Backpacker Magazine – Online Exclusive

Gear Chick Holiday Gift Picks: Stocking Stuffers

These gifts pack up so small, they're perfect for any stocking.

by: Kristin Hostetter

Wool Buff ($27, buff.eu): This ridiculously simple item has more uses than a roll of duct tape. It’s a long, stretchy, soft wool tube that can be worn as a hat, neck gaiter, ear muff, eye mask, or helmet liner. It’s my favorite new accessory. Read Our Complete Review

Stanley nineteen13 Flask ($20, Stanley-pmi.com): This 8-ounce stainless steel flask is a staff favorite. It doesn’t leak, it’s light (4.3 ounces), and the cool graphics make us feel like badasses. Earn extra brownie points and fill it with the recipient’s favorite hooch. Read Our Complete Review

Sea to Summit Delta-Insul Mug ($16, seatosummit.com): Here’s a great, lightweight (4.4 ounces) mug that will please any camper. It’s insulated with an EVA foam sleeve so your java stays hot, it comes with a sipper lid to help avoid spills, and it’s big enough (16 ounces) to serve as a noodle bowl, as well.  Read Our Complete Review

Cranberry Raisinettes ($2.50, raisinettes.com): Forget the candy canes, drop a bag of thesemilk chocolate covered cranberries in your stockings this year. Combine a handful of these tart, luscious little nibblies with equal parts salted peanuts and you’ve got a killer new trail snack.

Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Daypack: ($28; seatosummit.com): This 20-liter, bare-bones daypack weighs a paltry 2.4 ounces and packs down smaller than a tennis ball, making it perfect to stash in your multiday pack to have on hand for sidehikes or summit sprints.

Don’t Forget The Duct Tape ($8, mountaineers.com): It’s time for my annual self-promoting plug. I wrote this little book, which is packed with gear TLC and fix-it tips. It’s perfectly sized for stockings, too. I like to give it with a roll of brightly colored duct tape (just for grins) and one of these awesome repair kits (which includes Tenacious Tape that actually works way better than duct tape for fabric repairs): Seam Grip Field Repair Kit ($6, mcnett.com)

Nite-Ize S-Biner ($2-$3.50, niteize.com): Every backpacker needs biners, and these double-gated, S-shaped ones are the coolest. They’re not for climbing, but for everything else--hanging stuff, securing stuff, attaching stuff—they rock. Read Our Complete Review



Subscribe to Backpacker magazine
Sign up for our free weekly e-newsletter