Being an avid hiker myself, I can tell you that there is a ton of hiking gear on the market. It can be overwhelming if you aren’t a hiker yourself. I’ve broken all the hiking gift ideas into categories to make it a little easier to digest. Here are the best gifts for hikers!
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Best Gifts for Hikers – Essentials
I almost never hike without my backpack. Even when we are going for an hour-long hike. I need somewhere to put my snacks, water, and phone.
Picking out a hiking backpack for someone can be difficult. If they are just starting out a standard pack will be fine. If they hike a ton and you have no clue what to get you could always get them a gift card to a place like REI so they can pick it out themselves.
Want to figure out how to choose a daypack, check out our article here.
Wool Socks are best for hiking. They regulate your foot’s temperature, helps prevent sweating and provides cushion.
I absolutely think hiking boots should be chosen by the person who will be wearing them. There are so many factors that go into choosing the right boots. So unless you know exactly which shoes the person you are purchasing them for wants, I suggest getting a gift card for them to get their own.
Check out our article on how to choose hiking boots here.
A first aid kit is a must when hiking. You can easily get hurt while on a hike. Believe me, I trip, slip, or fall almost every time we hike. A first aid kit will put all your worries to rest and you will be prepared for anything.
Hiking poles come in handy for when you are doing hikes with steep inclines or a lot of rocks or water.
Funny story, we were crossing a fast-flowing stream when hiking in the winter and we didn’t have poles. So we decide to use some sticks we found near the stream. Well while crossing the stream, my stick snapped and one of my feet ended up deep in the water. I had a very soggy foot for the rest of the hike.
These tools are perfect for hiking. Most come with knives, scissors, tweezers, and pliers. Any situation that may present itself this tool can come in handy.
One of the biggest nuisances when hiking is the number of bugs. Especially when hiking in the summer. Ticks are also something you want to think about. They bite mostly in peak seasons like summer but they are still there in the winter.
Wondercide is our favorite insect repellant. It’s safe for children and dogs too.
Mountain weather is unpredictable. It could be 60 degrees when you start your hike and by the time you get to the peak, it could be snowing. A lightweight waterproof jacket will make a great gift.
Some hiking backpacks do come with hydration packs. A hydration pack is a soft water storage compartment that attaches to your backpack. It has a straw that loops through the backpack strap and hooks to it so you can easily access your water while hiking. The downside of hydration packs is that they can be heavy. If you are only hiking a small trail you most likely don’t need 2 Liters of water.
In this case, a water bottle would be the best option. There are tons of water bottles to choose from. I suggest something lightweight and collapsible.
Eye protection is always a great gift! When hiking on a trail you usually don’t know where the sun will be facing. Hiking with the sun in your eyes is no fun. If you hike in the snow make sure you get polarized sunglasses. The reflection of the sun off the snow can hurt your eyes after a while.
It gets windy at the top of the mountains! Lip balm is an awesome gift or stocking stuffer. I always get the one that has the sunscreen as well.
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Best Gifts for Hikers – Safety
Hiking can be unpredictable. Having a fire starter on hand can help if you get lost overnight or need an emergency fire. This light my fire starter kit is great because it’s lightweight can be used up to 12,000 strikes, and you don’t have to worry about it getting wet.
Don’t be surprised if the hike you’re doing takes longer than you expected. There is so much to see, especially when you get to the peak. Make sure you have a headlamp in case you don’t make it off the trail before dark.
Life Straws are a super cool product! It’s a straw that cleans the water as you are drinking it. The dirty water enters one side of the straw, goes through microfilters, and the bacteria/dirt are trapped resulting in clean, safe water.
LifeStraw sells water bottles that can do the same thing as well.
You can read more about how it works here.
Most Garmin products are helpful while hiking. They have watches and GPSs that can track miles and location. We have a Garmin GPS that tracks hiking trails, miles, and can record a trail.
Emergency Tent and Sleeping Bag
Just in case setting up camp overnight is necessary, an emergency tent and lightweight sleeping bag can be a great gift.
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Best Gifts for Hikers – Food Related
Clif bars, ONE bars, and Macro Bars are my favorite protein bars. They can easily be tossed in your hiking backpack to eat on the trail or when you get to the peak. Just be sure not to litter.
You just made it to the peak. The view is breathtaking, the hike was so worth it. Then you realize, you’re actually not done. You still have to hike back to your car or campsite. Coffee can be the pick me up you need.
Instant coffee or caffeine bars are great options. Verb bars are delicious, have caffeine from green tea, and has as much caffeine as a shot of espresso.
If you prefer your beverages hot you can bring along a thermos. If hiking in the winter, having a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate at the peak would be amazing.
Great for trail mix, fruit, and other snacks. Reusable food bags are the way to go.
Stay hydrated while hiking in the summer with electrolytes. You can get dehydrated super easily while hiking especially in the summer.
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Best Gifts for Hikers – Books
Great for finding out if dogs are allowed, if you can camp here, and what trails to hike.
Books like these will help you identify different plants and animals. Great for those who want to learn more about nature and be more grounded.
Skratch Labs – Feed Zone Portables Cookbook
Portable food recipes for athletes. Awesome recipes to nourish your body on the go.
This book is great if you want to train your body for climbing, hiking, or mountaineering. It even has training plans for you to follow.
Filled with wilderness skills and techniques for women, this book is a great gift for the hiking gal in your life.
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Best Gifts for Hikers – Unique/Fun
How do you take those awesome peak shots if you’re alone or want everyone in the shot? This tripod can easily be wrapped around a tree branch or put on a rock to get that perfect photo.
OK, these are so cool! I want some for myself. These notebooks are small and compact but tough enough to survive rain, sweat, mud, oil, grease, and snow. The paper is easily legible in sunlight too so you won’t go blind trying to write down the awesome ideas you come up with while hiking.
Hiking Subscription Box
Subscription boxes are one of my favorite gifts to give. There are a few hiking related ones here.
These gear repair patches come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are used to fix holes or tears in your hiking gear or clothes. They can be run through the dishwasher or washer without coming off!
Gift Card
Gift Cards are always a good idea. If you can’t figure out exactly what backpack or hiking shoes you want to get just grab a gift card and let them buy the one they want. REI, Dicks Sporting Goods, or Amazon would be great gift cards.
Who doesn’t love stickers and decals? There are tons of hiking stickers you can buy or have made and personalized.
What’s better than hiking to the top and celebrating with a shot? This is a fun group or gag gift.
Don’t risk your phone dying. You want to be able to take photos and use the map in case you get lost.
These are great for shorter hikes or using in addition to a backpack so you have easy access to whatever you need. They are great for dog treats if hiking with your pup!
National Park or State Park Pass
Last but not least, National or state park passes! These passes make a great gift for the avid hiker in your life. Parking costs can add up if you hike a lot. Get a yearly pass to make their hiking trips a bit easier.
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Wow, what a great list! As an outdoor lover, these are cool ideas. Thanks for sharing!