Every year, more and more innovative items of camping gear enter the market. This is most certainly a major plus when it comes to buying gifts for the camper in your life. For the planet, however, it ain’t so great. The environmental impact of giving gifts can be catastrophic, especially when stockings are filled with useless, gimmicky gifts that are often unwanted. Gift-giving needs rethinking, and opting for eco-friendly gifts is an excellent place to start.
Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting cancelling Christmas or boycotting birthdays… yet! Rather, inviting consumers and kindly gifters to explore other options, like eco-friendly gifts. Products that are created using sustainable materials and processes have a lower environmental impact, but they can also mean much more to the recipient. It really is a win, win.
12 eco-friendly gifts for campers
You’ll find something for every type of camper in our list of favourite eco-friendly gift ideas. Enjoy!
Solo Stove Lite Stove
An efficient cooking stove is a must for all campers. But most regular camping stoves burn fuel that is non-renewable, not to mention pricey. The Solo Stove, however, relies on wood and biomass as its fuel-source, making it an excellent option for eco-friendly campers. Featuring a double-wall construction, this stainless steel stove cleverly creates a secondary burn from air that feeds the flames through top vents. The result is a highly efficient and easy to use cooking stove that doubles as a warming and ambient after-dinner campfire. Plus, it’s lightweight enough (only 255g / 9oz) to carry out in the backcountry, making it a superb Leave No Trace campfire cooking option.
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Solo Stove | REI
REI Co-Op Down Blanket
If you’re after an eco-friendly gift that will be used and loved whether camping or not, then look no further than the REI Co-Op Down Blanket. With a water resistant outer that sheds moisture and resists stains, this cosy camp blanket is as suited to winter movie nights as it is to summer picnics, campfires and curling up under canvas. Add to that its ethical and sustainable credentials (responsibly sourced down and recycled polyester), and it’s hard not to feel as warm on the inside as on the outside when wrapped up in its cosiness.
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REI
United By Blue Tacony Hemp Socks
The ultimate gift for practical campers: the humble sock. Socks provide warmth, comfort and happiness that is understated yet highly valued, and a new and cosy pair will always be a welcome gift to outdoorsy folk. Despite that, socks can easily slip into the uninspiring, cop-out gift category. That’s why choosing the United By Blue Tacony Hemp Socks will score you top points for their antimicrobial, hardwearing and sustainable properties, thanks to the hemp-based fabric. Additionally, your sock-loving pals will also highly appreciate the positive impact that your purchase will have on the planet. More super-star United By Blue products to follow.
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REI
Light My Fire Messkit BIO
Light My Fire have been working tirelessly in recent years to develop their BIO range. They’re a brand to keep a close eye on for future eco-friendly gifts for camping folk. Their most recent offering is the mega practical Messkit BIO which features everything you need for lunch at camp or on the trail. It includes a collapsible cup, spork, cutting board and lidded containers. Though it feels and performs like regular plastic – durable, microwave and dishwasher safe – it’s actually made from corn, sugarcane and wood fiber based bioplastics. As well as causing lower environmental impact through the production process, the use of bioplastics also make the meal kit compostable (in the right conditions) at the end of its life.
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REI
United By Blue Responsible Flannel
They’re hardy, they’re warm, and it’s hard not to feel oh-so-outdoorsy in them. A good old flannel shirt can be slung on with anything whilst still looking great. It’s an unbeatable addition to every camper’s wardrobe, especially during the shoulder seasons. But flannel shirts are also everywhere. So how on earth does one decide which to go for? Thankfully, United By Blue has once again made the decision easy by creating the Responsible Flannel. It is constructed of organic cotton and recycled polyester and also holds a GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification. This means that the factory in which it is made meets strict social and environmental criteria. Another one of those inside-outside warm and fuzzy feeling eco-friendly gifts.
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REI
Patagonia Black Hole Duffel
Combining the portability of a backpack with the convenience and practicality of a holdall, the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel is THE packing solution for campers, adventurers and weekend warriors. Offering 55 litres of storage – including internal and external zippered pockets and daisy chain gear loops – the highly weather resistant duffel is suitable for international travel as well as impromptu camping trips closer to home. Plus, the body fabric, lining fabric and webbing are all made from post consumer recycled ripstop polyester. A superbly sustainable gift that will keep on giving for years to come.
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REI
Nomadix PNW High Alpine Towel
A dedicated camping towel is one of those non-essential items that you can live without. But once you have one in your life you’ll seriously wonder how you ever managed before its existence! Endlessly useful at camp, at the beach, on a hike or for a day at the river. And a no-brainer for backpackers and adventurers with a penchant for wild swimming. The Nomadix PNW High Alpine Towel epitomises eco-friendly gifts for campers: mega useful, packable, highly aesthetic, luxurious, something you may not buy for yourself and, or course, made from recycled fabric.
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REI
Bee’s Wrap Lunch Pack
One of the easiest ways to cut down on single use plastic is to stop buying cling wrap and sandwich bags, period. Instead, wrap up your sarnies and cover your leftovers with a Bee’s Wrap. Made of organic cotton and treated with bee’s wax, jojoba oil and tree resin, these wraps are ideal for hiking lunches and food storage at camp. Simply warm the wraps in your hand to seal the edges around your food and use the button and string for extra security. Camper or not, wax wraps are a thoughtful and meaningful eco-friendly gift that anyone who eats food can use and appreciate!
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REI
Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 0 Sleeping Bag
A bad nights’ sleep because of the cold can ruin a camping trip. So if you really want to up your game then buying a warm sleeping bag for your camping obsessed significant other is one of the best gifts you could possibly choose. The Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 0 Sleeping Bag manages to provide comfort at 15ºF (-9Cº) and will keep you alive right down to 0ºF (-17ºC). Uniquely, it manages to work this magic on your frozen toes by using recycled materials in its construction. The synthetic fill comprises three types of recycled fibres to create high loft insulation that is durable and performs decently when wet. Additionally, the shell is made from Marmot Upcycle PFC-free and recycled fabric, making this one of the most eco-friendly sleeping bags on the market (and a very generous eco-friendly gift!).
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REI
REI Co-op Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler
The REI Co-op Cool Trail Split Pack Cooler is another one of those eco-friendly gifts that you may not buy for yourself, but is endlessly useful once it’s in your possession. Fill the bottom cooler section with beers, salads and sarnies, and stuff the top section with snacks, blankets and utensils. You’ve got yourself a portable picnic caddie for far flung feasts. The 29 litre capacity holds up to 12 cans in the cooler leaving plenty of room in the top section and external pockets for all your other goodies and hiking essentials. Looks-wise, it has adventure written all over it. And eco-wise, it has a recycled ripstop nylon outer and a recycled polyester inner. It’s the party pack we’ve all been waiting for!
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REI
REI Co-op 650 Down Hoodie 2.0
A warm and packable insulated jacket is an absolute must for every camper. Whether you’re sleeping in it for extra warmth, wearing it on cool hikes or cosying up in it around the campfire – good insulation can be a real game-changer. Opting for down insulation also makes it a ‘just in case’ extra layer, thanks to its high compressibility. The exceptional value of the REI Co-op 650 Down Hoodie 2.0, and its associated eco-friendliness, makes for a super sustainable gift for your camping buddy. It offers 650 fill-power down that is responsibly sourced, and it boasts a DWR coated recycled nylon shell. Plus, its simple and sleek design can be enjoyed in everyday life, as well as at camp.
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REI
REI Used Gear
If you’re buying eco-friendly gifts for people who really care about our planet, then the best possible gift you can give is second hand gear. I’m not talking about worn down boots, mouldy tents and patched up jackets. But high quality used gear that has a story and has had new life breathed into it. REI take back used gear and apparel, spruce it up and re-sell it at a reduced cost. More people are able to get outside for less, and more stuff is diverted from landfill. Another no-brainer of a gift for eco-warriors and environmentalists.
