32 Unique Gifts for Hikers They’ll Actually Use

Starting off our list of The Best Gifts for hikers are my favorite hiking socks. Hikers LOVE good quality socks, take it from me. Sock and boot stories tend to be a common campfire conversation topic and nobody wants to be the one frying their cheap socks over the fire in a vain attempt to keep warm and dry.

In terms of an all around hiking sock there really is no better than Darn Tough Vermont’s hiking socks. They make various kinds for hot and cold weather, oh and they are guaranteed unconditionally for life.

These incredible socks can be worn over and over again on the trail (and I mean consecutive days out camping) and seriously feel as good as new each morning. Try Darn Tough’s convenient “sock finder” tool to find the right pair for the hiker in your life.

Now that we have socks covered we can get to the perfect backpack. This versatile, all-weather, workhorse of a backpack from Patagonia more than fits the bill. Whether it’s a day hike, overnight, or even in the city, this backpack’s versatility and size make it an ideal all around choice.

Because its Patagonia of course the backpack employs 100% recycled fabric in its construction and is backed by the guarantee of the most trusted name in outdoor recreation gear. You really can’t go wrong with this backpack which is why it’s one of our top gifts for hikers.

Such an underrated piece of equipment that makes a great gift for hikers: the right pants. They should be durable and rugged, weather-proof, and able to stand up to scrapes and multiple days on the trail at a time. The right hiking pants should also have flexibility and adaptability for various conditions as well as ample storage without being too bulky.

I know that’s quite a list of demands but Patagonia’s Point Peak Trail Pants deliver. Available in both women’s and men’s, these rugged, abrasion-resistant, trail pants are the perfect go-to hiking pants for just about any kind of adventure.

The Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket is, in my humble opinion, the most versatile, functional, and effective jacket for outdoors people on the market. It’s incredibly lightweight and packable, and yet seriously warm.

Rounding out its versatility the jacket is fully windproof and water-resistant. Of course it’s also fair-trade certified and made from 100% recycled materials because it’s Patagonia. Oh and of course they stand behind all of their products and will fix them for free if they break at any point.

This top pick on our list of the best gifts for hikers comes in various colors.

Though I never went for Eagle Scout, I left the Boy Scouts back in the day as a respectable First Class Scout (finishing a rank higher than my older brother and MTJP co-founder Will I might add). If I learned anything in Boy Scouts, apart from how to build a proper fire, I learned to always be prepared.

With the Garmin inReach Mini hikers can send text messages to loved ones, share their location, and most importantly trigger an SOS to a 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center from anywhere in the world.

Instead of spotty cell coverage the inReach Mini uses the trusted global Iridium satellite network to communicate from anywhere in the world. It’s quite literally the ultimate peace of mind which is why it makes our list of the best gifts for hikers (and their loved ones).

When it comes to tackling rugged terrain and conquering the outdoors, Salomon’s Quest 4 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots are definitely the leader of the pack. Now, as the leader of the pack, they do come with a high price tag, but it’s safe to say that you get what you pay for with these bad boys.

Waterproof and virtually blisterproof, these boots are mean to put some serious miles on them. Add in a supportive midsole and a seriously rugged outsole with deep lugs, and you can trust me when I say they’ll absorb shocks like a champ and provide terrific traction on all types of terrain. Whether it’s rocky slopes, muddy trails, or even a surprise downpour, this a one of my favorite gifts for hikers that has your back.

Now if you’re looking for a high-performance hiking boot that’s easier on the wallet, I’ve got you covered with the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Boots. Whether it’s a day hike or several days hiking these boots are going to be your go-to adventure companions and make great gifts for hikers.

With a fully waterproof membrane and heavy duty Vibram outsoles the Moab 3 is meant for exploring the wilds carefree. These boots, from trusted outdoor brand Merrell, truly do deliver that rare combination of exceptional value and performance.

This is the backpack for hikers doing more than day hiking. Gregory Mountain Products is well known in the hiking and backpacking world as one of the best backpack makers out there. They’ve earned that reputation from countless backpackers and thru-hikers singing their praises over the years.

The Zulu 55L is a classic overnight backpack well-suited for backpacking trips involving a few nights. It’s lightweight, moisture-wicking, comfortable to carry on long hikes, and will fit plenty of gear. This is your ideal backpack for those who do overnight trips, but aren’t necessarily hiking the AT.

This is a great gift for hikers that do serious treks or backpacking.

Osprey Pack is perhaps the original ultralight backpack brand of choice by thru-hikers and dirtbags worldwide. These backpacks were going up Angels Landing and completing the Pacific Crest Trail before one was insanely crowded and the other had a book and movie made about it.

The Exos 48 and Eja 48 are virtually the same backpack but designed slightly differently for men and women. Their size and relative weightlessness lend really well to multi-day hikes that involve inclines, but they’re also just great all around packs that will get just about any job done.

This gifts for hikers pick is better suited for the casual hiker.

Every hiker needs a good pocket knife. This one from Barebones Living is the kind that’s passed down through generations and is a point of pride for its owner.

To be clear this is not your discount store swiss army knife. This is a true trapper-style pocket knife that’s built to perform in the field and last generations. This one is sure to make a great gift.

At first glance this inexpensive little square bag doesn’t seem like much, but take it from me it can make a world of difference out on the trail. In my experience this little square bag, which attaches to your belt loop or backpack with a simple carabiner, serves as an extra pocket for important odds and ends while you’re out on the trail.

Camera batteries, keys, memory cards, change, credit cards or ID’s, spare equipment parts, business cards, headphones, chargers, a pocketknife, the list of things you can store in this convenient pouch are endless and they won’t annoyingly fill up your pants pockets!

They’ll be the envy of the trail and the campsite with this awesome little lantern. Clip this onto your your backpack and hit the trail in style as you literally blaze the trail for your group. It’s also great for the campsite!

The Beacon comes with a 30-inch cord for its rechargeable battery, which lasts 200+ hours on low or three hours on high. And thanks to a convenient battery life indicator, you’ll never be left in the dark.

Maybe this one should’ve been #1, but it’s kind of a no-brainer. Whether they don’t have one or theirs is old and expiring, there’s hardly a better gift than a pass to all of America’s national parks right?

Update: Currently the pass is only sold online via the USGS Store where shipping can be a bit unreliable in my experience. If your trip is coming up, I’d recommend buying your pass at the park entrance station just to be safe.

I don’t need to explain why this is on the backpack checklist. Constructed with food-grade stainless steel that won’t taint your beverage with a metallic taste, this 8oz steel flask is an hiker’s best friend at the end of a long day on the trail.

Yes, this is the classic Stanley flask that has been indestructible for decades. And of course it’s backed with a lifetime guarantee.

A multi-tool is one of those things you forget about until you need it, and you inevitably always do. I like this one for the price, durability, and ease of use.

For a more handsome multi-tool that has less features you might try Barebones Living’s Multi-Tool Pocket Knife complete with a walnut handle finish.

Sure Grandpa’s pocket knife probably elicits a better reaction when they first open it, but where was Grandpa’s pocket knife when they got injured on the trail? That’s right, tucked away somewhere. Meanwhile the Adventure Medical Kit is springing into action treating wounds and maybe even saving lives.

This small but mighty medical kit comes with everything you need to be prepared for the unexpected on the trail.

If you haven’t heard of the LifeStraw by now, you may not be doing that much hiking. This incredible and simple device allows you to drink directly from streams while you’re off the grid. The straw filters out 99.99% of just about anything bad and is a go to option in emergency/survival situations.

This is something that you keep in your backpack in the event you need it.

Now before you get to thinking, “Great, one more thing I need in my backpack”, let me say that this little pocket survival guide weighs is 4.5 inches tall and weighs 2 ounces. That’s 0.2 pounds. So there’s no excuse not to throw this in your backpack before heading off on the trail.

Filled with life-saving information on first aid, emergency signaling, navigating, building a shelter, starting a fire, and much more, this book is a must for any backpacker or serious hiker. In a pinch it’s there with all the information you need to get yourself back to safety.

Lets face it, phone batteries are annoyingly unreliable and almost seem designed to keep you near an outlet. The last thing you want to be worried about when you’re out exploring is your phone being dead when you go to take a picture or call your ride.

Free yourself from battery anxiety with this small, lightweight, durable, portable charger. This one comes with 2 USBC ports, 2 standard USB ports, and packs a whopping 20000mAh of power. This model also allows for simultaneous charging – a really nice feature.

There’s a lot of talk about camping meals out there, but you know what’s just as important? Snacks! Seriously, when you’re hiking you need grab and go items that taste good, are good for you, and don’t need refrigeration. But where can I get such mythical food?

Enter Patagonia Provisions, the healthy, sustainable food brand from the company that’s made its name making top-notch outdoor gear while fighting for the planet and our public lands.

This Hikers Gift Box makes the perfect gift for the backpacker or camper in your family. Plus you can rest assured that everything is responsibly sourced and good for you and the planet.

In my opinion, if you’re going to use trekking poles, get really good lightweight ones like these. Otherwise you’re wasting your time and money on two more things to carry on your hike.

These trekking poles from MSR are the top of the line and accordingly command a top of the line price. That said, they offer an unmatched combination of featherlight heft, rock solid reliability, and terrain adaptability.

That’s all thanks to their carbon fiber construction, trusty DynaLock adjustment mechanism, and Kevlar-reinforced lower sections.

I love a good ballcap when I’m out hiking, but they don’t do the best job of protecting my head when its raining. That’s where this waterproof rain hat comes in.

It has all the look and feel of an ordinary ballcap, but provides the rain protection that few others seem to. Oh and it’s a great price!

If you know somebody who enjoys piña coladas and getting caught in the rain, or just somebody who likes to be outside regardless of the weather, this is the hat for them.

Every hiker needs a headlamp to throw into their backpack for when you’re inevitably still on the trail after the sun has set or headed out for an early start before it’s come up.

This 90,000 lumen headlamp is insanely bright and will last for 8 continuous hours on its highest setting.

Yes it adds a bit of heft compared to a typical headlamp, but I for one want to be able to blaze away at 90,000 lumens when I hear rustling in the late hours on the trail, particularly after passing all those “COUGAR COUNTRY” signs near the trailhead.

Searching for the right sleeping bag is a bit like getting sucked into a black hole, or at least that’s how I imagine it. There are endless possibilities and vast amounts of confusion.

Let’s just simplify things. You want a lightweight sleeping bag that’s packable, will keep you warm all year, and won’t break the bank. Here it is, you’re welcome.

This is one of the best gifts for hikers that plan to spend the night out on the trail somewhere.

Just like sleeping bags, there are a lot of tents out there and it can be really difficult to know which one you need. While ultralight tents are great for backpacking, they’re also pretty expensive.

On the other hand larger tents or tents from questionable brands can be heavy and unreliable.

This tent from TETON Sports is the perfect hybrid tent that won’t break the bank or your back on a hike. It sleeps 1-4 people and has everything you need in a solid tent at a great value.

It’s also made by a trusted brand so you really can’t go wrong.

These lightweight, packable, durable hammocks have been all the rage for a while now in the outdoor community. They make great gifts and can be used on the trail, at the campsite, in the backyard, or inside your home.

But be a wise owl and go with this brand that makes great hammocks at a fraction of the prices of the big brands.

This is one of the best gifts for hikers that like to kick back and relax at their final destination.

Built from durable, waterproof material and featuring a collapsible design, this dog bowl is perfect for hydrating or feeding your pup on the go.

The bowl folds totally flat, tucks neatly into your backpack, and pops up when needed, combining functionality with the rugged elegance Filson is known for.

There are a lot of coolers out there, and there are a lot of backpack coolers out there. So how do you know which one will keep your drinks and food cold, won’t leak, and will be comfortable enough to carry on the trail?

You trust us. We’ve done our homework and the Hydro Flask Day Escape is the way to go.

This backpack cooler is lightweight and keeps your ice for up to 72 hours in the hot sun. It’s also perfect for water-based adventures. So go ahead and be the hero and bring the cooler. Just make sure it’s the right one!

This is a best gift for hikers that like to pack some cold refreshments.

Why not sport a positive message from everyone’s favorite outdoor spokesperson next time you hit the trail?

This unisex Smokey Bear t-shirt looks great and encourages everyone to take care of our parks, talk about a win-win! It also makes a great gift!

While our website provides plenty of information and inspiration for your next hikes, it’s also nice to have some inspiration in book form.

This beautiful book featuring 100 of the world’s most scenic hiking trails is sure to stoke the adventurous spirit in all of us. Keep it on your shelf or coffee table and be ready to plan your next trip!

This is a best gift for hikers that could use some inspiration.

If you’re hiking where there are bears or large predators you really should have bear spray with you. Frontiersman is the leading brand and employs the maximum strength allowed by the EPA to ensure that you have the most effective non-lethal deterrent on the market.

The chest holster is key here because in the event of a bear charge you only have seconds to draw and spray. Keeping the spray on your chest ensures a speedy draw in any conditions.

Please note that bear spray is not allowed on any flight so if you’re flying you’ll either need to purchase at your destination or have this shipped to your hotel.

This is a best gift for hikers that walk through woods where bears are present.

Following up on the bear spray, this simple bell from Coghlan’s helps to alert bears and other wildlife of your presence so that they have time to move away and avoid unwanted encounters. The bell is equipped with a magnetic silencer, which is not as James Bond as it sounds, it simply keeps the bell from making noise when it’s not in use. Still a nice feature though.

This is a best gift for hikers that walk through woods where bears are present.