Intro
While some of our friends and family might be easier to shop for than others, we hope this guide can help add some new worthwhile ideas to the list.
For this year’s gift guides, we’re once again starting small(er) with Stocking Stuffers. Over the next couple of weeks, we will work our way up to some larger potential gift ideas — though we all know that what we really want is good days in the mountains spent with good company. Happy Holidays!
Ursa Major Mountain Glow Golden Serum
MSRP: $84
Kara Williard: I’ve become a huge fan of Vermont-made Ursa Major skincare products over the last couple of years, and in the harsh and extremely cold climate I live in, they have made a huge difference for me. After applying their Mountain Glow Golden Serum once, my skin felt instantly more hydrated and firmer. This particular serum has a huge range of natural ingredients, all intended for specific purposes, such as aspen bark to “reveal a radiant glow,” and Star-Tipped Lichen and Honey Locust to help support natural collagen production. While I can’t speak to these ingredients individually, I can attest to how great my skin feels after applying this serum daily for the last few months.
I think effective skincare products can be a great gift, especially if you have someone in your life who might not prioritize buying this type of stuff for themselves. The Mountain Glow Golden Serum provides lasting moisture and feels especially rejuvenating after long days in the sun or wind. I have found all of Ursa Major’s products to have a nice, non-oily texture, and compared to a lot of lotions, I don’t feel the need to reapply them as often.
I can vouch for several other Ursa Major products, including their Force Field SPF 30, which works great as both a moisturizer and sunscreen. All Ursa Major products are Certified Plastic Negative, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, and are made in Vermont. Taking care of your skin is a great goal for yourself, and encouraging your loved ones to do so, who might not consider it as big of a priority, is a nice gesture.
Kristin: Per Kara’s recommendation, I purchased the Mountain Glow Golden Serum this fall. I love how it makes my face look and feel and as someone who has never had a daily beauty routine, the serum has convinced me to take better care of my skin. I use the Serum anytime I want to brighten and freshen my skin. I’ve also gotten in the habit of using GALYNA’s DREAM Night Rejuvenating Creme every night. DREAM is enriched with CBD and uses clean ingredients. It is extremely soft and helps to hydrate my skin as I sleep.
The James Brand EDC Gear
MSRP: $39–$85
Luke Koppa: I don’t consider myself an “EDC guy,” but I do like to carry a number of everyday items that I think could come in handy on a regular basis. The James Brand has made a name for themselves in this world, creating a wide variety of everyday items that tend to blend sleek aesthetics with useful functionality.
I wrote about their Palmer utility knife in the latest edition of our Stuff We Like series, and in a previous edition of the same series, I covered their Warrick bit driver and two of their carabiners, the Holcombe and Mehlville. Check out those posts for more detailed writeups.
They’re all premium versions of staples that have existed for a while, but The James Brand does a nice job of tweaking them. Their Palmer Utility Knife is a compact alternative to bulkier box openers, and their Warrick bit driver applies a similar approach to a driver that lets you bring four bits with you in a sleek package.
The Mehlville and Holcombe are both nice alternatives to traditional carabiners for your keys, and both also include bottle openers. I’ve come to favor the wire-gate Holcombe because of its smaller silhouette and its pry bar / wedge, which can punch through packing tape in a pinch. But the Mehlville’s two-compartment key-lock design keeps your keys from sliding around and is less prone to catching on belt loops.
Bottom line: if you know someone who might appreciate a little upgrade to the things they carry on a regular basis, The James Brand definitely warrants a look.
Dynaplug Racer Pro
MSRP: $57.99 USD
Zack Henderson: I’ve been rocking a Dynaplug Racer for years now, and it has proven to be the best tubeless repair system I’ve used. It’s super fast to deploy, and the metal-tipped rubberized plugs have rapidly sealed literally every repair I’ve attempted with them. One time I forgot to throw a new CO2 cartridge into my bag, and the Dynaplug sealed things so quickly that I was still able to comfortably ride out of the woods without adding any air to the tire.
The new Dynaplug Racer Pro appears identical to my time-tested Racer, but it holds four plugs instead of two. More is better, especially when it doesn’t have any impact on the footprint of the tool. There’s a cheaper Racer tool now that’s made of plastic (well, glass-reinforced nylon), but the Racer Pro’s aluminum construction wins for the bling factor, and only costs $10 USD more.
Despite the far, far improved durability of tire casings over the past several years, punctures happen, and most mountain bikers will find the Dynaplug Racer Pro to be a worthwhile inclusion in their repair kit.
David Golay: The Racer Pro is great — I actually included it in last year’s Stocking Stuffers guide, and I continue to be a huge fan for all of the reasons Zack stated. Dynaplug’s metal-tipped plugs are easier to install and stay put more solidly than any other tire plug system I’ve tried to date, and the Racer Pro packages four of them (three standard and one XL) into an impressively tidy, compact package.
Branwyn Essential Innerwear
MSRP: $36 and up
Kristin Sinnott: I’ve been wearing the Essential Bikini, Hipster, and Bralette since last spring and they are my go-to innerwear / underwear. Whether I’m going to the gym, for a run, skiing, packing for travel, or going out to dinner, I reach for the Essential Hipster or Bikini. The Bralette is comfortable but offers very little support so I find myself wearing it around the house, while sleeping, or for non-excercise activities. All three items stay put, have a seamless design, and are soft and stretchy. I wear a size medium, but I think the small would also be a good fit since there is a bit of stretch to the fabric. I’m 5’8” / 125 lb for reference.
The Essential collection is made of a GLDNspun knit blend with 81% extra fine Merino wool, 12% nylon, and 7% Spandex. Great for any season. I don’t recommend gifting innerwear (which by the way is a much nicer way of saying underwear IMO) to everyone on your list, but I think it’s a great gift for the right people.
Galfer Pro Brake Pads
MSRP: $35.50
David Golay: I wrote a more detailed review of Galfer’s Pro brake pads a couple of years ago, and they continue to be my go-to option. Sure, there are cheaper pads out there (including Galfer’s still quite good Standard ones) and the Pro pads are, admittedly, not the longest-lasting either. But I’ve yet to try anything else that performs as well across as wide a range of conditions. The Pro pads offer a ton of power and don’t need to be warmed up a whole lot to get there; they’re quiet; they work extremely well in the wet — especially in conditions where it’s hard to get a ton of heat into the brakes; and they’re very consistent in their performance across a huge range of temperatures, including being pretty hard to get to fade badly even when they’re extremely hot.
You will, of course, need to know what brakes the mountain biker in your life is running to get the right pad shape for them, but I’ve tried the Galfer Pro pads in the majority of even semi-common brake systems out there, and they’re the best pad option I’ve found for every single one.
Goal Zero Venture 35
MSRP: $69.95
Luke Koppa: I’ve historically used cheap portable chargers courtesy of everyone’s favorite comic book villain, Jeffy Bezos. But this year, I finally upgraded, largely because I needed one that could potentially withstand some moisture in the backcountry.
I settled on the Goal Zero Venture 35, and I’ve been very happy so far. First off, it’s actually more compact (4.4×2.7×1.1” / 11.2×6.8×2.8 cm) than my cheaper power banks with similar capacity (the Venture 35 has a stated 9,600 mAh). It’s also IP67 rated for water resistance, which means it’s supposed to withstand submersion up to 1 meter of water for at least 30 minutes. It has dual USB-A output ports and a single USB-C port; the latter can be used for both input and output and is the faster option for both, rated at 5-12V, up to 3A (18W).
I’ll be honest: I have no clue what those numbers mean. But I do know that the Venture 35 charges my devices (and can be charged itself) as fast or faster than other portable chargers I’ve used. I also know that Goal Zero’s stated specs have so far been reasonably accurate, based on my experience. They say the Venture 35 can offer three recharges for a smartphone, and that seems in line with my time with it; I can get multiple days of use from my iPhone 16 when I have a fully charged Venture 35 with me.
I wouldn’t complain if one of the USB-A ports was swapped for another USB-C, but I don’t plan on charging multiple devices via a power bank of this size, so that’s far from a dealbreaker for me. It also comes with a USB-A to USB-C cable to charge the Venture or other devices, and it has a built-in 50-lumen flashlight you can use in a pinch.
But, mostly, the Venture 35 is just a compact, rugged, and highly water-resistant portable charger that does what it’s supposed to do: keep my electronics alive for a few days.
Skida Sun Tour
MSRP: $24
Kara Williard: I’ve spoken highly of Skida’s Sun Tour neck gaiter in years past, and it’s still a fixture of my daily ski outfit. It’s also a useful neck gaiter to bring along on cold and/or dusty bike rides, while hiking, camping, and more. The Sun Tour is breathable, quick-drying, and very soft and comfortable. It’s extremely versatile, and while it is quite lightweight, it does a good job of keeping my neck, ears, and face warm most of the time (for colder days, you’d want to check out Skida’s Snow Tour). Of course, one of the best things is all the amazing colors and patterns Skida offers, making it easy and fun to match your kit and style. I’d recommend gifting a Skida Sun Tour to just about anyone in your life who likes to get outside.
Lezyne KTV Drive Tail Light
MSRP: $22.49 USD
Zack Henderson: As the days get shorter, work tends to get in the way of riding during the daylight hours. I often find myself at least ending my rides in the dark, and given that I try to ride to the trails whenever possible, that usually means riding on the street with commuter traffic. A tail light is an essential item for anyone riding on the street in inclement weather or after twilight, and the Lezyne KTV Drive has been a fixture on my bike for several PNW winters now.
It has a 45-hour runtime in the blinking setting (which is the best choice most of the time) and has a 40-lumen output that has proven to be quite visible even during daytime. The somewhat irregular blinking pattern that Lezyne calls Femto mode is attention-grabbing, which is what you want out of a tail light. It’s also IPX7 waterproof rated, and mine has survived some truly apocalyptic conditions for several years now. My favorite feature is that it’s rechargeable, with a small cap that comes off and reveals a USB stick. No cables to keep track of, just plug it into a USB port.
At $22.49, it’s cheap and works brilliantly. I’d be stoked to see one in my stocking once — or maybe more like if — mine ever kicks the bucket.
Swiftwick Pursuit Socks
MSRP: $20 for a pair, $51 for a three-pack
Jed Doane: Wool socks are a classic holiday gift, and this merino/nylon blend option from Swiftwick is a personal favorite. When picking a sock, especially as a gift, versatility is very important, and the Pursuit is a great everyday option that’s comfortable and durable.
It’s a midweight option but breathes better than expected, and I wear it on trail runs, backpacking trips, and for everyday use around town. It also comes in multiple cuff heights (I wear the Quarter Crew High), and is available in three-packs. If you’re going to buy a loved one a pair of socks for the holidays, make them a comfortable and useful pair!
Peak Design Wash Pouch
MSRP: $59.99 (regular size)
Kristin Sinnott: I received this handy Dopp kit as a gift and it’s been a great addition to my travel kit. It’s well thought out, with good compartmentalization and organization as well as enough space for a long trip (it comes in two sizes; I have the regular one).
I like that it has its own structure (the outer fabric is burly 200D nylon) but is still compressible when packing, and that it easily stands up on its own on a counter or hangs from the wall with a stowable hook. The organization is well thought out. It has a large pocket for high-volume items like deodorant, multiple small mesh pockets, a magnetized toothbrush pocket, and multiple zipper pockets. This organization has been very helpful and allowed me to keep day-to-day needs easily accessible while having extra toiletries, bandages, etc. there if needed which is helpful on longer trips.
SRAM AXS Pod Rocker Upgrade Kit
MSRP: $22
David Golay: There’s a lot that I like about SRAM’s Transmission groupsets, but the ergonomics of the Pod controller are not one of the high points in my book. Happily, there’s now an alternative Rocker Paddle version of the Pod, and you can get an upgrade kit to swap a standard Pod — either the base or Ultimate version — to the Rocker Paddler version for just $22.
(SRAM, weirdly, doesn’t seem to have a dedicated product page for the upgraded cover on their site, so I’ve just linked to the full Paddle Pod for reference. But if you search for “SRAM AXS pod rocker paddle upgrade kit” it’s widely available from a ton of retailers.)
Anyway, I like the Rocker Paddle version of the Pod controller better than the standard button one for a few reasons. The biggest one is that I simply find the Rocker version to be much easier to find with my thumb, and quickly identify where I need to push to shift in the desired direction. The Rocker Paddle is quite a bit bigger than the buttons on the regular versions of the
Pod and the concave paddle guides your thumb nicely to the middle, where you can just roll it up or down to shift in the desired direction. It’s a lot easier (for me, anyway) to use while descending something rough and technical at pace, which is very welcome.
Another more subtle advantage is that there aren’t any buttons to fall off in a crash. That’s not an issue with the standard Pod controller either, but the Ultimate version has swappable button faces to configure the tactile feel slightly. That’s nice in theory, but I’ve lost one of the button covers in a crash twice now. You can still shift even with the cover missing (the actual button remains in place) but losing it makes the target you need to hit to find the button a whole lot smaller, so being without one is pretty annoying.
Swapping the cover is also extremely easy. You just need to remove the Pod from its mounting bracket (loosen the one T25 Torx bolt and rotate the pod so that the tab on the mounting interface lines up with the slot in the bracket and just push it off); from there, the cover with the buttons just pops off, you snap the Rocker Paddle version in its place and re-install the Pod. It’s a two-minute job, tops.
I honestly like the older, non-Pod version of the Rocker Controller even better, but if you’ve got a Pod controller already, just doing the Rocker Paddle upgrade is a whole lot cheaper and is still a very big upgrade in my book.
Snüx Ski Sock
MSRP $26
Noah Eckhouse: My feet generally stay toasty when skiing in all but the coldest conditions, so I prefer a thinner sock that can handle moisture well first and foremost, while still providing a little insulation. The Snüx ski sock is thin, comfortable, and made of their “COZYTECH” Merino wool technology, which is a fancy way of saying it is 51% merino blended with polyamide for wicking and warmth. Featuring seamless toes and thicker shin padding, many of the common sock problems of boot bang and toe hot spots can be avoided. I have a US 10.5/Euro 44.5 length foot and the size large fits me well.
I’ve not only worn them in ski boots but taken them out for a mountain bike ride to test their grip on my calves, and was pleased they stayed up. The Portuguese-made socks contain 10% recycled polyamide, so credit to them for the sustainability component. At the end of the day, ski socks are all about good fit and materials that drive all-day comfort. These socks win on both fronts.
Dumonde Tech Original Chain Lube
MSRP: $22.99 USD (4 oz)
Zack Henderson: Some people won’t be excited about chain lube in their stocking, but trust me on this — if you ride in variable conditions, Dumonde Tech Original is incredible.
Dumonde Tech Original is a bit different from other chain lubes in that it uses a polymerization process to essentially turn into a plastic coating on your chain after application. While other chain lubes make claims about long-lasting performance and friction reduction, I’ve still not come across anything that lasts as long as Dumonde Tech Original, even in heinously wet conditions.
The recommended application is for one drop per roller, which seems tedious, but following those instructions means you use a minimal amount of chain lube on each application. And the stuff lasts — I can often get 4–5 rides per application, even in wet conditions, with Dumonde saying only to reapply once your drivetrain starts getting noisy. And once it has been applied and well-bonded to the chain, it resists dirt impressively well, meaning less cleaning required, though some wax-based lubes like Squirt are still better on that front.
My preference is for the OG formula, which can’t be shipped via air mail due to its VOC content. Despite that environmentally concerning fact, I like it better than the new Pro X formulation as I find that it lasts longer between applications, ultimately meaning you’re using less of it — which means a bottle goes farther, but also means that less of it is getting washed off of your chain and onto the trails.
David: I am, once again, in full agreement with Zack. The Original formulation does a seriously impressive job of both staying put longer than most in really gross, wet conditions in particular, while also not attracting a ton of dirt and turning into a goopy, gritty mess. Wax-based lubes can do an even better job of repelling dirt, but they don’t last even remotely as long as Dumonde Tech in wet conditions, and the Original version stays clean enough that I’m happy running it year-round. It’s been my go-to for probably a decade now.
I also like Dumonde Tech’s Lite formulation pretty well for drier conditions, but it doesn’t last nearly as long as the original if things are even sort of damp. For where I live in Western Washington, that makes the Original an easy call for most of the year.
Le Bent Glacier Zero Cushion Mini Bike Sock
MSRP: $21 (on sale as of publishing for $15)
Kara Williard: I am not overly picky about my socks, but there are a few things I can appreciate in a good pair. Namely, the quality of the wool, how durable they are, the fit, and whether or not they have quality manufacturing. I have found the Le Bent Glacier Zero Cushion Mini Bike Sock to have all the qualities I’m looking for. I’ve tested this sock hard for months, and it has continued to impress me for biking, and a whole lot more.
The Glacier sock is made with Le Bent’s Signature Wool blend, which is still among the softest wool blends I have tested (in everything from socks to base layers). It also offers great wicking characteristics and does a great job of keeping my feet dry and warm. It’s a medium-weight sock and the fit has been great, especially around the heel.
Le Bent has several details in all of their socks that make them especially comfortable, such as minimal seams around the toes, and extra elastic around the instep to keep things in place. While I think these make for a great bike sock, in particular, they have also worked great for hiking, trail running, and casual wear. If you have someone in your life who appreciates a good pair of socks, I’d definitely recommend checking out Le Bent’s lineup.
Icebreaker Cool-lite Anatomica boxers
MSRP: $50 (available for $35 at the time of this writing)
Jed Doane: Underwear is another heritage stocking stuffer, and these are the lightest, most breathable, and overall comfiest wool boxers I’ve ever worn. I love Merino blend boxers for backpacking, splitboarding, and other high-output activities for their stink resistance, wicking, and overall performance, but they are often thicker and warmer than cotton boxers.
I’ve been searching for thin merino boxers for warmer weather and found them in these Icebreaker Cool-lite boxers. Made from 50% merino and blended with Tencel, nylon, and Elastane, they don’t have any of the itchiness or warmth that is often associated with merino base layers. I found that they fit true to size and had an ample amount of stretch.
Velcro Cable Ties
MSRP: ~$10
Kristin Sinnott: If you know anyone who is a bit OCD about managing their cable cords, I highly recommend gifting them something like these velcro cable ties. I ordered a set back in 2016 and just used the last one. I have one attached to every cord I own and it makes me so happy to have a neat and tidy cord drawer thanks to the ties. It’s a simple but effective gift.
I’ve been a big fan of the Galfer Pro brake pads, but eventually it started to bother me how quickly they would wear through in the rear. Not so much a problem up front. I’m about to try the e-bike (purple) compound just in the rear to see if that gives me a better balance of performance and durability.
Also Swiftwick socks rule! I wear them every day for casual use, gym, and mounting biking.
The purple e-bike ones do indeed last a lot longer, but give up some power (especially in the wet) to get there, and are a bit noisier. I actually like the black standard pads better if you want a more durable rear option; they split the difference between the Pros and e-Bike ones, durability wise, but work better in the wet than the e-bike ones, and are a lot cheaper.
Nice, thanks for the tip.
Zach & David: any chance you’ve used Silca Synergetic wet lube, and if so, how does it compare to Dumonde Tech? I’ve been using Synergetic, but my bike is getting hammered this fall in northern WA.