14 Delightful Stocking Stuffers

Because the old maxim is true: The best things come in small packages.

By Katie O'Reilly

December 6, 2017

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Photo by fotohunter/iStock

Just because stocking stuffers are little doesn’t mean they can’t be perfect. These items, selected with greenies and adventurers in mind, also make for white-elephant and Secret Santa gifts that recipients will actually use. Check out these 14 tiny but mighty goodies.

In 2012, MPOWERD created an inflatable solar light called the Luci for outdoor camping adventures, backyard parties, and everyday use for people living without reliable access to electricity. Since August, the company has dispatched more than 40,000 Luci lights for disaster relief throughout Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Mexico, and California. Since the recent widespread disasters, MPOWERD has temporarily reduced membership costs for Give Luci, a program through which consumers can purchase lights that go directly to NGO partners, to $7.50 (they’re typically $14.95). With its pretty, frosted finish, the solar-powered Luci Candle ($14.95) lends amber ambiance to any patio, yoga studio, or dinner table—it's a crowd-pleaser.

A loved one who appreciates the art of a handwritten note always makes for a fun giftee. Pardon our bias, but we love these pretty John Muir Notecards ($14.95) from Princeton Architectural Press. This collection includes 12 notecard/envelope sets, all of which bear quotes culled from the prolific writings of the Scottish-born naturalist, intrepid explorer, and founder of the one and only Sierra Club. Of course, Muir’s potent reminders to protect and preserve our natural splendors and root our spirits in nature ring particularly true today.

Got chemical-conscious outdoorsy types on your shopping list? All Dr. Fedorenko True Organic skincare products are made with certified organic butters and essential oils, and contain no synthetic fragrances or colors, chemicals, DEET, parabens, or phthalates. The Travel Essentials Bundle ($60) includes a tick- and mosquito-repelling Bug Stick, a UV-blocking Sun Stick and—for a truly rare backcountry treat—a moisturizing Skin Stick, designed to help nourish trail-weathered elbows, hands, and knees.

The outfitters behind United By Blue remove a pound of trash from U.S. waterways for every product sold. So you know eco-conscious loved ones will doubly appreciate the gift of the soft cotton square that is the Treeline Bandana ($8). It looks sharp tied around the neck or peeking out of a pocket, and will do wonders to protect fire-stokers’ faces from smoke this winter.

The latest from Leatherman is sure to streamline any outdoorsman's or outdoorswoman’s toolkit. The all-black Signal multitool ($99.95) features a diamond-coated sharpener (for maintaining straight and serrated blades), a fire-starting ferro rod, and an emergency whistle—because when you provide the adventurers in your life with the gift of safety, you’re gifting yourself, too.

 

Give your favorite hikers the gift of all-day trail comfort with Elkin Valley lightweight crew wool socks ($22.50) from Farm to Feet. They feature targeted cushioning, seamless toe closure and, best of all, a topographical design inspired by the Elkin Valley section of the Blue Ridge Mountains’ famous Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

The humble neck warmer is an oft-overlooked key to keeping kids warm during winter adventures. The pretty Luvmother Long Neckwarmer ($20) is made from no-itch wool and comes with built-in SPF. And, it’s stretchy enough that adults can borrow it!

Extracted from the bark of a cork oak tree, cork provides designers with a uniquely renewable material that requires very little processing. And the direct-from-nature gift that is the EcoCork Women’s Wallet ($50) provides loved ones with a uniquely fashionable way to transport cash, credit cards, and more. This marble wallet (7.5" by 4.5") comes with two interior billfold compartments, clear slots for IDs and cards, a zippered pocket for change, and dark-brown vegan suede lining throughout.

If there’s one thing a plugged-in adventurer could use, it might just be a damage-deflecting smartphone case. Lifeproof’s sleek new waterproof SLAM case ($50) was specifically designed to be dropped on its face. When it takes a tumble, it’s proven to dance back from danger unscathed. A rubberized front affords direct touchscreen access and features a splash of color around the edges. Open ports leave headphone and charging access open, and the SLAM’s speakers deliver quality audio.

A new line of caps and fluffy beanies from Crown Trails Headwear bear the crests of iconic national scenic trails and parks, such as the John Muir Trail, Florida Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Continental Divide (pictured, $25). The conservation-minded trail hounds in your life will love that a portion of all sales benefit organizations that work to protect their favorite places. 

Don’t forget to fill Fido’s stocking! Good trail dogs, after all, deserve extra-special treats. Enter Barkworthies Superfood Jerkies ($7/bag). These highly digestible, gluten- and grain-free treats are made from real meat—choose from chicken, turkey, and rabbit protein—and are paired with superfood ingredients like blueberries, pumpkin, kale, and sweet potato. They’re rich in antioxidants and packed with protein to help support muscle growth. We can guarantee that “man’s best hiking buddy” will adore them—and that dog owners will dig the power afforded by this “high-value” reward.

One gift that will always go to use? Highly packable and easy-to-clean water bottles. The DuoLock Softbottle ($12 to $14) is the latest innovation from Platypus. It flattens and rolls up easily, never leaks, and clips easily onto straps and loops.

Sven Can See Anti-Fog Spray Gel ($11) offers a biodegradable, odor-free, and nontoxic solution for backpackers’ smudgy sunglasses and skiers’, snowboarders’, and snowshoers’ foggy goggles. A quick spray works instantly and lasts all day long.

Who says you can’t splurge on a stocking stuffer? The brand-new Spire Studio ($349) is a coffee-cup-size, wireless audio recording device that’s designed to go anywhere. Meaning, the wanderlustful and outdoors-loving music lovers, podcasters, filmmakers, and producers in your life can now use a tiny, professional-quality device to record music (and other sounds) from mountaintops, remote islands, music festivals, and anywhere else. The device comes equipped with a built-in, studio-quality mic, and musicians can use Spire Studio’s free iOS app to mix, layer, and edit up to eight tracks. Plus, a soundcheck button automatically sets levels.