The Big 2024 Outdoor Holiday Gift Guide [28 Awesome Gift Ideas]
They say it’s better to give than receive, but with gifts this awesome, we might be putting that old adage to the test this season. Get inspired to give the outdoor lover in your life the best gifts of the season with this 2024 outdoor holiday gift guide!
I’ve rounded up my top picks in different categories, from durable gear that stands up to extreme climates and terrain to comfy and warm apparel built for style and performance.
I’m including 28 gift ideas for outdoor adventurers at all price points so you can find great presents at any budget. Ready to gift your outdoorsy friends and family with finds they’ve already added to their wish list—and a few they didn’t know they needed? Check out the 2024 outdoor holiday gift guide and discover stuff they’ll actually want to use.
Outdoor Holiday Gift Guide: Gift Ideas for Hikers, Campers, and Outdoor Lovers
If you’re not sure what items the outdoor adventurer in your life actually needs or wants—or if you’re just coming up short on great outdoor gift ideas this year—you’re in the right place!
This list isn’t random or filled out with the same 10 items you see on every outdoor holiday gift guide. I’ve built this list with the best outdoor products, gear, and apparel that I actually use and recommend. These are gift ideas you can feel confident gifting to the most discerning hiker, camper, naturalist, climber—you name it.
Check out this year’s top outdoor holiday gift guide picks for gear, apparel, photography gear, subscriptions, stocking stuffers, and gifts under $25!
Heads up: I’m including some affiliate links in this jam-packed outdoor holiday gift guide. That means if you see a gift idea you like and click it to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. That helps me keep this blog up and running, and I’m so grateful if you choose to support my blog this way!
Best Outdoor Gear Gifts
From high-tech satellite communication that keeps them safe while exploring off the grid to campstoves, headlamps, and rugged packs, here’s the outdoor holiday gift guide to gear the outdoor lovers in your life actually want this season.
Garmin inReach® Mini 2
Trust me—this is a never-fail gift idea for any outdoor lover. The Garmin inReach® Mini 2 is a satellite communicator that helps hikers, backpackers, skiers, and explorers stay connected when they’re far off the grid. Where cellphones fail, this puppy shines. Send SOS emergency messages, use TracBack® routing to find the way back, and pair it with the Garmin Explore app for even more functionality. The battery lasts up to 14 days on a single charge. Plus, they’ll get two free months of service when they activate the inReach device!
BioLite Wood Campstove 2+
Your outdoor adventurer probably needs a new campstove, and BioLite makes the best one on the market. Don’t be surprised if you see it on every outdoor holiday gift guide this season! The Campstove 2+ is a tabletop, portable campfire that uses wood, not gas, for fuel. With a 3,200 mAh battery, it charges gear and cooks at the same time, making it a two-in-one option that literally turns wood into electricity to power the campsite. Foldable legs, adjustable fire and fan strength, and a scalloped pot stand create a perfect fit with add-on kettles, portable grills, and cookware.
MPOWERD Solar Camp String Lights Kit
For the avid camper in your life, the MPOWERD Luci Solar String Lights kit is portable, solar-powered, and bright enough to light up the campsite. These lights run for up to 40 hours on a single charge and consistently recharge in sunlight with the detachable power hub. The kit comes with a 44’ braided nylon string of lights featuring 20 shatterproof bulbs for durability and a 4,000 mAh rechargeable battery to make any campsite better. They’re on sale through 12/16, so grab these before they sell out!
BioLite Headlamp 425
BioLite is the undisputed champ for shining a light on the great outdoors, and I’m forever recommending the 425 Headlamp to anyone who spends time hiking, camping, climbing, or exploring the natural world. This lightweight, ultraslim headlamp is USB-C rechargeable with a 60-hour run time, so no need to swap out batteries constantly. With a powerful 425 lumen light output and 7 light modes, its small design sits flush against the head to make wearing it as comfortable as it is functional.
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow
So many people have trouble sleeping when camping, but you can be the holiday hero by snagging your favorite camper a super-comfy pillow with all kinds of high-tech features that translate into superior comfort. The Sea to Summit Aeros pillow has an inner bladder that stays inflated and is covered with ultra-soft brushed material that’s sure to help your recipient score some Zzz’s. Moisture-wicking with curved baffles that create the perfect contour to cradle the head, this is the only camping pillow they’ll ever need again.
Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System
Got someone on your list who loves hiking and climbing in icy terrain? Surprise them with the forever-durable, always-capable Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System and help them power through the toughest terrain with sure footing. This system is the best with hardened stainless steel spikes (12 per foot), welded steel chains for traction, and a secure harness attachment that works with all kinds of footwear. Make sure to get your recipient’s hiking boot size to ensure a perfect fit!
- Small: Women’s 6-9; Men’s 5-8
- Medium: Women’s 9-12; Men’s 8-11
- Large: Women’s 12+; Men’s 11-14
- X-Large: Men’s 14+
Decathlon Forclaz Backpacking Pack
For the friend that wants to start backpacking or just needs a sturdy new pack to accompany them through endless adventures, the Decathlon Forclaz is a great introductory backpack that holds 70L and is the pinnacle of carrying comfort. Fully adjustable height and strap tension makes it a cinch to tailor the fit and ample pockets, storage, and side holsters for gear and bottles keep everything organized and in reach. Plus, it only weighs 4.2 pounds and comes with an awesome 10-year warranty!
Wild at Heart Eco-Friendly Cotton Tote
For the wild at heart, this eco-friendly 15×20 inch tote is made of durable-yet-soft cotton, roomy enough to load with essentials, and makes a great alternative to disposable gift bags for the holiday season! Featuring a howling wolf on one side with an anatomical heart filled with scenes of outdoor adventure on the other, this functional and cute tote belongs in every holiday gift guide for outdoor adventurers.
Best Outdoor Apparel Gifts
From outfitting them in the most rugged and stylish gear to making sure their footwear is on point with no frozen toes, these are the apparel picks I chose for the 2024 outdoor holiday gift guide because every adventurer will want them this season!
Pistil Designs Charlie Wide Brim Hat
Pistil Designs is my all-time favorite hat maker, and if you follow my adventures, you know I love hats! You can’t go wrong with gifting a wide brimmed wool felt hat for fall, winter, and spring—especially if your gift recipient loves to travel. This hat makes the perfect pairing to elevate any outfit and I get compliments on it all the time! This company is headquartered in Hood River, OR and they are committed to sustainability, social equity, and animal welfare, so you and your recipient can feel good about this gift!
Branwyn Wool Essential Bralette and Underwear
For the female adventurer in your life, consider gifting them naturally sustainable Merino wool seamless underwear. It might sound counterintuitive, but high-quality Merino wool is actually the best material for wicking away moisture and providing second-skin comfort with—confirmed—no visible seams or lines. The linked wire-free bralette offers convertible styles (cross-back or straight straps), while the seamless undie collection features hipsters, bikinis, and thongs so you can gift her preferred fit and style. Over 5,000 5-star reviews can’t be wrong! Use code: EARLY25 to save 25% before 11/27!
Unbound Merino Crew Neck T‑Shirt
For the outdoor adventurer who loves simplicity, sustainability, and comfort, this is hands-down the best t-shirt for travel, hiking and everyday. Made from Merino wool, it’s naturally odor-resistant and great in both hot or cold environments due to its moisture-wicking ability. Unbound Merino makes great basics that will save room in your recipient’s suitcase and bring effortless, timeless style to their wardrobe. Grab it for the man or woman in your life that appreciates having high-quality basics! Shop the Unbound Merino Women’s Crew Neck T-Shirt here, or use the button below to grab the men’s.
Merry People Bobbi Rain Boot
I tested these boots out in Montana and did a few short hikes in them—they are a truly great boot for fall, winter, and spring because they are perfect for trudging through rain, snow, and mud. If you’re looking for a boot to gift that’s not just comfortable, but warm, check these out! They make a great around town, three-season boot that any outdoorsy person will love receiving. They’re one of my favorites from this outdoor holiday gift guide!
SOLE Jasper Chukka Campsite Sneakers
These ultra-cozy campsite sneakers are some of my favorites for making chilly mornings and evenings a little more comfortable. Featuring sustainable-minded materials like ReCORK™ Recycled Cork, upcycled bison fiber, warm and moisture-wicking Merino wool, natural rubber, and elastic laces, this is the only sneaker-meets-slipper shoe your outdoor lover will ever need. Save 40% off and get free shipping through 12/3. New customers can knock an extra $20 off through my link below!
Never Stop Exploring Organic Cotton Unisex Hoodie
Know someone who will never stop exploring? This unisex hoodie is calling their name! Printed with Never Stop on the front and Exploring with an artistic representation of a Jeep, mountains, and sun rays on the back, it’s printed right here in the USA and features organic cotton and recycled polyester for sustainable comfort and warmth.
Venustas Heated Socks
We all know someone whose feet are constantly cold on the trail or slopes. These heated socks are a game-changer for the coldest feet among us, offering a consistent warmth that travels up through the toes, sole of the foot, ankles, and legs to turn chilly outdoor adventures into a cozy good time. I’m not exaggerating when I say these are life-changing—warm, soft, breathable, and thick enough to offer support for any kind of adventure, grab these to gift (and a pair for yourself).
Best Outdoor Photography Gifts
Capturing landscapes, wildlife, and the natural world around us might be your photography friend’s favorite hobby, and these high-caliber gifts are perfect to surprise them at your gift exchange!
Shimoda Explore Backpack and DV Carry On Roller
This is my all-time favorite backpack and my new favorite carry-on, too. Both have a core unit that keeps cameras, lenses, and accessories super organized. The bags are also water-resistant, rugged enough to carry anywhere, and extremely convenient for carrying gear and extras like clothing, water, and snacks for a full day of travel or an adventure in the outdoors. Any photographer would be thrilled to get either of these bags (snag the Shimoda Designs Carry-On Roller V2 here) and you can save 10% with my exclusive code: FORD10.
Joby Smartphone & Camera Tripods
Whether the photographer in your life uses their smartphone or a full camera setup to capture the beauty of nature, they’ll love receiving a new tripod to steady the camera and get the best photos of the places they travel and explore! Smartphone camera users need the GripTight ONE GP Stand, while the GorillaPod 1K Kit is perfect for those who use professional-level equipment. Both feature articulating, wrappable legs that secure to nearly any surface and make photography, videography, and live streaming that much better.
OM-5 Outdoor Adventure Camera
If your favorite photographer is in need of a camera with all the bells and whistles, the award-winning OM-D series is the top of the line. Interchangeable lenses help it adapt to any environment or subject, from wildlife and landscapes to portraits and macro photos that capture every detail. These are the cameras I use to shoot videos and pictures when I travel the world—super lightweight and compact. Save $200-$300 now through 12/24 and gift one of the best cameras on the market!
Best Outdoor Subscription Gifts
Sometimes, the best gift is the one that keeps on giving—and these outdoor subscriptions make the ultimate year-round gift for the outdoor adventurer in your life!
1-Year AllTrails+ Subscription
Buying for the hiker who has all the gear and apparel they need just got easier—give them a 1-year AllTrails+ subscription! They’ll be able to take advantage of all the AllTrails+ features they need to find the best trails, navigate, and share adventures, like downloadable maps, wrong-turn alerts, Live Share, and real-time map overlays. Customize your gift subscription with a design they’ll love and add a personal message. Email the subscription with a delivery date you choose or print it to see their face light up when you gift it!
The Nomadik Box Quarterly Subscription
This is the gift that gives all year long! The Nomadik Box is a quarterly gift box that arrives packed with awesome outdoor gear from survival tools to camping food, knives, tools, and so much more. This gift box is seriously awesome and I have personally received some of my favorite gear for backpacking in this box. Help the outdoorsy person in your life discover great new gear, get adventure ideas in each box, and save big when you sign up for a gift subscription. Shop now to score boxes at 35% off!
Best Stocking Stuffers & Outdoor Gifts Under $25
You don’t have to spend big to bring big smiles to your nature-loving loved ones’ faces…or to fill up their stockings with useful smalls they’ll reach for year-round!
Goal Zero Crush Light Lantern
Let there be light with this collapsible, solar-powered lantern that weighs in just over 3 ounces. Choose high, medium, low, or flickering lighting modes to suit the mood of your outdoor lover’s mood with up to 60-lumen output for the brightest light. This little lantern runs up to 35 hours on a single charge!
Jeepin' with Sasquatch Sticker
If you’re buying for someone who’s obsessed with Jeeps, Sasquatch, or a good old fashioned road trip, add this fun sticker to their gift! Made of PVC film, you can grab it in glossy, matte, or transparent to work with any surface your recipient wants to customize.
Smartwool Touchscreen Liner Gloves
Help everyone on your list keep those fingers warm and retain the ability to scroll, access trail maps, and use smartphones with the Smartwool Liner Glove. These Merino wool gloves make excellent liners under rugged winter gloves or can be worn on their own for lightweight warmth. I love that the thumb and index fingers are touchscreen compatible!
Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth
Make tinkling on the trail less stressful and more hygienic with this simple-but-appreciated gift. The two-sided cloth keeps hands dry when nature calls and wicks moisture up on the absorbent, Antimicrobial Silvadur™ side to make errant drops a thing of the past. I love the privacy snaps that keep it folded shut and make it easy to hang from your pack so it doesn’t touch other gear. It’s also made in the USA!
Explore More Camp Mug
If you know an outdoor adventurer who enjoys a warm mug of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate by the fire, grab this classic retro mug! It’s enamel coated and designed for outdoor or indoor use with a rolled stainless steel rim for sipping comfort and a 12-ounce capacity to fill up with their favorite drink.
Zippo Windproof Lighter
Make sure they’re prepared for every condition with the classic Zippo Windproof Lighter. Fill it up with lighter fluid and this baby will burn in gale-force winds. It’s practically synonymous with dependable, and while it’s not the most exciting option on this outdoor holiday gift guide, you know it’ll light your outdoor lover’s fire.
Zippo Mag Strike Fire Starter
While you’re at it, grab the Zippo Mag Strike Fire Starter to make sure your recipient has all bases covered in the making-fire department! Featuring a magnesium ferrocerium rod and a stainless steel striker, the sharpened edge and wide surface of this striker makes it the best to bring out in the woods. Snap it closed to shield the internal chamber from the elements and they’ll be good to go!
CrunchIt Butane Canister Recycling Tool
Dealing with clunky butane canisters might be the bane of your outdoorsy friend’s existence while camping or backpacking, but this handy tool makes it easy to deal with used canisters for recycling and saving the planet! CrunchIt screws onto the canister to release remaining fumes and mark it as empty for recyclers. It also doubles as a bottle opener!
Make Merry With the 2024 Outdoor Holiday Gift Guide
From ultra-comfy boots and roomy packs to satellite communicators and tabletop wood campstoves, this outdoor holiday gift guide has a little of everything. I hope you were able to find something perfect for every person on your list—even those who prefer to be indoors (those Venustas Heated Socks are always a hot pick). Wishing you the happiest holiday season and lots of time to enjoy the outdoors with great gear that sets you up for success!
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