@Larkin
I’ve owned a set of these for a long time. I’ve barely ever used them. Just not practical for my needs. To me - this would be border line bad gift territory. But it goes to show - different hikers want different things.
A compass. Tech is great, but it can fail. Having a backup to your GPS and knowing how to use it can be a lifesaver. Plus, they’re neat!
I like Cammenga, specifically the Model 27 (phosphorescent); the model 3H is tritium and another great option. They’re utterly bombproof. Suunto, Silva, and Brunton are also good names.
@Bao
Nice. I was hesitant to list that because just about every hiker already has a compass. However - if there is any chance your person doesn’t have one - definitely get one of these recommended brands.