Hiking is one of the oldest free activities in the books, and while it’s absolutely wonderful that it costs nothing to just walk out your door with your family, gift-giving for those hiking adventures can be really fun!
Time outside away from it all can be fulfilling and full of memories. Over the years we have built up our gear closet with items perfectly tailored to our family hiking fun. This year, my family put a lot of our hiking gear to test by hiking the 2,200 mile Appalachian Trail, and several of those gear pieces are below.
Hiking is the first step of many steps that can lead to backpacking, traveling and even snowshoeing or skiing. As with any family hobby there will be different levels of skill and interest. As the parent or facilitator of the activity it can be intimidating! You may think that a hike needs to be a certain length to count. Nope, leave all that behind and get out the door.
Whether you are new to hiking or a well seasoned trail explorer, there are so many great hiking gift ideas to make hiking with your family that much more enjoyable. Below are 25 of them that can help you embrace trail life. Hiking is a great hobby that can stay with you for a lifetime, it is never too early or too late to start.
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Hiking Gear Favorites
Over our years of hiking as a family, some things have emerged as tried and true favorites. Of course, there are always those items that you know, as soon as you try them once, that they are destined to be some of those keystone pieces!
Akova Men’s All Purpose Pants
I was introduced to Akova (and its predecessor, Shred Dog) years ago, by reading a blog post here at Tales of Mountain Mama! Since then I have come to love the brand for its durability and comfort, as well as its overall look. I love that these pants can go from school/church/the office straight to outdoor adventures.
Helly Hansen Loke Jacket
My mom owns this jacket, and it’s on my Christmas list this year! The bright color catches my eye every time I see her wearing it, which is definitely a practical perk as well as a fashion one, since the shorter daytime hours in the winter call for colors that stand out in lower light. She also likes how it keeps her dry in the rain, naturally. 😉
Wool Wins
You may have heard the phrase, “Cotton Kills,” but let’s make it more positive! Wool does offer some protection against rain and cold by holding moisture away from your skin way better than cotton, and it also is comfortable and long-lasting in these merino wool products.
Branwyn Essential Busty Bra
Branwyn’s wool won’t leave you with more laundry and the creators understand the support women need while on the trail. I wore a Branwyn merino wool bra every day of hiking the Appalachian Trail, and it held up beautifully!
Check out our full review on Branwyn Innerwear!
Smartwool Merino Boxer Briefs
Chafing can actually be a pretty uncomfortable problem while hiking, and these Smartwool boxers are a great solution. Another wool item that made it through our Appalachian Trail hike with comfort and success, this time for my husband.
Darn Tough Socks
Three for three in this section on items I would consider absolutely essential on a long-distance hike, and a big boon to a hike of any length. Even after putting our feet through some pretty rough treatment in hiking 2200 miles, we had very few blisters, and I give a lot of credit to wearing these socks!
Keep in the Car Essentials
Now when you are driving down the road, see that random hiking trail, and wonder where it goes, you will be ready to find out! Add your favorite non-perishable snacks and you are set to go.
Eddie Bauer Stowaway Backpack
This pack is lightweight and packable, coming with an attached storage bag so it won’t take up much space in your car in between adventures. I own one in black, but I think if I ever need to replace it, I would pick one of the many other fun bright colors!
Leki Trekking Poles
Knee savers for adults, but additionally, a fun way to keep kids engaged on the trail while giving their little legs a break. Trekking poles also offer you the extra hand or two that you need and give you that boost of confidence on tricky terrain such as creek crossings.
Six Moon Designs Umbrella
This silver reflective umbrella is perfect for any hike, offering protection from both sun and rain. It’s super lightweight, and a lot of long-distance hikers carry it! It’s perfect for spur-of-the-moment adventures in any weather.
REI Multi-Towel
I use this towel primarily for drying backpacking dishes, but I’ve also used it to wipe any number of other things that got wet or dirty on a hike, including people. It dries quickly so you can rinse in a stream, leave it in the sun, and reuse!
Small But Mighty
These items take up very little space in your adventure bag or stored with your hiking gear, but they make a huge difference on hiking and backpacking trips.
Flip Fuel Transfer Device
This little gizmo is helpful to people and the environment! As backpacking canisters run low, the flame under your stove becomes weaker and burns more fuel to do less work. Instead, combine two or more partials into one and use them much more efficiently. We used this all the time on our Appalachian Trail hike.
Garmin inReach Mini
Get yourself out of a tight spot or use to send check-ins to friends or grandparents. We knew multiple people on the Appalachian Trail who used the SOS function to call for help when they became sick or incapacitated with no phone signal. Just make sure you clip it to your clothing and don’t stow it in a backpack so it’s always exactly where you are!
Zippo Windproof Lighter
On our first full-family backpacking trip, we took waterproof matches, which did not hold up in the daily rain. On our next trip, we made sure to have a reliable lighter!
Misty Mornings
Start your day by heading to the woods or the mountains! An early morning hike can be so relaxing and regulate you both physically and emotionally for the day ahead.
Yeti Tumbler
Warm up your favorite hot drink for a chilly AM start. I’m not usually a coffee drinker, but if I need a little shot of life, I’ll do half coffee, half hot chocolate
How to Forage For Mushrooms Without Dying
This is all I want out of a mushroom foraging guide–how to not die eating the mushrooms. Do a little pre-hike research and learn which of the most common mushrooms are edible and which to avoid like the plague.
Barebone Foraging Bag
My husband used to hunt for morels as a kid, and hiker friends on the Appalachian Trail added chicken-of-the-woods to their backpacking meals. Turn that morning hike into a little hunting and gathering adventure, and stow the goods in this bag that opens at the bottom for easy removal of your woodsy treasures.
A Thousand Star Hotel
Whether you are actually sleeping outdoors or just getting out under that dark sky for an hour or two, the stars are magic. They are one of those things that inspire awe no matter how many times you’ve looked up in wonder. Enjoy them even more with these gifts!
100 Things to See In the Night Sky
This user-friendly guide to the endless black and white majesty above us is a great way to get to know all those tiny dots better. The more you know about the stars and other heavenly bodies, the more you will be blown away!
Flexlite Camp Chair
Kids are usually happy to lay on the ground to look up at the sky, but if your adult back doesn’t find that as friendly as you once did, this chair is perfect! It’s lightweight and easy to set up. We’ve taken them on short day hikes for easy relaxing, and on long backpacking trips as well.
Luci Lantern
Even when your goal is seeing stars in the darkness, it is nice to have some light at hand, at least to get to and from your stargazing spot. These are light for carrying, or you can hang them at a campsite.
Sleepyheads on the Trail
If you are sleeping in the woods, whether in a tent or a cabin, these gifts will make that experience more comfortable and enjoyable, which will likely lead to a much more enjoyable day as well.
Everbrite Headlamps
These headlamps come with multiple light settings, including nighttime red so you don’t scare away nocturnal wildlife…or blind your kids with regular bold LED white. Use them for night hikes, or send everyone to bed early and let them read to headlamp light.
Nemo Fillo Elite Pillow
Comfortably inflate this pillow to your desired firmness, and get right to sleep with no squeakiness and no pillowcase required. I’ve slept with one and without, and it’s no contest which was a better night of sleep.
Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Pad
Another item I have slept with and without, with a clear winner. I thought I was pretty comfortable with my foldable foam pad, until my husband gave me this for my birthday. It’s easy to inflate with no pump.
Gear That Lasts
Quality gear is an investment, and we want it to last! Our family hiked for six straight months this year, which is a really great way to see what lasts and what doesn’t! You don’t have to go to that extreme, however. Below are some faithful hiking friends.
Iksplor Base Layers
Base layers are perfect in at least three seasons, and versatile as a hiking layer and as pajamas. Iksplor is a tried-and-true TMM favorite, created by a hiking family for hiking families.
Lands’ End Packable Hooded Puffy
Two of my boys took these puffies on our hike, and they were just right. Lightweight, real down, and a reasonable price. They wear gear HARD and these held up! If you are looking for more puffy jacket recommendations, check out Best Puffy Jackets for Kids!
Rocky Talkies
Rocky Talkies are a way to keep in touch on the trail even in the most remote of places or on the darkest of nights. Give kids more freedom to explore in the night and also during the day. Rocky Talkies are going to go the distance with you.
NoSo Patches
Holes and tears are inevitable in anything made of cloth. Even the sturdiest pants can rip after a tumble on rocky terrain, or a spark can singe a hole in a sleeve. A fun patch, like this one shaped like a bear, means that the gear investment you made can continue to give a return, now with a little bit of “trail cred.”
What to Give a Hiker?
Gifts big enough for planned trips and bucket list hikes, or as simple as good quality socks for a day hike, can bring a smile to your favorite adventurer’s face this year. A hiker that is happy from head to toe can enjoy a whole year of sunshine, starlight, and fresh air. Dream big and gift smart.
Looking for more outdoorsy gift ideas?
Related Posts:
- Toddler Hiking: Checklist and Tips
- Hiking With Baby Gear
- Best Hiking Gear for Women
- Gear for Hiking in the Rain
Hiking Gift Ideas for Families 2025
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