Sometimes, shopping for the outdoor enthusiast in your life can be tricky. You know they already own most of what they need, so the key is finding something they want or didn’t know they needed.
The best gifts for outdoor lovers (from weekend warriors to vanlifers, casual hikers to peak baggers) should always do three things: fuel adventure, maximize the stoke, and keep them outside longer.
Whether it’s hiking, biking, camping, climbing, skiing, surfing, or simply just exploring, I’ve rounded up a collection of my favorite outdoor gear that checks off all the boxes for every kind of adventurer and helps them get outside, living their best life.
Don’t forget to check out my other outdoorsy gift guide, 21 Unique Non-Cheesy Gifts for National Park Lovers, as well as my gift guides for people who just love to be outside: 36 Genius Gifts for Gardeners They’ll Really Dig and 25 Perfect Stocking Stuffers for Gardeners Under $25.
I hope they help simplify your shopping this holiday season so you can spend more time doing what you love.
Disclosure: If you shop from my article or make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive commissions on some of the products I recommend.
The New Camp Cookbook – I’m kicking off this list with my own cookbook, which has been a bestseller every year since it was released in 2017. If your idea of a good time in camp is great food and even better friends around a fire, this book is for you. It offers a variety of modern, easy-to-make (yet gourmet) recipes from breakfast and snacks to dinner and drinks to take your camp dining up a notch. It also serves as a camping guide of sorts, with tips and tricks for stocking your camp kitchen, packing your pantry and cooler efficiently, washing dishes (without using a ton of water), and cooking in bear country.
The Backyard Fire Cookbook – I wrote this book to focus on one of the things I love most about outdoor cooking: making food over a fire. This book shares techniques and recipes for cooking over every type of live fire: ember roasting, planking, cast iron, foil packets, and more. There’s also a step-by-step guide on building your own fire pit, tips for cooking over coals if you don’t have space to make a fire pit, a rundown on the best types of wood and fire starters to use, secrets to stocking an indoor and outdoor pantry, and my favorite tools and accessories to help you master the flames.
Solo Stove Bonfire – I purchased the Bonfire model a few years ago when I was writing The Backyard Fire Cookbook, thinking it would just be used for the book. But I’ve since taken my Solo Stove on camping trips and tailgating parties and love how portable and efficient it is. The design minimizes smoke incredibly well, and it cools off quickly, so you don’t have to deal with a blazing hot fire pit at the end of the day. (I also recommend getting the heat deflector for it.) There’s also a smaller version for RVing and an even a tabletop version that can burn wood or pellets.
Solar String Lights – I own a few of the portable inflatable solar lights by this company, and loved them so much that I got these string lights a few years ago for camping. I like that you can cycle through six different colors for the type of mood you’re in, and the LED lights give hours of soft illumination when you’re out on the road. There’s even a built-in USB charging port and flashlight just in case—when you’re tight on cargo space, multi-functional products like this are key.
BioLite AlpenGlow – This is my absolute favorite camping lantern! I have both the larger 500 version and the mini 150 version. Both sizes are similar in function, but what sets them apart from other lanterns is their ability to cycle through several color modes. You have bright white, warm white, and a rainbow of colors, but give the lantern a shake and access even more color modes that transition through a range of beautiful ombre light. My kids love using it as a nightlight (by adjusting the dimness to low).
Bose Soundlink Micro – It’s hard to beat a Bose in terms of sound quality, and even in such a petite package, the sound blows away all other Bluetooth speakers in this size range. (Yes, I own this!) It’s the perfect portable speaker to take on a road trip, set up at the campsite, clip onto a backpack, or even just use at home if you’re tight on space. (The waterproof rating makes it a great shower radio.) You can also pair it with another Bose speaker for stereo sound.
XL warmers – You know those small squares of air-activated hand warmers you can stuff into your gloves or pocket for slow, steady warmth? These lap warmers are just a larger version of that and give up to 8 hours of constant heat that’ll keep you toasty and comfortable at camp. Even though they’re meant to be placed on your lap, they would also work well in your sleeping bag if you find yourself needing a bit of extra heat at night. Grab a few of these for stocking stuffers!
Aluminum trekking poles – I took a chance on these Montem collapsible poles when I was in the market for new hiking poles this year, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how well-built they are. (And this is coming from someone who’s used Black Diamond poles in the past.) They’re strong, durable, and lightweight, and come in a range of fun colors with multiple tips included. (I got the purple ones!) If you’re looking for even lighter weight, Montem also makes carbon fiber hiking poles at a super reasonable price point.
Binoculars – I’ve had these Nocs compact binoculars for a couple years and taken them on nearly every camping and road trip. They’re easy to stash, have excellent focus, and provide crisp views—not to mention being super stylish! The bright colors means I never lose them either. I’m such a big fan of Nocs that I bought each of my kids their own monocular from the same line.
Mini air pump – Don’t be fooled by the size. This tiny rechargeable air pump works surprisingly well for inflating pool toys, innertubes, camping mattresses, camping pillows, and other small items. (It can also blow up a double air mattress, but if you’re bringing something that big, you probably also have a bigger pump for it.) We brought our mini air pump on a backpacking trip this year and were able to blow up all four of our sleeping pads and four inflatable pillows in just a few minutes. It also has a built-in LED lamp, so it’s a handy gadget to tote along! (I’m getting a couple more to stash in our RV and car.)
Handheld cordless vacuum – Before you laugh, a hand vac is actually the perfect gift for a vanlifer or RVer to keep their home-on-wheels speck- and dirt-free. For places where a broom or dustpan won’t reach, this cordless handheld vacuum is more useful than you think for cleaning up spilled food, crumbs off a tent floor, and sand tracked in from the beach. Charging is quick and easy; all you need is a USB charger. (It also comes in a fun mint color, if you’re into that.)
Waterproof power bank – Anyone who spends any amount of time on the road, away from everyday conveniences, could use a power bank or two. This one has enough juice to charge your phones, headlamps, and POV cameras, and even comes with an emergency flashlight. I especially like this rugged version from Goal Zero because you can take it on an adventure without worrying about getting caught in the rain or forgetting it overnight on your picnic table.
HydraPak Stow – My husband originally bought this collapsible water bottle for me so I could take it snowboarding, and we’ve since gotten more for the kids. They’re just the right size to tuck into a jacket or hang on a backpack strap, and we really like them for hiking, backpacking, and any adventure where we want to save on space and weight. They also make this narrower 1-liter version that can fit in a pack pocket.
Pour-over coffee kit – What makes great coffee even better? Brewing it in the great outdoors with this Stanley pour-over set, either in classic hammertone green or in black, bronze, or silver. Coffee aficionados won’t have to be without their favorite grinds now when they’re RVing or heading into the backcountry. An easy-to-clean, reusable filter, and insulated mug complete the kit.
Puffy beer koozie – This adorable koozie is made in Portland, Oregon, and the first time I bought one for myself, it was a total impulse purchase. But you know what? I’ve found myself reaching for this koozie over and over again because it’s lightweight, insulates cans really well, and gets all kinds of compliments when I take it out. It’s a real conversation starter at camp! The company also makes other adorable puffy koozies with handles, colorful aloha shirts, on-trend fleece jackets, skinny can parkas, regular can flannels, hoodie sweatshirts (those little drawstrings!), gridiron jerseys, and these hilarious retro sweater styles.
Cooler cup – It’s a koozie… it’s a mug… nope, it’s a Hydro Flask Cooler Cup. I have a whole collection of water bottles and coffee mugs from Hydro Flask that my family uses every day, and this is one of my most-used items. It’s super versatile as a cold or hot beverage mug, and can keep both bottles and cans cold for several hours.
Soft cooler tote – For a long time I wanted a Yeti soft-sided cooler, but couldn’t justify the high cost. Then I found this company, which also makes accessories that I use for paddling (like dry bags and sand anchors), and took a chance on their version. After using it the last few summers and toting it with us to lakes, rivers, and dozens of trails, I can say it was a decision well made! This cooler is airtight, leakproof, lightweight, and keeps things cold for an entire weekend.
Sherpa puffy blanket – I’m a fan of the original Rumpl down blankets, and now that that this version is available, I’m thinking it would be a good upgrade for camping! It has the same packability, water-resistance, and insulated puffy shell that Rumpl is known for, but with super soft sherpa fleece on one side to keep you extra cozy.
First aid kit – Every adventurer needs a first aid kit or two, and I love this one with its stylish metal storage tin that can be refilled and reused. The kit comes with most things you’ll need to mend yourself on the go, including an assortment of fun printed fabric bandages, medical tape, non-stick pads, triple antibiotic cream, and ibuprofen.
Garmin inReach Mini – If you’re looking for the perfect gift for someone who means the world to you, no gift says “I care about you” more than this compact satellite communicator. I got this for my husband for the days he heads into the backcountry, but we also bring it on long RV trips when we know we’ll be passing through areas with no cell reception. Having a link to emergency services gives us peace of mind, whether we’re on the road or on the trail.
Milo Action Communicators – Yes, this is a spendy item, but when it comes to peace of mind outdoors, it’s hard to put a price on safety. I bought these wireless communicators for my family last year since we often go biking, skiing, snowboarding, and hiking together, but don’t always stay within earshot of each other. They differ from walkie-talkies in that you can talk freely without having to push a button (making it especially great for kids).
