As a Hiker, These Are the Only Gifts I’d Actually Use on the Trail

The experts and analysts in the GH Institute ranked this pick from Osprey as one of the best daypacks — and I agree. I use this backpack for hiking and commuting to work in NYC (which one can argue is a hike in-and-of-itself). The breathable back panel and and hip belt make it a crowd favorite. Plus, the various pockets can be used to store trail maps, sunscreen, wallets, snacks, camera equipment and even a 20L water reservoir.

Any hikers who wish to visit all the national parks will love this water bottle that comes with stickers of all 63 parks. As hikers visit each National Park, they can triumphantly place one in the designated spot. The flip-up straw is easy to drink from and the stainless steel material helps keep water cool.

These shorts came in handy when I was on a long, rigorous hike and miles from the nearest bathroom. The innovative zipper extends all the way to the backend of the shorts so that you don't need to fully undress when nature calls. I loved the drawstring in the waistband that helped me get the perfect fit.

National parks offer free ink stamps at their visitor centers. These "passport journals" were made specifically for the purpose of collecting park stamps. Hikers can keep track of all the parks they've visited (and the memories they made!) by stamping the designated page and responding to the included prompts.

This necklace is a special reminder of all the mountains you've trailed. The bright, yellow gold is a subtle nod to a hiker's love for the mountains. The brand also has a silver version you can gift.

Ranked the best hiking socks by our Textile experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute, these socks have merino wool material that's ideal for sweaty summer hikes and snowy winter climbs. One tester who hiked "hundreds of miles in Darn Toughs over the years," said they keep his feet blister-free. The socks are even "unconditionally guaranteed for life," which means you can return them for another pair if you're unsatisfied.

My Garmin watch is one of my favorite pieces of gear for running, biking and hiking. Ranked as the best value pick for Garmin watches by our pros in the Tech Lab, this smart watch is offered at one of the lowest prices you'll see for a Garmin (especially a Forerunner model, which is an ideal pick for outdoor-fitness enthusiasts). Gift this gadget to someone looking to track their hiking mileage, elevation gain, heart rate and more.

READ MORE: The Best Garmin Watches, Tested by Experts

My favorite hat to wear hiking, at the beach or in my day-to-day life is this embroidered navy cap from The Landmark Project. This brand donates a portion of all proceeds to the National Wildlife Federation, an organization that protects and restores wildlife habitats and the environment.

These candle scents are inspired by natural smells you'd experience at a national park. For example, the Yosemite candle has notes of cedarwood, amber, orange and spices while the Mount Rainier candle has balsam fir, pine needle and citrus scents.

These sandals kept my feet dry and cool when I kayaked in Lake Tahoe. I love that the ChacoGrip rubber compound technology and intricate tread designs provide great traction on trails. Emma Seymour, a senior analyst in the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, also loves Chacos: "When wearing these sandals, my high arches felt completely supported, which is rare," she said.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Tevas vs. Chacos

The 500 pieces come together to create a map with iconic trails across the United States with cartoon hikers, wildlife and items scattered across. L.L. Bean also sells an Appalachian Trail Puzzle for anyone who has dreamed of completing the famous trail (a.k.a., me).

Clean sources of water on trails is not always easy to come by. This water bottle offers a solution: There are two steps within the bottle to filter out contaminants. "It allows you to fill your water bottle wherever you are," said Nicole Papantoniou, our Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab director.

Reading trail maps is not my strong suit, but AllTrails always comes to the rescue. While the free version of the app helps you find loads of trails with reviews, levels of difficulty, trailhead coordinates, photos and ratings, the AllTrails+ subscription allows you to download trail maps and follow GPS directions offline to ensure you don't make a wrong turn.

Elizabeth Berry, our Updates Editor at the GH Institute, uses these single-serve coffee packs for backpacking trips. "These make it super easy to brew coffee while camping if you have a single flame," Berry said. All you have to do is anchor the coffee filter to your mug, pour hot water into it and enjoy.

Papantoniou recommended this cookset pot for any hikers who thru-hike and camp. You can use it to measure, strain or boil ingredients over any heat source (read: campfires). If your gifting this item to someone who's entirely new to backpacking, gift this Beginner's Starter Kit for the complete set.

My new favorite pair of hiking shoes are these Salomon boots with excellent traction. After walking uphill and downhill for hours and miles, my feet were left blister-free and dry, despite stepping in some mud. The boots are also available in men's sizing and multiple colors. For a less expensive option, I also love these Columbia boots that I have worn summiting peaks and hiking in multiple national parks.

Chilly weather or cold mountain peaks call for warm clothing — especially for your head. Keep ears nice and toasty on the trails with this thick, unisex knit beanie.

Surprise a friend or relative with these funky toe socks. They are ideal for long-distance running and hiking, so it's a perfect gift for someone who does both activities. "I walked with zero blisters on my feet and can thank these socks for that," said a GH staffer.

This portable, clip-on speaker can be clipped onto a hiking bag to play music while walking through the woods. Our tech experts ranked it the best speaker for travel: “The treble and mid-range on this speaker sound great and are suitable for most listening applications,” said one of our testers.

READ MORE: The Best Bluetooth Speakers, Tested and Reviewed

When I'm not hiking, my favorite activities include planning future hikes and reading about hikes. I recently read Wild by Cheryl Strayed and the book left me feeling inspired to hit the Pacific Crest Trail all by myself, just like the author of this memoir. While a multi-month long hiking trip is not for everyone, the book portrays how nature can be healing in more ways than one, even if the miles wreak havoc on your toes.