Traveling has never been more accessible than it is now, and there will be even more people traveling next year. And since it's that time of the year again, as you scramble to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones, why not get them something travel-related to help them with their trips or inspire them to begin the journey as a traveler?
Within this guide, you will find 10 great gift ideas curated by me, a backpacker, for backpackers. Here are the best gifts you can buy that your travel friends and families will absolutely love to have.
- 1. Osprey Anti-Gravity Backpack
- 2. Insta360 One X4 Camera
- 3. DJI Osmo Pocket 3
- 4. DJI Mini 4 Pro
- 5. DJI Action 4
- 6. Herschel Supply's Little America Backpack
- 7. Inspiration Travel Books
- 8. Leatherman Multi-Tools
- 9. Portable Hammock
- 10. Kindle Oasis
- 11. LifeStraw Go
- 12. Backpacking Stove for Solo Travelers
- 13. Apple AirTag
- 14. Vintage World Maps
- 15. Maps: their untold stories
- 16. Vintage Compass
- Further Reading for Resources
1. Osprey Anti-Gravity Backpack
Osprey backpacks are some of the best high-end backpacks you can get out there. They have cutting-edge technologies like anti-gravity technology that distributes the weight evenly, making the bag feel lighter on your shoulders. This feature helped me tremendously when I was hiking in the Himalayas, carrying 13 kg for 12 days. I couldn't have asked for a better backpack to have.
Best of all, all Osprey backpacks come with lifetime guarantees, so they will repair any damage to your backpack free of charge. If they run out of spare parts for your particular model, they will exchange it for a newer version. If this isn't the best gift you can get for backpackers, I don't know what is!
2. Insta360 One X4 Camera
One of the things that separates us backpackers from the rest is that we value light travel. It is almost an obsession for me to have the lightest pack possible for a 3-month long trip, so having heavy camera gear is not ideal.
One of the best gifts you can get a backpacker, especially if he/she is a solo traveler, is the Insta360 One X4 Camera, a pocket-sized 360° video recording camera that allows you to quickly capture your surroundings in full without having to worry about angles and framing.
Insta360 One X4 camera also comes with an "invisible" stick, allowing you to record yourself without the stick being shown in the video. The camera, along with the invisible stick, is great for hikers who want to capture themselves while hiking as if there is a drone following, recording, and hovering over them. This enables you to capture some truly stunning footage of yourself, as well as the surrounding landscape, without having to fiddle with all the settings.
If you have a backpacker friend who likes to go hiking solo, this is the device for them.
3. DJI Osmo Pocket 3
If your loved ones are looking to get into vlogging, one of the greatest gifts you can get for them is the DJI Pocket 3, a pocket-size camera that packs a punch.
The DJI Pocket 3 uses a 1-inch sensor, which is bigger than most action cameras and phones, allowing you to shoot in smooth footage even in low light. It comes with many features to help you vlog more efficiently like a mechanical gimbal, which allows you to shoot smoothly as you walk, the Active Tracking 6 feature that will keep you in frame no matter where you move, and so much more.
If you buy the Creator Combo version, it will also come with a wireless mic, a small tripod, and a wide-angle filter, a complete package that will allow your friends to start vlogging right away with very little to no learning curve.
Nothing will make your friends happier than buying something that supports their hobbies or future careers, and currently, there is no better vlogging camera than the DJI Pocket 3. Click the link below to check out the price:
4. DJI Mini 4 Pro
Continuing from our theme of light travel, if you are looking for a big gift for your backpacker friends and family members, there is no better gift to get your loved ones than the DJI Mini 4 Pro: an extremely lightweight but very capable drone that will allow you to carry a drone everywhere without the weight slowing you down, while also having the ability to see a place from a perspective not many have seen.
Weighing only 249 grams, the DJI Mini 4 Pro is an engineering marvel of a device. With its new object avoidance system, remote transmission technology with a better range, 4K camera, and many new features packed in such a small body, I guarantee you, that you will send your friend to the moon when you unveil this gift to them.
5. DJI Action 4
If you have an adrenaline junkie friend and are looking for a gift that they will love, the DJI Action 4 is an incredible action camera designed for those who enjoy doing extreme activities such as hiking, white water rafting, kayaking, snorkeling, etc.
The device is waterproof, built like a tank, and it comes with features that will allow you to capture moments in action unlike any other cameras, such as capturing beautiful low-light photos and videos with its 1-inch sensor, the largest sensor size on an action camera. It can shoot 4K/120 in 10-bit mode, comes with 2 large touch screens, making it easier to operate, and is waterproof up to 18 meters without a case.
If your friend is an avid traveler and an adventurer at heart, he/she will be extremely excited to receive this gift from you, and who knows, they might take you along when the next great adventure comes around 😉.
6. Herschel Supply's Little America Backpack
As some of you may know, I am a big fan of Herschel Supply's Little America Backpack. With its stylish, vintage-looking design and a compartment that can fit almost everything you need in a day, the Little America Backpack makes for a great day pack and a great gift for your traveler and backpacker friends.
7. Inspiration Travel Books
Buying huge books may not seem practical for backpackers, but you will be surprised how many of us enjoy looking through travel books with stunning photos of the world for inspiration for our next trip.
Books like NatGeo's Destinations of a Lifetime, and Wanderlust Himalaya are great gifts for us travelers as the books are filled with inspiring places and photos that will likely inspire us to travel even further. I have a bookshelf full of these kinds of books at home, and I always enjoy looking through it, ticking one adventure off one by one. So, if you have a friend who likes traveling, they are going to love these travel books. 😁
Fun fact, my photos are also published in the Wanderlust Himalaya book, so if you decide to buy it, be sure to keep an eye out for me posing in front of the Himalayas 😁.
8. Leatherman Multi-Tools
I love my Leatherman multi-tools and I can't go hiking without them. They are great tools for when you want to cook, cut, or simply fix something fast. They are very light and don't take up much space, making them the perfect gift for backpackers who love hiking and going camping.
9. Portable Hammock
This is a gift that most backpackers will low-key want to have. It may seem like a luxury to be carrying a hammock as you are trying to travel light, but with this, it's light and portable, perfect for when you wish your hotel/hostel's balcony had a hammock.
10. Kindle Oasis
Backpackers have a lot of downtime, whether it be waiting for a bus or just chilling out in a city, and those are the perfect times to catch up on some reading. Some backpackers may already have an e-book, but with the new Kindle Oasis, they will not hesitate to throw out their old ones for this one.
The Kindle Oasis comes with a high-resolution screen, a waterproof body, a portable size, and best of all, it's perfect for one-hand reading with navigational buttons designed for one-hand use. Everything a backpacker wants in an e-book.
11. LifeStraw Go
As backpackers, we often find ourselves in situations where we might not have access to clean water, whether it be while hiking in a forest or traveling in cities that are not known for their clean tap water.
The LifeStraw Go is a water bottle that comes with a 2-stage filter straw that is perfect for hiking or just to have in your backpack while walking around a city. It's a 2-in-1 gift that acts as both a filter and a water bottle, which means it doesn't change the number of items a backpacker has to carry, making it one of the best gifts you can get for light travelers.
12. Backpacking Stove for Solo Travelers
A backpacking stove is the perfect gift for solo travelers who enjoy camping, cooking their own food, and brewing their own coffee in the morning. This Primal Ridge Mammoth 1100ml Portable Solo Backpacking Stove is the ultimate all-in-one multipurpose cooking stove you can use to brew coffee and cook food when you are out in nature.
Every inch of the stove is designed for efficiency and performance. It is easy to assemble, lightweight and compact, and built like a tank. It's one of the best outdoor camping stoves out there, and if you are looking for a functional gift for your backpacker friends and loved ones, they will love this backpacking stove.
13. Apple AirTag
If your friends are often forgetful of their own belongings, the best gift you can give them during the holiday season is the Apple AirTag, a tracker that allows you to find exactly where your belongings are using the Find my Phone app on an iPhone.
You can easily attach them to your belongings, whether it be your laptop, wallet, or car keys. And when you cannot find them, simply hop onto the app on your iPhone and see exactly where they are in your house. Long gone are the days when you would have to flip your house upside down to find your car keys. Trust me, your forgetful traveler friends will thank you for it!
14. Vintage World Maps
I know, I know, it is such a cliché to give a traveler a world map as a gift, and I'm sure every traveler out there has one at some point. However, what we may not have is a vintage version of the world map that will pique anyone's curiosity, just like the ancestors did back in the days of exploration. It is also interesting for us to see what certain places were named before modern borders divided the world.
15. Maps: their untold stories
It is obvious that we backpackers are fascinated with maps, so another great gift that goes well with the world map above is a book that collects stories of a place, a city, a nation, or even the world at a given point in time.
This "Maps: their untold stories" book consists of old maps from as far back as the 16th century until modern day, and each comes with a compelling story explaining in detail who made the map and why. This will be an awesome gift for all kinds of travelers out there.
16. Vintage Compass
I've recently received this idea from a friend of mine who asked if I have a compass of my own when I go out into the wild alone (which I often do), and I told her that I have it on my phone. She then asked me what if my phone ran out of battery, which made me think just how much I rely on this little device that runs on a very finite power source.
And then she recommended that I get this vintage compass from Thor Instruments which only costs 10 USD and could potentially save my life one day. If you have a backpacker friend who enjoys hiking alone in the wild, a vintage compass is a perfect gift for them.
Further Reading for Resources
Looking for more articles to help you with your travel, may it be camera gear or clothing? Here is a collection of articles you might like:
- Ever wondered what a full-time travel blogger like myself carries in my camera bag? Check out: What's In My Camera Bag in 2025?
- For the best hybrid travel camera to buy, the Sony a7R V, with its 61-megapixel sensor and video capabilities, is hard to beat. Check out my review here: A Traveler's Review: The Sony a7R V Camera
- Looking for the very best travel full-frame camera to buy for your next trip? How about the Sony a7C, the smallest full-frame camera with an EVF in the world! Check out my review: A Traveler's Review: The Sony a7C Camera
- For APS-C camera owners out there, check out: What's In My Camera Bag? - A Gear Guide to the Sony APS-C Cameras.
- Looking to buy a new travel camera, but not sure where to start? Check out our camera guide on 10 Best Travel Cameras to Buy.
- Bought a new camera and not sure what camera accessories to buy? Check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
- Looking for a good-looking and functional camera strap to buy? You are going to love the Langly Tactical, Premium Leather, and Paracord camera straps. Check out my review here: A Traveler's Review: Langly Camera Straps.
- Want to start a YouTube channel and looking to buy new cameras for travel vlogging? Check out: 8 Best Cameras For Travel Vlogging to Buy.
- Finding a great camera bag you can travel with is not as easy as it sounds. If you are looking for one, here are the 10 Best Camera Bags for Travel, Backpacking, and Hiking You Should Buy.
- Now, if you are looking for a camera sling/shoulder bag instead of a full-fledged camera backpack to travel with, here are the 11 Best Camera Sling/Shoulder Bags For Travel.
- Looking for the most versatile camera sling bag? Check out: A Traveler's Review: WANDRD Roam (Rogue) Sling.
- For a smaller setup, the Nomatic McKinnon Sling is a great camera bag to check out. Here is A Traveler's Review: Nomatic McKinnon Camera Sling 8L.
- If you are looking for gifts to buy for your loved ones who are photographers, check out: 12 Cool Gifts To Buy For Travel Photographers
- Traveling light with camera gear is all about balancing between what you need and what you want. Here are the 8 Best Tips For Traveling Light With Camera Gear.
- After years of research, I finally found the most beautiful camera backpack of all! Check this out: A Traveler's Review: Langly Alpha Globetrotter Camera Backpack.
- If you are looking for a great camera accessory to help improve your travel photography skills, check out: 14 BEST Sony Camera Accessories You Should Buy.
- Are you looking for the best travel camera for your next trip? Why not consider the Sony a6500? Here's why the Sony a6500 is the best travel camera.
- If you want to carry just one lens when you travel, here is why the Sony 16-55mm F2.8 is the best travel lens to get for your Sony a6600 or a6500.
- This is the one lens I never knew I needed, but now that I have it, I can't travel without it! A Traveler's Review: The Sony E 70-350mm F4.5-6.3 Lens.
- An ultra-wide lens is perfect for travel, and there is no better lens than the Sony 10-18mm F4 lens. Here is why: Traveler's Review: Sony 10-18mm F4 lens.
- Wondering which Sony Mirrorless camera is right for you? The Best Sony Travel Cameras to Buy in 2025.
- Just bought a new Sony mirrorless camera? Check out: 15 Tips & Tricks For Your New Sony a7C, a7III, and More.
- Wondering which lenses to buy for your Sony cameras? Check out The Best Travel Lenses For Sony a7III, a7C, a7RIV, and More.
- Looking for a compact and lightweight travel telephoto lens for wildlife and landscapes? You are going to love this lens. Here is A Traveler's Review of the Tamron 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 lens.
- If you are looking for a review of the first Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM lens and want to see if it is worth buying now, check out: A Traveler's Review of the Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM Lens.
- The king of travel lenses has arrived. The Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II lens is hands down the best travel all-purpose zoom lens I have ever owned. Here's why: A Traveler's Review: Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens.
- Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II OSS lens is, hands down, the best telephoto lens to get for your Sony cameras, but it comes with an extremely high price tag. Here is a complete traveler's review of the lens: A Traveler's Review: Sony 70-200mm F2.8 GM II OSS Lens.
- Looking for a lightweight and affordable landscape/architecture travel lens that is also extremely capable? Here is A Traveler's Review of the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Lens.
- Looking for the best travel portrait lens to buy for your next trip? You can't beat the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN lens. Here is A Traveler's Review of the Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens.
- Full-frame or APS-C Cameras? Here’s my take on which camera format to pick for travel: 5 Reasons Why I'm Sticking With a Sony APS-C Camera
- Picking a camera body is one thing. Picking the lenses is a whole different game. Here is the ultimate guide to the best travel lenses for the Sony a6500.
- Looking for the best street and travel photography lens? Here is why the Sigma 56mm F1.4 is the Best Travel Photography Lens for Sony APS-C.
- GoPro is good and all, but did you know that there are many other GoPro alternatives that are better and cheaper? Here are the 8 Best GoPro Alternatives You Should Buy in 2025.
- Looking for a great drone to travel with? Why the DJI Mavic Mini is the Best Drone for Travelers.
- The best travel drone just got even better. Here is A Traveler's Review of The DJI Mini 2, and why it is the best travel drone to buy.
- Already have a Mavic Mini or looking to buy one? Here are 25 Tips and Tricks for New DJI Mavic Mini Owners.
- For more travel drone options, be sure to check out the 8 Best Drones For Travel To Buy In 2025.
- Looking for the best travel wireless earbuds or headphones? Here are the 7 Best Travel Wireless Earbuds & Headphones to Buy.
- You can't travel without a backpack, and if you are looking for one, check out my guide on the best Herschel Supply backpacks for travelers.
- If you like hiking and going on adventures for weeks on end, you are going to need a bigger backpack. Here is Why the Osprey Atmos AG is the Best Hiking Backpack to Buy.
- Looking to go on a short trip and want a backpack that has enough capacity but is small enough to use as a carry-on? Here is Why You Should Check Out the Herschel Supply Buckingham Backpack - A Traveler’s Review.
- If you are into making travel videos, here is my ultimate advanced filmmaking gear guide.
- Planning to go on your first-ever hiking trip? Here is How to Pack for Hiking and Camping.
- Technical hiking gear doesn't have to be ugly. Here is a guide to hiking gear that actually looks good on you.
- If you are a light-weight traveler and are looking for powerful gear to go with your setup, check out the extremely light-weight photography gear guide.
- Or if you are into gadgets, here is a quick guide on 7 tech gadgets you should buy this year.
- Are you a Fujifilm camera user and are currently looking for lenses to buy for your next travel? Check out The Best Travel Lenses For Your Fuji Cameras.
- If you are a blogger as well and are looking for free travel images to spice up your content, check out the 9 Best Websites to Find Free Travel Images.
- Want to know the secrets of how to travel the world cheaply? Check out: 16 Best Tips on How to Travel the World Cheaply.
- Looking for an Airbnb alternative for a better and more authentic stay in a place you are visiting? Here are the 8 Best Airbnb Alternatives to Use.
- Looking to plan your first backpacking trip around the world? Check out: How To Plan A Backpacking Trip.
- For more resources like this, visit my Resources page.
- Want to learn how I was able to take so many good pictures of myself while I travel solo? Check out: How To Take Great Pictures of Yourself.
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