Last Updated on November 17, 2024 by Aisha Aslam
Don’t know what to get that outdoorsy person in your life? Do you think that they already have everything and can’t think of what they might need? Remember when you spent hours hiking, only to realize you’d forgotten a piece of gear? Or when you are at the airport ready to board your flight, you just remembered that you forgot something but don’t know what it was? Well, the odds are that the outdoorsy person in your life might have gone through the same thing! Avoid the confusion with this ultimate outdoor gift guide for the best outdoor gift ideas!
From practical essentials to luxurious comforts, this guide offers a curated list of gift ideas for the outdoor enthusiast in your life that you may not even realize that they will appreciate. If you are like me and always get to it last minute, I have many items in this guide from my Amazon recommendations for faster delivery so you don’t have to worry. There is always something you can find as a last-minute gift! Stay tuned for the best outdoor gift ideas below!
Practical Essentials:
Comfort and Warmth
- Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Cushion Insulated Sitting Pad: A cozy companion for chilly outdoor adventures. I also use mine for extra support when I am camping for lying down under my sleeping bag for more cushion.
- Therm-a-Rest Compressible Cinch Camping Pillow: A compact and comfortable pillow for restful nights under the stars. I also use mine in the airport sometimes and while car camping! You can choose from the different sizes for your preference, but I have a small one.
- Smartwool Socks: Keep feet happy and dry, no matter the weather. The best hiking socks I have used so far, they don’t keep odour and dry very fast. They also have cushioning for hiking which I love.
- Portable Heating Pad: A lifesaver for chilly nights in a tent or car camping. It’s rechargeable so you can charge it with a portable charger or in your car and it lasts for about 3 hours.
- Heat Warmers: I always like to keep these on hand as me and my friends get cold a lot on our adventures.
Protection and Organization
- Targhee IV Keen Hiking boots: I just got these boots and they are definitely an upgrade from my previous ones. I love the roomy toe box and the grip on them. I recently took them hiking around southern Utah and they held up really well so far!
- Hiking Gaiters: Gaiters are a must and these are pretty affordable and cute for hiking. These are great for keeping mud, dirt and snow out of boots.
- Waterfly Packable Backpack: This bag is perfect to take for travel or in your backpacking backpack for a small packable day pack. It folds down into a pouch and holds up pretty well.
- Travel Backpack: This backpack is my new favorite one! I recently flew with a budget airline and it met their personal item requirement size. The crazy thing is I was able to fit my hiking clothes, mini drone and a small camera in it. I will use this on future trips as I love the way it opens like a carry-on and the amount of items you can fit into it, especially with some compression sacks!
- Compression Sack: A must for compressing your sleeping bag, and clothes during travel. These bags can compress a lot of clothes down so it’s perfect for the mindful adventurer.
- Packing Cubes: Another great thing to have is packing cubes! I use them while travelling, backpacking and car camping as I hate when things are all over the place. These are so helpful for that and would make the perfect gift!
- SD Card Case: I finally got one of these and it’s a lifesaver as a photographer for when I need all my SD cards in one place. If you have micro SD cards or SD cards this is pretty handy as you will never use them!
- Cord Pouch: A cute pouch to organize all your chargers and cables so you don’t lose them or get them tangled.
- Mini umbrella: It’s nice to keep this on hand or travel with as it doesn’t take up space and is a great outdoor gift idea.
- Toiletry Bag: This is perfect for car camping or this open-top Cosmetic bag is perfect for travel!
- Mosquito Net Hat: A good gift idea for outdoor lovers as it’s cute and functional while keeping bugs out when in the outdoors or hiking.
- Headlamps: One of the best outdoor gift ideas, this cute set comes in a two-pack for convenience. I love Energizer as the headlamps last longer than the rechargeable ones making it dependable. Just carry some extra batteries!
- Portable battery charger: Stay connected on the go. I have several portable chargers, but this one is one of my favorites because it is so easy to use. It is perfect for charging your phone fast, and the paw indicator helps to know how much battery is left.
Outdoor Dining and Hydration
- Outdoor Kettle: Perfect for boiling water for hot tea, oatmeal or noodles while camping.
- Cooking Pot Set: This set is perfect for cooking hot meals while camping or hiking, it is also portable and doesn’t take up too much space.
- Utensils Set: Essential for dining outdoors.
- Insulated Bottle: Stay hydrated, no matter the temperature. I love this slim bottle as it fits in my car cup holder and in my travel backpack.
- Nalgene Bottle: I love my Nalgene bottle, it’s lightweight and perfect for hiking. The wide mouth lets you filter water easily and you can also boil water and use the bottle as a heat warmer. There are many nice color options, it’s hard not to have several of them!
- Mini Fan: This is so handy to throw in your bag on hot days or if you get heat flashes like me. I think it’s the perfect gift for anyone who hikes or goes to hot places.
Style and Comfort
Fashion and Function
- Women’s Bra Tank Top: A comfortable and supportive best outdoor gift option for women. This is an affordable dupe to the Lululemon align tops. I have several colors and have been wearing them for years. I love how they look on me and in photos. They also have a built-in bra which I love.
- Columbia Fleece Sweater: I love bright colours in the outdoors and Columbia makes really good quality affordable fleece compared to other brands. This fleece would make any outdoorsy girl happy!
- Cotopaxi Full Zip Fleece Jacket: For the girls who love the outdoors but need something more technical, this full zip fleece is made to be durable and provide warmth while being lightweight.
- Patagonia Granite Crest Jacket: I love my jacket and this is one of the best outdoor gift ideas for women as the fit is feminine and it doesn’t feel like a rain jacket> I am surprised how lightweight it is and how it packs down small in my backpack. I love that it doesn’t sound crunchy compared to other rain jackets which is a huge bonus plus all the pockets!
- North Face Jacket: Who doesn’t love a good durable jacket that has cute color options? I love what North Face has been coming out with recently and my jacket has lasted me several years, so I had to put it on this list!
- Pavoi Necklace: This gemstone necklace is the perfect gift for those who love looking cute without overdoing it in the outdoors. This brand is affordable and good quality and will last several wears.
- Pack of Scrunchies: A practical and stylish accessory. I love this brand and its quality, I am always buying these scrunchies when they get lost or my family/friends take them.
- Claw Clip: Perfect to throw your hair up while hiking or travelling! This clip is made from recycled plastic and is large enough to grab all the hair!
- Sun Hat: Protect your face and head from the sun’s rays. When I am not wearing a cap and go somewhere hot, I always pull one of these out as they protect my face and lips from getting sunburnt. It’s so lightweight and I love the style of them. It’s perfect for travel and hiking.
- Furtalk Beanie: These beanies are well made and I love the color options. I have several of these and use them for hiking, and for sleeping while camping. I have had them for several years and they wash and hold up well.
Camping Comfort
- Car Mattress: This is the perfect mattress for car camping! I own the lighter one and I love the color. It fits easily in my SUV and comes with a pump, making it easy to inflate fast. It is also affordable compared to other options. I also love the soft brushed material it is made of.
- Outdoor Blanket: A versatile blanket for warmth and comfort. I love this outdoor gift idea. I have several outdoor blankets that I use for hiking, frontcountry camping and car camping that I love!
- Sleeping Pad: A must-have for comfortable camping and a nice outdoor gift idea
- Microfibre Travel Towel: A lightweight and quick-drying towel. They are good for travel and camping and come in different sizes.
Conclusion: Best Outdoor Gift Ideas
With the holiday season approaching, finding the perfect outdoor gift for the outdoorsy person in your life can be confusing. However, by considering these practical and stylish gift ideas, you can ensure that your loved ones are well-equipped for their next adventure without breaking the bank. From essential gear to luxurious comforts, these items would make any outdoor lover happy and are some of the best outdoor gift ideas.
With this curated list of outdoor gear, you can equip your loved ones with the best outdoor gift ideas. Happy gifting, and happy trails!
See my Backpacking Checklist blog post for some more best outdoor gift ideas!