Top 29 Gifts for Hikers, Backpackers, and Campers • The Hematoma

If you’re reading this right now, I’m guessing you know somebody who is super into hiking, but you’re not quite into hiking yourself. We all know the stress of finding the perfect gift for a loved one all too well, but don’t worry — I’ve got your back. Hikers, backpackers, campers, and all around outdoor lovers are actually really easy to shop for, believe it or not.

There are whole stores devoted to the sale of camping and outdoor gear (I love you, REI ), and if the hiker you’re thinking of is anything like me, they want everything in that store. To narrow things down a bit, I took the liberty of compiling a wishlist of all things hiking-related that would make a perfect gift for that special hiker in your life.

Inexpensive Gifts $

1. Darn Tough Socks

I asked a backpacking group on Facebook what they would like to receive as a gift, and a large majority answered that they would want hiking socks. Crazy right?

It might sound boring, but the thing about hiking socks is that you can never have too many of them. Also, hiking can sometimes require a lot more expensive gear, so socks often fall through the cracks even though they’re completely essential.

Darn Tough socks are especially nice because they offer an unconditional, lifetime warranty for an already high-quality product.

2. Groove Life Ring

This gift is for the hiker who gets puffy hands or complains about jewelry while hiking.

Groove Life Silicone Rings are so comfortable and non-restraining, that you might not even notice you’re wearing it at all.

They’re also safer, because they’ll break before getting caught or trapped in anything, unlike most wedding bands. So you very well could save a finger by wearing a Groove Life ring instead.

3. Stowaway Packable Waistpack

Eddie Bauer’s whole stowaway line is super convenient. I especially like the Stowaway Packable Waistpack for short hikes, when I don’t need a backpack.

Instead of carrying my keys, sunglasses, and phone in my pockets where they could fall out and get lost, I use the waistpack to carry my belongings.

4. Enamel Camping Mug

An enamel camping mug is a great way for a backpacker to show off his or her personal style while out on the trail. There are so many options for fun and unique designs that are campfire and stovetop safe.

It’s also really fun to use at home to remind yourself of all the future adventures you’ll go on.

5. Backpacking Spoon

This is another gift that, while it might not sound that exciting, is completely essential for backpacking.

Give your backpacker a reason to think about you every time they stop for a meal by gifting them this long handle backpacking spoon that can reach every corner of their rehydrated meal in a bag.

6. Backpacking Food & Snacks

Better yet, gift your backpacker the sustenance that keeps them going on their journey. If you can’t cook for them out on the trail, there’s no reason you can’t still ensure they eat a yummy meal!

There are so many options for freeze dried backpacking meals. If I received this as a gift I would love trying a bunch of different flavors, or getting a pack of any of my favorites by Mountain House (e.g. breakfast skillet, biscuits & gravy, and granola with milk).

7. Nalgene Water Bottle + Big Cup Holder

Every hiker you’ve ever known has probably owned a Nalgene water bottle at some point in his or her life.

They’re lightweight and you can find them in every outdoor store, making it a very classic water bottle for hikers to reach for. There’s no such thing as having too many of them, and there are so many different colors and designs that it’s hard to resist buying more.

Even if your hiker has one already, they’ll be more than excited to get another. As an add-on, you can also gift a cup holder adaptor so the new Nalgene they got can fit in their car’s center console.

8. First Aid Kit

Let your hiker know that you’re thinking of them even from the deepest depths of nature.

Everyone needs a First Aid Kit at some point during their travels. Make sure your hiker is prepared with a fully-stocked kit in their pack to help him or her get through those tough times.

9. Smartphone Tripod / Selfie Stick

For the solo hikers or hiking couples who can never get photos of themselves on their amazing adventures, a compact smartphone tripod will come in handy.

There’s no better way to immortalize the memories of the places you’ve encountered than with a selfie you can love and cherish forever.

10. Toiletry Bag

Make packing easy and organized by gifting your hiker a toiletry bag so he or she can store all their small items in an easy-to-locate bag.

11. Serengetee Mystery Tee Pack

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A post shared by Serengetee (@serengetee) on Jul 28, 2020 at 12:30pm PDT

You can’t go wrong with a Mystery Tee Pack from Serengetee. Each pack comes with up to four unique and nature-inspired graphic tees, that will let your hiker rep the outdoors everywhere they go.

The mystery packs, which are priced at less than half the cost of individual items, can also be bought for tie dye tops, long sleeves, and sweatshirts.

Use code HEMA at checkout for 20% off your order.

12. National Park Poster

Fuel the excitement for adventure even while at home or in the office with a National Park Poster.

Remind your hiker of all the great times and beautiful sights they’ve seen by having them scratch off each National Park they’ve been to. However, be prepared for more hiking, as they’ll likely remember all the new places they also want to scratch off.

13. Battery Pack

A portable battery charger probably won’t save your life in an emergency (there typically isn’t any cell phone service on trails), but it sure will keep you snapping photos for the whole hike. They’re especially useful for hikers who download trail maps to their phones. For this reason, it would be a very thoughtful gift to give.

14. Accumobility Ball

If your loved one has been in the hiking game for a few years, there is a chance they may also experience muscle pain. Whether it’s tight leg muscles from the intense activity, or stiff traps from carrying a heavy backpack.

Out of all the muscle relief tools I’ve tried, the Level 2 Accumobility ball is my favorite. They can be used in so many different ways to relieve tension (check out their Instagram). I, myself, have been able to relieve all my back and trap pain solely with the use of a pair.

15. Camping Chair

Some backpackers prefer not to bring the unnecessary weight of a chair on a hike. However, that doesn’t stop anyone from wanting one!

Camping chairs are so convenient to bring, and really fun to put together. They’re great for picnics and sitting around the fire.Even if your hiker doesn’t bring it with them on the trails, they will make good use of it in all their adventures outdoors.

Mid-Range Gifts $$

1. Coffee Makers for the Trail

Backpackers who are also coffee connoisseurs may or may not die a little bit inside every time they drink instant coffee on the trail. Instead, give your backpacker a taste of the luxuries that trail coffee can offer with a Nanopresso, AeroPress Go, or a Collapsible Pourover. The Nanopresso makes drinking espresso possible in remote areas, while the AeroPress Go and pourover both create their own unique-tasting cup of coffee.

2. Headlamp

The gift of light can be another handy tool to have on the trail, especially when hiking after sunset.

Make sure your hiker finds their way home safely even on days that last just a little bit longer than expected, by gifting him or her a headlamp. Look for one that is at least 200 lumens and up to 600 lumens in strength, which is perfect for night hiking.

3. Trekking Poles

For hikers who enjoy trails with steep inclines and declines, trekking poles can offer much needed stability and support for the knees.

Make sure you look for one that is adjustable to accommodate the changes in terrain, and that is made of aluminum for maximum durability.

4. Chaco Sandals

Chacos are great water shoes, but are also nice for giving your feet a rest once you’ve settled down and made camp.

They’re so convenient, that they’ve become somewhat of a style icon for relaxing. With so many functionalities, any hiker would be happy to receive a pair as a gift.

5. ENO Hammock

You can also enhance your hiker’s ability to relax after putting in some miles, by gifting him or her an ENO Hammock.

There’s nothing better than taking in the beauty of nature from the comfort and quietness of a hanging bed.

6. Base Layer

Keep that special hiker in your life warm even on the coldest days with Under Armour’s ColdGear Base.

It comes in varying levels of warmth, with 1.0 being the least warm and 4.0 being the most warm. The grid interior and moisture-wicking technology will keep them comfortable, and make any hiking feat possible through the doldrums of winter.

7. Packable Rain Jacket

A rain jacket can help prevent a hike from going completely miserable when the weather changes for the bad.

Gift your hiker an Eddie Bauer packable rain jacket, so he or she can always have it stowed away in their pack, ready for any unexpected changes.

8. Leatherman Rebar Multitool

Name something more handy than a multi-tool, I’ll wait. There aren’t many! That’s because Leatherman managed to pack 17 useful tools into 4 inches. For only 6.7 oz., you can have pliers, a knife, bottle opener, screwdriver, and more right at your fingertips.

High-End Gifts $$$

1. Sunglasses

Keep your hiker looking cool, while also protecting their precious eyes with a nice pair of sunglasses. Look for sunglasses that provide 99%+ UV protection, which will prevent eye damage during those days of high sun exposure.

2. Sleeping Bag / Tent

If you’re willing to do some digging to figure out what kind of sleeping bag and/or tent your loved one is looking for, a LOT of backpackers in the Facebook group I mentioned above also said they would love to receive one as a gift.

Sleeping bags and tents can be a very touchy subject though – everyone has their own opinions about the specific type they want for a backpacking trip. So I won’t give any recommendations, besides checking out Backcountry.com.

On the contrary, if you know your backpacker is sometimes strapped for cash, they would be very appreciative of any sleeping bag or tent you buy for them, because they tend to be the priciest pieces of gear.

3. Garmin Fēnix 6

If your hiker is someone who “already has everything he needs,” there’s a good chance he or she doesn’t have a Garmin Fēnix 6.

This watch is super extra, but very helpful for tracking health and fitness stats. It also features navigation, safety, weather, and music apps, among so many other things. It’s a high-powered watch with excellent functionality and battery life.

It would make a great addition to anyone’s hiking gear. However, it can be pretty pricy. Luckily the older versions of the Fēnix still have the most essential features, for a significantly lower price.

4. Garmin inReach Mini

Sometimes going off the grid while hiking is not always ideal – particularly in the case of an emergency. Make sure your hiker is prepared for the worst with a satellite messenger, like the Garmin inReach Mini.

This device allows the user to trigger an SOS signal to Search and Rescue, and send two-way text messages to any cell phone (requires a subscription). But the features don’t stop there, it also has the ability for navigation and tracking, weather forecasts, and device connectivity.

Gifting an inReach Mini is a gift of safety to your beloved hiker.

5. DJI Osmo Mobile 3

Go one step further than a smartphone tripod, and gift your hiker a smartphone handheld gimbal.

Creating smooth, stabilized footage with your phone becomes a breeze, and facial recognition makes taking photos and videos of yourself even easier with the DJI Osmo Mobile 3.

6. GoPro Hero 8

Even better yet, the compact and high-quality nature of an action camera will make sure that your hiker is able to catch every memorable moment out on the trail. From sunrises at the summit, to wildlife sightings, and other memories, they’ll forever perpetuate their time through photo and video.

At the end of the day, hiking people tend to be pretty chill individuals. Your special hiker will be happy with whatever you get him or her. However, if you are looking for even more gift ideas, you can check out my Day Hiking Gear Checklist for other essentials they might need.

If you have any specific questions regarding hiking gifts, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.

Until next time, happy gifting and I hope to see you out there on the trails!

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