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Best Gifts for Hikers of All Levels: 45 Perfect Outdoorsy Gift Ideas

Updated: May 12

If you know someone who loves the outdoors, chances are good they enjoy hiking. As the holidays kick into high gear, now is a better time than ever to think up some good gifts.

Here are 45 gifts for hikers, from hiking boots to wellness box subscriptions. We’ll also discuss some of the benefits of hiking from a health and wellness perspective. Let’s begin!

Benefits of Hiking

Last year, nearly 59 million Americans went hiking[*]. For most of them, it’s a form of recreation. But beyond recreation, hiking has some real wellness benefits, including the following.

It's a Form of Exercise

Hiking is more than just taking a walk. You have to navigate varied terrain and go up and down hills. When done properly, hiking is a full-body workout with several upsides[*]:

Improved bone and muscle health
Improved sense of balance
Improved cardiovascular health
Reduced risk of some respiratory diseases

Whether your next hike is at a local park or the Appalachian Trail, your next outdoor adventure will put you on the road to better health.

It's Good for your Mental Health

According to a study from Stanford University, hiking is as good for your mind as it is for your body. It lowers stress, reduces anxiety, and lowers the risk of depression[*].

In addition to that, the stimulation itself is good for your brain. The sights, smells, and sounds of the outdoors can have a powerful calming effect of their own.

It's Good for your Relationships

Relational health – our connections with friends and family – can be just as important as mental or physical health. Hiking with friends or family can help to form stronger relationships[*].

Spending a day climbing a challenging trail can help forge a closer friendship. Or grandparents and grandchildren can bond on a less demanding path.

*This Garmin GPSMAP 66i is the perfect gift for someone who does not want to get lost on their hike.

45 Hiking Gift Ideas for This Holiday Season

Looking for the perfect gift for your favorite hiker? Here are 45 ideas that are guaranteed to please.

1. Petzl Bindi Headlamp

The Petzl Bindi Headlamp has a similar design but is smaller and shorter-lasting. Then again, it’s also more affordable, so it’s a great stocking stuffer..

2. Darn Tough Micro Crew Cushion Socks

Avid hikers know how important it is to have a reliable, dry pair of socks. The Darn Tough socks are non-synthetic and can last for years of use before wearing out.

Even with the best hiking socks, a long hike can leave you with some blisters. Wuru Wool is designed to help prevent that. It’s essentially a piece of wool, and you can tear off smaller pieces and put them under pressure points.

It’s literally a great stocking stuffer.

4. PrAna Women’s Halle Pants

Finding comfortable, durable jeans that fit can be tough when you’re a woman. PrAna makes jeans in all sizes that are tough enough to stand up to the rigors of a day hike or backpacking trip. You can also wear them on a trip downtown without feeling underdressed.

5. Smartwool The Lid Hat

This is a classic beanie. It fits comfortably under a headlight, and it’s still warm enough to wear when you’re skiing.

6. Kahtoola Microspikes

Gifts for hikers need to be practical, and that definitely applies here. These crampons fit right over your hiking boots and provide a secure grip on icy surfaces. The kit includes a small tote bag, which makes them easy to carry.

These crampons are a must for winter hiking.

7. MSR Evo Trail 22-Inch Hiking Snowshoes

If you’re traversing snow instead of ice, snowshoes are the tool for the job. If your loved one’s hiking trips frequently take them through deep snow, these are a great gift.

8. Chaco Z2 Outdoor Sandals

Not all hiking trips require a heavy pair of hiking boots. These outdoor sandals are every bit as good for day hikers who don’t go out in foul weather. You’ll get a solid grip, just like a pair of hiking boots, but your feet will still be able to breathe.

Like the Merrel shoes, they come in men’s and women’s sizes.

9. Petzl IKO Core Lightweight Rechargeable Headlamp

The Petzl headlamp has a rechargeable battery and operates with a single button. But if you run into a pinch, it can also run on AAA power.

As an added benefit, it’s water-resistant. You don’t have to worry about wearing it in the rain.

10. Merrell MQM Flex 2 Shoes

For a long-distance hiker or anyone who likes to tackle rocky terrain, these shoes are a must. They’re exceptionally flexible, with sturdy soles that can tackle Class 3 rocks. They’re also available in men’s and women’s sizes, making them great gifts for hikers of any kind.

11. HydraPak Flux Collapsible 1.5-Liter Water Bottle

The HydraPak is a large hydration pack with a 1.5-liter capacity. When you’re done with your water, you can crush it down and stick it in your pocket.

12. Nalgene 24-Ounce On-the-Fly Lock-Top Bottle

If you want something a little more durable, nothing beats a Nalgene bottle. Many people favor their large, 32-ounce bottles, but the 24-ounce lock-top model has its own upside: fill it with boiling water, and you can use it as a hot water bottle without it leaking!

13. Nuun Electrolyte Tablets

Hydration requires more than just getting plenty of water – you also need to replenish your electrolytes. Nuun’s tablets come in four tubes of ten tabs each and are available in several delicious flavors.

14. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

The LifeStraw is a compact filter that can make almost anything drinkable. You can stick one end in a filthy, scummy pond and still drink clean, fresh water. This is one of the best gifts you can give to someone who goes on long backpacking trips.

15. Leki Legacy Lite Trekking Poles

The Leki trekking poles are a pair of sturdy aluminum hiking poles that can help you keep your balance on slippery trails. You can buy carbon fiber if you're willing to spend more to save weight, but it tends to be less durable.

16. Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles

These trekking poles are similar in many respects to the Leki poles. But they’re available in different lengths for men and women, which makes them easier to size.

17. Goodo OG Sunglasses

The best gifts don’t always have to be complicated. The Goodo sunglasses are slick, fashionable, and won’t fall off your face. They’re also super-lightweight and come in a number of colors.

18. Joshua Tree Lip Balm

Lip balm is a practical gift, and Joshua Tree makes some of the best. It’s organic and comes with built-in SPF-15 protection.

19. Ben’s InvisiNet Xtra With Insect Shield Repellent

Outdoor gear needs to protect you from the environment, and sometimes that can include bugs. If your favorite hiker likes to walk the trails in a buggy location, this mosquito net could be a great gift.

20. PStyle Stand-to-Pee Personal Urination Device

Ladies know how awkward and uncomfortable it can be to pee in the woods. The PStyle lets you pee standing up, which means you can go to the bathroom without removing your backpack.

21. Coghlan’s Backpacker’s Trowel

Sometimes, you have to go number two in the woods. The Coghlan’s trowel is just what you need when nature calls. It’s also lightweight, which is helpful for all the times you don’t need it.

22. Garmin inReach Mini

Even the best trail maps can sometimes be challenging to navigate. The Garmin inReach Mini is a compact solution to that problem. It even has a smartphone pairing function, so hikers can send a text via satellite if they don’t have phone coverage.

As hiking gifts go, this one is a winner – it may just save your loved one’s life.

23. Garmin GPSMAP 66i

The GPSMAP 66i takes all the features of the inReach Mini and combines them with detailed terrain and trail maps. This feature is incredibly powerful when hiking in national parks since you can easily identify various features.

24. Deuter AC Lite 22 SL Hiking Backpack

A hiking backpack needs to be able to take a beating. It needs to be sturdy enough not to tear easily, and the backpack strap needs to be good and secure. This daypack fits the bill and is comfortable enough to wear all day long.

25. Kelty Journey PerfectFIT Elite Child Carrier

Hiking lovers want to share their passion with their families. This child carrier lets you start early. If your loved one is having a baby shower, this is one of the best gifts you could give.

26. Ruffwear Front Range Harness

Who says you can only share your passion with your human babies? The Ruffwear Front Range Harness is the perfect gift for the dog lover in your hiking group.

27. Leatherman Squirt PS4

The best gifts for hikers are often practical. In this case, we’re talking about a multi-tool that can do just about anything you need in a pinch. And since you want the most reliable tool for an emergency, there’s no more reliable tool than a Leatherman.

28. Trango Piranha Knife

A Leatherman is a perfect multitool, but it’s a bit bulky for day hikes. This knife is tiny and collapsible, and can still cut pretty much anything.

29. Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Gear Patches

Sometimes, a lightweight dry bag tears or you get a hole in your tent. These gear patches can fix just about anything. You can even use them to patch up that down jacket you were thinking about throwing out.

30. Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat Pad

This isn’t just a portable seat cushion. It’s also a windbreak or a pillow depending on your needs. It weighs close to nothing, and you can secure it directly to your backpack when you’re not using it.

31. Helinox Chair Zero Highback

Camp chairs make great gifts for hikers who like to relax in comfort on the trail. This one is absurdly durable, with the ability to support 265 pounds. Despite this, it tips the scales at only 1.8 ounces, and it collapses small enough to fit in a day pack.