40 Gifts for the Hiker Who Has Everything

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Everyone has that friend, family member, or loved one who never has cell service and always seems to be planning their next backcountry trip or peak-bagging adventure. Not only is this person somewhat mysterious, they can be impossible to buy for. Avid hikers have dedicated favorite items and go-to gear kits, and it can take some convincing to get them to add to their pack list.

We’ve made the shopping easier, with 40 gift ideas ranging from trail snacks that can be hard to justify splurging on, to a hydration reservoir drying hook, to a bucket-list hiking book that will inspire their next adventure. We also included our top picks for on-trail technical gear, tested by avid hikers and backpackers so you know it’s coming from a reliable source.

Best Gifts for Hikers

• Packable Delicious Energy: Honey Stinger Waffles

• Pick their Favorite Color: Hydro Flask Travel Mug

• For the Pensive Backpacker: Rite in the Rain Waterproof Notebook

• Packable Sun Protection for Exposed Trails: Outdoor Research Swift Cap

• Not Fun but Necessary: Counter Assault Bear Spray

What to Consider

Stick with Quality

It’s tempting to go with the cheapest option, but in most cases, hiking gear is worth spending money on. If you don’t have the budget for something big like a sleeping bag, opt for something smaller like a trail journal or a protective sun hat instead of buying an off-brand sleeping bag. Technical hiking gear costs a lot for a reason—the durability, comfort, and performance matters out on the trail. For anyone on a budget, there are plenty of smaller items that a hiker will be glad to unwrap.

Food is Actually a Great Gift

While most hiking gear doesn’t have to be replaced often, trail snacks and hydration supplements are expensive, and an avid hiker can really blow through a pack of energy bars. Check to make sure they don’t have any dietary restrictions or serious aversions, but a box of protein bars, gels, or electrolyte mix will be a welcome addition and means they won’t have to resort to gummy worms when the Shot Bloks run out.

Waffles

Packaged trail snacks are a delightful treat that can seem frivolous for the hiker to buy for themselves but are always a welcome gift. Honey Stinger Waffles are thin, chewy waffle wafers surrounding a layer of natural honey, and are a favorite of hikers, backpackers, and ultrarunners. At 150 calories per waffle and infused with natural sugars for energy, these are a hiker’s go-to trail snack.

Gel 24-Pack

Energy gels and gummies are kind of a splurge, but having a box of these sitting in the pantry means easy grab-and-go energy for hikes and trail runs. We listed a caffeinated pack, but there are plenty of non-caffeinated flavors as well. Go for a variety pack so they don’t get bored.

X Brew Coffee Dripper

Dawn patrol, car camping, and early trailhead arrivals are made better with fresh coffee. While some hikers are fine with instant coffee, the Sea to Summit X Brew is so convenient it’s hard to say no to a fresh cup. This is a collapsible coffee dripper with a stainless steel mesh drip component in food-grade silicon (similar to the brand's collapsible bowls) that brews a single cup in just a few minutes. Just make sure they remember the Jetboil.

Instant Mocha

This small, woman-owned company makes vegan, gluten-free drink powders that dissolve instantly in hot water and are packed with high-quality coffee and other natural energy sources like MCT oil and functional mushrooms. This is an all-in-one drink mix that includes powdered oat milk, so you get a creamy mocha beverage made with good-for-you ingredients that isn’t too sweet… just add boiling water. This bag makes 10 servings.

Hydration Electrolyte Powder

These low-sugar hydration packs come in a variety of great flavors in convenient single-serve packets, and have options for everything from energy-boosting to relaxing drink mixes for natural sleep aid. Plus, they’re packed with electrolytes lost through sweat, so choose a variety based on the activities your hiker is doing, and they’ll be thrilled to have some flavor added to their next water bottle.

Travel Mug

You know the hiker you bought the Cinderbird Mocha powder and Sea to Summit dripper for? They need something to hold their drinks in, and these perfectly sized travel mugs from Hydro Flask are the answer. These hold 12 ounces and keep liquid hot for hours, plus they have an ergonomic handle like an at-home mug.

Reusable Silicone Sandwich Bag

Chances are your hiker friend is also environmentally conscious. Help them stay true to their morals with these convenient, durable, reusable sandwich bags that eliminate the need for single-use plastic bags. Stasher bags come in a variety of sizes, and this one is perfect for nuts, crackers, or a sandwich.

Backcountry Subscription

Gift a year’s subscription to the Premium version of this mapping app, which now includes ski terrain and avalanche terrain information. The Premium subscription to OnX Backcountry gets your hiker route-building tools, topographic maps and GPS for offline use, and more than 650,000 miles of trails to explore.

Annual National Parks Pass

This remarkable access pass gets the user and their companions entry into every national park in the US, as well as entry into other public lands and discounts or free camping at hundreds of sites. Plus, if you buy it through REI, they donate 10% of proceeds from the purchase to outdoor-oriented nonprofits.

National park entrance fees are typically $30-$35 per vehicle, so if your giftee plans to go to a minimum of three parks in a year, this pass easily pays for itself.

Waterproof Notebook

Rite in the Rain created the original waterproof notebook, perfect for the hiker who likes to keep a journal during their backpacking trips, take notes about wildflowers and birds, or simply jot down ideas and thoughts out in nature. This notebook comes in a few different styles and sizes, but we love giving this beautiful bound version as a gift.

Lonely Planet Epic Hikes of the Americas

From the 486-mile Colorado Trail to a 10-mile epic summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine, this book features a range of hikes and backpacking trips across North and South America that will get everyone scribbling plans for their top picks in their waterproof hiking notebook. Each hike in this book was written by a person who has actually hiked the trail, and is the first step to planning someone’s next epic hiking trip.

Swift Cap

A practical gift they’ll reach for time and time again, this ultralight, sweat-wicking hat folds up into a pocket, shakes out into a full-size running cap, and helps keep the sun from their eyes while managing moisture on humid days. This cap is breathable, packable, and a go-to trail accessory for warm-weather hikes.

Original Multifunctional Headwear

The original do-it-all fabric tube (for lack of a better term) comes in multiple styles. We listed the Original Buff, which can be worn as a neck warmer, sweat-band, headband, twisted into a hat, as an ear warmer, and so much more.

Make it personal and choose a pattern or trail design specific to your hiker, and if they live somewhere cold, consider the extra-long Merino Buff for more insulation.

Thermal Merino Headband

The perfect ear warmer doesn’t exi—yes it does. This wide, soft ear warmer has just enough insulation to protect hikers’ ears on cold or windy days without feeling too compressive. Available in multiple fun and lively prints, this is made with 100% merino wool, and it doesn’t itch or feel sweaty.

Bear Town Socks

Technical with a cute animal print? Yes please. Darn Tough (and its legendary lifetime warranty) makes some of the best hiking socks in the industry, and the variety of fun designs just adds to their cache. These micro-crew socks are a good height for both trail running shoes and hiking boots, and are made with a blend of nylon for durability and merino for moisture management.

Swank Sunglasses

There are plenty of inexpensive sunglasses on the market, but the durability and scratch-resistance can be questionable. Tifosi finds a balance between reasonably priced shades that hold up to more expensive brands in design and materials without compromising durability.

Some versions of the Swank are polarized and some are not, but there are multiple color options of this model with either type of lenses.

Sun Hoodie

Town Shirt makes as good (or better) sun shirts and hoodies as brands sold at REI and Backcountry, but in some of the coolest prints we’ve ever seen on technical fabrics. Surprise your hiker with your insider knowledge of niche outdoor brands and pick a print from a trail they’ve hiked or have on their bucket list.

Hike Support Insoles

Your favorite hiker spending long days on their feet? Out for weeks at a time on a long-distance trip? Can’t stop complaining about how much their feet ache?

Spare them the pain with these hiking-specific insoles that help with energy retention, arch support, and protection from uneven and rugged terrain. Choose from the basic brand sizing and then the recipient can cut them to match their worn-out insoles.

Kapai Hip Pack

This is a versatile pack in Cotopaxi’s eye-catching signature multicolors, and will be the accessory they didn’t know they needed. The 1.5-liter size fits a soft flask water bottle, snacks, keys, a phone, and even a wind layer. It has a padded back panel, adjustable waist band, and each one is printed from fabric remnants that would otherwise go to waste.

Reservoir Dryer

Get ready for a confused look followed by effusive thanks when they open this weird looking hook thing. This little gadget was made specifically to help dry out those impossible-to-dry hydration reservoirs, which not only saves time but can save the reservoir itself, as they develop mildew if they’re stored before being totally dry.

Bear Spray

One of the greatest gifts you can give is the gift no one actually feels like buying for themselves. That, and the gift of safety. With a can of bear spray, you’re giving both. Necessary for outdoor activities in areas with a grizzly population, bear spray can be clipped to a pack or carried on trails and at campsites. Just be sure they don’t have to fly with it, as you can’t take it with you on a plane.

Chipper Foam Seat

This funky little z-fold seat is made with recycled scraps of closed-cell foam from other NEMO pads, and is the perfect 5.5-ounce companion whether it’s strapped on a pack or in the car for a quick mat to change on or place to sit at the trailhead.

Cork Massage Ball

A small gift that punches way above its (minimal) weight class, a Rawlogy Cork Massage Ball is small and light enough to disappear into a backpacking pack only to be well appreciated at camp following a long day on trail.

These cork massage balls have enough density to provide ample resistance, but don’t feel painful to roll out on. Rolling out your muscles helps prevent stiffening up after a hike, and can also help avoid injury.

Sunscreen and Insect Repellent Set

The best bug spray and sweat-proof sunscreen for the trail comes from a beloved brand in the trail family. Sawyer is most known for its ubiquitous filters, but it also make a stellar picaridin bug repellent and some of the most sweat-proof sunscreen we’ve ever worn.

This comes in a convenient package with both bug spray and sunscreen, and will be much appreciated on hot, buggy trails this summer.

Soundcore Sport Headphones

These compact little bluetooth headphones are the complete package: comfortable for long periods of time, high sound quality, long-lasting battery life, sweatproof, and reasonably priced. These are ideal for active days on trail thanks to the rotating ear hooks and multiple earbud sizes that create a custom-feeling fit and don’t bounce out.

They have 8 hours of battery life per charge and a whopping 32 hours of battery life in the charging case.

Rev

There are a lot of multitool options out there, but it’s hard to beat the durability and smooth actions of the original Leatherman models. The Rev is a good middle ground between a minimalist multitool and a big honkin’ ranch-work model.

It has 14 tools, weighs 4 ounces, and is the perfect trail tool for everything from tightening trekking pole screws to cutting an apple during a snack break.

Collapsible Backpack

This brilliant little backpack is our forever companion during travel with any kind of hiking component. It folds up into its own pocket and takes up minimal space in a bag, but can also be used as a personal item when luggage is limited.

Deployed, it has multiple pockets for organizing, adjustable padded shoulder straps, and even a hanging loop for a hydration reservoir. Plus, it comes in several national park design themes so you can make the gift even more personal.

Microspikes

The industry standard for winter shoe traction, Kahtoola’s Microspikes work like tire chains for shoes. The 12 spikes per foot are deliberately placed for maximum traction on packed snow and ice, and they fold up into their own little carry bag for stashing in a pack when they aren’t needed. Just be sure to get the correct size for your hiker’s foot.

Snap Solo Headlamp

Items with clever designs make some of the best gifts, and this multi-use headlamp is both smartly designed and highly effective on the trail. It can be worn as a traditional headlamp with over 300 lumens, held as a flashlight, or attached to a magnetic surface for early-morning trailside preparation. This is also highly water resistant and rechargeable.

BeFree Water Filter Bottle

This all-in-one compact water bottle and filter combo can fit into a hip belt or jacket pocket, and as long as the trail is near water, carrying it means unlimited access to potable water. These are great to keep stashed in a pack regardless of whether you think you brought enough hydration, and they can also keep pack weight down since you can get water on the go.

Capture 3.0 Camera Clip

Help your budding photographer pal keep their camera secure and easy to access on the trail. Peak Design’s camera clip is trusted by professionals in the photography world, and attaches conveniently to the shoulder strap of their favorite pack so they can grab it quickly when the shot appears during the hike.

Parks of the USA Water Bottle

This stainless steel, double-wall bottle is vacuum-insulated, has a convenient folding straw lid, and a generous 32-ounce capacity. Sure, a lot of other insulating bottles have these things, but do they have etchings of every national park and accompanying stickers to commemorate each one your hiking traveler checks off their list? Probably not.

Personalized Custom Trail Map with Stand

Help your hiker memorialize a special location, trail, national park, or route with these custom-made mounted maps. They come mounted with an easel back or hanging options, and you can choose the wood finish based on your hikers’ style preferences. Bonus points if you choose a map of a location from an adventure you had together.

The Pacific Crest Trail: A Visual Compendium Book

Know someone who has the 2,600-mile PCT on their long-term bucket list? This beautifully illustrated book can help keep their dreams alive during the planning process, with inspirational artwork and deep dives into the different sections of the trail, the flora and fauna, and fascinating infographs that only a thru-hiker or thru-hiker hopeful would appreciate.

National Park Playing Cards

We can’t get enough of national parks, and this artfully designed pack makes an eye-catching gift to go along with their bucket-list national parks water bottle. Along with the inspirational artwork, a portion of sales from Landmark Project products goes to 1% for the Planet, and the company has raised thousands of dollars for the US Forest Service from their Smokey the Bear collection.

Fourteener 24 Hydration Pack

There are so many hydration packs out there that it’s impossible to choose one for everything. But most hikers—whether they’re going out for a short jaunt or a full-day excursion—will be happy with this 24-liter pack from Camelbak. This pack comes with a 3-liter reservoir, and has plenty of convenient features like external pockets, trekking pole holders, and mesh side pockets.

Traverse Trekking Poles

This reasonably priced pair of trekking poles will be a welcome gift for any hiker. These poles are adjustable from 37- to 55-inches and are available in two length options. They collapse down to 22 inches for easy packing, and have reliable flick-locks for height adjustment.

And if your hiker goes backpacking with a trekking-pole shelter, these aluminum poles are durable enough to create the shelter structure.

Gear Box 3500

This gear storage box turned our tester’s disaster of a truck into a ready-to-grab gear display that would make a professional organizer swoon. Compartments in various sizes hold snacks, water bottles, spare layers, bear spray, and assorted small items so your hiker will never feel unprepared for weather changes, or find themselves digging for their Microspikes at the trailhead.

Garmin InReach Mini

Garmin’s pocket-size satellite messenger has two-way messaging, SOS, and tracking navigation on the device in case your hiker loses the trail. This is an expensive purchase, but in emergencies without reception, one of these devices can literally mean the difference between life and death.

With clear skis and limited use, the batteries can last up to two weeks. Keep in mind they’ll need a subscription to activate the device.

Q+A

What makes a good gift for a hiker?

A good gift for a hiker can be anything from a themed travel mug to a prepaid pass to US National Parks. It can be geared towards adventure travel or can be convenient to add to their pack.

If you aren’t an avid hiker yourself, we recommend steering clear of trying to buy the most technical items, as often a hiker’s kit is quite specific and tailored to their needs. Lastly, avoid the gift guides that were written by someone sorting Amazon products by category and including the top 20 items.

How do I know what a hiker wants?

First, start with our list. If you’re still stumped or want something more personalized, check out hiking accounts online, look at pictures of people’s hiking apparel and gear systems, or sort REI’s hiking category by any number of metrics.

Take a look at your hiker’s photos online, or keep notes on what they’ve mentioned they’d like to add to their kit. Maybe they mentioned a pack strap chafing, or that their favorite water bottle has a leaky lid. And if you’re unsure, just include a gift receipt.

Are there gifts I should avoid buying for a hiker?

Avoid anything too specific or technical, unless you know exactly what they’re looking for. Hitting up a big box store and buying the first tent you see is a nice (and generous!) gesture, but chances are they already have a tent, or they’re picky about specs and metrics like interior space, footprint, head room, style, and capacity.

There’s a lot to consider with larger items, so it’s best to stick to general gear and apparel.

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