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Mother’s Day Gifts for Outdoorsy Moms 2025

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Mother walks with child hand in hand through a mountain lake

Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 11th, and it’s a great opportunity to show the special lady in your life how much you appreciate her. If your favorite mom prefers trailheads over brunch reservations, now’s your chance to give her something she’ll actually use.

We’ve hand-picked some of our favorite gear (and curated some awesome thematic gift bundles) that any mom who loves backpacking, hiking, and camping would be thrilled to receive.

If you want even more inspiration, check out our Gift Guide, featuring 100+ carefully curated gift ideas for anyone who loves the great outdoors. And if you’re a planner, it’s never too early to start thinking about the dads with our Father’s Day Gift Guide.

Gifts Under $25

If you give the gift of Darn Tough Socks, you’re giving mom a pair of socks for life, which is rad. Darn Tough has an unconditional lifetime guarantee on their socks, no strings attached. So if mom wears them out, she’ll get a new pair. Also, it doesn’t hurt that they’re extremely comfortable, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant – plus, they come in tons of different designs, colorways, and fun patterns. Check out our list of the Best Hiking Socks to learn more about why we’re crazy about Darn Tough socks.


Is your mom the kind who can’t resist a good to-do list, trail side sketch, or quality journal? These handy Rite in the Rain All-Weather Notepads are great pocket pads to take into the field or use around town. The paper is waterproof, so her doodles and notes will be totally smudge-proof from raindrops, coffee spills, and creek beds. Bonus points: add a smudge-proof and nearly indestructible Fisher Space Pen that can write on almost anything.


Whether your mom’s flipping flapjacks at dawn, feasting around a campfire, or grilling trout by moonlight, she’ll get a kick out of this outdoor-focused cookbook. This recipe collection features 75 delicious dishes, including many make-aheads for fast, healthy, and flavorful meals in the wild. This book will inspire plenty of creative ideas from trail snacks and flask mixers to marvelous morning treats and spectacular suppers. Our team’s favorite recipes? The desserts that go beyond the traditional s’mores, but there’s something for everyone in the Campout Cookbook.


We consider the Swiss Army Classic a must-have multitool for everyone, especially busy moms. It’s built to last for years of rough use and has a million uses, so. The Classic offers everything she needs for light-duty tasks, like opening packaging and personal grooming, yet it’s so small and lightweight that it’s barely noticeable on a keyring. It’s a great addition to an ultralight first aid kit, too. Consider the Classic, which is one of our favorite compact multitools on our list of the Best Multitools.


Dirty Girl Gaiters make a perfect gift for hiking and trail running moms. They’re stretchy, breathable, and effective at keeping debris out of low-cut shoes so she can go farther and faster without a hitch in her giddy up. They’re also super affordable and versatile – perfect for any outdoor adventure where staying light and comfortable matters. Best of all, they come in a ton of fun colors and patterns to match any style and color.


From stylish scarf, to pot grip, to sunglasses rag, bandanas are the epitome of multi-functional gear. Whether you’re filtering gritty water or tying back greasy trail hair, versatility is the name of the game. These hand-drawn designs by Handker are beautiful, affordable, and sure to be a hit with savvy outdoor moms.


The highly versatile and functional Buff Neckwear can be used as a hat, scarf, headband, sun protection, and bandana. We consider this a must-have item for anyone with an active lifestyle – from roadtrips and camping to hiking and trail running to winter adventures like snowshoeing and apres ski, there’s always a time and place for a Buff. With an enormous variety of colors and styles, this is a great choice for busy mamas.

A mom posing with her baby in front of an alpine lake
Photo credit: DAVE COLLINS (CleverHiker.com)

Gifts Under $50

If you want to give a gift that will get used every day, look no further than the YETI Rambler. This mug is made of stainless steel, so it’s super durable, and it’s insulated so it will keep your mom’s beverages hot or cold for a shockingly long time. Plus, leaky lids are a dime a dozen, but this one prevents splashback and minimizes leakage, making it one of our go-to’s from campsite to convention center.


There’s no mom who couldn’t use a pair of new, snazzy sunglasses for summer adventures. These Goodr Sunnies are our go-tos because they’re polarized, stylish, and affordable – and they come in a kaleidoscope of colors and modern designs to match any fit, from the soccer field to the mountain summit. Protecting her eyes from UV rays and constant squinting is as cool as it gets. Throw in a floating sunglasses strap to give her pro status.


Outside Inside Backpack Watercolor Kit

This travel painting kit is compact and weighs less than 8 ounces. We love that it’s all-inclusive, including a pencil, pen, brush, notebook, paints, and even a notebook. Whether the matriarch of your family is the next Frida Kahlo – or has never picked up a brush before – this gift is sure to provide some fun, creative, and peaceful moments in the great outdoors.


recreational pass is the gift that keeps on giving. Whether you’re staying near home to explore your favorite National Monument or you’re planning to hit all 63 National US Parks in a year, a pass is your ticket to some of the most beautiful places on the continent. These will save your favorite hiker some dollars every time they visit a park!


Give a mom the gift of comfort with the super affordable and practical Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow. From car camping and backpacking to traveling around the world, this comfy foam-filled pillow will make a huge difference in the quality of her sleep with a cushy feel, soft surface and good neck support. Check it out on our list of the Best Camping & Backpacking Pillows. For more, see our in-depth review of this model here.


All moms could use this convenient and stylish Fanny Pack from Cotopaxi. It can be slung around the shoulder, across the chest, or worn around the hips for easy access for all those handy small items without feeling bulky or annoying. Our review of the Bataan Del Dia finds the decent adjustability and strong components makes it a versatile staple for year-round use. From a quick trip to the grocery store to miles on backcountry trail, a bit of extra storage is always a great gift. Take a look at our Best Fanny Packs for Hiking list to check out more of our favorites.


If your mom is a coffee lover, you can’t go wrong with the AeroPress Go. This thing makes it easy to enjoy great, fresh-brewed coffee and espresso anywhere, whether you’re in a rush at home or moving like a snail at camp. We find the AeroPress Go is an excellent value since everything you need is included, and it’s our one of our top gourmet coffee maker on our list of the Best Camping Coffee Makers.


Close-up back view of the Osprey Poco SLT carrier, featuring its sunshade design and branding detail.
Photo Credit: Ben Dawson (cleverhiker.com)

Welly First Aid Kits are charming and practical with their colorful, high-quality bandages and packable tins. This mid-size kit comes well-stocked with an array of bandages, butterfly strips, cleansing wipes, hydrocortisone cream, non-stick pads, tape, and ibuprofen – the stuff that families use the most. When attention to detail and safety are priority, this one checks all the boxes. Check it out on our list of the Best First Aid Kits.


Modern adventure moms need a way to keep their phones and electronics juiced on the go. A power bank, like the Inui 20,000 has a great balance of low weight and charging capacity, so she can use GPS apps, shoot photos, and jam to her trail tunes without skipping a beat. Whether you want to gift her days of off-grid power or she needs a backup charger, you can’t go wrong. Check out our detailed review here as well as our Best Power Banks for Hiking list for more options.


$50 – $100 Gifts

These minimal, versatile, and stowable daypacks make the top of our best daypacks for hiking list every year because they’re great for nearly any excursion – plus, they make excellent gifts. Not only are they super affordable and versatile from trail to town, they’re exceptional for carrying light loads and can easily be stuffed into a larger bag on longer trips. These efficient little models even come with a sit pad included. We prefer the Flash 22 over the Flash 18 because of the lid pocket and water bottle holsters, but both work well. Check out our review of the Flash 22 here.


The Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles are perfect for hiking moms! They’re durable, compact, easy to use, and affordable. Trekking poles will add a ton of stability and comfort when she hikes on uneven terrain, relieve the pressure on hip and knee joints, and they give the arms a great workout! The Ultra Strongs come in vibrant colors and are so affordable and versatile that they make our list of the Best Trekking Poles.


If you know a mom who’s still sipping from that banged-up old water bottle she’s had for a decade, it’s probably time for an upgrade. Hydro Flask Bottles have top-notch insulation to keep cold drinks chilled and hot drinks steaming. Pick the perfect style – wide, narrow, open-mouth or straw – then, find an eye-catching color she’s sure to keep within arm’s reach. Not sure which model your mom will like best? Get the deets on our list of the Best Water Bottles.


Don’t leave her hanging in the dirt! She can take this compact, portable chair on a backpacking trip, an afternoon at the river, or just about anywhere. The Flexlite Chair has a great balance of weight and comfort so it’s versatile enough for the backyard to the backcountry. It’ takes a top spot on our list’s one of our all-time favorites when it comes to a cushy and relaxing place to plop down, and it ranks among the Best Backpacking Chairs year after year. Read our review here.


A headlamp will come in handy for your mom in a multitude of situations, and she’ll appreciate the Black Diamond Spot 400-R because it’s lightweight, fully waterproof, and rechargeable. It has a long runtime and is an incredible value, which lands it a top spot on our list of the Best Headlamps. We take a look at all the pros and cons on our review here.


A mom looking down at her smiling baby in a front carrier while hiking near a pond
Photo credit: DAVE COLLINS (CleverHiker.com)

For the mamas who still want to hit the trail with their tiny human but don’t want a bulky carrier, there’s the Trail Magik Kid Carrier. It’s built with the strongest, most durable materials, but it’s ultralight at less than a pound and easily stashes in a water bottleholder. She won’t even have to take off her backpack – just grab it, strap it on, put kid in, clip, and go! Or, let your partner do the hard work instead, since it attaches to any backpacking backpack.


The Snackmaster is an affordable and efficient gift for moms who love backpacking and home cooking. She’ll be able to preserve food and make her own backcountry meals for years to come. One of our favorite dehydrator hacks is drying out our favorite restaurant meals—think burrito bowls, pasta, even desserts – so we can take them on trail. Add a set of Fruit Roll Sheets to make it easy to dehydrate soups, sauces, and purees and elevate mom’s meals season after season.


Kula Cloth Reusable Sanitary Cloth

For backcountry mamas, the Kula Cloth is a core piece of a gear. This reusable pee cloth is a game-changer for outdoor hygiene: one side is soft, antimicrobial, and stain-resistant, while the other is waterproof to keep hands dry. It folds up discreetly with a double snap, clips to her pack, and even has reflective threads so she can find it in the dark with a headlamp. Safe for sensitive skin and nontoxic, the Kula Cloth is the ultimate little luxury for moms who love to rough it – smart, sanitary, and built for the wild.


HOKA ORA Recovery 3 Slides

Whether your mom’s a hiker, runner, or spends a lot of time slicing and dicing in the kitchen, she’s probably on her feet a lot. These squishy slip-ons might look a tad spacey and bulky, but their practicality and cushioning is nearly unrivaled for sore, achy, and tired feet and joints. We love them as camp shoes, but these far-out kicks are equally great at a standing desk or as pool shoes. They come in tons of colors, too.


Your mom will have a hoot nerding out on birds and watching wildlife with a pair of Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8 x 25 Waterproof Binoculars. For the adventurous mother who wants to keep a closer eye on nature from afar – whether on the trail, in a tent, or kicking it cliffside – we highly recommend the Nocs because of their affordable, stylish, and durable design. These babies are light, compact, and easy to use, making them a great addition to an adventure kit for a closer peek anywhere, anytime!


KUHL Freeflex Roll-Up Pants

Inspire mom to hit the trails by picking up a pair of super comfy, flattering, and breathable hiking pants for her to rock. She’ll love the way she looks and feels in the KUHL Freeflex Roll-Up pants. These took the number one slot on our women’s hiking pants for all the right reasons: tons of useful pockets, soft but durable fabric, a flattering cut and a wide range of sizes to accommodate any body shape and size. Check out our in-depth review here and spoil your mom with versatile bottoms for the woods, the patio, and beyond.


These food sacks from Hilltop Packs have wide openings so you can easily see what’s inside, but the best thing about them is that you can get them custom printed with whatever image, pattern, or color scheme you like. Get a pet portrait, a summit photo, or a family memory printed on one so your mom can bring a slice of happiness with her on every trip! These quality bags are long-lasting, affordable, and easy to order. Get more ideas on our list of the Best Stuff Sacks.

A mom holding her son close while hiking in the forest
Photo credit: DAVE COLLINS (CleverHiker.com)

$100+ Gifts

If you want to gift mom a bit of luxury without breaking the bank, snag a pair of Glerups Slippers. Any mama would love to receive a pair of these warm, wooly, and super comfy slips. When it comes to cushioning, they’re some of our favorites for relaxing on a cold morning at home or keeping those toes toasty on RV or van adventures. They’re stylish, breathable, and ultra high quality. Glerups come in a huge range of sizes, colors, and different styles, too, from slip-ons to shoes and boots, and you can even choose leather or rubber soles.


Moms are the ultimate problem-solvers, and the Leatherman Wave+ has most of the tools she’ll need regularly – like a knife, pliers, scissors, a screwdriver – all in a streamlined package that fits in her pocket. This thing has a whopping 15 other functions, though, and it can be used with one hand, perfect for multitasking moms. The Wave+ is a worldwide bestselling multitool and it’s been one of our top picks for years on our list of the best multitools because of its excellent balance of quality and cost. Check out our review of the Wave+ here.


Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket

The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket is like a cozy comforter that’s made for the outdoors. It’s highly water resistant and easily sheds dirt, debris, or pet hair with a quick shake. Your mom will love wrapping up in this blanket in camp on chilly mornings. She can also use it on top of a summer sleeping bag for extra warmth when temperatures dip. It’s washable, comes in endless patterns and designs, features stake clips at the corners, and can be worn as a shawl – what’s not to love? See why the OG Puffy is tops on our list of the Best Camping Blankets and read our review here.


The Jetboil Flash is an ideal cooking system for any outdoor adventure. It’s sturdy, light, compact, and highly efficient. The Flash boils water very quickly – in fact, it’s one of the fastest we’ve ever tested – which makes cooking in the backcountry much easier, and earns it a spot on our Best Backpacking Stoves list. The Jetboil Coffee Press makes an excellent addition to this gift for the same reasons: it’s efficient, user friendly, and the kind of gift mom will use for years. Learn more about why we love it in our review.


If your mom doesn’t have a down jacket yet, she definitely needs one! The REI 650 Down Jacket is lightweight, compressible, and incredibly versatile for layering. With inclusive sizing, tons of colors, and a cozy fit, this one is a year-rounder that we consider a staple in our closets for the city, summit, beach, and beyond. It’s also an exceptional value for the price, which has helped it retain a position on our list of the Best Down Jackets for a long time running, and earned it an individual review, too.


Upgrade her rain jacket with the stylish and protective Patagonia Torrentshell. This thing is one of our favorites for many years running because of its flattering fit, reliable performance, and simple, effective features set. High-quality materials give it the appeal of a premium jacket but at a more accessible price. This jacket is a top performer on our list of the Best Rain Jackets and we think your mom will love it, too.


If your mom’s a hiker, gardener, or a little bit of both, she needs a stylish, waterproof ankle boot that she can use for everything from city to country. With a rainbow of colors to choose from, a cozy feel, and a tall-enough ankle that will keep the puddles, slush, and muck at bay, all you’ll need is her shoe size. We love our Merry People Bobbi Boots and we know she will too! Learn more about the Bobbi’s on our list of the Best Rain Boots.


If an outdoor couch is more your mom’s style, she’ll love cuddling up with a partner, pup, or kiddos on the Kelty Low Loveseat. This super cozy camping chair sits two adults and is made to last with thick, quilted fabric, wide and adjustable arm rests, and a one-step setup. The carrying case is a big plus as well – it wraps around the chair, making it super easy to pack. Plus, it doubles as a mat for your feet or a dog in camp, and makes for an awesome gear hauler for sleeping bags, wood, and more. For the fifth year running, the Low Loveseat is one of our all-time favorite camping chairs thanks to its versatility and quality build.


A Kindle Paperwhite is perfect for downtimes on a camping or backpacking trip. It’s gentle on the eyes, has a backlight for nighttime reading, and makes finding great reads simple. For the mom who spends her spare time buried in a book, the Paperwhite is an awesome replacement for the bulk and weight of paper. Your mom will be able to take as many series and novels as she’d like on her trips without the hassle.


The Cotopaxi Allpa has everything we look for in a travel pack – streamlined organization, easy-access pockets, a comfortable carry, and unique style. Our thorough testing finds it’s one of the most streamlined and intuitive packs we’ve tested and multiple carry options are perfect for moms with a lot on their hands. With a burly exterior and top-tier materials, the Allpa lasts for years, from airport terminals to arid canyon campsites. The Allpa is one of our top picks on our list of the Best Travel Backpacks and will make a great gift for traveling moms.


Photo Credit: Ben Dawson (cleverhiker.com)

The Solo Stove Bonfire provides a nearly smokeless campfire that’s safe, portable, and easy to clean up. The gasified flames this fire pit creates are mesmerizing to watch, and will quickly become the star attraction in camp. We love this thing because it takes minimal maintenance, and we can even cook on it – perfect for a quiet evening of toasting marshmallows and crushing a pile of s’mores. Give Mom the gift of warmth, relaxation, and many great conversations with friends and family. Check out our review of Solo Stoves here.


If your mom lives an active lifestyle, she’ll love having a GPS watch to monitor workouts, track habits, navigate while hiking, and even tracking her sleep cycles. We have a whole list of the Best GPS Watches, but here are a few choices any mom would love. Backpacking moms will appreciate the long battery life of the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar. Runner moms will like the advanced fitness tracking of the Coros Pace 3. If your mom would prefer something a little more basic and stylish for everyday wear, the Fitbit Charge 6 is an excellent choice with a boatload of colorways and all the basics we look for in a GPS watch.


The Garmin inReach Mini 2 is a small and lightweight two-way satellite communicator, GPS device, and emergency locator beacon all in one. If your mom loves a big adventure into remote places where cell phone service is nonexistent – we don’t blame her! – this little device is an absolute essential for sending and receiving messages. Give mom and her peeps back at home peace of mind on extended trips in the backcountry.


Hook your mother up with a gift that keeps on giving: the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 Soft Backpack Cooler. It’s rugged, stylish, and has excellent ice retention. This thing can hold up to 18 cans, or at least a 12-pack and 8 pounds of ice, but it still carries weight like a boss. It rarely needs a refill, and she won’t be thirsty while kicking back at camp. Mom will think of you every time she enjoys a perfectly chilled beverage whether she’s road-tripping, grilling, paddle boarding, or rocking out at a concert in the park.


Any mom that goes camping frequently will enjoy sprawling out on the Megamat Long X-Wide camping mattress after a busy day outdoors. This self-inflating pad is four inches thick, so your ma won’t feel pressure points or bottom out when moving around. We recommend the biggest version for the ultimate comfort, although it comes in a shorter and narrow version, a double size, and even a car-friendly design. The Megamat is self inflating, so mom can focus on more important things, and it’s one of the most adjustable mattresses we’ve used. See why this fancy sleep surface is a top pick on our list of the Best Camping Mattresses.


If you’re lucky enough to have a backpacker mom, make sure she has a comfy sleep system for the end of a long day on trail. The new and improved NeoAir sleeping pads are an excellent upgrade to any hiker’s setup. The XLite NXT is a well-rounded option for multi-season adventures, while the XTherm NXT is our top pick for cold sleepers and four-season trips. When comfort, ease of use, and durability are top of mind, these are our top picks for backcountry women who want the best of the best when catching Z’s under the stars. Get more details on these gems by visiting our Best Sleeping Pads list.


Go big this year and show your mom some serious love! The REI Magma 15 (or Magma 30) sleeping bag will keep her super cozy on trips for years to come. These bags have a stellar combination of weight, warmth, and value that’s hard to beat, and they’ve been some of our team’s all-time favorite bags for many years. Whether mom is backpacking miles over mountain passes or car camps just a few times a year, the Magma line is one of our go-to’s for it’s excellent value and inclusive sizing. You’ll find them in the mix on our Best Sleeping Bags list, and see our review of the Magma 15 here.


If your mom needs a backcountry shelter upgrade, you can’t beat the balance of quality, affordability, durability, and interior space of the REI’s Half Dome 2. This shelter hits the sweet spot between value and quality, making it one of our favorite budget-friendly crossover tents because it’s easy to set up, durable, and checks all the boxes for both camping and backpacking. It’s a great choice for moms who want a single shelter that works for both camping in the frontcountry and the backcountry. If she needs a bit more room for sharing space, we also highly recommend the REI Half Dome 3. See how this shelter stacks up on our list of the Best Backpacking Tents.


When it comes to front range camping tents, the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4-Person Tent is one of our go-to’s. It earns a top spot on our list of the Best Camping Tents because of its high-quality tent poles and fabrics, spacious interior, and ease of setup. This thing is one of our top picks for families, couples, and groups who want room to stretch, stand and move freely without feeling cramped for space. Like our review says, the Aurora’s attention to detail – like plenty of pockets, huge windows, and a straightforward setup – makes it a bullseye for anyone who wants the best of the best when car camping.


If your mom loves to camp or travel, she’ll love a set of REI Trailgate Cubes & Bins. We love the collapsibility of these products – the stash almost completely flat when not in use – but provide a ton of room when expanded. The bin has handles on all sides for easy lifting, and see-through mesh on the cubes makes the contents easy to see. These storage solutions have become one of our favorites for roadtripping, camping, and storage. If your leading lady appreciates a good gear organizer, she can relax knowing her essentials are neat, tidy, and right where they should be.


There’s not an outdoorsy mom out there who wouldn’t love a fresh pair of shoes, a new jacket, or an updated piece of gear. Sometimes, the best gift is the one we get to choose for ourselves.

Let mom pick her own size and color with an REI gift card.

To make the gift more personal, include a handwritten note and suggest something specific – “We love how dedicated you are to your morning walks. Treat your feet to a comfy, new pair of trail runners on us!”

A family posing for a photo at a viewpoint in the Columbia River Gorge
Photo credit: DAVE COLLINS (CleverHiker.com)

DIY Gift Basket & Bundle Ideas

Want to go all-out this year to show your ma a bundle of appreciation? Fuel her adventures by putting together a one-of-a-kind outdoor-themed gift basket. Add, subtract, and customize to make it more affordable, luxurious, or personalized. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Foot line drawing

Treat the Feet

Moms are on their feet a lot, and especially if she’s a hiker, her feet are one of her greatest assets. Keep her puppies from barking with an outdoor-inspired foot pampering kit.


camping line drawing

Maintain Her Lifestyle

There’s nothing sexy about maintenance, but it’s incredibly thoughtful to set mom up for a year of adventure success with this practical kit full of backcountry necessities.


food line drawing

The Foodie

They say the fastest way to the heart is through the stomach, so give your mom the gift of a convenient gourmet trail meal. If she cooks, a dehydrator and vacuum sealer will have her turning leftovers into delicious homemade meals that are shelf stable and perfect for backcountry trips!


water bottle line drawing

Hydrate, Dehydrate

It’s the little things that count. Share a backcountry moment and remind mom of how much you care time and time again with a curated set of backcountry refreshments.


The Young’n Wrangler

If a mother in your life has littles to wrangle, yet she still manages to get some adventuring in, MAD PROPS! Here are a few items she’s to get a ton of use out of.


phone line drawing

The Photo Bomb

Does the lady in your life love taking pictures? Help her to preserve her memories by putting together an ultralight photography kit she can use with her smartphone.


woman and dog line drawing

The Dog Mom

We know it’s not quite the same, but dog moms deserve some Mother’s Day love too. After all, she works hard to support her dog’s extravagant lifestyle.


sun line drawing

Sun-Loving Mama

Give your mom the gift of safety in the summer sunshine. She can get that vitamin D fix while staying hydrated and protecting her eyes and skin.

Want More Gift Ideas?

It feels good to give the gift of outdoor adventure!

If you haven’t had enough yet, we have over 100 gift ideas for all your nature-loving peeps on our CleverHiker Gift Guide. We update it frequently and add new items as we discover them!