14 Affordable Gift Ideas for Backpackers and Hikers
The holidays are coming up fast and that means there are family members to reunite with and presents to buy. When trying to find a gift for your backpacker buddy, you really don’t have to spend a lot to make him or her happy. These gift ideas are all reasonably priced. You don’t have to buy them a pricey tent or sleeping bag to show that you care and support their hiking and travel addiction. Give the backpacker in your life something that they will use and cherish. When it comes to shopping for a backpacker, always consider weight and functionality because there really isn’t much room in a backpack for a camp shower or heavy lantern, for example.
1. Socks
Socks might sound like a lame gift. However, if you buy the right brand, your backpacker will be grateful and impressed that you invested in a quality hiking sock. Need help finding a brand your hiker or backpacker will love? Check out our article to learn about the top sock brands for hikers.
2. Multifunctional Headwear
Wear a Buff or balaclava on windy hikes to prevent painful and annoying wind burn.
A backpacker can benefit greatly from a Buff, Multi-functional Headwear. This garment is a versatile scarf-like garment that can be used as a head wrap, balaclava, scarf, headband, wristband, and whatever else you can think up. If your backpacker already has the regular buff, purchase a thicker, wool buff for winter adventures!
3. Dehydrated Food
This is chili mac that is being rehydrated at camp. This meal is from Mountain House, a popular dehydrated meal brand for camping and backpacking. Photo Credit: Ian via Flickr
Dehydrated food is a great gift whether you purchase dehydrated gourmet meals (watch out for the sodium content in these) or dehydrate beans, veggies, or fruit yourself. Dehydrated food is sure to keep a belly full and pack weight down.
4. Waterproof Pouch
This is only one of many waterproof pouches and stuff stacks that are on the market. Photo credit: Mikael Leppä via Flickr
A dry envelope or stuff sack is perfect for electronics on those wet and rainy days out on the trail. A backpacker couldn’t have enough waterproof envelopes or stuff sacks!
5. Collapsible/Soft Water Bottle
This is a soft water bottle full of water. This bottle comes with a mouth attachment. Photo Credit: Imark via Flickr
Ditch the idea of giving your backpacker a regular, hard water bottle. Sometimes, your average outdoor water bottle can really weigh a lot. Collapsible water bottles save space when empty and weigh a lot less than their hard bottle counterparts.
6. Headlamp
A simple headlamp with enough brightness and battery life is a great gift for a backpacker. Photo Credit: Jermoie Hamann via Flickr
There are a variety of headlamps on the market. Choose a quality headlamp from brands such as Petzl headlamp, Black Diamond headlamp or Princeton Tec headlamp and stay away from cheap headlamps found at hardware stores. A quality brand will have a longer battery life than the cheaper brands. Also, look for a high lumen count but do be aware that some headlamps with the highest lumens are heavy because they require an extra battery pack.
7. Gift Card
A gift card is a great idea if you are not sure what your backpacker needs. Photo Credit: 401(K) 2012 via Flickr
Are you just not quite sure what to get your backpacker that has EVERYTHING? You can’t go wrong with a gift card to an outdoor outfitter.
8. Maps
Every backpacker loves a good map! Photo Credit: Bill Hanscom via Flickr
If you know your backpacker pretty well, purchase a hiking trail map to a place they’ve never been. If you are feeling generous, use the extra cash you saved by purchasing a map and give them the excess cash, saying that it is the first investment toward this trip fund. If you aren’t quite sure what hiking trail map to buy them, then give them a map poster to hang in their place!
9. Books
Wild is a story of a female hiker on the Pacific Crest Trail. This book inspired the move ‘Wild’ starring Reese Witherspoon. Photo Credit: Tammy Strobel via Flickr
There are many explorers, hikers, and backpackers that have written their stories and adventures into novels and guidebooks. These books don’t always have to be light enough for trail travel but, if applicable, you could always purchase an e-book. Depending on your backpacker’s personality will depend on if you should purchase a novel (story book) or a factual guidebook.
10. Mini Water Filter
Sawyer makes a great mini water filter that is fairly cheap. Although it comes with a collapsible water bottle, a more durable collapsible water bottle (gift idea #5) is a great companion to this gift too. Photo Credit: Jeff Moser via Flickr
Water filtration is an important part of backcountry survival and the mini water filter is lightweight and super effective. The Sawyer Mini Water Filter is a simple concept that will have your backpacker drinking fresh water in seconds.
11. Outerwear Care Kit for Down and/or GoreTex Fabrics
This Tech Wash by NikWax is great for washing waterproof (GoreTex) materials. This company also makes a Down wash as well but there are many great companies with similar products. Photo Credit: Alpha via Flickr
Nearly every backpacker has down or Goretex clothing and nearly every backpacker neglects to clean these important garments. Treat your backpacker with a care kit for his or her precious outerwear by providing them down or GoreTex detergents. Learn more about cleaning down and GoreTex gear right here on the site!
12. Annual Park Pass
Photo Credit: Grand Canyon National Park via Flickr
Does your backpacker live near a state or national park? If you know that they do not have a pass to the park, purchase an annual park pass for them. This is definitely a gift that keeps on giving.
13. Survival Knife
Swiss Army knife is one of the most popular multi-tool brands and they offer some very cheap and lightweight options. Photo Credit: Andrew Toskin via Flickr
You don’t have to invest in a pricey knife to get a smile out of your backpacker. To be honest, you should probably look for a lightweight knife or multi-tool instead of a multi-tool that has way too many functions, making it heavy. Your backpacker will like that you thought about weight over unnecessary functions.
14. A Hike
Hiking with a friend is a great bonding experience!
Do you find yourself low on money this holiday season? Make a card saying that you will go on a hike with your backpacker… or maybe go on a backpacking trip with them! Maybe your backpacking friend or relative has been begging you to explore the great outdoors with them for awhile and now this is your chance! Go one step further and plan the hike. This is a great way to treat yourself and your backpacker because time together is really the best present of all!
Looking for more ideas? Check out this years top 10 gifts for campers under $50.
Check out last year’s gift guide for more ideas
What other gifts do you think would be great for a backpacker?
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