We all have that one friend who is always shivering. They come into a room, and the first thing they look for is the thermostat control. When you visit, you find them hiding under a pile of blankets. We’ve curated a list of gift ideas for that friend.
These gifts are oriented towards outdoorsy folks. You know, your friend who adores rock climbing and skiing but shivers the entire time while doing it.
The best gifts for people who are always cold
Editor’s choice: Rumpl Whiteout Chillmono
- Stain and water-resistant DWR finish
- Fleece-lined for comfort
- Deep hand pockets for valuables
- Available in black or white
Approximately once a year, the city I live in freezes over, it snows, and everyone freaks out. When that happens, I get to break out my Rumpl Chillmono with absolutely zero weird looks. This is an incredibly warm jacket. Think of it much like Rumpl’s classic blankets, but in a wearable jacket form with a cozy fleece-lined interior.
This coat is made from 100% post-consumer recycled shell and insulation. There’s also a DWR finish for stain and water resistance. The whole coat is also machine washable and I love the deep hand pockets.
See Rumpl Whiteout Chillmono on Rumpl
Most stylish: Basin and Range Oversized Sherpa Jacket
- Polyester sherpa fleece with a soft interior
- Four total pockets, two hand pockets, and two chest pockets
- Oversized fit
Want to look like an heiress but also stay incredibly warm at the same time? Look no further than the Basin and Range Oversized Sherpa Jacket. This jacket is great inside or out. The length helped keep my whole body warm and it feels like a warm hug when you put it on. There are plenty of pockets, with two chest pockets and two hand pockets. I also love that you can dress up this jacket to look more formal or dress it down to be more casual.
The sherpa fleece is a polyester construction with a pink interior that’s soft on the skin. The oversized fit means there’s plenty of room for layers underneath.
See Basin and Range Oversized Sherpa Jacket on The Basin Range
Most versatile: Houdini The Cloud
- Primaloft Silver Eco Insulation
- Turns into a jacket, pillow, blanket, and sleeping bag
- Fully recyclable and made of recycled fibers
- BlueSign certified
The Cloud form Houdini is an extremely versatile and sustainable piece of clothing. Our tester was impressed at how easily it transformed from jacket to pillow to blanket to sleeping bag. Plus, it’s stylish and comes in three colorways.
In addition to its versatility, a notable feature is its sustainability. It’s fully recyclable and made primarily from recycled fibers. Additionally, the entire garment is Bluesign certified. The insulation is a synthetic down material called Primaloft Silver Eco, a more eco-friendly version of the classic Primaloft insulation.
See Houdini The Cloud on Houdini
Best baselayers: SITKA CORE System
- Midweight, lightweight, and heavyweight options for both men and women
- Polyester and elastane construction
- Polygiene odor control technology
While the link we’ve provided here is for the lightweight top, the SITKA CORE system is a whole line of baselayers for both men and women. Our tester says they are the best she’s ever worn, hands down. From heavyweight to lightweight, each piece performs exceptionally, wicks sweat, and keeps you warm.
Each piece features either a polyester or polyester and elastane construction for stretch and comfort. There’s also Polygiene odor control technology to ensure your baselayer lasts for years to come.
See SITKA CORE System on Sitka Gear
See SITKA CORE System on Walmart
Best down jacket: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket
- 10D ripstop exterior
- 800 fill down
- Elastic cuffs to keep warmth in
- First sleeve baffle is synthetic insulation to keep cuffs from wetting out
The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Jacket is one of the warmest down jackets on the market. The 10D ripstop exterior looks a bit fragile, but it hasn’t taken too much of a beating during the several years I’ve owned it. The 800-down fill is exceptional.
This is one of those layers I take if I know I need to keep warm or temperatures will be really, truly cold. This isn’t a jacket I like to wear casually because the second I move too much, I heat up quickly.
See Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket on Mountain Hard Wear
Best thermos: Thermos Stainless King 40 Ounce Beverage Bottle
- 18/8 stainless steel construction
- Vacuum-insulated
- Leak-proof design
- Versatile lid
- 40oz capacity
The Thermos Stainless King 40 Ounce Beverage Bottle is perfect for both hiking and biking tours. It can keep your drink warm for an extended period with its sturdy double-wall stainless steel construction and vacuum insulation technology. The manufacturers believe it can keep your liquids hot for at least 24 hours.
Stainless steel coats both the interior and exterior of the thermos. With such strength, you can rest assured that this product is durable enough to tag along on all your adventures. It is cool to the touch, so you can hold the bottle even when you’ve got piping hot beverages inside. The container holds up to 40oz (1.2L) of liquid and the lid doubles as a serving cup.
See Thermos Stainless King 40 Ounce Beverage Bottle on Amazon
See Thermos Stainless King 40 Ounce Beverage Bottle on Walmart
Best heated gloves: QILOVE Electric Heated Gloves
- Polyester and cotton blend construction
- 3.7V/2200m AH battery, up to five hours of runtime
- Adjustable temperature, three temperature settings
- Versatile gloves, great for various activities
Our extremities often get coldest the quickest. When the cold gets intense on the mountain, no amount of breathing into gloves will keep you warm. With an electrically heated glove, your mountaineering buddy can finally warm up their hands using electric heat.
The QILOVE Electric Heated Gloves are for both men and women. They use a rechargeable battery and have three different heat settings. The manufacturer states that the 2200mAh Li-ion batteries can work for up to five hours if fully charged and when used on the lowest setting.
The gloves are a blend of cotton and polyester, which helps provide a breathable and comfortable experience. With other heated gloves, customers have complained about the time required for them to heat up. This model is known for fast, efficient heating. The gloves are also windproof and waterproof, making them an excellent choice on the mountain.
See QILOVE Electric Heated Gloves on Amazon
Best hot water bottle: Peter Pan Hot Water Bottle
- Extra-thick rubber design
- 90oz capacity
- BPA- and pthalates-free
Sometimes your sleeping bag may not be warm enough for the wind chill on the mountain. While there are potentially warmer sleeping bags on the market, hot water bottles are more affordable.
A hot water bottle is a rubber container that is pre-filled with hot water and sealed on top with a stopper. The Peter Pan Hot Water Bottle is three times thicker than most other bottles, measuring .118 inches and capable of providing better insulation to maintain the temperature of the liquid inside. The bottle’s rubber content is about 56%, which is better than many alternatives that tend to use PVC, chalk, and vinyl as substitutes. Genuine rubber means that your hot water can stay hot for longer, thus improving the efficiency of the product. It’s extra-large, eco-friendly, BPA and phthalate-free, and features an odorless rubber design.
See Peter Pan Hot Water Bottle on Amazon
Best hand warmer: Zippo Refillable Hand Warmers
- Flameless gentle warmth
- Comes with lighter fluid
- Thin, sleek design fits into any pocket
A common feature at the winter campsite, disposable hand warmers can provide long-term heat, however, they are bad for the planet. Rechargeable hand warmers produce short bursts of heat on your hands but don’t last long and take up tons of space. The Zippo Refillable Hand Warmer is a rechargeable option that runs longer than its competitors by using lighter fluid. The tool uses an easy-fill technology, as well as an improved fill cup that helps to reduce spills.
It’s also worth noting that the hand warmers are very sleek, so they can easily fit into your pockets or bag. They don’t generate any flames and the warmth is about three times more than what you get with regular, disposable hand warmers. However, this gift is not ideal for on-demand use, as you can’t turn it on or off as you want.
See Zippo Refillable Hand Warmers on Amazon
See Zippo Refillable Hand Warmers on Walmart
Best socks: DG Hill Merino Wool Socks
- 80% Merino wool with brushed fleece lining
- Ribbed top for stay-up performance
- Odor-repelling and moisture-wicking
Warm, thick socks are essential for anyone who spends time outdoors in winter. The DG Hill Merino Wool Socks provide enhanced temperature regulation.
These socks have a brushed fleece lining with nylon/spandex for effective stay-up performance and additional elasticity. The socks hold their position and shape for an extended period. They also come with a reinforced toe and heel and arch support, helping you to stand more comfortably for long periods.
They also effectively absorb sweat and moisture. Couple this with antibacterial material and you get a comfortable pair of socks that reduce odor and maintain optimal dryness.
See DG Hill Merino Wool Socks on Amazon
See DG Hill Merino Wool Socks on Walmart
Why trust us
Having spent most of my life being the coldest person in the room, I’ve received many gifts aimed at keeping me warm. I’ve received a weighted blanket, heating pad, coffee mug warmer, heated blanket, and the list goes on. I really appreciate cozy gifts like hand warmers and heated gloves, they make a huge difference to my winter experience and could make a big difference to yours too.
Who this is for
This guide is focused on how to make the outdoors more comfortable for people who run cold. Many of these gifts are great choices for outdoorsy folks and non-outdoorsy folks alike. All of these gifts are focused on helping the user stay warm.
How we picked
Selecting gifts for people who are always cold started with personal experience: I always have cold hands and feet and have spent many years being the one always shivering in a room. Beyond personal testing and experience, we looked at highly-rated products, researched the market, and tried to ensure we had a well-rounded selection for all kinds of outdoorsy folks.
How we tested
The items in this guide were tested for anywhere from a few months up to several years. Each tested product was used in colder city temperatures of 30˚ and 40˚F and most also got tested in snow and alpine terrain.
