Disclaimer: This gift list was curated by The Outdoor Adventure Kind. It includes no solicited inclusions or affiliations with these businesses at the time of publishing. The opinions expressed below are solely those of the author.
‘Tis the season when holiday shopping kicks into gear! I’m already being asked for help with gift ideas. Knowing what to get the outdoor adventurer in your life can be tricky. Or maybe you need gift ideas to put on your own wish list for others. Heck, maybe you want to treat yourself to something special! Whatever the case, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered with this list of ten gift ideas that outdoor adventurers will love!
This list focuses exclusively on Pacific Northwest small businesses. Not only are you going to find unique gifts that recipients will love, but you’ll also be supporting creators, small businesses, and entrepreneurs in the regional outdoor community. It’s a win-win! And like a free bonus, almost everyone included on this list has awesome social media. Follow them on your preferred platforms for ongoing adventure inspiration.
Here’s the short list; click to jump to a specific section.
- Unique Gifts from Local Artists
- Regional Guidebooks by Local Authors
- Ready-to-Go Adventure Foods
- For Adventure Food Preppers
- Keep Hot Foods Hot with a Cozy
- The Kula Cloth
- Outdoor Instruments for Adventurers
- For The Outdoor Adventure Dogs
- Give the Gift of Choice
- Outdoor Education and Inspiration
Unique Gifts from Local Artists
One of the great things about art is that it comes in so many shapes and sizes, from small-scale stickers and decorations to full-sized original works. Consider commemorating an outdoor achievement or selecting something tied to a shared adventure experience. Favorite locations, flora, and fauna are also fantastic options. Here are just a few unique ideas from some artists whose work I love:
Final Switchback, by Katie Jeanne Reim – What first caught my attention from Final Switchback was the unique combination of beautiful, colorful scenes captured on contoured maps of the region. Done in a detailed and imaginative style, these works are featured not just on prints but also stickers, notebooks, and now even bandanas. Check out the shop for great gift sets as well.
Drawn to High Places, by Nikki Frumkin – It’s hard not to love the vivid colors flowing organically through these pieces. There’s something especially magical about the ones which were originally created from mountain summits, where the artist takes her supplies to capture the feel of these amazing locations. In addition to originals, prints, and stickers, you can get these designs on items like hats and buffs from the shop.
Tiny House Big Woods, by Laurel Mundy – As a birder myself, I’m a fan of the many feathered friends (plus other flora and fauna) captured by this artist. They are full of personality, with touches of whimsy. Sustainably created ornaments are a fun way to share these designs and add a little outdoor adventure to your indoor seasonal celebrations. Cards for all seasons, prints, stickers, and more are also found in the shop.
Lizzy Dalton Art – The blend of fine line work and sharp geometric patterns with natural scenes and wild creatures produces a signature style that simply stands out. A few of the designs are printed on apparel through the shop, plus of course you can select fantastic prints in multiple sizes. For young (or young at heart) adventurers, she’s got some fun coloring pages available as well! Perfect for outdoor inspiration on winter days with stay-at-home weather.
Regional Guidebooks by Local Authors
Who better to share the insights on local trails than those who hike them? There are a lot of guidebooks on my shelves. They range from top-picks across the whole region, to much more specific and localized information.
A personal go-to from my own collection is Off the Beaten Trail, by Matt Reeder at The Ruddy Hill Press. It’s pages have given me a solid foundation for planning several of my own successful adventures. He’s also published PDX Hiking 365, perfect for encouraging year-round exploration.
If your adventurer is eyeing new regions, or they want to find new trails in favorite areas, a guidebook may be perfect. Select one from a local expert focused on a specific type of adventure or narrow region for a unique gift. Below are a few other local author favorites; consider a new or used copy from your favorite local bookstore!
- Curious Gorge, by Scott Cook – Columbia River Gorge hikes and more, with year-round highlights and recommendations
- Hiking the Wonderland Trail, by Tami Asars – Detailed information based in personal experience hiking around Mount Rainier
- The Creaky Knees Guides, by Seabury Blair – Great hikes for different fitness levels, plus dog and kid friendly hike indicators
Ready-To-Go Adventure Foods
Whether I’m going on a day hike or a multi-day trek, one thing is always true: I’ll need to eat! I have some tried-and-true favorite adventure foods, but I also love trying something new while out on the trail. Adventure foods can make for a great gift, or a snack-sized stock stuffer. Consider a pre-made meal from a local business to keep your favorite adventurers full on the trail.
Food for the Sole – a mother & son operation based in Bend, Oregon – has some delicious, just-add-water vegan options for ultra-light and ultra-easy meals. You can pick and choose specific dishes, or get the taster pack for a ready-to-wrap gift idea.
Fernweh Food Co. doesn’t just make healthy trail foods; they use local, seasonal produce and focus on waste reduction in their business practices. Get one or all of their current meals (with more on the way), or get some dehydrated ingredients for your backcountry chef to add to their own recipes.
For Adventure Food Preppers
There are a lot of great reasons for adventurers to make their own trail foods at home. Whether it’s a love for new recipes, or the ability to control the ingredients, a membership to Backcountry Foodie makes an excellent gift! There is an awesome online recipe catalogue, plus an option with a meal planning tool. It’s all created by a dietitian and experienced backpacker. You really cannot go wrong with this one. The only trouble is, because it’s online, there’s not much to wrap. Maybe a greeting card from a local artist would help!
Keep Hot Foods Hot with a Cozy
Whether carrying a pre-made dish or a DIY meal into the backcountry, no one likes their hot food to be lukewarm before it’s ready to eat. Enter the amazing cozy from Discovering Wilderness! You might recognize this company. Jessica joined me in March 2020 to talk about Trailside Meals during an OAK Nights event. This piece of gear from a husband and wife team continues to be one of my favorites in my pack. Designed with freezer bag cooking in mind, it also fits most pre-made meal bags. Most importantly, it never fails to keep my food piping hot.
The Kula Cloth
Not only is this a piece of gear I carry myself on ever adventure, I’ve given a few of these as gifts myself! The Kula Cloth is an anti-microbial pee cloth, designed for anyone who squats when they pee. Reduce toilet paper waste and have one less thing to pack out, with a reusable and fashionable Kula Cloth in your gear kit. They come in a wide variety of prints, snap easily to the outside of a pack, and wash up for miles and miles of repeated use. When I let them know about this list, they created a discount code just for you: use OAKIND for 15% off!
Kula is more than just a pee cloth; it’s also a vast community of outdoor enthusiasts. Consider pairing your pee cloth gift with an online class from the Kula Academy featuring expert instructors from around the globe.
Outdoor Instruments for Adventurers
If the adventurer in your life is also musically inclined (or would like to be), consider a gift that marries these passions together! Outdoor Ukulele crafts not just composite polycarbonate ukuleles (how’d you guess?), but also banjoleles and guitars. Each instrument is made to order in Bend, Oregon. There are some customization options available, plus the perfect accessories to pair with these outdoor instruments. Be sure to request an in-camp concert after you give this gift!
For the Outdoor Adventure Dogs
If you have an outdoor adventure dog – or dog owner – on your gift list, consider a treat from The Northwest Dog. Up any canine’s adventure fashion with a colorful scarf or bandana. Add a matching clip-on pouch for humans to carry doggy bags, treats, and more.
The Northwest Dog partners with local, sustainable, and fair-trade sources for their materials, and also carry goods like paw balm (Bailey loves hers) and yummy smelling candles. You can put together a fabulous gift combination from this PNW business.
Give the Gift of Choice
It can be tough to give the perfect adventure gear when you’re not sure about your adventurer’s needs, fit, or sizes. If you’re looking to help someone add to or upgrade equipment, consider a gift card to a local shop.
One of my favorite shops in Portland is Foster Outdoor; they sell new, used, and consigned gear both in their shop and through their website. I’ve picked up some great outdoor scores that were gently used and also gentle on my bank account. Plus, purchasing used gear gives it a longer lifespan and keeps it out of landfills.
If your adventurer is more of an after-the-adventure eater, a gift card to a small restaurant in or near a favorite location is another great option. That can take a little more research and planning specific to your gift recipient. Do a little probing about hikes or trips they have planned in the new year. Then, casually change the subject to favorite foods. Piece of cake!
If you decide on a gift card, include a note (in a card from a local artist?) letting them know what it’s for. This will make it more personal and meaningful for the recipient.
Outdoor Education & Inspiration
The Outdoor Adventure Kind is here to provide year-round education and inspiration for anyone who wants to connect with the outdoors.
Check out the photography prints and digital downloads available over in my Etsy shop for ways to keep a little bit of the outdoors inside. They are from around the Pacific Northwest and always aim to capture a true-to-the-experience image.
OAK sessions are perfect for anyone with awesome outdoor adventure goals coming up in 2021! We can meet virtually one-on-one or as a small group to go over itinerary planning, refine gear and packing lists, or tackle specific topics to take outdoor adventures to the next level. Not sure which session is the right fit? Let’s chat!
You’re still here!
Are you still stuck after all of that? Or did you find the perfect gift idea in this list? Shoot me a message and let me know! I would love to know what you picked out, or help you brainstorm more outdoor adventure gift ideas.
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