The Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Dogs (And Their Humans)

From sleeping bags to toys, gifts for your best friend who likes to “ruff” it.

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A dog and their human companion both where snow goggles on a snowy day.

You have good gear, why shouldn't your best friend? Upgrade your four-legged adventure buddy's kit this year with any of our favorite gift ideas below.


Unleash a world of wagging tails with the Bark National Park Plush Dog Toy, a chew toy collaboration between Bark and the National Park Service. The plush stuffies are made with 100% recycled materials and offer long-lasting entertainment for medium to large furry friends (20 pounds or larger). They're the primo gift for squeaking, chewing and endless games of tug-of-war. The best part? Bark donates a portion of the profits from each sale to preserving our national parks.

Why shouldn't your loyal companion share every adventure? This cozy canine cocoon with its lightweight synthetic insulation from Ruffwear gives furry friends a spot to stay warm and snug during chilly outdoor nights. The bag compresses into a stuff sack to eliminate unnecessary bulk, and it's easy to clean thanks to its quick-drying polyester fabric shell. A zippered opening helps your doggo get in and out easily, and pets who prefer not to be covered can use the bag as a bed.

Highlands Dog Sleeping Bag

Rex Specs V2 Dog Goggles

Help protect your dog's peepers from debris, sunshine, glare and haters with Rex Specs. A multi-point connection system loops under the muzzle and behind the ears for a secure, bounce-free fit. (The system isn't as effective on flat-faced or short-nosed doggos, unfortunately.) The interchangeable lenses (each pair comes with clear and dark options) are spherical for a wide field of vision and ultimate drip. $85.95

This ultralight, convenient to carry dog bowl from Ruffwear makes our list as the practical pet present of the year. The Trail Runner Bowl collapses down to pocket size or clips easily onto gear or a pack, making it an easy reach when your best furry buddy needs water on the trail or a snack at camp. (It works best for smaller or medium-size breeds, as the opening can be too tight for big muzzles.) And, its durable polyester fabric is quick-drying and easy to clean, making it an instant essential.

Trail Runner Bowl

Ruffwear Flagline Dog Harness

A good harness reduces strain on your pup's neck and shoulders, and can discourage pulling. The Flagline Dog Harness from Ruffwear checks those boxes and more. This durable, customizable harness is relatively low-profile and so lightweight it feels barely there for Fido, with six adjustment points for maximum comfort. A foam-padded construction and a streamlined back handle make it easy to give your dog a lift or boost them up over obstacles and into vehicles. The Flagline is a breeze to put on and take off, and three points of attachment help your pup stay secure on a leash in any environment. There's even a loop to add a small light or an ID tag for additional safety. $69.95

Nite Ize Nitehowl Rechargeable LED Safety Necklace

A dog stands outside in dusk wearing a Nite Ize Nitehowl LED Safety Necklace
Photo credit: Andrew Bydlon

Keep eyes on your best friend after the sun goes down with this light-up collar. Three colorful LEDs (red, green or blue) or optional Disc-O mode illuminate a lightweight polymer tube that you snip to fit around your pooch's neck. It's great for campsite hangouts and after-dark walks or runs to keep your doggo visible to traffic. Micro USB rechargeable battery is ready to go after about 1.5 hours plugged in, and Nite Ize claims a run time of 5.5 hours. $20

Ruffwear Grip Trex Dog Boots - Pair

A dog in a green bandana laying down is wearing Ruffwear Grip Trex Dog Booties
Photo credit: Andrew Bydlon

Shield your pooch's paws from granite, spiky desert floor, snow, ice, melt chemicals and more with the Ruffwear Grip Trex booties. They slide on easily with a hook-and-loop closure and boast a tacky Vibram® outsole that's on par with what's likely on your own shoes. There's a learning curve for the first-time wearer, but it tends to result in a funny video, so keep your phone handy. Note: The Grip Trex are sold in pairs because your dog's front and back paws may be different sizes. $39.95

Fashion meets function in this collar, which has a cactus and alpine motif that's perfect for four-legged adventure partners. The PackLeader has standard specs—polyester webbing, nylon buckle, steel D-ring—and is pull-tested to 800 pounds. Add that to the fact that it's easily washed with dish soap and warm water and is covered by the Wolfgang Man & Beast lifetime warranty, it's a solid choice for any stocking stuffer.

PackLeader Dog Collar

Ruffwear Knot-a-Hitch Campsite Hitching System

Bring peace of mind to your campsite while giving your best friend plenty of room to roam with the Knot-a-Hitch Campsite Dog Hitching System from Ruffwear. This sturdy, climbing-inspired tether setup lets you quickly secure your dog to a solid anchor point (either around two trees or a single post) without worrying about knots or complicated networks so your pup can get to business safely exploring within a designated area. The swiveling carabiner helps keep the strong, reflective kernmantle rope from tangling, and the whole kit fits into its own stow bag when not in use. $79.95

The term "waterless bath" is music to the ears of any pets (and pet parents) with an aversion to the tub. This sulfate-, paraben- and cruelty-free Waterless Bath product from kin+kind includes calming lavender essential oil as well as coconut and olive oil that are gentle on skin. Simply rub the cleansing soap foam into your pup's coat and let it air-dry. No wetting, rinsing or hosing-off required.

Calming Lavender Natural Waterless Bath for Dogs and Cats

Adventure Medical Kits ADS Me And My Dog First Aid Kit

Experienced adventurers know to expect the best but plan for the worst—that's why every furry fam needs the Me And My Dog First Aid Kit from Adventure Medical Kits. This kit has you covered with supplies for both humans and canines, including self-adhering bandages that won't stick to fur, a tick and splinter remover, hydrogen peroxide, a pet first-aid manual and more. It's cleverly organized with separate compartments, making it easy to find what you need for the right species of hiker, even in stressful situations. Now let's hope you never need it. $56.95

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Need more inspiration? Check out our Best Gifts for Less Than $50, Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Kids, Best Gifts for Runners, Best Gifts for Campers, Best Gifts for Skiers, Best Gifts for Hikers, Best Gifts for Climbers and Best Gifts for Snowboarders.