Fun and Useful Gifts for Hikers Who Love Winter: 2022 Edition

You can always count on the Appalachian Mountain Club to provide useful advice for every outdoor adventure. If you know someone who is just starting out with winter hiking and camping, this guide will be indispensable.

AMC Guide to Winter Hiking & Camping by Lucas St. Clair and Yemaya Maurer will help you plan a great trip with plenty of practical advice that emphasizes preparation, safety, outdoor stewardship, and fun. 

You’ll learn when to go, what latest gear and clothing to bring, and the essentials of staying warm and dry.  Also included are sections on navigation and what to eat while hiking in winter weather.  Special consideration is given to the rapidly changing weather conditions in the Eastern United States.

You know it’s cold when you stop to take a swig of water on the trail only to find that the top layer is frozen over and you can’t hydrate.

Not only will a Hydro Flask water bottle keep water from freezing, but it will also allow you to pack a hot drink like tea, coffee, or cocoa so that you can enjoy a winter warmer during trailside rest stops.

A fancy water bottle really does make the best gift for hikers. Why? Because most people are too cheap to buy one for themselves.

We’ve given dozens of these as gifts over the years, and they are always appreciated!

I suggest purchasing a bottle with a wide mouth for easy cleaning.

Here’s another Hydro Flask product that is indispensable on long hikes. It’s an insulated food jar that keeps soup, pasta, curries, and other meals hot on the trail.

These little jars are rugged, leak-proof, and most importantly, they keep hot food hot and cold food cold. A soft grip makes them easy to open, even with mittens, and they come in cool colors that hikers love.

We have been using Hydro Flask products for almost a decade and can vouch for their durability. We’ve had jars roll down mountains and bounce off rocks without much more than a scratch.

This is one of those winter gifts for hikers that you hope will never get used.

The SOL Emergency Bivvy is basically a tiny emergency sleeping bag that can be used by hikers who become lost, disoriented, or injured on the trail.

It weighs a mere 3.5 ounces and packs down smaller than a 12 oz. soda can. It comes with a rescue whistle and tinder cord (for emergency fire starting).

It may not be the most sought-after gift for hikers, but it’s an affordable way to make hiking in the winter safer.

Trekking poles offer so many benefits for hikers all through the year. They provide balance and stability while helping take weight off knees on downhill sections.

During the winter, this extra support is even more important, reducing fatigue, and keeping hikers safer on slippery trails.

We’re not going to lie – these Black Diamond Trekking Poles are on the pricey side, but they are the highest-rated trekking poles at REI for a reason.

They are fully adjustable, feature comfortable cork grips (this is a must), and are extremely lightweight. They come with interchangeable tips and two sizes of baskets for hiking in the snow.

We are going into the 6th season of hiking with these and they are still going strong!

If you’re buying a gift for a hiker that lives in a snowy climate and they don’t already have a pair of snowshoes, this is an obvious gift and one that will be very well received.

The MSR Evo Snowshoes are lighter, smaller, and easier to get on and off than snowshoes of the past. They are the perfect vehicle for deep snow when hikers need something that floats and grips at the same time.

I bought these MSR snowshoes as a gift for my husband last year, and it was his favorite gift.

There is nothing like a soft merino neck gaiter for giving you all the warmth without the bulk.

This midweight neck gaiter from Minus33 can be worn as a traditional neck gaiter, a headband, or a face mask. It comes in a variety of fun colors and can be machine-washed and dried.

One size fits all, so you can feel confident giving this affordable gift to every hiker on your list.

Minus33 is a small manufacturer of merino wool clothing and products based in Ashland, New Hampshire.

Darn Tough socks are made in Vermont, come with a lifetime warranty, and are incredibly warm for outdoor adventures.

I think merino wool socks are the perfect gift for hikers because it doesn’t matter if your favorite hiker needs socks or not. They will always be appreciated, and they will always get used.

Darn Tough has lots of different types of socks for different activities from skiing and snowboarding to winter hiking. They offer free shipping if you order two or more pairs. And they are guaranteed for LIFE.

Merino base layers are a bit of a splurge, but they are worth the extra cost for so many reasons. Unlike synthetic layers, these merino layers by Woolly Clothing Co. don’t smell.

They wick moisture away from your skin, keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and remain fresh through multiple wearings without needing a wash.

Gift merino layers to your very favorite hikers, maybe even yourself! Woolly is is a small company based in Seattle that is committed to providing shoppers with ethically sourced wool from around the world.

Winter hats are like wool socks – you can never have too many, which means they make great gifts for winter lovers of all persuasions. And if you’re looking for an amazing selection of beanies in all kinds of colors and patterns, you have to check out Turtle Fur.

Turtle Fur got its start in Vermont in 1982 and is still based here. Not only are they committed to environmental sustainability, but they also have a mission to make the outdoors more inclusive for everyone.