Hiking, biking and s'more: These are the best gifts for outdoorsy people

I visit REI and the Patagonia store frequently enough that I've started to get recognized. But sometimes, what I really need when it comes to the outdoors isn't gear but inspiration. This Nat Geo guide features trails from all over the world — some are close enough for me to drive to, others are bucket list destinations. It's packed with pages of phenomenal photography, so I can flip through this while sitting by my fireplace, drinking a coffee during a blizzard, dreaming about what trek I want to experience next.

$22 at Amazon

On one camping excursion a friend broke this little baby out and it was met with gasps and awe. It's so compact! It's so practical! It's such a smart design! Any camper who isn't satisfied eating reconstituted mac and cheese knows that spices can make or break a backcountry meal. There is so much more than meets the eye when it comes to this lightweight little doodad. It breaks into three double-sided compartments, so you can carry a veritable cupboard's worth of flavor enhancers with you.

$10 at Dick's

Give them the gift of exploration! This all-access pass offers entry to over 2,000 recreation areas managed by six federal agencies, including the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management. It's valid for 12 months, offering up to 365 days of outdoor goodness. 

$80 at REI

Simply put, this is the ultimate trail map app. AllTrails+ will take your giftee's explorations to the next level while keeping them safe along the way. With over 450,000 maps worldwide, it’s a must-have for any adventurer. The Plus membership lets them download offline maps, get real-time turn alerts (for when they go off-trail), receive weather updates and access 200+ National Park guides.

$35.99/year at AllTrails

$17 at Amazon

This travel towel is the best of all worlds — it's made of super soft, ultra-absorbent micro suede that repels sand, sucks up water faster and more efficiently than typical terry cloth and rapidly dries in the sun. It's also lightweight and packs down to about the size of a 6-inch sub sandwich.

$40 at Amazon

All you need are two trees and this No. 1 bestseller to up your quality-time quotient in the great outdoors. Available in single or double sizes, the latter is strong enough to hold up to 500 lbs. Even so, it's incredibly lightweight (just 16 oz.) and folds down to the size of an eggplant. We're getting sleepy just thinking about it.

$40 at Amazon

For a thoughtful and sentimental gift for the outdoorsy person in your life, this customizable collage celebrates what's most important to them in a sweet and unique work of art. The one-of-a-kind piece is handmade by the artist and can be personalized with details like hair color, pack colors and names — and you can even include pets! The result? A beautiful, unique keepsake.

$55 at Uncommon Goods

After a long day of alfresco adventuring, these comfy slides are a well-deserved campsite or trailhead treat for your feet. The flexible, cushiony footbed is a salve for your sole. (Soul? Nah, sole.) But my favorite part? The back is soft and collapsable, so they convert from sneaker to slipper in seconds. Great for those middle-of-the-night runs to the loo when you don't want to fuss with laces but the ground is too cold for shower shoes.

$80 at Tevas

Sure, people may argue that socks are a boring gift, but any outdoors person will tell you we live for a great pair. This Vermont-made brand makes some of the most talked about options on the market (a sentence I never thought I'd write): They're cushiony without being restricting; they're warm but lightweight and never make your feet feel sweaty. And they dry quickly, for when your traverse across a stream ends in splashy disaster.

$25 at Amazon

The best gift I ever got my husband was this collapsible camp kitchen. Prepping dinner on a dirty campsite table is chaotic and — let’s be real — pretty gross. This setup is the ideal height to keep little hands and paws away from the action and a double-shelved compartment to keep everything organized and within reach. It folds flat for easy travel and, best of all, it’ll inspire whoever you gift it to to handle all the cooking. Win!

$150 at REI

These things are the best. Yes, they are a must-have on ski slopes and during ice climbs, but they are also a very-nice-to-have during camping trips or post-surf sessions when they are trying to get their body temp back up to normal. And, of course, they're a First Aid kit gem.

$7 at Amazon

$16 at Amazon

The créme de la créme of headlamps — you'll find others that cost less, but this is a beast with all the bells and whistles they could ever need. Weather-resistant with enough power to last 110 (!!) hours, this genius headlamp has a dual-battery system, allowing you to juice it up but also use AAAs for longer excursions. Choose from three white-light levels and a red light (particularly useful as a safety feature, should the user get lost in the woods). An indicator lets you know when battery is running low and a lock function ensures it won't accidentally turn on when it's lying at the bottom of your bag. Up to 450 lumens can cut through even the most dense fog. Plus, its design lets it sit as comfortably on your forehead as on a helmet. 

$47 at Amazon

In case you haven't noticed a trend in my gift suggestions, I'm very into s'mores. There's something to be said for finding the perfect stick to skewer your marshmallows, but that all goes up in smoke when your trusty tool catches fire. These telescoping, dual-pronged forks are ideal for getting your marshmallows, hot dogs, veggies — whatever — roasting at a respectable (and safe) distance, and they'll never turn into accidental kindling if your attention veers off. Each has a rotation wheel that ensures even roasting. When done, the whole set of five collapses into the handy storage bag.

$29 at Amazon

Want to make someone's campsite coffee game a whole lot better? The Aeropress is the ultimate go-to tool for light travelers — and it makes a truly fantastic, full-bodied cup of joe (seriously, coffee snobs love this thing). Compact and convenient, it'll elevate every sunrise.

$34 at Wayfair

While we're on the subject of coffee: They'll need speedy access to piping hot water to get a great cuppa going on a cold morning. Boiling H20 over a camp stove can be a grueling and arduous task when you've got cold fingertips. The Jetboil will get it done in 100 seconds — even in sub-zero temperatures. Plus, it's lightweight and breaks down to be compact enough to fit in a backpack. Your giftee's not a coffee fan? They'll love you for helping them have hot water for their morning oatmeal or camp meals.

$121 at Amazon

$34 at REI

The great outdoors lends itself to unplugging and getting away from tech but — you gotta snap pics or it didn't happen. This clip is small, rugged and attaches to any backpack strap to turn it into a camera mount. Why does your resident shutterbug need this? Carrying an SLR or DSLR around your neck can cause fatigue, plus, its precious lenses can get knocked around. This keeps the camera stable and secure, and eager to grab the second that must-get shot comes into view.

$80 at Adorama

As every would-be adventurer knows, staying dry is key to staying comfortable. This quick-drying, super-soft workout shirt has an anti-cling design that's ideal for the guy who likes to push himself while exploring the world. Plus, its odor-busting technology is a game changer for when he's packing light and needs a top that'll withstand numerous wears before needing a wash.

$78 at Lululemon

Your outdoorsy friend doesn't want a tennis bracelet. Instead gift them a (sorta) piece of jewelry that will help them be prepared for the elements. A fully functioning compass, a fire starter, a loud whistle (should they get lost) and paracord make this a wildly practical survival tool.

$13 at Amazon

Carrying a cooler is backbreaking work. This 32-gallon wheeled winner will let them roll into the party with up to 50 cans. It's big enough to store everything they need for a campout or tailgate but small enough to fit in the trunk of a Prius (tested by yours truly). I can attest that everything will stay cool (from said cans to hot dogs and anything else) for up to 48 hours.

$300 at Dick's

Maybe she can't always get to the mountains, but this lovely charm will always remind her where her heart is. Each one of these wearable pieces of art is handcrafted from clay to show a vignette of one of nine national parks, including Joshua Tree, Yosemite and Grand Teton.

$60 at Uncommon Goods

This is a slam-dunk gift. The breathable, quick-dry, SPF 50 neck and head covering can scrunch down to be a scarf on cooler days or accordion out on scorchers. They can dip it in water to keep cool, cover their nose on dusty trails and pull it over their hair to tame sweaty strands. It's indispensable and comes in dozens of colors and styles.

$20 at Amazon

This top is so soft you'll feel like you're slipping into silk — yet it performs better than silk ever could on a trail. The breathable fabric will keep them warm without overheating, no matter what adventure they may find themselves on — and it dries quickly, should they work up a sweat. This piece is ideal for layering and makes a perfect mid-layer for shoulder-season hikes.

$96 at REI

$139 at Patagonia

The REI Kindercone is ideal for little ones under 5 feet tall, and it has loads of kid-friendly features, like an anti-snag zipper, an adjustable mummy hood and an extra-puffy draft tube to keep cold air out and warm air in. It's also machine washable, which is clutch when you're potty training or a mischievous sweet tooth (i.e, MY kid) sneaks their s'mores into the sack and falls asleep with it. But my favorite feature? The attached stuff sack means it'll never get lost, no matter what level of chaos your child courts.

$70 at REI

Know a kid who's struggling with biking? Guardians are made just for this purpose. The brake design and pedal system allow little ones to gain the confidence they need to soar. The patented Sure Stop brake system ensures they won't flip over the handlebars and the ultra-lightweight frame makes it a snap to maneuver.

$249 at Guardian Bikes

Yup, another sleeping bag. Got a kid encroaching on (or maybe surpassing) the 5-foot-tall mark? The Kelty Mistral has been my son's favorite since his last growth spurt and, at 5'2", it's my pick too. (That's right; it's so affordable I got one for myself!) It's like sleeping on a cloud. The extra-long, 19-inch footbed allows for plenty of growth spurts before you need to size up. Until then, it's a great spot for extra clothes, stuffies, a book, a water bottle, or any other must-have comforts your kid is angling for before bed. 

$37 at Backcountry

Need a gift for an on-the-go kid in your life? No outdoor gear arsenal is complete without a great fleece. Warm, breathable, durable and fast-drying, this well-made top is designed with 80% postconsumer recycled content so you can feel good about the purchase. And it's so cute!

$38 at REI