The 10 Best Stocking Stuffers for Backpackers and Hikers (2025)

If you concentrate on it, stocking stuffers have been tailored for backpackers. Few different outdoorspeople fear this a lot about their pack weight, and even fewer could be this excited to obtain a present sufficiently small to suit right into a sock. This yr, we compiled tried-and-true devices and equipment good for the path lover in your listing, all examined by avid backpackers and hikers.

Unique Buff 

Out of all of the equipment worn by backpackers and hikers, Buffs are some of the ubiquitous. This stretchy tube of polyester microfabric could be worn as a neck hotter, round your face as a balaclava, twisted right into a hat, or used to wash out the within of a very soiled cookpot. Minimize in half, it makes two perfectly-sized headbands. Buffs are available in an enormous vary of supplies and sizes, however the Unique Buff is probably the most versatile and has loads of outdoors-themed patterns to select from.

Nuun Hydration Tabs

The market is stacked with hydration choices, however the basic tube of Nuun tabs has lengthy been a stalwart within the class. These tabs are packable, comparatively dust-free, and are available 10 to a tube, so hikers don’t need to take care of bits of wrapper like single-serve hydration packs. Every pill dissolves shortly in a bottle of water and has a light-weight, refreshing fizz. All varieties are full of electrolytes, and have a refined, low-sugar taste.

Smartwool Efficiency Hike Gentle Socks

Whereas many backpackers have loyalty to a particular model or sock mannequin, it’s onerous to go flawed with Smartwool’s basic Efficiency Hike Gentle. This merino-blend crew doesn’t scrunch up, is knit with strengthened toes and heels to withstand abrasion, and the stitching is minimal, which helps forestall sizzling spots and blisters. Smartwool makes these socks with 55% merino for softness, wicking, and odor-resistance, then makes use of a mix of elastane and nylon for sturdiness and form retention.

Nitecore NU20 Traditional Headlamp

Nitecore headlamps are considerably of an insider secret for critical backpackers: vivid bulbs, lengthy battery life, and low weight, all for an inexpensive worth. The NU20 weighs lower than two ounces and has a most brightness of 360 lumens, which is completely enough for night time mountaineering. It additionally has adjustable gentle settings, a minimalist elastic strap, and comes with its personal charging cable.

Aquamira Water Therapy

Water-treatment drops aren’t the sexiest present, however these humble one-ounce bottles have the potential to forestall your favourite backpacker’s subsequent bout of giardia. (Your good friend or member of the family will owe you indefinitely.) Aquamira is a two-step water purification course of that takes just some minutes to deal with water within the backcountry. It additionally weighs simply three ounces, making it a preferred backup purification technique for backpackers.

Out of doors Vitals Professional Line Hat

A dependable brimmed hat can imply the distinction between having fun with the surroundings on an above-treeline hike and squinting miserably into the solar for six hours. This airy-but-sturdy cap slots neatly between ultralight operating caps and sturdier trucker-style choices, making it an amazing selection for hikers and backpackers. We beloved the mixture of a wicking band, structured brim, laser-cut perforations for breathability, and low weight. It additionally has an adjustable snap-back closure and suits comfortably on quite a lot of head sizes, staying securely in place on windy ridgelines.

Paka Underwear

Merino might need the natural-fibers market cornered, however comfortable, gentle, heat alpaca fibers are a powerful second. Paka is likely one of the manufacturers main the cost, and their up to date line of underwear constructed from Tencel, cotton, and alpaca fiber is among the softest we’ve ever worn. The six-inch inseam on the lads’s boxer temporary helps forestall chafing and doesn’t journey up beneath mountaineering shorts, and the ladies’s briefs have minimal seams and low-profile elastic. We additionally love Paka’s low-impact sports activities bra, which is snug sufficient for sleeping however nonetheless supportive for mountaineering.

Hears Ear Plugs

Excellent for backpackers frequenting heavily-trafficked thru-hiking trails (taking a look at you, northbound AT hikers), Hears Ear Plugs are a reusable, impressively sound-deadening, and cozy. 4 our testers, Hears have helped silence even probably the most chaotic nights in a Georgia shelter, to not point out the crinkle of a dozen NeoAir sleeping pads. There are many white-noise sleepbuds available on the market, however we love the Hears as a result of they’re one much less factor to maintain charged, and simpler and fewer wasteful than foam earplugs.

Gossamer Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket

Whereas we take into account the shoulder strap a vital organizing factor, loads of backpack corporations haven’t gotten the memo. Gossamer Gear’s aftermarket shoulder pocket handily solves the issue, offering easy accessibility to small gadgets. This little rectangular holder is completely sized to carry a smartphone, electrolyte powder, and perhaps a snack or two, attaching with Velcro straps to the shoulder strap of a daypack or backpacking pack with ease. It has a nominal quantity of froth for construction, a large clamshell zipper, and a mesh outer pocket the place we stash headphones and lip balm. It additionally capabilities as a town-day pockets on longer journeys.

Snow Peak Titanium Spork

The final bites of your backpacking meal are lastly inside attain due to this extra-long titanium spork. Whereas it admittedly capabilities higher as a spoon than a fork, this dependable device has efficiently fed us numerous meals, from freeze-dried spaghetti to overly soupy oatmeal. It weighs lower than one ounce, is simple to scrub, and all the time a welcome present for the hiker who has their arms perpetually lined in rehydrated goop.