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Best Gifts for Hikers 2026: 22 Gifts We’d Actually Buy as Outdoor Experts

We've tested thousands of outdoor products over the years - here are the top items we recommend for hikers, walkers and backpackers, all at different price levels from £5 to £200

Looking for the best gifts for hikers? We’ve tested hundreds of pieces of outdoor gear to find the presents we’d genuinely recommend to a friend or family member who loves hiking. We’ve picked the best hiking gifts for every budget, from useful stocking fillers under £10 to premium gifts over £100.

As life-long outdoor enthusiasts, our team at Outdoors Magic know exactly what makes a good gift for a hiker. This list, therefore, is our careful curation of the products we’d want to be given ourselves. Each item has been carefully selected by our team and assessed with one simple question in mind: would I be happy to receive this?

The people who choose these gifts? Representing the male perspective, we had OM editor Will Renwick and editorial assistant Jazz Noble brought her recommendations as a female.

Will has hiked and run thousands of miles on long-distance trails, is a hiking guidebook author, and has 15 years of experience working in the outdoor industry. Jazz has been in the industry for six years and is a keen hiker and bikepacker often found on the trails of our homeland in the north-west of Ireland and in Scotland.

Our Favourite Gifts for Hikers in 2026

Our category winners for 2026 so far are as follows:

  1. Darn Tough Fastpack Micro Crew Socks – Best Overall Hiking Gift
  2. Adventure Patches – Best Cheap Hiking Gift
  3. Nikwax Complete Protection Kit – Best Gift Under £20
  4. VSSL Rift Tumbler 20ozBest Gift for a New Hiker
  5. Craghoppers NosiLife SolarShield+ Long Sleeve – Best Gift for a Backpacker
  6. Altberg Fremington Boots – Best Premium Hiking Gift

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:

£10 And Under Gifts

£10 to £20 Gifts

£20 to £40 Gifts

£40+ Gifts for Hikers


Best Hiking Gifts Under £10


1. Adventure Patches

Our choice if you’re looking for a quirky, cheap gift for a hiker

Where To Buy

Adventure Patches

“A really thoughtful gift.”

Price: £5
Best for: Peak-baggers, thru-hikers
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Why we think it makes a great gift: It’s fun, unique and personal. Great if there’s a trail you know they’ve just walked or a mountain they’ve just climbed.

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

Where To Buy

Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Notepads

“A handy little gift that’ll suit creative outdoor types.”

Price: £6
Best for: Outdoor writers, birdwatchers, kit list checkers
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Why we think it makes a great gift: It’s creative and practical. It’ll be super useful if they’re a mountain leader or if they’re just a creative person who wants to capture memories.

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

Where To Buy

Gear Aid Tenacious Tape

“A practical solution for repairing damaged equipment.”

Price: £8.29
Best for: DIY-loving outdoorsfolk
Recommended by: OM editor Will
Why we think it makes a great gift: It’s very practical and champions looking after the gear you already have! Everyone will have issues with their kit at some point and this offers a quick, helpful solution.

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.

The Gear Aid Tenacious Tape in use in the Scottish Highlands. Photo: Dave MacFarlane.

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 jacketdown 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

Where To Buy

Lifesystems Crystallised Hand Warmers

“These are very compact so are perfect for slipping inside your gloves or coat pockets.”

Price: £5
Best for: Winter hikers
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Why we think it makes a great gift: It’s the kind of item that people won’t necessarily think to buy for themselves, but that will get loads of use on the trail and in daily life.

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.

The Lifesystems reusable crystallised hand warmers are an ideal option if you’re on a budget or if you don’t have access to recharging facilities. Photos: Lifesystems.

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

Where To Buy

Sea to Summit Long Handle Spork

“This is one of those items that people ALWAYS forget to bring with them on their camping trips.”

Price: £10
Best for: Wild campers, backpackers, outdoor culinary wizards
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Why we think it makes a great gift: Very useful and a lot of hikers don’t realise they need it until they’re caught short by a deep food pack that their spork can’t reach the bottom of.

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.

Photos: Sea to Summit.

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.


Best Hiking Gifts Between £10 and £20


 

6. OS Maps

Where To Buy

OS Maps

“The kind of gift that keeps on giving.”

Price: £12.99-£16.99
Best for: Every hiker
Recommended by: OM editor Will
Why we think it makes a great gift: Useful if you know someone has an area they’re fond of or a place you know they might to explore more of. Can be a nice, considered gift to give.

You really can’t go wrong with a paper OS map. Whether you’re poring 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.

OM editor Will using some OS maps on a hiking day trip. Photo: Dave MacFarlane.

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

Where To Buy

LOMO Emergency Storm Shelter

“An essential when hiking in stormy conditions and for emergencies out on the mountains.”

Price: £19.99
Best for: Multi-day hikers
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Why we think it makes a great gift: It’s a truly essential bit of kit.

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.

Photos: LOMO.

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

Where To Buy

The Book of the Bothy

“A cracking book from award-winning writer, photographer and broadcaster Phoebe Smith.”

Price: £13
Best for: First-time bothy goers
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Why we think it makes a great gift: Something to inspire a person’s future adventures.

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

Where To Buy

Bushcraft Illustrated

“The ideal introduction into the world of bushcraft for somebody who likes to spend the majority of their time off the beaten track.”

Price: £12.30
Best for: Bushcraft fanatics
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Why we think it makes a great gift: Most hikers wish they were better at bushcraft – there’s no time like the present!

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.

Bushcraft Illustrated: A Visual Guide by Dave Canterbury.

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

Where To Buy

Osprey Daylite Toiletry Kit

“A practical gift they’ll use every time they leave home – and possibly even at home, too.”

Price: £20
Best for: Long-distance hikers, travellers, people who love hiking holidays abroad
Recommended by: Active Traveller online editor Sophie Nicholson
Why we think it makes a great gift: Practical, organisational and neat-looking – what’s not to like?

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.”


Best Hiking Gifts Between £20 and £40


11. Darn Tough Fastpack Micro Crew

Best outdoor socks to gift a hiker in 2026, as chosen by our editor.

Where To Buy

Darn Tough Fastpack

“Perfect for long-distance hiking and fastpacking.”

Price: £28
Best for: Lightweight hikers and fastpackers
Recommended by: OM editor Will
Why we think it makes a great gift: A good sock is, and forever will be, the ultimate gift. All hikers will appreciate a merino sock – and this one’s one of the best.

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.”

Darn Tough’s Fastpack Micro Crew on a backpacking trip in Wales. Photo: Dave MacFarlane.

​​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. 

Where To Buy

Nikwax Outdoor Complete Protection Kit

“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.”

Price: £26.49
Best for: Eco-conscious kit cleaning
Recommended by: OM editor Will
Why we think it makes a great gift: Nothing beats increasing the lifespan of the kit you already have.

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.

Nikwax’s Outdoor Complete Protection Kit. Photo: Joe Whitemore

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.

Where To Buy

VSSL Rift Tumbler 20oz

Our editor’s verdict: “This is a very sleek looking flask. I particularly like the silicone base that’s handy for avoiding spillages when you’re out in the field and don’t have loads of flat surfaces to rest your flask on.”

★★★★

Price: £39.95
Best for: Coffee lovers, day to day use, road trips, hiking
Recommended by: OM editor Will
Why we think it makes a great gift: A thermos flask can really elevate a hill day and this one comes with our recommendation.

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 using the VSSL Rift tumbler on an outdoor adventuring trip to Croatia. Photo: Dave MacFarlane.

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.

 


Best Premium Gifts for Hikers Over £40


14. Black Diamond Spot 450

Where To Buy

Black Diamond Spot 450

Our tester’s verdict: “I think this thing’s got the versatility and reliable performance to become one of your most used head torches. £45 (lithium ion battery sold separately) feels like very good value too.”

★★★★

Price: £45
Best for: Hiking, camping and running
Recommended by: OM editorial assistant Jazz
Why we think it makes a great gift: All hikers need head torches and this one offers excellent performance at a reasonable price.

Choosing a head torch can be a bit of a minefield as there are a lot of options out there and a lot that actually don’t offer reliable trail performance. This one has been tested extensively by our team, most notably on a hut-to-hut route along the Grand Tour des Combins in the Swiss Alps, and it impressed as a good value all-rounder. Jazz, who tested it, praised the PowerTap feature – a simple tap activates full brightness instantly, ideal for scrambling over rockier terrain without breaking stride to fiddle with buttons.

The dual-fuel system (AAA batteries or BD’s rechargeable 1500 Li-ion pack) proved genuinely useful for multi-day trips, backed by a reassuring integrated battery meter. The red-light mode also earned praise for late-night fumbling in alpine huts without disturbing sleeping hut-mates.

 

15. Shokz Open Run Pro 2

Where To Buy

Shokz Open Run 2 Pro

“Clear sound but without totally taking you away from your surroundings. It’s like they’re purpose built for trail runners and hikers.”

Price: £127
Best for: Running and hiking
Recommended by: OM editor Will
Why we think it makes a great gift: Great for hikers as they don’t block out surrounding sounds that might be important to hear for safety.

If you want to treat someone to a premium present they’ll get a lot of use and joy out of, these headphones from Shokz are sure to go down well.

What has impressed us about them over the course of our tests is the fact they provide a clear audio experience without actually blocking out external sounds. For hikers and runners, that’s ideal when it comes to safety on the trail – and for being more present in your surroundings.

OM editor Will using the Shokz Open Run Pro 2 out on the trail.

The secret is in their dual-driver design, transmitting sound through bone-conduction and secondary air-conduction, so the headphones aren’t actually plugged into your ears but sitting just in front of them.

“I don’t normally wear headphones on the trail as I like to hear the sounds around me,” says OM editor Will. “But I’ve enjoyed wearing these. I can listen to music while also still being able to hear the runner coming up behind me, or the greeting from a passing hiker.”

Other details that make these hiking friendly: they’re rain and sweatproof, they sit securely so you can run with them comfortably, and you can handle phone calls through them.

 

16. Smartwool Merino T-Shirt

Where To Buy

Smartwool Merino-Tshirt

“The performance benefits of merino are unrivaled. Any hiker would be genuinely happy to receive a merino t-shirt, and they’re guaranteed to get a lot of use out of it too.”

Price: £69.99
Best for: Year-round use
Recommended by: Will
Why we think it makes a great gift: Huge performance benefits, useful for almost every hike

Any hiker will be happy to receive a good quality merino t-shirt. It’s one of those items that we all use and appreciate, but sometimes don’t buy for ourselves due to the ever-increasing cost.

“I wear Merino t-shirts both in summer and in winter,” says OM editor Will. “They’re remarkably fast-wicking in hot and sweaty situations while in winter they’re brilliant for keeping you warm. The thermoregulation is genuinely unrivaled.”

Our tester using a merino t-shirt in the Scottish Highlands.

“What I also really like about merino is that you don’t need to wash it as often as a cotton-based or synthetic-based garment,” adds Will. “That’s great for when you’re hiking multi-day trails and it’s great for the environment too.”

The important thing to bear in mind with merino, however, is that some people can be allergic to the fibres – or to the lanolin within them. So it’s worth checking whether the person you’re buying for can tolerate wool.

 

17. Altberg Fremington Hiking Boots

Where to Buy

Altberg Fremington

Our tester’s verdict: “These offer a nice blend of sturdiness and walking comfort. They’re clearly built to last too. Having seen what goes into them, I feel I can really trust in their quality. A proper boot for proper British hills.”

Price: £230
Best for: Three-season hillwalking and low-level winter hiking
Recommended by: The whole OM team
Why we think it makes a great gift: We recommend booking in a visit to the Altberg store for a personalised fitting – that’d be a hugely thoughtful gift for a very close friend or family member.

Yes, this is a pricey present. But damn is it a good one. These – the Altberg Fremingtons – are the kind of boots that last a lifetime. You might need to resole them after 1000+ miles or so, something Altberg does in-house, but if looked after properly, the outer leather will last for decades.

During Will’s tests in the Yorkshire Dales. Photos: Dave Macfarlane.

OM editor Will has been using them throughout spring this year, most recently on a trip on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks route. He said, “I’ve seen first-hand what goes into Altberg’s boots,” says OM editor Will, “and it’s both impressive and reassuring; good to see a small scale company creating quality products and staying true to its roots.”

Related: Altberg – The Yorkshire Bootmakers Keeping Tradition Alive

The Fremington is a classic-style three-season hiking boot. It has a chunky outsole, a Sympatex waterproof membrane, a fairly stiff and protective sole, and a full-grain leather upper with minimal stitching. Altberg say it’s designed for “English hills, Dales and lower level Lakeland walks and hikes”. From our experience, it’s capable of all of that and more too.

Read our full Altberg Fremington review.

18. Craghoppers NosiLife Kadin Cargo Shorts

Where to Buy

Craghoppers NosiLife Kadin Cargo

Our editor’s verdict: “Hard to fault these. They’re really handy shorts that offer a lot.”

★★★★★

Price: £65
Best for: Spring and summer adventuring, travel, multi-day hiking, safari
Recommended by: OM editor Will
Why we think it makes a great gift: A good pair of shorts can really help to streamline a hike. These ones come with our recommendation.

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.”

Will wearing the Craghoppers NosiLife Kadin Cargo Shorts in Croatia. Photo: Dave MacFarlane.

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 sun protection of 30-50+. Light, packable, 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 this summer.

 

19. Leki Skytera FX Carbon SL Hiking Poles

Where To Buy

Leki Skytera FX Carbon SL

Our editor’s verdict: This is an exceptionally light pole that still delivers reliable performance. Crafted from high-spec materials, it’s easy to adjust and highly packable, making it ideal for those who value efficiency on the move. It’s designed primarily for hiking but, from what I’ve seen, it’s also excellent for running.”

★★★★★

Price: £155
Best for: Trekking, fastpacking, trail running
Recommended by: OM editor Will
Why we think it makes a great gift: If you know your hiking friend or family member likes poles and could do with an upgrade, these are the top-tier offering you can impress them with.

The Leki Skytera FX Carbon SL is an exceptionally light pole that delivers reliable performance. Crafted from high-spec materials, it’s easy to adjust and highly packable, making it ideal for those who value efficiency on the move. They are priced quite high though, in our experience, the performance does reflect that price.

OM tester Jazz using the Leki Skytera FX Carbon SL Poles in North Wales. Photo: Dave MacFarlane.

“This is primarily a hiking pole and, from my experience, it works perfectly for that purpose”, says OM editor and gear tester Will. “It’s stable, it hasn’t collapsed on me and all of the different functions work conveniently. I’ve also found I can easily fit the two poles onto the various different trekking pole attachment configurations that you find on hiking packs – whether that’s on the front of a pack, on the side, or on a harness.”

Read our full Leki Skytera FX Carbon SL Poles review.

 

20. Sunski Treeline Sunglasses

Where to Buy

Sunski Treeline

Our editor’s verdict: “The glare-blocking is top notch – and the overall build quality is very good. Impressive eco-credentials too.”

★★★★★

Price: £97.95
Best for: Any outdoor adventure
Recommended by: OM editor Will
Why we think it makes a great gift: Cool-looking and practical.

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.

OM editor Will with the Sunski Treeline in Dubrovnik

“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.”

 

21. Highlander Nap-Pak Arctic Air Sleeping Mat

Where to Buy

Highlander Nap-Pak Arctic Air

Our editor’s verdict: “Incredible value for money. I’ve found this to be light, reliable, comfortable, easy to inflate and warm enough for cold weather camping. Another good mat for year-round use.”

Price: £99.99
Best for: Backpackers
Recommended by: OM editor Will
Why we think it makes a great gift: Exceptional value for what you get here. If you know they like camping and what to expand their adventures into winter, this is a good performing product at a fair price.

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.

On test in the Highlands.

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.

 

22. Passenger Traveller All Purpose Short

Where to Buy

Passenger Traveller All Purpose Short

Our editor’s verdict: “The kind of shorts you can wear for all kinds of stuff. I wear mine all the time.”

★★★★½

Price: £60
Best for: Travel, swimming
Recommended by: OM editor Will
Why we think it makes a great gift: It’s a great gift for hikers who also love wild swimming

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.”

Will after a swim in the Passenger Quick Dry Cargo Shorts.

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.

 

23. Craghoppers NosiLife SolarShield+ Long Sleeve

Where to Buy

Craghoppers NosiLife SolarShield+ Long Sleeve

Our editor’s verdict: “Comfortable and very functional – an excellent garment for multi-day adventures in warmer weather.”

★★★★★

Price: £50
Best for: Summer adventuring, hiking, travel, light running
Recommended by: OM editor Will
Why we think it makes a great gift: Every hiker needs a good sun hoody. This is one we highly recommend and it comes at a good price.

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 using the Craghoppers NosiLife SolarShield+ Long Sleeve in Dubrovnik. Photo: Dave MacFarlane.

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.”

Read our full Craghoppers NosiLife SolarShield+ long sleeve review.

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