Best Gifts for Hikers of 2024

With roughly 88,600 miles of trails and over 60 million people hiking on them each year, hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities in America. More than likely, someone you know and love is an avid hiker, itching to grab their boots and packs at a moment's notice and take to the outdoors. Whether they’re just getting ready to hit their first path or are a long time expert, chances are they are hoping for their next gifting holiday to include some trail ready gifts.

But what to get for the hiking enthusiast on your gift list? It won’t take any wayward wandering for you to figure that out, because I’ve carefully curated a list of the best gifts for hikers based on my years of experience as an outdoorsman, chats with fellow outdoor experts, and extensive research. Below, you’ll find the best gifts for hikers that will have anyone who loves to hike longing for the weekend — or maybe even calling in sick.

Our top picks

Best Boots: Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot ‍

Best Tent: REI Co-op Dome SL 2+ Tent

Best Trekking Poles: Leki Makalu Lite Cork Trekking Poles

Best Hiking Pack: REI Co-op Flash Air 50 Pack

Best Headlamp: BioLite Headlamp 325

Best First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 Medical Kit

Best Hiking Food: Backpacker’s Pantry

Best Pants: REI Co-op Sahara Convertible Pants

Best Socks: Darn Tough Micro Crew Hiker

Best Stove: MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove

Best Water Filter: Sawyer Products Dual Threaded Mini Water Filtration System

Best Filter Straw: LifeStraw Sip Reusable Stainless Steel Water Filter Straw

Best Sleeping Pad: Near Zero Feather Insulated Sleeping Pad‍

Best Walkie Talkie: Rocky Talkie 5 Watt Radio

Best Satellite Messenger: Spot X 2-Way Satellite Messenger

Read many more details on the best gifts for hikers here, written by Steven John.

Contributor

Steven John

Expertise

Gear reviews, product testing, interviews

Education

BA, Emerson College

Steven John is a journalist with 13-plus years of experience testing and reporting on consumer products. He specializes in outdoor gear and consumer technology. In addition to U.S. News, his work has been featured in New York Magazine, Forbes, The Daily Beast, Architectural Digest, Insider, Gear Junkie, and many other publications.

John is an avid hiker, skier, paddler, and biker, and has been skiing and cycling since his elementary school years. His love for hiking began in high school when he spent two summers trekking hundreds of miles across northern Spain. He began climbing mountains in his 20s and has reached the summit of many of America's most prominent peaks, including Mt. Rainier, the Grand Teton, and Mt. Whitney. Two of his favorite outdoor achievements are completing a marathon in the Swiss and French Alps, and hiking more than 120 miles through the jungles and mountains of Colombia.

John also has reviewed scores of consumer tech products from air purifiers to smart lighting, and along the way has interviewed countless experts in various technology fields. For example, he has tested more than a dozen security cameras for the Tech & Electronics team at Forbes, written smart fitness gear reviews for The Daily Beast, and reviewed home tech such as electric lawn tools and portable air conditioners for New York Magazine. John lives outside New York City with his wife and two kids.

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I’m also a fan of the venerable Sawyer Squeeze. Just collect water and drink!

Trey French

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Sawyer’s picaridin lotion lasts a long time, stores well in survival kits and cars, and doesn’t have the laundry-list poison control label like DEET sprays.