Gifts for Hikers and Campers Who Already Own a Good Pack
By the Giftruly editorsUpdated 20 hand-picked ideas
Anyone who hikes regularly has already bought the big things. They have boots that finally stopped giving them blisters, a pack they've adjusted a dozen times and a tent they know how to pitch in the dark. What they usually don't have are the small upgrades that make a long day more comfortable, the camp luxuries they talk themselves out of, and the safety gear they keep meaning to get around to.
That's where this guide focuses. We start with day-hike upgrades, then cover comforts for car camping, a short kit for the hiker ready to try a first overnight, and safety gear worth putting under the tree. Near the end there's a plain explanation of which gear to leave alone, followed by a handful of small, cheap trailhead extras.
Shopping for someone whose time outdoors has a particular focus? Try gifts for bird watchers, gifts for anglers or gifts for stargazers.
Know exactly who it's for?
Tell Truly about them in a sentence. You'll get ideas picked for them, each with a reason why.
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Day-hike upgrades
These are the things a regular hiker reaches for on every trip, or wishes they had on the last one. None of them need to match a particular boot or pack.
- 1~$35
Merino Wool Hiking Socks Set
Merino stays warm when damp and resists odor over long days. Ask any hiker and they'll say good socks matter almost as much as boots.
Hikers & CampersRunnerspractical - 2~$55
Trekking Pole Pair with Cork Handles
Poles take strain off knees on steep descents, which older hikers appreciate most. Cork grips stay comfortable in sweaty hands.
Hikers & CampersTravelerspractical - 3~$15
Foam Hiking Sit Pad
A folding foam square that turns a cold rock or wet log into a dry seat for lunch. Weighs almost nothing and costs about the same.
Hikers & CampersHunterspractical - 4~$30
Traction Cleats for Hiking Boots
Spiked harnesses that stretch over boots for icy trails. For anyone who keeps hiking through winter, they turn treacherous paths walkable.
Hikers & CampersRunnerspractical
Camp comforts for drive-in sites
Car camping is where weight stops mattering and comfort takes over. If the person you're buying for mostly camps at sites they can drive to, they can enjoy a few luxuries a backpacker never would. These are the things that make a campsite feel like a weekend away rather than an endurance test.
- 5
Portable Camp Espresso Maker
~$70
A hand-powered espresso press that needs only hot water. For a camper who loves coffee, it's the difference between a sad cup of instant and a proper start to the morning. It's a fun one to bring out at a group campsite, too. Skip it for ultralight backpackers; it's more weight than they'll carry.
- 6
Portable Camping Hammock
~$35
A light nylon hammock with tree straps, for lazy afternoons between hikes. It packs into a pouch the size of a grapefruit, so even day hikers sometimes carry one for a nap at a lake. Make sure their campgrounds allow hammocks; a few parks restrict them to protect trees.
- 7
Solar-Powered Camping Lantern Set
~$35
Two rechargeable lanterns light a picnic table and a tent at the same time, and nobody has to hold a flashlight in their teeth while cooking. A good pick for families and couples who camp together. They'll use them at home during power outages too.
- 8
Folding Campfire Grill Grate with Carry Bag
~$43
A steel grate with folding legs that stands over a fire ring, so they can cook burgers or foil packets over the fire. It's for someone who'd rather cook over flames than a camp stove. It's only useful where fires are allowed, and fire bans are common in dry summers, so it suits campers in wetter regions best.
- 9
Inflatable Camping Pillow and Sleep Mask Set
~$28
Plenty of campers sleep on a rolled-up fleece and wonder why their neck hurts. An inflatable pillow fixes that for very little money, and the mask helps with early sunrises through tent walls. A nice small gift for anyone who complains about sleeping outdoors.
For the day hiker ready to try an overnight
There's a moment when a day hiker starts looking at trail maps and wondering what's past the turnaround point. A first backpacking trip needs a few pieces of kit they probably don't own yet, and the cooking side is the easiest place for someone else to help.
Leave the tent, sleeping bag and pack to them. These are the parts that are hard to get wrong.
- Our favorite10
Portable Camping Stove
~$50
A compact stove that screws onto a fuel canister and boils water in minutes. It's the heart of a backpacking kitchen: hot dinners, hot coffee and hot water for dehydrated meals. Fuel canisters can't be shipped by air or carried on planes, so they'll need to buy those at an outdoor store before each trip.
- 11
Compact Backpacking Cookware Set
~$40
A nesting pot, cup and utensils that pack down to almost nothing. Pair it with the stove for a complete first kitchen. For a hiker who's been eating cold sandwiches on every outing, it opens up hot meals on the trail.
- 12
Titanium Camp Mug
~$25
A titanium mug with folding handles that can sit directly on a stove. It's light, tough and doubles as a small pot for one. Backpackers like these because one item does two jobs, and it will outlast nearly everything else in their pack.
- 13
Backpacking Water Filter Bottle
~$45
A bottle with a built-in filter so they can refill from streams instead of carrying all their water. It's a smart gift for someone starting longer hikes. Filters need replacing on schedule, and they don't handle every situation, so treat it as part of their water plan rather than the whole of it.
Safety gear worth giving
Safety equipment is one of the few gift categories where a hiker is genuinely grateful you thought of it. Most of them know they should carry a light, a first aid kit and a way to call for help, and most of them carry some of it, some of the time. These are easy to give without knowing anything technical about their setup.
- 14
Rechargeable Headlamp
~$30
Hikes run longer than planned more often than anyone admits, and a phone flashlight eats the battery they may need for a call. A rechargeable headlamp lives in the pack and gets them home after dark. The red mode keeps their night vision intact around camp.
- 15
Lightweight Hiking First Aid Kit
~$25
A small pouch with proper blister care, bandages, tape and basics, sized to stay in a daypack all season. It's the gift for the hiker who carries three loose bandages and hopes for the best. Add a note reminding them to check it each spring.
- 16
Satellite Messenger for Hiking
~$300
A handheld device that sends texts and SOS alerts by satellite where phones have no signal. For someone who hikes alone or goes deep into the backcountry, it gives the people at home real peace of mind. It's an expensive gift that needs a subscription, so it suits a serious hiker better than a casual one.
Boots, packs, tents and sleeping bags: leave them on the wish list
The big four pieces of hiking gear are the worst things to buy as a surprise. Boots depend on foot shape, ankle support preferences and what they've broken in before. Packs are fitted to torso length and hip size, and outdoor stores often adjust them in person. Tents come down to weight versus space and whether they hike alone or with a partner. Sleeping bags are rated for temperatures, and the right one depends on where and when they camp.
If one of these is on their list, the best approach is to fund it: a gift card to an outdoor retailer, or a promise to cover half when they pick it out. Many outdoor co-ops and gear shops also offer guided hikes or skills classes, which make a lovely gift for someone just getting started.
Small things for the trailhead
For stockings, birthday add-ons and gift exchanges with an outdoorsy friend.
17.National Parks Scratch-Off Poster ~$30
A poster of all 63 national parks to scratch off as they visit. A fun long-term goal for a hiker with a road-trip habit.
18.Waterproof Playing Cards Deck ~$10
Plastic cards that survive damp tents and spilled drinks. Rainy afternoons at camp go much faster with a game of rummy.
19.Reusable Click Gel Hand Warmers ~$14
Click the disc and the gel heats up; boil them to reset. Handy for cold summit stops and early starts.
20.Dog-Friendly Hiking Water Bottle ~$22
A bottle with a fold-out trough, for the hiker whose dog comes on every trail. Saves sharing a water bottle with a slobbery friend.
Shop this guide by price
Under $25
$25–$50
A few things to know before you buy
Find out whether they mostly day hike, car camp or backpack. The right gift for each is different, and backpackers care about every ounce.
Don't buy boots, packs, tents or sleeping bags as a surprise. Fit and personal preference matter too much; fund them instead.
Safety gear is always welcome. A headlamp or first aid kit is useful to every hiker, whatever their level.
Think about where they go. Desert hikers, mountain hikers and winter hikers have very different needs.
Need more ideas? Tell our gift finder where they like to hike and what they already carry.
Hiker and camper gift questions
What's a good gift for someone who loves hiking?
Merino hiking socks, trekking poles, a rechargeable headlamp and a lightweight first aid kit are all useful to almost every hiker. For bigger budgets, a satellite messenger gives them a way to call for help beyond cell coverage.
What do you buy a camper who has everything?
Comfort upgrades they wouldn't buy themselves: a camp espresso maker, a hammock, a campfire grill grate or a better pillow. A national parks scratch-off poster is a nice way to celebrate the trips they've already taken.
What's a good cheap gift for a hiker?
A foam sit pad, waterproof playing cards, reusable hand warmers, traction cleats or a dog-friendly water bottle all come in around $30 or less.
Is a satellite messenger a good gift?
For people who hike alone or go far from cell service, yes. Keep in mind that most need a paid subscription to work, so check the plan options and consider covering the first months.