Mother’s Day is nearly upon us! And trust us when we say your mom doesn’t want more flowers and chocolate this year; we asked. She wants hiking boots and hammocks instead. Although we suspect that a little chocolate thrown into the mix probably wouldn’t hurt. So skip the flower delivery service or those atrocious edible arrangements; use these Mother’s Day gift ideas to shower your outdoorsy mom with gifts she could actually use (and actually wants) instead. She’ll thank you for it every time she heads outdoors with her new gear (and maybe if you’re lucky, she’ll bring along her new favorite child, too).
Top 10 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for your Outdoorsy Mom
LARQ: A Germ-Killing, Water-Purifying Bottle
Sometimes a regular old water bottle won’t cut it. Sometimes you need your bottle to do more. Well, this one not only keeps water cold for hours and hours, but it also purifies her water and–get this–cleans itself! I think that’s a feature moms everywhere can get behind. Read our review of the water bottle here and order one here (there’s even a special Mother’s Day offer: free shipping on orders of $100+ and a free Mother’s Day card).
Peak Design Travel Backpack
Photographer moms will especially love this bag, but to be honest, so will anyone who travels or commutes. Yeah, it’s got customizable sections for photo gear, but it also makes a great organizational system for other gear or clothing whether commuting to the nearest coffee shop with the trusty laptop to work on her startup or jet setting to South America for a week or two. Get one here (just make sure to order it in black–there are leather accents on the sage green).
A Private Tour
If mom has a trip coming up soon, spring for a private tour that’ll let her really explore and learn about the place. Find excellent outdoor tours on ToursByLocals.com. Book one that you know she’ll find interesting and feel confident that you offered her the gift of insider knowledge. Book a tour here.
Down-Free Backpacking Quilt
Skip the dead-bird-feather-filled sleeping apparatus–your outdoorsy mom doesn’t want that. Instead, get her this super cozy, super soft backpacking quilt that’s small, light, and isn’t just for camping and backpacking. It’s also perfect for cool nights around the backyard fire pit or outdoor movies under the stars. Check out our review of the quilt here and then order your mom one here. UPDATE: Outdoor Vitals no longer makes a down-free bag or quilt, but they do still make a fully synthetic jacket, which can be found here.
Chacos: The Ultimate Adventure Sandal
We’re obsessed with our Chaco sandals. So is every other Chaco wearer we’ve ever met. Which is why we think a pair is one of the most perfect Mother’s Day gift ideas. Surreptitiously determine her shoe size, then order a pair in her favorite color (or colors). A tip from Chaconians (the term for those of us who almost never take them off): skip the ones with the toe loop. We meet way more people who don’t like it than people who do. Order a pair here (and remember that only their classic sandals are vegan).
A Sweet Hat
We’ve recently come around to the idea of wearing baseball or trucker hats when outdoors for just about any reason. Sure, we like a good wide-brimmed hat when hiking for hours and hours, (gotta protect those shoulders!) but for everyday wear and weekend excursions, nothing beats a ball cap, especially when it’s got a witty outdoor-ism or inspiring scene on the front that alerts everyone that we’re totally into the outdoors. Order one that suits your mom’s style here.
Navigation Course
Don’t let mom get lost in the woods. If she spends much time in the backcountry, set her up for navigational success by gifting her with a navigation course where she can learn techniques like aiming off and really nail reading a trail with a compass and map. It’s the gift that keeps on giving and she’ll use it every time she ventures outdoors. Reserve a spot for her at your local REI here.
Vegan Hiking Boots and Socks
Has your mom been wearing the same old worn-out boots for over a decade? If it’s about time for her to upgrade, get her a pair of animal-product-free boots. We list a bunch of excellent options in this post and all of them make great Mother’s Day gift ideas for your outdoorsy mom. And don’t forget the socks! Skip the wool and get her a pair of these synthetic hiking socks instead.
Hammock
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: a hammock makes a great gift. Everybody loves a hammock, including mom. Order her one in her fave color, set it up in her backyard or favorite park, and relaxation will ensue. She’ll think of you every time she’s swinging in the shade, chillin’ out, maxin’, relaxin’ all cool… (Yes, that’s a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reference). Order one here.
The Ultimate Headlamp
For a small gift that has a big impact, not just any headlamp will do. Get your outdoorsy mom this one, instead. It has 3 brightness levels up to 300 lumens plus a red light for preserving night vision. It’s a Mother’s Day gift she’ll actually use–and often. Order one here.
Need more Mother’s Day gift ideas? Check out more Terradrift gift guides here and here and give our Father’s Day Gift Guide a look-see, too (because outdoor gear is fun for everybody). Gift confidently and wander on (you and your mom)!
*This post contains affiliate links, which means we may get paid a small sum if you make a purchase. Maybe even enough to get our own mothers something nice.*
Alisha is a freelance outdoor journalist and photographer based in Ogden, UT. She loves backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and snowboarding (even though she’s terrible at it). She’s also pretty sure she’s addicted to coffee. alishamcdarris.com