10 Gifts Any Adventure Traveller Will Love
Are you looking for a perfect gift for that adventurous traveller in your life? If you know someone who loves to backpack, hike or spot wildlife, I have some ideas for gifts I bet they’ll love.
This is your Ultimate Gift-Giving Guide for adventure travellers. It’s based on extensive research from the wishlist of a very adventurous woman I know… yes, it’s me! There are no sponsored links here, so you can trust that these are my honest suggestions.
Here are the best gifts you can buy for an adventurous traveller:
1. Rugged Phone Case
Why it’s useful
An adventurer’s phone will be put to the test, from weather to water to being dropped many times (...or is that just me?). While travelling, we rely on our phones for safety, for photos/videos, and to stay connected with friends and family.
And we certainly don’t want to spend our precious travel budget on a new phone before we have to! So, a reliable and rugged phone case is key.
What to get
Look for a phone case that can handle being dropped, with some grip on it for hot days. Personally, I also love a case with a wrist strap or lanyard so I can easily be hands-free when needed, and have easy access to take photos and videos.
2. Packable Jacket
My packable jacket from Lole kept me warm as I summited Mount Kinabalu. Photo from the peak of Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia, Borneo
Why it’s useful
When travelling from one country to another, or going into the mountains, the climate can change pretty drastically! Plus, adventurers want to be prepared for a rainstorm.
In comes the packable jacket! I have owned three packable jackets from a Canadian brand I love, Lole. That includes two warm packables (because I’m a dork and lost one 🥲) and an iconic bright pink raincoat. The warm puffy jackets have kept me warm while chasing waterfalls in Iceland and summitting Mount Kinabalu in Malaysia, and the raincoat had my back when it rained on my Bosphorus River tour in Istanbul and throughout countless hikes in western Canada and the USA.
What to get
Treat an adventurer you love to a quality packable jacket, and I promise they’ll think of you when they’re warm and dry! I can happily recommend Lole, but for those who are outside of Canada/USA, you could also try Uniqlo (I haven’t tried but they carry them).
P.S. If a jacket is out of your price range, you can never go wrong with a cozy sweater as a gift! Even in warm climates, a go-to sweater is the best for cold airplanes or resting your head on a long bus ride.
3. Reusable Water Bottle / Filter
Why it’s useful
This may just be me, but I’ve lost many water bottles in my lifetime. I’m sorry, planet, I really am trying! Your eco-conscious traveller friend will surely appreciate a good quality and insulated reusable bottle.
What to get
My next water bottle investment is definitely going to be a Lifestraw bottle (or similar), which is a water bottle that includes a hefty filter that makes almost any water safe to drink. This is super useful for outdoor adventurers, but also for average travellers who want to avoid buying water in disposable plastic bottles.
If you’re going for a regular reusable bottle, consider something insulated so that water stays at a steady temperature, and make sure it’s leakproof! Bonus points for including a bottle brush for cleaning.
4. Waterproof Bag
Why it’s useful
Adventurers will inevitably find themselves in rainy, snowy, humid and/or beachy climates at some point. Humidity-proof and waterproof bags are very handy for protecting cameras or other gadgets, keeping clothes dry in humid climates and keeping valuable during water activities. They’re especially handy for solo travellers who can’t leave their wallets and other valuables on the beach.
What to get
One of my favourite packing accessories is my 20-litre waterproof compression cover from Decathlon. It fits my clothes for any given trip, compresses down with a simple air release knob, and keeps everything dry - even in the intense humidity of Bornean jungles!
Regular “dry bags” are bulkier, but unlike a compression bag, they can withstand being thrown right into the water. They come in many shapes and sizes, from 5-30 litres, and can be found at most sports/outdoor stores.
5. Power Bank
Why it’s useful
Sometimes, travellers find themselves off-grid. Maybe trekking in the rainforests of Malaysia or resting on a remote Panamanian island. You know… places with no electricity.
Not only that, but in many places, busses, trains and airplanes don’t have plugs, so you can lose juice on long journeys, and be stuck for getting around on arrival. They can also be useful for overnight charging in hotels/hostels that don’t have a conveniently placed plug.
I usually carry two power banks: one small one that I can keep in my purse/day bag, and one larger and more powerful one that I take as needed for charging my phone, camera and even laptop. It’s a good idea for adventure travellers to have at least one sturdy and reliable power bank that works for multiple charges.
What to get
Look for power banks with specs of at least 10000mAH 12W and ideally with multiple ports - two USB, one USB-C and one micro-USB - for charging more than one device at a time. The ones I’ve found the most reliable and which lasted me the longest have been from Aukey.
6. Infinity Scarf
I always have a scarf in my day bag. It’s great for covering up at a religious site or when the A/C is too strong! Photo from Istanbul, Turkey
Why it’s useful
There are actually infinite uses for a generously wide infinity scarf. You can, of course, wear it as a scarf, but it’s also super useful as a shrug when needed for warmth, to roll into a pillow on a bus ride, or to cover shoulders and hair when visiting a religious site.
What to get
I have a thin and light one which a friend gifted me (thanks, Holly!), and it’s perfect for taking anywhere in my day bag. I also have a heavier one with snaps that can be worn as a dress. Warning that it’s a huge splurge for what you get, but I bought it from Encircled over five years ago, get tons of use from it, and it’s still in great shape.
Generally, though, any lightweight infinity (or regular) scarf that is really wide when opened will be a useful gift for the adventurous travel gal in your life!
7. Quick Dry Travel Towel
Why it’s useful
Towels take up a lot of space in a bag and, more importantly, no one wants to pack a damp towel with their clothes or gear! Microfiber towels are super compact and dry fast so you can be sure to have a dry towel each morning. Be an MVP (most valuable friend) and buy a quick-dry towel for the traveller in your life.
What to get
I’m pretty sure quick-dry towels are more-or-less standard, so don’t stress about which to buy. I like the ones with an elastic sewn-on since they’re easy to pack compactly.
I got mine at Decathlon and it does the job, although I’d prefer a slightly larger one because I’m tall, so I wish it was wider to cover chest-to-thighs more fully when I wrap it around myself. You can also get a quick-dry hand towel, which can be useful to keep in a day bag for sweaty hikes or wiping down wet gear after rain.
Now that I think of it, for hikers and jungle adventurers, quick dry anything can be super useful, especially shirts and sports bras.
8. Headlamp
Headlamps are handy for everything from hostel rooms, to night treks, to cave exploration! Photo from Chiang Mai, Thailand
Why it’s useful
Sure, our phones have flashlights, but for travellers headed into the great outdoors, a good headlamp is a must. I don’t know about you, but when I’m looking for an outhouse in a dark jungle, I want to know what’s around me, and I want to be hands-free!
A headlamp, or head torch, is useful for more than just finding the bathroom, though. It’s great for night treks, finding belongings when the power is off, reading, or finding things in a hostel dorm (but please be careful not to flash your light onto others!).
What to get
If you’ll be using it outdoors, look for one with a decent beam distance (minimum 100 metres), a sturdy and adjustable elastic headband, and a good battery life. I use a Black Diamond headlamp I got a decade ago from MEC and it still works great, although the headband is now becoming too loose.
9. Binoculars
Why it's useful
I thought binoculars weren’t important… until I went on safaris in Malaysia and Kenya. On wildlife safaris and treks, you’ll experience and appreciate so much more with a good pair of binoculars! Remember, on safaris you’re looking out for animals in their natural habitat, which is often high up in trees.
You can’t imagine how cool it is to be able to look up with a pair of binoculars and realize there is an orangutan swinging from vines, or two hornbills perched together on a tree branch. Shout out to my friend Linda who lent me a pair of binoculars just before I left for Borneo - it made a big difference in my wildlife experience!
What to get
I haven’t bought my own binoculars yet, but I probably will invest before my next jungle adventure. I’ve decided I’ll definitely become an avid birder as I get older, so I’ll need a good pair 😂. If anyone has suggestions, let me know!
10. Hat
Why it’s useful
Help your travel friend protect their head from the sun, cold or elements with a cute beanie, cap or bucket hat. For hikers or jungle adventurers, a bucket hat or cap is super useful for sun protection and keeping critters out of long hair (definitely speaking from experience!).
What to get
You know your friend best, so pick something that speaks to their personality and style. Bonus points: For winter hats, make sure to choose something that matches the giftee’s winter coat. More bonus points: Throw in some hair ties!
Save an adventurer from their fate of a sunburned nose by buying them a hat! Photo from Honolulu, Hawaii
Bonus: Action Camera
If your gift is for a very special someone and you have a big budget (~ $500-600 USD), you could consider gifting them an action camera to help them capture and share moments from their adventures.
If you are interested in a 360-degree camera, I’ve done a lot of research on this and feel confident that Insta360 is best-in-market for now. I’m really enjoying my Insta360 ONE X2 video camera and app, just note that the learning curve for 360 cameras is pretty high for those with no video experience. You can buy it here.
If you are looking for a regular action cam (i.e. that isn’t 360 degrees), I know many people who swear by their GoPros. Lastly, note that you can also get a DJI drone in a similar price range to these cameras.
Again, this is really only a gift for the true love of your life who likes tech and will take and use video footage. If that’s you… then your partner is very lucky! ;)
Caveat: Before you give
There’s enough stuff in this world, so before you buy a present, do your best to make sure it’s something the giftee needs (or will want) to avoid duplicates or waste. You can ask subtle questions and make an effort to be perceptive throughout the year to identify what your adventuring friend may need or want. Always hang on to your receipt, just in case!
Time to wrap it up
Once you’ve bought the gift, it’s time to wrap it. If you’ve still got some budget, why not make the wrapping useful? You could “wrap” the gift in another gift, like a:
backpack
reusable bag/tote
packing cube
travel towel
scarf
quick-dry t-shirt
…
Otherwise, try to be creative and eco-conscious with your wrapping using things you already have.
Finally, instead of a name tag, add a special touch with a luggage tag that’s personalized and stands out. Not only is that thoughtful, but it also helps us travellers keep track of our bags!
Small gifts or stocking stuffers
Looking for smaller gifts? I’ve listed 60+ small gift ideas that you can pick from to customize something amazing for a friend who loves travelling or camping! Whether you want to give something small and portable, build a gift basket, or stuff a stocking, this list has all the practical gift ideas you’ll need!
Final word
That’s a wrap on my suggestions for now! I hope it inspires some stellar gift-giving to an adventurous traveller in your life, whether it’s for Christmas, a birthday, an upcoming adventure, or another special occasion.
If you have additional ideas, send me a message, I’d love to hear them!
Note: This article is not sponsored. These are 100% genuine recommendations from Lynne and with special thanks to my friend Melody who shared some ideas for my gift-giving articles. I do receive a small commission from sales of Insta360 products when you use my links, at no extra cost to you.
