With the holidays fast approaching, deciding what to get your outdoorsy friend can be stressful. There are so many products out there that it can be overwhelming and challenging to figure out what is actually good and what someone would be stoked to receive. Don’t worry; we’ve narrowed the search to the top ten gifts to get your outdoorsy friend or family member. These may just be what we have on our lists. Santa, are you listening?
BearVault Bear Can
With four different sizes, there’s a BearVault canister for every backpacker on your list. From a quick overnight to a months-long thru-hike, these bear canisters are guaranteed to keep your food safe from bears and curious critters alike. While shopping on their site, you can witness how bear-proof they are with a short video of a bear trying to get the goods. Entertainment while online shopping, we’ll take it!
Adventure Trip
There’s no better gift to give your outdoorsy friend than a great adventure! Imagine ticking Half Dome in a Day off both of your bucket lists. Or maybe a backpacking trip through the largest temperate rainforest in the U.S. to a stunning blue glacier is more your style. If you’re unsure of what adventure your friend might want to choose, there’s always the option of a gift certificate to give them the freedom to pick their own trip. This is the type of gift that will create lasting memories for years to come.
Campfire Stories Volume II
Gifting this collection of poetry, folklore, and more will entertain your outdoorsy friend for hours, whether they’re actually sitting around a campfire or just hanging out in their house daydreaming of the outdoors. The stories are inspired by America’s National Parks, including some of our favorites, Olympic and Joshua Tree. If you haven’t checked out the first volume yet, you could start with that one or, better yet, buy both!
Parks Project Merchandise
Literally, anything from The Parks Project will make an excellent gift for your outdoorsy friend. Not only is this company a certified B Corp (which means they really care about the planet), but they have also donated millions of dollars to our parks since its inception, and their products are actually cool. They offer everything from camp chairs and retro clothing to park-inspired candles. They often have collaborations, and right now you can check out the Yogi Bear collection.
Socks!
While this gift would make most people fake a grin and say “thanks” through gritted teeth, any outdoorsy person will LOVE getting some good socks! Made from Merino Wool and equipped with a lifetime warranty, our guides love Darn Tough socks. Merino Wool is not like all other wool, and we can testify that this Vermont-based company makes socks that truly do last and feel good while you’re wearing them. From running to hiking to everyday, they have socks for everyone.
Goodr Sunglasses
These polarized sunglasses are truly non-slip and great for any outdoor activity. With prices ranging from $25 to $35 and styles to please every picky friend on your list (they even have a National Parks collection!), you should probably pick up more than two.
Nomadix National Parks Towel
Nomadix makes some seriously irresistible towels from recycled materials. They pack super small, resist odors, dry quickly, and are sand-resistant. This makes them the perfect towel for the beach, yoga, camping, or any type of travel. They also make puffy blankets and have recently collaborated with the National Parks on a collection highlighting some of our favorite parks. With each purchase, 1% is given back to the planet, so shop guilt-free before they sell out!
America the Beautiful National Parks Pass
This pass grants admission to all national parks nationwide (over 2,000!) and to public lands managed by the Forest Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. It’s valid for 1 year from the month of purchase and covers a whole car of four people. If you visit about four national parks/sites in a calendar year, this will be a deal you can’t pass up! Also, get yours before the end of the year if you still want nature photos on your pass!
Trekking Poles
We all want to adventure for years to come, and by using trekking poles, that can hopefully happen. Trekking poles not only improve posture, balance, and stability, but they also reduce stress on the joints. We’ve been outfitting all our trips with Leki poles for years and love how much they have helped hikers navigate steep and rocky terrain. Reinhold Messner even chose Leki poles to take to the summit of Everest in 1978. If they’re good enough for Messner, they’re good enough for our guides!
Bonus Outdoorsy Gift – A Backpack
With all these awesome gifts you’ve given, your friends will surely need a backpack to put it all in. Our guides love the Gregory Nano 20 day pack for days at the crag or even going up Half Dome. This pack has it all: a breathable back panel, a hydration sleeve, and expanding front pockets so you can carry more than you thought possible. This bag will be the ultimate adventure backpack for years to come.
No matter which gift you choose to get your outdoorsy friend, we’re confident that the stoke will be high when they unwrap any one of these gems. In fact, why not get them everything on this list for the ultimate adventure package?!
*Although we work with some of the above brands, we do not receive any commission if you buy their products. We only support products that we actually believe in and use.