Ahoy amigos! It’s that time of the year once more – the time to treat your favourite backpacker to something special… The only problem? You’re not quite sure what actually makes good gifts for backpackers.
I mean, we get it, you’ve got all the best intentions but inevitably your galavanting pal is going to end up with another pair of socks to add to the ever growing pile! I love the feel of new socks just as much as the next guy, but there are actually a shit ton of epic backpacking gifts out there that can make a real difference to your bezzie mate’s next trip.
“What on earth is a good backpacker gift for someone who is always on the road, scrambling up mountains, partying in Thailand and lazing upon palm-fringed beaches?”
Well, probably not a flat-screen TV…
But whether you’re on the look out for a fun but useful stocking filler or you’re going to be an absolute legend and sort your sibling out with the best bloody backpack money can buy, we’ve got it all here for your browsing pleasure!
So without any further hesitation, let’s get this show on the road with my favourite gift ideas for backpackers!
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The Best Gifts for Backpackers
So what do all of those security guards see when they run my bag through the X-ray machine? Well here’s a good look. Take these as inspiration for your own backpacking gift ideas when shopping for that special someone.
This list comprises useful items that I or my intrepid team of nomads have actually used over the years. This stuff has been tried and tested by hardcore backpackers…so get ready.
Under $40 — Stocking Fillers
1. Buff Multifunctional Headwear
I am somewhat obsessed with Buffs, having a collection of more than dozen. They are so adaptable they can be used as a scarf, hat, headband, mask and even a headscarf if you’re visiting religious sites.
It’s always worth having one on your wrist; I use them to cover tattoos from the sun and keep my mouth covered from dust when in smoggy Asian cities. They also come in mega useful on colder days in the mountains, windy bike rides and even impromptu bank heists!
2. Anti Odour Socks
Ok, so I know we mentioned socks in the beginning, but if you’re going to go down the route of gifting this most classic of items then at least do it properly! No crappy Sport Direct gear here, nah son, instead, we’re getting all technical and providing you with a two-pack of anti-odour moisture-wicking fancy pants socks!
Backpackers and just generally people with feet will always love a new pair of fluffy socks. But beyond that, they’ll love how these bad boys keep their stinky backpacking shoes from getting a bit pongy in the old rucksack. Better still, they’re ankle socks too meaning they’re perfect for warmer climates where their odour-resistant properties will be even more appreciated!
3. A Travel Journal/Planner
Keeping a journal is one of the best things to do when travelling.
It works great as a place to dwell on life’s happenings during your travels but also to plan, track goals, write dreams… whatever you want!
The good news is that there are loads of different journals to choose one. You can buy hard back, leather bound, colourful ones or even go into Vista Print and have one custom made for the travellers in your life!!!!!
4. Surge Protecting Travel Adapter
If you’re looking for something small but mightly useful, then a good quality surge-protecting travel adapter is something anyone travelling overseas can make use of. It’s often one of the most overlooked and yet most useful bits of kit us backpackers require.
I mean, think about it, these days we all have heaps of different devices we need to keep charged including cameras, phones, tablets and even laptops. These are also usually not cheap either, so we want to be sure to use a good quality adapter that will protect our devices and not blow up when we need it most!
Thankfully this gift is cheap, compact and will 100% be appreciated, making it one of the best gifts for backpackers.
5. Well Travelled Packing Cube Set
The Well Traveled packing cube set is one of those gifts that doesn’t look particularly life-changing until somebody actually starts travelling with it. The set gives you different-sized cubes for separating clothes, underwear and all the other assorted crap that inevitably ends up floating around the bottom of a backpack. They’re lightweight, easy to organise and particularly handy when you’re moving accommodation every few days and don’t want to completely unpack every time.
For backpackers, that organisation genuinely matters. I’ve spent enough time living out of backpacks to know that packing cubes aren’t really about squeezing another T-shirt into your bag; they’re about being able to find that T-shirt without excavating your entire pack on a hostel floor.
They’re not the sexiest present they’ll unwrap, but six weeks into a trip they might be one of the ones they’re most grateful for.
6. On the Road by Jack Kerouac
On the Road is the seminal novel by beat writer Jack Kerouac. It’s a stream-of-consciousness account of two buddies road tripping around 1950s America, encountering jazz, drugs and good times as they go.
Based on the writer’s own, real-life adventures it’s the original pilot for the buddy, road trip genre. It’s become the bible for backpackers hitting the road for the first time, in need of some adventure inspiration on how to travel with no money. Jack Kerouac is the daddy of all backpackers and his book offers the perfect companion on long night buses.
We’ve recently updated our best travel books list if you need more inspiration.
7. Sea To Summit Quick Dry Towel
A quick-drying towel is the ultimate in lightweight backpacking accessories that cuts down some serious weight and space from a conventional towel. Sure, you can air dry on a nudist beach in the South of France, but it might be frowned upon in a busy hostel in Bangkok! So, we’re all gonna need a towel at some point and they are freaking heavy!
That is where a micro-fibre Sea to Summit towel comes in. They are super convenient to throw inside a backpack with the included pouch and not only are they mega light but they dry in no time so you can be on the move in a flash! They’re a great stocking filler for backpackers, camping enthusiasts as well as those into watersports.
8. Nomatic Wallet
For those looking for a classic, affordable and always appreciated gift, then this Nomatic Wallet is the perfect option. This nifty little wallet is super compact and is the ideal way to keep cards and a small number of notes, coins and a key safe and secure. We also love the little tab mechanism for pulling out the contents.
With Nomatic you also know you’re investing in a product that is high quality and built to last, so your gift will be appreciated and used for years to come both home and away.
9. MPOWERD Luci Inflatable Solar Lantern: Base
Luci Lights have been a TBB team favourite for a number of years now. I use them on all of my backpacking and camping trips, in rooms with bad/harsh light or just as a nightlight after watching Hereditary on my own!
They are great for camping trips but what I really like about them is that the soft, warm light can make any old hostel dorm a bit more of a home without being too intrusive or bright. Not only that but they collapse down into a super compact package and can be charged via solar panels.
$40–100 — Proper Presents
10. Aero Press Travel Maker
Like all decent people, us backpackers love coffee. However, when we head out camping or trekking, our mornings really are the worst without our helping of the black stuff. Fortunately though, with this purpose-built camping coffee press, we can get our fix even when deep in the woods.
Give the gift of sweet, sweet coffee to the caffeine addict in your life. It’s a travel coffee maker for caffeine connoisseurs.
11. A Fanny Pack
Every backpacker needs a fanny pack (or bum bug, for us Brits), right?! They are really useful for beach days, airports, walking around cities and I guarantee that the travellers in your life will never regret trying one.
The WANDRD D1 Fanny Pack is perhaps the best pick for backpackers who value convenience and style; it’s compact, durable, water-resistant, and the perfect tool to stash essentials like your phone, wallet and keys while keeping hands free for adventure. That said I (Aiden) personally swear by the Nomatic Collapsible Slings. Both are kinda pricey but will last years and years.
With quick-access pockets and a sleek design, it’s built for both urban and outdoor exploration. The D1 can be worn as a waist pack, crossbody, or shoulder bag, making it adaptable to any journey.
Plus its lightweight, minimalist look complements any other gear you might have on ya. Not gonna lie, a bunch of us on the team rock this everywhere we go 😉
12. Nomatic Navigator Collapsible Backpack
Backpackers are always trying to make the most of the space and weight they have in their bags, so if you’re looking to help out then this packable backpack from Nomatic is the perfect way. Often packable bags can be a bit, well, lame! But in true Nomatic style, the Navigator Collapsible is by far the best on the market with a laptop sleeve and moulded back panel.
A packable backpack is one of those things you often overlook when planning out a trip and it’s something you never knew you needed until you have it. So it’s likely your travelling chum hasn’t got one and will absolutely love it when they do!
13. Nomatic Toiletry Bag
Another backpacker favourite from Nomatic is this here hanging toiletry bag. It’s mega helpful to have all of your accessories neatly gathered in one bag that you can hang for easy accessibility, especially when counter space isn’t plentiful or even available… which is common at campsites and in hostels!
A well-organised bag is worth having whether you’re hanging it off a tree whilst camping or a hook in the wall – it helps to have quick access to all your stuff. This one is waterproof and stain-resistant which means it lasts for years and years. It’s a high-quality piece of essential backpacking gear.
14. Goal Zero Flip 36 Power Bank
I spend a lot of time in the Pakistani mountains, where electricity isn’t always guaranteed. No matter how many gadgets I have to keep myself entertained on that 14-hour bus ride, they are all rendered useless as soon as their batteries die. Thankfully, there are super lightweight, compact, and powerful as hell external batteries out there and I am a huge fan of Goal Zero portable power banks.
They come in a variety of energy storage options. I personally go for the biggest one they have as I can keep my phone charging for weeks and it’s still super portable and doesn’t weigh me down.
I usually travel with a couple of portable batteries because, if the opportunity arises, they make a truly excellent gift for people you may meet living in the mountains. For me, they are a must-have on any backpacker’s checklist so I am 100% sure anyone who receives one will be buzzin’!
15. Black Diamond Astro 300 Head Torch
I never travel without a head torch. Whether you are drunkenly rolling around your tent, descending into the depths of the earth or simply walking home in the dark, every backpacker should have a torch and this makes a great gift for backpackers.
Black Diamond makes some of the best head value torches in the business; the Astro 300 is my favourite pick it has brightness settings and a powerful battery.
It’s one of the greatest gifts for backpackers who love adventure, this will light their way for years to come! Plus it is rechargeable which means buying polluting batteries is a thing of the past!
16. MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
Worried your backpacker pal isn’t getting enough nourishment on the road? Summon the inner Nan inside you and get them this so they can cook no matter what random places they wind up in!
I’ve cooked in deserts, on the side of the road and upon towering mountains in The Himalayas; my MSR pocket rocket is hands down one of the best bits of kit in my pack. The best part about this camp stove is it is absolutely TINY too, so it packs away nicely and doesn’t ruin my aging back on my longer hikes!
17. Scrubba Wash Bag Mini
The Scrubba Wash Bag is another one of those affordable items that you never knew you needed until it becomes something you can’t travel without. This ingenious little bag allows backpackers to wash their clothes on the road without any hassle or mess and better still, it folds down to pretty much nothing!
So, no more smelly undies or dirty T-shirts with this convenient and easy-to-use travel gift. This item is useful for anyone heading off on longer trips but will particularly benefit someone who might be going off camping or spending time away from places where they might be able to do their laundry.
18. Abaco Sunglasses
The ultimate in adventure sunnies, these sunglasses are pretty much bulletproof and are very affordable to boot. Best of all, you can design your own pair online out of thousands of possible combinations making these one of the best gifts for backpackers around!
Want more info? Check out our guide to the best hiking sunglasses for these epic sunglasses.
19. A Worldpackers membership
Worldpackers connects foreign volunteer hosts with travellers who are keen for something more.
The gist is simple: you get free housing and food in exchange for a couple of hours of work a day. And the projects range from helping out in organic farms, teaching in schools or even serving at a hostel bar.
This sort of travelling style has become increasingly popular in recent years and is part of a greater responsible tourism trend. It’s one of the best budget travel hacks we know and a way to infuse more meaning into our travels.
A subscription is $59 per year, but if you use the code BROKEBACKPACKER you can get $10 off.
20. Portable Speaker
Powerful, lightweight, water-resistant and inexpensive, this little guy is amazing for sharing tunes with new friends from around the world. A great gift idea for men who travel, women who wander, people with ears and those who don’t listen to Ed Sheeran!
There are loads of USB and wireless speakers out there and they seriously differ in quality. For something that mixes good sound quality, battery life and compatibility, go for a a JBL Clip 5 or Go 4.
21. A lightweight hammock
Hammocks make an excellent gift for backpackers, campers, hikers and outdoorsy folks who want to watch the stars and save some money on accommodation costs, whilst they drift off. Hammocks are sexy, lightweight, fun to sleep in and offer you a ton of options for where to spend the night.
There are a lot of portable hammock options out there but if you don’t want to spend so much, I recommend getting a travel hammock; they are super light, strong and durable. Even if your buddy isn’t going to be sleeping in this, they’ll love it as a space to chill on the beach.
22. An eSim
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
If you want your besties to keep in contact with you and not forget your very existence whilst they’re galavanting around the world … then give them no excuse! An eSim is the perfect way to help keep your buddy safe, connected and most importantly, insta ready!
The best thing about them is that they’re easy to set up (often it can be done before you travel), they are super reliable and they save on single-use plastic, so it’s a win all around! There are too many eSIM providers to choose from these days – but I’d recommend either GigSky or Holafly.
$100+ — Splurge
23. Grayl Geopress
Want to save the world, stay hydrated and stop yourself from getting the shits in India!?
Single-use plastic bottles are a huge threat to the oceans and planet – so be a part of the solution and invest in a filter water bottle.
The Grayl Geopress water bottle is the ONLY all-in-one filter water bottle setup you’ll need. We use it on our own adventures to purify often nasty-looking water like the one pictured above and it does a beautiful job – we have yet to get sick!
This is what the whole Broke Backpacker team uses – in mountains, cities, and jungles – it’s not cheap, but it’s a total game changer.
24. Leatherman Skeletool CX Multi-Tool
This multi-tool is a great gift for backpackers who tend to head off into the wilds. I’ve had mine for nearly ten years now and it has never broken. It’s a strong piece of kit built to last and if I had to take just one thing with me to a desert island, it would be this. The carabiner belt clip doubles up as a bottle opener which is endlessly cool, especially on desert islands!
Leatherman makes a whole range of these including different tools. Our pick, however, is the Skeletool CX Multi-Tool.
25. Osprey Day Pack
We may as well get this one out of the way, too. We know there isn’t just one backpack to fit everyone’s travel style, so we recommend the Osprey Nebula as it’s ideal for day hikes, commuters, or even longer trips for light packers. Another solid option is the Quasar – I’ve owned 3 over a 1- year period.
Osprey is our favourite overall backpack brand and has an epic range. All of their packs also come with their all-mighty, lifetime guarantee which makes them a true investment. Buying a backpack is pretty much the ultimate gift too, let’s be honest.
FAQ about the Best Gift for Backpackers
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:
Final Thoughts On The Best Gift for Backpackers
Ok folks, we’ve come to the end of this incredible adventure together, from socks to guitars, inspirational travel novels to collapsable bags, it’s been a journey! Hopefully, this list has inspired you to pick up some kick-ass gear for the backpacker in your life that will make their trip even more fun and memorable.
At least this way when they’re swinging on a hammock, playing their guitar and charging multiple devices on some sun-soaked paradise island they’ll think of you back home in rainy Rotherham! If you pick the right gift, they might even invite you along next time!!
Happy gifting guys!
