2014 Audubon Holiday Gift Guide

The holidays are just around the corner, but there's still time to find the perfect presents—from big-ticket items to stocking stuffers—for everyone on your list. Whether you're shopping for a hard-core birder or a nature-loving youngster, our gift guide has something for every outdoor maven. Happy gifting!

Optics

1. Zeiss Terra ED 8x42 Binoculars 

When it comes to the bare necessities, the Zeiss Terra ED has it all. These binoculars are waterproof, fogproof, and lightweight (no more harness wedgies!), and the extra-low-dispersion lenses prevent color fringing, making picking out subtleties from a distance no problem.

Buy it here: B&H Photo

Price: $300

2. Vortex Viper HD 8x42 Binoculars

Vortex’s Viper series serves as a happy medium between the two Zeiss models on our list. With a linear field of view of 1,000 yards and an angular field of view of 6.6 degrees, these HD binoculars have numerous features that belie their lithe shape. 

Buy it here: Eagle Optics

Price: $589

3. Zeiss Conquest HD 8x43 Binoculars

The specially coated high-density lenses on the Zeiss Conquest provide 90-percent light transmission and a twilight factor of 18.3. And for all the extremists out there: These bins function at temperatures as low as -22 degrees and as high as 140 degrees—in case Attu and Death Valley are on the same itinerary.

Buy it here: B&H Photo

Price: $969

4. Vortex Razor HD 16-48x65 Angled Spotting Scope 

Optics don’t get much sharper than a scope with a triple aprochromatic lens setup. The low mount on this model reduces wobble in the wind, and a built-in sunshade prevents pupils from being scorched.

Buy it here: S&S Archery

Price: $1,199

5. Swarkovski ATX/STX Spotting Scope

Getting a birder a Swarkorvski spotting scope is like getting a violinist a Stradivarius. The ATX is a compact device with enormous viewing power, smooth close-range focusing, and a magnesium body that’s resistant to corrosion.

Buy it here: Swarkovski

Price: $3,642

 Gear

6. Field Notes Expedition Notebooks

This pocket-sized notebook is close to indestructible: Rain, wind, acid, fire, vacuums, and even electromagnetic waves can do it no harm. Its pages are made from a thermoplastic polymer that’s nonporous and tear-proof; plus, it comes in vibrant, tanager-orange, making it difficult to lose sight of.

Buy it here: Field Notes

Price: $9.95 for a 3-pack

7. goTenna

Milliseconds are all that’s required for the goTenna to expand a smartphone’s wireless horizons. The tiny antenna uses Bluetooth to send out emergency messages to others with the device, allowing explorers to venture deep into the woods with peace of mind.

Buy it here: goTenna

Price: $149.99 for two

8. Nitecore p12 2015 Edition LED Flashlight

There will always be light, thanks to this aerospace-grade alloy flashlight from Nitecore. With numerous brightness settings—950 lumens max—and an emergency strobe beacon, it’s the ideal tool for getting through really dim situations.

Buy it here: REI

Price: $59.95

9. Sony a7s Full Frame Mirrorless Camera

The silent shutter on this sensor-enabled camera makes it ideal for shooting easy-to-spook birds (hello, Virginia Rails) and go prowling after dark. The device also boasts direct pixel readout, so it can translate every last dot into a detailed, color-saturated image.

Buy it here: Sony

Price: $2,499.99

10. Goal Zero Switch 10 Multi-tool Kit

Smart phone, camera, tablet, GPS…these days most of us don’t head out into the woods without at least one of these gadgets. Remain unplugged (from the grid, anyway) with the Goal Zero solar-powered charger; it provides up to 11 watt-hours of renewable energy, a flashlight, and a mini fan for when things really get heated on Snapchat.  

Buy it here: Goal Zero

Price: $119.95

11. Clik Elite Bodylink Telephoto Pack

A camera pack that doubles as a tripod might sound clumsy, but it’s actually quite intuitive. This deft contraption has an aluminum frame that anchors to the front of the body, making it easy to take head-on shots and even pan fluidly.

Buy it here: Clik Elite

Price: $200

Apparel 

12. Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket

Outerwear that’s practical and slimming has long been a pipe dream. Enter the Patagonia Nano Puff jacket, which makes the wearer look more svelte than, well, puffy. The key is compressible, ultra-fine synthetic insulation that has a high warmth-to-weight ratio and waterproof capabilities. 

Buy it here: Patagonia

Price: $199

13. The North Face Etip Gloves

Frozen fingers are the ultimate scourge when it comes to birding. These touch-screen gloves are perfect for sketching out IDs, scouring apps, and looking up bird calls in Cornell’s massive online library—all while keeping your fists toasty.

Buy it here: REI

Price: $45

14. Ahnu Sugarpine Waterproof Boot

Stand out from the rest of the pack with these psychedelic, Vibram-sole hiking boots. There’s no break-in period, which is great—birds don’t like to be kept waiting.

Buy it here: Nordstrom

Price: $139.95

15. TW2 Classic Winter Hat

Meet your bad hair days head on. The vintage silhouette on this cap is not just flattering, it's also waterproof and cozy, with secret ear warmers tucked into the woolen shell. As one reviewer put it: “It’s like wearing an electric heater on your head.”

Buy it here: Tilley

Price: $109.00

16. Five Ten Freerider Shoe

The Freerider is the white-tie version of a rock-climbing shoe, with all of the durability but none of the oafishness. The patented rubber sole grips rough terrain, while the toe shield prevents damage to vital digits, resulting in a handsome, yet practical field shoe. 

Buy it here: backcountry

Price: $99.95

17. SmartWool Tights

Move over, dowdy long johns: SmartWool’s merino-blend, itch-free tights can be paired with dresses or layered under wind pants. Skiers also swear by them, due to their moisture-wicking abilities and capacity for stretch.

Buy it here: Orvis

Price: $49.95

Travel

18. Carry On Cocktail Kit

This kit ensures that cocktail connoisseurs can make their favorite concoction wherever their travels take them. Diehards of the Old Fashioned will never have to fly thirsty again.

Buy it here: Sur la Table

Price: $24

19. Hydro Flask Insulated 18 oz. Water Bottle

The water in the woods may look crystal clean, but it’s teeming with organisms that don’t sit well in stomachs. The Hydro Flask, a stainless-steel bottle that uses vacuum insulation to eliminate bacteria and keep liquids chilled, is a less risky way to quench your thirst.

Buy it here: Hydro Flask

Price: $25.99

20. Scratch Map

This poster-sized atlas doubles as a bucket list (or a scratch-as-you-go list). Scrape away the layers of russet to reveal a splashier world underneath. 

Buy it here: Uncommon Goods

Price: $20

21. Leki Photosystem Carbon Trekking Pole

Forget scouring the forest in search of a tree branch that can serve as a walking stick. This innovative pole made from a nimble carbon polymer, and topped with an Aergon photo mount and carbine metal tip, expands from 2 feet to 5 feet.

Buy it here: Leki

Price: $160

22. Fjällräven Large Duffel

Sturdy and roomy: these are two important qualities in a duffel bag. This one from Fjällräven has a tidy design, with waxed fabric, leather straps, and expansive compartments that keep its contents (no matter how embarrassing) super secure. 

Buy it here: Fjällräven

Price: $170

23. Stanley Mountain Coffee System

Stanley’s integrated coffee press is ideal for those who want to make their joe on the go. Not only is it leak-proof and BPA-free, it also provides dry storage for beans, converts into two cups, and preserves ice for up to 100 hours straight. 

Buy it here: Stanley

Price: $60

Kids

24. Little Bird's ABC 

Kids can learn their ABCs and their avian onomatopoeia with these instructive illustrations. "A" is for a leaping bird’s “alley-oop,” and "T" is for a woodpecker’s “tok tok tok.” But the real question is: what kind of sound goes with "X"? 

Ages 2 yrs to 4 yrs

Buy it here: Barnes & Noble

Price: $8.95

25. Into the Field Guide: A Walk in the Woods

A child who prefers real birds to Angry Birds deserves a fantastic wildlife guide. This one comes with a nature kit and a modest heap of field tools to engage youngsters. 

Ages 5 yrs and over

Buy it here: Amazon

Price: $16.71

26. Brome Squirrel Buster Classic

The Squirrel Buster Classic has a simple security system that keeps rodents at bay, while keeping seeds—it holds more than a pound—fresh for avian friends. Now, if only there was a bear-proof version… 

Ages 4 yrs and over

Buy it here: Duncraft

Price: $59.95

27. A Birder's Guide to Everything

A movie that fabled birder Kenn Kaufman called “glowingly genuine,” The Birder’s Guide to Everything provides teens with the gentle nudge they need to step into the exciting world of birding. 

Ages 13 yrs and over

Buy it here: Amazon

Price: $14.95

28. Pentax Papilio 6.5x21 Binoculars 

Don’t let those little eyes get tired! Pentax provides the perfect set of binoculars for young birders: They have the same crisp 3D images, but with comfier barrels and grips. 

Ages 7 yrs and over

Buy it here: Optic Outfitters

Price: $116

29. Patagonia Baby Reversible Puff Jacket

Instill a stylish conservation ethic in your little one with Patagonia’s Baby Puff Jacket. It’s fashioned from polyester fibers recycled from discarded clothes and plastic soda bottles, and the shell is reversible: one side is solid while the other has quirky graphics.

Ages 18 mos to 4 yrs

Buy it here: Patagonia

Price: $89

30. Pine Tree Farms Holiday Birdie Seed Wreath

On Christmas Eve, Santa gets a plate of cookies and songbirds get a giant donut—made of seeds. Help your child hang this wreath that can feed an army of passerines with an enticing mix of peanuts, sunflower oil, red millet, and safflower seeds. 

Ages 5 yrs and over

Buy it here: Wildbeaks

Price: $15.95

Books

31. The Mincing Mockingbird Guide to Troubled Birds

It’s not easy being a bird: “It’s all fun until someone gets eviscerated.” The Mincing Mockingbird Guide to Troubled Birds quotes some of the sassiest birds on the planet, with candid accounts taken straight from their (fictional) beaks.

Buy it here: The Mincing Mockingbird

Price: $15.95

32. WTF Evolution

Evolution is serious stuff, but it’s impossible to keep a straight face while reading Mara Grunbaum’s collection of 101 crazy adaptations. Some are naughty, some are nasty. All the more reason to love animals and their ferocious will to survive.

Buy it here: Amazon

Price: $9.95

33. The Sixth Extinction

In this surprisingly breezy, yet deeply inspiring read, Elizabeth Kolbert takes us across the globe to meet species that have or are being driven to extinction. An expert storyteller, Kolbert entertains and educates, while zeroing in on the rampant destruction that the human race is responsible for. 

Buy it here: Amazon

Price: $24.04

34. The Meaning of Human Existence

In his latest book, E.O. Wilson, the Yoda of biology, sheds light on moral intelligence and explores our evolution and the future of humankind. This far-reaching tome on our ascent to masters of the biosphere delves into numerous subjects, including the ethics of modern-day conservation. 

Buy it here: W.W. Norton & Company

Price: $23.95

35. The Lost Bird Project

Beauty and heartache go hand in hand in this artist’s lush account of extinction. The Lost Bird Project replicates sculptures that have been made in memoriam of birds lost forever: the Labrador Duck, the Heath Hen, the Carolina Parakeet, and most famously, the Passenger Pigeon. 

Buy it here: Mediander

Price: $23.95