While we also have an epic list of best gifts for hikers, I thought it was worth having a separate list of best gifts for backpackers! Sure, many of the gifts for hikers are similar to the gifts that backpackers would like, but there are some additional items that the backpacker in your life may love even more.
This list could be a beast, since backpacking is one of my favorite activities – I am a backpacking coach, after all. :) (Want to learn more? Join my waitlist for my one-of-a-kind Backpacking Program) But I decided to keep this list on the (relatively) shorter side to really hone in on those extra special gift items.
You’ll be pleased to know, that it is actually really easy to shop for the outdoor adventurer in your life. We are pretty rough on our gear, taking it out into the elements and pushing it to the limits, so eventually we need new gear. Plus, we are never sad about testing out things we haven’t tried before - perhaps it might be our next favorite item in our backpack!
So let me help you out. If you’ve got a friend, relative, or partner who really loves backpacking and you are feeling stumped on what to get them, I’m going to break out my backpacking gift ideas into 4 different sections:
Gifts for Backpackers Under $25 (for those of you on a budget)
Best Gifts for Backpackers to Keep Them Safe
Best Backpacking Essential Gifts
Best Unique Backpacking Gift Ideas
In the end, don’t stress out too much. If your backpacking friend or family member is anything like me, we are easily pleased and enjoy the simple things in life.
We only want this kind of stuff to help our journey be a little bit more comfortable, and in the end, we just want to spend more time outside. Heck, buy us a new set of wool socks and some Lara Bars. We will still love you.
Better yet, come backpacking with us. Let’s go on an adventure together…
That would be MY ultimate gift. :)
If you’ve read my best gifts for hikers post, you may see a few repeats here, but only when they are truly great gifts for both the hiker and the backpacker.
Please note: The below post contains affiliate links.
41 of the Best Gifts for Backpackers
Gifts for Backpackers Under $25
1. GEAR AID TENACIOUS TAPE GEAR PATCHES
This stuff is the bomb, and such a simple, easy gift idea that is sure to please any outdoor enthusiast. PLUS, it’s super affordable. Sometimes it's hard to let go of that perfect down jacket or hardshell that you love, but snags and tears are inevitable in the outdoor world. I love this tape for patching up my favorite gear so that I can keep on wearing it.
This tape works super well and comes in some fun shapes, too. I've patched up my mountaineering hardshell pants in several areas with this tape when I've gotten rips from my crampons. I’ve also fixed up my beloved down jacket when I accidentally burnt a small hole in it from my backpacking stove.
Buy Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Gear Patches Here
2. THE DEUCE OF SPADES BACKCOUNTRY TROWEL
Nobody likes to talk about it but to be a responsible backpacker you need to bury your human waste. The Deuce of Spades Trowel is a fantastic lightweight option, and an indispensable gift idea for any responsible backpacker… and a funny stocking stuffer I might add. :)
One time when I went backpacking with friends in Tuolumne, all of my friend's trowel handles broke except for mine! Deuce of Spades backcountry trowel for the win!
Buy the Deuce of Spades Backcountry Trowel Here
3. WURU WOOL
Blisters are the bane of most backpackers’ existence, and this unique product helps prevent them. Wuru Wool is basically a little bunch of New Zealand wool that you pull pieces off and place on potential hot spots on your feet. A couple members of Team Alpine swear by it, and it’s the perfect stocking stuffer – literally! :)
Buy Wuru Wool Here
4. GOODR SUNGLASSES
I originally bought these glasses when I got into trail running. I couldn't find a pair of glasses that were comfortable and would stay on my face when I was running. These finally did the trick, and now I love wearing them backpacking, too! They come in a bunch of great color options and the best part... they are only $25!
Buy Goodr Sunglasses Here
5. JOSHUA TREE LIP BALM
Every backpacker needs lip balm, and I love this stuff. This makes a great stocking stuffer or add on to any backpacking gift. Joshua Tree Lip Balm is organic with SPF 15.
Buy Joshua Tree Lip Balm Here
6. KULA CLOTH
This little square of fabric is a game-changer in hiking and backpacking hygiene for outdoor women! The Kula Cloth is a reusable pee cloth, made of antimicrobial fabric to prevent it from getting gross. It has a loop to attach it to a pack, and a snap to keep it closed and clean. Plus, it comes in a bunch of cute patterns.
Trust me, any backpacker who squats to pee will love a Kula Cloth!
Buy the Kula Cloth Here
7. TRANGO PIRANHA KNIFE
Looking for a unique gift? This Trango Piranha knife is super cool! In hiking and backpacking (and pretty much all outdoor sports), weight matters, and this knife weighs almost nothing but can cut through just about anything.
It’s an awesome knife for adventures, and it’s the only one I bring with me on backpacking trips.
Buy the Trango Piranha Knife Here
8. REI GIFT CARD
If you really can’t decide what gift ideas for backpackers might be best, it’s always safe to get your favorite backpacker an REI Gift Card. You can choose the amount and can even go as low as $10. It’s a great option if they are the kind of person that seems like they “already own everything”.
Trust me, I’ve never heard of any backpacker being sad about getting a gift card to REI. You can’t go wrong.
Buy an REI Gift Card Here
9. RITE IN THE RAIN NOTEBOOKS
Sometimes backpackers want to bring little “luxury” items that will make their trip that much better—like a notebook.
The Rite in the Rain mini notebook is perfect for your prolific fellow backpacker that enjoys recording what happens on the trail. The best part about these notebooks is that the paper is water-resistant, so the ink won’t smudge or bleed in the event it unexpectedly rains on the trail.
Buy a Rite in the Rain Notebook Here
10. SEA TO SUMMIT X-BREW COFFEE DRIPPER
If you have a backpacking friend who’s a caffeine fiend, you can’t go wrong with the gift of a Sea to Summit X-Brew Coffee Dripper. This silicone dripper makes a great pour-over cup of joe without the need for a paper filter, and it collapses flat for easy packing. Combine it with a bag of their favorite coffee, and you will fuel many adventures for your favorite backpacker.
Buy the Sea to Summit X-Brew Coffee Dripper Here
11. NICK’S STICKS JERKY
Beef jerky is a fantastic portable snack for spending time on the trail, and Nick’s Sticks is my new favorite jerky. They have beef sticks, chicken sticks, and turkey sticks, all with clean ingredients and no sugar – plus, they’re so delicious! Your favorite meat-loving backpacker will definitely appreciate a few packages of this jerky.
Buy Nick's Sticks Jerky Here
Best Gifts for Backpackers to Keep Them Safe in the Outdoors
12. GARMIN IN REACH MINI SATELLITE SOS COMMUNICATOR
I’m putting this in there for the mom or dad out there who wants to feel like their kid is safe when they venture into the backcountry. This, in my opinion, would be the ULTIMATE gift for any backpacker (or hiker or rock climber or anyone who goes into the backcountry, for that matter).
I’ve loved having this thing with me when I hit the trails. In an emergency, you can trigger an SOS for 24/7 search and rescue, if something horribly wrong happens while you are on the trail. But what is even cooler about this tiny device is that you can also have 2-way communication with the ones you love and send and receive messages even while you are in a “dead" zone for cell service.
The Garmin inReach Mini also has the ability to send a constant tracking signal while you are on the trail, so you can actually have your family members check up on you while you are backpacking. Pretty rad.
Another 2-way satellite communicator is the ZOLEO, which lacks a few of the features of the inReach Mini, but is a cheaper option and is especially great for texting.
Buy the Garmin inReach Mini Satellite Communicator Here
