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From my first camping trip at four months old to my most recent hiking expedition in the Adirondacks, I've spent the majority of my life camping and hiking my way through the world—laying under the stars in a tent across 15+ US states and Canadian territories, exploring dozens of national and state parks, hiking up mountains and through forests, and otherwise enjoying (or being subjected to) every type of weather, terrain, and wildlife. Being the youngest member of an enthusiastically outdoorsy family means that I know a thing or two when it comes to picking out gifts for those that prefer to spend their time surrounded by nature. Whether you're looking for something practical, like a new pair of hiking socks or boots, or want to gift something a little more exciting, like a sleek, inspirational coffee table book or a Stanley pour-over set, these are some of the best camping gifts for hikers, campers, and backpackers right now.
Our top picks:
- For inspiration: 100 Hikes of a Lifetime book
- For the long trek: Vasque waterproof boots
- For capturing memories: Kodak film camera
- For a gift under $20: UST multi-tool carabiner
- For the camper who has everything: Stanley pour-over set
There's no need to sacrifice your morning cup of joe while spending some time in the outdoors. This pour-over set is the perfect gift for any coffee lover in your life. The stainless steel reusable coffee strainer helps avoid single-use plastic waste, while both the brewer and reusable mug are sturdy and easy to clean.
Why do we travel if not to capture incredible memories? This adorable 35mm point-and-shoot film camera is the perfect gift for outdoor adventurers who want to take a little piece of their trip home with them—and a favorite of Mercedes Bleth, Traveler’s global associate director of social. It's light, affordable, and a great way to detach from social media and technology for a bit while still capturing the incredible views around you.
A sturdy pair of hiking boots is essential for those that often find themselves on the trails, like this pair by Vasque. The waterproof design is ideal for hiking a variety of terrains since you never known when you'll encounter dewey grass, light rain, or mud. The mesh trim throughout helps increase breathability while the two width options help give the shoe a personal fit for each hiker. The insole is designed with a dual-density EVA footbed for maximum comfort while the outsole has excellent grip and traction.
There's a reason this travel pack is one of our editors' top picks for Luggage Week 2024. While it won't be able to store everything you need for a true backpacking trip, this travel pack by Cotopaxi is perfect for your next hiking or camping excursion. The lay-flat design makes it easy to pack multiple changes of clothing and find them without hassle. At only 2.15 lb., it's lightweight enough to carry around for the whole day without too much strain.
If you're hiking somewhere rocky with water, these watershoes by Merrell are your perfect companion. Not only will they protect your feet against any debris in the water, but they're sturdy enough to support you throughout the rest of your hike. Whether you're wearing them or carrying them, at just over one pound, we appreciate how lightweight they are, and thanks to the webbed upper, neoprene tongue, and Hydromorph midsoles, they don't trap water and easily let your feet breath. Plus, the grippy soles give great traction for any terrain you meet.
Just because you're sleeping on the ground doesn't mean you have to completely sacrifice comfort. A great camping pillow, like this memory foam one that packs away into a travel case, can make sure you get a good nights rest in order to properly explore the world around you. The contouring memory foam helps support your head and neck when you snooze, while the cooling gel keeps you at a comfortable temperature all night long.
Socks may not be your go-to “fun” gift, but no camper or hiker will turn their nose down at this colorful pair that helps eliminant any blisters while in the great outdoors. Whether you're hiking for miles or just lounging around the campsite, these merino wool cushion socks wick away moisture while providing strong cushioning for your foot. The reinforced heel, toe, and elastic arch support help increase durability and comfort.
If they're not currently camping or hiking, backpackers are likely excitedly planning their next trip. This gorgeous coffee table book features incredible photography, helpful tips, expert advice from veteran hikers, and, of course, information on hikes for all interests, skill levels, and destinations. From Switzerland to Alaska to Costa Rica, these will give you some serious inspo for your next trip.
When out in the wilderness, you can't just run to your junk drawer to find the tool you need at any given moment. Luckily, this multi-tool carabiner can do just about anything and easily clips on to your backpack for quick access. On it you'll find a one-inch ruler, carabiner, butterfly wrench, can opener, bottle opener, cord cutter, flat head screwdriver, Phillips-head screwdriver, and a 4mm hex wrench.
One thing we take for granted when at home is unlimited access to safe drinking water. Luckily, the LifeStraw personal water filter helps keep you hydrated while out and about by protecting you against everything from bacteria and microplastics to microsilt and sand. To use, simply drink through it like you would a regular straw. It's compact enough to slip into your pocket or backpack and can filter up to 1,000 gallons of water.
Don't let a rainstorm ruin a trip. Whether you're hiking up a mountain or taking in the sights, a good raincoat helps you enjoy everything the world has to offer without being dampened by a storm. Patagonia's Torrentshell jacket is particularly space saving and great for packing since it can fold up to fit into its own front pocket. It's available in a variety of colors, as well as men's and women's sizes, and thanks to the two-way-adjustable hood and a breathable micro-fleece-lined neck, you won't need to worry about rain dripping down your neck or being uncomfortably hot.
As the weather gets colder, you'll want to stay bundled up and covered, and tiny gadgets can make the difference between metaphorically freezing your fingers off and enjoying a comfortable wintry getaway. A set of rechargeable hand warmers like this two-pack can keep your fingers warm for up to 12 hours after a three hour charge, and mean you don't have to abandon exploring some magnificent winter wonderland vistas.
Turn two trees into your own personal bed, chair, or lounger with this outdoor camping hammock. This nylon hammock folds down into a small storage pouch, is incredibly lightweight while still able to hold up to 400 pounds of weight, and uses two Talon straps and carabiners to secure it between two trees. It's available in a variety of colors and a few different sizes, including one for two people.
Head back to the dark ages, AKA the time before cellphones, with these two-way radios. Growing up, I have many fond memories of staying in touch with family and friends (and inevitably walking out of range, which you're unlikely to do with this set thanks to it's distance of up to 16 miles) while hiking and camping via walky-talkies like these. Unlike your phone, these two-way radios don't need cell service so you can keep track of everyone even when you're out of range of a tower. Grab them in a pack of two, three, or four.
The one thing the great outdoors severely lacks is AC, so snatching up a mini portable fan is a great way to stay cool. Flaunting up to 19 hours of cooling time after a single charge, this handheld fan has two different speeds to keep you cool, and the shape can be folded over three ways: closed for storage, straight for handheld fanning, and folded over for desk mounting. Plus, if you're in a pinch, it also functions as a flashlight and a battery charger.
No need to leave your phone behind when you take that kayaking trip, hop in the lake, or enjoy a leisurely boat ride. Thanks to Pelican's waterproof phone pouch, you can keep your most valuable item on you at all times without having to worry about water damage. Plus, it means you can safely capture great pictures and videos while you're out there! Since the pouch floats, it means you won't lose your phone even if your canoe goes topside, while the detachable lanyard is great for hooking around your neck or onto a bag.
This may not be the most exciting gift, but it sure is a useful one. This hanging toiletry bag from Bagsmart is perfect for storing and organizing all of your bathroom essentials while camping, and easily keeps your bag off the ground or dirty bathroom floor. Campground showers and bathrooms can sometimes be far away from your tent, so the four clear separate compartments of this bag help you ensure that you've brought everything you need with you at a glance.
Access to outlets is few and far between when camping, so securing a portable charger like this one for an Apple watch is great for keeping your gadgets juiced up when in nature. Once full, this tiny tool can charge your watch up to 1.5 times, so you can continue keeping track of your sleep stats, steps, heart rate, and more. Plus, the compact size and diminutive weight mean you can easily slip it into your pocket, backpack, or fanny pack without any trouble.
In my humble opinion, one of the most important things to bring with you on a camping trip is a good pack of playing cards, as there tends to be tons of downtime at the campsite for engaging in a game or two. A waterproof deck like this one by Hoyle is extra versatile—great for bringing with you to the lake, dealing out on the boat, or just playing outside without fear of morning dew, rain, or spills. Unlike board games, a classic deck of cards is small enough for any backpacker to carry and offers dozens of different games at your fingertips.
What's the point of a campfire without s'mores? Nab a set of five color-coded roasters like these (so no one loses their marshmallows). The food grade stainless steel prongs are easy to clean, while the anti-slip handles mean you won't lose your grip on your sweet treat. The sticks extend up to 32 inches so you don't have to sit too close to the fire to get a good roast.
Nothing ruins a trip quicker than a pack of mosquitos feasting on campers, so investing in a rechargeable mosquito repeller will certainly be a lifesaver. No need to mess around with bug spray thanks to this tiny machine that takes just 15 minutes to reach maximum protection, can work for up to nine hours straight, and covers a field of 20 feet to shield you from those pesky bugs.
