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Nov 08, 2023

33 best gifts for outdoor lovers and adventurers

You probably know someone whose favorite place to be is the outdoors. Perhaps you have a partner, friend or family member who enjoys running, cycling, camping or hitting the slopes. Or maybe there's someone on your list who you’re hoping to gently push off the couch by enticing them with some stylish athleisure wear.

Either way, your loved one will likely enjoy gifts like comfortable, weather-resistant clothes and lightweight portable gear to help them hit the trails, fish the seas, trek through the woods or simply garden in their backyard. To give you options on what to give your favorite outdoor enthusiast this gifting season, we compiled a list of our favorite gift ideas that we think you’ll want to know about.

To help you find the best possible gear, gadgets and apparel for the outdoor lover on your list, we’ve rounded up 33 highly rated outdoor items, along with Select picks from reader favorite brands like Lululemon, YETI, Merrell and The North Face. Below, you'll find top water bottles, running belts, warm jackets, hiking shoes and other accessories that will be sure to fuel your giftee's adventurous side. To help you sift through these various gift ideas, we've compiled them into the following categories:

Measuring 50 by 70 inches, this blanket — handmade from 100% recycled materials by local artists in Tlaxcala, Mexico — is perfect for picnics, yoga, camping, tailgates and more. According to the company, these boldly colored blankets are breathable, compact, easy to carry and machine-washable. A portion of every purchase goes to their charity partner Water Mission, an organization committed to building safe water, sanitation and hygiene solutions in developing countries. A bestseller on Amazon, the blanket has a 4.7-star average rating from 21,138 reviews.

This stainless-steel, wood-burning backpacking stove is perfect for camping, hiking, picnics, barbecues and any other outdoor adventure during which you want to brew coffee or cook up a few burgers. According to the brand, it's lightweight at just over 1 pound, and folds up small enough to store in your backpack. This stove has a 4.5-star average rating across 2,567 Amazon reviews.

This one-size-fits-all knitted hat is made from an acrylic blend to keep you warm, says the brand. It comes in a range of different colors, from peach to forest green.

Weighing less than a pound, this compact fire starter fits in your pocket and has a 3- by 1-inch solid magnesium fuel bar with flint and a single-sided serrated striker. It's waterproof and weatherproof — and a must-have for any outdoor survival kit, says the brand. The 2-in-1 All-Weather Magnesium Firestarter Kit has a 4.4-star average rating across 7,096 Amazon reviews.

This backpack from Select-favorite brand has a clamshell opening, so it combines the convenience of a suitcase with the portablity of a backpack, says YETI. It has a separate pocket for your laptop and a pass-through sleeve so you can secure it to the handle of your roller luggage. Its TuffSkin Nylon is water- and abrasion-resistant, says the brand, and comes in five cool colors, including Nordic Purple, Harvest Red and Alpine Brown.

Marathoner Jordan Zimmerman told Select she loves this running belt, which can expand to up to 60 inches, for its convenience and design. "It fits large phones, keys, snacks, credit cards [and] is adjustable to many, many sizes of waists," she said. The pocket expands to four times its size, and it has a slim profile, so it doesn't get in the way when you’re running, Amphipod says.

The wide-field view on these fogproof, waterproof binoculars makes them great for scanning large areas while camping, birding and boating, according to the brand. A top-rated pick by Select editors, the binoculars have a rubber coating that offers added protection and a firm, comfortable grip, says Nikon.

A good pair of sunglasses are crucial for runners, especially if they don't like to run with a hat on. Our experts recommended this pair from Goodr because they don't slip, come in an array of colors and are just $25. The polarized lenses block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays, and are coated with an anti-scratch and anti-saltwater layer of protection, says the brand.

Who says camping can't be comfy? This compact chair weighs 2 pounds and is designed to fold up easily and slip right into your backpack, says Trekology. In fact, former Select editor Michael Park, who counts the Yizi-Go among his favorite portable camping chairs, said that when folded in its included storage bag, it's "somewhere between a jumbo fanny pack and a shoebox." According to the brand, the frame provides sturdy support with a weight capacity of up to 300 pounds, and its breathable, side mesh panels keep you cool in the heat. The Yizi-Go has a 4.5-star average rating from 323 reviews on Amazon.

Cycling glasses are an essential for any rider to protect their eyes from the sun, rain or any bugs or dust that might get in their way. Goodr's affordable Wrap G sunglasses check every box, according to our experts. These mirrored reflective glasses have a polarized filter, are non-slip and scratch-resistant and come in seven vibrant colorways.

The Kootek Camping Hammock is large enough to comfortably fit two people or up to 500 pounds total, says the company. It easily attaches to trees via straps and carabiners that won't damage the tree and is lightweight at just over 2 pounds. It's made of quick-drying, tear-resistant parachute material and stows away in its own bag. The hammock, which has a 4.4-star average rating across 27,658 reviews on Amazon, comes in 14 colors.

Budding astronomers might like this Astronomical Refractor Telescope, a top-rated telescope option for kids and Select editor favorite. The telescope is easy to set up and very portable, says Toyerbee, and comes with a tripod and two eyepieces that magnify up to 90 times.

If you have an avid fisherman on your list or even a beginner angler, the Penn Battle III reel might be a good upgrade or addition to their current rod. The Penn III has an HT-100 carbon-fiber drag system and a full metal body, and can handle "serious abuse," says the brand. It's also a No. 1 bestseller on Amazon, with a 4.7-star average rating among 1,836 reviews.

If the fisherman on your list needs a sturdy backpack to organize their gear, this Select top pick is designed to do just that. It includes an integrated LED light system to illuminate the pack's contents when night fishing, web loops to secure tools, internal and external pockets and large, adjustable, padded shoulder straps, says the brand. It can also store up to four 3,500-sized tackle trays or two 3600-sized trays (not included).

Victorinox has been making Swiss Army knives since 1897 and this compact Classic SD 7 is an Amazon bestseller, with a 4.8-star average rating across 40,577 reviews. It has seven functions, including a small blade, scissors, nail file, screwdriver, key ring, toothpick and tweezers. At 2.3 inches in length and weighing only 0.7 ounces, this knife easily slips into any pocket and comes in 16 colors.

A Select editor favorite, the Wawona by North Face is 86 square feet wide and large enough to stand in comfortably, making it "less like a tent and more like a home," says the brand. It's double-walled, providing a sturdy construction, with a mesh front door for ventilation and a large vestibule where you can store gear. There's also ceiling pockets to hold headlamps, lights, tablets or whatever else you wish to keep safe and out of the way.

This backpack from Water Buffalo maintains the temperature of its 2-liter hydration bladder for up to five hours, making it a useful gift for hikers, cyclists, runners or any other outdoor adventurer. There's also an expanded storage compartment for clothes, energy bars, keys, a wallet and anything else you may need, says the brand. The Water Buffalo Hydration Pack currently has a 4.5-star average rating from 11,499 Amazon reviews.

This model was named the top pick for best overall firepit by Select experts, and for good reason: The Crossweave Outdoor Fire Pit is relatively easy to set up and can be set up in your yard, garden, or patio and is easy to move if you change your mind about where it should be. At 36 inches in diameter, it is large enough for family and friends to gather around and comes with a metal, built-in wood-burning grate and poker. This 28-pound fire pit comes in both Black and Bronze so you can choose what color works best for your outdoor space.

This 16-ounce reusable mug and Select editor favorite keeps water hot for five hours, according to Consumer Reports, and the lid is easy to clean by hand (the brand says the lid is dishwasher-safe, though the vessel is not). The slider on the lid is leakproof, says Ello, meaning it can stand up to bumps on the trail without worry. It's also an Amazon bestseller, with a 4.7-star average rating from 7,626 reviews.

Outdoor activity can mean a lot of time in the sun. To help prevent sunburns and other skin problems, dermatologists recommend wearing sunscreen. One Select favorite is Blue Lizard's SPF 50+ sunscreen for sensitive skin. It is water- and sweat-resistant, and free of reef-harming chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, according to the brand.

This portable solar-powered lantern is lightweight and collapsible, so they can take it on the go while camping, hiking and more. It has three light settings and a flickering candle mode, and it offers a runtime of up to 35 hours on low, according to the brand. GoalZero says you can recharge the lantern using any USB port or via the built-in solar panel.

For wine lovers who love to travel, this gift set from BruMate comes with a triple-insulated 25-ounce wine canteen and two 14-ounce wine tumblers that can keep drinks at your ideal temperature for hours, according to the brand. The set also comes in a variety of bright colors and designs. like Glitter Rose Gold, Aqua and Neon Pink.

The Forerunner 745 is a top-rated smartwatch with impressive GPS for all kinds of outdoor activities. Our experts recommend this smartwatch for its accurate GPS and mileage tracking. It uses GPS alongside GLONASS and Galileo satellite mappers, leading to more accurate tracking, according to the brand. Outside of GPS, it also tracks other metrics like heart rate, VO2 max, blood oxygen saturation and more.

Anker makes a wide variety of charging solutions, from solar banks to power strips. One simple way to charge small devices while off-the-grid is the Anker 313 Power Bank. According to the brand, the 10,000 MAh battery pack can provide two charges to an iPhone 13s. It's a bestseller on Amazon, with a 4.6-star average rating from 73,241 reviews.

One of our favorite Bluetooth speakers, this option from JBL is portable enough to take on outdoor trips and has an IPX7 waterproof rating to provide outdoor entertainment, according to the brand. The speaker can provide up to 12 hours of playtime, and you can also pair it with other JBL products for a multi-speaker setup, JBL says. It comes in multiple vibrant colors, including yellow, pink and red.

The Moab 3 hiking boot comes in both men's and women's styles and is an update to the Select favorite Moab 2. Among its improvements are a more supportive insole and a softer, more cushioned midsole, says the brand, which makes them ideal for hiking on flat surfaces. According to Merrell, the Moab 3 is constructed entirely with recycled materials, making it the most environmentally friendly Moab boot ever.

This lightweight jacket and top Select pick should keep the cyclist in your life safe and warm amid sudden downpours. This jacket, which can convert to a vest, is easy to pack and store and also comes in an eye-popping yellow hue that offers visibility even in foggy or rainy conditions. It comes in both men's and women's styles.

Outdoor voices is a brand favorite of Select readers. These durable, wind- and water-resistant pants have sections that you can zip off so you can wear them three different ways — as pants, capris or shorts — which is ideal for adventurers who are hiking, running or cycling in varied climates. They also have seven pockets, so there's plenty of room to store energy bars, keys, your phone or whatever else. They come in bone, black, navy and a kelp/khaki/bone combo.

The cold-weather runner in your life may love these gloves from Select reader favorite brand Lululemon (available in both men's and women's sizes). The reflective gloves are available in three colors and fingers have tech-friendly tips, so you can use your phone or smartwatch mid-run. According to the brand, the fabric is a water-repellent fleece with a four-way stretch. The gloves snap together when not in use so they don't get lost.

Made for both men and women, these socks are a Select top pick for runners who love to go the distance, as well as cyclists, skiers or anyone else who is on their feet all day. A bestseller on Amazon, with a 4.5-star rating across 68,549 reviews, these socks have moisture-wicking properties to keep you dry, says the brand. They are available in 13 different colors.

Whether they're setting up their tent or going for an evening jog, this light-up beanie hat — which has an average 4.5-star rating from 1,355 reviews on Amazon — can help. It allows for hands-free lighting, with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to seven hours on a single charge, according to the brand. It offers two brightness settings and a strobe mode, and is washable. It's also warm, says the brand, thanks to its acrylic blend.

If you’ve been on the slopes all day, there's nothing better than slipping your feet into something warm and comfy. The snow bunny in your life might like these water-repellent mules, which have a 5-star rating from 692 reviews on Northface. Available in both men's and women's sizes, they come in 11 fun colorways and have a high-traction rubber outsole so you can wear them inside or out, says the brand.

So ubiquitous on social media that it became known as "The Amazon Coat," this Select editor favorite is still enjoying lasting popularity. The coat has a polyester shell, which the brand says resists wind and water, while the duck-down fill offers warmth without bulk. It also has six generously sized pockets that can hold everything from a wallet to a hat, Orolay says, and a deep, fleece-lined hood — making winter walks that much more bearable for your giftee.

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Angela Hatem is a freelance writer who covers parenting, infertility, health & wellness, and e-commerce. She tries to find the funny when it's possible. When she can't find that, she looks for money under couch cushions. Find her online at http://www.AngelaHatem.com.

Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.
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