Frost River Field Guide VIII - Gift Guide

Give a gift that will last a lifetime. Finding a gift can sometimes feel like an impossible task but we are here to help! With heritage styling and craftsmanship and a lifetime guarantee, you can be sure that your gift will make a lasting impression. We build our gear to withstand the wilderness, knowing that it can handle whatever is thrown its way. Built by hand, here in the USA with the highest quality materials we can get, it’s almost a no-brainer!

From daypacks and luggage for the world traveler to stocking stuffers and gear for your furry friends, this Frost River Field Guide will help you find something to appease even your pickiest family member or friend.

GIFTS FOR BUSHCRAFTERS

Picking gifts for bushcrafters can be tricky. They need the most reliable gear that they can trust when they’re miles out in the forest. Well, we did the work for you and compiled the most refined gift guide for bushcrafters.

WINDIGO $40

A bag that works as a seat, pocket, signal device, foraging pouch, and more. It’s a versatile addition to any pack you carry.

THE ISLE ROYALE BUSHCRAFT PACK $430

Our Isle Royale Bushcraft Packs are built to carry big or small loads. All three sizes are designed narrow, for exploration, slipping between dog hair aspen and brush, these packs blend classic materials and construction with updated features for modern classic backwoods adventures. With lots of organization in the form of pockets, attachments, and straps, there’s space to keep gear where it needs to be. Plus, the tall, narrow pack body has plenty of capacity.

SAWBILL HANDLE BAR BAG $70

The Sawbill Trail Handlebar Bag is handy on more than just a bike. Attach to a set of handlebars or the bottom of a pack. It’s just big enough without being overburdening.

SUMMIT EXPEDITION $270

The Summit series of packs are based on the traditional knapsack. It’s a classic and enduring design that works.

WAIST BELTS $50

Available in sturdy 2.25in cotton pistol belt or comfy canvas padded varieties, here’s a way to help haul or stabilize a load in some of our big packs.

BEDROLL STRAPS $15

The Bedroll Straps weave through the lash squares and ensure that the secured items will stay in place.

NESSMUK $295

It is a reproduction of writer George Washington Sears’ (a.k.a Nessmuk’s) old Maine guide pack from the 1880’s.

WOODSMAN $355

Large Daypack or Small Canoe Pack? You decide, since this pack excels at both, or is a great first canoe pack for the budding paddler in your crew. We’ve scaled down our bestselling Old No.7 Canoe Pack for smaller loads or shorter trips.

WOODCRAFT AXE

The 19 inch handle allows portability in a pack like our Isle Royale Jr. or Mini or in a compact canoe camp kit. The folks at Council Tool have been building tools in the USA to get the job done since 1886. These axes are made right, 100% in the USA, and offer a winning combination of portability and usability. 130 years of American axe crafting experience go into the Wood Craft line.

FOR TRAVELERS ON THE MOVE

Luggage isn’t always something we think about till the night before our trip starts, the zipper on the bag bursts open, and now a weeks worth of clothes are scattered about the room. Treat the traveler in your life to a piece of Frost River luggage to get rid of that pre-trip stress.

LAURENTIAN LUGGAGE $360

Laurentian Luggage is hand built from durable, water-resistant waxed canvas. This is true, quality luggage.

ROLLUP TRAVEL KIT $60

The roll up design makes this travel and toiletry kit a winner. Twin zippered compartments and a snapped, pleated slash pocket provide compartments for all your grooming gear.

LUGGAGE TAG $25

You can hope that the ribbon you tied to your luggage makes the trip... or you could just pick up a Frost River Luggage Tag.

CORRESPONDENT $295

Just like a professional journalist, the Frost River Correspondent Briefcase is rugged, reliable and will hold up in tough spots.

IMOUT DUFFEL $245

All of the get up & go of the Frost River Flight Bag, in a classic round duffel. Waxed canvas utility with just the right amount of class. Comes in three sizes to match your gear and getaways.

EXPLORER DUFFEL ESB $320

Backstraps on a duffel? They’re vital on a pack, why not on a duffel as well? Our Explorer Duffel ESB has stowable shoulder straps-- they allow you wear your luggage when you want, then tuck the straps away when you don’t.

THE CURTIS FLIGHT

BAG $260

Waxed canvas luggage built for a lifetime of travels. The Curtis Flight Bag is simple yet refined with a large main compartment and access pockets that let you carry and store more easy-access stuff.

VOYAGEUR PACK $22

Convertible between backpack, luggage, and briefcase, the stowable backstraps tuck out of the way for carrying with the sturdy web handles or optional web shoulder strap, yet they’re ready in a moment when you need free hands.

ACCESSORY BAGS $22

Accessory Bags are available in three sizes and hold a surprising amount due to their triangular shape -- a wide bottom and zippered top. Available in small, medium, and large sizes.

GIFTS FOR WHEREVER THEY CALL HOME

Our homes are filled with things that reflect our personality. These gifts are perfect for a home that reflect a reliable, hardworking, and enduring personality. Got someone in mind?

BIRCHBARK LOG BAG $210

Use it to carry wood, groceries, organize the back hatch of your vehicle- heck, fill it with ice and use it as a cooler! ...waxed canvas is water-resistant.

WOOL BLANKET $190

There are lots of blankets out there, but we wanted to source wool from some of our favorite US Mills in the patterns, weights, and colors that we like.

LEATHER COASTER $30

FROST RIVER CRIBBAGE BOARD $40 FIELD DECK $8

These Minnesota-made boards have an incredible level of detail. The board even has rubber feet to grip the tabletops incase the game gets a little rowdy. It won’t matter what you’re playing, there’ll be no bad hands when you’re holding images of Duluth’s finest packs.

GROWLER SLING $80

Simplicity makes this Growler Pack a winner. The single strap is no-nonsense, the gathered top keeps contents in place. It’s a great setup for a quick stop at the brewery for a growler fill.

LEATHER TRIVET $20

Raise a toast, then set your drink on a Frost River leather coaster. Leather coasters cut from the same harness leather we use for our canoe pack backstraps.

LAKE HURON TOTE $95

CAMPFIRE ROASTER $30

A heavy leather trivet to protect countertops and tables. Works with hot or cold. Crafted by hand at Frost River in Duluth. The simple functionality of our Lake Huron Tote is perfect for hauling groceries, books, or your lastest quilting project. The flattened tip and curved design helps keep your hotdogs, marshmallows, or anything else you want to roast from falling.

GIFTS FOR THE MOM IN YOUR LIFE

Moms are the only ones that continue to love us after spending all their money and turning their hair gray. Biological or not, give the mom in your life a gift that reflects your appreciation for them.

URBAN FIELD BAG $140

The Urban Field Bag is a well-equipped companion for your travels.

BRIGHTON BEACH TOTE $200

Great to haul a family-size load of fun to the beach or wherever big bulky items need to be transported.

BOTTLE BANDOLEER $200

Keep a trio of wine bottles handy with our Bandoleer. It hangs simply by a brass ring and keeps bottles nicely displayed and ready. Made from premium leather and solid brass.

DCC COFFEE $12.50

This is the coffee that fuels Frost River. Colombia Huila is a big body medium roast backed up by orange citrus, coconut, and milk chocolate.

TRAVEL KIT $80

A classic Travel Kit to tote the items fellas (or ladies) need to look their best while away from home. Our Travel Kit is made in Duluth, Minnesota from our heavyweight waxed cotton canvas. The premium version has a leather bottom.

URBAN FORAGING TOTE $70

Here’s a simple, lightweight, big ‘ol floppy sling bag that’ll work great to carry most anything. Versatile? It’s like a bucket with a shoulder strap! It’ll fold up/collapse down to an easy, portable size. A tote thats always ready to go.

BOTTLE TOTE $85

Waxed canvas with a sherpa pile lining, it protects and presents bottles in its own unique way. Great as a gift (to yourself or someone else) it beats a brown paper bag!

NORTHERN PACIFIC MITTENS

$115

Here’s the shorter, smaller, cousin to our Great Northerns, the Northern Pacific is also lined with heavy polar fleece to keep all your fingers happy. An elastic back helps keep out snow and cold. Waxed canvas style is extremely durable and sheds snow and water with buckskin used along the palms. Frost River mittens and choppers are sized to be roomy (a bit larger than expected) -just right for frigid Minnesota winters.

NORTH SHORE CLUTCH $65

Here’s a quality piece built to be held, made to be carried. Call it a wallet, call it a purse, either way, you’d be right. A wrist strap helps to secure the Clutch to the hand but can be removed if desired.

SKYLINE SATCHEL $110

A safe and secure spot to store your stuff whether you’re biking the Skyline Parkway along Duluth’s hillside or hunting agates along the Lake Superior shoreline.

SHELL KIT $160

Sized and reinforced to carry six boxes of shotgun shells-- the durability here won’t disappoint. So whether you are headed to the duckblind with a day’s worth of steel shot, or going to the park with a set of watercolors and brushes -- the Shell Kit makes a great companion.

TACKLE BOX $275

This soft-sided tackle box offers flexibility and adaptability crafted in water-resistant waxed canvas. The main compartment is open with a removable waxed canvas divider.

MESSENGER PORTFOLIO $95

Whichever way you look at the Messenger Portfolio, it’s pared down to the basics—canvas, leather and a zipper.

GUN CASE $220

Our gun cases are all built from 18oz waxed canvas. The material is water resistant; it helps keep adverse weather outside while the synthetic Sherpa pile lining supports and protects your gun while traveling. The stout nylon zipper stays on track better and is more weatherproof than brass. Multiple models and sizes avaliable. We carry pistol cases too.

GREAT NORTHERN CHOPPERS $110

Serious mitts for serious weather. We make ‘em warm, tall, and tough to give you a fighting chance against winter. Avaliable in field tan and hunter orange.

GIFTS FOR THE DAD IN YOUR LIFE

Dads teach us many lessons. Intentionally or not we learn a lot from our fathers and they helped shape who we are today. Here are some good gifts for a dad who helped shape the person you are today.

BACK BAY LUMBAR PACK $250

The Back Bay features a large main compartment with padded back and sleeve, plus several internal attachment points. The front offers a slim zippered slip pocket for smaller items.

COTTON CAP $25

What dad doesn’t have an absurd collection of hats they may or may not actually wear? Every dad should have a stock pile of hats with the Frost River cotton cap being the go to. Several different colors, all made in USA.

HUNTING CHAPS $195

PILOT BRIEF $295

Pilots routinely need to carry big, bulky binders and manuals. This brief works great if you’re a pilot, if not, you’ve got some extra air space to work with.

GEOLOGIST DAYPACK $250

A classic Knapsack handcrafted from traditional materials. The Geologist adds even more heritage into our heritage goods. Quick released front pockets for smaller items.

HILLSIDER $65

The HillSider is just the right size to carry what you need without overburdening the waistline.

Heavy waxed canvas chaps work like wildland armor-protecting legs from: sharp stuff in the woods, thorns in the briar patch, stubble in the cornfield, a sharp stick that came out of nowhere, or the morning dew covering the local habitat.

TOOL ROLL $70

Portability rules with this tool roll. Sized to complement a bicycle, motorcycle, scooter, electronics etc, it works great to get a handle on small tools… there’s even a leather flapped pocket for securing a roll of tape, set of drivers, or other losable pieces of kit!

FOR THE GEARHEAD THAT CAN’T STOP TINKERING

Get the gearhead in your life something they’ll actually use. Help them stay clean and organized whether its at home in the garage or on the side of the road.

PLANO BOXES $11

We carry three sizes, all have included fixed dividers along the length and removable/ adjustable dividers along the width. It can be a handy organizational tool to keep small stuff separated.

IONA PACK CUBES

$40-$60

There’s a grab handle on each end, a trusty nylon zipper, and buckskin leather grab tabs to provide years of dependable service.

PRAIRIE BOOT BAG $295

Has a bottomland adventure brought muddy boots back from your travels? No problem.

WAXED CANVAS CLEANER $12.50

Our packs look good with a little dirt on them but pack care is important for a long lasting pack.

GLADSTONE TOOL BAG $250

The Gladstone is a premium version of the gate-mouthed utility bag. A wire-reinforced opening makes getting inside and seeing what’s in there a breeze. The layout utilizes several pockets that work to keep small items separated. A padded bottom adds structure and keeps contents (and floors) protected. Add an American-made, plastic Plano® Box to organize screws, nails, odds and ends.

SHOP APRON $85

Our Shop Apron works to keep your clothes clean no matter what type of shop in which you may work. Chest pocket with twin pencil slot.

UTILITY PACK $235

Sometimes you find more than you can carry pulling parts at the junkyard. This is where the utility pack steps in.

QUALITY ITEMS STILL UNDER $100

High quality, handcrafted gear coming in at under a hundred dollars is a rare find these days but you’ve came to the right place.

MINI KNAPSACK $95

Our mid-sized Knapsack reduced to a smaller scale. It works well for children, the young at heart, and those that just want a little bag to carry.

CRESCENT LAKE $80

Backwoods utility meets uptown styling in a Frost River sort of way.

BLANKET HARNESS $75

The Blanket Roll Harness system makes it simple to tote a blanket wherever you choose to roam. The harness is solid Frost River quality with substantial leather and solid brass hardware.

WESTENDER $90

A full-size fanny pack from Frost River.

POCKET FOLIO $50

A handy folio that fits in your pocket and totes the things you need day-to-day.

LITTLE MARAIS MESSENGER BAG

A simple sling bag with a big zippered opening, the Little Marais Messenger Bag is light and economical, but doesn’t disappoint in function and durability.

This classic journal could work great as a field travel log or a cabin guest book.

TREZONA TRAIL TOP TUBE BAG $95

Our Trezona Trail Top Tube Bag allows you to securely stow gear inside the bike frame. Made with leather and brass attachment straps to fit a variety of frames.

FROST RIVER HOODED SWEATSHIRT $80

It’s not easy to find a great sweatshirt, but you did it! You found the heavyweight, ultra comfy, classically designed Frost River Sweatshirt.

GRAND MARAIS $65

Styled after bags carried by letter carriers of the past, our Grand Marais Mail Bag has a unique vintage-utility feel. Lighter weight 10.10 oz. canvas sheds weight but stays reliable. The 1.5 inch cotton web shoulder strap is adjustable with a brass slider. The twin d-ring closure works with the foldable top so the bag can be folded short with a little load or extended up to be used to carry taller objects.

USEFUL ITEMS UNDER $50

We all know that sometimes we get gifts that end up in the trash or the back of a closet to never be thought of again. Well these are not those gifts! Give them something they’ll hold onto.

SHARPENING PUCK $20

Made for us by the Baronyx Knife Co. Their “Arctic Fox” Sportsman’s Puck has an ANSI 240 grit on the gray side, 400 grit on the other.

FROST RIVER ZIPPO LIGHTER $32

BUCKSKIN POUCH $30

A small leather pouch with a drawstring top, sized just right to carry and protect our Arctic Fox Sharpening Puck.

Zippo lighters are windproof and made in the USA. Not all of us are great at starting a fire plough. That’s why we have these Frost River Zippo Lighters! Having a way to start a fire is important when out in the wilderness or even at home. Keep the bonfire banter rolling and those s’mores toasted with a Frost River Zippo Lighter. Available in both brass ($32) and matte red ($30). Lighter fluid is sold separately.

TRAVEL CRIBBAGE BOARD $34

Built for those rainy days and evenings around the fire where table-space is a luxury, this foldable cribbage board is the perfect fit. Cribbage boards handmade in Duluth, MN by a local artist at North Country Craft, these boards are the perfect addition to any travel kit!

FLY WALLET $30

Keep your fishing flies handy and organized in our fly wallet. Never question where you put that lucky fly again.

LUNCH BAG SB $45

“Brown Bag” your lunch Frost River style with one of our reusable, waxed canvas Lunch Bags. A durable and water resistant lunch bag.

WOOL BEANIE

$45

Don’t let a long winter get you down. Keep warm with one of our Frost River wool caps. They’re handcrafted in the USA from 100% wool yarn by the “home knitters” of Vermont Originals. Available in several styles, some with Poms, and some without.

BWCA TOPO SHIRT $30

The BWCA is near and dear to our hearts. The Frost River is a route in the Boundary Waters that offers a little bit of everything that you could ask for.

Just as important as hauling one along is bringing it safely. Built for hauling that single irreplaceable tool that is so important in the north-woods, the axe.

Don’t catch your fishing partner, yourself, or your gear with the hooks meant to catch fish.

Business cards on one side, a driver’s license and plastic cards on the other. Made from Red Wing boot leather.

STOCKING STUFFERS

Put something in their stocking besides candy and scratch offs. Check out our list of smaller items perfect for what you’re looking for.

NATIONAL PARK MAP $4.95

The first edition of the Frost River National Park Map! This map covers the National Parks from Redwood all the way to Theodore Roosevelt. Filled with beautiful illustrations from none other than Rick Kollath himself. Kollath Graphic Design always exceeds our expectations.

SURVIVAL KIT $15

Car broke down on a North Dakota backroad? Lost in an Arrowhead black spruce swamp? Cut your finger and you’re still six miles out? Or you opened your spice kit and realized you forgot to refill the salt or the pepper? This quirky kit may save the day with its 25 items: matches, firestarter cube, energy nugget (okay, they mean Tootsie Roll), fish hook and line, sugar, salt and pepper, bandaid, antibiotic ointment, duct tape, razorblade, compass, pencil and more. All in a tiny sardine can.

KEYCHAIN $15

Our key chain and key strap will help to keep your keys together. The Keychain has a brass ring with a leather patch. The Keystrap has a brass snap hook with Frost River leather, a D-ring, and a split ring.

WAXED CANVAS PINT SLEEVE $8

Keep your hand warmer and your beverage colder in a waxed canvas Pint Sleeve. Sized to fit snug on a standard pint glass. Also avaliable in Heritage Black ($8) or premium buckskin ($25).

CARD CADDY $15

Our new leather Card Caddy can help you, and your pockets cut a bit of clutter and keep a card handy. The new Card Caddy holds fast to a phone via rugged peel and stick adhesive.cards ready and available

CAN INSULATOR $15

Prefer keeping it in the can? Keep your hand warm and your beverage cozy cool in a waxed canvas Can Insulator. Lined with foam, these things work. Raise a can to American manufacturing!

NALGENE WATER BOTTLE $20

Carry your water in a trusty, clean, made-inUSA Nalgene bottle with a Frost River logo. Classic quart size with a wide mouth. These BPA- free bottles will serve well wherever you choose to roam. Available in red or grey these water bottles are impressively strong. Ditch the single use plastic water bottles are grab a reusable water bottle.

BI-FOLD WALLET $50

A simple bi-fold design that has spots for cash and cards. Waxed canvas and leather combine to make function and classic style come together. It fits in a pocket and will hold your stuff together, what more do you want?

FOUR LEGGED FRIENDS

Get your furry friend somthing nice this holiday season. How many times have they put a smile on your face? Exactly, let them know they’re appreciated with high quality Frost River gear.

DOG VEST $150

A vest for your dog that will insulate and protect from burs and sticks with waxed canvas and flannel lining. Hook and loop strips along with side release buckles keep the vest where it belongs. Waxed canvas offers shelter no matter the weather. One adjustable size to fit midsize active dogs. The vest is 24.5 inches in length by 20.5 inches in width. Tthe vests are available in Field Tan or Hunter Orange.

FOOD & WATER DISH $28

Our dog bowls are available in two different sizes... Duffer’s Dog Dish is for smaller dogs (holds about 4 cups and costs $24), Boo’s Big Bowl is for bigger dogs (holds about 10 cups and costs $28). Both work great for food or water and are collapsible. Works for cats, too!

DOG COLLARS $28

Our Dog Collars are cut from the same dark brown harness leather that we use for the backstraps on our canoe packs... it’s the good stuff. The hardware is solid brass and won’t absorb pet odors.

DOG LEASH $50

Add some class and reliability to routine walks with your pet. Available in two styles, leather or cotton web. The same harness leather we use for pack straps also makes a great leash! Same with the cotton web, reliable on packs, dependable for a leash. The wide loop at the human end provides purchase during energetic walks, a solid brass snap is sewn and riveted at the dog end to hold on for years and years. One inch width and sixty inches in length.