OffroadAdmin
Outdoor adventure gifts are the best kind around. Below we highlight some can’t miss recommendations for anyone who enjoys backpacking, hiking, and camping. We have stocking stuffers, mid-range gifts, and big-ticket items for a range of budgets. So, give a gift that gets someone outdoors this year!
Also, save yourself the hassle of mall shopping during the holidays and order your gifts online. Then pour yourself a glass of nog and kick back. Most of the online retailers we recommend have free shipping options and make returns easy.
POPULAR CONTENT: Need a new tent, backpack, sleeping bag/pad, etc? Find our favorites in the CleverHiker Gear Guide.
Stocking Stuffers
YETI Rambler Tumbler
We’re convinced that this is the best tumbler on the market. The YETI Rambler will keep your beverages hot or cold for a shockingly long time, beating out competitors by a landslide. This is an absolute no brainer for anyone with an on-the-go lifestyle.
Buff Headwear
The highly versatile and functional Buff headwear can be used as a hat, scarf, headband, sun protection and bandana. We consider this a must-have item for anyone with an active lifestyle. Buffs come in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Darn Tough Socks
If you give the gift of Darn Tough Socks (men’s / women’s), you’re giving someone a pair of socks for life, which is rad. Darn Tough has an unconditional lifetime guarantee on their socks, no strings attached. So if you wear them out, you get a new pair. Also, it doesn’t hurt that they’re super comfortable and highly functional. Check out list of the Best Hiking Socks to see us brag about Darn Tough’s some more.
Victorinox Classic SD Multitool
The Victorinox SD Classic is a handy and affordable multitool that we consider a must-have for everyone, especially those who want to keep “stuff” to a minimum. It has everything you need for simple, light-duty tasks like opening packaging and personal grooming, yet it’s so small and lightweight that it’s barely noticeable on a keyring. The Classic is our favorite compact multitool on our list of the Best Multitools.
Opinel No. 8 Knife
The Opinel No. 8 is an affordable, utilitarian knife that was originally designed for farmers and railroad workers over 130 year ago. It’s incredibly lightweight and great for foraging, picnics, working in the garden, and more. Check it out on our Best Pocket Knives list.
Luci Solar Lantern
The Luci 2.0 is a lightweight, solar-powered, waterproof lantern that makes an excellent gift for nature lovers of all kinds. It’s functional enough to use while car camping and light enough to take on the trail.
FlowFold Minimalist Wallet
The FlowFold Minimalist Wallet is the perfect gift for the hiker in your life who’s still carrying their cards and ID around in a Ziploc bag. It’s made with recycled carbon fiber sailcloth, so it’s super lightweight, durable, and slim enough to fit in your front or back pocket. This is a great simple wallet for everyday use, but it’s also ultralight so you can use it for backpacking.
Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat
The Therm-a-Rest’s Z-Seat is a low-cost upgrade that can pay huge dividends in the comfort department on your next trip. Pull it out for a quick trail break or comfy seat in camp. The Z-Seat is affordable, durable, weighs next to nothing (2 oz.), and stows easily in your pack when not in use which is why we awarded it the number one spot on our Best Backpacking Chairs list.
All One Tech Aluminum Tent Stakes
A lot of tents come with low quality stakes and many ultralight shelters require strong stakes and guylines for a good pitch. The All One Tech Aluminum Stakes are durable, lightweight, affordable, and have great holding power. They’re not the lightest on the market, but they are much tougher than expensive carbon fiber stakes. Find out more on our list of the Best Tent Stakes.
Sea to Summit eVAC Dry Bag
The eVAC Dry Bag has a genius design that allows air to get out but won’t let water in. This allows for maximum compression in your pack, while keeping important items dry. These stuff sacks are worth the price tag when the weather turns bad. We find the 8L and the 13L sizes to be most useful for our needs. For a lighter and more cost effective alternative, try the Ultra-Sil Dry Bags. See how these compare on our list of the Best Stuff Sacks.
Hilltop Packs Custom Food Bag
These food sacks from Hilltop Packs have wide openings so you can easily see what’s inside, but the best thing about them is that you can get them custom printed with whatever image/color scheme you like. Get a pet portrait, a summit photo, or a family memory printed on one so your favorite hiker can bring a slice of happiness with them on every trip! Get more ideas on our list of the Best Stuff Sacks.
Yellowbird Hot Sauce Kit
If there’s someone on your list who really likes to spice it up, the Yellowbird Hot Sauce Kit will really make their day. The small containers are perfect for backpacking, travel and commuting, and we can personally vouch for the tastiness of every flavor.
LARABAR Variety Box
LARABAR makes delicious, natural energy bars using a few simple and recognizable ingredients. They’re healthy, minimally processed, and GMO-free. Introduce your favorite hiker to these bars and they’ll love you forever.
Justin’s Nut Butter Packets
It can be hard to eat real food when backpacking, but these little packets of goodness come along with us on every trip. They’re calorically dense, nutritious, and versatile. We mix Justin’s in our oatmeal, spread it on our apple, or just eat it out of the package. Buy in bulk and you’ll save some moolah. Also, be sure to give our Best Energy Bars guide a look for more ideas about great snacks to gift.
BRS Ultralight Stove
The BRS Ultralight Stove is so cheap and light (1 oz.) that it’s almost certainly within every backpacker’s budget. It’s not the highest quality stove on the market and has downsides (no simmer control, not terribly fuel efficient), but if you’re looking for a budget ultralight option, this is our top pick from Best Backpacking Stoves list.
Starbucks Via Coffee Packs
We have spent years trying to perfect our backcountry coffee game and this is by far the most lightweight option. It costs less than $1 per serving and offers a decent-tasting and extremely convenient cup of coffee with no spent grounds or additional gear needed. For those reasons, VIA coffee remains #1 on our list of the Best Camping Coffee Makers.
JoGo Brew Straw
The JoGo Brew Straw is perfect for anyone who loves coffee or tea on the go. Just pour hot water into your cup, wait a few minutes, then drink through the straw to strain your beverage. The JoGo is about as big as an ink pen, super lightweight, and it helps reduce stains on your teeth. We also love that it reduces packaging waste since you don’t need paper filters and you can use it over and over again with bulk coffee or loose-leaf tea.
Snow Peak Titanium Cup
The Snow Peak Titanium Cup is durable, extremely lightweight, and functional. They’re also a bit on the spendy side, which is why they make a great gift for nature lovers. We love Snow Peak’s products and their Titanium Cup is no exception.
AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press
The AeroPress Go is one of our all-time favorite coffee makers. This thing is awesome for those who want to enjoy great coffee or espresso on the go. The AeroPress Go is an excellent value since everything you need is included, and it’s our top gourmet coffee maker on our list of the Best Camping Coffee Makers.
TOAKS Long Spoon
The TOAKS Long Spoon may seem like a frivolous item, but we assure you it’s one of our favorite gear items in our pack. It’s long enough to allow you to scrape the bottom of freeze-dried dinner bags without getting saucy knuckles, and it’s stronger and lighter than a lot of plastic utensils. We recommend the polished version since it’s easier to clean and has a better mouthfeel.
To-Go Ware Bamboo Utensil Set
We can’t even tell you how often our Travel Utensils come in handy when we’re travelling. Give the gift of less dependence on single-use plastic and never having that “there’s no silverware in the bag!” panic moment ever again.
Puffin Beverage Jacket
You love your puffy coat, right? Well shouldn’t your favorite beverage get the same treatment? We love these unique Puffin bottle koozies and we think they make great gifts for the outdoorsy type. They’re the perfect partner for a beverage, a campfire, and some close friends.
Platypus SoftBottle
We generally focus on keeping our gear lightweight when backpacking, but we make some exceptions for luxuries, like a warming beverage to celebrate a day on the trail. The Platypus SoftBottle will hold 3/4 of a bottle of wine or a pint of whiskey. The best part is, this flask is ultralight and folds totally flat when empty.
Stanley Classic Flask
A nip of good whiskey out in the wild is one of life’s great pleasures. That’s why flasks can make great gifts for outdoor adventurers. The Stanley Classic Flask is a rugged and stylish favorite for outdoor use.
Balega Running Socks
We prefer low-cut running socks for our hiking trips (We wear trail running shoes, not boots) and these Balega socks are the best we’ve found yet. They breathe well, last a long time, and have a good amount of padding. They also have a thick lip on the heel of the sock so they won’t slip down into your shoe. The Balegas are some of our favorites from our Best Socks list.
REI Fleece Gloves
We wear REI’s Fleece Gloves (men’s and women’s) pretty much every day in the fall and winter. They made our list of the Best Winter Gloves because they’re super light, soft, and they have tech-compatible fingers so you can use your phone with them on. Everyone can use a pair of these super versatile gloves that work great for any activity from town to trail.
Permethrin Spray
Permethrin is a chemical that you spray on clothing before heading into the woods for bug protection. It works well and it’s much more effective than using bug spray on clothing. Use a combination of Permethrin on clothing and a small amount of Picaridin on skin for maximum bug protection.
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent Lotion
Ditch your DEET, cuz there’s a new player in the game that’ll make you feel less radioactive. Picaridin Insect Repellent from Sawyer is our new go-to bug dope. It’s a no-odor, non-greasy lotion that you apply to skin to repel mosquitoes, ticks, flies, gnats, and chiggers. And unlike DEET, it won’t harm your gear or equipment.
Tenacious Tape
Clear Tenacious Tape is fantastic for repairing rips and holes in most outdoor gear. It’s a really great all-purpose solution for outdoor lovers, because eventually everybody will need to repair burns, holes, and cuts in their well-worn gear.
Nalgene Travel Kit
This might not be the sexiest gift on the list, but little plastic containers (and Ziplocs bags) are a huge part of any backpacker’s game plan. The Nalgene Travel Kit helps save space and cut down on unnecessary weight for toiletries, bio soap, and cooking accessories like olive oil and hot sauce.
Nylofume Pack Liner
Keeping the contents of your backpack dry can be a real challenge, but the Nylofume Pack Liner makes that a problem of the past. This simple liner will ensure that your things stay dry in the wettest conditions without adding weight to your load. That’s why it’s our top pack liner pick on our list of the Best Stuff Sacks.
PackTowl Camping Towel
When we go on backcountry trips we try to keep weight to a minimum, but we also want to stay fresh and clean. A PackTowlmakes a perfect accessory for drying off after washing up or a swim. They’re super absorbent, crazy light, and they dry very quickly. They make a great small gift for any backpacker.
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow
Although this pillow is a bit heavy to pack for lightweight backpacking trips, the Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow is one of the most comfortable camping pillows we’ve used. It feels almost like the pillows we use at home, but it’s more compact, and it doesn’t matter if it gets dropped in the dirt. Learn more about this pillow and other lightweight pillows on our Best Backpacking Pillows list.
Rite in the Rain Notepads
These Rite in the Rain all-weather notepads are great pocket pads to take into the field or use around town. High quality, waterproof and durable, these notepads are a solid buy.
Dirty Gourmet Cookbook
Time to elevate your outdoor adventure grub! Brought to you by three badass woman who biked across Canada together, this outdoor-focused cookbook features over 120 delicious and easy-to-follow recipes for camping and backcountry adventures. If you’re handy in the kitchen, you could also make and gift some homemade backpacking meals from our recipes page.
Hidden Tracks: Wanderlust Book
One of our favorite backpacking writers, Cam “Swami” Honan collaborated with Gestaltan to produce this beautiful and inspiring adventure book that cover some of the most stunning trails in the world. His first hardcover book, Wanderlust, is also drool-worthy and worth a look.
60 Hikes Within 60 Miles Book
The 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles books series is a great hiking resource and has many versions for cities scattered across the US. We love how the author organizes the content based on the type of hike you’re looking for, distances, seasons, etc. Check to see if they have your city and you won’t be disappointed.
Travel Cribbage Board
Ramp up your backcountry leisure game. Weighing in just over an ounce and only 4 inches long, this travel cribbage board is light enough to bring on any backpacking or camping trip. It’s well-constructed, compact, and just plain sexy.
Travel Backgammon Set
Roll it up, stash it in your backpack, and get ready for some backcountry fun! Weighing just over 1/2 pound, this beautifully designed and compact travel backgammon set is built to accompany any adventure.
Backcountry Bocce Set
This lightweight backcountry bocce set is a plastic replica set and weighs in at only 12 ounces. The amount of entertainment this will bring to your camp crew is immeasurable. It’s a great gift for the gamer in your life.
Qalo Silicone Band
Those with an active lifestyle, a job that won’t allow a traditional metal ring, or anyone who travels frequently, may find the Qalo Silicone Band to be a good substitute. We like the simplicity and comfort of the Qalo Band and it’s available in both men’s and women’s style.
Kahtoola MICROspikes
MICROspikes add traction to any type of hiking footwear to help you avoid slips and falls on icy winter trails. The Micros are our faves for backcountry terrain, but you’ll also find shoes studs for slick parking lots and other types of terrain on our list of the Best Traction Devices.
REI Gift Card
Can’t decide what to get for the outdoors person in your life? Let them decide! An REI Gift Card is sure to please any adventurer.
POPULAR CONTENT: Need a new tent, backpack, sleeping bag/pad, etc? Find our favorites in the CleverHiker Gear Guide.
Mid-Range Gifts
National Park Annual Pass
Why not give a gift that will inspire outdoor travel and support a good cause? More than 80% of the proceeds for the National Parks Pass go straight into protecting and improving our national parks. And if you purchase your pass through REI, they’ll donate 10% of sale proceeds directly to the national park foundation as well.
Teva ReEmber Slip-ons
This comfy slip-on shoe is like wearing a sleeping bag around your feet, but with a sole that has the durability of a running shoe. Stylish and comfortable, these mocs are great for around camp or around town. Visit our Best Camp Shoes list to see more of our favorite comfy lounging shoes.
REI Flash Pack 22
These minimal, versatile, and stowable daypacks are great for nearly any excursion and they make excellent gifts. They’re good for carrying light loads and can easily be stuffed into a larger bag on longer trips. We prefer the Flash 22 over the Flash 18 because of the lid pocket and water bottle holsters, but both packs work well.
Osprey Talon 22 & Tempest 20
The Osprey Talon 22 for men and Tempest 20 for women are great daypacks and are at the top of our Best Daypacks list. They have a simple design, but still get the details right. Hip belt pockets, water bottle holsters, a hydration pouch sleeve, back mesh pocket, trekking pole attachment loops, and a comfortable back pad make this pack a winner for day hikes and around town.
Cotopaxi Luzon Daypack
The Luzon Del Dia is a cool little daypack that’s full of style and function. We love Cotopaxi’s mission to reduce global poverty and the story behind this pack. You can choose from their existing styles or have them surprise you with one-of-a-kind pack.
MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove
The MSR PocketRocket 2 is a dependable, durable, and effective backcountry stove. It has simmer control to make backcountry cooking easier and it pairs well any lightweight cook pot. This backcountry classic is our favorite stove from our Best Backpacking Stoves list and it makes an excellent gift.
Snow Peak Titanium Mini Solo Set
The Mini Solo Set is a durable titanium cook set that’s ideal for lightweight backpacking trips. It’s been our go-to for years, so it was a no-brainer to add it to the top of our list of the Best Backpacking Cookware. The pot, lid, cup, stove, and fuel all fit into one small and convenient package. Pair it with a small canister stove to complete your cooking system.
Jetboil Flash
The Jetboil Flash is an ideal cooking system for any outdoor adventure. It’s sturdy, light, compact, and highly efficient. The Flash boils water very quickly, which makes cooking in the backcountry much easier and earned it a spot on our Best Backpacking Stoves list. The Jetboil Coffee Press makes an excellent addition to this gift.
FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer
If you’ve got someone on your list who hunts, fishes, or makes their own backcountry meals, a FoodSaver is a practical gift that will get a ton of use. A vacuum sealer drastically lengthens the shelf-life of dried food and it comes in handy for many other things in the kitchen.
Coleman 316 Series Cooler
It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to get a great cooler. The Coleman 316 is the cooler we tend to use the most because it’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, and has plenty of interior space. Check out how it compares to other coolers on our Best Coolers list.
Hydro Flask Bottles
Hydro Flask vacuum bottles are great for keeping cold beverages cold (24 hours) and hot drinks hot (12 hours). They come in a range of sizes and colors, are great for packing beer, coffee, tea, and soup. They’re number one on our list of the Best Water Bottles and are sure to make excellent gifts for anyone with an active lifestyle.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
The Sawyer Squeeze is one of the most compact, lightest (2 oz.), and affordable water filtration systems on the market. Highly versatile, you can either attach the filter directly to a water bottle, attach it to a hydration pack, or squeeze into a bottle for later consumption. If you’re a lightweight backpacker, this should be in your gear rotation. Get more info about this filter on our list of the Best Water Filters.
ENO DoubleNest Hammock
From backyard chillin’ to campsite loungin’ the ENO DoubleNest Hammock is a comfy option for those looking for something simple. This hammock is spacious for one, strong enough to hold two, and easy to set up, so it’s great for beginners. Don’t forget to grab a set of ENO Atlas Straps to complete the package. Learn more on our Best Hammocksguide.
Hummingbird Single Hammock
The Hummingbird Single is incredibly light (5.2 oz.) and small, making it an excellent choice for anyone with an active lifestyle. Hummingbird Hammocks utilize the lightest materials and designs to keep their hammocks as portable, packable, and comfortable as possible. For this reason, we named it best ultralight hammock on our Best Hammocks list. Hummingbird Ultralight Tree Straps (2.1 oz) are also the lightest straps we’ve found and they work great.
Helinox Chair Zero
While we don’t often take chairs on backpacking trips, we do love using them while car camping or on short jaunts with friends. The Helinox Chair Zero is comfortable, sturdy, and packs down very small, so it’s an excellent gift for those on the go. We pair it with our Helinox Table One and we’re set. Check out more about the Chair Zero on our Best Backpacking Chairs list.
Shokz OpenRun Aeropex Bluetooth Headphones
The Aeropex Headphones from Shokz OpenRun are a truly cool piece of technology. They use bone conduction to deliver sound through your cheekbones. What does that mean? It means your ears remain open so you can still hear traffic and conversations around you. These headphones are the perfect gift for runners, cyclists, and backpackers who like to jam, but need to stay aware of their surroundings.
Speaqua Barnacle Vibe 2.0 Bluetooth Speaker
The Barnacle Vibe 2.0 is one of the most versatile portable speakers we’ve ever used. It’s waterproof, puts out great sound, and it floats. The suction cup design allows it to be stuck to things like a kayak, a stand-up paddleboard, or the side of a bathtub.
glerups Slippers
If you want someone to feel loved and comforted every day, you can’t go wrong with gifting a pair of glerups. They come in different styles, from slip-on, to shoes, and boots. No matter which style you choose, all are warm, breathable, and stylish enough to go out in. The leather soles make excellent house shoes during the cold seasons, while the rubber soles are great for camp and jaunts to the mailbox.
Peak Design Capture Camera Clip V3
This 3rd generation camera clip from Peak Design allows you to carry your camera in a comfortable, secure, and easy to access manner for any outdoor adventure. It easily attaches to your backpack strap and is compatible with any camera. For the hiker in your life who always travels with a camera, this is a great gift!
Ursack Major Bear Bag
We crowned the Ursack the best food bag on our list of the Best Stuff Sacks on the market. It’s much easier to pack in a backpack than a bear canister and it’s heck of a lot lighter too. It’s bulletproof fabric will keep your food away from bears, but it will also keep out small critters, which is a more common annoyance.
Gaia GPS Subscription
Gaia GPS gives you access to an impressive catalog of over 50 downloadable and printable base maps. You’ll find maps such as National Geographic Trails Illustrated, NeoTracks US Topo, and ESRI World Imagery. This is the navigation app we use for most of our backcountry adventures.
Suunto M-3 D Leader Compass
The Suunto M-3 D Leader is our top pick compass for reliable navigation in the field. One handy feature of this compass is adjustable declination correction, which is a calculation that trips up many backpackers in the field. The luminous markings are a nice touch as well for nighttime use.
C.A.M.P. USA Corsa Ice Axe
At only 7.1 ounces, the C.A.M.P. Corsa is one of the lightest ice axes on the market. For serious mountaineering, this is probably isn’t the right tool, but for early season snow crossings on backpacking trips, this ice axe is excellent. It’s light, it’s effective, and our go-to ice axe when there’s snow on the trail.
Benchmade Bugout Knife
The Benchmade Bugout 535 is one of our all-time favorite pocket knives since it’s both exceptionally lightweight and has a very sharp blade made with premium steel. The Bugout is perfect for every day carry and we named it the best ultralight knife on our Best Pocket Knives list.
POPULAR CONTENT: Need a new tent, backpack, sleeping bag/pad, etc? Find our favorites in the CleverHiker Gear Guide.
Big Ticket Items
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
The Copper Spur HV UL2 is an excellent lightweight tent with great features for backpackers of all levels. It has all the features for maximizing comfort – freestanding, double-wall, near-vertical sidewalls, two large doors/vestibules, interior pockets – and it’s still somehow under 3lbs. The Copper Spur HV UL2 is at at the top of our Best Backpacking Tents list.
ZPacks Duplex & Triplex Tents
The ZPacks Duplex and Triplex are an ultralight backpackers dream come true. They’re our top choice for long-distance backpacking and thru-hiking on our Best Backpacking Tentsand Best Ultralight Tents lists. The Duplex and Triplex are built out of unbelievably light Dyneema Composite Fabric, which is a completely waterproof material that won’t sag like silnylon in the rain. This tent would make an excellent gift for an ultralight backpacker or thru-hiker.
REI Skyward Tent
Looking for a baller car camping tent? The REI Skyward Tent is a palace for your family. It’s affordable, easy-to-pitch, and tall enough for most people to stand in. For more car camping tent recommendations, check out our Best Camping Tents post.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Sleeping Pads
NeoAir sleeping pads have the best balance of comfort and weight out of all the trail beds on the market. The Uberlite is the ultimate pad for ultralight backpackers who do most of their trips in the summertime. The XLite NXT is a bit tougher and warmer for those that need more versatility for multi-season adventures. And the XTherm NXT is our top pick for cold sleepers and four-season trips. Get more details on these gems by visiting our Best Sleeping Pads list.
Exped MegaMat Duo
If you’re looking for a super comfortable, cushy camping mattress for two that’s durable and easy to use, you can’t beat the Exped MegaMat Duo. It’s a generous four inches thick, so you won’t feel pressure points or bottom out if you toss and turn throughout the night. For solo campers or for those needing something a little less bulky, go with the MegaMat 10. Learn more about the mattresses on our Best Camping Mattresseslist.
Osprey Atmos & Aura Backpacks
The Atmos (men’s sizes) and Aura (women’s sizes) also have a lot more padding than many other packs and may be more comfortable for hikers who tend to carry a little heavier of a load. Check out how the Atmos and Aura compare to our other favorite packs on our list of the Best Backpacking Backpacks.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket
The Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket (men’s and women’s) is a tried-and-true favorite in the hiking community for its solid durability and excellent weather protection. The stylish design and high-quality materials give it the appeal of a premium jacket but at a more accessible price. This jacket is our top pick from our list of the Best Rain Jackets.
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie
The Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie (men’s & women’s) is a warm, well-rounded jacket that’s stylish and practical to wear on a daily basis. It’s offered at an affordable price point for the quality too. We named it the best down jacket for everyday wear on our list of the Best Down Jackets.
YETI Tundra 45 Cooler
The YETI Tundra 45 is one of the most durable and highest quality coolers on the market, which earned it a spot on our Best Coolers list. YETI Coolers are nearly indestructible, they stay cold for a preposterously long time, and they come in a range of sizes. That quality does come at a cost, but if you’re looking for the best cooler out there, this is your guy.
YETI Hopper Flip Soft Cooler
There’s nothing like a picnic or an ice-cold bevy outdoors, and the YETI Hopper Flip Soft Cooler is the best of the best for those who agree. This stylish side sling cooler brings the best in ice-retention and rugged durability to all your activities from the campsite to the block party. See the Hopper on our list of the Best Coolers.
IceMule BOSS Cooler
The IceMule BOSS is perfect for activities on the water like rafting, kayaking, fishing, or paddleboarding since it’s 100% waterproof and it floats. It has excellent pockets to keep your phone and keys dry. And it holds ice for multiple days!
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
The Patagonia Black Hole 55 has been our go-to duffel bag for a long time because it’s durable, comfortable to carry, and amazingly versatile. We use it for camping, air travel, weekend getaways — even the gym. The Black Hole is an excellent value and we highly recommend it for anyone who needs a stylish and long-lasting duffel with excellent weather resistance. Check it out on our lists of the Best Duffel Bags & Best Travel Backpacks.
Garmin GPS Watch
Garmin makes some of the coolest GPS watches on the market, and many of them made our Best GPS Watches list. For those needing advanced maps, we recommend the Fenix 7. The Instinct Solar is perfect for backpackers because of its long battery life. Runners will like the comfortable fit of the feature-rich Forerunner 955. If you want something a little more stylish for everyday wear, the Venu 2 looks great and has a ton of fitness features.
Sony RX100 III
We love nature photography, but we also don’t want to lug ten pounds of photo equipment with us on backpacking trips. That’s why we hike with the Sony RX100 III. The digital sensor in this camera is much larger than most point-and-shoot models, which means we get fantastic photos from a compact, lightweight camera.
GoPro Action Camera
The GoPro camera series is well-known for its ability to capture photo and video in rugged and harsh conditions. The updated HERO10 still has all the loved features of past cameras with some increased performance in the areas of stabilization and overall image quality.
Kindle Paperwhite E-Reader
We absolutely love our Kindle Paperwhite for downtimes on a camping or backpacking trip. It’s gentle on the eyes, has a backlight for nighttime reading, and makes finding great books simple. We take ours out on most trips, especially solo jaunts in the backcountry. it’s now available in a waterproof version with more storage!
MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes
The MSR Lightning Ascents (men’s & women’s) are best-in-class snowshoes that will make any winter trekker swoon. Along with solid overall construction, they have excellent traction, which is critical on icy surfaces. They also come with televators, which are advantageous on hilly terrain. We prefer the smaller 22 in. size for maneuverability with the option to add 5 inch flotation tails when there’s a lot of deep powder.
MSR Guardian Water Purifier
This heavy duty water purifier may just be the most reliable and effective water filtration system. It physically removes viruses, bacteria, protozoa and dirt quickly and easily on backpacking trips and international travel. The MSR Guardian is not cheap, nor is it lightweight, but if reliability and safety are your top priorities, this is the filter you want. Learn more about the Guardian on our Best Water Filters list.
