Christmas is less than 6 weeks away. Coming up with gift ideas can be stressful. Telling others what we want can be even harder. To help you with your holiday shopping, we asked our team to list their favorite hiking and backpacking items. Whether you are shopping for someone else or creating your own wish list, these 9 items are the perfect Christmas gift for any hiker.
1. Melissa: The pStyle
There are lots of pee devices out there, but the pStyle is a tried and true favorite among wine hikers. And what’s not to love? No more having to squat to pee. No more having to pull your pants down to pee. No more splashing pee on the back of your legs. Plus, the pStyle comes in several fun colors.
Like wine and cheese, the pStyle pairs well with the Kula Cloth, a reusable anti-microbial pee cloth that puts an end to drip-drying (which never gets anyone dry). We even have a fun Wine Hiking Society Kula Cloth design in our shop.
When you purchase your pStyle, we recommend purchasing a carrying pouch. Use WINE10 at checkout to get 10% off.
2. Kari: Hillsound Microspikes
Just because winter’s coming, it doesn’t mean you have to stop hiking. In fact, just about any hike you do in the summer can also be done in the winter. You just need one items: microspikes.
Kari loves her Hillsound microspikes, and they are on sale at REI.com for the next week!
Unless there’s fresh snow, the trails are typically covered by packed snow. That packed snow can make it difficult to push off your foot on the uphill, and the packed snow can make the trip downhill slick. Microspikes give you the traction you need to safely hike all winter long.
3. Cindy: Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles
People often think hiking poles are for older people. However, hiking poles can be a game changer on the trail!
Hiking poles save your knees on the downhill and give you more power on the uphill by allowing you to use your arms and your legs to hike. As Cindy says, using hiking poles on an uphill is like shifting your car into 4-wheel drive.
Cindy’s favorite hiking poles are the Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles. Not only are these poles durable and lightweight, but they also fold up easily to fit inside your pack.
4. Amanda: JetBoil Flash Cooking System
Amanda isn’t the only one in our group who loves her JetBoil Flash. She’s just the one who called it first!
The JetBoil Flash is our team’s favorite for a few reasons. First, it boils 2 cups of water in just 100 seconds! This is perfect for when you’re hungry for your freeze-dried backpacking meal or ready to warm up with some hot cocoa (and maybe even Kahlua).
The JetBoil Flash has a flame on the side that changes color when the water is boiling. That way, you can do other things while you wait but still keep an eye on it. The insulated cozy keeps your hands safe when it’s time to pour.
For a stove that boils water so quickly, the JetBoil Flash is also lightweight. Weighing in at 13 ounces, the JetBoil Flash is an all-in-one stove that stows your fuel canister and the stove burner inside.
5. Angelique: Backpacking Chair
Usually when I recommend people get a backpacking chair, they often say they’ll forego the weight and just sit on a rock or a log. But here’s the thing: there’s not always a rock or log available where everyone else is sitting.
Plus, after a long day on tired legs and feet with a heavy pack on your back, it’s a treat to sit down, lean back, and relax. It’s always worth the added weight, which is only 1 pound if you get my favorite chair, the Helinox Chair Zero.
The Helinox Chair Zero isn’t just for backpacking. It’s also perfect for when we’re hanging out, sipping some wine and sharing some snacks on our wine hikes.
6. Sam: Selfie Stick Tripod
Speaking of having wine and snacks with your fellow wine hikers, it’s always fun to get a group picture. Sadly, someone always has to play photographer and miss the group shot.
Thanks to Sam, now you and your fellow wine hikers can all be in the picture! Or if you’re a solo hiker, you can finally snap that perfect picture of yourself gazing off into the sunset.
Sam loves this collapsible selfie stick phone tripod. This selfie stick tripod expands from 8 inches to 40 inches. The built-in wireless remote is rechargeable and compatible with iPhones and Androids. The phone holder allows you to set your phone up vertically or horizontally so you can capture that Instagram-worthy shot.
7. Tissiana: Revel Gear Day Tripper Solar Pack
If you’re a backpacker, then Tissiana’s gift should definitely be on your wish list! The Revel Gear Day Tripper Solar Pack is an 8,000mAh solar power bank that will charge multiple phones, watches, speakers, and GPS devices.
This water-resistant, shockproof battery pack can be charged using a USB or the built-in solar panel. It’s perfect for multi-day trips in the backcountry.
The solar pack also has a built-in LED light. The light will last 18 hours on bright. There’s even an emergency strobe setting that lasts 10.5 hours.
8. Erin: Garmin InReach Mini
While we’re on the topic of emergencies, Erin’s wish list addition is the ultimate item for emergency preparedness. The Garmin InReach Mini is a 2-way satellite communicator. It allows you to send an SOS to the 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center in the case of an emergency.
The palm-size GPS device has a 50-hour battery life and only weighs 3.5 ounces. It’s the perfect size for all of your backcountry excursions.
The Garmin InReach Mini is handy even when there’s no emergency. Use it for basic navigation, to check the weather, or to text someone back home to let them know you’re okay.
It’s currently on sale for $50 off at REI.com.
9. Rachel: Therm-a-Rest Backpacking Air Mattress
If you’re looking to lighten your backpacking base weight, add Rachel’s recommendation to your Christmas wish list.
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite Women’s Ultralight Backpacking Air Mattress is lightweight and warm! This air mattress weighs only 11 ounces, packs down to 9×4 inches, and has an R-value of 5.4. That R-value means you stay warmer at night.
