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If they’re anything like me, the eager hiker in your life probably gets rather excited about such (mundane to some) products as wool socks, so don’t be afraid to get them something gorp-y as a gift. To help you decide, I’ve combed through our archives to find Strategist-staffer REI must-haves, as well as recommendations from the many hiking and camping experts we’ve tapped over the years. You’ll find gifts suitable for beginner hikers, as well as those who were christened with trail names while completing the PCT last fall. I’ve even found gifts for snowshoers and bikepackers, if you’re shopping for someone who’s particularly adventurous. Look out for an ultralight folding table that takes up virtually no backpack space, gloves and electric hand warmers for winter hiking, the affordable headlamp beloved by two Strategist writers, and a bottle opener that can also hammer tent stakes. I’ve broken down these gift suggestions by price, and separated hiking clothing from general hiking gear.
Update on September 17, 2024: Removed Cascade Wild Ultralight Table; updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Giftable hiking clothing under $100
Because there’s nothing worse than being attacked by flies, gnats, and mosquitos on the trail, here’s a head net that your hiker can take out on their adventures.
Gaiters would make a thoughtful gift for hikers in cold and rainy climates. Pacific Crest Trail Association communications director Scott Wilkinson calls them “a fantastic piece of gear” for insulating your legs, keeping snow out of your shoes, and avoiding snags when heading off-trail, and Kindra Ramos of the Washington Trails Association adds that they’re “much easier to take on and off” than rain pants.
Our best overall pair of gloves for both men and women are warm and highly touchscreen-compatible. Mine were indispensable on a five-day trek through Chilean Patagonia.
These size-inclusive Halle Pants from PrAna can go from the trail to a less dressy business meeting, which makes them a versatile gift. I’ve worn mine hiking, sailing, and shopping downtown.
Our favorite wool socks for both getting outside and shuffling around your apartment, Darn Toughs are also recommended by eight hiking experts as an essential piece of clothing for those who are just getting into hiking.
For a winterized base-camp shoe, look no further than Teva’s cozy ReEmber shoes, which are basically outdoor slippers made from upcycled materials. Chase Anderson, industry relations manager at Utah State University’s Outdoor Product Design and Development program and creator of the Outdoor Recreation Archive, says there’s “nothing better” than slipping your feet into a pair of these after playing in the backcountry.
These microspikes might be an appreciated accessory if your hiker is looking to hit the trails this winter. Girl Gotta Hike NYC founder Melissa Goodwin says that Kahtoolas are a reliable, “tried-and-true” option for increasing traction on icy, slippery surfaces.
Merino wool is a must when it comes to cool-weather hiking gear. REI’s virtual-outfitting team lead Forrest Jarvi tells us that this winter-hiking-appropriate beanie is “extremely comfortable and fits well under a helmet if you’re backcountry skiing.”
This transforming hat has a draping “cape” that will protect your hiker from the sun. When the cape snaps off, the hat becomes a breathable baseball cap with practical mesh panels on the sides.
Giftable hiking clothing over $100
This expert-recommended rain jacket packs down to the size of a tennis ball — perfect for hikers looking to save space in their packs while staying prepared for any surprise downpours.
Brooklyn-based, women-owned hiking brand Hikerkind makes trail-to-street clothing in appealing earth tones. This collared fleece (that could be worn when section hiking the AT or sheltering from office air conditioning) has been on my own wish list for a couple of years — and it now comes in a new blue colorway.
Hikers are serious about their base layers, and merino wool is the gold standard when it comes to warmth and breathability. Chyla Anderson, founder of the outdoor representation company Outdoorism, calls her Smartwool merino base layers “much softer and cozier than others I’ve tried” and adds that they don’t itch, either.
If your hiker is upgrading from sneakers or replacing a worn-out pair of boots, Merrell’s iconic Moabs are a versatile option that’ll work for almost everyone.
These very special sneakers are beloved by trail runners in the know, and they can also be worn in everyday life. Says Field Mag founder Graham Hiemstra of his pair: “I get compliments from the UPS guy, from the bodega man, at the climbing gym, and from the older gentlemen in line at the coffee stand.”
For adventurous hikers tackling icy trails, this lightweight but highly durable pair of snowshoes from MSR would make for a pretty special gift. Goodwin calls them “the best of the best,” adding that while they “come at a pretty high price tag, they will last forever.”
Giftable hiking gear under $100
The bikepackers in my life are evangelical about this simple folding pour-over device that fits standard conical coffee filters. It’s far lighter and more compact than an Aeropress and, unlike similar portable drippers, isn’t made with delicate mesh that can get pierced easily in a backpack full of gear.
One-liter Smartwater bottles are improbably popular among thru-hikers because they’re lightweight, easy to sip from, and cheap to replace. Attaching this measurement sticker to the outside helps track water consumption on the trail, which is handy for rationing purposes and when cooking freeze-dried meals.
Winter hiking calls for Hot Hands, but those probably aren’t the classiest gift. Instead, here’s a reusable and rechargeable hand-warming gizmo that’ll last for years.
This small piece of plastic makes peeing in the woods much more dignified for those of us who would otherwise have to take off our backpacks to do so. “It’s one of my favorite pieces of outdoor gear designed for women, queer, trans, and nonbinary folks who were assigned female at birth,” says Travis Clough, director of trip operations at the Venture Out Project.
One of our Best in Class picnic blankets, this packable rug would also make a great hiker gift. I’m a fan of the tiny but mighty built-in corner stakes, which make it easy to stretch the fabric into a taut, waterproof surface when you’re on the trail.
An “obsessed” reader contacted me about this inflatable camping pillow with a concave design that supports the neck. “I’m a middle-aged backpacker and after buying one a few years ago, I’ve never slept better in the woods,” she says, adding that it has since become her go-to gift for fellow hikers and travelers.
This discreet reusable rag will save your hiker from having to contend with toilet paper on the trail. It can be kept folded in half with snap buttons to prevent the cloth’s wiping side from touching anything in your hiker’s backpack.
Another piece of gear that makes going to the bathroom outdoors easier and more sanitary is a cathole trowel. This one is nice and lightweight.
For summertime hikers, this mosquito repellent is a multitasker, keeping bugs at bay while masking any sweaty smells on the trail. In fact, with notes of vanilla and clove, the scent is so delicious that wearers have been known to use it as cologne.
Most camping chairs are too large and heavy for the trail, but this foam pad is easy to stash and comfy to sit on. Jimmy the Hiking Nerd has been using his for years and says that as well as a seat it has also functioned as “a makeshift pillow, windscreen for my stove, fan to get the campfire going, and a barrier against the snow.”
Both myself and fellow Strategist writer Jeremy Rellosa own this 35-gram rechargeable headlamp that can be tucked into a back pocket or stashed in a fanny pack. I particularly like how comfortable the thin elastic strap is compared to your traditional bulky one.
Any hiker would surely appreciate being gifted 12 months of maps. For advanced hikers plotting their trails, writer and distance hiker Amiththan Sebarajah recommends high-powered GPS app Gaia, a favorite of Death Cab for Cutie frontman (and avid trail runner) Ben Gibbard.
A good pair of hiking poles makes a huge difference on the trail, saving both your knees and energy reserves. Graham recommends these Cor-Tec trekking poles from Leki, and if you’re looking for something for the hiker obsessed with going ultralight, the brand also carries a pair of carbon-fiber poles.
A cheap but nice gift from coveted outdoor retailer Snow Peak, this spork is one your hiker will want to keep in their pack forever. “I carry this super-lightweight, utilitarian utensil everywhere,” says Field Mag founder Graham Hiemstra.
Similarly, this ultralight hammer from MSR is a relatively inexpensive gift that’ll last forever. Even with limited space, bikepacker Todd Nisbet tells us that he likes to bring his own along on every trip, explaining that it can hammer and pull tent stakes, as well as open beer bottles.
These lightweight little stuff sacks hand-sewn by Bronx-based indie hiking brand Allmansright are perfect for backpack organization. I use mine to bundle together my coffee-making supplies on the trail.
Sea to Summit’s larger dry bags, meanwhile, would make a highly practical gift for anyone you know embarking on a longer backpacking trip. As my fellow Strategist writer (and avid hiker) Jeremy Rellosa explains, they’re ideal for keeping extra layers, food, electronics, and printed materials safe and sound: “Even if there aren’t torrential downpours in the forecast, having my things in a dry bag gives me extra peace of mind.”
If you’re buying for the hiker who already has everything practical that they need, treat them to a luxury item that they might not have already purchased. Clough likes to massage his muscles with one of these cork massage balls from Rawlogy that are eco-friendly and ethically produced.
Giftable hiking gear over $100
If they need a little more back support than the foam pad above allows, I love Helinox’s ultralightweight slingback chairs, which can hold up to 265 pounds while weighing just 1.8 ounces and packing into a compact size only slightly larger than a Nalgene bottle. Taking a chair on the trail would never have occurred to me until I tried out one of these.
For the day hiker or overnight backpacker, a lightweight but durable pack is an essential. Hiemstra calls this pack “perfect for day hikes, ultralight overnights, and running errands around town.”
Rhis cute little GPS device that will give your hiker some peace of mind in the backcountry. Useful even in nonemergency situations, the inReach Mini has smartphone pairing, allowing hikers to send texts when out of cell service.
For the hiker who wants to bring along a little one, this backpack from the expert-recommended brand Kelty doubles as an actually comfortable baby carrier.
With additional reporting by Kayla Levy
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