Are you looking for the perfect gifts for adventure lovers in your life this holiday season? Whether it’s for a family member, friend, partner, or even a coworker, finding the right present can be an exciting challenge.
As a self-proclaimed adventurer, I understand the thrill of discovering gear and tools that enhance outdoor experiences and travel exploration. That’s why I’ve curated this guide to showcase a selection of ACTUALLY USEFUL and epic gift ideas across various price points. Each item is something I personally use or have on my own wish list, ensuring that these gifts will truly delight any adventure enthusiast in your life.
The Best Gifts for Adventure Lovers (The Outdoorsy Type)
1. Rumpl Blanket
Price Point: $99
One of the best gifts that any outdoorsy person would be excited to receive is a Rumpl Blanket. These outdoor puffy blankets are specifically designed for camping use and are made from the same materials as sleeping bags and insulated jackets. They have a cape clip so you can wear it hands-free, they are lightweight and pack down small, are water/stain resistant, machine washable, and come in various brightly coloured designs. They can be used for warmth on a camping trip, as a picnic blanket, for beach days, and more.
As a great bonus, they are also B Corp certified meaning they contribute to making the planet better. They are made from recycled materials so your friend can enjoy their new blanket with a lower carbon footprint.
Check Out: The Rumpl Blanket
2. Stanley Adventure All-in-One Boil and Brew French Press
Price Point: $26
One of the coolest portable coffee makers on the market for outdoor lovers, this Stanely boil and brew not only brews a fresh cup of delicious french press coffee, but is also designed to boil and cook things like hot soup for warming up on a cool evening.
It is built with BPA-free stainless steel to make it indestructible, can be heated up over the stove or campfire, and is compact for packing purposes. It also comes with a lifetime warranty so once they have one, they’ll always have one!
Check Out: The Stanley Boil and Brew Camping French Press
3. A Hiking Vest
Price Point: $25
An up-and-coming trend I’ve been seeing a lot of is hikers choosing to wear a running vest for their long day hikes instead of an entire day pack. I have to say, I’m super on board. The vest comes with a hydropack for handsfree drinking without having to take your bag on and off to grab water, there are pockets along the front straps to provide easy access to your phone for taking pictures and snacks for the day like granola bars, and any other items you need readily on hand. This one also comes with a bit of extra storage in the back so you can slip a rain jacket in there and a bigger lunch. Outdoor enthusiasts who spend their days wandering the trails will love this!
Check Out: The N NEVO RHINO Hiking Vest for Men/Women with 2L Bladder
4. Portable Hammock
Price Point: $30
Who doesn’t love swinging leisurely in a hammock in the great outdoors? Portable hammocks are one of the best accessories a person can have for their outdoor adventures. They are durably designed, pack down small into their own bag, and are super easy to set up with just a couple of straps. The one I recommend below can even fit two people! My portable travel hammock is genuinely my favourite item I own for my outdoor adventures.
Check Out: The Wise Owl Outfitters Portable Outdoor Hammock
5. A Set of Dry Bags
Price Point: $40
Anyone who spends a lot of time adventuring, especially outdoors, will eventually run into a situation where a dry bag is incredibly useful or even essential to bring along. They are waterproof bags that keep your items safe and dry, even when completely submerged in water.
I’ve used dry bags to keep my extra clothes dry in case of rain, my electronics safe on canoe trips, and to bring my phone with me while paddleboarding. They are a great peace of mind.
Here is a great set that offers multiple sizes for shorter day adventures or entire camping weekends to keep clothes dry.
Check Out: The Frelaxy 3 – 5 Pack Ultralight Dry Packs
6. A Comfy Camp Chair
Price Point: $70
A great affordable gift idea that no one will ever be disappointed to receive is a camp chair. They are a must for sitting to enjoy the outdoors in your own backyard or on a camping adventure. You can purchase a unique one that features anti-sinking legs so they can be used at the beach. The one I recommend below is lightweight and foldable to make it easy to carry and store.
If you suspect they already have a camp chair and want to give them an upgrade, the ultra comfy camp chairs are incredible and designed for extra comfort. They are like the outdoorsy lux version of a camp chair.
Check Out: The Anti-Sinking Leg Compact Camp Chair OR The Ultra Comfy Camp Chair
7. Trails Magazine Subscription
Price: $75
I recently came across this outdoor hiking magazine and immediately added it to my own Christmas wish list. Trails Magazine is an independent publisher that prints high-quality coffee table magazines quarterly, free from spammy ads and cheap throwaway paper. They are 70+ page artfully designed magazines featuring stories of the grandest hiking adventures worldwide, filled with trail maps, world-class photography to inspire their adventures, and even recommendations for innovative trekking products in the industry.
Nature lovers and adventure travelers alike would be in awe of receiving this on their doorstep. You can purchase them an annual subscription so they get 4 beautiful issues to start them off.
You can find subscription gift options here!
8. Camping String Lights
Price Point: $30
If you’re looking for a gift for the seasoned outdoor adventurer who seems to have all the gear they could ever need, this is a great addition to enhance their camping setup that they probably don’t already have. They are rechargeable, waterproof, and easy to hang up to add a little magic to their campsite.
Check Out: Rechargeable Waterproof LED Hanging String Lights
9. Micro Spikes for Winter Hiking
Price Point: $25
These are an incredible version of mini-crampons for people who love to hike in the winter. They provide metal tread on the bottom of their shoes, without actual spikes that are unnecessary for your everyday winter day hikes. I wear these for all my winter hikes and they perform really well on ice.
Check Out: The Yaktrax Walk Traction Cleats for Winter Hiking
10. Camping Slippers
Price Point: $150
One of the best outdoorsy gifts for adventure lovers that they’ll actually use and love is a pair of camping slippers. A pair of cozy and warm slip-on shoes for wandering around the campsite. Even when I complete multi-day treks where I need to pack light, a good pair of slippers is always a must in my bag. If you want to get them a good pair that will last and are incredibly warm, I recommend the Teva Reember Terrain moccasins. They are durable, incredibly warm, have a foam footbed for comfort, and are easy slip-ons.
Check Out: The TEVA ReEmber Terrain Moccasin
11. Stanley Adventure Cook Set
Price Point: $120
If your outdoorsy best friend could use an upgrade on their camping cook set, this is the perfect present. Cook sets are one of those things that you find difficult to buy yourself, but a fresh new set will feel amazing once you have it. This 21-piece Stanely set has literally everything you need and more for the ultimate convenience. It will last them for life and improve their camping routine. It packs down super small and folds together, they are designed for easy cleaning and the stainless steel is durable and rust-proof. I have a family member who still camps with a giant bin worth of stuff, so maybe I’ll get her one of these this year 🤔.
Check Out: The Stanley Adventure Cook Set
12. Individual Compact Camp Stove
Price Point: $50
Another great accessory to purchase an outdoorsy type who is still adding to their camping set is a camping cook stove. If they are backcountry campers or want to get started with a simple setup, this single filament stove piece that attaches to a gas canister is the perfect choice. It is incredibly compact and versatile because it can be used for both car camping and backcountry.
If they already have one of these cook stoves, then another great gift idea is to purchase them one of the gas canisters that fuels it. You can never have too many of them.
Check Out: The Fire-Maple Fixed Star 1 Camping Stove System
13. Mini BBQ
Price Point: $130
One of the coolest outdoor adventure items I’ve come across is a mini portable BBQ. They are not only great for camping, but also for beach days or tailgate BBQs after a day of skiing. They are a great gift that most of your adventuring friends won’t have yet.
I recommend this option below because it attaches to a small gas canister so they won’t need charcoal, the legs are foldable for a compact design, and it has some of the best features available for such a small BBQ.
Check Out: The Megamaster Gas Portable Grill
14. Protective Sleeping Bag Storage for Down Sleeping Bags
Price Point: $15
Your adventurous friend likely already has a sleeping bag but something they might not have yet is a breathable loose bag to protect it during storage. Down and synthetic down sleeping bags are the most common ones out there. And a big tip for making them last is to store them in a loose bag where they have plenty of “loft” (aka room to breathe). If they are kept in their tight-packed stuff bag long term, this actually decreases their life span and makes them less effective.
This loose cover bag is designed to give a down sleeping bag lots of room and is made with a breathable mesh fabric to keep them aired out in storage.
Check Out: 65L Mesh Sleeping Bag Storage Sack
15. Smart Wool Socks
Price Point: $25
Another great gift for adventure lovers is a pair or two of Smart Wool Socks. Proper wool socks are used for more than just warmth. They provide superior breathability, are specifically designed for cushioning in the right places, wick up sweat to keep your feet from getting moist, and of course, provide the most warmth you can find in a sock.
The best brand of wool adventure socks on the market (in my humble opinion) is the Smart Wool Socks. I’ve had pairs for over 6 years now still going strong and they really are the most comfortable socks to wear for my hiking and snowboarding trips. They also have socks specifically made for trail running, skiing, winter biking, and more. It is all based on where the cushioning is specifically placed and how thick/thin they are to accommodate the specific sport.
An outdoorsy type will never be disappointed to receive some fresh smart wool socks as a gift.
Check Out: Smart Wool Socks
16. Backpack Rain Cover
Price Point: $10
Backpack rain covers are another small but mighty useful item to buy an adventure lover. For both outdoor use and traveling the world, they provide peace of mind that their belongings aren’t going to get wet. They are designed ultra-compact so they can stay inside the backpack at all times when not being used.
The Joy Walker waterproof cover provides great rain protection with an 8000mm waterproof rating, durable construction, and a buckle to ensure it doesn’t slip out of place. This is a practical and thoughtful gift for those who love to explore no matter the forecast.
Check Out: Joy Walker Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover
17. Solar Portable Charger
Price Point: $40
A portable charger that is solar-powered is a great gift for adventure lovers who spend a lot of time outdoors without access to electricity. It can be incredibly convenient even for keeping your phone charged during car camping.
This BLAVOR power bank combines solar charging capabilities with a large battery capacity. This is the ideal gift for hikers, campers, and travelers, providing a sustainable power source for extended trips without electrical outlets.
Check Out: BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank
18. Head Lamp
Price Point: $20
You’ll never meet an outdoor adventurer who doesn’t own or need a headlamp. They are indefensible tools for every adventure enthusiast, providing hands-free lighting for camping, navigating trails at night, or handling emergency situations. If you know the adventurer in your life needs a new headlamp, this will be a well-received gift.
Check Out: The GearLight 2-Pack LED Headlamp
19. Merino Wool Base Layers
Price Point: $50 Per Layer ($140 for Men’s Set)
Base layers are a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts who brave varying temperatures. Their job is to help regulate a person’s body temperature, keeping them warm in cold conditions and cool in warm conditions. Merino Wool’s natural properties make them odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying. They are soft and non-itchy and provide the best comfort for all-day use.
Even if they have a set or two of base layers, an additional set to their collection will only make it that much easier and convenient to use for multiple long days out in the cold weather.
Women’s Merino Wool Base Layers: Top Layer and Bottom Layer.
Men’s Merino Wool Base Layer Set
20. Garmin Inreach Mini 2
Price Point: $400
The Garmin Inreach Mini is a safety satellite phone for adventurers heading into remote areas without cell service. They provide two-way text messaging, GPS tracking, and most importantly, SOS alerts for emergency situations, even when far beyond cell coverage.
They are small and lightweight making them an easy companion for their expeditions and provide immense peace of mind for both the traveling individual and their family members. Family members will know their loved ones can call for help if needed and send check-in messages to keep them up to date on their location. I used one when trekking and travelling in the remote regions of Patagonia and have never felt greater peace while lacking cell coverage.
Check Out: The Garmin Inreach Mini 2
21. Camping Lantern
Price Point: $30
Camping lanterns are great for camp activities like cooking after dark, playing games, reading, socializing, and more. Modern ones have adjustable brightness settings, long battery life, and often USB charging ports for other devices. The best ones are collapsable and some even re-charge from solar panels. They are an upgrade from using a headlamp to get around in the dark.
You can find all of these features and more in this awesome collapsible camp lantern.
Check Out: The LuminAID Inflatable Solar Camping Lantern
22. Gift Card for All Trails Pro Membership
Price Point: $26 for the year
All Trails is an incredibly popular app amongst the hiking and outdoors community. It provides detailed trail maps, reviews, and navigation tips for thousands of trails around the world. The free version only gets you so far and I often run into frustration of getting some information but not all that I wanted. The Pro version allows you to download the maps for offline use, provides wrong-turn alerts, and has real-time map overlays for weather.
By gifting an AllTrails + subscription, you’ll be providing them with a tool that enhances safety, helps them discover new trails wherever they go, and improves their overall hiking experience. It’s perfect for both casual day-hikers and serious backpackers, making it a super thoughtful and practical gift that will be used throughout the year.
You can find more information about purchasing an All Trails Pro Membership as a gift here.
23. Trekking Poles
Price Point: $50
I went years hiking long single-day and multi-day hikes without trekking poles and now I can never go back. Once a trail reaches over 10 – 15 km, trekking poles become soooo helpful. They help with stability on uneven terrain, reduce impact on the knees and joints which you’ll notice a difference from on a long hike, and help keep momentum. Quality trekking poles are lightweight, collapsible for easy transport, and have ergonomic grips with adjustable lengths. If the adventurer in your life carries heavy packs or treks long distances, this would be a welcome addition to their gear set up.
Check Out: Cascade Mountain Tech Lightweight Trekking Poles
24. Garmin Adventure-Tracking Watch
Price Point: $200 – $300
Garmin watches are one of the best multi-sport watches on the market. They track heart rate, monitor workouts, cycling, hiking, etc. and include GPS for accurate route tracking. They provide great data on performance to help adventurers push their limits. Garmin watches also track sleep and are a gateway to optimizing activity performance. I love to use my watch to train for treks around the world, tracking my workouts and getting a specific number of steps per day to reach my goals. I also love seeing the step and km counts when actually embarking on the adventures themselves.
Check Out: The Garmin Forerunner – It has a more rugged design and is the most affordable of their watches.
Check Out: The Garmin Vivoactive – This is a great option for combining sleek design for everyday wear and all the great features for tracking activities.
25. Annual National Parks Pass
Price Point: USA Pass $80
Another fantastic gift idea that keeps giving all year, is an annual National Parks pass for whatever country you are from. It is a passport to adventure, providing unlimited access to the country’s best natural wonders. In the USA, this includes over 2,000 federal recreation sites, including national parks, monuments, and wildlife refuges. Whether they use it to road trip around the country or to simply enjoy continued use of their backyard parks, I don’t know a single adventure lover who wouldn’t be thrilled to receive this as a gift.
The Best Gifts for Adventure Lovers (The Travel Type)
26. Travel Towel
Price Point: $26
A travel towel is an adventure traveler’s necessity. Ultralight and quick-drying, they are perfect for backpacking, camping, or beach trips. It takes up minimal space in luggage, yet offers maximum functionality. Whether after a swim, shower, or caught in rain, the compact towel ensures comfort without the bulk.
It’s a practical gift that combines convenience with outdoor practicality. Even if your traveling friend owns one already, you could get them an upgrade to a larger size that still folds up quite small but acts as a beach blanket too.
This is the one I have in the 72 x 40 size: The Rainleaf MicroFiber Towel
27. Foldable Travel Yoga Mat
Price Point: $25
For the adventure traveler who likes to stay centered, a foldable travel yoga mat is ideal. It’s lightweight and compact, easily fitting into a backpack or suitcase. This mat allows for impromptu yoga sessions anywhere – from mountain tops to beach shores. It’s perfect for maintaining flexibility and mindfulness while on the go, ensuring wellness remains a priority even in the wildest of locations.
Check Out: Primasole Folding Yoga Mat for Travel
28. Collapsible Water Bottle
Price Point: $18
A collapsible water bottle is a great gift idea for your backpacking friends. When they are empty, they deflate and fold down to a fraction of the size but still have the same amount of room for hydration as other standard sized bottles. They are also great for travelers who want to save room and weight in their bags.
Check Out: Survivor Filter 1L Collapsible Water Bottle
29. Travel-Sized Laundry Kit
Price Point: $10
A travel-sized laundry kit is a game-changer for adventure travelers, that they probably haven’t thought to buy themselves yet. They usually come with detergent sheets, a portable clothesline, and a laundry bag. Trust me, something so simple can make a world of difference in making laundry more convenient on the go.
Check Out: Retractable Portable Clothesline Laundry Kit
30. Travel Scratch Map
Price Point: $25
A travel scratch map is a fun, interactive way for adventurers to track their global explorations. This world map comes with a scratch-off surface, with colours underneath to mark the countries they have been to. It’s both a decorative piece and a motivational tool, inspiring future trips and serving as a visual record of past adventures.
It’s an ideal gift for those who love to document their travels and set new exploration goals. I have one large scratch map up on my wall and even a smaller corkboard pinnable map as well.
Check Out: The Scratch Off World Map Poster
31. Go Pro Hero 12
Price Point: $400 (But often goes on sale)
Go Pros are the gold standard of adventure cameras known for their partnership with RedBull. They are compact cameras built for action, with waterproof casing and durable outer body. Your adventure travelling friend can take them on mountain treks, surfing, zip-lining, mountain biking, and whatever else their heart desires.
I love to bring mine travelling for underwater shots of beautiful marine life and when I don’t feel like carrying a heavy camera up a mountain. They also can’t be beat for those rainy day hikes.
Check Out: The Go Pro Hero 12
If you are interested, I also have a guide of the best Go Pro travel accessories you could include as part of the gift: The 21 Best GoPro Accessories for Travel
32. Compact Portable Speaker
Price Point: $50
Portable speakers are great to bring traveling to enhance your adventures. You can bring them on trips with friends, sitting around the fire while camping, on beach days, and more. The JBL Go3 is the best for this because it is small, water and dust proof, and provides surprisingly good sound for such a small speaker. My favourite moments skateboarding with friends in Mexico were hugely advanced by a speaker playing our favourite tunes.
Check Out: The JBL Go3 Water and Dust Proof Speaker
33. Waterproof Phone Pouch
Price Point: $13
You see these waterproof phone pouches everywhere when travelling these days. Because they’re awesome! Your phone sits inside to keep them completely dry, even when submerged under water, and they have a lanyard to wear around your neck to avoid dropping it. The best part is that you can take pictures with your phone without having to pull it out.
I’ve used these to take pictures behind waterfalls, bring my phone into the water while swimming, store my phone on a paddleboarding adventure, and way more. I always travel with these, and think every other traveler should too. It’s such a simple accessory that gets used surprisingly often.
Check Out: JOTO Universal Waterproof Phone Pouch
34. Compact Binoculars
Price Point: $36
If your adventure traveling friend likes to take trips to see wildlife around the world, these compact binoculars would make a great gift. They’re lightweight and fit easily in their backpack. They are great for hiking in Patagonia, going for safaris in Africa, or spotting unique birds in the Amazon rainforest.
Check Out: Occer Compact Binoculars for Adults
35. Loop Earplugs
Price Point: $35
Those who travel a lot, especially in shared accommodation, know that a quiet place to sleep is never a guarantee. Loop earplugs have become a lifesaver for me. I use them on flights, during camping trips, in hostels, and in private travel accommodation with lots of dogs barking or roosters cawing. Such a simple accessory can enhance your adventure lover’s trip tenfold.
Check Out: Loop Quiet Earplugs
36. Packing Cubes
Price Point: $43
Packing cubes have become all the rage in recent years and for good reason. They not only help keep things organized when traveling, but somehow allow you to cram even more into your travel bag. Even as a messy, unorganized person myself, I always travel with these now because they take so much stress out of the packing process.
Check Out: BAGSMART 6-Piece Packing Cube Set
37. Instax Mini Camera
Price Point: $76
I’ve seen a lot of travelers bring their polaroid cameras with them on their travels to get those vintage-style memories and exchange them with new friends. The Instax Mini cameras are small enough, with small photos so you can easily pack them along on your adventures. They make for the best keepsakes upon returning from a trip too.
Check Out: The Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
38. Paper Shoot Camera
Price Point: $140
The paper shoot camera is on my Christmas wish list this year! These cameras bring the nostalgic fun of taking photos with a disposable camera, from the inability to see your photos when you take them to the vintage vibe the images are captured in. They combine the benefit of a digital camera though with an SD card that you can get the images off of on your phone or laptop after the fact.
Not only does the photo quality look AMAZING, they are super thin and small, and can be a ton of fun to capture images with friends on your adventures.
Check Out: Paper Shoot Camera with 4 Filters
39. Kindle
Price Point: $169
If the adventure traveler in your life also likes to read, a kindle is a must! I learned quickly that its impossible to travel with enough paper back books to keep up with my pace. Also books are heavy! A kindle eliminates any stress, because you can read as many books as you want without taking up all your packing space and weight. The Kindle is my favourite e-reader. I love that you can 1-click buy a book on Amazon and it’ll automatically download to your kindle when its connected to wifi.
Check Out: Kindle Paperweight
40. Buff
Price Point: $24
Buffs are tube of breathable cloth that can act as a neck scarf, headband, face guard, etc. They are a great item to bring on travel adventures because of their versatility. I’ve taken mine on ski trips and treks through the Patagonia wilderness and also on backpacking trips to Thailand and Ecuador as a headband and sun protection.
Check Out: Breathable CoolNet Sun Protection Buff Neck Gaiter
41. The Viral Travel Pillow
Price Point: $65
Have you heard of these somewhat new travel pillows that have broken the internet for their innovative design? Apparently they are amazing and people who typically aren’t able to sleep on planes say these actually worked for them! I don’t have one yet, but am eager to grab one for my next trip because that many reviews can’t lie.
Check Out: Trtl Travel Pillow for Long Flights
42. Functional Anti-Theft Travel Backpack
Price Point: $40
Every traveler needs a good backpack and if they are traveling in places with high pickpocket scams, an anti-theft backpack could make a great gift. This backpack is designed with the best organization pockets and even a USB charging port. And it has an anti-theft pocket at the back to keep your valuables. It also has a luggage strap on the bag to attach to a suitcase and is made with water-resistant and durable materials.
Check Out: MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack with Anti-Theft and USB Charging Port
43. The Travel Airfly
Price Point: $55
The travel Airfly is one of my favourite things to gift my traveling family members. Not many people use wired headphones these days, yet you unfortunately need them to plug into in-flight entertainment. The Airfly eliminates this problem by plugging into the system for you and then acting as a Bluetooth source to connect your wireless headphones to. It even allows two headsets to connect so you can watch the same movie with the person beside you.
Check Out: Twelve South Airfly Bluetooth
The Best Gifts for Adventure Lovers (The At-Home Type)
If you have an adventure lover in your life who seems to never stop exploring, even at home, these are some fun gifts. If they’re like me, when they’re home they are seeking new activities and hobbies to fulfill that craving for exploration.
44. Long Board Skateboard
Price: $70
Longboarding is an awesome skill to learn on your off-time from traveling because of the sense of adventure it provides. There’s nothing more thrilling than winding down a picturesque road with the wind blowing in your face. It’s also a popular hobby amongst adventure travelers who take their boards with them around the world.
Check Out: The White Wave Bamboo Longboard Skateboard
45. The Adventure Challenge Book
Price Point: $40
The adventure challenge book is the PERFECT gift to inspire your at-home adventures. They come with 50 challenges that cost between $0 – $50 to complete. The premise is that each page has a hint of the type of activity and a budget to complete it. You scratch off the activity and then have to do the challenge! I love it for the constant inspiration to try something new.
Check Out: Adventure Challenge Book Solo Edition
46. Telescope
Price Point: $130
A telescope can make a great gift for adventure lovers who enjoy exploring the outdoors in a unique way. They can bring them camping under the stars, to scenic lookouts, or even just in their backyard.
Check Out: The Gskyer Telescope for Beginners
47. Mini Bluetooth Projector
Price Point: $130
Add a little adventure to their movie nights by gifting them a mini projector. They can set up their own backyard cinema or build a cozy movie room inside. As an adventurer myself, I always look for ways to make my home-life activities more epic.
Check Out: The XuanPad Mini Projector with Bluetooth System
Final Thoughts on the 47 Epic Gifts for Adventure Lovers
Finding the perfect gift for the adventure lover in your life doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With options ranging from tech gadgets like a Go Pro or portable speakers to practical items like packing cubes and waterproof phone cases, there are great gift options for every adventurer on every budget.
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