Got a hiker or backpacker in your life? Wondering what to get them? Or just want to get yourself something nice? Here is my 2025 Hiker Holiday Gift Guide.

Please note that I purchased all of these items on my own, none of them are sponsored. None of these are affiliate links, they’re all direct to the seller.

The Pad Pal by Rex Creations – https://rex-creations.com/products/pad-pal-v5-1-early-release-phasing-in

I heard about this ultralight pad inflator on Reddit. I had to buy one and see what the fuss was. It’s AMAZING. It weighs only 9 grams. And comes with adaptors for nearly any inflatable pad out there. Attach to your battery pack, use one of the adaptors to attach to your pad, turn it on and BAM, pad is inflated. None of that messing about with a bag to inflate or blowing it up with you lungs. Did I mention it’s only 9 grams?! The only con? It sells out QUICKLY.

Weight: 9 grams. Cost: $58

The M!Go bottle by Mazama – https://mazamadesigns.com/products/m-go-bottle

This bottle is a collaboration between Miranda Goes Outside and Mazama. Designed to be better than a Smart Water bottle, which is what is frequently used by thru hikers. It holds a little over a liter of water. It has the same size cap as a Smart Water bottle, which means you can connect it to a Sawyer water filter, or as you can see in my photo, a drinking tube connector (more on that below). The blue part also screws off, for MUCH easier cleaning. You can put boiling water in it like a Nalgene, but it’s lighter than a Nalgene. No more using Smart Water bottles and feeling bad about the planet. Or re-using Smart Water bottles and worrying about microplastics.

The cons: similar to the Pad Pal, these bottles sell out quickly.

Full disclosure: I thought I had a leakage problem. It turned out to be two things, both my problem. 1) If you use a drinking tube, be sure to occasionally let air back into the bottle. They’re designed to be squeezable, so as you pull water out of the tube, the bottle begins to collapse a bit, causing it to leak at the wide mouth connection. Simple fix, just blow air back in, or “burp” the bottle occasionally. 2) I had lost the gasket to my drink tube connector, so it leaked, and I blamed the M!Go bottle. Totally my own fault.

Weight: 132 grams. Cost: $18.95

The Hiker Hairbrush by Chicken Tramper Gear – https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/hiker-hairbrush-by-chicken-tramper-gear

I have curly hair. No matter what I do, after a day of hiking and a night of sleeping, I’ve got a rat’s nest. A hairbrush is definitely a luxury item, but this little brush is small and lightweight. The strap allows my hand to become the handle. It only weighs an ounce, and brushing out my hair feels so good, totally worth it.

Weight: 28 grams. Cost: $30

Trailbrush by Trail Stuff – https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/trailbrush-by-trail-stuff

Ultralighters can be a little … obsessed with cutting grams. Many cut the handle off their toothbrush to save grams. But then how the heck do you brush your teeth? Stick your grimy hands in your mouth? No need with the trailbrush. It attaches to your spoon handle! So now you can use your spoon as your toothbrush. Including the cap, it weighs only 4.4 grams.

Potential con: READ THE DIRECTIONS. I took it out on the trail and it kept popping off in my mouth while I tried to brush. Super annoying. Came home, watched the video of how to attach it, tried again, and SUCCESS. Works perfectly.

Weight: 4.4 grams. Cost: $8

Fuel can exchanger – https://www.garagegrowngear.com/products/flipfuel-fuel-transfer-device-by-flipfuel-co

How many times have you gone backpacking and come home with a half (?) full tank of fuel for your camp stove? Then the next time you go out, you buy a full one because you’re worried about running out. Or maybe you just feel bad buying all those tiny cans of fuel. Fuel exchangers solve for this! You warm up one half full can, and chill the half full can other, then attach the exchanger and MAGIC, the fuel moves from one can to the other. So now you have a full can and an empty can! Or you could buy a larger can and keep refilling your smaller one.

The link above is for Flip Fuel, but there are knockoffs available as well. The fuel exchanger in the photo is a knock off I bought, that cost half the price, and it’s worked well. I didn’t link to it as it’s from a retailer I no longer support.

Weight: n/a since it isn’t an on trail tool. Cost: $20-35

Drinking Tube Converters by One Bottle Hydration – https://www.one-bottle.com/store

Yes, that’s the same photo as the M!Go bottle, because I use my One Bottle Hydration converter and tube with my M!Go bottle! I’ve talked about these converters before when discussing hydration setups. All the benefits of having water bottles, with the ease and convenience of a drinking tube. One Bottle offers LOADS of different converters, for wide mouth Nalgene bottles, Smart Water bottles, and others.

While there may be others who make similar products, One Bottle Hydration has THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER. Matt stands by his products and is incredibly responsive and helpful. I had lost a gasket, and wanted to let him know about an issue with a specific bottle type (my fault, not the product). He immediately responded and helped me out.

Weight: varies. Cost: $24-34

Hiker Concierge Gift Card – Message me!

Give the gift of Hiker Concierge to your favorite hiker! Gift cards are available in any amount.

Weight: 0 grams! Cost: Whatever amount you’d like

Happy holidays!