Best Christmas Gifts For Hikers & Backpackers (2025 Guide)

Hikers might seem hard to shop for, and this can be true if your friend or loved ones is as obsessed with hiking and the great outdoors as we are! This is partly because they likely have a nice gear kit, and partly because so much gear depends on personal preference.

Good news though: the best Christmas gifts for hikers are trusted, useful, and adventure-ready. Whether you’re shopping for a weekend warrior, a national park junkie, or a wilderness-crazy backpacking pro, this holiday guide is packed with thoughtful gifts they’ll love.

From affordable casual gifts and stocking stuffers, to bigger upgrades they’ve secretly been dreaming about, these picks help hikers stay comfy, safe, and stoked for their 2025 adventures.

BEST CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR HIKERS & BACKPACKERS (2025)

PAKA Alpaca Wool Sweater

For hikers who want serious comfort without sacrificing performance, a PAKA alpaca wool sweater is a dream Christmas gift. Alpaca fibers are naturally warm, moisture-wicking, breathable, and insanely soft, making this layer perfect for cold morning starts, winter hikes, or just cozying up after a long day on the trail. PAKA’s sweaters are responsibly made, durable enough for real outdoor use, and stylish enough for everyday wear. It’s one of those pieces hikers reach for constantly because it just works in every season.

Katabatic Gear Tincup Down Jacket

If you want to give a gift that guarantees warmth without the weight, the Katabatic Gear Tincup Down Jacket is the one. This ultralight puffy packs serious heat thanks to premium 900-fill down, yet still compresses down small enough to disappear in a daypack. It’s perfect for winter hikes, chilly campsites, dawn patrol starts, or anyone who tends to run cold outdoors. Katabatic’s build quality is top-tier: durable, thoughtfully designed, and made for real backcountry use. A truly exceptional gift for hikers who want warmth that lasts, season after season.

Rumpl Puffy Blanket

Nothing says “cozy adventure” quite like a Rumpl Puffy Blanket, and a special National Park edition makes them even more special. Made from recycled materials and insulated like a premium sleeping bag, it delivers incredible warmth at camp, in the car, or curled up on the couch planning your next trip. It’s lightweight, durable, and machine-washable; a true do-it-all blanket designed for wanderers who love national parks. A standout gift for hikers, road-trippers, and anyone who appreciates comfort with a dose of desert magic.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest Backpack

For hikers who want one pack that can do it all- and survive anything -the Hyperlite Southwest line is the gold standard. Made from incredibly tough, ultralight Dyneema Composite Fabric, this pack shrugs off abrasion, storms, and endless miles of trail abuse. The Southwest comes in 40L, 55L, and 70L, making it an amazing gift whether you’re shopping for day hikers leveling up, weekend backpackers, or thru-hikers chasing long trails. It’s simple, efficient, weather-resistant, and built with exactly the features hikers need, and none they don’t. A top-tier Christmas gift pick for anyone who wants to go farther with less weight.

Ibex Mammoth Hoodie

If you want to give someone the warmest hug ever- but in gear form -the Ibex Mammoth Hoodie is it. Made with thick, premium merino wool, this midlayer blends serious warmth with breathability, making it an incredible choice for hikers who head out in true winter conditions. It insulates even when damp, resists odor naturally, and feels unbelievably soft against the skin. Whether they’re layering up for snowshoeing, alpine starts, or cold-weather camping, the Mammoth Hoodie is the kind of gift that instantly becomes their go-to winter piece.

NEMO Equipment Fillo Pillow

If you’ve ever tried to sleep in the backcountry using a balled-up puffy or a stuff sack as a pillow, you know: it’s… not great. The NEMO Fillo fixes that forever. This compact, inflatable pillow uses a soft foam layer on top to mimic the comfort of an at-home pillow while still packing down small enough for ultralight trips. It’s supportive, cozy, quiet, and genuinely life-changing for anyone who struggles to sleep well outdoors. For backpackers, car campers, and anyone who loves comfort, the Fillo is one of the most universally loved Christmas gifts you can give.

Garmin inReach Messenger+

For hikers, backpackers, and explorers who love going way off-grid, the Garmin inReach Messenger+ is one of the most meaningful, potentially life-saving gifts you can give. This compact satellite communicator lets you send and receive messages, share your location, check weather updates, and trigger an SOS through GEOS if things go sideways, all without cell service. The Messenger+ is small enough to fit in any pocket, intuitive to use, and incredibly reliable. Whether someone hikes solo, backpack-camps in remote wilderness, or takes long desert road trips, this little device offers peace of mind for both them and everyone who cares about them.

Fjallraven Tab Hat

A good beanie is basically a hiking necessity, and the Fjällräven Tab Hat nails that sweet spot between warmth, comfort, and classic style. Made with soft, durable materials that hold up to years of trail miles, this hat keeps your head warm without overheating: perfect for sunrise starts, high-altitude camps, or chilly rest breaks. It’s lightweight, packable, and looks great on literally everyone. If you’re shopping for someone who’s outside all winter long, this is an effortless, practical, and cozy gift they’ll wear nonstop.

Kahtoola MICROspikes Ghost Traction

If someone you love hikes through winter, or even shoulder season, they need reliable traction. The Kahtoola MICROspikes® Ghost are some of the lightest, strongest, and most packable spikes you can gift. Built with a flexible harness and sharpened stainless-steel spikes, they grip icy trails incredibly well without weighing your pack down. They slip on quickly, stay secure, and turn slick terrain into something manageable and even fun. A perfect gift for hikers who won’t let snow or ice keep them indoors.

The Original Bogg Bag

The Original Bogg Bag is a game-changer for anyone who hauls a lot of gear! Hikers, campers, road-trippers, parents, adventure photographers, you name it. It's structured, waterproof design means it never collapses, never soaks through, and never complains when stuffed to the brim. It’s perfect for organizing your trunk, carrying camp supplies, keeping snacks and layers tidy, or even serving as an adventure-ready beach/lake tote. Durable, wipe-clean, and surprisingly stylish, this is a gift that instantly upgrades anyone’s outdoor system.

KUIU Super Down PRO Glassing Glomitt

For anyone who spends long hours outside in true winter conditions, wildlife watchers, photographers, hunters, backcountry explorers, the Super Down Pro Glassing Glomitts are a total game-changer. These mitts deliver serious warmth using premium down insulation, yet the three compartment design gives you dexterity for operating your camera, binoculars, or GPS. They’re lightweight, packable, incredibly warm for their size, and built for brutal cold where normal gloves just don’t cut it. A perfect high-performance Christmas gift for anyone who refuses to stay inside when temps drop.

NEMO Equipment Double Haul Convertible Duffel & Tote

If you’re gifting someone who’s constantly road-tripping, car camping, or hopping between trailheads, the Double Haul from NEMO is one of the most versatile haulers out there. It seamlessly transforms from a rugged duffel to an oversized tote, making it perfect for stuffing with everything from winter layers to camp kitchen gear.

The large sizes are ideal for long weekends or gear-heavy day trips, while the extra large version handles big expeditions, bulky cold-weather layers, or travel loads that need a tough, structured hauler. Built from ultra-durable, water-resistant materials with thoughtful organization and sturdy straps, it’s a gift that genuinely upgrades any adventurer’s system; especially for folks who like their gear bombproof and easy to carry.

Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles

The LT5s are some of the lightest trekking poles in the ultralight world; and they absolutely live up to the hype. Weighing almost nothing, they offer reliable stability on steep climbs, loose rock, and long descents without adding fatigue to your stride. The three-piece carbon construction collapses down small for travel or pack carry, and the cork grips mold to your hands for all-day comfort. These make a great Christmas gift for any hiker on your list!

REI, Garage Grown Gear, or Backcountry Gift Card

When in doubt, go with a gift card. For hikers and backpackers, a gift card to REI, Backcountry, or Garage Grown Gear is guaranteed to hit the mark because it lets them choose exactly what they truly need. Whether they’re eyeing a new pair of trail shoes, a fresh piece of technical apparel, or a cottage-brand ultralight upgrade, these retailers cover all the bases.

Gift cards also take the pressure off sizing and specs (because hikers can be picky, and that’s okay). It’s a flexible, thoughtful, and incredibly practical gift for adventurers at any experience level.

REI | Backcountry | Garage Grown Gear

How To Choose The Best Gift For Your Hiker

The best holiday gifts for hikers are:
✔ lightweight
✔ practical
✔ durable
✔ used often
✔ helpful on real trails

Think about essentials, comfort items, or pieces of gear that make hiking easier, safer, or more fun. Hikers may be gear nerds, but they always appreciate simplicity, especially when it makes their adventures better.

Packing It Out

Whether you’re shopping for a brand-new hiker or a seasoned backpacker, these Christmas gifts are guaranteed wins: practical, trail-tested, and ready for 2025 adventures.

Hiking gifts don’t need to be complicated, they just need to be thoughtful. And everything here fits that perfectly.

This article is independent of the supplier and reflects my own opinions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at no additional cost to you.