Photo supplied, Lynn Blamires

If your ho hos have turned to oh nos in shopping for Christmas gifts for your off-highway vehicle friends, let me offer a few suggestions that might help. While there are a few things that have to do with looks and style, there are some gifts that every OHV friend will appreciate. Here are a few ideas:

Neck gaiters

I have several neck gaiters and I take more than one on every ride. They protect my neck from the sun and they feel good on my neck in the cool of a summer’s morn or a crispy fall ride. They can also be dipped in cold water on a hot day. Wearing a cool wet gaiter as a head band or around your neck will keep the rest of you cool.

The gaiter can be thought of as a seamless bandana. They come in a wide range of colors and prints to match your riding gear. They are also inexpensive and even if your friends have one, a colorful one will always be welcome.

12-volt power splitter

An OHV comes with at least one auxiliary power outlet. With so many items we depend on that need to be charged, extra power outlets are always welcome. I have a splitter with two outlets and I have seen some online with four or more. They are inexpensive and make a good stocking stuffer.

Screw-A-Flat-Easy

All of your OHV buddies will have plugs to fix a flat tire on the trail, but there is a better solution that your friends may not know about. It comes in a kit and consists of a cone-shaped screw made of a composite material. When that pesky nail or metal screw is removed from your tire, you can dip this composite screw in a bottle of adhesive and screw it in its place. When it is flush with the surface of the tire, it will meld with the tire as the tire heats up with use to form a permanent fix. The product is Screw-A-Flat-Easy; it is inexpensive and found only online at https://screwaflateasy.com.

Swing lounge camp chair

Photo supplied

A day ride will always include a lunch stop — and usually not at a restaurant. So that packed lunch is brought out and a comfortable place to sit is searched out. The market is replete with uncomfortable camp chairs. That could be a reason why lunch breaks are so short.

I have found a very comfortable camp chair called a swing lounge or a hammock chair. It pivots on two points that are supported by the frame. It has a built-in drink holder and a pillow that Velcro’s at the top. Sam’s Club offers one for under $50.

UTV keychain

It is not likely that a UTV driver would have a UTV keychain, and even if he did, there are so many on the market that it wouldn’t duplicate what he has. I saw some I would like: a 3-D die cast for a RZR and a Kawasaki Teryx4. Just type “UTV keychain” into your browser and browse.

Compact jump starter

A jump starter is a good gift because it has so many uses. Besides being able to jump cars, trucks and OHVs, they come equipped to charge all kinds of mobile devices.

OHVs don’t come with backup starters. You have to go into the backcountry with a way to deal with a dead battery, and a jump starter is a great option. Even if your friend already has one, it will be a welcome gift because it will be unusual for him to have only one vehicle.

Light accessories

There are all kinds of accessories available to light up a ride that could make good gifts. One look at your friend’s machine will tell you what he does or doesn’t have. I have a light bar on top of both my UTVs and pod lights on the front.

I don’t have lighted whips, which are quite popular, but I do have rock lights. Bling is the thing and I think these lights are just fun. They mount on the undercarriage and, well, they light up the rocks — hence the name. They can be programed to synchronize with your music and flash in different sequences and colors.

These are a few ideas that are sure to please. When you go, take plenty of water, keep the rubber side down and you just might find something to put under the tree from Santa to you.

Contact Lynn R. Blamires at quadmanone@gmail.com.

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