The holidays are a time for connection, reflection, and sharing gifts that create lasting memories. Whether you’re shopping for an outdoor-loving Adventure Treks student or a family looking to spend more quality time outside, our guide is here to inspire adventure, bring people together, and help prepare for an unforgettable AT experience. This gift guide highlights thoughtful, practical gifts that complement our trips and encourage outdoor exploration—perfect for at home, on the trail, and beyond.
Plus, we want to make shopping for summer 2025 stress-free and fun. That’s why we provide most of the expensive and technical gear your student will need for their summer trip, like tents, sleeping bags, and backpacking backpacks—so you don’t need to worry about picking up those items! (More info on that below.)
Cozy gear from the AT store
Support your teen’s love for the outdoors (and keep a little piece of AT with you!) with these student-approved items from our store:
- Blanket: Perfect for chilly movie nights or cozying up after long days of exploring
- Beanie: A warm, stylish way to keep your head warm on mountain summits or in winter
- Journal: Capture memories on an AT trip, reflect on previous adventures, or jot down goals
- Mug and travel mug: Great for morning coffee and a post-hike hot cocoa
- Tote bag: Great for carrying road trip snacks, gear, and everyday essentials
- Sweatpants, hoodies, and sweatshirts: Comfy and perfect for early morning airport days and weekends
Bonus: From Friday, December 6, to Monday, December 9, everythying in the AT store is 25 percent off!
Gear to prepare for their next adventure
While AT provides most of the big-ticket gear, these person items will complement their packing list and make any outdoor adventure even better. Find these at your local outdoor store, REI, or online (lots of different retailers). (Find more specific recommendations here.)
- Hiking boots: Durable, comfortable boots are essential for exploring trails, and they’re a must on each AT trip. Check out brands like Altra, Asolo, Hoka, Keen, Merrell, Oboz, Salomon, and Adidas.
- Camping pillow: Look at lightweight and packable options from brands like NEMO, Klymit, ThermaRest, or Sea to Summit.
- Headlamp: Whether for early mornings, nighttime hikes, or campfire storytelling, a reliable headlamp is a must. Get one from Black Diamond, Petzl, Ozark Trail, or Coleman.
- Outdoor apps: Help your teen explore nearby hikes with GSP subscriptions like AllTrails or Gaia GPS. Add Starwalk 2 for stargazing, Peakfinder for IDing the mountains around you, and PlantNet or Seek for plant identification.
- Wool socks: Who doesn’t love receiving socks? They’re a timeless and practical gift. Brands like Darn Tough, REI Co-op, and Smartwool make socks that are warm, fast-drying, durable, and adventure-ready. Just make sure you don’t get cotton for outdoor trips!
- Flair: Fun, quirky costumes like banana suits, unicorn onesies, and silly wigs make summit days, Costco shops, and road trips that much more fun and bring a smile to those around you. Check out Amazon, a thrift store, or your old Halloween costumes for great finds.
Gift the outdoors
Sometimes, gifts aren’t things—they’re experiences and ways to connect with each other and the nature around us. Here are a few ideas:
- An AT trip: Invest in your teen’s growth and development this summer.
- AT family program: Stay tuned for more details on our exciting new programs, designed to bring families together outdoors!
- National park pass: Give the gift of unlimited access to breathtaking landscapes and outdoor exploration—this allows you access to any national park!
- Donation to the Charlie Wellman Memorial Fund: Honor a late student’s love of adventure and help more students access the benefits of an AT experience by giving a charitable, tax-deductible gift to our 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Donate here.
- Family activities: Plan a ski day, a family hike, or a local park or bike adventure for those living in big cities.
This holiday season, give gifts that inspire connection, adventure, and unforgettable memories, whether it’s a cozy hoodie, a life-changing AT trip, or a family day spent exploring the great outdoors.
Explore the AT store for even more gift ideas and keep an eye out for upcoming holiday promotions!