It’s December. Most of us are doing our holiday shopping for friends and family. I’m back again for 2018 with another batch of Gift Ideas. Rather than another batch of motorcycle gear, I decided to switch it up, and show some love to the motorcycle campers and outdoorsmen (am I still allowed to call them that?) out there. Here are my top gift picks for your favorite adventurers and explorers.
Here are more than twenty products to choose from, in a wide variety of categories. Everything on this year’s list are less than $40.00-USD Many are under $25. All the great items I have selected are in stock, ready to ship and feature Free-2-Day-Shipping with Amazon Prime. Everything I have chosen for this list have 4-star or better reviews.
Camping Gift Ideas
Table of Contents
Sleeping Pads
The first time you go camping, and wake up stiff as a board from sleeping on the ground, you will fully appreciate the usefulness of a sleeping pad. It’s not a creature comfort. I know I feel better and can enjoy my time outdoors after a good night’s sleep on sleeping pad instead of putting my sleeping bag directly on my tent floor. A little padding offers a much more comfortable night than waking up repeatedly to turn over because you have a root between your ribs. The padding also acts as insulation from the cool ground, making for less stiff muscles in the morning. There are so many great sleeping pads for less than $50 that it can be really hard to choose. Here are my top picks.
The Comfort Plus Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad by Freeland has a 4.7 star review with over 80 reviews. Larger than many of it’s competitors, this camping bed measures 78 by 25 inches and packs down to 15x7x7 inches. Snap two of these pads together to make a full size bed. This easy to use sleeping pad includes a carrying bag and repair kit. Reviewers mention the durable shell material, comfort, and value as key reasons to choose it.
The Venture 4th Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad weighs in at only 2.2 pounds and packs down to 11x7x7 inches. Designed for adventure travel or overnight guests. Made with open-cell-foam and a durable 75D Polyester outer shell.
LED Camp Lighting
Good lighting is crucial to making use of time after the sun goes down. LED technologies offer super-bright, lightweight and environmentally responsible lighting for your camp. Here are a few rechargeable LED options.
It’s a lantern and a flashlight. It has 2 brightness settings. Can be charged by USB or by hand crank. The SUAOKI Camping Lantern is versatile. Delivers 65 Lumens on high. Recharge via crank; 1 minutes cranking generates 4 minutes of light on high, 11 minutes on low. When compressed, it measures 3.5 inches by only 1.5 inches thick and weighs less than 6 ounces. You can put one of these on my wishlist.
The SunJack LightStick is a Waterproof LED FlashLight with Rechargeable Battery that can also be used as a Powerbank to recharge your devices on the fly. Up to 72 hours of light on one charge. Constructed with military grade ABS, this light is a great choice for tossing in your saddlebag or travel kit. Measures less than 11 inches, and weighs 10 ounces.
I used to laugh at a friend of mine that always had a headlamp when we went camping. After receiving one as a gift, I have come to consider an indispensable part of my kit. Small and lightweight, it stows away easily. Perfect option for hands-free lighting your workspace. I use mine for grilling and late night motorcycle repairs.
Value Priced, lightweight and Packed with features, This Rechargeable Lithium-Ion powered LED headlamp is a great choice for adventure and exploration. Features five modes with both white and red LED’s. Recharge via USB cable. I like this one because it is super bright, rechargeable, and has an pivot to adjust the angle of the light whether you are working in your lap or out for a late-night jog. You can put one of these on my wishlist.
The Streamlight Bandit Rechargeable LED Headlamp uses Chip-On-Board (COB) technology to deliver 180 Lumens of even illumination with less shadows than a traditional Spot-Beam LED light. I like this one because it can be clipped on the bill of a hat, attached to your hardhat, or worn with a headband.
Lightweight, Waterproof, and up to 30 hours run time on a single charge. The 160 Lumen USB Rechargeable Headlamp by Foxelli was designed for outdoor sports enthusiasts. Features a tiltable body and five light modes. It is available in a wide variety of colors and has a 12 month manufacturer’s warranty.
Solar Charging
Using Rechargeable LED Headlamps and Lanterns in camp helps reduce battery consumption, and that’s good for the environment. Take your environmental stewardship a step further by charging your devices and camp lighting with a compact solar charging system for your backwoods travels?
This shock-resistant waterproof USB charging station can be charged via wall outlet when you are at home, or by solar when you are on the go. It’s only 8×5 inches, and weighs only 10 ounces. Delivers 10000mAh. Hang it on your backpack. Recharge any USB compatible devices. Features a built-in LED flashight.
BearTwo Ultra-Compact Portable Solar Charger Is one of the smallest and lightest solar chargers on the market. Weighs just 8 ounces. Delivers 10000mAh. Features dual USB charging ports and a built-in LED flashlight.
Camp Stoves
Eat to live or live to eat… Either way… There is a lot to picking the right stove for your happy campers. Motorcycle Campers and Through-Hikers appreciate lightweight gear that stores compactly, where an overland family appreciates the ability cook a meal for the group and probably wants something larger than a pocket stove. Here are some affordable and dependable camp stove options.
The Ohuhu Camping Stove is Compact, Lightweight. Sturdy Stainless Steel construction. Fueled by nature. Fill it with twigs and pine cones. No messy Alcohol or fuel cylinders to tote. Measures less than 5.5 inches and weighs less than 13 ounces.
The Etekcity Ultralight Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stove with Piezo Ignition is an Amazon Best Seller, and has a 4.3 star rating with over 3700 reviews. It’s ultra compact, measuring only 1.81″x 2.36″ x 3.15″. It’s ultra-light. It weighs less than an ounce. 6666 BTU adjustable burner that accepts up to a 7 inch pan. Buy one or save on the two-pack. You can put the two-pack on my wishlist.
Coleman Powerpack Single Burner Propane Stove. 7500 BTU’s with a 3 hour run time on a standard cylinder. Low-profile design saves space in your kit and it only weighs 2.2 pounds. Compatible with up to a 12 inch pan. A real workhorse for the chuckwagon. Features a Limited-Lifetime Warranty.
Mess Kits
Budget priced, value packed. The Born to Venture Camping Cookware Mess Kit. This 11 piece set even includes an LED headlamp. Designed for use with camp stoves, this hard-anodized aluminum kit packs into just 7 x 7 x 6 inches and weighs in at 1.15 pounds. Easy on your backpack or saddlebag.
Select the Green Plus Kit from the dropdown menu to get all the extras. The Camping Cookware Mess Kit by MalloMe comes highly recommended by Amazon Purchasers. With a 4.7 star rating and over 3200 reviews, is a proven choice. The plus kit includes a pocket stove, bowls, 1 liter pot with lid, a non-stick pan, .a fork, spoon, spork set, a wooden spoon and spatula, and it all packs into a compact Nylon Travel Bag Drawstring Pouch.
The Stansport 360 Stainless Steel Mess Kit feature copper bottoms uniform heat distribution. This mess kit is perfect for cooking for one. Includes a 3-cup pot with lid, and a 6.25 inch frying pan and a plate. Measuring in at 7x7x3 inches and weighing just 1.2pounds, this mess kit would stow away easily in a saddlebag. This is a nice alternative to the hard anodized aluminum competition. A perfect companion for the Etekcity pocket stoves listed above.
Hydration-Filtration
Even more important than eating, is drinking. Staying Hydrated, that is. Water is heavy. It’s a lot to pack when weight and space are a concern. Carry one of these handy personal water-filtration systems and you will never be without a drink. A safe drink of water, that is. Water filtration systems are a great gift for anyone. A perfect item for your emergency preparedness kit.
Sawyer Mini Water Filtration System Fits in the palm of your hand and weighs less than 2 ounces. It is rated for up to 100,000 gallons, and filters out 99.9999% of bacteria and protozoa via a 0.1 Micron absolute hollow fiber membrane inline filter. The size, convenience, and performance of the Sawyer MINI make it perfect for everything from camping with the kids to travelling abroad where tap and bottle water cannot be trusted.
Etekcity Water Filter Straw has a 3-stage filtration system. It has a pre-filter, antibacterial activated carbon filter and 0.01 Microns hollow fiber UF membrane inline filter, eliminating harmful contaminants including bacteria, heavy metal ions, chlorine, volatile organic compounds, organic, and insect contaminants. 1500 Liter duty cycle. The Etekcity Personal Water Purifier is an essential piece of survival gear. A great gift idea for hickers, motorcycle campers, and your favorite adventure seeker.
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter removes 99.999% of waterborne bacteria and parisites. Has a 1000 gallon duty cycle. Removes microplastics down to 1 micron. Measures just 8 inches long and weighs less than 2.5 ounces. For every LifeStraw product purchased, a school child in need receives safe drinking water for an entire school year. I like that.
First-Aid Kit
If you are going to be getting off the beaten path, whether on your adventure bike or hiking the Appalachian trail, things are going to happen. Injuries may occur. A compact waterproof first aid kit is a must have in any bush camp.
This 163 Piece Waterproof First Aid Kit by DeftGet is compact. Measures just 8.3 x 5.1 x 2 inches and has all the essentials in a soft nylon case. Includes an LED flashlight and saber card.
This is the ultra-lightweight bare essentials pocket pack of first aid kits. The Bratpacker Gear Travel Medical Kit weighs just 1.6 ounces. Created by travelers, for travelers. Designed to take care of the most common problems that travelers run into.
Swiss Safe Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets are a great item to add to your standard first aid kit if you are going deep into the unexplored. Commonly referred to as Space Blankets, they were originally developed for NASA. Made from Military-grade 12-micron aluminized polyethylene Mylar, Measuring 52″x82″ and weighs just 2 ounces each. They will help you retain 90% of your body heat, and block rain and snow. Perfect for use in emergency survival situations.
I’ve done the homework. I’ve selected well made goods that can be depended on out on the trail. Products from trusted brand names designed to withstand the tests of time and the rigors of traveling. Buy good gear once, and you are generating less waste.
Please Note
The product links in this list are Amazon Affiliate Links. Shop with a trusted marketplace. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission that in no way impacts the prices displayed.