Gift Ideas For The Hard-To-Shop-For Backpacker In Your Life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqtl-yuh1Iw

My husband can personally attest to the struggles of finding the right gift for a backpacker. In his words...

"Shopping for someone with a lot of experience backpacking is very difficult. There's a category of things she definitely needs... and therefore already has. Nothing inside that category is worth attempting to buy unless she's been specifically complaining about it wearing out. What may be something I see as a gear upgrade is just too heavy to be useful in her setup. It may be kind of cool, but is it 8 extra ounces worth of cool? In most cases, certainly not. Any time someone is extremely knowledgeable in their hobby, you almost have to be as knowledgeable or more to know how to shop for them. Even gift cards can be hit or miss depending on whether the place you got it for has the brands or products they like."

So, as the hard-to-shop-for backpacker in someone's life, I thought I'd share a few gift ideas that are thoughtful as well as practical. Gifts they will actually use on their outdoor adventures! Whether it's a spouse, friend, or family member hopefully, this post will help you decide what to get the hiker or backpacker in your life this holiday season. Spoilers: It's not another nalgene bottle, solar battery bank, or paracord survival keychain.

The Gift of Gear Maintenance 

All those important, often expensive, pieces of gear backpackers take on the trail need to be upkept and maintained between seasons. Sometimes even between trips. So, why not give the gift of gear maintenance? One way to do this is by putting together a stocking or basket filled with products that can be used to clean or repair gear. Some items to consider include but are not limited to:

• GEAR AID Zipper Wax for lubricating zippers on tents, jackets, sleeping bags, and more.

• GEAR AID Tenacious Tape for patching rips, holes, and tears. (Also available in pre-cut patches)

• GEAR AID Seam Grip for reinforcing patch repairs and resealing water-proofed seams.

• GEAR AID Mesh Patches for patching holes in tent and hammock netting.

• GEAR AID Odor Eliminator for getting those funky smells out of clothes, shoes, even backpacks.

• NikWax Solar Wash for cleaning and UV proofing tents, tarps, backpacks, and more.

• NikWax Down Wash for cleaning jackets and sleeping bags with down insulation.

• NikWax Wool Wash for deodorizing and cleaning merino wool base layers.

• NikWax Waterproofing Wax for restoring leather boots.

• Replacement laces for boots or trail runners.

• Igneous Tent Tool for splinting a broken tent pole on trail.

• Nylofume Pack Liner for keeping the gear inside their backpack dry in wet weather.

Any of these items make great additions to a gear maintenance gift basket or stocking. I recommend choosing 4 or 5 from the list that you think will be most useful for upkeeping the gear items your backpacker uses the most.

The Gift of Guidance 

In the age of technology, most backpackers rely not on paper maps and guidebooks to prepare for a trip, but apps. The valuable information these apps provide often influence decisions made on the trail as well. Whether its Gaia GPS, AllTrails, or Open Snow the most helpful features typically come at a price. So, why not give the gift of guidance by paying for a one-year subscription to a GPS or weather app your backpacker knows and loves? If you're not entirely sure which one(s) they use, you may need to do some nonchalant question asking or watching over their shoulder the next time they plan a trip.

Also in this category would be subscriptions to satellite communicator services like Garmin, Zoleo, or Spot. Garmin and Spot devices provide not only two-way communication, but GPS tracking and the ability to send SOS / emergency signals too. These devices can be literally life saving, but without an annual or monthly subscription they're practically useless. At least when it comes to communicating with the outside world. Gifting a year (or just a couple months) of that service to your backpacker can help make their outdoor experience much safer. If you're looking to invest in the device itself for them, I highly recommend a Garmin InReach Mini. You can typically find them at a significant discount at outdoor retailers like REI, Bass Pro Shops, and Sportsmans Warehouse around the holidays. I've had mine for several years, and it gives me such peace of mind knowing I can still update my weather report, track my GPS location, or contact my family when I have no phone service in the backcountry.

The last suggestion in this category is a gift card to the FarOut app. With it your backpacker can purchase guides or maps for the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and more! Through those guides, they gain access to detailed information on campsites, water sources, and road crossing along the way as well as comments left by other users about current trail conditions. This makes a thoughtful gift for anyone planning to section or thru-hike a specific long trail in the coming year.

The Gift of Grub

Food plays a huge role in the outdoor experience! Just as much as gear and GPS apps. Not only does it provide the energy and nutrition needed to cover big miles, it's also a source of comfort. There's nothing like sitting down with a hot meal at camp after a long day on the trail. So, why not give your backpacker some of their favorite freeze dried or dehydrated meals? If they're someone who likes trying new things, you can also pick out a couple meals they've never had before. For someone who is more of a day hiker than a camper, you can put together a gift basket or stocking full of trail friendly snacks and lunch options instead.

You can find the most popular brands like Peak Refuel, Backpacker's Pantry, and Good to Go at REI or on Amazon. However, one of my favorite places to find unique hiking snacks and backpacking meals is Garage Grown Gear! They have everything from organic protein bars to freeze dried hummus. GGG also carries a variety of products catering to specific allergies and dietary restriction.

What if they aren't a fan of prepackaged meals? What if they prefer to make their own at home? In that case, I recommend "Recipes for Adventure" (Vol I) by Glenn McAllister (aka Backpacking Chef.) This cookbook is full of healthy homemade backpacking meals, they're sure to love. My husband gave me Recipes for Adventure (Vol I) for Christmas a few years ago. And let me tell you it's been a tremendous help not just with planning meals for trips, but teaching me how to properly dehydrate and package certain ingredients for the trail.

Hunting for waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest with friends of all experience levels.

The Gift of Getting Outside

For some backpackers, the best gift you can give them isn't anything material, but an opportunity to share this important part of their life with others. So, why not give the gift of getting outside? What this looks like will definitely depend on both parties' outdoor experience level. If you've got quite a few miles under your own belt, this could mean taking a multi-day backpacking trip together. Maybe there's a specific route or section hike they've been dying to knock out. If you're not quite ready to spend the night in the woods, this could mean going on a day hike instead. Maybe there's a favorite overlook or waterfall they'd love to show you. 

If you live in an area where Winter isn't the safest time of year to go on an adventure, you may need to present this gift in the form of an IOU. Just be sure to make good on the promise when warmer weather comes along! Don't let a lack of equipment deter you from getting out there together either. While I certainly can't speak for everyone, most hikers and backpackers are more than happy to help you rent (If not lend you!) the gear you'll need. Especially, if they're the type who enjoys when others take an active interest in their hobby.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hopefully this post gave you some helpful gift ideas for the hard to shop for backpacker in your life. For even more hiking related content, please check out some of the recommended posts below.