2022 Gift Guide - Week 2

Tools should figure prominently in every rider's wish list. They're fun to give or receive, and who doesn't love making the right addition to the tool bag or work bench? The right tool could also find its way into your pocket, and once you get used to knowing it's there, will come in handy multiple times a day for the rest of your time together. This isn't the only week we'll recommend tools in the gift guide, but it's definitely a theme.

Feedback Sports Team Edition Tool Kit

The Team Edition Tool kit contains 20 tools that perform 26 essential bike repair functions. It's lightweight and portable, and housed in a compact, weatherproof TPU case. For a newer rider with a DIY mentality or someone more experienced in need of a portable toolbox that doubles as an upgrade at home, this kit from Feedback Sports is a strong contender.

$300 at Feedback Sports

Flylow Handlebar Tech Flannel

Last week I ranted a little bit about the appropriation of the word flannel and the fact that flannel ≠ plaid (one is a fabric, one is a pattern), and most shirts marketed as 'flannels' these days are not genuine flannel. The Flylow Handlebar Tech Flannel is one such imposter, however it is a really good shirt. I've had mine for about nine months and in that time, have worn it on casual rides as a mid layer on cold days (its 100% polyester construction is designed to breathe well) and as an outer layer when swinging an axe and clearing blackberry bushes. It looks good with jeans, too, but I'm not gonna lie, I've been to approximately four events all year when I had to think about what I was wearing, so I'm usually just dressed for chorin'. Either way this shirt is now a staple.

100% Polyester flannel (meaning it ain't actually flannel)

• Duraflex snap buttons
• Work shirt fit and styling
• Two buttoned chest pockets
• Average weight: 267g

S - XXL // 95 USD (REI members can get a good discount) or 120 CAD at evo

Accu-Gage Tire Pressure Gauge

We've recommended this one before, but it's an enduring favorite with the NSMB crew and everyone I've recommended it to. I have one in the toolbox at home and one in the truck. They're reasonably priced, accurate, and durable. If you drop it hard enough to mess up the calibration, you can re-calibrate it. This is the perfect gift for your buddy who thinks the 'finger-gauge trick' still works with modern high-volume tires (it doesn't).

$14.57 US on Amazon

Wera Multicolour L-Key Set

This Wera Hex key set is a can't miss: if the mountain biker in your life already has a decent hex key set, they'll be happy to have a high quality, portable spare set. If what they have isn't great, this will be their new go-to. Like all Wera stuff, this is a high quality L-key set with colour-coded, convenient plastic sleeve making it easier to find the size you need, and nicer to hold in your hand even when it's cold out. The Hex-Plus profile more surface area and better contact in the head of the screw, and even the Scroogiest home mechanic will smile when they see the ballpoints on the end of each tool.

The Wera Multicolour L-key set costs 44.47 CAD // 35.12 USD on Amazon

Opinel No. 8

If there is one gift you should be giving to someone you care about this year, it better be sharp and can be used against you in a fight.

The Opinel No:8 has been around since the 1890s when Joseph Opinel created a simple yet effective knife for the everyday person. A knife that was made from high carbon steel for extreme sharpness and edge retention. In an era where France was ruled by farmers and trades people, everyone would carry a No:8 around to rip into a nice loaf of Brioche and cured meats and cheeses.

I have 2 Opinel No:8s I use as often as I can. Not always for the way Joseph intended perhaps, but the stainless steel blade version lives in my riding/trail building pack for trailside help. I have taken a stump to the back of one to split wood, have picked splinters out of my hands with the very sharp, pointy end and it is still as sharp and smooth as the day I was gifted it.

My first Opinel No:8 was a self purchase and of the Carbon Steel blade variety. Less interested in getting wet as the blade will corrode and turn black, I keep this one in my tool roll. It gets lots of use opening packaging and flush cutting zip ties on frames. I modified it slightly with a hole on the handle to run a string through. That's easy to do and means I can fish it out of my pocket and tool roll quicker. I also carved a groove in the fingernail notch area for quicker opening. I love owning and using these things. I have gifted countless of them over the years. If someone gave me another one, I’d love it just as much.

They are sharp as hell and remember, a sharp knife, is a safe knife!

26.95 CAD at MEC // 18.00 USD at REI

Opinel

-Words & photos: Deniz Merdano

Wells Lamont Men's HydraHyde Leather Work Gloves

Two years ago I recommended a pair of my favourite work gloves, and they're still my favourites (I'm on pair number 2) but this year I have an additional suggestion for those that work in wet climates or for winter use. The water resistant version of Wells Lamont's fairly ubiquitous work gloves offer a bit more protection from the elements. The originals do ok in the wet, and I treat them with leather waterproofer, but these ones are a bit better and don't require any additional treatment. You can't go wrong either way, but this is my new pair that rides shotgun in my back pocket from October through about March. Treat your local builder, put a pair in your truck, use 'em for wielding tools, mowing the lawn,

21.55 - 31.21 CAD (depends on size)