These Are the Best Gifts for All the Outdoorsy People In Your Life

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It isn’t easy shopping for outdoor enthusiasts. When it comes to gear, they tend to be pretty picky, knowing that comfort, enjoyment, and even safety can depend on the quality of what they pack and bring along.

As a lifelong fanatic for all things in the great wide open, I’m very familiar with the need for dependable equipment, whether camping, hiking, climbing, trail running, or engaging in any other sport. To this end, I’ve personally tested, and can vouch for, the best outdoor adventure gifts to give a fellow off-the-beaten-path explorer.

These gifts represent the latest from popular brands like Helly-Hansen and Cotopaxi and lesser-known up-and-comers. And because outdoor gear can be quite expensive, I’ve been careful to include gifts that span price points, from $10 stocking stuffers to fancy electronics.

Elite 8 Active True Wireless Earbuds

The Elite 8 Active earbuds from Jabra are not only the most durable in the brand’s lineup, but are among the toughest on the market, period. They’ve passed military durability tests, and are waterproof, sweatproof, and dustproof, meaning they’re rugged enough to handle whatever nature throws at them. They also sound great and have an extremely long-lasting battery life.

Three Cheese Mac & Cheese

A tasty and convenient meal for backcountry hikers and campers, the Mac & Cheese from Backpacker’s Pantry makes for an affordable stocking stuffer. Along with simply tasting delicious, it’s packed with all the nutrition necessary to fuel outdoor adventures. The company also offers pad thai, lasagna, and more, so there are plenty of entree options.

Freestyle Rocker Folding Chair

After a long day of exploring, there’s nothing quite like kicking back by the fire. The Freestyle from GCI is by far the sturdiest folding rocking chair I’ve tried, delivering a pleasantly smooth rocking experience to help calm things down when it’s time to relax. It also has a cup holder attached to the side to keep a beverage conveniently within reach.

iPhone 15

A phone might not seem like the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an outdoor gift, but the iPhone 15 has a unique feature that makes it essential for the backcountry enthusiast: emergency AAA assistance via satellite.

Even when out of cell reception, this function allows users to hail a tow. This is invaluable when returning to the trailhead after a hike to find that your car won’t start—every backcountry explorer’s nightmare. The camera is also fantastic, which is super for capturing those natural vistas.

Tempo Synthetic Sleeping Bag

The Nemo Forte 20 is one of the most comfortable sleeping bags I’ve ever slept in. Thickly padded and plenty warm, it keeps sleepers toasty and cozy through three seasons and features a draft-proof hood. It’s also shaped like a spoon, which provides extra room around the knees and shoulders so that side-sleepers can fit more comfortably.

Grab-and-Go Rebuild Recovery

For ultramarathoners, triathletes, hikers, and other outdoor fitness fanatics, proper fuel is essential. This variety pack of powered mix from Tailwind is an easy stocking stuffer and provides on-the-go recovery meals with balanced proteins, carbs, and electrolytes.

40-Quart Cooler

A good cooler is a key component of every outdoor kitchen setup, and I’ve become a big fan of Orca. Their burly design keeps food and drinks cold for days at a time and its bear-proof to boot. There are also a range of eye-catching colors to choose from, and sizes smaller and larger, though the 40-quart hits the sweet spot in terms of space and portability.

Tenkara Rods IM12 Nano

This is the ideal gift for an angler who enjoys backcountry hiking. The Tenkara Rods IM12 Nano has everything necessary for basic flyfishing yet packs down super small to fit into a daypack. While the rod is a bit smaller than most, it still delivers outstanding action that surpasses that of most other backpacking rods.

Smart Meat Thermometer

This wireless meat thermometer is a useful gift for cooking-enthused campers who want to sizzle up something delicious but also want the freedom to roam around a bit while they’re at it. Through the app, it provides guidance on how to know exactly when the meat is cooked to perfection.

Camera Cube

The camera cubes from Peak Design provide excellent protection for delicate camera gear, plus they’re available in a range of sizes to suit different backpacks and camera setups. The zippers are waterproof, yet designed to open at the flick of a wrist for quick camera access, which is ideal for wildlife photographers who never know when an animal might strike a pose.

Crew Hooded Midlayer Jacket

The Crew jackets from Helly Hanson are intended for sailing, but they’re a stylish, comfortable gift for anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors. Waterproof, windproof, warm, and well organized with plenty of pockets, it’s a midlayer jacket that’s worn and enjoyed through three seasons. It’s available for both men and women.

No-Sweat Pants

Duer’s No Sweat pants are amazing for outdoor activity, as their technical fabric has a slight bit of stretch, which bolsters comfort and mobility. They’re also durably made and last through some pretty rough wear and tear, yet look nice at the same time. They’re the kind of pants that can be worn through a day on the trail and straight to the brewery afterward.

Align Jogger

For activity-oriented pants they’ll happily spend all day in, Lululemon delivers with the Align Jogger. Our tester said that she loved how its tech material felt on her skin through a full day of hiking. Pockets at the hip and rear waistband provide a place for phone, keys, and cards, plus the fit is super flattering.

Charge 80 PD Portable Power Bank

These days we need power everywhere, even when we’re out in the woods. The Charge 80 PD is my go-to outdoor power bank because it’s so sleek and portable, offers decent capacity, and has ports for charging up to three devices at a time. It’s also really durably built, so it can handle a bit of outdoor ruggedness.

Del Dia Bataan Fanny Pack

Cotopaxi turns out some of the most colorful outdoor gear in the industry, and their Del Dia Bataan fanny pack is a prime example. Each of these durable, convenient hip sacks is made sustainably using a different combination of castoff fabric colors, resulting in something that is entirely one of a kind.

Companion Sandvik Knife

As far as camp knives go, the Companion Sandvik from the renowned Swedish knife manufacturer Morakniv is about as reliable as they get. Durably constructed to last a lifetime with a blade that holds an edge through lots of use between sharpenings, it belongs in every outdoor lover’s kit.

HERO12 Waterproof Action Camera and Accessory Kit

GoPro has long been a staple among outdoor thrillseekers filming their experiences, and the HERO12 Black steps things up by offering better stabilization and video quality than previous models. It also delivers the brand’s famous ruggedness and is tough enough to film even the most extreme of adventures.

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