Stocking Stuffers for Outdoorsy Women Who Camp, Hike, and Explore

Don’t you hate it when you open a gift in front of someone, only to be like “wow, thankssss…”

There’s hope in the giver’s eyes, and you try to act excited for a gift that honestly kind of sucks.

You’re trying to think of ways to get excited, but are coming up flat.

Don’t put anyone else in that situation. Be an awesome gift giver with this guide to awesome stocking stuffers for outdoorsy women.

As a fellow outdoorsy woman, I wrote this guide to inspire you to find the perfect gift for that person in your life.

You don’t have to worry about that awkward exchange from above because you’ll be the best gift-giver this season.

Darn Tough Hiking Socks

It’s hard to admit to your parents, but yes — we love getting socks for Christmas.

Not just any socks, though. We’re talking about the HOLY GRAIL of hiker comfort: Darn Tough Merino wool hiking socks.

Are they magic? They kinda feel like it.

Are they worth the money? Abso-freaking-lutely.

And the truth is, good hiking socks are something we always need, but never want to spend money on. That’s why getting a pair in your stocking hits different.

And Darn Tough socks come with a lifetime warranty, so you’re basically buying them socks for life.

So whoever’s stuffing the stocking: please toss in a pair of merino wool socks.

Kula Cloth

I’ve hiked A LOT of miles without a Kula Cloth. So I’ve spent my fair share of time doing the shake and “air dry” method. And it’s no fun.

But now that I have a Kula Cloth, I will never go hiking without it.

So what is it? It’s an antimicrobial pee cloth that’s way more sanitary and eco-friendly than using TP or any hands-free methods.

And yes, it’s awesome.

It’s built for outdoorswomen by outdoorswomen, so it’s the perfect stocking stuffer for ladies who hike or camp.

Hiking Logbook

Every trail tells a story, and a hiking logbook is my favorite place to hold onto those little details that made each trail special.

There’s just something about writing down the trail name, the miles, the weather, and how I felt that day. It turns every hike into a memory I can hold on to.

And sometimes it’s easy to forget how far I’ve come—until I flip through my pages filled with miles, peaks, and moments.

This is the kind of gift that seems simple, but ends up being something they will treasure.

A Packable Towel

Have you ever wanted to swim in alpine lakes or mountain streams (like the one in the photo above)?

Because that’s my favorite part of hiking and backpacking—swimming in insanely beautiful places.

And the best way to do that is to bring a packable towel. They’re lightweight, quick drying, and 100% essential after a dip in that cold water.

Something like the Nomadix Ultralight Towel is perfect.

So if the hiker or backpacker in your life ever mentions swimming, you know they’ll love this stocking stuffer.

We all say we don’t need comfort in the backcountry — until we’re awkwardly perched on a cold, pointy rock trying to eat lunch.

That’s where the NEMO Chipper Seat Pad comes in. It weighs practically nothing and instantly turns any rock, log, or patch of dirt into a decently cushy seat.

No more numb legs. No more wet pants. Just a little trail luxury they’ll pretend not to care about… but will use every single time.

Plus, it’s made from reclaimed foam scraps, so it’s easy on the environment too.

Campfire Stories Conversation Deck

The Campfire Stories Deck has quickly become one of our favorite things to pack for camping trips.

It’s a set of conversation cards designed to spark real, meaningful talks around the fire—about adventure, nature, travel, and the little moments that make life outdoors so good.

Some questions are deep, some are funny, and a few will totally catch you off guard. But that’s what makes it great—it gets everyone sharing stories instead of just scrolling or zoning out.

Hydro Flask Water Bottle

Some hikers may carry insulated water bottles; others may roll their eyes at carrying the extra ounces.

Either way, any outdoorsy person loves a good insulated water bottle, even if it doesn’t come hiking with us.

It’s just a great, all-purpose stocking stuffer that will get immediately slapped with stickers (see Hydrascape stickers below).

A Hydro Flask Water Bottle is our preferred bottle—we love the colors, size options, and that they’re dishwasher safe.

And if it ends up going on hikes, then that’s even better.

Pro tip: if you want to take their water bottle game to the next level, check out our review of the HiBear Adventure Flask.

Hydrascape Stickers

For the hiker in your life who has to slap a sticker on every surface they own (their cooler, car, laptop, and water bottles, etc.), Hydrascape Stickers are an insanely cool addition to their collection.

These stickers can wrap around water bottles (like the Hydroflask above), stick across car windows, and tons of other cool places.

With us living in Montana, we LOVE the Glacier Infinity Sticker. But there are tons of options to choose from.

Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs

The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs is one of those books that completely changes how you see the outdoors.

It teaches you how to notice the details most people miss—like how a tree leans to show the prevailing wind, or how birds reveal what’s nearby.

It’s part science, part storytelling, and after reading it, you’ll never look at a trail the same way again.

Pro Membership(s)

Gear is great, but sometimes the best stocking stuffer is digital.

Many outdoorsy apps offer Pro memberships that unlock extra features hikers actually use (especially offline maps and advanced route planning). Here are some examples:

• AllTrails Pro: like Yelp for hiking trails.
• OnX Backcountry: for backcountry and route planning.
• Gaia Pro: for backcountry and route planning.
• The Dyrt Pro: like Yelp for campgrounds.

It’s the kind of gift they’ll use all year long, whether they’re planning a big trip or just sneaking in a local hike after work.

And the best part? It doesn’t take up space in their pack — just makes every adventure smoother.

National Parks Pass

A park pass is one of those gifts that pays for itself over and over again.

Whether it’s an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass or a state park pass closer to home, this stocking stuffer gives your hiker access to the places they actually want to be — trails, mountains, campsites, and wide-open spaces.

It’s practical, it saves money on entry fees, and it’s a gift that lasts all year long.

Instead of another trinket, you’re giving them experiences — and that’s something every outdoorsy person will get excited about.

Energy Bloks & Gels

We LOVE Clif Energy Bloks. They’re basically fancy trail candy that gives you an easy energy boost on the trail.

They’re absolutely delicious, have clean ingredients, and are perfect for quick, carb-based energy while hiking.

We started carrying these a few years ago, and now they’re in the pack for every single hike and backpacking trip.

They’re small, cheap, and easy to stash anywhere.

If your hiker hasn’t tried them yet, go for the smorgasbord — grab a mix of flavors so they can find their favorite.

It’s a fun little stocking stuffer that’s actually trail-tested and useful. And yeah… kind of addictively tasty.

AWOL on the Appalachian Trail

AWOL on the Appalachian Trail is Derek’s favorite thru-hiking memoir, and for good reason.

It’s honest, funny, and captures both the highs and lows of walking the entire Appalachian Trail. You feel the exhaustion, the awe, the sense of freedom that comes with life on foot for months at a time.

Even if you’ve never dreamed of a thru-hike, you’ll find yourself rooting for him every step of the way.

Falcon Guides

You know those yellow and black books you see at ourdoor stores (and not the “For Dummies” ones..)?

Falcon Guides is our favorite guidebook publisher out there, and they have a book for every topic you could possibly think of.

These little books cover everything — best hikes in every state, backpacking skills, wildflower IDs, climbing basics, camp cooking, you name it.

They’re small, affordable, and guaranteed to spark adventure.

Think of it as trail stoke in paperback form — the kind of gift that keeps them dreaming (and scheming) long after the holidays are over.

A Snack Pack

Hiker hunger is very real — and trust us, your hiker will never say no to snacks.

But don’t just grab a random box of bars from the grocery store. What we really love is a trail snack sampler — a little mix of different bites to try out.

Think of it like a backcountry charcuterie board: sweet, salty, crunchy, chewy, high-calorie, and ready to crush miles.

One of our favorite ways to build this?

Head to the snack section at REI and just go wild. Grab one of everything — bars, trail mixes, nut butters, chews, jerky, cookies.

Toss it all in a little gift bag (or stocking) and boom! The most delicious stocking stuffer ever.

A Hiker Candle

Not every stocking stuffer has to be something that hits the trail.

Sometimes it’s nice to bring a little of that outdoor spirit home.

An adventure-themed candle is a great way to do that — it smells good, looks good, and reminds them of the mountains even when they’re stuck inside.

It’s the kind of gift that adds a little personality to their gear shelf, nightstand, or coffee table.

A Buff

A Buff is one of those weird little gear items hikers collect without meaning to.

We’ve all got one or two… or seven. Half of them have holes, and none of us remembers where they came from.

But the truth is, we use them all the time — for sun, wind, bugs, dust, sweat, and hair management on the trail. Whether it’s the bug-proof kind or the cooling version, Buffs are endlessly useful and always in rotation.

So do the hiker in your life a favor: help further the mysterious Buff cycle.

Add one to their stocking, and we promise, they’ll actually remember where this one came from.

Goodr Sunglasses

I’ve been wearing Goodr sunglasses for years, and honestly? They’re the best trail shades I’ve found.

They look good, they stay put when I’m sweating, and the polarized lenses actually work.

The real win? The price point.

I don’t have to stress about scratching them up, dropping them, or losing them in the woods — I just replace them when needed.

That freedom makes them perfect for hiking, trail running, or tossing in my car as a backup.

Rock Tape

Blisters are every hiker’s worst enemy — and nothing ruins a day on the trail faster.

That’s why we always keep a roll of RockTape in our packs. It’s our go-to for blister prevention and treatment.

A little strip over a hot spot keeps friction at bay, and if a blister does show up, RockTape stays put way better than bandages.

It might not be the flashiest stocking stuffer, but trust us — it’s one of the most useful. Their feet will thank you.

Sunscreen Stick

Derek picked up a Sun Bum sunscreen stick after I kept reminding him to put on sunscreen while hiking.

But the liquid stuff is… well, liquidy. It’s messy, it leaks, and trying to rub it in with trail-dirty hands isn’t exactly fun.

The sunscreen stick changed everything. No mess, no spills, and easy to swipe on during a quick trail break.

Throw one in their stocking. They’ll use it way more than they expect.

Chapstick

Chapstick is one of those things hikers use constantly and lose just as often.

It disappears into hip belt pockets, falls to the bottom of packs, or somehow vanishes mid-hike — and yet we always need it.

I would also like to mention: get the kind with SPF. Because yes, skin cancer is real, and sunburned lips are no joke. It’s a small, simple gift that’s super practical and always appreciated.

Toss one (or two) in their stocking — guaranteed it’ll get used.

Waterproof Matches

Waterproof matches are one of those little gear items that feel kinda cool, especially if your hiker is a bit of a gear nerd. But they’re also seriously useful.

When it’s cold, raining, and everything’s soaked, being able to start a fire can make a huge difference.

These matches light even when wet, and they burn long enough to get a fire going when the usual stuff won’t cut it.

Toss a pack into their stocking. It’s one of those “just in case” items they’ll be really glad to have when it matters.

Gift Card

Sometimes, the best stocking stuffer is letting your hiker pick out exactly what they need.

A gift card to their favorite outdoor store or gear shop isn’t a “last resort” gift — it’s a thoughtful way to make sure they get the right size, style, or piece of gear they’ve been eyeing.

Whether it’s socks, maps, snacks, or a big piece of gear they’ve been saving for, a gift card lets them choose what’s most useful. Simple, practical, and guaranteed to be appreciated.

Here are some big examples:

• REI
• Backcountry
• Patagonia