Our favourite Christmas gifts for campers, handpicked to suit all budgets
It’s no secret that Peter and I have a difference in opinion when it comes to camping. On our trip around the world, he carried around 4kg of camping gear for an entire year in the hopes that I would see the appeal. We camped for a total of 10 days.
I will camp under duress. Sometimes, it’s even been worth it – the Salkantay Trek, the Simien Mountains and the Uluru Rock Tour – but by and large, I’d rather a hot shower and warm bed at day’s end.
Peter, in comparison, would live his life under canvas if it was socially acceptable. He has about three different tents, four sleeping bags, five hiking boots and a partidge in a pear tree. Like other outdoorsmen, he can be hard to buy for as he already has so much kit. If you are similarly stuck, consider one of these Christmas gifts for campers, handpicked to suit all budgets.
Christmas gifts for campers
From a comfy lightweight blanket to a life-saving gadget, we have something to suit whether you’re looking to save, spend or splurge this Christmas.
1. Satellite communicator
Give peace of mind to the camper in your life with the Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator. Weighing a mere 3.5 oz., it lets the user send and receive messages, send an SOS and share their location. It is impact resistant and water-rated to IPX7, which means it can easily withstand rain, snow, splashes and incidental exposure to water of up to one meter for up to 30 minutes.
Though compact, it has 14 days of battery life in full sky view (or up to 4 days in moderate tree cover) for standard activity recording and 10-minute tracking mode. This can be extended to 30 days and 10 days respectively if tracking is set to 30-minute intervals. All in all, it’s one of the most useful Christmas gifts for campers.
2. Puffy blanket
We love the Rumpl Original Puffy blanket, a packable, portable blanket that you can take anywhere. It’s cosy enough for sleep and comes with a Cape Clip® for hands-free use – perfect for late nights by the campfire or chilly mornings.
The blanket is water resistant, machine washable and made with 100% recycled material. The durable ripstop shell is resistant to wear and tear and comes in a variety of colours and patterns.
3. Cooler
The YETI Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler is one of REI’s top-rated products. It is tough and durable with a DryHide shell that is resistant to punctures, mildew and UV rays.
It comes with a wide flip-top opening with a leakproof zipper for easy access and an ergonomic shoulder strap, which makes it comfortable to carry for long stretches of time. The liner is FDA-approved and the ColdCell rubber foam offers superior insulation that keeps items fresh for days – perfect for a weekend of camping.
4. Portable hammock
The award-winning ENO DoubleNest Hammock packs down to the size of a grapefruit but is spacious enough for two people. Its FreeWave fabric is breathable and fast-drying and its triple-stitched seam construction creates unmatched durability and protection against ripping or tearing.
The hammock is compatible with all ENO hammock straps, stands, bug nets, rain tarps and insulation systems, and has a custom side-release buckle and larger cordlock for easy setup and pack-up – perfect for lazy campers.
5. Handy multi-tool
The Leatherman Skeletool looks cool and is uber-functional. The handle holds a blade, needlenose/regular pliers, wire cutters, four bits/bit driver and bottle opener, Phillips #1 and #2 bits, and 3/16 inch and 1/4 inch flathead bits.
Each implement has been heat-treated for optimal hardness for its function and the stainless-steel construction promises years of dependable service. What’s more, every feature on the tool can be opened and operated with one hand, leaving your other hand free to use.
6. Cosy fleece
This Patagonia jacket is made of soft sweater-knit fleece and can be worn alone or under a shell when it’s chilly. The women’s jacket comes with zippered handwarmer pockets, 2 interior drop-in pockets and a zippered left-sleeve pocket.
The men’s comes with zippered handwarmer pockets and a left-chest pocket for valuables. A cozy staple for the backcountry, or indeed the city, it is a failsafe Christmas gift for campers.
7. Water purifier
A reliable water purifier is one of the best practical Christmas gifts for travellers. We recommend the GeoPress Ti Water Filter and Purifier Bottle which filters and purifies water in just eight seconds and requires zero setup. Simply fill, press and drink: fill from any freshwater source and press on the ground for clean, purified water.
The purifier removes viruses, microplastics and other particulates. What’s more, it can also be used for cooking. The outer titanium cup, equipped with butterfly cooking handles, can be used to heat water and make meals on a pocket stove or alongside an open flame.
8. Comfy socks
Socks may not be the most exciting Christmas gifts for campers, but we absolutely love Smartwool here at Atlas & Boots and would be delighted with these Smartwool Performance Hike Light Cushion Panorama Crew Socks.
They are warm, durable, breathable and have a special ‘stay-put’ fit for extra comfort. If you have budget left over, check out the wider Smartwool range and stock up on a few pairs.
9. Loveseat
The award-winning Mountain Summit Gear Loveseat may not be suitable for wild backcountry hiking, but it’s perfect for couples or families on a relaxing camping trip.
The loveseat has a durable oversize frame that supports up to 500lbs (226kg) in total or 300lbs (136kg) per seat. It is packable and comes with a carry bag with strap for easy transport and storage.
10. Duffel bag
The top-rated REI Co-op Roadtripper 40 Duffel is one of the best practical Christmas gifts for campers. It comes with a storage pouch which can be used alone or as an interior organiser, a zippered side pocket so you can keep small items handy, and daisy chains that let you strap a jacket or other gear to the outside of the bag.
It is water-resistant, abrasion-resistant and can be carried by its durable webbing handles or detachable shoulder strap. It has a capacity of 40 litres and meets carry-on size restrictions for most airlines, making it useful for general travel as well.
Christmas gifts for campers: old reliables
If you’re looking for more standard camping gear, we recommend:
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