The holidays are quickly approaching and what an amazing time we have ahead of us! We understand that this time of year can be stressful.

So instead of trying to figure out what to buy, we created the best gift ideas for hikers to make your life a little easier.

The hardest part is always finding the perfect present, isn’t it? Luckily you don’t have to worry about finding the perfect present.

Stunning view of Josefine with Mount Taranaki in the background.

This gift guide for hikers was inspired from every trip to the mountains where we forget something or feel like we’re missing something.

Now helping you guys we helped ourselves too, to hopefully never forget the necessities when we go to the mountains.

This gift guide contains all of our favourite hiking items that we’ve found handy on the many hikes we’ve been on over the years!

The list contains items from $20 to above $100 so you can find a good variation in both items and price.

We’re sure they’ll be loved by anyone who likes hiking and the great outdoors 🙂

Just click on the image or the link underneath it and it will take you straight to the product site on Amazon.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you decide to buy any items we will get a small commission. Thank you so much!

Here are the best gift ideas for hikers in 2023

Osprey backpack

A couple sitting at a viewpoint in Madeira.

One of the best presents I (Jo) have ever gotten was my Osprey backpack. It’s perfect for a day hike or a little afternoon excursion!

A good backpack is worth the investment because it is so much better for your back and Osprey comes with Osprey’s All Mighty Guarantee where they will repair any damage or defect free of charge – no matter when the backpack was purchased. Now, that’s good customer service if you ask us!

Check out Osprey’s backpacks here

Water bottle

Dom looking through the ruins of Old Navarino Fortress at Voidokilia Beach.


When does a water bottle not come in handy? Both Dom and I use our LifeStraw water bottles all the time because it’s so convenient.

You don’t have to worry about always having to buy (and waste) plastic water bottles, but instead, you can refill this at any water station you walk by, and the design is really cool!

Some people even buy stickers from the different locations they travel to and put them on their water bottles – a fun way to remember all the amazing places you visited!

If you, or the person you’re buying this present for, are travelling to countries without clean drinking water, this is a must.

It removes a minimum of 99.99% of bacteria in the water which makes it so much safer to drink.

Check out the Lifestraw we have on Amazon here or their new, BPA-free bottle on REI here.

Power banks


We’ve had this power bank coming up 5 years now and it is SO good. It lasts for over 3 full charges – even if you’re using your phone at the same time.

It’s perfect for long-haul flights, overnight buses, and road trips. The size is very convenient as well and doesn’t take up too much room.

Bonus: It’s very comfy to hold without any sharp edges.

Check out the INUI Portable Charger and get yours here for just $30.

Head torch

We recently had an experience where the power went out and we DIDN’T have a head torch where we were staying.

Since then things have changed and now we’re proud owners of a head torch lol. They’re great to have if you go on a long hike or go into caves or anything where you can risk getting lost – you always want to be prepared.

This Black Diamond Cosmo head torch is one of the best-rated ones out there! You can find it on REI here or on Amazon here (Amazon seems to have the cheaper version).

Hiking boots

Dom and Jo showing off their hiking shoes from Polylimnio Waterfalls.

Hiking boots are a must-have!

I can’t tell you how many hikes we’ve been on where our hiking boots have made it so much more convenient for us. They make it more comfortable to walk and also a lot safer if you ever find yourself on a steep or slippery path.

We recommend getting a pair of waterproof hiking boots with ankle support so that you never have to worry about getting your feet wet or rolling your ankles.

We both have a pair of Columbias as you can see in the image above.

Jo’s are the Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped Hiking Boot. They’re great and affordable (sometimes on sale for just $62)!

Hiking poles

Dom with a pair of TheFitLife hiking poles

We have to be honest with you… We were against hiking poles for the longest time – until we tried them!

They’re super helpful when you’re on a challenging path and need stability – they also help to make your legs less tired and on certain hikes, they’re just a must-have!

There was a hike we really wanted to go on in Utah that we couldn’t because we didn’t have hiking poles and you needed them as you were walking through a small river. So they’re definitely a good investment.

Plus you can use them to scare off any terrifying reptiles or animals that you may encounter along the hike.

Check out the hiking poles we use here.

Hiking socks

Who can hike without a proper pair of hiking socks? When you’re on any type of hike you want to have the proper support you need.

You want something that can keep you warm and preferably something that can avoid you from getting blisters.

Hiking socks are a necessity for any type of hiker – and they can be used for other things too, such as running, skiing, and if you just want to hygge 😉

Browse hiking socks on REI here and on Amazon here.

Hiking in Kananaskis, Alberta.

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We hope this list has helped you figure out what you can get your favourite hikers. Or maybe it has given you some inspiration for your own wish list 😉

Either way, we hope you enjoyed it and we’d like to wish you happy holidays!

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38 Comments

  1. Kelsey on October 17, 2019 at 5:03 pm

    What a great round up! A good headlamp is CRUCIAL and has saved my butt many times in the wilderness (and at home lol.) And actually do need a power bank so thanks for the recommendation!

    And lol about the Danish socks bringing you hygge – definitely need that in my life now that winter is coming haha.

    • redwhiteadventures on October 26, 2019 at 6:07 pm

      It really is! We didn’t have one for the longest time and we just ran into so many situations where it would’ve come in handy! 🙂 haha yes totally! We all need A LOT of hygge in our lives 😉
      – Jo

  2. Pauline on October 19, 2019 at 7:05 pm

    I’ve got to say these are very good recommendations! Will’s gonna need some new walking boots when we get to Canada! Can’t wait to go on some hikes together!! Also love the Dom’s backpack colour haha 😉

    • redwhiteadventures on October 26, 2019 at 6:12 pm

      Thank you! Yes, he will definitely need some proper boots! And actually, Dom’s wearing my backpack haha. He’s just being a gentleman!
      – Jo

  3. Vasundhra on November 2, 2019 at 8:12 am

    YES! Hiking essentials are always a safe-bet for someone who loves outdoorsy stuff. Thanks for this list, might consider buying a few things next year for my husband 🙂

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 3:55 am

      I’m sure he’d love that! The great thing about hiking gear is that it usually lasts forever so it’s a great investment in many ways 🙂
      – Jo

  4. Jackline A on November 2, 2019 at 1:21 pm

    Great post and useful for hikers. I love walking but not a really hardcore hiker.

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 4:01 am

      That’s fair! A lot of this stuff you can use for walking as well 🙂
      – Jo

  5. D'ondra M Howard on November 2, 2019 at 2:51 pm

    Great ideas…some of these I didn’t even know existed. A few I knew would be on there and are cooler than I expected them to be.

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 4:02 am

      Thank you D’ondra. I’m glad to hear you learned something new. And maybe got some inspiration for your wish list? I’m interested to hear which ones you didn’t know about before 🙂
      – Jo

  6. Phoebe on November 2, 2019 at 2:56 pm

    The lifestraw is very useful. My friend works for them and they use it for projects in the areas of the Philippines with no clean drinking water.

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 4:03 am

      That is AMAZING! A lifestraw is literally life changing. What a cool job to have 🙂
      – Jo

  7. Traci Edwards on November 2, 2019 at 3:53 pm

    A lot of good must haves here for anyone hitting the trails, ever!

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 4:03 am

      Yes, we agree! Thank you, Traci 🙂
      – Jo

  8. Alison Reeves on November 2, 2019 at 4:18 pm

    We love hiking and all of these look great!

    • redwhiteadventures on November 5, 2019 at 1:36 am

      Hey Alison,

      Well now you have some new Christmas gift ideas! 😀

      -Dom

  9. Play2WinApps on November 2, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    thanks for sharing these items! great gifts for hikers! it will leave them happy and joyful!

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 4:03 am

      That’s the goal at least! 🙂
      – Jo

  10. siennylovesdrawing on November 3, 2019 at 9:33 am

    Really enjoyed my read & thanks for the giftin ideas shared!
    cheers, siennylovesdrawing

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 3:53 am

      I’m really glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for stopping by 🙂
      – Jo

  11. ELIZABETH O on November 3, 2019 at 3:57 pm

    This is a complete set of guide. Thank you for sharing this. It is very lovely.

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 3:54 am

      Thanks Elizabeth! I hope you got some inspiration for your wish list or shopping list 😉
      – Jo

  12. Cyndi Buchanan on November 4, 2019 at 12:15 am

    I learned the hard way the importance of good hiking boots. You don’t want to hike with cold wet feet.

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 3:52 am

      Yikes, no – you definitely don’t want to! I hope you didn’t get any long term injuries from it!
      – Jo

  13. Rudy Stankowitz on November 4, 2019 at 3:53 am

    Great list! I wish it was printable like a checklist. Thank you!

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 3:50 am

      That’s actually a great idea, Rudy! We’ll see if we can create something like that 🙂 thank you!
      – Jo

  14. Aubri on November 4, 2019 at 5:25 am

    My husband and I were wanting to get more into hiking so this will be perfect gifts for Christmas. I will have to check some of these out later on!

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 4:20 am

      Oh that’s great! I hope you get some hiking done in 2020 then! Let us know if you have any questions about any of the products 🙂
      – Jo

  15. Karen on November 4, 2019 at 1:06 pm

    Didn’t know about the straw, need to find one. Great recommendations by the way.

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 3:50 am

      I didn’t know about the straw until recently either but I’m definitely going to put it on my wish list for Christmas 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
      – Jo

  16. Alicia on November 4, 2019 at 4:51 pm

    These are great recommendations! I love hiking and would consider getting these products for myself!

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 4:21 am

      We’re glad you like them! I have a few of them on my wish list as well 😉
      – Jo

  17. One and half backpacks on November 4, 2019 at 8:11 pm

    I am hiker by myself, and the best gift is definitely socks 😀 Funny because I hated them when I was a kid

    • redwhiteadventures on November 5, 2019 at 1:34 am

      Hello,

      No kidding!! I always dreaded getting socks as a kid but now a days I feel like you can never get enough. 🙂

      -Jo =)

  18. Fabian Saville on November 6, 2019 at 5:33 am

    I always wanted to go hiking at some point of my life.. And it’s good to see a nice post like this which for me is pretty useful.. All tips here.. Good job

    • redwhiteadventures on November 7, 2019 at 4:09 am

      I’m glad you liked it! So you haven’t been hiking before? It’s definitely worth a shot. We both love it 🙂
      – Jo

  19. Adventures with Shelby on December 3, 2019 at 4:18 am

    These are great gift ideas!

    • redwhiteadventures on December 4, 2019 at 7:54 pm

      Hey Shelby,

      Thanks so much! 🙂

      -Dom

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