Best Gifts for Hikers, Backpackers, Outdoorsy People (2026)

Scott GilbertsonGearJul 28, 2026 7:33 AM12 Adventurous Gifts for Hikers, Backpackers, and Outdoorsy PeopleLet them pick out their own hiking boots. Instead, try gifting a useful blade or a nature journal to delight your outdoorsy friend.CommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyFeatured in this articleMerino Wool SocksDarn Tough Merino SocksRead more$24 AmazonThe Best Knife for Fancy HikingOpinel No. 8 Folding KnifeRead more$22 REIGift Sun ProtectionSolbari Ultra Wide Brim HatRead more$79 SolbariLaws Guide to Nature JournalingJohn Muir Laws The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and JournalingRead more$35 $21 (40% off) AmazonBuying gifts for the outdoor enthusiast is damn near impossible. Your hiking/camping/cycling outdoorsy friends are often serious gearheads, meticulously poring over reviews, guides, and the perennial wisdom of ounce-counting Reddit users to find the exact right thing.Don't stress trying to pick that exact right thing yourself. The chances of you figuring it out and getting it for them as a gift is exactly zero. That doesn't mean you should punt and buy an REI gift card—although they might like that, especially with REI's annual Labor Day sale coming up. But gift cards are lame. Instead, get them something they totally didn't expect: one of these fun, useful, sometimes whimsical things that are almost guaranteed to not only delight them but actually get used outdoors.And what about you? While you’re here, don’t you need to replace your sleeping pad? Don't forget to check out the rest of our buying guides, including our Best Sleeping Bags guide, our Best Barefoot Shoes guide, and our Best Merino Wool guide.Updated July 2026: I’ve removed a few sold-out items and added a hat from Solbari and a nice leather journal. But I'm sticking with the socks as our top pick. If you get nothing else, just get the socks. Trust me.Merino Wool SocksPhotograph: Scott GilbertsonSave to wishlistSave to wishlistDarn ToughMerino Socks$24 Amazon$24 Darn ToughYes, you read that right. Socks. SOCKS. You should gift socks. Outdoorsy people can never have too many socks. We're hard on socks, which almost guarantees this gift will see some use. What your outdoorsperson especially needs are merino wool socks. Merino wool is a super fiber. It will change their lives. Did you know you can wear merino wool for several days in row without smelling like you just spent two weeks at a Phish reunion? Just kidding, Phish fans. But it's true. Merino wool will change your friend or loved one's backpacking life. It's comfortable, has virtually no odor no matter how long you wear it, and helps your body thermoregulate, staying warmer when it's cold, cooler when it's warm.We love Darn Tough socks in particular because they're comfortable, stand up to considerable abuse, and have some of the highest merino wool content of anything we've tested. The also come in a nearly endless array of fun colors and designs. If you want something warmer, I love these Expedition Weight Minus33 merino socks ($24).The Best Knife for Fancy HikingPhotograph: Scott GilbertsonSave to wishlistSave to wishlistOpinelNo. 8 Folding Knife$22 REI$16 AmazonOpinel's classic folding knife practically begs to be taken on a hike with some good hard chorizo, soft Spanish cheese, and a nice baguette. It's the first step to hiking European style. Or at least how I imagine Europeans hike (always with delicious cheese, cured meats, and cheap wine—please don't ruin my vision, European readers). I got my Opinel as a gift from a friend, and I love it. And I am an outdoor person, so there is your living proof that this is a good gift.Opinel makes dozens of variations on this knife that you can pick from when gifting. Grab them a kit with a bento box, or a nature lover friend might like the version with handles designed by different artists. The one version I don't recommend is the carbon steel version. Carbon steel is great, but in this case, when you're throwing it