My favorite walkie-talkies for hiking are 20% off for Cyber Monday, over

Rockie Talkie Mountain Radios — (Image credit: Rockie Talkie)

When I was a kid, I thought walkie-talkies were the coolest thing in the world. Grant it, this was in an era before ubiquitous cell phones, so battery-powered communication devices were pretty novel. As an adult, I still think walkie-talkies are pretty dang sweet, especially Rocky Talkie Mountain Radios.

Ultimately, if you’re going to spend your hard-earned dough this Cyber Monday, why not use it to support a small business? Rocky Talkie is a small Colorado-based walkie-talkie company specializing in radios for folks like me who love the great outdoors. And the palm-sized Mountain Radio is the brand’s most popular option.

Virtually never on sale, you can save 20% on Mountain Radios right now. That brings the price down to just $88 a handset. But what makes them so special?

Aside from their admittedly cute design, these bad boys are IP56-rated for waterproofing and feature a shatterproof LED screen, a thermoplastic case for added drop protection, a built-in carabiner clip for easy attachments and up to four days of battery life in conditions as cold as -21 degrees Fahrenheit.

Super-simple to use with 128 channels, they also don’t require a license to operate (like the brand’s other model). With a weight of just six ounces, they don't add much bulk to your kit, either, especially when attached to a backpack strap.

In mountain conditions, these radios provide a maximum range of roughly five miles, which should be enough to stay in contact with your buddies at the ski resort. That said, on flatter terrain, they can transmit over 35 miles.

Backed by a two-year warranty and thousands of positive reviews, including from yours truly, the Rocky Talkie Mountain Radios make a great gift for folks who love the outdoors. Just remember to buy two!

Dan Bracaglia is the Tom’s Guide editorial lead for all things smartwatches, fitness trackers and outdoor gear. With 15 years of experience as a consumer technology journalist testing everything from Oura Rings to instant cameras, Dan is deeply passionate about helping readers save money and make informed purchasing decisions. In the past year alone, Dan has assessed major product releases from the likes of Apple, Garmin, Google, Samsung, Polar and many others.

An avid outdoor adventurer, Dan is based in the U.S. Pacific Northwest where he takes advantage of the beautiful surroundings every chance he gets. A lover of kayaking, hiking, swimming, biking, snowboarding and exploring, he also makes every effort to combine his day job with his passions. When not assessing the sleep tracking and heart rate accuracy of the latest tach gadgets, you can find him photographing Seattle’s vibrant underground music community.