Finding a present for someone who already owns plenty of outdoor gear can be a chance to look beyond the practical. This selection of 12 gifts highlights unexpected items for people who enjoy hiking, climbing, skiing and spending time outside.
For a hands-on project, Ripstop by the Roll’s DIY zipper pouch kit includes Dyneema fabric, a YKK coil zipper and slider, and a drawcord; thread is not included. It comes in three sizes. Nature lovers may prefer a pocket-sized flower-pressing notebook, whose accordion-fold pages provide two layers to help prevent moisture from leaking through, while an elastic band holds the journal closed.
A Polartec Alpha microfleece scarf offers another compact option. Its triangular shape can be wrapped around the neck, shoulders or head, and its edges come in Skida patterns including leopard print and florals. For climbers, the magnetic-locking Magnetron carabiner is back in production after a six-year break. It locks automatically when the gate closes, and restocks followed the first rerun selling out.
The book presents a century of outdoor-industry print materials, including magazines and catalogs, across 384 pages. Published in 2025, it features brands such as Snow Peak, The North Face and Columbia, with a foreword by photographer Chris Burkard. Another versatile pick is the Hex 2.0, which can serve as a chair, stadium seat, sleeping pad or kneeling mat. Its eight-millimeter closed-cell foam provides insulation, while a DWR coating helps keep moisture from coming through; it rolls up for carrying in a daypack or car.
For camp or home, Snow Peak’s golden mug set takes inspiration from autumn leaves. The Camp Snap camcorder offers a different way to record outdoor moments: it has no playback screen, but footage can be transferred through USB-C. The list also includes a limited-edition trail shoe from Québec footwear brand Norda and climbing-gear maker Black Diamond.
The RUX Waterproof Duffel Box has a roll-top closure that expands or compresses, interior soft organizers and an exterior made from 840-denier TPU-coated nylon. For colder days, Dale of Norway has recreated its 1994 Olympic ski sweater using thinner, softer 100 percent wool yarn in a unisex fit. Rounding out the picks is a parka developed by Japanese retailer BEAMS and REI, drawing on REI’s original 1986 design and limited to 500 pieces.
Sources: Outside.