We’re not alone in thinking that some of the best gifts we’ve ever received have been under 50 bucks. And no matter the price tag, usually, their value is much greater — maybe in sentimental value, artistic craft, thoughtfulness, or the best kind of gift — the one you’d never think to gift to yourself.
We can’t possibly recommend every piece of gear under the sun that’s $50, but hopefully, this list will give you some great starting ideas. Maybe a quirky, limited-edition item from the recipient’s favorite brand, maybe something small and packable that they can take with them on all their upcoming adventures.
Without further ado, here are some of our favorite gift ideas for items under $50. And, a few other goldmine gear gift ideas for the camping expert, the hiking aficionado, the EDC obsessive, and more.
Be sure to check out all of our gift guides for more ideas to suit every adventurer on your list!
Outdoor Gifts Under $50
Quechua MH100 35L Hiking Backpack
Decathlon stands as one of the world’s preeminent outdoor gear retailers, and it’s still winning over U.S. consumers. The brand makes virtually everything for any activity, and its Quechua camping gear offers stellar value. The 35L MH100 35L Hiking Backpack weighs 2.2 pounds, has a ventilated back panel, a padded waistband, and water-repelling DWR treatment. And best of all, it comes in under $50!
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BioLite HeadLamp 325
This lightweight (50g) headlamp made our best headlamps list because of its comfort. That comes from the slim, no-bounce fit and lack of battery, as it recharges via micro-USB. It’s great for car camping, day hikes, and even running.
As you might guess, it produces 325 lumens with runtimes of 3 hours on high and 40 hours on low. Its four lighting modes include red and white options.
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Nomadix Original Towel
We stash a Nomadix Towel in our car for unplanned stops on adventurous weekends. Roll it out on the sand or grass to create a temporary spot in nature to lounge, picnic, or work out.
Made from post-consumer recycled plastics, these towels are durable, don’t hold sand, and retain their shape after multiple washes. The towel fabric dries fast, resists slipping, and is extra-absorbent. An antimicrobial treatment helps it ward off odor-causing bacteria.
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Timberland PRO Hood Honcho Sport Hoodie
More than boots, Timberland’s PRO Hood Honcho Sport Hoodie blends the warmth of midweight cotton fleece with the stretch and resilience of polyester to make a cool-weather layer worthy of the worksite. It’s even got a hidden cellphone pocket to keep your valuables safe — all for under $50.
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Smartwool Ski Compression Print Over the Calf Socks
Known for durable designs and precision fit, Smartwool consistently produces top-quality socks for skiers of all levels. The brand is taking performance to the next level with the Smartwool Ski Compression Print Over the Calf Socks. This new-to-market, innovative design builds on the classic Smartwool ski sock but introduces 20-30mm Hg of graduated compression for a dialed-in, performance-oriented fit.
Body-mapped mesh zones balance warmth with breathability, while targeted cushioning adds extra comfort in high-impact areas. The result: comfortable, all-day wear whether you’re cruising groomers or exploring off-piste. Made with Indestructa Wool Technology, these durable socks stand up to long seasons of back-to-back days on the snow.
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Hydro Flask Mug — 12 Oz.
At this point, we all know about vacuum-sealed, double-walled drinkware: Cold stays cold, and hot stays hot longer. The easy-slide cap is neither leakproof nor spillproof, yet it adds to the Hydro Flask mug’s insulation and keeps out dust and bugs.
When the dust settles, this 12-ounce mug stands out for its comfortable handle and modest size that doesn’t take up too much room on your kitchen table or work desk.
And while we normally don’t weigh in on color choices, whoever receives it will be looking at it for years (stainless steel lasts a long time). Luckily, Hydro Flask has a nice array of color choices and some new patterns this year.
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PAKA Underwear
Unlike a tie, nobody will be upset to receive premium underwear. The mix of Tencel and royal alpaca wool delivers thermoregulation and naturally wards off odor-causing bacteria, making these great for backpacking and travel. The alpaca wool is extra soft and cozy against the skin, too.
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Ibex Shak Beanie
Look, I love hats. And when it’s winter, I especially love beanies. But is it hard to justify dropping 50 bucks on one? Sure. So it’s a gift most people would never give themselves but would love to receive. The Ibex Shak is made with quality merino wool in a super-soft and super-stretchy knit, and is worthy of boxing up.
We’re plugging the Ibex Shak Beanie specifically since it’s so versatile: anyone who likes skiing, mountain hiking, cool-weather hiking, running, fishing, and more will like this hat. There is one downside, though: limited colors.
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OZERO Welding Mitts
Not shopping for a welder? Keep reading. Managing the fire pit at your favorite campsite or backyard gathering is never out of reach with these welding mitts. Have no fear; we’ve tested and stand by these exact gloves, and you are safe to reach in and handle embers or burning wood.
Everyone loves a roaring fire, but there’s a dedicated few who oversee the dying fire and make sure the last logs burn down before drowning it out. These welding mitts are far less clunky than even fireplace tools and usually end up as a conversation piece, too.
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YETI Flask
Add a little extra fun to every adventure with the YETI Flask. Constructed from single-wall, 18/8 stainless steel, this overengineered flask is puncture-proof, rust-resistant, and ready to tag along on any rugged outdoor activity. At 5.3 inches by 3.4 inches, the flask can hold up to 7 fluid ounces and comes with a funnel for mess-free pouring.
The leakproof design lets you confidently stow the flask in a backpack or coat pocket without worry. Choose classic stainless steel or one of five fun DuraCoat colors that won’t peel or crack. Then, customize the design for a personal touch. Like all YETI products, the flask comes with a 5-year warranty.
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FlipFuel Backpacking Fuel Transfer Device
Quit carrying and storing all of those partially full fuel canisters you’ve collected. Our review highlighted how FlipFuel makes it possible to easily (and safely) transfer isobutane or N-butane fuel from one partially used canister into another with just a twist of a knob.
The FlipFuel is small, which makes it easy to pack and relatively cheap at just $30. If a backpacker has one of these nifty gadgets, it will get used. It consolidates fuel weight between canisters — solving a universal problem among people who use camp stoves.
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Heat It Insect Bite Treatment
When GearJunkie tested the Heat It insect bite and sting treatment device, our tester was surprised by its effectiveness. For targeted relief, this techy little accessory plugs into your phone and heats up to over 100 degrees F.
When that heating element is pressed against the skin on a bug bite, your cells are presented with a “counter-irritant” that confuses your brain and relieves the itchiness. And it’s small enough to hang on your keychain or backpack easily.
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PACT Outdoors Pack Out Kit (12-Pack)
The PACT Pack Out kit is a great stocking stuffer for the backcountry pooper in your life. The Pack It Out Bathroom kit includes a durable outer bag for transporting your poop safely, a large inner bag to poop in, and “poop powder” to deodorize and dehydrate poop and make transport easy. It even has PACT Wipes to get you clean below and antiseptic hand wipes.
PACT came on the scene with its fungi magic that could help break down things left behind in a cat hole, and then created this kit for times when packing it out is necessary — which seems to be a growing trend. You can also check out the PACT Lite Bathroom Kit, which has a trowel that doubles as a container for PACT’s fungi tablets and wipes.
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Cliffset Starter Pack
Camp with a little extra peace of mind. Cliffset makes stainless steel cutlery with a bespoke cleaning solution. Don’t just wet it and wipe it; use Cliffset’s mixture of food-grade alcohol, water, and lemon oil to remove food matter. The set also has a special cleaning tool for scraping stubborn bits off your utensils.
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AeroPress Go Travel Coffee Press
Get everything you need to make coffeehouse-quality coffee (except for the beans) on the go or in the backcountry with this AeroPress coffee set ($50). AeroPress coffee is deceptively simple, produces exceptional flavor, and it’s fun to do!
This is a fun gift for coffee lovers — yes, even coffee lovers with their preferred method dialed down. Several editors swear by this setup, from the office to the hotel to the campsite, for good reason.
The mini coffee press can make hot coffee in just 1 minute. It comes with 350 paper microfilters, and everything packs into the cup for easy portability. Bonus: if you’ve got wiggle room in the budget, toss in a half-pound bag of fresh whole bean or ground coffee to go the extra mile.
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TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller
The TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller is one of the more popular ones out there, and for good reason: It’s reasonable, comes in an array of sizes, and has a varying multidensity foam surface to help you work out any post-activity kinks.
The TriggerPoint GRID ($35) is a hollow core roller whose surface offers varying compression levels. It’s made to help release muscle pain and tightness, improve mobility, increase circulation, and more. Plus, it’s a great gift for nearly anyone with an active lifestyle.
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Why Trust Us
As gear nerds, we get excited about ultralight and miniature products (things like camp lights and this mini Benchmade). But few on our holiday shopping lists are as gear-obsessed, and this list is written with that in mind. For the most part, the list is full of outdoor gear that gets a lot of use around the home and on casual outings, not just car camping.
Beyond regularly testing and reviewing gear for the site, our editors and contributors monitor how our friends and family use gear. From time-tested essentials like a headlamp to the admittedly quirky welding mitts, this list includes gear we regularly use and appreciate (but don’t all warrant a full review).
These gear picks prove that shopping on a budget, as most of us do, doesn’t mean skimping on quality or usefulness. If nothing in this guide jumps out at you, check out our other holiday gift guides for more inspiration.
Want more gift ideas? Check out our other gift guides and buying guides.
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