Best Gifts for Beginner Hikers: 2025 Essential Gear Guide
Shopping for a new hiker? This guide highlights the best gifts for beginner hikers: practical, affordable essentials that help them feel confident, safe, and excited to hit the trail.
Getting into hiking is exciting, and sometimes a bit overwhelming. New hikers are figuring out which gear they actually need, what’s worth upgrading, and how to stay safe and comfortable on the trail. That makes gifting for them pretty easy. The best gifts for beginner hikers are simple, practical, and confidence-boosting.
This guide focuses on trail essentials that are lightweight, durable, and ideal for anyone taking their first steps toward longer hikes, national park trails, and weekend adventures. Everything here is beginner-friendly, and something they’ll actually use.
BEST GIFTS FOR BEGINNER HIKERS (2025 Guide)
Here are the top beginner-hiker gifts! Each one is easy to wrap, easy to use, and perfect for building a solid hiking kit.
Lightweight Daypack (20–35L)
A simple, comfortable daypack gives new hikers the perfect amount of space for water, snacks, layers, and the hiking “10 essentials.”
Check out the Persist 30l Backpack from NEMO Equipment!
Men's | Women's
Why it’s great:
The NEMO Persist 30L is one of the best beginner-friendly daypacks on the market, as it's comfortable, thoughtfully designed, and built to handle everything from casual half-day hikes to big summit pushes. It has a supportive suspension system that distributes weight beautifully, plenty of intuitive pockets (including great hip belt storage), and enough room for layers, snacks, and emergency essentials without feeling bulky.
The back panel breathes well, the fit is forgiving, and the pack strikes the perfect balance between durability and ultralight minimalism. It’s a confidence-boosting pack for new hikers who want gear that works with them, not against them.
Reusable Water Bottle or Hydration Bladder
Hydration is the #1 beginner mistake; people bring too little water! A sturdy bottle and a beginner-level hydration bladder helps them stay safe on trail.
Check out our hydration picks:
Snow Peak Titanium Aurora Bottle Amazon | Direct
Grayl GeoPress Water Filter & Purifier Bottle Amazon | REI
2L VectoX Water Container by CNOC Outdoors GGG | Direct
Why they're great:
The Snow Peak Aurora Titanium Bottle is a nearly indestructible, ultralight water bottle that is beautiful and won’t retain flavors, which is ideal for hikers who want one bottle that’ll last a lifetime. This is definitely a special piece of gear.
The CNOC Vecto Water Container is a collapsible, easy-fill reservoir beloved by backpackers for its durability and compatibility with most water filters, making clean water effortless even in the backcountry. This is a crucial piece of gear for hiking in the heat, where you'll want to pack in extra water even on day hikes!
And for the simplest all-in-one solution, the GRAYL GeoPress filters and purifies water in under a minute, removing viruses, bacteria, and protozoa! Perfect for new hikers who just want safe water, no fuss. Together, they cover hydration from every angle.
Sun Hoodie (UPF 30–50+)
A sun hoodie instantly upgrades comfort on the trail. It protects from UV, manages sweat, and keeps skin cooler than short sleeves.
Check out our favorite beginner-friendly sun hoodie:
Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie from Outdoor Vitals!
Unisex
Why it’s great:
The Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie from Outdoor Vitals is one of the lightest, most comfortable sun hoodies you can take on the trail and honestly, one of the best pieces of gear for new hikers.
Made from high-performance merino wool, it’s naturally breathable, moisture-regulating, odor-resistant, and incredibly soft against the skin. It offers reliable UPF protection without feeling hot or heavy, making it perfect for everything from desert rambles to long alpine climbs. If you want a single layer that works in almost every season and every environment, the Tern is a beginner-friendly essential that punches way above its weight.
Nice Trekking Poles
Trekking poles are game-changers for stability and confidence, especially on steep, rocky, or uneven trails. Cork grips make a big difference in comfort for long days on trail!
Check out: Makalu Lite Cork Trekking Poles by LEKI!
Direct | REI
Why they're great:
The Makalu Lite Cork Trekking Poles by LEKI are an awesome gift for beginner hikers who want more comfort, stability, and confidence on the trail. These poles are lightweight yet incredibly durable, with a smooth telescoping design that makes adjustment easy for most any height.
The natural cork grips stay comfortable even on long climbs, molding to the hand over time, while LEKI’s trusted shock-free build offers great support on both steep ascents and rocky descents. For new hikers learning how to move efficiently and safely, the Makalu Lite Cork poles are a game-changer and they’ll last for years of adventures.
Trail Snacks
Beginner hikers love discovering trail snacks! Think bars, nut mixes, jerky, gels, stroopwafels; all easy, affordable gifts. We like to recommend energy chews with electrolytes, as they cover two bases.
Check out our trail snack pick: Skratch Labs Energy Chews
Amazon | REI
Why they're great:
Skratch Labs Energy Chews are one of the easiest trail snacks for beginner hikers to fall in love with. They’re soft, delicious, and super easy to eat on the move; no sticky mess, no gut bombs, just quick, clean energy that tastes good. Made with real fruit flavors and simple ingredients, they deliver fast carbohydrates without the artificial aftertaste you get from a lot of traditional gummies.
Whether a hiker needs a boost on a steep climb or a little extra fuel to make it back to the trailhead, Skratch chews are a reliable, beginner-friendly energy source that belongs in every daypack.
Lightweight Emergency Food
Stashing an emergency meal in every backpack is good form when it comes to hiking! RECPAK makes perfect adventure meals that are zero fuss and ultralight. This makes them a great choice for new hikers who are looking to play it safe without breaking their backs.
Check out RECPAK
Amazon | Direct
Why it's great:
RECPAK is one of the smartest emergency meals a beginner hiker can carry. It’s compact, lightweight, and designed to deliver serious calories fast. No stove, no prep, no fuss. Just add water, shake, and you’ve got a complete meal that keeps energy levels stable when hikes go longer than expected or when plans change on the trail.
With balanced macros and flavors that actually taste good, RECPAK is the kind of safety item new hikers don’t think to bring, but absolutely should. It’s peace of mind in pouch form, and it belongs in every beginner’s daypack or emergency kit.
SOS & Satellite Device
One of the more expensive pieces of gear, this is also one of the most important for every hiker, from brand new to old pro.
Check out the Garmin inReach Messenger+
Amazon | REI
Why it's great:
The Garmin inReach Messenger+ is one of the most important safety tools a beginner hiker can carry. This compact satellite communicator lets hikers send messages, share their location, and access SOS help even when they’re miles beyond cell service.
It pairs easily with a phone, has excellent battery life, and gives new hikers the confidence to explore farther without worrying about losing communication. Whether someone is just starting out or tackling their first national park trail, an inReach Messenger+ is a gift that can literally save a life, making it one of the most meaningful pieces of gear you can give.
Cool Gadget
Learning how to feel temperatures and understand weather is really helpful to grow outdoor skills and boost confidence in new hikers!
Check out the ThermoWorks Zipper-Pull Thermometer
Garage Grown Gear
Why it's great:
The ThermoWorks Zipper-Pull Thermometer is a tiny but mighty tool that beginner hikers love once they try it. This ultra-light thermometer clips right onto a jacket or pack, giving quick, accurate temperature readings that help new hikers understand changing weather conditions.
It’s especially helpful for learning how different temps actually feel on trail, which is a big step in building smart layering habits and staying safe outdoors. Affordable, practical, and surprisingly fun to use, it’s one of those small gifts that makes hiking more intuitive and confidence-boosting for beginners.
Perfect Merino Baselayers
Great baselayers are mandatory for hikers during shoulder season, and of course if they're also new campers or backpackers! Baselayers can make the difference between a wonderful time or a very bad one, so quality is key!
Check out our pick for the best baselayers: Woolies by Ibex!
Women's Top | Women's Bottom | Men's Top | Men's Bottom
Why they're great:
Ibex Woolies are some of the best merino base layers you can gift a beginner hiker. Soft, breathable, and temperature-regulating, they keep new hikers warm on cold mornings and comfortable as the day heats up.
The magic of Woolies is how effortlessly they manage moisture and stink. They're absolutely perfect for people still figuring out layering and trail comfort. Durable, lightweight, and made from responsibly sourced merino, they’re a confidence-boosting base layer that works for every season and every type of hike.
Beginner-Friendly Tent
Outdoorsy folks need a tent! And if your loved one is into hiking, they're probably going to get into camping even if it's just to get a super early start at the trailhead.
Check out the MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2 Tent
Direct | REI
Why it's great:
The MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2-Person Tent is one of the best lightweight shelters for beginner hikers who want something dependable, easy to pitch, and built to last through years of adventures. It has that classic MSR blend of durability and simplicity: a fast, intuitive setup, excellent weather protection, and a roomy interior that doesn’t feel cramped.
At a low trail weight and with materials tough enough for real backcountry use, it’s the kind of tent that grows with hikers as they progress from casual overnights to more ambitious trips. For new hikers wanting comfort, reliability, and a solid investment in their outdoor future, the Hubba Hubba LT is a standout choice.
HOW TO CHOOSE A GIFT FOR A BEGINNER HIKER
Beginner hikers don’t need complicated gear, they need items that make their early experiences comfortable, safe, and fun. The best gifts help them:
- stay hydrated
- protect their skin
- learn the basics
- carry what they need
Focus on practical, lightweight, beginner-friendly essentials. If it makes hiking simpler and more enjoyable, it’s the perfect gift.
Packing It Out
Supporting a new hiker is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give. Every item in this guide is something they’ll use often, rely on, and grow with as they fall in love with hiking. Whether they’re hitting their first national park trail or exploring their local mountains, these gifts will set them up for success all year long.
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.
