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You Can Buy Quality on a Budget

The North Face 88 Blocks Full Zip Hoodie

Rule 1

Exhibit A: The North Face‘s poly-and-cotton 88 Blocks Full Zip Hoodie. It laughs at cold snaps—with thumb loops at the cuffs and a stealthy balaclava sewn inside the hood—and will run you just 75 bucks (). Need more? Read on and you’ll find 27 more great gifts for less than $75.

Gift Guide: The Classics Always Work

Rule 2

With certain products, the verdict is already in: The quality is proven, or the style is simply timeless—as with the retro-western, 650-fill down Slingshot Vest by Patagonia ($125; ; see item 1 in photo). Also unfazed by fads: Woolrich’s crushable, water-resistant Cabin Ridge Hat ($22; ), a wool-felt fedora for fly-fishermen and travelers alike. And any cyclist will love Rapha’s old-school, poly-and-wool Winter Hat ($45; ), which is just svelte enough to slip under a helmet. For hauling gear, get something that won’t wear out after a few demanding trips, like the North Face’s nearly indestructible Base Camp Duffels (from $110; ).

More gifts:

2. One of our editors has 11 years on his Merrell Wilderness boots. He expects a helluva lot more. $275;

3. Lightweight and minimalist, Toshiba‘s energy-sipping NB200 is a wired traveler’s dream. $400;

4. Amazing: Plymouth Gin—exquisitely balanced, versatile enough for any cocktail—is only $25.

Gift Guide: Don’t Give Him a Bracelet

Rule 3

A man is allowed two pieces of “jewelry”: a ring and a watch. For straight-up value, you can’t beat Fossil‘s minimalist AM4258 ($75; ; see item 1 in photo). The bike geek on your list will drool over Festina’s Tour de France ’09 ($425; ), with its carbon-fiber dial and yellow markers, while anyone who’s ever gotten lost will appreciate the hidden digital compass on Wenger’s analog Nomad LED Compass watch ($375; ). For a more presidential look, we’re coveting the Jorg Gray 6500 ($325; ), which Obama has famously worn since he received it as a birthday gift in 2007; it’s also just a really handsome watch at a reasonable price.

More gifts:

2. LG‘s enV3 phone has a three-meg flash camera and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. $130 with contract;

3. Apple‘s newest iPod Nano shoots video at 30 frames per second and live-pauses FM radio. From $149;

Gift Guide: There’s No Excuse for Fruitcake

Rule 4

Luckily, some gifts work even for those folks who are impossible to buy for. Any caffeine junkie will appreciate Innate‘s insulated, stainless-steel Kaze Modular Vacuum Bottle ($24; ; see item 1 in photo), a mug/bottle combo that keeps liquids hot up to ten hours. Or Jetboil’s new Flash Java Kit ($100; ), which pairs a French press with the company’s wickedly fast and efficient stove system. Even casual runners will dig Nike’s nifty, water-resistant SportBand ($59; ), which tracks everything from pace to calories burned. And for hikers or travelers: Nemo’s Ditto Backpack holds 1,200 cubic inches when loaded and packs away into its own pocket when it’s not ($49; ).

More gifts:

2. We’ve tested lots of multitools over the years. Leatherman‘s Wave is still our favorite. $99;

3. Eddie Bauer‘s saddle-leather Ranger Belt works with everything from Carhartts to khakis. $79;

4. Two steel shot glasses come hidden in Mulholland‘s ten-ounce Sportman’s Flask. $80;

5. Simple and a little retro: That’s why we like Nixon‘s Swiss-made Chronicle wristwatch. $250;

6. Casio‘s Exilim Mobile: Our favorite shock- and water-resistant camera phone. $275 with contract;

7. The guy who has everything? He probably also has crappy slippers. For him, UGG‘s Ascot. $100;

8. Emroidered hand towels? Terrible stocking stuffer. Smartwool socks? Always a winner. From $14;

Gift Guide: Feed the Powder Hound

Rule 5

Spy Optic Trevor Goggle

Those who live for the fresh stuff can never have enough warm clothes or ski gear. Our favorite fourth-season gift this year is Spy Optic‘s Trevor Goggle ($55; ). We’ve tested countless models, and you simply can’t get a better combination of fit, peripheral vision, and sharp optics at this price. But anything that lays a warm foundation—like Ibex’s merino Zepher boxers ($52; ) or the versatile Merino Wool Buff neck gaiter/balaclava ($27; )—also makes a great gift. As do Redfeather’s lightweight, grippy Conquest snowshoes ($70; ), a perfect (and well-priced) choice for nonskiers.

Gift Guide: Kids Need �����ԹϺ���, Too

Rule 6

You just need to set them in the right direction. Teach them to fish with Redington‘s Minnow Kid’s Outfit ($160; ; see item 1 in photo), which includes an eight-foot, 5/6-weight graphite fly rod and casting games. Camping is also a good first step. It’s getting easier to find good kid-specific gear, like Kelty’s new pint-size, 20-degree Little Tree sleeping bag ($55; ) and Pacific Outdoor’s Kids Mat ($40; ). Or introduce them to winter hiking with Ecco’s insulated, Gore-Tex-lined Freeride Boots ($85; ) and L.L.Bean’s budget-friendly, kid-size Winter Walker snowshoes ($50; ).

More gifts:

2. Removable liner. A slew of vents. Giro‘s low-profile Revolver has everything but a high price. $70;

3. BCA‘s Arsenal Shovel With 240 Probe is the best combo we’ve ever tested. $100;

4. Sorel‘s insulated Fairbanks Drift: warm down to single digits but still low-key enough for the bar. $100;

5. Fuel your friends’ next margarita party: Patron Silver, Cointreau, fresh lime juice—mixed 2:1:1. $43;

6. Timex‘s Expedition WS4 has all the info you need (altitude, barometric pressure, temp, etc.) on its oversize face. $199;

Gift Guide: Raise a Proper Toast

Rule 7

Spirits are the season’s easiest go-to, but make sure you know the recipient’s tastes. If it’s Scotch, we suggest you splurge: The Glenlivet Nàdurra Triumph 1991 is our new favorite ($85; ; see item 1 in photo). Wine can be tough to nail, so go for a critics’ choice, like the 2005 Adobe Road Syrah ($38; ), which Wine Spectator gave 92 points. A fine sipping tequila, like Herradura Añejo ($50; ), is unbeatable; if you’re mixing, you want a good blanco. Specialty brew is a safe bet as well. ships hard-to-find domestic bombers, like Stone Brewing’s Vertical Epic Ale ($10) and Global Brew 12-pack samplers ($33).

More gifts:

2. Eddie Bauer‘s down Quilted Field Vest hits the mark if you want rugged sportsman style. $99;

3. L.L. Bean‘s merino-wool-lined Buckskin Chopper Mitts are as tough as they are warm. $49;

4. Freestyle‘s Submersion is a burly and well-priced dive watch depth-rated to 200 meters. $125;

5. Anyone would be happy to have Victorinox‘s six-tool Soldier Knife in the backcountry. $58;

6. Go-anywhere winter wear: Mountain Khakis’ Flannel-Lined Original Mountain Pants. $90;

Gift Guide: Everyone Loves a Gadget

Rule 8

Whether it’s for a CNET-surfing father-in-law or a Luddite brother with an ancient flip phone, a shiny new gizmo is sure to please. The season’s must-have: Garmin‘s Nuviphone G60 ($299 with contract; ; see item 1 in photo), a dashboard-and-trail-ready GPS that doubles as a cell phone to cut your device needs in half. Our other faves? Samsung’s Reclaim smartphone ($49 with contract; ), which is made from plant-based biodegradable plastics and features a QWERTY keyboard; VHoldR’s ContourHD1080p ($330; ), the first lightweight helmet cam to shoot in true hi-def; and Nikon’s 12.1-megapixel S1000pj point-and-shoot, with its built-in projector for slide shows right on the tent wall ($430; ).

More gifts:

2. One nice blade, like Shun‘s Classic Ultimate Utility Knife, beats a dozen so-so ones. $125;

3. TAG Heuer‘s 43mm Aquaracer Automatic will still be ticking for your great-grandchildren. $1,800;

4. What crying baby? Bose‘s new QuietComfort 15 noise-canceling ‘phones boast the richest sound yet. $300;

5. We don’t know your boss, but we bet he’d enjoy some smoky, peppery Knob Creek bourbon. $30;

6. We prefer Filson‘s 100 percent wool Mackinaw Cruiser to a preppy peacoat. $280;

7. Marmot‘s leather-palmed Spring Gloves are perfect for sunny days skiing and chilly nights out. $60;

Gift Guide: Make Her Warm and Happy

Rule 9

And if she’s warm and looks cute, even better. A few fail-safe options: Lole‘s wool-and-acrylic Cuddle Sweater ($100; ; see item 1 in photo), which every woman in the office gave a thumbs-up. Or down booties like the North Face’s fuzz-lined NSE Tent Mule Furs ($45; ). Another safe bet is Cloudveil’s Run Don’t Walk Pants ($125; )—they have a flattering, yoga-pant fit but, because they’re made with a stretchy Polartec material, are much, much toastier. And if you’re already thinking ahead to your next camping trip, go all in with Big Agnes’s Dream Island ($190; ), a 15-degree sleeping bag for two.

More gifts:

2. A classic resurrected: Runners wore ASICS‘s Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 in the ’68 Olympics. $80;

3. T-Mobile‘s speedy myTouch 3G syncs seamlessly with the Google universe. $150 with contract;

4. 5.10‘s boot-cut Yosemite Jeans have Half Dome’s profile stitched on the back pockets. $79;

5. Oris‘s rugged stainless-steel Divers Date has a softer side, too: a subtle wave pattern on the face. $1,550;