32 Best Gifts for Hikers, According to Outdoor Pros

“These moisture-wicking Lululemon leggings are a game-changer,” says Claire Krendens, an Intrepid Travel guide based in Salt Lake City. “They have two side pockets for your phone or a snack; they don’t ride down or up ever, they’re buttery-soft, and they have a little pocket in the back for your keys.” And they keep getting better: Lululemon also got rid of the inseams to reduce friction (i.e., the dreaded chafe) as you’re hiking.

This cute fleece vest from FP Movement is ready to hit the trails—or just run errands. The zipper pockets and water-repellent nylon shoulder panels make it just as functional as it is warm and cozy.

“Having a well-fitted backpack allows you to travel further and enjoy the journey getting there,” Campbell says. That includes a wide hip belt to take the weight off of the shoulders, enough space for a three-liter water bladder, and side pockets to store an extra layer for shifting weather patterns. “Deuter has long been one of my favorite brands, and this one is a great-fitting option for women,” she adds.

I can’t tell you how many times a headlamp has come in handy for me, both on and off the trail. This versatile Petzl option can be adjusted for head size, tilted up or down, and runs on either the Core rechargeable battery or three AAA batteries.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the ultimate gift for any outdoor enthusiast. It does all the usual stuff you’d expect from an Apple Watch (measure your heart rate, show your texts, etc.) but is more or less indestructible and has some incredible features you need in the backcountry: a powerful GPS, offline maps, backtrack (for retracting your steps), fall detection, and an emergency button to call for help.

“This ultra-lightweight daypack is a classic for a reason,” Jones says. “It’s spacious enough to hold essentials like a jacket, snacks, or even a retro film camera. The bungee overflow lets you quickly stash an extra layer without missing a beat. And the water tube keeps you hydrated without constantly stopping for your water bottle. No one wants to be that friend.”

This boxy, cropped tee from Parks Project (which has donated over $2,500,000 to national parks) makes a stellar under $50 gift for any hiker since it’s not just a shirt: The back serves as a US national parks checklist they can tick off as they visit each one.

This swoon-worthy jacket is part of a stylish collab between hiking legend Merrell and Sweaty Betty. If you start getting toasty on the trail, zip off the arms and wear it as a vest; you’ll still have roomy cargo pockets on your chest to store everything you need.

“I always have this water- and sweat-resistant facial sunscreen in my bag when I’m hitting the trail,” Smith says. “It goes on so easily that even my young boys don’t mind wearing it!” To level up the gift, add on Kinfield’s nontoxic bug spray. It contains citronella, lemongrass, clove bud, lauric acid, and vanillin and has a surprisingly amazing scent, and it doesn’t leave you feeling all smelly and sticky like with other more intense repellants—while still working to keep bugs at bay.

You might not think of buying a tech gift for a hiker (what with wanting to unplug and all), but a power bank is actually super handy to have in the wild. “A battery pack helps keep your phone charged through a long hike or overnight camping,” Smith says. “I like this one for how slim it is and how quickly it charges.”

On long-distance hikes or treks with a lot of vertical gain or loss, hiking poles are necessary hiking gear. This pair comes at the recommendation of Katya Campbell, general manager and fitness director at Mountain Trek Health Reset Retreat in British Colombia. “Hiking poles are game changers for hikers. Not only do they create more power and stability and help to reduce knee pain going downhill, but they also have a fantastic side benefit of increasing your grip strength—which research has shown can be a more powerful predictor of cardiovascular mortality than blood pressure!” she says. “I love the cork handle of these poles as they allow more airflow and less sweat builds up on the hands. They’re also lightweight and easy to collapse and reset.”

I’ve had a Smartwool merino wool base layer in my hiking wardrobe for about a decade now, and it’s still in pristine shape. The odor-resistant 100% merino wool base is ideal for keeping you cozy, dry, and temperature-regulated during any outdoor activities—making it a must-have for any hiker.

Leggings aren’t all that bad for hitting the trail, but serious hikers will understand the importance of good hiking pants. This beloved pair from Outdoor Voices (with a near five-star rating from hundreds of reviews) zips off to capri and shorts length, so you can adapt your outfit to the weather.

You can never have too many cozy mid-layers for hiking (or just scooting around town), and this pick from Parks Project ticks all the boxes of a great gift: a fun, outdoorsy print, super warm for wintertime, and gives back to the national parks.

Hikers don’t mess around when it comes to footwear. These hiking socks are made with 63% merino wool and have a pretty treeline design that makes them perfectly giftable. Reviewers swear by this pair (and Darn Tough, in general) for wool socks that prevent blisters and keep toes warm and dry.

This little gadget enables two-way messaging, GPS tracking, and SOS alerts via satellite, so you (or any of your loved ones who hike) can communicate even in remote areas without cell service. It’s an ideal gift for any hikers who go on backpacking trips or who want to stay safe when going off the grid.

Microspikes, which stretch on over your sneaker or boot, are essential if you’re out and about on icy terrain. Gift this piece of gear to any hiker, and they’ll be thankful you’re saving them from taking a spill all winter long.

These handy ripstop nylon bags help organize your hiking backpack for easy access to essentials (or to quarantine dirty items) and are finished off with a water-resistant DWR coating. Use them to corral snacks, cords, or even as a toiletry bag.

After a long day on the trails, there’s nothing better than slipping on a pair of comfy camp shoes to chill in front of the fire or relax in a lodge. This genius pair from Merrell zips together for easy transport. Pro tip: Also buy a pair of their Cozy Fleece Insoles ($20) to transform them into warm winter slippers.

“I’ve had my Z Seat for at least six or seven years, and it’s still going strong,” says Kassondra Cloos, London-based adventure travel journalist and author of the Out of Office newsletter. “It’s so simple—just a foldable square of foam—and yet it easily provides the most comfort per ounce of anything in my pack. I bring it with me on every hike so that I’ll always have a warm, dry place to sit, no matter the weather. All the other hikers are always jealous.”

I own, admittedly, a whole bunch of hiking boots—but I always reach for this pair from Danner. Comfy, waterproof, high-quality, and classic enough that you can also wear them with jeans, my Mountain 600s have proven themselves time and time again. I’d venture your loved one who hikes will be a fan too.

Plastic water bottles are lighter-weight and typical trail staples, but there’s something really satisfying about sipping from stainless steel. This shoulder-strap canteen makes a fun gift for hikers who might use it for water or whiskey.

“Picture this: You’re deep in your hiking girl era, staying hydrated, and nature calls,” Jones says. “Enter: the Kula Cloth, a small, quick-drying, antimicrobial-coated—and seriously cute—pee cloth that’s here to save the day. Clip it to your pack, and UV light from the sun will ‘sterilize’ it as it dries.”

I’m a firm believer in the fact that you can never have too many beanies. Fall, winter, and spring hikers will appreciate this effortlessly cool jersey-lined beanie that comes in 10 stunning colors.

There’s a good chance any hiker you know doesn’t want to keep plasticking up the Earth and will appreciate this sustainable shampoo and conditioner set as a stocking stuffer. Despite being bars, they leave your hair feeling like you washed with luxury hair-care products (I can vouch). The set is also ideal for bringing on outdoor adventures: It’s fragrance-free for safe use outside, and the conditioner doubles as a sun shield and after-swim detangler.

The outdoorsy folks I know can’t get enough of this staple Patagonia puffer jacket. It’s ultra-lightweight and packable and comes in seven nature-inspired colors and sizes XXS-XXL. The inner zip pocket is perfect for holding important items like your wallet or keys, and the windproof recycled polyester ripstop shell has a DWR finish, so it works as an outer layer too.

Can’t decide on the perfect gift, or don’t know what they need? Let your giftee shop the best of the best with an REI gift card.

Cloos is a big fan of these innovative sunglasses that are worn around your head rather than on your ears. “I’ll admit they take some getting used to, but I’m a convert. These are the best sunglasses I’ve ever worn,” she says. “Instead of putting them on the top of my head when the light changes, I just wear them around my neck, making them nearly un-loseable on unsteady terrain. They’re comfortable, super lightweight, and flattering. They even come with a svelte pouch with a built-in microfiber cloth, so they’re always handy.”

Looking for an experiential gift for hikers who don’t need more stuff? This bundle offers a year of access to AllTrails (a comprehensive trail map app), plus an annual pass to all the national parks in the USA.