We all know someone who loves the outdoors, but when Christmas or birthdays roll around…well, you may find yourself asking: what on earth should I get them for a gift this year?
If that’s the case for you, I’m here to help! As a certified lover of the outdoors myself, I’m here to recommend some products I love and use in my own outdoors adventures. So without further ado, here are 19 of the best gifts for outdoor lovers! You’re sure to find something here to please every outdoorsy person on your list.
1. Hydro Flask Water Bottle or Nalgene Bottle
For lovers of the outdoors, there’s nothing more essential than a good water bottle. It will take you from everyday use to long treks and will definitely be your best friend after a long hike! If the outdoor lover in your life doesn’t yet have a quality water bottle (or needs a new one) then this makes an excellent gift.
In the world of water bottles, some are just simply better than others. That’s why I like and recommend either the Hydro Flask water bottle or the iconic Nalgene water bottle.
The Hydro Flask is a favorite because it is made with BPA-free plastic and food-grade stainless steel. Its insulation keeps condensation from forming on the outside of the bottle, and this same insulation keeps the beverage inside at the same temperature of whatever it was when you put it in—that means hot drinks stay hot for up to 6-12 hours and cold drinks stay cold for up to 24 hours. I like this especially for shorter outdoors trips and hikes or for camping, as it will easily keep water nice and cold…and just as easily keep your beverage hot if you’re exploring in the cold morning and want to bring your coffee with you.
The only downside of the Hydro Flask is that it is rather heavy for a water bottle because of the stainless steel, so if you know someone who likes to go on longer hikes or go backpacking then you will likely be better off going with the classic Nalgene water bottle. This water bottle is a bestseller for a reason: it’s BPA-free, safe for the dishwasher, and suitable for warm and cold beverages (all the way up to boiling water!). It might not keep your drink as cold or as hot for the same length of time as the Hydro Flask would, but it is a perfect lightweight water bottle to take on any outdoor adventures
Click here to check out the HydroFlask Water Bottle or the Nalgene Water Bottle!
2. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
Speaking of essentials like water, if you know someone who loves to go on outdoor adventures then gifting them a LifeStraw water filter is a great way to help them stay safe in the great outdoors. While they may not always need it on every adventure, this personal water filter can be a lifesaver in emergency cases (and is also good for longer hikes or excursions). It’s small and lightweight, but worth far more than its weight in gold if something bad happens and your favorite outdoor lover is in danger of running out of clean drinking water!
If you’re interested in the specs, this LifeStraw can filter up to 1000 liters of contaminated water. It removes bacteria and parasites, making any freshwater safe to drink. And since it’s only nine inches long, it’s easy enough to throw in any bag or day pack and forget about it until you need it. Definitely a good investment and a great gift to show your favorite hiker or outdoor lover that you care!
Click here to buy the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter!
3. Solar String Lights
Just because there are lots of practical gifts for outdoor lovers doesn’t mean that there aren’t some super fun ones as well! And solar string lights are definitely on the fun outdoor gifts list.
As the name suggests, these lights are powered by the sun…which makes them the perfect accent to take along on a more glamorous outdoor outing. Simply hang them up where you like and drive the solar panel stake into the ground, and you’re good to go when it gets dark! Whether your outdoor loving friend is camping (or glamping) for the weekend, living that #vanlife full time, or pursuing any number of other outdoor and Instagrammable activities, these solar string lights will bring a touch of whimsical charm and beauty to their experiences. These make a great gift and are also excellent stocking stuffers!
Check out these solar string lights or buy some now!
4. Eno SingleNest Hammock
Another fun but also oh-so-practical gift for outdoor adventurers is a hammock. Hammocks are great for anyone who likes the outdoors, as they are perfect for having fun and relaxing while camping or hiking but can also be used in place of a tent on outdoor excursions if preferred.
If this sounds like something your adventurous friends or family members would be like, then be sure to check out the Eno SingleNest Hammock. These hammocks are made from nylon and weigh only 16 ounces (packing into a 4 x 5″ included storage bag). But when unpacked, they expand to 9’4″ x 4’7″…which makes for the perfect balance between ease of carrying and ease of use. The SingleNest comes with aluminum carabiners, but you can purchase hammock straps separately. And one things for sure: gifting a hammock will automatically make your gift one of the best!
Click here to buy the Eno SingleNest Hammock!
5. North Face Cat’s Meow 22 Sleeping Bag
Looking for a functional but still exciting gift? Look no further than the North Face Cat’s Meow sleeping bag!
This sleeping bag is suited for all sorts of overnight adventures and is even suitable for hikers and backpackers, as it packs down into a 9 x 16″ sack that is quite easy to transport. But this mummy sleeping bag also perfectly balances between being lightweight (2 lbs. 7 oz.) and cozy (for temperatures as low as 20°F/-7°C). This means it’s a wonderful sleeping bag for pretty much all seasons (except for very cold winters), making it a functional, versatile, and impressive gift!
Purchase the Cat’s Meow sleeping bag now or read reviews!
6. Portable Bluetooth Speaker
A portable speaker is definitely one of my favorite items to bring with me on outdoor adventures, especially when camping with friends or family! And the Sony SRS-XB41 is my Bluetooth speaker of choice as it’s small enough to be easily portable…but is also durable, waterproof, has an amazing battery life, and has excellent sound.
Do note that while this Sony speaker is highly portable, it is a little hefty for taking on hikes (especially ones a little longer in duration). If your outdoor loving friend loves to take tunes on the go, then you may want to consider a smaller speaker like this waterproof JBL clip.
Click here to buy the Sony SRS-XB41 now or read more reviews!
7. Fitbit Inspire HR
If you want a gift that’s perfect for outdoor lovers of all ages, then a Fitbit is the way to go! In my family, everyone from age 8 to 80 gets a kick out of wearing a Fitbit to track activity throughout the day (and it’s also a great motivator to get outside when you haven’t done much yet during the day!)
The Fitbit Inspire HR is the perfect choice as it tracks steps, distance, calories burned, and more data alongside tracking resting heart rate and heart rate during exercise. It records all this automatically so all you have to do is wear it and engage in some sort of activity and it does the rest. I have to say, it’s immensely satisfying to see the results of your activity at the end of the day…especially after a long hike. So this is a wonderful accessory for anyone who loves exploring the outdoors!
Click here to purchase the Fitbit Inspire HR now!
8. SmartWool Socks
Socks for Christmas? You may be surprised, but gifting a pair of socks may just make an outdoor adventurer ecstatic! Good socks are the best friends of those who enjoy exploring the outdoors, but quality socks can cost quite a lot compared to normal socks…which means you can expect that anyone who enjoys a lot of outdoor activity would be quite grateful to receive a pair or two of socks as a gift!
My go-to brand of socks is SmartWool, and I have several pairs in different sizes (ankle and longer) as well as different weights for different seasons/levels of activity. I love them so much I wear mine all year round! They’re comfortable, odor-resistant, easy to wash and dry, and I find also help prevent blisters when doing a lot of walking. So what’s not to love?
Check out SmartWool socks now!
9. GoPro HERO 7 Black
A GoPro is another amazing and fun gift for those who love the outdoors, as this hardy little camera can withstand lots of adventures and is even waterproof. What better gift to give than one that will help them capture memories that will last a lifetime?
The HERO 7 Black is a great choice of camera especially for the more adventurous sort, and has lots of incredible features including hypersmooth video stabilization, time warp videos, and more. So if you think your outdoorsy friend would enjoy capturing their adventures, you can’t go wrong with gifting them this small, lightweight, and durable camera!
Click here to buy the GoPro HERO 7 Black now!
10. JOBY GorillaPod Action Tripod
As an accessory to the GoPro or another small camera, the JOBY GorillaPod Action Tripod is an excellent gift as it allows for flexibility in mounting the camera in various places and positions and also makes it easy to take selfies while exploring the outdoors. This tripod is one of my favorite tripods for GoPro and other small cameras, and is the one I use and recommend most frequently.
This JOBY tripod specifically is a perfect choice as it is super light and easy to carry (only 0.4 lbs) and can easily attach anywhere with its flexible leg system. It also has fantastic 90° tilting and 360° panning capabilities, which is so helpful for capturing those amazing panoramas of all the best views! Whether camping, hiking, or otherwise exploring, this is a great addition to photography kit for those who like capturing their adventures in photos or videos.
Buy the JOBY GorillaPod Tripod now or read more reviews!
11. PolarPro GoPro Dome
I’d be remiss not to mention one of my favorite pieces of photography gear I love to keep on hand while I’m exploring in places with lakes, oceans, etc.—and that’s the GoPro dome for over/under water shots! If you’ve ever wondered how those Instagrammers get amazing shots partially underwater and partially above…well, using a dome like this is the trick!
The PolarPro FiftyFifty Dome is the dome I use most frequently and is one of the best GoPro domes on the market. Of course, to use it you also need to have a few other pieces of kit like a GoPro and a GoPro Frame. But it’s worth it for the epic shots, and I can guarantee this will make you an instant hit with whomever you choose to gift it to!
Click here to buy the PolarPro FiftyFifty Dome now!
12. Coleman Portable Camping Chairs
For those who love camping, gifting some good portable camping chairs is an excellent choice. There’s nothing better than sitting around a fire with friends…unless it’s gathering around a fire with friends while sitting in a comfortable camping chair!
These Coleman camping chairs are a good choice as the polyester material is durable and the seats are about as comfortable, cushioned, and supporting as camping chairs get! They also feature a mesh cup holder, a side pocket for placing personal items like a phone, and a built-in cooler pouch so you don’t even have to stand up to go get your next drink. All this with a convenient collapsible design, and you’ve got a winning gift to give to the outdoor-loving camper in your life!
Check out these Coleman camping chairs or purchase some now!
13. Portable Games
Like comfortable camping chairs, portable games are also a fantastic gift idea for the outdoor lover who enjoys camping and socializing with friends, family, and maybe even strangers they meet along the way. Some of my fondest memories of camping throughout the years have involved playing lots of portable card and board games.
Some good ideas include Bohnanza, Five Crowns, and Uno (I like this waterproof Uno set as you can take it pretty much anywhere without damaging it!). Any games that don’t take much to set up or carry around make for delightful addition to fill the downtime on any outdoor trip.
Click here to check out some more portable game options!
14. Sea to Summit Alpha Light Spork
For campers or hikers who like to take overnight trips, it can be very nice to have a set of reusable utensils on hand. Not only is this better for the environment than using plastic utensils for every meal, but it is also space saving (which is especially nice for backpackers).
The Sea to Summit Spork is an excellent utensil to buy as it is both versatile and is also one of the lightest metal cutlery options on the market. So when you gift this, you’ll know that the recipient will have a super light and strong utensil to use on adventures for years to come! Even though this may seem like a small and simple gift, it is actually one of the most useful items (and one of the most often-used on multi-day outdoor activities) so it is perfect as a gift or a stocking stuffer!
Click here to see reviews of the Alpha Light Spork or buy it now!
15. Anker Candy-Bar Portable Charger
Whether I’m exploring the outdoors or just living my everyday life, I always carry this Anker portable charger with me. No one wants to end up without phone charge (especially if you’re using a phone for navigation or as an emergency contact system while camping or hiking). So giving a portable charger as a gift is a fine choice!
This particular Anker charger is my favorite as it is a small candy bar size (3.8″ x 1.7″ x 0.9″) and fits easily in any pack or pocket. But even though it’s so small, it can charge a phone 1.5-2 times before needing to be recharged itself. Having this on hand means you always have a back up power source in case you need it or in case you end up camping somewhere overnight without access to electricity.
Click here to buy the Anker Candy-Bar Charger now or read more reviews!
16. Anker 21W Dual Solar Charger
In today’s technology obsessed age, you can’t really find a cooler gift than a portable solar charger that will allow you to charge up all your devices with the energy from the sun! This is one of my favorite items to pack on longer outdoors trips as it allows me to practically infinitely recharge any devices I may have with me on my trip.
This Dual Solar Charger consists of three solar panels that you can easily fold up for carrying or fold out for charging. It’s easy to leave laying around in the sunlight, but is also equally easy to attach to the back of a backpack while hiking and exploring (allowing you to charge on the go). It’s also quite durable and highly portable (measuring 11″ x 6.3″ when closed) and comes with a micro USB cable and an 18 month warranty.
So this makes a great gift for the outdoors lovers who want to remain somewhat on the grid even while going off the grid. Do note, however, that this is not meant to hold the charge it generates from sunlight but only transfer it…so you will either need to hook up your phone/other device while it is in the sun or will need to attach a battery pack like the Anker Candy-Bar Charger so you can use the charge later on and in the dark if needed.
Click here to buy the Dual Solar Charger now or read more reviews!
17. EnergyFlux Rechargeable Hand Warmer
For use in colder months or in places that get cold at night, you might want to consider gifting a rechargeable hand warmer to your outdoorsy friends. While some people swear by single-use hand warmers, I’m of the opinion that it’s better to create less waste and invest in a rechargeable hand warmer that you can use again and again.
The EnergyFlux Rechargeable Hand Warmer has long been a favorite of mine as it heats up quickly and warms on both sides of the device. It’s easy to use and easy to charge and can also double as a USB power bank if you need to recharge your phone in a pinch. You can buy just one rechargeable hand warmer if you like, or if you prefer you can buy one for each hand so you don’t have to keep switching it between hands to keep warm.
And while this rechargeable hand warmer won’t last forever, it does last for a really long time with up to 500 recharges. So if you do the math, you’ll quickly realize that to get the same amount of use from the single-use hand warmers you would have to spend at least $300 on them. So it definitely becomes a no-brainer to buy this inexpensive rechargeable hand warmer instead! Plus, you’ll be reducing your plastic use and helping to save the planet while gifting your friend with an incredibly nice hand warmer. It’s a win-win-win for everyone!
Click to buy the EnergyFlux rechargeable hand warmer or read more reviews!
18. Granola Bars and Snacks
If there’s one thing that outdoorsy people can always use more of, it’s snacks. Snacks for hiking, snacks for camping, snacks for the sake of snacks…you get the point. Gifting some great trail snacks is the perfect thing as a gift in its own right or to use as stocking stuffers as well.
Energy bars like Kind Bars are one of my favorites, and Larabars are another good choice. Alternatively, you could buy different dried fruits, nuts, or beef jerky to gift as the perfect on-the-go snack. And if you know that the person you’re buying this gift for likes to take overnight trips, you could also consider gifting some food packs like the Mountain House brand of hiking/camping food. While they’re not exactly like eating the best delicacies in the world, they are quick and easy to make (just add water to the pouch), easy to clean up afterwards, and nutritious as well. These are excellent gifts for campers and hikers, as these packs can be a great and easy option for eating on the go!
19. Gift Cards
Last but not least, if you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for on this list (or aren’t sure if you can pick out exactly what your friend would like) then gift cards are always a great way to go. Everyone loves a gift card that means they get to pick out the exact item that the want and will use and love! Amazon gift cards or gift cards to retailers like REI are a great option as they provide plenty of scope and various items to choose from, which means this is a gift that will definitely leave the receiver satisfied!
Click here to purchase an amazon gift card now!
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