There is little better than giving a gift that helps support someone you love to continue doing what they love. Finding the right gift can be challenging. There are so many options out there and everyone has their own preferences, especially when it comes to outdoor gear.
If you know someone who loves the outdoors as much as I do, here are some great gift ideas that might help you support the outdoor enthusiast in your life.
Gifts for Hikers & Campers
Cooking & Food
- A Water Purifying System like the MSR Guardian Purifier, LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Water Filter System, or Sawyer Filter System
- Tasty fuel for hiking all the miles or sitting around camp, like EPIC Bars or Wonderful Pistachios
- Prepared Meals such as AlpineAire Foods, Backpacker’s Pantry, Mountain House
- AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press for that coffee lover
- Travel-size hot sauce to help flavor those freeze-dried meals like the Yellowbird Organic Hot Sauce
- Camping Stove like the JetBoil Flash Cooking System for backpacking or the Coleman Cascade Classic Stove for car camping.
- Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness for the hiking companion
Clothing
- Multifunctional Bluffs
- Socks – never underestimate the power of a good pair of socks as a gift. Smartwool, Darn Tough Vermont, and Balega are some of my favorite brands
- Dixxon Flannel for that plaid lover
- Merino Wool Beanies
Relaxation
- Eno Hammock
- A fleece or wool blanket
- Backpacker Watercolor Kit
Tools
- Trekking Poles such as REI Co-Op’s Traverse Trekking Poles or any of the Leki Poles
- Pocket Bellows
- Mag Fire Starters (like this Zippo Mag Strike or Lightning Strike)
- Compressed Dry Sack Bags (many different sizes and colors available)
- Carabiners
- Portable USB Charger
- Hatchet
- BioLite AlpineGlow Lantern – provides light 360 degrees and has multiple modes to accommodate for different lighting conditions
- Snowshoes or skis
Safety
- Bear Spray & Holster
- Headlamp like the Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp or the PETZL IKO Core Headlamp
- Poison Oak & Ivy Cleanser
- Tick Removal Tool
- Foot & Hand warmers
- Olight Flashlight – these are amazing flashlights, with multiple modes including “moonlight” dim and super bright.
- Pocket Guide to First Aid
Making Memories
- A donation in their name to their favorite trail system
- Trail pass to local parks
- Gift card to favorite campground or state park
- Mini Travel Journal
- REI Gift Card – Let them choose
Gifts for Trail Runners
Buying from runners can be tricky. Runners are particular about the gear they use and no two runners are the same. These are general ideas that might work well for any runner.
Food & Drinking
- Hydration Bottles such as HydraPak SoftFlask or Hydro Flask Lightweight
- Favorite Fuel – I like Honeystingers, Gnarly, Applesauce Pouches, and Peanut Butter M&Ms. Other options include UCANN, Tailwind, and Spring Energy. There are numerous options out there.
- A cookbook focused on fueling a busy lifestyle such as Run Fast, Eat Slow, Meals on the Run, or Racing Weight Cookbook.
- Electrolyte drinks like Tailwind, Nunn, or Gnarly Hydrate
Clothing
- Socks such as Balega Running Socks or XOSkin Toesocks
- Shoes or a gift card from their local running store
- Bandanas or Buffs
- Fleece Lined Gloves like these Smartwool ones
- Leggings or Shorts from their favorite brands like Under Armour, XOSkin, or Janji
- OOFOS Slide Sandals for recovery/post run
Relaxation
- Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness by Steve Magness
Tools
- Foam Roller such as TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller – post run and important for mobility
- Pro-Tech Atheltics Spiky Massage Ball – Post run
- Shokz Open-Eared Headphones
- Goodr Polarized Running Sunglasses – lots of fun styles and are incredibly light and comfortable
- Portable USB Charger
- Hydration Pack like the Salomon Adv Skin 5 or Ultimate Direction Hydration Pack
- Leki Trail Running Poles for those long races with lots of elevation
Safety & Recovery
- Headlamp like the Petzl IKO Core
- Waistlamp like the Ultraspire Lumen 600
- KT Tape
- Epson Salts
- Anti-chafe protectants such as Squirrel Nut Butter or Bodyglide
- Visible items such as lights or reflective vests
- Gift card for Inside Tracker for the data-loving runner
Making Memories
- Money to go toward their next race
- Bid and/or Medal Hangers
- A custom ornament with their favorite accomplishment of the year