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30 gifts for the outdoorsy folks in your life

Help them romanticize the great outdoors.

Jae Thomas

on April 19, 2022

All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Find a gift for your favorite hiker, climber, or camper. Credit: MASHABLE PHOTO COMPOSITE/AEROPRESS/ENO/FLIKR/MSR/RUFFWEAR/YETI

Do you know someone who basically lives at the local climbing gym? Are you friends with a person whose only personality trait is taking their dog hiking? Or maybe your partner is obsessed with the idea of living in a van (#vanlife) and traveling the country?

If any of these groups sound like you or someone you know, you've been exposed to the granola lifestyle. Similar to gorpcore, folks who fit the granola aesthetic are typically into camping, hiking, and kayaking, and have probably talked about moving to Colorado one day (guilty). They love to be outdoors, sip craft beer, and of course, wear Patagonia fleece sweaters.

Outdoorsy folk have taken to TikTok with the hashtags #granolagirl, #granolaboy, and #granolacheck over the last few years to show off their adventurous, outdoor-oriented lifestyles. For many, getting into nature was a direct response to feeling cooped up during the lockdowns of the early pandemic. The summer of 2021 saw record numbers in Americans visiting national parks, so it's clear that the granola lifestyle has a pretty far reach these days.

How to shop for an outdoorsy gift

For people who are unsure about adventure gear themselves but still want to find the perfect granola gift this holiday season, we chatted with outdoor expert and REI soft goods Lead and Virtual Outfitter Mike Kreis for some outdoor gear shopping tips.

Kreis suggests that you consider how long your giftee has been into their activity, whether it's hiking, skiing, camping, or climbing. "The longer they have been doing the activity, the more gear they will have," he says.

If your gift recipient already owns some gear, Kreis says it's best to go for nonessentials. "I always like to go with items that aren't necessarily needed for the activity, as they most likely have that," he says. So opt for a portable charger, a cozy outdoor blanket, or extra camp cooking gadgets. Really, anything that can make outdoor life more comfortable will make a great gift.

If you find yourself shopping for the outdoorsy person in your life, look no further. We've rounded up 30 of the best presents out there, whether their version of adventure is having a picnic in the park or roughing it in the back country.

Topics Outdoors

Person holding a green blanket across their back

Credit: RUMPL

Rumpl The Original Puffy

For Staying Cozy

For eco-conscious outdoorists who want to keep Mother Earth looking good for future adventures, the Rumpl Original Puffy is the best way to stay cozy. It's made of recycled plastic and has the same insulation as a sleeping bag, so you'll stay warm and toasty. It also features a handy cape clip, so you can wear it to snuggle up.

$99 AMAZON

A man and a woman sitting in a hammock overlooking the trees

Credit: ENO

ENO SingleNest Lightweight Hammock

For Hanging Out

Romanticizing the outdoors pretty much requires that you have a hammock. The ENO SingleNest is the perfect adventure companion. It's durable, lightweight enough for backpacking, and can support up to 400 pounds. Hang it up, settle in, and enjoy the views.

$54.95 Amazon

Camp chair with psychedelic mushroom illustrations on it

Credit: PARKS PROJECT

Shrooms Packable Camp Chair

For Campfire Chilling

It doesn't get more granola than a mushroom-printed camp chair. This little Parks Project number packs down to just 2.35 pounds and is super easy to set up (so you can get to chilling by the fire faster).

$110 PARKS PROJECT

Person wearing a blue and orange daypack

Credit: REI

REI Co-op Flash 18 Pack

For Day Hikes

If you're looking to hit the trail, you'll need to carry water, snacks, sunscreen, and bug spray. Instead of throwing all the essentials into your normal, bulky backpack, opt for the super light REI Flash 18. It's breathable, has comfortable straps, back padding, and converts into a stuff sack to use in larger bags. Oh, and it even has a compartment for a hydration reservoir. How neat is that?

$39.95 REI

Two kids sitting on a couch next to Biolite lanterns

Credit: BIOLITE

BioLite Alpenglow Lantern

For After Dark

BioLite Alpenglow lanterns are ideal for backcountry camping, dinner on the patio, and pretty much everything in between. They come in 250 or 500 lumens and have settings for dimmable cool and warm white light, single color, multicolor, or a party mode that cycles different colors.

$59.95 AMAZON

Credit: SEA TO SUMMIT

Sea to Summit X-SET 32

For Camp Cooks

You'll need a full cook set if you're looking to get down in the camp kitchen, and this Sea to Summit set has you covered whether you're boiling pasta, frying eggs, or making coffee. It comes with a kettle, a frying pan, and an XL pot that all nestle together and are camp-stove safe.

$139.95 SEA TO SUMMIT

Woman holding a camp mug full of steaming liquid

Credit: SEA TO SUMMIT

Sea to Summit X-Series Collapsible Cool Grip Mug

For Hot Drinks

We'll take our morning coffee with a breathtaking view of nature, thanks. This collapsible cup is even better at holding hot drinks than your favorite mug from home. It has a cool grip exterior so you'll never burn your fingers, and unlike metal mugs that are popular for camping, you won't burn your lips on the silicone rim.

$14.95 AMAZON

Person pushing down an Aeropress situated on a rock

Credit: Aeropress

AeroPress Go Portable Travel Coffee Press

For Camp Coffee

Coffee snobs don't have to resort to instant coffee when in the great outdoors. This AeroPress system makes one to three cups of smooth, strong coffee at a time and features a mug and lid that double as a travel case — perfect for camping and backpacking. 

$39.95 AMAZON

A man and a woman holding water bottles while sitting on a log

Credit: HYDRO FLASK

Hydro Flask 32 ounce water bottle

For Staying Hydrated

A Hydro Flask is part of the unofficial granola starter pack, so we couldn't not include one — after all, you can't properly enjoy the great outdoors if you're dehydrated. Just having one of these bottles basically screams to everyone that you're into outdoorsy activities, and the vacuum insulation is pretty darn good at keeping your water cold.

$44.95 AMAZON

Indoor fireplace next to a plate of s'mores ingredients

Credit: FLÎKR

FLÎKR Fire

For Bringing The Campfire Indoors

To truly attain the sitting-by-the-campfire-ambiance in your apartment, this portable fire pit brings the cozy camp vibes indoors. It runs on alcohol, won't produce soot, and can be used inside or outside (so you can shamelessly make s'mores every night).

$99 Bespoke Post

A person sitting in a tent next to two dogs, one of them in a sleeping bag.

Credit: RUFFWEAR

Ruffwear Highlands Dog Sleeping Bag

For Outdoorsy Dog Parents

Is it even camping if you don't take your dog? For pet parents, the Ruffwear dog sleeping bag is a must. It's ultra packable, water-resistant, and will keep your four legged friend cozy all night (so they'll be more comfortable being an adventure dog).

$99.95 AMAZON

Hydro Flask bowl set on a lively outdoor table

Credit: HYDROFLASK

Hydro Flask Serving Bowl with Lid

For Outdoor Entertaining

This Hydroflask serving bowl is an ideal gift for folks who prefer outdoor dining to extreme outdoor adventures. It's great for camping and backyard use — and just might earn you an invite to the next al-fresco dinner party.

$64.49 AMAZON

Credit: HOMESICK

Homesick Gone Hiking Candle

For A Forest-scented Home

For granola folks who live in urban areas, there's just no getting that fresh nature air smell — unless you buy them this candle. It smells like pine and fresh waters, so they can dream about their next alpine hike even if they're cooped up in a small city apartment.

$34 HOMESICK

Colorful puzzle featuring vintage national park illustrations

Credit: UNCOMMON GOODS

Vintage National Parks Puzzle

For The National Parks Lover

We all know an outdoorsy person who's obsessed with visiting all the National Parks in the country, and this puzzle will bring the parks to them until they can get out on another road trip. 

$20 UNCOMMON GOODS

Credit: LODGE

Lodge Cast Iron Camp Dutch Oven

For Outdoor Soups And Stews

Campfire chili? Hot veggie stew? Fruit cobbler cooked over the fire?? This camp Dutch oven is where soup season and the granola lifestyle come together, and we're here for it.

$97.35 AMAZON

Credit: BOMBAS

Bombas Women's Performance Hiking Calf Socks

For The Hiker Babe

This may sound odd, but socks are one of the most important pieces of gear for hikers. For the strong, outdoorsy ladies in your life, these performance hiking socks will push them to go the extra mile on their next trek.

$16.50 BOMBAS

Credit: TEVA

Teva ReEmber Moccasins

For Toasty Toes

Whether you're an urban adventurer or chilling out at base camp, the slip-on ReEmber moccs will keep you cozy — they're basically a sleeping bag for your feet.

$75 TEVA

Credit: VICTORINOX

Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool

For Staying Prepared

Real granola folks are always prepared, and this Swiss army knife basically has a tool for everything. Open wine bottles, pick out a splinter, or saw through sticks for the campfire with a single tool.

$35 AMAZON

Woman bundled up sitting next to a Yeti wine tumbler

Credit: YETI

YETI Rambler Wine Tumbler

For The Adventurous Wine Drinker

If sitting by the campfire with a glass of wine doesn't sound like the ideal evening, you're definitely not into the granola lifestyle. For those who are into that sort of thing, this Yeti wine tumbler helps you take your wine habit into the outdoors — no actual glass required. 

$25 AMAZON

Woman wearing a fanny pack walking next to a dog with a jacket on

Credit: RUFFWEAR

Ruffwear Home Trail Hip Pack

For Hiking With Your Dog

Hardcore granola folks hike with their dogs, we don't make the rules. Carry treats, poop bags, and toys with you wherever you go with this Ruffwear pack. It'll help you keep your hands free for more important things, (like taking photos for your dog's Instagram) while making sure you have all the puppy essentials on you.

$44.95 AMAZON

Credit: PATAGONIA

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

For Weekend Warriors

You'll need a durable duffel if you're going to be embarking on last-minute weekend adventures, and this Patagonia bag is a fan-favorite. Whether you're a climber or a car camper, it'll keep all your granola gear organized and dry (the outer is DWR-treated). You'll also be able to clip climbing shoes, trekking poles, or other gear to the outside, thanks to four outer daisy chains.

$139 Patagonia

Silver portable fire pit with a fire in it

Credit: SOLO STOVE

Solo Stove Ranger Outdoor Fire Pit

For Backyard Hangs

Bring the granola vibes to your backyard with a Solo Stove fire pit. It basically gets rid of all the annoying things that come with lighting a campfire (like smoke and inefficient burning) — and you'll be able to place it wherever you want without damaging the ground underneath.

$269.99 AMAZON

Portable charger plugged into a phone sitting on a rock

Credit: ANKER

Anker PowerCore 26800 Portable Charger

For Staying Connected Outdoors

You likely won't have access to an outlet if you're a wandering-in-the-woods type, but this Anker charger will keep you topped up on battery power, even in the most remote places. Feel free to charge your camp lantern, your phone, and your smart watch at the same time — it has three USB ports and can charge most phones over six times when fully charged.

$65.98 AMAZON

Person opening a can nestled into a Yeti colster

Credit: YETI

YETI Rambler 12 ounce Colster Can Insulator

For Cracking Open A Cold One

Cracking open a cold one at the campsite is a rite of passage, and this Yeti colster will keep your cold one, well, cold. It also banishes sweating for good — no more cold, wet hands while you're enjoying a drink.

$25 AMAZON

Person standing in the snow holding a reusable hand warmer

Credit: ZIPPO

Zippo HeatBank 9s Rechargeable Hand Warmer

For Cold Weather Enthusiasts

If the adventurer in your life is into skiing, snowboarding, or winter camping, this handy gadget will keep their fingers toasty in frigid climates.

$43.95 REI

Person lighting a camp stove sitting on a snowy rock

Credit: MSR

MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove

For Beginner Backpackers

You don't have to be a PCT or AT through-hiker to enjoy time in the backcountry. For folks just getting into backpacking, a good portable stove is a must, and this MSR is beloved for a reason. It packs down into a comically small case, and is perfect for boiling water for filtering, as well as rehydrating bagged meals. Yum. 

$49.95 REI

Credit: GARMIN

Garmin InReach Mini

For Backcountry Exploring

If your idea of adventure is getting completely off the grid, setting up camp on public lands, and never seeing another soul, this one's for you. The Garmin InReach Mini is satellite communication for the backcountry wanderer, and gives you access to downloadable maps, two-way text messaging and more — the ideal gift for worrywart parents to give to their daredevil kids.

$334.99 AMAZON

Man cooking food in front of a mint green camp stove

Credit: EUREKA

Eureka Ignite 2-Burner Camp Stove

For Cute Camp Cooking

If your gear *must* be Instagrammable, this mint green camp stove screams granola girl chic. It has two full-sized burners, so you can cook for a group and look cute on your adventure social media pages — a win-win.

$114.95 REI

Yeti portable cooler full of canned drinks and snacks

Credit: YETI

YETI Hopper Portable Cooler

For Pro Picnickers

Being outdoorsy isn't all rock climbing and sleeping in a tent. Grab this portable Yeti cooler for folks who land more on the relaxed side of the nature-loving spectrum — it's the perfect companion for picnics, beach, days and park hangs.

$250 AMAZON

Credit: Black Diamond

Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp

Best for camping

If you've ever gone camping, you'll know that walking around at night is a struggle without a light source. A good headlamp makes things infinitely easier, all while keeping you hands-free to build a fire, cook dinner, or set up your tent.

$39.95 REI

Person sitting in a field of grass with two dogs

Jae Thomas

Shopping Editor

Jae Thomas is a Colorado-based Shopping Editor for Mashable. They specialize in pet tech, smart fitness gear, finding the perfect gift, and sourcing the top deals on shopping holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Jae has worked at Mashable since 2020, where they've written countless deals roundups and product reviews. Before Jae came to Mashable, they received a B.A. in Journalism and English Literature from New York University and wrote food and lifestyle content for publications like Bon Appétit, Epicurious, The Daily Beast, Apartment Therapy, and Marie Claire.

When they're not testing products or writing about online shopping, you'll find Jae whipping up an elaborate meal, hiking, camping, or training their dogs, Miso and Dashi. Reach out to them on X at @jaetaurina or by email at [email protected].