Best Gift Ideas for Alaska Travelers
For many, Alaska is the ultimate dream vacation. Tourists from Lower 48 and around the world are increasingly traveling to Alaska to experience nature in its wildest majesty. Alaska has an estimated 100,000 glaciers, ranging from tiny cirque glaciers to huge valley glaciers. Of the 20 highest peaks in the United States, 17 are in Alaska. Alaska covers more territory than Texas, California, and Montana combined. Alaska is truly different and unique. If you are searching for the best gift ideas for friends or loved ones who are planning to travel to Alaska, you better stick around as below you will find our top gift ideas for every Alaskan traveler.
Best Gift Ideas for Alaska Travelers
1- Winter Boots
Whether you are traveling to Alaska during the winter or during the beautiful summer, a solid waterproof pair of boots for Alaska is a must because your feet are likely to get wet! Colombia’s Men’s Arctic Trip™ Omni-Heat™ Boot and Women’s Minx™ Mid III Boot are lightweight, sturdy and rugged. Plus the Omni-Heat technology keeps your feet warm which will be very useful when traveling to Alaska during the winter.
2- Gloves and Mittens
If you are looking to be protected from extreme cold temps, then a warm, comfortable mitt with a removable liner is an essential piece of your winter outdoor kit. Featuring GORE-TEX® 3-layer laminated nylon shells, the Outdoor Research Mt. Baker Modular Mitts, with removable PrimaLoft® One liner gloves, provide high warmth and storm protection in cold, damp and high-altitude climates.
3- Fleece Jacket
When it comes to clothes for Alaska, a fleece jacket is a good place to start. Fleece is pretty much synonymous with the winter time. Fleece is infinitely comfortable and relatively lightweight and it doesn’t absorb water so it won’t get damp and uncomfortable. This jacket by Columbia is very affordably priced and comes in a wide mixture of nice colors. An equal option for men is Columbia Men’s Steens Mountain Full-Zip Fleece Jacket
4- Sunscreen
Many people think of icebergs and glaciers when they call Alaska to mind, so they’re surprised to find sunshine in Alaska can be strong at times. In fact, temperatures can routinely rise above 80 degrees in some parts of Alaska. Remember you’ll be participating in many outdoor activities or standing out in the sun for a good amount of time during your stay in Alaska. So you need to wear sunblock on exposed skin summer and winter anytime you are in the sun. A sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 will block 97 percent of the sun’s UVB rays.
5- Beanie Hat
You lose the majority of your body heat through your head. The North Pole Star super soft beanie is both fashionable and eco-friendly. Our beanie will easily keep you warm even in the coldest months and places. It is made of 100% organic cotton which is kind to your hair and skin. Thanks to its breathable lightweight fabric, you can wear it both indoors and outdoors.
6- Trekking Pole
The joys of hiking in Alaska are clear: amazing panoramic views and the chance to see wildlife. Whether you’re a casual walker or a veteran hiker trekking poles are extremely helpful, aside from providing stability while hauling a heavy load or moving over technical terrain, trekking poles have distinct advantages even on easy trails. Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Pole comes with a built-in shock absorber that absorbs additional energy. The trekking pole also has a dual-density grip attachment and a 360° padded strap for extra grip and safety, even in rough terrain.
7- Sunglasses
Yes, you will need a good pair of sunglasses. Especially if you decide to go up on the glacier. Specially in the winter the Alaska sun sits at a low angle, intensifying the effect of UVB rays. The reflected sun off of the glacier can cause sun blindness. You might not realize it’s happening until several hours later. A pair of polarized sunglasses will keep your eyes safe from harmful rays and reduce glare and eye fatigue.
8- Swimsuit
Many people don’t consider Alaska as a swimsuit destination and they regret it fast. There is nothing better than being in the pool and seeing beautiful scenery of Alaska. This North Pole Star recycled high-waist bikini set is made of recycled polyester and its your go to swimsuit for the times you feel like taking a dip during your vacation. The fabric also has a UV protection of factor 50 and is chlorine resistant.
9- Rain Jacket
It often rains in Alaska. A good rain jacket comes highly recommended in Alaska, and if you are heading to places such as Ketchikan, where it gets an average annual rainfall of between 140 and 160 inches per year, you’ll be wearing that rain jacket most of the time. You can comfortably explore uncharted territory in any weather with this waterproof, windproof Women’s Resolve 2 Jacket by North Face. An equal option for men is Men’s Resolve 2 Jacket
10- Socks
Wet feet are a gateway to hypothermia. Having good moisture wicking socks for hiking is essential. Designed for all-season wear, Carhartt Men’s All-Terrain Boot Crew Socks are enhanced with powerful NanoGLIDE reinforcement for increased durability. Featuring fast dry technology that quickly transport sweat they’re comfortable and odor free.
11- Trail Running Shoes
Offering the industry-leading waterproof technology of GORE-TEX®, the men’s HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 4 GTX trail-running shoes keeps your feet dry in a variety of weather from rainy trails to snowy roads. These shoes are comfortable and super grippy for everything from the plane ride to the trails you choose to hike. Rain or shine the HOKA ONE ONE won’t let you down.
12- Water Bottle
When you camp or hunt in Alaska you may find yourself far away from civilization. However this doesn’t mean the waters in the rivers or lakes… are necessarily safe to drink. The CrazyCap 2 is a virus and bacteria-killing water bottle that purifies water in 60 seconds with just a few taps of your finger. It’s been tested and certified by NSF International against NSF/ANSI 55 for Disinfection Performance, Class B when used in Crazy Mode.
13- Headlamp
If you are going on mushing in the dark and want to make route bright and the trail easy to navigate or if you just want to find your way down a dark hallway you need to have a good and durable headlamp. a good headlamp should be comfortable on the forehead, have a long battery life, have good light quality, be durable and be as lightweight as possible. Petzl NAO+ is a rechargeable headlamp that puts out a whopping 750 lumens, has multiple-beam options, Bluetooth capabilities and automatic adjustment of the light intensity based on your needs.
14- Lonely Planet Alaska Guidebook
The best gift for Alaska travelers is of course, guidebooks about Alaska! The Lonely Planet guide for Alaska from the world’s leading travel guide publisher is a great resource for planning. “Lonely Planet Alaska is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Watch playful bears and breaching whales, catch a ferry to remote islands, explore the nightlife of Anchorage, or fill up at a Salmon Bake; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Alaska and begin your journey now! ” Lonely Planet
15- LifeStraw Water Filter
Water in remote areas of Alaska may be contaminated with giardia or cryptosporidium and should be treated before you drink it. A LifeStraw is the most reliable way to filter out microbes. The LifeStraw water filter removes 99.9999% of all bacteria and lets you safely sip straight from the stream or lake without any pumping, squeezing or filling. Even a few sips of clean water can mean the difference between life and death.
16- Binocular
Alaska is known for its amazingly diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes, having a binocular makes wildlife viewing much more fun. You need a lightweight binocular that also has to be capable of withstanding Alaska’s extreme weather. The Nikon trailblazer binocular is the perfect choice for your Alaska trip. It is great, compact, easy to focus and is equipped with multi-coated lenses and offers waterproof and fog-proof performance for your viewing pleasure.
17- Rain Pants
Another cool gift for Alaska traveler is rain pant. If you are planning to go fishing or boating or walking in the rain for no reason at all! we recommend wearing waterproof and breathable Men’s Rebel Roamer™ Rain Pants. they are much more comfortable than jeans and will keep you dry and cozy during wind and in the rain. An equal option for ladies is Columbia Storm Surge Rain Pants for Ladies
18- Waterproof Dry Bag
You may choose to take part in water-based activities or maybe want to cross creeks or rivers while you’re enjoying the outdoors. It’s crucial to protect your belongings from getting wet. Sea to Summit Big River Dry Bags have been the best rated dry bags on the market and are sure to cover more than just the basics for your awesome adventures.
19- Sleep Mask
If you have a problem sleeping in the light at night, you’re going to need a sleep mask. The first advantage of wearing a sleep mask is that it blocks light, another benefit is that a sleep mask can actually help to protect the skin around your eyes from damage while you sleep. The Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask has more than 12,000 reviews on Amazon with a whopping 4.5-star rating. The blindfold combines smooth, breathable silk with an easy-to-adjust strap that won’t tangle hair or snag pillows.
20- Power Bank
In remote and isolated areas without service phone batteries die fast. OUTXE 25000mAh Wireless Solar Power Bank is like the Swiss Army Knife of battery packs. It is IP67 waterproof, dust-proof, dirt-proof, drop-proof, and its built to withstand a lot of abuse in the wild. Plus you can easily clip the unit to the outside of your backpack with carabiner to get charging on the go. This is a great gift for any Alaska lover.
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