10 Gifts Your Outdoorsy Friend Needs

Updated December 2022

Stumped on what to buy your outdoorsy friend this holiday season? Stress, be gone! We talked with our Outdoor Prolink Community about what pieces of gear they wished they had when they first got into their outdoor activities, and what they still have their eye on now. In an effort to help all those future and current outdoor junkies, we compiled this list of 10 gifts your friend (or you!) needs for their next adventure. Ordered from least to most expensive… scroll to the bottom if you’re feeling extra generous.

1. Rechargeable Headlamp: BioLite HeadLamp 330 

A headlamp is an outdoor adventurer’s staple. Whether you’re up before the sunrise or catching the sunset from a peak, you should have a headlamp in your pack. While most people already own a headlamp, help your friend level-up their game with one that’s rechargeable. Say goodbye to batteries and hop on board the eco-friendly train! We love BioLite’s rechargeable HeadLamp 330 because it’s comfortable, lightweight, and has an impressively bright beam. It’s the perfect headlamp for adventure junkies who can’t sit still.

Shop BioLite HeadLamp 330 on Outdoor Prolink.

2. Portable Chair: Crazy Creek HEX 2.0 Original Chair

Having a portable chair with you is not necessary, but once you start bringing one along, you won’t look back. The Crazy Creek HEX 2.0 is perfect to use while backpacking, hanging at the crag, chilling by a river, or enjoying a concert. This chair is lightweight, packs up easily, and will support your back after long days of adventuring. It’s most definitely the gift your outdoorsy friend needs, but doesn’t know it yet!

Shop Crazy Creek HEX 2.0 Original Chair on Outdoor Prolink.

3. Foldable Trekking Poles: Mountainsmith Halite 7075 Trekking Poles 

We never thought we needed hiking poles…until we actually gave them a shot. No matter how athletic, young, or determined you are, hiking poles are your friends. We especially appreciate using ours on steep or loose rock trails and while snowshoeing. The Mountainsmith Halite 7075 poles are perfect because they fold up easily to store them when you don’t need them. Also, they come with attachments for summer and winter conditions! 

Shop Mountainsmith Halite 7075 Trekking Poles on Outdoor Prolink.

4. Warm Booties: Outdoor Research Tundra Aerogel Booties 

If your pal lives for winter excursions, a warm bootie is something they won’t regret bringing along. These are perfect to throw on after skiing, while winter camping, or on a hut trip. The Tundra Aerogel Booties are a top pick for us! Neither down nor synthetic, this bootie has a PrimaLoft® Aerogel 1.5mm insert which creates a barrier between your foot and the elements to keep you warm. 

Shop Outdoor Research Tundra Aerogel Booties on Outdoor Prolink.

5. Easy Water Filtration System: Grayl GeoPress Water Purifier Bottle 

Whether you’re in the backcountry for a multi-day trip or spending a day on the river, an easy-to-use water filtration system is an amazing tool to have on hand so you never run out of drinkable water. We love Grayl’s GeoPress Water Purifier Bottle, which combines a water filter and bottle into one piece of gear. The GeoPress keeps the water filtration process simple and easy so you don’t have to spend precious adventure time waiting to refill. This is a must-have!

Shop Grayl GeoPress Water Purifier Bottle on Outdoor Prolink.

6. Adventure Blanket: Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket 

We never knew we needed an adventure blanket until we had one…and chances are, your outdoorsy friend needs one too! They’re great around the campfire, in the backyard, on a road trip, at the top of a mountain, after a long day of skiing, or even to stuff into your sleeping bag when your tent gets chilly in the middle of the night. Our favorite is the Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket because it’s warm, affordable, and comes with a stuff sack for packability.

Shop Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket.

7. Packable Down Jacket: Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket 

A jacket that keeps you warm and takes up a small amount of space in your pack is a must-have. If your friend lives where it gets chilly, this is an item that should be in their pack from Fall until Spring. You never know when the afternoon weather will roll through and the temperature will drop 15 degrees. The Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket keeps you warm, but isn’t too heavy or large. A great piece to have under your hard shell or rain jacket when it gets extra chilly.

Shop Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket on Outdoor Prolink.

8. Down Sleeping Bag: Big Agnes Anvil Horn 15 (650 DownTek) 

If camping is on the agenda, a down sleeping bag is a must. A synthetic bag can certainly do the job, but once you go down fill, you won’t go back. A down bag will truly keep you warm on those cold nights. We love the Big Agnes Anvil Horn 15 bag. Lightweight, warm, and is packed with features.

Shop Big Agnes Anvil Horn 15 (650 DownTek) on Outdoor Prolink.

9. Satellite Communication Device: Garmin InReach Explorer 

If you’re heading deep into the backcountry, having a satellite communication device can be a life saver. These devices allow you to communicate with friends, family, or emergency services without having cell reception. The InReach Explorer is a top-of-the-line device offering the ability to track and share your location, view maps, get weather information, and communicate via two-way text messaging. While this one sits at a hefty price, we couldn’t leave this one off the list as it is such an important tool for those adventuring off the grid.

Shop Garmin InReach Explorer.

10. Breathable Hard Shell: Mountain Hardwear High Exposure Gore-Tex C-Knit Jacket 

A breathable hard shell jacket is the ultimate staple for those who enjoy the great outdoors during the winter months. The Mountain Hardwear High Exposure Gore-Tex C-Knit Jacket really shines on cold, wet days where you’re moving your body but still need warmth. Packable, lightweight, and breathable, this jacket really does it all. If your friend doesn’t already have a hard shell, consider treating them to this high quality jacket.

Shop Mountain Hardwear High Exposure Gore-Tex C-Knit Jacket.

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Picking gifts for the adventurers in your life can be hard. Hopefully this list gave you some good ideas. We know any of these gifts are sure to put a smile on your outdoorsy friend’s face.