Useful Gifts for Backpackers 2025
It is so hard to know what are the best gifts for backpackers who are travelling the world and don’t have space in their backpacks for the gifts we normally buy each other for Christmas.
Travel Gear are things that a lot of travellers will find useful and are not taking up precious space that they might want for something else.
So here is a list of gifts for backpackers, that they will appreciate and are useful to them. As a backpacker for the last 6 years I know about good gifts for backpackers, gifts for travel lovers and what are useful presents for backpackers and what is not, as I have been given some pretty useless backpacker presents and impossible presents to travel with.
My sister is learning but at first I got present’s like a porcelain heart with my niece’s footprint!! A great present but not to carry around in a backpack!!
So below are a few of my backpacker gift ideas from travel gifts I have been given, whether you are looking for Christmas gifts for backpackers or birthday gifts. I hope you find the list useful and find some great gifts for backpackers.
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The Best Gifts for Backpackers
Kindle E Readers
Personally I always said I never wanted a kindle and still to this day, I prefer to read a book, but my work colleagues decided to buy me a kindle as my leaving present and honestly it has been one of the best presents ever. I love to read and to be able to pick up a book and read what I want when I want is great. It’s not the same as a real book but who has space or the extra weight in their backpack for a normal book or 3. I also buy my Lonely Planet guides for the kindle which is very useful to have as they take up huge amounts of space, so this is a great backpacker gift.
I have the standard kindle like the one above which is very reasonably priced but there is no built in light so if I want to read on a night in a dorm room then its not possible. There is a Kindle with a built in light the Kindle Paperwhite Ereader, though this is a bit more expensive. If you are wanting something cheaper, then very popular is also the Kindle Fire Tablet, this is a tablet so you can browse the internet, watch tv but it does mean it only has a battery life of 8 hours, whereas the kindles can go weeks without charging.
Click here to check out the latest prices and more details on the Kindle E-reader 6 Inch
Kindle Covers/Cases
If they already have a kindle then why not buy them a cover/case to protect it. I personally like the personalised photo design ones and I have one of these with pictures of my niece from when she was a baby. A great backpacker gifts that my sister sent me when I was away living in New Zealand. If you prefer something more plain then this one is a great choice and comes in a few different colours.
Click here to check out the latest prices and more details
Waterproof Case
For those days at the beach and you don’t know what to do with your valuables when you go in the sea, especially if you are a solo traveller. Then a waterproof case is a great backpacker gift ideas. You can take your valuables into the sea with you.
Click here to check out the latest prices and more details on the Wilbur Waterproof Case.
Speaker
A speaker is something I always travel with, you never know when you might need some music. Personally I like the JBL portable bluetooth speaker, the sound quality is great and its not too big to carry around.
Click here to check out the latest prices and more details on the JBL Portable Speaker.
Fitbit
For travellers its so hard to fit in exercising so I like to be able to see how many steps etc I have done for the day and maybe walk a bit further if I feel I haven’t done enough. I personally have the Fitbit Charge 5 which I love, but there is now a newer version out the Fitbit Inspire HR Heart Rate & Fitness Tracker.
Click here to check out the latest prices and more details of the Fitbit Inspire 2.
Fitbit Straps
The fitbit’s generally come with a plastic strap which I would say is more for the gym, so its great that there are options for different straps to go with them. I like the metal ones and definitely think they look more dressy for a night out.
Click here to check out the latest prices and more details of Straps for Fitbit Charge 5.
Portable Charger
One thing I can’t live without on the road is my portable charger, my ipod touch is very old now and does not hold its charge long and as all my music is on there I need a portable charger for those 10 hour plus bus journeys!! You need to make sure that it will last a long time and this is a great option as you can either charge it with electricity or with sunlight or even use the hand crank to power it, so it’s ideal if you are on a multi day hike with no access to electricity.
Travel Pillows
Travel pillows are very useful for when you have a long flight or a long bus journey to try and get some sleep. I used to have a blow up one and found this really uncomfortable, whereas the memory foam ones are much more comfortable.
Click here to check out the latest prices and more details on travel pillows.
Travel Wallet
When I am travelling I always have this, then I always know where my passport is, any extra currency I have, my credit cards and my vaccination documents. This way I am organised and don’t lose anything. I like this travel wallet as it was lots of places for all your passport etc and it comes in a few different colours.
Click here to check out the latest prices and more details on this Travel Wallet
Passport Holder
Its easy for passports to get damaged, so its good to have a cover to protect it. We certainly don’t want to have to pay for a new passport because it got damaged!! I like this travelled themed one.
Click here to check out the latest prices and more details on this Passport Holder.
Packing Cubes
An essential for someone travelling and backpacking, its so easy to keep everything organised in your backpack and also to find your belongings easy. I couldn’t live without them, you also seem to be able to pack more things with these.
Microfibre Towel
Every traveller needs a towel and these microfibre towels pack up really small and dry very quickly.
Click here to check out the latest prices and more details
Travel Scrabble
Many people love to play different board games when travelling and this Scrabble set is small and comes with it’s own case, meaning that it can be packed easily, without losing any of the pieces and will make a great gift for a backpacker.
Click here to check out the latest prices and more details.
Travel Blender
A travel blender is a great gift for someone who likes to travel, whether that is short weekend trips or longer trips. If you have a blender when you are travelling then you can still have those healthy fruit smoothies you would have at home, so who wouldn’t want this great idea for travellers.
Click here for more details and pricing.
National Park T-Shirt
A great gift idea for someone who loves hiking and parks is a National Park Souvenir, these t-shirts are beautiful, though there are many different types of gifts you can get someone who loves National Parks.
Click here for more details and pricing of this National Park T-shirt
Do you agree with these great gifts for backpackers, is there any other items you think I should add? It would be great if you could let me know.
Check out my other guides:
- Ultimate Guide to the Best Portable Travel Blender 2025
- Ultimate Guide to the Best Filtered Water Bottle for Travel 2025
- Ultimate Guide to the Best Kindle 2025
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Great list, I’m with you on the Kidle and would say that if you can afford it the Paperwhite is worth the extra cash. Although I must admit I still lug my paper guidebooks around with me.
Great list and all perfect backpacker friendly gift ideas!