We all have that friend or loved one that can’t get enough of the great outdoors. While it is easy to know that they will love some high-quality outdoor gear, narrowing your options for a great gift past that can often be difficult.
To help you out, we have put together this quick list and guide of the best gifts for outdoorsmen that you can buy today!
This list should give you some great ideas and help you finalize the perfect gift for that outdoorsy person in your life.
The Best Gift Ideas for Outdoorsmen for 2023
1. Magazine Subscriptions
Outside Magazine covers outdoor sports, travel, health, and fitness related to all sorts of adventures—whether it’s on land, underwater, or in the air. Flip through the pages, and you’ll find trusted reviews, world-class photography, exclusive features (like inspirational stories and travel tales), and training tips, plus recommendations for the latest equipment, apparel, and gear.
You never know what mind-blowing, extraordinary find will make it inside Popular Mechanics, the science and mechanics magazine known for its fascinating insight into technological advancements and getting the most out of outdoor experiences. This subscription is ideal for someone with an affinity for the latest tools, smart gadgets, gear, and scientific finds.
Here’s a gift that’ll spark endless creativity in your favorite do-it-yourselfer (especially if they love tackling outdoor projects!). Family Handyman provides plenty of ideas and inspiration for the beginner handyman or seasonal professional in your life through instructional, easy-to-follow how-to’s, plus expert tips and tricks for the year’s best fixes, shortcuts, and upgrades.
National Geographic Magazine has guided countless explorers, educators, conservationists, and adventurers with a love of nature and the outdoors to better understand how the world changes, whether historically, culturally, or environmentally. National Geographic both entertains and educates its audience with exclusive features, fascinating editorials, and award-winning photography—it’s been inspiring readers to travel the world since 1888—wow!
Save an extra 40% on these magazine subscriptions with coupon code GIVING40.
2. NRS Comprehensive Medical Kit
The NRS medical kit ensures that you have a water-resistant set of medical supplies in the backcountry or wherever you go. This kit has a ton of life-saving and comfort adding items that you shouldn’t leave home without.
With this medical kit, you can treat everything from “cuts and blisters to gaping wounds and burns,” even tend to broken bones until you can get to emergency aid. The bag also contains some basic survival gear, this is amongst the best sets you can get when it comes to medical preparedness.
Savings Tip: Check out Moosejaw promo codes for the best deal.
3. Lamina™ Sleeping Bag
Stay warm even in icy temperatures with this heavy-duty sleeping bag. This intense sleeping bag is insulated and made with seamless construction to reduce heat loss to an absolute minimum.
Even if you don’t need something quite so intense, they have similar ultralight bags rated for warmer climates available on the same site. Everything they sell is of great quality and comes highly recommended.
Savings Tip: Get Mountain Hardwear promo codes for the best deal.
4. LEATHERMAN SKELETOOL
This legendary multitool can help you handle everything. It has a bottle opener, stainless steel blades, pliers, a bit driver, and a removable pocket clip. When you want massive versatility while taking up a minimum of space, Leatherman is always going to be one of your first stops – and this skeletool is a sleek, modern, and lightweight variation. Don’t let the look fool you though, this model is just as durable as you remember.
Savings Tip: Find BattlBox promo codes for the best deal.
5. Moosejaw Lightweight Sleeping Pad
The Moosejaw self-Inflating sleeping pad is one of your best options for stopping heat seepage into the ground and avoiding those rocks and bugs in the night. This pad s great for tent camping but is also lightweight and breaks down far enough to be viable on longer hikes. This version quickly inflates on its own and only needs a few breaths to get to maximize internal pressure.
Savings Tip: Get Moosejaw promo codes for the best deal.
6. Under Armour Insulated Bottle
Underamour may be known for its clothing, but this thermos style bottle is an amazing item for outdoor trekking. The large 64oz water bottle is insulated, BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and will ensure you have plenty to drink on your next outing. This design has a flip-top lid that locks down and can be managed with a one-handed push-button.
Savings Tip: Get Sunny Sports coupon codes for the best deal.
7. Zippo 12-Hour Hand Warmer
The Zippo 12-Hour Hand Warmer is a simple and reliable way to keep your limbs warm in those cold outings. The design utilizes Zippo lighter fluid but creates an odorless and flameless warmth that is safe for your pockets. The fact this design uses the same lighter fluid as Zippo lighters means that you can bring refills along without needing to carry any extra gear.
Savings Tip: Get Bass Pro promo codes for the best deal.
8. i1R 2 Eos Kit Light
This is a small, easy-to-pocket but bright light that you can throw onto the same charger as your smaller devices. This light uses a micro-USB to charge and will put out 150 lumens in an emergency situation. All outdoorsmen should have one of these attached to their backpacks or keychain, especially if they are already bringing along a power bank for other devices.
Savings Tip: Find Olight coupon codes for the best deal.
9. Scrambler™ 35 Backpack
The Scrambler 35 backpack is an amazing pack for hikers that take their trips seriously. This bag is rated for everything from light day-trips to rigged multi-week alpine excursions. The bag is made from a waterproof fabric that is lightweight and yet durable. The pack has a dizzying array of comfort features, and plenty of ergonomically designed pockets and straps.
This pack is a clear development from lessons learned and input given by modern hikers and trekkers.
Savings Tip: Get Mountain Hardwear coupons for the best deal.
10. HYDRO TANKER 3L Carryable Water Reservoir
Similar to Camel-Bak style items, this carryable water reservoir can sit comfortably on your bag either over or under a small bag, and allows you to stay hydrated on the go, even during the most intense activities.
These are the same designs used by military members overseas in the desert, with a few added improvements. The anti-microbial bladder interior makes sure you won’t have to worry about mold or mildew build-up.
Savings Tip: Check out 3V Gear promo codes for the best deal.
11. Eureka Tetragon HD 2 Tent
This is an extremely cost-effective tent and should be the basis for which you judge your other tent options. This is a simple, yet versatile tent that is perfect for a family outing in decent weather – though the bathtub floor will keep the rain out. This version comes with a hanging e-media center that allows you to put your tablet or smartphone onto an easy-to-view clear sleeve.
Savings Tip: Get Sunny Sports promo codes for the best deal.
A Guide to the Best Gifts for Outdoorsmen
Here’s our quick gift guide to the best gifts for someone who loves a camping trip, backpacking adventure or just the great outdoors.
Balance durability and weight
The two biggest factors when deciding if a gift is viable for your outdoorsy friend is going to be its weight and its ability to hold up under pressure. (Of course, you need to be making sure this is a useful item in the first place.)
While durable items will be of good value and can be used in trying conditions, nobody will want to carry them along if they are too heavy. On the flip side, if an item is easy to carry and lightweight but breaks during its first use, you simply carried it along for no reason.
Paracord is a great bonus gift
For outdoor gear, a high-quality paracord is actually the perfect gift when you need stocking stuffers.
Every outdoorsman needs some paracord, as it can be used in a wide variety of situations from securing gear to actually sawing through wood if used correctly. It is on every survival must-have list, including the standard-issue gear of the US military. Simply don’t leave home without it if you are a backpacker or trekking.
Think carefully about powered gifts
Unique gifts for campers can be technological, but these should be chosen with care. Gadgets like a headlamp or fire starter should come with long battery life or be at least rechargeable (assuming that they have some power bank or power source).
Get the Best Gifts for Outdoorsmen Today!
Whether you need a great gift for father’s day, or perhaps something for Christmas, anything on this list is sure to please the outdoor enthusiast in your life (or anyone who loves going to national parks or enjoys camping). The best part is, every one of the gift ideas on this list is ready for ordering today! So no matter how soon that next event is, you will have the perfect gift ready.