Chatting Gear & Gifting with Emily Pennington

Shelby Stanger interviews REI Expert Advice Gear Tester, Emily Pennington, about outdoor gear recommendations for gifting during the holidays. Emily shares her expertise on camping essentials like tents, sleeping bags, and ground tarps, as well as her preferences for hiking boots versus trail runners, emphasizing foot health with Superfeet insoles and Darn Tough socks. They discuss must-have winter adventure gear, including skis, snowboards, goggles, and balaclavas, and transition to travel gear, highlighting the Patagonia Black Hole duffel and lightweight clothing options. Emily also touches on the benefits of natural materials like wool and alpaca and suggests gifts under $50, such as backpacking pillows, hats, headlamps, and packable daypacks.