The Holidays are coming up, and that means it is nearly time to shower the ones you love with awesome gear! With recommendations from our guide staff, this gear guide is here to help you choose something for all the adventure humans on your list.
Plus – everyone loves a new pair of cozy merino socks, right?
Whether you’re looking to get some high-end gear for yourself, affordable equipment for long-distance trekking, or buying gifts for the adventurers in your family, Epic has got you covered.
Let’s dive right in…
Quick Look: Our Staff's Four Top Gift Ideas
Top 10 Gifts for Adventure Travelers under $100
I’m not exaggerating when I say that this is, by far, the most important tool in the toolkit of any adventurer.
Practical and eco-friendly, the GRAYL can filter pretty much any water source you’ll find in both the wilderness and the city into healthy, pure drinking water to keep you going.
As long as you’ve got a GRAYL on you, you’ll never find yourself in trouble with dehydration or feel the need to take the risk of drinking water that you’re not sure about.
Another must-have for bold trekkers of all stripes, a headtorch can literally save your life.
Whether you’re in a country where the power grid isn’t so reliable or spending nights in the middle of the backcountry, having a compact yet mighty lamp to light your way will make a massive difference and help you stay safe.
If the person you are shopping for already has a headlamp – we can tell you from experience that having a backup is just as important.
There is a reason all of our trip leaders carry a Garmin InReach Mini. These handy little devices can send and receive messages from anywhere on earth and also can be used to contact help in the event of an emergency.
The InReach Mini is one of the most popular two-way satellite messengers on the market and an absolute essential for anyone who loves hiking, camping, world travel, or off-grid adventures.
Let’s be honest, having wet or cold feet after a long day of trekking is the worst. Not only does it feel miserable, it can also be incredibly dangerous when you’re out in the wild.
Having these down booties to put on at the end of the day helps keep your feet comfortable and warm around camp, preferably while you’re kicking back next to the fire with a hot cup of chai.
Epic founder Chris Lininger got himself some down booties this year and he truly felt like his life was upgraded significantly.
Buying a gift for friends or family but not sure what exactly to get for the adventurers among you? Then you absolutely cannot go wrong with a gift card.
This shows that you care while also giving them the flexibility to buy whatever they need. Easy. It also gives you the freedom to choose how much cash to put on the card, anywhere between $10 and $1000.
If you don’t know what present to buy and want some flexibility, a gift card always comes through.
Keeping your head warm in cold temperatures is essential, whether you’re relaxing at camp or venturing through frigid temperatures at high altitudes.
If you live somewhere cold or just want to pick up an extra cozy unit for your next stint at basecamp – this is the king of all winter hats.
Perfect for shorter-distance hikes and day trips, this backpack is comfortable, efficient, and spacious enough to keep all the essential gear with you until you’re home safe and sound.
If you’re looking for a pack that doesn’t take up too much space, isn’t too heavy, and still manages to help you stash all the things you need for a day hike, this backpack and its value is hard to beat.
A solar-powered solution to keeping the lights on, this set of stringed lights is going to make any campsite cozy as hell while putting no extra burden on you.
It’s small, lightweight, and rechargeable as long as you’ve got sunshine. Having this at camp goes a long way in boosting light and making you comfortable while you’re at it. Check out our setup in Pakistan above.
Yet another tool to use in your quest to make camp as cozy as possible, having a chair to set up at camp makes a HUGE difference as opposed to settling for a stump of wood or a jagged rock.
If you want to keep your head dry, comfortable, and shielded from the sun while also giving yourself room to breathe, this hat is exactly what you need!
This is great for warmer weather, wet, rainy conditions, and protecting both your head and neck from the harsh sun rays that can get even more extreme at higher altitudes.
5 Epic Gifts for Hiking Fanatics
One of the most important parts of keeping safe on a long-distance trek is keeping your feet warm, dry, and free of blisters!
Having the right pair of socks is literally a lifesaver. If your feet aren’t taken care of, a trek can turn from an adventure into a nightmare really quickly.
Darn Tough Socks are what trekkers need to keep on venturing through the wild, no matter the weather. Being that they normally cost $20/pair – proper merino hiking socks are like gold to any serious hiker.
Traction, stability, and comfort:
All things you’ve GOT to have in a boot, and Merrell’s waterproof boots are what I have relied on for years to keep me going on the trail while being confident that the boots I’m wearing have the grip I need to stay safe no matter what I’m doing.
These are truly excellent boots, and I can’t recommend them enough.
Another non-negotiable, the right pair of gloves to keep your hands warm is crucial.
These gloves give you exactly that, while also not feeling too bulky which allows you to retain the use of your hands while also keeping warm.
If you or someone you love is an avid photographer + a hiker, the Atlas Athlete pack is truly the ultimate backpack.
We have been using this pack as our main day-to-day pack for the last 4 years to assist in documenting our expeditions. It is hands down the most comfortable and practical hiking-focused camera bag we have ever tested.
The pack is on the pricey end, but before you recoil in horror at the price tag, know that this backpack is the Crème de la Crème.
Long-distance trekking can have serious effects on your knees, so using trekking poles will make a huge difference, both for your performance on the trek and the long-term health of your knees.
You also get the added bonus of having a little extra stability when hiking on tricky terrain, so having these is a win-win. Our guide staff swears by using trekking poles – we also have them.
5 Epic Gifts for Your Adventurous Son
Affordable, lightweight, and comfortable, this handy pair of gloves is the affordable answer to keeping those hands warm.
Gloves are essential for any adventurer, and this is something that the intrepid son in your family will appreciate.
A good pair of pants makes a huge difference as to whether a trek is going to be an uncomfortable or fun experience.
It’s a basic piece of gear, but this is not something to overlook. Good pants literally go miles in making that trek unforgettable, and as an added bonus, can easily be switched into shorts if it gets too hot.
Enjoying a long reign as THE go-to shirt for adventurers everywhere, the Henley has its crown for a reason.
Perfect for keeping cool in hot weather while also trapping enough heat to keep you warm, this shirt is comfortable, aesthetic, and good for casual wear too.
I know this seems a little basic, but a belt is never just a belt. It’s also a versatile tool, and it can come in handy in some tight spots.
That’s why it’s important to have the right one: this belt is sturdy, dependable, and lightweight. Not only is it going to snugly fit around your waist, it might just be the thing you need in a tough situation.
Sometimes a stiff drink is the only consolation after a long, hard day on the trail, and a flask set is always going to answer that call.
This is a gift that nobody will ever take for granted, and they’ll be enjoying it by the campfire for years to come.
5 Epic Gifts for Your Adventurous Daughter
Snug and versatile, these pants have got your adventuring needs covered for all kinds of hiking and travel scenarios.
A simple yet vital piece of gear, the right pair of pants is a gift that equips your daughter to take on everything the world can throw at her.
A smaller pack is a crucial part of anyone’s inventory, and this badass, colorful, and adaptable tote bag is with you whether you’re walking around town or out hiking.
This bag can be converted into different shapes depending on your current needs, and has space for all the essential valuables and the right materials to keep them safe regardless of the weather.
Warm and cozy while also leaving room to breathe, this light vest is aesthetically pleasing and perfect for chilly weather.
A fantastic gift for your daughter if she wants to keep warm and look good while doing so.
Beanies can make or break winter wear, so having the right one is important. It’s easy to quickly get uncomfortable while wearing one of these, and this beanie gives the comfort and warmth you need in cold weather.
This is a holiday gift that not only looks great, it is essential for winter wear.
Everyone loves a new wallet right?
This gift is a cost-effective solution.
This wallet is weather-resistant, stormproof, and has anti-theft RFID technology. It’s an incredible tool for keeping items secure in any situation and a gift that makes a huge difference.
Give the Gift of Epic Travel
When someone you love is looking to go off the beaten track on their next trip, you can give them the gift of Epic travel.
Contribute to their adventure with one of our gift cards that pay towards any one of our many trips in the world’s rawest, most untouched countries.
Our gift cards are available in increments of $300, $500, and $1000, so regardless of what you choose, you’ll be helping out in a significant way to give them a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Gift the Best Trekking Travel Insurance
As fun and rewarding trekking in these raw, spectacular destinations can be, there is always the factor of the unknown.
That’s why we believe that you’ve got to have the best travel insurance in the business, and we think we have found it.
Global Rescue offers comprehensive insurance for helicopter rescue and medical care anywhere in the world. This is an incredible service that will be there for you no matter the crisis.
Global Rescue offers annual memberships for their emergency evacuation services. Whether you are planning to trek to K2 Base Camp or go on a climb in Nepal – GR can extract you from pretty much any situation should an ailment or injury occur on your big adventure.
Wrap Up: Ultimate Epic Gift Guide
From affordable, cost-effective gear to the high-end stuff that’s the best in the game, this Epic gift guide has shown you everything you need to be prepared for the next adventure.
Once in a lifetime experiences are special, and having the right equipment to make the most of it is essential.
At Epic, we believe that having solid gear goes a long way in taking our journeys from Epic to Epicly comfortable experiences.
Anytime is a good time to give the gift of quality gear for that adventurous human in your life (don’t forget about yourself either).
That’s all for now guys! We hope you stay warm, cozy, and hungry for big adventures next year.
– Happy Holidays from the entire Epic team
