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We spend practically all our free time in the outdoors and the gear we're using is extremely important to us. Here's a round-up of all our favorites, so you can choose something that's guaranteed to put a smile on someone's face when they unwrap it.
We've included items across a range of budgets and, if you continue to the end, there's a list of great stocking stuffers.
You can also easily shop this whole list in one place directly from our online 'gear locker'.
The Best Gifts for Outdoor Adventurers
Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp
Our Black Diamond Headlamps are items that basically live in our day packs. After getting by with underpowered lights on more hikes than we're willing to admit, we picked these up. We love how bright our Spot 400s are and now we've used them on countless hikes, overnight trips, and just for tasks around the van. They can run on regular alkaline or rechargeable batteries and are compatible with the optional BD 1500 lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack. There's a red light option. One tap turns it on at max power. You can dim them to any level of brightness and there's a power indicator that let's you know how much charge is left each time you turn it off.
AllTrails+ Subscription
Where would we be without AllTrails? Probably off lost in the woods or a canyon somewhere. We open up AllTrails every time we're heading out on a hike. An annual subscription to AllTrails+ allows you to download offline maps, which is extremely helpful when you're in remote areas. It also unlocks even more information on trails, alerts you when you might be heading in the wrong direction, and even allows you to live share your activity with friends and family.
Fuller Overnight Oats
A critical part of enjoying time outdoors is being well-fed. That means nutritious meals that are also satisfying. Fuller overnight oats check both of those boxes and they get a bonus for convenience. They're packed with between 24 and 34 grams of protein and plenty of carbs. All that comes from wholesome, all natural ingredients that taste great (the chocolate, peanut butter and banana is a personal favorite). The reason we love bringing them on our trips is because they're shelf stable, easy to pack, and you can prepare them several ways: leave them to soak overnight, mix them up with water for a shake, or heat up water and have a warm and delicious breakfast.
Jetboil Flash Cooking System
The Jetboil Flash cooking system combines your cooking pot and camp stove into one, super efficient item. There's no waiting around for hot water to make coffee or prepare a camping meal. It can boil water in under two minutes and even includes features like a measuring cup/bowl, push ignition, a stabilizer for your fuel canister, and an insulated wrap on the cup.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System
Another item that we just leave in our daypack is the Sawyer Squeeze water filter system. This thing couldn't be more convenient to carry and use. It's a compact filter that screws onto a standard water bottle or can even be integrated into a hydration pack. There's nothing as refreshing as filling up icy cold water from a backcountry stream and immediately drinking it straight through the filter. After doing a ton of research on the best, safest, and most hassle free water filter system we went with the Sawyer Squeeze and we're very happy we did.
America the Beautiful Pass
Every outdoor lover is a fan of the national parks, for good reason. Most parks charge a vehicle entrance fee of $15-35 per day, but the America the Beautiful Pass gives you access to every national park, and covers day use fees at thousands of other federal recreation sites for just $80. If you know someone who will spend more than a few days at any of the parks this gift can save a ton of money. One finds its way under our Christmas tree every year, and it's one of our favorite gifts to receive.
Laek Adventure Towel
We may be biased, but we think the most epic outdoor adventures involve some body of water. Hiking up to an alpine lake, jumping in a river to cool down, hanging out on the beach, or soaking in natural hot springs.. those places are where some of our best memories are made. A packable, quick drying towel like the Laek adventure towel is an absolute must for days like these. They're soft, lightweight, and they also happen to look really cool.
Rocky Talkie Radio
Remember how fun it was to use walkie talkies as a kid? Now it's fun and practical. Rocky Talkies are like a next level version of the radios we used back in the day. They're designed, engineered, and tested by rock climbers and skiers for just about any outdoor adventure. We love that they're super easy to use and come pre-configured right out of the box. With the built in battery they can last up to 4 days, transmit several miles, and are built to be extremely rugged.
Adventure Medical Kit
Adventure Medical Kits come in a variety of sizes and purposes to handle accidents or emergencies out in the wilderness. The Ultralight .5 Kit is perfect for one person to throw in their pack for a short hike. And the Mountain Series Explorer Kit is equipped to treat up to four people for multiple days, with everything from pain medication to wound and burn care.
Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boots
No piece of gear is quite as essential as a sturdy pair of hiking boots. Laura's been using the Danner Mountain 600's for years and loves how comfortable they are. Limited sizes of the previous version may still be available at a steal, but the newest ones are still worth the investment. Joren swears by his Merrell Moabs and has owned at least three pairs.
TheFitLife Collapsible Trekking Poles
Honestly, we were reluctant to pick up trekking poles. We saw them as unnecessary or thought they were for a, let's say, slightly older demographic. Then we noticed that virtually every serious hiker had a pair and realized how wrong we were. They can make a huge difference and we never leave them behind on a long or steep hike. There are literally hundreds on the market, but our philosophy is to stick with what's simple and cheap, as long as it works. TheFitLife trekking poles are super compact, durable, comfortable to use all day, and don't break the bank.
Yaktrax Diamond Grip Traction System
We can't count the number of times our butts have been saved by Yaktrax traction devices. They can be used for something as simple as shoveling the snow, or going on a winter walk, but on more than one occasion they've been the deciding factor when we were debating a hike. The ICEtrekkers Diamond Grip system has a series of pointy steel beads that dig into ice and snow and they can be easily worn over all kinds of footwear.
Osprey Daylite Plus Day Pack
Having a comfortable fitting, well designed backpack for day hikes makes all the difference in the world. The Osprey Daylite is the perfect size for our hydration packs, an extra layer or two, and all the other essentials. The Daylite Plus is equally well reviewed and comes in an even wider variety of colors. Either one is a perfect gift idea for adding some comfort out on the trail.
Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack
When we were younger they were called fanny packs. Is that not cool anymore? We don't know. The Fjallraven High Coast hip pack makes a great place to stash some essentials and we see the kids wearing them all over the place. Kidding aside, we're glad this waist mounted fashion accessory is back in style because sometimes you just don't need or want to carry a full size bag. The Cotopaxi Coso 2 is particularly trendy and well-liked, but comes at a higher price point.
Garmin inReach Mini 2
Admittedly, this one is a bit of a splurge. But, if you have an adventurous family member that you're particularly fond of and want to keep them safe, this may be the way to do it. The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a satellite communicator that can trigger an SOS call in case of an emergency. On top of that it can be used for two-way messaging, GPS navigation, and as a way for your loved one to share their location in real time. This is a really great piece of gear to have on any hiking or backpacking trip and, though it's expensive, it may give you some peace of mind as well.
Bearvault BV450 Bear Canister
One reality of the great outdoors is that it's filled with wildlife. Sometimes that includes bears. And, as we all know, bears love snacks. Keep the bears out of your family member's snacks with a Bearvault bear canister. They've been a requirement on almost every single backpacking trip we've done. We chose the BV450 because it can hold enough food for both of us on a weekend trip and still fits inside our packs.
Sea to Summit Dry Bags
To keep all our adventure gear dry and safe we rely on Sea to Summit dry bags. They add a layer of protection any time we're out on the water or when we just want to make sure our clothes or camera gear don't get wet from inclement weather. They're very light and pack up small so they don't take up any extra space. The durable ripstop material means you don't have to worry about tears or punctures. And they can be purchased individually or as a set, since it's always handy to have a few available.
ENO SingleNest Hammock
Who doesn't love a good hang? It's one of the best ways to relax in the outdoors. The ENO SingleNest hammock is made for chilling out anywhere you can find some trees, but it's also versatile enough to serve as an overnighter with optional accessories like a bug net and rain tarp. It's lightweight at only 16 oz and packs up super small. Keep in mind that the suspension system is sold separately.
Sea to Summit Sleeping Pad
We've found that the secret to a good night's sleep in the backcountry is a quality sleeping pad. Sea to Summit has a variety of options to choose from. Our favorite is the Ultralight Insulated. Two inches of thickness with an R-value of 3.1 makes a huge difference on chilly nights. And to make things extra comfy we pair them with the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium pillow. It locks into place on the pad so there's no sliding around and it's incredible how cozy and warm we stay with this setup.
Rumpl Puffy Blanket
Speaking of staying cozy, a Rumpl puffy blanket adds one more layer of comfort on cold evenings. While it's not something we'd pack on a backpacking trip, we would absolutely use one around the campfire or while car camping. This makes the perfect gift if your adventurer spends time outdoors and has a little extra space for gear.
Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Outdoor Lovers
The gifts above are sure to put a smile on any outdoor adventurer's face, but perhaps you're looking for a simpler gift or want to complement it with something smaller. Don't worry, we've got you covered with a list of great stocking stuffers.
Trail Snacks
Some high energy foods we reach for on the trail are Solely fruit jerky, Clif bars, and Honey Stinger waffles.
Hot Drink Mixes
Settling into our sleeping bag or hanging out around the fire with a hot drink is one of our favorite ways to end the evening outdoors. We choose either hot cocoa or apple cider packets, both of which are tasty and easy to pack.
Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes
Let's face it, it's rare to find a shower out in the wild. Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes take care of that issue. They contain aloe vera so they're gentle on skin and the XL size are big enough to wipe away dirt and sweat from your whole body.
Smartwool Classic Mountaineer Socks
A pair of socks in your stocking. Is that only a tradition with us? We love Smartwool and the Classic Mountainer socks are their thickest and warmest, providing lots of cushioning.
Gear Aid Tenacious Tape
A roll of Tenacious Tape is like a medkit for your outdoor gear. It can fix tears, seal seams, patch pinholes and is made to match fabrics from popular tents and other outdoor gear.
Outfitter Gift Cards
If you're not sure what to pick or want to contribute toward an expensive gear purchase, a gift card for a gear outfitter is an excellent choice. We personally love REI, but Backcountry and Cabela's are equally good options.
Gerber Suspension NXT Multi-Tool
Combining a pocket knife, scissors, screwdrivers, a can opener, and 10 other tools into one, the Gerber Suspension NXT multi-tool will definitely come in handy at some point, while still being practical for every day carry.
Nalgene Water Bottle
No other piece of gear has survived as long as my Nalgene water bottle. They're indestructible. And they're also eco-friendly. Bottle filling stations are everywhere nowadays, so this is one gift that helps reduce our impact on the environment. Check out all the different color combos and fun designs available.
Sea to Summit Long Spork
We're all familiar with the practicality and ingenuity of the good ole spork. This hybrid utensil pulls double duty. But what if we told you there's an extra long spork? Mind blown, right? Yes, it makes reaching down into those infamously deep backpacking meal bags so much easier.
Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets
You can't survive very long without water. Aquatabs water purification tablets solve that problem. We carry these along with our Sawyer Squeeze water filter because it's a good idea to always have a back up.
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