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10 Great Backpacking Gifts! | Average Hiker

10-great-backpacking-gifts

These 10 Great Backpacking Gifts are all items I use on my hikes and awesome gifts I would love to find under my tree!

With over 10,000 miles of hiking and backpacking experience, I know what works and what does not.

I also realize that hiking and backpacking gear is expensive, so I use gear that will last over many adventures.

Average Hiker (Ellie)


Black Diamond Carbon Cork Trekking Poles

Alpine Carbon Cork – Black Diamond Trekking Poles

These are TOUGH poles for even the most rugged terrain. I have put mine through their paces, and they barely have a scratch. Like all Black Diamond gear, I expect them to last me a long time. See the review.


Hyperlite Stuff Sack Pillow

Hyperlite Stuff Sack Pillow

I have a small pillow, a stuff sack, and holds my electronics, toiletries, and first aid supplies. At night it becomes a soft, comfortable pillow. I stuff the pillow with my down jacket and flip it over to rest my head on its warm micro-fleece. See the review.


Women's Voormi River Run Hoodie

Women’s River Run Hoodie

The River Run Hoodie is my “go-to” hoodie for town visits, staying cool while hiking, sleeping, and most activities. Whether in the backcountry or town, this is an excellent versatile layer! See the review.


Outdoor Research Vigor Beanie

Outdoor Research Vigor Beanie

OR claims this beanie’s “ActiveTemp” fabric self-regulates with your body temperature. I know that it keeps my head WARM, even in freezing temperatures. Whether asleep in my quilt or huffing up switchbacks, this is the beanie I wear!


HOKA One One EVO Speedgoats

HOKA One One Speedgoat 5’s

The Speedgoat EVOs have been replaced by the Speedgoat 5’s and are my new favorite shoe with their comfort, traction, and redesigned upper.


Women's Feathered Friends EOS Jacket

Feathered Friends Women’s EOS Jacket

This jacket goes with me everywhere – backcountry and town. No other Down Jacket I’ve worn is made with the same quality or has the EOS’s warmth-to-weight ratio. My medium-weight Helios is eight years old and still going strong! See the review.


Outdoor Research Melody Sensor Gloves

Outdoor Research Melody Sensor Gloves

I discovered these warm, lightweight gloves in Creede, Colorado, when I needed something for freezing temperatures. I wear them inside my Gore liners to keep my hands warm and dry in raw, cold weather.


Feathered Friends Lark Sleeping Bag

Feathered Friends 10 Degree Lark Sleeping Bag

The FF Lark is the warmest sleeping bag I own, and I love that it is true to its temperature rating. This incredibly comfortable, warm sleeping bag is ALWAYS what I grab for any trip in cold weather.


Kula Cloth

Kula Cloth

This little cloth has improved my backcountry experience. Good hygiene is essential, and the Kula Cloth makes all the difference in the world! I wish I had discovered these sooner! See the review.


Anker Powercore 10,000 Battery Bank

Anker PowerCore 10,000 Portable Charger

This charger is always with me whether I’m going on a multi-day backpacking trip, battling long commutes, or glamping in the backcountry. This lightweight, powerful charger ensures you don’t have to scramble to find an outlet! I use both the 20,000 and 10,000 battery banks with all of all of my electronics.


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