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Whether you’re shopping for your nature-loving dad, your outdoorsy girlfriend, or the camping enthusiasts at the office, we’ve got your back with these outdoor gift ideas any adventurer will drool over.
Outdoor enthusiasts are a unique breed to shop for. They love nature in many different ways, which means not every gift will work for everyone. Tents and sleeping bags make great presents for camping fans, but what about the bird watcher on your Christmas list? The outdoor chef? The mountain climber who has everything? Or the hiker who prefers to keep the pack weight as low as possible? No matter what form their passion takes, you’ll need to give them something that will enhance and facilitate their trip outside.
From ingenious multitools to reinvented camping essentials, these are the best gifts every outdoor lover will want in 2022.
Matador NanoDry Packable Shower Towel
A quick-dry towel always comes in handy when out and about, whether you’re hiking, camping, or going to the beach. Made of Nanofiber and enhanced with an antimicrobial coating, the NanoDry Packable Shower Towel from Matador is 2.3 times lighter than your average microfibre travel towel while still absorbing 2.3 times its weight in water. And the best part, it packs down to a small size in a silicone travel case with a carabiner that’s easy to clip onto bags and backpacks.
VSSL Camp Supplies Mini
The VSSL Camp Supplies Mini is one of those smart multi-functional essentials every outdoor enthusiast needs in his arsenal. Winner of the 2018 German Design Award, it includes a weather-resistant firestarter kit, rope & razor, sewing kit, and a small first aid kit – all neatly packed into an ultra-compact, indestructible LED flashlight with 4 lighting modes (bright, dim, red, SOS).
The Nomadik: Customized Outdoor Subscription Box
A subscription box curated by a world-class adventurer has to be one of the best gifts for outdoor lovers in 2022! Case in point, the Nomadik is packed with awesome gear (including newly released products not found at local retailers) from best-in-class brands like Topo Designs, UCO Gear, United by Blue, HydraPak, Mountainsmith, EcoVessel, and more. Plans start at $29.99/month, and a monthly box can include anything from camping supplies to hiking essentials to survival tools.
Matador: Beast28 Ultralight Technical Backpack
The Beast28 is one of our picks for the best camping backpacks in 2022 for a reason. Featuring an abrasion-resistant Robic nylon construction and a flexible frame suspension system that provides both structure and packability, this ultralight technical backpack from Matador is top-notch.
Its waist and sternum straps allow for safe, comfortable carrying of heavy loads, while hiking features such as daisy chains, gear loops for alpine tools, and a hydration bladder pocket that doubles as a laptop sleeve make it an amazing gift for that loved one who’s always yearning to hit the trail.
BioLite HeadLamp 330
Every outdoor adventure requires some sort of light source, and this slim, rechargeable headlamp from BioLite might just be the perfect gift idea for hikers, runners, and cyclists who need to keep the weight they carry to a minimum. Besides the advantage of hands-free use, the HeadLamp 330 is comfortable to wear, offers both distance and area lighting, and can light up your path up to 230 Lm.
Fire & Flavor Hero Grill System
For the outdoor griller in your life, there’s nothing quite like Hero Grill. Perfect for camping, tailgating, and picnicking, this portable charcoal grill from Fire & Flavor is environmentally friendly and folds up to the size of a laptop. It works with biodegradable quick-light charcoal pods that provide 60 minutes of grilling time, ensuring a clean and enjoyable outdoor cooking experience.
The Muncher
One of the most unique gifts for the outdoor lover on your list, this brilliant 10-in-1 camping utensil functions as a spork, serrated butter knife, peeler, and even flathead screwdriver.
Built from lightweight titanium, the Muncher can also be used to open cans and bottles, cut cords and boxes, or start a fire. It weighs just 0.7 ounces / 20 grams and includes a Hypalon pouch equipped with a carabiner for easy carry. No wonder it was the most funded camping tool ever featured on Kickstarter and Indiegogo!
SOG: Survival Hawk
Serious outdoorsmen need serious gear, and this sleek, feature-rich tomahawk makes an awesome gift option for those who seem to have it all.
Crafted from blacked-out 2CR stainless steel and glass-reinforced nylon, the Survival Hawk is light, fast, and packed with all the tools they’ll need to survive in the wilderness. The ultra-sharp 3-inch blade is perfect for throwing and chopping, but there’s also a hammering head, a nail puller, and an in-handle firestarter rod for added versatility.
NEMO Sonic Down Sleeping Bag
Looking for a present that’ll have them remembering you on every camping trip? How about the gift of a good night’s rest? A sleeping bag is one of the most important investments on a camper’s gear list, and this award-winning model from Nemo is one of the best ones around.
Enhanced with stretch construction at the knees and innovative Thermo Gills technology that allows for temperature regulation, the Sonic Down Sleeping Bag is sure to keep your outdoorsy friend comfortable in the backcountry, whether it’s -20 or 40 degrees.
Garmin inReach Mini
One of the best outdoor gifts on our list, the Garmin inReach Mini lets hikers send and receive text messages where cell phones don’t work. Built for the outdoors, this tiny and lightweight 2-way satellite communicator is waterproof, impact-resistant, and ready to save lives. It offers GPS navigation, tracking, and more importantly, comes with an SOS button to alert the authorities in the case of an emergency. In order for it to work, though, an active satellite subscription is required.
REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 Tent with Footprint
We know how difficult it is to keep track of the latest and greatest camping gear nowadays. But trust us on this one, nothing will make the camping enthusiast on your holiday shopping list happier than a good, reliable tent.
Designed for a two-person camping getaway, REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 Tent is a freestanding dome-shaped shelter complete with footprint and a couple of roomy vestibules to keep your gear protected. Its equal-length poles and pole clips make it a breeze to set up, and the two rolling fly doors enable added ventilation and a clear sky view. Better yet, this is a 3-season tent, which means it’s built to withstand strong winds, rainstorms, and even the occasional mild snowfall.
The Campout Cookbook: Inspired Recipes for Cooking Around the Fire and Under the Stars
If the camper in your life likes to cook around the fire, elevate their alfresco meals with a cookbook chock full of delicious recipes and clever hacks. The Campout Cookbook, by Marnie Hanel and Jen Stevenson (authors of the award-winning The Picnic), includes 75 inspiring camp fare recipes ranging from wood-fired skillet pizzas and backcountry stews & chilies to s’mores & cocktails and spectacular morning treats.
Grayl Geopress Water Purifier Bottle
Keep your favorite outdoor enthusiast safe in the wild with the Grayl Geopress 24 fl. oz., an innovative water bottle with a built-in purification system designed to make any water safe to drink. Durable, intuitive, and made of BPA-free materials, it filters 24 ounces (710 ml) of water in 8 seconds, removing viruses, protozoa, bacteria, particulates, chemical pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides, and even microplastics.
This is no doubt one of the best gifts for hikers who don’t always have access to clean drinking water but would be equally useful on road trips, camping excursions, and any outdoor adventure that involves “roughing it” in the middle of nowhere.
The James Brand: The Carter XL
EDC knives make some of the best gifts for outdoor lovers, and this fierce folder is sure to become a favorite in their collection.
An upsized version of The James Brand’s classic Carter, The Carter XL is designed to tackle bigger jobs thanks to an extra-large VG-10 steel blade praised for its durability, superior edge retention, and corrosion resistance. Like its predecessor, it boasts an ambidextrous slide lock and a reversible deep-carry pocket clip, along with the same clean, minimalist aesthetics. Throw in a grippy, lightweight Micarta handle sculpted with comfort in mind, and you have the ultimate heavy-duty pocket knife.
YETI: Trailhead Camp Chair
Every person who spends extended periods of time outside should have a good portable chair in their arsenal. And YETI might just have the most brilliant option out there. Combining a lightweight, folding frame with an ultra-supportive FlexGrid Fabric that molds around your unique shape, the Trailhead Camp Chair is equal parts comfort and durability. An adjustable cup holder keeps your favorite beverage within reach, and the strong two-strap carry bag allows for easy carrying and storage.
EcoFlow: RIVER Pro Portable Power Station
Whether your giftee is into car camping, multi-day adventures, or off-the-grid living, the EcoFlow RIVER Pro Portable Power Station will keep their gear running in any situation. With a massive 720Wh of battery capacity and multiple outlet options, this powerful electric generator is able to power up to 10 devices simultaneously and recharges fully in just 1.6 hours thanks to its patented EcoFlow X-Stream technology. Even better, when paired with an extra battery, the RIVER Pro doubles its capacity up to 1440Wh.
Echo Pocket Scope Monocular
An inspired gift for nature lovers, Brunton’s Echo Pocket Scope will bring objects 7 times closer than the naked eye. Combining a durable polymer frame with premium optics, this pocket-friendly mini-telescope delivers a bright, sharp image and is easy to carry anywhere, which makes it ideal for most outdoor activities, from sights and wildlife spotting to hunting and navigation.
Puffin Drinkwear: Wine Bag
Need more proof that great gifts for outdoorsy people don’t have to cost a ton? With this wine bag from Puffin, their drink will be as ready for adventure as they are. Designed to resemble a sleeping bag, not only is this beverage accessory cute as hell, but it keeps a bottle cold and accessible thanks to its insulated interior liner, corkscrew pocket, and hidden handle.
REI Co-op Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler
Struggling to find the ideal gift for someone who’s always out on picnics, day hikes, and beach excursions? Look no further. Part backpack, part cooler, this ingenious all-in-one pack from Rei will make any thrill-seeker’s life more cheerful.
The top compartment holds a day’s worth of gear, while the removable cooler section keeps 12 cans (or food) cold for up to 40 hrs. Versatile and comfortable to carry, the Co-op Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler is a practical companion for short nature outings that don’t involve a vehicle.
686 Men’s Anything Cargo Pant
When venturing outdoors, it’s important to have the right apparel. The Anything Multi-Cargo Pant from 686 will not only make you feel comfortable in the wilderness but offers a modern relaxed fit that looks equally good around town.
Made from a unique technical fabric, the outdoorsman on your Christmas gift list will go wild about these highly utilitarian travel trousers, which are breathable, water-repellent, and packed with functionality. They come with articulated knees and a gusseted crotch, not to mention 13 pockets for keeping all your EDC gear organized.
Garmin MARQ Adventurer
Meet the ultimate tool watch! Smart, stylish, and packed with 21st-century functionality, Garmin’s MARQ Adventurer is bound to inspire even the most obsessive adventurer. Fantastic topographic maps, ABC navigation sensors, real-time ascent data, and a 360-degree compass bezel make it a hit among hikers and climbers, while the luxurious leather strap keeps your recipient looking dapper even in the harshest environments.
