Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Great Gear Presents for Hikers & Campers
Christmas is just around the corner and you might be thinking of what to get the hiker and camper in your life. From tools that capture memories to essentials that keep the elements at bay, these picks are designed for trail-seekers, campers, backpackers and adventurers who spend their holidays outside. Whether you’re shopping for that friend who hikes at dawn or the family member who never leaves home without their pack, these 10 adventure-ready gifts will improve their next journey and inspire many more to come.
Hiking:
Baffin Gaiters
Baffin’s new GAITERS bring the brand’s Real-World Tested™ cold-weather expertise beyond footwear, offering reliable protection in harsh environments. Built with a durable ripstop nylon upper and toggle-locking collar, they block snow, rain and debris while delivering comfort across seasons. A gaiter hook and adjustable underfoot strap ensure a secure fit with multiple footwear styles, and the central zipper with Velcro fastening allows easy on-off. Rated Elemental within Baffin’s performance system and featuring B-Tek™ Dry Water Resistant technology, GAITERS empower adventurers to move confidently through demanding terrain and unpredictable conditions.
Price: $90.00
MEC Pace Running Vest
If there’s an outdoor adventurer on your list whose resolution is to move more, get them this. I’m not a trail runner (yet), but I’ve been enjoying quick, steep workouts outside to make the most of my lunchbreak. I can climb over 600 steps on an outdoor staircase in 10 minutes—moving faster keeps me warmer as the temperatures start to dip—and as soon as I put this vest on, I start to jog. This thoughtful gift is ideal for trail runners and fast walkers who want to move through the mountains with ease and speed. The 1.5-litre fast-connect water bladder, numerous pockets on every available surface of the stretchy material and comfortable, adjustable fit makes this small-but-mighty vest the perfect present for beginner trail trotters (like me). Fastpackers—overachievers who combine trail running and ultralight backpacking—should check out the MEC Serratus pace UL 20L for more capacity.
Price: $99.95
EUCOS Tripod
This compact travel tripod from Amazon is a lightweight, packable tripod built for adventurers who love to capture landscapes, forests or starry nights—especially for the solo travellers in your life. Sometimes, a mere selfie is not enough to capture the views you’ve climbed so far for. Designed for portability, it folds down small enough to slip easily into a backpack, yet expands high enough for scenic, eye-level shots. Its adjustable legs and stable head keep your camera steady even on uneven terrain. Ideal for hikers and backpackers, this tripod is an affordable, functional gift for the adventurers who love documenting their journeys.
Price: $29.99
On the Trail Belt Bag
Offering a smart, hands-free solution for hikers and trail-lovers who want to travel light without losing the essentials, this belt bag is the functional solution. Its oversized main compartment easily fits a smartphone, sunglasses, keys and wallet, while the three-pocket interior organizes any other smaller items. A front zippered pocket and a discrete rear pocket provide secure spots for valuables like cards and ID. Made of durable nylon with smooth, easy-glide sippers and an adjustable waistband, this neutral, black pack moves comfortably from trail to town. Plus, it’s a long-lasting gift for someone who wants quick access to their gear year-round.
Price: $7.79 until December 15 (Originally $25.95)
Camping:
Hydro Flask Hot Flask & Cup
Goodbye old clunky thermos, hello sleek style and ultimate performance! Bring, pour and sip your favourite hot beverage wherever your adventure takes you, from the snowed-in winter hot tent to the dock this summer. Whether you’re headed for a long road trip or a winter hike, this new, versatile, double wall insulated stainless steel flask boasts up to 30 hours of piping hot tea, coffee, hot chocolate or soup. The integrated cup secures to the leakproof bottle and includes an easy pour-through cap. It’s a modern take on thermal all-in-one hydration—plus, it’s dishwasher safe. The adventurer on your holiday gift list can take this snowshoeing, picnicking, to the hockey rink and from the office to the trailhead. The Beachplum purple (pictured) is a stunning colour.
Price: $65.95
Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Camera
Capture your camping adventures and gift a tangible method to look back at your best memories in sepia-toned nostalgia. My partner gifted me a polaroid, and we bring it on camping trips as a way to be in the moment without taking photos on our phone. There’s something fun, flexible and exciting about not being able to scroll through 70+ nearly identical pictures right away. Waiting for the image to develop means letting go of control over what the final product looks like. This might be the perfect present for the person in your life who loves taking photos of all their adventures.
Price: $89.00
MEC Draco 0C Sleeping Bags
If you and your adventure buddy are getting way out there, this is a light, packable option for backcountry travel. Summer campers will appreciate the soft, woven recycled nylon liner, the 650 fill-power duck down insulation, medium-width cut and the neck yoke to seal in warmth and keep out cold air. However, don’t take this on your next winter camping trip—it’s the ideal gift for someone who wants to look forward to summer camping, and knows the only way to secure a coveted campsite at a popular park is by planning way ahead.
Price: $259.95
Refillable Adventure Journal
For the poet/writer/journaling adventurer in your life that finds inspiration in the outdoors, a Refillable Adventure Journal might be a dream come true (trust me on this one, I would know). A compact, two-tone blue notebook inscribed “My Adventure Journal” is a perfect partner for capturing camp memories, scribing notes and scribbling drawings on the go. Inside, you’ll find 100 double-sided lined pages along with prompts for date, place and weather—handy for documenting campsites, treks or snowy winter thoughts. A protective cover, ribbon bookmark and refillable design mean this journal is built for travel. Once full, the pages can be swapped for new ones—a practical way to preserve old adventures while creating new memories out there.
Price: $5.98 until December 15 (Originally $14.95)
Be Gone Mosquito Zapper Lantern
The Be Gone Mosquito Zapper Lantern is a versatile 3-in-1 outdoor essential—combining a bug zapper, lantern and emergency light into one compact, travel-friendly device. It runs on USB power (no disposable batteries needed) and delivers up to 15 hours of illumination or insect control. Weather-resistant and easy to hang from your tent or camp tree, this lantern zaps mosquitoes and other flying pests while casting a warm glow over your campsite. It’s perfect for the camper in your life that hates those pesky bugs. Lightweight and portable at just 181 grams, it makes an ideal gift for hikers, campers and adventurers who want peaceful, bug-free nights under the stars.
Price: $15.98 until December 15 (Originally $39.95)
YETI Hopper Flip 18 Soft Cooler
This cooler is a top tier choice for outdoor lovers who want to keep their food and drinks cold on a camping trip while packing small. With room for about 30 cans and a leakproof, rugged DryHide™ shell, it’s built tough enough for rugged trails. Its ColdCell™ insulation and HydroLok™ zipper help maintain chill for hours, while a wide mouth opening makes loading and access easy. Just over 4.5 pounds empty, it strikes a great balance between portability and capacity—perfect for those overnight trips with a friends.
Price: $400
Looking for the perfect gifts for the adventurers in your life? When you do your holiday shopping on our site, you’re not just getting quality, practical, adventure-ready gear—you’re also supporting Explore Magazine and helping us continue creating the stories, gear guides and inspiration you love. This season, don’t miss our brand-new Happy Camper Collection. It’s packed with cozy, inspiring pieces designed for anyone who feels most at home in the Great Outdoors. Plus, 10 per cent of all sales benefit Camp Outlook.
