The Outdoor Devin 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

If you’ve followed my content for any amount of time, you know I only recommend gear my family and I actually use on real trails, real mountains, and real adventures. This holiday gift guide is no different. Every item on this list is something I’ve personally trusted, my wife has used, or my kids have tested on our hikes, camping trips, and weekend explorations. Some of this gear has been with me for years—reliable favorites that have held up through Colorado storms and long summit days—and some are newer pieces I added to my kit this year that instantly earned a permanent spot. If you’re shopping for a hiker, a backpacker, an outdoor-loving family, or even building your own gear list for next season, these are the gifts I truly believe in.

HIMALI Monsoon Hardshell – Ultra-Packable Rain Shell
If you hike in the Rockies long enough, you learn one thing fast: storms roll in quick. The Monsoon Shell lives in my pack year-round. It’s waterproof, windproof, surprisingly breathable, and packs down small enough that there’s no excuse to leave it at home. Perfect for hail on a 14er or a windy ridge in shoulder season.

LINK:

HIMALI Monsoon Shell MENS

HIMALI Monsoon Shell WOMENS

For the Trail-Hunter

For the friend who thinks “just one more switchback” is a personality trait.

Black Diamond Spot 400 – High-Output Headlamp
Sunset photos, early-morning summit pushes, or “oops, that hike took longer than I thought”—a reliable headlamp is non-negotiable. The BD 400 gives you plenty of brightness, multiple modes, and a compact profile that disappears in your pack until you need it.

👉 BD Spot 400

LEKI Sherpa Trekking Poles – Burly, Reliable Poles
Steep descents, stream crossings, and big packs are where the LEKI Sherpa poles shine. They’re sturdy enough for real mountain terrain, take stress off your knees, and make loose talus and snowfields feel a lot more controlled. Once you get used to hiking with poles, you’ll wonder how you ever did without them.

👉 LEKI Sherpa poles

Microspikes – Traction for Snow & Ice
For winter and shoulder-season hikes, microspikes might be the single best safety upgrade you can give someone. They slip over almost any boot or trail runner and give you grip on packed snow, icy trails, and slick inclines. Ideal for Colorado winters when the trail is more ice rink than dirt.

👉 microspikes

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Gaiters – Keep Snow & Scree Out
Nothing ruins a hike faster than snow, rocks, and pine needles pouring into your shoes. The Ferrosi gaiters are lightweight, breathable, and tough enough for real mountain conditions. They shine on slushy spring 14ers, muddy shoulder-season trails, and any day you’re kicking through loose scree.

👉 OR Ferrosi gaiters

For the Backpacking Partner

For the person who thinks “3 days, 2 nights” is a perfectly reasonable way to relax.

Sea to Summit Telos TR Tent – Ultralight Shelter Built for Real Miles
One of my favorite tents I’ve ever used. The Telos TR is lightweight, roomy, and genuinely fun to set up after a long day on trail. The unique tension ridge gives you more headroom than most UL shelters, and the ventilation keeps condensation under control on chilly mornings. It’s the perfect “I’ll actually carry this” tent for backpackers who want comfort without extra weight.

👉 Sea to Summit Telos Tent

Sea to Summit Ascent Down Sleeping Bag (30°) – Your Backcountry Bed
A great night’s sleep in the backcountry changes everything. The Ascent 30° hits the sweet spot for summer backpacking and mild shoulder seasons, offering premium down warmth, smart baffle design, and enough wiggle room to not feel mummified. Pair it with a good sleeping pad and your partner will be out by the time you finish boiling water.

👉 Ascent Down Sleeping Bag 30°

MSR Pocket Rocket Stove – The Classic for a Reason
If you know, you know. The MSR Pocket Rocket is fast, ultra-packable, and reliable in just about any non-winter conditions. Whether you’re making ramen at 11,000 feet, boiling water for coffee at sunrise, or heating up a hot meal after a long day, this stove gets it done without fuss. Every backpacker should own one.

👉MSR Pocket Rocket

Sea to Summit Spork – The Most Important Piece of Metal/Plastic You Own
Lightweight. Durable. Packs anywhere. Never underestimate a good spork. Whether you’re scooping oatmeal, stirring mac and cheese, or scraping the last bits from a freeze-dried meal, a reliable utensil is one of the most underrated pieces of backpacking gear you can gift.

👉Sea to Summit Spork

For the Content-Creator Outdoorsy Friend

For the person who can’t hike a mile without filming something epic—and honestly, we’re all better for it.

DJI Action 5 – The Ultimate Trail-Ready Action Camera
If you want crisp footage, solid stabilization, and a camera that thrives in mountain weather, the DJI Action 5 is the move. I use mine on nearly every hike, especially when conditions get rough. It’s compact, durable, and handles low-light far better than most action cams. Perfect for summit storms, ridgeline walks, and fast-moving trail shots.

👉DJI Action 5

DJI Mic Mini – Crystal-Clear Audio in the Backcountry
If there’s one upgrade that instantly improves content, it’s audio. The DJI Mini Mic pairs seamlessly with the Action 5 while giving you clean, wind-resistant sound without a bulky receiver. For storytelling-style hiking videos, this is the mic that changes everything.

👉 DJI Mini Mic

High-Capacity Power Bank – Keep the Cameras Rolling
Every creator knows the pain of a dead battery mid-adventure. A lightweight but high-output power bank keeps your action cam, phone, and mic charged through long days of filming. It’s one of those invisible pieces of gear that makes good content possible.

👉 power bank

Peak Design Capture Clip – The Best Way to Carry a Camera on the Trail
If your content creator friend carries a larger camera (or even just wants quicker access to their Action 5), the Peak Design Capture Clip is a game-changer. Mount it on your backpack strap and your camera is instantly accessible—no more digging in your pack or missing the shot because it took too long to grab your gear.

👉 Peak Design Capture Clip

For the Everyday Explorer

For the friend who may not be chasing 14ers every weekend, but still lives for fresh air, dirt trails, and spontaneous adventure.

Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 – Trail Runners With Serious Grip
Whether it’s a muddy spring trail, rocky singletrack, or a quick after-work hike, the Ribelle Run 2 delivers stability and traction you can trust. Lightweight, responsive, and built for confidence on uneven terrain, these shoes are perfect for anyone who wants a capable shoe without committing to a full hiking boot.

Scarpa Ribelle Run 2

MENS WOMENS

HIMALI Eclipse Sun Hoodie – Your Year-Round Adventure Layer

One of my most-worn pieces of clothing—on trail, at camp, and even around town. UPF protection, breathable fabric, quick drying, and comfortable enough to wear all day. Whether you’re hiking in full sun or layering for a breezy summit, the Eclipse Sun Hoodie is a staple.

HIMALI Eclipse Sun Hoodie Mens

HIMALI Eclipse Sun Hoodie Women's

HIMALI Accelerator Down Jacket – Lightweight, Packable Warmth
A good puffy is essential for every explorer, and the Accelerator is that perfect balance of warmth and low weight. It packs down small, layers easily, and adds comfort during sunset views, windy ridgelines, or chilly mornings at camp. This is one of those jackets you grab “just in case”—and end up wearing constantly.

Mens Accelerator Down Jacket

Women's Accelerator Down Jacket

Wigwam Socks – The Unsung Hero of Happy Feet
Great hikes start with comfortable, blister-free feet. Wigwam socks are durable, moisture-wicking, and designed for long hours on the move. Whether your weekend explorer is hitting a local trail or road-tripping to a state park, these are the kind of socks that make the whole day feel better.

👉 link: Wigwam socks

For the Tech-Minded Adventurer

For the person who loves gear—but loves data, tracking, and backcountry safety even more.

Garmin inReach Mini / Messenger – Backcountry Safety in Your Pocket
If you spend time in remote places with zero cell service (which is basically every good place), an inReach is one of the smartest pieces of tech you can own. Two-way satellite messaging, SOS capability, location tracking, and weather updates—all in a tiny device that clips to your shoulder strap. This is the gift that brings real peace of mind for both the adventurer and the people waiting for them back home.

👉 Garmin inReach

Suunto Vertical – The Ultimate Adventure GPS Watch
Built for big days, big elevation, and big goals. The Suunto Vertical offers insane battery life, dual-band GPS accuracy, offline maps, weather trend tracking, and full training analytics. Whether your trail lover is prepping for a 14er season, a big thru-hike, or just wants smarter data on their daily hikes, this watch is a serious upgrade.

👉 Suunto Vertical

A Year of Gaia GPS Premium – The Gift of Smarter Navigation
This one is underrated but incredibly valuable. A Gaia GPS subscription gives you downloadable offline maps, trail overlays, weather layers, wildfire data, avalanche terrain layers, and dozens of backcountry-specific tools. It turns a phone into a powerful navigation device—even when the signal drops to nothing. Perfect for hikers, backpackers, hunters, and anyone who explores beyond the trailhead sign.

👉Gaia GPS

No matter who you’re shopping for this season—your go-to hiking partner, the weekend backpacker, the friend who documents every trail, or the tech-savvy explorer—every piece of gear in this guide is something my family or I have personally used. Some of these items have been with me for years and have survived storms, summit days, and long Colorado miles. Others are new additions from this year that immediately earned a permanent place in our kits.

My goal with this guide is simple: to highlight gear that actually works in real outdoor conditions, not just products that look good on paper. If you pick up something from this list—whether it’s a gift or a treat for yourself—I’m confident it will make your time outside safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable.

Here’s to more adventures, more trail time, and a holiday season filled with fresh air and good gear. Thanks for being here and supporting the work I do.

Affiliate Disclaimer

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use, trust, or have tested with my family. Your support helps me continue creating free outdoor content, guides, and videos. Thank you.