Garmin Fenix Smartwatch
This year there’s some great technology out there which can really enhance activities for people in the military. One of our favourite pieces at LOWA is the Garmin Fenix Smartwatch. Featuring GPS and an in-built health monitoring system, the Garmin Smartwatch is a handy piece of kit for helping military personnel stay safe when enduring long missions in the outdoors.
Leatherman or Gerber Multi-Tool
Another crucial piece of equipment and consequently fantastic Christmas gift for people in the military is a good quality multi-tool. A multi-tool is essential for completing a range of tasks as it contains cutters, scissors, screwdrivers and more. Leatherman and Gerber are renowned for their exceptional quality and offer a range of multi-tools.
LOWA Boot Socks
Designed to provide comfort without compromising on practicality, LOWA socks are worn perfectly with a pair of military boots. Our socks are made using materials which have anti-odour and anti-bacterial properties to ensure the wearer’s feet are kept fresh on long treks. Ventilation zones help heat escape whilst specially padded sections support the ankles and heel to ensure feet are kept comfortable whatever the conditions.
Waterproof Notebook
For a unique gift idea which they may not have come across before, a waterproof notebook is bound to please friends and relatives who work in the military. Rite in the Rain’s pocket notebook are made from paper which is 100% waterproof and fits easily into a bergen, daysac, trouser or smock pocket. Resistant against mud and oil as well as rain, a waterproof notebook keeps essential military notes protected from the elements whilst allowing users to quite literally ‘write in the rain’.
LOWA Boot Care Products
Ideal for use as stocking fillers or gifted as a set, LOWA boot care products make useful accessories for military personnel who need to maintain their boots. LOWA accessories which include cleaning sprays and brushes can be bought individually or as part of a set. The LOWA boot care and water-repellent set is currently priced at just £19.99 and contains three essential boot wear products including LOWA’s highly effective water stop pro spray.
Daysacks/Bergens
When carrying essential kit on exercise or operations people in the military need a hard-wearing Daysack or Bergen that they can rely upon. A truly thoughtful gift, and, one of the UK’s best-selling rucksacks in the British Army, the Camelbak Motherlode is designed to withstand the toughest conditions. Interior contents are protected by exceptionally durable 500D Cordura whilst a Camelbak water storage feature allows military personnel to stay hydrated when on long exercises.
Comprising a 35L main compartment, the Dragon Commanders Patrol Pack is also worth taking a look at during your Christmas shopping. Large side pockets provide room for storing the essentials and wide, padded shoulder straps ensure comfort when transporting heavy loads over long distances.
Jackets/Smocks
For a gift which will keep loved ones warm and dry when on deployment, a smock is an incredibly useful choice of gift for people in the military. The Level Peaks Technical Smock has been tested by military personnel which is why it is placed among our top recommendations. This multicam smock is wind, sand and water-resistant making it highly durable in adverse conditions whilst it’s lightweight and low bulk design makes it comfortable to wear.
For loved ones whose work is based in the air, we recommend the Keela ODIN Parachutist Smock. Designed for the airborne soldier, the Keela jacket is built with a number of features to ensure unrestricted movement whilst providing the necessary weather protection. Comfortable yet extremely functional, smocks such as this Keela one are bound to be well received by the military person in your life.
Sleeping bag
When sleeping out in all weather conditions, an insulated sleeping bag is an absolute essential for people in the military. Here, high quality and performance are key to sourcing a reliable sleeping bag. This is where we would recommend Carinthia performance sleeping bags, which are made specifically for wild sleeping. Made from insulating materials, Carinthia’s sleeping bags can provide warmth in temperatures as low as -20 degrees celsius. Two-way zips and an insulated baffle, also help to keep heat in whilst a no-stitch through construction method reduces the risk of cold spots. Exceptionally light in weight, Carinthia sleeping bags are hassle-free to carry which will benefit your friend/ relative who is in the military when they are transporting a whole host of kit.
iPads & Tablets
Perfect for providing your loved one with some light entertainment when they’re away from home, iPads and Tablets are a great choice of Christmas gift for people in the military. Available first hand at a range of price points, tablets and iPads have been around for quite some time now so you can probably find great options second-hand or refurbished.
What makes them ideal for military men and women is that they are lightweight, easy to carry and don’t take up too much space. What’s more, they’re incredibly versatile and can be used to play games, listen to music, watch videos, read e-books, and so on. As with phones, their Sim cards would need to be disabled in operational environments, but there is still plenty that you could do with them in that state.
LED Head Torches
Another military essential which we shouldn’t forget is a durable head torch. Designed to keep their user’s hands completely free while in use, head torches are a particularly handy choice of Christmas gift for people in the military, especially if you get one with water-resistant properties. LEDs produce a far brighter light than other kinds of torches and also boast an exceptionally long battery life. All in all, another practical military gift idea but one which is bound to please.
Hopefully, this guide has left you feeling a little more inspired to face this year’s Christmas shopping. For more information on any of the LOWA accessories which we have mentioned above and for further gift inspiration please browse our full accessories range. Here you’ll find plenty more Christmas gifts for people who are in the military as well as gifts for friends and family who love the great outdoors.
