The Gift Guide — 2025

Gift guides are, admittedly, not my forte — I have come to determine that there are people who build entire careers around listing items in guides of all sorts which seem really compelling. They take time to find an image, write half a sentence, and submit an affiliate link for your consideration. That’s not me.

So this gift guide, as most are which I write, is for you to give to someone who might struggle to get you something awesome. If you choose to read this site, then some of this guide should have you covered.

The List

Wera’s Tool Check Plus is a small kit of tools which covers just about everything and anything you might need for repair. The toughest decision on this is trying to determine if you need Metric, or Imperial. The best answer actually is both. But a more simplified answer for US readers: around the home, Imperial has a slight edge, for anything else, Metric. You can’t even rely on a GM car to be fully Imperial, it’s fun. For the cyclists out there, Wera has a specific Bicycle Kit which is excellent.

A Travelers Notebook is an excellent gift for just about anyone. Both the ‘regular’ and ‘passport’ sizes are really lovely and there’s so many little extras that you can build a really nice gift around this for a relatively low cost, find them all here.

Aer’s Simple Kit might be the best pouch release of 2025, and it’s very cost effective. It’s super nice as well, and generic enough that most people will find a use for it whether for the office, travel, or even outdoors.

Kuoe Watches are fantastic watches without even needing to mention the low pricing on them. They have something for everyone, and make a stellar gift.

Aarke’s Carbinators are the finest sparkling water makers you can get. I went with the Pro model as that gives you glass bottles and one handed operation. This is a gem of a design and hard to go wrong with.

Hestra Gloves are the gold standard in excellent gloves, and they have something for everyone. For a gift, I’d stick with a nice leather glove, and balance the insulation level with where you live.

A good knife is something even knife guys can always appreciate getting more of. Some non-standard picks I have for this is a custom Buck 110 with Magnacut (takes min 6 weeks to get), Bradford Guardian 3 in Magnacut HH, Tactile Knife Co Bexar in G10 — hard to go wrong with any of those.

Gustin jeans, t-shirts, or sweatshirts are insanely well made and use really nice materials. Good addition to any closet. I’m a big fan of the sweatshirts especially.

Snow Peak’s Aurora water bottle is the ultimate splurge of a water bottle. Everything about it is exceptional, and nearly everyone is going to love it. I would avoid giving it to someone who is a little more drop prone, as it won’t hold up like a Nalgene there.

A good pen is really a great gift as most people won’t spend the money on something nice here. Some options across the price spectrum would be Tactile Turn’s Slim Side Click, Prometheus’ Alpha Executive Pen, or Montblanc’s PIX line. All are great, and something to fit anyone. I have all three, and love all three.

Very unique gear is available from The Observer Collection and everything I’ve seen from them is outstanding in quality. Certainly the type of unique items to snag for people who don’t like to carry the same thing as everyone else. Whether it’s a wallet, bag, or even their passport/notebook thing — it’s fantastic gear.

Happy shopping.