Outdoorsmen can either be really easy or really difficult to shop for.
These are those on your list that pride themselves on being hardy and battle-tested and seemingly already have everything they need, no matter which hobby they’re into. They probably have a shed or garage full of all sorts of wish-list outdoor gear (that you might even get to borrow from time to time).
In any case, this means getting crafty with your gift-giving prowess. We’ve made things simple by compiling 15 of our favorite outdoors-related gifts that your outdoors person likely doesn’t have.
You’ll look like a winner by appeasing their favorite pastimes but also showing up with something new and exciting.
1. Hangtime Koala 2.0
BEST AFFORDABLE GIFT
If your outdoorsman is always fumbling to handle his phone along with a tool, pole, or whatever, this novel harness keeps his precious device connected to a jacket or backpack but always within arm’s reach. This is a fantastic, affordable gift for a skier or snowboarder who wants peace of mind while traversing lifts this season at the mountain.
2. Rumpl Merino SoftWool Blanket
Even the most rough-around-the-edges mountain man likes to wrap up in something soft from time to time. So give him what we think may be the softest blanket you can buy right now from one of the outdoor brands he already trusts (and probably even has one of its best-selling Original Puffy Anywhere Blankets already), the Rumpl Merino SoftWool Blanket. This merino wool blanket — available as a throw or in full-on Queen or King size — elevates any airstream, cabin or hell, city highrise apartment to superiorly soft and sophisticated status.
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3. HDX Tough Storage Tote
BEST STORAGE GIFT
Home Depot’s in-house storage brand makes some of the toughest bins around, and in various usable sizes. These sturdy containers are also stackable and perfect to finally help your outdoorsman organize all of his gear (rather than have it strewn out all over the garage).
4. Wyoming Whiskey’ Outryder’
BEST OUTDOORS-RELATED WHISKEY
If your outdoorsman is a drinker, their bar should certainly reflect their hobby. Up his whiskey game with this rye-dominant blend and wet his whistle to further chase down a bottle of the brand’s “National Parks” marque.
5. The Nue Co. Forest Lungs Fragrance
BEST OUTDOORS MEN’S FRAGRANCE
So he can smell like the forest, even when he’s not in the forest.
6. Weiss Watch Company 38mm Automatic Issue Field Watch
BEST OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE WATCH
A good watch can be one of the most critical pieces of gear he’ll carry in the outdoors, so why not get one that pulls double-duty as a looker back in civilization? There are four great color options here, plus the custom case back engraving option.
7. Snow Peak Bamboo Carry-On Chopsticks
BEST OUTDOOR UTENSILS
For the gourmet outdoorsman, these are the last pair of chopsticks he’ll ever need. They’re so good (and good-looking), he’ll probably make them his main utensil and use them at home, too.
8. Powder Days: Ski Bums, Ski Towns and the Future of Chasing Snow
BEST OUTDOORS BOOK 2021
One of the year’s most anticipated outdoors books fully delivers. It’s a fascinating read about the evaporating lifestyle in mountain towns across the country and will even get the most warm weather-outdoorsman stoked for the season.
9. Wildland Coffee 10-Pack
BEST PORTABLE CAMPING COFFEE
It’s funny how long it took for instant coffee to catch on in the outdoors world, but now, there are several excellent options to brew as easy as tea. Wildland Coffee is a conscious and affordable choice with a 10-pack of bags under $18, and the bags themselves are made from corn fibers.
10. Brainstorm National Parks Puzzle
BEST NATIONAL PARKS PUZZLE
For the rare day he’s inside — or just wants something different to do (on a dry day) at the campsite.
11. Funboy Inflatable Toboggan
BEST INFLATABLE SNOW SLED
Sledding through the snow has never looked so good. This inflatable toy is for those lazy days when being outside is as simple as gliding down the hill.
12. MiiR 32oz. Insulated Growler
BEST INSULATED GROWLER
Whether your outdoorsman loves beer by the fire or prefers a morning Kombucha, MiiR makes a whole host of great-looking ways to keep said drink secure and cold. The Seattle company builds in all sorts of high-quality materials to ensure this is a growler he’ll turn to time and time again.
13. Sea Bags x Mount Gay Rum Ocean Currents Beverage Bucket
BEST DRY BEVERAGE CARRIER FOR OUTDOORS
Another way to carry beverages is with this unique bag made from recycled sailcloth. It’s made by hand in Maine, and each purchase funds a pound of trash removal. Win-win.
14. Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8×25 Waterproof Binoculars
BEST OUTDOOR BINOCULARS
Binoculars are starting to come back into fashion (although we’re not sure why they ever went out). In any case, these are a great way to get your outdoorsman into the practice and could potentially further his viewpoint (quite literally) on the practice during his next outing. When used correctly, binoculars become an essential piece of outdoor gear.
15. Travel Berkey
BEST WATER FILTRATION FOR THE OUTDOORS
There’s water filtration, and then there’s a Berkey. These filters are a gold standard for emergency preparedness and come in a neat travel size if your outdoorsman has an RV or pickup camper setup. These filters even clean out some of the nasty things in everyday water, so they’ll likely use it at home as well.