I’m so excited to share my holiday gift guide for the 2023 season with you all! While, as some of you may know, I’m not the biggest fan of the holidays (due to the over-the-top gift-giving culture), I do love giving an intentional gift to someone who will use the piece of gear for years to come. There’s nothing better than seeing your gift being used over, and over, and over again by a loved one.

In this holiday gift guide, I have shared a bunch of gifts that you can feel good about giving! There’s something here for every kind of adventurer in your life—whether they are a hiker, camper, traveler, photo lover, road-tripper, and more. In the end, these gifts will help your loved ones get outside more, which is the best gift of all.

Note: there are affiliate links in this post and I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase an item (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support if you do choose to use these links and happy holidays!

Skip ahead:

• For the hikers – women
• For the hikers – men
• For the photograhers
• For the road trip lovers
• For the jetsetters and travel lovers
• For the snow lovers
• For the cabin lovers
• For the backpackers
• Experience based gifts

For the Hikers – Women

Retro Pile Marsupial Pullover

I have had this Patagonia fleece for years, and I have multiple colors… it is incredibly cozy, warm, and timeless! It’s a gift you’ll feel good about giving because it’s responsibly made and can be worn on road trips, hikes, travels, and more.

Outdoor Research Ferrosi 5in Short

My all-time favorite shorts (and many women have said the same). Great for hiking, water-based activities, and all-around adventuring.

Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boot

These boots are my all-time favorite because they are incredibly comfortable, waterproof, lightweight, and look great. 

Pendleton Cable Hat

This is one of my favorite pompom beanies to wear! It’s warm and cozy thanks to its unlined merino design.

Osprey Skimmer 28L Backpack

This backpack has it all—mesh in the back, straps for breathability, a place for a hydration reservoir, pockets, 24L of space, and an adjustable waist strap. Perfect for both summer and winter adventures so it’s a gift that’ll get a lot of use.

Patagonia P-6 Label Trad Cap

This dad hat is a perfect gift because it’s affordable, responsibly made, and great for everyday wear, hiking, and everything in between. I have it in four colors!

Patagonia Micro D 1/4-Zip Fleece Pullover

This fleece is a great option for a thinner, yet soft and warm layer. It’s perfect for layering! It’s made with microfleece fabric and can be worn every season.

Smartwool Performance Hike Sock

This sock has a light cushion that is great for hiking, backpacking, running, traveling, and casual wear. It’s made out of merino wool which is a great fabric for wicking moisture—and it lasts for a long time!

For the Hikers – Men

Patagonia Lightweight Fjord Flannel Shirt

This shirt is perfect for everyday activities, camping, and traveling. It’s responsibly made and you can feel the quality with one touch. Many of my male friends own this and say that they have several colors.

Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boot

These boots are well-loved by many of my male friends and are comfortable, waterproof, and they look great. They are the male version of the boots that I use. I couldn’t recommend these enough!

Osprey Packs Stratos 24L Backpack

This breathable, versatile backpack is perfect for any adventure. It’s made with mesh on the back, a place for a hydration reservoir, pockets, 24L of space, and an adjustable waist strap. I have this in the female version and recommend it for day adventures. It also has an integrated rain cover that helps keep gear dry.

Patagonia Classic Retro-X Jacket

Meet the perfect warm layer made for climbing, backpacking, traveling, and more. The windproof membrane protects from bone-chilling breezes and the fleece makes it extra cozy.

Patagonia Fishermans Rolled Beanie

This beanie is an affordable gift and is made from eco-friendly yarn. It’s itch-free, warm, and will keep you cozy!

Smartwool Performance Hike Sock

This sock is the male-equivalent of what I suggest above for women. It’s an all-around great sock because it’s made of merino wool (which is a great moisture-wicking, natural fabric) and great for any activity.

Patagonia Tin Shed Hat

This is hands-down the perfect dad hat and is a great gift because it’s super affordable and made of recycled and organic materials—you can feel good giving this gift!

For the Photographers

Peak Design Tech Pouch

I use this pouch to store small items like memory cards, lens filters, lens cleaners, SSDs, cords for my phone, computer and/or camera, and headphones. Sometimes I use it for my toiletries too—so it’s multi-use.

Peak Design Capture Clip

This quick-release clip attaches your camera to a backpack strap. It’s great to have your camera easily accessible and have the weight on your chest (rather than your back). This is one of my favorite gifts in this post!

Lexar Professional Memory Card

Investing in a fast and reliable memory card is something I wish I had done at the beginning of my photography journey. It’s well worth it to invest in this card than buy multiple slow cards.

Lexar Portable SSD

SSDs are less likely to break on you because there are no moving parts inside. They are lighter and smaller, but more expensive than other hard drives—so they make the best gift!

For the Road Trip Lovers

NOCO Boost Plus Car Battery Jump Starter

This car jump starter has saved me or a friend more than once. It is something that lives in my car even if I’m not on a road trip. Make sure to keep it charged up!

BESTEK Power Inverter

Easily charge your electronics or even use hair styling tools with this power inverter. I don’t go on a roadtrip without it!

Ultimate Ears Portable Bluetooth Speaker

I’ve had this speaker for years and it’s perfect for any trip—especially camping trips. It’s waterproof, lasts over 8 hours, and is relatively lightweight.

Dash Universal Car Mount Phone Holder

This phone holder is a great gift for anyone who road trips and doesn’t have their map on a screen in their car already. I don’t have Apple CarPlay, so I use this! It allows you to quickly mount and remove your phone with one hand.

YETI Roadie 24 Cooler

A YETI cooler is 100% needed for any adventurer that likes to go on road trips. It has a slim construction and keeps food and beverages cold for long periods of time.

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AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press

This AeroPress one of my favorite ways to make coffee when I’m backpacking, on the road, or traveling. It can brew a delicious Americano, espresso, and cold-brew.

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For the Jetsetters and Travel Lovers

YETI Rambler 20oz Tumbler

This YETI reusable mug is great to have when traveling so that you can keep your coffee warm and ready to drink. It’s great for traveling and everyday life, so it’s a great overall gift.

Anker PowerCore Charging Bank

This is the portable charger I bring with me on my travels and backpacking trips! It’s a great gift because it can be used every day and in the backcountry.

Fjallraven High Coast Hip Pack

I love wearing this hip pack when I travel because I always have my cell phone, passport, credit cards, cash, and all my important things close to me. This is a great gift for someone if they misplace things easily!

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Peak Design Packing Cubes

These packing cubes make traveling 10x easier for the travel lover in your life. You can find a medium size on Peak Design’s website as well. I suggest getting one small and one medium to start.

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For the Snow Lovers

Black Diamond Access Spike Traction Device

These spikes are a necessary piece of gear for anyone who hikes in the spring, winter, and fall seasons. They help prevent falls when there’s mud, ice, and snow on the trail. Hands down these spikes are one of my favorite gifts in this post!

Zippo 12-Hour Hand Warmer

This hand warmer runs on fuel that generates flameless heat, allowing it to run longer and be less wasteful than buying one-use hand warmers.

Outdoor Research Low Gaiter

Gaitors help keep snow (or mud in certain places ie. Hawaii) out of your boots allowing your feet to stay dry for much longer—which means you can adventure longer. There’s also a longer version that goes to the knees here.

Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Gloves

Hands are the first to get cold, so help a friend out by gifting them these lightweight gloves that are made with a wool blend and have a fleece lining. They also have silicone fingerprints for touchscreen compatibility!

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Baffin Cush Booty Slipper

I never knew I needed down booties in my life until I bought a pair and brought them into the backcountry. This would be a nice gift to give because it’s not a piece of gear that is purchased right away by people. This is unisex so check the size guide when purchasing it as a gift.

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Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles

I always said I’d never use hiking poles, but I’ve been a huge fan for the past 1-2 years—especially for backpacking trips. They help with stability and distribute weight better. These aluminum poles are perfect for trekking or ski touring so it’s a win-win.

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For the Cabin Lovers

Backcountry Range Long-Sleeve Plaid Shirt

This flannel is perfect for layering when you’re by a campfire, on the road, or everyday wear. I just ordered it and am stoked! It’s made with earth-conscious recycled wool and polyester and is naturally odor-resistant.

Stetson Bozeman Hat

This wide-brimmed hat is a must for any cabin adventure. It’s carefully constructed to balance style and comfort and is available in three glorious colors.

Pendleton Carry Along Motor Robe

This blanket is perfect for a cabin adventure, campfire chats, or road tripping. It is made of wool so it’s soft and dries quickly in case of rain—which is a great gift if you live in the PNW.

Stoic Super Soft Pocket Flannel Shirt

Everyone needs a comfortable flannel for camping or road-tripping. This cozy 100% cotton piece is sure to be reused for years and can be layered under larger jackets. If you’d like another recommendation, I’m also a huge fan of the Patagonia flannels.

Fjallraven Kanken 16L Backpack

This is an iconic backpack—and it’s iconic for a reason. It’s durable and water-resistant for reliable everyday use, made by a sustainable brand, and holds a good amount of goodies for traveling.

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Blundstone Thermal Boot

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know that these are my favorite casual boots! They are incredibly comfortable and easy to wear. This version has a layer of insulation making them a great boot for the winter. The original boot (without insulation) is a great staple, too. Either way, these boots are a great gift because they’ll be worn for years, if not decades.

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Barebones Forest Lantern

This lantern is perfect for campfire hangs, canoe rides, and honestly, is a great prop if you’re into photography. You’ll get 3-80 hrs of light (setting-dependent).

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For the Backpackers

Garmin InReach Mini

This is a pricey gift, but one that both you and your loved one will benefit from. The Garmin Mini is a GPS that allows you to call for help via the SOS function in case of an emergency, help know where to go, and let loved ones know that you are safe—this peace of mind is why it’s a gift for more than the GPS owner.

Sea To Summit Aeros Down Pillow

This pillow is incredibly light, small, and soft. It’s definitely a great gift as it’s something that will one-up any outdoor lover’s backcountry experience when they sleep outside or car camp. Pro tip: make sure to get the deluxe version, it’s worth the extra cost.

MSR WindBurner

If you know that your loved one is using a simple Pocket Rocket, this stove would be a great upgrade! It’s really efficient and can boil water in 1-2 minutes, is lightweight, and packs down well.

BioLite 425 Headlamp

I swear by this headlamp! It’s incredibly bright, rechargeable, lightweight, and overall is a 10/10. It’s a great gift and fairly inexpensive since this gift will be used for years and on many adventures!

Osprey Hydraulics LT Reservoir

This would be another great option if you’re looking to upgrade gear. If you know your loved one is filling up bottles of water for hikes, or they always ask you to grab their water bottle for them in their side pouch—this water reservoir. would be a great gift!

Platypus GravityWorks 4L Filter System

This is the water filter that I use on all my backpacking adventures. It’s easy to use and helps purify the water you drink. This is an awesome gift for backpackers and car campers alike!

Hydro Flask Coffee Mug

This insulated mug is great for (backcountry and car) camping trips. You can use it at night to drink tea (a great way to stay warm) and in the morning when you drink coffee. It keeps your drinks hot and keeps you cozy.

Teva Original Universal Sandals

These classic sandals are every backpacker’s go-to. The soft nylon is comfortable and durable for river crossings, hanging around at camp, and for those days your blisters are just too painful!

Helinox Chair One Camp Chair

This nifty chair is made of aluminum, only 2 pounds, and is perfect for backpacking and car camping! This is a great gift for the outdoor lover in your life because it’s something they may not have, but have always wanted to upgrade to.

Experience based gifts

AIKA Hot/Cold Therapy

AIKA is the perfect hot/cold therapy situated in the forest in Squamish, B, and a perfect gift. Photo below by AIKA.

Claymates Ceramic Classes

I took a class at Claymates with my best friends and it was such a fun night. You also go home with the piece of ceramic you make, which could be a mug or bowl.

Deep Cove Kayak

There are hundreds of outdoor tours to choose from for gifts, but one of my favorites is kayaking in Indian Arm, BC. It’s one of the most beautiful and fun experiences you can do (and give!).