Collection: Stocking Stuffers for Outdoorsy People

What Makes a Good Outdoor Stocking Stuffer

Small gifts work best when they replace something worn out rather than adding something new. Gloves, beanies, and caps take constant use and rarely get replaced until they fail, so a fresh one is always welcome. The sections below sort the collection by who is getting it.

Stocking stuffers for hikers and backpackers

Hikers wear through the small things faster than the large ones. A lightweight sun cap handles sun on exposed trail and packs flat. Gaiters keep scree and mud out of boots, and they are the item most hikers know they should own and never buy. For colder trips, a lightweight knit beanie weighs almost nothing in a pack and makes a cold start or a windy summit considerably better. For backpackers specifically, anything that weighs little and packs small is the right instinct.

Stocking stuffers for skiers and snowboarders

Winter accessories are the category that wears out fastest on the hill. A lightweight glove works for driving and everyday cold, and a warmer mitt adds warmth for colder days. Fleece beanies are thin enough to fit under a helmet, and a thicker knit beanie works for the drive up and the bar after. A neck gaiter is the piece skiers most often forget until the wind picks up.

Caps and beanies for everyday wear

Not every small gift needs a specific activity behind it. Five-panel caps and everyday beanies work for ordinary cold days, dog walks, and commutes, and a plain color goes with any jacket. These are also the safest picks when you do not know the recipient’s activities, since everyone who goes outside in winter needs something on their head.

Shopping for the rest of your list? Shop the full gift collection.