Backpacking & Hiking Gift Ideas for 2024

Backpacking & Hiking Gift Ideas for 2024

A few weeks ago, I was thinking about how after ten years of backpacking and hiking, I think I finally have the perfect gear setup. It took a lot of trial and error, but I think I finally have it! It's the perfect season to share what I use and hopefully help someone looking for that perfect outdoor adventure gift. Here are my recommendations for the best backpacking and hiking gift ideas for 2024:

1. Topo Design Hiking Pant 

I had been a fan of Topo day packs for years, but it wasn’t until 2023 I tried their hiking clothes. It turns out the quality is just as good as their backpacks! Topo hiking pants are durable & lightweight. My favorite aspect is that they are also quick-drying, a luxury while backpacking and hiking!  

On the flip side, Vouri is a trendy (and expensive) outdoor brand that has risen in popularity in the past couple of years. Their pants are typically anywhere from $80-$110. I’ve owned five pairs, none of which lasted more than five months. Just from personal experience, I would say they are not worth the price. 

2. Wool Socks 

Remember when we were kids and getting socks as a present was a disappointment? Well, now I ask for wool socks just about every Christmas and birthday! It's funny how times change. As backpackers, we go through socks quickly, and we can never have too many pairs of high-quality, wool socks. They will always be one of the best backpacking gifts. 

3. Kelty Cosmic Sleeping Bag 

My husband and I have the same sleeping bag, and it’s the Kelty Cosmic Sleeping Bag. I originally got him his as a birthday gift and bought mine last summer after I tried a wide range of other brands that just didn’t live up to the quality of the Kelty. There are many reasons we love this piece of gear. First, it’s lightweight and warm, all very important things when backpacking. My favorite reason is the price point, which comes in at around $120. Some backpacking sleeping bags cost upward of $500. 

4. LARQ Water Bottle 

Last spring, LARQ sent me one of their filtration water bottles, which has been on every trip with me since. If you’re looking for a backpacking gadget that will blow someone’s mind this year, this is it. It is 100% my most recommended piece of travel gear in 2023. The water bottle filters water in 60 seconds using UV technology. It also self-cleans once an hour when you are using it. It’s some new-age technology that I don’t understand, but I have used it to filter water in the backcountry numerous times, as well as in Egypt, Jordan, and Greece. One charge lasts me around two months, which is an extra bonus! This is a GREAT gift that I'm pretty confident your hiker or backpacker doesn't have yet. Get the LARQ here.

5. Rechargeable Headlamp 

Rechargeable headlamps are ALWAYS one of my favorite backpacking and hiking gifts. We can never have too many, and we lose them often. They are functional, practical, and affordable gifts for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. I have headlamps on my Christmas list this year, even though we already have a couple. 

6. Camping Pillow 

Having a comfortable camping pillow makes ALL the difference when backpacking. As someone who once backpacked Europe for 3 months using her clothes as a pillow every night, I am here to say that a camping pillow is worth every penny. It compacts into a tiny bag, taking up virtually no space. It also comes with a pillow cover for ultimate comfort in the backcountry. 

7. Down Puffer Jacket 

Down puffer jackets are warm but also lightweight and compact. When backpacking, every ounce of weight matters. I'll never pack a heavy coat or something that takes up too much space in my pack. Down puffer jackets are typically more expensive, but the price is entirely worth it for backpackers. 

Men's Down Puffer Jacket

Women's Down Puffer Jacket

8. Portable Speaker 

 A good, durable, and long-lasting portable speaker is always a great accessory to carry when hiking & backpacking. We use ours often, whether it be evenings at camp or to make our presence known to wildlife. We spend most of our time backpacking in the Yellowstone ecosystem, which is famous for grizzly bears, wolves, etc. Especially out on trails that are isolated and remote, we use the portable speaker to ward off any unsuspecting wildlife, as almost all animal attacks happen because of surprise encounters. If you’re a worried mom or dad, speakers actually have double use!

9. Inflatable Sleeping Pad 

This is another piece of backpacking equipment that it took me years to finally find one that was the perfect balance between quality and price. Earlier this year, I bought the Nemo sleeping pad after my old $25 sleeping pad got a hole. It is the pad I've owned and is perfect for side sleepers. The insulation is an additional perk, keeping me warm and toasty on cold nights. 

10. Down Booties 

If you’re trying to buy a gift for a backpacker who spends a lot of time camping at high elevations or backpacking in colder environments, down booties are a great hiking gift idea. They are often used by mountaineers to keep their feet warm in the most extreme conditions. They help keep feet warm and insulated, even when temperatures dip below freezing. 

11. Energy Chews 

These are cheap and gift ideas that always make great hiking gifts! Energy chews are not only the perfect trail snack, but they help keep energy levels up during those tough hiking days. I usually eat one pack every weekend we are out backpacking. My Favorite are the Honey Stinger Energy Chews, I could go through a whole box each summer! 

12. Fire Maple or Jet Boil 

A good cooking stove makes a world of difference in the backcountry. The Jet Boil is the top dog when it comes to backpacking equipment. If they don’t already have one, it’s probably on their list. However, I also put the Fire Maple on here because it is just the knock-off version of the Jet Boil. Jet Boils are around $100, while the Fire Maple is around $50. We have the Fire Maple, and it works just the same as the Jet Boil. 

Best Gift Ideas for Backpackers in 2024

So, there you have it! My recommendations for the best backpacking and hiking gift ideas for 2024! Hopefully, you were able to find the perfect gift.