Holiday Gift Guide 2010

Wondering what to put on your wish list this holiday season? We’ve got the gear for you.

FitDesk

Whether you have trouble working exercise into your busy schedule or just love to multitask, the FitDesk is the ultimate combo of fitness and productivity. The easy-to-fold bike comes with an attached desk that can hold a laptop, letting you surf the web, shoot off e-mails, study for a test, or play video games, all while burning calories. You’ll be so distracted reading all those Facebook wall updates that you won’t even notice you’ve been pedaling your way to a healthier you.
($199.99 USD, www.fitdeskbike.com)

Yogaletics Quick Start Set

When you think of yoga, do you think of a roomful of women wearing white, sipping on lemon water, and chanting “om”? Consider instead a group of really tall guys swigging Gatorade and getting paid millions. Breaking the mold of what yoga’s traditionally considered to be, Kent Katich has worked with about a quarter of the players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Fortunately, you don’t have to hit the hardwood professionally to benefit from the system he devised, Yogaletics, which totally transforms the ancient discipline into a high-powered workout for any kind of athlete. Complete with a mat, block, sport strap, and instructional DVD, this starter kit will boost your flexibility, balance, stamina, focus, and agility. It’s easy on the joints, tough on the fitness areas you could stand to improve.
($69.99 USD, www.gofit.net/yogaletics.php)

Manthropology: The Science of Why the Modern Male Is Not the Man He Used to Be

As human beings, we’re usually pretty proud of ourselves and our accomplishments—and why wouldn’t we be? We get faster, smarter, and stronger with each passing generation, right? Well… not quite, says paleoanthropologist Peter McAllister in his new book Manthropology, and he’s got the data to back it up. It’s sobering to discover that the world’s current top arm wrestler would be easily bested by a Neanderthal woman (yes, you read that right) and that medieval Slavic poets could memorize 2,000-line verses after just one listen, putting today’s freestyle rappers to shame. But this slice of humble pie is still well worth a read for its insights on modern man.
($16.19 USD, www.amazon.com)

TAG Heuer Squadra Night Vision Sunglasses

Corey Hart sang about wearing his sunglasses at night in the 1980s, but it didn’t really make a lot of sense back then. Now it does—assuming he’s wearing TAG Heuer Squadra Night Vision Sunglasses. With these shades, you can reverse universal nocturnal myopia (also known as “seeing poorly at night”) and keep your poor peepers from getting tired after the sun goes down. Professional drivers love them, but you don’t have to race cars for a living to wear your sunglasses at night.
($450 USD, www.tagheuer.com/eyewear)

Golf Club Drink Dispenser

A round of golf games is no short affair—you’re bound to get thirsty out there. Sure, you could jump in the water hazards or, more hygienically, carry a water bottle, but that’s not nearly as fun as having a golf club that does less swinging, more drink dispensing. With a real head and shaft on this club, no one will realize it’s actually a container for 54 ounces of your hot or cold drink of choice—not until you bust it out to the envy of everyone else on the links, that is.
($99.99 USD, www.sharperimage.com)

Philips | O’Neill Headphones

These super-stylish headphones, a collaboration between technology giant Philips and skate/surf lifestyle brand O’Neill, were tested on animals, they say, but don’t dial your local animal cruelty prevention society just yet. The “animals” in question are actually snowboarder Jeremy Jones, surfer Mark Mathews, and skier Ane Enderud—three top athletes in their respective sports who embody what it means to live an active, rough-and-tumble lifestyle. They’ve given these products their stamp of approval, so if you’re on the hunt for tune transmitters that’ll last for the long haul, these headphones will be music to your ears.
($29.99 to $99.99 USD, www.amazon.com)

Fjällräven Anniversary Kånken 

A country filled with its share of enviable things—like IKEA, delicious pancakes, and a lot of very good-looking people—Sweden also boasts a strong outdoor spirit. To help the nature-inclined traverse the earth in comfort, Fjällräven (that means “arctic fox”) has been creating effective, no-frills backpacks for 50 years. In celebration of that milestone, they’ve released an updated version of their classic bag, the Kånken. It’s just as functional today as it was back then, but now the retro-modern daypack comes in a limited edition (just 9,999 were made) with a personal message from company founder Åke Nordin inside each one.
($80 USD, www.ilovemykanken.com)

Wagan 18 Liter Sport Cooler/Warmer with Radio

Whether you’re headed for a day of lounging on the beach or a hike through a cold climate, this multipurpose cooler will see you through. Featuring an integrated radio with input jack for your MP3 player, the nifty gray carrier cools up to 40°F below ambient temperature in less than 20 minutes and warms up to 140°F, so you can keep the music playing while your snacks sit at just the right temperature. Bonus: Use this handy 19-quart tote to keep your factor cool when you’re on the go.
($89.25 USD, www.compactappliance.com)

Braun Series 3-330 Solo Shaver

At just over a pound, this little shaving wonder will keep your face fuzz-free while minimizing your risk of nicking yourself. Three independently floating heads shave both short and long hair in one stroke, keeping your delicate skin comfortable, not irritated. It’s washable under running water for easy cleaning, and the black-and-silver design will make any bathroom counter look a touch more sophisticated—just like you will after a good shave.
($69.95 USD, www.shavers.com)