In my opinion, gifts for new hikers should be totally different from Christmas gifts and the general list of hiking gifts we have.
That is because a newbie hiker has different expectations that an already established hiker does not.
How do I mean?
A newbie hiker may not have the full gear they would need while on the trail yet. Therefore gifting them something they’d desperately need on the trail would make them the happiest person.
This is where you come in. Make them happy by giving them a gift they deeply need but don’t have at the moment.
And if you are confused about what to choose, you have nothing to worry about because that is what this article aims to solve.
Hiking Essentials
First of all, I want you to pay an attention to this.
The hiking essentials is a checklist of 10 things a newbie hiker must have before hitting the trail. Without wasting much time, let me list them out.
A newbie hiker must have at least one of each of these things; a hiking backpack, weather-appropriate clothing, hiking shoes or boots, plenty of food, plenty of water, navigation tools such as a map, knife, and first aid kit, health and hygiene, and personal items.
Therefore, our lists of gifts for new hikers would revolve around these ten essentials. Your own research would be to secretly search for what this person you are giving these gifts to is lacking.
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Hiking Backpack
Also known as hiking daypacks. Every new hiker needs this in their gear collection, whether it is going to be a quick hike or a long hike that will take weeks.
The importance of having a backpack is to carry the essential gear that is needed on the trail.
Deuter Speed Lite 20
This backpack is affordable, durable, comfortable, and lightweight. It has a capacity of 20L. However, this backpack is best for a day trip.
Deuter Air Contact
This backpack is best for long trips that span days. It’s comfortable, and well built for hikers carrying heavy loads.
Hiking Shoes or Boots
You see, hiking on the trail has everything to do with the legs. Therefore getting a hiking shoe is very crucial. It’s the first important gear decision any new hiker has to make.
The right hiking shoe or boot has to be durable, comfortable, lightweight, and adhesive to any terrain.
Well, the difference between a hiking boot and a shoe is that a hiking boot is a more supportive footwear for ridged terrain.
Related: Christmas gifts for hikers
Salomon X Ultra 4 Low GTX Hiking Shoe for Men
This shoe is durable, waterproof, and comfortable with great traction.
I’m writing about this shoe because I highly recommend it for its total usefulness.
Saucony Peregrine 12 Hiking Shoe for Women
This is a women’s hiking shoe. It offers the same function, it’s lightweight, durable, and supportive and it gives a nimble feel.
This shoe is available in non-waterproof forms.
Salomon Ultra 4 Mid GTX Hiking Boot for Men
This shoe provides ankle support, it’s durable and stable. Most notable is that it’s heavier than a traditional hiking shoe however it has its use.
It also provides stability and traction.
Merrell Moab 2 Mid WP Women’s Hiking Boot
This hiking boot would make a great gift for a new hiker who has the intention of hiking with their regular shoe.
It is non-waterproof, affordable, breathable, and durable. This boot is one of the boots that many hikers wish to have in their collection of boots.
Also, they provide excellent cushioning for both long and short trips.
Related: 70 Gifts for Hikers You’ve Not Thought Of
Plenty Food
New hikers generally may not need plenty of food as they hike but the truth is, they definitely need it.
Freeze-dried meals are among the most popular types of meals that are available to hikers. These meals are easy to carry along, they are often times weightless and tasteful.
Of course, these types of food cannot be exactly similar to home-cooked food however they are as tasteful and nutritious.
But they often don’t come cheap.
Cuban Rice Bowl
Chicken Pho
Chicken Fajita Bowl
Breakfast Skillet
Spaghetti w/ Meat Sauce
Kale and White Bean Stew
Creme Brulee
Black Expresso Packaroons
Unstuffed Pepper w/ Ground Bison
Pad Thai
Guacamole
Hearty Harvest Bowl w/ Wild Boar
Zesty Zoodles in Avocado Sauce
Mesquite BBQ Seasoned Chicken w/ Beans and Rice
Chicken Teriyaki w/ Rice
Citrus Chia Morning Bowl
Butte Cacao Banana
Granola with Bananas, Almonds, and Milk
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Weather-appropriate Clothing
Sun protection clothing, sunscreen sunglasses, insulation, down jackets, rain jackets, rain pants, fleece jackets, hiking pants, hiking shorts, base layers, and hiking socks are the numerous lists of clothes a new hiker must consider.
Giving them these each would make them happy.
Rab Neutrino Pro Down Jacket for New Hikers
It basically provides warmth during cold weather conditions because of its high-tech fabric and craftsmanship.
Women
Marmot PreCip Rain Jacket for New Hikers
It basically provides warmth and waterproofing during rainfall.
Men
Arc’teryx Zeta SL Rain Pants for New Hikers
These pants should is needed by all outdoor persons. It performs similar functions to the jackets by providing warmth when hiking the trail during a cold season.
Women
Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0
A fleece jacket also provides warmth during cold weather conditions. It differs from the down jacket and rain jacket in layering.
Men
Outdoor Research Ferrosi and Prana Halle Hiking Pants
Well, the importance of having regular hiking pants is obvious.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi
Nike Dri-FIT Challenger and Nike Dri-FIT Tempo Hiking Shorts
Hiking shorts allow for free movement and cooling during hot weather conditions.
Men
Arc’teryx Rho LT Zip Neck Base Layer for New Hiker
A base layer provides warmth just like the other outdoor clothing options I have given. However, all of them have their use case.
Women
Men
Farm to Feet Damascus Hiking Socks
Hiking socks are footwears that provide support, and cushioning to the feet. This is important because the legs are the most functional body part of a hiker.
Navigation Tools
GPS and GPS watches are powerful tools that every newbie hiker must have in their possession. It helps to find their way conveniently during hiking.
In fact, this is one of the most crucial tools they should have especially if they are not familiar with the backcountry.
GPS watches are fitted with other functions such as calorie-burned measurement, heart rate monitor, and sleeping patterns.
Instead of getting a traditional GPS, you can opt for a GPS watch.
Garmin Instinct Solar GPS Watch for New Hikers
It is a solar-powered watch, user-friendly with long battery life. It is the perfect navigation tool anyone hiker will wish for.
A great alternative is the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro. However, it was very expensive.
First Aid Kit
Well, the importance of a first aid kit is very obvious. A newbie hiker would definitely need a first aid kit with the basic requirement.
General Medi Mini
It’s affordable, and lightweight, fitted with bandages, a first aid book, a tourniquet… However, it doesn’t come with meds.
A great alternative is Adventure Medical Kits
Plenty of Water
Getting clean drinkable water is very important for all hikers including newbies. A newbie might not know this.
Taking water along is an option. However, there are times when that water might be enough hence the need for a water filter that can get rid of parasites.
Hydro Flask Standard Mouth Water Bottle
With its insulation, it keeps water cool and it’s leakproof.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
This is one of the best water filters out there.
What Next?
Choose the items you want and buy them now.