A hiker walks with a reflection of him and a mountain in the water below.

2025 Gift Guide for Adventurers: 15 gear ideas for their next trip

Gifting gear to adventurers can be difficult. Some have everything. Others might be picky. And then there are the ones who never know what to say when asked. (This is me, by the way!)

Yet, there are still practical gifts that will get tons of use and hopefully are yet to be owned by the adventurer in your life. Below is my 2024 Gift Guide for Adventurers, which includes 15 items I believe (from experience) would be a fantastic present and provide much use over the years. 

A hiker walks on a small hill in front of a mountain with a small pond reflecting the mountain.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Your 2024 Gift Guide for Adventurers 

I did my best to keep most of these around the $100-$125 range, as I know spending this much for most people can be a hefty amount. But a few (Solo Stove, for instance) are an outlier.

Photo Themed Gifts

1. Peak Design Capture 3.0 Camera Clip

If you’re gifting to a photographer who enjoys hiking and backpacking, I STRONGLY recommend the Peak Design Camera Clip. I bring it with me on almost every trip as it allows my camera to be accessible for photos. 

Furthermore, it opens up room in my backpack for extra gear or camera equipment. 

Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

2. Peak Design Everyday backpack V2 30L

This is a perfect backpack for those who want to travel with their camera gear, maybe a laptop, and have some extra room for snacks or clothes.

3. Peak Design Travel Tripod – Aluminum

There are a lot of tripods out there, but Peak Design makes some of the highest-quality ones on the market. Unfortunately, they are not cheap, but this is their more affordable one, with the carbon fiber costing nearly $600. 

Camping Themed Gifts

4. Ignik Gas Growler Deluxe

A camping game changer! Instead of using the smaller, single-use green propane canisters, this one is refillable and holds more propane. So, it’s more environmentally friendly, and you get a bigger bang for your buck. 

I upgraded to something similar a few years ago and haven’t looked back. 

A male stands near a camp stove serving food.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

5. Gerber ComplEAT 16-piece Cookset

Having a top-notch cooking set is one of the most underrated parts of camping. This one from Gerber will last you years and years and allow you to make some dang good food!

Stanley Cook Set

6. REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Double Sleeping Bag

Most of the time, I use sheets and a blanket. However, if the temperatures are dropping, having a double sleeping bag that keeps you and your partner warm can’t be discounted. Consider this one if you’re in the market for one or simply need a warmer way to sleep! 

7. Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit with Stand 2.0

Backyard fires? Smores? No smoke? You can get all three with the Solo Stove. Plus, it is portable, so you can bring it to the beach or camping (research local regulations). 

8. The North Face TheromoBall Eco TractionBooties

These. Are. Amazing. My girlfriend and I got these for our Iceland trip, and oh boy, were they amazing! They kept our feet warm in the morning and evenings, had a good grip on the bottom so we were not slipping, and were extremely comfy. 

I promise you. If you give these as gifts, the person receiving them will LOVE them. These are one of my favorites in the Gift Guide for Adventurers.

a hiker stands in front of a waterfall wearing a red jacket.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Hiking Themed Gifts

9. Darn Tough Socks

Almost all of my hiking socks are Darn Tough. I don’t know what magic they put into them, but they’re incredible, and I never finish a hike with a blemish. They’re wool, so they’ll last a long time and keep your feet dry, so blisters never have a chance.

These are perfect for a stocking stuffer or someone who has already gone through their fair share of socks this year. 

A lone hiker stands in front of a lake with a mountain behind him
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

10. Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Storm Hat

I wouldn’t put too much thought into the “storm” part of this. It’s a great all-season adventure hat with more extended neck protection to keep the sun off. Sunday Afternoons makes great products (I have a standard wide-brimmed hat, and it’s lasted me the last three summers and hundreds of miles on the trail. 

Photo Credit: Austin Sills-Trausch

11. Gregory Nano 22 H2O Hydration Pack

The Gregory Nano 22 is a perfect lightweight day pack without breaking the bank. This is the right size for 3-6 mile hikes, having enough room for water, snacks, and an extra layer. 

A snowshoer makes her way on the snow in Mount Rainier National park in winter.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

12. Smartwool Active Fleece Wind Gloves

Are you looking for some lightweight active-use gloves? These are them! These would be perfect for early morning runs, snowshoeing, or dog walking. 

Backpacking Themed Gifts

13. REI Co-op FLexlite Air Chair

The Flexilite Air Chair is another one I own. It’s around 1 pound and one of the backpacking luxury items I always bring on my trips. After hours of hiking, sitting in a chair with a backrest just can’t be beaten. This is one of my favorite items in this Gift Guide for Adventurers.

two tents in the snow with a big mountain behind them.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

14. Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Travel Blanket

Suitable for backpacking, camping, or just sitting in the backyard by the fire. This NaoLoft Puffy is an excellent addition to anyone’s adventure – especially if they need warmth in the mornings or evenings. 

15. Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Air Sleeping Pad

It’s one of the lightest sleeping pads on the market. If your adventurer is looking to lighten their bag or is already in Ultralight mode, this is the sleeping pad for them. (This is mainly a summer sleeping bag.)

A tent with a sleeping pad and sleeping bag in view.
Photo Credit: Alec Sills-Trausch

Get someone an REI Gift Card

Not sure what to get someone this holiday season or for their birthday? Give them an REI Gift Card and let them choose what gear they want to satisfy their adventure thirst! 

Final Thoughts on this Gift Guide for Adventurers

Hopefully, this Gift Guide for Adventurers helps steer you in the right direction and enables you to snag some phenomenal and useful gifts for the special person in your life.

Happy Holidays!

Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.

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Author: Alec Sills-Trausch

Title: Founder of Explore with Alec

Expertise: Hiking, Backpacking, Photography, and Road Trips

Alec Sills-Trausch is a hiker, backpacker, landscape photographer, and syndicated travel writer. He enjoys showing off the beauty of the world through his photos, videos, and written work on ExploreWithAlec.com. Alec is also a 2x cancer survivor and bone marrow transplant recipient, showing the world that there is a future from this terrible disease.

He lives in Washington, where he gets to enjoy the stunning PNW mountains in addition to all the other places he attempts to visit each year! You can see more work on IG at @AlecOutside