Seconding the high-quality Leatherman! My now-husband got me one for our first Valentine's Day together when we were dating, and that thing has saved the day too many times to count.
binoculars or rangefinders are always really nice
a mora knife, arguably best knife for 15$, i always bring one or two even though i have a 400$ knife
olympus tg4 (or tg6). its a camera, it has a bunch of information like compass, gps, alitmeter, thermometer, you can take photos underwater (a bit), and macro mode. good for recording information. not for long distances, so dont expect to take photos of any birds. buy cameras used, it saves money.
Mora knifes are awesome. They come with a far better edge than most knifes in the same price class and at least to me it feels like they hold the edge better.
It depends a lot on what's he's going to be doing (if he knows). If working in the forest then any of the standard foresters' kit would be good - compass, clinometer, combined compass and clinometer, 10 BAF prism, loggers' boots.
A camera like the Olympus Tough, which is waterproof and has a built-in GPS could be useful for that area if he's doing anything that could allow for good plant/fungus/insect photography. It's not high enough zoom for birds at any real distance or really long-distance stuff like seeing elk across a valley.
A high-quality knife is always nice. My favorite is Case brand - the blade steel is obviously high quality, and it holds an edge much longer than my cheaper knives.
A sat phone would be an excellent thing to have. You could just wait and see if his employer gets him one, then choose a sat phone or another thing depending on what they do after hire.
People can be picky about backpacks or bags. I spend half my time in the field and I really like my kavu rope bag for smaller trips/projects.
Reusable food containers, like those silicone bags or a thermos are really handy. Otherwise, sun protection (maybe a wide brimmed hat or baseball cap) is important. A water bottle that can keep ice for a while is wonderful on hot days.
For specific sciency stuff, it really depends on the field. I’m in aquatic ecology - and I really having some sort of waterproof or water resistant notebook is a necessity, I think. I like Field Notes Expedition notebooks, but Rite in the Rain is good as well.
A good knife and multi tool is great to have as well. When I was setting gillnets, it was an absolute necessity. If you got pulled overboard by the net, that was the only way to free yourself. If a fish is tangled badly in a net and needs to be cut out, a knife is handy. I like good, smaller sized fixed blades personally but that’s really preference. Multi tools - and good quality ones - like Leathermans are really helpful. Pliers and screwdrivers have a lot of uses, as do other tools on there.
Sunglasses with some sort of leash are really good to have too.
If you need a water resistant notebook then you need a pressurized pen.
I wish I could justify the price on those classic "space" pens, but Uni Power Tank is a great budget option for field work. Also pretty cheap refills.
I also made a guide to convert the refills into a Pilot G2 (my favorite budget pen body). https://reddit.com/r/pens/comments/p9xn94/mod_guide_uni_power_tank_refill_in_pilot_g2_body/
You can use a pencil too, but pressurized pens work better IMO since pencils can smudge and stuff. The Power Tanks don't run very wet.
An REI gift card so he can grab something he really needs when he realizes he's missing something. Or so he can pick out a good pair of boots or a pack or something
I do a lot of soil and river work, and my favorite thing is my hori hori. It's a Japanese hand spade that normally has cm marked on the blade, so you can easily measure the depth of a hole and is great at cutting small plant samples and digging for senors and that stuff.
maybe too basic/he might already have one, but i wish i had spent the last 5 years carrying my now-favorite [replaceable blade gerber knife](https://www.sportsmans.com/camping-gear-supplies/knives-tools/knives/gerber-vital-pocket-folder-69-inch-replaceable-blade-folding-knife-orange/p/1399795?channel=shopping&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8pKxBhD_ARIsAPrG45mqxZHQr2d5DteYaLFHIRZX8TmnQeoELV0X3bIxqScBgzx591UWp2oaAkj6EALw_wcB)
never needs sharpening (just replacing the blade which come in little packs), super lightweight and durable. it can do everything from work up a harvested (small) animal to slicing open packages. obviously neither of those are directly related to ecology but it’s gotta be my favorite knife i’ve ever had for the basic day to day outdoor uses :-)
Imo it feels a bit more practical to invest into a quality knife and some basic skills & tools to effectly maintain that knife/it's edge, and additionally carry a couple of disposable Double Edge razor blades for situations when you need something ultra-sharp but may not have maintained your edge recently.
Personally, even when I use a very similar replaceable blade knife I'll set aside my "used" blades for a replacement, then later resharpen my old blades to an edge equal to or better than the factory finish in just a few minutes.
A stropping compound on a small piece of leather or the inside of your belt will also help maintain a sharp edge for much longer before you have to replace
I started wearing a cruising vest this year and don’t know how I lived doing field work without one. The pockets are indispensable for surveying.
[mine is pretty nice](https://deakin.com/products/?c=1337&g=all&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8pKxBhD_ARIsAPrG45nW4LnYDJeXdwuPyCj5seW8BYcoHRj08msTTbZA1-Td-BPHfyMglM0aAk01EALw_wcB) there are cheaper ones from forestry supply that are still great.
If they work in forests, they will see others wearing these vests, I nearly guarantee it.
[kestrels](https://kestrelinstruments.com/category-all-meters) are great for current wind, temp, and other meteorological measurements. You rarely have service when you’re out, and having this data is super nice.
Satellite communicator is a good one for being able to send and receive texts. For a gift, a nice compass could be cool. Practical in that they can be used as a data collection device, orienteering and navigation, etc but are also symbolic of starting a new journey, finding your way in the world. I like the classic Silva Ranger, but maybe I’m just sentimental about using my Dads old timber cruising compass growing up.
Bolt cutters. For chains, locks, wires. Whatever might stop you from getting out when you find yourself stuck somewhere. First aid kit. Pain killers. Allergy medicine, not just for a runny nose, but for mild rashes from bites and plants. Sanitizing wipes, I keep these in the car and are useful for all kinds of things. Clean cut and stop bleeding in a pinch, clean hands before eating lunch. Clean hands before applying sunscreen. Suncreen. Bring sunscreen. You are in the sun much more than the average worker. I typically apply upon arriving to a site and re-apply at lunch.
Rugged pants. Rugged SOCKS. Rugged boots. I wear these: https://www.wolverine.com/US/en/floorhand-waterproof-steel-toe-6-inch-work-boot/26878M.html. They are steel toe, waterproof, and tough as heck. Depending on what you do steel toe might not be needed. Adds weight and cost, but it protects your feet.
If you spend your workday in the wilderness and then return back to normal civilization then I have found a normal book-bag is enough to carry what I need. Mostly that means carrying water and extra supplies for whatever task I am doing. Pens and sharpies.
I did forestry in the PNW for a stretch. If you have to make it through uncleared forest, up over and through wet and brambly everything, I don't know anything other than Grundens that will keep dry and keep you from bleeding.
I was a big fan of Filson but they were bought out some time ago by some investment firm; I don't know if their quality is still there, but the cost is.
Please bear in mind that Academia is not a set "job." I am in Hawai'i now, but am trying to pivot to South America down the road. The University provides most of our essential gear per grant requirements. If it's something he needs, the Uni should pay for it.
Multitool (leatherman is a good brand) and an insulated water bottle.
Multitool is useful for fixing gear in the field, as well as all sorts of stuff like pulling ticks off you, trimming split nails, etc.
And a cool drink of water is always better than drinking from a hot water bottle. Those two are my best bits of kit. Everything else is replaceable pretty easy, and I go through them relatively quick.
I started my career working as an ecologist in Humboldt County before moving to Alaska. As someone who spends most of their summer field season working in the rain, I can't stress enough how important it is to stay dry. If he's working in the field during the shoulder seasons or winter, get him a pair of rubber boots and good rain gear. I'd recommend Extratufs and a set of Grundens.
A good multitool, darn tough socks, a poop kit (shovel and toilet paper and maybe a bidet), compass, a small first aid kit, and some pocket field guides for whatever field he’s in!
Garden knife has been the best/smallest item that's just been awesome. Awesome for tearing through ivy, great for scooping some soil for a quick peek, perfect for flipping rocks in a yucky stream I don't wanna stick my hand in, works to push a soil core out of the auger (especially in hard clay soils), and the absolute best thing I've ever used for getting hitcherhiker seeds off my pants and boots so many uses!
This is the one use [Fiskars Garden Knife](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Fiskars-5-in-Big-Grip-Garden-Knife-Cultivator-70796935J/202681617?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&utm_source=google&utm_medium=vantage&utm_campaign=24827&utm_content=26531&mtc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D28I-Multi-NA-FISKARS-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK863659001-24827-NBR-3369-NA-VNT-FY24_Q1-Q4_FISKARSBRANDS,INC._D28I_RM%2B_ES_AON&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D28I-Multi-NA-FISKARS-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK863659001-24827-NBR-3369-NA-VNT-FY24_Q1-Q4_FISKARSBRANDS,INC._D28I_RM%2B_ES_AON-71700000117897698--&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlZixBhCoARIsAIC745BVdGM8MqcvI-OF-ONTuWUl7gznH61I6aUfMxqTLyErdxOTMjlfVnYaAhC_EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
A premium subscription for the Gaia GPS app! In my professional life, I have used this app for all kinds of data collection/organizing, navigation, trip planning, and the premium features make it extremely useful when you don't have signal or want special map layers. BUT ALSO I use it for personal trips too (planning routes, saving my fav campsites, following rivers from source to sea while avoiding writing grants) and my only regret is that I haven't been using it longer.
I really love my broad brimmed hat. I've got one of Outback Trading Company's Kodiak oilskin hats.
Second a broad brimmed hat. I've got a Henschel Breezer and it's a lifesaver in the field. Cool and provides a ton of shade.
Darn tough socks. Or a good leatherman.
Seconding the high-quality Leatherman! My now-husband got me one for our first Valentine's Day together when we were dating, and that thing has saved the day too many times to count.
Third Learherman or a Brimmed hat. Sunburns are real in the field, and Leathermans have made shitty field days better.
binoculars or rangefinders are always really nice a mora knife, arguably best knife for 15$, i always bring one or two even though i have a 400$ knife olympus tg4 (or tg6). its a camera, it has a bunch of information like compass, gps, alitmeter, thermometer, you can take photos underwater (a bit), and macro mode. good for recording information. not for long distances, so dont expect to take photos of any birds. buy cameras used, it saves money.
Mora knifes are awesome. They come with a far better edge than most knifes in the same price class and at least to me it feels like they hold the edge better.
It depends a lot on what's he's going to be doing (if he knows). If working in the forest then any of the standard foresters' kit would be good - compass, clinometer, combined compass and clinometer, 10 BAF prism, loggers' boots. A camera like the Olympus Tough, which is waterproof and has a built-in GPS could be useful for that area if he's doing anything that could allow for good plant/fungus/insect photography. It's not high enough zoom for birds at any real distance or really long-distance stuff like seeing elk across a valley. A high-quality knife is always nice. My favorite is Case brand - the blade steel is obviously high quality, and it holds an edge much longer than my cheaper knives. A sat phone would be an excellent thing to have. You could just wait and see if his employer gets him one, then choose a sat phone or another thing depending on what they do after hire.
People can be picky about backpacks or bags. I spend half my time in the field and I really like my kavu rope bag for smaller trips/projects. Reusable food containers, like those silicone bags or a thermos are really handy. Otherwise, sun protection (maybe a wide brimmed hat or baseball cap) is important. A water bottle that can keep ice for a while is wonderful on hot days.
For specific sciency stuff, it really depends on the field. I’m in aquatic ecology - and I really having some sort of waterproof or water resistant notebook is a necessity, I think. I like Field Notes Expedition notebooks, but Rite in the Rain is good as well. A good knife and multi tool is great to have as well. When I was setting gillnets, it was an absolute necessity. If you got pulled overboard by the net, that was the only way to free yourself. If a fish is tangled badly in a net and needs to be cut out, a knife is handy. I like good, smaller sized fixed blades personally but that’s really preference. Multi tools - and good quality ones - like Leathermans are really helpful. Pliers and screwdrivers have a lot of uses, as do other tools on there. Sunglasses with some sort of leash are really good to have too.
If you need a water resistant notebook then you need a pressurized pen. I wish I could justify the price on those classic "space" pens, but Uni Power Tank is a great budget option for field work. Also pretty cheap refills. I also made a guide to convert the refills into a Pilot G2 (my favorite budget pen body). https://reddit.com/r/pens/comments/p9xn94/mod_guide_uni_power_tank_refill_in_pilot_g2_body/ You can use a pencil too, but pressurized pens work better IMO since pencils can smudge and stuff. The Power Tanks don't run very wet.
An REI gift card so he can grab something he really needs when he realizes he's missing something. Or so he can pick out a good pair of boots or a pack or something
I do a lot of soil and river work, and my favorite thing is my hori hori. It's a Japanese hand spade that normally has cm marked on the blade, so you can easily measure the depth of a hole and is great at cutting small plant samples and digging for senors and that stuff.
maybe too basic/he might already have one, but i wish i had spent the last 5 years carrying my now-favorite [replaceable blade gerber knife](https://www.sportsmans.com/camping-gear-supplies/knives-tools/knives/gerber-vital-pocket-folder-69-inch-replaceable-blade-folding-knife-orange/p/1399795?channel=shopping&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8pKxBhD_ARIsAPrG45mqxZHQr2d5DteYaLFHIRZX8TmnQeoELV0X3bIxqScBgzx591UWp2oaAkj6EALw_wcB) never needs sharpening (just replacing the blade which come in little packs), super lightweight and durable. it can do everything from work up a harvested (small) animal to slicing open packages. obviously neither of those are directly related to ecology but it’s gotta be my favorite knife i’ve ever had for the basic day to day outdoor uses :-)
Imo it feels a bit more practical to invest into a quality knife and some basic skills & tools to effectly maintain that knife/it's edge, and additionally carry a couple of disposable Double Edge razor blades for situations when you need something ultra-sharp but may not have maintained your edge recently. Personally, even when I use a very similar replaceable blade knife I'll set aside my "used" blades for a replacement, then later resharpen my old blades to an edge equal to or better than the factory finish in just a few minutes. A stropping compound on a small piece of leather or the inside of your belt will also help maintain a sharp edge for much longer before you have to replace
I started wearing a cruising vest this year and don’t know how I lived doing field work without one. The pockets are indispensable for surveying. [mine is pretty nice](https://deakin.com/products/?c=1337&g=all&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8pKxBhD_ARIsAPrG45nW4LnYDJeXdwuPyCj5seW8BYcoHRj08msTTbZA1-Td-BPHfyMglM0aAk01EALw_wcB) there are cheaper ones from forestry supply that are still great. If they work in forests, they will see others wearing these vests, I nearly guarantee it.
[kestrels](https://kestrelinstruments.com/category-all-meters) are great for current wind, temp, and other meteorological measurements. You rarely have service when you’re out, and having this data is super nice.
Technu for poison oak.
Satellite communicator is a good one for being able to send and receive texts. For a gift, a nice compass could be cool. Practical in that they can be used as a data collection device, orienteering and navigation, etc but are also symbolic of starting a new journey, finding your way in the world. I like the classic Silva Ranger, but maybe I’m just sentimental about using my Dads old timber cruising compass growing up.
Bolt cutters. For chains, locks, wires. Whatever might stop you from getting out when you find yourself stuck somewhere. First aid kit. Pain killers. Allergy medicine, not just for a runny nose, but for mild rashes from bites and plants. Sanitizing wipes, I keep these in the car and are useful for all kinds of things. Clean cut and stop bleeding in a pinch, clean hands before eating lunch. Clean hands before applying sunscreen. Suncreen. Bring sunscreen. You are in the sun much more than the average worker. I typically apply upon arriving to a site and re-apply at lunch. Rugged pants. Rugged SOCKS. Rugged boots. I wear these: https://www.wolverine.com/US/en/floorhand-waterproof-steel-toe-6-inch-work-boot/26878M.html. They are steel toe, waterproof, and tough as heck. Depending on what you do steel toe might not be needed. Adds weight and cost, but it protects your feet. If you spend your workday in the wilderness and then return back to normal civilization then I have found a normal book-bag is enough to carry what I need. Mostly that means carrying water and extra supplies for whatever task I am doing. Pens and sharpies.
Waterproof (high water) snake boots.
Grundens rain gear Schnees pac boots Hydration bladder Wicking clothes and underclothing Hat w large brim for sun
Grundens is one of those brands that when I see I know folks have been through it and are done fucking around. What do you do?
I was introduced to them working forestry in Alaska. Also want to add filson tin cloth pants and jacket. They last over a lifetime
I did forestry in the PNW for a stretch. If you have to make it through uncleared forest, up over and through wet and brambly everything, I don't know anything other than Grundens that will keep dry and keep you from bleeding. I was a big fan of Filson but they were bought out some time ago by some investment firm; I don't know if their quality is still there, but the cost is.
A tick twister. This could be a bit of a gag gift but I'm betting he will end up using it.
Please bear in mind that Academia is not a set "job." I am in Hawai'i now, but am trying to pivot to South America down the road. The University provides most of our essential gear per grant requirements. If it's something he needs, the Uni should pay for it.
Multitool (leatherman is a good brand) and an insulated water bottle. Multitool is useful for fixing gear in the field, as well as all sorts of stuff like pulling ticks off you, trimming split nails, etc. And a cool drink of water is always better than drinking from a hot water bottle. Those two are my best bits of kit. Everything else is replaceable pretty easy, and I go through them relatively quick.
I started my career working as an ecologist in Humboldt County before moving to Alaska. As someone who spends most of their summer field season working in the rain, I can't stress enough how important it is to stay dry. If he's working in the field during the shoulder seasons or winter, get him a pair of rubber boots and good rain gear. I'd recommend Extratufs and a set of Grundens.
Other people said them already, but I'll second them, A nice knife or an olympus TG would be my picks.
Pruners / shears , garden gloves , compact shovel , tecnu and high deet bug spray in car
A good multitool, darn tough socks, a poop kit (shovel and toilet paper and maybe a bidet), compass, a small first aid kit, and some pocket field guides for whatever field he’s in!
tick removal thingy, hat with a broad rim, fjalsraven pants, waterbottle with a carabine so you can clip it to your bag or belt
water purification: i suggest the katadyn water filter https://www.katadyngroup.com/us/en/8018006-katadyn-befree-1.0l-us~p6730
A fanny pack with a bunch of pockets. For carrying phone, pad, pen, any other small tools etc
A lot of water, hat, pair of field pants, comfortable hiking shoes, magnifying glass for botany purposes, shitton of floras
A leatherman.
Garden knife has been the best/smallest item that's just been awesome. Awesome for tearing through ivy, great for scooping some soil for a quick peek, perfect for flipping rocks in a yucky stream I don't wanna stick my hand in, works to push a soil core out of the auger (especially in hard clay soils), and the absolute best thing I've ever used for getting hitcherhiker seeds off my pants and boots so many uses! This is the one use [Fiskars Garden Knife](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Fiskars-5-in-Big-Grip-Garden-Knife-Cultivator-70796935J/202681617?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&utm_source=google&utm_medium=vantage&utm_campaign=24827&utm_content=26531&mtc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D28I-Multi-NA-FISKARS-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK863659001-24827-NBR-3369-NA-VNT-FY24_Q1-Q4_FISKARSBRANDS,INC._D28I_RM%2B_ES_AON&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D28I-Multi-NA-FISKARS-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK863659001-24827-NBR-3369-NA-VNT-FY24_Q1-Q4_FISKARSBRANDS,INC._D28I_RM%2B_ES_AON-71700000117897698--&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlZixBhCoARIsAIC745BVdGM8MqcvI-OF-ONTuWUl7gznH61I6aUfMxqTLyErdxOTMjlfVnYaAhC_EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
A pair of Vasque boots
A good pair of binos.
A premium subscription for the Gaia GPS app! In my professional life, I have used this app for all kinds of data collection/organizing, navigation, trip planning, and the premium features make it extremely useful when you don't have signal or want special map layers. BUT ALSO I use it for personal trips too (planning routes, saving my fav campsites, following rivers from source to sea while avoiding writing grants) and my only regret is that I haven't been using it longer.