25 Best Stocking Stuffers For Hikers Under $25
Trying to find the perfect stocking stuffers for your hiking friends and family members can be challenging, especially if you do not know what to look for. Unless they are new to hiking, chances are they already have their go-to gear for the trails. So now begs the question, what should you get them?
This article will discuss the best 25 stocking stuffer ideas that your hiker friends and family members are bound to love.
Disclaimer: The following items are based on USD pricing. The prices may vary depending on your country’s currency.
Good-To-Go Meal
Good-To-Go Meals make for superb stocking stuffers for hikers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Deciding what to pack for food on hiking adventures can be tough, especially if you have dietary restrictions—finding food items that are delicious, nutritious and won’t spoil if unrefrigerated can limit your options and flavour choices. This is where Good-to-Go Meals come in.
The Good-To-Go Meals are dehydrated meals that are both flavourful and relatively healthy. They are made from clean ingredients and have various selections for those with specific diets, such as gluten-free, pescatarians, and vegetarians.
There are many different flavours to choose from, including our favourites Thai Curry, Herbed Mushroom Risotto, Classic Marinara with Pasta, Smoked Three Bean Chili, Mexican Quinoa Bowl, and more. You can purchase almost all flavours in either a single or double-size serving.
Click on the buttons below to check the prices at REI and Amazon.
Gerber LST Ultralight Knife, Fine Edge
A lightweight knife is a handy tool to have on you when hiking. You never know when you might need a knife. Whether to cut string for your tarps, tie up food from wildlife or cut down sticks for a fire.
With the Gerber LST Ultralight Knife, your loved ones will be impressed that you picked out a durable yet lightweight pocket knife for their trekking packs.
Although it is small, the size is part of its perk. It can fit in almost any pack without adding any additional weight. The knife is also quite strong. The blade is made out of surgical stainless steel, while the handle is durable with a non-slip grip.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
Signal Whistle
Signal whistles are considered to be an essential item for all hikers to have. Whistles can carry sound further and louder than the human voice, making it easier for help to hear and find you in case of an emergency. This is a great, practical gift for any of your outdoor-loving friends.
If you are interested in picking up a signal whistle for your loved ones, we recommend the LuxoGear Emergency Whistle. This whistle comes in a pack of two and is extremely durable. It contains no moving parts. Therefore, it will not jam, freeze or break easily.
In addition, the LuxoGear Emergency Whistle is waterproof and moisture-resistant for all outdoor activities and features a reflective lanyard for visibility in the dark.
Did you know that there is an international code for whistles to indicate your situation? Spice up your stocking stuffer gift with a handmade card of the code.
- One whistle blow “Where are you?”
- Two whistle blows “Come here” or “Come to me”
- Three whistle blows “Help me” or “I need help”
- To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
Trekking Poles
Now it would not be a hiking post without suggesting trekking poles. While hiking poles might be too big for your average stocking stuffers, who knows, maybe you have an extra-large stocking you need to fill? Either way, this is an excellent gift under USD 25 that we think all hikers would appreciate.
The Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles are a quality pair of trekking poles for an affordable price. These are lightweight yet durable and come with various tips, including snow baskets, mud baskets, and rubber boot tips. It also comes with its own carry bag.
Do not let the affordable price fool you. These poles are incredible! In fact, we actually use these poles regularly on the trails.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
Nuun Electrolyte Tablets
Hiking can be tiring, especially if you plan on trekking a multi-day or overnight trail. Electrolyte tablets are for helping reduce the likeliness of dehydration. Not to mention they fit perfectly in a stocking.
Electrolytes are required for proper body function. They have numerous benefits, including helping regulate nerve and muscle function, hydrating the body, balancing blood acidity and pressure, and rebuilding damaged tissue.
While you can get electrolytes from your diet during a strenuous hike, tossing an electrolyte tablet into your water bottle is a more convenient and faster way to get hydrated.
The Nuun Sport Electrolyte Tablets are affordable and come in 13 different flavours. There are ten tablets per tube, and each tablet has the following nutrient profile:
- 15 calories
- 1 gram of sugar
- 300 mg of Sodium
- 150 mg of Potassium
- 25 mg of Magnesium
- 13 mg of Calcium
Click on the buttons below to check the prices at REI and Amazon.
GoToob Bottles
GoToob Bottles are a dream gift for hikers and travellers alike. These are the perfect way to take liquids on the go with you. They can carry everything from food products such as sauces and nut butter to hygiene care like shampoos, conditioners, and soaps. These silicone travel bottles can hold it all.
Say goodbye to trying to find travel-sized liquid products and instead fill up your own bottles with the products you love. GoToob bottles are reusable and come in various sizes and colours. They also feature a locking cap for extra security.
Click on the buttons below to check the prices at REI and Amazon.
Mini Travel Towel
Microfiber Travel Towels make for superb stocking stuffers for hikers who are often on the trails or chasing waterfalls. These towels are typically made from polyester and nylon microfibers leading them to dry much faster than cotton towels. Not to mention they are incredibly lightweight and compressible.
Regular towels are not always a good idea for the trails as they are made from cotton, which takes much longer to dry. In addition, it can make your bag and additional gear wet and act as a breeding ground for bacteria.
We recommended the Rainleaf Microfiber Towel. It is a lightweight, fast-drying travel towel that can absorb five times more than its weight. Due to its quick-dry ability, you can use this towel multiple times a day.
Click on the buttons below to check the prices at MEC and Amazon.
Instant Coffee
Both coffee lovers and hikers can agree that nothing beats a nice cup of joe in the outdoors. Instant coffee is an excellent stocking stuffer idea for your loved ones. They can easily pack it on their treks, whether they are short or long.
While there are numerous different types of instant coffee brands, we suggest opting for fair-trade, organic coffee.
A unique yet delicious coffee to try is Mushroom Instant Coffee. The Four Stigmatic Mushroom Instant Coffee contains Lion’s Mane, which is known to support cognitive function. At the same time, the organic Chaga mushroom has antioxidant properties to support the immune system.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
Sunscreen Stick
Sunscreen is an essential item for everyone to use, whether you are a hiker or not. It helps to protect your skin from UV rays that can cause long-term skin damage.
If you ever had your sunscreen leak or break in your bag, you understand how annoying it can be to clean and wash your bag out afterwards. This is one of the main reasons why we recommend picking up a sunscreen stick. They are lightweight, easy to use, and cause little to no mess. As an added bonus, you do not have to worry about leaking or spilling throughout your gear bags.
The Neutrogena Sunscreen Stick is an SPF 70 sunscreen stick that is safe for both the body and the face. This sunscreen stick is non-greasy, non-comedogenic, PABA-free, and will not clog your pores as a dermatologist-recommended sun care brand. It is also travel and airport friendly.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
Spork
A spork is a versatile gift that acts as both a fork and spoon, limiting the amount of gear you need to pack with you on your hiking trips. When purchasing a spork, we suggest opting for a reusable stainless steel or titanium spork.
The FinessCity Titanium Spork is a magnificent titanium spork that dupes like a spork multitool. Not only does this spork have both a spoon and fork, but the end is also a bottle opener. It is strong and durable while also being lightweight. This makes it perfect for hikers who want to pack lightly for treks.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
Reusable Straws
If you are looking for a gift that can be used both in the home and on the trails while also being environmentally friendly, look no further than reusable straws.
These are for people looking to ditch single-use straws and take a more eco-friendly approach to drink straws. Did you know that stainless steel reusable straws have a long shelf life and are 100% recyclable?
The Grilljoy Reusable Metal Straws are an excellent option. This pack contains 13 reusable metal straws in three different sizes and includes two cleaning brushes. They are made from stainless steel, which makes them dishwasher-safe, non-toxic, and rustproof. The Grilljoy Reusable Straws also come with a carrying pouch, allowing them to be taken anywhere you go easily.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
Energy Bars
We all need a little energy to pick us up on the trails. Energy bars are a healthy present that your loved ones can eat on the go. They are lightweight, easy to pack, and a great easy source of energy for hikers.
Many different types of energy bars vary in flavours, ingredients, and protein sources. Our favourites are the RXBars Protein Bars. They are made from 100% real food without any artificial or unnatural ingredients. Additionally, they are all gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and free from added sugars, making them arguably one of the “healthier” options of protein bars on the market.
The RXBars Protein Bars come in single bars, variety packs, or regular packs of one flavour. The bulk boxes tend to be over $25, so we suggest picking up a few single bars in various flavours as stocking stuffers.
Click on the buttons below to check the prices at REI and Amazon.
Beeswax Wrap Paper
Beeswax wrap paper is a unique gift for hikers who like to bring snacks and even meals on their hikes. They fold easily and take up barely any room in your pack. Beeswax wraps are eco-friendly alternatives to plastic wraps. Take sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, or even wrap up half-eaten energy bars that you want to save for later on your hike.
These wraps serve numerous purposes and can also be used in your home to cover leftover bowls or wrap homemade bread to prolong the freshness.
The Bee’s Wrap brand is a great option if you have never tried beeswax wrap paper before. They use ethically sourced materials, and the packaging for the wraps is made from 100% recycled paper and biodegradable cellulose. Each pack comes with three wraps in assorted sizes: small, medium, and large. All wraps should last up to a year and are washable.
Click on the buttons below to check the prices at REI and Amazon.
Water Treatment Tablets
If the person you are shopping for enjoys multi-day hikes or even longer day hikes, this is the stocking stuffer for them. Water treatment tablets are incredibly beneficial and will take up little-to-no room in your pack.
It can be not easy to pack enough water for an entire trip, particularly on multi-day trips. Bringing water treatment tabs can help treat water from lakes and rivers, making it safe to drink. In addition, being able to refill your water bottle on the go when in the wilderness is advantageous.
The Coghlan’s Drinking Water Tablets are a cost-affordable option that contains 50 tabs per package. They can treat up to 25 quarts of water and contains iodine-based components to help remove any unpleasant taste.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
Wilderness Wipes (Biodegradable)
Biodegradable wet wipes serve many purposes for wilderness hygiene. They are suitable for all skin types and even sensitive enough for children. These make for a great gift that the entire family can enjoy in the home or out in the wilderness.
The Surviveware Biodegradable Wet Wipes are unscented, alcohol-free, hypoallergenic, ph-balanced, and, as the name says, completely biodegradable. They can be used to help clean up after a long day on the trails, remove mud, wipe off sweat, give yourself a no-rinse bath outdoors, clean the kid’s face and fingers, and, of course, use as eco-friendly toilet paper.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
Anti-Chafe Balm
Hiking is enjoyable, but it can be hard on the body, especially in warmer climates. One of the most common things to occur is chafing. It is never pleasant to feel your skin chafing against itself or your gear when you are out in the wilderness (or anywhere, really).
Chafing balm comes in handy to help reduce irritation, chafing, rashes, and redness resulting from friction, moisture and irritating gear or apparel. A chafing balm stick is a great option for hikers as it fits easily into any bag without having to worry about leaking or exploding in your pack. It is a hassle-free and mess-free option.
The Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm is a non-greasy formula that can help prevent chafing before it begins. This non-fragrance balm can be used daily and works by reducing friction and rubbing, which leads to chafing. You can use this in areas that are more prone to chafing as a precautionary measure.
Click on the buttons below to check the prices at REI and Amazon.
Emergency Survival Tent
Emergency Survival Tents make for a great addition to any hiker’s survival gear for hiking new or unknown areas. You never know when you will run into an emergency and need to camp out overnight. Potentially the weather conditions change quickly, or maybe nightfall approaches quicker than you expected. Whatever the reason is, having a safe emergency shelter in the wilderness is important for survival in various emergencies.
The Go Time Gear Life Tent Emergency Survival Shelter is a lightweight, two-person emergency tent that is waterproof and windproof. It is made to keep you dry, warm, and alive during emergencies. It also has an emergency signal whistle attached to it.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
Gear Aid Tape Repair
The Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Fabric and Vinyl Repair Tape is a durable peel-and-stick repair tape that can help hikers fix their gear on the go. These make great stocking stuffers as they are inexpensive and gear savers.
Gear rips tend to happen when you least expect it (and typically at the worst times). It is always smart for hikers to bring gear tape with them, even if they never use it. The best part is you can never have too much of it, so even if they already have one, the more, the merrier.
The Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Fabric and Vinyl Repair Tape have a waterproof coating, making your newly repaired items last even in wet conditions. It is ideal for tents, tarps, backpacks, jackets, and sleeping bags.
We recommend rolling tenacious tape as it is helpful for large or irregular-sized gear repairs. Because of its ability to repair most sized tears, roll tape is the most diverse and capable of helping hikers in almost any repair situation.
Click on the buttons below to check the prices at REI and Amazon.
Hiking Socks
When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with socks. Especially hiking socks.
Hiking socks are designed to help prevent blisters, provide a cushion to the front and heel of the foot (making them more durable than regular socks), and keep the feet dry. There are various sizes, colours, and weights of hiking socks, including lightweight, medium-weight, and heavy-weight.
If you are looking for a durable and insulated pair of socks for the cold winter months, the MeriWool Hiking Socks are a great choice for hiking socks. Along with the benefits listed above, they are also compression socks and provide arch support.
Click on the buttons below to check the prices at REI and Amazon.
Emergency Pocket Blanket
Emergency Pocket Blankets are a practical stocking stuffer gift idea that any hiker can add to their backpacks in case of an emergency. You never know when this may come in handy.
Honestly, we wish we had one of these a few years ago when we hiked the Cape Chignecto Coastal Loop. During our multi-day hike, we opted to leave our sleeping bags at home as we were in the middle of a heatwave (and cut down on weight). Long story short, the heatwave broke, and we ended up hiking for a few days in a rainstorm without any sleeping bags to keep us warm at night.
A notable emergency blanket is the Don’t Die In The Woods emergency blanket. This company supplies practical survival gear that is easy to use and fits perfectly in a stocking. Their emergency blankets are one of the World’s toughest that are not only waterproof but can also reflect body heat up to 90%.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
Travel Emergency First Aid Kit
It goes without saying that an emergency first aid kit is something that every hiker should have with them at all times. Even if you do not end up using it for yourself, you never know who you will run into along the trails or in the wilderness that may need medical assistance.
A basic emergency first aid kit should typically include alcohol pads and/or antiseptic pads, band-aids, cotton balls and Q-tips, medical tape, small scissors, adhesive tape, and gauze pads.
If you want to get creative, you can even make your own emergency first aid kit as a stocking stuff gift.
For those seeking a reliable emergency kit with all the basics and then some, we recommend the GO Emergency First Aid Kit. This kit includes 85 pieces in a durable, shock-resistant case.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
Crampons
Crampons are an outstanding gift idea for your hiking loved ones that enjoy hiking in the winter or on icy terrains.
They are relatively inexpensive and can fit around almost any hiking boot. Crampons add extra traction to help with hiking in snow, ice, and muddy conditions that would typically cause trouble for winter hikers.
The Wirezoll Crampons are a great choice as they are remarkably affordable and come in three different sizes (M, L, XL) to fit various boots.
These crampons feature 24 stainless steel spikes and a carrying bag to keep them in. They are lightweight and easy to pack into any day or an overnight backpack.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
Hand Warmers
Hand warmers are great for keeping hikers warm when hiking throughout the winter months (or in the mountains). This is a cozy gift to help with the winter chill.
If you are crafty, you can even personalize your own hand warmers by making DIY Hand warmers using rice and your favourite fabric.
For us less crafty people, HotHands Hand Warmers are one of the best “air-activated” hand warmers on the market. Operating for over 20 years, this is one of the more well-known companies among outdoor enthusiasts.
What makes HotHands Hand Warmers so special? They take around 15-30 minutes to heat up fully and last up to 10 hours. Keeping you warm for your entire hike (and longer)! They come in various sizes and can be used on your hands, feet, or anywhere else on the body.
Click on the buttons below to check the prices at MEC and Amazon.
Vaseline
Vaseline may seem like a random stocking stuffer gift. However, it serves many purposes on and off the trails. This is a staple product to have in your backpack.
Some of the benefits are that it helps prevent chafing, aids in healing minor scrapes and burns, and acts as a lubricant for stuck tools and gear. Vaseline is the perfect moisturizer for dry lips, hands, etc., caused by weather conditions.
We recommend the mini-vaseline containers over the large ones as they are perfect for fitting in both day and overnight backpacks.
To view the price on Amazon, click the button below.
GiftCards
And, of course, after all of this, if you are still unsure what to get your hiker loved ones, you can’t go wrong with a gift card.
Gift cards are great because chances are your loved ones already have some of the gear you are looking at gifting them. Sometimes gift cards make for the best gifts. We recommend going to your local gear store for gift cards to help support your local community.
