Are you wanting to buy a present for your travel buddy? It can be such a struggle to find the perfect gift, right? All you want to do is to make them happy, and then you start struggling coming up with ideas! Luckily you don’t have to worry about finding the perfect present for the backpacker in your life because we have created a gift guide with the best ideas for backpackers in 2021!

This list contains all of our favorite backpacker items that we’ve found handy during our travels along with the items we wish we had while backpacking! This backpacker’s gift idea list contains items from anywhere under 10$ to above 100$ so you can find a good variation in both items and price. We’re sure they’ll be loved and useful for any backpackers setting off on some new adventures 🙂
Just click on the image or the link underneath it and it will take you straight to the product site on Amazon.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you decide to buy any items we will get a small commission. Thank you so much!
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Here are the best gift ideas for backpackers in 2021
Lonely Planet Travel Guidebooks
There’s something comforting about having a Lonely Planet Travel Guidebook. They have everything you need to know about the given destination and can sometimes be a traveler’s best friend. The guidebooks are so useful and there’s a reason they’ve been around for such a long time. Any backpacker will love getting a Lonely Planet Travel Guidebook.
Another amazing thing about Lonely Planet’s guidebooks is the fact that they add a star at their favorite recommendations. When we lived in New Zealand, we checked out a few of them, and all recommendations were so good! Our favorite was a meat pie from a little shop in Te Anau. Worth checking out for sure 😉
Mosquito net


Most backpackers end up in Asia one way or another and a mosquito net is crucial if you’re planning on having a good night sleep. Of course, some resorts and hotels will have mosquito nets but if you’re a backpacker and on a budget that may not be the case… SO! A mosquito net can become very handy in many situations!
Passport holder



No one needs to have a bent passport! We always use our trusty passport holders. It’s just a more efficient way to keep your passport looking nice and never having to worry about losing it. Because, unfortunately, if you lose your passport while travelling that can cause a few problems! 😉
At the end of the day it’s just a little easier to keep track of it when it’s in a nice passport holder.
Travel journal
One thing most backpackers enjoy doing is documenting their journey and write down some of their favourite memories. Even though nowadays we remember and document our travels with pictures and videos, many backpackers still enjoy writing in travel journals. So don’t forget to add this simple yet powerful gift for your backpacker!



Pest Repeller



We came across this in one of the Airbnbs we recently stayed at and there were NO bugs, spiders, whatsoever. We were so impressed with it and definitely recommend one if you plan on travelling to any destinations that are known for their bugs (Asia, Australia, South America – literally anywhere).
It’s great because it’s odorless so you don’t have to worry about any toxic chemicals. It’s actually just sound waves that bugs can’t stand! Absolutely perfect if you ask us for any backpacker scared of bugs!
Silver Thermal Blanket



You never know when this will come in handy and for a few dollars you’ll have a bit of extra protection if you ever end up getting stuck somewhere really cold. Especially in places like Canada where winters are freezing we’d say a thermal blanket is mandatory!
We went hiking one time in the summer and the weather was basically perfect at the bottom. 1.5 later and we were standing in deep snow up to our knees! In situations like that, it’s definitely important to have an extra layer of protection.
Neck pillow



I don’t know about you but every time we travel on a long flight or a long bus ride and don’t bring a neck pillow it seriously feels like our necks are about to break. It’s so painful and it takes a few days just to get back to normal again.
Neck pillows are so useful for backpackers who are always travelling all over the place. They also don’t take up too much space, so they’re super convenient.
Adapter



This is an item you truly don’t appreciate until you go backpacking. Getting to a new country to realize none of your chargers connect to the outlets is a pain. How are you going to let your mom know that you’re fine? An adapter may be one of the handiest items for a backpacker.
Waterproof phone pouch



Even though some phones nowadays claim they are waterproof, how much can we seriously trust that? Knowing backpackers, they tend to be spontaneous and sometimes end up in places that are a little too wet for a phone, Whoops! But with a waterproof pouch no backpacker has to ever worry about getting water damage on their phone. As long as they use it, of course! 😉
Amazon Kindle



Most backpackers are (literally) fighting for every inch of space in their backpack. Books are something we personally love to bring on our trips, but they often get down-prioritized because they take up so much room and weight. Not ideal when you’re low on both.
Thankfully, in today’s day and age it’s possible to get a plentiful amount of books all on one small device. So, if your friend or family member loves to read then a Kindle may become their best friend while traveling! Don’t forget to add a book or two on it 😉
Travel containers



These are perfect for backpackers who are travelling light and don’t want to bring too much. Especially if you’re flying and only have carry-on luggage or backpack. These containers are the perfect size if you’re looking to bring a small quantity of a certain product, so you can bring your shampoo, body lotion, or whatever you absolutely need while you’re backpacking.

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We hope this list has helped you figure out what you can get your favorite backpacker. Or maybe it has given you some inspiration for your own wish list 😉 Either way, we hope you enjoyed it and found the perfect present for your backpacking friend!
Dom & Jo
Red White Adventures

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