THE 10 BEST GIFT IDEAS FROM MACPAC

If you’re looking to get a gift from Macpac for someone special, here are a few ideas that you can’t go wrong with.

And yes, most of the best Macpac gifts are for hikers/trampers, whether they are just getting started or those who seemingly have everything! But there are a couple of exceptions where these gifts can suit everything. The Yeti products for example.

And if you’re not 100% sure if you’ve got the right gift, most of the items below are able to be returned unused within 60 days at any Macpac store.

Let’s get into the list…

1. MACPAC MINI LANTERN

While many people will have a headlamp, a mini lantern is a great gift for people who are camping and/or hiking.

This lantern is lightweight making it convenient to use. And it has a couple of cool features including a magnet (great for van life) and a hook (great for hut life). It’s also rechargeable via USB which is useful.

Buy the mini lantern from Macpac here, and check out my more detailed review here.

2. AEROPRESS COFFEE MAKER

For coffee-loving hikers, the Aeropress Coffee Makers are a genius invention. It’s almost like filter coffee apparently (I don’t drink coffee). It’s the most popular coffee maker we sell at Macpac due to it’s minimal weight and friendly useability.

That said, consider looking at the Wacaco range of coffee makers.

Buy the Aeropress online here.

3. DOC HUT TICKETS

Hut life in New Zealand is awesome. While there are some huts (for example the Great Walks) that must be booked online in advance, most of the huts just require DOC Hut Tickets to be deposited on arrival.

If you’re unsure which tickets to get, the safe option is to get them standard (blue) tickets as you can use three of them as the equivalent of one serviced ticket.

You can buy DOC Hut Tickets online from Macpac here.

4. DRY BAGS

No one can have enough dry bags! They’re not just to keep your belongings safe from water, they can help make packing easier, and they’re always handy to separate your dirty stuff from clean, which is surprisingly hard after a couple of days in the outdoors.

These are an item that you can never have too many off. If you’re not sure what size to get, buying the 3-piece pack from Macpac is a great option that covers all basis.

5. SAWYER WATER FILTER

While some people are fine with drinking water from nearly all streams in New Zealand, getting a water filter is a great way to ensure you’re not going to get into trouble with sketchy water.

You might be more familiar with Life Straw filters, but the Sawyer ones are great and have consistently amazing reviews. I like the mini filter, and maybe a couple of extra pouches…they’re always handy to have around the house.

6. KNOG HEADTORCH

Head torches are a great gift option for those who love hiking/camping. And if they have one already, a second one never goes astray!

The technology behind head torches tends to be a bit confusing, but the primary way to think about them is the higher the number of lumens, the brighter they are.

For most people, 200 to 250 lumens is going to be enough. But if they are into cycling, running and/or other active adventures, you could consider getting them upwards of 400 lumens.

The Knog head torches are great as they can be recharged via USB. For more details, read my Knog Bilby Run 400 review here.

You can buy the Knog head torches online here.

7. YETI

Yeti products have ‘best in class’ reputation, and the price tag reflects that.

You very very rarely ever find them on special in Macpac, but they’re a great gift for hikers and non-hikers!

There’s a whole host of products, but the 10oz vessels tend to be the most popular for those looking to drink coffee on the go. And they’re not only going to keep hot drinks hot, but they also keep them cold.

Yeti products are one of those gifts people can’t justify buying for themselves, but they’re a super popular gift (secret Santa wise too) so everyone ends up with one anyone :p

Check out the full range of Yeti products from Macpac.

8. MACPAC INFLATABLE PILLOW

The perfect stocking filler. The Macpac Inflatable Pillow is an affordable option that everyone seems to like. These are not hiking specific pillows, they can be used for camping, travel, days at the beach, you name it.

At just 90 grams and with them only taking a few seconds to inflate, these work a dream!

9. SOCKS

Yeap, it’s the cliche gift. But as someone who purchased cheap socks from The Warehouse until my early-30’s, I now understand the benefits of quality socks! They’re a game changer.

Head into your local Macpac and the staff will help you figure out what the best sock options for your human is.

If you know your intended recipient has had Macpac socks in the past, ask the staff if they can see what socks they’ve purchased on their account (ideally you’ll know their email to make it easy for searching).

FWIW, my favourite socks for running and hiking are these trail quarter socks (seen above).

10. GIFT CARDS

Don’t have any clue what to get them? Buying a gift card usually works a treat!

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And there you have it. Some awesome presents from Macpac that’ll keep your loved ones happy as.

If you’ve got any questions or suggestions, drop a comment below.