15 Mother’s Day gift ideas for outdoorsy mums

(Photo courtesy of Bradt Guides)

Camping Road Trips UK

Showcasing 30 road trips throughout the UK – each hand-picked by author and travel writer, Caroline Mills – this guide is the perfect addition to your mum’s bookshelf for 2023.

With each road trip chosen with campervans, motorhomes, long-distance cyclists and campers in mind, the self-guided tours include 20-mile weekend breaks to routes of 500 miles plus for those looking to enjoy a longer holiday.

With a passion for seeking out lesser-known destinations, each road trip is based on author Caroline’s own experiences, often as a solo female traveller, or with her three children in tow.

Camping Road Trips UK is also available as an e-book for £15.99.

Price: £18.99 (paperback)

W: bradtguides.com

Wild Guide: North East England

If your mum is planning a trip ‘ooop norf’ this year, this latest offering in the Wild Guide series is an absolute joy.

Containing 600 secret adventures around Northumberland, the North York Moors, Wolds and North Pennines – from wild swimming in remote waterfalls to routes to hidden valleys and mysterious smugglers’ caves – she'll be inspired to seek out some of the North East’s most exciting hidden gems.

Travel writer, photographer and author, Sarah Banks, has also included over 450 lesser-known places to eat and sleep, including campsites, glamping lodges and the perfect spots for wild camping under the stars.

Detailed maps with OS coordinates are also included to help plan your route. It’s worth buying for the fantastic photography alone!

Price: £18.99

W: wildthingspublishing.com

(Photo courtesy of Wild Things Publishing)

(Photo courtesy of HJ Socks)

HJ Socks ProTrek Adventure Trek socks

When it comes to trekking, the power of a good walking sock should never be underestimated.

Featuring high-density cushioning, ventilated mesh zones, arch support and ankle bracing, reinforced heel and toe areas, plus a smooth toe seam, the new ProTrek Adventure Trek Socks from sock specialist, HJ Socks, is a middleweight walking sock designed for all-season trekking.

Made using super clever WoolTech ultra-durable fabric that provides moisture wicking and breathability, the socks have even benefited from a treatment that inhibits the growth of bacteria to reduce odours, keeping you fresh as a daisy even after a day in the hills.

The socks are available in five colours, in sizes 4-11, and even include a six-month guarantee.

Price: £15

W: hj.co.uk

(Photo courtesy of Kikkerland)

Kikkerland Knot Game

If there’s one thing us campers should know, it’s how to tie a good knot. Well now you can put your skills to the test with this fab little game from Kikkerland.

Challenge your mum to tie over 20 different knots against the clock in a game that’ll have you practising your knot-tying skills with improved speed and accuracy, while also, perhaps, teaching you a new knot or two! It’s suitable for ages over eight, and we’d say it’s the perfect way to tie up your free time (sorry!)...

Price: £13

W: shop.rnli.org

Roxy Active by Nature range

Inspired by women who like to exercise outdoors, and using a bright colour palette and super-comfy textures, the new Active by Nature range from Roxy might be the perfect feel-good fitness-wear range for summer.

Including sports bras, technical shorts, sports T-shirts, technical leggings, oversized tees and swimwear, in an array of bright colours and patterns, each item is also made using eco-conscious fabric so your mum can exercise safe in the knowledge that she's being kind to the planet, too.

Price: From £27

W: roxy-uk.co.uk

(Photo courtesy of Roxy)

(Photo courtesy of Selk'Bag)

Selk’Bag

In light of the cold weather we’ve been experiencing this winter, what’s not to love about a giant sleeping bag you can walk to the toilet block in?

The big news for the Selk’bags is that two of the products (Original and Lite) are now made from 100% recycled fabrics, so as well as actual heat from the sleeping bag material, your mum will get a smug warmth from its green creds, too. Both the polyester covering and the hollow fibre filling are made with recycled materials; in fact there’s material from 230 plastic bottles in the Original and 153 in the Lite.

The same features remain – elasticated hand openings to allow you to use your opposable thumbs, pockets to stash essentials and zippered, removable bootees. You get a stuff sack, too, that allows you to compress the product if storage space is none too plenty.

The Original costs £139.99 and weighs 1.54kg (S) to 2.08kg (XL) and is available in four colours: Burgundy Earth, Ash Foliage, Black Light and Green Ice. The Lite is £99.99 with weights ranging from 0.96kg (S) to 1.51kg (XL) – colours are Teal Sunlight, Foggy Blue and Black Terracotta.

Just be aware that sizes are aimed to suit those ranging from 4ft 11in to 6ft 4in – we’re not making aspersions, but if your mum really struggles with cassette toilet heights at either end of the height spectrum, then you can still order, but make sure you use the quoted hassle-free 14-day returns policy if it doesn’t fit.

Price: From £99.99

W: selkbag.co.uk

The Cocktail Society Salted Caramel Espresso Martini Pouch

Does your mum love entertaining when away?

Save space and avoid breakages with these ready-made cocktail pouches. All you need to do is add ice and you’ve got yourself a cocktail shaker, even better.

Each 100ml pouch makes between 10-12 drinks so that’s more than enough for a good night!

Price: £33

W: thecocktailsociety.uk

(Photo courtesy of The Cocktail Society)

(Photo courtesy of Go Emu)

Go Emu Dry Bag Duffel

Reaching into the deep dark recesses of a garage, or under-bed storage space, do you worry about what will bite you – random corkscrews, a saw blade, or any other manner of sharp implements masquerading as a simple tool? Let face it, even paper cuts deep. So brighten up your mum's storage area with some useful soft storage bags.

We particularly like these colourful duffel bags from Go Emu, which are waterproof – stash them outside when you get to site without fear of items getting wet from dew. Several colour combos are available, whether that’s the more classic royal blue or the khaki and pink mix. There’s a removable shoulder strap and two carry handles that can double up as backpack straps – use it for the morning bread run or even the trip to the washing-up sinks.

Designed in the UK, the bags pack up small if you don’t need them all the time and there’s a massive range of styles to suit all needs, including money belts, wash bags, totes and more.

The 20-litre dry bag duffel costs £45, and the 40-litre version is £56. Plus, if your other half tells you something is in the blue and orange duffel, you shouldn’t fail to spot it.

W: go-emu.com

Merry People Bobbi Wellingtons

The good folks at Merry People have taken the humble welly boot and given it a bit of a fashionable makeover.

Perfect for splashing in muddy puddles (if that’s your mum's kind of thing), these short-rise boots have a natural rubber outer and comfy 4mm neoprene lining.

They’re also made using certified vegan glue so they’re a 100% vegan, cruelty-free and eco-friendly alternative to many other plastic rain boots on the market.

You can pick the boots up in sizes 3-10 and in a whole rainbow of colours.

Price: £79.95

W: uk.merrypeople.com

(Photo courtesy of Merry People)

(Photo courtesy of Ticket to the Moon)

Ticket to the Moon Eco Bags

Camping hammock manufacturer, Ticket to the Moon, prides itself on being an ethical company – based in Bali, it’s a manufacturer that promotes sustainability and fairtrade production, using only locally sourced, high-quality nylon parachute fabric and investing in innovative recycling methods.

 

And, as part of that sustainability commitment, it’s now launched a range of Eco Bags, hand-crafted from hammock offcuts.

Made from super durable, PFC-free nylon, the range is food safe, naturally mould-resistant and fully machine washable at 30 degrees.

There are three sizes of tote bag available – 10-litre, 20-litre and 40-litre, priced from £7.50 - as well as a 15-litre Mini Backpack (£26.95, pictured) with hidden side pocket, and the larger Backpack Plus (£39.95), which has four organisation compartments, a secret pocket for valuables and a laptop compartment.

Each lightweight bag folds down into a super neat carry pouch and is available in a whole kaleidoscope of colours. When we tested these, we were super impressed at not only how tiny and light they are when packed away – they literally fit in the palm of your hand – but also how easy they are to get back into their integrated carry pouches.

So whether you’re looking for a reusable bag for your shopping or a handy little backpack to wear around the campsite, these are a great space-saving option.

W: ticketothemoon.com