The great thing about buying gifts for a backpacker is that backpacking items come in two types; a few big, expensive things, and tons and tons of small, inexpensive things. That means that the list of things you could give to a backpacker is just about endless.
And seeing as backpackers (at least the ones I know) often operate on a shoestring budget, they’ll be happy with just about anything. In this post, I’ve compiled 20 of the best gifts for hikers and backpackers, and you can get any of them for under $30 bucks (and many much less than that).
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Good Instant Coffee
For most of the backpackers I know, having coffee in the morning is an absolute must. Making real coffee is always the best way to go, but sometimes you just need something quick to get you up and moving. And since grocery store instant coffee sucks, opt for something legitimately delicious like Alpine Start or First Ascent (or check out my top 8 instant coffees for the lowdown on the best of them).
Leukotape
If the backpacker in your life doesn’t already know about Leukotape, they’ll love you when you tell them about it. It’s very multi-purpose, but the job it does best is protecting your feet against blisters. Just slap it on blister-prone areas before you go out, and 95% of your blister problem is solved (nothing is perfect). It sticks all day (or multiple days) and breathes well to keep your feet happy.
Tenacious Tape
I don’t go backpacking without at least a patch or two worth of Tenacious Tape. Ideal for fixing just about anything, this tape is the solution when an inevitable rip, tear, or burn (yep, it happens) makes a piece of gear unusable. Sleeping pads, tents, backpacks, jackets are all fixable with this stuff, and when you need it you need it. Plus, it comes in cool outdoors shaped patches for easy use and style.
Long Handle Titanium Spoon
Those double-sided plastic sporks may be popular, but if you think they might not be all that useful (and you’d be right) then try a long-handled titanium spoon. The long handle is tailor-made for eating out of tall freeze-dried food bags, and they’re light as a feather. Several companies make good ones, but try the TOAKS for the smooth polished bowl, or the spork version for when you need a little more traction (ramen noodles, anyone?).
Soft Water Bottles
Nalgene water bottles are the definition of classic, but they’re bulky and heavy. When space and weight are a priority, soft water bottles (like these from Platypus) are the way to go. They’re light, pack small when not in use, and can fit in shoulder pockets for easy access.
Shoulder Pockets
That brings me to my next suggestion, which is backpacking shoulder pockets. These easily clip onto the shoulder straps of most backpacks and allow for easy access to things like water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, or other miscellaneous items that you might want to get at while hiking. I can’t believe I didn’t start using these sooner, and they’re one of my favorite backpacking accessories. Zimmerbuilt makes great, water-resistant zippered pockets for things like electronics, and open pouches for water bottles (what I use most often).
Emergency Gear
This is kind of a broad category rather than an individual item, but emergency gear is important (and often overlooked). If you have a backpacker in your life who is a little on the reckless side, you could get them an emergency blanket, this cool fire lighter/signal whistle combo, or some emergency water purification tablets. All of them weigh next to nothing and will give you a little peace of mind when they head into the backcountry.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
Everyone needs a good water filter, and the Sawyer Squeeze Micro is my go-to (though the original squeeze is great, too; see my full breakdown here). It’s super light, easy to use, and screws directly onto the Smartwater bottles that so many of us find ourselves using while hiking (as well as many other types of bottles, including the Platypus ones I mentioned earlier). Even if they already have a water filter, backups are always appreciated.
Freeze-Dried Food
Let’s face it; good freeze-dried food can be a little too expensive for those of us who go backpacking often. Give the gift of gourmet with a fancy freeze-dried meal or two and the backpacker in your life will love you for it. There are tons of good options out there, but I love the Pad Thai from Good To-Go, Chicken and Dumplings from Mountain House, and the Chicken Pesto Pasta from Peak Refuel.
Buff
Buffs are some of the most versatile pieces of clothing you can buy. They function as a neck or face warmer, a bandana, a beanie, or even a hand towel. They’re pretty much always useful, and they come in some cool prints, too.
Merino Wool Socks
It’s a shame that socks are one of the most hated Christmas gifts, because as a hiker they’re easily one of my favorites. Good socks are absolutely essential to a good hiking experience and given that they’re a little spendy I’m always happy to get new ones. A good pair from Darn Tough's will last a lifetime (literally, they have a lifetime guarantee), and Smartwool makes some killer technical socks for running in.
Drink Mixes
When water sources are less than ideal, a good drink mix can be a lifesaver. And on top of flavor enhancement, they often come with a host of benefits like electrolyte replenishment, extra calories, and even caffeine for a little energy boost when you’re feeling sluggish. I’m a big fan of Liquid I.V. for its taste, nutrition, and ease-of-use, and they make both caffeinated and non-caffeinated versions.
Rite-in-the-Rain Waterproof Notebooks
A good outdoor journal is something that a lot of backpackers need and use, and Rite-in-the-rain is the king. The paper is waterproof and durable, and they make a ton of different sizes, bind-types, and paper prints for every purpose imaginable. Try the 935 for a lightweight note-pad, or the 973 for full-on journaling.
Sawyer Picaridin Insect Repellent
There’s no denying that DEET works to repel insects, but it’s nasty stuff, and I like to avoid it if a all possible. I regularly use Sawyer Picaridin Lotion as my go-to insect reppelent and I love that it works, smells good, and feels a little less, well, poisonous.
Headlamp
A good headlamp often goes overlooked because hiking at night is something that most of us generally avoid. But it’s still essential because when you need light to start a fire, cook a meal, or get out of bed to pee in the middle of the night, your phone flashlight doesn’t cut it. The Black Diamond Spot 350 is a powerhouse, and the Petzl Tikkina is super lightweight and easy to use.
Paracord Bracelet
Ultralight hikers might scoff (does worn weight count against base weight?), but I almost always wear a paracord bracelet when I’m out hiking. You never know when you might need some cord, and the wearability means it won’t take up space or weight in your pack. Some, like these, even come with a few built-in emergency tools.
Ultralight Stove
Every backpacker needs a good stove, and the BRS3000 is about as light as they come. It fits onto any regular butane stove canister, and in my tests it performed very well for the price and weight. I've also heard great things about this AOTU stove, which weighs a little more but includes a piezo ingiter and better flame control.
Stuff Sack Pillow
Pillows are all about personal preference, but it’s no secret that backpackers in particular have a hard time finding good ones. Inflatable pillows are light, but usually bouncy and uncomfortable. Foam pillows can be comfortable but tend to weigh too much and take up too much pack space.
That’s why a stuff sack pillow is perfect. Throw your down jacket and unused clothes into it, shape it exactly how you want, and boom, you have a comfy pillow that weighs next to nothing and takes up no extra space. The best ones (like this one from Granite Gear) have a pillow shape and at least one fleece-lined side, which is a lot more comfortable on your face than straight silnylon. And if you want to make comfort even more of a guarantee, throw in a cheap and light car sponge that’ll provide that memory foam feel.
Microfiber Towel
A microfiber towel is a little bit of a luxury item, but man is it nice to have. The microfiber material is super light and absorbs a crazy amount of water for its size, making it great for everything from drying your hands after you wash them to drying your whole body off after a swim. It’s also one of those things that I can’t seem to keep track of (since I use them so often at home too), so having a few extra is always a good thing.
Camp Games
Often there’s plenty to do when you get to camp, but sometimes it’s nice to spice it up with some games. A mini deck of cards, some dice, or an ultralight cribbage board (or all three in one package) are all good ways to have some fun after the hiking day is done.
