Shopping for your friends who have a closet full of gear dedicated to year-round outdoor activities can be overwhelming. That’s where Backcountry comes in with the convenience of one-stop shopping and an understanding of the types you’re shopping for.
Whether you’re shopping for multiple people or just one multisport individual, you can browse the site for gift ideas and deals from well-known brands. Winter jackets and skis are getting all the attention in stores, but online, you’ll find gear for campers, runners, and other summer activities that may better fit the outdoor enthusiasts in your life. Some of it may even be on sale — always a nice plus this time of year.
Backcountry has thousands of SKUs, and sifting through them can take up a lot of time. Luckily, we’ve done some of the heavy lifting for you and selected some of our favorite gift ideas at Backcountry. We start with overall picks and then sort out a few based on price.
If you want more curated gift guides, Backcountry has several that are curated by interest, including Gearhead Picks from the retailer’s own testers or gifts for campers, as well as guides sorted by price point, like gifts under $100 and gifts under $50.
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Top Gift Picks at Backcountry
Below you’ll find several time-tested, bestselling outdoor items, as well as some newer items we’ve had our eye on this summer. Then we’ve picked out items by price, sorted by Under $100, Under $50, and Under $25.
Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoodie — Men’s & Women’s
A favorite among climbers, the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoodie is a popular winter layer for other high-output activities like ski touring and running. It’s been a couple of years since one of our testers reviewed the latest iteration, but it’s largely unchanged. It’s made from 100% recycled polyester jacquard fleece that draws praise for not bunching up under a harness or other layers.
It provides warmth, moisture management, and lives up to its name with breathability. In all, it’s a cold-weather technical fleece that’s at its best as an active outer layer, yet makes a good midlayer during more static times. The R1 Air hoodie has a helmet-friendly hood, offset shoulder seams, and three zippered pockets to secure essentials.
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Kelty Rad-Arondack Chair: $140
The Kelty Rad-Arondack Chair looks more like a home chair, with its patio-comfort style and sturdy build. And that’s okay for car camping. The chairs have a lightweight aluminum frame and a reinforced nylon seat, and it can fold up/break down easily.
For anyone who likes a plush campsite and has space for these at home, they’re bound to get plenty of use from these. Who knows, maybe they’ll offer you a seat the next time you visit. As a bonus, the included carry wrap case can be used as a dog bed.
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Leatherman Signal Multi-Tool: $140
The Leatherman Signal Multi-Tool is a bit of a hall-of-fame product at GearJunkie. That’s because it is the outdoor-oriented multitool, and it’s been improved, according to our review. (Backcountry’s Gearheads are on board, too.) The 19-in-1 Signal has the essential tools for most travel and camp needs: pliers, drivers, wire cutters, and wrenches keep hardware dialed.
More outdoors-specific tools are the knife, saw, ferro rod, and emergency whistle, which also add some emergency use cases. This is a must-pack for many backpackers and campers who regularly use it to start a fire, prep meals, and set tent stakes.
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Hestra Fall Line Mitten & Glove: $190
A mix of rugged leather and soft fleece lining exemplifies the hard and soft traits that make a good snow glove. The Hestra Fall Line Mitten and Gloves are made with a durable cowhide that breaks in with a nice patina over time, while foam insulation inside provides structure and warmth.
The protection from wind and powder is paramount, but it’s the against-the-skin feel of the fleece lining that oozes all-day comfort. Hestra uses outseams for improved hand dexterity, while an included carabiner makes it easy to get pairs together.
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K2 Tree Splitter Snowboard (226): $200
If you can find stashes of powder, the Tree Splitter is aboard you want with you. Built for all skill levels, this snowboard has a rocker/flat/rocker profile and taper shaped to easily float and slash in powder. A veneer core gives it a steady flex while the extruded 2,000 base helps it glide as you surf through snow, the deeper the better, and simplifies upkeep.
The bindingless board comes with traction pads and a paracord leash to support different ride styles. Shred in your backyard or bring it along to find ungroomed stashes in the wild.
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Gifts Under $100
Pendleton Shetland Crew Sweater — Men’s: $100
Pendleton is a heritage brand known for its wool blankets, and this 100% Shetland wool crew neck continues that tradition of warmth. The sweater has a midweight knit, the kind of airy insulation you want around the lodge or home when there’s a draft. It has a classic textured style with reinforced cuffs, collar, and hem. Those who receive this will appreciate its versatility as a layer and its all-day comfort.
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The North Face ThermoBall Eco Traction Bootie: $69
Anyone who camps in the winter will appreciate the premium PrimaLoft ThermoBall Eco insulation of these water-resistant booties and the lightly lugged outsole. Around the home, these make a convenient slip-on to take the dogs outside, split firewood, or just get the mail.
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Backcountry Cedars Merino Lightweight Baselayers — Men’s & Women’s
One of Backcountry’s standouts in winter gear, the line of Cedars RWS Merino Lightweight Crew Baselayers checks the boxes for next-to-skin comfort, ease of movement, and even prioritizes sustainable materials. The Responsible Wool Standard-certified merino wool includes all the anti-odor, temperature-regulating performance you’d expect, and the recycled nylon fibers boost the layers’ durability and wicking.
Each piece is also shaped to fit well and move with you, so notice the flatlock seams, crewneck cuts, thumbhole cuffs, and different waist cuts.
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NEMO Fillo Pillow: $45
For at-home comfort in the tent, NEMO created a hybrid camp pillow that combines luxury foam and baffled air cells that can be micro-adjusted via its valve. It creates a lofty pillow with structured support that side sleepers may enjoy the most. Don’t worry, it packs down small enough that some backpackers will make room for it.
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Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight Medical Kit .5: $32
This makes our list for those who worry about a friend or loved one in the wilderness, especially if they’re the type that wouldn’t buy this themselves. The Ultralight Watertight .5 is sized for quick trips and has the emergency essentials for treating wounds, blisters, and other common illnesses. An interior waterproof DryFlex inner bag keeps the first-aid supplies dry, and all combined, it weighs just 2.6 ounces, so there’s no excuse to leave it behind.
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Arcade Atlas Belt: $40
Traditional belts are stiff and can dig into you during the repeated steps of a long hike. Conversely, modern hiking pants often rely on cords and ties that work loose. Enter the flexible Arcade Atlas belt, an adjustable hold-free belt made with polyester webbing that moves with you on the go. In short, it’s a stretchy adventure belt that delivers a customized fit you’ll want to wear all the time.
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Gifts Under $25
Farm to Feet Damascus Lightweight Technical Sock & 1/4 Sock: From $22
We doubt any hikers in your life will roll their eyes at another pair of well-made technical socks. It’s not like buying dad another tie, we promise. The Damascus Lightweight Technical 1/4 Crew Sock is a favorite of ours and thousands of hikers. It’s Farm to Feet’s most technologically advanced sock for hikers and trail runners who prefer just enough cushioning in key areas and the breathability that comes from a lower profile elsewhere.
The socks are made from U.S.-grown merino wool, which gives the socks the traits of thermal regulation and odor control you want on long trail trips.
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YETI Mag Slider Rambler 10 oz. Lowball Mug: $25
From morning coffees to a fireside cocktail, the Rambler 10 oz. Lowball Mug is popular for its just-right size as much as for its insulating properties. Surely you’re familiar with the double-wall insulation that keeps drinks cold or hot.
We like these for the MagSlider lid that keeps insects out and contains the occasional slosh. More importantly, these mugs are stackable, making it easier to pack and organize at the campsite or cabin. You can make a matching set, but we like the different colors for keeping track of whose drinks are whose.
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Buff CoolNet UV+ Multifunctional Headband: From $17
Another summer gift idea that’ll be appreciated soon enough. Buff’s CoolNet UV+ Multifunctional Headband is a versatile headband made from four-way stretch fabric with a seamless construction. All that’s to say it’ll move with you and wick moisture while protecting you from the sun. In fact, the CoolNet tech helps cool you, and an odor control treatment makes it a viable option for repeated use. Click through to Backcountry and see all the other colors/styles.
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Ruffwear Quencher Dog Bowl: $20
Don’t forget the four-legged friends need to hydrate, too. This smart, collapsible design has a wide base to give it structure, and then folds down to stash in a bottle pocket or slide under a bungee cord. The bowl has a waterproof liner and a durable recycled polyester shell. It’s even machine washable.
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This post was sponsored by Backcountry.com. Find gift ideas in Backcountry’s curated gift guides.
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