45 EPIC GIFTS for Backpackers in 2021

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 own backpacking gift ideas when shopping for that special someone.

This list comprises useful items that myself or my intrepid team of nomads have actually used over the years. This stuff has been tried and tested by hardcore backpackers and travelers…so get ready.

Read on amigos…

1. GoPro Hero9 Black

Every traveler needs a camera right?

The performance of action cameras has increased significantly, whilst the overall price has come down – making them more affordable. GoPro is the leading action cam brand for a reason: the image quality and stabilization technology of their cameras are unmatched.

For any backpacker having a GoPro is the dream. This is a pretty fail safe gift for the backpacker in your life. Give the gift of photography and the recipient will make memories with it for years to come.

You can pick up GoPros relatively cheap if you simply avoid buying the latest model (but the latest model is pretty darn cool all the same). Still can’t find an affordable model though? Then check out our bargain guide to the best GoPro Alternatives.

2. Grayl Geopress

Want to save the world and stay hydrated? Single-use plastic bottles are a huge threat to the oceans and planet – 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 and it does a beautiful job – we have yet to get sick! This is what the whole Broke Backpacker team uses– in mountains, cities, jungles – we love it – it’s a total game changer.

3. Active Roots Parachute Hammock 

Hammocks make an excellent gift for travellers, 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’s a lot of portable hammock options out there but if you don’t want to spend so much, I recommend getting a parachute hammock; they are super light, strong and durable. Active Roots hammocks are some of the best value parachute hammocks on the market and 10% of Active Root’s profits go towards supporting noble causes such as the Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai.

4. Nomatic 30L Travel Bag

Yes, the backpacker in your life probably needs some sort of backpack. We don’t recommend just any old backpack though – the Nomatic 30L Pack is the absolutely best piece of kit we’ve found on the market.

We’ve been testing it for years now (not because we have to, we actually travel with it on every trip)! This bag is perfect for the minimalist backpacker who wants to fit all their travel necessities in a sleek carry-on. You can read more of our thoughts in the full review.

5. Tortuga Outbreaker

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 Tortuga Outbreaker as a stylish carry-on. Ideally, it’ll make a great companion to accompany a larger bag for those who travel a little heavier, or frequent cold destinations.

Its organization is impeccable and functions well enough as a stand-alone bag if you only need a few changes of clothes at a time. We’ve written a lot more about this bag in the full review.

6. Petzl Actik 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 travellers.

Petzl makes some of the best head torches in the business; the Petzl Actik is my favourite as it has a red light setting meaning you can use it without insects being attracted to your forehead.

One of the greatest gifts for backpackers who love adventure. Plus it is rechargeable which means buying polluting batteries is a thing of the past.

7. MSR Hubba Hubba Tent

The gold-standard of adventure tents comes from MSR. If you have somebody you truly love and want to splash out on this is a great gift for travellers and hikers in your life.

Set up is easy and the new and improved tent fly fabric is waterproof and good for broad 3-season use. You really can’t go wrong with an MSR tent – they are excellent products.

Check out this post on the best tents to take backpacking for more inspiration.

8. Roam Master Class Subscription

Roam is a relatively new media and educational platform specializing in adventure content. They recently launched a series of master classes around topics like “adventure photography and storytelling” and “solo travel”.

The founding members of Roam include some of the world’s leading adventures, athletes, and photographers and with a Roam subscription, you the chance to learn from them first hand.

This gift is perfect for any level of backpacker – there is always something interesting to learn on the Roam platform.

9. Aeropress Coffee Maker

We backpackers love coffee and the Aeropress coffee maker arguably makes some of the best tasting coffee out of any other device on the market.

Give the gift of sweet, sweet coffee to the caffeine addict in your life.

10. Planner/Travel Journal

Keeping a journal is one of the best things to do when traveling. The Travel Passion planner is our favorite, it works great for digital nomads and organized backpackers with it’s lay flat pages and calendar. Keep on track with your goals, travels and save those precious memories, especially the ones you do not want to share online.

11. Hydroflask Water bottle

Every backpacker should hit the road with a water bottle – it’ll save you money and help reduce your plastic footprint on our amazing planet. If you don’t want to go the Grayl Geopress gift route (and you should) then a Hydroflask is a great alternative water bottle option.

These bottles are tough, lightweight and maintain the temperature of your beverage – so you can enjoy a cold water, or a hot coffee, no matter where you are.

12. Apple Air Pods Pro

For backpackers who love their music, podcasts, or audio books a decent pair of headphones can make a world of difference when travelling the world.

It’s time to toss your cheap pair of s*** headphones out (recycle them) and rock to something with a much clearer sound… The Apple Air Pods Pro are some of the best noice-cancelling wireless headphones on the market. Since I made the switch to these things, there is no going back now.

13. Security Travel Belt with Hidden Money Wallet

Hand’s down, this is a must-have for any nomad, backpacker, hiker, adventurer or regular traveller. You can conceal up to twenty folded notes inside the zipped inner-facing part of the security belt and, since the belt clasp is not metal, you can wear this belt through an airport scanner without setting it off.

This is my favourite travel accessory and is vital for keeping my cash and Rizla papers safe when I am backpacking. I never travel without it. Buy it for the adventurer in your life and they are sure to be pretty stoked that they have the perfect way to hide their emergency money.

 14. Sungod Custom Sunglasses

The ultimate in adventure sunnies, these sunglasses are pretty much bulletproof and are very affordable. Best of all, you can design your own pair online out of thousands of possible combinations making these ones of the best gifts for backpackers around! Want more info, check out our in-depth review on these epic sunglasses.

15. Scratch Map

What’s cooler than a map? A scratch map is an ideal gift for backpackers who have just returned from their adventures and want to keep track of where they have been in the world… It can also do wonders for post travel blues.

16. REI Half Dome 2 Plus Tent

Look, at the end of the day – a tent makes a cracking gift for backpackers who hitchhike or like to travel in a remote area, buy them any of the above and they should be happy.

This is one of the best budget tents on the market and one that I have personally spent a lot of nights in over the last 6 years.

Learn More: REI Half Dome 2 Review

17. Hippy Dippy Yoga Pants

Slip into your adventure in style with these bohemian elephant pants, suitable for raves, yoga, chilling out on the beach and endless Instagram selfies. Best of all, a percentage of all sales goes towards supporting the endangered Asian elephant at the Laos conservation centre! ?

18. Carry on cocktail kit

For travellers who think they are the next James Bond, this is a fun gift that can add a little class and grace to even the most bedraggled of backpackers!

This is more of a novelty item then an essential (depending on who you ask), but either way the person who receives this will have a good time at some point – which we can all appreciate.

19. Microfibre Quick Drying Towel 

Whenever you are hitting the road, pack a microfibre towel for the journey. No matter if you are camping, hitching or partying hard, you should always have a super fast drying towel to keep you clean on the road.

The Active Roots microfibre travel towel is one of the best value towels around, comes in multiple funky colours and, best of all, a percentage of all profits made by Active Roots go back to noble causes such as supporting Luang Prabang’s elephant sanctuary.

20. Kindle

Do you have any idea how much extra weight a few books add? Way, way too much. Plus, for those picky readers out there, finding an engaging book at book exchanges in foreign countries can be a tricky game to play. The first time I hit the road, I had about a dozen books on me; it was nuts.

Fortunately, there’s now Kindle. Bonus points: throw in an Amazon gift voucher so we can buy ourselves a few books. If you’re in search of travel reading inspiration, check out the ultimate list of books to read on the road.

21. Leatherman skeletool multi tool

A great gift for travellers 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.

22. Marco Polo Guidebooks

Any backpacker will tell you that we can be a pretty spontaneous lot. But as broke backpackers, you need to have at least some of your shit sorted before you hit the road. If you’re pressed on time, the best way to explore a city is with the help of some experts.

Marco Polo are my go-to guidebook when I rock up in a city and have just a couple of days to get to grips with everything to do. Packed to bursting with practical info, travel tips, culture notes and plenty of lesser known attractions, this is the guide you want to pack.

23. Moment Phone Lens

If you’re keen to up your photo game but don’t want to splash out on (or carry around!) a massive camera, I strongly recommend Moment Camera lenses. I’ve been messing around with mine for a couple of months now and they have turned my average photos into something a lot more special.

The best thing about these camera lenses, they are surprisingly affordable compared to lens for DSLR cameras! I recommend the super fisheye lens.

24. Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody

Every traveler needs a good down jacket. This Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody might be on the pricy side but, they make for an excellent (and very warm) gift that will provide years of use for the luck person you gift this one to.

I have tried many down jackets over the years and this one has offered by the best performance of any other by far.

25. Fingerprint Padlock

We haven’t tried this out yet so it’s hard to say if it’s as good as it looks but holy moly! – A fingerprint padlock?! The future is here!

Supposedly, once fully charged, the padlock can be used for up to two years and perform 30,000 unlocks… That’s a ton of unlocks. This is a product which every backpacker will want at some point on their adventures….

26. The Backpacker Bible

Nine years of travel tested tips, tricks and know-how! Everything you need to know to ditch your desk, hit the road and earn money as you travel around the world. Actionable advice and steps on planning, finances, where to go, making friends, staying safe, picking up work and building an online income – this is the bible for long term travel.

27. Travel Guitar

Travel guitars have come a looong way in recent years. They used to be flimsy, unreliable, or very expensive. Now things have changed for the better, as the best travel guitars are well built, sound great and are super affordable (by guitar standards). Believe me, this is the best gift you could ever get for a traveling musician.

Our highest recommendation for a travel guitar is the Martin Travel Guitar (pictured above), but if you are looking for some more music inspiration, check out our awesome guide to the top travel guitars.

28. RavPower Portable Battery Charger

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. I am a huge fan of RAVpower portable batteries.

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.

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. A must have in any backpacker’s checklist.

29. Buff Multifunctional Headwear

I am somewhat obsessed with Buffs, having a collection of half a dozen. 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…

30. Luci Base Light Solar Light

Luci lights have been a TBB team favorite for a number of years now. We use them on all of our backpacking and camping trips…or in rooms with bad/harsh light.

The Luci Base Light can be charged via USB as well in times when you don’t have access to a full solar charge. Plus they are very packable when deflated.

31. 20 Reasons to backpack around the world

If you’re looking to inspire and educate your backpacking friends on why they should hit the road in the first place, check out Mike Huxley’s book on twenty reasons to backpack around the world.

32. 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.

33. MSR Pocket Rocket Stove

The best part about this stove is it is absolutely TINY! Worried your backpacker pal isn’t getting enough nourishment on the road? Get them this so they can cook no matter what random places they wind up at.

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.

34. On the Road by Jack Kerouac

The bible for travellers hitting the road for the first time and in need of some adventure inspiration on how to travel with no money. Jack Kerouac is the daddy of all backpackers and he writes like a dream.

Here are some other great books for some on-the-go reading.

35. Eagle Creek Travel Money Belt

A classic but a goodie, every backpacker should have a travel money belt. This one is RFID blocking meaning your card details can’t be swiped by pesky, yet sneaky criminals!

36. Barmah Kangaroo leather hat

The ultimate gift for travellers who think they are Indiana Jones… I’ve had mine for over eight years and it’s fantastic in hot or wet environments. If you’re heading into the jungle, it’s well worth having…

37. Waterproof playing cards

The best way to make new friends on the road is still to have a deck of cards. These plastic coated ones can have endless amounts of beer spilt on them and still remain in one piece…

38. Garmin vívoactive Smartwatch

A smartwatch is a great gift for travellers who move around constantly. It has a range of apps for health and fitness, social networking and tons of fun entertainment apps – something to keep them occupied on arduous train journeys and long haul flights!

39. Grizzly Bushcraft Ultimate Survival Knife

I never hit the road without a trusty knife, or two. I own over a dozen knives but the Bushcraft is hands down the best knife in my collection. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a male or female traveller, a knife is always a good choice!

40. Travel Security T-shirt

This T-shirt has 5 discreet pockets where you can hide your valuables. It is also a perfect gift idea for travellers and travelling photographers – you will never lose that elusive lens cap again!

41. Electronic Candles

These electronic candles are a total god-damn game changer. When you’re camping out, enjoying a cheeky smoke beneath the stars or getting cosy with your camping buddy, these candles are awesome for setting up some ambience.

They flicker convincingly, don’t blow out like normal candles and won’t set fire to your tent… They are also super cheap with a whole pack of 24 costing less than $10.

42. AR Toiletry Bag

Another backpacker favorite for staying organized is a hanging toiletry bag. It’s extremely 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. A well-organized bag is worth having whether you’re tree whilst camping or a hook in the wall – it helps to have quick access to all your stuff.

43. Zipper Scarf

Don’t lose your money to a pickpocket! There are tons of ways to store valuables and goods while travelling but a travel scarf has to be the least obtrusive and the most classy.

The Active Roots Zipper Scarf is your run-of-the-mill infinity scarf but with a hidden pocket that’s big and sturdy enough for a night’s cash, your phone, a passport and (hell with it) some snacks too!easy accessibility, especially when counter space isn’t plentiful or even available.

44. Active Roots Day Pack

It’s always worth having a daypack with you whenever you travel but often NOT worth carrying something bulky around. The Active Roots adventure daypack is hands down the best foldable day pack around, it comes with a water bottle holder, folds down super small yet provides plenty of space for your day-venture and is tough and sturdy.

45. World Nomads Travel Insurance

If you’re constantly on the road like myself, insurance is the gift that keeps on giving… I’ve had to claim three times on my insurance over the last nine years of travelling and each time I’ve been thankful I had it sorted. One of the best gifts for backpackers too tight to buy their own insurance!

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