Outdoorsy Christmas Gift Ideas from Ordnance Survey Champions!

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OS Curated Gift Guides

Outdoorsy Christmas Gift Ideas from Ordnance Survey Champions!

By Hilary Pullen

Published on November 20, 2024 9 min read

Are you a little stuck on Christmas gift ideas this year? We asked our OS Champions to share what’s on their wish lists this year and what outdoorsy gifts they’d like to give this season to help inspire you. Creating a wish list at Ordnance Survey is simple, just click the heart next to any product to start creating yours.

Scroll through our champs ideas below for some Christmas gift giving inspiration for people who love the outdoors.

Natasha Sones’ Gift Ideas

I would love the Red Equipment Adventure Waterproof 30 Litre Storm Blue Backpack. I am always on the water and I am doing a lot of swimming in different places over the next year so this waterproof bag would be super helpful. The roll-top closure to keep my gear completely watertight would be great.

I would gift the Ordnance Survey Kids’ Adventure Book to fellow OS Champ Danielle as she has recently had a baby and this would be ideal for her child when a bit older to get them into adventuring in the outdoors!

Meet OS Champion Natasha Sones

Paddle Boarder, Adventure Blogger and Stargazer – find out more about Natasha and why she is an OS Champion. Find Out More…

Meg Collington’s Gift Ideas

I have a Rotating Smart Phone Bar Mount on my wish list. Despite being a self-proclaimed bikepacker, I still don’t have any form of navigational tool! I’ve been managing with simply getting my phone out to check. But this costs valuable time and energy, stopping and getting started again. I’m always envious of people’s mounted navigational devices, so, on my Christmas list this year is a bar mount for my phone. I can finally save myself some time and energy – better spent on actually pedalling the route!”

Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Great Britain My best friend is an avid paddleboarder, having competed in many races up and down the country. She’s since slowed down but still loves to get her board out wherever she can. I know she’s been eyeing this book up since it came out (we both have!) so I think she’d love it as a surprise Christmas gift this year.

You can find some routes from this fab book by OS Champion Jo Mosely here – 8 Beautiful Places To Paddle Board in Great Britain

Meet OS Champion Megan Collington

Meet Meg Collington who loves hiking and cycling in the Lake District, Peak District and Eryri (Snowdonia) – find out more about Meg and why she is an OS Champion. Find Out More…

Alex Jackson’s Gift Ideas

I’d like the Garmin inReach Mini 2. I would love to receive one of these because of all the solo, hiking, camping, scrambling adventures that I do it would be a essential piece of kit for in case something were to ever go wrong or if even I don’t have signal at a camp spot and I need to let people know I’m alive. I’m hoping to do a lot of winter camping as well which I’m really looking forward to, just in case anything something ever goes wrong I know I can contact people with this device.

Dual Palm Rechargeable Hand Warmers, Winter will be in full affect and the temperatures will be in the low minuses in the morning. Would be a great gift for my dad as his always up and leaving for work mega early so it will help keep his hands warm for those early mornings, and when he is at the football in the evenings during the week.

Meet OS Champion Alex Jackson

Meet Alex Jackson, who was first inspired into the hiking life by a school trip – find out more about Alex and why he is an OS Champion. Find Out More…

Crystal Silver’s Gift Ideas

I have the Scottish Wild Country Backpacking book on my wish list. I would love to receive this book as I have been advancing my wild camping set up and skills throughout the year and this book would give me ideas on some tried and trusted exped routes to try in 2025.

It has to be an OS Maps premium subscription! This is how I first started to use OS Maps (receiving a subscription as a gift on my birthday one year) and I think it’s such a thoughtful, long lasting gift that shows the recipient you care about them and their safety. I was so touched to get it as a gift and I’d love to make someone else feel that special.

Meet OS Champion Crystal Silver

I like to think of myself as a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ when it comes to outdoor activities and turn my hand to kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, wild swimming, camping and bouldering amongst others. My main passions are hiking and trail running, both allow me to explore my beloved Scottish Highlands.  – find out more about Crystal and why she is an OS Champion. Find Out More…

Samantha Meekin’s Gift Ideas

Women’s Sunset Ledge Micro Crew Taupe Lightweight Socks – It just wouldn’t feel like Christmas without a pair of socks under the tree. This is the perfect gift for an adventurer who loves sunsets and mountains.

Laurence McJannet | Bikepacking: Mountain Bike Camping Adventures on the Wild Trails of Britain – My family love mountain biking and camping but they have never combined the two!! This book will inspire them to plan their first mountain bike camping adventure.

Meet OS Champion Samantha Meekin

Meet Samantha Meekin, hiker, runner, biker, wild swimmer and happy camper! – find out more about Sam and why she is an OS Champion. Find Out More…

Beth Craigen’s Gift Ideas

Silva Pocket 8 x Binoculars. Genuinely I have binoculars on my Xmas list! I spend a lot of time volunteering taking young people and and adults out walking, teaching navigation and teaching nature ID. I usually focus on plants and trees as they stay still long enough to ID them! However, I have been working this year on learning birds with the help of the Merlin app and my trusty bird book. I am super keen to start adding some bird knowledge to my walks and lightweight binoculars will hugely help with this!

Meet OS Champion Beth Craigen

Meet Beth Craigen who works helping community groups to set up to deliver the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) – find out more about Beth and why she is an OS Champion. Find Out More…

Ian Morris’ Gift Ideas

Leki Makalu Lite AS Trekking Poles – desperately in need of some better poles as one of mine is a bit bent and the twist locking mechanisms are a pain with gloves on!!

Meet OS Champion Ian Morris

Meet Ian Morris – Keen hiker, scrambler and wild camper based in Cheshire – find out more about Ian and why he is an OS Champion. Find Out More…

Need Help Choosing a Pair of Hiking Poles?

Read our Complete Guide to Hiking Poles if you’re thinking about gifting a pair but not sure which type you need.

Debbie North’s Gift Ideas

I have the Montane Respond Dry Line Mitts on my wish list. They will help to keep my hands warm and dry when using my all-terrain wheelchair in wet and cold conditions.

Meet OS Champion Debbie North

Meet OS Champion Debbie North – Lover of mountains, presenter, writer, wheelchair user, adventurer, tea drinker – find out more about Debbie and why she is an OS Champion. Find Out More…

Jo Moseley’s Gift Ideas

I’d love some walking poles for my adventures for my 60th birthday year starting this December! I do a lot of walking and would love some poles for more rugged & longer hikes. I had a pair inherited from my son (different brand) that I used for a trip to Madeira and loved them. They gave me such confidence! I would also like to get into Nordic Walking as it’s meant to be great for healthy ageing & keeping strong & mobile!

I was given a pair of these Bridgedale socks in the summer & they have been fantastic! Great for hiking, paddleboarding (on a canal where I’m not walking into the water!) and even skateboarding! Super to pull on after a cold water dip too. They are hard wearing, soft & cosy & easy to wash. I’d give them to friends who want to be comfortable indoors & out with a long lasting sock!

Meet OS Champion Jo Moseley

Meet Jo Moseley, Hiker, Swimmer, Paddleboarder and author of the best selling book Stand Up Paddleboarding in Great Britain. Find out more about Jo and why she is an OS Champion –  Find Out More…

Fi Darby’s Gift Ideas

I would love to receive a pair of super light walking poles. I use poles on most of my walks but would love a really light pair I could easily take on my train adventures.

You can bundle and save at Ordnance Survey! Shop our hiking kit and save some pennies on your Christmas Gifts this year.

I would also love to gift my daughter a copy of the Cornish Coast Walks Made Easy book. We have been exploring Cornwall by train together this year and would love to discover some more walks.

Read more about Fi in her latest blog post – Wild Swimming and Paddling Adventures by Train

Zoe Homes’ Gift Ideas

I’ve had my eye on a Tilley hat for the longest time – I reckon I could rock the T3 Wanderer Hat in olive – a proper hiking hat for proper hikers! It’s an iconic hat with a classic look, sun protection, and shelter in inclement weather. And I’d only ever need one as they come with a lifetime guarantee.

The OS Micro Towel – everyone should have one! Honestly, one of the most useful bits of outdoor gear I own, I genuinely rarely leave the house without one, and will be buying a bunch to give to my friends this Christmas. Really tiny yet super absorbent, it’s perfect for drying my feet after a paddle, my hands and gear after heavy rain, or my sweaty face after climbing a big hill! Don’t forget your towel.

Meet OS Champion Zoe Homes

Meet Zoe Homes – Countryside, road-trip and mini-adventure lover, getting #OneHourOutside every day. – find out more about Zoe and why she is an OS Champion. Find Out More…

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Jack Anderson’s Gift Ideas

Men’s Alpine Packable Kahki Gilet, to help keep warm when working! Standing around between kayak sessions or when on checkpoints for Duke of Edinborough gets chilly at times and the gilet is small enough to fit under work uniform layers!

I would gift a custom map combined with the Ordnance Survey Contours Mug! A little custom map to remember and reminisce on shared adventures and the mug for the next adventure!

Meet OS Champion Jack Anderson

Meet Jack Anderson, an outdoor instructor who loves a route with a pub at the end! – find out more about Jack and why she is an OS Champion. Find Out More…

Sal Thornton’s Gift Ideas

The 3D Lake District Relief Map is such a beautiful piece to add to your wall, plan routes, and get excited about one of the awesome places we have here in the British Isles.

A custom map, compass and the Navigation Skills for Walkers handbook – along with a link for the online Map Reading Skills beginners guide on Get Outside. This is the ideal gift for a loved one to learn or develop map reading skills, all round their local area or favourite place.

Meet OS Champion Sal Thornton

Meet Sal Thornton – Long distance hiker and lover of human powered adventures! – find out more about Sal and why she is an OS Champion. Find Out More…

Yvonne Witter’s Gift Ideas

Black Diamond Women’s Trekking Poles – I enjoyed hiking and due to an injury sustain 3 years ago, I rely on my walking poles a lot for strenuous terrain with high ascension and down hill rocky terrain. These poles would definitely be ideal for me.

My gift idea would be Peak District Outstanding Circular Walks – The walks are easy and also suitable for families. Many of them are accessible via by public transport too.

Meet OS Champion Yvonne Witter

Meet Yvonne Witter who enjoys running, walking and cycling and supporting others, a self-motivator – find out more about Yvonne and why she is an OS Champion. Find Out More…

Lisa Wells’ Gift Ideas

I would gift OS Contour Microfibre Large Towels to all of my children! These towels are so handy for holidays because they don’t take up much space in a suitcase. They’re also perfect for our days out together on the beach.

Meet OS Champion Lisa Wells

Meet Lisa Wells – Usually found on a mountain with a big smile and two dogs. – find out more about Lisa and why she is an OS Champion. Find Out More…

You can find even more gift inspiration for lovers of the outdoors in the Ordnance Survey Christmas Brochure!

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By Hilary Pullen

Meet Hilary, Editor of Get Outside – the Ordnance Survey Blog. Hilary is based in North Wales and loves hiking with her dogs in the mountains of Eryri and Bryniau Clwyd, you can find her on Instagram @nearlyuphill and read her guides to walking in North Wales on her blog. Drop her an email hilary.pullen@os.uk if you are interested in posting an article on Get Outside.