Give the gift of the outdoors! But how? For us, the outdoors gift guide is a generalist catch-all that may overlap with more specific pursuits like hiking or fishing.
In this guide, you’ll find gear to make your next adventures more comfortable and easier. We’ve got apparel, tech, footwear, packs, and classic gear we’ve personally tested, or newer gear from trusted brands that caught our eyes.
Check out our other gift guides for more ideas to suit every adventurer on your list!
General Outdoor Gifts for 2026
Berghaus Kara-Su Pant
From the iconic Berghaus Extrem 7000 line of technical alpine wear comes the Kara-Su Pant, a mountain-ready hiking pant made with a rugged polyamide fabric and elastane for stretch. The pant has a straight-leg fit with articulated knees, ankle hem cords, and three pockets.
Shop NowPatagonia Re-Tool Air Snap-T Pullover — Men’s & Women’s
The Patagonia Re-Tool Air Snap-T Pullover introduces Polartec Alpha Direct made from 100% recycled polyester fleece. Its honeycomb construction increases durability while delivering warmth without bulk, making it a versatile active layer that’s cozy enough to wear all day. It’s breathable, packable, and has side-entry handwarmer pockets.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’sTimberland PRO Tempe Boot
The Timberland PRO Tempe work boots have the lightweight, cushioned design of an athletic shoe. Timberland’s HoverSpring foam and PRO FLEX grooves in the sole keep things comfortable for long days on your feet.
Tempe models meet your workplace needs with a waterproof build, electrical hazard protection, slip-, oil-, and heat-resistant outsoles, and safety toe options.
Shop NowIbex Nautilus Fisherman Sweater — Men’s & Women’s
With the Ibex Nautilus Fisherman Sweater, classic style meets modern performance in all the best ways. The sweater has a traditional 2×2 knit aesthetic, uses bespoke 3D knitting in Brooklyn, New York, and the wool-nylon blend by Nuyarn provides greater warmth, rebounding stretch, and unrivaled durability. This construction also dries faster than wool-spandex blends.
Vintage looks, modern fabrics, and a made-in-the-USA build!
Shop Men’s Shop Women’sPelican 1535 Air Carry-On Case
Pelican Air cases are the brand’s toughest and lightest, thanks in large part to its proprietary HPX2 polymer construction. They are waterproof, dustproof, and can take a beating.
The Pelican Air 1535 Carry-On Case adds to that appeal with several ergonomic features that make hauling gear more pleasant. It has quiet rolling wheels, a retractable trolley handle, and ergonomic latches. We also like the automatic pressure equalization valve and fold-down over-molded handle.
Shop NowBaffin MIST Boots — Women’s
First, these are Baffin boots, so they are made for tundra-rated temps (14 degrees F to -22 degrees F). They are the first lace-up boot in the brand’s lightweight Ease Collection. The MIST boots have a mid-height profile, a removable anti-fatigue insole, and a reinforced toecap.
Inside, there’s a plush lining and the brand’s B-Tek Dry membrane. Underfoot, the IceBite ice grip and Polar Rubber in the heel and forefoot provide both traction and durability.
For the woman in your life who endures harsh winters (or has Raynaud’s), these may be the winter boots they’ll wear the most often. (Tip: If you wear a half size, order the next full size up.)
Shop NowHelly Hansen Men’s Alpha Lifaloft Lightweight & Women’s Alphelia Ski Jackets
Helly Hansen’s men’s Alpha Lifaloft Lightweight Ski Jacket employs the brand’s upgraded LIFALOFT insulation for even greater warmth-to-weight performance. That translates to less bulk and a closer fit, while the four-way stretch fabric adds even more freedom of movement. The wind/waterproof jacket has pit zips, a detachable insulated hood, and a powder skirt. Other smart ski features include a RECCO transponder, a LIFE POCKET to keep your phone battery happy, a pass pocket, and a goggle shammy.
The women’s Alphelia Ski Jacket has a sleek, feminine fit, with a stretchy Helly Tech Performance shell that protects against water and wind. PrimaLoft BLACK Eco insulation provides warmth. The ski-friendly design includes an adjustable powder skirt, a RECCO transponder, goggle and ski-pass pockets, wrist gaiters, and a removable hood.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’sPAKA Breathe Jogger — Men’s & Women’s
The PAKA Breathe joggers bring the brand’s alpaca prowess to the activewear sphere. The terry exterior blends baby alpaca with TENCEL Lyocell, while the interior lining is 100% organic cotton. This trinity of natural fibers creates a wide range of thermoregulation in the slim-fit, lightweight joggers.
You can wear them hiking or camping, and will surely find yourself lounging in them after. The joggers have two hand pockets, one of which has a zipper.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’sSmartwool Winterloft Jacket — Men’s & Women’s
The Smartwool Winterloft Jacket keeps warmth in and the cold out. The Winterloft is a new and unique combination of wool and down. It blends 80% recycled waterfowl down with 20% reclaimed merino wool, which combine for a 700-fill power. That insulation rests behind a recycled ripstop nylon shell with a non-PFC DWR.
The jacket is windproof and weather-resistant. To keep the cold out, the jacket has an elastic hem and cuffs, with a softer merino-blend draft flap inside. The Winterloft is available with or without a hood.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’sGlerups The Boot Rubber Sole
Winter guides are the perfect place for cozy footwear, and unlike house shoes, these rubber-soled wool boots are ready to head into town, fetch the mail, or shovel a sidewalk. The Glerups Boot Rubber Sole mid-height boots are made to be worn without socks and keep your feet warm and dry while warding off odor.
Shop NowPoncho The Telluride Performance Flannel
This medium-weight performance flannel is plenty durable, yet soft and stretchy enough to hold up to long days afield. Poncho’s wicking fabric will help move any moisture buildup (and dry fast).
The outdoorsman in your life will also appreciate the detailed design of the Poncho Telluride Performance Flannel‘s hidden zippered pocket, sunglasses holder, and built-in lens wipe.
Shop NowNOCS Portal AFN7
First and foremost, the NOCS Portal AFN7 is a digital point-and-shoot adventure camera. The compact camera has an oversized grip with an easy-to-press button on top. It’s weather-resistant to handle light rain, and since this is NOCS, it is compatible with its binoculars and monoculars.
Despite the retro vibes, this digital camera shoots in 16 megapixels and 4K video. Its memory holds up to 2,000 photos or 180 minutes of continuous video on one charge. Read our review for more details.
Shop NowRoyal Robbins El Cap Canvas Shacket
Ah yes, shacket season is upon us. That’s easy to write because this in-between layer is so versatile; the statement applies to nearly any region at this time of year.
We love the Royal Robbins El Cap Canvas Shacket for its blend of outdoorsy and workwear style. The durable stretch canvas is made with organic cotton, TENCEL Modal, and a touch of elastane. Don’t worry, it will get that worn-in patina you’d expect. A sherpa lining adds insulation to the body, while a lighter, quilted insulation lines the sleeves. It has a snap front, two hand pockets, two snap-shut chest pockets, and an internal chest pocket.
Shop Men’s Shop Women’sWilderdog Dog Rain Jacket
Dogs will get wet no matter what, but the Wilderdog Dog Rain Jacket keeps them from getting soaked and traps body heat for warmth. It will save you time toweling them off, too!
Shop NowRoark Bless Up Breathable Stretch Shirt — Men’s
Winter gifts don’t have to ignore the fact we love to play in warm temperatures. The Roark Bless Up Breathable Stretch Shirt is made from wicking materials and has a perforated weave that makes it lightweight and breathable. Those Tactel nylon and polyester materials offer four-way stretch for freedom of movement. It’s got everything you want from an activewear shirt, and it’s a button-up!
Shop NowHults Bruks Hultan Hatchet
Our overall favorite camping hatchet, the Hults Bruks Hultan is more than capable of trimming limbs or downsizing firewood. It’s admittedly not specific to camping, but we appreciate the Hultan’s hand-ground axe head, which stands alongside other Swedish steel for its toughness. At roughly 16 inches long, the handle has a great balance in the hand without feeling unwieldy. (Note: this model was formerly called the Almike.)
If someone you know already has a Hults Bruk Hultan, consider gifting them a grinding stone. They hold their edges well, but a sharp hatchet is a happy hatchet.
Shop NowDometic Unrestricted Backpack Cooler
The Dometic Unrestricted Backpack Cooler is first and foremost a backpack that you won’t mind hiking with, especially while it’s loaded. If you’re really trying to keep 39 cans cold, the leakproof main compartment is insulated with PrimaLoft Gold and up to the task.
And here’s a point that seems to get lost: You don’t have to use it as a cooler all the time. The rest of the backpack includes a padded laptop sleeve, an easy-access back storage area, and side bottle pockets. The backpack’s main fabric is rugged CORDURA, and the harness and sternum straps are well padded.
All told, this backpack cooler is a worthy companion for picnic hikes, day trips, and stashing wet layers. Turns out that leakproof aspect works fairly well as a dry bag, too, if you find yourself needing to carry a change of clothes through a rainy commute.
Shop NowWant more gift ideas? Check out our other gift guides and buying guides.
