Perfect Gifts for the Outdoor Enthusiast

Exploring the outdoors is truly what life is all about, and odds are there's an outdoor enthusiast in your life. You'd think knowing their hobby is enough intel to aid you in finding the perfect gift but turns out that there's a lot of gear in the arsenal of the average outdoorsman. Fear not, for we have put together this carefully curated list of product recommendations and gift ideas that are sure to please even the most finicky of nature enthusiasts.

Outdoor Essentials

Up first we have some classic examples of outdoor gear. Some of these may seem self-explanatory, while others are less commonly used despite the advantages they offer. No matter how you slice it, these items can be essential for the outdoor enthusiast.

Alpen Optics Carbon Fiber Trek Pole Set

Hiking is hard enough on its own but add a heavy camera bag to the mix and you've just made it much more difficult. To help take the load off of your legs and back, consider a good pair of trekking poles. The Alpen Optics Carbon Fiber Poles are lightweight and add a sense of security to every step you take on the trail. These poles come with basic and boot tips, as well as snow and mud baskets, so you can trek with confidence no matter the conditions.

Klean Kanteen Insulated Bottle (20oz)

Whether you're walking a loop at your local park or ascending 1200 feet up the side of a mountain, water is a must. Of course, the farther you walk, the more you'll need, but for most everyday uses, the 20oz Insulated Classic Water Bottle from Klean Kanteen is perfect.

Olight imini 2 Rechargeable Key Ring Flashlight

We'd like to assume that your outdoorsy recipient has a proper headlamp for low-light walks back to the car or campsite. These are often much smaller and lighter than traditional flashlights, but we generally want to preserve these lights for trekking. What happens if we need to quickly search our bag in low-light conditions, or worse, find our headlamp? Our phones have flashlights, yes, but these should be our last resort, as our phones power needs to be preserved for communication/navigation. Instead, we recommend a small light like the Olight imini 2 Key Ring flashlight. This 50-lumen flashlight can be attached to your keys or backpack zipper for quick use and even offers 60 minutes of runtime.

Vello WidgetWiz Multi-Tool

One camera accessory that often gets left behind is a multi-tool. While a sturdy Leatherman and all of its blades, pointy bits, and files are quite practical for the general outdoor enthusiasts, photographers need specialized tools like flathead screw drivers, hex keys, and plate screws. Some of these can be found on the standard multi-tool, but some are exclusively found on studio tools like the Vello WidgetWiz mutli-tool. This small tool features multiple sizes of hex screw, a Phillips and flathead, a T25 Torx wrench and two plate screws for all of your needs.

Brunton 1894 Collectible Gentleman's Compass

Perhaps one of the most eye-catching accessories on this list is the Brunton 1894 Collectible Gentleman's Compass. This robust, decorative compass is evocative of the late 19th century period when the avid outdoorsman wore fringed buckskin instead of GORE-TEX, not that we suggest ditching modern waterproof gear. Instead, for a touch of history, we recommend the Brunton 1894. Modelled after one of the first compasses designed by the company's founder, D.W. Brunton, this piece of hardware is both visually stunning and practical. If the outdoor enthusiast in your life enjoys a quality piece of hardware, or if they're a history buff, this compass may be the perfect gift.

Power Solutions

For many, time outdoors is a chance to unplug, so why in the world do we need to keep everything charged? Easy: our phones and other smart devices are how we stay safe. Many outdoor enthusiasts use navigation apps to stay on the trail and track their routes, while others like to enjoy a little music at the campsite. Worst case scenario—and we're talking about falling into a ravine or a rogue porcupine attack here—you have a way of contacting a friend, family member, or emergency services.

Anker A1695 165W USB-C Power Bank

There's no worse feeling than hitting the trail and realizing your phone is at 20% power. While the prepared hiker always makes sure their devices are charged beforehand, mistakes happen. To be prepared for this eventuality, we recommend that all outdoors enthusiasts carry a charged power bank. The Anker A1695 165W USB-C Power Bank features a 25,000mAh battery capacity and 3 USB-C ports, as well as 1 USB-A port. It is flight approved, meaning you can keep your gear going on long flights without worrying about those fickle airline outlets, and can deliver 165W charging while utilizing two USB-C connections at once.

EcoFlow TRAIL-Series 200 DC Portable Power Station

For overnight trips or even group outings, a larger unit like the EcoFlow TRAIL-Series 200 DC Power Station is a more practical solution. This robust power solution offers 192 Wh of power capacity and can output up to 220W of power through its multiple ports. This power station also comes equipped with a carry handle, which is appreciated considering it weighs 5.69 lb. Whether you're camping, tailgating, or just enjoying a fire pit in the yard, the EcoFlow TRAIL-Series 200 Power Station is the perfect power solution for you.

Binoculars

At some point, any outdoor enthusiast is going to spot something in the distance that they want to see more clearly. While impulse and curiosity may inspire one to approach this distant quarry, we advise against approaching a surly grizzly bear for a better look. The solution is a good pair of binoculars.

Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 Binoculars

One of the most popular brands in the world of sport optics is Vortex. With a robust build quality, affordable price point, and an unlimited lifetime warranty, it's no wonder Vortex is such a prominent figure in the world of binoculars. That said, one pair of bins stands out as the perfect blend of price and quality, and those are the Diamondback HD 8x42 binoculars. These binoculars feature a high-definition optical system, enhanced with a multicoating to reduce glare, reflections, and make cleaning a breeze. Additionally, the Vortex Diamondbacks deliver one of the widest fields of view in its class, making initial acquisition fast and easy.

Nikon 8x25 Trailblazer II Binoculars

If the Vortex Diamondback is too bulky, the Nikon 8x25 Trailblazer II should fit the bill—quite literally. This compact pair doesn't have the same light gathering capabilities nor the structural integrity of the Diamondback, but they make up for that in size. Weighing in at just under 11oz, the Trailblazer is a great binocular for hiking for traveling. While they may not feel as solid as other larger pairs, this pair is equally waterproof and offers some levels of impact resistance thanks to its polycarbonate chassis.

Bags, Backpacks, and Accessories

Can you really ever have too many bags? Some may prefer to have one bag for all occasions, whereas others may have multiple bags, with each fit to serve a particular situation. Outdoor bags vary in size, with some being well suited for afternoon walks and others for 3-day backpacking trips where you need to lug everything out into the field.

JOBY Bum Bag

If you're headed out on a leisurely walk in nature, a full-sized hiking daypack may not be necessary. So long as you can fit the essentials, a waist pack like the JOBY Bum Bag may be the perfect fit. While designed to fit the JOBY Mobile Vlogging Kit, this pack can also be used to carry essential gear like a power bank, gloves, a flashlight, first aid supplies, and of course, snacks for the trail. Additionally, this pack can be converted into a spacious 8L string pack, which can hold even more gear like a light jacket.

Lowepro RunAbout BP 18L II Collapsible Backpack

Sometimes, we need the flexibility of a larger backpack but don't have the space to get one to our destination. I myself have run into the conundrum before and have even needed to pack a camera bag with clothes, only to then stuff it into my suitcase just so I'd have a bag for everyday carry. Luckily, Lowepro has our backs and now offers the RunAbout BP 18L Collapsible Backpack. Other collapsible bags exist, but none so well suited for photo gear as the RunAbout. This backpack is compatible with Lowepro's GearUp padded inserts and can easily double as a daypack in a pinch.

Thule Stir 40L Alpine Hiking Backpack

Carry all of your gear into the field with the Thule Stir 40L Alpine Hiking Backpack. This heavy-duty hiking pack is designed to support nearly any adventure with a weather- and abrasion-resistant construction. It can be configured to your specific needs thanks to its removable lid, hip padding, and frame sheet, which reduces the bag to just 1.10 lb. External connection points allow you to attach everything from bottle pouches to nylon cord, as well as trekking poles, ice axes, and even skis. Inside you'll find a reservoir sleeve and the aforementioned 40L of storage space for all of your outdoor needs. Even the shoulder straps have small pockets on them for quick snack access. What more could you need from a bag?

Happy Shopping!

As you can see, there's no shortage of fun and practical gift ideas for the outdoor enthusiast in your life. This list is by no means the end all be all guide to gift giving as there are countless other great tools out there, but if you need some guidance, we hope you will be able to find something fun and thoughtful. For more guidance on gift giving, check out our other articles on B&H Explora!