20+ Useful Gifts for Backpackers & Outdoor Adventurers That They Actually Want

Need the perfect gift for a backpacker or the outdoorsy person in your life? We’ve got you covered! We’ve compiled unique and useful gifts that elevate anyone’s backpacking experience and make getting outdoors a little more exciting.

Our gift guides prioritize small businesses, those who are Canadian (or at least made in the USA), woman-, LGBTQ+-, and BIPOC-owned businesses, along with some other recommended essential gear we think would make a great gift.

Disclaimer: Some items in this guide were gifted to us, and some of the links in this gift guide are affiliate links and/or affiliate codes. This means that when you choose to use them to make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. We are incredibly grateful for your support so that we can continue to create free resources and build this awesome community!

Looking for something different? Check out our other gift guides:

• Gifts for RVers & Campers

Unique Gifts for Backpackers & Outdoor Adventurers

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Stocking Stuffers
Perfect for Backpackers
For Camping & Adventuring

Stocking Stuffers

Flip Fuel

Backpackers often have to decide whether to pack half a canister of fuel (and risk running out on the trail), or bring a new, full, one. This inevitably results in having several half empty fuel canisters laying around. Enter Flip Fuel. This little tool allows you to consolidate those canisters so that you never have to pack a halfie! This is a no-brainer must have for backpackers, and a perfect stocking stuffer!

Use code WILDNORTH for 20% off at FlipFuel!

Scrubba Wash Bag

The Scrubba is the world’s lightest and most portable washing machine! This wash bag is perfect for longer backpacking trips where you will need to do laundry but won’t have access to traditional machines. One side of the bag has a built in washboard, allowing you to effectively scrub the trail dirt out of your hiking pants. The Scrubba is also great for any kind of travel, cruises, off grid living, and RVing.

Flash Fuel Instant Coffee

Flash Fuel is a unique instant coffee in that it uses coffee grounds. It combines the rich flavour of traditional coffee with the ease and quickness of instant coffee to create a delicious cup for the campsite or the trail. Flash Fuel comes in individual packets so you can pack exactly what you need – perfect for your next backpacking trip or sunrise hike to your favourite lookout. This Calgary-based Roastery was founded by wildland firefighters and plants a tree for every bag of coffee sold. Flash Fuel is available in medium and dark roasts. Perfect for the outdoorsy caffeine addict on your list!

TIVVI Stick Soap

No more bar soap melting at the bottom of your bag during a backpacking or camping trip! TIVVI Stick Soap is the perfect stocking stuffer for travellers and outdoor adventurers. Coming in a twist up container with a lid, you can quickly store it away during travel days or toss it in a bag without leaks or mess. Coming in two signature scents and an unscented option, there’s a stick soap for every camper on your list.

Kula Cloth

A Kula Cloth is a zero waste trail must-have for anyone who squats when they pee (or is looking for a sustainable, leave no trace washing up option!). This absorbant, antimicriobial pee cloth is infused with silver, making it a hygienic way to wipe after you pee – and no need to pack in or out all that toilet paper! Kula Cloth is made from materials manufactured in the USA in a sustainable and ethical way, and works to support artists and organizations striving to make a difference in the world.

UCO Ingalls Folding Knife

Every backpacker and outdoor adventurer needs a pocket knife. These are incredibly handy when fire building, cutting rope, prepping food, or patching gear on the trail. This knife is durable, yet lightweight, enough to bring with you on every adventure – whether day trip or multi-day backpacking trek.

Get 10% off your order sitewide with code HOLIDAY2024

Smartwool Merino Wool Socks

It’s true that once you become an adult, socks are suddenly a fantastic gift. That’s even more true with merino wool socks. Merino Wool is a natural fibre, moisture wicking, breathable, and odor resistant, making them the perfect material for hiking gear. Give the outdoorsy person in your life a truly indulgent gift with a pair of these socks (trust us, they’ll love them).

Hot Poc Reusable Hand Warmers

Any outdoor adventurer knows how important hand warmers are for getting outside in the winter months. Hot Poc’s reusable hand warmers are ready to go anytime your digits need some warming, and they can be easily reactivated by placing them in boiling water. Never stay home due to the cold again!

Perfect for Backpackers

Timberland Hiking Boots

Solid, comfortable, and supportive hiking boots are a must when you’re backpacking or spending any time on the trail. Timberland makes quality boots in many styles and colours so there is a boot for every backpacker.

Hibear Adventure Flask

The Hibear Adventure Flask is an all-in-one drink making machine! You can make pour over coffee, cold brew, tea, mix cocktails, and infuse water. The flask is double insulated and comes with a pour over spout, filter, and thermal core that you can freeze to keep your drinks cold without watering them down. Plus, the rubber base is removable to double as a cup so you can share with a friend. We use our flask for off-grid pour over coffee when we don’t have access to power, and it makes a delicious brew!

Use code WILDNORTHTRAVEL for 20% off your Adventure Flask!

UCO Mess Kit and Sporks

These all-in-one mess kits make dinnertime easy after a long day on the trail. Super durable, lightweight, and airtight, you can take these kits on the trail, paddleboard, kayak and beyond. Whether you pack a lunch at home or prep food on the trail, UCO’s mess kits are everything you need to enjoy that fireside meal.

Get 10% off your order sitewide with code HOLIDAY2024

So-light QWNN Solar Lantern + Charger

So-light lanterns come in many different shapes and sizes, but the QWNN is the lantern built for backpackers. They are perfect for the campsite, inside the tent, or the late night walk to the water. Hook them onto the back of your pack when on multi-night backpacking trips and they will charge through the day so that you have a light and a device charger at night. So-light is a company you can feel good supporting – they strive to provide an alternative to fossil fuels, donate countless So-lights to countries affected by war and natural disaster, and donate 10% of all profits.

Esbit Foldable Pocket Stove

A fun alternative to carrying around liquid fuel canisters, UCO’s pocket stove utilizes solid fuel inside a compact, foldable stove. This is a great tool to have on 1-2 day backpacking trips when you want to lighten your pack and don’t need the longevity of liquid fuel canisters. This little, inexpensive stove also makes a great stocking stuffer!

Get 10% off your order sitewide with code HOLIDAY2024

For Camping & Adventuring

Napier Truck/SUV Tent

Turn anywhere into a campsite with Napier’s tents that convert your truck or SUV into a sleep space! These are a great affordable option for overlanding with your vehicle. Napier also makes a tent link that extends your living space for more room to sleep or hangout. Camp literally anywhere with a Napier truck or SUV tent – Crown Land, BLM land, Hip Camp spots and provincial and state parks are all very accessible with your vehicle being your only footprint.

Use code WILDNORTH20 for 20% off Napier tents!

WANDRD Prvke Bag

The WANDRD Prvke bag is our new favourite bag to take out on day hikes, especially when we are shooting content and bringing a lot of gear along with us. Perfect for a travel or adventure photographer or content creator, the Prvke bag is water resistant right down to the zippers, has countless compartments, plenty of accessories for keeping camera gear safe, and additional straps for tripods, water bottles, or whatever else you need on the trail. Perfect for an adventure day, air travel, or just the commute to work, this bag has it all for the adventurous person in your life. There are 3 sizes and 5+ colour ways (we personally love the Sedona orange)!

High Camp Flasks

These portable, insulated drinkware from High Camp Flasks make a stunning gift for any camper or outdoor adventurer. Perfect for a hike or around the campfire, High Camp Flasks keep your beverage of choice hot or cold for 24 hours and include two integrated magnetic tumblers so you can share with a friend. There are two designs – the Fireside Flask with a wider pour spout geared towards spirits, and the Firelight Flask perfect for a bottle of wine or hot apple cider. They make a beautiful gift for literally anyone on your list.

WANDRD Rogue Sling

We love the WANDRD 9L sling as a quick go-bag on daytime adventures when we don’t need a larger pack. Perfect for the adventure photographer or drone pilot in your life, this sling has plenty of space for tech gear, a tripod, water bottle, and even converts to fit a laptop. The Rogue sling comes in 3 sizes and 5+ colours, ensuring that there is a perfect sling for anyone on your list.

MEC Fireside Fleece Jacket

MEC’s classic fireside fleece jackets come in sizes for the entire family, including baby and toddlers! They are the perfect light (but warm) jacket for early morning hikes when the air is still a bit chilly, or for fall walks later in the season. We love to layer these to wear them through all fall, winter, and spring, and they have held up well through the wash and many adventures! Fireside Fleece are available in both pullover and zip up styles.

Looking for something different? Check out our other gift guides:

• Gifts for RVers & Campers