Don’t know what to get for your outdoorsy friend, spouse, partner, girlfriend, boyfriend, or family member? No worries, here are some of the top gifts I would really like to receive as an outdoorsy gal, that your loved ones should love too. So, let’s get started.
For Skiers (Alpine) & Snowboarders
A great gift is to buy, of course, a pair of skis. You could get skis for the mountain/resort, or skins for backcountry skiing. For snowboarding you just need a board. Never Summer sells great snowboards, while Salomon sells great skis. Salomon does sell snowboards too, but I have not tried any of their snowboards. Skis or snowboards are pretty expensive gifts, thus I would only buy them if you know that the person you’re buying them for, will use them, and if you have the money. These two items can be very pricey, but you can get good deals from bargain stores and second hand ones. Both range from $200-$800. An average price is about $550-$600 for pretty decent gear.
Another great idea is to buy a pair of goggles. I have a pair that’s pretty standard, but there are new ones, where you can switch out the lenses of your goggles. This way, they have different ones for when it’s really sunny verses when it’s really snowy and foggy. These can get pretty pricey as well, but not nearly as bad as skis or snowboards. Goggles range anywhere from $60-$160. While the lenses range from $60-$100.
Now, if you need a cheaper present to get your loved one, a neck warmer, gaiter, or balaclava is a great idea. These are great to have multiples of because they get sweaty and gross very quickly, thus it’s always good to have backups. These range from $15-50 in price.
Now, again, for a more expensive gift, a GoPro is great for people who love to take videos and pictures on their adventures. I have a GoPro7, and I LOVE the videos and photos it takes. This is a more expensive gift, but not as bad as the skis or snowboards. They range anywhere from $100-$800 in price. I bought mine plus a memory card for $283 and I LOVE it. I highly recommend!
Next, are cheaper items, but hand and feet warmers are always great to get, to keep your hands and feet warm on those really cold/windy days. They are very affordable, ranging anywhere from $5-$30. Also, buying some socks is a great gift as well. I know I can never have enough socks, Darn Tough sells great socks. You can get socks anywhere from $20-$50.
Gloves again, are always a good gift to give. I recommend getting either a nice thinner pair, or a nice thick pair, or both. The thinner pair is nice to have if you want to take a picture, so you’ll have some protection from the cold, when you take your thicker ones off. You can get ones that are touch screen friendly too. The thin gloves will range from $15-$65 and the thicker gloves or mittens (I suggest mittens) range from $60-$180.
You could always buy your loved one a lift pass. You could ask them one day, what their favorite mountains are, and take a mental note, then buy tickets for one or a couple of those mountains. Now, keep in mind, lift tickets are pretty expensive. You can get deals for 2, 4, 6, etc. day lift tickets and what not, but most mountains range from $40-$120 per day for one lift ticket.
Another great gift idea that’s kind of expensive, is to get a wax and or sharpening kit for their skis or snowboard. These kits range from $50-$200.
For Winter Hikers
Okay, for winter hikers, I again, for a less expensive gift, would get them a pair of ski/snowboard goggles. These are VERY needed on windy and negative degree summits. Along with face masks and hats/beanies.
Snowshoes are also a must! Now, during the 2020-2021 season, these have been impossible to find, because everyone all of sudden decide to start snowshoeing. But, I’m hoping in the spring and summer they will be back in stock. Snowshoes range anywhere from $160-$280. I recommend these ones because they aren’t nearly as cumbersome and bulky when hiking in them or carrying them.
Micro Spikes& Crampons are also a must when hiking in the winter and early spring/late fall. You will need these to put on your shoes so you can get traction when hiking in the ice and snow. They range anywhere from $60-$120.
Good clothing is also a great idea. For winter hiking and skiing/snowboarding, I would buy a good pair of under layers or long johns, such as Under Armour. These are great as a base layer. Darn Tough sells great skiing/snowboarding and hiking socks as well. And Patagonia has great sweaters and thicker pants that you can wear as a second layer over your Under Armor layer. Then over your sweater layer, wear your winter jacket and snow pants.
Snow Pants are a good gift idea as well. You definitely need these in the winter while hiking or skiing. These protect against the wind, cold, and snow. Snow Pants range from $60-$200.
Definitely get a good pair of waterproof boots. I have ones that are made out of leather and they have been great so far. These can be a little expense probably more like $150-$300 for a good pair. I wouldn’t get straight up winter boots, I would get a hybrid of hiking and winter boots. I have found these are easier for me when winter hiking.
A good hat/beanie, is always a good idea to get and is cheap. Any kind of beanie/hat will do for winter hiking. They can range from $10-$50.
Also, a Nalgene Water Bottle is great for winter hiking because you can put it in your bag, to keep warm, while hiking. You can get these for $5-$10. Or you could get an Insulated CamelBak, however, in very cold conditions they can freeze (anything below 20 degrees Fahrenheit). However, just the straw will freeze, not the pack. Thus, you can always still drink from the pack instead of the straw on those cold days. These range from $50-$85.
Porter Mountain in the Adks
Kayaker/White Water Rafting
A great gift for kayakers or rafters, is a waterproof bag to hold your phone and electronics. This way they can still do what they love while keeping their electronics near them and safe. These can cost anywhere from $8-$20.
Also, getting some waterproof gloves for colder kayaking days, are often overlooked, but again needed. The best time to raft is early to mid spring when all the snow is melting, and the rapids are the fastest and strongest. These can range anywhere from $40-$75.
In addition, a great article of clothing to wear are dry fit pants or shorts that will dry super fast, and still be comfortable while you’re getting wet. However, I would wear leggings or something under these on colder days. Patagonia and Salomon both make great ones. These range from $25-$60.
Summer Hiking
A great and inexpensive gift is to get a selfie stick for your loved ones to take good pictures on their summits. This way they can get an awesome selfie of themselves on the summits. These range from $15-$60.
I recommend getting a good pair of hiking socks, thick enough to protect against mud and dirt, but then thin enough so their feet can breath in the warm weather. Darn Tough, makes great ones. Again, these range from $15-$25.
For women, or men with longer hair, I would definitely get some good head bands for them. This is also a great alternatively cheap gift. You can get ones with really cool designs as well. They range from $10-$25.
Also a good pair of hiking shoes, is a great gift, but again a more expensive gift. I would make sure you get the proper shoe size for them. I suggest if you get this gift, to maybe go to the store with them and have them pick out some of their favorites, then go back and buy it for them. I would get a pair with good ankle support and ones that will dry really fast from water. Or you could get water resistance ones. These range anywhere from $70-$280.
Again, good clothing for them to wear is a great gift. Anything fromPatagoniais good. Great sleeve-less shirts are good for the summer, leggings or cropped leggings for women or spandex/biker shorts for hot days, are also good. Also, dry fit pants and or shorts are great for hiking in the summer.
For Bikers
A good pair of spandex or bike shorts are great. They won’t ride up while biking. These can range from $50-$120.
Also your loved ones will be thanking you if you buy them a good seat cushion, it will saved their booties. These range from $20-$50.
A good helmet is a great way to stay safe while biking on any journey, long or short. These range in price from $25-$100.
CamelBaks are great ways to store your water while biking. These are also great for summer hiking and skiers/snowboarders. They range anywhere from $50-$150. I would splurge and get the 3 liter ones instead of the 2 liter ones, then you don’t have to worry about refilling them.
Campers/Backpack Hikers
Water Boilers are always a great choice. Also, when camping, this is how you cook your food. They even come in handy when winter hiking. Because you can just grab some snow, and put it in the cup then boil the snow, and there you go, you’ve got water. This way you don’t have to worry about your water freezing. These range from $60-$90.
Utensils. You may overlook these items when you pack for an overnight camping trip. But, when you think about it, you do need a fork or spoon to eat your meals. There is a cool plastic bag trick I got from one of my travelers I follow on YouTube. They take a plastic bag and put boiling water in it with their oats, then mix it up. Then they cut off the end, and eat their oats that way. But if you want utensils, they range from $20-$35 (in sets).
Bear Canisters are NEEDED when you backpack or camp. I would lookup wherever you are camping or backpacking at, because almost all campgrounds require that you have a bear canister to keep your food in while you sleep. These range from $50-$80.
A sleeping bag is always a good idea, because you can use these even when your cold around the house. But if you’re getting one specifically for backpacking camping, get one that is VERY easily condensable. Aka very tiny, so when you’re hiking, it’s not nearly as cumbersome, and it’s less weight, so you won’t get tired as soon. They range from $80-$200.
A tent again, is a great gift for backpackers or campers. I would get a different tent, depending on if you’re backpacking or camping. For backpackers DEFINITELY get a tent that is VERY again, easily condensable, because you will have to carry it all throughout your hike. I suggest one of these. These range from $150-$400. Now, if you’re camping with the family or friends and you don’t have to hike to get there, I would get one of these popup tents, because they are easy to put up. These range anywhere from $120-$400.
Also, some things you might forget to pack but are good to have are pillows and towels. You can get condensable pillows and towels that are very easy to pack, and super fast drying. The pillows range from $20-$45. While the towels range from $9-$20.
Another great gift, is a backpack to carry all your gear in while backpacking. I recommend Osprey Backpacks. They range from $70-$270 in price, depending on the storage amount you buy. And they are also great for day hikers.
For any campers or backpackers, a good water bottle is needed for hiking (for about $5-$20). You could also buy a CamelBak (for about $55-$85) which is easier, with the straw to stay hydrated than you’re typical water bottle.
Water purifiers are great and needed for long backpacking/camping trips. You can get a water purifying pump and or water purifier tablets. Although, I have heard the water purifier tables don’t taste too good. And as long as the water is running, most places you can take the water straight from the body of water and put in the purifier pumps and you’re good to go. The water pumps range from $60-$90, while the tablets range from $10-$30.
And that wraps up this gift guide for outdoorsy men and women. I hope this helped some of you, who don’t know what to get your friends or significant others. Thank you so much for reading and take care!
