2024 Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor Lovers

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the outdoorsy person in your life, you’re in the right place! I worked at REI for over six years and have helped so many people find gifts for their loved ones and gotten customers fitted into the right gear for them. I’m also including items that I’ve gotten as gifts and appreciated or given as gifts that were well received (and maybe a few items on my own wish list this year)!

Below you’ll find over 100 of my top gift ideas for your favorite backpacker, National Park fan, road tripper, outdoor photographer, and more!

Note: Included in this blog post are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to use these links to shop! Thank you so much if you do use these links. It keeps this website up & running!

A banner that reads 2024 holiday gift guide for outdoor lovers - 100+ ideas for hikers, backpackers, campers, outdoor foodies and more.

Table of Contents

Gifts for Outdoorsy Women

Cotopaxi Trico Hybrid Fleece Jacket

Cotopaxi makes the most fun and unique jackets. This one is a super cute combo of puffy and fleece and comes in some cute colors!

REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket – Women’s

This is the do-it-all jacket. The 650 is not the warmest or the lightest out there, but it’s an easy layer to grab and layer with a fleece or a rain jacket for going hiking or just wearing around town!

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! This is the perfect gift for anyone who loves to be cozy.

Youer Climb On Hoodie

For women, by women! This would be the perfect gift for the lady in your life who loves color and supporting small, women-owned businesses!

Sweet Turns Early Rise Beanie – Women’s

I love my Sweet Turns beanie. It’s super soft and I love the crochet look. There’s fleece lining inside which keeps it nice and soft against your forehead.

REI Co-op Norseland Down Parka – Women’s

A long parka that doesn’t make you feel like a huge blob! I love the colors of this parka and the hood has a cozy sherpa fleece liner.

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. I’m obsessed and wish I could have these in every pattern!

Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth

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.

I always have my Kula Cloth attached to my backpack.

Gifts for Outdoorsy Men

Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Jacket – Men’s

This is one of the most popular jackets for a reason! It’s super warm and cozy, perfect for winter adventures!

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 last year and they are his #1 lounge at home pant.

Patagonia Brodeo Beanie

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!

KUHL Dillingr Flannel Shirt – Men’s

Flannels are one of my favorites and I think it’s such a great layering piece for men! This one has a nice weight to it, but not too heavy.

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.

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 Thru-hikers & Backpackers

Katabatic Gear Alsek 22°F Quilt

This quilt has been my #1 for the last three years. It’s incredibly warm and feels like a cozy hug after a long day hiking on trail. Quilts are an easy way to save weight (vs. sleeping bags) for backpackers!

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks

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 so great for boots and trail running shoes. Best socks!!

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System

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!

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack

The Gorilla is one of the best ultralight backpacking packs on the market! 2 lbs with a frame, super cushy hipbelt, and load lifters that can actually transfer weight to your hips is pretty remarkable. I thru-hiked the JMT and Colorado Trail with the Gorilla and recommend it to everyone!

BONUS: Gossamer Gear is one of the only cottage gear companies making a women’s specific hip belt that can be swapped with their framed packs!

Me & my Gorilla pack and Gossamer Gear LT5 trekking poles.

MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove

This is my favorite stove for backpacking, weighing only 3 oz! It’s not the absolute lightest stove – but it boils water so much faster than the 1 oz stoves due to its superior burner & surface area. Pair this with the below pot and you’ll be cookin’! (see what I did there ;))

BOT 700 by Vargo Outdoors

The ultimate pot for a thru-hiker: it’s a normal pot for boiling water, but because it has a threaded lid, you could also cold soak meals without worrying about leakage!

FarOut 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!

Garmin inReach Mini 2

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!

Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles

These are the trekking poles I use for all of my backpacking trips. They are so light, it literally doesn’t feel like you’re holding anything, but they’re strong enough to hold up my non-freestanding trekking pole tent. I love using poles while hiking to save my knees on the downhills and to prevent my fingers from swelling!

REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie – Women’s

This down hoodie is one of the warmest down jackets for it’s weight and price, coming in at only ~10.5 oz and $250. For lighter jackets with the same warmth, you’ll need to pay at least $100 more. Every once 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.

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.

REI Co-op Magma 15 Sleeping Bag

I’ll always be a quilt girl, but this sleeping bag is pretty amazing for the warmth/weight ratio, plus the variable sizing is not something you see everyday! Being able to buy a bag based on width and length is awesome.

Enlightened Equipment Cloud 9 UL Pillow

Ok, this is on MY list. An inflatable pillow with a shock cord to wrap around a pad to keep it in place and not slide off the pad? SOLD!

Gossamer Gear The Two Ultralight Tent

This is the most spacious non-freestanding tent I’ve ever used. And it only weighs 1.5 lbs! It’s the main tent I use on my solo backpacking trips, and I always recommend it for people who are looking to trim weight in their pack.

Tent
My Gossamer Gear The Two tent out in the Sierra Nevada.

BioLite HeadLamp 325

I love how comfy the strap is on this headlamp and that you can recharge it! Plus, it’s under 2 oz! 

TheTentLab The DirtSaw Deuce #2 Trowel

Every backpacker needs a way to bury their #2 in the backcountry. The Deuce of spades is the lightest and thinnest trowel on the market. Bonus: the length is 6 inches, which is the minimum depth of a hole you should dig. So it’s a measuring device too!

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent

This is one of the most popular backpacking tents of all-time, and one of the most used tent for thru-hiking long trails because its light, easy to set-up, and spacious.

Gifts for Hikers

AllTrails+ 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!

Osprey Daylite Plus Pack

Osprey makes great packs. This one is the perfect size for all-day hikes and has an easy access outside stuff pocket, which is great for stowing snacks and a rain jacket – or anything else you’d want quick access to!

Gossamer Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket

Shoulder strap pockets 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!

Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 Medical Kit

Nothing says “I care about you” like buying them critical first aid items as a gift.

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!

Buff CoolNet UV+ Insect Shield Multifunctional Neckwear

Did you know you can use a Buff in at least 20 ways?! And this one has UV and bug protection in the fabric! Perfect for any hiker.

REI Co-op Nalgene Sustain Graphic Wide-Mouth Water Bottle – 32 fl. oz.

A classic Nalgene water bottle. Who doesn’t love a Nalgene?! They’re basically indestructible, perfect for hiking adventures.

HydraPak Flux 1.5 L Collapsible Water Bottle + Filter Cap

So Nalgenes are great, but they can’t be stored very easily. Enter: the Hydrapak. It’s shaped like a normal water bottle, but it’s flexible, so can be compressed when it’s empty! This has a water filter built into the lid, so it’s an all-in-one water bottle and water filter! Perfect for the hikers going on long day hikes where they’ll need to filter water along the way!

Salomon Adv Skin 12 Set Hydration Vest

This is the must-have pack for those day hikers who like to travel light & fast and maybe even jog on the downhills after crushing their summit objective!

REI Co-op Trailmade Trekking Poles – Pair

Know someone who loves hiking but their knees are always screaming? Trekking poles will give them a little relief. You’ll be their new favorite person!

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!

Gossamer Gear Loris 25 Daypack

This day pack has everything. A stretchy mesh pocket for your rain jacket. Built-in shoulder strap pockets for stowing your phone and keeping snacks close. A zippered collar to open your pack up a little wider when you’re searching for something that slipped to the bottom. Easy to access side pockets, an internal pouch for your water bladder, AND it comes with a removable sit pad. A jack of all trades.

Gifts for Campers

REI Co-op Kingdom Cot 3

This was a new addition I picked up this summer for my car camping kit, and I don’t regret it one bit. It’s SO comfortable. If you have an older camper in your life with bad knees, they’ll love you for this.

MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights – 18′

My aunt & uncle gifted this to me years ago for my birthday and it’s still one of my favorite camping accessories! I love draping these lights around my tent or the picnic table. They are solar-powered and rechargeable, so just stick them in the sun during the day.

REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Dreamer Chair

These are really great chairs that store super easily. Some camp chairs are so bulky and take up so much room in the car, but not this one! It also has a headrest! Talk about camp luxury.

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. The only reason I didn’t link it? 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 😉

Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Travel Blanket

There’s nothing better than sitting by a fire with your Rumpl puffy blanket wrapped around you. It’s the pinnacle of cozy. 

HEST Foamy Sleeping Pad

This is another recent addition to my camp kit. I found this in REI Re/Supply looking brand new and I knew I needed it for my Subaru. I’ve used it multiple times already as a sleeping pad for when I’m sleeping in my car and it is so luxurious – an amazing upgrade from the thin foam pad I was using. 10/10.

Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit with Stand 2.0

This was a family present a few years ago and it has been a hit! They love bringing this pit with them on all of their 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!

OXO Outdoor Wash, Dry and Stow System

This is the ultimate upgrade to camp dishes! I’ve used this a few times this summer and so happy I added it to my kit. Plus, you can arrange the buckets to store pots & pans while you’re on the move!

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.

Gifts for the Outdoor Foodies

Ooni Pizza Ovens Karu 12 Multi-Fuel Pizza Oven

Ok, this is one of my family’s favorite toys. We love making thin crust pizzas, and doing it in the oven just wasn’t do it. Every since we got the Ooni, pizza night has become SO MUCH FUN! This oven is great because you can use wood or propane to fuel it – making it super versatile.

Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven – 8 qt.

I picked up this dutch oven when I discovered Fresh Off the Grid’s website and everything sounded SO GOOD for camping meals. 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 friend will love it.

OXO Outdoor Manual Coffee Grinder

Your coffee snob friend knows that you can’t pre-grind the beans at home. So get them this grinder so they can always have the freshest brew.

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?!

Gifts for Road Trippers

National Geographic Road Atlas: Adventure Edition

I personally love gifts that inspire, so getting an adventure-themed road atlas would probably be my favorite gift of the year! 

Stanley IceFlow Straw Tumbler – 30 fl. oz.

Having an ice cold drink that fits in my cup holder is an essential part of my road tripping. I love the pail handle on this tumbler vs. the side handles on the larger ones!

Luno Seatback Organizer

I know when I’m sleeping in my car on road trips, having an organization method is soooo nice. It’s great to not have to fumble for your keys or water bottle in the middle of the night. With this, everything is where it’s supposed to be!

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 while camping and on road trips.

GCI Outdoor Compact Camp Table 20

Sometimes while road tripping, you end up having lunch or drinks in a parking area with no picnic tables. So having this little guy really helps out with prep room!

Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite Cargo Roof Box

More. Storage. Enough said! p.s. I’ve had mine permanently on my car for nearly 3 years and it’s been amazing! I love that you can access it from both sides.

My car and her Yakima Skybox 🙂

Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA Sandals – Women’s

These are my favorite post-hike slides. I even bring them backpacking as my camp shoe! They are so cushioned and comfy, and I love that I can wear socks with them.

America the Beautiful Pass – 2024/2025

https://rei.rockporch.com/prdlink/QZbdKOLsk6

The best and most cost effective way to travel to our great National Parks! This pass lasts one full year, so if you buy it in November 2024, it will be good until November 30, 2025!

Gifts for Snow Bunnies

Ignik Hand Warmers – Multipack

One of the best things to always have in your ski bag! You can never have too many.

Skida Pursuit Liner Gloves

I love Skida and all of their fun prints and these liner gloves are new this year! These are perfect for wearing underneath big, waterproof snow gloves.

Oboz Bridger 7″ Insulated Waterproof Boots – Women’s

No one likes cold feet! These high top waterproof, insulated boots will keep those toes nice and warm. Plus, they’re super cute.

Skida Fleece Bandana

More cute Skida accessories! 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!

Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System

All winter and spring hikers need these spikes if they’re hiking on icy trails. They’re crucial for safety!

Black Diamond Evac 7 Snow Shovel

It would really suck to get stuck snowed in at the ski resort or campsite. Having a snow shovel makes that worry completely disappear!

DAKINE Boot Locker – 69 L

I’ve been using this exact bag for 3 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!

MSR Revo Ascent Snowshoes – Men’s

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.

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.

Gifts for Adventure Travelers

REI Co-op Expandable Packing Cube Set – Small/Medium/Large

Packing cubes are key for organizing the suitcase. I love these ones because they open like clamshells, have a little mesh on the top so I can see whats inside, and they expand and compress!

Cotopaxi Allpa 35 L Travel Pack

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.

REI Co-op Big Haul 30″ Rolling Duffel

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.

Peak Design Small Tech Pouch

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), an SSD, 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!

REI Co-op Shower Roll – Small

My favorite thing about this toiletry bag is that you can hang it on almost anything. If theres a clip or handle, you can hang it, but if a hotel room only has a bar, you can still hang it by using the closure loop. Versatility is key!

HydraPak 500 ml Stow Bottle

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.

Gifts for Outdoor Photographers

Peak Design Capture 3.0 Camera 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!

Peak Design Carbon Travel Tripod

One of the most expensive tripods on the market, but I love mine so much. It’s so light, and packs down so much more compact that most tripods. 

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!

Hyperlite Camera Pod

My second favorite camera carrying system after the capture clip, and my #1 option for bad weather photography! 

Gifts for Hiking Hounds

Ruffwear Approach Dog Pack

A harness and pack all-in-one for the pups who can carry a little bit of their own gear! I like making my pups carry their stinky poops.

Ruffwear Quencher Dog Bowl

This bowl packs away small but opens up to a fairly sturdy bowl for water or food!

Ruffwear Hitch Hiker Leash

I love using this hipbelt leash for when I want a hands-free hike with my dog! The lead is pretty long, but you can control how much line you want out, and stow the rest away!

Ruffwear Dirtbag Seat Cover

The perfect gift for a dirty dog! I used this all the time when I had a sedan without laydown seats.

HEST Dog Bed

I recently found this in a REI Re/supply and my dogs love it so much. It’s so cushioned and the bottom is weatherproof, so it’s easy to brush off dust and mud when you lay it on the ground.

Nite Ize Nitehowl Rechargeable LED Safety Necklace

I put these on my dogs while camping or on a night walk for safety!

Bark National Park Plush Dog Toy

These toys are so stinking cute. I’m a proponent of cute dog doys.

GivePet Soft Baked Dog Treats – Holiday Flavors

I personally haven’t tried these, but all three of my pups seem to love them! I’ve bought them in nearly every flavor and there have never been complaints.

Skida Dog Bandana

The fact that you could buy a Skida hat for yourself that matches your dog’s bandana?!?! You’ll be the cutest pair on the trails.

Gifts & Stocking Stuffers under $20

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

Outdoor Knots – Waterproof Plastic Fan Pack

Mountaineers Books Campfire Stories Deck: Prompts for Igniting Stories by the Fire

REI Co-op Graphic Bandana

Rumpl Solid Beer Blanket

Sierra Stick Skincare

National Geographic Guide to National Parks of the United States Journal

Gifts under $50

REI Lifetime Membership

Every outdoorsy person needs an REI membership. You’re practically throwing money away if you don’t have one!

Heat It Tool – Smartphone-Powered Insect Bite Healer

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

Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack

REI Co-op Norseland Merino Wool Crew Socks – 2 Pairs

Braiding Sweetgrass

One of my favorite outdoor-adjacent books of all-time. I think everyone who loves nature should read this book to learn valuable lessons of Indigenous teachings.

Lantern Press Explore The National Parks and Monuments Puzzle

Skida Brim Hat

Gifts under $100

Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8 x 25 Waterproof Binoculars

Teva ReEmber Terrain Slip-Ons

Cotopaxi Coso 2 L Hip Pack – Cada Dia

This is my daily bag! It holds everything I need with plenty of room to spare. I love the multiple hidden zippered pockets for keeping my wallet safe and some tiny items separated from the rest.

Feathered Friends Down Booties

Ok, these are a little more than $100, but they’re the BEST cold weather companions! I bring mine on every single snow camping trip I take to keep my feet toasty.

Pin For Later

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!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.