Last Chance Hiking Gifts and Backpacking Bargains
Good things happen to those who wait, and many gear manufacturers’ best deals of the season are available now. From down jackets and sleeping bags to exercise clothing and long underwear, these deals are too good to pass up if you’re looking for last-minute deals for a loved one or to treat yourself!’
1. Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid 1 Tent – $100 Off
2. Yeti Hopper M20 Soft Cooler – 20% Off
Made for comfort, the YETI Hopper M20 2.0 backpack soft cooler can carry up to 36 cans of your favorite beverage (or 22 lbs. of ice) while keeping your hands free on the way to the campsite or party.
3. Feathered Friends Flicker UL Quilt Sleeping Bag – 15% Off
The 20-degree, 30-degree, and 40-degree models are all on sale for up to 15% off. This is a great quilt-style sleeping bag with a draft collar, drawstring footbox, and full-length zipper. I’ve used one for many years and it’s one of my all-time favorite pieces of ultralight backpacking gear.
4. REI Magma 850 Down Hooded jackets – 30% Off
REI’s lightest, most technical down hoodie—the men’s REI Co-op Magma 850. Made with recycled nylon and high-quality goose down, it’s a packable layer for backpacking and cold-weather adventures. This is a great down jacket that’s supremely warm. I bought one myself because it’s so much warmer than my other down hoodies and makes a great summit jacket for winter hiking.
5. Sea-to-Summit Aeros Down Pillow – 40% Off
Superbly light, warm, and comfortable, the Sea to Summit Aeros down pillow features a premium, down-filled cushion-top made from exceptionally light 10-denier fabric. I’ve used this pillow for the past five years and just love it!
6. Alpaka Rafts – 15% Off Sitewide
At just over 4lbs, the Scout is the perfect companion for mountain lakes, desert slot canyons, small rivers, and kicking around at the local tubing run.
7. All BearVault Bear Canisters – 20% Off
8. Sea-to-Summit Reactor Fleece Sleeping Bag Liner – 40% Off
For use as a standalone sleeping bag indoors or as a liner to boost the warmth of a sleeping bag, this Reactor’s Hollow-core Thermolite EcoMade fibers are used in a grid-pattern fleece for maximum warmth retention. You can easily extend the warmth of a sleeping bag by 15-20 degrees with this liner, increasing your bag’s utility in colder weather and providing a margin of safety.
9. Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra – 25% Off
Must-have winter traction aids compatible with all types of winter hiking footwear but much easier to use than full crampons.
10. REI Stormhenge Waterproof Down Jacket – 30% Off
Wish your favorite puffy was waterproof? Wish granted. The men’s REI Co-op Stormhenge 850 Down Hybrid jacket combines goose down and recycled insulation in a HydroWall waterproof/breathable shell. While this jacket will be too warm to wear for vigorous hiking, it’s excellent for use in more casual settings where you ‘re just trying to stay warm and dry in dirty weather.
11. Gossamer Gear Gold Kumo 36 Backpacks – 25% Off
The Kumo weighs just under 19 oz and hauls just enough for fast and light multi-day treks or ultralight overnights. Its features are focused, and its frameless design and lightest-in-category hardware and compression shed weight, while the recycled Robic nylon fabric is super tough and amazingly light.
12. REI Flash 22 Daypack – 30% Off
Lean, clean and well appointed, the REI Co-op Flash 22 pack is the perfect size for day hikes and done-in-a-day summits. It features a removable sit pad for enjoying those well-earned vistas. Unisex.
13. ZenBivy Ultralight Quilt – 25% Off (25% Sitewide)
The Zenbivy Ultralight Quilt is designed for fast and light backpacking without sacrificing comfort. It combines a high?loft, responsibly sourced down quilt with a minimalist sheet system that eliminates drafts and keeps the quilt in place. The soft, breathable materials feel comfortable against the skin, even on warm nights. Raised footbox and insulated edges help retain warmth while allowing easy movement. The quilt packs down extremely small, making it ideal for long trips where space and weight matter.
14. REI Switchback GTX Gloves – 30% Off
Combining warmth, weatherproofness and dexterity, the men’s REI Co-op Switchback GTX gloves are ideal for the backcountry. Slip the removable fleece liners in to stay comfy in extreme cold.
15. SlingFin Portal 2: 3+ Season Tent – 15% Off
The Portal is SlingFin’s lightest freestanding tent at 2lbs 14oz. It’s a statement piece saying you don’t need to sacrifice strength, features, or durability to make an ultralight freestanding tent. If there’s a stronger sub three-pound tent out there, we have yet to find it. By incorporating several technologies from our Expedition Series tents, we were able to give the Portal a degree of stability and weather resistance previously reserved for dedicated “four-season”, or more accurately, “one season” tents.
16. Skida Brim Hat and Balaclava Kit – 20% Off
Skida Ski Hats, Ski Headware, and Face Protections are cult favorites among Vermont Skiers of all ages. Women-led and founded by a cross-country skier, powder hound, and adventure enthusiast, Corinne started Skida to make joy-provoking headwear and create a community around self-expression and fresh perspectives. Check out their complete line of ski hats and clothing. The patterns and colors are a breath of fresh air!
17. Alpine Luddites Poo Mug
Not on sale, but a favorite gift that I’ve given countless people. Alpine Luddites is a pretty amusing company to follow. Sign up for their newsletter. They make custom backpacks and things, primarily for ice climbers and mountaineers. They (John, the owner) also offers sewing classes to make backpacks. Their reproductions of classic mountaineering backpacks are out of this world…functional pieces of art.
- “What day is today?,” asked Poo.
- “It’s the day we burn this motherfucker to the ground,” squeaked Piglet.
- “My favorite day,” said Poo.
18. NEMO 70L Double Haul Duffle Bag – 25% Off
Pack for a big excursion, shuttle gear from the car to camp, or prep for a day at the beach with this 70-liter NEMO bag. It works as a duffel or tote bag. And it is water repellent.
19. Gossamer Gear UL Polycryo Tent Groundcloths – 46% Off
The original: a thick but very durable, ultralight plastic sheet that can be used as a groundcloth. It’s so durable, it will last a full year of use or more. You can tell it’s the real thing because it’s made with “Polycryo,” unlike less durable imitations, which are made with “Polycro.”
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Philip, I realize the specs are different, but anecdotally, how does the warmth feel with the REI down jacket vs the Montbell down pullover you love.
It’s much warmer: The REI jackets (both of them actually) have the warmth of parkas if you zip them up. You can definitely use either as a winter puffy. The hood of the 850 Magma is just insane, I reviewed it last year.
thanks!!! Ever onward!!
Ordered the 850 Magma, your highly credible nudge, and thanks for it.
Really great value for a superior jacket!
Best wishes for the holidays from the west shore of Lake Michigan, where Snowy Owls have arrived and I’m training for (hopefully) my 48th Grand Canyon backpack in late January.
I have to hear more about that!