Never one to rush right out and jump into things, I’m constantly taking a ribbing from friends and family for waiting until the last minute. True to my modus operandi, I’m probably too late (again) for you shopping hounds who insist on getting Christmas over and done with in August, but I’m boldly going to sally forth with my third (or is it the fourth?) annual outdoor gearhead’s wish list.

I’ve enlisted the help of Brad Ryder at Cadillac Mountain Sports. I asked him to come up with items that would cross the spectrum of outdoor activities from the ridiculous to the sublime, from cool to coolest, from reasonable to astronomical.

Pocket tools: Wave, Juice

On the practical (albeit pricey side – $55-85) is the pocket tool selection from Leatherman. There must be a dozen models. The top of the line is the Wave with more features than any other Leatherman. It has access to four locking blades without opening the tool. There are seven more tool blades, and it has smooth, rounded handles that are easy on your hands.

This year there is a colorful new line called Juice. The six models come in different colors and are slightly smaller than the traditional Leatherman tools.

The entry level Juice is the C2 with red anodized aluminum handles equipped with pliers, wire cutters, and four screwdrivers. It also comes with a corkscrew and a can and bottle opener. You want all the bells and whistles in the Juice line? Check out the Xe6 with this impressive list of goodies from needle-nose pliers/wire cutters, to straight knife, to screw drivers, a can and bottle opener, a corkscrew with assist lever, scissors, and saw to an awl, serrated knife, and diamond file (whew!). If money’s no object and you want a toolbox in your pocket, add in the Crunch with its locking pliers, serrated knife, hex bit driver, and wire strippers (just to name a few gadgets).

Step into new snowshoes

If you’re partial to snowshoes, check out Yakima’s new line of snowshoes. They’re asymmetric for easy walking, there’s a tracking trail rudder and a unique strap that allows you to customize the amount of toe-cord rotation based on the snow type you’re crossing. Tubbs Snowshoes has a Discovery kit ($130-160) that comes with snowshoes, poles, and informational compact disc. Want high tech? Check out the Tubbs Mountain series ($285) with their Viper crampons and rigid control binding system.

If new and different snowshoes tickle your feet, look at Saloman’s new polycarbonate, double concave snowshoes with bindings that will fit your backcountry, SNS cross country ski-boot bindings. The venerable Atlas line has a few new features as well – like a one-pull strap binding on the 10 series and new serrated tracks to prevent side skidding.

Fanatical runners (who have fat wallets) may want to check out Tubbs’ carbon-fiber models. At $399 and 2.8 pounds, I’d have to be more into the sport than I am.

Equipment for skiers

Skiers and snowboarders who want to be safe and warm as well as stylish would do well to put a Boeri ski helmet on their list. There are styles ranging from utilitarian to just plain cool – how about leopard spots or a metallic green fade to blue? Prices range from $65 to $140. While you’re in the snow department, cross country ski and snowboard outfits abound. (You could rent cross country equipment and snowshoes if you’re not sure about diving right in.)

On the utilitarian side there are Leki trekking poles (from $60 to $130), gaiters ($20 to $90), and colorful Lexan water bottles by Nalgene ($8). How about a 3.5-ounce stove? Esbit makes a $13 model which burns solid fuel pellets that, I’m told, can be extinguished and reused. A first aid kit would always make a good present. You can spend from $6.95 to way more than $169.

For climbers and hikers

For the more extreme ice climber on your list, (and if you’re feeling really generous), there’s the new Charlet Moser Quark ice ax at $249 each – one for each hand is recommended. And why not pick up a new climbing harness ($30-90) and a pair of plastic mountaineering boots ($250 or more)?

Your favorite hiker might want a new backpack, day pack or fanny pack. Since individual tastes and needs vary so much, you might consider a gift certificate from a high of $450 or so for expedition packs to $100-200 for midsize packs to $10-100 for fanny and lumbar packs.

Load up the cargo box

Getting all your gear from home to destination may require additional trunk space. Thule has a new aerodynamically designed cargo box with 16 cubic feet of space ($359) that you can strap to your car’s roof. Other Thule and Yakima carriers vary from compact-car size to UPS delivery-truck size. Check your vehicle’s weight- carrying capacity before you load one of these behemoths.

Pants: windproof and breathable

Does your intended run, bike, or cross country ski in a big way? Why not consider Sport Hill’s Koch cross country pants (windproof, breathable, hydrophobic, fast drying, soft, and durable – $74-96)? Or a New Balance Microfiber windbreaker lined with CoolMax (reflective, breathable, water resistant – $80)? Or really shell out for a stretchable shell from Patagonia in the Electralight series (reflective, stretchy, water resistant, breathable, windproof)?

If you’re looking for something a little more heavy duty, Patagonia has come out with a shell in its Regulator series that is water repellant, windproof, breathable, stretchy, soft and quiet for light and fast hiking, climbing, ski touring, and peak bagging ($225). A great layer to put under this would be North Face’s Heat Shield insulated jacket with Pertex outer covering that provides quick drying, warmth, wind resistance, and water repellency ($145).

For the parent on the go

Are you a parent on the go? Don’t let the little one hold you back from your daily jog. Check out Kelty’s Joyrider kids carriage (more like a rocket ship). With its 20-inch inflatable tires, fenders, hood and safety harness, it looks more like a three-wheeled car and costs a lot less at around $300.

For those who spend their nights in the outdoors, North Face has a new Endurance line of sleeping bags insulated with Polarguard 3D which features high compressibility, thermal efficiency (even if damp), and light weight. The 0-degree rated bag sells for a cool $249.

Say you just want to keep your ears warm. Check out 180s from Big Bang Products ($20). These Polartec warmers feature a spring mechanism to keep them in place – around the back of your head so you won’t disturb your coiffeur.

Practical gifts

Two of the more practical gizmos I could find are a Pulsar I and Pulsar II L.E.D. key-chain lights. One you squeeze, the other you can switch on. Each will light up more than your doorlock ($9.99 and $13, respectively).

While you’re hanging around the cash register, check out then outdoor theme tree ornaments- cross country, sea kayak, and down river kayaks, or the brass ornaments with similar themes. You could pick up a packet of Mudd coffee packets while you’re there (two cups for $1.19) or a spiffy Windmill windproof, weatherproof butane lighter that glows in the dark ($46).

For the children

And don’t forget the kids (or the kid in all of us). Whamo makes various rigs to slide yourself downhill in style. There’s the Snowslick foam pad at $9.99, or the Snow BoogieBoard with an inch or so of foam to soak up the bumps at $25, or the Manta Sled, a flexible plastic sheet guaranteed to let you feel each bump at $16.95. The Snow Spinner, an inflatable triangle, looks a little more comfortable, but only if you weigh less than 175 pounds ($12.95). This rig can be used in the pool as well.

Last and least (in size) is one of the smallest headlamps on the market, the Petzl Zipka. At 2.2 ounces including three AAA batteries, this little lamp grips your head with a retractable line and will throw light for more than 150 hours, although the brightest will be in the first 12. At $46 it’s a bit pricey, but, hey, it’s Christmas!

Jeff Strout’s column is published on Saturday. He can be reached at 990-8202 or by e-mail at jstrout@bangordailynews.net.