10 Gift Ideas for Hikers, Campers, Hunters, and Outdoor Enthusiast
Many innovations have been made in the hiking industry in the last five years leaving many shoppers wondering which product to buy. This can be a daunting task, especially if the person buying the gift is a non-gear savvy individual. By interviewing several outfitters and hikers and using our own input coming from years in the field, we have compiled a list of 10 items any hiker would love.
1. SteriPen – This lightweight portable water purifier uses UV light to destroying bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. The Steripen is quick and light in that it can purify up to ½ a liter of water in as little as 48 seconds and weighs only 4 ounces (including batteries). This is a great gift for hikers and emergency personnel. Retail Price $99.
2. Subscription to Backpacker Magazine. This magazine is a great source of information from reviews on new gear to instructions helping hikers develop new skills. Backpacker Magazine includes articles keeping you up to date on issues related to conservation and the environment. Retail Price $15.95
3. Merino Wool Socks – Bygone are the days of itchy wool socks and sweaty feet with the introduction of Merino Wool socks. While SmartWool is known for popularizing this product and has the largest selection, there are alternatives for the savvy shopper. A great place to look is the Sock Shop in Sweetwater, TN which offers three pair of high quality Head brand Merino Wool trekking socks for $7.99.
4. Petzl Tikka Plus LED Headlamp – Known not only for its great illumination, but also for its comfort, efficiency, and weight, or lack of it that is. The Petzl Tikka has five settings, low, medium, high, bright, and strobe. This water resistant headlamp is 80% brighter than the original Petzl headlamp. Retail $35
5. Nalgene Everyday OTG Tritan Bottle – While there are several new products on the market, this product has been time tested and continues to receive high ratings. Unlike many of the new products, this product does not retain flavors or odors. The 22 ounce container is dishwasher safe and is suitable for both warm and cold beverages. Retail $10
6. Tool Logic SL Pro 2 Folding Knife – On the trail it is nice to have everything organized. This knife does just that by offering not only a knife, but also a magnesium alloy fire starter, a LED flashlight, and an emergency whistle. Weight 4 ounces. Retail $59
7. Jetboil Personal Cooking System – Stoves are one of the items that you should discuss with the individual before buying as a gift. Some people want quick, easy, and lightweight, while others want to be able to prepare a gourmet meal. While the Jetboil is not as light as some of its competitors, it has an incredibly fast boil time, works great in inclement weather, and stores easily. The fuel canister and stove are designed to fit snugly into the mug. 15.25 ounces including fuel canister. Retail $99
8. Nite Ize Flashflight Disc – While this isn’t technically hiking gear, this flying disc is amazing and fun to have around camp. It is a welcomed addition to sitting around the campfire all night. While illuminated disc have been around for years, this product is the most realistic and feels the most like the non-illuminated disc we are all used to.
9. Olympus Stylus 720 SW – This rugged 7.1 Megapixel point and shoot digital camera is designed to withstand drops up to five feet and shoot underwater down to 10 feet. Equipped with Bright Capture Technology it shows dramatic improvement shooting in low light conditions. This is a fun camera to use around mountain streams and waterfalls and takes high quality pictures and descent videos for the price. It is rare that I head out on the hiking trail or go mountain biking without it. Retail $239
10. Hiker First Aid Kit – First Aid Kits unfortunately are a necessity, yet too many hikers omit buying them which is what makes it the perfect gift. There are several on the market most of which are very similar, just make sure you pick a kit with an instruction manual, antihistamines, hand wipes, gauze bandages, antibiotic ointment, and pain relievers. Look for kits that are 1-2 lbs or less. These kits range from $25 to $50.
About the Author
As an avid outdoorsman that spends the majority of this time hiking, photographing, camping, mountain biking, and sharing my experience with others.
Turkey Hunting, Chris Willoughby kills his first OH Turkey.
|
|
Kershaw Taskmaster Shears $22.59 Made from high-carbon, cutlery-grade stainless steel, these well-made shears are great for a variety of uses–from cutting pizza to cleaning just-caught fish. They combine a straight edge with a serrated edge for maximum versatility. Plus, this handy kitchen tool’s bonus features are numerous. A lid lifter pries under rolled metal lids to raise them quickly and easily, while its unique handle desi… |
|
|
Lansky Easy Grip Sharpener $3.34 Precision V-Shaped tungsten carbide sharpening element in the head of the sharpener which allows for peak restoration of any knife with only three or four strokes.ATTRIBUTES Grit: Coarse Material: Tungsten Carbide Size: 6 in. Type: Hand Held… |
|
|
dog, horse-bloodhound, horses (breed unknown) Photo Mugs bloodhound looking at camera at meet of windsor forest bloodhounds…. |
|
|
Choice Is Yours [VHS] $8.91 Open any one of more than a dozen whitetail magazines these days and you are sure to run across the “hot” topic of quality deer management. In the last few years, deer management has become the most talked about subject in the entire whitetail industry. However, quality deer management may not be for everyone. In this production, the Drury Outdoors team takes a more liberal look at managing deer i… |
|
|
Gerber 31-000751 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife, Serrated Edge $79.99 From Gerber, the 31-000751 Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife is designed to help you endure in the toughest environments. It features an ergonomic grip for comfortable handling and a dependable stainless steel blade with a versatile serrated edge. Additionally, the knife and military-grade nylon sheath are packed with innovative survival tools, including a fire starter, a diamond blade sh… |
|
|
Leatherman 830850 Skeletool CX Multitool $96.00 Introducing the Brand New Skeletool CX from Leatherman Get back to basics — the very cool basics — with Leatherman’s Skeletool CX. Today’s outdoor enthusiasts want to keep weight and volume to a minimum without sacrificing quality and true functionality, and that’s what the Skeletool is all about. Many multitools have multiple options, but they’re often heavier — and they’re loaded … |
|
|
Leatherman 830846 Skeletool Multitool $72.00 Leatherman packs the full-size Skeletool with the tools you’re likely to use most often. Introducing the Brand New Skeletool from Leatherman Now you’re ready to lighten your load and boost your survival skills — with Leatherman’s Skeletool. At a mere 5 ounces the new, full-sized multitool keeps weight and volume to a minimum without sacrificing quality and true functionality, and that’s wh… |
|
|
Primos Mastering The Art Waterfowl Call $1.91 Primos Mastering The Art-Waterfowl Instructional Hunting DVD Learn how to Master The Art of waterfowling through Team Primos’ most powerful hunting tool – calling. Practice along with us as we teach you the fundamentals and advanced techniques on duck and goose calling. The most comprehensive waterfowl calling instructional we have ever put together. Features: 3 Duck Hunts 2 Lessons on how to mas… |
|
|
Whistling Wings 9: The Sky’s the Limit $3.98 From mallards funneling through green timber, to geese cupped against the low Midwestern sun, to kids under the spell of their very first flights, it’s all a slice of Heaven to dedicated waterfowlers. The ninth in the Mossy Oak Productions white-hot series of waterfowl video-cassettes, Whistling Wings 9 showcases the finest duck and goose hunting footage ever gathered by the nationally-renowned Ca… |
|
|
Wild Game Innovations 6-Volt eDRENALINE Tab Style Rechargeable Battery $7.88 - Wildgame Innovations 6V Rechargeable Battery- For use with the WGI-TH-UBCWGI6VB… |