18 Gifts Ideas For Hikers, Trekkers And Ramblers

Getting out into nature for a hike is great for the mind, body and soul, and these hiking gifts will enhance that feeling even further.

Hiking is an activity that makes people happy.

As they get to go out into nature and enjoy the fresh air and wonderful scenery that is all around us.

And while hiking can be a challenging physical activity that is great for toning and strengthening the body, it's much more than that.

As it's good for your mind and soul too, allowing you to let go of anything that may be causing you stress or anxiety.

And it's a really good way to spend time with your friends too, as you can go on day hikes together to stay fit and enjoy nature.

So if you have friends or loved ones who love to hike, why not get them a gift to help them indulge in their hobby.

And to help I've put together the following list of gift ideas for hikers that will all add to their hiking experience in one way or another.

1. A Comfortable And Durable Pair Of Hiking Boots

Buying a hiker a new pair of hiking boots is the most obvious gift to start with.

And don't get me wrong, it can make for a fabulous gift that they'll love and get years of use from if you get it right.

But the problem is that it's really hard to buy footwear for others.

As each brand of hiking boot is made slightly differently, with varying features and a different fit and feel, so they may need to try a few pairs on themselves to find a pair that is comfortable and suitable.

So for this gift, you may need to take them to the store rather than buying a pair and hoping for the best.

But if you really do want to surprise them, here's a list of very highly rated and popular hiking boots that should all pass the acid test.

2. A Pair Of Merino Wool Hiking Socks

If you ask any hiker what gift they'd most like to receive, the answer would probably be a good quality pair of hiking socks.

As no hiker will ever have too many in their sock drawer.

And you can make their day by buying them a pair made from merino wool, as these types of socks are great for keeping their feet cool in the summer, yet warm and dry in the winter.

So for a pair that are popular with hikers everywhere, check out the Darn Tough hiking socks.

As these will make for a gift that is guaranteed to bring a smile to the face (and feet!) or any hiker.

3. Some Cold Weather Hiking Gear

Hiking in the summer is fun and can be done in any comfortable and non-restrictive clothing.

However, when you hike in the winter it's a different story, and you'll need to have the right gear to guard against the cold, the wind, and the rain.

So if you're buying for a cold weather hiker, this opens up a load of really nice gift options, such as:

4. A Pair Of Trekking Poles For Support

Many hikers find it beneficial to use trekking poles when out on a hike, especially when hiking over rough and uneven terrain.

As these poles provide them with greater balance, stability, and support, and relieve the pressure and strain that hiking can put on their bodies.

So getting a hiker a pair of trekking poles as a gift can be a game changer if they've never used them before.

And a good value pair that tick all the boxes are the Cascade Mountain Tech trekking poles.

As these are super light but still strong, have a cork handle for comfort of use, and can be adjusted in height to suit everybody. 

5. A Daypack For All Their Stuff

When you're out hiking for the day, you'll probably want to carry a few things with you such as snacks, water, a towel/blanket, a camera, a torch, etc.

So a lightweight but capacious daypack that can hold all this gear in a safe and easy way is a necessity.

And as such they also make for ideal gifts for people who love hiking, with a great choice being the Osprey Daylite daypack.

As this one is super comfortable and light to wear, holds up to 13 litres of capacity, and has mesh side pockets and zippered pockets to store their things securely.

6. A Water Filter Bottle To Keep Them Hydrated

Hydration is important, so buying a hiker a water bottle to carry in their daypack is a great gift idea.

And it's an even better gift if it's a water bottle with a filter.

As then they can refill it on the way in streams and freshwater lakes, and the filter will remove bacteria and parasites to make the water safe to drink.

And a good one to go for is the Lifestraw Go water filter bottle, as this has a reliable filter system and comes in a range of sizes.

7. A Hydration Pack For More Efficiency

Some day hikers really enjoy going for the burn and working up a sweat when they hike.

And as speed is important to them, carrying a daypack filled with gear and water bottles may not appeal to them.

However, they will still need to stay hydrated, so many opt to wear a hydration pack instead.

As these are super light packs that you wear on your shoulders containing a water reservoirs inside that hold between 1.5 and 3 litres of water in.

And you can drink this water direct from the pack using the straws provided.

So these are great for cyclists, runners, and also for hikers, and they make for a really cool gift to give.

And many hikers recommend the CamelBak hydration packs, with my choice being the CamelBak HydroBak, as this is the perfect size for a day hike.

8. A Pair Of Polarized Sunglasses To Protect Their Eyes

Getting a good dose of vitamin D is great while hiking, but It's also important for a hiker to protect their eyes from the glare of the sun.

As the UV rays can be harmful to them over time.

So getting them a pair of polarized sunglasses is a top gift idea, and a pair that work really well for hiking are the ones above from Goodr.

Because these are designed with runners in mind, which means they are durable, comfortable, and won't slip or bounce as they hike. 

And they offer the protection they need, while still managing to look pretty cool at the same time.

9. A Hiking Cap To Keep The Sun Off Their Head

A hiker will want to keep the sun off their head to avoid becoming overheated, dehydrated, and in more serious cases, suffer from sunstroke.

So they'll appreciate the gift of a light, comfortable, and breathable cap to hike in, such as the Nike Dri-FIT cap.

As this cap is great at reducing glare, wicking away sweat, and allowing their head to breathe as they hike.

And wearing one of these caps will also help to protect their skin from sunburn and preserve their energy levels, so it's a really handy gift to give.

10. A Microfiber Towel For Drying Themselves Off

Having a microfiber towel in their daypack is a really useful idea for any day hiker.

As this allows them to wipe away sweat on hot days, clean themselves up when they get dirty, and even dry themselves off after having a dip in a lake or waterfall on the way.

And as these towels dry so quickly, they can put them back in their packs afterwards without worrying about making everything else damp and smelly.

So they can make nice little gifts for hikers, with a particularly good choice being the Wise Owl microfiber towel.

As these do the job well, and come in a range of sizes and colours to suit any hiker.

11. A Pocket Blanket So They Can Sit Down Anywhere

It can be hard to find somewhere dry and suitable to sit down when you're hiking in bad weather conditions.

So a really handy addition to a hikers backpack is to have a pocket blanket inside.

As these blankets are puncture and water resistant while folding down to be stored into a tiny bag that can fit into a backpack pocket.

So I'm sure many hikers would love the gift of the Pike Trail pocket blanket.

12. A Reliable Compass So They Can Find Their Way

While most day hikes will be safe and straightforward, some hikers will like to take on more challenging routes.

And for people like this it is a sensible for them to take a compass with them.

As they could end up losing their bearings in an area where their smartphone or GPS tracker can't pick up a signal.

So a good quality and reliable compass makes for a good gift idea for a more adventurous hiker.

And one I'd recommend is the Suunto MC-2 compass, as this is a professional standard mirror compass that won't let them down when they need it.

13. A Rugged GPS Watch To Assist Them On Their Hikes

If you really want to treat a hiker, then getting them a GPS watch built for outdoor use is the way to go.

And the Garmin Instinct is the ideal gift choice for hikers.

Because as well as having all the features they need and want, it's also designed to be rugged enough to withstand any adverse weather conditions or hardships they encounter while out hiking.  

And it's packed full of features that will help them on their hikes, such as keeping track of distances covered, the altitude levels, their heart rate and activity levels,

While the built in compass and GPS tracker will guide them on their way and stop them getting lost.

So one of these watches would make such a lovely gift for any loved one that is serious about hiking.

14. A Headlamp To Light The Way When Needed

If you know someone that likes to get out on early morning hikes, or hike late into the evening, then the darkness might make things difficult for them.

So getting them a flashlight or a headlamp can make a really useful gift for them.

As this way they can see where their going much better, and avoid any trips, falls, and accidents.

And the added advantage of getting them a headlamp is that they can keep their hands free, which is handy when hiking or trekking with poles.

So check out the Black Diamond Spot for a headlamp than any hiker would love to have.

15. A Portable Power Bank To Keep Their Devices Charged Up

Keeping your smartphone charged up while on a day hike is really important, as you may need it if you get lost, injured, or something bad happens.

So a gift idea that can help to keep a hiker safe is to get them a portable power bank.

As this way they can ensure all their gadgets have enough charge to last them for the journey.

And for this I'd recommend the Anker portable power bank, as this has 3 USB charging hubs, and enough juice to charge an iPhone 4 times over. 

16. A Fun Novelty Hiking T-Shirt

Novelty t-shirts work well as gifts and there are plenty of options for hikers, with funny slogans and alpine images.

As they can wear these around the house to showcase their love of hiking, or even wear them on day hikes on sunny days.

And one I like is the Hike More Worry Less t-shirt above.

17. A Book To Inspire Future Adventures

It's not just getting out into nature that inspires a hikers heart and imagination, the anticipation of going on a great hiking adventure is also something to behold.

So why not get them a gift that can help fire this excitement?

Because a book of great hikes such as America's Best Day Hikes: Spectacular Single-Day Hikes Across the States can really get their juices flowing.

As this contains details, tips, and photos of 50 awesome day hikes they can go on all around the United States.

Giving them plenty of trips to plan and things to look forward to.

18. An Annual Pass To The National Parks

The United States is blessed to have some of the most stunning natural parks in the world.

So this final gift idea for hikers is one that will let them explore these wonderful places to their hearts content.

And that is to buy them an United States national parks annual pass.

These cost $80 for the year and will give them access and free entry to all of these places, which will encourage them to get out into nature even more than they already do.

So if this sounds like a good gift idea, check out the America the Beautiful - National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass at the USGS store.

Rounding Up

Hiking is a wonderful activity that lets you get out into nature and enjoy the great outdoors.

So if you have a loved one that loves nothing more than going on a hike, how about getting them a gift to help them on their way?

As each of the gift ideas for hikers that I've given you here will add something welcome and useful to their hiking experience.

And have them smiling when on their next adventure.