15 Stocking Stuffers for Hikers Under $40 (2023)
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Need some stocking stuffer ideas for someone who loves hiking?
I’m a frequent hiker so I know just what kinds of gifts hikers need and want.
I put together this round up of small hiking items that are actually useful on the trail.
Finish up your holiday shopping with these 15 stocking stuffers for hikers.
1. Darn Tough Socks
Treat their feet on every hike with long-lasting Darn Tough Socks.
These high-quality socks are called Darn Tough for a good reason. They’re some of the most durable socks out there.
And even if the wearer manages to poke a hole in them, they can get a free replacement pair from the company – even without a receipt.
Darn Tough socks are made from moisture-wicking merino wool and provide cushion where it’s needed most. These design features keep adventurers’ feet comfortable for miles and miles of hiking.
The basic style comes in 8 different colors for both men’s and women’s sizes, so it’s easy to find something that your hiker will love.
Invest in the best pair of socks they’ll ever own and their feet will stay happy on day hikes and backpacking trips alike.
2. NUUN Hydration Tablets
Keep your favorite hiker hydrated with this 4-pack of NUUN Hydration Tablets.
The tablets are simply added to water to make a drink that will replenish electrolytes lost from sweating on hot and arduous hikes.
These small, lightweight tubes are easy to pack along in a hiking backpack.
This variety pack includes four fruity flavors: Tri-Berry, Fruit Punch, Lemon Lime, and Strawberry Lemonade. Plus, a portion of the proceeds from this product is donated to the Conservation Alliance to protect North America’s wilderness, making this gift extra ideal for hikers.
Give all four of these NUUN tablet tubes to one hiker or split up the pack between multiple hikers’ stockings.
3. Stasher Bag
Reduce the amount of waste your hiker brings to the trail with the gift of a Stasher bag.
Stasher bags are reusable sandwich bags made from silicone. They are a zero-waste way to carry sandwiches, snacks, and more.
Your gift recipient will save money and environmental resources every time they use their Stasher bag instead of a single-use bag. Plus, this silicone bag is sturdier than a plastic sandwich bag so it will hold up better among all the other items jostling around in their backpack.
Stasher bags are even dishwasher safe, so they’re very easy to clean once a hiker gets home exhausted from their adventure.
Make a day hiker’s lunch with a view more sustainable with the gift of a Stasher bag.
4. Tenacious Tape
Tenacious Tape is a repair tape that patches up damage to all kinds of outdoor gear and clothing.
Hikers can use it to stop feathers from coming out of a down coat or to patch a tear in a rain jacket.
This versatile adhesive comes in several formats including a 6-pack of mini patches and a roll of tape. It’s perfect for making fixes in real time since the tape sticks right to the problem area with no sewing or heat required.
Tenacious Tape is available in several colors, but the clear tape and patches are ideal since they blend in with gear of any color.
Extend the life of their hiking gear with the gift of Tenacious Tape.
5. Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Travel Pouch
Keep a hiker’s most delicate items safe from the rain with a Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Travel Pouch.
This waterproof pouch is a great place to store small objects like a cell phone and a paper map so they stay dry in any weather.
The front of the pouch is clear so the contents remain visible. Touch screen devices can even be used through the front window, so electronics can still be used while staying dry.
The design of the pouch makes it portable for hikers to carry in multiple ways. The slim pouch can easily fit into a backpack and anchor points in the corners allow the pouch to be attached to a strap or backpack.
Protect your hiker’s belongings from unexpected bad weather with the Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Travel Pouch.
6. First Aid Kit
Is the hiker in your life prepared to handle minor injuries during their outdoor adventures?
The HART Outdoor Day Hike First-Aid Kit is a great portable first aid kit for outdoor enthusiasts.
This kit contains essential first aid items to address minor cuts, scrapes, and other ailments that may occur on a day hike. It includes individually wrapped items like bandages, antiseptic wipes, and ibuprofen, all stored in clear pockets so items are easy to find when they’re needed.
If a hiker you love has overlooked this crucial piece of gear, make sure to put this first aid kit in their stocking this year.
7. Badger SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Tin
Protect their skin from the sun with a portable tin of Badger SPF 50 Adventure Sport Mineral Sunscreen.
This mineral sunscreen prevents sun damage with zinc oxide, a healthier alternative to the chemicals used in traditional sunscreens.
Yet like most sun lotions, this unscented sunscreen is still SPF 50 and water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
The sunscreen comes in a 2.4-ounce solid block, so it won’t leak in their backpack and it’s small enough to travel with.
Since mineral sunscreen does not fully rub into the skin if too much product is used, this tin of Badger sunscreen is ideal for hikers with lighter skin.
8. Suunto Clipper L-B NH Compass
The Suunto Clipper L-B NH Compass is a great little navigational tool for novice hikers.
Hikers can use this small compass as a backup navigation tool to cross reference with a map or just figure out what direction a view is looking out at.
It’s incredibly versatile since it can clip to the edge of a watchband, map, bag strap, or jacket sleeve. Hikers can readily keep the compass in an accessible place of their choice at all times.
This portable tool is a great starter compass to slip into a hiker’s stocking this year.
9. Matador Pocket Blanket Mini
Do you know a hiker who loves to climb to beautiful views but doesn’t love getting dirty when they sit down to soak in those views?
Let them keep their pants clean and dry with a Matador Pocket Blanket Mini.
The Matador Pocket Blanket Mini is a thin mat that hikers can lay down to avoid getting wet and dirty when the ground is less than ideal to sit on.
The blanket is waterproof and comes with built-in corner stakes to hold it in place. These features can keep hikers confident that the blanket will stand up to the job.
This blanket is big enough for one or two adults to sit on when it’s expanded, yet it folds up into an accompanying storage case that can fit into the palm of your hand. This makes it no trouble at all for hikers to carry this extra piece of gear.
Make gazing out at scenic vistas more pleasant with the Matador Pocket Blanket Mini.
10. Platypus Platy Water Bottle
It’s important for hikers to carry lots of water with them, but bringing enough water can add a lot of weight to their pack.
Help a hiker lighten the load of carrying water with a Platypus Platy Water Bottle.
This lightweight, flexible plastic water bottle holds two liters of water while weighing just a fraction of traditional water bottles.
And once it’s empty, the water bottle is super easy to fit anywhere in a backpack either kept flat or rolled up.
Both day hikers and backpackers alike can benefit from the capacity and barely-there weight of the Platypus Platy Water Bottle.
11. Tree Identification Flash Cards
Hikers may spend hours and hours walking through the woods, but how many of them know what kinds of trees they’re walking past?
Help them learn about the natural environments they frequent with tree identification flash cards.
This set of cards contains information on 100 types of trees that are found in North America. Each card includes a description of the tree, a map showing where the species can be found, and detailed illustrations of the tree’s bark and leaves for easy identification.
The cards come in a giftable, flip-top box so they’re portable enough for hikers to bring along on their treks.
These tree identification flash cards are a great stocking stuffer for hikers from kids to adults who want the ability to identify different tree species.
12. Hydro Flask Food Jar
The Hydro Flask Food Jar expands the options for what and when hikers can eat on their adventures.
This insulated food jar makes it possible to travel with hot or cold foods.
It’s perfect for early risers who want to enjoy a hot breakfast at the trailhead or day hikers who want to eat something other than a sandwich at the summit.
The stainless steel container comes with a screw top lid so it is both leakproof and durable enough to keep food safe when tossed into a backpack.
It comes in 5 different colors so there’s sure to be a suitable option for any hiker on your shopping list.
Hydro Flask makes this food jar in several sizes, but choose the 12-ounce jar for the best option to fit in a stocking.
13. SOLELY Dried Fruit
Hikers need to replenish the carbohydrates they burn on the trail in order to stay fueled on their adventures.
Fill their stocking with SOLELY Dried Fruit for a healthier source of carbohydrates than other sugary snacks.
Not only is dried fruit great for hikers because it’s healthy, but also because it packs well and doesn’t spoil like fresh fruit.
SOLELY makes pouches of dried mangoes and dried pineapples. In either case, the organic fruit is the only ingredient – no added sugars or preservatives to worry about!
Grab a bag of SOLELY dried fruit for the perfect gift for hikers of any age or skill level.
14. Natrapel Insect Repellent
Hiking season may not start until well after the stockings are put away, but it’s never too early for hikers to restock their basic supplies.
Make sure they’re ready to keep bugs at bay with a bottle of Natrapel Insect Repellent.
This DEET-free bug spray repels mosquitoes using lemon eucalyptus oil. This plant oil also smells better than chemical sprays – win-win!
The travel-friendly bottle is 3.4 fluid ounces – the maximum size of fluids allowed on planes – so it can be brought on adventures both near and far.
Keep a hiker you love itch-free on all their summer adventures with a bottle of Natrapel insect repellent.
15. REI Gift Card
Still can’t choose a hiking stocking stuffer?
Let them pick whatever hiking supplies they need with an REI Gift Card.
REI is a popular outdoor retailer that sells quality gear, clothing and footwear, with all products backed by a 100% guarantee.
REI offers the best one-stop shop for outdoor gear because they offer the greatest range of products and have store locations across the US (in addition to their online storefront).
Make sure to toggle to the Gift Cards tab on the REI website if you want a physical gift card to place in the recipient’s stocking since e-gift cards are the default selection.
