25 Cool Gifts for Outdoorsmen (2024)

When it comes to combining style with trail-tested durability, the Kuhl Response Short Sleeve Shirt stands out (and is a personal favorite of Ryan’s). The moisture-wicking properties mean it’s great for the trails, and there’s enough freedom of movement without it being too baggy. While great for hiking, this shirt can easily be worn to dinner too.

Lightweight yet undeniably warm, Ryan brings his Patagonia Nano Puff Hoodie everywhere. It packs down small enough to easily fit in a daypack making it perfect for hiking and backpacking, but it’s classy enough to wear in everyday life, too. This jacket will last you for years of adventures and comes with a lifetime warranty from Patagonia, regardless of where you purchase it.

Vuori makes some of the sofest, most comfortable clothing around, and the men’s line is no different. These Vuori Ponto Performance Pants are great for lounging, but also breathable for walking the dogs, running errands, and light exercise. Ryan practically lives in them in the shoulder season.

The Free Fly Men’s Breeze 8″ Shorts have solidified their spot as the perfect multi-use short in any guy’s gear collection. Ryan has worn these shorts on all sorts of outdoor adventures on land and water and has never had any issues with chafing. They are soft, wick moisture, and dry pretty quickly too.

Socks might be an old-school holiday gift, but your favorite male hiker will be thrilled to receive a pair or two from Darn Tough. I’ve long been a fan of their socks – plus they come with a lifetime guarantee. Ryan’s favorite is the Hiker Micro Crew Sock which has extra padding in all the right places, but there are tons of different cuts, colors, and patterns available too.

Upgrade your guy’s boxer collection with the perfect stocking stuffer — a 3-pack of the lululemon Always in Motion boxers. I bought a set of these for Ryan, and he loves them. They are super soft with a comfortable waistband and are lightweight and quick drying.

These Coalatree Trailhead Pants are incredibly versatile. The elastic waistband (with belt loops) makes them comfortable for hiking, camping, and lounging, but they look nice enough to wear to work or even on the golf course. A surprise feature is that they can fold right into themselves, making packing them a breeze.

The Patagonia Lightweight Synchilla Snap Pullover is a great fleece jacket that’s perfect for hanging around the campfire or lounging on the couch. Designed with soft, recycled fleece, it provides warmth without being bulky — and it’s eco-friendly!

The Oakley Sutro Prizm Sunglasses have amazing lenses that enhance color, contrast, and detail in tons of different lighting conditions. Their wraparound design also offers side protection against wind, dust, and UV rays – which makes them especially great for biking and hiking. They come in a variety of colors from bold to neutral so there’s sure to be a pair that fits your outdoorsy man’s style.

The Carhartt Canvas Fleece Lined Shirt Jacket is a staple for those chilly outdoor escapades. Crafted with Carhartt’s signature durable canvas, it is resilient against wear and tear, lasting for years. Ryan likes to wear his as a stand-alone layer on fall nights or layered underneath a heavier jacket in winter. With the collar, it can also be worn out on the town.

A beanie is an easy gift for any guy on your list. I love Pistil Designs and with dozens of beanies to choose from, you’re bound to find one that your outdoorsy guy will like.

The Teva Hurricane XLT2 sandals top the list for paddling adventures, easy water hikes, backpacking camp shoes, and all-around outdoor adventure sandals. They’ve got good arch support compared to a regular flip flop, and the rugged rubber sole is very grippy. Plus they come in some funky color combos and patterns.

The YETI Trailhead Camp Chair has a weight capacity of 500 pounds, making it a solid choice for the largest of men. I love how comfortable and supportive it is, and it’s also quick and easy to pack away. It’s not the most compact, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a sturdier, more ergonomic camp chair. You can read my full YETI Trailhead Camp Chair review here.

The Gregory Zulu 30 Pack has a robust suspension system that supports heavy loads. It also has a breathable back panel that results in a less sweaty back, according to Ryan who uses this as his go-to pack. The 30L capacity is super spacious for a day pack without feeling bulky, plus there’s tons of pockets and compartments to keep your gear organized and easily accessible.

This My Medic Ready Pocket First Aid Kit is very compact, making it easy to stash in your backpack or car trunk, but don’t let its size fool you. Packed inside are all of the essential things that can come in clutch when the unexpected happens — and they’re color-coded by injury type so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for.

The Black Diamond Moji+ Lantern makes a great stocking stuffer! Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand yet powerfully bright, this lantern is dimmable and emits a soft light from the frosted globe. I love having a couple of these on hand to create some campsite ambiance and for playing games at night. You can use regular batteries or a rechargeable BD 1500 Li-ion battery (purchased separately). It even has a small hook so you can hang it in your tent, and it’s water resistant.

This RTIC Soft Pack Cooler is leakproof, waterproof, and can keep things cold for up to 2 days! It comes in various capacities from 12 cans to 40 cans and multiple color options. I’ve always been a fan of RTIC as a more affordable version of YETI but with the same impressive temperature control.

Ryan and I have been using these Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillows for years. They are perfect for road trips, air travel, and backpacking. While not as compact or light as an inflatable backpacking pillow, with the foam filling makes it way more comfortable.

The Barebones All-in-One Cast Iron Skillet is is designed for cooking over an open fire (but can also be used on a camp stove). Extremely durable, this cast iron piece evenly distributes heat, making sure every bite is cooked to perfection. It comes in 3 different sizes – 6″, 10″, and 12″ – and has a Dutch oven-style lid. It also comes pre-seasoned so it’s ready to go straight from the box.

Every outdoorsman needs a quality pocket knife and the Coast DX330 Serrated Folding Knife is a versatile, budget-friendly option under $20. It’s the can be used for cutting guylines, chopping veggies, and more. With a belt clip and easy fold design, this compact, lightweight knife makes for a great stocking stuffer!

The Trigger Point Grid 2.0 Foam Roller has been a favorite recovery tool of Ryan’s for years. With its patterned surface, this foam roller targets and massages tight muscles, helping to release knots and improve mobility. It’s great to use after hiking, backpacking, paddling, or even long drives where you feel stiff.

For the guy who likes to track his stats, the Garmin Fenix 7s GPS Watch has a built-in GPS and provides the most accurate tracking of outdoor routes, distances, and elevation. The fenix 7X also has built in topographic maps so you can navigate without having to pull out your phone.

The Howl R4 is the most powerful propane fit pit on the market. It’s incredibly tough, gets as hot as a wood fire, and can burn at altitude and in all weather conditions. If the outdoorsman in your life loves having a campfire, he’ll be happy to have a firepit that can be used even during burn bans.

Transform casual backyard gatherings into memorable pizza parties with the Ooni Karu Pizza Oven! This oven allows you to use wood, charcoal, or a gas burner (sold separately), to make flame-cooked, restaurant-quality pizzas on a hot stone in as little as 60 seconds. It’s perfect for hosting, and at 26 pounds, you can even take it camping.

Ryan and I love a good ping pong match, and this GSI Outdoors Freestyle Table Tennis game allows you to play on the go. This set attaches to most picnic tables so you can have a friendly game at your campsite.