Last updated on April 13th, 2021 at 10:29 pm
The Holidays are coming! Winter may be heading this way in some areas of the world, but hikers and backpackers ache for the trails year round. Stuffing small gifts into stockings has been a favored tradition of many. In fact, some of the most personal and caring gifts are compact enough to fit into a sock. To help you navigate through this season we’ve compiled these 23 amazing stocking stuffers for both hikers and backpackers.
1. Emergency Blankets
Safety is paramount when heading into the wilderness. Whether it’s for backpacking into the unknown or heading out on a gloomy day, warmth can quickly become essential.
These Emergency Blankets are perfect when cold rains sweep in and threaten to soak to the bone.
2. Multipurpose Survival Gear
Technology continues to get smaller and the same goes for gadgets. The Wallet Survival Multitool is a great example.
With 14 utilities, this durable tool could prove very handy on the trail.
3. Hiking Socks That They Want
Socks may have been boring when we were young, but skilled hikers appreciate and love a good hike sock in their stocking.
High quality hiking socks with merino wool show that you care about your loved one and encourage adventure. Everyone will appreciate a pair of Darn Tough Hiker Women’s Socks or Darn Tough Micro Crew Men’s Socks.
4. Good Reads
Light reading can inspire dreams of adventure come spring. The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs is a fun nature book for the curious hiker. Filled with knowledge and brimming with anecdotal tales, this book is a great read for anyone keen on exploration.
For the ultimate entry guide to the outdoors, Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival will do the trick. This book is a useful well of knowledge filled with illustrated tutorials, tips, and techniques for becoming one with nature.
5. Foot Balm For Happy Feet
Everyone loves comfortable feet! Foot Balm is an extremely versatile pack essential for backpacking and hiking.
Applying before the trail can prevent soggy feet, blisters, chaffing, and cracking.
6. For The Ladies
If you’re a woman, you know peeing in the woods is hard! Female urinal devices are relatively new, but continue to improve in design.
Enter the Tinkle Belle Female Urinal, it’s portable, foldable and comes with a carrying case. Trust us, this will become a hiker’s best friend.
7. Compact Trek Poles
For those unstable trails, these Koviti Collapsible Trekking Poles are great for hikers and backpackers alike.
This set is lightweight, aluminum alloy and super strong. Additionally, they’re perfect for folding into luggage for global excursions.
8. Stay Alert On The Trails
Give the gift of alertness with AfterShokz Aeropex Open-Ear Headphones. With bone conduction technology, these headphones are worn outside the ear to allow you to hear your surroundings.
Aftershokz headphones are waterproof, lightweight, and comfortable for all activities.
9. Fuel Their Journey With Healthy Snacks
The gift that keeps on giving, subscription boxes are super fun to receive. This Healthy Vegan Snack Care Package is filled with great high protein fuel for backpacking adventures.
Each month, for as long as you’d like, your loved one will get tons of unique vegan snacks to stuff into their trail pack.
10. The Gift of Hydration
Extra water is always a great idea for long hikes and backpacking. However, empty bottles waste a lot of space in your pack. This Vapur Eclipse Flexible Water Bottle rolls away for easy storage when empty.
11. Cooling Neckwear
Whether it’s passing people on the trail or protecting you from dust and sun this neck gaiter is a great hiking buddy.
The N2 Neck Gaiter comes in tons of colors and can be worn in 12 different ways to keep you cool.
12. Treat Those Feet
Hiking through the wilderness can tear up your feet. If you aren’t able replace their boots, the TriggerPoint MobiPoint Textured Massage Ball is a great start.
Specifically designed for the hands and feet, the MobiPoint massager offers relief for tired arches.
13. Survival Tools For The Adventurous
The Atomic Bear Paracord Bracelet is more than just a slick accessory. Wrapped into one package is a fire starter, emergency knife, compass, and loud whistle. In addition, the entire bracelet can be disassembled to produce 12 feet of military-grade paracord.
14. Trail Essentials
Give the gift of comfort and dryness. Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Towels are quick drying and totable for long hikes. Whether you’re drying yourself after a rain storm or taking a quick creek-side bath, these towels are a fantastic.
15. Cleaning and Pampering
Backpacking is dirty business, especially if you’re foraging or hiking through wet terrain.
The Fendrihan Boar Bristle Nail Brush is a beautiful spa quality tool to clean nails and scrub feet. Muddy trails are no match.
16. Superfoods for Superhikes
Superfoods keep you going with healthy sustainable nutrition.
NOKA Superfood Pouches are easy to pack and delicious to snack on while hiking. Combinations like Flax and real fruit provide a refreshing break from power bars and trail mix.
17. Practical Cleaning Tools
Water bottles can get pretty nasty. Everyone could use an easy method for cleaning canisters and water bladders. For sanitization and a deep clean, Bottle Bright Cleaning Tablets will get the job done.
18. Promises of New Adventure
For the traveler, 100 Hikes of a Lifetime will help plan for future journeys. This hardcover book is filled with the ultimate hiker’s bucket list across the globe. It’s also chock full of need-to know travel information and wild-life spotting tips.
19. Forest Inspired Candles
Paddywax Candles’ Alpine Collection is perfect for the hiker in your life. When they can’t get outside, bring the outdoors to them!
Couple this with one of the books above and your backpacker buddy will have endless winter days of cozy comfort.
20. All Purpose Tool for Any Situation
For the unpredictable nature of backpacking and hiking, a great pack item is a fantastic knife. Even better, an all-purpose tool with many functions.
The Gerber Suspension Multiplier is one that we use and love.
21. Hike in Peace
Clearing miles of trail doesn’t come without its challenges. Give the gift of peace with Badger Anti-Bug Spray. With a mixture of lemongrass, lavender, citronella, and cedarwood it smells amazing too.
This DEET-free and Certified Organic mosquito repellant works all day.
22. Light the Path
If you have an avid hiker or backpacker on your list, you may be worried about their safety. When the forest gets dense or evening sweeps in unexpectedly, a GearLight LED Headlamp can be a lifesaver. Staying on the path has never been easier after sunset.
23. Practical Necessities
Hiking boots are difficult to clean, and can become quite stinky after long hikes. Newspaper may or may not actually work, and sprays don’t absorb the problem, but Sof Soles Sneaker Balls do. With a ingenious design, these fun little balls will quickly deodorize your loved ones boots.
Image Credit: Yellowstone National Park | (source) | Public Domain Mark 1.0 — reduced file size and image