50+ Hiking Gift Ideas for All the Hikers on Your List
For those who love the great outdoors, it can be a challenge to find the perfect gifts. Fortunately, there are fun and practical gifts for people who like to hike.
As a hiking expert, I thought about all my favorite gear and culled together the very best gift ideas for every hiker on your list – guys, gals, pets, kids.
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Gift Ideas for Hikers
From camping gear to tech gear and much more, these gifts will wow the outdoor lovers in your life. Even better, they’ll be well-prepared on the hiking trails.
To make it easy for you to navigate this hiking gift guide, I’ve grouped hiking-related gifts by hiker and gift types:
Get ready to gear up your hiking giftee so they can get out on the hiking trails. Eyes will light up and you will be lauded for your remarkable gift-choosing prowess!
Gifts for Hikers Under $25
These hiking gifts under $25 are perfect for the outdoor enthusiast in your life. The best hiking gifts are practical and durable. All of these fit the bill.
Hiking Poles
Do you know someone who loves to find the perfect hiking stick? They’ll love their very own set of hiking poles! These are durable, lightweight and adjustable.
They’re made of lightweight aluminum that makes them a breeze to bring along. An anti-shock feature helps stave off shoulder fatigue on a long hike.
Camping Mug
It’s hard to get better than a durable, insulated camping mug that keeps your hot coffee hot and your cold soda cold.
This is a great mug to bring camping or backpacking when you just want to sit around a campfire with a warm toasty mug of coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps your beverages hot or cold for hours. As a bonus, this mug also fits in many car cup holders.
Hiking Daypack
A hiking daypack is the perfect gift for any hiking enthusiast! This daypack comes in seven different colors. It’s attractive, super functional and under $25.
This durable water-resistant and tear-resistant day pack also has padded shoulder straps, a chest strap with a whistle and heavy-duty zippers.
Wide Brim Sun Hat
A wide brim sun hat is the perfect head accessory for the trail. This hat not only keeps sun out of your eyes, it keeps it off your entire face and neck.
Help the hiker in your life avoid sunburns and squinting with a wide brim sun hat. Made of 100% nylon, this hat is breathable, moisture wicking and washable.
Multitool
A multitool is a great item to have in your daypack or hiking backpack, if only because it has so many uses and does so many thing when on the trail.
Whether you need an axe, a hammer, a wire cutter, a pocket knife, or 10 other on-the-fly tools, you are covered with this portable multitool.
This multitool comes in red, black and green. It’s sturdy and reliable, but best of all, it’s there to help when in a pinch. It even has a whistle and a fire starter.
Solar Charger
A solar charger is one of the handiest accessories for day hikers. It’s the perfect battery back-up to keep up to two phones charged while hiking and camping.
This portable solar charger comes with a carabiner to clip on the outside of a backpack for recharging and a handy flashlight to use in a pinch.
Hiking Waist Pack
A hiking waist pack is a great way to keep essentials handy so you can be hands-free while you hike. This hiking fanny pack has a water-bottle holder, too.
This hiking waist pack comes in 18 different colors. An adjustable waist strap makes this pack a fit for waists that range from 18” to 36”.
Gifts for New Hikers
What exactly do you get a new hiker? New hikers need to build up their hiking gear arsenal. These items make perfect gifts to help them do exactly that.
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is a vital first-item in a new hiker’s arsenal. There are 85 supplies in this kit for treating common cuts and scrapes, as well as minor aches and pains.
Some items in this travel-size kit include gloves, gauze, bandages in different sizes, alcohol pads, tweezers, a whistle and antiseptic pads.
Collapsible Water Bottle
Everyone could use a collapsible water bottle. This two-pack of BPA-free silicone collapsible water bottles are the perfect addition to any new hiker’s gear kit.
These bottles can hold up to 500 ml of water. They’re also leak-proof, odor-proof and easy to clean after a hike.
Hydration Pack
A hydration pack is a great gift for new hikers. This hydration pack is a reusable and refillable water bladder that holds up to two liters of water.
The bladder is made from a BPA-free material that’s easy to clean and dry. The front of the pack has a good-size pocket that can store other hiking essentials, too.
Garmin inReach Mini
The Garmin inReach Mini can literally save a life. This satellite communication device can transmit location or send out SOS signals.
The Garmin inReach Mini can be used by hikers 24/7 to transmit messages to a search and rescue monitoring center in the event that they get lost or injured.
Headlamp
Anyone who hikes needs a quality headlamp with adjustable brightness and light color settings. This set of two headlamps fits the bill perfectly.
This headlamp has a 45-degree adjustable light with four white-light settings and three red-light settings. An elastic band adjusts to fit any head size.
Hiking Gifts for Her
Most hiking gifts and gear are gender-neutral, but if you want to surprise a friend or family member with feminine hiking gifts for her, you are covered.
Water-Resistant Hiking Pants
Water-resistant hiking pants are great for female hikers. Made from lightweight and breathable materials, these pants dry quickly to keep hikers comfortable.
These lightweight pants are perfect for spring and summer hikes. The elastic waistband and stretchy material make them versatile for many sizes.
Winter Hiking Leggings
Staying warm while hiking in winter is all about the appropriate clothing. Material, size and style all play a role. These leggings come in 27 different colors.
These winter hiking leggings come with pockets. This is great for keeping a cell phone handy. Every pair has a soft fleece lining to keep your favorite hiker warm.
Women’s Hiking Socks
You can never go wrong with a gift of winter hiking socks. Hiking socks are always needed, whether for long hikes or for quick day hikes.
These wool socks are midweight with a cushion, which is a warm and comfortable choice on cold, blustery winter hiking days.
Hiking Skirt
Skirts are great for hiking. They provide greater range of motion, as well as enhanced breathability and air flow when on the hiking trails.
There are a range of hiking skirts too, including long skirts, short skirts, skorts, insulated skirts for winter hiking, and everything in between.
For a relaxed look on the trails, the Patagonia Fleetwith skort is a top pick. It comes in two colors. It also has plenty of pockets.
Hike More T-Shirt
This “Hike More, Worry Less” t-shirt is perfect for the female hiking enthusiast in your life. This hiking quote t-shirt is the perfect way to display a love for hiking.
The machine-washable Hike More, Worry Less t-Shirt comes in sizes from small to 3x to fit any size or style. It’s fun to wear both on and off the trail.
Hiking Dress
Hiking dresses with built-in bras, secure pockets and adjustable straps that are made from moisture-wicking fabrics are perfect for days on the trails.
PrAna makes excellent outdoor attire. The Skypath dress is no exception. This dress is tank-style with an open back design, which is great for summer days.
This dress is made from a stretch jersey knit and is super comfortable. It comes in 11 colors and patterns in sizes from XS to XL.
Hiking Gifts for Him
Just what do you get the male hiker who has it all? Something from this list! These hiking gifts for him are sure to be a hit with any male hiking enthusiast in your life.
Quick-Dry Hiking Pants
Hiking pants are a great choice for hiking gifts for him. So what makes a great pair of hiking pants? It’s all about the material and the fit!
These pants come in 26 different colors. An elastic waist with a zipper fits to many different sizes. Deep zipper pockets ensure nothing falls out or gets lost.
Insulated Hiking Pants
Winter is a great time to hike! It’s easier to see with the leaves off the trees and there are less bugs. But it is cold, so insulated hiking clothing is a must.
These pants come in a range of colors, including navy blue, dark grey and moss. Six pockets are just right for warming hands or keeping belongings safe and dry.
Men’s Hiking Socks
These Merino wool Darn Tough men’s hiking socks are the perfect gift for the male hikers on your list. They come in six different color variations, too.
The Darn Tough brand gives their socks a lifetime guarantee. Socks that develop holes, tears or wear will be replaced for free for life.
Long-Sleeve Hoodie Shirt
This 100% polyester long-sleeve hoodie shirt is perfect to wear on the trail. Made from a moisture wicking material, sweat evaporates to keep hikers cool.
This long-sleeve hoodie shirt comes in many different colors, including dark green, sea blue and white. Sizes range from small to 3X.
Hiking Gifts for Kids
Know a kid who loves to hike? These thoughtful hiking gifts for kids are sure to delight them and inspire them to get out on the trails!
Hiking with Kids Virginia Trail Guide
Yes, it’s true, my hiking guidebook that outlines the 52 best trails for kids and families in Virginia makes a fantastic holiday gift or a great stocking stuffer.
Inside, you’ll find loads of photos, maps and trail descriptions to help you and your family spend time together outdoors on your first or next hike.
You’ll find engaging hikes for kids with waterfalls, rock scrambles, water crossings, swimming holes and big overlook views.
Kid-Size Hiking Daypack
A kid-size hiking daypack is perfect for the hiking kid on the go! This daypack comes in three different colors and has room to store all the hiking essentials.
This hiking daypack also has padded shoulder straps, a breathable mesh vented back material and a chest clip for secure and proper carrying.
Kids Trekking Poles
These kid-sized hiking poles are a great gift for the pint-sized hiker on your list. These poles have wrist straps and easy grip handles for comfort on the trail.
To top it all off, the hiking poles have different tips for hiking in different terrains. They came with their own bag for storage, carrying and protection.
Hiking Shoes
Kids are hard on shoes. That’s a given! Help keep their everyday shoes lasting as long as possible with hiking shoes that are just for hiking.
These hiking shoes are water-resistant and have grippy soles for many terrains and hiking trails. Sizes range from a size 7.5 toddler to size 6 for big kids.
Water Bottle
A fun, colorful water bottle is essential hiking gear for kids and this bottle is perfect to carry in their backpack.
Your child should carry their own water bottle, but be sure you pack extra in your own pack in case your child is in need of a refill.
Binoculars
An easy way to make a hike instantly more fun is to bring along a pair of colorful binoculars.
The eye pieces are adjustable and they come with a protective carrying case and a breakaway neck strap. This is a fun gift for your nature explorer.
Walkie Talkies
Make hiking more fun for kids with a set of brightly-colored and rugged walkie talkies. This walkie talkie set comes with three two way radios.
These walkie talkies are drop-resistant and have a 3 mile range with 22 different channels for communicating.
Sun Hat
A sun hat is an essential piece of hiking gear for kids when hiking on sunny trails. This sun hat has an elastic drawstring, as well as a chinstrap.
This wide brim sun hat has UPF 50+ sun protection and mesh panels so their heads stay cool. It also comes in 19 different colors.
Hiking Gifts for Dogs
Do you love to hike with your dog or know someone who does? These hiking gift ideas for dogs are useful and practical. Tails will wag!
Dog Backpack
Dogs can carry their own hiking gear with these doggy hiking backpacks! These dog packs are a saddle bag style and come in four different color options.
Young and healthy doggos can typically safely carry about 25% of their own body weight. These packs are the perfect accessory for getting started.
Reflective Bandana
Keep your dog safe, visible, and fashionable at camp or on the trail with a reflective high-vis bandana. These bandanas come in sizes from XS to XL.
Never lose your dog on the trail or at camp again with a reflective and water-resistant high-vis bandana. Your favorite doggo will thank you.
Bear Bell
Hiking in bear country with small animals, like a dog, requires safety precautions. One of those is a bear bell!
The goal is to scare off a bear before any encounters take place. A bear bell helps keep you, your dog and area wildlife safe while you enjoy your hike.
Collapsible Water Bowl
A collapsible water bowl is a must-have accessory for hiking dogs. These collapsible dog bowls are made out of a lightweight, collapsible silicone material.
These water bowls are easy to use and easy to clean, too. They come in a two-pack and are available in 19 colors and two sizes.
Winter Hiking Gifts
Winter hiking requires special gear to keep hikers warm and safe. If you know someone who loves cold-weather hiking, take a look at these great hiking gifts.
Microspikes
Kahtoola Microspikes are perfect for hiking, backpacking and trail running in winter weather. They are made for gaining traction in icy, mountainous terrain.
They’re also highly flexible. These spikes slip securely over the toe and heel of hiking boot. The harness remains flexible in temps as low as -30 degrees F.
Leg Gaiters
Waterproof leg gaiters are a must-have hiking accessory for cold weather and snowy hiking. A breathable inner membrane keep legs dry and warm.
A two-inch wide seamless Velcro closure from top to bottom prevents rain and snow from entering but makes them easy to put on and take off.
Heated Vest
What more could you ask for when hiking on a cold wintry afternoon than a vest that actually produces its own heat?
There are up to four heat zones to keep your body warm and cozy. These unisex vests come in three colors, including black, gray and gray/dark blue.
Neck Gaiter
A neck gaiter is a perfect gift for winter hiking. These versatile gaiters can be worn over the neck, the neck and face, the ears, or over the head as a beanie.
Neck gaiters make the perfect accessory to pair with any hiking outfit while keeping hikers warm at the same time. The material is stretchy and comfortable.
Winter Thermal Gloves
Gloves are a must-have when hiking in cold weather. These winter thermal gloves are unisex. They are great for hiking, running or any active outdoor adventures.
As a bonus, fingertip pads allow you to keep your warm gloves on and still be able to tap and swipe your cell phone with ease.
Hand & Toe Warmers
Hot Hands hand and toe warmers should be an essential part of any winter or cold weather hiker or camper’s gear arsenal.
Put the toe warmers in hiking boots to keep the toes warm on the trail. The warmers heat up in 15 minutes and provide ample heat for up to ten hours.
Gifts for Backpackers
The best gifts for backpackers are practical and useful, but also compact and lightweight. These items make great gifts for the backpackers or hikers in your life.
Backpacking Stove
This lightweight MSR PocketRocket backpacking stove kit is the perfect gift for backpackers. The canister stove can boil one liter of water in 3.5 minutes.
The entire kit weighs just 25.8 ounces. All the cookware in this backpacking stove kit nests into the aluminum pot to save space.
Portable Bluetooth Speaker
This portable Bluetooth speaker is a great gift for the backpacker who loves to listen to music and podcasts. It’s JBL brand, so the sound is top quality.
A 1000mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery powers this portable Bluetooth speaker. A single charge is enough for up to 10 hours of continuous playtime.
Water Filtration System
The Sawyer water filtration system is the perfect gift for backpackers who need a way to filter water on the trail.
With this water filter, a backpacker can fill any standard water bottle from a stream or lake and attach the filter to the top for clean drinking water anywhere.
Slip-On Camp Shoes
These slip-on camp shoes are perfect gift for a backpacker to wear at camp. After a long day of hiking, it’s feels great to take off your hiking boots to air out and dry.
They’re also great to wear in water for short periods. They’re made of a waterproof material and have drainage holes throughout the shoes.
Sleeping Bag
This mummy sleeping bag is a must for any backpacker. This sleeping bag packs down small for easy transport. It also weighs just 3.6 pounds.
There are different colors and temperature ratings to choose from: from 32 to 15 degrees F. The bag is long too and can accommodate a hiker up to 6′ 6″ tall.
Sleeping Bag Liner
A sleeping bag liner is like a sheet set for backpackers. It slips inside the sleeping bag to keep hikers warm at night. It also keeps a sleeping bag clean and dry.
This sleeping bag liner folds down into a compact 8” by 6” carrying bag. It also weighs just 11.64 ounces.
Backpacking Tent
When backpacking, weight and size are everything. This backpacking tent is a perfect gift for a backpacker who needs a new (or upgraded) tent.
This one-person, three-season tent packs down to a minimum weight of 3 lbs, 5 oz. Pre-bent poles allow for easy setup and take down.
Inflatable Camping Pillow
An inflatable camping pillow is for backpackers who want a pillow for sleeping but don’t have room or weight capacity to lug around a traditional pillow. Who does?
It folds down to 5×2 inches and weighs only 3.9 ounces. The pillow inflates with just five to eight breaths and has an inflated size of 16 x 12 x 4 inches.
Outdoor Coffee Maker
Coffee-loving backpackers will love a gift of an outdoor French press coffee maker! This coffee maker makes the perfect cup of coffee.
This outdoor coffee maker can be used to make coffee or boil water for any other use, such as for tea or soup.
Sleeping Pad
For backpackers, an inflatable sleeping pad is a must-have. This sleeping pad comes in insulated and uninsulated versions and in a variety of sizes, too.
The insulated version is great for cool weather camping and backpacking. Meanwhile, the uninsulated version is ideal for backpacking in summer months.
Bear Canister
A bear canister is a must-have safety item for backpackers who hike or backpack in bear country, like Shenandoah National Park.
These bear canisters have been grizzly and black bear tested. They are approved by the NPS and national forest agencies for use in the backcountry.
Backpacking Chair
Backpackers need somewhere to sit at camp, so this lightweight and compact camping chair makes a great gift.
This chair deploys in seconds and provides a comfortable and quick seat at camp after a long day on the trail. This chair has two side pockets for holding small gear.
FAQs About Hiking Gifts
You’ve got questions, I’ve got answers! Here are some frequently asked questions about hiking and hiking gifts.
What is a good gift for someone who likes hiking?
The best gift for someone that loves hiking should be durable, useful and practical.
Great gifts for hikers can include outdoor gear like trekking poles or daypacks, or tech gear like solar power banks and rechargeable hand warmers.
What should I buy for an avid hiker?
Avid hikers often have everything they need for the trail, but you can still get them thoughtful gifts that they’ll love and use on their next adventure.
A daypack is a good idea, and you can never go wrong with socks or hand warmers for winter hikes. Maybe accessories that showcase a love for the outdoors.
I don’t know that any outdoor lovers in my life would turn down an REI gift card either to help equip their next outdoor adventure or hiking trip.
What is a good gift for a female hiker?
A good gift for a female hiker is something useful and practical. You can never go wrong with hiking clothes.
Tactical pants, thermal wear and warm hiking socks all make great gifts for the female hikers in your life.
If you’re unsure of their size, socks or stretchy leggings are a great go-to gift. Here are top picks for gifts for female hikers.
What should every hiker carry on a hike?
Every hiker should carry six to ten essential items on a hike. The essential six items include:
- A first aid kit
- A water bottle
- A flashlight or headlamp
- Trail food
- Sun protection like sunblock, hats and clothing
- A whistle
Additional essential items to carry include:
- Fire in the form of waterproof matches, a lighter, or a flint firestarter
- Shelter in the form of a tarp, tent or emergency blanket
- A knife
- A navigation system in the form of a compass, map or satellite GPS locator like the Garmin InReach
I hope you found a lot of smart gift ideas for hikers and backpackers in your life. Enjoy your time out on the hiking trails. I hope to see you soon!
Erin Gifford has completed more than 300 hikes in Virginia. She is also the author of three hiking guidebooks from Falcon Guides. Need help finding a hike? Check out the Trail Finder feature or send Erin an email at [email protected].
