15 adventurous gifts for hikers and outdoor people

The gift-giving problem

Outdoor enthusiasts are serious gearheads who meticulously research reviews and guides. Picking the exact right gift for them is nearly impossible, and gift cards feel lame.

Start with merino wool socks

Darn Tough Merino Socks at twenty six dollars are the top pick. Outdoorsy people can never have too many socks. Merino wool is odor-resistant, thermoregulates, and stands up to considerable abuse.

“You can wear merino wool for several days in a row without smelling like you just spent two weeks at a Phish reunion.”

A knife for fancy hiking

The Opinel No. 8 Folding Knife costs twenty three dollars. It practically begs to be taken on a hike with good hard chorizo, soft Spanish cheese, and a nice baguette.

Fire starting the hard way

The Townsends Classic Firestarting Kit at thirty eight dollars teaches flint-and-striker fire-making as it was done around the time of the Revolutionary War. It is not easy but deeply satisfying.

Cook over an open fire

The Lancaster Cast Iron Cast Iron Skillet costs one hundred forty five dollars. It has a thick bottom for even heat and a smooth finish that is more nonstick than rough pans.

Recipes for open flame cooking

Cooking on Fire from Gestalten costs sixty dollars, on sale for thirty seven. It offers recipes from simple vegetables to slow-cooked meats, plus background on fire types and cooking techniques.

Water pressure anywhere

The Lunatec Mist and Shower Lid at twenty five dollars turns a Nalgene into a pressurized water bottle. It rinses dishes, functions as a tiny shower, mists for cooling, and works as a squirt gun.

Comfortable hiking pants

The Marmot Kick Around Pant costs one hundred dollars. It is ninety eight percent cotton with Elastane for stretch, has lightly articulated knees, and comes in one inseam size: thirty two.

Learn to see the world closely

The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling by John Muir Laws costs thirty five dollars, on sale for twenty one.It teaches observation and recording rather than artistic skill, changing how readers see the world.

A grinder built to last

The VSSL Java G25 grinder costs one hundred sixty five dollars. Made of aircraft-grade aluminum, it weighs about fourteen ounces and has survived five years of daily use, drops, and travel.

Coffee over the morning fire

The Bialetti Moka Pot costs forty two dollars, on sale for forty. This classic aluminum pot brews about a four ounce cup of very dark coffee and can sit directly on fire coals.

A tiny wood stove

The Firebox Nano Stove costs sixty dollars, on sale for fifty five. This three inch folding metal box burns twigs efficiently and can be used as a wood stove, gas stove, or grill.

Merino wool for every season

The Unbound Merino Merino T-Shirt costs ninety eight dollars. Merino wool keeps you warm when cold and cool when warm, is odor-resistant, and these shirts are the softest merino shirts tested.

An electric bike for adventure

The Lectric XP4 750 Electric Bike costs one thousand eight hundred thirty one dollars, on sale for one thousand two hundred ninety nine.

A leather journal for travels

The Traveler's Notebook from Traveler's Company costs sixty dollars. The full size is eight point seven by four point nine inches. It is a leather binding you fill with whatever notebooks you want.

Consider giving nothing

Unless your giftee is an outdoor newcomer, they may already have everything they need. Rather than adding to their environmental footprint, consider donating to an environmental organization in their name.

Support local outdoor groups

Ask your giftee about their favorite environmental organization, or check your local outdoor shop for regional groups. The Nature Conservancy and Surfrider both do good work protecting land and water around the world.