Have a hiker in your family? Then you need to check out my Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for hikers and backpackers!
Most of the stuff I have listed is generic and something that we tend to go through or that needs to be replaced from time to time. Other things like sleeping bags, backpacks, and tents are a personal preference and should be left up to the hiker or backpacker.
Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Hikers
For the Hiker/Backpacker With Everything (or almost)
First Aid Kit or Refill Supplies
I would personally buy the supplies to make my own first aid kit, then buy a dry bag like the one located here, and place the items in there. Not only will you be giving them first aid supplies, but also a dry bag to use! You could either buy a pre-made refill kit or make your own, the biggest things for refill kits if you are looking to make your own are band-aids, individual packets of antibacterial ointment, moleskin, and individual packets of medication such as Tylenol, antacids, etc…
Mountain House Meals (or other dehydrated meals)
For this one, you will need to know what kind of food they like and if they have any allergies. My favorite is the Biscuits and Gravy, but they have so many more, plus vegetarian options. Meals that come in their own pouches make for easy cleanup at camp and even allow a hiker to rehydrate their meal while hiking with cold water in case there is no heat source.
Hiker Subscription Box
Want to give them a gift that gives all year long? How about a 1-year subscription to either Cairn, Nomadik, or other subscription boxes for hikers? Not feeling that generous? They also have 1-time boxes you can buy.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
There are several different types of filter hikers use, however, this is one of the most popular ones among hikers and the one I use, although, I will also use a UV light in addition to the filter if I think the water is really questionable. The Sawyer Squeeze works much better and is more reliable than its counterpart the Sawyer Mini, but both are popular in the hiker community.
SteriPen
Another popular option for water filtration among hikers is the SteriPen which is a UV light. I use this in addition to my Sawyer Squeeze. May seem like overkill, but I would rather be safe than sorry!
Bandanas
Bandanas are amazing because you can use them for multiple purposes such as filtering debris out of water, using them to clean cookware, wiping sweat from the face, or even a pee rag for the ladies. Plus, they are super inexpensive and very lightweight!
Ultra Light Hiking Umbrella
A lightweight umbrella like the Liteflex Trekking Umbrella makes a great addition for any hiker that may be hiking in the head and of course doubles to help shield them from the rain.
Stuff Sacks or Dry Sacks
Stuff sacks allow a hiker to better organize their smaller gear, while dry sacks help keep those items dry. Even better, they come in all different sizes. For example, I use a small dry sack to hold all my first aid stuff, while I will use a larger stuff sack to hold all my cooking stuff. There are a ton of brands to choose from, but some of the most popular are Osprey and Sea to Summit.
Books
Any book about backpacking or hiking makes for a great gift because when we are not out hiking we love to read about it! If you do a search on Amazon, you will get a ton of choices to choose from.
Movies
Any movie about backpacking or hiking will be a hit!
Buffs
Buffs have a ton of different uses, from shielding your face from the cold to keeping your hair out of your face and everything in between. In fact, it can be worn 12 different ways, and comes in a vast array of colors and patterns!
For the Hiker that has NOTHING!
Any of the above, or:
Headlamp
Make sure to get one that has an optional red light like the Black Diamond Storm or Nitecore NU25.
Stove
A good durable and lightweight stove to cook like the MRS PocketRocket 2 or the BRS 3000 which is cheaper.
Cookware
A new pot such as the Toaks Titanium 750ml, Titanium spork, or a long spoon, and don’t forget about a canister stand for the stove!
Trowel
Useful for a lot of things besides burying your bodily waste! It is important to find one that is lightweight yet very durable, the Duece of Spades does just that and the bonus is that it comes in a ton of different colors!
Battery Banks
These are great if the hiker will be out overnight. They vary in range, but the typical hiker will get one that is somewhere between 10,000-26,000 mAh capacity. The higher the number, the more charges you can get out of it. The Anker PowerCore+ is probably the most popular brand among hikers.
Micro Spikes
For hikers that tread in snow and on ice, microspikes can be useful in helping them keep their grip. The pair I have had my eye on and that have excellent reviews on Amazon are the Kahtoola MICROspikes. They come in 2 different colors as well.
Shop on Amazon
One of my favorite places to shop for hiking gear is on Amazon. I am a prime member and I find that not only do I save in shipping, but also in overall costs. Better yet, I don’t have to drive the one hour to our closest outfitter.
Have more suggestions for our ultimate holiday gift guide for hikers and backpackers? Leave a comment below and let us know!
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