Cool Gifts – November 2024

It’s that time of year again, with peak shipping season already underway. But you’ve probably been too busy to even think about holiday shopping, let alone what you may want to include on your wish list.

As always, Land Line’s annual Cool Gifts guide will help get the ball rolling when it comes to crossing names off your shopping list. We’ve got stuff for your truck, stuff for your non-human co-pilot and, of course, stuff for you.

Hoodie designed for workers

A nice, quality hoodie is hard to find. Last year, workwear company 1620 Workwear teamed up with pickup truck aftermarket accessories company RealTruck to come up with some apparel that meets the needs of gearheads and tradespeople. The cotton-blend fleece fabric with a water-repellent finish dries more quickly than 100% cotton. Unlike hoodies made of fabric that can melt when exposed to fire, this one includes no-melt/no-drip thermal properties. With worker safety in mind, the typical drawstring has been replaced by buttons. Check it out at RealTruck.com.

Blinded by the light?

One of the most overlooked gifts for any professional driver is a good pair of sunglasses. When you’re driving straight into the sun, a cheap pair may not do much to fight the glare. But Maui Jim’s Na’auao polarized aviator sunglasses give your eyes the protection they need. Maui Jim offers glass magnification as well as options for prescription lenses. And if aviators aren’t your style, this brand has a variety of other options. Just make sure you look for polarized, neutral gray lenses for maximum performance. Take a look at what’s available at MauiJim.com.

Keep your boots and interior clean and shiny

Truckers have a lot of pride in their ride, so keeping that interior looking like new is always on the chore list. Leather Honey offers a leather care kit that includes conditioner, cleaner and two application cloths. The company claims this kit offers six months of protection on all leather items, including interiors, furniture, boots, jackets, wallets and handbags. Leather Honey’s cleaner is also good for coated and faux leather, as well as plastic and vinyl dashboards and doors. Find out more at LeatherHoney.com.

New trucking simulation for gamers

A lot of drivers have some pretty cool computer and video game setups in their rigs. If you can’t get enough trucking while in the cab, a new open-world truck simulator called Ice Truckers provides more. Published by Aerosoft and developed by Chronos North, Ice Truckers lets gamers explore treacherous terrain, dynamic weather and other obstacles faced by truckers closer to the Arctic Circle. Players can choose missions lasting minutes to hours, depending on whether they want to drive local or long-haul. A radio with lots of tracks and weather alerts makes the experience more immersive. Ice Truckers does not drop until next year, but you can still add it to your Steam account wish list.

Hot meals on 18 wheels

Truck stop food is fine in moderation, but let’s face it, it’s expensive and not good for you. Save money on food and eat healthy with the help of RoadPro’s 12-volt lunchbox. It allows either warming up pre-cooked meals or cooking at up to 300 degrees. Simply plug the lunchbox into your 12-volt power port and heat up some food without leaving your truck. Check it out at RoadProBrands.com.

Hammock on the go

This one is for those who love the great outdoors. Lawn chairs have improved over the years with neat reclining features and convenient cup holders, but it’s time to take your outdoor relaxation to the next level. The Mock One Hammock is a portable hammock that requires no trees. Take it to the campsite, park, beach or even behind your truck in the lot if you’re fine being that person. Upgrade with accessories, including a mosquito net, a quilt or a tarp to convert the hammock into a mini tent. For more details, go to RepublicOfDurableGoods.com.

Night vision

Whether for checking under the hood, securing the tarps or walking around an unlit area, every trucker needs a good flashlight. And law enforcement is another career where a flashlight is crucial, so going with what police officers use might be a good plan. One option for this is the SureFire G2X MaxVision – a flashlight with a low output of 15 lumens, enough to read a map. However, its 800-lumen high output is enough to disrupt the vision of an attacker. That’s a lot of punch for something measuring less than 5 inches and weighing only 4 ounces. Check out the G2X MaxVison and SureFire’s other flashlights at SureFire.com.

The ultimate multitool

All truck drivers should have a multitool in their arsenal. Make sure you get a good one and splurge a little with Leatherman’s Free P4 multitool. It has nearly everything you need, including pliers, wire cutters/strippers, scissors, a serrated knife, a pry tool, screwdrivers, a wood/metal file and more. All features are accessible on the outside and can be opened with one hand. Find the Free P4 and many other everyday carry tools at Leatherman.com.

Don’t fur-get about your co-pilot

When it comes to having a cat or dog on the road, the pros definitely outweigh the cons. But one con is dealing with all the fur in your truck. Mitigate that problem with furMe’s pet-grooming vacuum kit. The five-in-one kit includes a grooming brush, clippers, a de-shedding tool and two cleaning tools. The vacuum works quietly to keep your furry friend from freaking out while it gets rid of 99% of loose fur, mites and dander, ensuring your pet and your truck look great. Pick one up at ShopfurMe.com. Also, since people frown on dogs in truck stop showers, keep them smelling good with TropiClean’s waterless shampoo for dogs and cats, which can be found at many pet stores or TropicClean.com. LL

For more ideas, check out last year’s Cool Gifts guide here.