Absolute Best Gifts for Outdoors Lovers & Adventurers (for any budget!)
Wondering what gifts to buy the outdoor lovers and travelers in your life this year? I get it. It can be so hard to choose the right gift or gear.
But, that’s where I come in. I know these are the best gifts for outdoor lovers and travelers because I use and love all of them! Plus, all but one doesn’t require you to choose a size, making gift giving even easier.
Pro Tip: I update this post regularly, especially for Black Friday deals. So check back for the latest deals on these gifts!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more info, visit this page.
- Absolute Best Gifts for Outdoors Lovers & Adventurers (for any budget!)
- 1 | Capital Cities Book (& Other Coffee Table Books)
- 2 | Travel Blanket
- 3 | Handmade Wool Beanie
- 4 | Water Bottle or Travel Tumbler
- 5 | Lightweight Water Purifier
- 6 | Portable Wifi Device
- 7 | Comfy Camp Slippers
- 8 | Lightweight Travel Tripod
- 9 | Sustainable Travel Towel
- 10 | Adventure-inspired Subscription Box
- 11 | Comfy Pillow
- 12 | Scratch Map
- 13 | Succulents
- 14 | AllTrails Pro Subscription
- 15 | Healthy Food Delivery
- Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers & Adventure Travelers
1 | Capital Cities Book (& Other Coffee Table Books)
We all need inspiration for our next adventure, right? Get the adventurer in your life a coffee table book filled with inspiring images and stories!
I’m ecstatic to share that I am one of the authors published in this coffee table book about 118 capital cities around the world! Why capital cities? Well, because they are rich with history and culture but also often overlooked as more than just a brief stop on our journeys! The book contains over 450 color photos and short stories by myself and 60 other travel bloggers and photographers.
2 | Travel Blanket
A Rumpl blanket is the gift that the outdoor lover and traveler in your life doesn’t even know they need. My cousin gave me one as a gift and it’s now my favorite piece of gear. I use it in place of a sleeping bag, to cozy up around a campfire, for late night star gazing, for picnics and more.
Read more about why Rumpl’s Nanoloft blanket is an awesome sleeping bag alternative!
Their blankets are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic and are moisture resistant. Plus, they are super packable! I have the Nanoloft Everywhere blanket, which compresses down to smaller than a sleeping bag. They also offer a travel blanket which, get this, compresses down to the size of a Nalgene bottle! It literally fits in the water bottle pocket on a backpack, making it the perfect travel blanket for plane rides or road trips.
Find your new favorite blanket now on Rumpl’s website!
3 | Handmade Wool Beanie
A cute and warm wool beanie hat is a must for cold weather adventures. Bonus if it’s handmade by a woman-owned small business in Minnesota! I have the light gray Peruvian wool hat with warm gray pom pom and love it. It’s super soft and warm!
Shop the styles on Woolly Bear Knits shop!
4 | Water Bottle or Travel Tumbler
What outdoor lover or adventure traveler doesn’t need a water bottle or travel mug? Show them you love them with Hydroflask, which comes with a lifetime warranty! Seriously, there’s no need for another water bottle or travel mug.
Why Hydroflask? It keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot. There’s nothing like ice cold water at the summit of a long hike or a sip of hot coffee when you’re hours from home. Plus they come in loads of fun colors, leak-proof lid designs and sizes. Right how, I am loving their limited edition ombre collection!
If you have an outdoor lover or traveler in your life that loves wine or cocktails, get them a wine or rocks tumbler. Both are perfect for warm summer nights on a patio or around a campfire!
Check prices at HydroFlask and REI
Hydroflask’s Parks for All program donates to nonprofits that focus on building and maintaining parks as well as increasing access to green public spaces.
5 | Lightweight Water Purifier
Any outdoor lover or adventure traveler can use a lightweight water purification system. Does it sound sexy? No. Is it useful and life saving? Yes.
Water purification is one of the day hiking essentials, so it’s a basic piece of gear that any hiker can use. But, this isn’t just for hikers! Both of these water purification systems can be used when traveling anywhere that the water may not be entirely safe to drink.
My go to water purifier for both hiking and adventure travel is the Lifestraw (Amazon or REI). It’s compact, affordable, and easy to use. For avid hikers and adventurers, the Sawyer Mini (Amazon or REI) is an awesome product. It’s what I use when backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail.
6 | Portable Wifi Device
Adventure travelers and outdoor lovers often find themselves off the grid and without a cell phone signal. In some ways, that can be liberating, but in others that can be a bit challenging. A portable wifi device allows someone to connect to wifi via a cell phone signal available in the area.
My favorite portable wifi device is Solis (previously Skyroam). I love that they have global unlimited daily, monthly, and per gigabyte plans to choose from. For my trips to Alaska and Finland, I used a Solis device and paid $9 per day for unlimited global wifi on up to ten devices. This allowed me to easily navigate to trailheads and between remote cities using the local cell phone networks without costing a fortune.
Solis tends to have amazing Black Friday deals and sales that run throughout the year. The daypasses can be purchased anytime and activated later!
Use code THISBIGWILDWORLD for 10% off your Solis purchase!
7 | Comfy Camp Slippers
Voited has a selection of blankets and camp slippers that are nothing short of cozy. I have a pair of the Soul Slippers and am obsessed with them. Not only are they soft and cozy on the inside, but they have rugged sole that is ideal for camping, cabins and other outdoor adventures.
The CloudTouch indoor-outdoor blanket also makes a great gift. It’s made from recycled plastic, is insulated and water-resistant. Plus it snaps closed into a sleeping bag, making it a versatile item to take on any road trip or adventure.
8 | Lightweight Travel Tripod
Photo or it didn’t happen, right? Travelers and adventurers want to capture the moment and a lightweight portable tripod can be a gamechanger! To take it to the next level, try an extendable phone tripod with bluetooth remote. This is an essential piece of gear I bring on every adventure.
9 | Sustainable Travel Towel
Whether for travel or the outdoors, every adventurer needs a lightweight, quick drying towel. Why not gift them a towel that’s also good for the planet and supports a small woman-owned company?
Lava Linens offers sustainably made alternatives to micro-fiber towels. Their towels are made of fiber from the flax plant grown with zero pesticides and no irrigation or GMO’s. Lava towels absorb up to 50% more water than comparable micro-fiber towels and are naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial!
Lava Linens offers free shipping in the US and lifetime repairs.
Use code THISBIGWILDWORLD for 20% off your Lava Linens purchase!
10 | Adventure-inspired Subscription Box
Give the gift that keeps on giving with a subscription box! These make such great gifts for outdoor lovers and travelers because they offer a selection of products they may not have purchased otherwise. It’s a fun surprise to see what arrives each month!
Some of my favorites include those filled with zero waste products, survival and outdoor gear, and treats from around the world.
11 | Comfy Pillow
Every outdoor lover and adventure traveler needs a comfortable pillow. For outdoor adventurers, try this synthetic down alternative pillow. For adventure travelers, my favorite is this pillow with awesome neck support.
As someone who has chronic neck pain, finding a comfortable travel pillow was nearly impossible until I tried the Trtl neck pillow. It’s soft fabric wraps around your neck like a scarf and inside is a frame that supports your head and neck comfortably. The fabric cover is machine washable.
The down alternative pillow is lightweight, packable and also has a machine washable and removable cover.
12 | Scratch Map
Make their adventures artwork with a scratch off map! Options include states, countries or even national parks visited. This is a fun way to decorate a space and keep their love for travel center stage in their home.
I have the world scratch off map linked above and love getting to scratch off a new country after each trip!
An alternative to scratch off maps is a park passport. The US National Parks have one where you can collect stamps and stickers at each park. Many state parks also have a similar program. Here’s more about the Minnesota State Park Passport Club!
13 | Succulents
Bring the outside in by gifting the nature lovers and travelers in your life plants to brighten their space. Succulents are a great option as they tend to be low maintenance and easy to care for.
This set of 5 succulents comes in a gift box for an added touch!
Pro Tip: Many succulent gift boxes come in standard two inch terracotta colored plastic pots. Personalize the gift by adding succulent pots to match their style!
14 | AllTrails Pro Subscription
Keep the adventurer in your life safe on the trail with an AllTrails Pro subscription. AllTrails Pros can download offline hiking trail maps to navigate without cell phone service plus keep friends and loved ones informed with the Lifeline feature.
I always carry a paper map for added confidence but knowing I have the offline AllTrails map eases my mind when I’m hiking solo. I can track my exact location on the map, which takes all of the guesswork away.
A 1-year subscription is just $29.99, which is well worth it for anyone who loves hiking or the outdoors!
15 | Healthy Food Delivery
One of the ultimate gifts for outdoor lovers and travelers is a food delivery service! They live busy lives and want healthy delicious food that doesn’t take forever to prepare. Two of my favorites are Freshly and Daily Harvest.
Freshly offers a variety of flavorful pre-made meals that are microwave ready. Easily sort meal options by dairy free, soy free, gluten free and more.
Daily Harvest offers mostly vegan and vegetarian smoothies, flatbreads, smoothie bowls, harvest bowls and even dairy free ice cream! All of their products are stored in the freezer so can be easily kept fresh for weeks. The chocolate blueberry smoothie is so delicious.
The best part is that for both Freshly and Daily Harvest they can skip a delivery easily any time.
Pro Tip: Most of the Freshly meals do well in the freezer if you want to make them last.
Get up to $40 off your first order from Daily Harvest!
Get $90 off your first 3 weeks from Freshly!
Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers & Adventure Travelers
The hardest part about this list is trying not to buy all of these for yourself. Happy gift giving, adventurer! Still looking for more gifts ideas for the adventurer in your life? Try these posts for inspiration!
Related content to read next:
Day Hike Packing List: A Prepared Girl’s Guide
Minnesota Hiking Guides: 15 Books About Hiking in Minnesota
What to Wear for Winter Hiking: A Prepared Girl’s Guide
What to Wear for Hiking in Summer: A Prepared Girl’s Guide
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As an outdoor lover myself I would say these are great items! I have a Lifestraw and an All Trails membership is a great idea!
Ha ha lucky you! I still use mine in the summer for picnics and at the beach. It’s water resistant so works well for that kinds of thing!
Right? I’m so over cooking – so it’s nice to have a break with some quick healthy options!
Isn’t AllTrails great?! It’s so handy, definitely a gift that any hiker would love and use often!
My husband and I love the AllTrails App. This would be awesome to give or receive as we plan on renewing the App.
These are great ideas! I would totally appreciate healthy food deliveries.
That travel blanket seems like a great idea. At the moment, I just travel in the summer, or to places that are warm all year round so I don’t need blankets, haha.
This is such a great list! I think I would really enjoy the subscription boxes. So unique and personalized!
I completely agree, Hazel. The Lifestraw is great for any kind of travel or outdoor adventure activity. It’s lightweight, compact and affordable!
You’re welcome, Nancy! Agreed – I never mind getting comfy socks as a gift!
Thanks, Krista! Everyone needs comfy and cozy socks, right?
I’ve researched the lifestraw for water purification as I saw another blogger recommend it. It sounds useful for any type of travel. Thanks for the recommendations here.
So many fun and creative ideas! Thanks for sharing them. Comfy socks are a great stocking stuffer.
These are all fantastic gift ideas for people who like to get outdoors – especially the super warm socks!
Isn’t Hydroflask the best?! Love the lifetime warranty! I’m literally cuddled up with my Rumpl blanket right now 🙂
Ooh yes, Krista! Treat yo self to some portable wifi this year (if you can)! It’s a game-changer.
Perfect! Holiday shopping, done 🙂
Thanks, Ashlee! My iphone tripod is so helpful, especially as a solo hiker and traveler. ‘Tis the season, indeed 🙂
Hey Savannah! Really glad to hear the list resonated with you – so sorry that the Journee Box isn’t available in your area. I hope there’s an awesome alternative!
Thanks, Kate! Both are must-have for any traveler or adventurer – so handy in so many ways 🙂
Awesome – glad I was able to introduce you to the idea of SkyRoam! Super helpful when navigating a new city!
Yay! These are all really great picks! I love my Hydroflask + I still need to get a water filtration device! I want that travel blanket too! 😛
Love this gift guide. I think I need to invest in some portable wifi for myself to be honest!
This list is so helpful! I’ve never been good with gift ideas, but these are suitable for people I need to get gifts for!
Hi there! Awesome ideas. I love that iphone tripod! Have been looking at them. Thanks for dreaming up gift ideas. ‘Tis the season 🙂
This is such a great list! I’ve actually been looking for a travel subscription box and the Journee Box looks amazing! Unfortunately I live in Italy right now and can’t have it shipped to me, definitely pinning this for later!
Great ideas! I especially love the small water purifier and the wifi hotspot – such great gifts!
I have never heard of SkyRoam, but that seems genius! That would be so handy because we constantly use our phone to map out where we are going while we are in a new city!
I’m similar to you, Karen. I like to sleep outside or at least have one leg out of my sleeping bag so this was an ideal solution for me. It’s very similar to a Patagonia Nano Puff. The Everywhere blanket is a little “fluffier” than a Nano Puff when you take it out of the stuff sack and it may be a little warmer but it’s a comparable feel to a Nano Puff. Lightweight, packable, and warm. They offer free shipping and returns for orders over $49, so if it’s not ultralight enough you could easily return it!
Awesome! Glad you appreciate this list of practical gifts, Kristen 🙂 The blanket is perfect for any trip!
Yes, indeed it’s tough not to buy it all. I’m intrigued by the Rumpl blanket for ultralight packing. I like sleep outside my sleeping bag often so this would be perfect. I sewed a Ray Way quilt for my pilgrimage on the Camino but even that was a bit too much weight. Is it the same insulation as the Patagonia Nano Puff for example?
That blanket is so cool! I think I’ll have to get one before my next trip. So many of these products are super practical, which I appreciate!
Yes on the socks – you really can’t go wrong with good socks as a gift!
That’s a great idea to keep a travel size blanket in your car! My dad always told me to do that in case I get stuck in a snow storm. If you sign up for Rumpl’s newsletter you get a 10% off code and then early access to any other deals they may have this season.
I don’t rave about many product, Josy, but I really do love my Rumpl blanket. The designs are great AND their warm, cozy and packable. I’ll be treating myself to the travel size one this holiday season 🙂 Can you ever have too many blankets when you live in a cold climate? 😉
Glad to see socks was first on a list. Good socks are expensive and I love them as gifts.
Such great ideas. I’ve been eyeing a new travel blanket to keep in my car now that winter is here. I’m waiting for all the deals!
I love that you included the travel blanket! I am really tempted by that…but I recently bought a heated blanket for working from home (so i don’t have to keep cranking the heat up in our apartment… I am not sure if Marc will want me to spend even more on another blanket this winter!)
I did click through to the link via your site a while ago though, I love their designs!