Thru-Hiker’s Gift Guide 2020: Under $200
The thru-hiker or backpacker in your life is probably busy saving for their next long-distance adventure, and we can pretty much guarantee they have a long list of items on their wish list. This collection of thru-hiker and backpacking gift ideas under $200 is a good place to start. We’ve listed a variety of gift ideas, from technical backpacking gear to treat-yourself dehydrated meals, to unique gifts that will help commemorate their adventures.
1. BioLite HeadLamp 330
Weighing less than 2.5 ounces, the Biolite 300 rechargeable headlamp is small but mighty. The unique design includes an integrated light unit and a soft, wicking band that lies flush against your forehead, meaning less chance of a pressure point after extended use. This headlamp comes in a 200-lumen model and a 750-lumen model, but 330 lumens is a good compromise between being bright enough for night hiking, and keeping a low weight and longer battery life.
2. MSR PocketRocket 2
This reliable, lightweight backpacking stove is a classic for a reason. Weighing just a few ounces, the MSR Pocket Rocket 2 folds down to fit in the palm of your hand and can boil a liter of water in 3.5 minutes. It threads easily onto an isobutane fuel canister and is durable enough to last a 2,000-mile hike and beyond. We don’t recommend buying the fuel canister as a gift—you can’t bring them onto planes, plus the canisters are easily available at most outfitters.
Check for the latest price at:
Backcountry | Amazon
3. Swiftwick VISION Socks
While Swiftwick’s VISION Socks are touted as running socks, this is an excellent pair of lightweight hiking socks that stay snug around your foot and don’t bunch up or slide down. These are technical socks with a medium level of arch support comfortable for long days on the trail, made better thanks to the bright national park prints.
Check for the latest price at:
Swiftwick | Backcountry
4. Appalachian Gear Company All-Paca Fleece Hoodie
These Appalachian Gear Company Fleeces are becoming a word-of-mouth favorite amongst thru-hikers, and for good reason. Alpaca wool is dense, warm, lightweight, and doesn’t itch when it comes into contact with skin. The wool is breathable and makes a fantastic mid-layer or camp layer. Appalachian Gear Company sources their alpaca wool directly from their partners in Peru, which means they are occasionally out of stock. Be patient, it’s worth it. Also note that the hoodies tend to run big, so consider sizing down when you order.
Check for the latest price at:
Appalachian Gear Company
5. Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow
The Sea-to-Summit Aeros UL Inflatable Pillow is a luxury item that weighs just a few ounces but has the potential to make nights at camp far more enjoyable. This pillow inflates in just a few breaths, will last an entire thru-hike, and has a two-way valve so you can adjust the inflation to your ideal level.
Check for the latest price at:
Sea to Summit | Backcountry | Amazon
6. Cocoon Merino Wool Liner
The Cocoon Merino Wool Liner adds up to 10 degrees of warmth to a sleep system, a good answer for hikers on a multi-season thru-hike who don’t want to buy two sleeping bags or quilts. This liner can also be used on its own for the warmest nights, and the merino material wicks sweat and is highly breathable.
Check for the latest price at:
REI
7. Sea to Summit Women’s Ultralight Insulated Air Sleeping Pad
We’re big fans of the women’s-specific sleeping pads for use by men and women alike! They’re barely smaller than men’s, and often have a higher-rated R-value for nearly the same weight. This Sea to Summit Women’s Ultralight Insulated Pad is less expensive than the popular Therm-a-Rest NeoAir, and in our experience, more durable. It weighs a few ounces more than some other inflatable models but takes a fraction of the air to blow up.
Check for the latest price at:
Sea to Summit | REI | Backcountry
8. Enlightened Equipment Torrid APEX Insulated Jacket
An insulated jacket for under $200? Yep. The Enlightened Equipment Torrid APEX is a synthetic insulated jacket with a lightweight, water-resistant shell. It has a deep hood, you can wear it while hiking since the synthetic insulation is more breathable than down, and it weighs around 8 ounces. Choose from custom colors, or buy one “off the shelf” if you don’t want to wait for the lead time.
Check for the latest price (Men’s) at:
Enlightened Equipment
Check for the latest price (Women’s) at:
Enlightened Equipment
9. Walking with Spring Book
While there are plenty of modern thru-hiking memoirs out there, Walking With Spring is the classic tale of the first person to hike the Appalachian Trail. In 1948, the Appalachian Trail was only 11 years old, and not the hiker-friendly, end-to-end path it is today. Earl Shaffer had the idea that he would walk off the traumas of war, and this book is his account of that walk, complete with his original photos.
Check for the latest price at:
Amazon
10. A WayZada 3D Print of a Trail or Route
WayZada is a new company that makes custom 3D prints of routes and trails from individual GPX tracks. If you or your favorite thru-hiker hasn’t hiked the trail yet, the guys at WayZada will help find the correct GPX track and build the trail from there. Options include routes and trail profiles, with customizable plates with the hiker’s name, hiking dates, and trail name. This is a unique, commemorative gift perfect for your bookshelf or desk.
Check out the options at:
WayZada
11. Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
The Sawyer Squeeze is the most popular water filter used by long-distance hikers, and the thru-hiker in your life could always use another one. It’s lightweight, has a fast flow rate, and is guaranteed for thousands of liters. Hikers also love that it can thread onto many standard water bottles, so you can drink straight from the filter. While there are several Sawyer options on the market, we recommend the original. It has a faster flow rate and longer lifespan than the smaller models.
12. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Packing Pods
Adding one or two of these Dyneema Composite Fabric “pod-shaped stuff sacks” to a backpacking setup helps keep gear organized and protected from the elements. They are extremely durable and versatile—use them for small items you want to keep handy at the top of your pack, or to keep a compressible down jacket protected. The structured design and wide-mouth zipper makes for easy access and stackable packing. They’re also compatible with most backpacks.
Check for the latest price at:
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
13. TentLab Deuce of Spades Trowel
Proper Leave No Trace practice mean digging a cathole at least six inches deep when doing your business in the woods. This task is less tiresome with the classic Deuce of Spades Backpacker’s Trowel. Serrated “teeth” and a tough, aluminum build can dig into some seriously solid ground and through small roots. It also weighs just 0.6 ounces and tucks into an outside pocket on your pack.
14. Good To-Go Backpacking Meals
Healthy, dehydrated meals are a luxury many thru-hikers can’t afford for the duration of their hike. After the initial budget wears off, it’s back to ramen and Pasta Sides. Good To-Go was started by a Michelin-starred chef, and includes a wide variety of meals packed with pronounceable (!) ingredients. A few favorites include bibimbap, pad thai, and mushroom risotto. If you have the option, buy the two-serving packets. Thru-hikers have a big appetite. Good To-Go has a number of variety packs available which I can recommend if you’re not sure what foods your hiker friend likes.
Check for the latest price at:
Good To-Go | REI | Amazon
15. Vargo BOT 700
The Vargo BOT is one of the most durable and versatile options for cooking or cold-soaking food on the trail, this combination pot/bottle with a screw-on lid is a splurge, but will enhance any backcountry cooking setup. It has a 700ml capacity, a tight-fitting threaded lid, and can cook safely over backpacking stoves. It’s made entirely from titanium and weighs under five ounces. It’s simply ingenious!
Check for the latest price at:
Vargo Outdoors | Amazon
16. Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo Wireless Earbuds
Anker’s Soundcore Liberty Neo Wireless Earbuds cost a fraction of the price of AirPods, but they fit tightly and comfortably in your ears, pair easily with Bluetooth devices, and have a simple touch system for pausing and skipping songs. The earbud batteries have a competitively long lifespan, as does the compact charging case—a must for extended time on trail. As a bonus, these earbuds do an excellent job blocking external noise and can double as earplugs at noisy campsites.
Check for the latest price at:
Amazon
17. Lifeproof FRE Series Waterproof Phone Case
With smartphones acting as the camera, GPS, and entertainment for most thru-hikers, keeping the devices protected is paramount. There are a lot of waterproof, shatter-resistant cases on the market, but the Lifeproof FRE is still one of the most reliable and durable. A case like this is peace of mind for smartphone users, keeping the devices secure from rain, accidental drops, and the general grime of trail life. Note: many models of this case are available for different smartphone models.
Check for the latest price at:
Amazon
18. Leatherman Squirt PS4 Multi-Tool
Realistically, most thru-hikers don’t need anything more than a simple folding pocket knife during their hike. However, when the need arises, it’s sure nice to have the option of a small set of pliers and scissors along the trail, like those in the Leatherman Squirt PS4. Hikers can use this 2-ounce tool to help fix anything from a finicky trekking pole to a bent tent stake. Also notably adept at cutting into blocks of cheese.
Check for the latest price at:
Leatherman | REI | Amazon
19. PROBAR Bolt Energy Chews
Gnawing on the same granola bars can get really old. But PROBAR’s BOLT Energy Chews are a quick way for an on-the-go hiker to get a burst of energy, and Probar’s version comes in convenient pouches with tasty, chewy blocks in a variety of natural flavors. Buy an assortment of flavors, or go for a 12-pack. We’re particularly fond of the pink lemonade and cran-pomegranate flavors.
20. Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
Ultralight and easily adjustable with a twist lock, Gossamer Gear’s LT5 carbon fiber trekking poles have a three-piece carbon construction that can be adjusted from 23.5” when collapsed to 51” fully extended. The foam handle absorbs sweat, and the strap is padded and adjustable. The set weighs under 10 ounces, which is feathery light, but also means you need to be more careful to avoid breakage. Important note: If the thru-hiker on your list is an ounce-counter, these poles are a great option. If they’re harder on gear, look for something heavier and more durable.
Check for the latest price at:
Gossamer Gear
Editor’s note: Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the affiliate links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support SectionHiker’s unsponsored and independent gear reviews, beginner FAQs, and free hiking guides.
About the author
Maggie Slepian is originally from the northeast and is currently based in Bozeman, Montana. Maggie has thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, is *almost* done with the New Hampshire 48 4,000-footers, has developed backpacking routes in the Utah high desert, and spent the past five years testing gear and working professionally in the outdoor industry. Maggie spends as much time outdoors as possible, whether it’s backpacking, peak bagging, bikepacking, mountain biking, climbing, skiing, or kayaking. She is currently a full-time freelance writer and editor, and is always busy planning the next backcountry adventure. Get in touch at maggieslepian.com.