Outdoor enthusiasts are among some of the most avid gearheads out there. Wax romantic about the experience all you want — the success of any excursion rests upon one’s ability to prepare for the unexpected. Whether that’s a trip to the local park or an expedition into the unknown, it pays to have the right tools for the job.
As such, the holiday season is an excellent opportunity to help that special someone gear up for next year’s adventures. Sure, they might think those hiking boots have more miles to give, but the worn-out soles would say otherwise. From essential accessories to big-ticket buys, here are our picks for the best gifts for the outdoorsman.
Carhartt Yukon Extremes Full Swing Insulated Coat
Engineered for dependable performance in the gnarliest of conditions, this coat features a durable Cordura nylon shell, featherless 3M Thinsulate insulation, wind-proof Wind Fighter technology, and a Rain Defender DWR coating.
MSR Alpine Utensil Set
Offering superior multi-functionality in a compact, foldable package, this spatula, spoon, and grater set makes for great camping cutlery. Made of lightweight durable nylon, you’d barely notice you’d packed them were it not for their versatility.
HEROCLIP Medium Hanger
As they stand, carabiners are incredibly useful clips with innumerable applications. Nevertheless, HEROCLIP managed to make them even more capable, with a 3-in-1 rotating hook, a grippy rubber tip for security, and a 50lb weight capacity.
Tin Cup American Whiskey
Any self-respecting outdoor enthusiast appreciates sipping on some good rye after a long day out. Bottled in the Colorado mountains, Tin Cup makes for a fitting choice come time to gather around the campfire.
Proof 72 Hour Merino Tee
Made from super soft 16.5-micron merino wool, this tee is naturally moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, and temperature-regulating. Wear it for 3 days straight and no one will even know.
Stanley Growler Gift Set
This durable stainless steel growler comes with double-wall vacuum insulation to keep hot drinks hot for 18 hours and cold drinks cold for 24 hours. Complemented by four nesting tumblers, it’s good for beer, coffee, or whatever your druthers may be.
Therm-a-Rest UNO Chair
Packing down into its own disk-shaped base, it cuts quite the compact form factor. What’s more, it converts into a side table for ultimate camping convenience.
Arc-Teryx Elaho Long-Sleeve Button-Up Shirt
Made from Arc-Teryx’s breathable and lightweight Alatorre fabric, this button-up is perfectly equipped to handle the demands of strenuous outdoor excursions. And thanks to its patterned fit, it allows for unrivaled freedom of movement.
Whistle Go GPS Pet Tracker
It’s no secret any outing is made all the better when Fido gets to tag along. In addition to real-time location monitoring, this pet tracker from Whistle offers health monitoring and nutrition calculating.
Larq Bottle
Thanks to its built-in UV-C LED purification system, this Larq water bottle cleans up to 99.999% of microbes in just 60 seconds. And with double-wall vacuum insulation, it also ensures proper temperature control.
Dutchware Chameleon Hammock
Dutchware’s Chameleon is more than just a hammock; it’s a full-fledged modular tree tent system. With multiple body layers, bug nets, and suspension tie-offs, it can be optimized for any environment.
Foehn Brise Pant 2.0
Built with abrasion-resistant Schoeller fabric, these pants are not just adventure-ready, they also look the part. They also feature a sustainable construction resulting in 56% fewer emissions than traditional polyester.
BioLite Campstove 2
This wood-burning camp stove can boil water in just 4.5 minutes with the added benefit of generating electricity to power your devices.
Alba Optics Solo BLK Sunglasses
Built for the trail, these retro-alpinist-inspired sunglasses come with shock-absorbent, scratch-resistant VZUM lenses. And thanks to their built-in vents in the frame and arms, they’ll never fog on you.
HOKA ONE ONE Kaha GORE-TEX Boot
From the king of running cushion comes these lightweight hikers featuring GORE-TEX waterproof booties and Vibram Megagrip outsoles. Topped off with a full-grain leather upper, they’re pretty damn durable too.
Igloo Trailmate Journey Cooler
Igloo needs no introduction when it comes to their insulative products. This rugged cooler comes with oversized wheels and an aluminum frame — perfect for hauling out to the campsite.
Snow Peak X Rumpl Takibi Blanket
Pairing Snow Peak’s fire-resistant recycled ripstop with Rumpl’s warm NanoLoft insulation, this blanket makes for a toasty fireside staple.
NEMO Dragonfly 1 Tent
Weighing just 2lbs, this premium backpacking tent from NEMO features a freestanding design and large trapezoidal vestibules for storing your gear. What’s more, color-coded poles ensure an easy, intuitive setup.
Filson x Brant & Cochran Allagash Cruiser Axe
Hand-forged in Portland, Maine using the 100-year-old “Maine Wedge” head shape, this axe is the product of a collab between Filson and Brant & Cochran.
Hitchfire Forge 15 Grill
Attaching at your trailer hitch via a pivoting swingarm, this grill comes with dual-zone burners, folding prep tables, and a detachable base for tabletop use. As an added bonus, it comes with a bottle opener should yours go left behind.
Suunto 9 Baro Smartwatch
Suunto smartwatches are among some of the best in the biz when it comes to trail-tested tech. With up to 120 hours of continuous activity recording and capable offline mapping, this watch can truly go the distance.
The 14 Best Outdoor Adventure Magazines
Looking to complement your gift with some stoke-worthy reading? Check out our guide to the best outdoor adventure magazines for a roundup of our favorite print publications that will inspire that outdoorsman in your life to get out there and get after it.
