2024 Gift Guide - Week 3

Well, December is here and for a lot of us, it's a fast mover of a month. Hopefully these gift guides are as useful for you as they are fun for us to put together. In case you missed them, we've already released week 1 and week 2 so you should go check them out for more ideas.

This week's edition features a few things to keep your bike running in tip top shape and your feet nice and comfortable over the winter riding season. It may be a bit on the utilitarian side, but if there's one thing that consistently wins for gift ideas, it's utility.

Esker insoles

I haven't written about gifting criteria this year but I think it's worth a quick visit. In my opinion, anytime you can find something useful or that provides comfort, you're off to a good start. Made in Canada? Great. Even better if it's from a small company that will really appreciate and notice the support. Bonus points for nice packaging, of course. Put 'em all together and you have a from-the-boutique feeling gift. In this case you're really cruising because it works for anyone that has feet. Which is most of us. Better again for athletes, people that work on their feet all day or spend time outside and need a little extra comfort or warmth. Enter Esker as one of our favourite recommendations for gifts, comfort, and value.

We've reviewed Esker insoles in the past and featured them in our gift guide before. They've also featured in 'Worth Every Penny'. Last winter, we reviewed a lot of winter shoes, and most of our reviewers swapped Eskers in for the stock insoles in their test shoes, but don't let those wool footbeds make you think they're only useful for winter weather. The benefits of wool work all year round and these insoles also provide support and help relieve pain from plantar fasciitis and Metatarsalgia.

Just like with merino wool base layers, wool insoles are anti-microbial, which means your shoes won't be as nasty or smell as much; they also are breathable, meaning they manage moisture so your feet stay drier and more comfortable. And yes, they insulate against cold weather but they also help keep feet cooler in the summer. I've been using Eskers year round in my riding shoes, hiking boots, and golf shoes for several years now and continue to be impressed by the comfort they provide. You can find out more about the design and support they provide at Esker's website.

Combined with linen canvas (made from flax) a strong, durable fibre, and natural rubber (meaning no nasty chemicals or bonding agents are required), Eskers are a natural, made in Canada product. In addition to the original Approach (aka ArchSupport All-season) insole, Esker now has a LowProfile All-season version for those that want the benefits of the original (breathability, moisture management, insulation, anti-microbial) without the arch support and metatarsal layers. That also makes them suitable for low volume shoes or ones where you don't want to impact the shoe's engineering (like trail runners).

Here's a quick summary of the differences between the two.

ArchSupport All-season (Esker expects this to remain their most popular model):

• Supportive arch
• Integrated metatarsal pad
• Contoured heel cup

LowProfile All-season:

• Natural flex
• Zero heel-toe drop
• Low stack height

Eskers are an unqualified recommendation from all of us at NSMB.

Esker insoles: 69.99 CAD / 51 USD - shipping is free if you order two or more pairs.

JobSite Boot, Shoe and Glove Dryer

All right all right, guilty of a foot fetish theme here. We've also recommended shoe dryers before, and naturally wet and wintery weather is when we are likely to talk about them. However, I set my shoe dryer up in a super accessible location in my garage last year and used it all summer, too. Even a one-hour ride leads to sweaty feet, but a quick trip to the dryer rand my shoes are dry and stink-free in no time. Like with our insole recommendation above, this is a gift that works for all seasons and activities - not just winter and MTB. Our old top pick isn't as readily available, but if I'm being honest, anything that pushes warm air through a pipe into your shoes (or gloves) will do the trick. I like this model because the timer means it won't run all night and four pipes mean you can do two pairs of shoes at once - or shoes and gloves.

It ain't sexy but if you or your recipient doesn't have one of these, it'll soon be something you use almost daily.

• FAN-POWERED WARM AIR – Put on warm, dry footwear & gloves without the wait. Warm fan-forced heat will dry your wet boots, shoes, gloves & garments fast. Dry 2 pairs at once.
• HELPS REDUCE ODORS – Nasty things grow in damp places. Keeping your shoes, boots & gloves dry is key to keeping them stink-free. Dry times: Warm-up (15 mins); Damp (30-60 min); Wet (1-3 hours)
• ON / OFF TIMER – 3 hour timer will automatically turn off the boot dryer, preventing overdrying and shrinking. Temperature 98-110 F; Heater 200 watts
• GREAT FOR - Heavy duty boot dryer for work boots, hunting boots, boxing gloves, kids boots & sports shoes, leather boots, rubber boot, hiking boots, ski & snowboard boot liners, winter gloves & socks.
• TRUSTED BRAND - Includes a 2-Year Warranty. Built tough like you by 'The Brand That Works'. JobSite is run by a Michigan-based Small Business.

JobSite Boot, Shoe and Glove Dryer: 80 CAD / 59 USD

Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite NTX+

You feel like such a tool when a ride is ruined by the inability to turn a bolt or repair a snapped chain. Ride with a multi-tool - there are no excuses.

Topeak has been in the multi-tool game for eons. Their Ratchet Rocket Lite NTX+ takes trailside tools to the next level. A small fine-tooth reversible ratchet, magnetic bit extension, tool bits and TorqBit tuck into a pocket-sized nylon pouch, ready for most quick repairs. Hardened steel tools are 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm hex, T10, T15, T25 Torx, #2 Phillips bit, with a 12-speed compatible CrMo steel chain tool. The bit extension easily reaches into tight nooks and crannies, though my favourite piece is the TorqBit - a 2-6 NM torque extension that keys into the ratchet for each tool bit. No more wondering whether your brake lever is too tight, cutting into your precious new carbon bar. And while you should be using a torque wrench to tighten most bolts on your bike, frame pivot values don’t usually dip beneath 8NM, so the TorqBit is valuable for home repairs too. Just make sure you don’t leave it there during your next ride.

-Graham Driedger

Ratchet Rocket Lite NTX+ (on sale): CAD / $106 USD

MEC Deluxe Tool Kit

Tired of spending money and time driving to the bike shop? Want to spend more of that time riding? The Deluxe Tool Kit is a fantastic ensemble of curated tools designed to facilitate your foray into working on your bike. With these bike specific tools, a host of really good bike maintenance videos, and some patience you'll surprise yourself and your friends with your handiness. This way you'll be able to spend more money at the bike shop on the things you actually want.

At the heart of the kit is a tool box that keeps your tools organized and portable. A small and large torque wrench make sure that all your bolts can be tightened to spec - while there are lots of torque wrench options for lighter duty, the inclusion of a wrench that can manage higher torque values means you're covered for things like cassettes, cranks, and pivot bolts. Drivetrain tuning and replacement is made easy with a cassette remover, chain whip, breaker, master link pliers and a chain wear checker. The rest of the tools allow you to tighten spokes, remove pedals, replace cables, and keep your drivetrain clean.

As you take on more complex repairs there is space in the box to add individual tools when needed. For the cost of two minor tune ups or one major one, this tool kit will get you started towards DIY bike wrenching with decent quality tools and a tool chest that lets you take it on the road as well.

-Matt Cusanelli

MEC Deluxe Tool Kit: 230 CAD / 165 USD