By Connor Hutchinson

Your New Base for Holiday Gifts + Winter

Your New Base for Holiday Gifts + Winter Gear: MEC Nanaimo Is Open

Dec 14, 2025 | 9:00 AM

If you’re searching for holiday gifts and winter layers, Nanaimo has a new must-visit destination. Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) has officially opened its doors at 2517 Bowen Road, bringing its trusted lineup of outdoor gear, apparel, and expert guidance to the region, just in time for the winter season.

From seasoned backcountry explorers to weekend wanderers, MEC’s new Nanaimo location offers thoughtful, durable and adventure-ready gifts for everyone on your list. Whether you’re shopping for a camper, skier, hiker, trail runner, paddler or cyclist, the store’s curated holiday selection makes it easy to find something they’ll use for years of trail adventures and memories.

Here are some favourite picks from the Nanaimo team:

BioLite Headlamps  – Fast-charging, waterproof and remarkably lightweight.

MEC Outpost 40L Travel pack  – With rugged materials and a price that won’t eat into your adventure fund, this pack delivers the function of high-end travel gear without the premium price tag.

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Kuma Lazy Bear Heated Chair – Campfire comfort taken up a notch. This Bluetooth®-enabled heated chair adds warmth on chilly mornings at camp or while watching the winter surf.

Patagonia Synchilla® Fleece – A timeless fleece made from 100% recycled materials

Whether you’re gifting something practical or surprising, MEC Nanaimo makes it easy to wrap up adventure this holiday season.

Get Set for Winter: Active Insulation & Cold-Weather Essentials

Beyond gifting, MEC’s new Nanaimo store is fully stocked to help you gear up for colder conditions. Vancouver Island winters call for warmth that moves with you, and gear that keeps you comfortable on trail runs, snow days, or after-work missions.

Active insulation is a versatile option that offers breathable warmth that adapts as you heat up or cool down. Ideal for high output activities like ski touring, snowshoeing or winter biking; the store carries a wide mix of options for different activities and budgets.

“When you’re choosing active insulation, you want pieces that can keep up with you, explains store manager Anders Fahlgren. “Look for something that breathes well so you won’t overheat on the move, offers lightweight warmth that layers cleanly under a shell, and dries quickly in our famously damp Island weather. And of course, durability matters, the right kit should last you for years of trail adventures.”

A few staff favourites include Smartwools active fleece which layers soft Merino next to your skin for warmth and breathability, while a recycled synthetic outer face fends off wind and light weather and makes it easy to layer under a shell when the weather really turns.

Black Diamond’s Solution 2 hoody supports you from an alpine start to the windy ridge descents. This hoody is warm enough to throw on at the summit, light enough to stash in your pack, and weather-resistant enough to wear as an outer layer when the skies get moody.

Only available at MEC is their own in-house label which offers everyday value on technical performance gear. The  MEC Label Northern Light Jacket is a versatile streamlined mid-layer that can be worn as a stand-alone on the active ups and easily layered under your shell for the downs.  Designed intentionally simple, with no gimmicks, its practical function makes it a classic everyday value piece of gear.

Come by the store to chat with MEC’s staff who bring firsthand experience and who live and breathe the outdoors. They’ll help you find the right head-to-toe setup and will share gear tips for your winter activities, whether you’re tackling your first hut-to-hut ski tour, winter trail running or planning a cross-country ski weekend. You can also get professional ski services and servicing deals to fine-tune to your setup in-store. Visit MEC Nanaimo today.