Best gifts for walkers: 22 top presents for hikers

We all have that one friend or family member who likes nothing more than a long walk in the countryside. From dramatic coastal walks to multi-day hikes in the highlands, Britain is a playground for ramblers. To help your loved ones explore the nation to its fullest, we’ve put together a list of the best gifts for walkers.

Below is a combination of useful items to help them get the most out of their walks to thoughtful products that simply celebrate their love of the great outdoors. We have also included sustainable gear for those looking to make greener choices.

If you’re not sure where to begin on your hunt for the perfect gift, our essential hiking list outlines the must-have gear.

So whether they just like a leisurely Sunday stroll or plan to climb every mountain in the British Isles, here are some of the best gifts for walkers and hikers.

The best gifts for walkers in 2023

Rab Ridge glove, RRP £38

Warm and wind-resistant polyester-wool gloves, with soft leather lining for durability. The tips of index finger and thumb are touchscreen-compatible.

EDZ Silk Fingerless Thermal Gloves, RRP £12.99

On freezing days, these are great as liner gloves beneath big mitts; when things are milder, wear them on their own. Also great if working from home in an under-heated house this winter – they’ll keep hands warm, and fingertips free to type.

Extremities Insulated Waterproof Sticky Power Line Gloves, RRP £40

With the combination of a warm insulated layer and a waterproof membrane, these gloves should keep your hands both warm and dry. The sticky silicone grid pattern on the palm and fingers of the gloves is designed to help with dexterity and grip when out in all weathers. The long cuff should keep out any draughts, too.

• For more glove suggestions for walkers, read our detailed review feature.

Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX boots, RRP £180

Vibrant looks, grippy soles and trainer-style comfort and cushioning straight from the box – these hiking boots from the famous sports shoe brand are the real deal. With a Gore-Tex lining for reliable waterproofing. (If you want to shop around for your loved one, read our round-up of the best walking boots.)

• Buy the Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX now from Adidas.co.uk

Yeti Rambler 14 OZ (414 ML) Mug, RRP £30

Amblers, anglers, campers and gardeners will love this chunky thermal mug, in a choice of 16 colours, including Nordic blue, pictured. The clear lid helps keep your drink warm, but isn't leak-proof, so this isn't one to stow in a backpack, but great for taking on dog walks and local wanders.

Primus Klunken Vacuum Bottle 0.5L, €36.95

This handsome stainless steel thermal bottle is available in brushed metal finish or a choice of seven colour ways, from warm yellow to muted green.

Lifeventure Thermal Mug, RRP £14.99

For winter walkers who enjoy a hot cuppa on the move. Stainless steel, leak-proof, and available in 21 different colourways, including 'matt ice blue' (pictured).

Hydro Flask 32oz Lightweight Wide Mouth Flask>

From the trail series, this Hydro Flask is 25% lighter than the brand’s typical wide mouth flask to make it less of a burden on those longer walks. Because it’s insulated, the flask will keep any liquids cold for 24 hours and warm for up to 12 hours. Hydro Flask also promise the cap is leak-proof because that is a worry no one needs.

Primus Lite+ Stove System, RRP €144.95

With this ingenious stove, you can boil up a brew in minutes – or rustle up some hot food. Compact and ultralight, efficient and weather-proof, it's perfect for walkers, backpackers or any variety of outdoor type.

Montane Men's Anti-Freeze Packable Down Gilet, RRP £140

Pleasantly light and deliciously warm, this sleeveless layer is filled with cosy duck down. And when you down't need it, pack it in it own pocket and stow in your pack. Pictured in oak green.

Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket, RRP £190

Windproof and, with low-profile but effective Primaloft Gold synthetic insulation, the Nano Puff is surprisingly warm for something so low in weight and bulk. Made from recycled materials. Great back-up thermal layer for any active outdoor-lover.

• Buy now for men from Patagonia.com
• Buy now for women from Patagonia.com

Craghoppers Spindle Half Zip Fleece, RRP £65

Warm unisex fleece in on-trend retro style. Made of recycled materials. For more details read our full length review of this and many other fleeces.

Alpkit Idwal Beanie, RRP £29.99

For those chilly coastal walks, this soft lamb's wool beanie will keep the warmth in without overheating the wearer. Wool is naturally odour-resistant, so won't require washing after each hike.

Available in a variety of colours, you can opt for a subtle seagrass tone or something more colourful like the ochre.

• Buy Idwal Beanie now from Alpkit

Napapijri Mountain Beanie, RRP £35

Nordic style from an Italian company: in this thick knitted beanie, your loved one will be raring to brave the hills this winter.

Montane Minimus Stretch Ultra Waterproof Cap, RRP £30

Water-resistant but breathable cap for hikers and trail runners, which weighs a featherlight 35g.

Patagonia Altiva 22 backpack, RRP £110

A handsome day pack just the right size for hiking. The harness is comfortable and stretch cord lacing on the exterior is great for carrying wet gear. Raincover included; unisex. Pictured in ‘metric orange’ colourway.

• Buy the Altima 22 now from patagonia.com

Ticket to the Moon Backpack Plus

The perfect backup-backpack for walker, travellers and shoppers, this lightweight (178g) rucksack folds out from its own integral zipped pouch to give you 25 litres of carrying space. Made of parachute silk nylon, the vibrant ‘aqua’ (pictured) has a contrasting burnt orange lining and is one of six colourways.

Deuter Speed Lite 17 backpack, RRP £55

German company Deuter has a knack of making satisfyingly neat-looking packs. The Speed Lite 17 weighs a negligible 390g, and has just enough space for essentials. Perfect for hiking at pace. Pictured in zingy paprika/saffron; four other colourways are available. (For further inspiration, take a look at our list of reviewed backpacks for walkers.)

Craghoppers Kiwi Classic Bum Bag, RRP £25

When you want to travel light, this is just big enough for essentials. Made of a tough polyester fabric, it has two zipped pockets and a key loop.

Krendr waxed canvas Lunch Bag, RRP £15.99

Keep energy levels high on the next hike with this durable and reusable lunch bag. Made from waxed canvas this bag should be fully waterproof meaning the sandwiches won't get ruined if the weather turns. It also claims to be stainproof which is a handy feature whenever food is involved.

The inside is lined with a thermal material to keep the hot stuff hot and cool stuff cool, so the hiker in your life can push on with their journey, safe in the knowledge they have an edible treat to look forward to when they've reached their next checkpoint.

If it does need a wipe down you can use a damp cloth to clean any spots that need attention, and once you're done with your meal or want to ration more for later it can be re-sealed thanks to the Velcro strips.

Craghoppers Waterproof Anderson cagoule, RRP £100

Classic anorak in four vibrant, modish colour-schemes. The hood tucks neatly away when not in use. Water-resistant fabric; unisex.

Fjallraven Women's Vardag anorak, RRP £190

Scandi-style protection from the elements from this robust and beautifully made from recycled polyester and organic cotton. Sizes run large.

• Buy now from Fjallraven

Decathlon Adult Hiking Sunglasses, RRP £14.99

The sun can be a lovely addition to a hike, but it’s wise to consider UV protection during long walks. With that in mind, these specifically designed sunglasses would make a great gift.

Made for the mountainside, they’re lightweight at just 21 grams making them easy enough to carry in a pack or pocket, and they’re fitted with a category three lens which basically means they have a 100% UV filter.

Formed with high resistant plastic these sunglasses should see you through many trips, with additional coverage on the side helping to keep wind and and spray out of the hiker’s eyes should the weather turn.

Buy Adult Hiking Sunglasses now from Decathlon

Our guide to the best sunglasses for walkers contains many more sunglasses recommendations.

Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Hiking Poles, RRP £149.99

Handy for the avid hiker taking on challenging trails, these walking poles are designed to support weight and provide traction on any tricky areas. They should be lightweight enough to fit in a hiking pack weighing just 332 grams per pair, and easy to deploy when needed.

The handles are made with a moisture wicking grip so you can hold on in wet weather or sweaty ascents, and should be just as easy to fold away when you’re done, with aKevlar®cord built inside that keeps them connected and in one piece.

• For more walking poles head across to our comprehensive best walking poles list.

Rite in the Rain All Weather Pocket Notebook, RRP £6

This small pocket notebook is for those who love to sketch or take notes during their ambles. This 100% recyclable wood-based paper sheds water, moisture and dirt, so you can make notes even in the worst of weathers. It is also compact enough to fit into any jacket pocket.

Ruffwear Quencher Portable Fabric Dog Bowl, RRP £23

For the dog-walker in your life: available in three colours (blue moon, meltwater teal and pumpkin orange), the Ruffwear Quencher is a fabric dog bowl that is lightweight and can be easily folded up and stored away. Features include a waterproof lining, reflective trim and it is machine washable.

Nebo Lil Larry 250 Lumen Pen Light Torch

Weighing just 90g, the Nebo Lil Larry torch is small enough to slide into a pocket. It is sturdy, too, with a shock and corrosion-proof anodized aluminium body and recessed LED housing so it won’t get broken on your adventures. There are three light modes; high, low and emergency red flash.

Find more camping gadgets in our list of favourites.

Personalised Hiking Boot Bag

A great way to keep your car mud-free is with a hiking boot bag. This one from Not on the High Street can be customised with a name or initials for that extra touch. The embroidery is available in six fonts and a massive 25 colours including slate grey, duck egg blue and deep red.

Garmin Fenix 6 Multisport GPS Watch

A GPS watch can be a great tool for getting more from your walks. The Garmin Fenix 6 is able to provide you with lots of data from features such as heart-rate monitoring, thermometer, barometric altimeter (to detect changes in elevation), compass and sunset/sunrise timings. In battery saving mode, the watch can also last up to 48 days on a single charge.

For more gadgets for hikers head across to the best hiking gadgets list compiled by our sister publication Science Focus

Short Walks in Beautiful Places by National Trust

We’re all guilty of falling into a rut of walking our favourite routes each week. Short Walks in Beautiful Places by National Trust contains over 100 British walks to help find new walks and explore more of the countryside. Information about facilities, children’s activities, local restaurants and transport links are also included.

SmartWool Hike Light Crew Socks

A good pair of hiking socks can prevent rubbing, blisters and stop your feet getting too hot or cold. Made from a Merino wool rich blend, these socks should keep your feet warm, while the arch brace should keep the sock in place and provide additional support. These socks come with light cushioning that is designed to keep you comfortable on day hikes. SmartWool socks are available in men’s, women’s and unisex styles.

Pair with our selection of best walking boots and best walking shoes.

Grayl Ultralight Compact Water Purifier

By purifying and filtering contaminated water in 15 seconds, this compact water bottle allows hikers to drink clean water on the go without being weighed down by a heavy liquid-filled pack. The cartridge needs to be replaced after 300 uses so this gift would work well for those who enjoy multi-day walks. The bottle is also available in black and white.

Collapsible Camping Kettle

Knowing a hot cup of tea is waiting for you at the top of a summit is quite the motivator and reward. Weighing 200g, this collapsible silicone kettle from Sea to Summit is lightweight and durable. It can also be used as a pot to heat food if you fancied a hot lunch stop. It can boil 800ml of water so enough for a couple of cups. Its foldable nature makes it easy to pack.

Buff Coolnet UV+ Slim Headband

This fun and practical headband is an ideal gift for walkers looking to add a splash of colour to their hiking wardrobe. The high sweat management fabric, cooling technology andUPF 50+ sun protection make this headband a solid choice for a sunny day. The Buff headwear is made from recycled plastic bottles. There are a range of funky designs and colours to choose from including lime green and baby pink.

Explore our list ofeco-friendly outdoor gear from some of the most sustainable brands.

Official Personalised OS Map

A custom-made OS map is a great way of celebrating a walk or location that has particular meaning to you. Starting at £16.99, the maps are able to be bought either as a folded map or flat ready to be displayed. Ordnance Survey allow you to pick a location and personalise the map with a name or message.

Buy now from Ordnance Survey

Jack Wolfskin Waterproof Touchscreen Sensitive Pouch

Hiking in the rain is often unavoidable so it’s good to be prepared. This waterproof and dustproof hermetic pouch is the ideal size for a phone. The pouch is touchscreen sensitive so you can read your messages in the rain without the help of a sheltering tree! When you do want to remove something, the fastener is magnetic for easy access.

Buy now from Jack Wolfskin

For more waterproof gear, have a look at our best lightweight walking jackets or round-up of the best waterproof trousers.