The Wishlist: 15 Best Gifts for The Outdoorsman in 2023

If you’re not a frequenter of the outdoors, shopping for the outdoorsman in your life can be a daunting task considering how much gear there is out there. Whether choosing old staples or new favorites, you’ll want a helping hand with what the go-tos for this upcoming holiday season. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best gifts for the outdoorsman.

Danner Logger Moc 917

Makers of some of the most rugged and reliable outdoor boots on the planet, Danner is peering back to its roots with the Logger Moc 917, inspired by the first caulked logger boots made by Charles Danner in 1936. Reinterpreted for a modern world, the boots are constructed with full-grain leather uppers, a waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX liner, and a Vibram midsole and outsole. Better yet, like the rest of the 917 series, the Logger Moc benefits from the Pacific Northwest brand’s recrafting program, which lets you resole and recondition your boots without having to get an entirely new pair.

Uberleben Leicht Fire Starter Neck Lanyard

Looking for a stocking stuffer for the outdoorsman in your life? Check out this Leicht Fire Starter Neck Lanyard from Uberleben, a compact solution for emergencies or simply to light up an evening campfire. Hanging on a mil-spec 550 paracord lanyard, the Sånft-korr micro ferro rod is paired with a metal scraper and is made to last you for 12,000 strikes.

Nitecore UL27 Headlamp

If trail running is more of your thing, you’ll love this 800-lumen headlamp from Nitecore, which covers a lot of distance when traveling quickly through the woods. Unlike other headlamps with this kind of power, the UL27 is incredibly lightweight thanks to its hybrid power source, which enables the dual beams to reach its 160-meter max range.

LifeStraw Go Series Stainless Steel 24oz

LifeStraw, known for its clean water solutions and exceptional filtration tech, has recently released a new double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel water bottle for keeping you hydrated while also removing 99.999999% of all bacteria and 99.999% of parasites, microplastics, silt, and sand. The bottles feature a leak-proof lid, a grab handle, and a drinking spout.

CAMP Eyewear Topo Sunglasses National Parks Collection

If you’re going to be enduring any amount of time outdoors, make sure you protect your peepers. Part of its National Parks Collection, these Topo Sunglasses above from CAMP Eyewear are inspired by Joshua Tree National Park with rugged frames, clear polarized G15 lenses, and a classic aesthetic. It even comes with a sleeping bag-style travel case.

Gerber Strongarm Fixed Blade Knife

Gerber’s Strongarm fixed-blade knife is a great, affordable survival tool for camping and hiking with a 420HC stainless steel blade and a diamond-texture rubberized grip. And in the brand’s way of doing things, it has made sure that this tool can do much more, with its MOLLE-compatible sheath that can be mounted in various ways.

Taylor Stitch x GORUCK The Challenge Cargo Short

This past summer, two legends in their space collided for an outdoor-focused apparel collection that had people talking. Among the gear that was unveiled from Taylor Stitch and GORUCK was this low-profile pair of shorts made for the wilderness. Although the winter months are approaching, the abrasion-resistant, lightweight nylon shorts can also double as a suitable base layer.

Topo Designs x Danner Mountain Fleece Pullover

Danner and Topo just collaborated on an outdoor-centric capsule collection, which features a green and orange version of this Mountain Fleece Pullover half-zip. Perfect for helping you stay outside during the months ahead, the jacket is made from 100% recycled polyester and nylon with DWR overlays on the elbows.

Yoka Bonfire Cooking Fire Pit

A sleek-looking bonfire from Yoka that helps you start your fire with ease and provides a sizable surface to cook upon, the Bonfire Cooking Fire Pit is a four-piece structure built from steel that can be set at three different heights and features non-slip feet patches. Weighing just 14lbs, the unit can break down to just 23.6” x 13.8” x 1.6”.

Fishpond Thunderhead Sling

When heading into the unpredictability of the great outdoors, it’s important to be prepared for anything. To help you face those challenges, Fishpond’s Thunderhead Sling bag is capable of keeping your gear safe from external moisture, even if it’s fully submerged underwater. But that’s not all. The 900D TPU-coated fabric made of recycled water bottles is both incredibly durable and lightweight as well.

Huckberry X Mystery Ranch Greenbelt Hybrid Backpack – 30L

Huckberry and Mystery Ranch collaborated on an exclusive new adventure backpack a couple of months back, with a striking colorway inspired by ‘90s outdoor gear. Holding 30L of gear, the Greenbelt Hybrid bag is not just nice to look at but incredibly versatile, designed for the days when you want to head out to the wilderness after a day at work.

YETI 12″ Cast Iron Skillet Kit

YETI proves it can do more than just drinkware with the recent release of its 12” Cast Iron Skillet Kit, made in tandem with cast iron experts at Butter Pat Industries. The perfect addition to your next camping trip, the pre-seasoned skillet comes with a metal ring rag, scraper card, and cotton storage bag.

Oyster Tempo Cooler

Get your outdoor-loving family member the hottest adventure cooler of the year. Oyster’s 1st-edition Tempo seems to be everywhere lately, with skyrocketing popularity thanks to its sleek aluminum hardware, vacuum insulation, and 23L of interior space that’s uniquely constructed to preclude the need for bags of ice.

Suunto Vertical Adventure Watch

Earlier this year, Suunto debuted its new top-tier outdoor wearable called the Vertical Adventure Watch, made for those who want navigation and ruggedness at the forefront. Utilizing all five GLONASS positioning systems and a breadcrumb feature, the smartwatch has over 95 sports modes, offline maps access, and smartphone pairing for more in-depth readouts.

Dometic Pico FTC 1 TC

If you or someone you know loves going on the occasional solo camping trip, the Dometic Pico FTC 1 is the perfect gift. The brand has given its inflatable Air Frame, used previously on rooftop tents, to a ground-based version to minimize the headache during setup. What’s more, the infrastructure helps the tent withstand high winds and unpredictable weather than most metal-framed tents.