4 Hiking Gear Ideas You Can Sew for the Holidays
The holiday season is a time for thoughtful, personal gift-giving. In a world of mass-produced items, a handmade gift is a powerful way to show someone you truly care. It’s a gift of your time, your skill, and your creativity. But for the avid hiker, backpacker, or camper in your life, a handmade gift can be both incredibly personal and supremely practical.
The world of “Make Your Own Gear” (MYOG) is a fantastic source of inspiration for unique and useful presents. A simple, well-made piece of custom gear, like a lightweight sun hoody made from a high-performance sun-repellent fabric, is a gift that is not only thoughtful but will be used and appreciated on countless future adventures.
You don’t have to be a master tailor to get started. Here are some simple, beginner-friendly project ideas that make fantastic and impressive holiday gifts.
1- A Fleece Beanie or Neck Gaiter
This is the perfect “first project” for anyone who is new to sewing technical gear. A simple fleece beanie or a tube-style neck gaiter is a quick, easy, and incredibly useful gift for any cool-weather adventurer.
Why it’s a great starter project: Polar fleece is a wonderfully forgiving fabric. It has a bit of stretch, it’s easy to handle, and most importantly, it doesn’t fray, which means you don’t have to worry about finishing the seams perfectly. You can often complete a beanie or a gaiter in under an hour, making it a fantastic and low-stress way to build your confidence.
2- A Set of Stuff Sacks
Every serious backpacker is obsessed with two things: keeping their gear dry and keeping it organized. A set of ultralight, waterproof stuff sacks is a highly coveted and surprisingly expensive item to buy, but they are incredibly simple to make.
Why it’s a great gift: A set of three or four stuff sacks in different sizes and colors is a perfect, professional-looking gift. You can use a waterproof fabric or a silicone-impregnated “silnylon.” The project is just a few simple, straight seams and a channel for a drawstring. It’s a gift that looks and performs like a high-end piece of gear.
3- A Trail Fanny Pack
The humble fanny pack has made a huge comeback in the hiking world. A small, lightweight pack worn on the hips or across the chest is the perfect way for a hiker to keep their most essential items—their phone, their snacks, and their lip balm—easily accessible without having to take off their main backpack.
Why it’s a great gift: A roll-top or zippered fanny pack is a great project for a confident beginner. It will teach you how to work with slightly heavier fabrics and how to attach webbing and buckles. The best part is that there is a massive and incredibly supportive online community of fellow gear makers.
4- A Pair of Down Booties
There is no greater luxury at the end of a long, cold day of hiking than to slip your tired feet into a pair of warm, puffy, down-filled booties to wear around the campsite. These are a truly luxurious gift that is surprisingly achievable for a DIYer.
Why it’s a great gift: This is a project that will truly “wow” the recipient. It will teach you how to work with lightweight, “down-proof” shell fabrics and how to handle insulation. It’s a thoughtful and deeply comforting gift that any cold-weather camper will absolutely cherish.
A handmade gift is a special thing. It’s a testament to your skill and your affection for the recipient. By creating a gift that is also a useful and coveted piece of outdoor gear, you are giving the adventurer in your life something truly unique and from the heart.
