The 18 Best Gifts for Backpackers That They’ll Actually Use

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Any outdoor activity with a dedicated user base is going to be filled with people picky about their gear, and backpackers are no exception. Not only that, but buying a gift for a backpacker comes with the pressure of knowing they’re going to have to carry it over miles of trails, and if it isn’t worth adding weight to their pack, they probably won’t want it. That doesn’t mean there aren’t piles of worthy gear out there, it just means they don’t want to pack a camp chair, no matter how well-meaning the idea.

This list has 18 ideas for gifts for backpackers, some of which might seem obvious (a camping pillow) and others you might not have thought of (a waterproof shoulder pocket). Each of these items has been tested and vetted by myself and other long-distance backpackers, and will be a worthy addition to their next trip.

Best Gifts for Backpackers

• A Filter with a Fast Flow: Platypus QuickDraw Filter System

• A Sun Hoodie from a Niche Brand: Town Shirt Sun Hoodie

• An Ultralight Cup That Won’t Scorch Their Face Off: MSR Titan Cup

• A Larger-Than-Average Backpacking Pillow: Outdoor Vitals Ultralight Pillow

• Packable, Quick Energy: Gu Energy Gels

The Expert

What to Consider

What Type of Backpacker Are They?

Backpackers run the gamut from carrying fully loaded 70-liter packs with all of the comforts of home, to ultralight ounce counters who think a hip belt is a travesty. Your gift should fit their style… a heavy-hauling hiker won’t appreciate a 3-ounce foam pad, while an ultralighter will be confused as to why you gifted them a 4-inch inflatable model. Before you buy anything, understand what type of gear they carry, and opt for something in that category.

Smaller is Actually Better

Unless you’ve specifically asked your recipient what sleeping bag, backpack, or tent they want, I recommend going smaller! Small, lightweight items that make their life easier are more likely to make it into their packing list, including conveniences they might not have thought of, or small-but-expensive gear they don’t want to buy for themselves. I’m a lot more likely to use a gifted ultralight titanium mug than I am a backpack that doesn’t fit.

Does the Gift Require Charging?

A modern concern with backpacking gear is keeping everything charged, regardless of how much you want to “get away from it all.” From rechargeable headlamps to Bluetooth headphones to the ubiquitous smartphone, keeping gear charged on the trail is an annoying but unavoidable element to today’s pack lists. I recommend people choose items that won’t be a drain on their recipient’s precious battery pack, and if there’s an option for a non-charging piece of gear that works as well as a battery-powered one (wired headphones vs. Bluetooth), go for that.

QuickDraw Filter System

I’ve tested a lot of filters in my day (and escaped with only one bout of giardia), and the Platypus Quickdraw stays clear the longest without getting clogged. While it’s possible (and easy) to clean filters and regain the flow, most never get back to their original flow speed.

While the QuickDraw isn’t immune to slowing down after consistent use, it maintains more flow speed and is easier to backflush than others I’ve tested. Plus, your backpacker recipient will love that like other popular brands, this threads onto standard water bottles like SmartWater and LifeWater if you don’t want to use a filter bag.

Sun Hoodie

Show you know your stuff by jumping ship from big-box brands and seeking out this speciality backpacking apparel company that makes some of the most comfortable, odor-resistant sun shirts out there. As a bonus, they come in eye-catching patterns based on specific flowers, animals, and trails, so you can personalize the gift based on your backpacker’s region or long-distance trail of choice.

Titan Cup

A double-walled cup can be overkill in a backpack, but single-wall titanium cups are almost guaranteed to peel the skin right off your lips when you go to take that first sip of instant coffee. MSR made our lives easier with this single-wall cup that comes with a silicon sipper area, and has handles that fold down for easier packing.

I usually just clip this to the outside of my pack so I can feel like Frodo on my way to Mordor with cooking gear hanging off the pack.

Ultralight Pillow

No matter how weight-conscious your backpacker is, everyone is happier with a dedicated camp pillow. This model weighs just over 2 ounces, has a customizable deflation valve (I like to inflate mine to the maximum capacity for reading, then deflate it slightly for going to sleep so it’s less bouncy).

The surface of this pillow is brushed for comfortable sleeping and also slides around less on sleeping pads than other pillows I’ve used.

Energy Gels

Backpackers love quick and easy food like these individually packaged, 100-calorie slime packets, but we hate paying for them. That’s where you come in! Buying snacks, meals, and other consumables for backpackers is a great way to say “I don’t know what gear you use, but I know you like to eat.”

I keep a selection of both caffeinated and non-caffeinated gels in my hip-belt pockets, which help stave off bonks during long climbs in the afternoon. All Gu gels are optimized for quick calorie intake, and can help replenish sodium during sweaty outings.

Hydration Multiplier

Staying hydrated on a backpacking trip is tough. You need to drink more than your stomach wants, and the water sources are often revolting. I take flavor drops or packets with me on longer trips to encourage hydration, but you can take it one step further with these balanced, electrolyte-infused drink packets that actually taste good.

They pack a punch of vitamins as well, which can be tricky to get from a backpacking diet. My favorite flavor is strawberry, but they’re all pretty decent.

Sport Energy Chews

These calorie-dense gels come in flavors that actually taste good (the Tart Cherry is like candy), and are packed with sodium, electrolytes, vitamins, and sugar for quick energy that doesn’t take much effort to eat. My stomach goes weird on long trips, and having a few of these in my pack is always appreciated.

Shoulder Pocket

It’s my personal opinion that all backpacks should come with shoulder pockets, but for the ones that don’t, this splurgy, waterproof external pocket from Hyperlite Mountain Gear is a great accessory. It fits every phone I’ve used with it, and the stretchy mesh outer pocket is handy for an energy gel or my headphones.

I like being able to grab things as I’m hiking, and the more accessible pockets, the better. Plus, it’s such a random / niche gift that your backpacker will be wildly impressed you thought of it.

Portable Charger (20,000mAh)

Electronics on the trail are a fact of life, whether your backpacker is reading on their phone, using it for navigation, or charging bluetooth headphones and a rechargeable headlamp.

This 20,000mAh battery pack from Anker isn’t the lightest piece of gear, but it can charge a new iPhone four times, and will last for a long stretch in the backcountry. Just be sure they know they have to charge it overnight before leaving… it takes a full 10 hours to charge.

In-Ear Wired Headphones (Lightning or USB-C)

Speaking of charging headphones, it’s actually pretty cool if you don’t have to. I reverted back to wired headphones a few years ago, getting sick of having another thing to keep charged on the trail. These Skullcandy headphones have great sound, the wires stay intact no matter how many times I’ve smashed them into a hip belt pocket, and you can choose a lightning port or a USB-C port to make connecting easier.

NU25 360 LM Rechargeable Headlamp

If your backpacker is deeply embedded in gear lore, they already know about this toy-truck looking headlamp, and they’ll be stoked to receive one. Nitecore is a backpacker’s secret—for a very reasonable price, you get more combined battery life and lumens than almost any expensive name brands on the market, as well as multiple brightness options and a red-light setting for moving around camp at night.

It weighs just a few ounces and has a maximum output of 360 lumens, and I’ve used it multiple seasons for night hiking or early-morning starts.

GOCap SC Hat

My main issue with running hats is that they’re so short on top you look like a wee lad begging for more gruel. Not so with this ultralight, wicking hat from Ciele, which was originally made for running but I have co-opted as my backpacking hat.

It sits deeper over your head and has a longer, curved brim that keeps the sun out of my eyes, and it’s adjustable in the back for a snug fit on windy days. This hat is one of those splurge items that is painful to buy for yourself but your recipient will be amped.

inReach Mini

I don’t want to lecture anyone on the necessity of backcountry satellite communicators, but if you want to read why I’m dedicated to the cause, here you go. Regardless of how disaster-prone your backpacker is, this 3.5-ounce device can be a literal lifesaver.

It has an easy-to-use GPS interface, connects to smartphones for satellite messaging, and has a simple SOS feature for when things get really bad. If you want to be the best gift-giver ever, you should include a year’s subscription to the messaging service as well.

Original

I list the Buff on every gift guide, I can’t help it. That’s how critical this tube of fabric is to my backpacking trips. You can choose from any number of trail-specific designs and fun colors, and the Buff line comes with a huge array of options in materials, weights, and sizes. I like to cut one of these full-size Buffs in half and use them as headbands, then keep one full-sized as a face warmer or neck warmer on colder trips.

Coffee Packets

This is another small, niche brand known to dedicated outdoors people, which means it’s another chance to show you know your backpacker-specific stuff. This coffee elevates the idea of instant coffee to taste almost like you brewed it fresh at home, and the company donates money to multiple charities for every packet sold.

Each packet also makes 16- to 20 ounces instead of the standard 8-ounce servings, perfect for the backpacker who has a hard time motivating in the morning.

Beta Light Satellite Pack

I stayed off the fanny pack train for years, refusing to carry another pack on top of my own pack, and throwing my wallet and small items into a stuff sack during town days or resupplies. However, my mind has been permanently changed by this 5-ounce multipurpose pack with removable straps and three ways to carry.

This was the MVP of my recent international backpacking trip. I carried all of my important items in it while traveling, then just strapped it to the top of my pack during backpacking portions. This is one of those things you don’t know you need until you use it, then you refuse to go anywhere without it.

Mini Cheese Grater

On cooler trips I love to take cheese and cured meat like pepperoni and salami, but even in moderate temperatures softer cheeses can get funky quickly. A harder cheese like parmesan or asiago is a good solution, and you can grate the cheese over your tortilla or backpacking meal instead of cutting huge chunks off of it.

Meals

Peak Refuel makes my favorite dehydrated meals and it’s not even close. Most of these meals use just a fraction of the water that similar meals take (once you start filtering all of your water you’ll also be grateful for meals that take less), and they have a high caloric value for a low packaged weight.

My absolute favorites are the beef pasta with marinara and the pesto chicken pasta, but you can’t go wrong. Grab a few for yourself at the same time, you won’t be sorry.

FAQs, Answered by our Expert

How do you choose what goes into your pack?

I choose the contents of my pack by starting with my go-to items. I have my favorite sleeping bag, tent, and sleeping pad. Then I choose my smaller items and apparel based on the distance of the trail, the weather, and terrain.

If it’s a shorter trip with lower mileage, I’m more likely to experiment with a different pack or new hiking clothes, and I’m happy to test new gear and take extra items. But if it’s a longer, committed route, I go with what I already know. I have my most reliable filter, my most comfortable hiking shorts, and a waterproof pack that carries extra weight well.

What are you most excited to receive as a backpacking gift?

Consumables!! If I buy or test a piece of gear, I won’t need to replace it for a while, and oftentimes well-meaning gifts are duplicates of something I already own. As much as I love sleeping pads, I don’t need five of them.

That’s where energy gels, protein bars, electrolyte mixes, and dehydrated meals come in. These are overpriced and annoying to buy for yourself, but I’m always thrilled to receive them and take them with me as a special treat during longer trips where I want the morale boost of dehydrated Pad Thai instead of a sad tuna wrap.

Ok, what do you not want to receive as a gift?

Unless the person asks what I wanted and I give them a direct link to the item, I’d prefer to not receive larger items like sleeping bags, tents, or packs. These items are so specific and make such a difference in my gear setup that I’m very particular about what I use. I also steer clear of asking for general hiking apparel, as I’m picky about my hiking clothes and shoes.

If you want to go big, ask them for a few different options for larger items, with the link. Sleeping bags might look simple, for instance, but there are multiple temperature ratings, fill power, lengths, and model specifications you might not know about.

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