50 Best Practical & Unique Gifts for Outdoor Lovers [2021 Update]

With each passing month, we get closer and closer to the holidays. So what better time than now to start brainstorming some outdoor gifts for your fave adventurer?

(Cue the groaning.)

I know. I hate shopping. Especially for other people. Not because I’m a Scrooge or anything. But because buying for someone else is extremely stressful! So stressful that sometimes you want to just give up and buy the person a gift card or a pair of socks.

We’ve all been there. 

But this year, you don’t have to settle for the generic gifts. If you’re shopping for the special outdoor lover in your life, I have GOOD news.

2021 has been a year of amazing outdoor tools and knick-knacks, and I’ve discovered the ultimate list of practical, lightweight, compact, and earth-friendly gifts that should make every adventurers top 50 gear list.

Whether they’re a casual weekend camper, a backcountry backpacker, or prepping for the Pacific Crest Trail, these handy (and mostly affordable) gifts are sure to make their life a little easier and a little more awesome.

So without further ado, happy (future) holidays and have fun gear shopping!

AFFILIATE LINK DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links. Anything you purchase using one of my links earns me a small monetary kickback at NO extra cost to you. Of course I only link to products that I believe to be useful and good quality. If you want more information on affiliate links and why I use them, click here.

OUTDOOR GIFTS UNDER $20

1. Lifestraw

A must-have for any outdoor lover or backcountry camper – the Lifestraw eliminates 99.9999% of water-born bacteria such as salmonella, cholera and E.coli. With the Lifestraw you can drink straight from rivers and lakes, stress-free. I pack one of these on every backpacking adventure. It can be a lifesaver if you don’t pack enough drinking water!

2. 4-in-1 Compact Meal Kit

I will never stop promoting these UCO mess kits – they are so compact, so durable, and so functional. The kit comes apart into, essentially, a bowl and a plate + the utensil works as a spoon, fork and knife. The utensil can be easily stored inside the mess kit, if you prefer, and there are also matching collapsible mugs (sold separately) that can be packed inside. These mess kits are also dishwasher safe, which makes them easy to “deep clean” after a camping trip.

3. Tiny Spice “Missile”

Sometimes the best outdoor gifts come in the smallest of packages, and that’s definitely the case with this spice missile! I can’t believe the camping trips (and other random outdoor adventures) I’ve suffered without spices! Needlessly! This tiny 4″ spice missile is easy to take along, even on a backpacking trip, and can store up to 6 spices!

4. Backcountry Instant Dessert

Tastes just like homemade! Okay, maybe not. But there is nothing like a blast of sugar to perk you up after a long day of hiking and adventuring outdoors!

5. Instant Coffee or Latte

When camping, I never go without a morning cup of coffee! Instant headache relief. Maybe I’m addicted?

This instant coffee is a coffee + creamer all-in-one! Delicious coconut-y, creamy goodness.

6. REI Beanie

Nothing screams “camping” like a warm beanie that doubles as a camp-hair disguise! I have this one from REI in black, green, and, my personal favorite, gold. It’s comfy, easy to pack and throw on, and most importantly it makes you look good even when you have greasy/messy hair. I’m wearing a beanie in almost ALL of my photos because my hair literally never looks good. But you wouldn’t know that because, like I said, beanies are an amazing disguise! Think of it as an invisibility cloak for bad hair days.

7. Yeti Tumbler

Yeti is a tried-and-true brand for many and boasts of major durability and ultra-insulation. This 10oz tumbler is “sweat proof” and will keep your hot drinks piping hot and your cold drinks icy-fresh.

8. Water Purification Tablets

An alternative (or back-up) to the Lifestraw, purification tablets are an easy way to ensure you’re drinking clean and safe water.

9. Fire Starter

A total staple for any backcountry homie – a mag striker is an easy and reliable way to get a fire going for the night.

10. Rainproof Headlamp

I’ve had excellent experience with Black Diamond headlamps! This one is under $20 and guaranteed to withstand the rain should you run into a storm or two (though hopefully you don’t!).

11. Waterproof Dry Sacks

Going on a water-related adventure? Definitely get yourself a dry sack! They are great for float trips or for storing car keys/phones when kayaking or paddle boarding.

12. Gear Aid Repair Tape

A quick fix in case you get a rip in your tent – or really any gear item. The Gear Aid repair tape is definitely a backpacking staple – nobody wants a drenched sleeping bag because they couldn’t patch their busted tent properly! It may not be the fanciest of outdoor gifts, but it’s certainly one of the more practical/useful ones.

13. First Aid Kit

This day hiking first aid kit is great (and important) for quick adventures!

14. Gear Aid Paracord

Paracord is basically the duct tape of camping gear – it just has so many uses! I mean, so does duct tape but… you get what I’m saying. I’ve used it to transport gear up and down canyon walls, hang wet clothes + tie loose items to my pack when backpacking. It has definitely come in handy over the years!

15. Afterbite

Know someone who always gets eaten by mosquitos, even with 5 layers of bug spray on? Gift them some Afterbite!

I swear, this stuff really works. I have severely sensitive skin and my mosquito bites always swell up 8 – 10x their original size. Not to mention I have zero self control when it comes to scratching my itches! Afterbite honestly takes the itch away completely. It is so effective!

16. Backcountry Wipes (a.k.a. lazy shower)

Believe it or not, taking a “lazy shower” with backcountry wipes leaves me feeling fresh enough to go out in public! Definitely a game-changer.

17. Biodegradable Soap

If you’d rather take a “real” shower at your campsite, make sure to use Campsuds! It’s much gentler on the earth, but of course introducing anything foreign to a new environment isn’t the best so be sure to limit your use and always rinse off at least 200 feet away from water sources.

18. Pocket-Sized Microfiber Towel

Instead of packing up a giant bath towel that stays wet for hours, try out one of these teeny-tiny pocket-sized towels! They are super quick-drying and super soft.

19. Backcountry Trowel

The proper way to do your business in the backcountry? Dig a hole, poop in it, and bury it (at least 200 feet away from water sources). Weird, right? But that’s how it’s done. I don’t make the rules.

20. LED Dog Collar

There could not be a more useful gift for a camping dog-owner! It helps you keep tabs on your pup, even in the dark. Super handy!

21. Collapsible Dog Food/Water Bowls

Another great gift for the pup owner in your life – collapsible bowls for their furry buddy. It provides a nice, clean place for your dog to get some food or water and it can be squished down flat!

$20-$50 OUTDOOR GIFTS

22. Solar Powered String Lights

This is by far my favorite camping gear item on the list and one that I’ve purchased twice now (can’t get enough cute little lights!). These solar string lights will brighten up your campsite making it feel all warm and homey. Not only that, but the solar base works as a USB charger so you can charge up your phones or tablets!

Want more information on these adorable string lights? Check out my full gear review, here!

AND, just for the Holidays: Use my discount code RecklessRoaming25 to get 25% off any MPOWERD product when you shop on their official site!

23. Camp Hammock

This single-nest Eno Hammock is super comfy, can hold up to 400lbs and can compress down into a tiny, little stuff sack – in case you want to take it on any crazy backpacking adventures 🙂

24. Pocket Rocket Camp Stove

Just attach it to your mini fuel tank, stick a pot on top, and you’re ready to get cooking! This is the ultimate, lightweight solution to cooking in the backcountry.

25. Bear Spray

If you know someone going deep into the backcountry, this is definitely a must-have! Bear spray has proven very effective for many people, while “bear bells” to ward off bears seem to fail quite often. Depending on where you or your pal is hiking/camping, this could be a life saver!

26. Camp Kitchen Table

Perfect for playing cards, eating meals and drinking your morning coffee! This table packs down flat, so it’s perfect to throw in the trunk for the ultimate car camping experience.

27. Pocket Picnic Blanket

This water-resistant blanket from Matador literally folds down so small, it can fit in your pocket! It’s even weighted in the corners to prevent it from annoyingly flipping up (like your typical, belligerent beach towel).

28. Comfy Camp Chair

After all, what’s a table without chairs? Just a thing to stand beside. But seriously, these chairs are super comfy and easy to transport for car camping!

29. Multi-Tool

Another camping and backpacking staple! Every good camper must have a multi-tool… for MULTIple reasons. (Get it?)

30. Scrubba Laundry + Wash Bag

This awesome off-grid laundry system is so simple, but so revolutionary! It’s essentially a modern, convenient and packable version of the old-fashioned washboard. You fill the bag with dirty clothes, soap and water, and rub to wash/rinse/dry. This is one of the best gifts you can receive for long-term outdoor adventures! I seriously wish I had this when we were long-term road tripping in 2019.

31. Inflatable Solar Powered Lantern + Charger

Inflate when using and deflate when packing. This super compact lantern is solar-powered and even doubles as a USB charger! My MPOWERD solar lights have been well-loved and are one of my top essentials when camping or going on evening hot spring adventures. They’re waterproof, bright AF, and insanely durable! I wrote a complete gear review for this particular solar lantern, which you can read here.

For the Holidays: Use my discount code RecklessRoaming25 to get 25% off any MPOWERD product when you shop on their official site!

32. Cocktails on the Go!

Gone are the days where you packed cheap bags of wine on your backpacking adventures. Or was that just me? Anyway, now you can class it up on your adventures without taking up space in your pack. The Cocktail Box Co makes their to-go cocktails small enough to fit in your back pocket! Choose from 4 different cocktails: Margaritas, Moscow Mules, Gin & Tonics, or Old Fashioneds! I’m not trying to encourage bad habits, but this would be one of the most amazing gifts I could receive as an outdoor enthusiast.

33. Portable AeroPress Coffee Press

Nobody loves coffee more than hikers (and nurses, probably). Give the magical gift of caffeine to the coffee-lover / outdoor adventurer in your life with this portable and compact coffee press. It is literally a life goal of mine to purchase this, backpack to a remote hot spring, and chill with a cup of coffee in my own private spa. One day…

$50-$100 OUTDOOR GIFTS

34. Backpack Cooler

Now you can go on that off-grid picnic trip you always dreamed of (hands-free!). Pack all your refrigerated goods in this handy-dandy backpack.

35. Doggy Life Jacket

Okay, first of all the name of this product is enough to make you want to buy it. FLOAT COAT? Forget about it! Secondly, this life jacket has quickly become a go-to for beach trips, paddleboarding, and rafting with our dog, Tuna. It gives us so much peace of mind! I mean, dogs get tired, too! And if your dog is anything like mine, he doesn’t know when to stop. A life jacket for your pup eliminates the worry of over-exertion.

36. Puppy Booties

I know from experience, these dog shoes are DOPE! They look so cute (we constantly get “awws”, “omgs”, and “where did you get those” comments on the trail) and they save us from having to pull goat heads and other nasty, spikey things out of Tuna’s paws. They’ve come especially in handy when winter hiking through the snow. Wet snow gets packed into your dogs paws, refreezes, and causes some serious uncomfy feelings – leaving your dog to frantically chew the ice out of his/her paws and often causing damage to the paw pads or the skin between the toe beans. Trust me, it’s very not cool. Thankfully Ruffwear has a solution to the problem – puppy booties!

NOTE: Ruffwear is THE favorite brand for dog products in our family! We always trust them to make a durable, functional product for our Tuna.

37. Knot-a-Hitch Dog Tethering System

Another revolutionary and just plain awesome product from Ruffwear! This dog tethering system was inspired by rock-climbing techniques and is 100% tangle-free. One rope attaches between 2 trees, while the other rope (your dog’s leash) is clipped via carabiner onto the other rope, allowing your dog to move freely from side-to-side with no tangles. I actually wrote a FULL review post on the Knot-a-Hitch which you can read right here.

38. Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker

This little speaker packs a punch in the sound department and can survive being dunked in up to 1 meter of water! Also, as the photo suggests, it can be clipped onto pack for your convenience 🙂

39. America the Beautiful Parks Pass

Is your outdoor adventurer not super into “material” gifts? Then consider the America the Beautiful pass! It gives you unlimited access to all U.S. National Parks and most National Monuments and Recreation Sites for a full year.

40. Outdoor Knife Set with Case

For the camper who also loves gourmet cooking! Honestly, I am far too lazy to pack in fresh food and make fancy camp meals, but I’ve traveled with those who do and let me tell ya – IT’S AMAZING. I will forever invite those people to camp with me. Home cooking tastes even more amazing when you’re living outdoors!

OUTDOOR GIFTS OVER $100

41. Camp Stove

If you want to remain the ultimate chef (even outdoors) this is the perfect way to keep your inner gourmand alive.

42. Garmin Instinct Solar GPS Watch

Perfect for the hardcore backpacker who likes to take it to the unmarked trails! This solar GPS watch has unmatched battery life and can recharge with the endless power of the sun! You can upload trail maps prior to your trip or just track your path so you can route yourself back to your starting point safely. My husband and I both own a Garmin Instinct and they have been so incredibly useful. It also takes a huge weight off my shoulders when Francis goes out hunting, because I know he can track his way back to the truck and won’t get lost in the woods (literally). I honestly cannot say enough good things about this watch!

43. Garmin inReach Mini Offline Communicator

Another great gift for the off-grid fiend in your life – the Garmin inReach Mini is the perfect “SOS” device! If there is an emergency, the “SOS” button will request help from a 24/7 search and rescue team and allow them to contact you and track your device. But the inReach isn’t just for emergencies – it also allows 2-way messaging so you can let your friends or family know where you are, that you’re safe, and/or that you’re running late on a backpacking trip, which takes a huge weight off their shoulders! I’ve been in scenarios where I incorrectly guessed my return time/date on a backpacking trip, and my family almost called search and rescue when they didn’t hear from me on time. You don’t want that! NOTE: You need a subscription to use the inReach, but the Freedom Plan allows you to activate on a need-to basis.

44. Rumpl Outdoor Comforter

This blanket is perfect for the car camper, the van lifer, or even the backpacker. It’s incredibly light (weighing less than 2lbs for a 1-person blanket, and less than 3.5lbs for a 2-person) and is oh-so-cozy! The blanket mimics the comfort and warmth of a down blanket, but is made with recycled materials!

45. Osprey Kestrel Backpack or Osprey Kyte (For Outdoor Women)

Osprey is the ultimate in backpack brands – speaking as a very satisfied customer. Their packs are by far the most comfortable I’ve ever tried. I can be carrying 60lbs on my back and it’ll feel more like 20lbs once I’m all clipped in. Definitely a game-changer if you’re regularly backpacking.

46. Yeti Cooler

Yeti is sort of at the head of the pack as far as coolers go. This cooler is lightweight and portable and even the zipper on it is leak-proof and waterproof!

47. Teva Camp Slippers

I got these as a gift from my mom 2 years ago and they’ve been on every camp trip with me since! They are so comfy, so easy to slip on (especially for middle-of-the-night pee trips) and the sole is more like a sneaker’s sole, rather than a slipper sole – making them totally outdoor friendly!

48. Danner Hiking Boots (Inquire Chukka)

Danner is by far my favorite brand of hiking boot. In fact, they are the one brand of boot I’ve never had a “break in” period with! The Inquire Chukka is the newer addition to their hiking line, and I’ve already purchased 2 pairs! And, I don’t know if this means anything to you, but they are made with Vibram soles! Vibram has a very, very good name in the shoe world for durability, comfort and traction.

49. GoPro HERO10

The GoPro has been the most sought after outdoor adventure camera since their very first model – and they’ve come a long way since then! The GoPro Hero 10 is completely stabilized all it’s own (no extra gear needed) and it even shoots night-time video!

50. Kindle Fire HD 10

Last, but not least, the Kindle Fire. I know this may not sound like an outdoor gift at first – but just read my post on How to Watch Netflix, Disney, Hulu and Prime Offline and Off-Grid and you’ll soon understand!

Need more suggestions for outdoor gifts to add to your holiday shopping list? Or have something to add to mine? Drop me a comment!

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