23 Gifts For Every Outdoorsy Person On Your List
Give The Gift Of Gear
Give something they really need... Don’t ask what someone wants... Always write a note... Sometimes it feels like there are too many rules for gift giving. Plus, what are the best outdoor gifts, anyway?
We asked our Gearheads to weigh in, and one axiom holds true: you can’t go wrong with giving the gift of gear! So whether you’re shopping for a climbing partner, your backcountry touring party, the lifties at your favorite resort, or perhaps even yourself, you’ll find the perfect outdoor gift right here on our holiday gift list.
We compiled gift ideas for outdoorsy types of all kinds. Check them all out or jump ahead:
- Gifts For Skiers
- Gifts For Snowboarders
- Gifts For Hikers
- Gifts For Mountain Bikers
- Gifts For Campers
- Gifts For Climbers
- Gifts For Outdoorsy People
Follow along to see the gear we’re fired up about!
Gifts For Skiers
Skiers can be tough to gift shop for... They’re pretty particular about everything from the gear on their feet to the snow they like to slide on most. So while buying a pair of skis isn’t the best gift for skiers (unless they’re your own kiddos, of course!), you can still get them useful gear they’ll be stoked to open up this holiday season. See our favorite gifts for double-plank pros below.
1. A layering gift that every skier (including you!) will love
Keep them warm during cold-weather adventures with a techy midlayer that’s built for exploration and looks great for lotprès, too. This hoodie has a breathable, moisture-wicking cotton blend and durable water-resistant treatment, making it our favorite for any chilly high-output excursion—especially backcountry touring.
2. A splurge gift for skiers who complain about the cold
Sometimes big gifts come in small packages. That’s certainly the case when you wrap up a pair of these heated ski socks. Lightweight lithium ion batteries deliver over 18 hours of warmth to the toes, and merino wool fibers keep stinky ski boot odors at bay. Skiers who often complain about their toes going numb will love the gift of warm feet. And skiers who want the latest tech integrated in their setup will appreciate these socks’ accompanying Bluetooth app for dialing in that just-right boot temperature.
3. The go-to stocking stuffer for skiers
This pocket-sized rub-on wax won’t replace their dedicated tuning bench, but it’s perfect to pack for touch ups halfway through a big ski trip! This wax easily rubs onto warm ski bases, then all that’s left to do is wipe away excess with a cloth. We appreciate that this wax utilizes plant-based oils to help skis slide, which keeps our mountains clean for the future. Tie up MountainFLOW’s blue cold wax in shiny ribbon for cold winter days. Or add the red warm wax to their stocking so they can harvest spring corn to the fullest.
Want more snow-fiend gift ideas? Find more Gearhead-approved layers, tuning gear, and just-plain-fun gifts for skiers in our Holiday Gift Guide.
Usually, we wouldn’t recommend gifting a board setup—there’s so much personalization that goes into binding and board choices, that it’s best to pick your own setup. Well, here we are breaking that rule and adding a snowboard to our top gifts list!
This board comes sans bindings, and it’s meant to stay that way. Grippy rubber stomp pads help maintain boot contact, and an asymmetrical profile gives the Backseat Driver its signature surf-like feel. Whether they’re at play in the backyard or the backcountry, this board provides plenty of pow fun for any snowboarder on your list.
5. Top techy gift for snowboarders
It’s called shredding for a reason! Snowboards (and skis, too, for that matter) can take a beating. Help them save their cash for the important things (like mid-day French fries or end-of-day brewskis) by giving them a tuning kit this holiday season. Dakine’s all-in-one kit has everything they need to tune their board at home, including an adjustable iron, hot wax, edge sharpening tools, black and clear P-Tex sticks, and an extra-large scraper needed for snowboards. This kit also comes with helpful tuning tips, so the expert snowboarder on your list doesn’t need to be an expert board tech to enjoy this gift.
6. Top gift under $100 for snowboarders
Literally every snowboarder rocks some form of hand covering while they’re exploring the mountain. You can’t go wrong with giving them a spare pair as a holiday gift. These Cinch Mittens from Crab Grab are stellar hand warmers, inside and out. Super-fuzzy sherpa fleece lining makes these soft on dry winter skin. Meanwhile, tough synthetic leather outer fabric on the palms and thumbs gives these superior grip and the robust Dry-Claw Hipora membrane keeps moisture out. And it’s not really a tech spec, but a standout feature of these mittens is the variety of colors available. You can pick out a pair that effortlessly adds to their kit’s it-factor.
Still hunting for the gift equivalent of secret pow pockets? We reveal even more gifts for snowboarders (and everyone else on your list!) in our full Holiday Gift Guide.
This small but mighty satellite communicator is a gift for both you and the hiker on your list. Two-way messaging and location sharing gives you peace of mind while they’re days-deep into a backpacking journey, and a 14-day rechargeable battery paired with a lightweight solar charger keeps them connected from car to car. The inReach Mini 2 also doubles as a trip computer, with detailed weather updates and enhanced memory that holds 1,000 waypoints, 100 courses, and 200 trips.
Hook them up with a year-long inReach subscription plan from Garmin to make this gift reach its full potential.
8. Top gift under $100 for casual hikers
Not all hikes need giant daypacks and a week’s worth of food. If their version of hitting the trail takes a more casual pace, they’ll love this functional 5L Black Hole waist pack from Patagonia. Burly water-resistant ripstop keeps everyday essentials dry on rainy days, while breathable mesh back panel prevents contact sweat on hotter hikes. Plus, two stretchy mesh water bottle pockets help them stay hydrated no matter the weather.
For a hiking twist on stocking stuffers, hang this pack from the mantel and fill it with small hiking essentials like field notes, binoculars, a compass, and of course their favorite snacks!
9. A gift for day hikers
Give the gift of all-day comfort to the hiker on your list. This lightweight daypack from Osprey is packed with features that maximize trail smiles while minimizing pain points. Osprey’s AirSpeed mesh paneling system creates space between the wearer’s back and the pack, allowing plenty of airflow. Meanwhile, a rain cover and hydration pouch keep water where it should be. Before wrapping up the Hikelite (also available in 18L and 32L volumes), pre-pack it with a hydration reservoir for a hiking gift that really goes the distance.
Just like our neverending want-to-hike list, there’s more where that came from. Our fully shoppable Holiday Gift Guide includes even more gift ideas for hikers—and other outdoorsy folks of all kinds.
Gifts For Mountain Bikers
Until someone figures out how to wrap up hero dirt (aka our favorite trail condition) and send it with free shipping, we’ll keep gifting gear to our favorite mountain bikers. Bikes of course have plenty of parts that may need replacing after copious wear, but you don’t have to give brake pads or grips as gifts. See our other mountain bike gift ideas below.
10. Top kit gift for mountain bikers
Sure, we could pedal plenty hard in our trail running shoes, but they aren’t our first choice. Give the mountain biker in your life a pedal-pushing upgrade for the holidays. Fox’s Dual BOA equipped mountain bike shoe offers max comfort control, and its cleat plate is compatible with most pedals. The result? The gift of happier pedaling.
11. The go-to gift for mountain bikers under $30
Who doesn’t have a few single bike gloves laying around? If your bike buds are anything like ours, they can always use a spare set of gloves. Thanks to articulated pointer and middle fingers along with moisture wicking, stretch fabrics, Giro’s thoughtfully engineered DND gloves are our go-tos. Touchscreen tech at the fingertips doesn’t hurt, either.
12. The ultimate mountain biker stocking stuffer
In any relationship, proper communication is key to success. Mixed-use trails are no different. In case you can’t hear them shralping around corners, this made-in-the-USA bell should do the trick. Its distinct, resonant tone alerts fellow trail users, which helps avoid unnecessary collisions. Our bike park bestie avoiding a trip to the ER? That’s a gift we’ll give any day. Ring-a-ding, ding!
See more jerseys, bike parts, and bike-themed gift ideas in the full Holiday Gift Guide. Sorry, no guaranteed-great dirt yet. :’(
We can pretty much guarantee that this gift for campers isn’t in their gear closet yet. The Stoic Bivy Suit is packed with synthetic insulation (great for damp conditions) and is rated for temps as low as 20 degrees. And for the camper who’s ready to wiggle into their sleeping bag early but doesn’t want to miss out on any campfire stories, this suit is the ultimate gift.
14. A camping stocking stuffer that’s a pretty bright idea (100 lumens so!)
We’ve all tried to dangle a headlamp from our tent’s ceiling, but we quit finagling after packing along this useful LED lantern. Collapsible hooks make it easy to hang, and its round shape casts an even glow. We appreciate that it’s rechargeable with a USB cord (no battery waste!) and that it has multiple light settings so we can reduce light exposure closer to bedtime. As for its stocking stuffer candidacy? This camping lantern is a mere 2.9 oz and easily fits in a pocket.
15. A gift worth its weight in (summit) gold
Their next weekend camping trip will feel extra organized and official when you give them this durable, elite duffel as a gift. A heavy-duty, water-resistant outer differentiates it from casual weekend luggage, and padded straps make it comfy to carry from the car to base camp. We also dig the signature golden yellow color, reminiscent of inspiring Everest documentaries and backcountry sunrises.
The 31L duffel is the smallest in The North Face’s Base Camp collection. Kit out your camper with a set of varying sizes for bigger, farther-flung adventures.
Looking for more camp equipment that looks great wrapped in ribbon? Shop the full Holiday Gift Guide for kitschy campware, bougie bivy gear, and more great gifts for campers.
Help them pull harder next year with a fingerboard trainer for home. This smooth wood hangboard feels gentle on rough callouses, and plenty of edge and pocket sizes invite progression for climbers projecting 5.8–5.11.
Gift shopping for someone extra beastly? The Beastmaker 2000 swaps finger buckets for credit card edges and generous pockets for slopey monos. In non-climber lingo, it’s the perfect climbing gift for the human embodiment of Spider-Man in your life.
17. The splurge gift for your favorite pebble wrestler
Large, in charge, and always welcome at the crag, the Duo is the ultimate gift for any boulderer. Five inches of sandwiched foam keep landings comfy, and hook-and-loop attachments prevent ankle-twisting pad gaps. An added compatibility boon is the Duo’s carry—it features a flap strap system to easily shoulder two pads at once. So even if they already have a crash pad, this mega fall softener is a welcome addition to any gear garage.
18. A climber-approved stocking stuffer
It doesn’t matter if the proj is a classic finger crack or a tried-and-true boulder circuit. A day of pulling hard does a number on any climber’s hands. Rhino’s repair cream has a non-greasy botanical-based formula that strengthens and rehydrates well-worn skin. Meanwhile, salicylic acid sloughs away dead skin cells to clean up ragged calluses, and magnesium promotes tissue health. So when it comes to stocking stuffers for climbers, wrap up some of Rhino’s signature self-care salve.
19. A solid (pun intended) gift under $100 for climbers
This cam may look little, but it sure makes for big adventures, especially when teamed up with all its pals. Totem’s cams are known for their patented Direct Load system, which helps this little tool deliver maximum holding power on trad and aid climbs. This holiday season, hook up your climbing partner with a replacement for that irretrievable cam that walked, or really splurge and gift a whole rack of singles to that special trad-curious someone.
Looking for other trad gifts? Check out our full trad gear selection.
20. A gift under $30 for climbers of the trendy variety
Yes, this chalk bag drips retro steez. And yes, it’s fully featured and ready to send, too. We love that it has a zippered pocket for keys (or on-the-wall snacks!) and an elastic loop for a chalk brush. If the person you’re shopping for sends just as hard in painter pants as in spandex and values a yester-year aesthetic, we're pretty sure they’ll dig this affordable gift for climbers. P.s. Evolv makes an equally cool Corduroy Chalk Bucket, too.
Want even more gifts for climbers? Just about any piece of climbing gear will do. Browse our Holiday Gift Guide for colorful carabiners (our go-to budget stocking stuffer), climber-approved apparel, and more useful gifts for explorers of the vertical world.
Unwrapping a tube of sunblock just doesn’t have the same excitement as receiving wear-everywhere gear as a gift. The Tahoe 2 Sun Hoodie blocks UVA & UVB rays and is super breathable, so it’s our do-it-all choice for warm activities under the sun. Hot fall hikes, summer river trips, even spring ski tours, this hoodie comes with us!
22. The splurge gift for outdoorsy folks
Upgrade their wristwear with a gear gift that not only goes the extra mile but tracks every one of them, too. This advanced sport watch from Suunto is an excellent partner in adventure, with a vibrant touchscreen, topo maps, weather reports, and an advanced altimeter. Of course, it also excels at daily measurements like a 24/7 heart rate monitor and pre-loaded sport trackers.
23. The Dumbledore-approved budget gift for outdoorsy people
One can never have enough socks... especially of the kooky and techy variety. DeFeet’s original Aireator sock was designed for cyclists, but we’ll pull them on for any high-output outdoor activity. These crew options have plenty of wild designs to keep each adventure unique, and their airy recycled-poly construction keeps feet cool no matter how hard we work. Cycling, dog walking, pickleballing, trail running, these socks are a welcome addition to any kit.
We hope you found the perfect present on this outdoor gift list, but just in case you’re still on the hunt, check out our fully shoppable Holiday Gift Guide.
Gear Gifts FAQ
Q: What are the best outdoor gifts?
A: When selecting a gift for someone outdoorsy, wrap up gear needed for their favorite outdoor activity. Avoid giving extremely technical gear where the correct size is imperative, like ski boots or climbing shoes, as your giftee probably already has that item already.
Q: Are outdoor gifts for kids a good idea?
A: Yes! Gear gifts in youth sizes are a great way to introduce kiddos to the great outdoors.
Q: What to gift a nature lover?
A: Give the gift of gear for their favorite sport, or pick out gifts that will help them enjoy their favorite activity more. Here are some quick gift ideas for nature lovers: trekking poles for someone who loves hiking or a pair of binoculars for an avid bird watcher.