Holiday Gifts for Hikers: 15 Perfect Ideas for Every Budget

For a balance of rugged support and all-day comfort, plus waterfront construction, consider the Rocky® Ridgetop GORE-TEX® Waterproof Hiker Boot. There’s an aggressive outsole for good traction on varied terrain and an EVA midsole for cushioning. Plus, the durable nubuck leather looks fantastic and lasts for years.

I’ve been using lighter-weight trail runners recently and find them fantastic for light-and-fast hiking. If that sounds like the hiker you know, consider the HOKA Speedgoat 6. It delivers a ton of cushioning, plus a Vibram Megagrip for rocky or rugged terrain. Just make sure you know their standard running shoe size because trail shoe fitting can be quite specific.

Whether your hiking pal is staying local, going farther afield, or even headed to the airport to jet off to a mountain adventure, the ultralight REI Co-op Flash 22 Pack is a versatile workhorse (and an REI staff pick). It has plenty of space for those ten essentials, plus smart pockets and a sleeve that fits a hydration reservoir.

Got a backpacking friend? I personally use this Osprey Atmos AG 65 Pack and would add extra backpacking nights just to get to use it more—it’s that good. The innovative anti-gravity system makes heavy loads feel lighter, and the ventilation feels fantastic when you’re pushing through on a hot day.

I used to be overwhelmed by the whole filtering water thing when hiking. A friend introduced me to the Sawyer Squeeze Filter System, which is so easy to use that at first I thought I was doing something wrong. But it’s truly this simple, effective, and lightweight. You can immediately filter water straight into your mouth, into your water bottle, or into a cooking pot—no waiting around for iodine pills to work or to boil water. It’s one of the best one-size-fits-all gifts for hikers that’s useful for everyone.

OK, headlamps are awesome. I probably first got one for hiking, but since then I’ve used it more times than I can count for so many other things: searching for something in the corners of the basement, when the power goes out, reading at night, taking out the trash after dark … you get the idea. This Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp is bright enough for night hiking for those who like to get a pre-dawn start, and has a red light mode to preserve night vision. Bonus: It has a waterproof housing. 

This may not feel like the most flashy or fun gift, but it couldn’t be more important. Even if they don’t dip into it every time they hike, I can guarantee that when they have to, they’ll be thanking you for being so forward-thinking. This Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Hiker pack is specifically tailored to hikers. It’s compact, but has all the items needed to treat common trail injuries like blisters, sprains, and cuts.

For those who like to play it safe but may not get around to purchasing their own travel medical insurance policy, buy it for them! Particularly if they’re venturing out on a long-distance thru hike, or a hiking trip abroad, SafetyWing Nomad Insurance offers a crucial safety net for unexpected medical issues and travel emergencies.

For a splurge that is totally worth it, go with the Arc’teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie. Hikers in the know tout it as one of the most versatile insulated jackets. It’s warm and breathable, and withstands the elements. Use it as a mid-layer under a shell or as an outer layer if it’s cool and dry.

A long-time standard in the hiking community, merino wool is a miracle fabric. It’s breathable, moisture-wicking, and naturally odor-resistant. For hikers who get out there spring, summer, and fall, go with a 150-weight; for friends who hike in the winter, up that to 250-weight. My go-to is the Smartwool Classic All-Season Merino Base Layer, in both the top and bottom.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, this is a no-brainer. Most hikers I know around here have not one, but a few, raincoats to choose from in their closet. Patagonia’s Torrentshell 3L Jacket uses a three-layer waterproof, yet breathable membrane that offers storm protection, and still manages to easily pack down into its own pocket.

So you have the ten essentials, but then there are those extras, or comfort items, that while not strictly necessary, can make one’s time on the trail a lot more enjoyable (Therm-a-Rest Z Seat, I’m looking at you!).

Tell your giftee that this is a reminder that you want photos from their adventures! The Anker PowerCore 10000 ensures that they’ll never have a dead phone, whether they need it to snap a wildlife photo, or need to send an important text when in service. It holds enough juice to power up a phone multiple times, but is still small and light. Look for one with a 10,000mAh capacity to last for most weekend hiking trips.

I naysayed trekking poles for a long time, but then I borrowed a pair to see what the fuss is all about. They’re a gamechanger, particularly on the down climb to save my aging hiker knees. Consider the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles to give your hiker power and stability on whatever difficulty of trail they tackle. These durable aluminum poles have cork grips that mold to the user’s hands. They’ll thank you for this pair that has a flick-lock adjustment versus the twist-lock mechanism that can be hard to operate when wearing gloves.

This adds a bit of weight (just over a pound) but it’s a luxury item worth the weight. The Helinox Chair One (re) will be the envy of your friend’s hiking buddies at the end of a long day on the trail.

For the techy hiker who records every stat, go with this 9 Peak Pro smart watch from Suunto. It’s the pro version of their popular multisport watch and made for smaller wrists. There are more than 95 sport modes with advanced training metrics, four satellite systems for best positioning accuracy, and 40 hours of battery life. Plus, the sapphire touchscreen and stainless steel bezel are super sharp-looking. Use our promo code AFF-15CT to get a 15% discount.