Outdoor Lovers Holiday Gift Guide (2026)

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the outdoorsy person who already seems to have everything? You’re not alone, and you’re in the right place!

After working at REI for over six years, I’ve helped hundreds of people find gifts that actually get used: not just tossed in the gear closet. I’ve also received plenty of hiking and camping gifts myself (some hits, some.. didn’t work out), and I’m sharing only the ideas that truly deliver.

Some of these I’ve gifted and gotten great feedback on, others are tried-and-true favorites from the trail, and yes, a few are topping my own wish list this year (I have discovered that my own mother uses this post to figure out what to get me 😆).

Inside, you’ll find over 65 curated gift ideas for backpackers, National Park junkies, road trip lovers, outdoor photographers, and adventure seekers of all stripes. From clever stocking stuffers to big-ticket gear upgrades, I’ve got you covered.

2026 Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor Lovers. 65+ ideas for hikers, roadies, campers, National Park lovers, and more!

Backcountry Emily contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission—at no extra cost to you. Some gear in this post may have been gifted or part of a paid collaboration, but I never accept products or partnerships I wouldn’t personally recommend. All opinions are 100% my own. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Privacy Policy for more information.

Gifts for Outdoorsy Women

Patagonia Diamond Quilted Bomber Hoody

Me wearing my bomber hoody!

I’m obsessed with this jacket. I’ve had mine for over a year now and it’s the one I grab when I’m just going out and about – running errands, appointments, and the one I bring on camping trips. It’s so cute, the pockets actually work, and I feel a little more elevated and stylish than just wearing a fleece or NanoPuff.

Also available: Patagonia

Vuori Performance Jogger Pants – Women’s

These are my favorite lounge pants in the world. I held off on buying these for so long until I caved and now own three pairs! I bring them on all of my camping and van trips as my post-hike lounge pants and practically live in these when I’m at home.

Bedrock Mountain Clogs

rust red clogs on feet

These were my go-to shoes for 2026. I wore them on road trips, errands, to the beach, short hikes, dog walks… basically, if it was too cold for sandals and I was too lazy to wear a “real” laced shoe, these were on my feet.

I’m a big fan of Bedrock sandals and these clogs are the high quality I expect from Bedrock. I have Birkenstock clogs, but I really wanted something a little less warm and something with a strap – so my foot wouldn’t fall out the back. These are PERFECT for that. I find them comfortable for short, cooler hikes and walks too.

I normally wear a women’s 8.5 and I sized up to 9 – the 8s were too small. These are unisex and would be a great gift for an outdoorsy dude in your life too.

REI Stormhenge 850 Down Hybrid Parka

black hooded puffy parka

I am obsessed with this parka. I bought it to just throw on over whatever my outfit for the day was since it’s super warm and waterproof. I wore it to the farmers market most mornings last winter, and it was great to wear after skiing. It is incredibly warm – like any temperature over 50°F and it would be too hot! But it’s an amazing parka and I’m so happy to have mine!

Blundstone Original High Top Boots

I love my Blundstone boots. I’ll be honest though: my feet are too wide to squeeze into these high tops, so I opt for the “unisex” ones I’ve linked under the men’s gifts. BUT, these are so stinking cute – I love the punch out design on these boots!

Skida Viska Pant

Ok, I love these pants. They are super thin, breathable, and stretchy – the perfect pant for lounging around at home, doing yoga in, or wearing down to the beach.

Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth

I always have my Kula Cloth attached to my backpack.

This is something every outdoor woman needs in her toolkit: a reusable pee cloth! Gone are the days of littering toilet paper or packing out wet TP.

The Kula Cloth is infused with silver to keep it antimicrobial, and the printed side is waterproof, so no leaking! I bring mine backpacking and it usually keeps good for a few days before I treat it to a backcountry hand wash.

More designs available at: Kula Cloth

Gifts for Outdoorsy Men

Costa King Tide 6 Sunglasses

Emily wearing a pink down hoodie and Costa sunglasses in a snowy landscape.
Me with the shades in Chamonix!

Ok story time. I bought these sunglasses for myself based on a male coworker’s recommendation for the best polarized sunglasses. Greg was right. Because they do rock, and when my own dad saw me with them, he was jealous and went and bought his own pair!! And loves them!

The lenses are so crisp and they come with removable side shields to prevent side glare and a super adjustable nose grip. Just trust the three of us and get them for the outdoorsy dude in your life!

Also Available: Costa del Mar – Amazon

Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody – Men’s

Emily wearing the Patagonia R1 Air Fleece in Yosemite in the snow.

I love my women’s version of this hoody – it’s the perfect year-round fleece for all kinds of outdoor activities. Great for high output winter hiking and snowshoeing, as a chilly morning layer in the summer, and everything in between!

Also Available: Patagonia

Vuori Sunday Performance Jogger Pants – Men’s

Similar to the women’s Vuori pant above, but it’s a little thicker and has more of a smooth texture vs. soft. I got these for my dad for Christmas and they are his #1 lounge at home pant (especially for football sundays – IYKYK).

Leatherman Skeletool CX Multi-Tool

A multitool is such a thoughtful gift to give to an outdoorsy man! It’s always great to be prepared – out camping and around town! Plus, Leatherman has a lifetime warranty for their products, so you know you’re buying them a tool for life!

Also Available: Amazon

Arc’teryx Gamma MX Hoodie – Men’s

I own the women’s version of this hoodie and it is LUXE. A very fine fleece lining, taped seams for weatherproofing, and the exterior shell is tough but stretchy. It’s the perfect layer for winter hiking and snowshoeing or just cold weather travel.

Shop more colors: Arc’teryx

Blundstone Original Chelsea Boots

The best multi-functional boot. Wear them on short hikes and for date night in the city! They’re not officially waterproof, but from personal experience, they nearly are!

Gifts for Backpackers & Thru-hikers

Garmin inReach Mini 3

This is the best tool for any backpacker to have. Being able to call for help if something goes wrong and you become incapacitated is priceless.

And sending unlimited, free check-in messages during your trip is very helpful – my parents love getting my nightly “I’m at camp” message when I’m out backpacking because they know I’m alive, and get to click on the link to the map and see exactly where I am!

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System

Hiker squeezing the Sawyer Squeeze soft flask to filter water into a water bottle.

The Sawyer Squeeze is the perfect personal water filtration device. This filter lasted me my entire Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike and I recommend it for every thru-hiker! Their new partnership with CNOC is great – their filter bag is so much better than the old Sawyer one!

REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie

This down hoodie is one of the warmest down jackets for it’s weight and price, coming in at only ~10.5 oz and $259. For lighter jackets with the same warmth, you’ll need to pay at least $100 more.

Every ounce matters while backpacking because it all adds up so quickly! So having such a warm & light & packable jacket like this one really makes a difference.

Also Available: Men’s Version

FarOut Hiking Guides Gift Card

The best gift for the thru-hiker in your life! FarOut is the ultimate trail companion guide that the majority of thru-hikers use to navigate on long trails. They’ve got most major trails in the USA and have been expanding internationally as well!

NEMO Moonlite Elite Reclining Backpacking Chair

lime green/ yellow backpacking chair

Ok if you know me, you know I’m not a fan of bringing a chair backpacking. But I bought this little guy, and while I don’t bring it backpacking, I have brought it on road trips and camping and it is SO comfy. It’s amazingly stable and strong, and the slight flexibility in the side really does give a reclining feel. This is so worth it for your bougie backpackers!

Also Available: NEMO Equipment

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad

This is my hands-down favorite sleeping pad. There is no other inflatable pad that has the same warmth/weight ratio at the Therm-a-rest. This is the lightest, warmest pad out there! I’ve been using this style for over 7 years and it has never failed me.

I use it on my summer backpacking trips and my winter ones, adding a closed-cell foam pad underneath it. Therm-a-rest has an excellent warranty too: I have had an internal baffle pop (pad still stays inflated) and Therm-a-rest replaced the pad after filling out the warranty form. An awesome company with the best product! I recommend it for every backpacker.

Nitecore AP01 Ultralight Portable Air Pump

I honestly can’t believe I went so long without one of these little air pumps to blow up my sleeping pad at night. Nitecore sent me the AP01 this summer to test out and it works so well to inflate my Thermarest pad – it takes less than a minute and I don’t get lightheaded blowing up my pad at altitude!

Plus, it weights under 1 ounce, which is lighter than the inflator bag that comes with the pad. All I need to do is plug it into my powerbank and it does all the work!

Also Available: Amazon

Gifts for Hikers

AllTrails Plus or Peak Subscription

AllTrails is one of the best tools for searching for hikes – wherever you’re located. I’ve used it in National Parks, close to home, and while hiking internationally. I love downloading offline maps too – great when you don’t have cell service!

SKIDA Packable Run Cap

Emily wearing the SKIDA Run Cap.

I have found it so challenging to find a breathable, sweat-wicking hat that actually works with my face shape AND is cute: and SKIDA finally made a soft cap that fits the bill. I recommend this hat to everyone who will listen – it’s my all-time favorite!

BioLite Headlamp 300

I love how comfy the strap is on this headlamp and that you can recharge it. All day hikers should have a headlamp in their packs – it’s one of the 10 Essentials. Plus, it’s under 2 oz! 

Gossamer Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket

Hiker friend already has a pack that they love? Get them a shoulder strap pocket! These are SO clutch. It’s great to have a way to carry your phone or other small items like sunscreen and lipbalm in a super easy to access spot! This pocket can attach to any backpack shoulder strap!

PACT Outdoors Outdoor Bathroom Kit

I get it. Bathroom talk is not everyone’s jam, and some people are a little more high maintenance with their bathroom duties than others. And if you have one of those people in your life, this is the PERFECT gift. It comes with a trowel, hand sanitizer, expandable wet wipes, and comes in a nice, covert roll pouch – the perfect outdoor bathroom carry-it-all kit!

Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat Pad

This is the BEST invention. Hiking somewhere wet or snowy but want to sit down? Pull out this tiny butt pad. Even on dry ground, this gives you a little more padding on your butt vs sitting on a hard rock!

It fits perfectly in the side pocket of any backpack but is still small enough to stuff inside a day pack too.

Gifts for Campers

YETI Tundra 45 Cooler

There’s a reason why you see this cooler everywhere: it’s simply the best. I own the Tundra 65 and it’s amazing. But it’s pretty heavy and big. The 45 is smaller, perfect for 1-3 night camping trips or for someone who lives in a smaller home with less storage. It’ll also take less wrapping paper for you to wrap it 😉

HEST Foamy Sleeping Pad

This is my all-time favorite camping mattress. I found this in REI Re/Supply looking brand new and I knew I needed it for my Subaru. I’ve slept on it for at least 30 nights this year and it’s so comfortable. I get the best sleep on it! My parents even bought 2 to upgrade their campervan mattress!

For sizing: I bought the regular wide for the back of a Subaru Outback 2020 and it works for 1 person sleeping with room for gear!

Also Available: REI Co-op (discount code not valid)

Gregory Alpaca Gear Box 45

I’m fully obsessed with this gear box. So much so that I bought two! I love that you can take the lid fully off or open it from one side like a treasure chest. It’s weather-sealed, and holds so much stuff! Perfect for staying organized on camping trips and road trips with gear!

Trail Hound 30 ft. Camping Light

Emily laying down in sleeping bag in car backseat with twinkle lights set up for ambiance.

These are my favorite twinkle lights! So light & really easy to drape and attach to trees, tables, and stuff around your camping area. You do need to plug these into a power source to use them, but it’s super easy to do with a portable charger or a Goal Zero power bank, which I usually have camping anyways.

Goal Zero Yeti 500

goal zero yeti power station

This is what every camper who’s really going off grid for a while needs. The 500 size is a really good amount for keeping small electronics charged for a week+.

I even bring it car camping so I can bring my electric milk heater and frother for fancy camp coffee!

ENO DoubleNest Hammock

A hammock needs to be in every camper’s gear box. There’s nothing better than taking a nap in one of these back at camp after a long day hiking or playing in the river.

YETI Rambler French Press – 34 fl. oz.

I’ve personally had my eye on this french press for over a year! It looks like the perfect way to make more than 2 glasses of coffee and keep it warm along the way!

Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit with Stand 2.0

This was a family present a few years ago and it has been a hit! We love bringing this pit with us on all of our van trips because the smokeless factor really does make a huge difference! So much better than the fire rings at campgrounds. I also have a few friends who use this in their backyard. It’s perfect for outdoor get-togethers!

Also Available: Solo Stove

Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven – 8 qt.

Dutch oven cooking is so much more fun to me than using the camp stove, and I think it’s the best way to make meals for a larger group. Your foodie camper friend will love it.

High Camp Flasks Parkside Flask 750

wine flask tumbler with 2 cups

This is the ultimate gift for your wine and spirits loving friends! This is a magnetic flask that holds a full 750 ml bottle of wine and has 2 connected tumblers! My parents got this as a gift last Christmas and love it – so great for camping vs. bringing a glass bottle of wine!

AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press

The next best gift for your coffee snob friend? The Aeropress. If they love espresso but also love camping, this is the toy for them. And if they’re backpackers, they’ll probably be calling this their luxury item in their pack.

Rolla Roaster Marshmallow and Hot Dog Roasting Forks – Pair

If my BFF got me these as a gift, the next thing I’d be asking is when we’re going camping together. What says “I love you” more than the most luxury stick to roast marshmallows on?!

Teva ReEmber Camp Slip-Ons

brown teva slipper shoe

I love these slippers. I have the original version without the adjuster strap and I’ve had them for over 6 years now and they are still nice and warm and in great shape! I bring them on all of my road trips and camping overnights – I love sliding into these at night! They’re the perfect shoe for wearing around the campfire.

Also Available: Men’s Options

Gifts for National Park Lovers

Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Travel Blanket

There’s nothing better than getting cozy in a Rumpl blanket with your favorite National Park featured on it!

Parks Project Apparel

Parks Project makes some really cute and fun clothing options celebrating all kinds of outdoor spaces, but this sweatshirt defending the National Parks is one I’m sure any park lover would appreciate!

National Parks Postcard Coloring Book

national parks coloring book with a mountain and trees outline

Crafts are making a comeback – probably because we’re so stressed out! This would be a thoughtful gift for any National Parks lover who wants to be reminded of their childhood coloring days.

National Parks Paint by Number Kit

paint by number Zion national park

This is such a cute present for a crafty National Parks lover or wannabe painter!

The Landmark Project 2027 National Parks Calendar

A Landmark Project 2027 calendar preview.

One of the best ways to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year all in one for a National Parks lover!

Gifts for Outdoor Photographers

Insta360 X5 Action Camera

Using the Insta360 for fall color peeping.

I finally bought an Insta360 action camera for my river rafting trip in the Grand Canyon and I am so happy I made the investment. The footage is incredible, and with the right accessories, it’s such an easy and unique way to film a new perspective while you’re adventuring!

It’s also great for National Park lovers since you can’t fly drones in National Parks – but the extendable invisible selfie sticks can give you a birds eye view that makes it look like you have one!

Also Available: Newest model – Amazon

Peak Design Capture 3.0 Camera Clip

Emily hiking with her camera on her backpack strap using the Peak Design Capture Clip.

One of the best ways for photographers to carry their cameras for quick-access. You can also use your phone with it when you have Peak Design’s phone accessories!

Also Available: Peak Design

Hyperlite Camera Pod

Author Emily in red rain jacket standing with arms outstretch at the top of John Gardner pass with glacier grey in background.
Wearing the HMG Camera Pod while backpacking in Chile.

My second favorite camera carrying system after the capture clip, and my #1 option for bad weather photography! I have the large size which fits a full frame Sony a7RV camera with a 24-105 f4 lens with the lens hood on – so a pretty large set up!

Pelican 1400 Protector Case

Emily opening the Pelican camera case at the bottom of the Grand Canyon in sand.

I bought this for myself this past summer for transporting my camera gear on my Colorado River Dory rafting trip. And I am so happy I had this case vs. using dry bags. It was so easy to store the case in the boat and to quickly access my camera while keeping it protected from water and sand.

I also appreciated how light it is since I had to hike it up to the South Rim once I reached my disembarkation point on the trip!

Also Available: Amazon

Nikon Microfiber Lens Cleaning Cloth

I love that this microfiber cloth comes with a little storage bag and clip – keeps it quick access and protected! I love keeping mine in my daily bag. It comes in handy for more than photo gear!

Gifts for Adventure Travelers

Cotopaxi Allpa 35 L Travel Pack

Emily holding the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L pack before packing it.

I love this travel pack. It holds SO much. I’ve used it while traveling for weddings, going camping, and just weekend road trips.

The backpack straps and hip belt tuck away for when you want to use it as a duffel, and the padded laptop sleeve is perfect for when I bring my computer along.

HydraPak 500 ml Stow Bottle

A Hydrapak Stow 500 ml bottle in an airplane seat back pocket.

This is the ultimate travel water bottle. You can stow this ANYWHERE in your bag when you don’t have it filled with water – it’s so small, it easily fits in a purse or fanny pack too.

I brought this everywhere on my recent trip to Europe, and it was nice to have something so small and flexible that got smaller as I drank water. Plus, it fits so much better in a seat-back pocket on an airplane vs. a hard sided water bottle.

REI Co-op Big Haul 30″ Wheeled Duffel

A packed REI Big Haul luggage standing upright next to a black labrador.

This is my do-it-all adventure suitcase. It was my main bag in Patagonia for 3 weeks and Europe for 2 months. It has held up so well and has definitely taken a beating!

The fact that it can hold most of my backpacking gear AND extra clothes is amazing. I love that I can compress the bag to stabilize the weight. Can’t recommend another duffel suitcase more!

Peak Design Small Tech Pouch

The Peak Design small tech pouch filled with cords.

This is the PERFECT travel case for the techie in your life. I was able to fit 2 Europe travel adapters, 2 wall plugs, 2 external batteries, all of my cords (~5), 2 SSDs, card reader, microfiber cloth, SD cards, and an apple pencil. And this is just the small size! It fits so well in a carry on or commuter backpack, and the internal organization is amazing. I’m obsessed!

Also Available: Peak Design

Gifts for Snow Bunnies

Feathered Friends Down Booties

These are the BEST cold weather companions! I bring mine on every single snow camping trip I take to keep my feet toasty. They’ve got a down inner boot and the outer layer is waterproof and has a padded and reinforced sole with adjustment bungees to keep them snug on your feet. A great investment!

Ignik Ripple Rechargeable Hand Warmers – 4 Pack

Ok, my parents got me this last year for Christmas and I’m obsessed! They’re the perfect size to hold or to slip into your ski gloves/mittens. And I love that the carrying case doubles as a charging case so I don’t lose them!

Plus, I’m happy to use reusable hand warmers now vs. the disposable ones.

Skida Fleece Bandana

I love these bandanas because they’re super easy to put on and take off, and they feel less restrictive than a neck gaiter. All while keeping your neck and chest protected from the elements and looking super cute!

MSR Revo Ascent Snowshoes

Emily wearing MSR Revo Ascent Snowshoes on a snowy mountain in Lake Tahoe.

These are really tough snowshoes. I’ve had an older pair for over 7 years and they are still champs. The heel lift makes climbing hills so much easier, and the toe cup is designed to reduce pressure points on the tops of your feet vs. the strap style snowshoes. These would be an amazing upgrade for someone whose been renting or borrowing snowshoes!

DAKINE Boot Locker – 69 L

I’ve been using this exact bag for 5 ski seasons now and it is AMAZING. It holds my boots at the bottom, and the top compartment fits my helmet, goggles, ski jacket, bibs, a fleece layer, 2 sets of gloves and a pair of socks.

Basically, this baby carries everything I need for skiing at the resort except for the skis and poles themselves!

North Mass Transit Ski and Snowboard Tuning Kit

Tuning and waxing your own skis and boards saves a lot of money over time! This kit is perfect for those people who love to DIY.

Stocking Stuffers – Gifts Under $40

All of these gifts make excellent little stocking stuffers. Perfect for the outdoorsy acquaintance, co-worker, or Secret Santa exchanges!

Verve Instant Craft Coffee Sampler – Package of 7

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks

Colorful hiking sock with mountain embroidery, high-performance outdoor gear.

There’s a reason that Darn Tough socks are the most popular amongst thru-hikers: the lifetime warranty is pretty amazing, and honestly, the socks are so well made that you probably won’t even need to use the warranty! Otherwise, the stitching is perfect at the toes, and the padding is great for boots and trail running shoes.

Also Available: Men’s Version

Outdoor Knots – Waterproof Plastic Fan Pack

Honestly, so helpful to have a quick knot guide in your camping bin!

Sierra Stick Skincare

2 Sierra Stick salves.

This is the best lip balm! Only 2 ingredients and I’ve never gotten sunburned lips when using it – pretty incredible! And a super small business based in California – completely organic and compostable!

REI Lifetime Membership

Every outdoorsy person needs an REI membership. You’re practically throwing money away if you don’t have one! You get 10% back on all of your full-priced purchases, access to used gear discounts, multiple member-only coupons throughout the gear, and discounts at the bike & ski shop – and more!

Heat It Tool – Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Healer

Heat-it tool plugged into iphone with app displayed on screen.

Plug this into your phone, and with the Heat-It app, you can zap away itchy mosquito bites! And yes, it really works!

I hope this guide helps you get the perfect gift for your outdoorsy loved one! If you have any favorites on this list, let me know in the comments below!

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70 perfect gifts for the outdoors lovers

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