40 of The Best Backpacking Gifts for Backpackers

If you’re looking for some fabulous and functional backpacking gift ideas to buy that special someone, then look no further! I’ve brought together my favourite backpacking gifts for you to choose from.  From stocking stuffers and useful gadgets to full-on tech wizardry, I’ll help you find the best gifts for backpackers to fit any budget, so you know exactly what to buy for backpackers in your life! 

How to Choose the Best Gifts for the Backpacker in Your Life

Long-term travellers and cash-strapped backpackers often appreciate the simple gift of money, but for those who prefer to know exactly where your money is going, I’ve found some great backpacking gifts for you to choose from. 

What you buy will depend on how much you want to spend, how well you know the person you’re buying for, and what kind of backpacking gear they have already.  Whether you want backpacking gift ideas for someone who is planning to take their first trip, or for an experienced traveller, I’ve found some fun, useful and unique gifts for backpackers that are bound to satisfy even the most discerning budget traveller!  

We’ve got the best backpacking gifts for her and for him, and all sorts of backpacker stuff so that they will be ready for their backpacker adventure.  Whether you’re looking for backpacking Christmas gifts, birthday presents for backpackers, graduation gifts or anything else, you’re sure to find inspiration and plenty of backpacking gift ideas here.

To help you along, I’ve attempted to collect different backpacking gifts together in several categories, including my overall recommendations for the best gifts for backpackers, essential backpacking gear, backpacking gadgets, practical backpacking gifts and more. 

PLEASE NOTE: This backpacking gift guide is designed for budget travellers who are backpacking around the world or a specific country.  While there might be a lot of crossovers, if you are looking for gifts for hikers then this hiking gift guide may be better for you. 

Backpacking Gifts Quick Links 

If you don’t have time to read the whole article, here are the quick links for all of my backpacking gift ideas, or scroll down to get more information about each item.

My 5 Top Gifts for Backpackers

I’ve chosen these five backpacking gifts to be top of the list because together they cover a lot of bases.  There is something to suit every budget, and every single gift is a really useful gift for a backpacker or budget traveller.

Filter Water Bottle

When travelling, there is one backpacking accessory I never leave home without.  A water bottle with a built-in filter is absolutely essential as it allows me to drink from any freshwater source by filtering out any potential nasties.

I’ve used my Water-to-Go filter bottle in all sorts of places where you’re not supposed to drink the water, from airport bathroom sinks to tap water in Mexico and rivers while hiking in Peru.  You can read my full review of the Water to Go bottle or head straight to the website for more information about how it works.

I have partnered with Water-to-Go to offer all Tales of a Backpacker readers a 15% discount on the purchase of a Water-to-Go bottle.  Simply choose the water bottle you want to buy, and add in the code BYORB for a 15% discount on your purchase.

Microfibre Towel

I love my trek towel, and although it’s not the same as wrapping yourself in a big fluffy bath towel, microfibre travel towels take up a fraction of the space and dry so much quicker than normal towels do.  There is a range of colours and sizes to choose from, and most include a carry-bag too.  

Membership to a Work Exchange Website

Backpackers who are travelling for a while are often looking for ways to save money while travelling. Work exchange programs allow them to trade their time and skills in exchange for accommodation, so they can basically travel for free!  Work exchange websites like Worldpackers and Workaway list thousands of available work exchanges which backpackers can apply for, once they have paid the membership fees.

Membership fees start from $39 for 12 months for Worldpackers (with this discount voucher to get $10 off the regular price), and from $59 USD for 12 months for Workaway (use this link to get 3 months extra free). 

These memberships can be used in any country in the world (including their own) so no matter where they plan to go they can find something to suit them.  I’ve used work exchanges to save thousands of dollars on my backpacking trips, so I guarantee this will be a very popular gift for a backpacker!

Get a $10 Discount on Worldpackers Membership

Save $10 on a year's membership with Worldpackers with the discount code TALESOFABACKPACKER  

PLUS register with Worldpackers in April and get an exclusive free first-trip guide, created by travel experts to make planning your first volunteer adventure simple, safe, and stress-free!

CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT

 

Read more about work exchanges and why I think Worldpackers is the best work exchange site, or browse all of my articles about work exchanges here. 

Power Bank

A power bank portable charger is always on my backpacking essentials list as I could not do without it when I am off-grid!  I have a relatively large Anker power bank that will charge up my phone three or four times, which makes a huge difference. 

There are smaller, cheaper portable chargers available but I definitely recommend the Anker brand as I’ve used this one for several years without any issues.  This smaller Anker power bank charges phones at least twice so could be a great option as a gift for an ultralight backpacker.

Go-Pro Action Camera or Accessories

If you are buying a gift for someone adventurous then a Go-Pro action camera is a great choice.  They can record their adventures as photos or videos to share with friends back home or even use them to create content for blogs and vlogs to earn money while they’re travelling. 

If they already have a Go-Pro camera, there are hundreds of Go-Pro accessories which make for great backpacker stocking fillers, either from the official Go-Pro store or unofficial ones which do the job just fine – such as this 50 piece accessories pack.  Just make sure that whatever you buy is compatible with the right model of camera they have.

Essential Backpacking Gear

If you’re looking to buy a backpacking gift for a newbie backpacker, then there are several essential items they are going to need for their trip.  When I first started travelling I had a huge list of backpacker stuff I wanted to get, and I certainly appreciated some help buying everything.  However, before making a purchase, make sure they haven’t bought their backpacking gear already!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Travel Backpack Essentials for Every Trip

A Backpack

Yep, backpackers need a backpack!  Which backpack you buy will depend on exactly what kind of activities your backpacker will be doing.  Are they into multi-day hikes where they’ll need to carry all of their gear?  Or are they travelling long term with a backpack instead of a suitcase?  

My favourite backpack brand is Osprey.  I have one of their 40-litre Fairview backpacks which I’ve used for hand luggage only trips to Europe, and I bought a bigger backpack in preparation for my 3 week trip to Morocco (which was sadly cancelled so I haven’t actually used it yet!).  Their backpacks always get great reviews and there is a wide selection to choose from so you can find the perfect fit for your backpacker.  Check out the full selection here.

FIND A BACKPACK

Lightweight Jacket

When you’re backpacking or travelling for a while you have no idea what kind of weather you’ll get – even in typically hot destinations the temperature can change dramatically at night or at higher altitudes.  I bought the TOG24 Drax hooded down jacket for travelling with and I love it!

It’s warm and soft yet extremely lightweight as it is filled with 90% down and 10% feather and it packs down into its own pocket so I can stuff it easily into my backpack or use it as a handy travel pillow.  It keeps me warm and toasty without being too bulky and I can fit a layer underneath it, or wear a waterproof coat over the top if the weather is wet.

It’s great for outdoor destinations or city breaks and is a fabulously versatile addition to my travel wardrobe so would make a perfect gift for any backpacker or traveller.  There are men’s and women’s versions available in a range of colours and sizes.

CHECK PRICES FOR LIGHTWEIGHT JACKETS

Waterproof Jacket

Speaking of wet weather, no matter where your backpacker is headed, a waterproof jacket is a must.  I wear my relatively thin waterproof jacket with a mid-layer underneath (see the TOG24 down jacket above), but for colder destinations, a thicker waterproof jacket could be better.  

Personally, I love having 2 lightweight coats that can be worn separately or combined together to make a kind of 3-in-1 jacket, they take up less space and it’s a lot more flexible than having one big coat.  It’s best to chat to your backpacker before buying their jacket as you’ll need to know the type and size they prefer.   

Hiking Boots

These Salomon walking boots aren’t cheap, but they are super comfy, lightweight and will protect your feet from anything the terrain might throw at them.  They are also quite bulky, which I loved – I felt invincible wearing them!  

REI Gift Card

If you’re not sure what to buy for a backpacker, then a gift card from a store like REI is a great idea.  You can purchase an E-Gift Card which will be delivered on the same day or on a specified date, or an actual gift card to arrive within 7 days.

BUY ON REI

Travel Plug Adapter

Money-Saving Gifts for Backpackers

Aside from my top money-saving gift for backpackers (Worldpackers membership) check out these other ideas to save your backpacker some of their valuable cash.  The longer their money lasts, the longer they can keep travelling, so backpacking gifts that will save them money are always appreciated!

Membership to Trusted Housesitters

Apart from work exchanges that I already mentioned, another great way to save money while travelling long term is to become a house sitter.  Websites such as Trusted Housesitters list hundreds of homeowners who are looking for people to look after their homes and pets while they are away. 

Placements vary from weekend stays to several months, so can save a lot of money for cash-strapped backpackers!  Membership packages start from $129 for the year, plus you can get 25% off with the code TALES25.  Read my review of TrustedHousesitters for more information.

Trusted Housesitters Discount Code

SAVE 25% on Trusted Housesitters Membership with the code TALES25 

CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT

Wanderful Membership for Female Travellers

Give the gift of community. For a woman who travels, there’s nothing better than meeting like-minded soul sisters who understand your need to explore the world around you. I’ve been a member of Wanderful’s travel community since 2019 and I love connecting with other female travellers all around the world. 

Membership makes a great gift for a travel-loving lady in your life, and with prices for yearly membership starting at $99 USD they are sure to appreciate it!

Check out some of the benefits of Wanderful membership, like:

• 24/7 access to an online platform where you can meet other travelling women, make travel buddies and get help with trip planning
• Cross-cultural, face-to-face virtual meetups, workshops, happy hours, and more
• Free access to chapter events in 50+ cities around the world
• VIP perks at global events
• Special deals and discounts
• Optional membership upgrades for content creators and entrepreneurs in the travel space 

LEARN MORE ABOUT WANDERFUL

Foreign Currency

Depending on where your backpacker is planning to travel, buying some foreign currency for them is a thoughtful and very useful gift!  Try to get a mix of notes with different values so they don’t have trouble changing huge notes, and be sure to check where they are going so you get the right currency!

Alternatively, encouraging them to open a travel bank account like Wise (formally TransferWise) means you can send them any currency no matter where they are.  The exchange rates and fees for taking money out of the account abroad are much better than using their regular bank account or credit card, so you would be saving them money too!  

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is one of the biggest expenses for long-term travellers, yet it can cost them a lot more if they don’t have it!  Offering to pay for their travel insurance is sure to get you lots of brownie points, and you can feel good about helping them to travel safely too.

Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when we travel.  I never leave home without travel insurance, so consider getting insurance as a gift for someone about to set off on their travels.  Travel insurance can cover things like adventure sports and activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, stolen items, trip cancellation and more.   Get a quote from True Traveller if the person you're buying from is based in the UK, or World Nomads or SafetyWing which both offer travel insurance for backpackers and long-term travellers.  Alternatively, use a comparison site like Travel Insurance Master to find the best cover for your traveller.  You'll need their personal details to get a quote, then you can buy it for them, or offer to pay them the money once they've bought it. Get a quote now:

Experience Gift Vouchers

Tinggly gift boxes are a fabulous last-minute travel gift idea for backpackers and any travel lover, where you purchase a gift box for a certain value, and the gift recipient chooses the experience they want from the variety of options available across the world.

The higher the value of your experience collection, the more luxurious options they will have to choose from, and you can see a selection of what they can book at the bottom of the experience page. 

For example, for the Bucketlist collection, they can choose from over 10,000 experiences worldwide, including things like paragliding, scuba diving, food tours, wine tours, and many more.

CHOOSE A TINGGLY GIFT BOX

When purchasing you have the choice of a physical gift box you can give as a gift which takes a couple of days to arrive, or an online voucher which is best if you’re not going to see your gift recipient in person before they travel or you need something right away.

READ MORE: The Best Gift Experiences to Give Travel Lovers

National Trust or National Parks Membership

When I was spending the summer in England I bought my own National Trust membership, but if I could have waited until my birthday I would have done!  Buying a membership for the National Trust, or similar organisation such as English Heritage or the RSPB is a great gift idea for travellers and backpackers who will be spending a lot of time in the UK.

For backpackers in the USA, a National Parks pass grants access to over 2000 Federal recreation sites in the USA.  One pass covers the pass-holder and the accompanying car passengers, or the pass-holder and up to 3 adults (kids under 16 go free) at sites where there is a per-person entry fee.  It’s great value and is a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year, as every time they use it they will think of you!    

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Outdoor Gifts for Backpackers

Travel Hammock

A great gift for backpackers who love the outdoors, this camping hammock from Wise Owl Outfitters is a lightweight and cool backpacking gift for men and women.  It weighs a pound and packs into a pouch for when it’s stashed into a backpack for carrying, and it is easy to get out and put up whenever they’re ready for a break or a night in the outdoors.  These hammocks come in a variety of colours and two sizes, suitable for one or two people at a time.

Rechargeable Headlamp

Torches are very useful when backpacking or camping outdoors, as well as when you’re creeping around a hostel dorm in the dark.  Give your backpacker the gift of light with this rechargeable headlamp so they can keep their hands free and still see exactly what they’re doing in the dark!

Tech Backpacking Gifts 

Noise Cancelling Earphones

If you want to splash out on a gift then Bose noise-cancelling earphones are some of the best around.  However, for backpackers, something smaller might be better for them, and cheaper for you too!  I love my Anker noise-cancelling earbuds, as they’re small, come in a rechargeable carry case and they work really well too!

Kindle and/or Kindle Unlimited Subscription

If your favourite backpacker loves to read, they will find that packing several books in an already stuffed backpack just isn’t practical.  A Kindle (or any kind of e-reader) makes a great backpacking gift.  Travellers will certainly make use of it on planes and buses, at the beach, or in the evening chilling out under the stars.  Storing hundreds of books in one tiny space means they will never be without their favourite book, no matter where they go. 

The standard Kindle is a good choice, but the more advanced Kindle Paperwhite is waterproof so is super useful for backpackers who might get caught out in the rain.  If they already have a Kindle, then a Kindle Unlimited subscription could be really useful for them, as it includes unlimited access to over 1 million eBooks.  They can also use the subscription on any device with the free Kindle app, they don’t even need to own a Kindle.

Audible Subscription

If your gift recipient prefers to listen to books, an Audible gift subscription to listen to audio books would be better for them.  They can also use the Audible subscription on the Kindle with Bluetooth headphones.  I love listening to my audiobooks when I’m on a plane or bus ride, or even when I’m cooking in a hostel kitchen.  On a rainy day, it’s very comforting to have your favourite author reading to you!  At the moment I’m listening to David Attenborough’s A Life on Our Planet which is essential listening.

Portable Speaker

I love listening to music when I’m working, cooking, chilling or hanging out around a campfire, and although I’m conscious not to have it loud enough to disturb my neighbours, I use a portable speaker to play my favourite tunes.  This mini speaker is also waterproof and comes with a carry case.  They’re also really easy to charge up with a power bank off-grid if needed.

Tripod and Microphone 

As with the GoPro, budding videographers and vloggers will be very grateful for this gift – a tripod and external microphone for use with a mobile phone or action camera.  I recently got a GripTight PRO TelePod and Wavo Mobile microphone from Joby and I love it!  The tripod is great for a selfie stick or for setting up for photos of me as a solo traveller, and the microphone makes such a difference to the sound it is incredible.  

Drone

There is no better way to take epic photos than with a drone.  These little flying machines can take pictures and videos from angles we can only dream of from the ground.  DJI drones are some of the best on the market (with a price tag to match) and are great gifts for people who might use the footage professionally.  Backpackers will want something compact, such as the DJI Mini 2, which can fit easily into a backpack.

However, for the enthusiastic amateur, there are plenty of cheaper options on the market, like this one, which gets excellent reviews for the price.  Make sure you also pass on the information needed to fly a drone safely and responsibly and tell your gift recipient to check the rules carefully for each country they plan to visit.  Most drones will need to be registered and they may need a license to fly it.  

External Hard Drive

Backpacking usually means travelling without access to a TV, but sometimes there is nothing better than curling up to watch a movie.  Having a bunch of films on an external hard drive means I can watch to my heart’s content without worrying about downloading on sketchy wifi or using all my phone data, especially with expensive roaming costs abroad. 

Hard drives are also very useful for backing up photos, videos and work from my laptop, so it is another very useful gift for backpackers.  However, if they are very tight on space, then a couple of memory sticks could be more useful.  These mini memory sticks are compact yet some can store over 500 GB of data. 

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Security & Safety Gifts for Backpackers

Here are some security-based backpacking gift ideas to keep them and their belongings safe.

An Anti-Theft Day Pack

As well as my big ‘luggage’ backpack, I also have a day pack which I carry as my hand-luggage and use to explore once I’ve arrived.  However, the downside of having a backpack is that everything you put in it is out of sight once it’s on your back!  An anti-theft backpack with slash-proof material and securable zippers will help keep everything safe.  Pacsafe are a well known and reliable brand, and their 25 litre anti-theft backpack is a great choice.

Padlock

Travel Scarf

Money Belt

Personal Alarm

While we’re talking about thefts, let’s also talk about potential attackers.  It is an unfortunate reality that there may be times in every person’s life when they are attacked on the street.  Whether that happens a block from their own home or on the other side of the world, a personal alarm could deter their attacker and give them enough time to escape.  I have recently bought a set of personal alarms like this, and although I haven’t had to use it yet they do give off a very loud noise!

Doorstop Alarm

Particularly useful for solo female travellers who want peace of mind at night, these doorstop alarms fit under most hotel, hostel and Airbnb room doors, and have two functions – to stop the door from being opened from the outside, and to let off a loud alarm should someone try.  I haven’t used one myself, but after reading the reviews I think it’ll be going on my Christmas list!  You could also go the whole hog and get a set of portable door locks too.   

Useful Backpacking Gifts

A Guide Book

Although backpackers don’t have a lot of space for books, I still love to take a real guidebook such as Lonely Planet with me for inspiration on routes and things to see and do on my travels.  For my South America trip, the Lonely Planet Guide to South America was essential, and I carried that thing with me everywhere!  You can also find equivalent books for destinations all over the world.

Journal

For days when the wifi isn’t working or to have a break from a phone screen, journal writing is a great way to relax and to clear your head, as well as to keep track of any backpacking adventures!  There are hundreds of different journal designs so you can find something for everyone, this is one of my faves.

Packing Cubes

Of all the backpacking gifts you could think of, packing cubes are one of the most useful but also most underrated.  I travelled without them for years and thought I was doing the right thing by rolling up clothes, rummaging around and having to re-pack every time I moved on.  However, I have recently seen the error of my ways and bought a set to use in my campervan, and they are definitely coming with me on my next trip!

They keep everything tidy and relatively flat so I don’t spend ages trying to find something which is scrunched up at the bottom of my rucksack.  Different colours and different sizes are useful for identifying which cube has what in it, so backpackers can keep everything tidy and organised.

Picnic Blanket

Neck Pillow

There is nothing more uncomfortable than trying to sleep on a plane or bus journey and waking up with a sore neck.  I took an inflatable travel pillow with me to South America which literally saved my neck on every long journey and folded up small when I wasn’t using it.  I’ve also tried out the TRTL travel pillow which is much more comfortable but is probably too bulky for a backpacker to take but is still an excellent travel gift.

Backpacking Stocking Stuffers

There are lots of cheap gifts for backpackers under $25 (or your local equivalent), but the rule to stick to here is to make sure they are also useful backpacking gifts.  Anything non-essential is likely to get left at home, so these are some of my top picks for budget-friendly gifts for the backpacker in your life.

Earplugs & Eye Mask

Luggage Tags

Passport Holder

Waterproof Phone Pouch

I hope this backpacker gift guide has given you some great ideas for backpacking gifts to choose from – no matter what you choose to buy I’m sure that it will make that special someone very happy!  What would you choose as the best gifts for the backpacker in your life?  I’d love to know what you plan to buy – or have bought, I won’t tell them I promise!

Want More Travel Gift Ideas?

Check out these other gift guides for inspiration:    

 

• The Best Travel Gifts for Travellers
• The Best Backpacking Gifts to Buy This Year
• Awesome Hiking Gifts for the Hiker in Your Life
• 16 Gorgeous Personalised Travel Gifts
• World Map Gifts for Map Lovers

 

• Campervan Gifts for Motorhome Owners
• Gift Experiences to Give Travel Lovers
• Beach-Themed Gifts for Beach Lovers
• Small Travel Gifts & Stocking Stuffers

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