41 Stocking Stuffers for Hikers, Campers, Runners, Skiers, and Bikers
November 14th, 2024
All good gifts—no matter their size or cost—can make life a little easier, more fun, or more beautiful.
This list of stocking stuffers for hikers, campers, runners, skiers, and bikers includes our favorite outdoor gifts this year.
This list of gift ideas includes the gear we’ve personally given as gifts or presents we’ve enjoyed receiving (or would want to receive!).
Yes, a few of our recommendations may require extra “stuffing” to fit them in a stocking, but we still think these gifts are winners.
With so many options for hikers, campers, runners, skiers, and bikers, you should be able to find the perfect stocking stuffer for the outdoors person in your life.
See our other popular Gift Guides:
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Outdoorsy Stocking Stuffers Ideas
| GIFT IDEA | MSRP* |
|---|---|
| Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED Sapphire GPS Watch | $1,100 |
| OM Systems TG-7 Waterproof Camera | $550 |
| Garmin inReach Mini 2 | $400 |
| Shokz Open Run Headphones | $130 |
| National Parks Pass | $80 |
The Best Stocking Stuffers for Hikers, Skiers, Mountain Bikers, Runners, Campers, and Other Outdoorsy People
Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED Sapphire Multisport GPS Watch
Nothing could be more classic than giving a watch as a holiday gift–and as a smaller gift, it's the stocking stuffer that will bring the biggest smile.
And the most desired GPS Sport watch among outdoors people this year is the newly released Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED watch.
This full-color touchscreen watch is built to survive adventure with a scratch- and water-resistant face, long battery life, and highly accurate GPS and mapping capabilities.
Whether you’re running, cycling, kayaking, or backpacking, the Fenix can help with intelligent pace planning, preloaded topo maps, and ski maps for 2,000 resorts worldwide.
In addition to streaming and storing music, taking phone calls, and email, it also measures heart rate, oxygen levels, altitude, and barometric pressure – and tracks that data in a handy app.
While the fenix 8 is just released so we don't have a review out yet, we've been testing and you can see our detailed review of the fenix 7 Pro and our Best Hiking and Backpacking Watches guide for more inspiration. However, we think the new fenix 8 is the best watch you can give a hiker this year.
OM Systems TG-7 Waterproof Camera: A CAMERA THAT NATURE CAN'T DESTROY
The OM System TG-7 has improved the grip, shown on the camera's left side, to enhance the ability to hold it even with mittens or gloves. The newly designed grip is especially helpful for holding the camera vertically. Photo by Dean Krakel.
Outdoorspeople are tougher than most people on their electronics. I’ve personally destroyed three cameras and several phones. The result is that I don’t have photos of thousands of miles of adventuring, a loss I lament on a near-daily basis.
When I bought the Tough Camera, not only was I unable to destroy it (I dropped it more times than I can count), but it captured some of the most important moments in my outdoor career.
The TG-7 is so waterproof it was designed for snorkeling (see our photos!). It’s widely considered by camera nerds to take the finest quality photos of any waterproof consumer camera. This camera is so bomb-proof, it will likely outlast all other technology. See what our award-winning pro-photographer camera nerd has to say about the Olympus Tough Cameras in our Best Waterproof Camera guide.
You can read our full-review of the OM Systems TG-7 for details of its capacities and examples of photography with the newest version of this camera.
Garmin Inreach Mini 2: A way to always stay in touch
The Garmin inReach Mini 2, shown here in TracBack mode, has a black and white display screen and shows navigation "breadcrumb" style. TracBack gives the distance and direction back to your starting point and follows your original path, giving audible and on-screen warnings when you are off course. (photo by Dean Krakel)
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 may be the best present you can get a loved one who is a hiker–because it’s actually a present for yourself!
On almost a weekly basis, a worried parent or spouse emails about what to do about their solo backpacking or adventuring family member. Since the invention of the inReach Mini 2, my answer has become a simple: get one.
This two-way satellite transmitter turns a smartphone into a use-anywhere two-way texting machine. Plus, it has an SOS button to alert Search & Rescue in the case of an emergency.
At only 3.5 ounces, even the most minimalist backpacker won’t grumble at the weight. It seemed that nearly every thru-hiker our staff saw on trail this year wore a Mini on their pack strap as part of their uniform. See our guide to personal locator beacons or read more in our in-depth review of the Garmin inReach Mini 2.
Listen To Music And Still Hear The Birds (And Bears!)
Treeline editor Liz Thomas wearing the Shokz on a hike. The Shokz wrap around the head securely but don’t have any components that go inside of the ear making it a true open ear design.
I’d been reluctant to try wireless headphones—I always just used the free headphones that came with my phone. And bone-conducting headphones? Not even on my radar. But then, in the name of science and testing for Treeline Review, I tried on a demo pair of the Shokz Open Run headphones and bought them on the spot.
The Shokz Open Run is the new Best Situational Awareness winner in our Best Wireless Headphones for Running and Working Out, but I’m increasingly thinking situational awareness headphones are the best option for most. You just can’t beat hearing music or podcasts while being aware of what is around you. — Naomi Hudetz, Founder
National Parks Pass: Unlimited Access To The Outdoors
The National Parks Pass is a little card that gets you FREE ADMISSION into every National Park and most other public land with entrance fees. It’s an essential item for outdoors people, and REI donates 10% of the sale to the National Parks Foundation.
Technically called the “America the Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass,” the pass will also get you free admission to National Monuments and waived recreation fees at US Fish & Wildlife Refuges, Forest Service forests and grasslands, and Bureau of Land Management sites.
For example, Treeline Review editor Liz Thomas uses it as a parking pass at trailheads in Southern California in lieu of the Adventure Pass (which costs $5 per hike at trailheads).
Since the Interagency Pass only lasts a year – and is a near-essential item for every outdoors person – it’s the perfect gift for the person who has everything.
The MICROspikes can handle icy and snowy trails and are lightweight and easy to put on.
If you like the idea of gifting hiking boots but are worried about sizing, we have the perfect gift idea: Kahtoola microspikes. These ice traction devices keep them active on trails all year round by working as ice grippers on slippery trails.
Ice traction devices do more than just help you stay upright while shoveling snow or navigating the grocery store parking lot. Sure-footed traction in snow and ice allows them to carry their hiking life into the shoulder seasons and beyond. Ice cleats help you get across steep snowfields and run in all kinds of inclement conditions.
It's amazing how much more pleasant and secure hiking can feel while wearing ice grippers. The Kahtoola Microspikes are the Overall winner in our Best Winter Traction guide. This is a gift that will last for years of much happier trails.
The Ibex Natural Boxer Briefs are comfortable, soft, breathable, and have impressive odor control.
Underwear is a classic stocking stuffer. But outdoors people will tell you that underwear can be a real issue for chafing and holding moisture, so finding a pair they want can be tricky.
The fit is excellent, and the fabric stretches to conform to your body’s shape without being too tight or loose. Ibex Natural Boxer Brief is the overall winner in our Best Men’s Hiking Underwear and is so popular, it even made our Top 10 List of Products Popular with Treeline Review readers.
Treeline Review writer Clayne Zollinger drinking from the Yeti Rambler.
A water bottle is one of those items that people (whether outdoorsy or not) always carry around. Eventually, water bottles are lost or so banged up that they aren’t something you want to show off anymore.
This is why gifting a really nice and durable bottle like the Yeti Rambler insulated bottle is such a great gift: it’s something they’ll use, and they’ll think of you every time they use it. It can show off their personality-from favorite color to designs.
And compared to other high-end bottles, after years of testing we can confidently say this one doesn't dent when dropped or have paint that chips. It stays looking the same year-after-year.
We think the Yeti Rambler, in particular, is a great water bottle to gift because they are vacuum insulated, dishwasher safe, come in fun colors and patterns, and on the pricier end for a water bottle. The Yeti Rambler is something that people love to have but wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves.
The Yeti Rambler water bottle is the Overall winner in our Best Water Bottles guide and a long-time favorite of writer Gabi Reyes-Acosta and is also a favorite in our Staff Picks favorite Treeline Review-recommended gear article.
Treeline Review editor Liz Thomas with the Black Diamond Spot on the PCT.
After four years of testing and almost 5,000 backpacking miles of data, we think the Black Diamond Spot is a no-brainer gift to get for the headlamp-needing hiker, backpacker, camper, or anyone who finds themselves out in the dark.
It seems like every outdoorsy friend has a story of a headlamp that has failed them in some way: batteries run out too quickly, bounced uncomfortably during runs, gave them a headache, light modes became uncontrollable, and more.
That’s not the case with the Black Diamond Spot. The 400 is a trusty, reliable headlamp that is easy to use with little fuss. It’s our overall winner above 27 other headlamps in our Best (and Brightest) Headlamps guide.
Whether you need a gift for a backpacker that wants a bounce-free headlamp, a hiker who wants something that rides comfortably, or a camper that needs a headlamp that angles well, the Spot 400 hasn’t failed us in almost 500 nights of daily use.
-Treeline Review Team
Treeline Review writer Kate Hoch swears by the Branwyn Essential Bralette for all backpacking trips.
I was so relieved to find the Branwyn Essential Bralette! And, I think it would make a great gift for anyone who struggles to find a sports bra they like
Its seamless, single-layer fabric design is super comfortable but supportive enough for low-impact activities (I'm a 34B).
I was skeptical that a merino bra would retain its shape and support for more than a few hours, but I've been pleasantly surprised that the fit is quite consistent for days on end.
It also breathes incredibly well, something I didn't even realize was a fault of my previous bras until I started wearing the Branwyn. At the end of a long, hot climb, only the back of the bra (sandwiched beneath my pack) is sweaty.
I have pretty sensitive skin and was concerned about the comfort of the wool fabric. I did find the bra to be slightly scratchy when I first put it on, but after an hour or two of wear, I no longer noticed any irritation. I find the Essential Bralette to be reasonably priced, especially for merino wool.
If you're unsure about a bra as a gift idea, Branwyn also has an amazing "first pair guarantee." It allows you (or whoever is receiving your gift) to try out sizes and styles on your first order with the ability to return after wearing them. That's pretty rare in the outdoor industry, so it makes the Branwyn a practical gift for the hiker, backpacker, or outdoorsy person in your life.
-Kate Hoch, Contributing Writer
The Branwyn Essential Bralette Sports Bra is a winner in our Best Hiking Sports Bra guide.
The author taking The North Face Denali skiing. Photo courtesy Josette Deschambeault
Giving winter gloves is classic and it's a gift that never gets old (because people often lose gloves). Our favorite warm, thin, lightweight gloves for running, cycling, and just being out in the cold are The North Face Recycled eTip gloves. We think they'd make a great stocking stuffer because they are seasonally appropriate, something lots of people will like, and easier to size than other apparel.
Made of fully-recycled materials, their material is inherently breathable and are great for higher out-put activities like hiking, snowshoeing, or running.
For its warmth, durability, and dexterity, there is no better gloves for outdoor activities in cool to cold weather. Plus, they're touchscreen compatible, have a zipper to vent heat, and a buckle so you are less likely to lose them.
The fixed metal handles on the Moji backpacking lantern are sturdy but don’t fit into every place where you may want to hook your lantern. The single button makes this lantern easy to use, even when fumbling in the dark.
We've long been fans of the Black Diamond Moji R lantern for packing a big punch for battery life, portability, and durability. This little lantern can fit in your pocket (or a stocking stuffer) and is simple, reliable, and easy to use.
The Moji R+ is rechargeable (with a stormproof port) so doesn't require batteries. It comes with a handy hook to attach it to a tent and magnets to stick it to the side of a van. It's convenient enough to take on family camping trips. It's light enough to bring on ultralight fast and light trips. The R+ can even cycle through rainbow colors with strobes and solid color modes to add some ambience.
I've had my previous model of the Moji for years and constantly find myself bringing it along camping trips, road trips, and backyard hangouts. It's a small piece of gear that can make a big difference.
Treeline Review co-founder Naomi Hudetz using a trekking sun umbrella on the Arizona Trail.
A small trekking umbrella makes a great stocking stuffer because it's a small piece of gear that packs a big punch. Once you’ve hiked with one, it’s hard to go back. In the rain, it keeps water off your rain jacket, which keeps you feeling warmer. In the sun, it can be used for shade. A high-quality pocket umbrella doesn’t weigh much or take up much room in a backpack but can give a lot of peace of mind should a storm come on a hike, dog walk, or thru-hike.
While I own a pocket umbrella for hiking, more often than not, I use that same umbrella for going around town. Outdoor pocket umbrellas are designed to be sturdier in the wind than everyday umbrellas. They also weigh less and are more compact. That makes them convenient for use in town, for travel and commuting, and of course, for the outdoors.
An outdoors person will be thrilled to receive a lightweight umbrella—even if they use it more around town than in the backcountry!
-Liz Thomas
Treeline Review co-founder Liz Thomas wearing the Paradis Seamless underwear on a hike (admittedly, she’s wearing them over tights…she’s also wearing them under the tights…)
Ask anyone who wear women's underwear outdoors, and you'll hear some grumbling. Whether skiing, hiking, traveling, or running, choosing outdoor underwear has been a choice of lesser evils.
Until now.
The Paradis Women's Underwear is the best underwear we tested of more 20 models. It feels secure and like things aren't going to move. The Paradis Natural Fiber Bikini is remarkable in its forgettable-ness. The soft-but-thick waistband doesn't roll. It doesn't rub or chafe. We also chose them as best overall because they are a great option for a versatile quick-dry underwear that transitions from trail-to-town and everything in between. It's the overall winner in our Best Women's Hiking Underwear guide.
Call me over-prepared, but I don’t go out on any adventure without a medical kit. (Being a guide, volunteer firefighter, and W-EMT will do that to you.) The opportunity arose to test out an Adventure Medical Kit meant for camping, hiking, paddling, and climbing — and now I don’t pack anything more than this.
This medical kit is compact, waterproof, and easily fits into the brain of a backpack or tucked inside of a small drybag. It holds all of the necessary items — wound care, bandages, medications, moleskin, duct tape, tweezers — in a silnylon pouch that all weighs a mere eight ounces. Who doesn’t want to be prepared?
—Josette Deschambeault, Contributing Writer
Read more about outdoor gear that can double as your Home Emergency Kit.
The bottom of the Cotopaxi Halcon chalk bags says "Do Good" so the folks on the ground can see it.
With more people than ever interested in rock climbing and climbing gyms becoming increasingly prevalent in urban areas, many fitness-oriented people are taking up the sport. A chalk bag is quickly one of the first things budding climbers purchase.
Chalk bags are a small but memorable gift because they come in fun designs, you can never have too many, and they aren’t size-specific (unlike climbing shoes or harnesses).
You can learn about more designs we like in our Best Chalk Bags for Climbing guide.
CNOC Vecto water containers are our favorite collapsible water container in our Arizona Trail Gear List. These durable water containers make filtering water easy because they thread with both Sawyer Squeeze and Katadyn BeFree water filters, two top picks in our Best Water Filters story.
The CNOCs are stronger and more reliable than other water bags we’ve carried. They’re made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), which isn’t as easily delaminated or punctured as most plastics.
When you don’t need full water capacity, the CNOCs compress down to a little more than the size of an unfilled Ziplock bag. The wide mouth makes it easy to fill from natural water sources, even when creeks trickle at low angles or flow.
-Treeline Review Team
The stylish and affordable Goodr OG sunglasses.
Thanks to the magic of the internet, I learned that every single runner seems to love Goodr glasses—and given their popularity, it’s not surprising that they also earned a nod as Treeline’s pick for Best Affordable Sunglasses, coming in at a cool $25 a pair.
While the price tag was enticing enough on its own, their performance is what ultimately won me over. As a prolific sweathog, I’m used to sunglasses practically rocketing off my face during a run; but these suckers don’t budge a millimeter, even when I’m moving erratically over technical terrain or cranking out miles in the rain. Truly a miracle! The style factor is also a major bonus, with an array of options in color and shape (I’m an Electric Dinotopia Carnival person, myself), cute enough to wear even when you’re not sweating it out.
And if you happen to scratch ‘em—as I did earlier this year—you can send the Goodr folks documentation of the damage, and if it’s within your first year of purchase, they’ll send you a brand new pair! It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Darn tough socks: a lifetime guarantee on happy feet
It seems like every year, we always recommend Darn Tough socks in our gift guides because they’re that perfect.
When a hiker receives a pair of Darn Tough socks, it’s a level of excitement that exceeds the value of the present. These plush, perfectly fitting socks are made in the US, come in fun colors and patterns, and feel incredibly comfortable and cozy on the feet.
Best yet—Darn Tough socks have a lifetime guarantee. If you don’t love them or they get holes, Darn Tough has the best warranty in the outdoor industry.
Darn Tough socks won our Best Overall Hiking socks in our Best Hiking Socks guide and Best for Ski Touring and Best Synthetic Socks awards in our Best Ski Socks guide.
So if you want a no-brainer gift for the outdoors person in your life, grab them some Darn Tough socks. You’ll be surprised at just how thrilled they might be about receiving a pair. — Co-founders Liz Thomas, Naomi Hudetz, and pretty much everyone on the Treeline Review Team.
Let your house cat or small dog experience the camping life by giving them a tent of their own! This Tiny Tent allows them to camp out in your house while reminding you of the adventures that await. It's a good toy for outdoorsy kids, too.
The Tiny Tent isn’t a shelter you’d take into the backcountry with your pet—it has no rainfly and isn’t DWR-treated (Durable Water Repellent). But it’s a great resting place for your little buddy and is a fun talking piece.
The Tiny Tent proved that our favorite feline has an explorer’s heart. We’d tried other cat condos and apartments in the past. Like most cats, he ignored them and climbed into the boxes they came in. After setting up the tent, putting a cushion in it, and lacing it with some of his favorite treats, we found him curled up inside the tent more than once.
-Chris Meehan, Contributing Writer
We tested the base camp but noticed the original Tiny Tent is more popular, probably because it's easier to set up (and more affordable). We think that should be enough to make your pet happy!
We think Nuun Hydration Sport is an essential stocking stuffer for outdoors people. The packaging, flavor variety, and ease of use make it the perfect choice when portability is a top concern—like when you need to fit stuff in a stocking.
Nuun Sport comes in tablets in a tube and in a large variety of flavors (watermelon and cherry limeade are two of our favorites. You can read Treeline Review writer Becca Downs rave about watermelon Nuun in multiple guides).
It’s popular among Treeline writers personally because of its convenience and effervescence (yup, it’s bubbly like an Alka Seltzer). It's also our winner for best electrolytes for hiking and backpacking in our Best Electrolytes guide.
Best yet, if you are giving away multiple stocking stuffers, you can get a multi-pack and save about 10%.
Are you looking for a practical gift that is a stocking stuffer with some personality? We’re fans of Buff Neck Gaiters, which makes its way into our Gear Lists for trips from the PCT Gear List and Strategy to Bikepacking trips of the White Rim Trail and rafting trips in Alaska.
Buff neck gaiters double as beanies for cooler nights in the sleeping bag and ski masks to protect your face from cold air. We’ve even seen some people use them as tube tops or skirts in a pinch (not recommended)!
There’s a Buff fabric and design for everyone. We're partial to the National Park designs and those that feature National Scenic Trails.
KT tape that supports pained muscles may not be the hippest thing to gift an outdoors person. But for runners, trail runners, hikers, and backpackers, it’s an essential item.
Too often, I run into an outdoor enthusiast who knows they should use tape, but can’t seem to get themselves to purchase it. They'll bum off friends and swear that the pain will go away soon.
When you give them sports tape, it means they’ll always have it on hand and will have no excuses not to practice the self-care they need.
Skida is a small, woman-owned brand based in Vermont. The founder started by sewing hats for friends on her ski team, and the brand has since grown to make accessories of all sorts, from balaclavas to bucket hats.
My favorite piece for winter running (and just about any aerobic cold-weather activity) is the Nordic Headband.
It’s a thin synthetic headband that offers just enough warmth and protection to keep your ears toasty while you’re out working up a sweat mid-winter.
Better yet, it’s thin enough and wicks and breathes well enough to use any time of year. It’s something simple that makes a fun and functional gift for the runner in your life.
The Skida headband is a favorite in our Cold Weather Running Gear List.
We love the variety of patterns it comes in (you can even get a matching neck warmer). For runners often out on the fringes of daylight, Skida makes a super bright and reflective option, too for runners looking for running gear for running in the dark.
Kula cloth: upgraded bathroom experience
Nature’s call can’t be avoided: everybody pees. But the squat that many of us pop when heading outdoors to hike, camp, climb, ski, and more can be problematic. What should we do with the toilet paper we use after using the “facili-trees” (as Kula Cloth’s founder Anastasia Allison calls them)? Is it better to forego TP altogether for the sake of Leave No Trace—but at the expense of slightly odorous pants?
A Kula Cloth features silver-infused, highly-absorbent black fabric with a waterproof backing—meaning the cloth is completely odor-proof, and my hands never touch the residual liquid. Manufactured and milled in the USA, the Kula Cloth is hypoallergenic, mostly organic, and the best new piece of gear I’ve found in years. Starting at $20, you can’t go wrong with a Kula Cloth. It will change everything about how you (or your loved ones that also squat to pee) experience the outdoors. — Dani Reyes-Acosta, Contributing Writer
Kula Cloth is a women-owned outdoor brand and is featured in our Maternity Outdoor Gear guideand our Eco-friendly Gear Swaps guide.
Gifting a knife for the holidays is classic–and this French-made folding knife feels luxurious without costing a lot. A folding knife can save the day on a camping trip and last for decades. I've used my Opinel knife in the camp kitchen, to fix a sleeping pad, and remove splinters. A folding knife is also helpful for everyday life, like for opening packages or bottles.
It can even be personalized with custom engraving on the handle or front or back of the blade to make an extra special gift. The stainless steel blade option has wooden handles in oak, walnut, olivewood, beechwood.
For the campers who love to forage for wild plants and mushrooms, it's also sold as a mushroom knife with a special mushroom brush (see our What I eat on a thru-hike article to learn more about foraging). An Opinel knife is small enough to be a stocking stuffer and is a practical gift that your person will use for years.
-Treeline Review Team
Our one of most popular items at Treeline, the Ultima Replenisher electrolytes taste good, have lots of flavors, and an affordable price per serving.
Most importantly, they have the five essential electrolytes we think every electrolyte mix should have: sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. It's shocking how few have all of them.
If you want to learn more about choosing the best electrolyte powders–for yourself or whomever you’re buying a gift–check out our guide on The Best Electrolyte Powders.
The Deuce #3 UL trowel: make the worst part of the day better
Maybe you know someone who just got into hiking. They’re starting to build up their hiking “kit,” and they’re geeking out over gear. The Deuce is an ultralight trowel used to dig holes for going #2 in the woods. Yep… it’s a poop trowel. And by giving it as a stocking stuffer, you're showing enthusiasm for their hobby and getting a gag gift in at the same time. Hard to beat that!
There are three different models to choose from, ranging from super light and small to more heavy-duty—all of which deliver the same efficiency at digging holes no matter where you are outside. We guarantee the backpacker in your life will be very pleased to find The Deuce in their stocking. (Apologies in advance for any poop jokes that are sure to ensue.)
-Gianna Starble, Contributing Writer
If you want to give something thoughtful and luxurious, the Verve Craft Instant Coffee Pack will delight anyone who likes coffee–whether they are into the outdoors or not!
We asked our trained barista testers to blind taste-test dozens of instant coffees using Speciality Coffee Association's Coffee Taster's Flavor Wheel for our Best Instant Coffee guide. Everything we tested from Verve scored high marks.
The Verve Instant Craft Coffee sampler pack comes with six coffees. The Street Level Craft was bright and fruit with crema foam on top rarely found in instant coffee. This is a present they will treasure so much they may not even wait until their next camping trip to partake.
Do you have someone in your life looking to reduce the amount of trash they create? Recently, I gifted Stasher reusable silicone zip bags to my friend and fellow Treeline writer, Kate Hoch.
As a Portland-based hiker dedicated to reducing her eco footprint and the amount of plastic in her life, Kate was intrigued by the Stashers. They can withstand boiling water, so you can use it to store and rehydrate home-dehydrated camping food.
The thing I like about the Stashers is that unlike a lot of other reusable zip bags I’ve seen, the Stashers are all one piece. Not having a plastic slider means one less part to get lost or break-and also less plastic! They come in all sizes and colors.
I’m particularly fond of the stand-up versions, which are convenient for backpackers and have the same stand-up functionality as the single-use mylar bags found on dehydrated backpacking meals.
As great as Stashers are for outdoors use, they make a great stocking stuffer for anyone who is looking to introduce more reusables in their life. -Treeline editor, Liz Thomas
The Rawlogy ball is our favorite ultralight massage tool to throw into a backpack for hikes or climbs.
Rawlogy Cork balls are designed by hikers for self-massage. It only weighs 1.4 ounces (and the mini version only weighs 0.7 ounces!). And they’re made from recycled wine corks (yay for the environment). Being made of cork also means it is grippy even when wet.
One of the most popular gear items we saw on the PCT this year, this massage ball makes it easy to roll out IT bands, plantar fasciitis, or other foot issues while on trail (or on the go). It has a similar density to traditional massage balls made of rubber but is made of a material that is up to 1/5th the weight. The Rawlogy Ball is a winner in ourEssential Backpacking Accessories story about overlooked small items that can make a hike a lot better. It's also featured in our How to Take Care of Your Feet while Hiking and Backpacking guide.—Naomi Hudetz, Co-founder
For many years, backpacking spoons were only sold in lengths comparable to home silverware. But backpacking dinners were sold in tall mylar pouches. When an outdoors person ate their dinner every night, they’d have to dig deep in the pouch to get out the last of the food. Inevitably, their hands touched the inside of the pouch in this endeavor. That is until the long-handled spoon was born.
We praise the Toaks Long Handled spoon in multiple Treeline Review stories from the Bicycle Touring Packing List to our Pacific Crest Trail Southbound Gear List & Strategy guide.
Turn your spoon into a complete gift pack by boxing it up with a few freeze-dried dinners. Our favorites are documented in our Best Freeze-dried Backpacking Meals guide.
And if you’re able and willing to spend more, our Best Backpacking Stoves guide can help you choose a stove to beef up the gift!
The Friction Labs Unicorn Dust is our winner for Best Premium Climbing Chalk in our Best Climbing Chalks guide. But because it is a splurge for most climbers, it makes a GREAT gift.
I was perfectly satisfied with my cheap chalk until I tried the good stuff.
There are 3 types of chalk made by Friction Labs Unicorn Dust (fine), Gorilla Grip (chunky), or Bam Bam (super chunky). Each climber has their preferences. The climber in your life will be thrilled if you put together a variety pack so they can try them all out.
A practical, inexpensive, and hilarious gift to give to any outdoors person is duct tape. Hikers and campers are infamous for fixing broken outdoor gear in a pinch with duct tape.
These days, it’s even possible to gift duct tape in fun colors and designs, to give the gift some more personality. If you’re looking for a non-gear item that will be used and is worthy of a chuckle, go for an assortment of patterned duct tape.
Do you want to help someone experience less friction in their life (or across their various body parts)? Consider gifting them some Body Glide, the classic anti-chafe product that looks like a colorful deodorant container. I’ve tried plenty of other topicals—powders, creams, ointments—but this is my tried and true, the one that never fails me, even on the swampiest days.
I use the regular but have tried the “women’s” formulation, which comes loaded with extra emollients. The product also comes in four different sizes; the smaller ones are perfect for tossing in my running vest or even into a fanny pack for longer excursions. In addition, not only is Body Glide plant-based, but it’s also not tested on animals—except for you, you sweaty animal.
Tick Kit: Tick Removal Tool and Permethrin Bug Treatment
Do you know someone who hates bugs? Or spends a lot of time outdoors in tick country? Whether they do yard work in the spring or backpack in the summer, this themed gift pack will gear them up to stay bug-free.
We’re fans of the Tick Remover Tool from our Essential Backpacking Accessories story. This lightweight tool is easier to use than tweezers when removing a tick embedded in the skin. The advantage of the card is that it fits in a wallet like a credit card, so you’ll always have it on hand when you need it.
Hopefully, the other two parts of your present can prevent tick bites in the first place. Permethrin is a spray-on application to put on clothing a day or two before use. Spray it on, let it dry, and it repels mosquitos and ticks for up to 25 washes. DEET applied to clothing also repels bugs (but it’s only good for one wash). Paired together, your gift recipient will have ultimate bug-repelling power.
-Treeline Review Team
Tick key
Permethrin
With electrolytes, B-vitamins, antioxidants, and complex carbs, if I'm feeling like garbage, I know one of the things in these chews will make me feel better. One thing I really like about these chews is that they are made with caffeine from yerba mate, which gives a slower and smoother release of energy than other caffeine (at least, to my body!). It's also USDA certified organic, which is rare in energy chews. Plus, there's a non-energy version (no yerba mate) for towards the end of the day when I need the sugar but no caffeine. It's a favorite in our Best Energy Gels and Chews staff picks guide. - Liz Thomas, Treeline Review Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief
The gift for whatever they want: REI gift card
Still not sure what to get the outdoors person in your life? Consider the REI Gift Card. Even if you’ve got an excellent grasp on what a person likes, it can be tricky to know what gearr they already own.
Why it’s great for outdoors people:
They last: REI Gift cards never expire.
Gift cards qualify for anything: this includes bike gear, bike classes, or bike repair and maintenance. It also can go towards REI-led trips.
They can get exactly what they want: It takes the guess work out of it for you.
—Treeline Review staff
An Adventure Plan For A 2025 Trip Together
Have no idea what to gift, or don’t want to gift gear? Gift an experience! Leave your recipient a heartfelt note describing an upcoming trip for the two of you. Detailed plans for a dream trip can be just as much as gift. Best yet—plans are free.
Write a plan for a trip you’d like to take with this person. Be as detailed as possible. What’s on your packing list? How will you get to your destination? Have you researched the seasons and the best time to go? Where will you camp? What will you eat each night? What’s the weather like for the dream trip dates you have set?
We even have several guides to help you plan a trip.
Imagining adventures and planning trips give us all something to look forward to. Plus—this trip planning can be super fun for you!
-Treeline Review Team
