I know I speak for myself, but I think I also speak for many others when I say that some of the best gifts I’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 my favorite gifts that I’ve personally gifted and received, that are under $50. And, a few other goldmine gear gift ideas for the camping expert, the hiking aficionado, the EDC obsessive, and more.
Coleman Classic 500 Lumens LED Lantern
The Coleman Classic 500 Lumens LED Lantern keeps its vintage looks with a bail handle for easy carrying or hanging and keeps some metallic looks without the weight. Unlike a fuel-burning lantern, you can hang this inside your tent.
The LEDs toggle through 100, 250, and 500 lumens of brightness with runtimes between 20 hours and 200 hours (on low or in flashing mode). It can produce a beam up to 42 feet away. Four D batteries (sold separately) power the lantern, and its plastic case is impact-resistant and has a water-resistant, IPX4 rating.
CamelBak MultiBev
I’ve had this bottle for a couple of years now, and it’s been with me back-and-forth to home and office, and traveling across four countries. It’s held up, and always comes in handy. How? It’s a one-stop-shop, do-all water bottle, cup, and coffee mug combo. The cup or mug detaches from the bottom, and threads into place when not in use. On the twist cap, there’s a hidden compartment for a rubber seal lid, if you are sipping a hot drink, walking with coffee, or driving in a car.
I’ve used this to share a beverage, bring a reusable vessel to a coffee shop for discount, drink two different beverages, as my sole bottle across extended international/airport travel, and for so much more. It’s wild to me that simple insulated tumblers have gotten so expensive, but this MultiBev is under 50 bucks (under $40 on sale)!
NEMO Fillo Pillow
If a camp pillow isn’t something your loved one already has, we have a hard time recommending anything other than this one in the ~$50 price range. The NEMO Fillo Pillow ($45) combines both foam and inflatable, with tons of loft, more comfort than some more budget and backpacker-specific options, and is simply a soft, reliable place to rest your head at camp for the night.
It does pack away fairly well, and also works great as a travel pillow. This is for the outdoorsmen who already have all the essentials in their camp kit, but maybe not as many “luxury” items. If you eschew most inflatable accessories and want a camp pillow that’s “pillow-like,” this is the one.
This year, NEMO also added two new color choices to the mix.
Big Agnes MtnGLO Tent & Camp Lights
Most people who already enjoying have camp lights or two. But typically, I acquire most of mine because of their basic functionality: provide some light on the walk to the tent, or the car. If you want to show some style and gift camp lights with more bells and whistles, check out these minimalist MtnGLO Tent lights from Big Agnes ($35).
You don’t have to have a Big Agnes tent for these to work or be compatible anywhere — plus, the ultra-sheer bag lets light through, so these colorful lights double as a funky hanging lantern when packed up! They are simple tech (either AAA batteries or USB for power), perfect for tents (100 inches of LEDs), versatile, and nifty.
YETI Rambler 35 Oz.
Single handedly starting the hydration sensation of 2022/2023, the YETI Rambler 35-ounce has had an outsized influence on the world of sipping. Cupholder compatible, dishwasher safe, and double wall vacuum insulated, the Rambler 35-ounce is a convenient and portable hydration solution that’s guaranteed to keep your beverages cold or warm, all day. Plenty of color options and its marquee reusable straw make for a decade (or more) of happy guzzles to come.
Subscription to OnX, Garmin, or Gaia GPS
Offline and off-grid, free apps can only get you so far. And its super hard nowadays to put a price tag on safety. If you have friends or loved ones who love heading out to those far-off, backcountry locales, consider gifting a subscription to a route, mapping, or tracking app. (If they already use an app — you can still gift covering their subscription for the next year!)
A premium subscription for Gaia GPS is $30-40 per year, and onX backcountry is similar at $30 per year (the Elite version is about triple that, though still less than $9 per month annually). Garmin’s inReach subscription plans — for use with the app, messaging, and SOS functionality — also run $15-35 per month.
Sure, you can’t really wrap it — but paying for an outdoor app subscription makes for a great gift.
Check Subscriptions at onX Maps
Check Subscriptions at Gaia GPS
Skida Hats
Skida’s founder started the brand as a 16-year-old high schooler while attending Burke Mountain Academy in Vermont. Now, the brand is widely popular across the U.S. and mountain towns everywhere, especially among backcountry travelers.
Give a unique apparel gift that someone can wear to the slopes, on the skin track, and out and about. You can ensure that you cover your recipient’s preference with a pullover, brim/panel cap, or nordic-style hat. Each design is unique, but we love patterns like the Bitterroot, Goldengirl, and Wallflower.
BioLite Mini AlpenGlow Lantern
We’ve now tested and used the BioLite AlpenGlow 500, 250, and Mini Lanterns, and the jury is in — all these lanterns are a fantastic, really functional, and fun light source at camp. However, there is only one that rings in under 50 bucks, and that’s the BioLite mini version.
The Mini has multiple (three) light modes, a built in bungee cord for attaching overhead or to a tent, and up to a 40-hour runtime. The unit comes in four colors — but the important colors are the ones coming from the LEDs inside: warm white, red, and multi … this is the ultimate campsite dance party light.
Arcade Atlas Belt
The very definition of low profile, the Arcade Atlas Belt is a sleek and unassuming option for keeping a smart, casual look, from the office to your next outdoor adventure. Dynamic stretch webbing has a bit of give for all-day activity that matches the movement of your body.
The high-density molded plastic buckle is hyper-durable for years of performance and is contoured to the shape of your body for a minimal look and feel. Webbing is made with 85% post-consumer recycled REPREVE polyester, so you’re looking good, and feeling good doing it.
Helinox Seat Warmers
For the person who really likes to go all-out, and takes pride in setting up a killer campsite, consider this out-of-the-box accessory gift: a seat warmer ($40). No, not an old-school electric blanket. We’re talking a seat warmer specific to Helinox’s camp chairs. This puffy, insulating cover can turn a cold campsite huddle into a more comfortable fall or winter-season experience.
Small note: It fits Helinox chair zero, chair one, and high-back chair models (and we plan on testing the warmer out on a few other popular camp chairs soon). For the person who loves to spend nights outside even in the cold, and for the person who packs all the gear every weekend, this seat cover makes a great gift. (Moreso if you live or like to camp in winter!)
Helinox also makes an extended high back and down-filled version. They are all currently on sale, running $30-60.
TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller
The TriggerPoint GRID Foam Roller, definitely one of the more popular ones out there, made our list for Best Foam Rollers. 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 ($36) is a hollow core roller whose surface offers varying levels of compression. It’s made to help release muscle pain and tightness, improve mobility, increase circulation, and a whole bunch more. Plus, it’s a great gift for nearly anyone with an active lifestyle.
Superfeet Hike Insoles
This is not a luxury or glamorous gift, we know, but for the right type of person it would be really appreciated. This is definitely a top-of-my-list recommendation if you are gifting outdoor gear to older parents, or fellow parents. Anyone who’s on their feet long hours, always hiking, or commuting — insoles are where it’s at.
Often, the insoles that come in footwear are fine, but overall thin and not the best for long-term support. Get your adventure partner (friend or parent) a snazzy pair of run or hike insoles, and they’ll be stoked the next time they hike the trails!
Lunatec Hydration Spray Bottle
Sometimes you want to hydrate in different ways. Beyond drinking water, you can cool off by splashing water onto a handkerchief and dabbing yourself.
But with this 1,000mL Hydration Spray Bottle, you can mist, stream, or shower your face anytime. Whether you want a rinse on the beach or a mid-hike cooldown, this bottle can help you keep cool and hydrated at the same time.
Primus Trail Cutlery & Chopsticks
Some outdoor cutlery sets can cost as much as $40 (!) — which is a little insane for utensils in general. These fancy, camp-friendly chopsticks from Primus ($20) are an awesome invention at a lower price, and make an even better gift. If you know someone who loves cooking at camp, and frequents dishes like BYO ramen, stir fry, and other noodles, chopsticks (the bulletwood sticks have a threaded brass attachment that unscrews to pack down) are a no-brainer.
I personally cook and eat a ton of Asian at home, and have various sets of chopsticks — special occasion, day-to-day use, and ones for the trail. They tend to take up less room than spoons and sporks as well. If you are gifting to the ultralight crowd: they are under an ounce, and 9.8 inches long.
Leatherman Micra Tool
I’ve been carrying my Leatherman Micra (a 10-tool multitool) around a lot lately. Prior to adding the Micra to my knife collection in 2023, the most similar smaller multi I was carrying was my circa-2010 Leatherman Squirt P4 (originally released in 2002). Don’t worry, as much as I love my Squirt, I’m not recommending old gear.
Interestingly, the Squirt series also included the E4 and PS4, which was retired in 2023, presumably to make way for the Micra which it closely resembles. And let me tell you, the pliers, the spring-action scissors, the thumb nicks, and overall quality of this tool has gotten eons better. Little additions like the ruler on the exterior, quality 420HC steel, and improved scissor action — plus lots of color choices — really make this little blade a perfect gift.
Aeropress Go Travel Coffee Press
Get everything you need to make coffee-house quality coffee (except for the beans) on the go or in the backcountry with this Aeropress coffee set ($39). 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 who have their preferred method dialed down. Several of our editors swear by this setup from the office to the hotel to the campsite, and for good reason.
The mini coffee press can make a cup of hot coffee in just 1 minute. It comes with 350 paper microfilters, and everything packs into the included 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 really go the extra mile.
Rightline Gear Vehicle Door Step
Wide enough to accommodate both feet, the folding Rightline Gear Moki Ascent vehicle step makes it easy to keep a safe standing position to reach truck or car camper accessories and high places. It eliminates the need to carry around a stepstool in your trunk, and folds up to stash away in small places.
The door step can support up to 400 pounds and help you access things like vehicle roofs, roof racks, ski racks, bike racks, cargo boxes, rooftop tents, and so much more. Bonus: The step can be used on both front and rear doors. This clever car door accessory is the perfect gift for overlanders or car camping junkies — and anyone with a roof box, camper, or tall vehicle.
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 a hat? 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, super-soft and super-stretchy knit, and is definitely worth boxing up.
We’re plugging the Ibex Shak Beanie ($50) 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.
BRANWYN Innerwear
I love, love BRANWYN’s bra ($48 and up) offerings. From the start I was impressed with the brand’s mission and intentions with quality and sustainability in mind, but honestly had to try a couple products to figure out what was comfortable, and the right fit. Well, the Busty Bra wins my vote, but the very similar Bralette wins the under-$50 award, and is fairly similar.
BRANWYN designs its “innerwear” for active women — I’ve heard high praises from everyone from thru-hikers to van lifers who can go weeks sometimes without access to showers or laundry. Garments that can hold up to sleep, sweat, hiking, and higher activity — and also be comfortable — become an essential.
The BRANWYN Bralette is made with New Zealand-sourced merino wool, and a seamless knit blend extra-fine merino wool, nylon, and spandex, a wide 2-inch band for comfort, and adjustable and reversible cross straps. This bra version is a low-impact design, tailored for lower-output activity and everyday use.
Especially if you are looking for a gift for your outdoor-loving partner, and the above stocking stuffers just don’t cut it, consider gifting BRANWYN.
Hydro Flask Any Color 12-Ounce Mug
If you are truly stuck on finding a gift for someone, or finding yourself questioning what the heck a gear junkie who has “everything” could want, consider going back to basics. I’m talking … their favorite color. Each year, Hydro Flask adds a couple of new colors to their official color wheel — which is already pretty robust. You are guaranteed to find a fun hue on there, and hey, who doesn’t mind having another travel mug?
Our gift-giving idea: investing in a set of two makes an extra great gift. The Hydro Flask 12-ounce Mug ($28) provides hours of insulation (for hot or cold liquids) and dependability, and come with an option to engrave or mix/match custom colors if that’s your style.
How to Use This ‘Under $50’ Guide
If you are on a budget — which is honestly a great way to shop, especially if you have multiple people to shop for — this under $50 outdoor gift guide is one of the best places to start. You can get a whole lot of gear for under $50 — apparel, footwear, accessories, flashlights, knives, hats, gloves, and more. You can’t quite get a camping tent for under 50 bucks, but hey, consider tent or gear organization, or clutch accessories for the campsite! (I’m looking at that brand new BioLite Mini Lantern that just came out.)
You’ll also find more unique ideas on this list: gifts like outdoor subscriptions, gear that can serve multiple functions, and gear that can flex from everyday life to camping to travel. In short: this list isn’t just here to provide easy one-click-buy links, but to provide some creative suggestions and budget gift inspiration.
It doesn’t matter if you are shopping for a camper, hiker, runner, angler, or all-around gear nerd — we guarantee there’s something for everyone on this list. And, it’s affordable, as all these gift ideas are under $50.
Why You Should Trust Us
I am meticulous, a planner, an organized person. Sure, sometimes I discover something I know a family member would love months in advance before the holidays, and I buy it spur-of-the-moment. But typically for me, my holiday shopping looks like calm and collected — in the form of a spreadsheet, a note on my phone, a budget, and a thorough shopping list.
I am also a gear nerd. I have a penchant for things that are ultralight and miniature (things like packable camp lights and this mini Benchmade). But not everyone I’m buying gifts for is as gear-obsessed — finding other suggestions and ideas (like these!) for people not like me is something I look for when the holidays roll around.
This was a chance to write that resource for other shoppers, which was cool. Branch out, think outside the box, toss something unique into your online shopping cart.
If “planning ahead” sounds like you, then this list, a reflection of my hopefully thoughtful and organized gift-giving brain, is a great resource. Even if you are the opposite of me and don’t write things down or say, buy gifts last-minute, I hope this list helps.
My recommendation: Pair this list with a notebook to jot down your final selections for gift ideas, and a steaming mug of hot cocoa. And remember, the holidays are about quality time off, whether reconnecting with family, friends, or the outdoors and embracing wintertime — not about spending thousands. Setting a budget (say ~$50) is definitely a smart move.
