As the saying goes, backpacking is less about what you bring, and more about what you leave behind. But while that’s good advice when you’re cutting packweight, it’s not very helpful when you’re trying to figure out what to get a hiker for the holidays. Instead of getting them something that’s going to sit on the shelf, snag one of these ten smart upgrades that will make their experience on the trail a little bit better.
Aerogel—a NASA-developed insulation that ranks as the lightest solid material known to science—is interwoven with PrimaLoft fibers (200g) to make these slippers ridiculously warm. That, plus the wind and water-resistant shell fabric and grippy outsole, qualifies them as the perfect camp shoe for winter hut trips, mountain summers, and mailbox missions. Buy Now
Sick of tiny inflatable headrests on-trail? This 3-ounce stuff sack lets hikers sleep with a large (11”x16”) pillow softened with 100 percent post-consumer recycled fleece on one side, and ripstop polyester on the other. Just jam it full of soft items such as socks, jackets and the like for supreme nighttime comfort that’s light enough for backpacking. Buy Now
Give the gift of sustainable backcountry bathrooming. This 4-ounce kit includes a serrated shovel for speedy excavation, compressed wipes that are lighter and more packable than T.P., and tablets made of mycelium (the fungal web that produces mushrooms) to accelerate poop’s return to soil. Buy Now
The hiker on your list may already use the free version of Gaia GPS, the navigation app favored by loads of outdoor guides and pros. But upgrading them with a gift membership to Outside+ unlocks access to two invaluable courses that they can follow anytime to grow their nav savvy. Gaia GPS 101 includes basics on exploiting map layers and creating routes, while Gaia GPS Advanced covers rerouting on the fly and finding backcountry campsites. Buy Now
Here’s the comfiest 2 ounces you can possibly give: Made of sustainable, closed-cell foam sourced from sugarcane, this sit pad softens outdoor surfaces for extended lounging. It’s perfect for the ultralighter who shuns weightier camp chairs. Buy Now
A versatile and waterproof mountain-worthy shell, the Makalu Jacket is made with a breathable three-layer GORE-TEX 75D fabric and FC free DWR—a combination that ensures reliable performance in wet conditions while minimizing environmental impact. The laminated interior pocket gives you a safe, dry place to store valuables while the adjustable cuffs, hood, vents, and hem provide personalized comfort on the trail. It has everything you want in a year-round jacket, including waterproof protection, durability, and a lightweight design. Buy Now
From a small, indie company that’s famous for its Merino geekery comes these debut socks, made of super-soft Merino (66 percent) spun around a nylon (32 percent) core for durability. Our testers loved the just-right thickness and a casual aesthetic that doesn’t advertise the technical construction (arch-support mesh and knitted venting across the instep). Buy Now
No shoes are too stinky for these stench-squelchers. Shaped like bananas and containing a potent blend of tea tree and other essential oils (along with desiccants that mop out sweat), these deodorizers dazzled testers with their ability to neutralize odors that had permeated slippers and hiking shoes. Buy Now
Buy these for the backpacker who swaps out hiking boots for skis come winter. Made of recycled aluminum that’s reformulated for extra strength (its 7075 composition is twice as strong as the 6061 material used in many trekking poles) and with an all-metal locking mechanism to adjust length, these sustainably-made poles are perfect for ski touring. (Lacking short, collapsible segments, they don’t easily lash to a backpack, however). Buy Now
Here’s an all-seasons glove that gave testers enough dexterity to manipulate metal tent poles on cold, high-alpine mornings and kept fingers warm while hiking in near-freezing temperatures. Credit the Primaloft synthetic insulation (100g) and a Kevlar-coated palm for grip. Buy Now
Got a knife enthusiast on your list? This ultralight (and ultrafine) folding blade impressed our knife snob with its scant weight (2.4 ounces) and sleek construction (just .28-inch thick). The titanium handle features a new Axis lock mechanism that eliminates bulky steel liners and swaps in finer springs. Yet the 3.43-inch blade remains admirably capable, thanks to premium M390 stainless steel that’s laser-cut and hand-sharpened. Touch-ups are free for the life of the product: Benchmade’s LifeSharp service includes cleaning, oiling, adjustment and blade-honing. Buy Now
