The holidays are coming up fast, which means it’s time to start getting gifts. Whether you’re shopping for him, for her or for the person in your life who has everything, it’s time to start checking all your friends and family off your list.
If you have an adventurer in your life and don’t know what to get them, there’s no need to fret. We’ve combed through one of our favorite outdoor retailers — REI — and picked out the best gifts for the holiday season. We’ve spent years shopping at REI and tested a bunch of the following gifts ourselves, so whether you’re helping them beef up their camping checklist or just looking for cheap, outdoorsy stocking stuffers, here are 44 presents from REI they’re sure to love.
$90 $63 at REI
$125 at REI
$40 at REI
$249 at REI
$80 at REI
Whether you want to simply illuminate your campsite or turn it into a party, the BioLite AlpenGlow 500 is the perfect lantern for nearly any outing. It’s one of our favorite camp lanterns, thanks to its incredible range of lighting modes, which include a Candlelight Flicker mode, a Fireworks mode and a seemingly endless palette of colors.
$30 $22 at REI
If you don’t need your campsite to be as Instagram-worthy and just want a small, simple light, opt for this lantern from Black Diamond instead. With a max brightness of 150 lumens, it won’t illuminate your whole site, but it’s plenty of light to hang over your stove while you’re cooking dinner or in your tent for some late-night reading. We’ve had a previous version of this lantern for about a year now and use it all the time. This updated lantern carries more lumens and can run off 3 AAA batteries or one of Black Diamond’s rechargeable batteries.
$1,249 $874 at REI
$99 From $74 at REI
From $28 at REI
Whether you love going to the beach, the woods or the gym, this super-versatile towel deserves a spot in your pack. It’s ultra absorbent, it’s quick-drying and it packs down much smaller than your typical towel. We took it on a trip to Moab, Utah, and used it for everything from wiping down kayaks to drying dishes. It’s also got a nifty loop so it’s easy to hang-dry, not to mention it’s made from recycled plastic bottles.
$55 From $27 at REI
$70 $49 at REI
This simple camp chair is perfect for the backyard, the tailgate or the middle of the woods. It’s got two cup holders and a nifty stash pocket to help you store your phone, book and any other essentials.
CNN Underscored Best Tested
$149 at REI
$25 at REI
These aren’t the typical socks you’ve gotten for the holidays in years past. These high-performance hiking socks are crafted with a merino wool blend that wicks away moisture while maintaining breathability for a more comfortable hiking experience.
$95 at REI
Whether you’re stargazing, bird-watching or just admiring the scenery, having a pair of binoculars on hand on your adventure can be super helpful. We love these from Nocs Provisions, which are waterproof and have a rubber coating for added durability and comfort.
From $32 at REI
These belts from Arcade are soft, stretchy and durable enough for any adventure. We got one to try out and love how they offer a fantastic balance of support and comfort. Perfect for any sort of activity where you’re moving around, these belts can keep your pants tight without pinching your waistband or digging into your sides. We would recommend getting this slim version over the standard one because the standard belt’s 1.5-inch thickness was a little hard to thread through the belt loops on our pants.
$100 $70 at REI
Down jackets are a great idea if you’re looking for a way to maximize warmth without the excess bulky layers. This lightweight REI option is easy to travel with and keeps you surprisingly warm without feeling weighed down, making it ideal for activities like hiking, camping or everyday wear. The exterior pockets let you keep your hands warm, while the interior pockets are roomy enough to hold your phone, gloves, beanie or anything else you want near you. During our testing, we did notice that a few feathers came loose from this jacket during some wears, but nothing that stopped us from wearing it or that caused a huge hassle.
$150 From $75 at REI
If you’re looking to add a colorful pop to your fall and winter wardrobe, look no further than this reversible Cotopaxi jacket. Available in a wide array of Cotopaxi’s iconic colorblock designs, this jacket can keep you super warm and comes with an abundant five pockets. We’ve had one for over a year and have been super impressed with how warm its recycled polyester insulation is. We also love that it can be packed down into its own chest pocket down to the size of a water bottle for easy portability. Our one issue with this jacket is that it’s a tight squeeze to pack it into its own pocket, and once when we were pulling it out to expand it to its full size, we ripped a hole along the seam in one of the sides. So if you do pack this one down, just be mindful to unravel it carefully to avoid any damage.
$259 at REI
$80 $56 at REI
$150 at REI
This feature-packed day pack comes with a hydration sleeve, chest and hip straps and plenty of storage space so you can pack your water, food, extra layers and anything else you might need on your day hikes.
$230 at REI
We love Blundstone boots. The iconic design goes with nearly any fall outfit, and the Classic 550 version offers a ton of cushion and support in the sole. We’ve had a pair for nearly a year now, and wear them basically every day from October to March. Fair warning: These boots do take a while to break in, so they’ll be uncomfortable for the first few weeks or so. They also run a tad large. I normally bounce between 8.5 and 9 in US men’s sizes, and I ended up fitting perfectly in the Blundstone 8.5s.
$45 at REI
$6 at REI
$25 at REI
Food always tastes better when you’re camping, but if you want to add even more flavor and spice, try these hot sauces from Yellowbird. We recently brought a tiny bottle of the brand’s serrano hot sauce and can confirm it’s a delicious sauce that we’re sure to bring on future camping trips (if we don’t use it all up at home first).
$20 $15 at REI
If you’re going camping, the flashlight on your phone isn’t going to cut it; you’re going to need a headlamp. This one from Black Diamond is a simple, cheap version that will make walking around in the dark immensely easier.
$199 at REI
Finding the perfect hiking boot can be difficult, but if you have a narrow foot you should seriously consider these boots from La Sportiva. Equipped with Gore-Tex to keep your feet dry and super-sticky rubber to help you keep your grip on the trail, they’re a great pair of boots for any sort of hike.
$140 at REI
The Altra Lone Peak series has a cult following, and for good reason. They’re super comfortable, lightweight and have an ultrawide toe box so you can splay out your toes while hiking to help your balance. We’ve used Altra Lone Peak boots in the past and while we love how comfortable they are, the shoes aren’t known for their durability. Our pair has gotten really beaten up over the year we’ve had them and they’re already nearing the end of their life. If you want a boot to last you for years, skip this one. But if you want an ultralight, ultra-comfortable hiking experience and don’t mind buying a new pair every year, you’ll love the Lone Peaks.
$145 $87 at REI
These hiking boots are a fan favorite, thanks to their supportive construction, waterproofness and sticky Vibram rubber. Plus, the boots have an air cushion in the heels to help with support and stability on rough hikes.
CNN Underscored Best Tested
$40 at REI
$50 at REI
The Hydro Flask is another fantastic vacuum-insulated water bottle, and while we don’t think it’s as good as the Yeti, we can definitely appreciate its aesthetic appeal. This bottle comes with an included straw lid to make drinking easy and is available in a ton of fun colors.
$16 $8 at REI
If you don’t need your drinks to keep their temperature for hours, check out this bottle from Nalgene instead. It’s got a wide mouth, it’s dishwasher-safe and it has a cute REI-themed design.
$349 $244 at REI
$450 at REI
If you’re looking for an ultralight tent for backpacking, check out this tent from Big Agnes. It’s one of the most popular tents in the backpacking community, thanks to its minimum trail weight of just 2 pounds, 3 ounces. Plus, it’s easy to set up and will keep you protected from the elements.
From $300 at REI
For colder trips, consider this bag from Nemo, which has a 15-degree Fahrenheit rating. Its mummy shape traps in heat better to keep you warmer at night, and it’s designed with plush materials that make sleeping in the woods comfortable, even if you’re a side sleeper.
$400 $350 at REI
You never want to be caught unprepared in the backcountry, which is why a satellite messenger like the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is critical to have on any camping checklist. This little gadget makes it easy to stay in touch with the civilized world even when there’s no service, and in case of emergency, it has an interactive SOS function that contacts a 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center so you can get help fast.
$38 at REI
$115 at REI
Possibly the simplest way to cook in the backcountry, this Jetboil system can boil 1 liter of water in an average time of just 3 minutes and 20 seconds. Whether you’re heating up water to rehydrate dinner or to brew coffee in the morning, you won’t have to wait as long with this super-fast stove system.
$100 at REI
If you’re looking for a more traditional camp stove that you can make burgers, chili and any other camp favorites on, you can’t go wrong with the classic Coleman stove. It’s easy to use, works great and is super portable.
$200 $150 at REI
With this portable fire pit, you can get cozy and roast marshmallows wherever you go. Built with foldable legs and a removable lid, it’s easy to take it on all your adventures.
$20 at REI
Whether you’re trying to keep track of your pup while the sun is setting at the campground or want to take them on nightly runs and walks, this collar light helps your four-legged friend stay visible to you and cars.
$100 at REI
If your dog has a thin coat or you want to take them into the outdoors when the temperatures drop, consider this jacket from outdoor dog brand Ruffwear. The shell is waterproof and windproof, so they can stay protected from the elements on all your adventures.
