It can be hard to shop for someone who likes the outdoors. You want to get them something they will use and enjoy. A gift that matches their interests and helps inspire them to do the things they love.

Last year I started providing gift guides for books, videos, and equipment. These turned out to be very popular so I am continuing the tradition.

Here are 10 gift ideas organized into three price ranges. All prices are approximate and I try to provide links with representative prices. But you may be able to find better deals if you look around.

I try to choose items that are a bit different than the standard fare you will find at large retailers. I hope these suggestions inspire you for the holiday season.

Gifts Under $50

1. Ultimate Survival Technologies Wetfire Tinder ($10)

I like this commercial tinder a lot. It lights easily from my firesteel and it continues to burn when wet. The small cubes are individually wrapped and fit easily into my personal survival kit. Be aware that Wetfire has a definite shelf life. After several years you will need to replace unused cubes because the volatile chemicals break down or evaporate.

2. Maxpedition E.D.C. Pocket Organizer ($22)

Small “organizer pouches” are designed to fit in the pockets of BDU-style pants. The pouch has a zipper closure and opens like a book. The organizer has two pockets inside along with elastic loops and a tethered key-ring. I use an organizer pouch for my tracker’s pack and others to store small gear items. I specifically mention the Maxpedition brand, known for its high quality. But there are also (slightly smaller) offerings from Condor ($12) and Voodoo Tactical ($11).

3. AmazonBasics 60-Inch Lightweight Tripod with Bag ($24)

This is a great entry-level tripod. It is lightweight, inexpensive, and easily portable. I like that it can extend high enough to hold my camera at approximately eye-level. It has a 3-way adjustable head that will tilt into portrait orientation. Its quick-release mounting plate lets you pull off your camera quickly without having to unscrew it from the tripod. The tripod also has two bubble levels.

It comes with a nylon tripod bag that is convenient to sling over your shoulder or strap to your daypack.

The tripod has a standard mount. But I suggest you use it only for digital cameras and digital SLRs. It is probably not sturdy enough for “professional size” SLRs with long lenses or for sighting scopes. But I have not tried it with heavier optics.

4. Improved 16cm Zebra billy can ($33)

This is a classic among bushcrafters. The pot and lid are made from stainless steel, which lets you cook with it over a campfire. You can suspend it above the fire using its bail or place it directly onto the hot coals. The “improved” version eliminates the plastic locks that were used to hold the lid in place. They would melt in the heat of the campfire.

The pots come in several sizes, but I find the 16 cm version ideal for personal use. The pot also comes with a stainless steel plate that nests in the pot below the steel lid.

5. Rustic Ridge Refillable Distressed Leather Travel Journal with Handmade Paper – 6″ x 8″ – Saddle Brown (Moderately Distressed) ($37)

If your favorite outdoors person likes journaling, this refillable leather journal will warm his or her heart. The journal has a rugged look and feel and closes with a buckle closure. It comes with 100 sheets of handmade, cream colored, acid-free paper. Each of the distressed leather journals is unique.

6. Condor Micro Fleece Jacket ($40)

This cool weather fleece jacket has nylon reinforced shoulders and elbows. So your pack’s shoulder straps will not wear down the fleece at the shoulders. The jacket has a nylon-net lining that also reduces wear from rubbing against your body.

The jacket has a double zipper and a drawstring waistband. It is chock-full of pockets: two hand pockets, a chest pocket, and a sleeve pocket. The chest pocket has a port to the inside of the jacket for headphone wires. Although I never wear headphones when I’m hiking.

I’d categorize it as a “cool weather jacket” to be used as part of a layering system or as a sweater substitute. For its warmth level, it weighs more than you would expect. All the pockets, zippers, and the lining add weight to the jacket. But it has been very durable for me over several years of use, for a relatively modest price. The jacket comes in black, coyote, and olive.

Gifts Under $100

7. Rocky Men’s 11″ Gore-Tex Socks ($65)

These waterproof socks are perfect for the backpacker. Inclement weather or a misstep can lead to soaking wet hiking boots. Even if you have another set of dry socks, the moment you insert your feet back into your wet boots you wind up where you started.

Rocky socks have an abrasion resistant nylon outer layer surrounding a Gore-Tex® inner layer. The inner layer prevents water from reaching your dry hiking socks. Your regular socks provide insulation and the Rocky socks act as a breathable vapor barrier.

Since you wear these over your regular hiking socks, make certain to order a size larger than you think you need!

Gifts Over $100

8. S.A. Wetterlings Forest Axe with 26″ Handle ($150)

Wetterlings has made high quality axes in Sweden since the end of the nineteenth century. The axe head is forged from C55 carbon steel mixed with silicon, manganese and vanadium.

I like this axe a lot! I use it for light limbing and carving trunks into spoon blanks. It has a 2.2 lb head and straps easily to an overnight pack. I am just over 5 feet tall and find the 26 inch hickory handle easy to control. The axe comes with a leather sheath.

9. Celestron 52250 80mm Ultima Zoom Spotting Scope ($180)

I have been borrowing my friend’s scope to look at birds when we are animal tracking. I think it is a good example of an entry-level scope. It has a waterproof housing and you can get it with a straight through or 45 degree angled eyepiece.

The 80 mm diameter is a good compromise between portability and light gathering. It has a 20-60x zoom. The rubber eyecup can be removed to expose a T-thread standard thread for attaching a camera.

The scope is 20 inches long and weighs about 3.6 pounds. It comes with a nylon carrying case.

10. LL Bean 850 Down Jacket ($199)

I have wanted a down jacket for many years. I longed for down’s insulating warmth and was eager to shed the bulk of fleece. But fleece has two wonderful properties: It is inexpensive, and it retains its insulating ability even when wet. So I always carried fleece.

A little over a year ago I treated myself to LL Bean’s 850 Down Jacket. I managed to purchase it while it was on sale. I use the 850 as a “camp jacket.” I slip into it before night temperatures set in.

The jacket has a tightly woven Pertex outer shell and DownTek850-fill. The treated down absorbs 33% less moisture and dries 66% faster than standard down. This gives me some leeway in case I get clumsy with the jacket.

Wearing the 850’s synthetic fabric makes me feel very “high tech.” The 850 has elastic cuffs and hand warmer pockets, which I enjoy. The jacket stores in its own internal pocket.

Make Someone Happy

Do you have a thoughtful gift idea? Please write it in a comment below. I’m sure everyone will appreciate the tip! Do not include links, or the website software will think your comment is spam.