From Trailhead to Campfire: Gifts for the Outdoorsy Traveler

A deep breath and a quiet space outside is priceless. Although I’m a city dweller at heart, I’m so glad I married a partner who can’t get enough of the mountains and adventuring outside. We’ve passed this passion onto our kids and try to travel to places that celebrate connecting with nature as much as we can.

To make these excursions as smooth as possible, having great gear makes all the difference. And if you want to support your loved ones and their adventures, we have some great picks for you, personally tested, used, and reviewed across the world!

Have a wonderful holiday season and cheers to opting outside!

Quick picks

• For the coffee lover: AeroPress Go ($49.95)
• For the camper: Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket ($99.95) or Kelty Cosmic Down 20 sleeping bag (from $179.95) or a UNP 6-Person Family Cabin Tent ($112)
• For the dog lover: Dexas Snack Duo ($24.99)
• For the daypack: Gregory Zulu 30 ($199.95)
• For the one-of-a-kind travel pack: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Del Día ($230)
• For the trail: Petzl Tikkina headlamp ($19.95) or Foxelli Carbon Trekking Poles ($59.97)
• Splurge: Vasque St. Elias Hiking Boot ($245)

Jump to

• Apparel and Footwear
• Bags and Packs
• Camping and Sleep Systems
• Hydration and Camp Kitchen
• Accessories and Tech

Apparel and Footwear

Cotopaxi Capa Insulated Hooded Jacket

Price: $250 (on sale for $125 at Cotopaxi right now)

Cotopaxi is a brand we feel great buying from. It’s a Certified B Corp and a member of 1% for the Planet, and it builds much of its gear from recycled and repurposed materials. The Capa Insulated Hooded Jacket is its take on the classic lightweight puffy: warm, packable and easy to layer.

It’s versatile enough to wear on its own on a chilly hike or under a shell for skiing or hiking in wet weather, and it keeps insulating even when it gets damp.

• PrimaLoft Gold P.U.R.E. insulation that’s 100% recycled.
• A 100% recycled 20D nylon ripstop shell with a PFC-free water-repellent finish, so it’s windproof and water resistant.
• It packs down small for travel.
• Available in men’s and women’s styles.

Where to buy: Cotopaxi (men’s), Cotopaxi (women’s)

Vasque St. Elias Hiking Boot

Price: $245 on Amazon

We’re well into the autumn here in the northern hemisphere but some of the best hiking and rambling is still in front of us. The St. Elias is built for those long walks or even nights when you have to carry a heavier load because of the falling temperatures. This durable boot has a Vibram Megagrip outsole that’s tough enough to handle harsh rocks and roots, while the GORE-TEX construction helps keep your feet dry wherever the trail takes you.

For me, one of the most enjoyable parts of the original Saga GTX was being able to lock my heels firmly down so that those tricky New England descents didn’t ruin my ankles. The St. Elias carries that same emphasis on support and stability. While some hikers may not like the weight of these true backpacking boots, the support and comfort packed into them make the extra heft worthwhile.

Where to buy: Amazon -Christian

Outdoor Voices CloudKnit Hoodie and Hudson Short

Price: CloudKnit hoodie $88 (often on sale on Amazon); Hudson short $78

Comfort is the key for any good road trip, and athleisure clothing is a great way to stay cozy and look effortlessly chic when hitting the road. Outdoor Voices carries a variety of clothing designed for recreationalists who love to keep moving. The CloudKnit hoodie is a great alternative to heavier sweatshirts for those who prefer a lightweight, more athletic style. If you’re travelling somewhere warm, the Hudson short is a trendy option that even comes with a handy zippered pocket for your keys or other small items. Plus, the pattern is eye-popping and unique. It’s the perfect outfit for your road trip with pals!

Where to buy: Amazon (hoodie), Outdoor Voices (short) -Sara

Universal Standard Halie T-Shirt Dress

Price: $98

We love Universal Standard for its timeless, flattering dresses made for every body. The Halie T-Shirt Dress is a relaxed crew neck style in soft Peruvian cotton with a little stretch, a curved hem and side pockets. You could easily dress it up with heels or wear it during the day with leggings and some hiking boots.

• Sizes run from 00 to 40.
• Machine washable.
• The brand tags it “Travel Ready.”

Where to buy: Universal Standard

Bags and Packs

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack, Del Día

Price: $230

Cotopaxi is a favorite in our house, and certainly in houses with REI memberships! The company has built its reputation on thoughtfully designed travel gear made with sustainability in mind, including recycled materials and, in its Del Día collection, repurposed leftover fabrics that give every bag a one-of-a-kind look.

But is the gear any good? Still a resounding yes. The Allpa 35L is a suitcase-style travel backpack with room for trips of around a week. We’ve used it as carry-on space for flights, then hit the trails right after we land, and it’s just as handy for road trips and adventurous weekends away.

• Zippered compartments and pockets that make it easy to separate shoes, toiletries, electronics and clothing.
• A quick-access top pocket for passports, keys, boarding passes and chargers.
• A luggage pass-through sleeve so it pairs with a rolling suitcase, plus an exterior stretch pocket for a water bottle.
• Every Del Día pack is made from leftover fabric, so no two are the same.
• Cotopaxi backs it with a lifetime warranty and repairs.

Where to buy: Cotopaxi -Christian

Gregory Zulu 30 Pack

Price: $199.95

The 30-liter Zulu pack from SoCal’s Gregory Mountain Products is the perfect blend of day hiking and short multi-day trip bag. I love using it as my winter carry-on because the stretch outer pocket makes stuffing jackets in a breeze. But the Zulu 30 also easily holds my tent, mattress, quilt, insulating layer, rain jacket, stove, camp kitchen…you get the idea. The two side water bottle pockets are versatile enough to be tight on a thin bottle as well as a Nalgene. One bonus with Gregory is that you get an included rain cover. It’s little touches like that which make this pack great for adventurers and travelers alike.

• Hydration compatible, with attachments for storing sunglasses and trekking poles.
• Available in 35, 40, 55 and 65-liter variants, plus women’s variants called Jade.
• Lifetime guarantee, which gives the confidence to really push this pack to its limits.

Where to buy: REI -Christian

Camping and Sleep Systems

UNP 6-Person Family Cabin Tent with Rainfly

Price: $112

I have loved the outdoors my entire life. From hiking and backpacking to kayaking and canoeing, those days out in the wild are when I feel most free. Now I want to pass that love on to my children and make fantastic memories together. Kids love camping, from campfires and marshmallows to getting cozy in a sleeping bag.

But with a growing family, camping takes on whole new challenges. Everyone needs enough room, along with considerably more stuff to stay safe, dry and warm. And it helps to be able to get up and move around the tent without waking sleeping little’uns.

• A cabin-style tent that sleeps six, about 10 by 9 feet.
• About 78 inches of height at the center, so most adults can stand up inside.
• A removable rainfly, mesh windows, a mesh door and a mesh roof for ventilation.
• Weighs roughly 17 pounds.

I love taking our young girls and our rescue dog on mini camping adventures with lots of space for all of us.

Where to buy: Amazon -Christian

Kelty Late Start 2 Tent

Price: $149.95

To travel slowly is to truly appreciate the world around you, and what better way is there to do this than camping? And the key to a successful camping trip is a high-quality tent. Kelty’s Late Start 2P is a two-person option that’s easy to pack up and carry along on your adventures. It’s also quick to set up thanks to Kelty’s Quick Corner technology and features a full-coverage waterproof rain fly to help keep you comfortable when the weather turns. With pre-bent poles creating extra interior space, it’s a great setup for enjoying the outdoors without spending all day pitching camp.

Where to buy: Amazon -Eileen

Kelty Cosmic Down 20 Sleeping Bag

Price: $179.95 (short), $189.95 (regular), $209.95 (long)

Whether you are going on a weeklong road trip or an overnight backpacking trip through the mountains, staying toasty while you sleep is an important part of fulfilling those nocturnal 8 hours of rest. Kelty’s Cosmic 20° down fill sleeping bag keeps you comfortably snug and lets you keep on dreaming. This ultra lightweight bag won’t break the bank or your back while climbing those distant peaks. Weighing only 2 lbs 7 oz in the regular size, its 550 down fill compresses to a little bigger than a soccer ball.

• Three sizes (short, regular and long) to fit most varieties of traveler.
• An easy to reach breast stash pocket for a small flashlight or headlamp.
• Quick dry down fill, soft lining and robust exterior nylon.
• The gift of a good night’s slumber is never a bad choice.

Where to buy: Amazon -Jake

Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket

Price: $99.95

I’m a huge fan of anything that can keep you warm without taking up half your bag. The Original Puffy Blanket is a warm companion whether you’re sitting by a fire, doing some camping, or just lazing on the sofa. It’s designed to be durable and packable, with a weather-resistant finish that makes it just as useful outdoors as it is at home. I’ve always loved the idea of having a blanket that you can take almost anywhere, and this one certainly fits the bill.

• Packs into its own roll-top stuff sack.
• The current version has a Cape Clip® so you can wear it hands-free when you’re up and about.
• Machine washable.
• The 1-person size measures 52″ x 75″.
• It’s filled with 100% recycled insulation and weighs about 2.2 pounds.

Where to buy: Amazon -Christian

Hydration and Camp Kitchen

AeroPress Go

Price: $49.95

I’m addicted to coffee. There I admit it. I crave fresh-brewed coffee in the morning and the afternoon as much as I crave the open road or exploring a distant realm. Luckily, with the AeroPress Go, I don’t have to compromise the rich, full-bodied flavor of coffee that I love while on the road. This compact travel system uses AeroPress’s 3-in-1 brewing technology to make smooth, grit-free coffee in about two minutes, and it can also make espresso-style drinks, cold brew and iced coffee. It’s lightweight, durable and shatterproof, making it particularly handy for camping, backpacking, boating or traveling.

• The press and accessories pack neatly into the included travel mug, which doubles as the carrying case.
• The mug holds 15 ounces, while the press makes one 8-ounce serving when brewing all the water through the grounds.
• No electricity required, and cleanup takes just a couple of minutes.

This is a camper’s dream: fresh coffee by the morning fire instead of settling for whatever’s available at the hotel or campground.

Where to buy: AeroPress

Dexas Snack Duo

Price: $24.99

We can’t forget our furry friends who love the outdoors too! One thing that will always impress me is how adaptable dogs are. Take them on a hike through a forest, to the top of a mountain peak, along sandy ocean dunes or across dusty deserts (though preferably not in the summertime), and they will come out with their tails wagging.

Pet lovers will go crazy for the Snack Duo, a dual-chambered bottle from Dexas’s Popware for Pets line. There are two chambers, one for snacks or kibble and the other for water, so pet parents can bring both without having to tote around multiple containers. It even has a collapsible cup for giving your pup a drink on the go.

Where to buy: Amazon

Accessories and Tech

Foxelli Carbon Trekking Poles

Price: $59.97

You might notice a theme to this guide: that backpacking and camping, while incredibly fun, can really put pressure and stress on our bodies. Descending mountains or hills is what causes most stress and the Journal of Sports Science study found that using trekking poles can reduce stress on our knees by up to 25%!

Enter the Foxelli Carbon Trekking Poles. I think these poles give incredible quality at a pretty amazing price point (about $60) and apparently many people agree looking at the reviews on Amazon. These poles easily beat out competitors that priced well above them.

• A pair weighs just 14 ounces.
• A moisture-wicking cork grip that stays cool during intense use.
• Sliding locks so they can extend to fit the height of virtually anyone, then compact down to just 24″.
• A nice sleeve with attachments for snow, sand, rock, and pavement.

Where to buy: Amazon -Christian

Petzl Tikkina Headlamp

Price: $19.95

All the ladies love a good headlamp…right? This one from famous French mountaineering equipment maker Petzl looks just as stylish as any famous Parisian fashion label, but perhaps sparkles brighter! At 300 lumens, the headlamp gives an incredibly clear white light, and it runs on three AAA batteries (included) or Petzl’s rechargeable CORE battery, sold separately. Three brightness levels make it easy to go from night walking to reading in the tent in a breeze.

• 300 lumens max, with three white light levels.
• Weighs just 92 grams.
• Works with AAA batteries or the rechargeable CORE battery.

Where to buy: Amazon -Christian

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