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Des Moines Outdoors

Des Moines Outdoors

Gifts for Hikers: Find the Perfect Hiking Gift at the Perfect Price

DSMOutdoors

This article contains affiliate links. In other words, if you click on an affiliate link and buy a product, this blog may receive compensation at no cost to you. See our full disclosure here.

Hikers
image credit: Kampus Production

Most avid hikers already have all the gear, making them super hard to buy for. So, if you’re shopping for a hiking enthusiast but need help deciding what to buy, you’re in the right place. We’ve compiled a great list of gifts for hikers just for you!

We don’t include backpacks, shoes, or jackets that need sizing – your hiker likely has this covered. So, the following gift ideas are gifts that most hikers could use (and love). Read on to find outstanding gifts for hikers for any budget!

Related Gift Guides:
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• Best Backyard & Patio Gifts
• Gifts for Nature Lovers
• The Best Nature Gifts for Kids of All Ages
• Gifts for Bird Lovers
• Iowa Gifts for Everyone
• Gardening Gifts For Dad
• Camping Gifts for Mom

The best gifts for hikers

LifeStraw

LifeStraw is the most popular and widely used personal water filter for a reason. Each “straw” filters up to 792 gallons of water, making water safe to drink without using chemicals. It’s the perfect gift for anyone, really, but especially for hikers!

LifeStraw

Leatherman Multitool

This multitool is perfect for any hiker – its compact size makes it easy to throw in a backpack. Plus, it can be opened with one hand and has 14 devices, including pliers, wire cutters, and scissors.

Multitool

AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press

If the hiker you’re buying for also loves coffee, this is the ideal gift! It’s a coffee press that packs into its own cup, so it’s super easy to take along. Best of all, it brews fantastic coffee (cold or hot) in two minutes or less.

AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press

Park Pass

A park pass makes an excellent gift for hiking enthusiasts! Gift an access pass to state or national parks to make it easy for them to explore. Buy National Park passes online, at any National Park visitor center, or at REI.

National Park Pass

Solar Power Bank

Any hiker would love a way to keep devices charged while hiking. This solar power bank charges USB devices, is super durable and waterproof and can work up to 100 hours! There’s also a built-in 200 Lumen flashlight.

Solar Portable Power Bank

Garmin Instinct Solar GPS Watch

Any hiker would love this solar GPS smartwatch with excellent health-tracking capabilities! It’s made of military-grade materials, has solar charging (for extended battery life), and access to several navigation satellite systems, including GPS.

Garmin Instinct Solar GPS Watch

Darn Tough Socks

Hikers love, love, love these socks – and they’ll last forever! Darn Tough Socks are made of durable all-weather Merino wool. They’re super comfortable and moisture-wicking, plus they have a lifetime guarantee!

Darn Tough Socks for hiking

TrailBuddy Trekking Poles

These aren’t your average trekking poles! Instead, they’re made of aircraft-grade aluminum and are lightweight and collapsable, so they’re easy to pack. Plus, they’re height adjustable, designed for all types of terrain, and come with interchangeable accessories for different conditions. 

Trekking Poles for Hikers

Garmin inReach Mini 2 Communicator

Here’s a great gift for hikers who enjoy solo or long hiking adventures! Not only does it help with navigation, but it can also get them back to their starting point. They can also share their location in places with no cell coverage! (It does require a subscription to access all features.)

Garmin inReach Mini Communicator

Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Cushion

This lightweight, rugged cushion is a perfect item for hiking trips! It’s a super durable, seat-sized, insulated pad that folds to fit in a backpack. 

Therm-a-rest Z Seat Cushion

Gifts for hikers for $25 or less

Waist Pack with Water Bottle Holder

Fanny packs are perfect for day hikes – and this one even has a water bottle holder! The adjustable waist belt fits most, and there are separate compartments for all the necessities. It even has reflective material for nighttime visibility.

Waist Pack with Water Bottle Holder for hikers

Vapur Flexible Water Bottle

Here’s a water bottle that’s not really a bottle but is ideal for staying hydrated on long hikes! When empty, it flattens, but it stands up like a bottle when filled. It has a wide-mouth lid and a carabiner clip for easy carrying. (BPA-free, freezable, and dishwasher safe.)

Vapur Flexible Water Bottle

LED Head Lamps

Here are great gifts for hikers that are out after dark! These headlamps are comfortable, water-resistant, and bright. They’re also adjustable for varying needs, with seven modes and a 45-degree tilt.

LED Head Lamps

Rainleaf Microfiber Quick Dry Towel

This fast-drying towel folds down small and is perfect for throwing in a backpack. Not only that, but it’s soft and absorbent and comes with a mesh bag.

Quick Dry Microfiber Towel

Tiny Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

This little speaker weighs just 6.2 ounces and is under two inches (the size of an egg!). In other words, it’s great to throw in a backpack. But don’t let its size fool you; it’s easy to use and has excellent sound quality!

Fijoo Thermos Flask

Help your hiker keep drinks hot or cold for hours. This thermos keeps beverages cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. And it’s just the right size to take along, and the lid doubles as a cup!

Thermos Flask

Merino Wool Beanie

Merino Wool is the ideal material for cool-weather hiking! This beanie is comfortable and warm yet lightweight. Add to that its moisture-wicking properties, and it’s perfect for outdoor activities.

Merino Wool Beanie

Gear Repair Tape

This repair tape will patch holes in outdoor material, like nylon and vinyl. It’s easy to use, sturdy, and weather-resistant, making it super useful for hiking (and camping). 

Hiking Camping Gear Repair Tape

Mini First Aid Kit

This tiny first-aid kit comes in a water-resistant case with the basic supplies hikers need!

Mini First Aid Kit

Emergency Blankets

Having an emergency blanket along on hikes is always a good idea. The great thing about these mylar thermal blankets is they do more than keep you warm in an emergency. They double as emergency shelters, shade, ponchos, and more!

Emergency Thermal Blanket

Books any hiker would love!

100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Scenic Trails

This National Geographic book offers the best 100 hikes on all continents – of various lengths for all skill levels. No doubt they’ll get inspired by the beautiful photographs and trail descriptions!

100 Hikes of a Lifetime: The World's Ultimate Scenic Trails

America’s Best Day Hikes: Spectacular Single-Day Hikes Across the States

Help them find great hiking trails they might have otherwise missed! This book details excellent day hikes of varying distances in all regions of the country. 

America's Best Day Hikes

America’s Great Hiking Trails

This one is for hikers who dream about exploring miles and miles of America’s trails! It includes beautiful photos and details on short and long routes, including the National Scenic Trails.

America's Great Hiking Trails

Hiking Logbook (Journal)

Help them chronicle their hiking journeys with a hiking journal! This one fits easily in a backpack and includes space to log details, like date, weather, elevation, and more. 

Hiking Logbook

100 Parks, 5000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do

This National Geographic book is a best-seller for a reason! Help your hiker find their next adventure (or three!) and inspire them to get out and explore.

100 Parks 5000 Ideas

The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs

Knowing how to read nature adds an element of awe to any hike! This book is filled with fun facts about understanding nature and its signs. Help them predict the weather, track animals, and much more!

The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs

SAS Survival Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere

For the most adventurous hikers, this book makes a great gift! It’s a comprehensive guide to basic survival skills, setting up camp, first-aid, weather, self-defense, and more.

SAS Survival Book

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

Bill Bryson tells about his journey on the Appalachian Trail with a touch of humor and interesting facts along the way. The book is entertaining and gives you an idea of what it might be like to hike this iconic trail.

A Walk in the Woods

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Wild is a very candid memoir from famed author and columnist Cheryl Strayed. She details her experience hiking the Pacific Crest Trail after a personal loss – alone and with no hiking experience.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Read next:
• Winter Hiking Gear: Best winter hiking boots, pants & other gear
• Camping Essentials for Women

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