Do you know 71% of Americans have felt anxious to search for gifts? And 64% said buying a gift takes a huge effort and time.
55% said they find it stressful to buy a gift for at least one person to whom they want to give a gift in their life.
Do you know 71% of Americans have felt anxious to search for gifts? And 64% said buying a gift takes a huge effort and time.
And that person could be this hiker for whom you are trying to find a gift. Is this the case?
But do you know why people feel stressed about finding gifts? They don’t know what will be the best for someone they care most about. Plenty of options is another problem. Want to find a quality and practical gift for a hiker in just a few minutes without stress?
Read our best hiking gifts for hiker’s guide, which has a comprehensive and practical guide to picking the right gift suitable for the hiker.
How to Choose The Best Gifts for Hikers
To make the gift selection process simple and stress-free, note down the following points. Think about which category is suitable in your case. This will help you to narrow down further in your gift process while removing plenty of options that you are not interested in.
Know Your Budget
What is your budget range to buy a gift for a hiker? This is the most important question. Just write down your price range. Don’t worry, this is not a hard rule.
You can adjust the range again when you see the priceless gifts. However, this gives you an idea and removes the stress of just the random gift search in your mind.
The good thing is that high-quality hiking gifts are offered to them across all budgets. For example, multi-tools, water filters, and portable first aid kits are affordable options. Sleeping bags or backpacking tents are expensive. But they make some of the best gifts for hikers. That does not mean you only have to buy sleeping bags and tents.
The reason behind your gift could be either on a budget or premium, but you need to be sure that the quality of the product deserves its price. Durability, comfort, and functionality are always important. There are options for every budget, and even a small gift makes a difference on the trail.
Understanding the Hiker’s Needs
How do you buy gifts in general for someone? Have you ever thought that the person might actually need that? Is it a practical gift or just a decorating piece silently occupying space on the dressing table?
Why give a nonpractical gift that hiker cannot even use while hiking?
Nasir
Well, let me tell you that hikers don’t want gifts that they cannot use during their outdoor adventures. Think about what he is missing.
You can discuss with the hiker without telling them that you are going to buy a gift for them. It’s a good idea, seriously. Why give a nonpractical gift that he cannot even use while hiking?
Hiking requirements differ by many factors, among them the type of hike, region, and preferences of the hiker. So, know about the hiker’s needs and give him a nice present. Seriously, he will love it. We know how great it feels when we get a gift that we actually need on the trail.
Knowing them will guide you in the type of gift you should buy. I know it might still be confusing for you to understand. Let’s go to point three and learn a bit more about the types of hikers.
Different Types of Hikers
It is important you understand the difference between types of hikers. That way, you can easily categorize your recipient’s present and narrow down the gift selection further. Less option, less stress.
Some hikers like short, just-beautiful-overlooking trails close to home, while others like multi-day wilderness treks. Try to split your recipient’s hiking style to narrow down the best gift. Here are the primary kinds of hikers:
Casual and Day Hikers
They love day hikes or shorter treks, often on well-marked trails that are not too strenuous. They can also be weekend hikers. So what does that mean?
Day hikers usually carry basic hiking gear for a day. So, you don’t need to worry much about buying ultralight gear that a backpacker prefers.
Gear like day backpacks, moisture-wicking clothing, or a simple hydration system, like water bottles or bladders, will do the job. They often don’t cook on the trail, so a packet of quality snacks can also be a great gift. They don’t bother much about the weight of the gear, even if they get a few extra ounces.
Backpackers
Backpackers tend to go out for several days, so they will require ultralight equipment to ensure comfort during that period. They also trek to experience unparalleled hiking.
Understand the difference between hiking and trekking. Portable water filters, compact stoves, collapsible cookware, and tent systems are the best gifts for hikers in this category.
Backpackers will also benefit from high-capacity backpacks that are durable and more weather-resistant.
For serious hikers who spend days on more challenging trails or multi-day treks, the best piece of advanced gear will likely be one of trekking poles, GPS, and an insulated jacket under $50 for colder climates.
Durability, weight, and flexibility are the key concerns for serious hikers because they spend extended periods outdoors.
Climate
The kind of equipment a hiker will need is very much subject to the environment or terrain on which he will hike.
Insulated jackets, thermal layers, and winter weather sleeping bags are all suitable for hikers climbing high altitudes in much colder territories or mountainous areas.
And UV protective gear, ventilated hats, sunglasses, and hydration packs will be great travel companions, as well as the best gifts, for the hiking enthusiasts wishing to stay cool and hydrated in summer hikes.
Lightweight, breathable fabrics and moisture-wicking shirts allow the removal of sweat and create comfort in heat.
In areas where there are frequent rains, waterproof backpacks, ponchos, and gaiters that keep water away from boots make for the best gifts for hikers.
Best Hiking Gifts
High-Quality Backpacks Gifts
A comfortable, strong, and affordable backpack serves as the backbone of a hiking and backpacking trip. How to choose the right backpack for the present?
For Day hikers or weekend hikers, a backpack with 20 to 30 liters capacity is enough. A hydration backpack is a unique idea, as not many hikers buy a dedicated hydration backpack.
For backpackers and multi-day trips, a backpacking backpack close to 70 liters is a nice choice. Quality backpacks that come with handy features like waterproofing, ventilation, hydration bladder compatibility, and durability are a bit expensive, but they are worth it.
But I don’t suggest you stress yourself to buy a backpack if you cannot afford it. There are plenty of other great options, so keep reading.
Best backpacks Options:
Hiking Footwear
Hiking footwear, the basics for hiking. No hiking trail goes without boons concerning good boots. Hiking boots, shoes, trail runners, or even sandals make a great choice.
You don’t need to go for an expensive option here. Plenty of budget-friendly yet quality outdoor footwear are available in the market.
The right boots that are comfortable and waterproof with ankle protection are a good choice.
In the summer season, hiking sandals can be a good idea. Hikers can even wear them casually as well.
Best Footwear Options:
- Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot
- NORTIV 8 Waterproof Hiking Boots
- Merrell Men’s Moab 3 Mid Boot
Trekking Poles
Hiking sticks or trekking poles offer vital support for maintaining balance on rough terrain. They also help in downhill hiking, which puts too much pressure on the knees and can easily cause knee strain.
If you are buying them for backpackers, look for ultralight collapsible poles. The lighter, the better, but keep the quality high.
Best Options:
Insulated Jackets
Any backpacker who heads into the cold will appreciate an insulated jacket, but some of the lighter, packable options for warmth will also compress, making them easy to carry.
Jackets with water-resistant outer layers add the bonus feature of blocking wind and rain, so these make ideal Christmas presents for backpackers during winter.
UV Protection Hats and Sunglasses
One cannot imagine stepping out in the sun and letting the powerful UV rays ruin their skin. Wearing wide-brimmed hats with polarized sunglasses shields hikers against harmful UV rays.
This is one of the best options for hikers who spend most of their time under the sun.
Best Options:
Moisture-Wicking Clothing
How is the year-round weather around you? Or where does the hiker who is going to get the gift usually go hiking?
If year-round weather is mainly hot, then moisture-wicking hiking clothes are a good gift option. In fact, even in light cold weather, during tough hikes, sweat is common. Give moisture-wicking clothes as a present.
Windproof Lighters
Not only are they super useful, but they look great (including a nice cover) as well—a perfect backpacking gift idea.
The good thing is that windproof lighters won’t break your bank, and yet they feel like nice outdoor gear.
GPS Devices and Smartwatches
Most current hikers rely more on GPS devices like Garmin eTrex and apps than on paper maps. Consider a GPS device supplied with topographic maps or a smartwatch with GPS functions.
Other features include navigation, route tracking, altitude measurement, and heart rate monitoring, all made possible with GPS-enabled smartwatches.
Therefore, a hiker will not hesitate to venturing out without fear because he will be able to find his trails and monitor his fitness through these wristwatches.
With such gadgets, nobody gets lost, no matter where they are on earth. Such gifts are particularly suitable for serious trekkers.
Multi-Tools
Multi-tool compact contains all kinds of stuff with knives, scissors, and pliers for sawing, sanding, grinding, and scraping.
One of the best uses of a multi-tool is to perform minor repairs in the field or deal with some small emergencies.
Portable Water Filters
There are some nice-looking and practical water filters out there. They can be great choices for backpackers.
It’s not feasible to carry enough water in water bottles or hydration bladders for backpackers’ needs. Backpackers rely on the water available on the trails. But it’s not safe to drink water directly from streams.
Portable water filters add value to backpackers’ lives. Some of them even don’t weigh much, so backpackers will be happy to receive such a valuable gift.
Headlamps
Visibility and power are crucial for hikers going on low-light conditions or multi-day treks. Headlamps are useful for providing hands-free lighting when hiking early in the morning or at night.
These devices are very practical and certainly essential, so they make for the best gifts for casual or serious hikers.
Action Cameras
An action camera like the GoPro would enable hikers to record outstanding landscapes and memorable experiences on the move.
A compact and rugged action camera with a view of the environment is ideal for easy documentation of any adventure, like hikes, which would give permanent keepsakes.
Cameras are expensive options, though. But if you can afford them, they’re a nice addition to any hiker’s gear. If you are on a budget, look for other options on our list.
Summary
Finding a gift for outdoor adventures is not a stressful process if you follow our guide. Know your budget and hikers’ needs, and narrow down your options. Just remember, don’t buy any nonpractical gifts for hikers. They won’t like it. In our top hiking gifts ideas list, we included a variety of options, from budget-friendly to pricy options. Just take a look and choose the one as a gift.
Let me know in the comments what gift you selected for the hiker.
