HikingGear Gift Guide 2024

Discussion
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Buying gear for someone’s hobby is complicated - double true for hiking (we have to carry everything on our backs!).

My #1 recommendation is to talk to your person and pull out as much details as possible. It’s likely they already have a specific product in mind, or a need to be filled. Guessing randomly leads to disappointment (and returns).

Secondly - avoid low quality ‘Amazon’ products. The 6-in-1 tool is going to be worthless to an experienced hiker. Focus on simple things and avoid the r/axesaw.

All that said - here is a list of items I’d recommend as gifts for a hiker.
For context - I’m a 40 y/o dude living in Seattle, WA, USA. My ideas will be skewed for this demographic - but I did try to make them ‘universal’. If these specific items don’t work for you - take the ideas and run - either with other items from the same sites (these are high quality companies) or to different websites.

Gift Cards are the classic answer. REI, Backcountry, or Garage Grown Gear are all good options. Let them buy whatever they want/need.

Food of all kinds can be a nice present. Fancy dehydrated meals are expensive and a ‘splurge’ item for most hikers. Better than grocery store ramen or a cold PB&J. Companies like Packit Gourmet, Peak Refuel, or Gastro Gnome are all high quality. Add in a few chocolate bars for fun.

First Aid Supplies are kinda boring - but practical. If they doesn’t already have a custom FAK bag - buy the bag and then get a few random items to go inside it. I like Leukotape P (not K) for blisters. Pack of Ibuprofen and a few bandaids too.

I made a ‘poop’ kit for a friend one year. Hand soap, trowel, wipes, in a bag like the above FAK one. Add in a bottle bidet to shake things up! If you want to really get that ‘weird uncle’ vibe - add a pee cloth.

Fanny Packs are fun. They come in a bunch of styles and colors. Even if they already have 1 - a 2nd or 5th is always welcome in my house.

Clothes are always risky - but socks are always a winner. I think a buff is also versatile and they come in fun styles. Everyone needs a new fun hat too.

A fresh new water bladder and water filter may be nice. If the one they has now needs to be replaced. Insulated bottles aren’t super popular for hikers - but a hydroflask with their name engraved is kinda cool.

Headlamps are pretty nice too. They seem to get better and better (brighter for longer) every year. I prefer the ones with built-in rechargeable batteries.

Backpacks are really really hard to get right. I recommend against it. If your person needs one bad and you absolutely want to keep it a secret - try Osprey brand. This would work for a day hiking pack, maybe:

America the Beautiful park pass for USA National Parks

Consumable items can be weird gifts - but hikers still need them. Stuff like fuel canisters, batteries, chapstick, bug repellant, sunblock, tech wash detergent, lighter, etc.

Garmin InReach satellite communicator is expensive, but a true sign that you love this person. You care about them and invest in their safety in the wilderness. Even better if you offer to pay for the first year of service.

A knife will probably fall flat. Just about every hiker already has one. Keep it simple unless you know exactly what they want. Bonus if you get their name engraved on it.

If you made it this far and still haven’t found anything - buy the Darn Tough socks. Default best option.

**No affiliation to any of these products/companies in any way. I personally own/use all items listed.

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Please post up other ideas.

Also - post up your specific details and ask for specific product recommendations. If you have a certain budget or your person is asking for an item in a specific category - give us those details.

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Cliff Bars, GU, Honey Stingers… can never have too much food when hiking and mtn biking

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Tate said:
Cliff Bars, GU, Honey Stingers… can never have too much food when hiking and mtn biking

Totally! I have a big stash of Skratch chew gummies in my gear room. Clif Bars are dead to me, but I have many other good trail bars (like Kate’s).

The Feed is a good source for lots of delicious trail snacks. I’d be stoked to get a variety pack of their top sellers for a gift.

https://thefeed.com

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Wonderful list and quality content, like always! Thanks for putting this together - I’ll definitely share!

A few things to add for easy gifts:

  • Camp Towels, they’re cheap and have plenty of uses.
  • Water purification tablets, always good to have laying around.
  • Down booties, a niche product, but damn are they nice on cold mornings.
  • Small hiking flask (REI has a few), because a little whiskey on trail is fun!
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@Bao
Thanks. I try!

All good ideas.

I have like 8 different camp towels myself. I’m always excited to get another one. Plus they come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and styles. PackTowl are the classic ones. Travera is the last one I got and like.

Tablets are another one of those ‘consumable’ items that are a reliable choice for any hiker. I always have a few in my pack as ‘backup’. Those tabs or 2 bottles of liquid AquaMira.

Down Booties are my secret weapon for cold camping trips. They boost the comfort in any sleep system. I’ve had Feathered Friends ones for years. The shell and inner bootie make a killer combo for winter trips. People seem to like the Enlightened Equipment ones - as a non-down alternative.

I don’t drink much anymore - but I’m sure the flask would be a popular gift. I used to have a Nalgene one that was nice. I’ve seen the fancy SnowPeak ones too.

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@Taylor
One last addition for your list - backpacking coffee packets.

Last year I gave my hiking buddies the Alpine Start pafks (Amazon.com : Alpine Start Instant Coffee Medium Roast Original Blend from High Altitude Arabica Beans, Enjoy Hot or Cold, Dairy Free, Soy Free (0.11 Oz) Pack of 8 : Grocery & Gourmet Food) and Sea to Summit coffee mugs (which also work for whiskey, as discussed above haha!).

I’ve fiddled with the Jetboil coffee attachments and other methods of making actual coffee on trail, but man those Alpine Start instant packs are just the easiest. Unfortunately I’ve had a hard time finding them outside of Amazon as my local REI never has them (they may have even discontinued).

Thanks again for putting the list together… Already sent to my wife :joy:

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@Bao
More good ideas.

I agree - the fancy coffee filters / makers / devices are too much for me. I do french press at home, but while hiking I want it more simple. The AeroPress is a popular gift idea - but I would not personally recommend it for my style.

Funny you linked the Alpine Start instant coffee - I listed those above in my original post too. There are a bunch of quality instant coffee options out there. I’ve tried a ton. Although I revert back to Starbucks VIA often. They are expensive, a luxury, so they make good gifts. Some of my favorites are:

Cups have been on christmas gift guide lists forever. A fun thing to unwrap. They are kinda personal, so it would be a cautious buy for me. I have 2 sizes of the Sea to Summit ones. Plus like 10 other cups laying around that aren’t quite perfect for my needs. Titanium is fancy too.

One reason I made this is so people can send it to their family/friends. I figure if it helps hikers get a quality gift - avoiding a 6-in-1 axesaw - I’ll consider it a victory.

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This is great! I’m a novice, but one I’ll add… everyone always does Smartwool and Darn Tough for socks, but I hike in Feetures and I love them.

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Macon said:
This is great! I’m a novice, but one I’ll add… everyone always does Smartwool and Darn Tough for socks, but I hike in Feetures and I love them.

Thanks!

Good tip. Yeah - I also repeat those 2 major brands simply because they are the most popular. Darn Tough really do stand up to real hiking trail use - so I can’t deny they are #1 in this category.

I have Feetures and many other brands that are also high quality. Good recommendation.

Farm to Feet are my current favorite. Very durable and fit my feet well for hiking.

I’d also note that Darn Tough has an alt-brand called Wide Open. They don’t have a ton of models available yet - but I have 5 pair and they are solid. I have wide feet (and wide ankles) - so it’s ideal for me.

Icebreaker is another company that I highly recommend. They make some of the highest quality wool clothing available for hikers. I really really like everything I have from them (mid-layer jacket, leggings, base layer shirts, and socks).

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@Taylor
Thanks, I’ll check these out. I wear a size 15 or 16 shoe, depending on the brand, so I have a hard time finding good socks sometimes.

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@Taylor
Farm to feet make some fun socks that still hold up to serious use, so perfect for fun gifting!

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Opinel knife

“The Opinel knife is a classic French folding knife known for its simple, elegant design and versatility. It’s been a popular choice for generations, beloved by hikers, campers, artists, and chefs alike.”

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@Jordan
Definitely. I should have included that in my knife section. A classic gift.

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Taylor said:
@Jordan
Definitely. I should have included that in my knife section. A classic gift.

Case is the other brand to add. Everyone needs a Case knife.

Buck Bantam series is good for a low cost made in USA option.

Knives are a standard goto gift for many guys

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@Larkin
Oh man, now you got me on google searching for these knives. I thought I wouldn’t get caught buying anything for myself from this thread - but you may have just broken me.

I think my grandfather had a Case knife in his pocket regularly. I should get one for that reason alone.

‘Buck’ knives are a household name - and I don’t own one of those either. The Bantam is reasonable price too (compared to so many knives that cost $100+).

I’m normally not a big knife guy - but they are shiny and cool!

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@Taylor
Most grandpa’s have a Case. It’s standard issue old man equip. The trapper is a classic as is the sod buster.

That Buck Bantam is the most solid $20 knife you can get. I’ve tried many others. (Likely to go on sale before Christmas)

Not a knife guy… pfft, I don’t think that’s a thing that exists.

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Thanks for the recommendations!

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Darwin said:
Thanks for the recommendations!

Happy to help! Lots of good links/items in this thread.

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Snapfold bowls are a “bling” item that’s nice to have

I’ve shared a Brand Store on Amazon with you. Amazon.com: Fozzils