Best Christmas Gifts for Outdoor Lovers

Best Christmas Gifts for Outdoor Lovers

By OS Team

Published on September 4, 2024 14 min read

Christmas Gift Ideas for Outdoor Lovers

Stuck on what to gift for an outdoor lover this Christmas? The Ordnance Survey team share their best Christmas gifts for outdoor lovers. So, whether they’re dog walker, wild swimmer or adventure seeker, there’s a present for everyone.

It’s that time of year again. You’re racking your brains about what to get people for Christmas and all too often you find yourself browsing the internet for that ‘perfect’ gift. If you know anyone who loves getting outside, which we’re sure you do, then this guide is for you. At OS, we live and breathe the outdoors and our staff know a thing or two when it comes to outdoors gear. Whether your loved one enjoys a daily dog walk, a weekly wild dip or the occasional ultra, we’ve pulled together our favourite outdoor products to help you choose something great this Christmas.

Stanley Iceflow Flip Straw Tumbler

Recommended by Nicoletta Cremona

• What is your role at OS and how long have you been here?
Social Media and Influencer Marketing Executive, so anything from creating content for our Instagram and TikTok, influencer outreach and our ambassador programme the OS Champions. I have been working at OS for 3 and a half years.

• How do you like to get outside?
I love going on long walks and hikes and exploring new places, Cornwall is my happy place and I spend a lot of my annual leave exploring different areas of the South West Coast Path every year. I’m also a keen paddleboarder and love spending long summer days out on the Hamble, my local river, or finding new rivers to paddle on.

• What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
I wouldn’t say I have one proudest moment, I probably feel most proud when I make sure I get outside every day even just for a quick walk; I just know it is so beneficial for me and I feel so much better for it, especially during the dark and cold months when I tend to go into hibernation!

• What’s your favourite piece of outdoor kit/your gift suggestion?
As the social media girly at OS it has to be the Stanley Iceflow Flip Straw Tumbler! The Stanley bottles took social media by storm this year and naturally seeing them constantly meant I was fully influenced and just had to get one for myself. Mine comes everywhere with me now, work, walks, on my paddleboard and even to Glastonbury Festival.

• What makes it so great?
I initially was going to buy a Stanley Quencher (the giant mug like tumbler) for myself but when I spotted the Iceflow version instead, I knew that it was going to be a much more practical option for me as it is completely leakproof and keeps drinks cold for 12 hours or iced for 48 hours. Because it has a wide lid I’ve even take the straw out of mine and put ice lollies inside with some ice cubes, like a cool box, so that they won’t melt when I’m on a long paddle (genius I know!). It’s is great for day-to-day use whether that is commuting, working or heading out to do outdoors activities. Also, it is really easy to clean unlike some water bottles, and is dishwasher safe too.

• Who would you gift this product to this Christmas and why?
My best friends and I always do Secret Santa at Christmas time and like to treat each other to something fairly premium, so I already know that whoever I get is having a Stanley bottle and will love it. I always think a good quality water bottle makes a great gift… who doesn’t love a stylish water bottle that keeps your drink cold, fits in your car cup holder and is easy to carry around! It’s great that there are so many colours so I can pick their favourite and give it a personal touch.

Stanley IceFlow Flip Straw Lilac Tumbler

Marvellous Maps Solid Gold Great British Bucket List Map

Recommended by Hilary Pullen

• What is your role at OS and how long have you been here?
I am the Editor of Get Outside, the official blog for Ordnance Survey, I’ve been in this role for just 4 months. I commission and write lots of interesting pieces about getting outside and embracing the great outdoors. I absolutely love chatting with all the inspiring and adventure seeking people I get to interview for stories. If you’re interested in writing a piece for this website then get in touch – write for us.

• How do you like to get outside?
I love hiking. I live in North Wales and so the beautiful mountains of Eryri and the Clwydian Range are all within easy striking distance for me. I try to get out on a longish hike with my dogs every weekend when the weather is on my side.

• What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
I’m really proud of having raised two children that love to get out into the mountains. My son is mainly interested in scrambling when he comes along but my daughter who is at Sheffield Uni is now getting out into the Peak District with her friends, I hope they both continue to get all the amazing benefits from getting outdoors, it’s such a great way to disconnect from your phone and get energised by nature instead.

• What’s your favourite piece of outdoor kit/your gift suggestion?
I absolutely love the fun map range from Strumpshaw, Tingleton and Giggleswick! There are a whole selection of fascinating maps packed full of interesting trivia. The range covers maps for adventurers, music lovers, book worms and more. Take a look through them all and I bet you’ll find the perfect map for your friends and family.

• What makes it so great?
I particularly like the bucket list map, as it’s got so much on it. You can spread it out on the floor or a large table and spend ages just picking out all the fun details on there. Culture, heritage, adventure, festivals, hiking routes and fun facts are all included. I will probably stick toa 1:2500 Explorer Map for my actual hikes though!

• Who would you gift this product to this Christmas and why?
There are quite a few people I know who would enjoy this map but probably my nephew Idris (named after Cadair Idris of course!) who is just at a perfect age to really enjoy all the tiny little details included in the map. It would also be great fun as a family gift (my dog sometimes buys us amazing prezzies – does yours?!) You could create a little quiz on a rainy day and get all the family involved to find the answers on the map.

Marvellous Maps

Mac in a Sac Alpine Packable Down Fuchsia Gilet

Recommended by Beth Wright

Beth in her Mac in a Sac Alpine Packable Down Fuchsia Gilet

• What is your role at OS and how long have you been here?
Business Analyst, I have been working at OS now since 2020
• How do you like to get outside?
I like to try and get outdoors as much as possible, whether that be for a walk or out for a run. I was lucky enough to grow up within Exmoor National Park and have always been a keen outdoor explorer and is still somewhere I frequently go to meet up with family/friends for walks. Living in Devon means I am spoilt for choice of areas to explore, but I have particularly enjoyed being able to walk up to and around my closest National Trust grounds, Knightshayes.
• What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
My proudest moment was completing my Silver Duke of Edinburgh award in the Brecon Beacons. Navigating through the mountains was a lot harder than I expected it to be and during the expedition I also broke my nose on day two but still persevered to the end.
• What’s your favourite piece of outdoor kit/your gift suggestion?
As its starting to get colder I love using my Mac in a Sac Alpine Packable Down Fuchsia Gilet. I have been using this more recently for running. In the colder months there’s nothing worse than when it’s cold and wet outside and thinking ‘I want to go for a run’, but the fact that I have a product that I know is going to keep me warm and dry encourages me to still get outside. I normally wear a light weight long sleeved top underneath and I find that is the perfect combination. It’s also handy on walks, especially if I need to stop for a while.
• What makes it so great?
The fact that the product is lightweight makes it ideal because I often got cold on runs but find that sometimes other jackets/coats can weigh you down. Other lightweight jackets can also add wind resistance which can make running harder whereas the fact that this has a close to body fit means you don’t experience that drag. I have the Fuchsia pink gilet so the bright colour it makes it easier for drivers to see me. It comes in different colours and a full jacket version.
I love that it’s waterproof and has pockets that I can keep my phone in. I would recommend the product to anyone that wants to get out in the winter months, whether that’s hiking, walking or running. I would recommend this product to anyone who is looking for a product to keep their loved ones warm and safe outside.
• Who would you gift this product to this Christmas and why?
I still do a lot of walking with my Mum and I think this would be the perfect gift for her for our walks as the evenings get colder and darker.

Shop Alpine Packable Down Gilet

A Custom Made Map

Recommended by Emily Harte

Emily’s favourite Custom Made Map

What is your role at OS and how long have you been here?
I’m in the E-Commence team and I’ve been here since 2020

How do you like to get outside?
I’m very lucky to live in the countryside with so many public footpaths on my doorstep. I have an 18-month Labrador, Penny, and we get outside for about two to three hours a day. Our favourite walks are when we get a pack of dogs from the village together and go down to the river. I love using OS Maps to explore the footpaths around my village, and when we are exploring somewhere new.

What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
Penny and I have explored a lot of the outdoors but I’m particularly proud of the amount of people we meet. I was very new to my village when I got Penny and with being out three times a day in the fields, I’ve met so many more people I would never have met if I didn’t get outside every day. It’s a lovely community and it’s nice to chat to different people and get to know the history of the area. I used to live in London, and it was perfectly normal to never speak to your next-door neighbour!

What gift do you recommend and why is it so great?
I love the versatility offered by Ordnance Survey’s Custom Made Map range – combining the trustworthy accuracy of OS mapping with the ability to customise is great! For me, being able to select my centre-point and scale for a classic or small-size folded map is fantastic. There’s nothing better than having my house in the middle of a map and just picking a route to explore from my front door or going on holiday and knowing that I have all the detail I’ll need to get outside while I’m away. The range is great for presents too, whether it’s celebrating a house move or holiday, or just commemorating a love of the outdoors. Being able to add a photo and a message makes this a truly personal gift for the outdoorsy people in my life. Some of my best friends have found great joy in marking off tracks and trails around their house on a wall-mounted map, trying to “complete” it!

Create a Custom Made map

Black Diamond Kids Wiz Headlamp

Recommended by Alex Denham

Black Diamond Kids Wiz Headlamp

What is your role at OS and how long have you been here?
Analytics Manager, I’ve been here since 2020

How do you like to get outside?
I used to be a big hill walker and have summited many of the UK’s hills and mountains. I currently have two young boys so I don’t get as much freedom but I have kept up my running, road and leisure cycling, and spending time walking around the South Downs, New Forest and occasionally Bannau Brycheiniog with my little adventurers in tow.

What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
Completing the London marathon in 2017 for Alzheimers Research UK and then the National Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for Schools in Africa. More recently, I hauled a two-year-old in a backpack carrier up Bal Mawr in the height of summer!

What’s your favourite piece of outdoor kit/your gift suggestion?
As the nights draw in, we’ve been getting loads of use out of the Black Diamond Kids Wiz Headlamp. My four-year-old loves a torch and playing with lights so this has been both a practical and fun way to squeeze in more outdoor time during the darker months. The head torch is great for walking around our local area safely and it helps with visibility when he is on the back of my bike in his child seat or riding his scooter after school. He loves the multi-colour light feature and even enjoys using it indoors to play camping in his tent!

What makes it so great?
The strap is really easy to adjust and has a reflective logo on it increasing visibility. I don’t have to worry about my children getting into the battery compartment as it features a clever safety catch which can only be opened using the strap buckle. The multi-colour features of the headtorch make it good fun for kids, and it can be set to stay on a colour (for instance red) if you want to preserve night vision or wear the head torch on the back of the head for visibility to cars. Although the product is aimed at kids, it’s a good level of brightness and the angle of the lamp is adjustable, so you’re getting all the features you would expect on an adult’s head lamp.

Who would you gift this product to this Xmas and why
This is a great gift for kids who love being outdoors even in the winter months, the multi-coloured lamp will get them interested in using it, and it’s very useful for parents who will appreciate it too!

Shop Kids Wiz Headlamp

Lifesystems Rechargeable Hand Warmers

Recommended by Liz Beverley

Lifesystems Dual-Palm Rechargeable Hand Warmers

What is your role at OS and how long have you been here?
Senior Partnership Manager, I’ve been at OS since the year 2000!

How do you like to get outside?
Running and walking are definitely my favourite activities to help keep me fit, healthy and generally a happier person! I’m part of a local running club, so I try to get out at least 2 or 3 times a week, but if I’m not running then I love nothing better than a good old walk instead. I’m really lucky to live on the edge of the New Forest but also within the Test Valley, so walking parts of the Monarch’s Way and Test Way are certainly up there in my much-loved routes.

What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
This year, I decided to push myself outside of my comfort zone and enter a half, but insanely hilly half-marathon. I shocked myself. For a start, I’d never run that distance before, let alone the undulating elevation. And I loved it. It was one of the hottest days of the year in early Sept, but with a group of equally crazy running buddies, we took on the challenge and conquered The Beast. The scenery was breath-taking, the ascents lung-busting, the camaraderie supportive and uplifting, and by far one of my proudest and enjoyable moments outdoors.

What’s your favourite piece of outdoor kit/your gift suggestion?
My Lifesystems Rechargeable Hand Warmers are my favourite outdoor product this winter. Everyone who knows me, knows I’m always cold! I like to be toasty and warm, especially when the cooler months arrive. I still like to get outside though, so getting going is hard until the blood is pumping!

What makes it so great?
My hands and feet get particularly cold, so these rechargeable hand warmers are ideal for those chilly starts. Now, I know they’re technically called handwarmers, but I’ve realised they can be used in other ways too! For your feet. Perfect for popping them in your walking boots to give them a little pre-warm, or even better putting one in each sock before you get dressed in the morning! The handwarmers are an ideal shape and size, they’re extremely versatile for all hand sizes and nice and lightweight too. They have three adjustable settings, so you can choose your heat comfort level.

Who would you gift this product to this Xmas and why?
This is a tough question, as I have two people in mind. Firstly, my Dad. I think it would be perfect for him to warm up his joints before he goes off on his walking holidays with the boys (all aged over 75!) to the Lake District and the Brecon Beacons. Secondly, one of the football Mums. Standing on the side of the pitch every Sunday morning in the rain and cold can be pretty soul destroying! This would make an ideal gift to take the edge of this and offer a little hug in your pocket!

Shop Hand Warmers

Lake District Scratch Off Map

Recommended by Chris Halfacree

Lake District Scratch Off Map

What is your role at OS and how long have you been here?
Product Manager, I’ve been at OS since 2021

How do you like to get outside?
Usually when I’m getting outside it involves some form of exercise; I’m a fair-weather cyclist on quiet country roads; a casual runner on the trails; in the summer months I like to boulder and hike in National Parks; and regardless of the weather I’ll make it out to football! I’ve been known to sign up for events – most recently the Bristol Triathlon has encouraged me to do more open water swimming, which I used to enjoy in Bournemouth sea!

What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
My greatest achievement in the outdoors is probably when I made it to the top of Mount Meru, avoided altitude sickness (on that occasion), and I was rewarded with being able to see the sunrise over Kilimanjaro.

What’s your favourite piece of outdoor kit/your gift suggestion?
My favourite gift idea (which I currently have on my wall!) is the Lake District Scratch Map which can be used to keep track of where you’ve been in a location. I have the Lake District scratch map which I’ve used to log numerous different trips in the Lakes. I’m able to scratch off the summits and lakes I’ve visited, log the date, and able to visually see how much more of the Lakes there is to discover!

What makes it so great?
The scratch map I have is great for those who absolutely love the Lake District and can’t get enough of it! It really helps to plan your next trip and log the adventures you’ve been on before. As you scratch away at different location, the map comes alive, as the vivid blue colour of the Lakes shine through.

Who would you gift this product to this Xmas and why?
The scratch map would make a great gift for my Dad, who I’ve previously taken on trips to the Lake District. He’d be able to reminisce on our adventures and help me plan the next ones!

Shop Lake District Scratch Off Map

Darn Tough socks

Recommended by Sam Emberson

Darn Tough VanGrizzle Charcoal Midweight Boot Socks

What is your role at OS and how long have you been here?
I’ve been at OS since September 2022.

How do you like to get outside?
I mostly enjoy getting outside walking with my two spaniels, and often have a toddler in tow! I like to head over to Dartmoor now and then for a longer stroll and wild camp and will occasionally drag my wife up a mountain or two!

What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
My proudest outdoor achievement is probably taking part in a London-to-Cardiff 24 hour relay – 8 of us ran sections from Twickenham and the Millennium Stadium (as it was at the time) which is 160 miles over a 24-hour period. Between us we also had to drive cars between changeover points, so it was really tough, but getting to do a lap of each pitch was a massive highlight for me as a big rugby fan!

What’s your favourite piece of outdoor gear this Christmas?
My gift suggestion this year is Darn Tough socks. I have the VanGrizzle Charcoal Midweight Boot Socks and the Light Hiker No Show Cascade Lightweight Socks. It’s always worth investing in anything between you and the ground. This is as true for socks and shoes as it is for a bed or mattress and you can’t do much better than Darn Tough when it comes to looking after your feet.

What makes them so great?
They fit brilliantly, are super comfortable and great for wicking away moisture. I love their cool, bold designs – with blocks of colour and animal designs, they’re not simply a practical item. Darn Tough socks come in all variety of weights and lengths from ankle to over-the-calf, so they’re brilliant whether you’re up to your knees in the Pyrenees or enjoying a sunny amble by the Hamble! And if all of that wasn’t enough, Darn Tough’s Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee means you will never need to buy socks again!

Who would you gift it to?
I’d gift these too my wife, as she’s always got cold feet – they’re so comfy she’d be as happy wearing them on the sofa as walking up a hill.

Shop Darn Tough socks

Drybag, map case, phone cover and beach towel

Recommended by Lee Newton

OS towel, map case and dry bag

How long have you worked at OS?
Head of Operations, I have been with OS since 2008 during that time we have changed a lot!

How do you like to get outside?
I love paddle boarding and open water swimming, especially in new places – so I rely on maps, both paper and digital – but it’s vital that they stay dry! I also do a lot of walking with my wife and our dog. I am a fan of the Country Walking ‘Walk 1000 Miles’ challenge. I am on year five now and have clocked up more than 9,000 miles so far.

What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
I don’t think I have one overriding proudest moment – as a family we enjoy doing challenges, charity swims, concurring Snowdon, walking holidays in the Scottish Highlands, walking the Thames path etc. We are hoping to walk around the Isle of Wight so are currently busy planning our route with OS Maps.

What’s your favourite piece of outdoor gear this Christmas?
My essential items are an OS drybag, map case, phone cover and a Ben Nevis microfibre towel. They are always in the rucksack just in case there is an opportunity to do some wild swimming, or I can grab an hour or two after work during the summer and jump on the paddleboard and go exploring up a local river or around the coast.

What makes them so great?
The phone case has been a game changer as it allows me to use OS Maps whilst on the paddleboard. I can also take photos from some unique angles knowing that my phone will stay safe and dry. There is always something happening on the water that you don’t get to see from any other vantage points – so you can get some great shots. The microfibre towel has also proved to be a particularly useful piece of kit, it is really light and compact. It can be used as a beach towel to lie on the sand and have also used it as an emergency picnic blanket. It dries you off after a swim really fast, I have also discovered it is very good at drying the dog off. It also dries in the sun very quickly so you are not putting a wet towel back in your rucksack. I have also found it to be a great talking point. People are really interested in the map area shown on the towel and I have even used it in the past to help a lost family! The dry bags are brilliant – they fold up incredibly small but can hold a capacity of 25 litres. They also float, which is a relief as I fall in, a lot. The map case (and phone cover) is critical in case of wet weather but also great to have on the paddleboard to ensure my map stays dry.

Who would you gift it to?
These products are great for any outdoor lover, especially those who love the water. I’d give the towel and dry bag to my nephews and the map case to my brother.

Shop the OS range

Ordnance Survey Kids’ Adventure Book

Recommend by Paul McGonigal

Martha using the Ordnance Survey Kids’ Adventure Book

What is your role at OS and how long have you been here?
Strategic Product Manager. I’m responsible for making and maintaining Physical Products such as maps and walking guides. I’ve been at OS since 2017.

How do you like to get outside?
My daughter (Martha, aged seven) and I like to go exploring along the Basingstoke Canal, which runs through the town where we live. We used to go looking for mythical creatures, now we go looking for real ones. We are yet to spot a badger, which is currently the ultimate goal.

What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
I’m not a mountain climber or an endurance athlete. I did once complete a half marathon, but that was quite a few years ago. More recently, helping Martha learn to ride a bike was a great experience, and reminded me of the positive impact of being active and confident outdoors.

What’s your favourite piece of outdoor kit/your gift suggestion?
The Ordnance Survey Kids’ Adventure Book is a brilliant gift suggestion. It takes the longstanding and trusted navigation expertise of OS and presents it in a fun format for children. Though Martha is still quite young for some of the content in the book, it has already inspired her to think more about where we live, and to draw her own maps of the local area. We now know which way is north! I’m sure it won’t be long before we are planning adventures further afield.

What makes it so great?
The book is primarily designed to introduce adventure, map reading and navigation to children aged 8-11. There are fun facts and challenges throughout, and a series of puzzles at the end. There are some serious messages about safety when exploring, but throughout there is an appropriate and engaging tone of voice, supported by some lovely illustrations. Overall, I feel the book has a great balance, and I’m not aware of anything else quite like it in the market.

Discover the Ordnance Survey Kids’ Adventure Book

Suunto GPS Watch

Recommended by Sarah Ogilvie

Sarah with her Suunto watch

What is your role at OS and how long have you been here?
Lead ECommerce Buyer. I source products for the OS Shop and I’ve been here since 2021

How do you like to get outside?
I live in Broughty Ferry which is a coastal town in Scotland, so I am lucky to have the sea, lochs and mountains on my doorstep. I love outdoor swimming, skiing, kayaking with my family, dog walking, cycling, and exploring the nearby coastal and waterfall trails.

What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
I love embracing and trying different outdoor adventure experiences. We brought a blow-up kayak recently which fits the family and the nearby river Tay hosts so much wildlife. I haven’t seen a whale yet, but we had a wonderful day recently when the kayak was surrounded by seals and a school of dolphins, it was an absolute joy to watch them play in the water so close up and see my son so excited.

What’s your favourite piece of outdoor kit/your gift suggestion?
I absolutely love my Suunto GPS watch. It has a total of 82 sports features which covers all my various outdoor adventures. I love to track and better my performance which downloads to the Suunto app and puts into great little charts for easy review. The watch makes me reflect on how much I am doing outdoors on a weekly basis and pushes me to do more.

What makes it so great?
It’s a stylish GPS watch and not very chunky compared to some, as I have thinner wrists. The big watch face is great for my failing eyesight! It’s also intuitive and straightforward to use and the 200-hour battery life means I’m never out of juice. I can’t get over the price, I think it’s fantastic value!

More on Suunto GPS watches

Travel Books

Bethany McAtee

Lonely Planet Experience Great Britain (L) and Lost Lanes West (R) books

What is your role at OS and how long have you been here?
Email Marketing Specialist. I manage the creation of marketing emails, as well as implement projects and strategies. I’ve been at OS since 2020

How do you like to get outside?
If I had to choose one outdoor activity for the rest of my life, I’d choose hiking in the mountains. However, I also love road cycling and rock climbing.

What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
A few years back my dad, brother and sister and I completed the Mourne Wall Challenge in County Down, Northern Ireland. It was 35km and 2440m of elevation over 15 peaks, through gale force winds and often boggy or uneven ground. My dad grew up in the Mountains of Mourne, so it was a special moment to embark on this challenge in ancestral terrain with my family.

What’s your favourite gift suggestion and what makes it so great?
You can’t go wrong with an adventure book! I’ve highlighted some of my favourites below.

Inside Peak Bagging Wainwrights book

Peak Bagging Wainwrights

With 214 Wainwrights to choose from, it’s hard to know where to begin. As a keen hiker and looking for a challenge, I got the Definitive Guide to Peak Bagging Wainwrights in the hope that it would provide more details than I could find online. It did just that, and more! For each Wainwright route, you’ll find information on transportation, parking and refreshments, as well as a detailed map, description and elevation chart. Having all the Wainwrights in one book made choosing which area to focus on much easier. I tried the Coledale Horseshoe, The Langdale Pikes and Underskiddaw routes. The book was extremely helpful for planning my day as I was confident in the route and always had a pub to finish at. Plus, at the back there is an inspiring map showing how to complete all the Wainwrights in one go. I’m looking forward to giving that a go sometime soon!

Lonely Planet – Experience Great Britain

Being British, I thought I knew of all the best places in Britain to visit and have a great time. Because of the cost-of-living crisis I wanted to explore more at home, rather than abroad. I got the Lonely Planet Experience Great Britain guidebook to help plan my staycations and was surprised at the number of amazing places I’d never think to visit! The book chunks top experiences into sections for food lovers, outdoorsy people, history buffs and more, so it’s easy to find what you’re interested in. Not only is it packed with information, but each page is also peppered with beautiful images and a clear layout for easy reading. There are plenty of maps to give you an idea of how close sights and experiences are too. Whether you know someone who is British or not, I can guarantee they’ll have great weekends away with this book.

Lost Lanes West – 36 Glorious Bike Rides in the West Country

Often, I find it takes a lot of work to know exactly what a cycle route will be like when I’m planning it. Will the views be scenic? Are there good cafes nearby? I’ve never had a book that told me all this information before and initially I thought it might take the fun away. When I first got Lost Lanes West, I sat down one evening to have a flick through and was immediately hooked on the story-like descriptions of each of the 36 routes. There is so many nuggets of fascinating history and culture woven into each route that I’d never find had I just plotted the route myself. GPX files come with the book to upload onto your GPS device or phone, to help you navigate in the saddle. One thing I found useful when choosing a ride is being able to select by experiences like ‘best for wild swimming’ or ‘best for pubs’. You’ll find lots of great pubs in this book, never mind the stunning rides! If you know an active cyclist who wants to explore new places, then look no further than Lost Lanes West.

Browse travel books

Black Diamond Women’s Trail Trekking Poles

Recommended by Lucy Precious

Lucy with the Black Diamond Women’s Trail Trekking Poles

What is your role at OS and how long have you been here?
I’m the Sales Representative for Northern England and North Wales so I’m on the road a lot. I’ve been here since 2021.

How do you like to get outside?
I live close to the Peak District, so I try and get out hiking there every weekend if I can. Since joining OS, I’ve been picking walks at random from either the Peak District or More Peak District Pathfinder Guides and going out exploring. Lud’s Church has been my favourite so far. Hiking in North Wales is also a firm favourite of mine; however, the infamous Crib Goch still eludes me! It’s on the top of my to do list.

What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in 2017 was incredible and my proudest moment to date. The expedition took 6 days, and it was the first time I’d seen the challenges altitude brings. I was in awe of the porters and guides who make climbing Kili look seemingly easy (I promise you it’s not). More recently, I took on the task of completing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks twice in 24 hours, which ended up being a 50-mile hike with 10,000ft of elevation. This moment in the outdoors was special, as my sister and two of my friends were crazy enough to take part in the challenge with me.

What’s your favourite piece of outdoor kit/your gift suggestion?
My favourite piece of outdoor kit recently has been the Black Diamond Women’s Trail Trekking Poles. I consider them an essential piece of kit for any hike that I go on, as they provide me with support and stability, especially over rocky terrain.

What makes it so great?
The FlickLock Pro adjustability makes it easy to change the length of the poles during a particularly undulating hike. I’ve now said goodbye to lower back pain from longer hikes, all thanks to the built-in shock absorbing technology and EVA foam extension featured in these poles.

Shop Black Diamond Women’s Trail Trekking Poles

Two Nav Cross Plus GPS

Recommended by Jennifer Boon

What is your role at OS and how long have you been here?
I look after the experience and operation of our online shop. I have been at OS for just over 4 years.

How do you like to get outside?
I get outside as much as I can, usually on my lunch break for a quick walk. I have just joined my local running club and in the middle of couch to 5K, I have signed up for a 10K in April, as I like a goal to work towards and this one is a huge challenge for me. I have also just got back from an activities-based holiday, I learned to waterski and sail so very keen to get out on the water this year as well. I also cycle to work every day and get out on my bike in the forest as much as I can.

What’s your proudest moment in the outdoors?
I have climbed Snowdon twice, I am not an experienced hiker so this was a very proud moment for me.

What’s your favourite piece of outdoor gear this Christmas?
The Two Nav Cross Plus GPS is my much-loved lightweight navigation companion which helps me navigate on my bike with ease and stay safe in the outdoors.

What makes it so great?
The Two Nav Cross Plus easily secures onto my handlebars and the touch screen makes it easy to move the map and zoom in and out. There’s a huge amount of tracking data which helps me look back on my rides and I can connect it to my Garmin too. The memory on this GPS is great, especially for its size. It holds a ton of routes which I find or create on OS Maps and import in. You can also select more than one route to show on the map at once which helps us see where we’ve cycled and where we are heading. I found this GPS easy to use out of the box and there isn’t a huge amount of set up needed. The integrated OS Topo mapping is incredibly detailed and something I’m familiar with. I also use this GPS on hikes as the safety tracking functionality allows my partner to see where I am. Sending an SOS message is seamless which offers piece of mind, especially as I am fairly new to the outdoors.

Who would you gift it to?
My Partner. We love to cycle together so by having a shiny new Two Nav Cross, he can be in charge of the navigation, leaving me to sit back and relax while he leads the way!

Two Nav Cross Plus GPS Device with Great Britain Topo Full Mapping

Shop Christmas gifts

Like this guide

Liked by 0 users

By OS Team