Leave a Comment / Gear Guide / By Tiffany
Tiff here! I have been an avid hiker and backpacker for 9 nine years now, and I have tested out a lot of products over the years. Here are some of my favorites that would make for a nice gift, whether it’s for the holidays or a birthday or just to say thank you.
I appreciate practical gifts and as I imagine other hikers typically do too. We want gear we can actually use and as an ultralight hiker, I am all for things that serve a purpose and to not carry extra and unnecessary weight. Keep reading to see my recommendations of practical gifts for the outdoorsy human in your life. I’m going to keep this short and simple with a life.
This is not specific to the holidays, but there are currently a lot of sales. This guide may be constantly updated as I discover more high-quality must-have gear so bookmark this to check on for your next gifting opportunity!
Current Holiday Sales 2023
Moosejaw: extra 25% off sale items
Ends Dec 19, 2023
Backcountry: 20% off one full-price item + extra 20% off sale items
Ends Dec 19, 2023
REI: up to 50% off select items
Ends Dec 18, 2023
Eddie Bauer: 50% off + 40% off First Ascent Items
EB also has a gift card special until Dec 25, 2023 – buy $100 gift card and get a $20 bonus
How to use the guide: gifts are listed in the price categories, but for a detailed description of why I love it (or if it’s over $100), I’ve categorized gifts by the type of hiker that it best suits. See table of contents. Some items may be listed in more than one section.
Gifts Under $50
- Merino Wool Socks – Darn Tough and Eddie Bauer both have good options
- Nitecore Rechargeable Headlamp
- Salt & Stone SPF 30 Sunscreen Stick
- Peak Refuel Titanium Spork
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear Attachable Shoulder Pocket
- Clif Energy Chews – these would be great stocking stuffers!
- Matador Fanny Pack/ Sling
- Matador Travel Towel
- Selfie Stick Tripod for Cell Phone
- Thermarest Seat Pad
- Big Agnes Backpacking Pillow
- Kula Pee Cloth
- Merino Wool Buff
- The North Face Cable Minna Beanie
- Hydro Flask Camping Wine Tumbler
- Stanley FlowState Tumbler 40 fl oz – good for travel
- Adventure Books:
- Edge of the Map – this book inspired me to try mountaineering; great read for women interested in mountaineering
- The Last Season – one of my favorite books about a ranger who went missing in the Eastern Sierra
Gifts Under $100
- REI Gift Card – not sure what to gift? A gift card makes it easy and REI has numerous stores all over the country and online shopping. Members who buy a $120 gift card until Dec 14 will get a 15% digital bonus card!
- National Park Pass
- Nitecore 10000mAh power bank – the carbon fiber frame keeps it lightweight at 5.29 oz for 2-3 full charges
- REI Flannel/ Fleece Blanket – I’ve had this for only a week and have used it everyday since I got it
- Kahtoola Microspikes – I’ve been using these for six years and love them! Their customer service/ warranty dept was also amazing when I had to get it fixed last year.
- Pingora Remote Z 20 Day Pack – the design of this hiking backpack is thoughtfully built with a running-style harness to provide easy-to-access front pockets for longer hikes. It’s my current favorite day pack!
- Outdoor Research Gaiters – these are great if you plan to hike in snow
- Laptop Travel Sleeve (Waterproof) – the attached zipper pockets make organization easy for frequent travelers
- Lululemon Wunder Train Leggings – one of my favorite everything leggings. These compress well and are great for working out and lounging.
Gifts for Those Who Run Cold
I run cold, very cold! Probably more cold than anyone you will ever meet. But cold weather activities like ice climbing have become a favorite now because I’ve discovered to secret to staying warm in the winter and I am sharing the best gear to keep you warm outdoors:
General Gifts for Cold Weather
- Merino Wool Buff
- REI Flannel/ Fleece Blanket – This blanket is amazing! I use it at home but it’s so cozy and warm and not too small and only $59.95 – it’s a great gift idea!
- Teva Slip On Camp Booties – great for running errands and casual wear in the cold too
- Camelbak Stainless Steel Travel Bottle – it comes with different lid options and is perfect to pack a hot drink for snow adventures (I typically choose chicken bone broth)
- Gloves – these have touch capabilities to work with smartphones
- Eddie Bauer Lodge Down Mittens – currently on sale for $27.50
- Hand Warmers – I prefer the Asian ones. I grew up with these and they last for 24 hours. Most American ones last about 10 hours, some up to 18 hrs. I don’t trust the electric ones and the fancy gas ones have failed me. I always come back to this one.
Cold Weather Gifts for Hikers and Active People
- Eddie Bauer Crossover Winter High-Rise Leggings – Brushed with fleece for extra warmth for cold weather hikes + they have pockets
- Heated Mittens – I prefer heated mittens over gloves because the separated fingers are harder for me to warm when I’m already cold. They aren’t the cutest but they actually work.
- Patagonia Capilene Air Hooded Baselayer Top – this is one of my favorite active winter baselayers. It’s super light, breathable, warm, and has a high neck that can double as a buff when it’s not windy. The knitted design makes it very breathable and you may want a warmer buff on colder days
- Ridge Merino’s Aspect High Neck Baselayer Top – this high neck doubles as a neck gaiter so you no longer need to pack a buff
- Down booties – this is the perfect gift for cold-weather campers! See my gear review for what makes Feathered Friends the best down booties here.
Gifts for Hikers Who Want to Learn Mountaineering
If you live in SoCal and plan to climb Baldy Bowl this winter, this list is for you! But here are the most basic essentials to help the thrill-seekers in your life get geared up for their first climb.
- Petzl Crampons – I’d recommend Petzl because as you progress in your mountaineering journey, you may need to upgrade to different types of crampons and Petzl is all interchangeable in parts. Plus I had unpleasant experiences with other brands
- Petzl Ice Axe
- Womens Mammut Softshell Pants
- The North Face Parka – the best parka for mountaineering and high-altitude climbing expeditions
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear Prism Pack
Gifts Every Hiker Should Have
These are some hiking essentials every hiker should have that make great gifts, but they are not the only hiking essentials a hiker will need.
- Nitecore Rechargeable Headlamp
- Pingora Remote Z 20 Backpack – a solid day pack is essential and this one is thoughtfully designed for convenience and comfort *30% off sale until 12/25 with code tistheseason*
- Himali Eclipse Sun Shirt – this is the number 1 underrated item every hiker needs to have but does not know it yet. Read more about why you need this in my Summer Hiking Essentials blog post here & get 10% off your Himali order with code Followtiffsjourney
- Sunday Afternoons Sun Hat – I’ve tested dozens and always come back to the Charter hat because the brim is the perfect size and stays propped up to provide ample shade
- Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boots – great choice of waterproof hiking boots
- Merino Wool Socks – Darn Tough is always a great choice and I prefer Eddie Bauer for warm weather/ if I know I will be moving fast and sweating.
- Eddie Bauer MicroTherm FreeFuse Stretch Down Hooded Jacket – one of my favorite warmer down jackets. It’s very similar to the Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Jacket which I also love.
- Garmin InReach Mini – the SOS feature on this satellite device will give you peace of mind, especially for solo and new hikers
- US National Park Pass – this can be used at more than 2000 federal recreation sites including Angeles National Forest in LA
- Matador SEG45 Travel Pack – this duffel backpack is great for travel, not so much hiking. It allows for easy organization with the segmented compartments and has a hidden laptop sleeve too.
Gifts for Her
- Merino wool underwear – My top 2 are Branwyn and Ridge Merino. See my guide on Best Women Hiking Underwear here.
- Kula Pee Cloth
- Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights – these are my number one leggings and every female hiker should consider them. If you like to climb, scramble, booty-scooch, sit on rocks, or just fall a lot… you need this. The reinforcement fabric on the knees and butt are very durable so you no longer have to put holes into your favorite regular leggings.
- Eddie Bauer Fireside Plush Fleece – this is my go-to cozy at-home sweater, it feels like you’re wearing a blanket.
- Arcteryx Insulated Atom Hoodie
Gifts for Beginner Backpackers
- Sea to Summit Collapsible Bowl
- Pillow – an inflatable pillow that weighs 1.6 oz? Yes please. This is my personal luxury item
- Osprey Aura AG 50 – this was my first overnight camping backpack and I loved it (still have it). The antigravity suspension makes it very comfortable which provides a good experience for new backpackers and it’s also very durable.
Gifts for Hikers Who Want to Try Ultralight Backpacking
These are the top gift ideas for hikers who want to go ultralight but you can learn more about tips to transitioning into an ultralight hiker and backpacker on my Ultralight Gear Guide here.
- Big Agnes Tiger Wall Tent – 2 person backpacking tent
- Katadyn BeFree Water Filter
- Katabatic Gear 30 degrees quilt
- Peak Refuel Titanium Spork – long spoon for backpacking meals
- Handheld Scale to weigh your backpack
Gifts for Campers Who Care Are a Little “Extra”
- Fairy lights for your tent will up your camping game
- Solo Stove Bonfire Pit – great option if you don’t like to build your own campfire pits
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