Buying for yourself is one thing, but choosing gear for someone else鈥攅specially when that someone else is a parent鈥攊s another level of pressure. So we听asked our moms and dads what they covet most for the holidays, then听recorded their responses here, along with specific items we鈥檇 recommend in each category.听
A Sleeping Bag

鈥淏ecause it can be used in so many ways: camping, as a comforter, even keeping warm on the couch.鈥 鈥擯aul Egensteiner, father of senior gear editor Will Egensteiner
Our recommendation: 听(from $290). Those who want their gear to pull double or triple duty will love this three-in-one, synthetic-insulated sleep system, which comes with two zip-off top panels that run the length of the bag. When both are attached, the One has a temperature rating of five听degrees; on their own, each panel听brings the rating up to 20 or听40 degrees, making it a versatile year-round bag. As a bonus, you can use each panel as a blanket around the campfire (or on the couch).
Skis That Rip

鈥淚 want a pair of skis that aren鈥檛 afraid of really steep, gnarly terrain and narrow chutes. The ones I ski on now are wussy skis鈥 or maybe it鈥檚 the skier.鈥 鈥擜lan Barronian, father of assistant fitness editor Abbie Barronian
Our recommendation: 听($700). These all-mountain planks have the versatility you need in technical听terrain鈥攄amp in chunder, stable at speed, responsive for tight turns and airs. The rockered tip and tail make slashing听surfy powder turns a dream.
Wireless Headphones

鈥淪o I don鈥檛 get all tangled up in wires at the gym!鈥 鈥擪.听Earnest, mother of social media manager Jenny Earnest
Our recommendation: 听($180). These rechargeable earbuds connect to your phone and to one another via Bluetooth, so there are no cords dangling under your arm or behind your head.听The Run鈥檚 surprisingly good sound quality, quick connectivity, and slim design earned it a spot in the 2018 Summer Buyer鈥檚 Guide. Both buds nest in听a rechargeable case that juices them for up to听eight hours.听
Traction Devices

鈥淲e want modified crampons [read: cleats]听to wear over regular boots so we can hike when the trail is iced over.鈥 鈥擜lan Gintzler, father of assistant gear editor Ariella Gintzler
Our recommendation: ($70). When we think of winter traction, these rubber and metal mini crampons听come to mind. They stretch over the top of any running shoe or hiking boot and pack down into a stuffsack for easy transport after the trail dries out. Stainless-steel spikes on the bottom grip ice and crusty snow for confidence in all conditions.
Everyday Shoes

鈥淚 want plain comfy sneakers that will be good for my back.鈥 鈥擫ita Rellosa, mother of assistant gear editor Jeremy Rellosa
Our recommendation: ($110). Best known for its arch-support inserts, Superfeet also makes a line of surprisingly stylish (yet still comfortable) street shoes, including these summery, boat-style kicks. Cork and EVA-foam footbeds mold to your feet, offering relief from your听feet up to your听spine. Synthetic-rubber outsoles offer听supreme grip.
A Handheld 国产吃瓜黑料 Camera

鈥淎fter the drone crash at Vail鈥檚 infamous Fang ice-climbing route, where both the UAV and the camera were lost (it was windy, OK!), I鈥檝e been wanting a new point-of-view camera to capture alpine skiing and water-skiing.鈥 鈥擩orge Navas, father of digital editorial director听Axie Navas
Our recommendation:听 ($400). The latest addition to GoPro鈥檚 action-cam collection launched early听this fall. It retains many of the same features as its predecessor, including 4K video at 60 frames per second and 1080p HD video at 240 frames per second, but with drastically improved stabilization听and a new auto feature that adjusts settings based on the lighting.