Gifts for Campers & Backpackers

Gifts For Campers And Backpackers

Shopping for a camper or backpacker — for Christmas, for a holiday present, or as a thru-hike send-off — is two slightly different directions. The backpacker cares about weight. He reads spec sheets, knows his base weight, and has probably told you more about ounces than any reasonable person should know. The car camper cares more about comfort and capacity. McGuire serves both, but a little differently.

Gifts for Car Campers and Ultralight Backpackers

For the car camper and weekend-campground crowd, surplus is a natural fit: thick wool blankets, a surplus poncho that doubles as a rain tarp or ground cover, military rucksacks that hold a family's worth of weekend gear. For the ultralight backpacker, we're honest — McGuire may not have the tent or the trail-runners. Those are categories where commercial brands have the perfect fit. But many surplus items are lighter than most people assume, and those belong in a thru-hiker's kit.

Camping and Backpacking Gifts by Budget

• Under $25 is where the small practical gifts live: a pair of wool socks that stay warm when wet, a canteen cup for trail coffee, a shemagh that doubles as pillow, towel, and head covering.
• Mid-range ($25-$75) will get you the most appreciated gifts: the woobie (Army poncho liner — about 20 ounces, packs small, warmer than most commercial packable blankets), thermal base layers, insulated gloves, a boonie hat, a backcountry first aid kit.
• Over $75 gets into the bigger stuff: an ECWCS parka for winter camping, a military rucksack, authentic sleep systems and sleeping bags.

Three Generations in Military Surplus

McGuire has been in the surplus trade for three generations. Everything here is either genuine issue (actual military-contracted items), MIL-SPEC (manufactured to the exact military specification), or practical outdoor gear built to hold up. We're not trying to replace his Zpacks tent; we're selling the stuff that many backpackers may not realize surplus does better.

More Gift Ideas for Outdoor Enthusiasts

If the recipient is also outdoorsy in other ways, check Gifts for Hunters, Gifts for Preppers & Survivalists (for the family prepper who camps on weekends), or Gifts for the Guy Who Has Everything for the cult-classic surplus items.

Shipping and Returns

Everything ships from New Jersey. Free shipping on contiguous US orders, no minimum; expedited shipping and Alaska/Hawaii options at checkout. Weekday orders placed before 1pm Eastern go out the same day; everything else ships the next business day. 30-day returns if the fit or the item isn't right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does military gear work for backpacking when every ounce matters?

For specific items, yes. Military wool socks weigh about the same as commercial hiking socks and last two or three times longer. The woobie (Army poncho liner) weighs about 20 ounces and replaces most packable blankets. A canteen cup weighs almost nothing. These are the surplus items ultralight backpackers actually use. Where surplus doesn't compete: would be ultralight packs and tents.

Will the woobie really replace his backpacking blanket?

Usually yes. It weighs about 20 ounces, packs small, and keeps him warm into the 50s on its own — or even colder when paired with a sleeping bag. Backpackers use them as blankets, insulation layers, and ground covers. Perfect for three-season backpacking. Cheaper than commercial equivalents, too.

Military surplus vs. modern ultralight gear — when does each win?

Ultralight wins on tents, trail-runners, sleeping quilts, and small packs. Surplus wins on wool socks, base layers, the woobie, canteen cups, cold-weather layering, gloves, and compasses. The honest rule: don't try to replace his ultralight stuff — add to his kit around it.

What's a good Christmas gift for someone heading on a thru-hike?

Three pairs of wool socks — thru-hikers burn through socks. A canteen cup. Lightweight gloves. A woobie if he doesn't have one. What she needs is the small stuff she'll replace along the way. A digital gift card also does great for trail-town resupply.

What's the right budget?

Under $25 covers real practical gifts — wool socks, a canteen cup, a shemagh. Mid-range ($25-$75) is where the treasures are: the woobie, base layers, gloves, a first aid kit. Over $75 gets into the bigger items where weight matters less — an ECWCS parka, a military rucksack, hiking boots.

Can you ship it directly to him so it doesn't sit under my tree?

Yes. Enter a different shipping address at checkout and the package ships straight to him. Our shipments don't include gift notes, so if you want him to know the gift came from you, send a text when the tracking pings. If you want to wrap it yourself, ship it to your own address first.

Do you sell gift cards if I can't decide?

Yes — both physical and digital. Digital gift cards deliver by email instantly, which helps if he's about to leave for a trip or you're down to the last few days before Christmas. Physical gift cards ship on our normal schedule. Either way, he picks what fits his kit.