75 Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers (2024)

The Patagonia Nano Puff Hoodie is my go-to insulated jacket for outdoor adventures. It’s extremely popular, which means that whoever you buy this for will most likely love it. It’s warm and lightweight, and not only is it efficient at trapping heat, but it’s also windproof and water-resistant. It also packs down small enough to easily fit in your daypack. Read my full review of the Patagonia Nano Puff.

The REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie is one of the best outdoor sun shirts I’ve tried (you can see the full list of my favorite sun shirts here). I wore it for a week straight in Maui without washing it and found that it didn’t stink, and the loose fit kept me surprisingly cool even in warm weather.

I recently got these Vuori Miles Ankle Pants, and they have quickly become my favorite pants. They look nice enough for travel and nights out, but with their moisture-wicking properties, they are also perfect for light outdoor excursions. They have a comfortable elastic waistband, deep pockets, and the material is slightly stretchy. I find them to be very flattering.

The Vuori Halo 2.0 Performance Hoodie is the perfect layer whether you’re camping, road-tripping, lounging, or going for a stroll. The performance fabric is quick-drying, moisture-wicking, and super comfy. This sweatshirt is incredibly soft (really, one of the softest I’ve ever worn!) and comes in a bunch of colors.

If you really want to splurge on the special woman in your life, you can’t go wrong with anything Arc’teryx. This Arc’teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket is one of the lightest and best-performing rain jackets on the market that has kept me dry in the heaviest rain storms. It has huge pit zips, a highly adjustable hood, fully taped seams, and pockets for your essentials.

Icebreaker makes my absolutely favorite base layers for skiing and winter sports. Unlike a lot of wool that leaves you feeling itchy, this Icebreaker Oasis 200 Crew Top is so soft. They are very effective at wicking away moisture, and I typically wear mine for several days before needing to wash them. Note that I think these run small, so you may want to size up.

I’ve owned two pairs of these Teva Universal Trail sandals since 2020, and I’ve lived in them every summer since. The padding around the straps make them far comfier than other outdoor sandals, and they are easily adjustable so you can get the perfect fit. The pair weighs 1 pound, making them a great camp sandal or to bring along on a backpacking trip too. Read my full Teva Universal Trail Sandal review for more thoughts.

The Cotopaxi Tech 5-Panel Hat is my new favorite hat, and I think it would make a great gift for women who hike, camp and spend time outside. It’s so light I barely notice it on my head, and it breathes really well compared to a lot of other hats I’ve tried, so your head doesn’t get so sweaty. It comes in a few different colors, and I’m wearing the fatigue/lemongrass in the photo below.

Socks are a great gift for outdoor adventurers because good socks make such a difference on the trail. Without high-performing socks, you risk getting blisters or wearing through the soles after just a few uses. I swear by Darn Tough Micro Crew Cushion socks. They’re made from moisture-wicking materials and have some cushioning underfoot to guarantee comfort on the trail. Plus, all Darn Tough socks are guaranteed for life!

I ditched a purse for a fanny pack years ago and have never looked back, and the REI Co-op Trail 2 Print is one of the fanny packs on high rotation in my closet. The vibrant print options add a bit of flair, while the 2 spacious compartments guarantee enough room for all your essentials.

This REI Co-op Wallace Lake Flannel Shirt is the perfect gift for your outdoor-loving man. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, is made from organic cotton, and has buttons down the front so it can be easily layered depending on outside temps. Ryan loves wearing it hiking on crisp fall days or to cozy up by the campfire at night.

I got Ryan the Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoody as a gift last year, and he wears it everywhere, whether that’s camping or as an outer layer on a chilly hike! He says it feels like he’s wearing a cloud. He also really likes the cut of this jacket. It’s not too poofy so he doesn’t look like a marshmellow.

The tapered design of these Vuori Sunday Performance Jogger Pants strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and refined… these don’t look like your typical baggy sweatpants. Ryan lives in these both at home, chilling in our van, and taking the pups for walks around the neighborhood.

Just like the ladies version, this Icebreaker Oasis 200 base layer also makes a great gift for outdoorsy men. Again, it’s super soft and super warm, while not making you too sweaty on your outdoor activities. Ryan wears this every day he goes skiing.

REI Co-op Merino Boxer Briefs make the perfect holiday gift for every man in your life. These anti-roll, naturally odor and moisture-wicking boxer briefs are perfect for hitting the trail, the ski slopes, or just watching TV at home.

Just like me, Ryan loves the Darn Tough Micro Crew Cushion Sock and owns at least a dozen pairs. Made from moisture-wicking and temperature-controlling materials, they are cool, comfortable, and soft and Darn Tough’s lifetime guarantee makes them a gift for many years to come.

Similar to the women’s version that I own and love, the REI Men’s Sahara Sun Shade Hoody is a bestseller. Ryan loves the thumbholes and full coverage hood on this shirt when he’s hiking. Plus it’s very soft and looks nice enough to wear around town.

The Gregory Jade 28 has been my favorite hiking day pack for the last two years. It’s very comfortable, has a very supportive waistband, and has an adjustable torso that you can customize based on your torso length. There are lots of pockets for organization, and I really like that access to the main compartment is through a zipper rather than a lid with clips. It makes it really quick and easy to get in and out of the pack. The men’s version (which Ryan has) is the Gregory Zulu.

Buffs have so many useful purposes on the trail from shielding your neck from a biting wind to protecting your face from the sun to using as a headband. That’s why the original Buff is a great gift for outdoor lovers and will surely be useful on their next hiking and backpacking trips. I wear mine on every hike.

The BioLite Headlamp 325 is a useful gift that not only delivers on brightness, but it’s also super reliable, lightweight, comfortable, and can be recharged via USB. I especially like how easy the band is to adjust, so it’s no hassle to let your friend borrow it to go to the bathroom.

This nifty little handheld device keeps you safe on backcountry expeditions by tracking your location, providing 2-way texting, and sending out SOS signals should things go wrong. For me, a Garmin Mini 2 Satellite Communicator is a must to keep me safe and my loved ones at ease when I’m backpacking and off the grid.

These REI Co-op Trailmade Trekking Poles are lightweight, telescope for easy transport, and they are adjustable so you don’t have to worry about fit. I bought my parents each a pair of these, and they’ve made a huge difference and even made them want to hike more.

The Jetboil Flash is one of the best camping cooking systems I’ve tried. It’s super quick and efficient (it can boil water in just over a minute and a half!), and everything packs down small and light.

Gifting this lightweight 15-degree REI Magma Sleeping Bag means your favorite outdoor lvoer will never be cold again. It’s extremely warm, highly compressible, and has an anti-snag zipper and a DWR coating to prevent you from getting soggy due to condensation in your tent. Read a full review of the Magma sleeping bag here.

Buying a gift for a beginner backpacker? You can’t go wrong with the Deuter AirContact Core – my backpacking pack of choice. The 60L pack size is big enough for extended trips, and even with a heavy load, I find it to be very comfortable. It’s got lots of pockets, easy to use zippers and cinches, plus a large lid for things you need to access during the day. The men’s Deuter AirContact Core Backpacking pack is also a great choice.

I just upgraded to this NEMO Tensor All-Season Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad, and on my most recent backpacking trip, I got the best sleep I’ve ever had in the backcountry. It’s 4 inches thick and extremely lightweight. I opted for the regular wide, just so I have a little extra room to roll around without falling off of it. The pump sack makes it very quick and easy to blow up, and with an R-value of 5.4, it’s designed to insulate you from the ground on very cold nights.

The Helinox Chair Zero is the perfect luxury backpacking item and is a huge upgrade from sitting on the ground every night. Weighing in at just 1.1 pounds, this chair is astoundingly portable, yet doesn’t skimp on durability. This chair packs down really small too! I recently flew with mine to a festival, and it barely took up any room in my checked luggage.

The Platypus GravityWorks filter can filter 4L of water in just 2.5 minutes just by letting gravity do the work – no manual pumping required. This has been my backcountry filter of choice for years and it has never let me down. This system is perfect for backpacking with a partner or even a group – just leave the bag hanging at camp for easy use.

Ensuring food safety and animal protection is key (and usually legally required) while backpacking in bear country, and the BearVault is one of the most popular bear canisters on the market. With a spacious 9.3-liter capacity, it comfortably fits enough food for up to 5-6 days (or an extended weekend trip for 2 people).

A high-quality, well-stocked first aid kit should be on every outdoor adventurer’s wish list, like the Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker First Aid Kit. Weighing less than 8 ounces, this kit is jam-packed with all the supplies you’ll need for a 2-person, 2-day adventure.

I added the NEMO Roamer Double Sleeping Pad to my car camping setup last year and have never slept better car camping (you can read my full NEMO Roamer review here)! With a 4-inch thick pad (including a memory foam topper), you’ll feel like you’re sleeping on a real mattress. Plus, you won’t wake up in the middle of the night to a half-deflated mess like a traditional air mattress. Shopping for a solo setup? There’s a 1P Roamer available too.

There’s no better way to share warmth and coziness on a chilly night in the backcountry than with the REI Co-op HunkerDown 20 Double Sleeping Bag. Ryan and I have used this a number of times while car camping, and I love how each side is completely adjustable so you can zip up or air out depending on how cold you are.

The REI Base Camp 4 is an excellent car camping tent. It’s not quite tall enough to stand up inside in, but it’s pretty close. For those of you who like to stay organized, it’s got 18 pockets. I love the big windows on each door that you can unzip, and the huge vestibule is great for keeping your stuff and the inside of the tent dry. I’ve used this in windy and very rainy conditions with no issues. Read my review of the REI Base Camp 4 tent for more details.

The EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max Portable Power Station is an awesome power station that you can use to charge all of your devices (even a laptop or a portable fridge) while camping. It has a boasts a 512Wh capacity, and you can fully recharge the power station in just 1 hour by plugging it into a wall outlet.

The Geyser Portable Shower with Heater allows you to take a hot shower anywhere. Using less than 1 gallon of water per shower, you can rinse off yourself, your gear, and have an easy way to clean camp dishes. You can read a full review of the Geyser Systems Shower here.

Every camper knows the challenge of keeping sand and dirt out of your living space, and the CGear Multimats Original Sand-Free Mat addresses this issue brilliantly. I keep one of these mats outside the entryway to my van (or tent) so we can slip off our shoes before tracking in too much dirt. It’s also great for relaxing on or doing yoga, and it folds up pretty small.

Having a way to light up your campsite helps create some nice ambiance while car camping. The MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights are 18 feet long and be strung inside your tent, in the trees, or even placed on the ground around your camp chairs.

The ENO Double Nest hammock is the perfect gift for outdoor lovers who like to stargaze, read outdoors, snuggle with their pup (me), or take an afternoon nap. With tons of fun prints, you’re sure to find the perfect hammock for someone on your list. It’s very easy to set up with the ENO Atlas Straps (sold separately), and I even use this at home in my backyard.

Rumpl Blankets are my favorite camp blankets because they’re snuggly and soft yet still extremely durable. I’ve used mine since 2017 in my van, and I can’t believe how well it’s held up, especially with my dogs! The blankets come in several different materials including recycled synthetic (most durable), a warmer NanoLoft synthetic, and down. The best part is they’re water and dirt-resistant and can be thrown into the wash. Get the 2-person if you are planning to use it as a comforter in your van.

I recently tested the Helinox Cot One Convertible at a music festival. If the person you’re shopping for complains about sleeping pads being uncomfortable, this cot may be the perfect gift. It weighs just over 5 pounds, packs down smaller than thick car camping mattresses, and doesn’t get as hot. I’d say it’s fairly firm and extremely supportive, and paired with a camp pillow, I slept surprisingly well on this.

I personally love the Eureka Ignite Plus Camp Stove which fits two 12″ pans. It has two powerful burners, great simmering capability, and solid construction that will help you cook up delicious camp meals. We’ve had ours for more than 5 years with heavy use, and it works just as good as it did on day 1.

Everyone needs a high-quality camp mug and my top choice is the YETI Rambler. With double-walled vacuum insulation, this mug will keep hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours and has a MagSlider lid to prevent big spills. This mug fits in most car cup holders and comes in a ton of fun colors so take your pick this holiday season!

Kick off your camp mornings with a hot cup of coffee thanks to the Aeropress Go. I love this method of making coffee while camping because it’s strong and delicious, and the cleanup is easier than any other coffee maker, including the french press. With the Aeropress, you just plunge the grounds right into the trash. I’m a decaf drinker these days, and it works great for that too. For more details, see my Aeropress review.

I love an organized camp kitchen, and this Kelty Camp Galley Deluxe Bag makes it really easy! It can fit plates, bowls, silverware, a cutting board, cooking utensils, seasonings, and more. Just hang it from the end of your camp table or a branch, and you’ll have quick access to all of your camp cooking essentials.

A solid knife set is a great gift for the camp cook. The GSI Outdoors Santoku Knife Set includes a 4-inch paring knife, 6-inch chef’s knife, 6-inch serrated knife, and a folding cutting board plus a soap bottle and a dishcloth. It comes in a handy compact carry case so you can keep everything organized and won’t accidently slice your finger open while digging through your camp kitchen box.

Up your camp kitchen game with the Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven, an awesome gift for outdoor lovers! Cooking over a fire is a special way to make meals while car camping – from stews to casseroles to cobblers, the opportunities are endless with this 4-quart dutch oven.

My least favorite part of car camping (without my van) is dish cleanup. This OXO Outdoor Wash, Dry and Stow System makes it so much easier to do dishes while also following Leave No Trace. It has a washing bin, a rinse bin, and a drying rack with a spot for utensils. The whole system nests together so it’s easy to pack.

I prefer having a second set of camp cooking utensils that live in my camping box rather than having to always steal them from my kitchen for every single trip. This OXO Camp Cook Utensil Set comes with a spatula, serving spoon, a pair of thongs, and a silicone rest complete with a compact carrying case for easy transport. Plus the silicone ends make these non-stick, easy to clean, and they won’t scratch your non-stick pans.

I absolutely love my Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack. It’s a perfectly designed carry-on travel pack with tons of pockets and compartments to keep your stuff organized. It has a padded laptop/tablet sleeve and a small compartment for essentials like a passport and keys, and it even comes with a rain cover in case the weather turns. The material is super rugged and durable and can withstand being tossed around.

This is one of my personal favorite gifts for outdoor lovers – an annual America the Beautiful Park Pass. This pass offers unlimited access for 1 year to over 2,000 federal recreation sites (for up to 4 adults + kids), including all National Parks. Ideal for the avid traveler and nature lover, each purchase also contributes directly to the preservation and maintenance of these iconic destinations.

Nomadix Quick-Dry Towels are very useful and versatile for travelers. I have the original (thicker and softer) as well as a few of the ultralight that are great for throwing in my suitcase. Not only can they be used to dry off after a shower, but they can also be used as beach blankets, sarongs, car seat covers, yoga mats, and much more.

A toiletry bag is a must for any traveler. I love the Sea to Summit Hanging Toiletry Bag because it has several pockets to keep things organized and the hook makes it very efficient to use, especially in small spaces (like campground shower stalls). It’s also super lightweight and even includes a mirror, so it’s the perfect piece to bring along on road trips, camping trips, international travel, and more. It also comes in a large size for additional storage.

No matter where I’m going, I use packing cubes to keep my clothing organized. One for pants, one for shirts, and one for undergarments and socks. REI’s packing cube set has three different sizes to keep everything in the right place. These make a great gift for van lifers too!

I love how versatile this REI Co-op Big Haul 40 Recycled Duffel is. It can be carried either as a duffel or a backpack with stowaway straps. With a 40L capacity, this duffel is also a standard carry-on size on most airlines. Made with rugged recycled ripstop material, this duffel can withstand all of your adventures!

My mom actually bought this as a gift for me, and it’s a really handy (yet simple) gadget. The Scrubba Wash Bag is a pocket-sized “washing machine” that’s perfect for travel, camping, and other adventures. The Scrubba requires less than 1 gallon of water and provides a machine-quality wash, saving you time and money while traveling.

I bought this Kuat NV Base 2.0 2-Bike Hitch Rack to carry our 50-pound ebikes on the back of our 4runner. Ryan and I drove from Utah to Idaho last year with our bikes in this rack, and we couldn’t believe how sturdy it was, even on bumpy dirt roads. It’s super simple to install and to secure your bikes and even has a built-in lock.

I use this fleece-lined Polar Buff as a neck, ear, and face warmer every single day that I’m skiing. It’s thick and warm and keeps the cold drafts off of my face on the most blistery of days.

It’s annoying how quickly I seem to scratch my ski goggles, so I’d be stoked to receive a new pair as a Christmas gift. These Smith I/O MAG S ChromaPop Snow Goggles are designed to maximize your field of view and peripheral vision while minimizing fog and providing key UV protection. They come in variety of frame and lens colors.

My hands get super cold in winter, and these Black Diamond Mercury Mitts are the only ones I’ve tried that keep my fingers nice and toasty. They are fleece lined and very soft on the inside and have completely waterproof removable inserts. They are very durable, and mine have lasted me several seasons.

Oboz makes great hiking boots, so it’s no surprise that their Bridger Insulated winter hiking boots are high-performing and comfortable as well. I have the 9″ version while Ryan has the 10″ version, and I find them to be incredibly warm and very supportive for hiking. They have burly treads to prevent slipping on ice, and unlike other winter boots I’ve tried, these are easy to get on and off.

These MSR Lightening Ascent snowshoes are the cream of the crop. They are very lightweight which makes trudging uphill so much easier. The bindings are quick to get on and off and are designed to be able to handle steep terrain. If you are shopping for a smaller individual, choose the 22″ length (which have a 180 lb capacity). For people larger than that, get the 25″ length.

For the winter hikers, these Kahtoola Microspikes are a lifesaver. They attach to nearly any pair of shoes, and the spikes on the bottom help grab on to slick and icy terrain. I wear these on all of my winter hikes, and they help me feel a lot more confident.

The Veer Basecamp Shelter was my favorite piece of baby gear we packed for our travels when my son was under 1. This easy pop-up tent was a staple for both camp outings and beach days because the fully enclosed design ensures mosquitoes and bugs are kept at bay, while the detachable sunshade shielded him from the sun. We even put a portable play gym inside to keep him entertained.

We use the Deuter Kid Comfort Pro Backpack to carry our son, and any adventurous parent would love this as a gift! Herbie weighs 26 pounds now, and this pack is extremely supportive and adjustable so both Ryan or I can wear it. My favorite feature is the full coverage sun shade that comes over his head. It also has lots of stuffable pockets for carrying all of our other kid essentials like snacks, diapers, etc. Herbie seems to like it too, and it’s enabled us to do longer hikes as new parents.

I originally got this DAKINE Hot Laps 2 L Waist Pack while I was pregnant to avoid a too-heavy pack on my back while hiking. It’s since transitioned into a small diaper bag for hikes with my son, and it was especially handy when I was wearing him in a front carrier and didn’t want to wear a backpack. It has lots of different pockets with plenty of space for diaper changing supplies, snacks, and it even has space for a small water reservoir.

For parents in search of a reliable sun hat that combines function, comfort, and cuteness, the Sunday Afternoons SunSprout Hat is a must-have. We used this hat almost everyday when Herbie was an infant, and he never once got any kind of sunburn while wearing it. Plus the chin strap keeps it secure in windy conditions.

This tiny, packable, lightweight Sea to Summit bug net is essential for any hiker, camper, or backpacker who has had the unpleasant experience of being swarmed by mosquitos or flies. Bugs can be bad at certain times of the year, but this head net will stop them from bothering you and you’ll forget you even have it on. I brought this along on our Mineral King backpacking trip and was so glad that I did.

Take the guesswork out of it and give an REI Gift Card to the outdoor lover in your life who is difficult to shop for. That way, they can pick out something they need and want themselves. Easy peasy.

These Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes are a top seller for good reason. Perfect for camping and backpacking trips, these are like a shower in a wipe and will help you feel clean after a long day outside. They’re gentle on your skin, compostable, made with soothing aloe vera and vitamin E.

Micro-fiber towels are a great gift for the adventurer in your life – they’re perfect for tossing in a day pack to clean dog paws, dry off after a spontaneous lake dip, wash your face on backpacking trips, or many other uses. This hand towel comes with a convenient carrying case and a carabiner to clip onto a pack.

This is the perfect gift for the people in your life whom mosquitos and bugs love a little tooooo much (I’m looking at Ryan as I type this). The Bug Bite Removal Tool is a game-changer, using suction to extract insect venom from under the skin, reducing itching, swelling, and discomfort. It’s suitable for all ages and works on a variety of stings and bites, from mosquitoes to bees.

Every outdoor adventurer should have a small knife, and this Opinel knife is a favorite of mine. The simple ring lock system makes it safe and easy to use, plus it’s lightweight and elegant with a beautiful wood handle and stainless steel blade that stays sharp and won’t corrode.

A set of stormproof matches can be a lifesaver on a camping or backpacking trip if the weather turns or your lighter breaks. They’re a good thing to bring along in your hiking first aid kit in case of an emergency as well. These extra-long matches have a 25-second burn time, will light even after getting wet, and come in a durable waterproof case with a striker.

I take these NUUN hydration tablets along on all of my vigorous outdoor adventures. They’re packed with key electrolytes and minerals that you lose when you sweat, and they also make your water taste pretty good. These are also a great gift for travelers who may need help to stay hydrated on long flights or while traveling in hot countries.

This outdoor element Firebiner is a handy little gadget that looks like a normal carabiner but does so much more. It’s got a screwdriver, a bottle opener, a firestarter, and even a small utility blade. I keep this attached to my pack and with all of the functions, I no longer feel like I need to carry a full blown multi-tool.