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Gifts for the Outdoor Adventurer

Kit out your favorite adventurer with this useful—and stylish—gear, from camping must-haves to sporty accessories, plus a few extras to stoke their wanderlust.

Kate Wertheimer

In partnership with Leatherman.

We only recommend things we love. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission.

ULA Equipment Epic Pack

Courtesy of ULA Equipment

Each ULA pack is handmade to fit the wearer’s exact specifications; and this new, award-winning, fully waterproof pack (carried on the National Geographic-sponsored circumnavigation of Alaska by Andrew Skurka) is the sturdiest of the bunch, perfect for backpacking in any weather.

Epic Pack from ULA, $285

Igloo RECOOL 16 Quart Cooler

Courtesy of IGLOO

Made entirely from biodegradable materials, this ugly-duckling cooler is an eco-friendly alternative to styrofoam coolers (which aren’t so cute themselves, really).

16 Quart Cooler from IGLOO, $10

MSR Lightning Ascent Snowshoes

Courtesy of MSR

Ultralight and built for aggressive performance, these are the pinnacle of pairs for serious snowshoers (especially if they’re also avid gear junkies).

Lightning Ascent Snowshoes from MSR, $320

Custom Leatherman

Courtesy of Leatherman

A truly one-of-a-kind gift. The Leatherman Custom Shop allows you to design and personalize a Leatherman for everyone on your list (including yourself). Our pick: The WAVE®+, which comes equipped with 19 different tools to keep you handy.

WAVE®+ from Leatherman, starting at $100

Luci Core

Courtesy of MPowerd

This water-resistant, 40-lumen light made with cool white LEDs comes with a 13-inch silicone arm to hold it in any position, and lasts up to 14 hours on a single charge—when it runs low, recharge via USB or, better yet, solar.

Luci Core from Mpowerd, $15

National Parks & Federal Regulation Lands Annual Pass

Courtesy of National Parks Service

A no-brainer gift to please any adventurer on your list. The pass covers entrance fees for the pass-holder and anyone in their vehicle, or the pass-holder and three accompanying people at sites where individual entrance fees are collected. Another bonus? The money you’ll spend on the pass goes directly back to the parks.

Annual Pass from NPS, $80

The Man Behind the Maps: Legendary Ski Artist James Niehues

Courtesy of James Niehues

We might live in the era of satellites and self-driving cars, but there’s a decidedly human touch to the ski maps we all depend on. The commonality? Artist James Niehues, whose bird’s-eye views are used by hundreds of millions of resort goers each year. This coffee table tome isn’t just a look at his greatest hits—Jackson Hole, Vail, Snowbird, and many more—but a peek inside his fascinating career.

Ski Maps from Artist James Niehues, $90

Kora Shola 230 Leggings

Courtesy of Kora

These toasty, odor-resistant leggings have a secret weapon to keep you warm: the temperature-regulating Hima-Layer™ Original 230, a luxuriously soft yak wool fabric. Move over, sheep.

Shola 230 Leggings from Kora, $145

MountainFLOW Eco-Wax

Courtesy of MountainFLOW

This more eco-friendly alternative to traditional ski and board wax is plant-based and biodegradable.

Eco-Wax from MountainFLOW, $19

Teva Ember Moc

Courtesy of Teva

Like little sleeping bags for your feet, Ember Mocs are the sneaker-slipper hybrid your giftee will wear everywhere from airplanes to campsites.

Ember Moc from Teva, $75

Snow Peak Peg Hammer

Courtesy of Snow Peak

This super durable, forged steel hammer makes staking a tent easy, even in wintry frozen ground.

Peg Hammer from Snow Peak, $63

Filson Twill Rod Case

Courtesy of Filson

Your favorite stylish angler can stash their rods, reel, and tackle in this rugged but classic carrying case.

Twill Rod Case from Filson, $375

Turn Around Time: A Walking Poem for the Pacific Northwest by David Guterson

Courtesy of Mountaineers Books

A lush little book for the back pocket of the rambler in your life who views hiking as meditation and nature as religion.

Turn Around Time by David Guterson, from Amazon, $20

ARB E-Z Analog Deflator and CKMA12 Compressor

Courtesy ARB

A perfect package deal for your off-roading enthusiast; they can air down to traverse across rocks and sand, then fill their tires back up on the go with a handy compressor that lives permanently mounted under the hood.

ARB E-Z Analog Deflator from Amazon, $41

Fireside Outdoor Pop-up Pit Outdoor Grill, $180

Courtesy of Fireside Outdoor

This portable camping grill is spacious enough to cook 16 burgers at once, and converts into a firepit once dinner is served. When you’re ready to roll, the grill folds up smaller than an average camping chair.

Pop-up Pit Outdoor Grill from Fireside Outdoor, $180

Roka Falcon Sunglasses

Courtesy of Roka

Light, grippy, and polarized, these shades are perfect for spotting fish while wading in the elements—or just grabbing a beer in the sun.

Falcon Sunglasses from Roka, $275