Christmas is right around the corner and if you are looking for the perfect gift for the hiker in your life, I have some great ideas! Check out the list below and let me know what you’re planning to give, or hoping to receive, this holiday season!
1. New Hampshire Hike-Opoly Board Game
The perfect gift to give any hiker this year is the New Hampshire Hike-Opoly board game! Modeled after Monopoly, players take turns rolling the dice and travelling around the board buying New Hampshire hostels, waterfalls, mountains and more. Instead of going to jail, players get stuck in the shelter until they can roll doubles. Free Parking is also replaced by Trail Magic! White Blaze and Cairn cards bring everything from broken poles to cash rewards for picking up litter. The hiking theme is a lot of fun, and it was designed by YouTuber Taylor the Nahamsha Hiker of Wicked Nahamsha Gifts in Meredith, NH. You can visit her store or order the game online for $39.99 here.
2. Darn Tough Socks
Any hiker would be happy to receive a fresh pair of Darn Tough hiking socks. Darn Tough has a design and fit for everyone on your shopping list – even non-hikers! I can attest to the fact that these socks are top notch. I have at least 10 pairs and they are my go-to hiking socks, but the great thing about Darn Tough socks is that they are made right over the river in Vermont and guaranteed for life. You can order a 2-pack of “bear town” socks for $46.00 here.
3. New Hampshire Hike Safe Card
Anyone who hikes in New Hampshire should have a Hike Safe Card. If there’s someone on your list who has been telling you how they want to start hiking in 2023, this would be a superb gift to give them! A twisted ankle or a missed turn could lead to a rescue costing thousands of dollars, but responsible Hike Safe Card holders are not liable for rescue costs – which means, your gift kinda makes you a hero. Not to mention, the cost of the card goes to fund all rescues in the state, so you are giving to a good cause and giving your friend peace of mind. See this post to learn more about the Hike Safe Card. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department begins selling the 2023 Hike Safe Card November 15th for $25 per person and $35 per family here.
4. L.L. Bean’s Wicked Good Lodge Chukkas
5. REI Gift Card
Are you feeling a little intimidated about shopping for the gear expert on your list? Maybe this person has strong opinions because they’ve tested and reviewed every stove, backpack, and water filter out there. In this case, the best option might be a gift card from REI. Let them pick exactly what they need, while letting them know you care. REI allows you to choose an electronic or physical gift card with free delivery here.
6. Garmin Instinct® 2 Solar Watch
With a price tag of just under $450.00, the Garmin Instinct® 2 Solar Watch is the splurge gift for someone special! This watch is fun and easy to use, but it also serves as an important lifeline with a track-back feature that helps you trace your steps if you lose your way, and an emergency alert system that detects when you’ve had an incident and need help. I purchased the older model for my husband, and he used the track-back feature when he encountered a white out near the top of a 4-thousand-footer! After that, I bought myself the Instinct® 2 Solar, which offers a 44 mm version for smaller wrists. I love this watch! The battery stays charged for days and it’s great for runners, or really anyone looking for greater insight into their health and movement patterns. I appreciate the sleep quality and stress scores, which, in my experience, are weirdly accurate when you’re getting sick and could use some extra rest.
7. Gift Something Thrifted
It’s a widely accepted fact that hikers love nature! Therefore, while gifting something purchased new at a store is perfectly nice, it can be really special, and good for the environment, to give something useful that already exists in the world. Head to your local thrift store and see if anything strikes you! It might be a unique, gently used, coffee mug you can fill with candies or, if you really want to get elaborate, a chest of drawers you can repurpose to store items like headlamps and gloves, and, by removing the lower drawers, store boots and shoes. The thought and the effort will go a long way and will likely save you some cash.
8. Healthy Trail Snacks from Epic Provisions
If you’re the culinary mastermind of the group, and your friends and family are counting down the days until you give them your famous salted caramels or gingerbread cookies, by all means, don’t change that tradition! Otherwise, before you gift a box of Christmas cookies this year, take a moment to think about whether the hiker in your life will be happy to have yet another dose of sugar in the season of all things sugar. A better treat might be something that lasts a long time and will power them on their next adventure. In lieu of sugary foods, what about gifting a box of venison bars from Epic Provisions? These bars have a long shelf life, provide 12 grams of protein and have ZERO added sugar. Epic Provisions has a wide variety of products on its website here.
9. A Peak Bagging Sticker Poster
This New Hampshire 4-thousand-footer sticker poster from HeckYesStudio on Etsy is perfect for the peak bagger on your list. Not only is it a great piece of wall decor, but the poster makes peak tracking easy. I have this poster myself and it’s always exciting to add a new sticker and look at the mountains left to climb. Another perk of this gift is that climbing all of these mountains takes time and once completed, this poster will be a keepsake forever. You can find almost any mountain range, for any state or region, on Etsy. This New Hampshire sticker poster starts at $26.00 here.
Prices may vary over time.
