The holidays are coming up fast, which means it’s time to start getting gifts. Whether you’re shopping for him, for her or for the person in your life who has everything, it’s time to start checking all your friends and family off your list.
If you have an adventurer with a passion for the outdoors in your life and don’t know what to get them, there’s no need to fret. We’ve combed through one of our favorite outdoor retailers — REI — and picked out the best gifts for the holiday season. We’ve spent years shopping at REI and tested nearly all of the following gifts ourselves, so whether you’re helping them beef up their camping checklist or just looking for cheap, outdoorsy stocking stuffers, here are 28 presents from REI they’re sure to love.
Best REI gifts under $50
The more portable version of one of our all-time favorite coffee makers, the AeroPress Go is the perfect way to make coffee at the campsite. It's packable and brews delicious coffee, plus, it only takes seconds to clean.
Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew Socks
Socks that will last a lifetime
Our pick for the best hiking socks, these ultra-durable yet comfortable socks from Darn Tough are seriously good. They'll quickly become the go-to pair of any hiker in your life.
A men's version is also available in four colors and sizes M to XXL, while the women's style comes in three colors and sizes S to L.
We know it might not sound like the sexiest gift, but Kula’s revolutionary pee cloth is a game changer for folks who need to take care of business in the woods. With loads of fun prints to choose from and a hydrophobic outer covering, this bathroom rag is functional and anything but boring. Underscored contributor Heather Balogh Rochfort never goes on a hike without it now, and outdoors editor Kai Burkhardt has given several to friends and family.
Belts are a boring gift, but this one from Arcade is the exception to the rule. This super stretchy belt doesn't pinch when you're active, making it the most comfortable one we've ever worn.
Fanny packs are having a comeback, and it's easy to see why. Not only is this bag from REI a great place to stash your wallet, keys, lip balm and more, but it's also cute enough to wear around town.
These tiny, 6-ounce stackable mugs from Yeti are incredibly cute and the best way to sip an espresso shot in the backcountry.
This chic REI hat is perfect for those trying to hide their winter hair and stay cozy at the same time. Plus, it has folding ear flaps for when the temperatures really dip.
Best REI gifts under $100
Hiking backpacks can be pricey, but this one from REI is a deal. It's got hiking-specific features like gear loops, chest and waist straps and a hydration sleeve, making it way better than the school backpack they're probably using now.
This lightweight chair is great for backpacking, but it's honestly good for anyone who likes to relax outdoors. At the park, on the sidelines of a soccer game or deep in the mountains, you'll always have a cozy place to sit. Underscored associate writer Maxwell Shukuya loves this chair and uses it all the time at the beach, park and even his home office.
Not only will this scarf keep you ultra-warm thanks to its 800-fill-power down, but its iconic color-blocking design and hand pockets will keep you stylish and cozy all winter long.
Black Diamond Momentum Harness Package
For the burgeoning climber
Climbers often tend to start off bouldering at the gym, but if the climber in your life wants to try their hand at ropes, this package is the perfect gift. Burkhardt tested this package when writing our beginner's guide to climbing, and loved how it comes with everything you need to get to the top of the tall walls, minus the shoes.
This women's version includes a harness that's more likely to fit and comes in a stylish Desert Sage. The women's harness is available in sizes XS to XL, while the men's is available in XS to XXL.
REI Co-op Swiftland 5 Hydration Vest
For the one who's training for their first marathon
It seems like everyone is training for their first marathon nowadays, and if you've got an obsessed runner in your life, they'll love this hydration vest. It helps them carry enough water and food so they can really push on their long training runs.
The men's version comes in a different fit, and is available in three sizes, while the women's comes in four sizes.
Our pick for the best multitool, the Leatherman Sidekick is an ultra-durable, ultra-helpful piece of gear for those who are always looking for something to fix.
Dutch ovens are a great way to upgrade your camp cooking setup, since it makes cooking cobblers, pizzas and backcountry stews over the fire incredibly simple.
Whether the're shoveling the driveway or snowshoeing this winter, gift them this incredibly warm, down-filled hat.
The North Face ThermoBall Traction Booties
For the cutie who needs some booties
These booties aren't just cute, they're also surprisingly warm thanks to their insulation and have great grip with a rubber outsole. Perfect for après ski hangs, cold-weather shopping or daily dog walks, they'll want to wear these cozy shoes every day this winter.
Both the men's and women's fit of these booties come in four colors.
Our pick for the best filtered water bottle, Grayl's revolutionary technology means you can drink water from basically anywhere in the world. This makes it a great pick for any camper, backpacker, travel or e-prepper.
Best REI gifts over $100
Gregory Maya and Miko Daypacks
For the hiker looking to take it seriously next year
This is the best hiking daypack we've tested, which means it's perfect for the hiker in your life looking to log even more miles next year.
This men's version comes in two colors, as does the women's.
Backpacking can be ridiculously expensive to get into, but luckily, REI has this bundle that helps the hiker in your life finally get into backpacking.
This blanket has a sleeping-bag-like feel, which makes it incredibly cozy and versatile. We've had one for years now, and use it on the couch, while camping and bring it to picnics and outdoor concerts when we need to stay warm.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket
A rain jacket that will actually keep them dry
Our pick for the best rain jacket, the Patagonia Torrentshell is a completely bombproof rain jacket that’s sure to keep you dry even in the worst downpours. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than many of its competitors and comes with Patagonia’s Iron Clad Guarantee. Read our full guide on rain jackets to learn more about why we love the Torrentshell.
The women's version of our favorite rain jacket comes in eight colors and sizes XS to XXL, while the men's jacket is available in eight colors and sizes XS to XXXL.
Arc'teryx Atom Insulated Hoodie
A versatile jacket they'll wear all winter
This midweight jacket has a great warmth-to-weight ratio and is incredibly popular for good reason. Its synthetic insulation can keep you warm even when wet, and its excellent durable water repellent (DWR) sheds light rain and snow.
The men's version of this jacket is available in seven colors and sizes XS to XXXL, while the women's version comes in four colors and sizes XXS to XXL.
Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Hoodie
For the sustainable-minded
Another great midweight, insulated hoodie, the Nano Puff from Patagonia is made from recycled materials and is backed by the brand's best-in-class Ironclad Guarantee. Senior testing editor Rick Stella loves this jacket for its warmth and packability. Plus, he's had it for several years and it's still like new.
The women's version comes in four colors and sizes XXS to XXL, while the men's jacket comes in five colors and sizes XS to XXXL.
We love Blundstone boots. The iconic design goes with nearly any fall outfit, and the Classic 550 version offers a ton of cushion and support in the sole. Burkhardt has had a pair for over three years now, and wears them basically every day from October to March. Fair warning: These boots do take a while to break in, so they’ll be uncomfortable for the first few weeks or so. They also run a tad large. I normally bounce between 8.5 and 9 in US men’s sizes, and I ended up fitting perfectly in the Blundstone 8.5s.
This best-tested satellite messenger is a great gift because it's one of those things every adventurer knows they need, but never wants to buy. This little gadget makes it easy to stay in touch with the civilized world even when there’s no service, and in case of emergency, it has an interactive SOS function that contacts a 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center so you can get help fast.
This is a must for any camper with a partner or a dog. Nothing beats snuggling up with your boo next to the campfire on a chilly night. Burkhardt makes sure to take this on every camping trip so he can share it with his super snuggly Border Collie mix, Miso.
This do-it-all backpack has tons of room and organization for any sort of adventure. It shines on international trips when you want to hop from country to country with just one pack.
Birdwatching has been exploding in popularity, and if you know someone obsessed with ornithology, our pick for the best compact binoculars is the perfect gift. Avid birder and associate testing writer Joe Bloss loves this pair's combination of portability and performance.
Why trust CNN Underscored
Here at Underscored, we make it our job to stay up to date on all the latest products, but we don’t just find them; we also rigorously test products from hundreds of brands to make sure every gift you give is a hit. We also know that you get tired of seeing the same gift ideas year after year, which is why our team of editors has carefully curated each of our gift guides with a selection of products tailored to the person, hobby or event you’re shopping for (though, if you’re seeing some repeat products in our coverage, it probably just means that we really love them). For this guide, our outdoors editor Kai Burkhardt searched REI’s site for hours looking for things he or other Underscored aficionados have tested in the past. Burkhardt has been an REI Co-op member for almost 10 years and has spent way too much money there, so he knows from firsthand experience what’s worth it.