Most of us won’t be out hiking on Christmas Day, especially if we live somewhere covered in snow. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be included in the celebrations.
These stocking stuffers for hikers are a great way to make your outdoorsy loved one happy this Christmas. I’m sure that you’ll love giving them a gift that they’ll actually use too!
From trail mix and energy bars to fancy new trekking poles, these stocking stuffers can help make their next outdoor adventure more enjoyable. Here’s what we recommend checking out:
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1. Editor’s Pick: America the Beautiful Pass
Some of the most gorgeous state-side hiking spots can be seen in our national parks. If the hiker on your gift list lives close to one, or simply likes to take frequent visits, an America the Beautiful Pass might be the perfect stocking gift.
This pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges for the affordable annual price of $80. For reference entrance to Shenandoah NP is $30, Zion is $35, and Yellowstone is $35.
So if they visit more than three parks in a year then the pass pays for itself.
The best part is, you can order these online, so they make for a great last-minute gift idea. However, they’ll need to wait until the physical pass arrives to start using it.
🇺🇸 Buy the America the Beautiful Pass here. 🇺🇸
2. Hiking Snacks
Snacks are important to drop into your pack, but many of us forget all about them until we’re halfway out the door. Then we’re stuck scrambling for whatever we have around the house — banana anyone?
Give your hiking buddy a head start by grabbing some premium snacks. A few delicious favorites include:
- Munk Pak Nut Bars – tried these for the first time this year and love them!
- Trail Mix
- Beef jerky
Honestly, if I get hiking snacks for Christmas there’s a 50/50 chance they will already be eaten by the time I go hiking again though. 😂
👉🏻 Get the best price for Munk Pack here. | Shop snacks on Amazon. | Shop snacks on REI. 👈🏻
3. Outdoor-Focused Books
You can’t always be out and about (even if you want to be), which is where outdoor-focused books come in. Whether your reading hiker is interested in fiction or nonfiction, there are a few hiking-focused books that they might get a kick out of in their downtime.
Need a few ideas? Check out:
- Wild by Cheryl Strayed
- Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (This was one of my favorites when I was younger)
4. Darn Tough Hiking Socks
The right hiking socks are going to be durable, made from a wool blend, and fit correctly. That’s where Darn Tough comes in. While a single pair is a little on the pricier side, they’re well worth it.
Not only are they comfortable, but they also come with a lifetime guarantee. If your loved one has ever had an issue with their travel socks not holding up over time, these are the way to go.
🧦 Check out Darn Tough’s Gift Finder here. 🧦
5. Black Diamond Headlamp
While a headlamp might be something that makes you think of the seven dwarves from the fairy tale, they’re really a great addition to a daypack.
You never know what might happen and if a hike takes longer than expected it’s so important to take a light source! Not to mention they’re great for sunrise hikes when you hike up in the dark.
Black Diamond makes some great headlamps and even has a red light feature, it’s great for preserving your night vision and keeping you from blinding your friends.
🔦 Buy the Black Diamond Astro 300 here. 🔦
6. Multitool
Throwing a multitool into your backpack means that you’re prepared for just about anything. Most of them have a knife, screwdriver, pliers and more so you can make repairs on the go.
If the hiker in your life doesn’t already have one, it could make for a good stocking stuffer. However, the big downside to going the multitool route is that pocket knives tend to be sharper – if that’s something they’re missing.
🛠 Get the best bang for your buck with this Leatherman Bond Multitool. 🛠
7. Hiking First Aid Kit
No hiker wants to get stuck in the middle of nowhere without the necessary supplies to treat an injury — that’s where a first aid kit comes in. You can grab a pre-packaged one and save yourself the trouble of putting your own together.
If you do want to go the DIY route, consider including:
- Bandages (assorted sizes)
- Antiseptic wipes
- Bandage tape
- Pain medication
- Safety pins
- Tweezers
🩹 Get the Day Hike First Aid Kit here. 🩹
8. Packable Travel Towel
Having a travel towel on-hand can be a godsend, whether you want to dry off after a dip in the river or clean up after an unexpected rain.
You want to go with something lightweight that dries quickly. No one wants to add a ton of extra weight to their daypack lugging around a beach towel. It definitely makes you feel better after a summer swim!
9. Compact Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are a must-have for avid hikers. Not only do they help maintain your balance and reduce the strain on your joints and back, but they also provide more stability when you take on more challenging terrain.
I always thought trekking poles look a little ridiculous but I would have given anything to have some on a few of the hikes I did this year. I was especially glad a friend gave me a walking stick while hiking near State College, PA – also one of the best things to do near Bellefonte.
But many trekking pole sets are a bit on the larger side. Instead, opt for one that’s packable, lightweight, and compact.
⛰ Check prices for trekking poles here. ⛰
10. Portable Phone Charger
My portable charger has come in handy SO many times. Especially if you’re on a camping trip – it’s one of my tent camping essentials.
Honestly, bringing along a portable phone charger on your hike is a no-brainer. These days phones are our lifeline, especially if you’ve downloaded a map and there’s no cell service. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer for hikers.
📱 Get a good power bank for a great price here. 📱
11. Eno Hammock
For hikers that love a good overnight adventure or just an afternoon nap, there’s the Eno Hammock. These can hold up to 400 lbs, fold into a packable sack, and it provides a comfortable space to nap.
One of my most memorable hikes was where Tyler and I hiked the Babel Tower Trail near Linville Falls down to the river and took our hammocks to relax before hiking back out.
This one is a bit larger so it may just be a great regular gift idea for hikers but some people have big stockings!
👉🏻 Check out fun colors for ENO Hammocks here. 👈🏻
12. Hand Warmers
Those that hike in cooler weather will appreciate a good hand warmer. I know my fingers, hands, and toes are some of the hardest things to keep warm on a hike and I always forget to buy these for myself.
Pop some hand warmers in your gloves or pockets and foot warmers in your boots and you’re good to go!
⭐️ Buy hand warmers in bulk here. ⭐️
13. Textured Massage Ball
My feet get SO sore after going hiking and I’m always asking my husband for a foot massage afterward. These little bad boys put an end to that.
Textured massage balls are a great way to relieve tension in the muscles and feel great rolling it on the bottom of your foot. This is the perfect small stocking stuffer for hikers.
👉🏻 Get a cheap massage ball here. 👈🏻
14. waterproof Backpack Cover
No one thinks about a backpack cover until they’re caught out in the rain on a trail. Don’t ask me how I know.
All you’ll need to know is the general size of their backpack so you can order the right size of waterproof cover. This is something so useful that people typically forget about which makes it a great gift idea!
15. Reusable Snack Bags
Snack bags are great for packing up your hiking food, but single-use Ziploc bags come at an environmental cost. Help your hiking buddy be a little more green this year with a set that can be used multiple times.
🍋 Buy the Stasher Silicone bags here. 🍋
16. Bug Spray
Mosquitos LOVE me and I have to keep bug spray in my car during the summer for hikes or just anytime I’ll be outside. Especially while I was hiking near Port Arthur and Beaumont.
Try out a natural bug spray for your hiking friend to keep them from getting bitten up. This is an easy thing to take off their plate!
🦟 Order Ranger Ready Repellent here. 🦟
17. Chapstick
Chapped lips can ruin an otherwise pleasant hike – especially in cold weather which is why chapstick makes a good gift.
While most people don’t think about sunscreen in winter, it’s still important to apply so look for a chapstick that contains sunscreen.
☀️ Order Sun Bum Lip Balm here. ☀️
18. Warm Gloves
One essential item for hiking in the winter is a pair of warm gloves. If the hiker in your life loves to get out in cold weather then this is a perfect stocking stuffer for them!
Plus you can get a cozy pair and still stay within your holiday gift budget. It’s a great gift for outdoorsy women.
🧤 Check out these North Face gloves with etips. 🧤
19. LifeStraw Water Filter
It’s so important to bring enough water on a hike so you don’t get dehydrated, but drinking dirty water can make you very sick. That’s where the LifeStraw Water Filter comes in.
This little stocking stuffer can come in super handy on long hikes where it’s hard to carry enough water. It filters out 99.999999% of all bacteria, 99.999% of all parasites, and 99.999% of microplastics.
💧 Get great prices on Lifestraw here. 💧
20. Water Bottle Cleaning Kit
It can be so frustrating to try and clean a water bottle – especially one with a small neck. a water bottle cleaning kit can make their life easier and make it less of a hassle to keep their water bottles clean.
🧼 This cleaning set cleans bottles and so much more! 🧼
21. Fanny Pack
Having a fanny pack can provide you with a hands-free way to carry all of your essentials while hiking. Plus they’re coming back in style! Who would have thought?
These are great for short hikes where you don’t need to carry a ton of stuff with you. They also come in handy for exploring theme parks in the US.
🥾 Check out the Osprey DAYLITE Waist Pack. 🥾
22. Waterproofing Spray
Did you know that raincoats and other waterproof gear don’t stay waterproof? Yep, the waterproofing wears off.
Getting waterproofing spray and using it on your gear at least once a year will ensure that you stay dry when the rain catches you off guard.
🧥 Order waterproofing spray here. 🧥
23. Sof Sole Sneaker Deodorizers
So, when I was younger and played softball my friend’s parents wouldn’t let me take my cleats off in their house. That’s how bad my feet would smell after softball games.
If your hiking friend has the same problem then these sneaker deodorizers are the perfect gift.
👟 Get these colorful sneaker deodorizers here. 👟
24. REI Gift Card
While some people don’t like giving gift cards, personally I love receiving them because then I get to go shopping and don’t have to spend my own money!
An REI Gift Card is the perfect stocking stuffer for hikers because they can get exactly what they want.
💳 Buy an REI gift card here. 💳
25. Splurge Item: Garmin inReach Mini
Looking to spend a little bit more for a special someone? The Garmin inReach Mini provides a satellite connection when your phone doesn’t work.
You can send or receive text messages, check in on your family, and even call for help. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it for peace of mind.
I got one last year when I knew I would be taking more solo trips and it really does help calm the nerves a bit. I haven’t had to use the SOS function thank goodness, but I have sent text messages out to let family know I’m okay when there is no cell service.
In the past year I’ve used it while exploring the things to do in Davis, WV and hiking near State College, PA.
📡 Get the Garmin inReach Mini here. 📡
Wrap Up: Best Stocking Stuffers for Hikers
These stocking stuffers for hikers can be a fun way to gift odds and ends that can make the hiking experience better this holiday season. From hand warmers and gloves to a headlamp or a LifeStraw, there are plenty of practical and affordable choices out there.
What are you going to give your favorite hiker to ensure they have a merry and active Christmas?
