Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11. Notice how we said that right up front? Write it down, put it in your phone — write it backward on your forehead if you have to. If you take nothing else away from this nifty gear roundup, let it be that Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 11.
Now, if you’re searching for some gift ideas, you’ve come to the right place. Whether for your mom, wife, partner, or friend, one of these outdoor gifts will surely make the outdoorsy woman in your life happy.
We asked our editors and testers for some of their favorite items and new gear that caught their eye. Of course, not every gift has to be gear, and subscriptions are a popular alternative. You can cover the cost of a year of AllTrails+ or sign them up for Trails magazine.
We’ve divided our picks into several categories. There’s some crossover, since things like camping hardware are often used around the house for backyard barbecues or picnics.
Camping & General Outdoors
Nomadix Changing Poncho
Whether at the beach, lake, or just out camping, this poncho offers an elegant solution to dancing around in a towel while trying to change out of a bathing suit underneath it. Keep the poncho on as a (hands-free) warming layer and let the wicking materials continue to do their thing as you go about packing up for the day.
The poncho’s recycled polyester fabric can absorb up to four times its weight in water, while the hood and kangaroo pocket offer additional warmth.
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Gregory Alpaca Utility Tote 35
A canvas tote is fine for the farmer’s market, but for more gear-intensive ventures, consider this padded utility tote with aluminum handles and a structured design that keeps it upright. Those details help make organized packing easier, while the padded webbing handles and shoulder strap make hauling goods more comfortable.
The Alpaca Utility Tote 35 also has an exterior zippered pocket and dedicated bottle pockets that can flip in as act as organization cubbies, or flip out to allow for more storage space inside. It is made from a heavy-duty polyester ripstop and can hold up to 50 pounds.
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Kelty Low Loveseat
Sit together with the special lady in your life in this fold-up loveseat. This Kelty Low Loveseat is a top-rated chair (or couch) for staying cozy around a fire or watching the kids’ early-morning baseball practice. It has adjustable cupholders, a quilted seat fabric, and a 19-inch ground clearance.
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Benchmade 4010BK-01 Station Knife
From home kitchens to campsite feasts, the Benchmade 4010BK-01 Station Knife is a workhorse tool with chopping power and a fine, smooth edge. The 5.97-inch CPM-154 steel clip-point blade showcases Benchmade’s proprietary SelectEdge. It has a G10 handle and bolster, a 24K gold-plated ring, and a PIM sheath for safe storage and easy transport.
This knife is pricey, but it’s also covered by the brand’s limited lifetime warranty and LifeSharp blades services. Our editors have used it, and it’s one of their favorite knives in the kitchen.
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Stanley The Quencher H2.O FlowState Tumbler — 30oz.
The craze over these may have died down (some), but the Quencher H2.O FlowState Tumbler still delivers. Its double-insulated walls keep drinks cold for 9 hours, the silicone-padded handle offers a sure grip, and you can clean it in the dishwasher. Stanley’s unique FlowState lid can be adjusted to fit a straw, provide a drink opening, or fully cover the top.
Backcountry.com has its own guide for Mother’s Day Gifts to check out as well.
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Hiking Gear
Patagonia R1 Pullover Hoody Fleece Jacket — Women’s
Here’s a perennial favorite and gift guide staple for a reason. The R1 Pullover Hoody has been updated to include tons of user input and also uses more recycled fabrics. Don’t worry, it’s still the same stretchy and uber-versatile gridded fleece that traps heat and wicks moisture. It has a zippered chest pocket, offset shoulder seams, and thumb holes.
The R1 Fleece Jacket hits that just-right mix of warmth and breathability that keeps you comfy on days when the air is cold but the sun is warm. If it’s windy, a simple windbreaker is all you need to wear over it.
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Osprey Tempest 22 Daypack
Hardly a new recommendation around here, this classic daypack has made some updates that set it atop our list of the Best Daypacks of 2025 (by a wide margin). The pack has plenty of latch points for stashing poles or a bike helmet, seven pockets, and its “22 liters of space is just about the sweet spot for all-day hikes,” according to our tester.
Osprey updated its Tempest (and Talon) packs with a sliding yoke strap system to create an adjustable suspension to fit a wider range of torsos. The Tempest is the women’s-specific build.
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Nocs Field Tube Monocular
Get a closer look at nature (from a safe distance) with the NOCS Field Tube monocular. In our review, we mentioned how it’s become a must-pack hiking companion and praised its ease of use. Take your pick between the 8×32 and 10×32 magnification powers.
The NOCS coating stands up well backpack storage and the monocular’s IPX7 waterproof rating and fogproof, nitrogen-filled internal chambers mean it’s fine to use in all sorts of weather.
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Scarpa Rush Mid 2 GTX Hiking Boots
While built with a sneaker-like feel, these Scarpa hiking boots were the favorite among our testers in part because “it has the backbone and protection of a mid-height waterproof hiker with fantastic levels of cushioning and support.”
The Rush 2 introduces a Dynamic Stabilizer Torsion (DST) insert, which is a TPU frame in the heel area for added support and fight against torsion or twisting. That’s important for hiking on rocky and uneven surfaces.
These hikers have a breathable synthetic mesh upper with overlays for reinforcement. It has a padded, softly lined collar, a reinforced toe box, and a streamlined tongue for smooth tie-downs.
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PAKA Ultralight Coolplus Crew
We’re fans of the original Paka sweater and are excited to test its more summer-friendly companion, the Paka Ultralight Coolplus Crew. It’s a different build, though.
This crew sweater is the brand’s lightest-weight knitwear piece, blending natural alpaca fiber, organic cotton, and Coolplus fabric technology. The tech uses a viscose fiber in a unique spinning process to create a larger fiber surface area so moisture can evaporate quickly and create a cooling effect.
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Cardio Gifts
HOKA Clifton 10 Road-Running Shoes
HOKA’s time-tested daily trainer is updated with a plusher design. The Clifton 10 road-running shoes have 3 mm more drop than before while keeping the same ultralight CMEVA midsoles. A new breathable jacquard-knit upper helps with a snug but flexible fit. Lastly, the outsoles are made from a thin but abrasion-resistant rubber.
This is one of many new items on REI’s Gifts for Mom list.
There are also bonus offers. REI Co-op members can get a digital bonus card of 15% when they buy a gift card of $120 or more from May 6 to May 15, 2025.
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Roll Recovery SUPERPLUSH Slide & Flip-Flop
Roll Recovery’s SUPERPLUSH foam and unique footbed are there to provide stable support as you get on with your day after hitting the trails. It’s also sustainably sourced from algae! Both the slides and flip-flops have gender-specific footbeds that are shaped to alleviate foot pressure while remaining functional and comfortable.
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Edelrid Birdlime 1R 9.8mm x 70m Non-Dry Rope
Made in part from renewable bio-based raw materials (castor oil), the Edelrid Birdlime rope is a robust, workhorse rope for all-around climbing. It has a Thermo Shield treatment, which the brand says helps deliver a more compact, supple, and durable cord. Read our review for a field-tested take.
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Hunt & Fish Gifts
Marsh Wear Buxton Tech Hoodie
A Marsh Wear classic now in ladies’-specific styles. The Buxton Performance Hoodie is a poly-rayon blend with UPF 40 sun protection in a breathable build. It has a relaxed, active fit with thumb loops for hand coverage and a DWR treatment for stain resistance.
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Kuiu Kutana Stretch Woven Pant
The Kutana is a lightweight and breathable stretch-woven pant that can hold up to wear in rough terrain thanks to the brand’s Primeflex nylon, which has incredible tear strength. The Kutana pants are best suited for early- to mid-season hunts in mild temperatures.
They have zippered hip vents if temps rise, and the fit allows room for a base layer underneath.
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Orvis Ceramic Coffee Cup
There’s something cozy about drinking from handmade stoneware, and our hunt editor found these to feel great in the hand when hoisting a daily mug of joe. These 14-ounce mugs were made for Orvis in Kalamazoo, Mich., and they come with several choices of art on one side and the brand’s logo on the other. They are coated with a food-safe glaze and are safe to use in the dishwasher and microwave.
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