If you are looking for something special for the outdoor enthusiast in your life, then check out this list of some of the best gift ideas for hikers to suit all budgets.

Ranging from gifts for hikers under $25 to outdoor watches with sophisticated navigation systems, here are some ideas that any hiker would love!

hikers at sunset

Multi-Tool Carabiner 

This multi-tool carabiner isn’t just a fun-looking gift for people who like to hike, but it has lots of practical uses too!

Made from durable stainless steel, it includes 2 and 4-position hex wrenches, a signal mirror, a can opener, a flat head screwdriver, a 1-inch ruler, a bottle opener, a butterfly wrench, and a pry tip!

All this in a lightweight and easy-to-carry tool with a carabiner to easily clip it onto a backpack or other outdoor gear.

TSA compliant for safe travel, this is a versatile gift that is ideal for accomplishing a wide range of outdoor tasks. There are different shapes available.

VEKKIA Ultra Bright LED Headlamp

Headlamps make excellent gifts for hikers and are helpful in so many other situations too! This one is great value for money, with just 2 buttons to quickly select one of five light settings.

The modes include bright, soft, or strobe white light, or either steady red or red strobe light.  It is durable and water-resistant, so it can be used outdoors confidently, and the battery lasts for days, making it ideal for long-distance hikes.

The comfortable head straps are fully adjustable, and the angle of the light can be pivoted up to 45 degrees.

Atomic Bear Paracord Bracelet

These paracord bracelets incorporate several survival tools, saving on backpack space and making them perfect gifts for a hiker!

Adjustable to fit wrists big and small, these handy bracelets have everything you need to start a fire in just 4 steps, along with a powerful whistle for long-range signaling, a reliable compass, and 12 feet of military-grade paracord.

Well-designed and easy to use, this is the perfect budget item to add to a hiker’s survival gear.

Cooling Towel

For someone who tends to spend a lot of time outdoors in extreme temperatures, this is one of the best hiking gifts around, and at a great, low price too!

This cooling towel – which comes in 10 vibrant colors – is lightweight, absorbent, and made of breathable mesh that feels soft to the touch.

Chemical-free, it offers UPF 50 sun protection and stops you from overheating on the hottest days – you just soak it in water for at least a minute, wring it out, snap it, and place it on your neck, where it will stay cool for hours.

Once folded, it is small enough to fit into the palm of your hand and comes with a free carry pouch that you can just pop into your backpack.

High Stream Gear Foldable Hiking & Trekking Poles

Good quality poles are an essential piece of kit for anyone doing a lot of walking and make great presents for hikers or trekkers.

These telescoping poles are solid, made from aluminum 7075 (which the military uses to make missile parts, rifles, and more!).

They fold down to just 14.5 inches each, so it is easy to stow them in a backpack when not in use, and the handles are ergonomically designed for comfort.

Two unique belt-mounted carriers are provided with these poles – so it is quick and easy to holster them if you need to free your hands – and they also come with rubber tips and mud baskets.

COR Surf Waterproof Dry Bag Backpack 

These dry bag backpacks make excellent gifts for hikers, capable of withstanding even the harshest elements. Available in three colors and 2 different sizes, this bag has sonically welded seams and a rolltop closure, meaning it is 100% waterproof, and dirt will stay out!

It is made from heavy-duty PVC material but is designed with comfort in mind, including ergonomic shoulder pads with breathable mesh and a chest buckle for a secure fit.

A reflective strip provides additional security when walking at night and has mesh pockets at the side for storing your water bottles.

DANISH ENDURANCE Merino Wool Cushioned Hiking Socks 

Comfy socks are a ‘must have’ when walking and one of the best gift ideas for hikers. This set of 3 pairs – available in various colors and sizes suitable for men, women, and children – are made from merino wool, which has excellent moisture-wicking properties.

This keeps your feet cool and comfortable in the summer but warm and snug in the winter – the best of both worlds! They are padded and cushioned in all the right places to prevent blisters and the aches and pains associated with hiking.

They also have ventilation lanes and seamless toes for comfort.

Anker PowerCore 

Even those who enjoy the great outdoors often need to stay connected, so a good portable charger is an excellent gift for people who like to hike.

This version of the Anker PowerCore has some great features – it has 5 different connector types (USB type C, USB, Micro USB, Lightning and USB type A) and a battery capacity of 20100 Milliamp Hours.

Weighing just 12.5oz, it uses PowerIQ and VoltageBoost to charge devices quickly and has been shown to charge the iPhone 8 almost seven times, the Galaxy S8 five times, or the iPad mini 4 twice. It comes with a Micro USB cable and a travel pouch.

Garmin Instinct, Rugged Outdoor Watch with GPS 

Hands down one of the best hiking gifts on the market, this rugged outdoor watch is just packed with cool features. It is incredibly tough – built to U.S.

Military standard 810G for thermal, shock, and water resistance (rated to 100 meters) and includes a 3 axis compass, a barometric altimeter, and various global navigation satellite systems.

These include GPS, Glonass, and Galileo.

It also offers excellent activity and step tracking, monitoring both stress and heart rate, plus it allows the user to stay connected with smart notifications from a compatible smartphone.

The trackback feature makes it a perfect gift for people who like to hike, which allows them to navigate the same route back to their starting point.

Osprey Packs Talon 22 Hiking Backpack

One of the ultimate gifts for hikers, Osprey backpacks are beautifully made and come in various colors and sizes.

Thanks to the continuous wrap hip belt and BioStretch harness, they are exceptionally stable. The back panel uses less material to keep the user cool and comfortable.

Multiple pockets – including zippered hip belts and side stretch mesh pockets – make it easy to store everything needed for a hike and there is even a Stow-on-the-Go attachment for trekking poles, plus a Lidlock helmet attachment.

Final Thoughts On Unique Hiking Gifts

All these fabulous gifts for hikers are useful, convenient, and will put a big smile on the face of anyone who loves the outdoor life! You can also take a look at our recommended clothing for hiking.

Haven’t found what you were looking for? Look at our lists of gifts for language learners and gifts for someone moving abroad for more ideas.

Love hiking too? Check out this list of the best hiking songs!

About Melissa Giroux

Melissa Giroux founded abrokenbackpack.com in 2015 and has been living abroad since 2014. Originally from Canada, she has embraced a digital nomad lifestyle, working online from various destinations worldwide. Melissa is passionate about travel, technology, entrepreneurship, and CrossFit. Her extensive travels have taken her across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. Currently, she resides in Thailand.


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☑ Book your accommodation: Want the comfort of being at home or the luxury of a hotel? I love using Vrbo and Booking.com for those very reasons. If you're a solo traveler, Hostelworld offers a wide variety of hostels you should take a look at. Alternatively, if you're a budget traveler, sign up for Worldpackers to get FREE accommodation in exchange for work.

☑ Rent a car or an RV: Make your trip more comfortable by renting a car with DiscoverCars.com. This website allows you to compare car rentals around the world. If you're traveling in the United States, find an RV rental on RVshare.

☑ Stay safe: Travel mishaps happen – so, better be safe than sorry by covering your back with travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing, Genki or Heymondo as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers.

☑ Pack the essentials: Universal charger, check; power bank, check; passport, check! What else could you forget? I've put together this ultimate packing list just for you!

☑ Do you need a visa? If you aren't sure if you need a visa, it’s highly recommended for you to double-check. You can use iVisa - it's super useful and easy to use.

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