You’ve come to the right place to find the perfect outdoor gifts for that adventurer in your life. The list I’ve compiled below are items I own and love or things on my own wish list. There is something for everyone, regardless of their outdoor adventure of choice. 

I’ve tried to include outdoor gifts at a variety of price points to suit your budget. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Stocking Stuffers for the Outdoor Enthusiast 

Freeze Dried Backpacking Meals

For the non-outdoorsy person, this may sound like a terribly dull gift, but for the outdoorsy, freeze-dried meals would be a welcome addition to any stocking. They are a little expensive, so it sometimes hurts the pocketbook when we buy them ourselves. However, the sight of these gets us excited for all of our summer (or winter!) adventures to come. They will definitely get used on that next backpacking trip, rafting adventure, horseback excursion, car camping foray, or other outdoor activity you can think of. 

While there are many brands and meals to choose from, the ones I’ve listed below I go back to time and again, for whatever my outdoor adventure may be. My favorites include:

Darn Tough Socks

Darn Tough socks are the only kind I will buy, and I ask for them for Christmas and my birthday every. Single. Year. I love them because depending on what type you buy, you can wear them every day. These are definitely not just for the outdoors person, although they are a favorite amongst outdoor people! They come in cool, colorful outdoor designs. and are made in the U.S.A. (Vermont) and come with a lifetime warranty. 

Yes, you heard me right. When you finally wear a hole in these socks, you simply fill out a form, send them back to Darn Tough, and they will give you credit for a new pair. I have tried this, and it’s easy and works. It took me a long time to wear through a pair, and frankly, I’ve only successfully worn through two so far. I’ve had several pairs I have used heavily for quite a few years now and haven’t been able to wear through more than that yet. 

Darn Tough socks are a little bit pricey, but since they will essentially last you a lifetime, they are well worth every penny. Below are some you can’t go wrong with a few of my personal favorites:

I love my Darn Tough socks for hiking and all my other outdoor activities.

Outdoor Gifts Under $50

Yeti Tumblers

Look no further than Yeti for plenty of great gift ideas. They work and they’re fantastic.

They’re virtually indestructible, and Yeti comes out with new color lines several times per year. So even if you already have (almost) every model in the lineup (this may or may not be me), every new color has you wanting more. Marketing geniuses, for sure. They also do the job of keeping your drink hot or cold for much longer than other options. In fact, I only drink my morning coffee from a Yeti because I finish it long before it gets cold. Here are the ones I own, recommend, and would take in another color:

Paradox Base Layers

There is absolutely no reason to pay more for expensive, $100+ merino base-layers when Paradox does the job perfectly. I have had several of these base layer shirts and bottoms for more years than I can count, and I wear them over and over and over. Made from a merino blend, I wear them for running, hiking, hunting, skiing, and any other outdoor activity where I need a warm base layer. Seriously, at less than $20 per piece, trust me when I say you can’t go wrong with these.

Buff Multifunctional Headwear and Face Mask

A Buff is a classic piece of fun, functional outerwear for virtually any outdoor activity. These come in a plethora of colors and patterns, sure to suit anyone on your list. They are often used in cold weather to provide extra warmth around the neck, pull up over the face, and cover one’s ears. From skiing to fishing and everything in between, a person can never have too many Buffs. 

BUFF Multifunctional Headwear and Face Mask

5 Camping Gifts

I wrote an article, “Car Camping Gear You Didn’t Know You Needed”, where I think you’ll find additional outdoor gift ideas. Some of these are applicable to other uses as well, so don’t let the car camping part dissuade you from taking a look. The Yeti’s are a duplicate, simply because I love them, but there are some additional ideas such as a special camp chair, water cubies, a sleeping pad ideal for more than car camping, and the best folding saw ever!

Outdoor Gifts $50-$150

Jet Boil Camping and Backpacking Cooking Stove

The Jet Boil Camping and Backpacking Cooking Stove is a gift idea for outdoor lovers that is sure to be a hit, regardless of their chosen outdoor activity. I worked at Sportsman’s Warehouse for a while and would recommend these stoves to people for Christmas gifts all the time. I own one, and every other outdoor friend of mine (which is a lot) also owns one. They are lightweight and perfect for boiling water quickly. Jet Boils have many great features, such as a push-button ignitor (no match or lighter needed) and an insulated container with a color-change heat indicator.

They require isobutane fuel, which comes in various size canisters depending on your need.

For one person spending a few days in the backcountry, the 100-gram isobutane canister is probably sufficient. For two people, go with the 230-gram. I use the 450-gram size for car camping, and I also use it for boiling water for coffee in my RV.

Pair this with Mountain Houses in the stocking, and you’ve just made someone’s day!

Thermacell Mosquito Repeller

Anyone who has ever been out camping on a warm summer night has likely been harassed by mosquitos. As you’re trying to cook or enjoy a beverage, mosquitos are a sure way to make you miserable. Personally, I hate spraying on bug spray if I’m going to be out for a prolonged period of time without a shower. It just makes me sticky and icky. Yet, I don’t want to end up covered in mosquito bites either.

The Thermacell Mosquito Repeller is something I have wanted but don’t want to buy myself. Everyone I know that has tried them swears by them. If I were to get this under the tree on Christmas morning, I’d be stoked. 

It utilizes natural repellents and comes with 21 repellent mats that last up to 4 hours each. That’s 84 hours of use before needing to buy replacement mats! It provides up to a 15-foot “safety” zone, which is plenty for people to gather in and get away from these awful creatures. 

Mr. Heater Portable Propane Heater

I wrote an entire review on the Mr. Heater Portable Propane Heater and think it would be an excellent gift for someone who does a lot of car camping, in a tent, or even out of the back of a pickup. I’ve set this up outside at my feet and stayed plenty warm when campfires were either a hassle or prohibited.

Outdoor Gifts Over $150

Garmin InReach

A Garmin InReach Mini Compact Satellite Communicator is the perfect gift for those outdoor enthusiasts venturing into areas without cell service. It’s also the ideal alternative to a more expensive satellite phone. It has more features than a Spot, allowing for two-way text communication that the Spot does not and an emergency SOS button.

The InReach was originally by DeLorme, but Garmin purchased the brand several years ago and changed them to look like Garmin’s other GPS units. I have one of the last DeLorme’s, and it has worked great. 

It does use the Iridium Satellite network, which requires a subscription; however, there are options that suit everyone’s needs. Personally, I pay a yearly fee of about $30 that allows me to turn it on and off depending on the month I need it. When activated for about $15 per month, I can send about 15 original messages (does not include pre-programmed free messages) and obviously hit the SOS button if I need to. I can check in every few days while on wilderness trips, giving those at home piece of mind that everything is okay. 

On That Note… 

I will end there and continue to add to this list as I think of more ideas or try more items that would make excellent outdoor gifts. Still don’t see something that strikes your fancy or fits a particular person on your list? Feel free to reach out to me, and I’d be happy to help you come up with some additional ideas that suit your person’s needs!