Gifts for Beginner Campers

Esker Folding Wooden BucksawEsker's folding take down wooden buck saws are made in Canada (Ontario) from locally sourced birds eye maple, cherry, hickory, or walnut woods and feature Esker's "comfort grip" wooden handle, where the contoured edge faces into the palm for a more natural, comfortable feel and fit while sawing, and includes a high quality Bahco 24" green/multi-wood blade.

Kupilka Firesteel 8The Kupilka Firesteel 8 firesteel features an 8mm diameter European sourced ferrocerium rod, an ethically produced reindeer leather lanyard, and a large (can be used with mitts on) handle made from Kupilka's unique Kareline bio-material.

Fox 40 Micro WhistleThe lowly whistle is an essential piece of kit when outdoors - indispensable in emergencies, or for convincing unwelcomed wildlife to move on. The Fox40 Micro outputs 110 decibels and sports a sleek, flat design with no pressure points: perfect for wearing under clothing or on lifejackets.

Fox 40 Sharx WhistleThe Fox40 Sharx is a LOUD (120 db) 2-chamber pealess whistle designed specifically for the outdoors and watersports. Essential for emergency situations, or for convincing unwelcomed wildlife to move on, it can be heard up to 1.6km away.

Stormproof MatchesUnlike other “waterproof” or “windproof” matches, our stormproof matches are easy to light, and will stay lit for up to 15 seconds, even after being submerged in water - yes, it's true!

Dr. Bronner Pure Castille Liquid Soap 2ozDr.Bronner's soap is unlike any you’ve ever used. A combination of organic extra virgin coconut, olive, jojoba and hemp oils, together with pure essential oils, creates a unique soap that cleans effectively without being aggressive and produces a velvety-lather that leaves the skin silky-smooth and refreshed.

Mora Companion MG Bushcraft KnifeThe Mora Companion MG Bushcraft Knife is a very adaptable knife with a patterned high-friction grip handle - great for general outdoors/bushcraft use, and comes in either Mora's 12c27 stainless, or carbon blade.

Knife & Axe Blade OilKnife & Axe Blade Oil is plant based, non-toxic, petroleum free, odour free, biodegradeable, and perfect for protecting axe and knife blades from corrosion, without the use of petroleum. Made in Canada.

Woolpower Socks - 400 g/m² - Rust RedNew for 2021, Woolpower introduces new "Rust Red" colour - new shade, same great mix of merino wool and polyamide that's machine washable in hot (60°C) water, and machine dryable.

Top 70 Canoe Routes of OntarioNewly updated for 2023, Top 70 Canoe Routes of Ontario adds 10 more routes and over 50 more pages, making it THE classic guide to the very best canoeing the province of Ontario has to offer.

Trangia Moment Outdoor CookbookThe Trangia Moment Outdoor Cookbook is a collaboration with local Swedish outdoor chefs Nathalie Spjälle and Eric Tornblad. Divided into 3 parts (Brunch, Dinner and Snacks), it has meals to suit everyone from meat eaters to the gluten intolerant and vegans, and ideas for elevating your outdoor offerings. Some of our favourites? Lemon risotto with asparagus and fried apple pie.

Fenix HM23 LED HeadlampThe new Fenix HM23 headlamp is a high intensity, AA powered, waterproof, light-weight headlamp with a max output of 240 lumens from a single AA battery.

Stormproof Match KitThe UCO Stormproof Match Kit is a waterproof case that includes 25 stormproof matches and 3 strikers. The case features an integrated striker on the outside to provide an easy location for lighting matches and can hold up to 40 matches.

Ivanhoe Wool SockIvanhoe wool socks are lightweight liner wool socks with strengthened heels and toes - great as base layer socks, or for wearing in warmer weather to provide wicking capabilities. Made in Sweden.

Dr. Bronner Pure Castille Liquid Soap - 237 mlDr.Bronner's soap is biodegradable, and is made with organic and certified fair trade ingredients. Use it for your face, body, hair, dishes, laundry, mopping, pets and more —clean your house, body, and camp site with Dr.Bronner's. All one!

Firestix Bark & Spruce Resin TinderFirestix firestarters are hand picked, and fully produced in northern Saskatchewan by several First Nations communities. This all natural mix of bark and resin provides a long lasting tinder that not only works great, but smells amazing! Made in Canada.

Woolpower Sit PadMade from the offcuts and trimmed material of the Woolpower garment making process, Woolpower Sit Pads are the perfect companion when at the arena, stadium, or in a camp chair when sitting 'round the fire in the fall or spring.

Mora Kansbol with Polymer Sheath The Mora Kansbol offers the best of both worlds: while being a robust, durable knife it also features a partial tang, making it lighter in weight, and a profile grind which aids in thin slicing and food prep.

Fisher Backpacker Pen Fisher Backpacker Space Pens are available in two colours, that make it easy to find if you happen to set it down during any of your adventures. The ring on top of the cap allows you to attach it around your neck via lanyard or simply add it to your key ring so you're never without a writing utensil. Fisher space pens are guaranteed to write in the most extreme of conditions: underwater, upside-down and in temps from -40°C to +120°C!

Katadyn BeFree 3L Water FilterThe Katadyn BeFree 3L water filter packs up small and compact, yet filters up to 2L of water per minute, and features a very easy to clean hollow fibre 0.1 micron filter for safe removal of bacteria and protozoa.

Morakniv Companion Hi-Vis Stainless Steel KnifeThe Mora Companion Hi-Vis Orange model sports the same stainless steel and form factor as the Mora MG Companion, but sports a bright, highly visible sheath and handle accents - making it easy to find if misplaced at dusk, or dropped along a portage or trail.

Druide Lemon Eucalyptus Insect RepellentDruide's Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent is a made in Canada product that is certified organic, hypoallergenic, biodegradable and protects against mosquitoes and deer ticks for up to 6 hours.

Bushbox LF Stick StoveThe Bushbox LF stick stove is Bushbox's newest stove that sits in the "goldilocks" zone between the original Bushbox stove, and the Bushbox XL.

Ben's Tick RepellentBen's Tick Repellent provides 12 hour protection against ticks and your chances of contracting lyme disease - with a 20% Icaridin active ingredient in a handy 100ml pump spray bottle.

Outdoors the Scandinavian Way - Summer EditionLars Fält is a much loved and respected Swedish elder statesman of bushcraft, military survival, and outdoor living. Outdoors the Scandinavian Way (Summer Edition) is the first English translation of Lars's work, and provides an excellent overview of summer outdoor back country travel and living, including biological and physiological needs, outdoor equipment, knives, axes, saws, canoeing, wild plants, fire making, knots and much more.

Trangia 25-2 UL CooksetThe Trangia 25-2 UL cookset features ultralight aluminum and includes 2 saucepans (1.75 and 1.5 litre), 1 frypan (22 cm), and a kettle (0.9 litre).

Thrive - Long Term Survival GuideJuan Pablo Quinonez: survival specialist, outdoor professional, and winner of The History Channel's "Alone" Season 9, has written an excellent guide to all things survival, bushcraft and living off the land in the boreal forest in "Thrive - Long Term Wilderness Survival Guide". Complete with step-by-step instructions, skills, tips and over 400 illustrations, it's an excellent resource and guide.

The New Trailside CookbookThe New Trailside Cookbook is an essential cookbook packed with easy, lightweight, high energy, gourmet recipes and comprehensive outdoor cooking information for hikers, day-trippers, canoeists and wilderness campers written by Kevin Callan and Margaret Howard.

Mountain Backpacker Medical KitThe Mountain Backpacker Medical Kit is designed up to 2 people for excursions up to 4 days in length, and includes supplies to deal with cuts and scrapes, splinters, ticks, blisters, bug bites, wounds and bleeding.

Trangia 25-1 UL/GB/SB CooksetThe limited edition 25-1 UL/GB/SB cookset offers flexibility for cooking setups and styles, as it comes with 2 burners: Trangia's alcohol burner, and Trangia's gas burner (for isobutane). The 25 -1 kit has two saucepans (1.75 and 1.5 litre), a 22 cm frying pan, windshields (upper and lower), a pan grip and a strap. 50% stronger than ordinary aluminum, and as light as titanium, Trangia's UL series are lightweight, compact, and portable.

Complete Guide to Winter Camping 2nd EditionWinter camping is a burgeoning activity in Canada, and Kevin Callan's Complete Guide to Winter Camping 2nd Edition provides information and tips on every aspect of snow and ice fun and safety including advice on setting up shelters, choosing sleep systems, warm clothing, how to track animals, check ice thickness, operate a snowmobile and even catch a fish while winter camping - a down to earth, easy to read guide for the novice and seasoned pro alike.

Outdoors the Scandinavian Way - Using a KnifeLars Fält's guide for all things Knife: knife history and use by indigenous peoples, how to use a knife safely, how to teach children to use a knife, sharpening, care, cleaning and maintenance of not only the blade, but the handle and sheath as well. Lars Fält has a long and storied history in the Swedish outdoor and survival community, and a lifetime of knife use, and knife use instruction.

Outdoors the Scandinavian Way - Using an AxeLars Fält's guide for all things Axe: axe history, what you can use an axe for, how to safely use one, how to correctly sharpen an axe, how to replace an axe handle, how to care for it. Lars Fält has a long and storied history in the Swedish outdoor and survival community, and is responsible for the design of the Gransfors Bruk Outdoor Axe.

Kevin Callan - The Happy Camper - The Essential Guide to Life OutdoorsThe Happy Camper is a comprehensive, heavily illustrated, highly entertaining compendium of basic wilderness instruction and well-tested campsite advice. One of North America's top canoeing and outdoors experts, Kevin Callan explains how to get the most from your camping experience -- no matter where you pitch your tent, what you forgot to pack or what the weather.

Kevin Callan's Wilderness PleasuresDo you love camping except for “that one part” (portaging, bugs, bad weather, second-rate food, sleeping bags, rocks, uphill hikes, downhill tumbles, tippy canoes, or, let’s face it, life without a toilet)? With his trademark mix of comic tales and expertise, veteran guide Kevin Callan reveals the secrets to smooth paddling and pleasure-filled camping. Topics include choosing the right trip, camping companion harmony, best camping gadgets and clothing, sleeping softly on hard ground, traveling light but eating well, bush martinis, close encounters of the wildlife kind, skinny-dipping, and how to make love in a canoe.

Helle Tollekniv KnifeThe Helle Tollekniv is traditional, no-frills Scandinavian knife that serves well as a multi-purpose belt knife. It features a 104mm long blade with a triple laminated stainless steel blade.