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It can be overwhelming to find the perfect present for the boater in your life. After all, there are thousands of boating accessories and gadgets out there—and chances are your giftee wants almost all of them. But how are you to choose? To help, our experts narrowed down all the best boating gifts this year below.
We covered everything from Costa sunglasses and Free Fly hoodies to Yeti coolers and Xtratuf deck boots. You’ll also find more practical gift ideas, like a weather radio and super powerful spotlight. Most importantly, most of the recommendations have been personally tested by the Field & Stream staff for quality and reliability. No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong with any of the best gifts for boaters on this list.
The Elevate has quickly become one of my favorite sunshirts. The UPF 30+ sun protection is perfect for someone who burns as easily as I do in the sun. It is light and airy and includes a hood and sun cuff to protect the tops of your hands.
The Tundra impressed me in my rotomolded cooler test earlier this year after holding ice for six days in hot and humid conditions. It will easily keep drinks or a fresh catch of fish cold all day until it’s time to head in for dinner. This cooler is durable, too—I threw it off the top of an 8-foot ladder more than a dozen times with hardly any signs of wear.
A good pair of deck boots is essential when you’re at sea. These Xtratuf ankle deck boots are arguably the most popular pair out there—and for good reason. They’re lightweight yet heavy-duty, with a slip-resistant sole for traction and a breathable lining that keeps your feet dry for hours.
I’ve been a fan of Bajio for years due to their comfort, durability, and versatility. The fishing sunglasses come in a variety of frame styles and lens colors to cover just about any type of water and cloud conditions. I love the clarity and enhanced colors that I get with the Bales Beach style.
If you’re shopping for a sailor, chances are they’ve been coveting some Helly Hansen gear—like this Crew vest, which is one of the brand’s most popular pieces. Our tester loves how wind- and waterproof it is, keeping them warm and dry on the water. We also like that the wool lining is soft yet breathable.
The Sportsman Series from Adventure Medical is outfitted with nearly anything one could need in an emergency. There are more than 400 pieces in this first aid kit for treating everything from small cuts to burns and other traumatic injuries. It’s great peace of mind and a must-have for every boat on the water.
Speaking of safety, an emergency signaling system is a great gift, and Orion makes some of the best flare systems today. This 12-gauge launcher comes with four red aerial flares that burn bright red and produce thick smoke for signaling emergency responders.
This 780-lumen light is water-resistant and features multiple lighting modes for different scenarios on the water. The magnetic base is extremely helpful when you need light in a tight space and have nowhere to set the light down.
The Free Fly Latitude pants are shockingly light and airy, keeping your legs protected from the sun during hot days on the water. I wore these pants all summer and was always amazed with how comfortable they are even during the most humid of conditions. I also like the waistband, which stays secure without digging into my skin.
After testing the Engel HD20 soft cooler, I was impressed with its excellent ice retention capabilities and stylish looks. Incredibly rugged and well-insulated, it’s capable of holding ice through an entire day on the water. It’s a great option for the friend or relative who’s in desperate need of a new way to keep drinks cold on the water.
Kayaks are great fun on the water. But the storage of a huge chunk of plastic is not practical for many people, especially if they don’t have a garage. The Oru Inlet folding kayak solves that. It folds up into a compact package that easily slips under a bed or in a closet. It’s a nifty little craft that’s great for casual paddlers looking for an easier method of storage and transport.
We dubbed this weather radio the best we’ve tested. It blew us away with its 8,000-mAh battery that can allow it to run for literally days. Throw on some extremely bright lights for safety and this is a great boating safety device for monitoring conditions before and during a day out on the water.
Nothing can mess up the hull of an expensive kayak quicker than dragging it on the ground. Trust me, I learned that the hard way! Help protect your friend or relative’s investment with this stellar kayak and canoe cart that makes it easy to move and launch kayaks up to 200 pounds over practically any terrain.
There’s nothing quite cruising around the lake on a hot summer day with your favorite tunes going. This waterproof JBL clip Bluetooth speaker is a perfect boat companion. It’ll play for up to 10 hours and is compact enough to easily stow away when not in use.
Stand up paddleboards continue to become more and more popular every year, but storage space is a problem with the big ones. The inflatable 10-foot Bote Wulf collapses down and fits in a small 20-pound bag for easy transport and storage when not in use. It’s also rather affordable as far as SUPs are concerned.
Both freshwater and saltwater can be harsh on sensitive gear. A waterproof solution is a must for any boater. That’s where a rugged case like the Yeti LoadOut GoBox comes into play. Dust-proof and shock-resistant with a removable cargo tray, it will keep all their gear safe, organized, and most importantly, dry.
The Gaffer is an incredibly comfortable hoodie that layers extremely well in the transitional times between seasons when temperatures are rising or falling. I’ve found myself reaching for this fleece hoodie quite frequently this fall as temperatures start to drop here in Michigan. While it is great for fishing, it also works for other activities like hiking and biking.
I recently wore these shoes on a trip to Texas and found them to be extremely comfortable while inshore fishing. The mesh uppers are breathable and ideal for hot climates. The slip-on nature of the shoes makes them easy to put on and take off. Just cinch the cord to tighten the fit.
