Your 2021 Gift Guide for Thru-Hikers
Got a thru-hiker on your gift list this year? Or, maybe you’re looking to give yourself a little something for your big 2022 plans?
Well, then, let us introduce you to our gift guide for those special outdoorsy friends and family who are planning to spend a good chunk of the new year putting one foot in front of the other.
The Perfect Gifts for Thru-Hikers
The key items thru-hikers need fall into a few different categories: packs, shelter and sleeping systems, and accessories.
Below, we’ve pulled together some of our favorite Gossamer Gear items from each category to spark some inspiration for your gift giving.
Backpacks
Here are two of our tried and true thru-hiker favorites when it comes to a pack. Both are roomy enough to store all of the gear you need for multiple days on trail while also weighing very little to keep you light on your feet.
1. Mariposa 60 Backpack
Our bestseller. With a removable internal frame, load lifters, and seven built-in pockets, this is a gear-hauling workhorse that weighs in at just two pounds. Available in classic Gossamer Gear grey, as well as a fun green!
2. Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack
The new Gorilla is here! 50 liters, multiple colors (including a very snazzy yellow), and new foam padding make this generation of Gorillas the best yet.
Shelter & Sleeping
Help your thru-hiker pals sleep cozy with some gifted additions to their sleep systems.
1. The One or The Two
The One clocks in at just 17.7 ounces and The Two at 23.5 ounces. Sleek, simple ultralight shelters for one or two people to keep you snug as a bug in a weatherproof ripstop rug. Features include factory-taped seams, reflective pull-outs, robust zippers, and fully-rigged lines.
2. Thermarest Vesper 20F Quilt
For those that carry nothing but the essentials, the 19-ounce Vesper is your solution for a lighter pack and better nights at camp. Featuring unrivaled packability and featherweight design, the Vesper 20F/-6C quilt provides no-frills camp comfort. The quilt uses thermally-efficient box baffled construction to maximize warmth and comfort for a high-performance, ultralight piece.
3. The One and Two Pole Sets
At 2.85 ounces per pole, this set is designed to work perfectly with The One or The Two while keeping it light. If your thru-hiker friend isn’t planning on bringing trekking poles, these will let them still set up their tent with ease.
4. Polycryo (Tent Footprint) Ground Cloths
Help your thru-hiker keep their tent in tip-top shape for as long as possible. Use this ultralight ground cloth to protect your tent floor. This product is designed with the hiker in mind to keep the weight off your back and dirt off your sleeping bag. It is constructed from industrial grade cross-linked polyolefin. What this means is that it is extremely tough for its weight with amazing puncture resistance, and is economical to boot!
Accessories
From comfort to convenience, the right accessories can make for a much more pleasant thru-hike.
1. Bottle Rocket
Attach to your shoulder strap for quick and easy access to your liquid of choice. Fits 500 to 1,000 ml smart water bottles like a glove. You will never hike dehydrated again.
2. Feedbag
Hungry? Can't possibly imagine stopping to dig food out of your pack? Hip belt pockets already full? Time to kit yourself out with a Feed Bag. Designed to rid our trails of hangry hikers. Can fit up to 6 tortilla wraps, 3 smashed honey buns, or an absurd amount of M&Ms.
3. Shock Compression Cord Set
Elastic cord for attaching your bear can or family-sized bag of honey bbq potato chips to your pack. Or don't attach anything because you're a minimalist that just wants to make their pack look cool.