Holiday Gift Guide for Hunting, Hiking, and Outdoors

We’ve all been there… trying to find the perfect Christmas or holiday gift for our loved ones year after year. How do you know what they need? Will they like what you get them? Sometimes you just need ideas for thoughtful, useful gifts that your family and friends will love and remember for years. Well, we have you covered! We’ve compiled a list of memorable gifts (and experiences) at multiple price points that are sure to light up the eyes of that special someone this holiday season. Have a look; you just might decide you need some of these items for yourself! (All listed prices are suggested retail as of Fall 2024.)

Best outdoors-type gifts this year

Consider giving memorable experiences rather than physical gifts

Before we indulge our inner love of buying, giving, and receiving shiny new things, let’s consider the value of giving experiences instead. Some of the most memorable gifts we’ve ever received were not physical objects but rather time spent with people we love, doing something fun, interesting, or exciting. So, if you have the money, consider researching some of the options below in your area and buying gift certificates for the experiences to give as gifts this season. Better yet, share these fun experiences with the people you love… they’ll never forget it. Here are just a few options to consider:

• Mountain climbing/rappelling
• Whitewater rafting
• Kayaking
• SCUBA diving
• Guided hunting/fishing trip
• Hot air balloon ride
• Ropes course
• Guided tour of local ghost towns or mines
• Zipline
• Mountain biking
• Skiing or snowboarding
• Skydiving
• Surfing lessons
• Ride on a local historical steam train or sailing ship
• Shooting range passes or training
• Self defense classes
• Track day rental at a local raceway
• Hike to a local lake or waterfall, then go get ice cream together :)

If you’ve considered these experiences but still want ideas about some of the best gifts to give, have a look at those below.

Good hiking/hunting boots

Anyone who hikes or walks a lot in the outdoors knows that a good pair of boots can be worth their weight in gold. There are dozens of top-quality brands for outdoor footwear (including Salomon, Merrell, Danner, and more. You can find very inexpensive boots at big-box stores or on Amazon, but for real hiking and/or hunting, we prefer paying a bit more up front and getting quality materials (and actual waterproof performance) versus saving a bit. So prepare to pony up around $200 for Oboz’s Bridger waterproof all-leather hikers. They are available in both mid- and full-height styles in several colors, and are actually waterproof thanks to the Oboz B-dry breathable membrane. Unlike many other hiking boots, the Bridgers are immediately comfortable after nearly zero break-in time. A narrow-heel design helps prevent slippage and blisters, while a generous toe box allows ample room and comfort. An aggressive tread design helps prevent slips on muddy or wet trails. Footwear has come a long way in the past couple of decades… check out a few of the recent options, and consider giving the gift of comfortable feet.

Merino wool socks

Even if your loved ones are all set for hiking or hunting boots, if they spend any time outdoors, they might need some more good socks. It may not be the sexiest gift, but quality merino wool socks will be greatly appreciated and just might make you the favorite gift giver. Merino wool is a super fiber. It wears long, helps fight odor, prevents blisters, and keeps you warm in cool temperatures and cooler in warm temps. Sound impossible? It’s not. But don’t buy just any quote-unquote hiking socks with merino wool… they may have something like 7% wool, and the rest might be nylon or cotton. We like Darn Tough socks, many of which have up to 79% merino wool content (look at their light- and heavyweight hunting socks). They’re also exceptionally well made (in Vermont) and unconditionally guaranteed for life. Darn Tough hunting/hiking socks generally run from about $24-$35 a pair and are available in dozens of styles, heights, thicknesses, and colors.

Hands-free headlamp for hiking, hunting, or camping

Once you’ve tried a good headlamp, you’ll wonder how you ever survived outdoors without one. They are so convenient to use that your flashlights might remain in their drawer from now on. There are poor-quality, cheap ones available from Amazon, but we like the Black Diamond Spot 400 ($50). With a compact body, the Spot 400 features a low profile, ergonomic design, 400 max lumens (which is plenty for a headlamp), and is Dual-Fuel compatible, allowing you to power the light with either the rechargeable lithium-ion battery or three standard AAA batteries. It’s waterproof down to 1 meter so you don’t have to worry about rain, and we love that it has a memory setting that retains your selected brightness rather than having to cycle through all the options every time you turn on the light. There’s also a red/night light that comes on directly, so you don’t blind yourself cycling through white light and strobe settings. Want to save some dough but still get a quality headlamp? Check out the Petzl Tikkina ($25).

A good rain jacket

You could spend up to $500 or more for a waterproof, breathable outer jacket for hiking or outdoor use, but for the money we like REI’s Rainier ($99). Offered in 7 nice colors (though not super ideal for hunting/camo use) and 10 sizes including several in Tall. Styling is fairly conservative but in the rain that’s not what you’ll care about. Staying dry on a hike is paramount not only for enjoyment but for safety, and the 2.5-layer shell performs well even in all-day rain. There’s a comfy fleece-type liner, zippered, mesh-lined pockets with zipper pulls, velcro closure over the main zipper, zippered underarm vents, and a useful and comfortable hood. Anyone who spends time outdoors, particularly in a drizzle or rainy weather, is going to absolutely love this gift.

A good tent

If you and your significant other, or maybe you and your kids want to try out camping and need a good tent for not a lot of bucks, the Kelty Grand Mesa 4 is a good place to start. It retails for $199 but you can get a 15% discount on your first purchase online. Note that this is a 7-plus pound tent, so if you’re a backpacker, there are much lighter (and MUCH more expensive options). But if you want to try car camping or won’t be lugging your gear very far, the Grand Mesa offers a solid value and good performance. You get lightweight aluminum poles, Kelty’s Quick Corners for easy setup, and an EZ Zip vestibule using the included rain fly. There’s only one large door if that’s important to you, and the upper two-thirds of the main tent are fully mesh, so if you want privacy (or it rains) you’ll definitely want to set up the fly. If you don’t need room for 4, there’s also a Grand Mesa 2 for $140. Solid buys, both.

A good inflatable camping pillow

You might get by with rolling up your jacket and using it as a pillow while you’re sleeping outdoors, but once you try a real, inflatable camping pillow like Nemo Fillo ($45), you’ll never go back. The Fillo features a comfy microsuede cover (at least in some available colors; don’t bother with the Jersey fabric option) and foam filler that together provide all-night comfort. It’s an inflatable pillow, but blows up in just a few breaths, and you can adjust the firmness using the twist valve. It’s a tad heavy for hardcore backpacking at about half a pound in the most useful sizes, but packs smaller than you might think. We love that the stuff sack is permanently attached to the Fillo so you can’t misplace it. If you find you can sleep just about anywhere if you have a good pillow, you (or your favorite holiday gift recipients) are going to love this thing.

Inflatable stand-up paddle board

You’ve probably seen people at the beach, lake, or river absolutely having a ball on inflatable stand-up (SUP) paddle boards. If you want to give the gift of the experience (see above), sometimes it’s a good idea to prime the pump, so to speak, by going all-in and investing in the gear. Bote’s WULF Aero SUP board lists for over $600, but you can often find certain colors and sizes on sale for about $399. For that price you get the board, padded ankle leash, 10” removable center fin, repair kit, hand inflator pump, and fabric backpack-style storage/transport bag. There’s also an included MAGNEPOD magnetic accessory docking station just forward of the central balance point, so you can bring a tasty beverage or a GoPro along without worrying that it will slide off the board into the water. Pretty cool! Best of all, you don’t need to install roof racks on your vehicle, because the whole affair rolls up and stuffs into the duffel bag and fits in your trunk. Happy paddling!

Aviation-themed sneakers/shoes

You might call these sneakers, high-tops, gym shoes, Chuckys, or kicks, depending on when you were born, but regardless, if you have any warbird/aviation fans on your guest list, or just want to give a very cool, very unique gift, check out the shoe collection from I Love A Hangar ($69). There’s something for practically every aviation buff, with graphics based on everything from P-38s to P-40s to P-51s to C-47s to F-4Us to Messerschmitts to Spitfires and dozens more. You can even get them custom made with your desired squadron code and/or tail number. Anyone with any interest in military history, retro style, or aviation is going to absolutely love these shoes.

A new compound bow (USA-made)

If you know someone who would love to start bowhunting or just backyard archery, particularly a youth or female on your gift list, check out the Radik bow from Mission Archery ($339). At a feathery 3 pounds it is easy to handle, and the draw length adjusts all the way from 17 to 28 inches in half-inch increments with the turn of a screw. It also boasts a huge range of draw weight adjustability (from 10 to 50 pounds), providing years of growth potential before a replacement bow would ever be needed. The cam system features a solid back wall at full draw for a more comfortable and consistent anchor point, which is often helpful for new archers. The Radik’s slim, composite grip and precision-cut riser offer a best-in-class fit and feel for shooters at the beginning of their archery journey. It’s available in 6 exciting graphic schemes including lime green, orange, pink, and purple, as well as black, and camo. There are certainly cheaper starter bows out there, but the Radik is capable of taking any game in North America once you dial up the weight, and is made by a proud Wisconsin company right here in the USA.

Lever-action .22 rifle (cowboy-style)

If you have a fan of Western movies on your gift list, or just want an excuse to spend some time plinking at tin cans with someone you enjoy being around, consider giving them the new-for-2024 Winchester Ranger .22LR lever-action rifle ($419). Appearance-wise it’s a dead ringer for the beloved Winchester 1892 and 1894 lever-action rifles of yesteryear, but the Ranger’s 2-piece takedown receiver is made of aluminum. Removing a single screw at the lower left of the receiver allows the forward half of the gun (from the upper receiver to the muzzle) and the rear half (including the lower/internal receiver, trigger group and buttstock) to be easily separated, resulting in a very handy, packable takedown rifle. The 5.25-lb Ranger features a 15-shot tubular magazine, and its lever-action feel is satisfyingly smooth, particularly considering its very reasonable price.

Single-action revolver (cowboy style)

To go along with (or instead of) a cowboy rifle, you might consider giving someone on your Nice List a single-action revolver. There are very inexpensive .22LR Western-style revolvers made in the USA by companies like Heritage Manufacturing and Ruger, some as cheap as $79.99 after rebate. Remember, you are responsible to check and obey your local firearms laws, but in most places you can give firearms as gifts to anyone who isn’t otherwise prohibited from owning them. (If you live in a different state from your gift recipient, the transaction needs to be handled via a FFL-licensed dealer.)

Jerky-making kit

Pretty much everyone we know loves jerky, and you can easily make it yourself with the right spices and curing salts. Cabela’s offers an inexpensive Jerky Making Kit that allows you to season and cure up to 15 lbs of meat, creating 3 different flavors of tasty jerky with Cabela’s Variety Pack Jerky Making Kit ($8). This kit includes 1 pre-measured packet each of Original, Teriyaki and Peppered flavors to help you turn up to 15 lbs of whole muscle or ground meat into jerky, 5 lbs at a time. You can use it with wild game, beef, pork, poultry or fish to make a tasty treat that’s great for on-the-go hunters and anglers. Each bag of seasonings includes the basic recipe and step-by-step instructions. Made in the USA. Makes a great stocking stuffer for any jerky lover in your life!

Swiss Army Knife

Everyone needs a good knife when heading into the woods, and there’s nothing like a real Victorinox Swiss Army Knife (SAK). Some of our most memorable and lifetime/heirloom gifts have been knives given to us by parents, grandparents, uncles, or siblings. The very versatile Fieldmaster (~$49) has about everything you might ever need, including two blades, a wood saw, can opener, 3 and 6mm flat screwdrivers, 1-2 sized Phillips screwdriver, bottle opener, wire stripper, reamer/punch and sewing awl, multipurpose hook, toothpick, tweezers, and key ring. If this seems like too much bulk or weight (3.5 ounces), our overall favorite SAK is the 1.6-ounce Tinker (~$29), which gives up the saw, the hook, and the Phillips screwdriver.

Camping hammock

Going hammocking is a thing among younger people who head out to the woods, set up hammocks, and hang out, play games, and just enjoy the outdoors together. Hammocks also make a great place to sleep if you’re on an overnight hunt or camp and don’t want to pack a tent. Our favorite lower-cost, but high-quality hammock is the Warbonnet Ridgerunner ($130), made in the USA. However, if that’s too much to spend, check out the Onewind ($74) which has great reviews.

Portable solar charging panels and powerbank

Today, keeping a cell phone up and running, even in the woods, can be a lifesaver. A portable solar charging setup makes a great gift and is useful even at the local beach, lake, or campsite. One of our favorites overall is the Hiluckey 4-panel solar charger and power bank ($47). It’s not the most powerful solar charger, at a total of only 12 watts (3 per panel), but when folded, it’s only about the dimensions of a thick smartphone, which is way better than the 30-watt solar charger you left at home because it was too bulky and heavy to cart around. Plus, you can just charge the integral power bank at home and use it to recharge your phone fully a couple times before you even need to unfold the solar panels.

A nice place to sit

If you’re shopping for a hunter, hiker, or backpacker, you could try to find a super-lightweight, super-small camp chair and pay up to $300 (and that would indeed be a kingly gift). However, one of the simplest, most effective, and minimalist (not to mention low-cost) alternatives is Thermarests’ legendary Z Seat (~$33 MSRP but often on sale at Amazon for as low as $23). Made in the USA of 100% closed cell foam, this 16 x 13 inch seating pad weighs only 2 ounces and folds up about the size of a water bottle using the included bungee cord. If you’ve spent any amount of time sitting on bare logs, rocks, or soggy ground, you’ll appreciate the value of a dry, puncture-proof, insulating, waterproof seat pad you can use basically anywhere. The blue and yellow versions have a reflective silver side that can warm you in chilly conditions as well. Only the most die-hard lightweight backpacker is going to complain about 2 ounces, if it gets them a more comfy spot to rest their bones after a long day. It’s not as good as a dedicated camp chair, but it’s a heck of a lot better than nothing. We love these things.

Clean water… anywhere

For ease of use and small dimensions, LifeStraw’s Peak Squeeze filter ($37) is the proverbial bee’s knees. You can scoop up river water in the reservoir and simply squeeze it out of the nozzle and drink, or you can remove the nozzle/straw mechanism and use it to suck water directly out of any water source. Protects against 99.999% of bacteria, parasites, microplastics, as well as silt, sand, and cloudiness. Membrane-type microfilter lasts up to 500 gallons.

A good shot timer

If you know someone who is or wants to get serious about improving their skill with a firearm, a shot timer is a great gift. A famous maxim is If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it. Shot timers accurately record the time it takes you to draw your handgun or bring up your rifle/shotgun and make a first hit on target. They also record each subsequent shot within a hundredth of a second, so you can determine how long it takes you to complete a course of fire or any shooting drill. One of our favorites for size, reliability, accuracy, and durability is the CED7000 timer. It fits in a shirt pocket, has memory storage for 10 strings with up to 99 shots per string, has custom par time settings for single or multiple par times, with variable delay intervals down to a hundredth of a second. We love the dual forward and reverse review functions, and the fixed/random/instant beep delay options. It’s also among the least expensive of the quality shot timers, at $130.

A good entry-level fishing rod

Fishing is a great way to spend time with friends, kids, or grandkids, but all the gear can add up pretty quick, especially if you’re giving gifts to multiple people. You can find excellent, functional casting or spinning rod and reel combos in the $100 range, but we feel most people just want something easy to use (and easy to pay for) for a gift to get kids started. One of our favorites for absolute bargain-level combos is the Zebco 404 spincast reel and rod combo from Amazon. You get a good, functional, easy-to-use rod and reel, with the filament pre-spun onto the reel, and some useful bobbers, sinkers, swivels, and artificial bait to get you started. At $30, it makes a great gift.

Secure storage for handguns and other firearms

As a safe company, we naturally prioritize safes and handgun vaults as ways to keep firearms secure from theft, fire, unauthorized access, and even environmental damage and corrosion (when properly dehumidified). If you know someone who owns firearms but needs a secure place to store them, a handgun vault or even a gun safe makes an extremely thoughtful, memorable gift that will last a lifetime. For one or two handguns and small items, we suggest the Liberty HDV-300X biometric vault ($289.99), the HDV-500X ($369.99) for more handguns/items, or if your gift recipient has a few long guns as well, the HDV-700X ($599.99).

Our low-cost, high-value wall safe and personal home safe both start at $249, and our larger free-standing, fire-resistant home safes start at $899. With our dozens of options, models, sizes, colors, and configurations, you’re sure to find the perfect gift for anyone.