Holiday gifts for the adventurer

It’s that time of year when the adventure junkie wants more gear but is virtually impossible to shop for.

Well, consider this his or her list.

All at affordable prices, most of the gear listed here hit shelves sometime in 2009. Some of it first hit shelves earlier this month.

So finish your shopping. If you don’t like any of these ideas, wait until next week for another five suggestions.

Metolius FS Mini carabiners

Metolius’ new mini carabiners look like ornaments. But instead the tiny full-strength ‘biners (22 kN rating) are made for rock climbing and alpine pursuits.

They weigh only 25 grams apiece. Added up, a rack of mini biners can shed pounds from a climber’s rack.

They’re sold alone or as a quickdraw. The biggest downside is the smaller gate opening, which could make it harder to clip.

The fully certified biners are tested to 50 percent of their strength rating, so don’t let the size fool you. http://www.metoliusclimbing.com, mini carabiners – $7.50 each, quickdraws – $17 each.

ENGO blister patches

Like moleskin for your shoe, ENGO patches are touted to reduce friction and prevent blisters. Essentially Teflon-coated stickers, the small blue patches can eliminate that most common of blister-causing problems: Friction.

In my test, the patches worked. I used them with a pair of shoes that typically gives me blisters. On two occasions — after walking around for hours at a stretch — my heel was blister- and pain-free.

The company touts the patches to last inside a shoe an average of four weeks. Beyond just shoes, you can stick them to trekking pole grips or other surfaces that might rub skin raw. http://www.goengo.com, starting at $8 per pack.

Pearl Izumi Shine Wind Mitts

Pearl Izumi’s Shine Wind Mitts are lightweight gloves with a hidden windproof mitt making them ideal for cold-weather runs.

The company’s MicroSensor-Thermal fabric is a polyester/spandex blend that does a great job of regulating temperature.

Plus they easily transform into windproof mittens adding to their versatility.

The best thing about the Shine Wind Mitts is the tightly woven ripstop nylon windproof mitt that stows in a small pocket on the back of the hand.

While running, it’s easy to pull out the fluorescent yellowish-green mitt, which covers the back of your hand while a lightweight fabric slips over your fingers to secure it.

But be careful with them. If you pull too hard, like I did, you may rip a stitch. http://www.pearlizumi.com, $30.

Highgear SolarPod

With iPhones and GPS units becoming ubiquitous in the great outdoors, there is a growing market for pocket-size solar chargers. Highgear designed one for backcountry techies on a budget.

New this winter, the Highgear SolarPod is a basic solar charger about the size of an iPhone.

Designed to charge phones and mp3 players, the SolarPod is said to disperse power for 40 minutes on an 8-hour solar charge.

Attached to the corner of the SolarPod is a carabiner clip so you can secure it to your pack and charge while you hike. It comes with eight connector tips for various phones, including a USB connector for mp3 players, digital cameras or anything Apple. However, I couldn’t find a connector that fit my Samsung phone or my wife’s LG.

The 2.4oz.-unit, which is the company’s first solar charger, has a battery indicator in 25 percent increments to let you know the power that remains. http://www.highgear.com, $50.

Gerber Crucial multitool

As the lightest butterfly-opening multitool in Gerber’s line, the Crucial is built for the outdoorsperson who wants basic features and nothing more.

The Crucial is comparable to the Leatherman Skeletool. Overall, I like the Crucial better.

It weighs just 5 ounces and includes a pliers/wire-cutter, a blade, and little else.

Its straight and serrated locking blade easily opens using one hand and your thumb. There’s a flat-head and Phillips screw driver, and the tool includes a carabiner clip that doubles as a bottle opener.

Besides the carabiner clip, the Crucial also has a belt clip. Eliminating one or the other could save more weight., but it’s pretty light already. Plus it comes with a pouch and a lifetime warranty. http://www.gerbergear.com, $59.