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50 Best Backpacking Gifts Under $50 (2023)

50 Best Backpacking Gifts Under $50

It can be difficult to pick good backpacking gifts if you’re not an expert backpacker or hiker. That’s why we’ve pulled together this list of great backpacking gifts for $50 or less to help you get your backpacking friends gifts that they’ll appreciate. If you want to spend more, we suggest giving them a gift card so they can pick out the gear they want.

Backpacking Gifts for $50 or less

  1. Enlightened Equipment Rain Skirt: ($50) Much more comfortable than full rain pants in summer.
  2. MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Canister Stove: ($49.95) Durable and lightweight folding canister stove. Lasts forever.
  3. Zpacks Titanium Flask: ($49) Weighing just 3 oz, it holds 8.8 oz of liquid. Includes a titanium funnel for refills.
  4. Hyperlite Mountain Gear WP Backpack Shoulder Pocket: ($49) Holds a smartphone, w/ wallet compartment. Waterproof. A backpacker favorite.
  5. Enlightened Equipment Rain Mitts: ($35) 3-layer waterproof breathable rain mittens.
  6. Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat: ($42) Popular sun hat that provides head and neck protection.
  7. Trail Designs Caldera Cone: ($35) Ultralight stove system compatible with alcohol and solid fuel.
  8. Sven Saw: ($45) Ultralight folding saw that’s handy for cutting firewood and trail maintenance.
  9. Soto Amicus Stove and Cook Set:  ($45) Very powerful canister stove and cook set.
  10. Ruffwear Quencher Dog Bowl: ($20) Fold-flat packable dog bowl for the trail. A classic.
  11. Toaks Titanium Alcohol Stove: ($35) Ultralight alcohol backpacking stove. Super easy to use.
  12. Gaia GPS Premium Subscription: ($32) One-year license to the leading Smartphone navigation app.
  13. Ultralight Packing Pods: ($45) 3-pack of packing organizers designs to maximize backpack space
  14. Mountain Hardwear Dome Perignon Hat: ($38) Super warm, windproof Polartec Hat. A classic!
  15. Mystery Ranch Wing Man: ($45) Accessory chest pocket compatible with all backpacks.
  16. Snow Peak Titanium Trek 700 Mug: ($49.95) Ultralight cook pot that doubles as a bowl and mug.
  17. QiWiz Big Dig Titanium Trowel: ($29) Handmade Ultralight poo trowel that can dig through tough soil.
  18. Darn Tough Hiker Boot Cushion Hiking Socks: ($27) Backpackers favorite. Super durable and comfortable.
  19. Norwegian Kuska Mug: ($32) Hand-carved hardwood mug. Clips to your backpack. Drink naturally.
  20. Six Moon Carbon Fiber Trekking Umbrella:($45) Ultralight sun and rain protection when hiking.

Backpacking Gifts for $25 or less

  1. Swiss Army Knife Classic: ($22) Smallest Swiss Army Knife with scissors. Thin and lightweight.
  2. Jetboil Coffee Press. ($19) Turns a Jetboil stove into a French press.
  3. Hammock Ridgeline Organizer ($20) Hanging pocket organizer for glasses, headlamp, smartphone, etc.
  4. Tenkara Fishing Pouch: ($25) Minimalist neck pouch that holds a fly box, tippet, and nippers.
  5. Outdoor Research ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Gloves: ($25) Cooling Gloves for hiking sun protection.
  6. uberleben Firesteel: ($18) Compact fire starter designed to light fires in any condition – 20,000 strikes.
  7. Snowpeak Kettle Cook Pot 1 qt: ($25) Unique stainless kettle with folding handles, fold-down bail, and spout. Perfect for use over a fire or with any type of stove.
  8. Toaks Titanium Windscreen: ($11) Super lightweight essential for alcohol and solid fuel camping stoves.
  9. Luci Lantern: ($25) Solar-powered inflatable lantern. Super lightweight. Good for emergencies too.
  10. Morsel Spork: ($13) Combination fork and spoon, with an edge that is strong enough to cut. Awesome.
  11. CNOC Vecto 3L Squeezable Water Bottle: ($25) Compatible with all Sawyer filters. A backpacker favorite.
  12. Possum Down Gloves: ($25) Super warm, lightweight wool gloves from New Zealand. A cult favorite.
  13. Simple Shower: ($15) Ultralight shower kit that connects to soda bottles.
  14. MSR Windburner Coffee Press Kit: ($25) Got a Windburner? You can have coffee too.
  15. Injinji Liner Socks: ($12) Socks with distinct toes that stop hiking blisters in their tracks.
  16. allmansright Holster Stake Sack: ($16) Very durable tent sake stack that’s hard to lose.
  17. Crossbands Silicone Elastic Bands: ($19) 20-pack of assorted 4-way elastic bands for packing pots and gear.
  18. Justin’s UL Water Bottle Pocket: ($17) Popular bottle holder for backpack shoulder straps.
  19. The Stanley Adventure Camp Cookset: ($14) Great little cookpot for boiling water or making coffee.
  20. Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth: ($20) For women. A zero-waste alternative to toilet paper when you have to pee. It’s a pretty sensible gift, although a little edgy.

Backpacking Gifts for $10 or less

  1. Hanging Tent Organizer: ($10) 4-pocket mesh hanging organizer for tents. Handy for glasses, phones, etc.
  2. Folding Foam Sit Pad: ($10) Keeps your bum clean and dry when you sit on a rock to rest.
  3. Swiss Army Knife Replacement Tweezers: ($10) A 6-pack of Swiss Army Knife replacement tweezers.
  4. Jetboil Fuel Can Stabilizer: ($7) Prevents tip-overs. Works with any fuel canister. Totally worth the weight.
  5. Dr. Bronner’s Soap: ($4) A minty revelation. The 2 oz size is perfect for backpacking.
  6. Platypus 1L Clear Foldable Bottle: ($10) Incredibly useful and durable folding water bottle.
  7. CuloClean Portable Bidet: ($10) Screws onto a soda bottle, for washing the salt and stink off at night.
  8. Leukotape P Sports Tape: ($7) Great blister prevention tape that is popular with all backpackers.
  9. Nite Ize LED Micro Lantern: ($10) Clips to a hammock ridgeline or to gear loops in a tent.
  10. Gossamer Gear Bamboo Long-Handle Spoon: ($7) Unlike metal, bamboo does not conduct heat, stain, or absorb flavors.
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6 comments

  1. Good list with some great ideas.
    Need to check link on “Gifts under $50: #13 Ultralight Packing Pods: ($45) 3-pack”…

  2. Nice list.

    I have the smaller of the two titanium Caldera Cones with the Inferno insert and the much more efficient BGET aftermarket ESBIT tablet holder. In the wood burning mode I get mostly white ashes due to the very high heat regardless of the species of wood used.

    ** 3 mm thick closed cell neoprene diving socks for the BEST Vapor Barrier Liner (VBL0 possible.
    US Divers brand is the best choice. They last many seasons. WEAR THIN SYNTHETIC LINER SOCKS WITH THEM, ONE CLEAN PAIR PER DAY. -(Usually around $30. for the US Divers brand.)-

  3. Oh man, I love your lists. Is it cheating if I print it out and just sorta leave it around the house?

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