The Best Gifts for Hikers

Shopping for the sort of person who prefers muddy paths and dehydrated food over a spa day and a five-course meal can be tricky. That's why we gathered our favorite products for the backpacker or hiker on your list—these items are sure to round out their gear closet. Or gift them a lifetime's worth of knowledge with a hiking class, offered at REI locations nationwide.

AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press

The coffee drinker in your life deserves a good cuppa, no matter where they start their morning. The AeroPress Go delivers the goods in a compact design that's small enough to take backpacking. Some of our editors even use it daily at home or in hotel rooms to avoid subpar push-button coffee. (True story: We really like this thing.) It's quick to learn how to use, too: Put grounds into the chamber, add boiling water and stir, then affix the top and press down. $39.95

Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth

You might be thinking, “A pee cloth, are you serious?!” But the sit-to-pee hiker in your life knows the struggle of heeding nature’s call in the wild, and this reusable pee cloth by Kula Cloth can make using the “facili-tree” discreet and comfortable. It also eliminates the need to pack in (and pack out) toilet paper. The smooth side is waterproof to avoid errant drips, and the dimpled side is antimicrobial for safe wiping. Best of all? This women-owned company’s colorful designs make the pee cloth fun to clip onto any backpack or belt. $20

Black Diamond Astro 300-R Rechargeable Headlamp

Have an outdoors-loving friend or partner who lights up your life? Show them how you feel in the most literal way possible with the gift of an Editors' Choice Award–winning Astro 300-R Rechargeable Headlamp from Black Diamond. This multifaceted shiner features three brightness settings (6, 150 and 300 lumens) across three modes (full strength, dimming and strobe), and the headlamp can last up to 140 hours on the integrated, rechargeable 1500 mAh lithium-ion battery (USB-A to micro-USB charging cable included). And though the recipient might be your sunshine, the Astro 300-R is ready for a downpour thanks to IPX4 stormproof protection proven to withstand rain and sleet from any angle. $39.95

LifeStraw Reusable Stainless-Steel Water Filter Straw

Whether you’ve got an internationally traveling bestie or a secret Santa who’s always out in the woods, this stainless-steel water filter straw from LifeStraw will come in handy. Weighing in at 3 ounces, this lightweight marvel is easy to stash in a purse or side pocket and filters out microplastics, bacteria and parasites from untreated water sources. Best of all, with every LifeStraw purchase, a child in need gets access to safe drinking water for an entire school year. $34.95

Deuter Kid Comfort Child Carrier

The ultimate gift for a family with littles, the Deuter Kid Comfort Child Carrier makes hiking fun for everyone. Kids can enjoy the ride, while a frame appointed with airy, durable mesh provides maximum ventilation for caregivers. Child-friendly details like a removable, cushy pillow (for fresh-air naps) and a height-adjustable seat and footrests up the comfort ante for Junior. The carrier's arched frame transitions up to 70% of the load onto the wearer's hips for added stability and support and ample pockets keep snacks, diapers, extra layers and water bottles handy. Finally, because sharing is caring, it's easy to customize the fit so multiple adults can wear the Kid Comfort on trail. This isn't just a gift: It's an opportunity to explore the outdoors with those you love most. (We love it so much, we gave it an Editors' Choice Award in 2020.) $320

Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8 x 25 Waterproof Binoculars

Knock, knock. With the Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8 x 25 Waterproof Binoculars, your favorite hiker will be able to see who’s there, even if their guest is really far away. That’s because these binocs feature fully multicoated optics, roof prisms and BaK4 glass. The result is a bright, clear, edge-to-edge image with an eight-times optical zoom (the equivalent of a 400-millimeter camera lens) and a 357-foot field of view. (Capture those views with the Nocs Provisions Photo Rig II Smartphone Adapter, sold separately.) The binoculars are also waterproof up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes, fogproof and come with the manufacturer’s No-Matter-What lifetime warranty. And, as a bonus "gift" to Mother Earth, Nocs Provisions is a member of 1% for the Planet. The only thing these peepers can’t do: Tell a decent joke. $95

Pescavore Ahi Tuna Jerky Strip

Elevate your giftee's next fresh-air adventure with the Ahi Tuna Jerky Strips from Pesacavore. This isn't your run-of-the-mill snack—it's a guaranteed umami bomb. The protein-packed ahi tuna strips are made from sustainably sourced fish that's been minimally processed and contains zero artificial ingredients or preservatives. Don't know if your recipient craves smoky, salty or savory-sweet? Three delicious flavors means there's something for everyone: Island Teriyaki, Caribbean Jerk or Smokey Poke. $4.95

Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System

From navigating icy sidewalks on a morning coffee run to traversing snow-packed trails, MICROspikes from Kahtoola are an epic winter upgrade for the avid hiker or walker on your list. Compatible with virtually any sneaker or hiking boot, the thermoplastic harnesses stretch over footwear to banish fears of slipping (and remain elastic down to minus 22°F). "I don't step out my front door without them from December through February," says Ever Meister, a Minnesota-based editor for Expert Advice. Twelve stainless steel spikes per foot help dig into slippery ice and snow, keeping feet stable when the weather outside is frightful. They even come with a storage baggie for easy stashing into a pack or purse. $74.95

Shop All Gifts for Hikers

Need more inspiration? Check out our Best Gifts for Less Than $50, Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Kids, Best Gifts for Runners, Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Dogs (and Their Humans), Best Gifts for Campers, Best Gifts for Skiers and Best Gifts for Snowboarders.