Hiking Accessories – Inexpensive, Fun and Useful Gifts
Most recently updated June 8th, 2023
Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes
That’s right – I’m reposting this just in time for Father’s Day!
Why? Well, because I’m a marketing opportunist making use of a holiday (of course) but also because, let’s face it, most of us are kind of clueless about what to get for Dad.
Dads pretty much just buy stuff they want or need and can usually afford more than we can. So a small gift just lets them know you’re thinking about them – and that’s mostly what we’re after, right?
If your Dad is a hiker, outdoorsy, likes gadgets, or just ever even *leaves the house*, one of these things could be a great gift for him!
Wouldn’t your Dad look great with a new water bottle at Hanging Rock State Park?
With all of the choices out there for outdoorsy gifts, why give hiking accessories?
Hiking First Aid Kit – click to purchase
For one thing, buying gifts for hikers – like Dads – isn’t as easy as you might think.
I mean, chances are they’ve already covered the essentials – hiking boots, a day pack, jacket and poles.
If you’re not a hiker yourself, you might not know what else they could use.
Collapsible water bottle – click to purchase
Also, basic pieces like boots, poles, pack, and clothing are really a personal choice, and frankly can be quite pricey.
On the other hand, socks or a hat can be a fun, functional, and reasonably priced gift.
Read on to learn about more useful hiking do-dads you can give your outdoorsy friend or loved one without breaking the bank – and you might even find something for yourself! 🙂
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Portable solar charger – click to purchase
These gifts are perfect for any occasion – not just holidays – and your recipient will love them!
(Just click on any photo or grid to purchase, or get more information.)
Let’s start from the bottom up…
A gift of boots is probably not a good idea unless you’ve been told exactly what the recipient wants, but with socks you can have some fun.
Hiking Socks
Click to purchase
Okay, I know what you’re thinking – but I’m not talking about the dreaded “sock present” from your childhood.
Seriously – hikers think new hiking socks are a real treat!
My hiking socks are always wearing out and they’re not cheap, either.
Click to purchase
I love getting new hiking socks and I’m pretty sure most other hikers do, too.
And since I usually wear two pairs of socks on each hike – a wicking layer and a warmth layer – I use a lot of them!
Click to purchase
There are two basic types of hiking socks:
Inner liner socks of soft, wicking fabric
Outer socks that stand up to trail abuse
The outer socks will be thicker for cold weather, and thinner for summer, but the best socks for any season are always some kind of wool or wool mix.
Inner socks should be thinner, wicking, and have some stretch.
Their main job is to wick sweat away from your feet, but they also help prevent blisters.
Fun Buffs
Click the photo to purchase.
Buffs are multi-purpose items for wiping off sweat, sun protection, or keeping your neck warm if it gets cold.
“Buff” is a particular brand of these breathable neck gaiters, but there are a lot of other brands out there.
I’ve tried a few, and though they’re a little more expensive, I still like the original Buffs better for comfort, breathability, and durability.
A practical accessory, buffs can also be used to keep exploding hair more under control.
You can even wet and wear them on a hot day to stay cool, or layer them up to stay warm in colder weather.
Use a buff as a quick face cover.
These days, they’re also really useful as quick masks.
Pull them up over your face for a quick trip inside a park’s Visitor Center or restroom, then lower them when you’re back out on the trail.
True story – I just returned from a long hiking trip in Greece, and my bag was delayed.
The only thing missing when the bag was returned was my collection of sweaty buffs (including the one in the picture).
Weird and kind of creepy, but now I have a legit reason to buy more 🙂
Sun Protection – Hats and Sunglasses
Click to purchase
To shield your skin from the sun while you’re outdoors, bring along a breathable brimmed hat and sport sunglasses for eye and face protection.
This might seem obvious for hot and sunny hikes, but you can also get a sunburn going for a hike in the snow on a sunny day.
Hats come in all sorts of styles and coverage.
Which one you choose will depend on your activity, the weather, and how much sun protection you need.
During winter hikes, the sun reflects off the snow and sends strong rays back at you.
A sunny snowy trail in Big Bear, CA
This can be really hard on your eyes, so it’s imperative to have a good pair of sunglasses in both summer and winter.
Navigational Tools
Many people rely on their smart phone’s advanced GPS to navigate on a trail, and that’s fine, until you lose signal.
Instead, you could opt for a navigational tool like a handheld GPS, or GPS watch.
There are a lot of great options out there that are sturdy enough to take with you and also might serve as a backcountry communication device.
The Garmin Forerunner 735XT GPS running watch is the perfect accessory for cyclists, swimmers, and runners—especially for those training for a bucket list hike or their first marathon.
The sports watch provides advanced insights like stride length, vertical ratio, recovery advisor, and more.
Handheld GPS is also an option, though they are generally more expensive than some of the GPS watches.
But, to be fair, none of these kinds of things are low-budget gifts.
That said, in the outdoors, you need to be prepared for anything – so you’ll want a backup that’s not battery or signal-dependent.
So, even if you have a device (or if you don’t want to spring for a device) it’s always a good idea to pack the appropriate waterproof and tear-proof map, plus a compass to help you find your way.
A Step Counter or Smart Watch
So many steps….
A step counter can count your steps, stairs, and distances as well as sleep.
This gadget might seem not directly hiking-related, but it can let you know what distance you’ve completed at any point during a hike.
This knowledge can be a big factor in making decisions about where to stop for the night or whether to push further to a trailhead or a camping site.
The Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch gives your classic smartwatch an upgrade with a built-in Alexa.
Track your steps, workouts, heart rate and more like you would with a traditional Fitbit, but you can also ask Alexa to tell you the news, report weather, set timers and alarms, control your other smart home devices, and more—all hands-free.
First Aid Emergency Kit
It’s a good idea to invest in a portable and lightweight first aid kit that you can always keep in your backpack with your other day hiking essentials.
You can get cuts or scrapes on any trail.
It’s unlikely that you’ll have an emergency, but things like blisters, cramps, and minor cuts can happen on almost any hike.
Essential First Aid Items
Antiseptic wipes
Antibacterial ointment
Assorted bandages and gauze pads
Medical tape
Moleskin or another type of blister treatment
Ibuprofen (or another preferred pain-relief medication)
Insect sting treatment
Antihistamine for allergic reactions
Tweezers
If you’re assembling this as a gift, covering the basics (above) and putting it in a neat compact container will be great!
If this is for you, you’ll want to personalize your kit – add stuff, take stuff out – as you learn more about what you’re likely to need in your outdoor pursuits.
Pre-Made Kits
You can also purchase a pre-made first aid kit that has the basics for dealing with minor injuries.
If you go this route, make sure you’re familiar with what’s in it, and adapt the kit to your personal medical needs as necessary.
You might want to throw in:
a lighter or waterproof matches in case you’re caught after dark, and
a small whistle that you can use in an emergency.
If your giftee (or you!) are hiking in bear country, you might also consider some Bear Bells and Bear Mace, just in case.
Bear Bells are good to have when you’re hiking in Bear country.
Water Filters
If you’re doing a multi-day hike (or camping) and you’re not sure of your water sources, you really don’t want to have to carry all of your water on your back.
This is where water filters or water purifying pills come in handy. There are a multitude of choices out there for filtering water along the trail.
Lifestraw (see below) is an example of a water filter that lets you drink from lakes or streams without having to boil the water first. It’s a huge time saver for short hikes.
Enamel Camp Mugs
An enamel camp mug can be a wonderful gift.
Camp mugs can be great gifts – and they can be fun, too!
They stand up well when flung around in a backpack or camper, warmed up over a campfire, or any other kind of abuse you can think of.
This one happens to have a Valentine’s Day message, and is available on the IRW Merch Site.
See what I did there? 😉
Mini Repair Kit
Click to purchase
A mini repair kit will help you fix something like a tear in your backpack, a broken strap or any other unforeseen issues that may come up while you’re out there.
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There are a few kinds of kits to choose from, some include First Aid and shoe, tent or bike repair tools.
Multi-Tool
While the contents of repair kits can vary between products, it’s always good to have a multi-tool with you.
Power Banks
Running out of juice is one of my nightmares for longer drives and longer hikes.
I want to be able to use my camera, phone (with maps), and kindle or tablet!
This is a must for beautiful photos and memories but more importantly – safety.
Gift Cards
Click to purchase
Some items might be too personal to give directly – things like boots, poles, and backpacks need to be tried on and fitted.
In that case, you can give the gift, but make sure they can be exchanged if they need something different.
(A gift receipt is almost like a gift card.)
Click to purchase
Gift cards with a note saying what you hope they’ll use it for are always an option – and you can never get the wrong size 🙂
If nothing above seems just right, take a look at the pages below to see if you can find that perfect gift or treat for yourself!
If you’re looking for gear with the IRW Logo, Holiday-themed mugs and water-bottles or something fun to wear – especially our snarky T-Shirt collection – take a look at ourIRW Merch Shop.
I hope this info has been helpful. Happy shopping and happy trails! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by – see you next time. LJ
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LJ has spent much of her free time as a single Mom – and now as an empty-nester – hiking in the US and around the world. She shares lessons learned from adventures both local and in exotic locations, and tips on how to be active with asthma, plus travel, gear, and hike planning advice for parents hiking with kids and beginners of all ages. Read more on the About page.
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LJ
LJ has spent much of her free time as a single Mom - and now as an empty-nester - hiking in the US and around the world. She shares lessons learned from adventures both local and in exotic locations, and tips on how to be active with asthma, plus travel, gear, and hike planning advice for parents hiking with kids and beginners of all ages. Read more on the About page.
View all posts by LJ
A mini repair kit will help you fix something like a tear in your backpack, a broken strap or any other unforeseen issues that may come up while you’re out there.
Gift cards with a note saying what you hope they’ll use it for are always an option – and you can never get the wrong size 🙂
