Are you looking to get the perfect hiking gift for the trail lover in your life? We know that finding the right hiking gift can be a challenge. Whether it’s for the outdoorsman looking to conquer the Appalachian Trail, the hut-to-hut hiker on the quest to trek the Dolomites, or someone in-between, our gift list is full of useful, practical, and unique hiking gift ideas for everyone.
BACKPACKING MEALS
Packing a slew of ingredients and meal preparation can sometimes be a hassle while you’re out in the backcountry. GOOD TO-GO is a women-owned business that makes scrumptious heat-and-serve type meals that are ideal to use during backpacking trips. These meals can be ready in as soon as 20 mins, and you have an assortment of different menus making to select from, making these a thoughtful gift for any hiker.
BLACK DIAMOND HIKING POLES
Black diamond is the gold standard for outdoor gear. These sturdy yet lightweight trekking poles can take a good beating, whether you’re out hiking 14’er or doing a multi-day hike at sea level. These poles have a comfortable grip and can be adjusted with ease. Hit the trails with confidence using these great trekking poles.
CAMELBAK HYDRATION BLADDER
Whether you’re on a fun day hike or a more strenuous multi-day backpacking trip, this CamelBak 3L hydration bladder is one item that we think is a must-have. It can be effortlessly inserted into any backpack and has a drinking tube that has an easy-to-operate on-off valve. Other noteworthy features are an ergonomic handle for easy refilling and an anti-microbial drinking tube and reservoir. All these awesome features make this a must-have item to take along on any outdoor excursion.
WANDERLUST: A HIKER’S COMPANION
Needing some ideas and inspiration to plan an epic hike? If so, grab a copy of this amazing book authored by Cam Honan. Cam is one of the world’s most prolific hikers and has explored some of the most rugged and remote trails around the world. The book is a compilation of both day hikes and long-distance hikes from all over the world. This is a make for great coffee table book and serves as a source of inspiration for planning your next adventure.
WATERPROOF RAIN JACKET
We’ve all experienced the sudden midday thunderstorm that catches you off-guard while in the backcountry. These unpredictable weather conditions call for a reliable rain jacket you can depend on. The North Face Resolve is a great jacket that can be used in such wet weather conditions and comes at a great price point. This jacket will last a long time and will not disappoint you!
OAKLEY SUNGLASSES
A pair of durable and quality sunglasses is one of the most useful items that every hiker should have in their arsenal. Glaring conditions on a trail can prevent you from enjoying an otherwise amazing backcountry trip. These polarized unisex Oakleys are both durable and stylish and come equipped with top-of-the-line, UV filtering lenses. The lightweight frame is also an added bonus. All these specs make these sunglasses makes a perfect gift that any hiker will appreciate.
PORTABLE ESPRESSO MAKER
The CONQUECO Portable Espresso Maker is an easy-to-use portable espresso maker that is the ideal gift for the nature lover who craves a shot of caffeine while on the trail. The compact nature of this device allows it to be placed easily in a cup holder or bottle holder in a backpack. It is also equipped with car and home chargers so you can use with both indoors and outdoors. The ability to use Nespresso and L’OR capsules make the CONQUECO Portable Coffee Maker an absolute must-have!
ALL-WEATHER NOTEBOOK
Whether you’re a travel blogger or just an avid writer, an all-weather notebook is something that comes in handy for documenting your adventures or any other type of field notes while outdoors. This weatherproof notebook will repel water and let your scribe in some of the most challenging weather conditions. This notebook is completely recyclable minimizing its impact on the outdoors in the event it is misplaced while traversing. A standard pencil or an all-weather pen can be used to write on this notebook making it a great gift for hikers!
HAND-MADE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SIGN
Reminisce all the wonderful moments spent with family and friends hiking at various amazing national parks with one of these cool Park Service signs. Ideal for both indoor and outdoor décor, these signs are crafted from boxwood and made in the good ol’ USA. If you are looking for a more unique and thoughtful hiking gift, these rustic signs would be ideal!
JETBOIL BACKPACKING STOVE
The Jetboil backpacking stove cooking system is a must-have tool that is a staple among most backpackers. It has three components to it; a push-button igniter, FluxRing cooking cup, and fuel canister stabilizer. Jetboil boasts that this device can boil water in as little as 100 seconds! While this cooking system by itself will cover all your cooking needs, Jetboil also has other complimentary addon items and utensils that make further enhances the capabilities of this cooking system. This is the perfect hiking gift that will take your backcountry cooking game to another level!
SWISS ARMY KNIFE
Hikers often encounter a plethora of situations that require them to be equipped with the right tools. There are very few tools that are as versatile as a Swiss Army Knife. Whether you need a scissor for cutting a band-aid wrap or a sharp blade to scale fish, this tool does not fail to deliver. It’s tough and durable yet compact and easy to carry making it the tool of choice for most outdoor adventurers.
MAVIC AIR 2 DRONE
Whether you’re traversing the Bugaboos of British Columbia or day hiking at a local State Park, there is no better device to capture these beautiful moments than the DJI Mavic Air 2 drone. Its state-of-the-art camera records high-quality footage (4k Ultra HD) and has a flight time of approximately 34 minutes. There are a variety of photo modes such as panorama, hyper-lapse, and other useful features such as obstacle avoidance and ActiveTrack that makes this an incredibly awesome gift for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
QUICK-DRY OUTDOOR TOWEL
Quick drying microfiber outdoor towels can be a game-changer when you are on a backcountry traverse. These compact towels a lightweight and dry incredibly fast. OlympiaFit microfiber towels come in a pack of three varying sizes and can be used as a sports towel at the gym or at yoga, as well as a camping towel. It is made using premium material and had three times the surface area of a standard towel.
OUTDOOR MEDICAL KIT
Plan ahead and prepare for possible emergencies by adding one of these mountain series medical kits to your hiking packing list. This kit includes a variety of different first-aid supplies and is packed in a way that is easily accessible. This kit comes in a water-resistant bag and the kit map that’s printed on the back of it visually depicts where each item is stored. Furthermore, this kit can cover a group size of up to four people. We love that this kit is compact yet comprehensive!
ALL-PURPOSE DRY SACK
In preparation for an outdoor adventure, one of the most overlooked items can be a waterproof dry sack. Dry sacks can ensure that electronics or other essential perishable items are protected from being exposed to harsh elements while you are in the backcountry. This 13L Sea-to-Summit All-Purpose Dry sack is a great mid-sized sack that allows for packing clothes, small electronic items, or food for up to one to two people.
INSECT REPELLANT SPRAY
Prevent bugs and ticks from ruining your meticulously planned hiking trip by using this insect repellant. The Sawyer Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent comes in a 9oz can that is convenient to carry and takes up very little space in your hiking pack. Here’s the best part: this spray can be used on clothing and any of your outdoor gear (tents, sleeping bags, etc.) and it kills ticks, mosquitoes, and more than 55 other kinds of insects. It should be noted that this repellant is best when applied to clothing and fabric. It is not effective when applied to the skin.
COLUMBIA HIKING SOCKS
Good hiking socks are key to preventing blisters and providing protection for your feet from the continuous friction against hiking boots. We like these Columbia hiking socks keeps because they are comfortable and also because their moisture-wicking nature protects your feet from fungus. This is a great present for outdoor walkers and hikers.
WEATHERPROOF MATCH KIT
This UCO Stormproof Match Kit can be a very useful item when you are out hiking or camping. these matches are windproof and will stay lit and burn during strong winds. They are waterproof which allows you to use them even while they are wet (just wipe them off prior to use!) Another great feature is that these matches are submersible. They can still be lit even after dropping into a puddle of water if there is phosphorus remaining on the match. Two spare strips of strikers come with a match kit and all these cool features make this perfect for extreme weather conditions and make it a unique gift for hikers.
THINKSPORT SUNSCREEN
Thinksport SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen is a water-resistant sun screen that ditches chemicals in favor of a mineral-based formula. The active ingredient in this product is Zinc Oxide, which is highly biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Prevent nasty sunburns during hiking by using this product in conjunction with other protective gear such as a hat and protective clothing.
ENTRENCHING TOOL
Entrenching tools are one of the most versatile and useful tools for both day hikes and multi-day backpackers. Disposing of human waste in the backcountry can be problematic, and the SOG E-tool is very useful in these situations. It is made from durable carbon steel and designed to handle extreme conditions. This entrenching tool also has a jagged edge for sawing wood and small branches if you want to build a campfire. With an overall length of 18.25 inches and a closed length of just 10 inches, this is a great gift for any hiker or adventurer.
EMERGENCY THERMAL BLANKET
Emergencies can strike at the most unexpected times, especially while you are outdoors. This blanket is designed to retain 90% of your body heat and it shields your body by blocking snow, moisture, and rain. What is great about this item is that it can also be used as a tourniquet, an arm sling, or even as an emergency shelter if you are stranded outdoors.
A POWER BANK
How many times have you been unable to use your electronic devices while outdoors because of low battery? Add this Dual USB fast charging power bank into your dry sack the next time you go out hiking and never have to worry about being unable to use phones or other devices. At 218g, this power bank is incredibly compact and nimble. It can charge your iPhone or Samsung phone more than twice and has USB, Micro USB, and USB-C inputs built-in. LED lights on the side of this device indicate how much power is remaining in the device. This is undoubtedly one of the best hiking gifts!
