The Thru-Hiker Gift Guide: Top Picks for 2024
Whether you’re a thru-hiker yourself or someone close to you has assumed the title, it isn’t easy to find gifts for the ultralight backpacker in your life – especially when you consider that their existence now revolves around disappearing into the wilderness with as few things as possible.
That said, this ultralight-approved thru-hiker gift guide will help to guide you in your quest to spark joy in the eyes of that thru-hiker close to you (even if that thru-hiker is you).
These items are justifiably awesome, but sometimes, the price isn’t easy to justify. That’s what makes a great gift, right? What would you love to have but don’t want to spend money on yourself?
A lot of these items are exactly that.
Gifts Under $25
One thing I find myself never wanting to spend money on but that I constantly want and would be happy to have if someone gave me? Stakes. Most ultralight shelters either don’t come with stakes, or the stakes they come with are basically placeholders for future (cooler and more ultralight) stakes. An excellent stake option for the ultralight hiker in your life? A set of MSR Mini-Groundhog Stakes – or just a few if your thru-hiker is rocking a quiver of multiple stakes for varied conditions.
Sof Sole Sneaker Balls Deodorizers
One thing thru-hikers quickly get used to on the trail? Their stink. The return to off-trail life can be as jarring for the friends and families of thru-hikers as the thru-hikers themselves. I’ve found myself attempting to address the thru-hiker stink in my life (which isn’t as nostalgic as you may suspect) with products like the Sof Sole Sneaker Balls Deodorizers. Keep them in your shoes, your backpack, your shoes, did I mention your shoes? Maybe don’t give this to someone who is going to be offended by your telling them they stink.
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitizer
If there’s one thing everyone should be doing all the time – but especially hikers – it’s washing your hands (especially before you eat). Sinks and soap may be a luxury on the trail, but Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitizer is a luxury that even ultralight hikers can afford. It comes in lavender and peppermint, but I’ve found it difficult to find the peppermint variety. Either way, it’s a great way to stay clean, not get giardia, and smell nice.
Every thru-hiker needs Nikwax Down Wash Direct, which won’t even cut into their pack’s weight! Most people (I know) neglect their down products (sleeping bags and jackets), but they really should be washing them properly with the proper detergent (at least once a year). Nikwax makes down detergent and other detergents for treating other outdoor gear. A variety pack isn’t a bad idea as a gift.
Every good backcountry poop kit needs a trowel. I use (and recommend) the Vargo Titanium Dig Dig Tool; it’s something that a lot of backpackers may find difficult to spend money on, but I can personally attest to the fact that using a rock, your heel, or a stick will not always allow you to get the job done when it comes to digging a hole to poop in. Tell someone you care about their poops (and LNT practices) and get them a trowel.
A Kula Cloth has become a near-mandatory piece of gear for many thru-hikers (and day hikers). What is it? It’s a “Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth.” Also known as an incredibly fancy piece of reusable toilet paper (but not the #2 kind). Do I carry a Kula Cloth? You bet I do. Do I use it to pee? No. Do I use it to clean my pot. Damn right, I do. I’m just trying to fit in – the designs are too awesome to resist.
Lots of ultralight backpackers overlook self-care. “Just keep hiking” isn’t always the solution. A single (or a set of) Rawlogy Cork Massage Balls will make saying “no” to caring for your body at the end of each day much more difficult. These lightweight cork balls come in various sizes and weigh next to nothing. They are a no-brainer for inclusion in any backpacking setup, ultralight or otherwise.
ThermoWorks Zipper-Pull Thermometer
How cold did it get at night? How hot was it during the day? Questions hikers get all the time and questions I ask myself even more. The ThermoWorks Zipper-Pull Thermometer is a lightweight answer to these questions. Despite spending tons of time outdoors, I haven’t found thru-hikers any more reliable when estimating temperatures than people off the trail. Give the gift of certainty with this small and functional piece of trail tech.
As a child, socks were often the default flop gift. As an adult, socks are amazing. Some new socks for your thru-hiking friends? Try PAKA Crew Socks. These socks are 41% alpaca fiber, 8% Tencel, 50% recycled nylon, and 1% spandex. They’re available in seven different colors and come with a lifetime guarantee. If you really want to make your thru-hiker’s day, I’d opt for the 3-Pack.
Have you ever seen someone with some awesome gaiters and thought to yourself, “Those are awesome; where did they get those, and how can I get some?” UltraGam Gaiters are your answer. They come in a huge variety of equally amazing patterns. They are something that you could easily have multiple pairs of (so you don’t have to worry about accidentally getting someone something they already have). And these patterns are seriously awesome.
Space Bear Bags Poop-moji Pouch
I have a Space Bear Bags Poop-moji Pouch for my backpacking poop kit, and I love it. It’s a lot more eco-friendly than the gallon-sized Ziploc I used to use, isn’t transparent, and doesn’t leave much to the imagination when it comes to knowing what’s inside. I would recommend one of the two larger sizes, but if the small suits you (or your gift recipient), go for it (and let me know how it goes).
Gifts Under $50
High Tail Designs Ultralight Drawstring Stuff Sack
High Tail Designs Ultralight Drawstring Stuff Sacks are beautifully designed, one-liter stuff sacks that measure 6 x 10 in / 15 x 25 cm (laid flat) and weigh 0.24 oz / 6.8 g. They’re made with sublimated 1.43 oz/yd² Dyneema Composite Fabric and come in two sizes. Roll-top stuff sacks are also available from High Tail Designs for larger items like sleeping bags or extra clothing.
An often overlooked piece of a thru-hiker’s kit is their wall plug. I’ve been using the Anker Nano II 65W for a while now and can recommend it to anyone looking for a compact and powerful charging solution. The plug folds and there are no sharp edges, so you won’t have to worry about wearing holes in or stabbing through your ultralight stuff sack. It has three ports and is capable of quick charging via USB-C, and it’s slim enough that it won’t take up multiple outlets when plugged in.
Most thru-hikers bring stoves with them on their thru-hikes, and finding fuel for their stoves at each town stop can sometimes be challenging (although it’s becoming easier)—however, many hikers waste fuel by throwing out or leaving half-filled cans in hiker boxes. The FlipFuel Fuel Transfer Device allows hikers to refill their gas cans using other partially depleted gas cans, saving them money and saving gas cans from being needlessly (and often improperly) disposed of.
FarOut Guides has become one of the top names in long-distance thru-hiking apps. It’s nearly become a must-have “piece of gear” on trails like the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Appalachian Trail. The problem? The app costs money. The solution? A FarOut gift card! Gift cards from FarOut can be purchased in $10, $20, $40, $60, $80, and $100 increments. Know that the app for the major trails typically costs around $40 (wink wink).
The Snow Peak Wabuki Chopsticks, designed in Japan, are made of bamboo and stainless steel. They collapse by unscrewing the bamboo tip from the stainless steel upper section; the bamboo section then nests inside the stainless steel section. Are they neat? Yes. Do I want them? Yes. Would I buy them for myself? Probably not. Would I be stoked to get them as a gift? Definitely yes.
Gifts Under $100
Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie (Men’s/Women’s)
Sun hoodies have become the top choice for thru-hikers, and there’s no better option than the Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie. Ridge Merino is a locally-owned shop in Mammoth Lakes, California, just off the Pacific Crest Trail. And they love thru-hikers as much as I love their hoodies (i.e., a lot). I’ve worn one of these hoodies doing everything from thru-hiking to bikepacking to whitewater rafting and can personally attest to their level of incredibleness.
The Peak Design Capture is an incredible piece of gear that every hiker, backpacker, thru-hiker, or person equipped with a backpack needs to have. I absolutely love this piece of gear and never go on a trip without it. It allows for the secure and hands-free carry of a camera (big or small), making accessing a camera much more convenient than a zippered pouch or a sling around your neck. It’s awesome, and if you’re thinking about getting one (or gifting one), you should.
Jolly Gear Triple Crown Button Down (Men’s/Women’s)
The Jolly Gear Triple Crown Button Down (Men’s/Women’s) broke out onto the thru-hiking scene a few years ago and has been making waves ever since. If you want a full-featured sun hoodie complete with a button-down front, buttoned cuffs, thumb holes, a ponytail hole, two front check pockets, an adjustable hood, and plenty of thru-hiker flair, the Triple Crown Button Down is just what you need. It’s an excellent way to signal your hiker to other thru-hikers and/or to confuse people in your off-trail life.
FarPointe Outdoor Gear Alpha Cruiser
Fleeces have become a popular choice for thru-hikers in recent years, and I’ve been rocking my FarPointe Outdoor Gear Alpha Cruiser for a while now. The verdict? Can recommend. It’s an ultralight layer perfect for chilly mornings or downhills where putting on a down jacket would be overkill. It also fits nicely under a shell on rainy days when you’ll be active but need just that little more warmth to stay comfortable. Made locally in Newport, Oregon, FarPointe is the epitome of cottage gear.
The America the Beautiful Pass allows unlimited entry into all United States National Parks. It’s a must-have for anyone hoping to make more than three yearly trips to National Parks. Yes, you can walk into many parks without paying, but even ultralight backpackers sometimes drive to trailheads. This pass will pay for itself quickly if you frequent national parks. It’s honestly an amazing deal when you consider that the pass pays for itself typically after just three visits.
NEMO Equipment Fillo Elite Pillow
I’m convinced the only thru-hikers who don’t love pillows are the ones who haven’t used one yet. The NEMO Equipment Fillo Elite Pillow is a great place to start. Yes, many thru-hikers may be afraid they’ll fall in love with a pillow, which will be added to their base weight, but a good night’s sleep on the trail is worth the extra weight.
Gifts Over $100
Ombraz Armless Sunglasses won’t count against your base weight since they’re technically worn weight, and they’re designed with outdoor pursuits in mind. They’re affordable and polarized and come in three different lens options, prescription options, four different lens options, and non-polarized options (although I highly recommend the polarized option since it’s only $15 more).
Patagonia Houdini Jacket (Men’s/Women’s)
I don’t have many friends who regularly use or even own a wind jacket, but I think they’re missing out. A wind jacket is an ultralight piece of gear that can do wonders to save you from one of the outdoors’s most evil elements, the wind. The Patagonia Houdini (Men’s/Women’s) is an excellent wind jacket that I’ve used for backpacking, bikepacking, and everything in between. It’s incredibly light, packs into its pocket, and has half-elastic cuffs and a drawcord hem to keep out the chill. It’ll also be a great piece of gear for when your thru-hiking friend (or self) starts running ultramarathons.
I’m a huge proponent of not being an idiot outdoors. One of the easiest things you can do to 1) not be an idiot in the first place and 2) protect yourself if you are an idiot (or just unfortunate) outdoors is to bring a Garmin inReach Mini 2. This is the lightest and most functional satellite messaging device for use in the backcountry and has features including tracking and SOS messaging. If the hiker in your life already has one of these, paying for their subscription (which is required for this device to function) is another awesome gift.
Katabatic Gear Tincup Down Jacket (Men’s/Women’s)
The Katabatic Gear Tincup Down Jacket has been a staple in my pack since I first got one last year. I wish it came in more colors, but sometimes (especially in the thru-hiking world), you must choose function over fashion. It’s warm, comfortable, packable, has nice cuffs that won’t make you regret wearing an oversized Garmin watch, and has an excellent skin feel. I suggest sizing up if you’re looking between sizes.
Benchmade 535-3 Carbon Fiber Bugout Knife
I went from carrying a multi-tool on the trail to not carrying anything to carrying a knife. If I were to have an unlimited knife budget for my ideal ultralight knife, it would be the Benchmade 535-3 Carbon Fiber Bugout Knife. Benchmade knives are made in Oregon City, Oregon, and they’re obsessed with perfecting all the minor details in their knives. These are a buy-it-for-life type of item, so know that should you bestow the gift of one of these knives on a thru-hiker, they’ll be required to carry it forever. And if this is too rich, more reasonably priced knives are available.
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