55 Best Hiking Gifts for Every Type of Hiker in 2023

If you’re still unsure what to get your favorite hiker, consider opting for an REI gift card instead! REI is the largest outdoor retailer in the United States. You can give a gift card in any amount from $10 up to $1,000, making an REI gift card the perfect hiking gift for any budget.

Shop for an REI Gift Card.

Giving the gift of visiting national parks is one of the best things you can do for a hiker. The America the Beautiful pass grants access to all 63 national parks and hundreds of national monuments, historic sites, and recreation sites. Best of all, it is only $80 and is valid for a full 12 months!

Shop the America the Beautiful Annual National Park Pass.

Trekking poles are the key to conquering long hikes, especially with lots of elevation gain, by reducing impact. The Black Diamond Trail Pro poles are made from aluminum, an incredibly lightweight material. In addition, the foam grip and nylon handle strap make these hiking poles comfortable.

Shop the Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles.

The best investment for new hikers is quality hiking. Proper hiking backpacks have breathable frames, hip belts, and shoulder straps that lighten your back and shoulders load. The Osprey Tempest 20 for women or the Osprey Talon 22 for men have plenty of room to store extra layers, favorite gear, and water with a dedicated water reservoir pouch.

Shop the Osprey Tempest for women or the Osprey Talon for men.

When it comes to hiking, a headlamp is absolutely essential. A headlamp provides better light than a flashlight and keeps your hands free while hiking. The water-resistant Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp is an award-winning option. It can run on either standard or rechargeable batteries and emits 400 lumens of light. It also includes a red light function for night vision, plus strobing and dimming modes.

Shop the Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp.

While socks may not seem exciting, merino wool socks are the perfect gift for day hikers! Quick-drying socks keep feet warm, dry, and blister-free. The Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks are the best hiking socks. The padded cushion provides superior comfort, and the unique blend of merino wool, nylon, and spandex offers a perfect fit.

Shop Darn Tough socks for women or Darn Tough socks for men.

A compact portable charger is a perfect gift for the tech-savvy hiker who always brings a phone or camera along. Anker consistently makes the most reliable portable battery bank on the market. In addition, the Anker PowerCore 1000 is compact and can charge phones from 0% to 100% twice! This power bank is perfect for long-distance hikers and long-term travelers alike.

Shop the Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger.

One of the must-have ten essentials for hiking is a water filtration system that allows you to filter water to make it drinkable in the wilderness. It is a must if a hiker gets stranded on the trail or runs out of water. One of the most compact water filtration systems is the LifeStraw Water Filter. This straw filters out 99.99999% of particles and bacteria for you! This inexpensive but potentially lifesaving unique gift easily tucks away in your favorite hiker’s backpack.

Shop the LifeStraw Peak Water Filter Straw.

A lightweight water bottle is an essential item for hikers. Instead of heavy, stainless steel bottles, hikers should opt for a light, reusable plastic option like the Nalgene Wide Mouth Water Bottle. This bottle is made with 50% recycled plastic and can hold 32 ounces of water. It’s dishwasher safe, easy to clean, and eco-friendly too.

Shop the Nalgene Wide-Mouth Water Bottle.

Every hiker needs a quality insulated mug, perfect for drinking coffee on the way to an early morning hike. YETI makes the best tumblers, mugs, and coolers out there. My YETI mug keeps coffee hot for at least 4-6 hours. In addition, the stainless steel interior makes it easy to clean with a quick water rinse, perfect for an outdoor enthusiast!

Shop the 10 oz YETI Rambler Mug with MagSlider Lid.

After a long day of hiking, the best way to relax is with an at-home massage to release muscle tension and roll out tight spots and knots. The Rawlogy Ultralight Cork Massage Balls are the perfect solution. These eco-friendly cork massage balls come in a pack of two and are water-resistant and easy to clean, perfect for the outdoor lover.

Shop Rawlogy Travel Massage Balls.

A lightweight dry bag is perfectly designed to protect all contents from rain or water sources like rivers or lakes. The Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack is the best budget-friendly option for those looking to safeguard pricey gear, like cameras, while hiking. The durable, compact bag can easily fit into the tight corners of a hiking pack, kayak, or canoe.

Shop the 8 Liter Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sack.

Fleece pullovers are the perfect layer for hiking in the morning and evening. There’s no better fleece than the Patagonia Better Sweater Quarter-Zip. It’s durable enough for hiking and nice enough for everyday use. The pullover provides unmatched warmth while fitting easily into hiking backpacks and over lightweight base layers.

Shop the Patagonia Better Sweater for women or the Patagonia Better Sweater for men.

A durable, waterproof rain jacket is one of the best investments a hiker can make. REI has its own line of rain jackets, complete with waterproof Gore-Tex technology. At the price point, there’s no better pick than the REI XeroDry Rain Jacket. It also comes with core ventilation zips, perfect for hiking in rainy conditions.

Shop the REI XeroDry Rain Jacket for women or the REI XeroDry Rain Jacket for men.

When it comes to warmth, there’s nothing better than a down jacket. The Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket is the perfect option. It features a lightweight, durable synthetic down fill made from 100% recycled materials. In addition, the shell is ripstop polyester, making it windproof and water-resistant.

Shop the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket for women or the Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket for men.

Hiking boots are the best investment for avid hikers. They must be comfortable yet sturdy and keep your feet dry in all weather conditions. My favorite hiking boots are the Columbia Newton Ridge Boots. The Columbia Newton Ridge Boots are waterproof, come in several different designs and styles, and hold up incredibly well. Plus, you can’t beat this quality at this budget-friendly price.

Shop the Columbia Newton Ridge Boots for women or the Columbia Newton Ridge Boots for men.

For short day hikes or a quick post-hike outing, a compact, lightweight hip pack is the perfect alternative to hauling a heavy backpack. The Patagonia Black Hole Hip Pack is a great hiker-friendly fanny pack. It’s filled with deep pockets, allowing you to store all the essentials for a hike. In addition, the bag is made from 100% recycled and water-repellent ripstop nylon, making this tiny pouch eco-friendly yet durable.

Shop the Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack.

A lightweight, moisture-wicking layer keeps you warm yet dry in all hiking conditions. The Smartwool Base Layers are some of the best, made from fast-drying yet breathable merino wool. The all-season merino base layer top is soft and comfortable but versatile enough to wear year-round.

Shop Smartwool Base Layers for women or Smartwool Base Layers for men.

This lightweight emergency hiking gear is one of the ten essentials. The emergency blanket. The SOL Emergency Blanket often called a bivvy, is a lightweight sleeping bag substitute that can keep you warm overnight. It reflects 90% of a hiker’s body heat and is smaller than a can of soda (and much, much lighter).

Shop the SOL Emergency Bivvy with Rescue Whistle and Tinder Cord.

A first aid kit is crucial to a hiker’s safety. It may not be the most flashy gift, but a fully stocked first aid kit is excellent, particularly for those newer to hiking. The first aid kits from Adventure Medical Kits are perfectly tailored to hikers. They include a book on performing field first aid. Plus, this kit is super lightweight and fits perfectly in the bottom of a hiking backpack.

Shop the Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series Hiker Medical Kit.

If you worry about your loved one getting lost or stranded on a hike, a GPS device is one of the most valuable gifts. The Garmin Inreach Mini allows you to send and receive messages and navigate using detailed trail maps. In addition, the Inreach Mini can send an SOS message with a GPS location to search and rescue teams in emergency situations.

Shop the Garmin inReach Mini 2.

One of the keys to hiking is always carrying a backup water source. The Katadyn BeFree Collapsible Water Filter Bottle is lightweight and compact. It features a custom-designed filter cap to eliminate bacteria and toxins from wilderness water sources like rivers or lakes. For the frequent hiker, this easy-to-use water bottle could be a lifesaver!

Shop the Katadyn BeFree Filter Water Bottle.

For the hiker that likes to explore year-round but lives in a place with frequent ice or snow, microspikes are a must! These little spikes fit over regular hiking boots and provide extra traction on slippery or snowy hiking trails. The Kahtoola MICROSpikes Traction System is the best, made from high-quality, easy-to-use materials. Plus, they fold up into a small storage bag.

Shop the Kahtoola MICROSpikes Traction System.

For more snowy conditions when microspikes just won’t cut it, snowshoes are an essential item for getting outdoors. MSR makes some of the best camping and hiking gear, and their snowshoes are no exception. The MSR Evo Snowshoes are incredibly easy to use. Simply strap the snowshoes to your regular hiking boots and walk.

Shop the MSR Evo Trail Snowshoes.

Few things in life are peaceful as coffee with a view. The AeroPress Go is the lightweight cousin of the best-selling original AeroPress. It packs up small to fit in a day hiking backpack. It even comes with hundreds of tiny filters. All you need is water and coffee grounds!

Shop the AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press.

A pair of compact binoculars is a great gift for the hiker that loves wildlife and bird watching. The Nikon Monarch M5 10 x 42 Binoculars have a rubber, waterproof exterior and fog-proof lenses. The M5 magnifies up to 10x, and the broad field of view is perfect for spotting wildlife. While a bit pricy, these binoculars are a thoughtful gift nature lovers can use for years to come.

Shop the Nikon Monarch M5 10 x 42 Binoculars.

A hammock is one of the best ways to relax before, during, or after a hike. The ENO DoubleNest is perfect for one or two people. Simply strap the tent between two trees and hop in! It easily packs into its own stuff sack and fits into a hiking backpack. The nylon material is also highly durable.

Shop the ENO DoubleNest Hammock.

Any hiker that brings the pup along knows how much room water, treats, and toys can take up in a hiking backpack. Perfectly made for dogs of different sizes, Ruffwear’s Front Range Dog Day Pack fits like a harness and has plenty of room for gear. In addition, the pack features optimally cut saddlebags for comfortable and efficient load carrying.

Shop the Ruffwear Front Range Dog Day Pack.

When hiking with a dog, hydration is essential! The best way to ensure your pet stays hydrated is to pack a collapsible water bottle that is lightweight enough to fit in a hiking bag. The Ruffwear Quencher Dog Dowl weighs less than 2 ounces. The bowl has a water-resistant shell and a waterproof, lightweight interior lining. It also has a reflective trim to make the bowl visible at night.

Shop the Ruffwear Quencher Dog Bowl.

Every dog parent wants their pet safe on the trail. That’s why Adventure Medical Kits makes a first aid kit for dogs! This kit includes bandages for dogs and splinter, thorn, and tick removers. Plus, the kit comes with a guide on field first aid for pets.

Shop the Adventure Medical Kits ADS Trail Dog First Aid Kit.

Cameras gear can be expensive. So shouldn’t every hiker ensure they are protecting their camera on a hike? The Peak Design Capture Clip is made to hold DSLR, compact, or point-and-shoot cameras. You simply attach the clip to your backpack strap and secure your camera in the clip! Better yet, your camera is still readily accessible at a moment’s notice.

Shop the Peak Design Capture Clip V3.

GoPro has made a name for itself in photography as the go-to for outdoor adventures. The newly released GoPro Hero 10 is redesigned and better than ever. The GoPro Hero 10 takes video in 5K and 20MP photos. This is the perfect gift for hikers who love to document their journeys but don’t want to carry around a heavy camera.

Shop the GoPro HERO10 Camera.

Do you know a hiker that’s always searching for a new hike? Give them the fun gift of inspiration! The 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles series publishes hiking inspiration for metropolitan areas across the US! This book is filled with maps, trail descriptions, and even directions!

Shop the 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles book series.

The Lonely Planet Epic Hikes of the World is the ideal coffee table book for those that love to hike! The pages are filled with epic, once-in-a-lifetime hikes across the world. With treks from Patagonia to Mount Kilimanjaro, Epic Hikes of the World from Lonely Planet is the best book for hikers with big aspirations.

Shop Lonely Planet’s Epic Hikes of the World.

For those that want to read on the hiking trail or while camping, the Kindle Paperwhite is the perfect gift. This e-reader can hold thousands of books. Unlike other Kindle devices, the Paperwhite is waterproof and anti-glare, making it optimal for outdoor use. Plus, it’s super lightweight at only 6 ounces!

Shop the Kindle Paperwhite on Amazon.

Headlamps are just as important for kids as they are for adults. The Black Diamond Wiz Headlamp is virtually indestructible and very kid-friendly. It works no matter how it is put on and automatically shuts off after 2 hours. It comes in several fun colors and is sure to be both a kid-pleaser and a parent-pleaser gift.

Shop the Black Diamond Wiz Headlamp.

If you’re looking for a fun and educational way to keep kids entertaining on a national park trip, don’t miss this National Geographic Junior Ranger Activity Book. It’s filled with 160 pages of games, trivia, history, and more about the nature of the US national parks and the wildlife found there. 

Shop the National Geographic Junior Ranger Activity Book.

This smaller version of the Osprey Daylite Pack is made with kids in mind. It has the same functionality as the adult version: a ventilated back panel, breathable mesh exterior pockets, and a hydration pack. Plus, the fun design and different colors make any kid feel ready for an adventure in the outdoors.

Shop the Osprey Daylite Pack for Kids.

If you have a family member that loves a winter hike and is looking for a way to include the kids, don’t miss the MSR Tyker Snowshoes. This mini-version of the adult MSR snowshoes offers plenty of functionality for kids up to 90 pounds and provides excellent traction on snowy terrain.

Shop the MSR Tyker Snowshoes for Kids.

A sleeping bag is essential for the advanced hiker who enjoys multi-day backcountry hikes. The REI Magma 30 Sleeping Bag is filled with good quality 850-fill down feathers and is rated for temperatures down to 30 degrees. In addition, it’s highly durable and lightweight, making for the perfect gift for a beginner backpacker.

Shop the REI Magma 30 Sleeping Bag for women or the REI Magma 30 Sleeping Bag for men.

Another practical gift for beginner backpackers is a sleeping pad. The Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro Sleeping Pad is more comfortable than most backcountry sleeping pads. With 3 inches of insulated padding and a 4.4 R-value, this premium option is a high-end backpacking gear item at a reasonable price.

Shop the ​Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro Sleeping Pad.

If you’re looking for a luxury gift for any backpacker, don’t miss the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL tent. This premium tent was made for a backpacking trip with ultra-light materials and is easily condensable to fit in a backpack. The tent comes in the UL2 for 2-people or UL3 for 3-people. For couples, opt for the 3-person UL3 for a bit more space.

Shop the Big Agnes Copper Spur 2-person tent or the Big Agnes Copper Spur 3-person tent.

For the backpacker who likes to set up camp and relax, the Helinox Chair Zero is a popular gift. This compact chair only weighs one pound and is rated for up to 265 pounds. Best of all, this backpacking chair packs up to the same size as a 32-ounce water bottle. It doesn’t get more compact than that!

Shop the Helinox Chair Zero.

A simple, lightweight cooking system is a must for warm meals in the backcountry. The Jetboil Flash Stove is compact enough to fit in a backpack. It boils water in just over 3 minutes thanks to superior FluxRing technology. Plus, the Jetboil Flash is compatible with various accessories like the Jetboil coffee press, FluxRing cooking pot, and FluxRing frying pan.

Shop the Jetboil Flash Stove.

Every backpacker will need to use the restroom outside. An essential part of Leave No Trace is to bury #2s. Suppose you’re looking for budget-friendly, practical gifts for a backpacker. In that case, the Deuce of Spades Backcountry Trowel is an excellent option. It’s lightweight and durable and easily fits into any backpack.

Shop the Deuce of Spades Backcountry Trowel.

Another one of the ten hiking essentials is a pocket knife or multi-tool. A multi-tool can help a hiker repair gear, perform first aid, or start a fire if stuck in the wilderness. The Swiss Army Huntsman Knife is the perfect compact multi-tool for hikers, with several blades, a bottle opener, a corkscrew, tweezers, and a saw.

Shop the Swiss Army Huntsman Knife.

One of the best ways to pack snacks and sandwiches on the hiking trail is in a compact, reusable food storage bag. Stasher reusable storage bags are the perfect gift for hikers who care about the environment. They are reusable, dishwasher-safe silicone bags used for hiking, cooking, freezing, or even storing cords and cables!

Shop Stasher reusable silicone sandwich bags.

Gear rips and tears. It happens regardless of the quality! That’s where Gear Aid Tenacious Repair Tape comes in. A small piece will patch rips and tears in everything from jackets to tents! I like to keep a small roll of this in my hiking backpack so that I can repair my gear on the go.

Shop the Gear Aid Tenacious Tape.

The HydraPak Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets are essential for any hiker. Hiking water bottles and bladders can grow mold and bacteria if not properly cleaned after a hike. Drop one of these super-simple cleaning tablets in the reservoir with water to thoroughly clean. This is an essential gift for any hiker and pairs perfectly with a hiking hydration reservoir.

Shop HydraPak Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets.

Electrolytes are one of the biggest keys to a speedy recovery after a long hike. One of the best alternatives to sugary Gatorade is Nuun’s electrolyte tablets. Each tablet is sweetened with Stevia and only has 1 gram of sugar! So for under $30, you can get your favorite hiker enough electrolytes for 40 hikes!

Shop Nuun Electrolyte Tablets.

My favorite trail snacks are CLIF Bars. They are filling, lightweight, and come in tons of flavors. Plus, they have 10 grams of protein! This CLIF Bar variety pack has some of my favorite flavors like Peanut Butter Banana and Chocolate Chip. This is the perfect gift for any hiker and makes for a great stocking stuffer.

Shop the CLIF BAR Variety Pack.

Kuju Coffee Single-Service Pour Over Coffee is an excellent stocking stuffer for hikers who love a good cup of coffee. Unlike most instant coffee, Kuju’s coffee is brewed via built-in filter pouches. Just add hot water! Kuju Coffee uses 100% recycled materials and donates a portion of sales to the National Park Foundation!

Shop the flavors of Kuju Coffee Single-Serve Pour Over.

Many hikers forget about SPF for their lips when hiking! The ultimate stocking stuffer for hikers is a high-quality lip balm with SPF. The Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Lip Balm is a gender-neutral zinc-based sunscreen lip balm made from cruelty-free ingredients and is super budget-friendly!

Shop the Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lip Balm.