Whether you’re shopping for the avid hiker, camping enthusiast, or adventure-lover on your list, finding the perfect gift feels like it’s getting tougher. From backpacks to tents to clothing essentials, the gear and apparel options are endless, and so are all the emails and ads. The Outdoors holiday gift guide is designed to navigate through the noise and help you discover new products and find the right item based on your budget.
Our team of writers and editors have broken down gift recommendations into a variety of price points: from gifts under $100 all the way up to higher ticket items above $500 (sometimes way above). From stocking stuffers to high-value items they’ll treasure for years, we’ll highlight some great gear upgrades, multi-functional pieces, and handy tools that will get used all season long. By gift type or price, we hope you’ll find the ideal present for the outdoor enthusiast on your list and inspire someone’s next big adventure.
What’s the difference between surviving and thriving? If your answer is coffee, we’d be hard-pressed to argue with you. The Stanley French Press makes it easy to brew 48 ounces of fresh coffee anywhere you can boil water (in a separate container, mind you). The vacuum-insulated stainless steel keeps coffee hot until it’s ready to pour, and the press does an excellent job of keeping grounds where they belong. We’ve used this French press at home and the campsite; it holds up to wear and tear incredibly well, and even coffee snobs will love the resulting joe. Disassembly for cleaning is easy and keeps this press in like-new condition.
Retrospec Drifter Bundle Snowshoes and Trekking Poles
Image by Retrospec
Ideal for: Hikers looking to get outside this winter Retrospec has grown in popularity recently by offering affordable gear to help get people outdoors. The company sells bikes, skateboards, and these snowshoes. The Retrospec Drifter Bundle comes with snowshoes and trekking poles, plus a bag to carry it all. The setup lets anyone get started snowshoeing, and at the low price of entry, you don’t need to worry if snowshoeing is your true passion. The snowshoes come in three different sizes based on your weight. The heavier the hiker, the larger snowshoe they’ll need. Fortunately, most of the sizes are roughly the same price.
We’ve talked about Early Riser Coffee’s highly recommended Morning Mend in the past. Now, imagine a dark roast of coffee beans from Africa, South America, and Indonesia that create a delicate blend of malted dark chocolate and brown sugar for a delicious and smoky flavor. Just like the Morning Mend Coffee, this roast comes highly reviewed. One reviewer described the Double Hall Coffee as “Bold, smooth, delightfully fragrant, and flavorful.” He said, “This is the coffee you get if you want to be alert for an early morning.” Lead roaster Kim Bryant describes the Double Hall Coffee as smoky, velvety, and chocolatey. Pick up this mouth-watering blend for the coffee lover in your life.
This portable, 7-ounce lantern is easy to transport and effective when in use. When expanded into lantern mode, it’s just over 5 inches tall. When collapsed, it’s just 2 inches tall and can be used as a flashlight. The HybridLight Puc Lantern is water-resistant, has a hook for hanging, and can be recharged either through the built-in solar panel or from an outlet. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers 40 hours of light on a single, full charge, plus it can also charge your devices via USB.
Is a fanny pack too small but a backpack too big? This is the perfect in-between bag from KAVU. The triangle-shaped sling bag goes over one shoulder, and holds a surprising amount of gear. It is an amazing bag for short hikes and can hold two large water bottles, at least two wallets, two phones, and a set of keys. This is a multipurpose bag, since you can also fit a MacBook in the largest pocket, and it features a front pocket that is perfect for your wallet or sunglasses. There’s also a front pocket you can fit your phone or a pair of sunglasses in. We love KAVU, but we do find ourselves switching shoulders frequently throughout the day to avoid soreness.
A favorite of General Dwight D. Eisenhower during World War II, this style of mid-weight jacket remains an absolute classic for a casual day outdoors. This version, built by workwear mainstays Dickies has a brass zipper, interior pocket, and a roomy fit. It ships in a variety of colors and makes for a great casual grab and go for a walk in the forest or a sit by the campfire.
Everybody loves a good s’more. Imagine the luxury of eating one even when you aren’t at a campfire. This s’mores bowl makes a great gift for those who’d like to enjoy s’mores year-round. This s’more maker runs on smoke-free gel fuel to ensure an indoor-safe fire pit free of smoke. The Solo Stove S’mores Bowl has excellent reviews. Many customers say it is a great gift for children and grandchildren because they can use it all year.
We featured the 40-ounce tumbler on our Father’s Day Gift Guide. One of our writers bought it for her dad, and he loves it. He’s a runner and often has to travel to appointments for work and drinks a lot of water. He fills his Stanley Quencher two to three times a day and raves about how cold it stays when he’s out during the day. His favorite part is that it fits in his cup holder, unlike some of the bigger water bottles on the market right now. The Stanley Quencher is made of BPA-Free, 90% recycled stainless steel. It also has an ergonomic handle for an easy and comfortable grip while you’re on the go.
Ideal for: Anyone who likes to get outdoors, but especially hikers
The REI Co-op Flash 22 Pack is an excellent backpack for day hikes or anyone looking to get outside. This lightweight pack is the flagship of REI’s in-house items, and for a good reason. At 22 liters, this frameless pack has plenty of room to stuff everything from water bottles to jackets and even climbing gear. It’s also extremely lightweight, with the most recent model weighing 14 ounces (less than a pound). Unsurprisingly, the team at REI thought of everything for this pack, including a hydration sleeve, additional pockets, and plenty of ways to attach gear like trekking poles for when you need to go hands-free. Plus, with four different color options, you can look great going from the trail back to town.
Ideal for: Coffee lovers, health nuts, foragers, mushroom enthusiasts
Enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning? Who doesn’t. For those looking to swap in a healthier alternative or add some mushrooms into their diet, MUD\WTR is a low-caffeine, tasty substitute for those other typical morning beverages with less nutritional value. The MUD/WTR Morning Ritual Starter Kit comes with a 30-day supply, a rechargeable frother, and a guidebook, plus some other little goodies, too. MUD\WTR will make a fun and unique gift for anyone looking to harness the power of nature in their diet.
For such a lightweight blanket, you’d be surprised how warm the Kelty Biggie Blanket really is. This double-sized blanket is perfect for sitting around the campfire with people you love or to add to your bedding on chilly nights under the stars. It’s machine washable, folds up pretty small, and does its job well. It’ll make the perfect gift for a camping enthusiast in your life.
The Brooks Sherpa 2-in-1 Shorts are great for running long distances, especially if you’re prone to chafing and want or need to carry a smartphone, keys, and/or any other pocket-sized items. The internal liner measures 7 inches in length and will help keep your skin from rubbing together, but what we like most is that the liner is equipped with a phone sleeve that’s accessible through the outer shorts. And the sleeve hugs tight to your leg, so your phone barely moves. Additionally, the waistband has a series of pockets and a string to secure a key.
Vortex Optics’ new Triumph HD 10×42 binoculars offer incredible bang for the buck, these are a go-to for our writers and editors. These entry-level binoculars boast an HD optical system, fully multi-coated lenses, and rubber armor. They’re waterproof and nitrogen-purged to prevent fogging. Each pair comes with an adjustable chest harness, and somehow all this costs less than $100 on Amazon. If you’re in the market for your first binoculars, the Triumph HD 10×42 is a great choice. At this price, this is also a good pair to keep in the car, knock around the woods, and throw in your luggage when you travel without worrying about beating it up. Even if you do, Vortex backs every product with its unbeatable VIP Warranty so you can get your binoculars repaired or replaced with no questions asked.
Of all the multitools we’ve tested, the humble Gerber Prybrid Utility is one of our favorites. This minimalist multitool has a replaceable razor blade for opening packages and breaking down cardboard boxes, a pry bar for pulling nails and heavy-duty staples, and a bottle opener for cracking open a cold one to reward yourself for all that hard work. It’s functional and well-built but, at $30, inexpensive enough to make a great stocking stuffer. Forget about maintaining a blade. Don’t stuff your pockets with bulky multitools when you don’t use most of their features. Make the Gerber Prybrid Utility part of your EDC and thank us later.
Dollar for dollar, it’s hard to beat dry bags when it comes to protecting your gear. Sea to Summit Big River dry bags are built extra tough so you can strap them to the outside of your kayak, ATV, or pack. The magic is in the 420D nylon, reinforced base, and taped seams. Choose from four colors and six sizes, ranging from 5 to 65 liters. We’ve been a fan of Sea to Summit’s dry bags for a long time, and the Big River line’s increased durability makes these our new favorite. Protect your electronics while you’re boating or free up space inside your pack by strapping your sleeping bag to the outside. Either way, your gear will be safe and dry.
Cold feet? These incredibly light, comfortable, and warm down socks could revolutionize the way you sleep in the backcountry. Made with lightweight nylon fabric and filled with 850+ power premium goose down, they’re like little sleeping bags exclusively for your feet. They’re treated with DownTek for water-resistance, which will help keep your toes toasty all night and all morning, despite any condensation forming in your tent. You won’t want to take these off once you put them on, so if you want to tramp around your campsite at night, it may be worth investing in these Waterproof Over-Booties, too. You can customize their materials and their level of fill before purchase, but with a two-week lead time, just make sure not to order them on Christmas Eve.
Several missions attempted to locate the ruins of Shackleton’s Endurance over the decades, thwarted just as the great explorer was. Finally, 100 years after Shackleton’s death, marine archaeologist Mensun Bound and a team of explorers discovered the long-lost shipwreck, nearly 10,000 feet below the ice shelf. The Ship Beneath the Ice chronicles the team’s quest to find the wreck, and it is packed with photographs from 1914, as well as of the ruins as discovered.
Ideal for: Current scouts, former scouts, and everyday outdoors-people
Do Your Best: How to be a Scout is a handbook for every scout, young and old. It teaches skills and inspires readers to face life head-on and make a real difference in the world. It packs some solid advice—from practical survival tips to tips about friendships, taking care of the environment, and helping others. Bear feels strongly about this book, and we can see why. It’s a fantastic read for young people, parents, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
From trail running to summits, the Peregrine Vanga 25 Dry Pack is an award-winning dry bag. The bag features a sealed, roll-top closing with silicon/PU coated Cordura. Your gear will stay safe and dry in this bag all day, no matter where your travels take you. The back sleeve makes this bag hydration compatible, and it adjusts easily to ensure a customizable fit.
Ideal for: Those looking to keep drinks the perfect temperature all day long
Designed to hold a 32-ounce Nalgene water bottle, this insulated bottle bag is great for some extra help keeping your drink at your desired temperature all day long. Whether you’re looking for a warm cup of tea in the mid-afternoon or want to refresh yourself at the top of the mountain, this bottle bag will help you—and your drink—stay cool. This bottle bag can even keep your water from freezing in temperatures at -20°F. Oh, and did we mention that it comes with a web grab loop so you can easily pick up and get on the move, even with your thickest gloves or mittens on?
When it comes to spending time in the great outdoors, safety is a priority. If you know someone who loves to paddle, this throw bag will make a great gift and give you peace of mind that they are safe out there. This throw bag from Liberty Mountain is a great option. It comes with a foam insert that keeps the bag above water. It’s made of 420D packcloth and offers 1000D reinforcements.
Ideal for: Grill masters looking for a new water bottle
Looking for a gag gift for your favorite grill master? This might be the perfect gift to give to them (that will also shock unsuspecting guests). This water bottle is made to look like a gas tank with an easy-pour handle. Whether the person you’re buying for shares the wealth or keeps all their “fuel” to themselves, this gift is sure to bring a smile. Not for use with flammable liquids.
With 16 of the most popular trout flies, the anglers in your life will have the world at their fingertips to bait the fish they’re looking to catch. These have good reviews and will make for a great addition to someone’s fishing gear closet.
If you spend any time outdoors, especially in wooded areas in warmer months, you are well aware that ticks are an unfortunate reality and can often be carriers of diseases. Detecting them is crucial, and removing them is critical. However, it can be tough to get them off—and if you bring your dog on a hike, you know that can be even tougher. The TickMitt, designed by a father and daughter, was designed to help.
Made of super soft microfiber, it gently lifts ticks off skin and fur without grabbing or squeezing, and it comes with its own mesh bag for laundering and drying between uses. Slip it in your daypack or hiking shorts pocket so you’ve always got tick protection on hand. No chemicals, no complications, just a simple tool that can help take a bit of the stress out of finding and removing ticks.
When you’re just getting started in any new activity, it can be difficult to know exactly what you need for a successful fishing trip. Take the guesswork out of it by getting your newest angler set up for success with this Perfect Hatch Fly Fisherman Essential Tool Kit. The kit comes with a set of durable forceps, a clip-on retractor, and stainless steel nippers that will make their next trip to the lake or the ocean successful and leave them looking like a true professional.
Biking in the great outdoors is a great way to get out in the fresh air. Sometimes, the only time we have to get out there is before or after work, often in the dark. If you know a cyclist who has to ride in the dark, the Planet Bike Blinky Superflash Tail Light is the perfect gift. This tail light has a unique blinking pattern that will help keep you safe no matter what time of day you’re out. The LED lights have visibility for up to a mile away.
If you’re going to be on the water all day, make sure you’re taking care of yourself by packing food and drinks. With the Seattle Sports Kayak Catch Cooler, you can pack your favorite snacks and beverages to keep you satisfied on the water all day. It’s the perfect gift for the water-lover in your life.
With almost 100 five-star reviews, these snow goggles offer 100% UV Protection, making them great for long, sunny days on snow. These cylindrical lenses come with ChromaPop lens filters so you can see comfortably in any lighting. The lenses have also been treated with Fog-X technology, to absorb and disperse moisture, and help protect from grease, grime, and smudges when you may not have a cloth to wipe them. These snow goggles are not photochromatic or polarized and are made for medium-sized faces.
These Waterproof Ridgeway boots are incredibly comfortable and durable. They have a retro-inspired look and combine comfort with quality and fashion. These waterproof boots make a great gift choice for someone who loves winter hiking. The Xero Ridgeways are also lightweight, making them convenient for travel.
These technical glacier sunglasses are what Vallon is best known for, and they keep getting better. Now in their fourth edition, these glasses feel simultaneously golden age and modern with their classic round, mirrored lens and quality ear bends and leather shields. While the side shields can’t be removed, the nosepiece can—if that’s your preference. Otherwise, pull these on the next time you’re in the high-altitude powder and let the sun reflect as hard as it likes off the snow.
Get the kids in your life this classic, 48-inch sled constructed from birch wood and steel runners. It has excellent stability and is built to last. The Classic Flexible Flyer sled is intended for hard, packed snow. One reviewer who had an original Flexible Flyer back in the day said that this new version is just as good but notes that the paint will wear off the runners after consistent use.
The sport of trail running has exploded in recent years. More and more hikers and road runners have become trail runners, and with that is a growing need for great trail shoes. The Topo Athletic MTN Racer 3 checks more boxes than most. With Topo’s signature toe box, runners have added room for their feet. Plus, the shoe has a 5mm toe-to-heel drop, allowing almost any runner to find the perfect balance of comfortability on the trails. These shoes are trail-tested and can take a beating with more miles than a lot of the competition, meaning for the price tag, you’re getting a great deal.
Ideal for: Campers, people who entertain outdoors For times when you don’t have a fire ring, can’t build one, or don’t want to build one, this pop-up fire pit makes bonfires easy at the campsite, while boondocking, or in the backyard. It’s portable, lightweight, and designed to create 80% less smoke than traditional campfires. It comes with a heat shield to protect the ground beneath, but if you set this up in your backyard, be warned, it’ll still kill your grass (oops, we tried). Comes with a handy carrying case.
This is a favorite of ours. If you need a flashlight that can operate for hours, look no further than the Streamlight Stinger Rechargeable Flashlight. It’s one of the most reliable pieces of gear we’ve ever owned. It’s durable, has a 12+ hour battery life, and is extremely easy to recharge. While you can find Stingers with huge lumen counts (and huge price tags), we found that the 800 count worked just fine for us.
Ideal for: Runners, trail runners, people who exercise
Finding a good pair of headphones for running can be a real pain. AirPods and others that you have to insert into your ear aren’t great for running. If you’re like us, you find that they start to get sweaty and the inside of your ear starts to hurt. If you feel this same pain, the Shokz OpenRun Pro are for you. The lightweight headphones wrap over your ears and rest on the side of your cheekbone. While it may not sound appealing, it really feels like nothing. Compared to traditional ear buds, the Shokz are a lot more comfortable. Their only downside is that they’re not as loud, but the difference is negligible. Grab a pair for yourself or for a runner in your life.
If you’re running or walking for long periods of time, it’s nice to be able to keep your hands free. Sure, pockets are great, but if you’re running, feeling things swing and sway in your pants or shorts gets tiring. That’s why we prefer wearing a hydration vest. While you can store water, most vests allow you to also pack things like a rain coat, phone, food, credit card—whatever. Nathan Sports is one of the most prolific makers of hydration vests, and they do an exceptional job. They’re not as inexpensive as a Camelbak, but they are built with runners in mind. This is a great gift for any runner or hiker on your list.
Osprey’s new line of travel bags is perfect for expanding your horizons, whether by foot or commercial airliner. The women’s Fairview 55 and men’s Farpoint 55 combine a large main pack and a detachable day pack so you can stow the main pack in the overhead compartment, keep necessities at arm’s reach during your flight, and have a lightweight backpack to use at your destination. For longer walks, you can clip the day pack over your chest to balance the load. Fairview and Farpoint packs are worlds better than dragging a rolling suitcase, rolling the dice on an airline losing your checked luggage, or trying to stuff a hardcore pack into the overhead bin. This is a perfect gift for the outdoorsy world traveler on your list.
This Swedish company has been hand-crafting exquisite axes since 1902. These tools aren’t cheap, but the quality can’t be denied. Each axe carries a 20-year warranty and bears the smith’s initials—you can even look them up on the company website. Old-school axes require more attention than modern composite axes, but the included sharpening stone, a little beeswax, and some mineral oil will keep yours looking new for years. With a 1.5-pound head and a 19-inch hickory handle, this versatile hatchet is small enough to carry on your pack and large enough to tackle big jobs.
No survival or bushcraft kit is complete without a high-quality knife. Helle knives are handmade in Norway, and the Scandi grind is perfect for tackling big jobs around the campsite. The Temagami also comes with a 90-degree grind on the spine so you can use the blade with a ferro rod to start a fire. Our writer has used his Helle for more than a year—splitting small logs, scraping fatwood, and carving tent stakes—and it still looks new. There are certainly less expensive survival knives out there, but none are as beautiful as the Helle Temagami with its curly birch handle and 4.3-inch, triple-laminated steel blade. Grab this for that survival enthusiast on your list.
As convenient as camp stoves are, packing around a bunch of fuel canisters is anything but convenient. Solo Stove makes cooking over a campfire safe and easy with the ultra-compact Solo Stove Lite. This tiny, stainless steel fire pit efficiently burns small sticks and pieces of bark—or you can use the alcohol burner included in this kit. You’ll also get a wind break, ferro rod, fatwood, and a cooking tin that stores the whole kit when you pack up. We’ve used this kit to brew our morning coffee and cook whole meals while camping, and it’s even taken the place of a gas-burning camp stove on trips where wood fires are not allowed.
As far as hammocks go, Hammock Gear’s Circadian Pro is one of the lightest and most comfortable options on the market. The fabric is soft to the touch, as opposed to most hammocks that feel more plasticky. The proprietary hexagonal ripstop material helps users lay flatter—quite a unique quality for hammocks. This one-of-a-kind product feels a lot more like the comfort of your own bed, which makes it a great choice for long backpacking trips through forested terrain or a comfortable hangout spot on a camping trip. With a fully removable bug net, this hammock is also perfectly suited for future customization as you adjust your hammock-camping setup. Add tree straps for an extra charge or shop Hammock Gear’s long line of add-ons. With a complete weight of 24.08 oz, this is a great choice for the ultralight fanatic in your family.
This tent is made for easy set up. With two poles and a rectangular, dome-shaped cabin, this tent’s poles clip in under the dome, which will make it easy to set up at camp. The tent has two doors and two vestibules for storing extra gear when you decide to call it a night. Snag this tent for the avid, no-fuss campers in your life.
The Peregrine Gannet tent is straightforward and durable, made to be used for years to come. The tent has lightweight aluminum poles that make it easier to carry to and from the campsite. It also offers two vents to ensure excellent airflow so it doesn’t get stuffy in there with your campmate.
If someone in your life loves to ski or snowboard, this is their prime time of year. Treat them to a new pair of frameless goggles with a bold style and color that won’t fog up when they’re out in the snow. These goggles are scratch-resistant and UV-protected making them an excellent choice to protect their eyes from snow, ice, and sun.
If someone you know is a master chef in the camp kitchen, a camp stove is the perfect gift. Inspired by campfires, this camp stove offers a hot plate and two unique burners that accommodate a variety of pot sizes. The camp stove has an aluminum body and is easy to clean. Whether you’re using the burners or the hot plate, you’ll have a delicious camp meal for you and your fellow campers after a long day in the great outdoors.
There’s something nice about being gifted a high-quality watch. This is a GPS smartwatch, but it isn’t overly bulky, so you can keep it on when you head to dinner or work after a run. With a 21-day battery life, you won’t have to worry about it dying on your outdoor adventures. It comes with its own sports application, so you can train to be the best version of yourself. It also comes in two sizes, making it comfortable for everyone, no matter what size wrist you have. This watch made by Garmin offers multiple global navigational systems to track more than GPS alone. The Garmin Instincts 2S watch will track your heart rate, sleep score, and body battery. It also offers backtrack routing to ensure you never get lost on your way back to camp. The Garmin Instincts 2S has excellent reviews for running and hiking. One reviewer even said they cannot go a day without it.
Treat someone special to a brand-new cooler this holiday season. YETI is known for making high-quality coolers and drinkware that will keep your food and drinks cold the entire weekend. The Tundra 45 hard-sided cooler from YETI can hold 54 cans or 37 pounds of ice. This cooler is solid and can be used for food storage or beverages. Any purchase of a YETI product comes with a five-year warranty.
Ideal for: Hikers, campers, climbers, skiers, and other outdoor enthusiasts
Safety is a significant factor for anyone who goes into the backcountry. Whether you’re hiking, camping, climbing, or skiing, having a way to communicate with the world for help is essential. The Garmin InReach Mini makes this easy with a great design. Not only is the device a GPS, but it also makes it easy to call for help when you need it most. However, the best benefit of this device is the ability to send text messages. Whether checking in with loved ones or trying to meet another outdoor adventurer, the InReach Mini connects to your phone to make it quick and easy to type up messages. It’s important to note that you need a monthly subscription plan to make the device work.
You can’t do much in the wilderness after the sun goes down, unless you have light. Finding the right lights for your camping adventures can be harder than it seems. Some are bulky, some don’t stand the test of time, some let off too much light or not enough. With this HybridLight Pro Kit, you get six products all wrapped up in a giftable box. The set includes the Puc Expandable Lantern, Hex Bluetooth Speaker/Light, Nav Headlamp, Journey 300 Flashlight, Mammoth Multi Light, and Atlas 600 Camping Lantern.
Looking for something beyond burgers, brats, and BBQ? If you’ve got 90 seconds and Solo Stove’s new propane-fired portable pizza oven, your campsite menu just got an upgrade. We love the portability of the Pi Prime—it can go in the back of the truck, tuck into the RV, or just live full-time in the backyard. If you’re not a pizzaiolo, you can just toss a frozen pie in there (just make sure to give it ample time to preheat, so you get a good crisp on the bottom). And if you don’t like pizza—is that even possible?—the oven remains a versatile, quick-fire tool for cooking up other meals, including meats and vegetables.
For the highest quality, ultralight down quilts and jackets, Katabatic Gear is the frontrunner right now. Their products come with a lofty price tag, but they’re also long-term investments that will last you a lifetime. The Sawatch 15 is their warmest offering, and despite coming in at only 24-30 ounces, it’ll keep you more than comfortable in shoulder-season backpacking. Unless you’re in an extreme cold-weather environment, this quilt should be able to handle it. Katabatic’s patented sleeping pad attachment system also makes them the best in the market at preventing drafts. With different size options for different folks, specialty down fill, and overfill options available, if you pick this item up, it’s game over for every other sleeping bag you’ve ever owned.
This generously sized, 90% duck down sleeping bag is well-suited for longer camping trips at higher elevations. It features a lightweight and breathable DRILITE LOFT II outer shell that provides water resistance. The mountain fit design creates extra space and thermal performance. A roll-top stuff sack and storage cube are included to protect the bag when packed away. Weighing only 1,250 grams, this sleeping bag is composed of 100% polyamide outer and inner fabrics with down insulation. Its comfort rating is a cool 5°C (41°F), meaning it will keep the user warm and cozy down to that temperature. With packed dimensions of 12 by 9 by 8 inches, this quality sleeping bag is well-suited for multi-day adventures in remote alpine settings.
After exploring all of the trails in your local parks, you’ll want to see what else is out there. Go exploring off the beaten path with a GPS that will help you get to and from your destination, even if it isn’t entirely known to yourself. The Garmin Rino is a rugged GPS and a handheld two-way radio, so you can keep in contact with those back at camp while you explore the world around you.
This dual speaker is durable and reliable making it great to pack for an outdoor excursion like camping. The DemerBox is crush-proof and is made to keep up with you no matter what you do with it. It has a 40+ hour battery life, so you don’t have to worry about bringing the charger with you on day trips. With great reviews, this speaker will make an excellent gift for the music-obsessed outdoors enthusiast in your life.
Have you ever sleept on a rock or a knotty little tree root? We’ve all been there. Elevate your game and get a good night’s sleep in the great outdoors with this lightweight cot that is easy to bring to and from camp and is easy to set up with its ripstop nylon fabric.
Moment teamed up with photographer Emmett Sparling for this new standard-setting travel bag. It features a 16L, well-padded compartment that comfortably loads two pro DSLRs with lenses, as well as a secondary 14L compartment for additional batteries, gear, clothes, and other essentials, as well as an area for your laptop. The bag is rugged—built with 500D Kodra, which is pretty much the strongest nylon you can buy. And the harness is well designed too, offering great load distribution. A great mix of durability and comfortable (it’s light at only 3.5 pounds), this is a great bag for the field photographer on your list.
Rooftop tents are a great option for those who want to sleep up off the ground on their outdoor adventures and road trips. This rooftop tent from Napier offers a built-in foam, wall-to-wall mattress for a great night’s sleep, even when you’re not sleeping in your bed at home. It is made from a weather-resistant, ripstop polyester and canvas, and it is great for three seasons. It sleeps up to two people.
Advanced Elements Advancedframe Expedition Elite Kayak
Image by Advanced Elements
Ideal for: Water sports enthusiasts
Coming in at 13-feet long, this kayak is made for optimal paddling performance with an aluminum rib frame from bow to stern. The kayak weighs 42 pounds and can hold up to 450 pounds when in use. The Expedition Elite Kayak is best for lakes, bays, inland waters, slow-moving waters, and coastal, open waters. Since it’s an inflatable kayak, you can pack it up at the end of the day and fit it in your car. Whether someone’s just starting their kayaking journey or they’ve been doing it for years, this will make a great gift for those who are always on the go, looking for their next adventure.
Entry-level mountain bikes are a great way to get into the sport by spending a little less. As riders quickly progress, they’ll want to make the jump to a bike with better components, but the sticker shock may scare them away. Enter REI’s Co-op Cycles DRT 1.3 Mountain Bike. In comparison, this ride is relatively cheap for a top-of-the-line bike. The DRT comes in the two industry standard wheel size options: 29 and 27.5 inches. The bike has received rave reviews, mostly based on its well-made and name-brand components. Plus, there are plenty of benefits to buying a Co-op bike, with REI offering one year of free adjustments, in-store assembly, and free flat-tire repairs (labor only) for Co-op members.
Ideal for: Campers, van lifers, RVers, overlanders Sick of soggy food and making ice runs? Same. Upgrade to a Dometic powered cooler and you’ll always have fresh food and cold drinks, even while enjoying the great outdoors. Dometic’s powerful cooling technology can not only refrigerate but also deep freeze to -7°F. The CFX3 35 has a 36-liter capacity (up to 50 cans) and can even be monitored and controlled via a smartphone app—it’s the ultimate gift for the ultimate outdoors person.
Looking for a ski that can do it all? How about a pair inspired by the skis that helped Bode Miller win the overall GS World Cup title? The Peak 104 by Dav is made for exploration. The skis are great for taking a trip down the slopes, while also getting out into the backcountry. The Peak by Dav skis are a lighter version of the Montana company’s Peak by Bode skis. Peak saved weight to ensure versatility so you can haul the skis from adventure to adventure without having to pack more than one pair. Because the Peak 104 by Dav is made to be lighter- about 150 grams lighter per ski- they’re a great option for female skiers.
Like all Peak Skis, the Peak 104 by Dav features a warranty in case the skis come with a flaw, or they get damaged during a run. Peak understands that there are possible hazards when you’re out on the slopes and wants to make sure you can enjoy your skis as long as possible.
Kayaking is tons of fun, but storing and transporting a kayak is not. If you don’t have a garage or yard to store a kayak, you’re generally out of luck. Oru is making kayaking more accessible with origami boats that fold up like a suitcase. We used the larger version, the Beach LT Sport, and came away impressed. Oru kayaks are light, portable, and durable enough to handle rocky streams and landings. The smaller Inlet is more affordable and more than capable of handling casual kayaking on calm water. It weighs just 20 pounds and has a capacity of 275 pounds. The 31-inch width is great for beginners who will appreciate a little extra stability. If you live in an apartment or have a smaller car, this is a great way to open up a new world of adventure.
The Garmin Tactix 7 Pro Edition is one of the most powerful pieces of gear we’ve ever used. This burly adventure watch can plot courses with pinpoint accuracy, create flight plans, work with night vision—you name it, the Tactix 7 has you covered. Our writer has used one to navigate the Nevada desert, explore the back streets of Seoul, and track progress crossing Lake Michigan by steamboat. The standard Tactix 7 is a go-anywhere, do-anything workhorse. Springing for the Pro Edition will extend battery life with solar charging and give you the option to add software from Applied Ballistics. The range-topping Tactix 7 AMOLED Edition offers the best screen of the bunch.
Zpacks Offset Duo Tent – 2P UL Backpacking Shelter
Image by Zpacks
Ideal for: Backpackers, adventure couples
Are you looking for the lightest, most spacious, high-quality two-person shelter on the market? Well, Zpacks’ new Offset Duo ticks all of those boxes. Dyneema Composite Fabric, or DCF, is the material of ultralight backpackers’ dreams. It’s 10 times stronger than steel at the same weight and naturally waterproof, without being treated with any harmful chemicals or substances. At 22 ounces, this shelter is almost a paradox, because there’s no way it should be this light, this bombproof, and this comfortable all at the same time. They’ve designed it so two people lying side by side can sit up and change clothes without constantly brushing against the tent walls or each other. Truly, this shelter is a piece of ultralight luxury where every aspect has been deeply considered. Each pitch will be slightly different to accommodate for different settings, and this tent has more than enough adaptability to roll with the punches.
There are a ton of smart watches on the market these days, but if you’re looking for one that will help you understand your body better, pick up the Garmin Epix watch. This watch tracks your body 24/7 and will provide you with information about your sleep, heart rate, and breathing. With great reviews, this watch will make the athlete in your life incredibly happy.
Ideal for: Kayakers, anglers, and angling kayakers
Traditionally, kayaking is a boating style that involves paddling, rather than working a motor. But if you’re heading out on the water to fish, you don’t really want to be trying to multitask. This motor can be attached to a kayak so you can be hands-free to catch as many fish as you want. Adding this pedal motor will make your life easier when you’re trying to get out and fish.
