Best Gifts for Hikers, Backpackers, Outdoorsy People (2026)

CommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyFeatured in this articleMerino Wool SocksDarn Tough Merino SocksRead more$24 AmazonThe Best Knife for Fancy HikingOpinel No. 8 Folding KnifeRead more$22 REIGift Sun ProtectionSolbari Ultra Wide Brim HatRead more$79 SolbariLaws Guide to Nature JournalingJohn Muir Laws The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and JournalingRead more$35 $21 (40% off) AmazonBuying gifts for the outdoor enthusiast is damn near impossible. Your hiking/camping/cycling outdoorsy friends are often serious gearheads, meticulously poring over reviews, guides, and the perennial wisdom of ounce-counting Reddit users to find the exact right thing.

Don't stress trying to pick that exact right thing yourself. The chances of you figuring it out and getting it for them as a gift is exactly zero. That doesn't mean you should punt and buy an REI gift card—although they might like that, especially with REI's annual Labor Day sale coming up.

But gift cards are lame. Instead, get them something they totally didn't expect: one of these fun, useful, sometimes whimsical things that are almost guaranteed to not only delight them but actually get used outdoors.And what about you?

While you’re here, don’t you need to replace your sleeping pad? Don't forget to check out the rest of our buying guides, including our Best Sleeping Bags guide, our Best Barefoot Shoes guide, and our Best Merino Wool guide.Updated July 2026: I’ve removed a few sold-out items and added a hat from Solbari and a nice leather journal.

But I'm sticking with the socks as our top pick. If you get nothing else, just get the socks. Trust me.

Merino Wool SocksPhotograph: Scott GilbertsonSave to wishlistSave to wishlistDarn ToughMerino Socks$24 Amazon$24 Darn ToughYes, you read that right. Socks. SOCKS.

You should gift socks. Outdoorsy people can never have too many socks. We're hard on socks, which almost guarantees this gift will see some use.

What your outdoorsperson especially needs are merino wool socks. Merino wool is a super fiber. It will change their lives.

Did you know you can wear merino wool for several days in row without smelling like you just spent two weeks at a Phish reunion? Just kidding, Phish fans. But it's true.

Merino wool will change your friend or loved one's backpacking life. It's comfortable, has virtually no odor no matter how long you wear it, and helps your body thermoregulate, staying warmer when it's cold, cooler when it's warm.We love Darn Tough socks in particular because they're comfortable, stand up to considerable abuse, and have some of the highest merino wool content of anything we've tested.

The also come in a nearly endless array of fun colors and designs. If you want something warmer, I love these Expedition Weight Minus33 merino socks ($24).The Best Knife for Fancy HikingPhotograph: Scott GilbertsonSave to wishlistSave to wishlistOpinelNo.

8 Folding Knife$22 REI$16 AmazonOpinel's classic folding knife practically begs to be taken on a hike with some good hard chorizo, soft Spanish cheese, and a nice baguette. It's the first step to hiking European style. Or at least how I imagine Europeans hike (always with delicious cheese, cured meats, and cheap wine—please don't ruin my vision, European readers).

I got my Opinel as a gift from a friend, and I love it. And I am an outdoor person, so there is your living proof that this is a good gift.Opinel makes dozens of variations on this knife that you can pick from when gifting.

Grab them a kit with a bento box, or a nature lover friend might like the version with handles designed by different artists. The one version I don't recommend is the carbon steel version. Carbon steel is great, but in this case, when you're throwing it in your backpack and possibly forgetting about it for long periods of time, carbon steel will rust.

Stick with stainless steel when gifting this.Gift Sun ProtectionPhotograph: Kat MerckPhotograph: Kat MerckChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistSolbariUltra Wide Brim Hat$79 SolbariNo matter what I’m doing outdoors, whether it’s hiking, running, kayaking, or even just sitting in a pool float, I somehow end up sweating off my sunscreen. Maybe that's just a me problem, but if you’ll be in the sun for an extended period of time, a wide-brimmed, packable hat is always a good idea.

This lightweight yet sturdy one from Solbari is made of UPF 50+ nylon and cotton fabric that’s reversible.There’s a colorful side (navy, pink, ice blue, or green) and a cream side—I’ve found that turning it to the cream side when the sun is extra strong helps to deflect light and cool things down. It’s also got a handy hole in the back for ponytails and braids, and the 5-inch brim in the front and 6-inch brim in the rear are longer than most hats of this style, to ensure you’re well-covered.

It’s adjustable for different head sizes via a toggle in the back, and there’s a detachable chin strap, though for some reason this addition makes me