Gift Guide Outdoor Gear OUTDOOR TRAVEL RESOURCES

30 Gifts under $30 for the Outdoor Enthusiasts in Your Life

Looking for gift ideas for the outdoor adventurer in your life? Want to buy them something they will actually love and use? Want ideas from someone who is actually outdoorsy? This gift guide is for you.

[If you’re not into background, just keep scrolling down to get to the list]

Gift Guide Background

Guide Philosophy

I’ve pulled together a list of 30 ideas for awesome gifts for the outdoor enthusiast in your life that are affordable and practical. Well, except for the cocktail kit which is just plain fun. Have to live a little!

When possible, I included the link to the specific brand or type of item I’d recommend. For example, I specifically made the gift recommendation DEET wipes rather than DEET spray because spray can accidentally get unscrewed or leak during travel, which, from personal experience, is a pain in the…neck, yes, we’ll go with neck.

Some of the ideas, like gear ties and sport nutrition, are inexpensive enough that you can combine them into a nice little gift basket, or use them as stocking stuffers. Some of the ideas, such as instant coffee, may seem like something someone can buy for themselves…and they are, but they are the types of items that are needed but can add up quickly when you’re buying them for yourself.

There aren’t any clothes or large items such as tents or backpacking packs on here. In part, because that sh*t is expensive. It’s also harder to get those types of things right if you don’t know the person you’re buying for and their outdoor hobbies thaaaaat well. You could end up buying a backpacking tent when they need a camping tent (or a camping hammock), or buying duplicate gear, or perhaps worst of all, unintentionally insulting them by guessing the wrong sized clothing.

There are what I call clothing accessories, like socks, and underwear on this outdoor gift guide. Yes, I know including underwear is kinda weird, but I swear sports underwear are a game changer, and worth buying if you know the person well enough. If you’re not sure, you do not know them well enough, and please, stick to buying the wool socks (another game changer.)

Where to Buy Outdoorsy Gifts

I’ve included links in the guide below so that you can shop the items on the list. For many of the items, the links will give you multiple options for the same item. For example, different types of wool socks. If you click the photo, it will take you to the exact item shown. These are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase through the link, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Win-win. However, the gift ideas are my own and not influenced by affiliate relationships in an yway

The best places to buy outdoorsy gifts are the same places people go to buy their own outdoor gear, largely, Amazon and outdoor focused stores like Moosejaw, U.S. Outdoor, and your local outdoor shop. Amazon is convenient and offers a fair amount of outdoor gear from reputable brands. (Side note: These are my favorite brands for hiking gear.) It’s also great to support outdoor retailers and you know that everything they offer is outdoor focused so there’s less sorting through unwanted items.

The only situation where I have a strong preference between the two is for buying items that are relied on for safety – think carabiner or rock climbing harness. For those, I’d recommend going with an outdoor specific retailer, online or in-person.

And now, the guide…