
4. If all else fails, make them laugh. Don’t just give a generic present! Know someone who loves bacon? Get him a year’s subscription to cured meats. Someone with strong political views? Get him an autobiography of Bill Clinton. Keep it light, and I’m sure the desired target will appreciate it. Make sure you don’t offend anyone with your gifts though!

Here’s a great feel good video from Taylor Swift on gift giving! Sometimes, it’s the simple things that count!

We’ll start of the blog by first outlining some of the coolest gift ideas we’ve seen for men so far! There are some pretty crazy (in a good way) ideas out there, so just keep an open mind and read on. Gift giving is not an easy task, especially for men. Buying the fallback pair of cufflinks will always be received with a strange smile, before he asks for the receipt and returns it anyway. So here are some wild ideas to get your imagination going.

1. Suit Pajamas. Remember that show How I Met Your Mother? This would be a unique gift idea, that almost every guy would appreciate if they have seen the show. What better fashion tips can you possibly get from the biggest ‘bro’ around?
2. Playing Cards (The Designer Kinds). There are many unique decks of cards out there on the internet, and you should look at buying a man one of these sets, especially if he is a frequent poker player. They make good collectables too, so you can always buy more than one.
3. Whiskey. Ahh. The perennial favourite. It’s not hard to pick a good whiskey and almost every guy would appreciate a bottle lying around the house. My favourite? The Yamazaki range. Amazingly smooth Japanese whiskey.
4. Collar Stay Punches. Who knew something like could be so handy? Collar stays are a very significant (yet something many guys don’t think about) part of men’s wardrobes.
5. Uniquely Shaped Ice Cube Makers. Great for novelty and a good laugh. Check out some of these cool ones over here.
6. Pocket Torches. Great if your man smokes, or loves the occasional cigar. You can find some really crazy looking ones, including one that looks like a flamethrower.
7. Tie Racks. Most guys don’t have one. It’s great if he wears a suit all the time. Instead of risking a tie that he might not like, just buy him something to organise the ties. Genius.
8. Cold Growler. It’s like the opposite of a thermos. Keeps beers cool for up to 24 hours.
9. Leather Business Card Cases. These are fantastic if the man is a businessman of some sort.

Things to NEVER BUY:

1. Anything Tech Related. Seriously. You have no idea what anybody else wants, so stay away from headphones, laptops, phones etc. unless he explicitly has been hinting for them.
2. Clothes. Unless you’re really, really close and know his/her style, there’s a good chance whatever you buy him ends up unused in the closet.