Need some great gift ideas for family or friends visiting Alaska in 2018? We put together a few useful gift items for every Alaskan traveler that won't necessarily break the bank.

Whether planning a trip to Alaska for fishing, RVing or any outdoor endeavor, these 8 practical gifts will make you a hit this holiday season!

1. The book - Backcountry Bear Basics

We picked up the book "Backcountry Bear Basics", by Dave Smith on a fall trip to Denali National Park. "The definitive guide to avoiding unpleasant encounters," this book gives an excellent and thorough understanding of bear behavior and how to understand common interactions with bears in the wild.

If you've ever wondered what to do, or better yet, what not to do in bear country, this book is truly one of the best reads on the subject. Dave's book is a great resource for anyone who plans to recreate in bear territory even if you have considerable experience with bears. 

2. LifeStraw Personal Water Filtration

LifeStraws are perfect travel companions for Alaska, especially if you plan on venturing off the beaten path. Even if you carry your own water, LifeStraws can supply you with an immediate solution to your hydration needs. We carry these on our boat with clients and when we fun fish in the backcountry. 

From LifeStraw's website: 

The straw-style filter design lets you turn up to 1,000 liters of contaminated water into safe drinking water.

With our Follow the Liters program, for every LifeStraw product sold, a child in a developing country receives clean, safe drinking water for an entire school year.

• Filters up to 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of water

• Removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria (>LOG 6 reduction), including E-Coli

• Removes 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites (>LOG 3 reduction), including Giardia & Cryptosporidium

3. Gift Certificates and Gift Cards

Many Alaskan guides and outfitters offer gift certificates for their services. This is a great way to help chip in towards awesome experiences for your loved ones. We offer gift certificates for our fishing trips which help cover the cost of guided fishing. When in doubt, gift certificates can be and excellent way to make any trip to Alaska memorable.

4. Technical Clothing

You don't need to be doing many "extreme" activities to realize the benefits to technical clothing. Alaska's ever-changing weather can be unforgiving at times and a gift of technical clothing will always be appreciated by friends and family braving the elements up here.

Everything from layering to rain gear is essential in these parts and will make for dry, warm and comfy vacations days! Technical clothing is always a great gift and has many benefits even after a trip to Alaska.

5. Outdoor Backpacks

Backpacks are great for travel to and from Alaska, especially as carry-ons while flying. They are also excellent for hiking, biking, fishing and other activities while on vacation. A solid, dependable and technical backpack will give you many years of use. They are practical and make fine gifts for the adventurer on your list!

6. Digital Camera/DSLR

If you've got a little more to spend on a friend or family member visiting Alaska in 2018, a digital camera is an indespensible travel companion. Nowadays, consumer DSLR's and digital cameras are very affordable. They take great photos and can offer an excellent upgrade to cell phone pictures especially when trying to photograph landscapes or action photos. 

7. Insect Repellent

If there was ever a super-practical gift to give for an Alaskan vacation, it would be the $6.00 stocking-stuffer that keeps on giving. No other travel companion can match the importance of bug repellent.

There are many days on the water where bugs don't bother us one bit, but if you plan on exploring any areas other than the middle of big rivers, then you must carry and use super strong bug repellent. The mosquitos will absolutely eat you alive. Trust us, your friends and family will thank you!

8. Hats and Sunglasses

With nearly 24 hours of sunlight in Alaska during the summer months, hats and polarized sunglasses are a must. Not only will your eyes be protected from the relentless sun, if any fishing is involved, your eyes will be protected from stray hooks. The added benefit of polarized lenses also helps cut glare, especially on the water; you'll also be able to see better into the water and spot fish you never knew were there.

Practical and moderately priced, hats and sunglasses make great gifts for Alaska!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this! If you like content like this, please hit the like button and share this post and be sure to watch our 2017 season highlights below: