Every year, my friends and family ask me the same question: “What do I get someone who’s always hiking, road tripping, camping, or flying across the country for their next adventure?” So I finally put together my ultimate outdoorsy gift guide with the gear I actually use, love, and recommend.
After visiting 57 National Parks, living in a van, and spending more days outside than inside, I’ve pretty much tested it all, the good, the bad, and the “wow, this changed my life.”
I’ve broken down this guide by price point from the splurge items to the small stocking stuffers. There’s something for everyone on this list!
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Ultimate Gift Guide for Outdoorsy Individuals
Splurge Gifts ($150+)
1. Travel Backpacks
There are a number of great travel backpacks on the market. There are backpacks for backpacking, hiking, and taking photos. But, there are a few backpacks I’ve had in the past few years that have really stood the test of time.
I’ve taken these bags with me as I lived in a van, journeyed through National Parks, and even occasionally flew abroad.
Both of these bags make the perfect gift, because they’re splurge items and your loved one probably doesn’t have one yet!
WANDRD PRVKE Bag ($175+)
I’ve wanted the WANDRD PRVKE Bag for years and I finally got it this year. It has made such a difference in my life!
It’s won multiple awards for a reason. There’s a padded laptop compartment, an upper roll top, and a lower compartment for camera gear, which makes it ridiculously easy to grab lenses when you’re shooting sunrise in a national park or running through an airport.
One of my favorite things is that you can get a waist strap, for the extra support on hikes or long travel days.
Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack ($200-250)
My husband and I actually own three Cotopaxi Allpa bags and we’ve relied on them for short weekend getaways, our safari trip in Kenya, and lived out of them when our van broke down in Banff. So, we have really tested them out and I think they are the best travel backpack on the market.
They fold open with zippers to compress items allowing you to organize your clothes on both sides of the bag. Plus, they have a water bottle holder, a laptop compartment, and an upper section to get to things easily.
It’s the perfect bag for the traveler in your life!
2. Garmin inReach Mini Satellite Phone ($400)
Although we want all of our adventures to go well, there’s no promises. Weather and accidents happen, so it’s best to be prepared. That’s why the Garmin Satellite phone is one of the best gifts for that outdoorsy person in their life.
It’s given us peace of mind as we’ve hiked miles out into the wilderness in places like Idaho without a single bar of service.
Garmin phones allow people to text and call in case of emergencies, even when there’s no signal anywhere to be found. We carry our Garmin on every single hike. While there are cheaper options, truly nothing is comparable to Garmin.
3. Adventure Camera
There are so many different types of adventure cameras in the market. So, choosing one may be difficult but I’m going to give my recommendations for the best ones that you can get now and what they’re used for.
GoPro Hero 13 ($430)
GoPro has been synonymous with action cameras for years and years. They were really one of the first big players on the market.
Their cameras have incredible lens and are the best for underwater sports, biking, or skiing. You simply strap them on and get ready to capture great content.
Insta 360 X4 ($550)
Honestly, this camera is still on my wishlist! The Insta 360 X4 captures 360 degree videos for some absolutely insane content. You can take it out while hiking, skiing, dirtbiking and so much more.
It really gets the full picture and it’s a game changer.
DJI Mini 4 ($299)
We got the DJI Mini 4 last year and it’s my new favorite camera. Drones are incredible, because they can get places that you can’t! The Mini 4 is lightweight and small, but has an incredible lense.
My favorite footage have been birds eye views of our van driving through Monument Valley or whales breaching down in Baja.
4. Coleman Camp Stove ($220)
Coleman stoves are a classic for a reason. They really make the best camp stoves, so that you can have a full, delicious meal even when you’re outdoors.
I have a lot of friends that live in vans, who used these for their daily meals and they work so well. I’ve always used them, even when I was a little girl going camping with my parents, the smell of pancakes cooking brings me back to those days.
5. Inflatable Paddleboard
One of my favorite items that we’ve bought in the past few years was an inflatable paddleboard. These boards are great because they fold up compactly, so you can bring them anywhere!
We had one when we lived in a van, so if we could fit it in our van, then you should be able to fit it somewhere as well. My husband even hiked it up 8 miles to an alpine lake once!
Choosing a paddleboard can be overwhelming because there are so many on the market. Bote Boards are slightly better than the rest, but my other two recommendations are below:
- Bote Inflatable Paddleboard – I’ve gotten to try this one at my friend’s lake house and it feels easier to move.
- Serene Life – This is the one we own and it’s taken us from lakes in Washington to the bays in Baja.
- ROC – My bestie has this one and we’ve used it to explore Montana.
Mid-Range Finds ($50-150)
1. Daily Adventure Shoes
As someone who lived in a van, I couldn’t have a lot of shoes. But, as an outdoorsy person these were the shoes that I consistently lived in throughout my time spent in the outdoors.
Besides my hiking boots, these were the shoes that I felt were necessities.
Blundstones ($209)
From Fall through the spring, I practically live in my Chelsea Classic Blundstones. They are the perfect shoe. They have great traction so you can take them out on the trails, but they also look nice, so you can wear them out to dinner.
One of my favorite parts about Blundstones is that they have a lifetime guarantee and really hold up over time. I’ve worn them in rain, snow, and sand. They’re simply the best.
The amount of times I’ve worn them through a muddy forest and then out to dinner is unmatched.
Birkenstocks ($50-150)
Another amazing shoe that your friend will love are Birkenstock sandals. There’s truly no better feeling than hiking 12 miles, throwing off your hiking boots and slipping into a comfy pair of sandals.
They’re super comfortable, generally go with most outfits, and can go from day to night. I love a shoe that does it all.
Tevas ($55-90)
Yet another outdoorsy shoe that will come in handy for your loved one! Tevas are the best sandals for anything involving water.
Do you want to hike through a canyon? Grab your Tevas. Want to go kayaking? Great, put on your Tevas. Just want to look outdoorsy? Wonderful, Tevas are practically the official uniform!
2. Hammocks ($30-100)
Now, you may not know it, but every single person could use a hammock in their life. You can just take it with you anywhere you go in the outdoors and set it up. Hang by a lake, bring it for your next camping trip, or simply set it up in the backyard.
These hammocks are so compact, that I bring them on my backpacking trips includind down the canyon in Havasupai.
They easily fit in my pack and are the perfect thing to lounge in. Over the years, I’ve been gifted a number of hammocks, so here are my favorite ones:
- ENO Double Nest– Perfect to snuggle up with your loved one and hang together.
- Wise Owl– A great hammock for a significantly lower price point. I love lounging in it.
3. Kelty Camp Chair ($150)
I am truly in love with my Kelty Loveseat. It’s the most comfortable camp chair and I can sit in it for hours reading, chatting, or just enjoying the outdoors.
I’ve always found camp chairs to be rather uncomfortable and poorly made. But, you really sink into this one. It’s almost hard to get back up!
4. National Parks Pass ($80)
I cannot have an outdoorsy gift guide without including the America the Beautiful Pass! This pass gives you year long access to all 63 National Parks, as well as over 1000 other Federal recreation sites.
If you are planning on exploring the outdoors in the US, then you absolutely need one! I get one every single year. It’s taken me to 57 National Parks, including some of my favorite places in the world like Glacier and the Tetons.
5. Base Layers ($50-110)
It can be really hard to shop for clothing for someone else. But one thing that your loved one could probably always use is more base layers.
If you really want to read all about my favorite hiking gear, you can find that here.
Base Layers are the layer of clothing you wear that’s closest to your skin. Because of this, you’ll want clothing that is breathable and moisture resistant. I have a few brands that I absolutely love for base layer tops and bottoms.
- Kari Traa– I absolutely love my Kari Traa base layers, because they’re super warm and comfortable. They’re made out of merino wool and are really well made, but that means they can be pricier.
- Smart Wool – I’ve probably worn my Smart Wool base layer upwards of 200 times and it’s one of my favorite pieces.
- REI Co-op Base Layer– My REI base layer was the first one I ever bought back in 2017 and I still use it to this day. It stands the test of time!
Affordable Items (Under $50)
1. Merino Wool Socks ($15-30)
I probably own around 10-15 pairs of Merino Wool Socks. They are the only socks I wear when we go hiking. Merino Wool is the best material because it’s absorbent, durable, and quick drying.
There are tons of different brands that make great hiking socks out of Merino Wool, but these are my favorites:
- Darn Tough Socks– These socks are super durable and hold up over years! One of the best brands on the market.
- REI Socks– REI offers different weights for the socks based on the activity and durability you need. I like wearing the lightweight ones when on a short trail.
- Smart Wool– They always make great wool products. These socks are sustainably made, which makes them even better!
2. Lifestraw Water Bottle ($45)
Honestly, anyone could use this water bottle! It’s the perfect water bottle to take with you on the go. It has a filter, so that you can make sure the water you drink is fresh and clean.
I love Lifestraw products and this one is still on my wish list!
3. Nomadix Quick Dry Towels ($20-45)
At some point when you’re exploring outdoors, you’re going to realize you need a towel and you don’t have one. However, with the Nomadix Quick Dry Towels, we are so much more likely to have them on hand!
They are super compact, absorbent, and sand resistant. I bring them with me on all my adventures these days!
4. Aeropress ($49.95)
If you’re loved one is a coffee lover, then this is the perfect gift for you! Aeropress actually makes the ultimate cup of coffee and all the packaging fits in one small container.
We’ve made Aeropress coffee on snowy mountain mornings, in dusty BLM campsites, and even in hotel rooms when the coffee is… questionable. But, the coffee is so good that we also make it in our own apartment.
There’s nothing better than starting the day with a warm cup of coffee during a crisp morning in the mountains!
5. Eye Masks ($15-40)
When you’re out traveling or camping outside, you may find it hard to sleep with all the different lights. I know that I do. So, I’ve started bringing a sleep mask for all of my travels.
There are tons on the m arket, but I really like the Manta eye masks, because they completely block out the light and are super comfortable.
I wear mine every night!
Stocking Stuffers
1. Snacks and Treats ($2-10)
Everyone loves opening up their stocking to get a sweet treat. But, if your loved one is an outdoorsy adventurer, there are a few specific snacks they may enjoy. My favorite suggestions are below:
- Yellowbird Hot Sauce Set– Yellowbird makes the BEST hot sauce in the market. This tasting set is great to take on the go or on a backpacking trip!
- Honey Stinger Chews or Waffles– Dylan and I love all Honey Stinger products, they’re fantastic fuel for hiking, biking, or running!
- Soley Fruit Jerky– These taste so good and are great for getting energy in while moving!
2. Camping Utensils
Camping utensils are a really easy thing to add to anyone’s stocking! I personally recommend getting people a long camp utensil, so they aren’t constantly getting their hand messy while eating.
But, I can tell you from personal experience, we definitely need new utensils. Ours have been used for far too long.
3. Ear plugs ($4-20)
I don’t know about your loved one, but I’m a very light sleeper. So, traveling or camping can mess with my circadian rhythm. That’s why I love putting in ear plugs, so I can get a good night’s sleep!
4. Sun Protection ($5-10)
You can’t make a list of the best outdoorsy gifts without providing sun protection. All of us individuals that spend a lot of time in the sun, know how important it is to care for our skin.
So, these small stocking stuffers are the perfect items to make sure your favorite people are taking care of themselves:
- Sun Bum Chapstick w/30 SPF – I literally always forget to put SPF on my lips until it’s too late. But, this chapstick is so helpful and prevents crusty lips!
- Thinksport 30 SPF Stick– An easy container to carry everywhere and make sure their skin is protected.
- Anti-Chafe Balm– THIS IS SO USEFUL! Chafing Balm is so helpful for people who hike, backpack, bike, or run. It protects them from getting awful rashes, which I’ve been a victim.
5. Multi Tool or Swiss Army Knife
It wasn’t until I started dating my husband that I realized how much a multi tool or Swiss Army Knife comes in handy. We literally have been out in the wilderness, when we realize we need to cut a wire or use a knife for our food.
I think that multi tools are helpful for life, but they really come in handy for that outdoorsy individual.
We once needed to use ours to hang up some clothing line while out backpacking in the woods, it’s one of those things you don’t realize you need until you really need it.
Final Thoughts on Picking Out the Perfect Outdoorsy Gift
I hope that this outdoorsy gift guide has helped you figure out what to get your loved one this year! I use most of these items on a daily or weekly basis and they have really made my life better.
If you want to save some money, try to wait for sales or look at re-sale items. REI always runs a bunch of sales during the year and they have the REI Garage Sale where they sell re-used items.
Also, try to do some reconnaissance to find out exactly what your friend has and what they need. We’ve ended up with 5 different hammocks, because people didn’t realize we already owned them.
No matter what you get, helping someone get outdoors is truly special!
Let me know if you enjoyed this gift guide in the comments!
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