From long backpacking trips, to car camping, or even day hikes, I've assembled 28 of my favorite gift ideas in a wide range of price points for the outdoors person on your holiday list.
1. Zippo Typhoon Waterproof Match Kit ($15) Be equipped for any forecast. This waterproof match kit is ready for any adventure. Its heavy-duty construction and sealed strike pad keep the 15 Typhoon Matches protected and in one place, so you can light your fire in even the most severe conditions.
2. Waxed Journals Explorer Series: Moss - Wander ($20) Take this handcrafted journal on all your adventures. The covers were designed and letter-pressed by Warrior Printress out of Duluth, MN using a Vandercook #4 Proof Press, before being bound and finished. The waterproof paper works best with ballpoint pen, pencil or an all weather pen. Wipe off the dirt, snip a loose thread and keep on writing. When the pages are filled, it will carry stories inside and out.
3. Thermacell MR300 Portable Mosquito Repeller ($25) Keep the bugs at bay with this portable mosquito repeller. Easy to use with hours of scent-free, mess-free mosquito defense. No batteries or cords needed, the portable repeller is ideal for on-the-go adventures like fishing, camping, hiking and more. Kit includes one repeller, one 12-hour fuel cartridge, and three 4-hour repellent mats.
4. Camp Cocktails Book ($27) Learn how to plan, pack, and whip up great drinks in the great outdoors. Cabin trips, hikes, patio parties, camping adventures—however you enjoy the great outdoors, it should be fun and easy.
5. MTN OPS Hydrate ($29/20-pack) It's critical to maintain hydration on those long hikes. MTN OPS HYDRATE is specifically crafted with a unique blend of essential electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals to help improve overall hydration and performance both at the gym or on the mountain.
6. Pac Towel ($29) Sustainably made of 50% recycled fabric, the Personal Pac Towel takes up minimal space in your backpack and delivers maximum absorbency and quick-drying performance. Capable of absorbing 4x its weight in water and drying 70% faster than comparable cotton towels while taking up a fraction of the space. Machine washable, and featuring Polygiene® odor control.
7. Sea to Summit EVAC Dry Compression Sacks ($45 for the 5-liter model) Perfect for keeping your gear dry and compact inside a backpack or bike bag. Made from bluesign-approved ultra lightweight Ultra-Sil 30D Cordura® nylon with a C0 non-PFC DWR, and an eVent® fabric air permeable base with a C0 non-PFC DWR finish that allows you to push air out while still keeping your contents dry inside. Compression straps make it easy to evenly compress soft items, and the hypalon non-wicking roll-top closure also keeps the water out.
8. Barebones Camping Beacon Light ($59) The Beacon Hanging Light is the perfect camp lantern. This portable light easily hangs with its carabiner top or stands on its sturdy base, and a smooth dimming feature brightens your surroundings and sets the mood. Comes with an attached 9-inch USB cord and an additional 35-inch cord for its rechargeable battery—which lasts 200+ hours on low or three hours on high.
9. Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad ($60) Made of durable and rugged 75D polyester fabric the Static V is an affordable lightweight camping pad with V-chamber design to limit air movement and heat loss for better support and comfort. Easy-to-use valve allows for quick inflation and deflation. With a packed weight of 18.7 ounces and packed size of just 3 x 8 Inches, it's small and light for the price.
10. Vizz 550 RGB Headlamp ($60) At 550 Lumens, a 75-hour run time, and featuring bright LED lighting with white, red, green, and blue settings, the water resistant Vizz headlamp makes the perfect camping companion. Read my gear review here.
11. Barebones Pangean Folding Stool ($60) Made from keruing hardwood with a rich oil finish, and a one hundred percent heavy-weight duck canvas seat, this simple folding stool provides a sturdy, reliable place to sit at camp. Fold it up for easy transport, or store it flat and tucked out of the way.
12. Gerber Freescape Camp Saw ($65) Portable. Safe. Functional. This innovative saw folds up flat for transport and utilizes 4 pivot points to create a secure handle grip and 12-inch cutting surface. Bright green accents are easy to spot at the campsite, keeping you aware and safe. Accepts all standard 12" blades making replacement simple. Or for a more traditional saw, check out the Agawa Gear Boreal 21 Saw ($82) The Boreal 21 folding bow saw is perfect for camping, backpacking, canoeing, or any off-trail activity. The anodized 6063 aluminum frame, fiberglass reinforced nylon handle, all stainless steel hardware, hardened and coated saw blades opens in seconds and features automatic blade tensioning with no loose parts.
13. Stanley Brand Adventure Basecamp Cooking Set ($90) Take your camp kitchen to the next level. This 21-piece cookset packs all the convenience of a fully stocked kitchen into a package that is perfect for campsites, river floats, and vanlife. The stainless steel pot and 3-ply fry pan are built to perform like pros, ensuring that food heats more evenly. With all the tools needed to prep, cook, serve, and clean up, you may even keep this set in your kitchen for everyday use.
14. Wolf And Grizzly portable grill ($105) A rollable, foldable, and lightweight campfire grill made entirely of stainless steel. Makes it easy to cook over the fire on any camping or backcountry outing.
15. $110 Optimus Electra Fe Cook set Quick, simple, and convenient. The Elektra FE Cook System is a fuel-efficient, high-performance wonder – you get a 28% faster boil time at a 20% fuel savings. The lightweight system fits snugly in your pack and includes the Crux Lite stove, a heat exchange pot with lid, and a new non-stick coating, clip-on windscreen, and handheld Piezo ignitor. Read my gear review here:
16. Duckworth Vapor Hoody ($120) Duckworth's Vapor Hoody is the perfect catch-all garment for people constantly on the move. This Merino Wool sweater can be worn as a solo layer or baselayer. Featuring a loose-fit hood, this versatile Merino Wool hoody was born in the Montana backcountry and has been performance tested in environments from Arizona to Alaska. Made with proprietary Vapor Wool fabric, the Men's Vapor Hoody is lightweight, soft, cooling, antimicrobial (odor-free), moisture-wicking and ultra-fast-drying – the perfect camp shirt.
17. Ten Thousand CC Tactical Pant ($128) Inspired and co-created by members of the U.S. Special Operations community, the Tactical Pant provides the unparalleled durability and comfort you need on a ruck or camping adventure while still maintaining an understated look for your everyday wear. Durable stretch canvas fabric Water-repellent DWR treatment Odorblock™ permanent anti-odor treatment. Or, for a slightly more "European" design try the Fjallraven Vidda Pro Pants ($170) Durable trekking "trousers" for adventures in the mountains and forest. Made from durable wind and water-resistant G-1000 fabric with double layers over the rear and knees. Features six pockets including a map pocket and a multitool pocket and elastic strap adjustments with press buttons on leg endings.
18. Stio Whiparound Shorts ($130) Packed with tech but not overbuilt, the Whiparound shorts are agile yet technical. Lightweight, four-way stretch for comfortable range of motion combined with durable Schoeller® fabric with a water- and dirt-resistant ecorepel® DWR finish make these the perfect camping companion. I'm also a big fan of the Mountain Khakis Waterrock Shorts ($90) A comfortable, all-around versatile land-to-sea short that looks as good at the end of the day as it does while you're on the water. The DWR 80/10 rating makes this short an ace for paddle boarding and kayaking and the 8% spandex and action gusset make these shorts very comfortable hikers.
19. Wingo Convertible blanket ($130) The Wingo Convertible Blanket converts easily from a blanket to a pillow. With water-resistant rip-stop polyester on one side and sherpa fleece on the other, this outdoor blanket is chock full of innovative features. As a blanket, you can curl up in the hammock with your feet in the innovative foot pouch, or wrap the blanket around you and secure the clasp while sipping coffee by the campfire. Lay it rip-stop side down on the grass for a weather-proof picnic. When not being used as a blanket the Convertible easily stuffs and zips into a fleecy pillow.
20. Kuiu Basecamp Insulated Snap Shirt ($150) Constructed with a sleek, quilted pattern, this Toray-insulated snap shirt can be worn in the field as a mid-layer or as everyday wear. Two open hand pockets and two snap closure chest pockets provide warmth for your hands and storage for quickly accessible items. With a comfortable feel and light insulation this versatile jacket is a must-have for any outdoor occasion.
21. Oboz Katabatic Waterproof hiking Shoe ($160) Speed is your friend with the Oboz Katabatic, as is support, stability, protection, and performance. Oboz's lightest midsole ever, paired with their most breathable B-DRY waterproof membrane makes for a hiking shoe that not only keeps feet comfortable mile after mile, but also dry every step of the way.
22. Oniva Aluminum Portable Picnic Table ($180) This portable four-person aluminum picnic table folds out to three feet with a weight capacity of 250 pounds per seat. Easy to set up and take down, you can tote this folding table on any adventure.
23. Camp Chef Everest 2X Camp Stove ($190) Designed for avid outdoorsmen, the sleek design of the Everest 2X Mountain Series system is both lightweight and portable. Packed with two, 20,000 BTU burners, the Everest offers quick, matchless ignition no matter your coordinates. Adventure seekers will enjoy a generous 215 square inches of cook space engineered for maximum food output.
24. Trekking Poles by Gossamer ($195) The most portable poles in the Gossamer lineup, our LT5s are some of the lightest 3-piece poles on the planet. Great for trekking, hiking, and backpacking and pairs perfectly with tarps for an unbeatable ultralight shelter setup.
25. Yeti M12 Soft Backpack Cooler ($275) The perfect refreshment hauler for a day or overnight camp trip. Comfortable and easy to open – can fit wine bottles or 20 cans. The durable MagShield Access uses a strip of ultra-strong magnets that keep your cooler closed and leak-resistant. Plus you can store your wallet, keys, or phone in the handy Kangaroo Pocket.
26. Enlightened Equipment Revelation Sleeping Quilt ($335) Enlightened's original and best selling sleeping quilt is a favorite of long distance hikers. The Revelation is known for its amazing versatility, thoughtful design, and ultralight weight. On warm nights, The Revelation can lay open as a blanket, or in colder temperatures you can cinch the adjustable 1/4 length zipper footbox closed. Designed to be used with a sleeping pad to provide insulation underneath you, between you and the ground.
27. Big Ages Copper Spur Tent ($600) Ultralight, three-season, three-person (2 big people) backpacking tent. Redesigned with cutting-edge features inside and out, using proprietary materials that are lighter, stronger, and equipped with hardware that makes set-up even easier. The high volume design provides ample living space in this freestanding structure. Traditional, media, and 3D bin pockets help to organize your gear without cramping your sleep space or capacity to sit up inside. Awning-style vestibules can be customized to expand living space, great for both drizzle and sun protection. Your ultimate UL home away from home. Read a full review here
28. Thule Force XT XL Rooftop Cargo Carrier ($800) This robust cargo box from Thule fits almost every car and every lifestyle. It’s perfect for daily use thanks to its tough AeroSkin surface texture and the LockKnob that makes it easy to open and close the box. The Thule Force XT is designed to carry loads of all sizes and shapes to your next camping trip – easily and securely.