Best Gifts for Hikers & Trampers in NZ

Not sure where to begin when you're gifting a hiker or tramper? I get it. It depends on how and where they walk, and with New Zealand weather the gear genuinely matters - the right jacket or the right pair of boots can be the difference between a great day out and a miserable one.

The good news is that trampers are easy to please once you know the lay of the land. They tend to wear their kit until it falls apart, so a well-chosen upgrade is always welcome. Below are the gifts I'd actually buy, from a do-everything rain jacket down to the merino socks nobody buys for themselves.

If you don't tramp yourself, keep it simple: think about what they'd wear or use on their next tramp, and whether they need a big-ticket item or just the essentials topped up. NZ's changeable weather makes a few things nearly universal - staying dry, warm and comfortable underfoot.

When in doubt, go for the things they'll use on every single trip. Dry, warm and well-fed covers most of what makes a day on the trail good.

NZ weather turns on you fast, so a good shell is the gift that gets used on every trip. My pick is the Arc'teryx Beta jacket.

I'd choose it because it's a genuine do-everything rain jacket - light enough to carry, tough enough to trust when the forecast lies. If the budget's tighter, the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is a brilliant alternative that does the same job for less. If you want to weigh up the big brands, our Arc'teryx vs Patagonia vs The North Face comparison is a good read.

The do-everything shellArc'teryx Beta Jacket (Men's)RRP $730Shop the Arc'teryx Beta Jacket (Men's)

Comfort on the trail is everything, and the right footwear is a gift a tramper will thank you for every time they lace up - whether they want a nimble trail shoe or a supportive tramping boot. My pick is the Salomon X Ultra - grippy, supportive and happy on NZ's mixed terrain.

Not sure whether they want a shoe, a mid or a full tramping boot? Our guide on trail running shoes vs hiking shoes vs hiking boots breaks down who each one suits, so you can match the gift to the kind of tramping they do.

Comfort on the trailSalomon Men's X Ultra 360 GTXRRP $229Shop the Salomon Men's X Ultra 360 GTX

Socks are the classic gift nobody buys for themselves, and on a long day's tramping a good pair matters more than almost anything. My pick is the Smartwool Hike Light Cushion Crew socks.

I'd choose them because merino is hard to beat for comfort, warmth and staying fresh over back-to-back days - and they're the kind of small, thoughtful gift a tramper genuinely appreciates.

The quiet winnerSmartwool Hike Light Cushion Crew SocksRRP $42Shop the Smartwool Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks

A hot meal or a brew at the end of a big day is something trampers never forget. My pick is the Jetboil Flash stove.

I'd choose it because it boils water fast and packs down small, so it earns its place in the pack - exactly the sort of reliable, do-one-thing-well gear that gets used on every overnight trip. Browse camp stoves for more options.

A hot meal, fastJetboil Flash 1.0L StoveRRP $299.95Shop the Jetboil Flash 1.0L Stove

You don't need to spend big to land a great gift for a walker. Here's a quick way to shop by budget.

Want more small-and-smart ideas? See our Best Outdoor Gifts on a Budget guide for picks under $25, $50 and $100, and our stocking stuffers roundup. Or just browse the full camping & hiking range.

To have your gifts arrive in time, place your order by 12pm on these dates (standard shipping):

Allow an extra 2 working days for rural delivery. These are indicative cut-offs and may change - we'll confirm the final dates with our shipping partners closer to Christmas.