Best Gifts for Outdoor Lovers 2021: Outdoorsy Gifts and Gear

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We all know someone who can’t get enough of the great outdoors. If you’re currently looking for a gift for this person, you’re in luck: finding the best gifts for outdoor lovers isn’t too hard. Between camping gear, gadgets, tools and guided adventures, there’s a great gift for every outdoorsy loved one.

To help make the shopping process a bit easier, we’ve rounded up some of the best gifts for outdoor lovers below. We’ve included some of the best gear from top outdoor brands, as well as some incredible guided experiences like surfing in San Diego and backcountry skiing in Jackson Hole. No matter your loved one’s interests – be it camping, hiking, skiing or rock climbing – you can treat them to something they’ll appreciate and actually use.

What Are the Best Outdoor Gifts?

Have the itch to travel but want to play it safe? Consider one of these outdoor excursions and experiences, which are just a quick drive away from a major city. You’ll get the beauty of the outdoors mixed with an adrenaline-fueled activity (or a relaxing RV getaway) for a unique travel gift.

1. 57Hours Outdoor Adventures

57 Hours lets beginners and pros alike experience activities like outdoor rock climbing, surfing, mountain biking, and more. Search by location to see some of the best out-of-bounds territories in your own area, or pack up and head off to a must-see destination. You (or your gift recipient) will get guidance from a local, certified instructor, so don’t worry if you’re new to the sport. There’s three different levels of excursions, from half- and full-day lessons, to multi-day, bucket list-type retreats, ensuring the most fun (and most safe) adventure possible for everyone, regardless of skill level.

Buy:
57Hours Adventures
at
$90+

2. Outdoorsy RV Rental

Outdoorsy is basically Airbnb for camper vans, trailers and RVs. They make it easy to get out and see any area, be it campgrounds outside your city or landscapes in faraway destinations. They have a great selection of vehicles, ranging from decked-out off-road vans to luxurious family RVs. When renting an adventure-mobile, you can have the camper set up at a destination, or choose to drive it yourself. If you choose the latter, you’re killing two birds with one stone with a place to stay and some wheels for seeing the sights.

Buy:
Outdoorsy RV Rental
at

3. RVShare

Another great site we like is RVShare, which offers everything from pop-up car tents to luxury motorcoaches to help you get off the grid in comfort and style. RV Share will deliver a vehicle to your house, or arrange for pickup in hundreds of locations, from popular spots like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite, to off-the-beaten-path locations too.

Search for vehicles based on your family size, types of features and whether you need something pet-friendly or not. Renting an RV is a great way to hit the road with all the comforts of home while keeping everyone Covid-safe. And it’s economical too. RVShare says on average, RVShare renters save 57% on vacation costs compared to other forms of travel.

Already own an RV? List your motorhome on RVShare.com and earn some extra money while renting out your vehicle to guests.

Buy:
RVShare Vehicle Rentals
at

The Best Outdoor Gear

Whether you’re going on a hike or overnight camping, these accessories make great — and essential — gifts for the outdoor lovers in your life. They’re easy to gift and easy to use too.

1. Outdoor Products Deluxe 17L Hydration Backpack

Hikers, backpackers and travelers can all do with a great backpack, making this pack from Outdoor Products a good gift for any outdoor lover. Featuring a removable two-liter hydration bladder, the pack is ready for long hikes, runs or cycling. But, unlike some hydration packs, this one provides ample space for outdoor, travel or commuting essentials thanks to a front organizer pocket, a quick-access mesh side pocket and a helmet harness. Plus, the backpack’s low-key style makes it just as usable in the city as it is in the wild.

We also love this backpack for its brand. Outdoor Products is one of our favorite sources for wilderness gear, delivering rugged, straightforward packs for all adventures. Design work and Manufacturing all happens in Los Angeles, where the brand started in 1973. Oh, and by the way; Outdoor Products is so confident in their quality that all products come with a lifetime guarantee — if it breaks, they’ll replace it.

Buy:
Outdoor Products Hydration Backpack
at
$29.83

2. HEX Adventure Armenia 30L Backpack

Another good backpack is this one from HEX. The Adventure Armenia pack boasts a suspension pocket that fits a laptop up to 15 inches, meaning you can stay connected even at a campsite or during a road trip. Padded shoulder straps ensure comfort while multiple outer pockets offer easy access. At 30 liters, this durable, water resistant pack is a good size for extra long hikes and overnight wilderness trips.

Buy:
HEX Adventure Armenia 30L Backpack
at
$179.95

3. HydroFlask 20L Day Escape™ Soft Cooler Pack

Our final outdoor backpack recommendation is HydroFlask’s 20L Day Escape, a portable insulated cooler you can take with you on long hikes.

Designed specifically with beverages in mind, the Day Escape’s insulation can keep drinks cold for up to 36 hours. It’s lightweight, and has the most solidly built zipper we’ve seen on any backpack, duffel bag, or luggage. Because it’s designed for drinks, the Day Escape doesn’t have a lot of separate compartments, or specific slots for gadgets like a laptop.

This is the ideal pack to take if you’re hiking with multiple people. Use it to store your drinks and snacks, so you and your fellow adventurers can refuel before continuing your trip.

Buy:
HydroFlask Day Escape Soft Cooler
at
$199.95

4. BioLite Alpenglow Lantern

A well-lit campsite is essential for setting up tents, cooking and unpacking. This 500-lumen lantern from BioLite gets the job done with ease. The bright lantern runs on a rechargable battery, and has a built-in USB port, so you can charge your devices. BioLite’s Alpenglow Lantern has an IPX4 durability rating, which means it can handle rain without taking damage. This is a critical factor to consider when you take tech into the outdoors. All of this performance comes from a lantern that’s just under seven inches tall.

Buy:
BioLite Alpenglow Lantern
at
$99.95

5. Raptic Titan Portable Power Station

The main reason to get into the outdoors is to avoid using electronics, but the big exception to that rule is Raptic’s Titan.

This portable battery generator holds enough juice to recharge a smartphone up to 20 times, an action camera up to 35 times, and an LED light for up to 30 hours. It’s outfitted with one USB-C port, three USB-A ports, a 12 volt DC port, and a 120V AC port. The reason why you should keep this gadget around is simple: If you have an emergency out in the woods, you’ll have a powerful, long-lasting power source.

We’ve tested this gadget for ourselves, and it’s become one of our top preparedness essentials. We make sure it’s at hand each time a storm is coming, and keep it in the car on long road trips in case of an unexpected incident. Our favorite feature is the Titan’s LED screen, which display’s the Titan’s current battery level, and which of its power ports are currently in use.

Buy:
Raptic Titan Portable Power Station
at
$268.97

6. Eagles Nest Outfitters DoubleNest Hammock

When it comes to portable hammocks, Eagle Nest is your best bet. The durable, two-person nylon hammock can be hung almost anywhere with a couple trees. It works as a sleeping solution in temperate camping areas, although the hammock really shines for relaxing in the wilderness during a hike. The whole thing can be stuffed in an attached sack, and, at just over a pound, it’s easy to carry with the rest of your stuff.

Buy:
Eagles Nest Outfitters Hammock
at
$69.95

7. YETI Rambler 12 oz Bottle With Hotshot Cap

This insulated mug from YETI makes it easier to enjoy a hot cup of joe in the morning or a campsite cocktail. The cup’s double-wall vacuum insulation keeps beverages at their intended temperature while a lid protects the contents against spills. The whole thing is also made of kitchen-grade steel to prevent dings, rust or punctures. It’s a great gift for any campers and hikers, but can also be used for (sneaky) walk-tails around the neighborhood or at the beach.

Buy:
YETI Rambler 12 oz Bottle
at
$24.99

8. Leatherman Free K4 Multi-Tool

Knives or multitools are an essential part of any outdoor lover’s kit. This Leatherman Free K4 is one of the best, sporting a capable 3.3-inch blade, scissors and three screwdriver heads. The multitool is conveniently designed to be used with one hand and features a smooth magnetic opening and closing mechanism. As with all Leatherman tools, the build quality is top-notch for reliability while hiking, backpacking or just going about your day.

Buy:
Leatherman Free K4 Multi-Tool
at
$89.95

9. BioLite FirePit+

If you really want to treat the outdoor lover in your life, check out this BioLite FirePit+. The high-tech firepit-slash-grill is fully portable and works with standard 16-inch firewood or charcoal. This means you can have a warm fire or a capable hibachi-style grill anywhere you go.

One of the FirePit’s standout features is an electronic fan that injects oxygen for a hotter flame with far less smoke. The fan can be controlled via onboard buttons or through the BioLite app, and it boasts up to 30 hours of battery life. Plus, the sleek mesh design allows you to see (and feel) the flame. The grill feature is fantastic too: we’ve tested it with everything from campsite staples like burgers and hotdogs to delicate salmon. All of it was easy and turned out delicious.

Buy:
BioLite FirePit+
at
$249.95

10. PKGO Grill & Smoker

The PKGO is a portable charcoal grill with an innovative design that makes it perfect for a camping trip or day at the beach.

When its lid is attached, the PKGO works like a traditional grill or smoker. Adjustable vents on top of the PKGO allow you to control how much smoke stays inside. By closing one vent, pushing charcoal to one side, and using a water dish, you can slow cook your meat and veggies while ensuring they stay moist.

The PKGO’s biggest innovation is its lid, which can be turned into a second cooking area when it’s detached from the bottom. This doubles the PKGO’s total cooking surface from 204 to 408 square inches, which is the same amount you’d get from some full-sized grills. Using this method allows you to cook different foods that require different temperatures at the same time.

All of this functionality comes from a grill that’s less than three feet wide and just over a foot tall (when the lid is attached). It’s not only one of the most innovative pieces of cooking gear we’ve seen, but the ultimate gift for anyone who loves being outside.

Buy:
PKGO Grill & Smoker
at
$269.99