It’s that special time of the year again! But don’t worry, I got you covered with Christmas gift ideas for hikers of all ages. I’ll start with the cheapest to the most expensive.
Although I receive a small Amazon affiliate commission when you buy these products via my links, I own and use many of them, which is why I’m suggesting them.
The products that have a white background, are products that I do not own but have done my homework to ensure they’re reliable. They’re on my personal wishlist.
Here we go!
1 – Michael Josh Survival Whistles $7.19
7 bucks can save your life. The packet contains two. I purchased these whistles back in June 2021 for me and my girlfriend and immediately attached them to my backpack.
I don’t realize it’s there most of the time because it’s so lightweight. They’re VERY loud.
5 – 3 in 1 Selfie Stick, Tripod, Remote Control $9.99
Everyone knows, pics or it didn’t happen. This specific product is lightweight, half the price of most competitors, and rotates to take both vertical and horizontal shots. Many don’t rotate.
I don’t take pictures with my phone much these days, but if I did, this would be a must in my collection of hiking gear.
2 – Nalgene Tritan BPA-Free Water Bottle $11.99
This is my go-to gear for carrying water. I prefer this 48 oz (1.4 liter) water bottle over a hydration bladder for several reasons: it leaves more room inside my backpack, it’s way easier to clean, and no leaky messes. It’s perfect for hikes ranging up to 4-5 miles.
3 – LifeStraw Water Filter $12.99
Lifestraw pledges to provide school kids with drinking water for an entire year with every product that’s purchased. It can also save your loved ones life in an emergency.
Filter water from a moving creek or stagnant lake. It’s super light, doesn’t take up room, and affordable. If I’m venturing into a very rural area, and/or there’s a small chance of getting lost, this is one of the first items that goes into my pack.
4 – The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs $13.82
For true outdoorsmen and women, walking in nature is not enough. We want to become a part of it and feel truly connected. Which is why this amazing book is on my wishlist.
Author Tristan Gooley is a world navigator who shares with us all his skills and knowledge regarding animal tracking, weather forecasting, locating water, and much more. This book may be a small gift, but it can have a huge impact in someone’s life incase of an emergency.
6 – Missing 411 Western & Eastern North America $24.95
These fascinating books by former detective, David Paulides, detail the mysterious disappearances in National Parks. Cases include people disappearing just a few feet away from family and friends or toddlers “traveling” miles into rural areas without trails.
The cases share commonalities, such as berries, nearby water, or bad weather affects the SAR. The bodies are sometimes found in areas that are virtually impossible to reach, less often they’re found alive, but most of the time they disappear without a trace.
7 – LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottle $29.96
The LifeStraw bottle has 2 benefits over the aforementioned Nalgene bottle. Less weight and infinite amount of water. The only catch is you have to be near a water source to filter the water. Pretty obvious right?
For this reason I only take it with me when I know I’ll be hiking near a creek or spending lots of time at a swimming hole or lake. It’s a very useful addition to my pack.
8 – DanForce Headlamp $29.97
One of the issues I’ve had with other headlamps is how dim they are, but not with DanForce. The 3 bulbs give off a powerful blueish white light.
It’s the perfect headlamp for night hikes and exploring the inside of old abandoned mines.
9 – TrailBuddy Hiking Poles $37.99
They’re light, collapsable, and help so much on the steep sections. They’ve also saved me a few times from slipping and falling in the snow. They come with multiple adapters for various terrains, including mud, gravel, snow, and dirt.
I’ve owned a pair of these since May of 2020 and the’ve never let me down.
10 – Merrel Moab 2 Vent Mid HIking Boots $79.95 – $226.09
First and foremost, these are the BEST hiking boots I’ve ever owned for two primary reasons: They’re incredibly light and highly ventilated, making them ideal for hiking in hot weather. They also provide tons of traction and ankle support. It’s okay to cheap out on certain gear, but a good pair of boots is definitely not one of them.
11 – Osprey Men’s Stratos 24 $120.53 / Women’s Sirrus 24 $140
The Stratos and the Sirrus are both 24 liters and identical. BEST hiking backpack I’ve ever owned. It has adjustable shoulder straps for maximum comfort. The backpanel is made of a ventilated tension mesh that decreases back sweat and provides additional comfort.
Their larger size is more ideal for longer hikes or you carry lots of gear. They boast a raincover, 2 bottle pockets, 3L hydration sleeve, & more. Amazon is accepting monthly payments without a credit card. Worth every penny.
12 – DJI Mavic Air 2 Fly More Combo $988
This is the drone I use to take all my aerial pics and recordings. See some of my images here. Amazon allowed me to make 5 monthly payments WITHOUT a credit card. Pretty sweet right?
The Air 2 is the best bang for your buck and the perfect medium size for longer hikes. The shots look AMAZING. Let your loved one enjoy the outdoors from a completely different and breathtaking angle.
