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Gifts for Hikers and Backpackers

JUMP TO:  UNDER $12 / $12 to $30 / $30 TO $50 / $50 TO $100 / OVER $100

Author: Sam Brilleman

The Short Version

The Long Version

Giving is one of the most rewarding experiences we can have as a human. But looking for the perfect gift can sometimes be painful.

If you are looking for a gift for a lover of the outdoors — especially a hiker or backpacker — then check out the list below. These are some of the coolest gifts, gadgets and accessories for someone passionate about the outdoors.

Some might say it is the thought that counts. But let’s be honest, a gift that serves no purpose is both disappointing for the recipient and wasteful for the world.

 
 

But never fear! As an avid hiker myself I’ve vetted the list below to make sure only epic gifts will be landing in your partner, relative or friend’s lap.

Hopefully these gift ideas can take the stress out of your gift shopping.

Better yet — all of them are available online, meaning you don’t have to fight the crowds in the mall or trawl along the main shopping street this holiday season.

 
 

GIFTS UNDER $12 — “BUDGET BUT AWESOME”

SUITABLE FOR: Backpackers, Campers

The Sea To Summit Alpha Light Spork is my favourite backpacking utensil. It is ultralight and ultra-strong. It won’t break on you like those shitty plastic alternatives, yet it almost weighs the same. And at just 0.3 ounces (9 grams) this gift will even keep the fiercest ultralight backpacker happy.

I prefer the standard length spork since it fits into my backpacking kitchen storage sack (the spork length is equal to the diameter of my cooking pot). But if you know that your beloved gift recipient eats freeze dried backpacking meals, then consider getting them the long version. It weighs just another 0.1 oz, but the extra length allows them to reach to the bottom of their freeze dried meal bag without getting their fingers grubby.

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers, Campers

If you land in an environment where flying insects abound, then the importance of a head net cannot be understated. Flies, mosquitoes, sandflies, midges… the list goes on.

Every hiker knows how these types of flying insects can ruin an otherwise great trip to the outdoors. So make sure your loved ones go out prepared! Get them the Sea To Summit Head Net. Weighing just one ounce (30 grams) this head net is worth its weight in gold, yet it only costs a fraction over ten dollars!

Or if your gift recipient is a gram counting ultralight hiker then consider getting them the Nano version — which weighs in at an incredible 0.4 ounces (11 grams).

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers

Most hikers have suffered the unfortunate fate of a blister at some point along their hiking journey. Best case, they are uncomfortable. Worst case, they are debilitating. There are various remedies for blisters on the trail, but in my experience nothing competes with Compeed Blister Plasters. The invention of these plasters was downright groundbreaking! Various other manufacturers make a similar product, but I have always found the Compeed ones perform the best.

If your recipient doesn’t shower you with thanks when they open this gift, they definitely will when (god forbid) their next blister appears out on the trail.

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers

The towel that even an ultralight hiker would carry! Lightload Towels are almost as light as a paper towel but reusable and machine washable. They are super absorbent, fast drying, and seriously ultralight. Each towel measures 12 x 24 inches and weighs only half an ounce! And if that is still too large or heavy for you, then you can always cut it in half.

Made from Lyocell — a product derived from wood and plant scraps — these towels are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. And since they are made from natural materials and flammable, they can be used as fire starter in a survival situation. They also work well as first aid bandages in an emergency.

SUITABLE FOR: Backpackers, Campers

Ideal as either a primary or secondary fire starter the Light My Fire Firesteel Scout weighs just 1.3 ounces and provides up to 3,000 fire strikes.

It prides itself on working in both wet and windy conditions, making it ideal for both regular and emergency situations. The handle is made from a bio-based plastic and the flint itself is made from a magnesium alloy that ensures sparks continue to fly even when wet.

If you think your beloved outdoor enthusiast will use this as their primary source of fire lighting, then the “Army” version is a bit heavier (2.2 oz) but lasts for 12,000 fire strikes as opposed to the 3,000 provided by the “Scout”.

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers, Campers

The Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Repair Tape probably isn’t the most exciting gift but it is pretty useful for any hiker or camper who spends a lot of time outdoors.

This repair tape sticks to most materials used for manufacturing outdoor gear. It can be used to repair tents, tarps, jackets, rain gear, sleeping bags, and much more. It works for both punctures and tears. It can also be used to patch leaking seams, which might even be its most useful use case.

And costing less than 5 bucks this is perhaps one of the easiest and cheapest stocking fillers out there.

SUITABLE FOR: Backpackers

Most backpackers will take one or two luxuries on a backcountry trip. For some that is a comfortable pillow or a pair of down booties. For others it might be 750ml of red wine.

For those who love a tipple in the backcountry, the Platypus PlatyPreserve Portable Wine Bottle is the perfect gift. Sized perfectly for a bottle of wine and weighing just 0,8 ounces (22 grams) the bladders allows you to carry the luxury of wine with very little excess or burden. The soft bladder makes for easy packing on the trip out and once you are done enjoying the wine you can roll it up and stow it away.

GIFTS $12 to $30 — “YOU’RE A LITTLE SPECIAL”

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers, Campers

Every hiker should have a bottle of Nikwax Tech Wash and Waterproofing in their laundry. This stuff has become the household staple when it comes to maintaining the breathability and waterproofing of rain garments.

Every rain jacket looses its water beading qualities over time — which in turn limits breathability since the garment “wets out” in the rain. These Nikwax products help to clear out the dirt and reinstate the water resistant coating on your rain jacket or rain pants whilst avoiding any damage to the materials. Breathe new life into your gift recipient’s rain gear!

SUITABLE FOR: Backpackers

The trowel to redefine all trowels! The Tent Lab revolutionised backpacking trowels with their The Deuce #2 Ultralight Backpacking Trowel.

This backpacking trowel is now available in three weights — The Deuce #1 for seriously ultralight hikers (0.45 oz), The Deuce #2 for most recreational backpackers (0.6 oz), and The Deuce #3 for those who need a stronger trowel for tougher ground (1 oz). Unless you are buying this gift for the fiercest gram counting ultralight hiker go with the #2.

Thoughtfully designed and manufactured from aerospace-grade aluminum, this trowel is the epitome of functionality without excess. Every hiker and backpacker that heads into the backcountry will love this gift.

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers, Campers

Many of us are regular coffee drinkers. And being in the backcountry doesn’t always distract us from those desires. Luckily there are a bunch of nifty ultralight backcountry coffee solutions.

The MSR MugMate Coffee and Tea Filter is one of the best — a reusable filter that works for both coffee and tea and weighs only 1 ounce (28 grams). No need to carry paper filters. Just pour your coffee or tea directly into the stainless steel filter basket, cover it with hot water and let it steep. And the low profile means the filter can be stored inside most backpacking mugs when not in use.

SUITABLE FOR: Backpackers

Dry sacks are awesome — they provide a protective layer against the elements for your dry gear (clothing, sleeping bag, electronics), they help with organisation, and they are easier to deal with than an annoying backpack rain cover. They are useful for both day hikers and backpackers.

The Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sacks are my favorite dry sacks. They come in a variety of sizes (from 2 litre to 35 litre), conveniently distinguished by their different colors. The Ultra-Sil materials also provide the ideal balance between weight and durability. Either buy them one dry sack (e.g. for electronics) or buy them a whole set of sizes for all their backpacking gear.

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers

No backpacker can survive without water. And the Sawyer Micro Squeeze Water Filter is one of the lightest and most packable ways to ensure clean drinking water out on the trail. Weighing just 2 ounces the Micro Squeeze is one of the lightest water treatment options available (aside from purification tablets).

Claiming to have a lifespan of 100,000 gallons the Micro Squeeze should keep your gift recipient hydrated for a long time coming. For added longevity consider buying them some additional Squeeze Pouches. These usually break well before the filter ever does, so carrying a backup pouch is a wise idea.

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers

Socks aren’t the sexiest gift. But these socks are sure to keep any hiker happy.

Darn Tough socks are almost certainly best in class when it comes to hiking socks. And for less than $25 you can pick up an epic stocking filler.

Your choice of sock might depend on who you are buying for and what climate they hike in, but the Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew are a great all-rounder. Or for slightly warmer climates the Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew are the ideal choice.

GIFTS $30 to $50 — “WOW, WHAT A TREAT”

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers

The Joby GripTight ONE GorillaPod makes photography in the backcountry that much easier. It is a high quality smartphone tripod — but with flexible legs it can balance or claw onto a variety of objects, thereby allowing the perfect shot in many otherwise awkward situations.

Although there is a range of Joby GorillaPods available, the GripTight ONE GorillaPod is ideal for hikers due to its minimal size and weight. Weighing just 2.5 ounces (71 grams) the GripTight ONE GorillaPod is suitable for even a lightweight backpacker. Yet its flexible legs are still long enough to stand or grab on to many backcountry objects!

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers, Campers

Headlamps don’t get much better than this — the perfect compromise between weight, price and performance. If you are buying a gift for a camper or backpacker — even an lightweight backpacker or thru-hiker — then the Black Diamond Spot 325 headlamp is an awesome gift.

This headlamp is super bright, has a bunch of modes, great battery life, a locking mode, and is waterproof. And it is lightweight for it’s performance specs. It ticks all the boxes. It is the headlamp I recommend on my ultimate backpacking gear list. If they don’t have a high quality headlamp already, then they will be stoked on this one. The only thing to be wary of is that it isn’t USB rechargeable, which may be a positive (i.e. longer battery life and can switch batteries in the field) or negative (i.e. requires disposable batteries) depending on how you look at it.

SUITABLE FOR: Backpackers

A backpacking pillow can change your sleep in the backcountry. And the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow is so lightweight that any hiker can carry one on a backpacking trip. The regular size weighs just 2.7 ounces (77 grams).

The large and deluxe sizes would be more comfortable, but are probably getting a bit too heavy for a backpacker to want to carry. So I’d suggest sticking with the regular size.

If you think your beloved gift recipient has been roughing it up until now, then get them this pillow and upgrade their sleep in the backcountry.

SUITABLE FOR: Backpackers

If you like the idea of buying your gift recipient a backpacking pillow, but you think 2.7 ounces is too heavy, then consider the Zpacks Pillow Dry Bag.

It is a waterproof dry bag with a fleece lining on the inside. Turn it inside out and stuff it with a jacket or excess clothes and you have a soft pillow! It weighs just 1.4 ounces (40 grams), so should keep even the most obsessive gram counting backpacker happy. And since it doubles as a dry bag it doesn’t even need to be excess weight, since they can use it to store their sleeping bag during the day. A multi-purpose item… every ultralight backpacker’s dream!

If you think they would have a tall or large (e.g. winter) sleeping bag then perhaps consider getting the slightly larger medium-plus size.

GIFTS $50 to $100 — “HOLY SHIT, YOU LEGEND”

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers, Campers

If you are purchasing a gift for an outdoor enthusiast in the US, then a federal national parks pass might be ideal.

The “America the Beautiful” National Parks Pass entitles admission to more than 2000 federal recreation sites, including national parks managed by the National Park Service. It covers admission for up to four adults (if prices are charged on a per person basis) or one car and its passengers (if prices are charged per vehicle). Note that it only includes admission — fees for amenities or specific services (e.g. camping fees or trail permits) would have to be purchased separately.

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers, Campers

The Katadyn Steripen Ultra Water Purifier is one of the healthiest, lightest and simplest methods for treating water in the backcountry. Many people do not like using water purification tablets because they contain chemicals and water filters can be bulky to store and slow to use.

A Steripen on the other hand is easy to use, doesn’t involve chemicals and is relatively quick (90 seconds to treat one litre). It uses a UV lamp to sterilize 99.99% of protozoa, bacteria and viruses that might make us sick.

The Steripen Ultra is the ideal Steripen for most weekend style hikers since it provides an ideal balance between weight, battery life and usability. It weighs 4.9 ounces (140 grams) and has a USB rechargeable battery that should treat 50 litres per charge. It also has a rubber round seal at the bottom of the lamp that makes it useable with the smaller mouthpiece found on most disposable water bottles.

For hikers that do longer backcountry trips perhaps consider the Steripen Adventurer Opti. It weighs slightly less (3.8 ounces) and uses two CR123 batteries instead of a rechargeable battery (so they can carry spares in the backcountry). Unfortunately it doesn’t have a round rubber seal below the lamp though, so only really works with pots or bottles with wide mouthpieces (like Naglene bottles).

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers, Campers

VSSL Flashlights make some of the coolest outdoors gadgets around. Their flagship product is a 200 lumens multi-mode flashlight with tubing made from military grade aluminium — making it ultralight yet ultra-tough. Inside the waterproof tube you can get a variety of first aid or survival supplies, organised into neat little circular tins.

The VSSL Camp Supplies Mini is one of my favourite from the range — it contains a weather-resistant firestarter kit, rope & razor kit, sewing kit, and a small first aid kit — making it perfect for almost any outdoorsy man or woman.

Or if you don’t think the Camp Supplies Mini contains the perfect kit for your beloved recipient, then you can always build your own.

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers

The perfect gift for the hiker who might be getting into winter hiking but hasn’t bought all their kit. Microspikes are similar to crampons, but much less aggressive and more low profile. They are suitable as traction devices for snow or icy conditions. And the Kahtoola MICROspikes are perhaps the best microspikes on the market.

The Kahtoola MICROspikes are ideal because they are super durable but lightweight — they weigh between 11 and 13 ounces (310 and 380 grams) depending on the size. The best part is they can be used with almost any shoe or boot — even trail runners or hiking shoes. Just be sure to order the size that matches their footwear.

SUITABLE FOR: Backpackers

The much lighter alternative to a bear canister. The Ursack Major Bear Bag is ideal for situations where you are travelling in bear country but regulations don’t require that you use a solid bear canister.

The Ursack Major Bear Bag is made from a flexible material, making it much easier to fit into a backpack. But it is still tough. So tough that it is approved by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) and is included on their list of bear-resistant products.

The Ursack Major Bear Bag will store about 5 days of food. If you think your hiking friend will require more space then consider getting them the XL or 2XL version. If small insects and rodents are also a major concern then consider the Ursack AllMitey Bear Bag which is resistant to smaller punctures.

SUITABLE FOR: Backpackers

If you are buying for a keen backpacker who ventures out on overnight, weekend, or longer trips then they may love preparing their own dehydrated food for hiking. Especially if they like to trim ounces from their pack weight and travel ultralight.

The Nesco range of food dehydrators are a good starting point for hikers who want to dehydrate their own meals and snacks. They are cheap but reliable. The Nesco Snackmaster Express is the smallest in the range, whilst the Nesco Gardenmaster is larger, more powerful and has a timer shut off. Both models are sold with four trays included (enough to get them started), but can be expanded later on by purchasing additional trays.

SUITABLE FOR: Backpackers, Campers

An awesome gift for the backpacker who often complains about sleeping cold or cold feet. The Zpacks Goose Down Socks are booties filled with ultralight goose down. Weighing just 1.8 ounces (50 grams) but keeping your feet seriously cosy, they are great for extra warmth when sleeping or relaxing around camp.

Enlightened Equipment also make a similar pair which they fill with synthetic insulation rather than goose down and call Sidekicks. Expect the goose down ones to be slightly warmer, but the synthetic option will retain more loft if they get damp (e.g. you think they will regularly wear them outside around camp).

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers, Campers

It feels cheeky putting two VSSL flashlights on this list. But these products are so cool and such a novel gift that I couldn’t help it. And if the whole “survival supplies” thing doesn’t really work for your intended recipient, then the VSSL First Aid Mini might fit the bill.

It weighs in at under 10 ounces, has over 40 first aid supplies inside the waterproof military grade aluminium tube, and can be sold with or without the flashlight cap. It would be an ideal gift for most hikers, although an ultralight hiker, thru hiker, or other gram counting backpacker might find it overkill (or prefer to build this type of first aid kit themselves).

GIFTS OVER $100 — “HEY HIGH ROLLER”

SUITABLE FOR: Day hikers, Backpackers, Campers

An emergency beacon is the kind of thing that many hikers could do with, but often don’t invest it. So if you are looking to buy a big ticket item for a special someone, then Garmin inReach Mini might be the ideal gift.

The Garmin inReach Mini is both an emergency beacon and a two-way satellite messenger. To me this product represents a tipping point in this type of technology. The device itself is tiny — small enough to keep even the fiercest lightweight backpacker happy. Yet it doesn’t skimp of functionality.

The emergency beacon feature works globally using the Iridium satellite network and is monitored 24 hours a day on 365 days a year. But the best part about this gift is that it also allows for two-way text messaging via the satellite network. Whether it be communicating with emergency staff during a rescue operation, or just letting your loved ones know where you are camping tonight, the two-way messaging feature makes this device so much more powerful and versatile than a conventional emergency beacon.

And don’t let the tiny size of the Garmin inReach Mini fool you — its two-way messaging functionality is much more reliable than devices attempting this type of thing just a few years ago.

SUITABLE FOR: Backpackers

The Thermarest NeoAir Uberlite Sleeping Pad has redefined how lightweight an inflatable insulated sleeping pad could be. This sleeping pad is the latest in the NeoAir range and weighs in at a crazy 8.8 ounces (250 grams) for the size regular. For that weight you still get a comfortable 2.5 inch thick inflatable sleeping pad.

But the weight savings have to come from somewhere — and for the UberLite the sacrifice is reduced insulation. The UberLite has an R value of 2.3, which essentially means it is suitable for summer use, but not high altitude or cold weather.

If you are buying a gift for the backpacker who seems to have it all then the NeoAir UberLite might be the perfect gift. This is because most backpackers would only own one sleeping pad and therefore would have likely opted for a more “all round” sleeping pad with a warmer insulation rating. Therefore the NeoAir UberLite might be the perfect surprise gift that allows them to lighten their load on summer trips.

SUITABLE FOR: Backpackers

The pinnacle of ultralight backpacking tents. The Zpacks Triplex is a fully enclosed single wall tent but weighs as little as an ultralight tarp. It weighs just 21.9 ounces (622 grams) excluding poles and stakes. It is also huge for its weight — the Triplex fits two hikers very comfortably. Or for a single hiker the smaller Zpacks Duplex is a palace.

This tent is best for a hiker who uses trekking poles, since they can double at the tent poles. But if you are purchasing this tent for someone who doesn’t use trekking poles then tent poles can be purchased separately. There is also a Duplex Freestanding Flex Upgrade for the Duplex tent, if they tend to camp in places where stakes can’t easily be used.

SUMMARY

Hopefully you’ve found the perfect gift somewhere amongst this list of gift ideas for hikers and backpackers.

But if not or you aren’t quite sure which of these items will best serve your beloved gift recipient, then perhaps consider an REI Gift Card (or an equivalent gift card from an outdoor retailer in your country).

With so many REI stores across the United States and a huge range of awesome hiking and lightweight backpacking gear, they will no doubt be able to put the gift card to good use!

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Happy hiking, and take care out there in the wild!