20 Really Good Gifts for Hikers

If there’s a hiker on your Christmas list, you’re in luck. Hikers need stuff.

Okay, maybe need is generous, but between the boots, backpacks, layers, gadgets, snacks, and increasingly specific gear that comes in handy the further up a mountain you walk, there is almost always something a hiker would be happy to unwrap.

We’ve done everything from short national park trails to all-day hikes, including plenty of trails that made me question why I agreed to go in the first place. Along the way, we’ve figured out which things we actually use, which accessories make hiking easier, and which gifts are more fun than practical.

So whether you’re shopping for someone who hikes every weekend or someone who just likes a good trail on vacation, here are 20 hiking gifts I’d actually consider buying.

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1. Hiking Poles

Save. Their. Knees.

I resisted hiking poles for a long time, and now I bring them anytime we're doing a hike with elevation. They're great on the climb, but I appreciate them even more coming back down.

Look for lightweight, collapsible poles they can easily strap to their hiking pack.

What I use: Foxelli Trekking Poles

2. Osprey Daypack

A good hiking backpack is one of those gifts they'll use constantly.

My sister loves her Osprey for day hikes, and Osprey makes a ton of different hiking packs in fun colors and sizes. Just make sure you're buying something appropriate for the kind of hiking they actually do. (A casual day hiker doesn’t have the same needs as a backpacker.)

Dayhikes: Osprey Tempest
Backpackers: Gossamer Gear

3. Darn Tough Hiking Socks

Socks for Christmas!

But, like... really good hiking socks.

We wear Darn Tough socks year-round, from lightweight versions on summer hikes to thicker pairs in winter. They're comfortable, durable, and one of those little hiking luxuries that people don't always want to spend money on themselves.

Our pick: Darn Tough

4. REI Gift Card

Not sure what boots they wear? What size jacket they need? Which backpack they've been obsessively researching for the last three weeks?

Give them an REI gift card and let them buy the hiking gear they actually want. Bonus points if you write FOR NEW HIKING GEAR ONLY on the envelope :)

Buy in-store or online at REI

5. Belt Bag or Fanny Pack

Hands-free hiking!

A small belt bag is perfect for keeping the things they reach for constantly right in front of them: phone, sunscreen, lip balm, snacks, sunglasses, etc.

It's especially useful for someone who doesn't need a full hiking pack on every trail.

What I use: Mini Belt Bag on Amazon

6. Phone Wrist Tether

This thing has saved my phone more than once.

I use a simple wrist tether when I'm hiking, climbing, taking photos at overlooks, or doing anything where dropping my phone would result in watching $1,000 tumble down a mountain.

Tiny gift. Surprisingly useful.

What I use: Phone wrist tether

7. Crossbody Phone Strap

Same hands-free idea, different execution.

A crossbody strap keeps their phone immediately accessible for photos without having to dig through a backpack every 90 seconds.

I use both a Bandolier and a less-expensive Baggallini strap depending on the trip.

What I use: Bagallini Crossbody Strap and Bandolier

8. Trail-Friendly Water Bottle

Every hiker needs one, which means you can have some fun with it. Pick their favorite color. Add their name. Put a national park sticker on it. Get one covered in mountains.

Just make sure it's actually trail-friendly: lightweight, easy to drink from, and, most importantly, fits in the water bottle pocket of their daypack.

9. Garmin inReach Messenger

For the backcountry hiker on your list. A Garmin inReach or similar satellite communicator is a much bigger gift, but it's a great option for someone who backpacks, hikes off-trail, or regularly explores places without reliable cell service.

Just remember that satellite messaging and SOS features require a compatible service plan.

Shop here: Garmin inReach Messenger

10. “Miles Hiked This Year” Tracker

For the hiker who loves keeping score.

This little wooden magnet lets them track how many miles they've hiked throughout the year. Personalize it with their name and let the counting begin.

Shop on Etsy

11. Personalized Hiking Boot Tags

I LOVE these. They're little hand-stamped tags that lace directly onto hiking boots, and you can personalize them with names, coordinates, dates, short phrases, or hiking quotes.

It's inexpensive, personal, and something they'll actually take on the trail.

Shop on Etsy

12. Personalized Hiking Journal

For the hiker who remembers every trail they've ever done, give them somewhere to record hikes, mileage, favorite viewpoints, wildlife sightings, trips, or whatever else they want to remember.

I especially like a personalized one because it makes a simple notebook feel much more gift-worthy.

Shop on Etsy

13. Hiking Art

Look for artwork of a favorite trail, national park, mountain, or hiking destination. I found some beautiful original oil paintings on Etsy featuring hikers in places like the Rocky Mountains and along the Appalachian Trail.

You could also take one of their own photos from a favorite hike and have an artist turn it into a custom watercolor. Think summit photo, favorite viewpoint, or that trail they still haven't stopped talking about.

Shop here:

• Original Hiking Oil Painting: An artist on Etsy that offers oil paintings inspired by hiking trails, mountains, and national parks.

• Custom Watercolor: Send an artist one of their favorite hiking photos and have it turned into an original painting.

14. Sister Golden Nature Art

This is such a cool gift for someone who loves being outside.

Artist Vicki Rawlins creates beautiful artwork using real flowers, leaves, twigs, and other pieces of nature. Each composition is created by hand from natural materials, photographed, and then the materials are returned to the earth.

It's beautiful, unusual, and especially fun for someone whose happy place is outside.

Shop at Sister Golden

15. Ridge Merino Hoodie

One of my favorite pieces of clothing I own, period.

It's lightweight, easy to layer, and works for everything from chilly trail mornings to sunny hikes when I want more coverage. This is one of the first things I pack for basically every trip.

What I wear on every trail: Sun Solstice Hoodie

16. Buff

Tiny. Cheap. Shockingly useful.

Wear it around your neck. Pull it over your face when it's windy. Use it for sun protection. Wear it under a hat. Turn it into a headband when you need every hair off your face.

A great stocking stuffer for hikers.

What I wear: Buff on Amazon

17. Silicone Ring

I temporarily lost my engagement ring on a mountain in the Canadian Rockies once. And once was enough.

Now I only wear silicone rings for hiking and adventure travel. They're inexpensive, comfortable, and mean expensive jewelry can stay somewhere much safer.

What I wear: QALO Rings

18. Recovery Gear

A massage gun is great for tired legs after a long hike, or you could put together a little recovery kit with things like a foam roller, massage ball, or stretching strap.

My personal favorite is my Pranamat. I lie down and put the mat underneath my calves after a big hiking day, and it feels so good on tired legs. This is an especially fun gift for the hiker who already owns all the actual hiking gear.

Shop here:

• Theragun Mini: My pick for hikers because it's small enough to throw in a suitcase or road trip bag but still gives you a real massage after a big hiking day. It comes with three attachments for everything from general muscle recovery to more targeted spots, and the battery lasts up to 150 minutes.

• Pranamat Pillow: This is my personal favorite. After a long hike, I love putting my Pranamat underneath my calves and just lying there. It feels so good on tired legs and requires absolutely no effort, which is exactly what I want after spending all day on a trail. (It doesn’t look like you can buy just the Pranamat pillow anymore, so here’s another option that’s pillow-only and cheaper.)

19. Trail Snack Stash

Never underestimate the gift of snacks. Find out what they always reach for on the trail and buy a generous amount of it. Jerky. Trail mix. (My pick!) Protein bars. Peanut butter packets. Gummies. Chocolate. Sour Patch Kids. Whatever gets them through mile 11.

Throw everything into a box, reusable snack bag, or even a new belt bag, and you've got an easy hiking gift that they'll absolutely use.

20. A Hiking Trip

You knew I was going to end here. If they already own every backpack, hiking pole, water bottle, and pair of wool socks known to man, give them somewhere new to hike.

Plan a national park weekend. Book a cabin near a trail they've always wanted to do. Pay for the campsite. Surprise them with flights somewhere they've been talking about.

How to Choose a Gift for a Hiker

If you're stuck, think about how they hike.

The casual day hiker: A daypack, water bottle, belt bag, phone tether, or good hiking socks.

The serious hiker: Hiking poles, new boots, technical layers, or an REI gift card so you don't worry about buying the wrong thing.

The backcountry hiker: A Garmin inReach, portable power bank, or another piece of gear they've been wanting.

The sentimental hiker: Personalized boot tags, a hiking journal, a mileage tracker, or artwork from a favorite hike.

The hiker who owns everything: Find them another trail to hike!

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