Gift buying for outdoorsy folk isn’t always easy. Either they’re so gear-crazy they’ve got everything they need already, or they’re more of a ‘duct tape will fix it’ kind of walker that’s been using the same lucky hiking socks since the 80s. In which case, where to begin? (FYI: I have nothing but respect for duct tape and lucky hiking socks.)
That’s where we come in. Here at Outdoors Magic, our team of outdoor experts have put together a curated list of tried-and-tested gifts for the outdoor enthusiast in your life. From maps and socks to hiking poles and backpacking water filters – we’ve included a little something for everyone here, with a range of different prices to suits all budgets.
20 Ultimate Gifts for Hikers in 2026
Our highlights for 2026 so far are as follows:
- Darn Tough Fastpack Micro Crew Socks – Best Outdoor Socks to Gift in 2026
- Adventure Patches – Best Budget Gift for Hikers
- Nikwax Complete Protection Kit – Best Practical Gift for Hikers
- VSSL Rift Tumbler 20oz – Best Thermos Flask to Gift in 2026
- Craghoppers NosiLife SolarShield+ Long Sleeve – Best Item of Clothing to Gift in 2026
To make things easier, we’ve broken down our gift guide into four sections. Here are the quick links to get you where you need to go:
Editor’s Note: This article was updated in May 2026 to ensure that all of our favourite gifts for hikers are still available for purchase. The VSSL Rift tumbler was added into this list as our ‘best thermos to gift’ this year. The Sunski Treeline sunglasses were also recently added.
£10 and Under Gifts
1. Adventure Patches
Best budget outdoor gift, according to our tests.
Price: £5
Best for: Peak-baggers, thru-hikers
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
If you know a hiker who loves summiting UK mountains and/ or multi-day hiking trails such as Scotland’s West Highland Way, a patch from the Adventure Patch Company is a really thoughtful gift. In the store you’ll find stickers, pins, magnets and more, but our personal favourites are the beautifully designed patches based on UK and European mountains and hiking trails. There’s even a British Wildlife collection for the nature enthusiasts among us.
OM editorial assistant and gear tester Jazz recommends this item as an excellent gift for hikers. She said: “I have a few of these sewn into one of my hiking backpacks, but I’ve also recently started sewing them onto an old – but precious – blanket to cover up some holes in the fabric. I love it because every time I look at that blanket now, I think of all the amazing hikes I’ve been on over the years.”
2. Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Notepads
Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Notepads
Price: £6
Best for: Outdoor writers, birdwatchers, kit list checkers
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Now this is one of those items we reckon hikers see in the outdoor shop and think ‘Cool!’ but never end up buying (a.k.a. the perfect gift to receive). Maybe they’re trying to shift a little pack weight, or don’t deem it an essential item, who knows? Either way, we think these are a handy little gift that’ll suit creative outdoor types such as writers and illustrators, as well as keen wildlife watchers who want a meticulous record of their findings.
3. Gear Aid Tenacious Tape
Gear Aid Tenacious Tape
Price: £8.29
Best for: DIY-loving outdoorsfolk
Recommended by: OM editor Will
Haters will say this isn’t the most exciting gift, but we say it’s GREAT. Tested and reviewed in our Greener Gear Guide, Gear Aid’s Tenacious tape is a practical solution for repairing damaged equipment.
It’s a durable adhesive tape that offers a straightforward approach to extending the life of your gear, whether it’s a tear in your waterproof jacket, down jacket, tent, backpack, or sleeping bag. Instead of replacing broken items, Tenacious Tape allows you to make quick repairs that keep your gear functional. An essential for life on the trail, some might say.
Read our full Gear Aid Tenacious Tape review.
4. Lifesystems Reusable Crystallised Hand Warmer
Lifesystems Crystallised Hand Warmers
Price: £5
Best for: Winter hikers
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Considering they can be used over and over again, and require no extra accessories to operate, the Lifesystems reusable hand warmers are great value for your money in the long run. During our tests, we found that they were able to provide a good whack of heat for 40 to 45 minutes. This, we think, means they are best suited to lunch breaks on day hikes, for example, or on multi-day treks when you’ve got a stove handy to ‘recharge’ the warmers when needed. They’re also very compact so are perfect for slipping inside your gloves or coat pockets.
They activate really easily too – you simply flex them and click the metal disc inside. The solution should then crystallise and become opaque after massaging the warmer for about 10 seconds. To fully recharge them, all you need to do is boil them in water for 8 minutes and they’re ready to go again.
5. Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Long Handle Spork
Sea to Summit Long Handle Spork
Price: £10
Best for: Wild campers, backpackers, outdoor culinary wizards
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Now, I know what you’re thinking. A spork? Really? But hear me out. This is one of those items that people ALWAYS forget to bring with them on their camping trips. It’s also one of those items that always gets lost half-way along a hiking trail, and frequently needs replacing. I personally have a habit of breaking camping sporks so think a sturdy option like this is a great gift. It also has the added comedic factor of receiving – well, in essence – a fancy spoon.
Another plus of the Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Spork is that it’s long enough to fit in dehydrated meal packs. I have – on far too many occasions – brought a kitchen spoon with me on backpacking trips only to find my hand covered in dehydrated risotto because my spoon was short and I had to get my whole fist in the bag. It ain’t pretty and it ain’t fun.
Budget-friendly Gifts – £10 to £20
6. OS Maps
Price: £12.99-£16.99
Best for: Every hiker
Recommended by: OM editor Will
You really can’t go wrong with a paper OS map. Whether you’re pouring over it at your kitchen table as you plan for your next multi-day hike, or you’re reading by torchlight in your tent after a long day’s walking; it’s the kind of gift that keeps on giving.
If you don’t mind spending a bit more cash, you can even personalise the front or get a chosen section of the map printed and framed.
7. LOMO Emergency Storm Shelter
LOMO Emergency Storm Shelter
Price: £19.99
Best for: Multi-day hikers
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Otherwise known as a ‘bothy bag’, an emergency shelter is essential when hiking in stormy conditions and for emergencies out on the mountains. It’s also a great gift for someone who’s new to hiking, and might have not thought to get one yet.
Featuring a PU-coated polyester build, two large reflective patches on the front, a viewing window, two air-vent snorkels, and a hydrostatic head rating of 3000mm; the LOMO emergency storm shelter comes in at 360g and is perfect for hill walkers, trail runners, back country skiers, and mountain bikers alike.
8. The Book of the Bothy by Phoebe Smith
The Book of the Bothy
Price: £13
Best for: First-time bothy goers
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Now this is a cracking book from award-winning writer, photographer and broadcaster Phoebe Smith. Spanning all across the UK, Phoebe shares with us her 26 favourite bothies, including her best stories to go along with them. Packed with expert advice on how to use bothies, including packing lists, bothy etiquette and the best walks into these remote locations – there’s a lot to get your teeth stuck into here. Way back in 2021, Phoebe wrote an incredibly important piece for us on women’s experiences in bothies which is worth checking out if you haven’t already.
9. Bushcraft Illustrated: A Visual Guide by Dave Canterbury
Bushcraft Illustrated
Price: £12.30
Best for: Bushcraft fanatics
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
This guide from bestselling author Dave Canterbury explains the necessary tools and skills that are needed for bushcraft adventures and survival situations – all alongside 300 beautifully drawn illustrations. From foraging and animal trapping to shelter building and fire lighting, it’s all explained here in a clear and easy to understand way.
A great coffee table book or the ideal introduction into the world of bushcraft for somebody who likes to spend the majority of their time off the beaten track.
10. Osprey Daylite Toiletry Kit
Osprey Daylite Toiletry Kit
Price: £20
Best for: Long-distance hikers, travellers, people who love hiking holidays abroad
Recommended by: Active Traveller online editor Sophie Nicholson
Online editor Sophie Nicholson from our sister site Active Traveller reckons this is a great gift for the outdoorsy type. She said: “The Osprey Daylite Toiletry Kit is the wash bag upgrade every outdoorsy soul deserves. It’s tough, water-resistant, and brilliantly compartmentalised, so your shampoo doesn’t launch a stealth attack on your toothbrush mid-trip. Bonus points for looking like it belongs in a mountain hut, not a hotel bathroom. A practical gift they’ll use every time they leave home – and possibly even at home, too.”
“With a grab handle and just the right amount of space for back-to-basics grooming, it’s perfect for wild weekend breaks, hut-to-hut missions, or van life adventures. Plus, that bold yellow colour? Almost guarantees it won’t get lost in a sea of identical black wash bags. A practical gift they’ll use every time they leave home – and possibly even at home, too.”
£20 to £40 Gifts for Hikers
11. Darn Tough Fastpack Micro Crew
Best outdoor socks to gift a hiker in 2026, as chosen by our editor.
Darn Tough Fastpack
Price: £28
Best for: Lightweight hikers and fastpackers
Recommended by: OM editor Will
OM editor Will recommends this item as an excellent gift for hikers. He said: “I’ve been testing Darn Tough’s socks for over half a decade now and I really like the brand and its products. The socks are very comfortable, they always appear to be carefully made and they last very well. I’ve no shame in saying that I’ve got pairs in my sock drawer that are over five years old and they’re still going strong and actually don’t look anywhere close to wearing out.”
Like most of Darn Tough’s socks, the Fastpack Micro Crew uses a blend of Nylon, Merino Wool and Lycra Spandex. This, we found, results in a sock that wicks moisture really well, that dries reasonably quickly and that just feels very comfortable to wear. It has a decent odour resistance too and there are no niggly seams to reduce any potential flashpoints for blisters.
Darn Tough have neatly zoned the thickness of the weave here too, so you get some really comfortable padding underfoot but a thin, breathable weave up top. Perfect for long-distance hiking and fastpacking.
Read our full Darn Tough Fastpack Micro Crew Socks review.
12. Nikwax Outdoor Complete Protection Kit
Best practical outdoor gift, as chosen by our editor.
Nikwax Outdoor Complete Protection Kit
Price: £26.49
Best for: Eco-conscious kit cleaning
Recommended by: OM editor Will
The Nikwax Outdoor Complete Protection kit is your one-stop-shop for keeping your core items of gear in tip top shape. For under £30, you get a bottle of Nikwax Tech Wash, TX.Direct, Footwear Cleaning Gel, Fabric and Leather Proof, a handy boot brush and a waterproof storage/ carry bag too. Altogether these are going to safely clean your boots, waterproof jacket, and trousers, AND restore a water resistant barrier to them all in an eco-conscious manner. Not bad, not bad at all.
All four of these solutions are completely free from any nasty chemicals, including those eco-hazardous PFCs that were once prevalent right across the outdoor industry. They’re all water-based, non-flammable and aerosol-free too. The bottles Nikwax use are recycled and are recyclable as well, and then to round it all off, the company, which is now employee owned, can claim to be a carbon neutral business which has offset the carbon emissions from its entire 45 years of operation.
Here’s a useful video we made in the past that details exactly how to apply the footwear solutions to your kit from your own home. For advice on cleaning and re-waterproofing your rain jacket, here’s the guide for that.
Read our full Nikwax Outdoor Complete Protection Kit review.
13. VSSL Rift Tumbler 20oz
Best thermos to gift in 2026.
VSSL Rift Tumbler 20oz
★★★★
Price: £39.95
Best for: Coffee lovers, day to day use, road trips, hiking
Recommended by: OM editor Will
VSSL, in case you didn’t know, are a Canadian brand best known for their rugged coffee making gear. We recently got our hands on their Rift tumbler and have liked what we’ve seen so far. In particular, we admired the fact that it’s made from recycled stainless steel, something only a few drinkware brands are doing at the moment so kudos to VSSL for that.
OM editor Will has been using the 20oz Rift flask this spring, most recently on an adventure-focused trip to Croatia. He said: “To start with, I really like the look of the flask – it’s very slick looking, with a minimalist design that feels like it’s built to last. On test, the materials feel quite tough too, and it’s been genuinely comfortable to grip.”
Another feature of the Rift that’s particularly useful is the twist-lock lid that seals the flask shut using a silicone gasket. We’ve had no spills or leaks so far, even on one cycling side quest where the flask got really thrashed about in the side pouch of a backpack.
Read more about the Rift 20oz Tumbler on our ‘Best Thermos Flasks’ article.
14. Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew
Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew
Price: £29
Best for: Three-season hiking, backpacking, day-to-day wear
Recommended by: OM editor Will
We’ve tested out a lot of Darn Tough’s socks here at Outdoors Magic over the years and we can confidently say they’re one of the most reliable sock brands out there. The first and most important thing to know about Darn Tough is that they offer an excellent lifetime warranty on their products. If you have any kind of problem with them, you can simply swap them out for a new pair – no receipt needed. There’s a lot to admire there.
OM editor Will recommends this item as an excellent gift for hikers. He said: “Comfortable, long-lasting and great fitting, these are undeniably superb socks. And thanks to Darn Tough’s impressive unconditional lifetime guarantee, there’s no risk, only reward: if you have a problem, you can simply swap them out for a new pair. What’s not to like?”
Read our full Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew review.
15. Joby Handypod
Joby Handypod
Price: £26.99
Best for: Outdoor photographers
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Weighing just 185g, which is roughly half the weight of a can of soup, the Handypod is absolutely perfect for photographers, vloggers and filmmakers searching for that lightweight, portable, and easy-to-use support system which can take their image-capturing to the next level.
Considering it costs just under £30, it brings a lot to the table. There’s a super comfortable ergonomic rubber grip, that really does fits into the curvature of your hand nicely, a push button locking mechanism for portrait positioning, and a surprisingly solid overall feel for something so lightweight and affordable.
From chunky DSLRs to tiny wee compacts, this tough, portable, tripod can handle most cameras out there, plus it can also be used with GoPros, flashes, microphones, and a variety of Joby mounts.
Read our full Joby Handypod review.
Premium Hiking Gifts Over £40
16. Craghoppers NosiLife Kadin Cargo Shorts
Craghoppers NosiLife Kadin Cargo
★★★★★
Price: £65
Best for: Spring and summer adventuring, travel, multi-day hiking, safari
Recommended by: OM editor Will
OM editor Will recently wore these hiking shorts island hopping off the Croatian Riviera this spring and said: “I can’t fault these. They’re an ideal option for travel and for hiking – especially multi-day stuff.”
They come with Craghoppers’ NosiLife tech which is not only anti-insect but it’s anti-odour too. “From my experience having used NosiLife for a number of years now,” Will continues, “it genuinely does prevent odours from building up, meaning you can wear kit for multiple days without needing to wash it, and to me, that’s super handy for backpacking trips where you don’t really have access or time to do laundry.”
The fabric, which is 100% recycled Nylon, feels light and durable and it offers UPF 30-50+ sun protection too. Light, packable, functional and very good value too, we’d recommend these if you’re looking for a highly functional pair of shorts to gift your loved one.
17. Sunski Treeline Sunglasses
Sunski Treeline
★★★★★
Price: £97.95
Best for: Any outdoor adventure
Recommended by: OM editor Will
These are the kind of sunglasses that are very versatile, with all the right design details and qualities to serve anything from hiking and trail running, to skiing and snowboarding.
They come with some very smartly designed, removable sunshields and with these deployed, you get a total wraparound, sunglare-blocking fit. These also have magnets in them, so they stay neatly in place when deployed.
“I can’t fault these glasses,” said OM editor Will who took them with him on a multi-activity trip to the Dubrovnik riviera. “They really do provide mercy for your eyes on days of high glare, and I’ve found that the rubbery nose pads keep them right in place, even when I’m leaping up and down things while running. They’ve got a high quality feel to them too – the polarisation is excellent and the hinges all feel strong.
Based in California, Sunski has built up a reputation for its sustainability credentials. With these glasses, like many of the options in their range, they’re made from scrap plastic that would otherwise end up in a USA landfill, and they packaging is all eco-friendly too.
“I think the warranty they offer is pretty impressive, said Will. “If you break them under normal use, Sunski will fix them or replace them for you. That’s always reassuring to know.”
18. Highlander Nap-Pak Arctic Air Sleeping Mat
Highlander Nap-Pak Arctic Air
Price: £99.99
Best for: Backpackers
Recommended by: OM editor Will
With sleeping mats, there always seems to be a trade-off somewhere: warm but heavy, light and packable but flimsy and cold, high-spec but expensive. Will there ever be a mat that can strike that perfect balance? Enter the Highlander Nap-Pak Arctic Air.
OM editor Will recommends the Highlander Nap-Pak Arctic Air as a great gift for a hiker. He said, “From my experience, this is a mat that’s light and packable enough that I’d be happy to use it for summer backpacking trips, but its R-value of 11 makes it warm enough for winter too. At £100 I think this is a very strong contender for being the best value winter-rated sleeping mat on the market – with the big added bonus that it’s light and packable too.”
Read our full Highlander Nap-Pak Arctic Air Sleeping Mat review.
19. Passenger Traveller All Purpose Short
Passenger Traveller All Purpose Short
★★★★½
Price: £60
Best for: Travel, swimming
Recommended by: OM editor Will
These are excellent do-it-all summer hiking shorts that work particularly well for backpacking and travel. OM editor Will recently took them on a four-day trip to Croatia where he hiked a section of the Camino Korčula, and what stood out most was their versatility: “I could hike in them, swim in them, and then carry on hiking comfortably soon afterwards.”
They’re light and packable enough for multi-day trips, while the cotton/nylon blend gives them a softer, more casual feel than many technical hiking shorts. That fabric also seems impressively hard-wearing.
20. Craghoppers NosiLife SolarShield+ Long Sleeve
Craghoppers NosiLife SolarShield+ Long Sleeve
Price: £50
Best for: Summer adventuring, hiking, travel, light running
Recommended by: OM editor Will
SolarShield+ is a fabric capable of blocking up to 98% of UVA and UVB rays, offering a UPF50+ rating. This is achieved through a titanium dioxide compound which absorbs UV rays that penetrate the surface, and also through a specially engineered yarn that increases surface area to reflect UV. It’s a technology used across a number of garments from Craghoppers, including short and long sleeve t-shirts and hoodies. Keep an eye out for the SolarShield+ logo across Craghoppers’ garments, which turns dark red when it’s exposed to the sun’s rays.
OM editor Will has been using the SolarShield+ long sleeve this spring and summer, most recently on a trip to the Dubrovnik Riviera. He said, “We’ve all got t-shirts or baselayers that we love and hate and sometimes, for me, when I’m a rush, it can be a bit of a lottery which one I’ll up pulling out of my drawer. This option from Craghoppers falls firmly into the love category for me. It’s the one I’m hoping to grab.”
“I’ve found it great for staying protected and fresh on hot days, for working out, and it will definitely be coming with me on my next long-distance backpacking trip. It feels like the perfect garment for the job.”
