Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25241
holiday gift guide:: b .. ~,- Maybe your brother is a speed demon on the ski slopes but an altruistic saint at heart. Or maybe you know someone who just can't cram another piece of gear into their downtown efficiency. Whatever the case, we present you with some of the best gifts around that won't crowd anyone's closet. MEMBERSHIP TO A NONPROFIT GROUP A membership in a friend 's name to a nonprofit group like the Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org), IMBA (www.imba.com) or the Surfrider Foundation (www.surfrider.org)notonlybenefitstheorganizationsandthevaluableworktheydo. it earns your buddy some nice perks like magazine and newsletter subscriptions, T-shirts and travel discounts. Members of the League of American Bicyclists (www.bikeleague.org) for instance can fly their bikes free on several airlines, a $75 savings each time. Take your pick of the hundreds of worthy organizations out there, you can' t go wrong. Most memberships begin at $30. TRAILS.COM MEMBERSHIP Get someone an annual eTrails'" Pass to trails.com and they will never be stuck without a map again. Membership includes access to 30,000 trail maps, descriptions, routes, weather services, to po maps and trail reviews for one year. They will get 10 eTrails downloads, but if they want more, additional downloads are only $1.50 each. www.trails.com. 206-286-0888, $30 REI MEMBERSHIP Start a membership for just about anyone and they will thank you. They will save on equipment, get discounts on REI's renowned excursions and classes, special invitations to recreational and educational events, newsletters, promos, and early notices on sales. www.rei.com. 800-426-4840, membership is a steal at $15 per year HYDRO PHOTON STERI-PEN - Save a friend from Montezuma's Revenge with Hydro Photon's Steri-Pen. The high-tech water disinfection system was designed for use in hospitals and laboratories but is now available to outdoor enthusiast s. The battery -powered device uses ultraviolet light to destroy bacte ria, viruses and protozoa. It can sterilize 16 ounces of water in less than 45 seconds and never needs cleaning. Hydro Photon, www.hydro-photon.com. $199 YAKERZ 2ND WIND Sure to become standard iss ue for whitewater explorers, the 2nd Wind Airpack can deliver up to four minutes of lifesaving air to kayakers and other boaters trapped underwater. Similar to a hydration pack, the unit holds air instead of water. An airtight mouthpiece attaches to the user's chest and connects to the bladder in the back, providing instant access t o air while in a tuck pOSition. The system can be inf lated orally on the surface or hooked up to compressed air sources for up 55 minutes of air supply . Yakerz, www.yakerz.com $159 weekly email newsletter covering arts, music and cultural events sign up at flavorpill.net c lothing for all conditions toll free - 1 866 269 431 8 WWW.ULTRANECTAR.COM ~ -.r.,$ f ~ db