15 Awesome Gifts for Hikers with Dogs
Christmas is just around the corner, making it the perfect time to stock up or replenish the best quality gear and bargain deals for your loved ones and their furry friends.
These gifts for hikers with dogs focus on gear for day hikes to multi-day treks. Like all my packing and gift guides, it’s a little different, since you won’t find me promoting products from Amazon. Many of these items can be found at my favorite Outdoor Store REI and other top pet retailers.
All of these gear items and gift ideas are tested by me and my rescue pup from Mexico.
Donaji and I are still out walking every day and while she couldn’t complete my trek across the state of Wisconsin with me, I sought out the best hiking gear for the both of us together. What’s fun now is that I can personally recommend these items as gifts for those adventurous spirits who have dogs.
From hiking essentials, and life-saving gear, to unique gift ideas, this is my ultimate gift guide for for hikers with dogs.
Table of Contents
- Gifts for Hikers with Dogs for Day Hikes
- Gifts for Hikers with Dogs for Multi-Day Treks
- Conclusion Ideas for Gifts for Hikers with Dogs
Gifts for Hikers with Dogs Who Love a Good Day Hike
Whether exploring a favorite State Park or climbing up the bluffs, these essentials make awesome gifts for hikers and their dogs.
1 | Osprey Daylite Plus Pack
If I’m up for an adventure with my dog, I always carry a day pack. In fact, many of the items below fit in my day pack and contain both items for me and Donaji.
My favorite day pack for hiking is the Osprey Daylite Plus Pack. There is plenty of storage and the pack itself can hold up to 20 liters. There is a slot on each side of the pack, which is the perfect fit for water bottles and other items.
I’ve tried out a few small backpacks from Osprey like the Hikelite 18 Pack, but I still prefer the Daylite Plus Pack when hiking with my dog. I can store both of our gear items comfortably in the Osprey Daylite Plus Pack.
The Osprey Daylite Plus Pack is a really versatile pack for every type of hiker.
2 | Cotopaxi Kapai 1.5L Hip Pack – Del Dia
If I’m going on a short walk with Doni, I have been using my very colorful Cotopaxi fanny pack. There are two main pockets and the hip pack allows me to fit my cell phone, poop bags, and dog treats with ease.
What’s fun about this hip pack is that no two bags are alike. Each bag is designed with leftover fabrics, so every bag is unique.
The Cotopaxi Kapai 1.5 L Hip Pack makes for a convenient gift for those who love to walk their dogs and don’t want to carry a backpack.
3 | Earth-Friendly Poop Bags
Speaking of poop bags, I am always looking for more ways to be conscious of waste… no pun intended. If I’m not reusing plastic bags from grocery stores, I walk with compostable pick-up bags.
Every little bit helps and you can never have too many Earth-Friendly Poop bags.
4 | Treats, Treats, and More Treats
Donaji is very food-motivated, so when we go for a hike, I always carry lots of treats. I opt for small training treats to use as distractions and work on commands. It’s less calories and I can keep her engaged with frequent training commands.
Donaji loves the brand Crazy Dog Train-Me! from Petco.
REI also offers these GivePet soft chewy dog treats that help give back to shelter dogs with each purchase.
Dog treats can even make for a fun stocking stuffer.
5 | Dog Bowl for Hiking
Another convenient gift for hikers with dogs is some sort of water bowl.
I’ve tried out a few water bowls when Donaji and I are hiking and prefer a collapsible bowl with waterproof lining. This fits nicely into the day pack and is well-made to prevent water from getting on other items in the day pack. I think these are nicer than the silicone collapsible water dishes.
Not only does the dog bowl work for water, but for food, too. This water bowl wipes clean and stows well. It can be washed by hand or on a gentle cycle in the washing machine.
The Ruffwear Quencher Dog Bowl is a perfect gift for dogs. I’ve been using the Zippy Bowl by Kurgo and love how it comes with a Carabiner to attach to my pack while it dries out.
To replenish the doggie water bowls, I carry a Hydro Flask Lightweight Wide-Mouth Vacuum Water Bottle – 32 fl. oz. This is by far my favorite water bottle and makes for a sturdy gift in itself.
6 | First-Aid Kit
One of the best gifts for hikers with dogs that is overlooked is a basic first-aid kit.
Whether I’m trekking in the Andes Mountains or walking the Camino de Santiago, I never leave home without a well-stocked first-aid kit. Same when hiking with my dog. I carry a first-aid kit always.
I often tailor a basic first-aid kit to my needs and my pup. One thing I always add is at least one emergency blanket. They are small and can be life-saving. When I was hiking overnight with Doni, I was also using an emergency blanket to line and protect the bottom of my ultralight Nemo Tent.
I’ve hiked a lot with Donaji, so her first-aid kit is modified. For example, Donaji has allergies, so I know I have to carry Benadryl pills. However, if you don’t know where to start, this Adventure Medical Kits ADS Trail Dog First Aid Kit is a good place to start.
REI also sells this Adventure Medical Kits ADS Me And My Dog First Aid Kit, a combined kit for two-legged and four-legged.
Always carry a first-aid kit when hiking, whether alone or with your pup. Safety and care are some of the best gifts you can give yourself and others.
7 | Hempz® Petz Protective Paw Balm – Creamy Citrus Orange & Red Raspberry
Speaking of modifications, one thing I always add to Donaji’s first-aid kit is some kind of salve for her paws and nose. When hiking long distances, especially on rugged terrain, a dog’s paws can crack easily.
I am always checking her paws and making sure they don’t dry out. Putting a salve on them after a long day of hiking or when you notice a small irritant can be game-changing.
Hempz® Petz Protective Paw Balm is a highly-rated paw balm to add to your pup’s first-aid kit.
8 | Warm Jacket in Bright Colors
I’m from Wisconsin, so as the temperatures drop, we’ll be pulling Donaji’s jacket out of storage. Even when it’s cold, we try to get out for a short walk, so a jacket comes in handy.
I always try to buy bright colors to help her not be mistaken as a wild animal during hunting season.
Ruffwear Vert Jacket comes in a bright orange color. Duluth Trading Company has these cozy Grab Dog Jackets in a variety of colors.
Additionally, if planning to walk around dusk the Nite Ize Nitehowl Rechargeable LED Safety Necklace is a good idea, too.
9 | Dog Booties
If your dog will wear them, dog booties are an excellent gift for hikers with dogs.
I bought Donaji a pair when the temperature dropped to help protect her paws, but I still can’t get her to wear them (or at least keep them on).
Dog booties are not only awesome to help protect from cold and extreme temperatures but also to protect a dog’s pads on rugged terrains.
Ruffwear Grip Trex Dog Boots are a top-rated pair of dog booties. Be mindful that the boots are sold as a PAIR and not as a set of four. This is because oftentimes dogs front paws are larger than their back paws.
10 | Stunt Runner™ Leash
If looking for an awesome hands-free leash for hiking with your dog, the Stunt Runner™ Leash designed by Stunt Puppy is one of the best. The leash offers an adjustable waist belt with a flexible bungee that helps absorb the pull of the dog. What is great is that the tubular webbing of the flexible leash is designed so it doesn’t pinch the dog’s skin.
There are two lightweight carabiners that connect the leash to the waist belt and to your pup. The length can be adjusted to keep the dog near your side or to allow it more distance for running.
I fell in love not only with Stunt Puppy’s gear but their values and initiatives as well. Stunt Puppy is a Minnesota-based company that started in a basement and grew into a company using innovative technology for active dogs and humans. My favorite program is the Indigenous Design Series which showcases collars designed by Indigenous artists with a portion of the profits helping dogs on reservations.
I will continue to support Stunt Puppy as some of the best active gear for dogs and humans.
Gifts for Hikers with Adventure Dogs (Multi-Day Treks)
Donaji and I did some training before departing out on our multi-day trek and this included testing a lot of gear. The following gear is the best hiking gear for dogs on multi-day treks and makes for some greatly appreciated gifts for hikers with dogs.
11 | Ruffwear Palisades Pack
I upgraded Donaji’s backpack to the Ruffwear Palisades Pack, which was one of the biggest investments, but maybe one of the best decisions I made. The Palisades Pack saddlebag is easy to attach and detach from the harness.
There are plenty of pockets in the Ruffwear Palisades Pack, which is really convenient.
What I really loved about this dog backpack are the two included collapsible hydration reservoirs. Each reservoir holds up to 1 liter, so your pup can really help carry its weight.
Remember, never pack your pup more than 25% of their body weight. For me, I kept Donaji under 15% of her weight.
While the Ruffwear Palisades Pack is expensive, it’s super durable and sturdy.
12 | Dehydrated Dog Food
Those going on remote multi-day treks with their pup should consider bringing dehydrated dog food. One of the best brands I found was The Honest Kitchen, which sources its ingredients from the US and offers a variety of flavors that are considered to be human-grade.
Dehydrated Dog food is a lot easier to pack as it rehydrates to four times its weight. Gifting dehydrated dog food is perfect as it has a shelf life of over a year (dry).
Donaji loves The Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Dog Food while hiking. Just remember you’ll need hot water to rehydrate it, so if trekking you’ll need to carry a lightweight stove.
13 | Stasher Reusable Silicone Sandwich Bag
Another awesome gift for hikers and dogs is Stasher Reusable Silicone Sandwich Bags. These convenient food storage containers work like a charm to hold dehydrated dog food.
I ordered two to keep Donaji’s backpack balanced. These flat containers are extremely packable and fit into the dog backpack. I was able to fit almost the entire 2 lb. dried food into two Stasher Reusable Silicone Sandwich Bag.
14 | Packable Dog Tethering System
After a long day hiking on the leash, it’s nice for your four-legged friend to be able to “relax” and roam. Most campsites have leash laws so a tethering system is an ideal way to let your pup sniff and explore while still being on a leash.
Knot-a-Hitch™ is made by RuffWear and is extremely packable yet provides a strong tethering system. The Knot-a-Hitch™ can be tied around two trees or one.
The Arcadia Trail™ Packable Tie-Out & Leash is another popular tethering system to use while camping.
Tethering systems are nice to use while setting up the tent and cooking, but remember that dogs should never be left unsupervised while on tethering systems.
15 | Hiking Inspiration
Finally, a different gift idea for hikers can come in the form of inspiration from a hiking book. There are two different publishers for the Best Hikes With Dogs series (Falcon Guide and The Mountaineers Books) that are organized by state from Arizona to Oregon. Unfortunately, not every state or region is covered…. yet.
As a Wisconsinite, I have A Dog Lover’s Guide to Hiking Wisconsin’s State Parks.
Lonely Planet has beautiful hardcover Epic Hikes of the Americas and Epic Hikes of the World books to fuel any type of hiker’s inspiration. The book makes a beautiful book packed with stunning photos and the hardcover makes an excellent coffee table book and conversation starter. Be mindful that you’re furry friend may not be able to join you on every hiking trail.
Conclusion | Ideas for Gifts for Hikers with Dogs
In short, these items make for awesome gifts for hikers with dogs. These gift ideas are for both day hikes and multi-day treks and are used by humans and four-legged friends.
Donaji and I hike a lot together and these are items tested in my day pack and hers, too!
Hopefully, these gifts for hikers and their dogs can encourage your loved ones to spend more quality time connecting in nature and with each other. Remember, always adventure responsibly with a leave-no-trace philosophy. Mother Earth is our greatest gift.
As a minimalist, I understand the importance of my consumption and buying power, so I only recommend products and companies that align with this and my own personal mission statement.
Consume responsibly!
What do you think of these gifts for hikers with dogs? Anything that I’m missing? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclaimer: There’s a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love.
