Want to warm my heart at the holidays? There’s nothing better than finding new camping and outdoor gear under the Christmas tree. And I know I’m not alone. If you have outdoorsy, Colorado-y people in your life, gear and gadgets make excellent hiking, camping or skiing gifts.
So here are 20 of our favorite gifts for campers, hikers and outdoor lovers from gear that we’ve been testing this year. And if you want more ideas, check out last year’s gift guide, filled with 20 more gear gift ideas that will still brighten someone’s holiday. Whether you’re camping near Colorado Springs, hitting these favorite local trails or cozying up fireside in a mountain cabin, you’re sure to find something for that special someone — or yourself.
We’ve divided the list by categories for easy searching, but, of course, there’s crossover. We’ve also included direct links for each of the products, and there are still some excellent extended holiday sales with big discounts. And you can also check local outdoor stores like Mountain Chalet, REI and Scheels. Happy holiday shopping, hiking, camping, skiing and outdoor adventures!
Best Gifts for Hikers
Gregory Kiro 24
Why didn’t anyone think of this before? Gregory’s CloudControl hipbelt flexes and stretches like an elastic belt, so it feels more like you’re wearing its packs than carrying them. It’s especially comfortable on the versatile Kiro 24 daypack. It’s streamlined but full of features and useful pockets for an hour or a full day on the trail. We’ve found it versatile for both and beyond, taking it to the top of a 14er, on sessions at the climbing gym, even as a carry-on personal item for weekend getaways. The mesh backpanel stays breathable and cool. The hydration sleeve hangar perfectly pairs with Gregory Hydro reservoirs, but we’ve used other brand’s reservoirs as well. The Kiro has standout form and function to be the do-it-all daypack that brightens your hiker’s holiday.
Ibex Enduro Tights
These women’s Enduro Tights feature Ibex’s merino technology at its best. The Paradox Ponti fabric blends nylon, merino wool, elastane and tencel (that eucalyptus derived cooling specialist) for durable, thermoregulating all-day or active wear bottoms. We love them for cool-weather hikes and runs, staying warm without overheating. The supportive high waist keeps them in place without all the tugging and readjusting. The double hip pockets are perfect for a phone or keys. And the antimicrobial properties of merino keep them fresh. They’ll quickly become your go-to.
Ibex Paradox Short Sleeve Tee
We don’t have an official award for it, but this is our favorite shirt of the year. We’ve hiked in it, run in it and worked all day in the office in it. We’ve worn it in heat, cold and humidity, and it has handled everything impressively. It wicks sweat, dries quickly and somehow repels stink. Those are all part of merino wool’s superpowers, along with its ability to thermoregulate and remain comfortable in cold or heat. But the Paradox Tee features a blend of merino and Tencel, a fiber derived from sustainably grown eucalyptus that brings naturally cooling ability to the mix. There’s a little bit of nylon in the blend too, which adds a comfortable stretch to this already soft shirt. It’s no surprise this Nederland-based company has built so many superfans with its impressive merino.
Outdoor Vitals Pursuit Hybrid Fleece
When it comes to high performance gear and clothing, Outdoor Vitals is hard to beat. The Pursuit Hybrid Fleece is a perfect example of their next-level designs. On the outside it’s water-repellant, stretch-woven nylon. On the inside it’s a mix of cozy PrimaLoft Evolve and high-stretch grid fleece. Those are body-mapped, meaning they are placed strategically to maximize warmth and breathability with more ventilation in areas like the lower torso and under the arms. It’s absolutely noticeable on the trail. The half-zip hoodie wears super warm and super breathable at the same time. We’ve found it to be perfect for cool-to-cold fall hikes and 14ers.
Outdoor Vitals Skyline Trail Joggers
Warning: You or whomever you give these to are going to want to live in them. I mean, joggers are like that by design. But OV’s Skylines are made to perform on the trail while still looking stylish around town. These are ultralight, weighing only 6.5 ounces. They’re ultra-breathable too with ventilation full length on the legs as well as in the crotch and across the top of the seat. We love them for running and hiking. They’re as comfortable as shorts but with added protection from wind, sun and light rain.
Oboz Katabatic LT Mid
Got a partner who loves to hike? Give them some joy on the trail with the cushy, lightweight Oboz Katabatics. There’s a whole Katabatic line, from low runner style to mid and waterproof mid with Gore-Tex. We’re fans of the mid because they do a great job of keeping out that tiny Pikes Peak gravel. And we’ve loved them for day hikes, fastpacking and even dog-walking on snowy streets. They add the protection and traction of a hiking boot without the typical extra weight. Bonus: The Bozeman, Montana-based Obox plants a tree for every pair of shoes and boots it sells.
Kahtoola MICROspikes Ghost
So you want to hike those north-facing trails in Cheyenne Canyon or Blodgett Open Space all winter and spring? The MICROspikes Ghost will get you across that stubborn ice at only 3 ounces each. Kahtoola invented the original MICROspikes, and owner and founder Danny Giovale calls the new Ghosts a “Holy Grail moment” in cutting nearly 60% of the weight of the originals while improving traction. That makes them perfect for stashing in a pack for a summit ascent. And Kahtoola has even doubled its warranty to four years.
Bonus: Watch Kahtoola’s recent online premiere of Arctic Alchemy, a powerful documentary following renowned adventurer and climate scientist Dr. Roman Dial on a 112-mile research expedition through the Brooks Range, one of the planet’s last great wildernesses.
Favorite Gifts for Camping
Teva ReEmber Camp
Teva is the OG outdoor sandal. When founder Mark Thatcher proclaimed, “Free your feet, and your mind will follow,” he pioneered a new genre of outdoor footwear back in the late ’80s. Teva is making comeback waves in the market and expanding its line. That includes new styles like the ReEmber Camp, a durable camp shoe that’s perfect around a campfire or for après ski. It’s like a puffy for your feet, comfy like a slipper but with a rigid recycled rubber sole rugged enough for anywhere. We’re fans of the collapsible heel, which gives the versatility of a slide — and the adjustable strap that maintains that hiking sandal cred.
Outdoor Element Fire Flute
It’s not every stocking stuffer that could save your life. This 1.7-ounce Fire Flute is a mini fire-starter kit that can make all the difference in a wilderness emergency. The Denver-based Outdoor Element’s motto is “Be safe, be warm. Be loud, be found.” The Fire Flute is about the size of a Sharpie marker. It has a hardened striker plate to throw large sparks to light the enclosed fire tabs to start a campfire or cookstove. And there’s a loud 120 dB emergency whistle built in to call for help. We’ll drop in a video of this ingenious little gadget so you can see it in action.
Exped Mega Pillow
A good camp pillow can change your life — well, at least it can make all the difference in a comfortable night’s sleep. The Exped Mega sure can. The inflatable pillow blows up to generous 20 inches wide and is covered with a super-soft microfleece cover that is removable and washable. It still packs down smaller than a water bottle and weighs only 9 ounces. We love its inflatable style that lets you fine-tune your preferred firmness — and the one-way valve that doesn’t lose air while you blow it up. This is a touch of luxury in your favorite camper’s life.
Epic Water Filters Water Filtration Pitcher
When it comes to clean water, Epic Water Filters set the standard. The Boulder-based company’s award-winning filters eliminate up to 99.9% of contaminants, such as such as PFAS, lead, chlorine, microplastics, heavy metals and more. We’re fans of their Nalgene filtered water bottles that we featured in our gift guide last year. But we also love the Water Filtration Jug, which holds 10 cups of water, a little more than half a gallon. You can choose between a Nano filter to remove bacteria and PFAS or a Pure filter to remove fluoride and PFAS. It’s great at home, but we love that you can also take it car camping. Just dip it in the lake or river, let it filter, and your water is safe to drink.
SimpleShot Axiom
Here’s one for that little Tom Sawyer in you — or whoever you give it to. The Axiom slingshot uses a classic design for a lightweight, compact and balanced shooting experience. Its modern integrated clips allow easy band changes, and built-in fiber optic sighting references help you shoot accurately. The Axiom comes with a general purpose band and a band for lighter clay ammo (good to start with). Follow the QR code to some helpful videos on getting set up and learning basic slingshot techniques. We recommend picking up some targets from Axiom as well. Then you’re on your way to hours of fun around a camp or yard.
Top Pick for Travelers
Cotopaxi Cubo Expandable Packing Cube Set
Whether you’re camping or roadtripping, these Expandable Packing Cubes will help you keep your stuff organized. We love their expandability which helps to maximize packing space. You can zip them down to compress and save space. The small cube is 6 liters expanded, 4 liters compressed. The large cube goes from 12 liters to 8 liters. The set of two retails for $55, but if you’re looking for a lower-dollar gift, you can buy them separately for $25 or $30.
Bonus: Part of Cotopaxi’s Gear for Good principles mean 1% of every purchase is donated to nonprofits working to end poverty.
Gifts for Skiers and Snowboarders
Buff Thermonet Balaclava
The balaclava may have gotten a bit of a bad rap thanks to its popularity with bank robbers, but skiers, snowboarders and winter aficionados know the true value of its intended use. Buff’s hinged Thermonet Balaclava is especially great for winter warmth and versatility. The stretchy fit and convertible design make it easy to pull the face mask up and down as needed — or to remove the hood if you get too hot. There’s a perforated panel for easy breathing, a ponytail port, ear slots for sunglasses and a smooth profile that easily fits under a helmet. We’ve loved it for windy days on the slopes and a cold-weather 14er ascent.
Buff Thermonet Multifunctional Neckwear
If you don’t want the full balaclava, the original style Buff neck gaiter is a great alternative. You can wear it more than a dozen different ways to cover your neck, face and head as much or little as you like to match the cold, windy or snowy conditions. We like the Thermonet material for its stretchy fit, soft comfortable finish and excellent wind-blocking warmth. We also love the collab series with Protect Our Winters and 686, plus an impressive range of designs by partnering artists. Good luck picking a favorite!
Outdoor Research Revolution Gore-Tex Gloves
OR’s Revolution Gloves are excellent on the slopes, in the sidecountry and for other cold weather adventures. The Gore-Tex waterproof membrane keeps your hands dry and blocks the wind while staying breathable. These gloves are super light without feeling too bulky — bonus that the warm EnduraLoft insulation is made of recycled materials. We’re big fans of the ladder-lock wrist cinch, which ensures the gloves will stay close even if you take them off, say, on the lift. With touchscreen compatibility, we also like that the Revolutions let you swipe open a phone especially well for a full ski glove.
Gift Picks for Awesome Outdoor Style
Poncho: The Colorado Springs
Want to add a little rugged style to your guy’s wardrobe? With a perfectly named shirt? Poncho is based in Austin, Texas, but they’ve named their shirts after cool towns and places. We’re obviously big fans of The Colorado Springs, a short-sleeve version of its original Western shirt that features an excellent blend of style and function. We love the Western yoke and pockets, and we’re suckers for those pearl snaps. The hidden chest pocket is perfect for stashing a phone, keys or other essentials you don’t want to lose. And the sunglass holder is a sneaky little feature for keeping track of your shades. The nylon-spandex fabric is stretchy, soft and breathable. The Colorado Springs looks right at home on the trail, river, range or out at the brewery or honky-tonk.
Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie
You can’t live in Colorado without owning at least one puffy. The warmth to weight ratio can’t be beat, but the puffy can be a bit delicate out in the wild, tearing easily and not handling moisture well. That’s why we love the Helium from Outdoor Research. It checks the required boxes as super warm (800+ responsibly sourced down) and super light (1 pound). But it excels with an extra durable layer of Pertex Diamond Fuse technology on the shoulders and hood — that means it repels water and snow better and is more rugged to ward off those tree branch snags and campfire sparks. We also love the little details, especially the exterior chest pocket (perfect for a phone or headlamp) and the adjustable hood, just a couple more ways the Helium rises above the rest. There’s a women’s specific cut too.
Layback Lids Stoked Sun Five Panel Hat
Who doesn’t need a new steezy lid? These hats are designed by an entrepreneurial Springs high schooler. He created the brand, found a European contractor to manufacture to his specs, paid tariffs and launched a business. Full disclosure: He is my son. But we wouldn’t include them among our favorite gear picks if these hats weren’t legit. The Stoked Sun is a corduroy five panel, flat-bill hat with an embroidered design and wraparound wave patterned side-tape. It looks right at home summiting peaks, climbing crags or chilling on some tropical beach.
Colorado Ski Furniture Tall Alpine Hybrid Chair
Here’s a classic Colorado gift that will make the holidays for the skier or snowboarder in your life. Based in Manitou Springs, the family-owned Colorado Ski Furniture have been the specialists in upcycling skis and snowboards into slopestyle chairs, benches, rockers and more since 2007. There’s a range of styles that are perfect for decks, patios and fire pits, plus some new Alpine chairs made to go indoors. They’ll keep you dreaming of powder all year-round.
