Looking for the perfect gift for the hiker in your life? Check out my list of the best hiking and camping gift ideas for 2021! The products I’ve listed are ones that I either currently use & love, or items that are on my own gift list this year!
2021 Hiking & Camping Gift Ideas
Outdoor enthusiasts can be some of the hardest to shop for. There are so many different types of gear to buy, it can be overwhelming! As an avid camper myself, I’ve listed some of my favorite gear items below to help you pick out the perfect gifts for hikers and campers alike (or basically anyone who loves outdoor adventures!)
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Gifts for Hikers: Under $30
Camping Coffee Mug
This is a camping essential that any outdoor enthusiast would love to receive as a gift! This Hydroflask mug is actually on my own camping gift list this year. It has great reviews and will keep your drink hot or cold for hours.
Soft Lantern
This collapsible lantern is solar-powered, packable and super useful for nights spent camping!
String Lights
Crank up the vibes at your campsite with these string lights! I have these specific ones and use them all the time (pictured above in Alabama Hills!) The lights are super small so are very light and packable, but they give off a lot of light!
Hiking Pants from Kuhl
Kuhl has some of the best hiking pants on the market. I especially love the Frost Soft Shell Pants (I have them in the Kalamata color). They’re great for hiking or camping in cold weather, with technical softshell fabric plus a microfiber fleece lining for extra warmth. There’s a zipper on the bottom if you need to make the pant leg wider to fit over your hiking/snow boots too. They’re so comfortable I even just wear them around the house or around town in the winter time! This would be a great gift for any cold-weather adventurer.
Buy at Kuhl or REI
Buy at REI.
Beanie
A beanie is one of the best gifts for hikers. It’s likely something they will get a lot of use out of, and you can never have too many of them!
I have this one from REI and I also have this cute one from Amazon.
Headlamp
A headlamp is a great gift for the hiker in your life! Having a headlamp is essential when camping, or when hiking at night or before the sun rises.
Buy the one I have from REI or Amazon.
Hiking Socks
Another one of the most useful gifts for hikers are socks. You might be thinking “this is a boring gift” but believe me – any hiker would be stoked to get a nice new pair of socks! Having the right pair of socks can make or break your hiking trip.
I highly recommend either the Darn Tough (REI | Amazon) or the Smart Wool Hiking Socks (REI | Amazon). I have a pair of each and use them on every hiking or camping trip!
Camping Wine Glasses
These guys are a great camping gift idea! You can definitely never have too many non-breakable camping wine glasses. They’re also great for the beach.
I love this Hydroflask one ( REI | Amazon)
Packable Towel
This little towel folds up super small. It’s one of the best gifts for hikers who don’t want the weight or bulkiness or a towel to slow them down on the trail.
I have this one from REI and love it.
National Parks Scratch Map
What a fun camping gift idea! This scratch map will be a great present for someone trying to check off the National Parks they’ve visited, and to plan for their next adventure!
Gifts for Hikers: Under $100
REI Flexlite Camp Chair
This REI camping chair packs up super small, which is why I love it. It’s super easy to put together, and is one of the most popular camping chairs from REI. I just bought one last month and love it so far!
Another great camping gift idea is this rocking chair camp chair! One of my friends had this when camping with us this summer, and it was such a hit!
Merino Wool Long Sleeve Top
Merino Wool is one of the best materials for hiking clothes because it’s a breathable, quick-drying, odor-resistant material. Any hiker or camper needs to have a few Merino Wool baselayers on deck for their next adventure! One of the best brands is Smartwool.
Sleeping Pad
This one might be tough to buy for someone unless you know that they need a sleeping pad (or need to upgrade to an inflatable one). But if they don’t already have one, a sleeping pad is one of the camping essentials that is a great camping gift idea!
I use the REI Stratus Sleeping Pad and love it! It packs up small and is super comfortable.
Lifestraw Water Bottle
This is a life-saver for any camper, hiker or traveler. This water bottle is great for on-the-go clean water, with a built in 2-stage filtration system.
Fleece-Lined Leggings
This was one of my favorite gifts I received last year! These North Face leggings keep you warm when hiking or camping in colder conditions.
Eno Hammock
One of my favorite parts about camping is coming back at the end of the day to my lounge in my Eno hammock at the campsite! This definitely makes a fun gift for the camper or hiker in your life.
The Coldest Water Bottle
I have this water bottle and LOVE it! It keeps your water cold for hours on even the hottest days. Their water bottles stay colder than Hydroflask! They also float, which I am excited to try out on my boating adventures next summer.
Buy at Coldest Water
America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass
This is a one of the best gifts for hikers or campers who love exploring the US National Parks! This annual pass will get you free admission into any national park, which is a great deal for anyone planning on going on a national park road trip next year!
Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Jacket
Patagonia makes great products that any hiker or outdoor enthusiast would love to receive as a gift! The Better Sweater fleece is one of their most popular jackets. Great for hanging out at the campsite in chilly weather or going for a hike!
Jetboil
This is one of the best gifts for hikers who want to cook in the backcountry. The Jetboil is a quick and easy way to boil water to use in the freeze-dried backpacking meals! I have this and use it on almost every hiking and camping trip.
Gorillapod
This is a great gift for a hiker or camper who wants to up their photography game! A tripod is great if you are camping solo and want a picture of yourself, or if you are wanting to do night photography. This one has great reviews and is affordable!
Polarized Sunglasses
Polarized glasses are essential for any outdoor adventurer! I like the Sunski ones because they are affordable, but still good quality and cute.
Casetify iPhone Case
Casetify has hundreds of cool designs for their iPhone cases, but one of the best parts is that they plant one tree for each compostable case sold!
Gifts for Hikers: Over $100
If you have a bigger budget to spend, here’s some of my favorite gifts for hikers that are guaranteed to make them super excited!
Portable Camping Stove
This is one of the best camping gift ideas! A camping stove is perfect for a car-camping trip so you can cook a delicious meal out in the wilderness. Even better, this particular stove has 2 burners, so you can cook two things at once! Buy at REI or Amazon
Garmin In-Reach
This handheld GPS device is great for staying safe and connected to family members when in the backcountry, making it one of the top gifts for hikers. With this 2-way communicator, they will be able to text loved ones, have GPS location to stay on the trail, and send an SOS signal if they get into a dangerous situation.
Sony A6000
This is a great beginner camera for the camper or hiker who is wanting to get into outdoor photography beyond their iphone! This camera is mirrorless, meaning it’s not as heavy and bulky as a DSLR camera. I have the Sony A6000 and love it!
Buy on Amazon
REI Quarterdome Tent
This is the tent that I have and use for both backpacking and camping trips. It’s lightweight, easy to assemble, and durable! This is definitely an awesome camping gift idea.
Buy at REI
Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
Last but certainly not least, the Patagonia Nano Puff jacket is a staple item for any backpacking or camping trip! This jacket packs up super small and keeps you warm. It’s one of the best gifts for hikers or anyone who likes to be outside!
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Enjoy!
