36 Gifts That’ll Last Forever (or Extremely Close)

Duralex Le Picardie Mixed Color Tumbler Set

We love the refined look and feel of these classic French bistro-style glasses. They occasionally stick together when stacked, but the mixed colors are a joy.

Buying Options

$28 from Amazon

$26 from Wayfair

Made by the French manufacturing company that actually invented the process for tempering glass, these incredibly durable tumblers are a top pick in our drinking glass guide. Staff writer Mari Uyehara’s parents have had the clear versions for about as long as she’s been alive (maybe longer—we’ve lost track). The Duralex Picardie Mixed Color Tumbler Set adds a slight twist to the bistro classic, with four lovely colors, including plum and forest green, to show off the iconic faceted shape. The stackable, dishwasher-safe tumblers can hold both cold and warm drinks and have survived many drops on hardwood floors in our test kitchen. In addition to a pack of mixed colors, they’re also available in sets of blush, amber, and more.

Away The Medium

This great-looking, relatively resilient piece of hard-sided luggage has top-of-the-line components, including wheels that roll as smoothly as any we’ve tested.

Buying Options

$345 $258 from Away

(excluding limited edition colors)

Our top pick for hard-sided luggage, Away’s The Medium is especially well built for a polycarbonate option—the stiff shape helps travelers avoid overpacking. It has a well-made zipper, and its smooth-rolling wheels can take on cobblestone streets and mad airport dashes with aplomb. It’s also backed by a limited lifetime warranty that covers cracks in the shell, zippers that no longer open, and non-working wheels (but not cosmetic scratching).

East Fork Everyday Bowl

Holding about 3.5 cups, this dishwasher- and microwave-safe ceramic bowl is made in Asheville, North Carolina.

Buying Options

$44 from East Fork

Asheville, North Carolina’s East Fork—a top pick in our guide to dinnerware sets—makes ceramics with lead-free regional materials, and it’s a Certified B Corporation, meaning it’s a for-profit company committed to measurable social and environmental goals. Both dishwasher- and microwave-safe, the 8-inch-wide East Fork Everyday Bowl holds 3.5 cups—Goldilocks sizing for everything from oatmeal to fresh fruit to pasta. Its clay body is less porous than many stoneware specimens, so its exposed rim has a slight sheen and doesn’t stain as easily. It’s available in about 10 glaze finishes, including the raven-hued Black Mountain, a nod to the state’s famed artistic enclave.

Barbour Men's Classic Beaufort Waxed Jacket

This iconic British jacket has a corduroy collar, tartan lining, and nice waxed-cotton finish.

Buying Options

$390 from Amazon

$435 from Backcountry

Since 1894, the legacy brand Barbour has been operated by the same family for five generations out of a seaside town. And the relaxed-fit, well-constructed Barbour Beaufort is an enduring classic, with a classic tartan lining and a waxed-cotton finish that has a subtle sheen. (We tested it for our rain jackets guide and found that it was just an all-around terrific, weather-resistant jacket—not necessarily a waterproof slicker.) It has underarm ventilation, two moleskin-lined hand-warmer pockets above two front bellows pockets, and a storm-fly front with a two-way zipper. The pointy corduroy collar can also be turned up so its waxed underside protects your giftee’s neck; next year, you can get them the matching hood.

Wing On Wo & Co. Chopstick Rest

These adorable, vibrantly hued porcelain chopstick rests come in a variety of fruit and vegetable forms.

Buying Options

$3 from Wing On Wo & Co.

The darling Wing On Wo & Co. Chopstick Rest comes in an array of mix-and-match options, including watermelon, lotus root, and pink radish. They’re made by a five-generation-operated shop in Manhattan’s Chinatown that specializes in porcelain ware, including modern interpretations of cultural crafts like these sweet rests. At approximately 2.5 inches long, the colorful ceramic pieces are, however, hand-wash only.

Pendleton Glacier National Park Blanket

An American design icon, these weighty, napped blankets are made with virgin wool woven in Pacific Northwest mills.

Buying Options

$249 from Amazon

$262 from Pendleton

A status blanket if there ever was one, Pendleton’s immediately recognizable designs have graced the beds of boutique hotels and tasteful cabins for decades. Made with virgin wool woven in Pacific Northwest mills, its National Park collection honors the country’s great protected nature spaces with unique designs. The Glacier National Park Blanket—black, yellow, red, and green stripes on white—was one of the first in the series. Supervising editor Hannah Morrill nabbed a 40-year-old one when her father recently downsized, and after a good dry-clean, it looks nearly brand new.

Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper 02

This dripper should appeal to pour-over experts because you have to pay extra-careful attention to the rate and aim of your pour. In our tests, it produced some of the best brew.

Buying Options

$33 from Hario

The V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper (Size 02) was the runner-up in our pour-over coffee tests. It makes coffee that is flavorful, nuanced, and well-rounded as our top pick, the Kalita Wave 185 Dripper. But it’s made in gift-worthy ceramic, rather than workaday plastic, and requires slightly more precision. Each dripper is handmade in Japan with spiral ridges on its interior to allow water to funnel water through the grinds, and it now comes in a range of compelling contemporary colors, including a dusty pink, a purple heather, and a rust-like canyon.

Garrett Wade Galvanized Harvest Basket

Harvest, wash, and store garden bounty in this classic French trug that comes in three sizes. It’s made from double-layered galvanized steel wire with a comfy beechwood handle.

Buying Options

Buy from Garrett Wade

Whether your giftee uses it to gather up summer’s bounty or just as a decorative set piece, the sturdy yet elegant Garrett Wade Galvanized Harvet Basket is built for longevity. Fabricated by a third-generation French family, the galvanized steel wire vessel is rustproof, allowing gardeners to rinse produce right in the basket. Its three sizes can also nest together.

Vermont Glove The Vermonter

It takes some work to break in these thick, high-quality gloves, which have the materials—and customer support—to ensure a long-lasting investment and great value in spite of the high up-front cost.

Buying Options

$115 from Huckberry

$115 from Vermont Glove

Handsewn at a factory in Randolph, a pair of the Vermont Glove The Vermonter are our upgrade pick for best garden gloves. The goatskin leather gloves are thicker in the palms for durability, while slightly thinner in the knuckles for flexibility. Like many long-lasting items, they take a bit of work to break them in, but they can withstand bad weather and all types of outdoorsy work (gardening, brush clearing, etc). If your giftee happens to lose one, they can buy a single glove replacement.

Bialetti Moka Express

We love the classic design of this moka pot. It’s especially simple to use, and it brews rich, flavorful coffee akin to espresso.

Buying Options

$40 from Amazon

$40 from Home Depot

$40 from Wayfair

When we tested six moka pots, the classic Bialetti Moka Express came out on top in both form and function. It produces a strong, rich brew similar to espresso, but typically needs some more dressing up with dairy (as opposed to espresso which can be enjoyed on its own). Designed in the early 1930s by Italian engineer and metalworker Alfonso Bialetti, the original pot was meant to make coffee at home affordable and easy at a time when Italians almost exclusively drank coffee in cafes. Now it’s an everyday design icon. Made of cast aluminum, the Art Deco-inspired pot has an octagonal base, an interior funnel-shaped strainer, and an angular pitcher with a hinged lid. Staff writer Samantha Schoech recently used one daily on a month-long stay in Italy and found it delicious and a lot less finicky than she’d expected.

The Vermont Bowl Company Colonial Hardwood Bowl

This hardwood bowl, handmade in New England on 100-year-old machines, is available in several sizes and in black walnut, cherry, or maple. It’s pricey, but it’s also heirloom-quality.

Buying Options

$43 from The Vermont Bowl Company
(8-inch bowl)

The Vermont Bowl Company’s Colonial Hardwood Bowl isn’t cheap, and shipping is extra. But in a world of disposables, this beauty is a rare built-to-last item. Crafted from solid blocks of hardwood on century-old machines in Wilmington, Vermont, each bowl is both rugged and unique. This vessel is finished with a proprietary (and food-safe) oil. So, similar to a cast-iron pan, it gets better with age and olive oil. The bowl has a low, shallow silhouette, and it comes in black walnut, cherry, or maple. It’s also available in several sizes; the 10-inch version (under $100) is ideal for fruit, popcorn, or salad.

Blarney Woollen Mills Robin Aran Sweater

Sporting a mix of honeycomb and cable knitting patterns, this soft sweater is made in an Irish mill that has been in operation for more than a century.

Buying Options

Buy from Blarney Woollen Mills

May be out of stock

The humble fisherman’s sweater has been a sartorial staple for generations, first donned by Irish trawlers to keep warm and dry against the Atlantic spray. Blarney Woollen Mills, a 200-year-old textile company in County Cork, Ireland, knits the Robin Aran Sweater, the platonic ideal of the form. The Irish merino wool is soft and not scratchy, and as long as the wearer follows the hand-wash-and-dry edict, the sweater won’t pill, bulge, or bag—even after decades of wear.

Whetstone Woodenware French Rolling Pin

The 23-inch version of this tapered pin rolls dough more efficiently than handled pins, works well for rolling both pies and cookies, and is one of the easiest to clean.

Buying Options

$30 from Whetstone Woodenware
(23-inch)

Whether your recipient has been turning out freshly baked pies for decades or is just getting started, the Whetstone Woodenware French Rolling Pin will help get the job done with ease. Made from kiln-dried hard maple and finished by hand, it is our pick for the best rolling pin. Compared to American rolling pins with handles, the tapered, French-style pin—the favored shape of pro bakers—is more agile and gives bakers a better sense of the dough. It’s also much easier to clean, it doesn’t stick to dough as easily, and its long shape makes it ideal for rolling out large rounds of pie crust.

Graf Lantz Bierfilzl Merino Wool Felt Square Coasters

These wool felt coasters absorb condensation and don’t stick to damp glasses. Round or square, they come in a pleasing array of colors, in sets of four or six.

Buying Options

$28 $14 from Amazon

You save $14 (50%)

$29 from Graf Lantz
(set of six)

The Graf Lantz felted wool coasters are a longtime staff-favorite, and supervising editor Hannah Morrill has had hers for more than a decade. What’s great about these coasters is they don’t scuff the very surfaces that they’re intended to protect (we’ve tried ceramic and marble ones that have indeed scuffed surfaces). And they provide excellent protection against warm-beverage heat rings and condensation from cool sippers. They’re available in a variety of solid or multicolored packs, and you can choose from round or square versions. If they get dusty (maybe the only downside), a quick pass with a lint roller will revive them.

Falcon Enamelware 3-Pint Jug

This slim enamelware vessel resists chips and dings, comes in more than a dozen colors, and works great as a pitcher or a vase.

Buying Options

$53 from Falcon Enamelware

Falcon Enamelware Tumbler

These durable enamelware tumblers come in a huge array of attractive colors. They’re ideal for outdoor dining, but they’re also useful indoors, whether on a desk or by your bed.

Buying Options

$11 from Falcon Enamelware

$11 from Unison

We like the good-looking enamel dinnerware from Falcon because it’s shatterproof, heat- and cold-resistant, and comes at a gentle price. The slender 3-Pint Jug is available in nearly 20 cheery tones and isn’t prone to breakage like glass. The retro-inspired vessel would be enchanting filled with lemonade and mint leaves, sangria and citrus peels, or even a floppy cluster of tulips. Senior editor Marguerite Preston is also a big fan of the Falcon Enamelware Tumbler. Instead of plastic cups, she brings them to the park in different colors, so guests can keep track of their own.

Helly Hansen Men’s Moss Raincoat

This well-constructed, mid-thigh-length coat combines waterproofing, style, and price.

Buying Options

Buy from Amazon

$120 from Helly Hansen

$90 from Zappos

At first glance, a raincoat might not have the magic you’re looking for in a gift. But this isn’t just any raincoat. The Helly Hansen Moss Rain Coat, one of our favorites from testing, has a flattering, below-the-hip length and a pleasing rubberized polyurethane coating. It will keep the recipient completely dry when rain is coming down hard and look darn good at the same time. It’s not particularly breathable, so it’s not a hiker’s raincoat. But it is a great option for gardeners and those who work outdoors, not to mention for anyone who needs to run their kids to school, hit the grocery store, or take out the trash in a complete deluge.

FibraMent-D Home Oven Baking Stone

This all-purpose baking stone is ideal for prolific home bakers, yielding crisp, puffy pizzas; crusty bread; and airy croissants.

Buying Options

$93 from Amazon

When it comes to heat retention, cookie sheets don’t hold a candle to baking stones. The ceramic stone stabilizes oven temperature and stores heat, so dough placed on it is directly exposed to more-even and concentrated heat, lending baked goods a puffy rise and a browned bottom. The all-purpose FibraMent-D Home Oven Baking Stone—our favorite in the category—makes golden, flaky pastries; crispy pizza; and beautifully crusty bread. At three-quarters of an inch thick, it’s also extremely sturdy.

Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock (women’s)

This pair provides the best mix of comfort, durability, and cushioning, and it comes in a versatile height.

Buying Options

$24 from REI

$24 from Amazon

$24 from L.L.Bean

Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Sock (men’s)

This is the same great pair as the women’s model, just with different color options and larger sizes.

Buying Options

$24 from REI

$24 from Amazon

$24 from L.L.Bean

Your recipient’s idea of weekend trekking may be a two-day sojourn on the Appalachian Trail or simply hitting a kids’ soccer game. No matter. The Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Lightweight Hiking Socks—our pick for the best hiking socks for both women’s and men’s—are ready for it all. They are made of a breathable mix of merino wool, nylon, and Lycra spandex. So your giftee’s feet will be comfortably cushioned—but not sweaty—as they navigate brambles or stand on the sidelines for hours. Though quite durable, the socks also have a lifetime warranty and can be sent back at any time in exchange for a free replacement.

Copper Plated Stainless Steel Whirley Pop Popcorn Popper

This pot makes the crunchiest corn. It has a stirring wire, to keep kernels from burning, and a vented lid, to keep the popped corn dry and crunchy.

Buying Options

$70 from Amazon

$59 from Home Depot

At Wirecutter, we believe there’s no wrong way to make popcorn. For the elegant popcorn lover on your list—or someone who doesn’t have a microwave—consider the Copper Plated Stainless Steel Whirley Pop Popcorn Popper. This fancy, striking version of our favorite aluminum popper still makes about 24 cups in roughly 3 minutes flat. The recipient can preserve the pot by wiping the inside down with a paper towel after each use; the mechanical gears are protected with a 25-year warranty.

Stetson Kelso Outdoor Hat

Made of 100% wool, this handsome, travel-friendly hat from the iconic American brand regains its shape even after getting crushed.

Buying Options

$125 from Amazon

$120 from Huckberry

Equally at home in a Western or at Coachella, a Stetson hat is the don-anywhere headwear of the past 150 years. There are dozens of gender-neutral designs among the company’s soft and sturdy range of felts; we’re particularly fond of the Kelso Outdoor Hat, a flat-brimmed version with a slim feather band. If your recipient is more country, they might like the pinch-front wool Bozeman, another classic. Though Stetson doesn’t issue a specific lifetime warranty, the detailed care instructions should help protect this hat for the long haul. (The many flawless vintage Stetsons on the market are a testament to that.)

GoRuck GR1

This bag is simple, tough, and backed by a well-tested repair-or-replace program.

Buying Options

$335 from Huckberry

$335 from Goruck

With a design streamlined enough for the office but sturdy enough for the trails, the GoRuck GR1 will likely be the last bag your giftee ever needs. After testing and using it for more than nine years, senior staff writer Kit Dillon was most impressed with its durability: “Short of purposefully slicing into it, there’s little you can do to it that it can’t withstand.” Made from water-resistant nylon, the GoRuck has a clamshell design and three pockets, so packing is a breeze, and reverse coil zippers resist grime and moisture. Even if it should see some damage, the bag is protected with a famously generous repair-or-replace program.

Zeroll 1020 Original Ice Cream Scoop

Favored by ice cream shops everywhere, the Zeroll cuts into hard ice cream more smoothly, produces better spheres, and is supremely easy to clean.

Buying Options

$18 from Amazon

$19 from Walmart

The first stainless steel Zeroll Original Ice Cream Scoop was forged in 1935. But the design is so timeless that the scoop earned a spot in MoMA’s permanent collection. And we can see why: After about a decade of testing, we still think this is the best tool for the job. The handle’s core cleverly contains a nontoxic, heat-conducting oil that warms the metal—and thus softens the ice cream—as you scoop. Just be sure the recipient is the type to heed care instructions and warnings, since the Zeroll should never go through the dishwasher or be exposed to high heat. The sleek design makes hand-washing less of a chore, since the scoop doesn’t have nooks or hinges

Dansk Købenstyle Butter Warmer

Don’t be fooled: This cute enameled vessel with its chubby wooden handle isn’t just for butter. It also works as a small stovetop pot, as a bowl for soup or hot cocoa, or as a ladle or scoop.

Buying Options

$55 $45 from Schoolhouse

Use promo code CHECKOUT10, price includes shipping

$48 from Food52

Senior staff writer Michael Sullivan has tested an almost endless array of pots and pans, and the diminutive Dansk Butter Warmer is one of his favorites. Its vaguely vintage, Scandinavian-style enameled-steel body holds 19 ounces, so it’s ideal for small tasks, like warming up soup for one or making a cup of cocoa. But unlike more-utilitarian pots, this one also looks great on the table, and the handsome teak handle is easy to grab for ladling. “I use it every Thanksgiving as a gravy boat,” he says. “I love that it can go straight from the stovetop to the table.” Once someone gets this gift, they will continue to find more ways to use it.

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

This classic mixer can tackle nearly any recipe without knocking around on the counter. It’s quiet and easier to use than many other tilt-head mixers.

Buying Options

$300 $200 from eBay (refurbished)

You save $100 (33%)

$300 $200 from Walmart (refurbished)

(deal on black)

$300 $200 from KitchenAid (refurbished)

You save $100 (33%)

Buy from Amazon

$370 from Walmart

$450 from Home Depot

The ubiquitous KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer is such a vital part of this country’s domestic and culinary culture that you can even see it on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Beyond being an icon, this mixer is also unparalleled in function and durability: We’ve been testing stand mixers for more than a decade, and this one is still our favorite. The KitchenAid Artisan easily powers through the thickest doughs and aerates the lightest batters. It can also be used with attachments to grind meat, shave ice, or roll out pasta dough, making the beloved baking appliance even more versatile and essential.

Vitamix 5200

This high-performance machine is worth the investment if you use a blender regularly to make things like thick smoothies, pureed soups, or motor-taxing nut butters.

Buying Options

$350 from Amazon

The Vitamix 5200 is a true powerhouse, better than any other machine we’ve tested at pureeing. After years of evaluating blenders, we still rank this one as our favorite, thanks to its stellar performance and Vitamix’s excellent customer service. It whips up the silkiest hummus, smoothest soups, and creamiest nut butters—with textures that just aren’t achievable with workaday blenders. The 5200 comes with a seven-year warranty, but in our experience, these machines are made to last much longer—one Wirecutter editor has owned hers for about 15 years. When she noticed some sluggish blending around year six, Vitamix gave her machine an overhaul at its factory (shipped free both ways). The company sent it back in perfect condition, and it even included a new container to replace one that was scratched and stained.

Peugeot Paris u’Select Pepper Mill

The Peugeot has been a favorite since it was introduced more than a century ago, and it’s still the best due to its ease of use, even grind, and classic look.

Buying Options

$39 from Amazon

There are plenty of attractive pepper mills on the market, but many get their gears stuck by the very thing they were made to do: grind peppercorns. The sleek Peugeot Paris u’Select looks cute on a table or countertop, and it still grinds like a dream, thanks to its ergonomic shape and sharp, case-hardened steel grind mechanism. It also has six coarseness settings that are precise and easy to adjust—unlike many other (more expensive) models’ finicky dials. The French pepper grinder has been well loved since its commercial introduction, 100 years ago. And it remains our favorite even now, after we’ve tested pepper mills for, well, not exactly 100 years but quite a while.

Lands’ End Waxed Canvas Travel Duffle Bag

This rugged weekender just looks better with age. The canvas body, leather reinforcements, and brass hardware all promise durability; over time, the canvas may need to rewaxed.

Buying Options

$180 from Lands' End

The Lands’ End Waxed Canvas Duffle Bag is one of the toughest bags we’ve ever tested. It’s made from sturdy canvas, with leather trim and brass hardware, and its rustic look is more than just charming. This bag also holds up for years, whether your recipient ends up throwing it into the back of a Jeep for hiking weekends or the trunk of a cab on their way to the airport. And even if it should suffer so much abuse that it somehow degrades, Lands’ End’s lifetime warranty should cover it.

Jones Cutting Board 20 x 14 x 1.5 Inch Maple End Grain

This beautifully made end-grain cutting board is gentle on knife edges. Cut marks self-healed over time and it stained far less than many other wood boards we tested.

Buying Options

$127 from Etsy

$175 from Jones Cutting Boards

For something so seemingly simple, cutting boards often reveal flaws after a cook actually starts using it—say, sized too small to chop up a few vegetables or spilling juice all over the counter. In testing cutting boards, we particularly loved the 20-inch-wide Jones Maple End Grain Cutting Board because it’s the ideal size for cooking up a storm. It has finger grooves that make it easy to move around and helpful customization options, like adding a juice groove or feet to keep it elevated off a damp counter. Made of domestic maple in rural Pennsylvania, it’s more forgiving on knives, and slice marks in it actually self-heal. While it is expensive, the checkered board displays exceptional craftsmanship, with tight joints and fine sanding all around. It does, however, need to be regularly oiled for general upkeep.

Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven (5.5 quarts)

An exceptionally durable, high-quality investment pot. Le Creuset’s Dutch oven is the kind of piece people pass down to their kids.

Buying Options

$340 from Amazon

$336 from Wayfair

$420 from Nordstrom

The Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven is that rare classic that appeals to multiple generations. It’s as much a staple in the kitchen of apron-clad grandparents as it is an aspirational item for thousands of youngs on TikTok. The even-cooking, enameled cast-iron dish is also one of Wirecutter’s favorites: Its enamel coating is more durable and chip-resistant than many competitors, its handles are roomy for easy lifting, and it’s lighter than the more-affordable Lodge (which cooks just as well). It has about two dozen colors, from a gradient pink to a deep teal, that appeal to all sorts of styles. Plus, it’ll hold up over decades of use.

Cuyana Classic Easy Tote

This unstructured tote—made from supple Italian leather—has internal ties that you can cinch closed to create a slimmer silhouette or leave open to take full advantage of its generous capacity. But with just one small inside pocket, it isn’t easy to keep organized.

Buying Options

$268 $214 from Cuyana

You save $54 (20%)

An everyday tote is not necessarily elegant—more often, it’s a black hole where change, receipts, and single gloves get swallowed up. But if you want to help someone elevate their day-to-day look, the luxurious, pebbled Cuyana Classic Easy Tote is a great gift. One of our favorite tote bags, it looks much more expensive than it is. The soft-but-durable Italian leather comes in a handful of neutral hues, plus another set of seasonally changing bolder colors. The short and long handle lengths allow it to be clasped by hand or slung over the shoulder. As with all totes, the Cuyana’s roomy interior can get messy (it includes one slip pocket and a zippered pouch). But the brand also sells an insert to create more-organized compartments (you can add a monogram, too).

Fruitsuper Lift Trivet

While this brass squiggle may look like it’s simply a tabletop objet d’art, it’s also a handy spot to set a hot pot.

Buying Options

$48 from Fruitsuper

If you notice someone you love throwing down a pot holder to buffer their casserole, surprise them with the squiggly Fruitsuper Lift Trivet. It suavely protects tables from the scorching bottom of a just-cooked dish, and it’s beautiful enough to stay on display and at the ready for meals (instead of a last-minute rush to find it stuffed somewhere in a drawer). The minimalist shape is far more sophisticated than frilly trivets, and it’s less aesthetically intrusive than cork rounds. We also love the warmth of brass—the wear over the years tends to make the metal even more beautiful.

Mac MTH-80

With its super-sharp edge, sleek tapered shape, and comfortable handle, this knife will make your everyday dicing and slicing tasks smoother and quicker.

Buying Options

$145 from Amazon

$145 from Walmart

A proper chef’s knife can be the difference between safe and easy meal prep and laborious work. After testing several chef’s knives over the years, we still rank the Mac Mighty MTH-80 as our favorite, thanks to its super-sharp edge, sleek tapered shape, and comfortable-to-hold handle. It also stood out from the competition for its endurance: The hard steel withstands dulling better than other knives, so it takes less effort to maintain. Our testers believe that the MTH-80, due to its high-quality construction, could very well last a lifetime.

L.L.Bean Men’s Bean Boots (8-inch)

A duck boot laces tighter to your foot than a rubber boot, so it’s not as easy to slip on and off. However, it performs in both wet and muddy conditions.

Buying Options

Buy from L.L.Bean

L.L.Bean Women’s Bean Boots (8-inch)

A duck boot laces tighter to your foot than a rubber boot, so it’s not as easy to slip on and off. However, it performs in both wet and muddy conditions.

Buying Options

$149 from L.L.Bean

Any real Maine-ah knows that L.L.Bean’s duck boots are actually called Bean Boots. And they also know these boots have been a functional and stylish staple for more than a century. With leather shafts affixed to rubber bottoms, they were originally intended as hunting boots. Yet now these boots appear regularly at New York Fashion Week. As we confirmed during testing for our guide to the best rain boots, L.L.Bean’s laces hold tighter to the foot than those on rubber boots. So they help keep feet dry and comfortable in both wet and muddy conditions (such as in subway puddles of unknown origin or boggy apple orchards). Although L.L.Bean walked back its no-questions-asked lifetime warranty in 2018, the company still offers re-soling for a reasonable fee.

We love finding gifts that are unusual, thoughtful, and well vetted. See even more gift ideas we recommend.

This article was edited by Hannah Morrill and Jennifer Hunter.