Blokes can be hard to buy for, especially outdoorsmen. Chances are they appear to have everything they need, or when they do add to their camping gear it’s after a weird amount of research. We’ve got you – this list of unique and thoughtful gifts has something for every Explorer.
Men come in all different kinds of flavours, so of course there’s a danger of leaning into stereotypes when putting together a list of outdoor and nature focused Christmas gifts like this. However a lot of them are damn true and as a man (with heaps of male friends) I feel pretty qualified to pull together a list of practical gifts for outdoor loving guys.
I say practical because most good outdoor gear is, and if you want to give a meaningful present that stands the test of time, you don’t want to bequeath camping gear that ends up in the skip bin before next December.
Understand Your Outdoorsy Guy
Personally, I love nothing more than getting a gift that slots so well into my lifestyle that it becomes part of my day to day (and reminds me of that person every time I use it). A gift that shows that you understand (or at least care that I enjoy) my passion is really valuable. So your first step has to be a bit of research on the person you’re buying for.
It’s also worth working out what they value? Are they after durability or are they more fashion or aesthetically-minded? As much as we don’t want to admit it, the outdoors has trends like anything else (even faux-pas!) so it’s worth asking a few people with similar interests or who know the outdoorsy guy you’re buying a gift for.
A car camping foodie might love a cast iron skillet, but your hiking mate would probs prefer a lightweight frypan. | @thetantrap
Questions To Ask When Buying a Gift for an Outdoorsman
There are heaps of ways to experience the outdoors and nature and all kinds of outdoor trips that can be tackled. Whether it’s feet up by the fire, bouncing down a 4WD track, running over mountains, or paddling forgotten streams, it’s important to understand what the guy you’re buying for gets up to out there.
I’d ask how often they’re getting out (this will affect how tough the present needs to be), whether they’re tackling any specific outdoor sports, the kind of temperatures they’re likely to experience and, if you can, find out what they have already.
Another great tip (which my wife loves to employ) is ‘Buy them something they wouldn’t buy themself’. Whether this means a luxury like a hiking pillow that they’re ‘too tough’ for, or a rain jacket that actually works, receiving something you wanted but could never justify spending money on feels great.
Blackout or fluoro? Know your man! | @tim_ashelford
How We Choose the Outdoor Gifts on This List
I’ve pulled this list together through a combination of experience in the outdoors, buying gifts for mates, asking my (adventurous) male mates what they’d like to get for Christmas, and what I think would be an awesome present.
Most of the links to products go to the Wild Earth website – they’re an Aussie B Corp (like us!) who stock a huge range of brands, and they’ll give We Are Explorers a little kickback if you happen to buy it through their site, indirectly funding my running shoe addiction.
Best Gift Ideas for Outdoorsmen
Apparently people search the phrase above, so it’s going in the article. Let’s crack in shall we?
1. SOTO Windmaster Lightweight Hiking Stove
RRP: $124.99
The SOTO Windmaster now comes standard with the slightly heavier but more stable 4Flex pot support (not pictured).
Straight from our list of 13 Best Gas Hiking Stoves, the SOTO Windmaster is a hiking favourite. This little 87g package can boil half a litre in two and a half minutes in windy conditions (or a litre in double that according to our tests). Efficient outdoor cooking is a huge win after a big day out, so you can trust this gift will be appreciated for years to come.
The SOTO Windmaster is great because it doesn’t try to be so minimal that it’s annoying. The 4Flex pot support now comes as standard, making it less likely that your pot will tip over, and in-built piezo ignition removes the need for matches or a lighter.
Best of all, the stove sits close to the pot and has an inbuilt wind guard and microregulator, making it the right choice for any adventure. Think of all the morning coffees this thing will be responsible for!
2. TOAKS Titanium 750mL Pot
RRP: $79.95
The perfect do it all ultralight pot | @jessleenehme
I have this exact pot and it speaks to the caveman inside of me. Ok, maybe not quite, but it can go directly onto the fire. It’s made of uncoated titanium, so it’s tough as (titanium?) nails yet only weighs 103g (including the lid). The measurements on the side are embossed so they won’t scratch off either.
Seriously, this TOAKS Titanium pot will become an heirloom and is the perfect gift for an outdoorsy man who likes lightweight adventures like hiking, bikepacking, or packrafting. It’s big enough to hold a small stove like the one above and a small 100g gas canister and comes in a little bag to hold it all together. You don’t even need to wrap it!
If you want to drill down, Jess has just reviewed the TOAKS Titanium 750mL pot and has all the goss.
3. The North Face Base Camp Travel Canister (Toiletry Bag)
RRP: $80.00
Freshen up, then head for the summit!
Every bloke I know is rocking the same janky ‘toiletries’ kit from their first ever school camp. It’s a crisis and high time that toothpaste-stained mould farm is replaced with a unique and thoughtful gift that shows the whole campground/motel/hostel-shared-bathroom that they’re an outdoor enthusiast.
I love this Base Camp Travel Canister from The North Face. The ‘travel canister’ is inspired by their iconic duffle bag design with ‘lash points’ and ‘haul handles’ so you can drag it up K2. It’s like baby outdoor gear! More importantly, it has a hanging hook, mirror, and tough TPE materials that resist the spray of a bad holiday park shower, or the mud of a lakeside bath.
It also comes in a bunch of cute (manly!) colours.
4. SHOKZ OpenRunPRO Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
RRP: $269.00
Any colour, as long as it’s chill
Honesty hour. I had a pair of these and they didn’t work for me. They work by vibrating the bones near your ears to silently deliver sound to your brain, all whilst leaving your ears open. It’s one of the most futuristic things I’ve ever experienced.
Unfortunately the bone conduction kind of made my jaw hurt when I had the volume up loud enough to hear. That being said. Three of my avid trail running friends swear by the SHOKZ OpenRunPRO wireless bluetooth headphones (they always say the whole name), and they love the open ear vibes and comfort. My brother who I gave mine to loves them too. It’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me. Bet you didn’t expect a Taylor Swift lyric to make it into this article huh?
If the man you’re buying for loves doing outdoor sports AND listening to music AND has a normal head, these are both a safe and very well built option, I was pretty sad to let mine go.
5. Osprey Hydraulics 3L Hydration Bladder
RRP: $99.95
You’ve seen it, haven’t you? Their water bladder is mouldy from years of neglect and you feel powerless to stop it.
Good news, you can! Whilst I’m not one for mindless consumerism, once a water bladder is gone it’s g o n e and no amount of suds can bring it back. For the hiking bloke in your life, this Osprey Hydraulics 3L hydration bladder is perfect – it has the capacity for big carries, a backing plate that stops it buckling when it’s not full and a slidey clip on the top (which I personally find way better than the twisty lid style). Remember my point about practicality? This gift has it in spades.
What’s more, the Osprey Hydraulics 3L was a Wild Earth Gear of the Year winner in 2023. Make it last and grab them a bladder cleaning kit while you’re at it (it’s made by their competitor but we won’t tell if you don’t).
6. Sea to Summit Frontier 3L Ultralight Pot
RRP: $119.99
Why do we use nice cookware at home but the moment we’re thinking about camping gear, revert to the worst pots and pans imaginable. I assume that’s what Sea to Summit were thinking when they created the Frontier series. It’s gooood, and this 3L pot is great. It even won a Gold Australian Good Design Award in 2023.
The Frontier Ultralight Pot has a non-stick ceramic coating, a removable handle, a clip that holds the lid on the side of the pot, and straining holes. There are 1.3L, 2L, and 3L sizes available, though I suggest better if you want the gift recipient to cook food for you too.
The larger pot is also more useful for car camping, not just hiking, and us blokes just love versatility. We’re sick for it.
Chef Alex Noles cooking up a storm when he tested out the Frontier range
7. Black Diamond Astro 300 Rechargeable Headlamp
RRP: $79.99
The world of head torches can get mighty confusing, and you might see brands you’ve never heard of before (or won’t again). There are also some incredibly cheap options out there that are an absolute dice roll, especially when you’re relying on it to see.
The Black Diamond Astro isn’t on our list of best head torches (mostly because we need to update it!) but it’s absolutely going to do the job for standard camping and hiking. It produces up to 300 lumens, it’s weatherproof, rechargeable, and only weighs 75g.
Make sure you check Wild Earth’s site too, they’ll often have gear for well under the RRPs we’ve listed here. If you’ve got a bit more money to play with the whole Black Diamond range is great, it’s never let me down.
(If they’re a runner, something like this BioLite no-bounce option might be more their style.)
The BioLite HeadLamp 750 offers a good alternative for runners
8. Katyadyn BeFree 600mL Water Filtration Bottle
RRP: $99.95
Summer’s coming and the blokes are thirsty! Sorry, but it’s true.
Be part of the solution and get them a Katadyn BeFree bottle. This little collapsible flask only weighs 57g and can be dunked in streams and creeks to convert it to clean drinking water in seconds. Pretty neat!
It’s low fuss as you can simply swish it back and forth in the water to clean it, and the collapsible design allows you to squeeze water through if you’re in a hurry (or saving ill-prepared friends).
Read more:Â Comparing Different Methods of Treating, Filtering, and Purifying Water on the Trail
9. HOKA Speedgoat 6 Trail Running Shoes
RRP: $289.95
We’re big fans of the new HOKA Speedgoat 6 here at We Are Explorers. Matt, Jack, and Henry have all been rocking a pair for everything from tough multi-day hikes to casual runs on the esplanade. You can get around the full review if you’re as obsessed with trail running shoes as me.
Essentially they’re light, grippy, supportive, and they look brilliant in a range of colourways from subdued to ‘punch in the face’ orange. We’ve got a discount code too, throw EXPLORER10 in on the Pace Athletic website until the 4th of November to get 10% off.
10. Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Ultralight 2 Person Hiking Tent
RRP: $880.00
The Copper Spur is a favourite of boys (and girls!) everywhere | @courtenyevewhite
You might be only able to justify the price of this one if you’re planning on sleeping in there with them, but I’ll leave that one up to you. What I will say is that at the time of writing the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 is only $615.96 on Wild Earth, a whopping $264 off, so you’ll want to hunt for a deal.
At only 1.42kg for a 2 person tent the Copper Spur is absolutely brilliant for a backpacking trip or bikepacking trip. Jess reviewed her 3 person one recently and was raving about it. And it’s another one of Wild Earth’s gear of the year picks. Its freestanding design makes it a fantastic gift for an outdoorsy guy about to head on a walk with tent platforms like the Overland Track.
Outdoor Experiences for Men
Outdoor experiences are a fantastic gift for men, especially the kind of guy who already has everything. Whether it’s a guided hike, a camping trip, canyoning, or a fishing excursion, outdoor experiences offer a unique opportunity to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life, try something outdoors they’ve always wanted to do, or challenge themeslves.
The Tweed Escapes River Cruise shares insights from the Goodjinburra clan of Bundjalung Nation, learn more
Some popular outdoor experiences for men include:
- Guided hikes and backpacking trips – Dan from HikeandSeek runs hiking tours!
- Cultural tours – check out our Aboriginal Culture page for ideas
- Camping and wilderness survival courses – Rick Peterson from Alone Australia has some good ones!
- Fishing and hunting excursions – Check out this fly fishing course in Victoria
- Rock climbing and mountaineering adventures – maybe Australia’s first via ferrata?
- Whitewater rafting and kayaking trips – like this packrafting tour in Gippsland or rafting the Franklin in Tasmania
- Outdoor photography workshops
Get them a National Parks Pass
Or maybe it’s a fishing licence, a beach access pass, or a voucher to their favourite outdoor store. Even a fuel voucher to get them where they’re going next. It’s all about symbolism baby!
