Outdoor Gift Guide 2026: Gifts for Hikers, Cyclists and Campers From Small Brands Worth Knowing
In February, I joined the Ascent cohort of Path Ahead Ventures, REI's accelerator program for founders of color in the outdoor industry. Three months of 1:1 work with an industry expert, honest conversations, and a group of founders facing the same challenges I was. They picked BERT because they believed in what we're building, and being in that room made me realize how many amazing brands are out there that most of us never hear about.
Now that everyone is hunting for gift ideas, I wanted to introduce a few of them. Behind every product in this guide is a founder making something different, and I think you should get to know them too.
Full disclosure: I know these founders through the program. Nobody paid me, there are no affiliate links, and I'm only sharing brands I truly believe in. Yes, BERT is on the list too. I'll keep it honest and keep it short.
Prices are from each brand's website as of October 2026. Small brands sell out, so order early.
Quick picks by budget
|
Budget |
Gift |
Perfect for |
|---|---|---|
|
Under $25 |
Mojave Mallows organic marshmallows ($13.25) |
Campers, families, scout troops |
|
Under $25 |
Pao Labs 5-pack sampler ($20.99) |
Runners, cyclists, triathletes |
|
$25 to $50 |
SUS 12 Bottle Mini Backpack ($40) |
Travelers, day trippers, commuters |
|
$50 to $100 |
BERT Knit ($80) |
Bikepackers, backpackers, travelers |
|
$50 to $100 |
FEND Super helmet ($89) |
Bike commuters |
|
$100+ |
FEND Super Plus helmet ($139) |
City riders who want lights built in |
Mojave Mallows: for the friend who always brings the s'mores
Under $25 · Perfect for campers, families and scout troops
Mojave Mallows makes organic marshmallows by hand in California, and it was founded by former Girl Scouts. The marshmallows are fortified with dates, and the bags come in vanilla bean, s'more speckled and cocoa dipped flavors. They're organic, kosher and gluten-free, and a bag is $13.25.
This is the easiest gift in the guide. Give a bag to a camper, a scout leader, or anyone who owns a fire pit. If you want to go bigger, their portable mini campfire is $28 and their roasting skewer is $14.95.
One thing to know: they make limited batches each month, so don't wait until mid-December.
Pao Labs: for the runner, cyclist or triathlete
Under $25 · Perfect for endurance athletes
Pao Labs makes energy jellies, built by runners and founded by Asian Americans. Think of an energy gel, but with a jelly texture and flavors like yuzu, lychee oolong and strawberry matcha. Each jelly has 25g of carbs, and they're vegan.
The 5-pack sampler is $20.99, which makes it a great stocking stuffer. The 12-pack is $36 if you want to stock them up for a whole training block.
A tip for the person giving it: Pao recommends testing any fueling during training, not on race day. So this is a gift to open early, not one to save for the start line.
SUS: for the traveler who needs a good bag
$25 to $50 · Perfect for travelers, day trippers and commuters
A bag is always a good gift, and a bag made from recycled materials is a better one. SUS makes bags, backpacks and accessories from recycled and upcycled materials. The 12 Bottle Mini Backpack (12L) is $40, and it comes from their bottle collection.
Their Reality collection is made in the US from upcycled tent, tarp and canopy fabric. If $40 is too much, the Reality Travel Pouch starts at $25 and the Everyday Wallet at $20.
They also run a Reborn Initiative: donate an old bag and get 10% off a new one. SUS says it doesn't work with Amazon or fast-fashion brands, which fits the point of this whole guide.
BERT Knit: for the bikepacker, backpacker or anyone who travels light
$50 to $100 · Perfect for people who move between activities
You knew I'd include it. BERT is the pre- and post-activity shoe, designed for the moments around your adventure: after the ride, around camp, through the airport. The BERT Knit has a 100% breathable knit upper, feels like walking in socks, weighs under 300g, and packs into a jersey pocket. It's $80, handmade in Medellín, Colombia, on a natural rubber sole.
Every sale also sends 5% to spay and neuter programs for street dogs in Colombia. Over 300 animals helped so far.
Not sure which version to pick? I wrote a full breakdown in BERT Knit vs BERT Neoprene.
FEND: for the friend who commutes by bike
$50 to $100, or $100+ for the version with lights · Perfect for city riders
We all know someone who hates carrying a bulky helmet around once they lock up their bike. FEND makes foldable helmets that fold flat so they slide into a bag. The FEND Super is $89, the original FEND One is $119, and the Super Plus is $139 with a built-in front light. FEND has also won a Red Dot Design Award.
Reflective stickers ($15) and bike lights (from $27) make good stocking stuffers.
One practical tip: helmets need to fit well. If you're not sure of their head size, a FEND gift card is a safe move. You can also check FEND's site for details on safety certification and their crash replacement program before you buy.
Why I'd spend this Christmas on small brands
Every brand here is run by people who are still building. A purchase from a small brand doesn't disappear into a big company's quarterly numbers. It pays for the next batch of marshmallows, the next run of helmets, the next shipment of rubber from a cooperative in Colombia.
So this holiday season, when you're looking for something new, look for the founders making something different. I'm lucky to have met these four. I think you'll enjoy getting to know them too.
If you have a favorite small brand I should know about, email me at juliana@thebertshoe.com. I'd love to hear about it.
Juliana Founder, BERT
