With the yearly gift-giving season quick approaching, now’s a good time to begin serious about what your particular individuals might want. Should you’ve received a hiker blended into the bunch, then our gear staff is right here to assist!
Nonetheless, giving presents to out of doors adventurers will be tough. What manufacturers are dependable? Is sturdiness extra essential than weight? And what the heck do hikers even want on the market within the nice outdoor? Sorting via this tangle of questions will be daunting at greatest; Or, at worst, can lead to unused presents.
That can assist you wade via all of the choices on the market, we’re compiling our high suggestions in a single place to make present and equipment buying as painless as attainable this season! Keep in mind, mountaineering is our occupation, and our ideas are primarily based on numerous hours of area testing via a spread of environments, together with the misty Pacific Northwest, the Southwest deserts, and the chilly Rocky Mountains. We all know what works within the backcountry and, extra importantly, what doesn’t work. So, depart it to us to filter out the gimmicks and flashy duds, and we’ll depart you with a listing of present choices which might be certain to be liked!
Beneath, we’ll cowl a number of traditional mountaineering profiles from ultralight to newbie to avid backpacker, and so forth. Due to this fact, one of the best ways to make use of this information is to search out the profile that most closely fits your present recipient and see what we advise. Let’s begin with the newbie backpacker, since they might be in essentially the most want of drugs this vacation season.
Additionally be aware that our full Gear Information consists of detailed roundups for every product class: “Greatest Mountaineering Boots of 2025,” for instance. Due to this fact, in case you’d like extra present ideas for a specific class, our gear information will likely be a wonderful useful resource.
For the New Hiker
Usually, these most in want of out of doors or hiking-focused presents are the oldsters who’re simply starting to dip a toe into the game. They haven’t but constructed a to-go equipment as they experiment with several types of gear and nonetheless lack loads of important gear for mountaineering and backpacking.
Whereas there are many gadgets they want, we don’t wish to bathe new hikers with all the most costly top-tier gear. Keep in mind, they’re simply beginning out, and there are such a lot of journey lanes they’ll merge into as they construct their confidence, and every lane has its personal specialty sort of drugs. Due to this fact, we’ll deal with far-reaching presents that may be helpful for nearly any sort of journey whereas keeping track of funds. We don’t need to interrupt the financial institution right here in case your recipient discovers they like ultralight mountaineering and doesn’t need heavier gear, or decides that they like day mountaineering and doesn’t go backpacking as usually as they thought.
Rain Layer – REI Co-Op Rainier
This accessible and budget-friendly rain jacket from REI is stable in nearly each class. It’s efficient, moderately light-weight, dependable, and matches nicely with out feeling too dishevelled. Moreover, REI has a really strong return system in case your present recipient decides it’s not for them. This jacket is our go-to rain layer for mountaineering and day-to-day actions within the damp Pacific Northwest.
Males’s WoMen’s
For extra concepts, evaluation our Rain Jackets Information
Heat Layer – Patagonia R1 Fleece
A dependable heat layer is a must have for any hiker. Whether or not it will get chilly throughout a day hike otherwise you want a sleep layer for tenting within the backcountry, having a comfy layer is crucial for nearly any sort of mountaineering. Usually, artificial fleece is the best choice right here. It’s sturdy, heat, and may nonetheless preserve you heat even when it will get moist.
On this class, Patagonia’s R1 fleece has a confirmed observe document for high quality, sturdiness, and heat. We’ve been rocking an R1 fleece on adventures from snowboarding within the Pacific Northwest to backpacking in Romania, and it’s nonetheless going sturdy!
Males’s WoMen’s
For extra concepts, try our Mid Layers Information
Boots – Oboz Bridger
Oboz has a confirmed observe document of dependable help and high quality building, together with a big catalog of footwear choices. Out of this catalog, the Bridger has been one in every of Oboz’s flagship choices for years, and it’s no shock why. These boots provide dependable waterproofing and sturdiness, excellent for years of miles and adventures. Our gear information supervisor at Wildland has been rocking the one pair of Oboz Bridgers for backpacking and search and rescue for years, they usually’re nonetheless going sturdy!
Males’s WoMen’s
For extra concepts, evaluation our Mountaineering Boots Information
Backpack – Deuter Aircontact 60-liter
After we’re considering of a starter backpacking pack, the Deuter Aircontact leaps to the entrance of the road. This pack is extraordinarily comfy and adjustable, making it a straightforward match for nearly anybody. What’s extra, the Aircontact is about as indestructible as a pack can get and clocks in at about $100 cheaper than different premium and extra light-weight choices. We’ve been using the Aircontact as our go-to pack for our visitors at Wildland for years, and its efficiency and reliability is actually excellent.
Males’s WoMen’s
For extra concepts, try our Backpacking Backpacks Information
Tent – North Face Stormbreak
The Stormbreak is a workhorse of a backpacking tent. Not the lightest one on the market, nevertheless it’s dependable and an excellent entry-level choice for a hiker simply breaking into the game. Our Gear Information Supervisor began his guiding profession main volcano journeys in Nicaragua in 2018, and the Stormbreak, even then, was an endlessly dependable choice that stood as much as abrasive volcanic rock and mud extraordinarily nicely.
1-Particular person 2-Particular person
For extra concepts, try our Backpacking Tents Information
Headlight – Black Diamond Spot 400
Illumination within the backcountry is essential. From cooking dinner at camp to studying a ebook in mattress, mild is an absolute necessity each for having enjoyable and in case of an emergency. The Black Diamond Spot is our favourite with confirmed reliability, good climate resistance, and an easy-to-use format for using the flood, spot, and crimson mild capabilities.
Spot 400
For extra illumination concepts, try our Headlamps Information
For the Ultralight Hiker
Perhaps you will have a buddy or relative who’s all about that ultralight (UL) life. Which means they head into the backcountry with as little weight on their again as attainable. To realize that, ultralight hikers trim loads of further gear from their pack that they might not see as important. Moreover, they place a excessive worth on mountaineering gear that’s designed with low weight as the first consideration.
Most different concerns and classes take second place to weight for such a hiker. Due to this fact, let’s deal with a few of the lightest gear in the marketplace that also manages to keep up wonderful sturdiness.
Path Runners – Salomon Genesis
For essentially the most half, UL hikers wish to transfer mild and quick. This mentality extends to their footwear, and light-weight path runners are a extremely popular choice as a substitute of heavy boots. The Salomon Genesis is a light-weight but technical path runner that gives wonderful help and traction for numerous miles within the backcountry.
Males’s WoMen’s
For extra concepts, check out our Mountaineering Shoe Information
UL Tent – Gossamer Gear The One
In case your individual is all about trimming weight, The One from Gossamer Gear is a fantastically light-weight shelter from an amazing model. The nylon building isn’t as sturdy as Dyneema, however The One is a number of hundred {dollars} inexpensive and about the identical weight as premium Dyneema UL tents.
the one tent
For extra tent concepts, try our Backpacking Tent Information
UL Pack – HyperLite Southwest
Packs get scraped, dropped, and dragged throughout onerous backcountry journeys. Due to this fact, a continuing battle for UL hikers is to discover a backpack that manages to be light-weight whereas staying sturdy sufficient for the outside. The gang favourite for this class is undoubtedly the HyperLite Mountain Gear Southwest. This is without doubt one of the earlier implementations of Dyneema for mountaineering, and this pack is ridiculously light-weight and bombproof.
HyperLite southwest backpack
For extra pack concepts, try our Backpacking Backpacks Information
For the Day Hiker
Not everybody must sleep in a nylon palace on the grime to benefit from the outdoor. Some of us are devoted day hikers, heading out to hit the path very first thing within the morning, working onerous to discover a good looking place, after which heading residence for a well-deserved bathe.
So, let’s discuss some important gear for a day on the path with a watch on coming again to civilization on the finish of the hike.
Day Pack – Gregory Nano 22L
Sturdy and efficient, the 22-liter Gregory Nano presents ample area for a day hike’s necessities for a aggressive worth, and comes with a 3-liter hydration bladder. In case your present recipient prefers extra technical day hikes that require extra gear, then a bigger capability pack could also be wanted. However for a traditional day hike, this pack hits the mark.
nano 22l
For extra pack concepts, evaluation our Daypacks Information
Light-weight Rain Jacket – Out of doors Analysis Helium
If there’s important climate within the forecast, most day hikers will take a rain verify and journey one other day. Nonetheless, the climate will be fickle and unpredictable, particularly within the mountains, so any day hiker can profit from a light-weight and dependable rain jacket to deploy simply in case. The Out of doors Analysis Helium matches this invoice completely. Light-weight sufficient to vanish right into a pack with out weighing you down, however efficient sufficient to maintain dangerous climate at bay till you will get again to the automotive.
Males’s girls’s
For extra concepts, try our Rain Jackets Information
Mid Layer – Patagonia Down Sweater
This mid-layer jacket has been a favourite within the out of doors group for years. It’s light-weight (excellent for day mountaineering), heat, and well-built. A tad costly, however that is one in every of Patagonia’s flagship merchandise, and it definitely gained’t disappoint on the path.
Males’s girls’s
For extra heat concepts, evaluation our Mid Layers Information
For the Tech Fanatic
The techies on the market don’t want to depart their devices behind when heading into the backcountry. Should you’re present looking for a hiker who additionally loves know-how, then there are many great gift choices on the market.
So, let’s check out satellite tv for pc beacons and communicators, GPS-enabled watches, and energy banks to maintain these electronics charged. Nonetheless, simply remember that high-end tech purchases have a tendency to return with a steep price ticket.
GPS Watch – Fēnix 8 Professional or Intuition 3
A GPS-enabled lively watch is a improbable sidekick for tech-focused hikers. Monitoring your place, displaying hike metrics, and sustaining coaching objectives are just some of the capabilities out there with the Garmin Fēnix 8. What’s extra, the Fēnix now consists of satellite tv for pc connectivity for emergency communication and texting. This can be a top-shelf present, nevertheless, and comes with a really excessive price ticket for all of those options. Should you’re on the lookout for a extra accessible GPS watch with out such high-end options, take into account the Garmin Intuition 3.
fenix professional Intuition 3
Satellite tv for pc Communicator – Garmin InReach Mini 2
From routine check-ins to a real emergency, a dependable satellite tv for pc communication machine is totally key for somebody usually heading into the backcountry. The InReach Mini is compact, connects on to a smartphone for simple texting, and presents a spread of further options, together with route monitoring and climate forecasts. Word that the machine additionally requires a subscription for entry to Garmin’s InReach satellite tv for pc community.
garMin inreach mini 2
Energy Financial institution – BioLite Cost 40 PD
The BioLite Cost energy financial institution is a confirmed and dependable electronics help within the backcountry. The 40 PD (10,000 mAh) is a stable, mid-range capability battery that ought to totally cost most smartphones from zero at the least twice and assist preserve bigger electronics topped off. It doesn’t have photo voltaic charging functionality (which is helpful on longer journeys), however cost it up beforehand, and it’ll serve you nicely and preserve these important electronics charged.
biolite cost 40 pd
For extra energy concepts, try our Energy Banks Information
For the Avid Backpacker
Fortunately, of us who backpack incessantly are sometimes in want of a brand new “one thing” to enhance their gear or exchange an merchandise that’s on its final legs. A profitable backpacking journey consists of many items of drugs, each massive and small, that come collectively for a cushty and secure journey. Right here, we’ll cowl a few of the fundamentals with bigger gadgets resembling tents, packs, and sleeping baggage, together with some smaller requirements, together with stoves and headlights.
Backpack – Osprey Atmos 65 AG
A backpacker’s greatest buddy is their pack. The Atmos 65 has routinely ranked very extremely for consolation and sturdiness – providing a wonderful mix of group choices, comfy match, and hard supplies. It’s on the dear facet, however the high quality and sturdiness make it value it in the long term.
Males’s girls’s
For extra pack concepts, try our Backpacking Packs Information
Tent – MSR Hubba Hubba
Ranked as among the finest backpacking tents in the marketplace, the Hubba Hubba has a improbable weight-to-space ratio, offering ample room to unfold out and get comfy with out weighing you down.
Hubba hubba 1-person hubba hubba 2-person
For extra shelter concepts, check out our Backpacking Tents Information
Sleeping Bag – Nemo Riff 15
The Riff hits the right steadiness of low-weight consolation whereas offering ample area to unfold out with out feeling constricted. Excessive-quality down offers wonderful heat, and the additional room within the shoulders and knees is ideal for facet sleepers.
Males’s girls’s
For extra concepts, try our Sleeping Bag Information
Range – MSR Pocket Rocket 2
Easy, dependable, and light-weight. These are the highest descriptors for the pocket rocket. The range presents first rate flame management for cooking and boils a pot of water moderately rapidly for an open-flame range. In case your present recipient is the kind of hiker who solely boils water for dehydrated meals, then take into account a JetBoil. However for a superb bridge between correct cooking and easily heating water, the pocket rocket will get the job accomplished.
Pocket Rocket 2
For extra burner concepts, check out our Backpacking Stoves Information
Pot – GSI Outside Halulite Boiler
With a 1.1-liter capability, the Halulite Boiler is a perfect measurement for one or two hikers. Boil water, or whip up a scrumptious pot of noodles or soup. Moreover, a normal backpacking gas canister matches completely on this pot, plus a lighter, spork, and pocket rocket range, making it the right self-contained unit for backpacking. Nonetheless, remember that this pot gained’t work nicely for meals that want a skillet/fry pan.
halulite boiler
For extra pot and pan concepts, check out our Mountaineering Cookware Web page
Footwear – Altra Lone Peak 9
If achy ft and pinched toes are a high mountaineering gripe out of your present recipient, then the Lone Peak path runners will be the silver bullet. Altra believes in a pure footbox, which means the toe space of those sneakers is luxuriously extensive, giving toes ample room to unfold out whereas crushing these miles. In fact, these sneakers could really feel too roomy for people with slim ft, however they’re candy aid for these on the lookout for a bit further area in a sturdy and high-traction shoe that’s able to tackle the outside.
Males’s girls’s
For extra shoe concepts, check out our Low High Mountaineering Shoe and Mountaineering Boot Guides
Trekking Poles – Black Diamond Path Again
We’ve used the Path Again Poles in nearly each sort of terrain possible, from the Himalayas to the Andes, they usually’re nonetheless going sturdy after eight seasons of heavy use. They’re not the lightest or most compact poles (look to folding poles for these traits), however they’re bombproof and collapse down moderately small for stashing on the surface of a backpack when not in use.
Path again poles
For extra path help concepts, evaluation our Mountaineering Poles Information
For the Backcountry Chef
Most backpackers scrape by with dehydrated meals and premade PB&Js within the backcountry. Nonetheless, there’s the occasional adventurer who completely loves making ready improbable meals within the backcountry. Perhaps they’re a information and love prepping meals for his or her visitors, or maybe they’re a foodie and easily take pleasure in bringing their culinary abilities to the backcountry. If you realize somebody who matches this description, let’s discuss stoves and cooking methods so you possibly can assist equipment them out.
Range – Jetboil Genesis
Be forewarned, it comes with a giant price ticket, however the Genesis prepare dinner system is the right present for somebody who likes to prepare dinner. The preliminary buy comes with two burners, a 5L pot, a fry pan, and an attachable windscreen. Nonetheless, your present recipient can fine-tune their setup and run the system with just one burner if they should, or buy the JetLink hose and hyperlink three or 4 burners collectively unexpectedly, creating a real out of doors kitchen!
jetboil genesis
For extra burner concepts, try our Stoves Information.
Pot and Pan Set – GSI Outside Pinnacle Base Camper
With two pots, a frypan, strainer lids, a reducing board, and a bombproof storage tote that may double as a sink, this pot and pan set has every part an avid backcountry chef wants. It’s the right setup for automotive tenting, or simply take what you want for backcountry tenting.
Pinnacle Base Camper set
For extra particular person pot or pan concepts, try our Cookware Information
For the Traveler
Backpack – Six Moon Designs ADC Path Pack
And final, however definitely not least. In case your buddy or member of the family is that wild, adventurous touring character in your life (everyone knows one), then a dependable Journey Pack could also be simply the appropriate present. Take it from us, it may be a giant ache within the rear to fly with all of the gear you want and be instantly prepared to go into the backcountry on the opposite facet.
The ADC Journey Backpack from Six Moon Designs is simply the ticket. Our gear information supervisor flew to Romania with this pack, instantly jumped on the Through Transilvanica path, and spent nearly 5 weeks backpacking with it. This pack is excellent for large journey days on trains, buses, and planes, and nonetheless performs fantastically as a mountaineering pack for front-country journeys.
adc journey pack
For extra journey baggage concepts, try our Duffel Information
